Patent ID: 6736008
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
An inertia sensor comprising:insulating substrates; and a silicon structure that is bonded between the insulating substrate with a clearance space therebetween, said silicon structure having a movable portion and a fixed portion, the movable portion having a movable electrode displaceable in a direction of an inertial force applied to the sensor, first and second beam structures for the movable portion, connected to respective ends of the movable electrode and supporting the movable dec ode opposite the clearance space, and a pair of support portions for the movable portion that support the beam structures for the movable portion and are bonded to the insulating substrates, wherein the fixed portion has a fixed electrode opposing the movable electrode and a support portion for the fixed portion that supports the fixed electrode and is bond to the insulating substrates, stoppers that restrict displacement of the movable electrode on four outer corners of the first and second beam structures for the movable portion so the movable electrode is brought into contact with the support portions for the movable portion and the support portion for the fixed portion, and a damper, including a cantilever for the movable portion, provided on the movable electrode, protruding, therefrom, and extending opposite the clearance space, and a cantilever for the fixed portion provided on the support portions for the movable portion or the support portion for the fixed portion, protruding therefrom, and extending opposite the clearance space, disposed near each of the stoppers so that the cantilever for the movable portion and the cantilever for the fixed portion make contact with each other before the movable electrode contacts the support portions for the movable portion and the support portion for the fixed portion.