Patent ID: 8393211

Claim:
An angular velocity sensor comprising: a reference oscillator; a reference oscillation generating unit configured to cause the reference oscillator to generate reference oscillation; a detecting oscillator supported by the reference oscillator in such a manner that the detecting oscillator is able to rotationally oscillate about a first rotation axis; first and second electrodes configured to receive application of alternating-current signals, wherein the first and second electrodes are provided on the reference oscillator; a first detecting electrode facing the first and second electrodes, wherein the first detecting electrode is provided on the detecting oscillator; third and fourth electrodes; a second detecting electrode facing the third and fourth electrodes; and a signal supplying unit configured to supply first and second alternating-current signals respectively to the first and second electrodes, wherein the reference oscillation generating unit causes the reference oscillator to rotationally oscillate about a second rotation axis, wherein the reference oscillation generating unit, the first and second electrodes and the first detecting electrode are electrically separated from each other, wherein the first and second alternating-current signals respectively supplied to the first and second electrodes cause the detecting oscillator to be maintained at a neutral position for detection without being displaced when no angular velocity is input, and when the detecting oscillator is displaced, an input angular velocity is detected on the basis of a signal corresponding to charges induced at the first detecting electrode by the first and second alternating-current signals supplied respectively to the first and second electrodes, wherein the first and third electrodes are disposed plane-symmetrically with respect to the detecting oscillator, and the second and fourth electrodes are disposed plane-symmetrically with respect to the detecting oscillator, wherein the signal supplying unit further supplies the second alternating-current signal to the third electrode and the first alternating-current signal to the fourth electrode, and wherein when the detecting oscillator is displaced, the physical quantity is detected on the basis of the signal corresponding to the charges induced at the first detecting electrode by the first and second alternating-current signals supplied respectively to the first and second electrodes and on the basis of a signal corresponding to charges induced at the second detecting electrode by the first and second alternating-current signals supplied respectively to the fourth and third electrodes.