Patent ID: 7456555

Claim:
An angular velocity sensor comprising: a) a tuning-fork-type crystal element which is provided with a drive electrode for exciting the vibration of said tuning fork and a sensor electrode for detecting an electrical charge that is generated in response to an angular velocity that is being detected; b) an independent pedestal to which a main surface of a tuning-fork base portion of said tuning-fork-type crystal element is affixed to form an integrated unit: a main package for surface mounting, in which said tuning-fork-type crystal element is hermetically sealed, and which has a cavity with an inner base surface to which said pedestal integrated with said tuning-fork-type crystal element is affixed; and c) an IC having: i) an oscillation circuit for driving said tuning-fork-type crystal element; and ii) a signal processing circuit for creating a signal corresponding to said electrical charge generated in response to the angular velocity, which circuit is disposed either inside or outside said package, wherein said pedestal has a weight and/or shape that ensures that the center of gravity of said tuning-fork-type crystal element that is integrated therewith is positioned toward said tuning-fork base portion side, maintaining the horizontal alignment of said tuning-fork-type crystal element, wherein said pedestal is formed in a stepped shape with a thick portion and a thin portion, said thin portion being on the tip side of said tuning-fork-type crystal element, and said tuning-fork base portion being affixed to said thick portion.