Patent ID: 6028332
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G01C,G01P,Y10S

Abstract:
A semiconductor type yaw rate sensor comprising:a substrate;a beam structure formed from a semiconductor material that has at least one anchor portion disposed on the substrate, a weighted portion located above the substrate at a predetermined distance therefrom, and at least one beam portion which extends from the anchor portion and supports the weighted portion;a movable electrode formed onto the weighted portion;a fixed electrode formed on the substrate in such a manner that the fixed electrode faces the movable electrode, wherein, when a drive voltage is applied between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode, the beam structure is forcibly caused to vibrate in a direction that is horizontal relative to a substrate surface plane;a yaw rate detector that detects a yaw rate based on displacement of the beam structure in a direction that is vertical relative to the substrate surface plane during forced vibration of the beam structure; andat least one strain gauge formed in the beam portion that monitors the forced vibration of the beam structure.