Patent ID: 6907782
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: G01C,G01P

Abstract:
1. A micromechanical inertial sensor comprising: a gimbal structure formed from a single wafer having a wafer plane, the gimbal structure including a first oscillating element having a first axis of oscillation coupled to a second oscillating element having a second axis of oscillation aligned substantially perpendicular to the first axis of oscillation, an exciter unit configured to oscillate the first oscillating element; a first sensing device configured to sense a deflection of the second oscillating element; a first plate formed from the single wafer, the first plate being pivotable about a first axis of rotation and deflectable by an acceleration acting perpendicular to the first axis of rotation; a second sensing device configured to sense a deflection of the first plate; a first mass element attached to the first plate, wherein a common center of gravity of the first plate and the first mass element is offset from the first axis of rotation in a direction of the wafer plane; and a second plate formed in the single wafer and a third sensing device, the second plate being pivotable about a second axis of rotation and deflectable by an acceleration acting perpendicular to the second axis of rotation, the third sensing device configured to sense a deflection of the second plate.