Patent ID: 6167744
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: G01C,G01P

Abstract:
An angular velocity sensor comprising: a vibrator; drive electrode means provided on said vibrator for diving said vibrator; angular velocity sensing electrode means provided on said vibrator for generating a sensing signal representing an angular velocity entered to said vibrator; a drive circuit connected to said drive electrode means for supplying a drive signal to said drive electrode means to vibrate said vibrator; an angular velocity detecting circuit connected to said angular velocity sensing electrode means for detecting a vibratory movement caused in a direction normal to an oscillating direction of said vibrator based on said sensing signal of said angular velocity sensing electrode means, thereby obtaining an angular velocity of said vibrator appearing about a predetermined axis; a signal input circuit for supplying a diagnostic signal; diagnostic signal input electrode means provided on said vibrator for inputting said diagnostic signal to said vibrator; and diagnosis means for diagnosing said angular velocity sensor based on a signal responsive to said diagnostic signal which is obtained from at least one of said drive electrode means and said angular velocity sensing electrode means.