JP2013250125A - Mems sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a movable sensor capable of acquiring high sensitivity compared with conventional ones.SOLUTION: The movable sensor includes a first movable part 2 and a second movable part 3 that are displaced in the height direction and have mutually different masses, and a first link part 10 and a second link part 11 that are rotationally linked. The first link part 10 is linked to a support part 15 via a first fulcrum connecting spring 16. The second link part 11 is linked to a support part 19 via a second fulcrum connecting spring 20. The first fulcrum connecting spring 16 is located at a left side with respect to a left end portion 3c of the second movable part, and the second fulcrum connecting spring 20 is located at a right side with respect to a right end portion 3d of the second movable part.

Description

   The present invention relates to a movable sensor capable of detecting the amount of displacement in the height direction of a movable part formed by cutting out from a silicon substrate.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a movable sensor including a first movable portion and a second movable portion that are displaceable in the height direction and in opposite directions.

  As shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the movable sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first movable part 2, a second movable part 3, and link parts 10 a and 10 b connected to the movable parts 2 and 4. And supporting portions 17a, 17b, 21a, and 21b that are connected to the link portions 10a and 10b via the fulcrum connecting portions 16a, 16b, 32a, and 32b. Then, the support portions 17a, 17b, 21a, and 21b rotate in the height direction with the fulcrum connecting portions 16a, 16b, 32a, and 32b as the rotation center, whereby the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 are rotated. Are in the height direction and can be displaced in opposite directions.

  Patent Documents 2 to 4 also constitute a movable sensor in which the movable part is displaced in the height direction, but unlike Patent Document 1, there is one movable part, and the first is displaced in the opposite direction. The movable part and the second movable part are not provided.

WO2010 / 001947 WO2010 / 140468 WO2009 / 099125 JP 2005-114563 A

  In a movable sensor including a first movable part and a second movable part having different masses as shown in Patent Document 1, a structure capable of achieving further high sensitivity has been demanded. Further downsizing is also required, and in the movable sensor as shown in Patent Document 1, the dimensions of the torsion bar that is a spring necessary for obtaining a sufficient amount of displacement is less than the dimension that can be handled in the manufacturing process. There was a fear of becoming. For this reason, in order to obtain a stable spring shape, there has been a demand for a structure that can achieve small size and high sensitivity even with the spring size of the conventional movable sensor.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a movable sensor that can obtain higher sensitivity than the conventional one.

The movable sensor in the present invention is
A support unit fixedly supported, a first movable unit and a second movable unit that are displaced in the height direction and have different masses, and a first unit that is rotatably connected to the support unit and each movable unit. A link unit, a second link unit, and a detection unit for detecting the displacement of the movable unit;
The first movable part is located outside the second movable part;
The first link part and the second link part are formed to extend in the left-right direction (X),
The first link portion extends to the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion and is connected to the first movable portion via a first left connection spring and the second movable portion. Between the first left connection spring and the first right connection spring in the left-right direction. Is connected to the support portion located at the first fulcrum connection spring,
The second link portion extends to the right side of the right end portion of the second movable portion and is connected to the first movable portion via a second right connection spring and the second movable portion. Connected to the second movable part via a second left connecting spring on the left end side of the part, and between the second right connecting spring and the second left connecting spring in the left-right direction. Is connected to the support portion located at the second fulcrum connection spring,
When the first link portion rotates around the first fulcrum connection spring and the second link portion rotates around the second fulcrum connection spring, the second movable portion and The first movable part is displaced in the opposite direction in the height direction,
The first fulcrum connection spring is located at a position coincident with the left end of the second movable portion in the front-rear direction (Y), or is located on the left side of the left end, and the second fulcrum connection spring Is located at a position that coincides with the right end portion of the second movable portion in the front-rear direction (Y), or is located on the right side of the right end portion.

  Thus, each fulcrum connection spring is arranged at a position that coincides with the both ends in the left-right direction of the second movable part in the front-rear direction, or preferably arranged outside the both ends, so that the fulcrum connection spring The length dimension in the left-right direction of each link part via can be made longer than before, and thereby the displacement amount of each movable part in the height direction can be made larger than before. Therefore, in the movable sensor having the first movable portion and the second movable portion that can be displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction, a movable sensor having higher sensitivity than the conventional one without reducing the size of the spring. Can be obtained.

  In the present invention, the distance in the left-right direction (X) between the first left connection spring and the first fulcrum connection spring, and the left and right between the first fulcrum connection spring and the first right connection spring. The distance in the direction (X), the distance in the left-right direction (X) between the second left connection spring and the second fulcrum connection spring, the second fulcrum connection spring and the second right connection spring It is preferable that the distance to the said left-right direction (X) is formed in the same dimension, respectively. Thereby, the 1st movable part and the 2nd movable part can be stably translated in the height direction.

In the present invention, the first link portion includes a plurality of left link pieces that are on the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion and extend at intervals in the front-rear direction (Y). Each left link piece is connected to the first movable part via the first left connection spring,
The second link portion is provided with a plurality of right link pieces on the right side of the right end portion of the second movable portion and extending in the front-rear direction (Y) with an interval therebetween, A link piece is connected to the first movable part via the second right connecting spring;
In the second movable part, it is preferable that the left end part and the right end part facing at least diagonally are connected by the first link part and the second link part, respectively. Thereby, the 1st movable part and the 2nd movable part can be stably translated in the height direction.

Alternatively, in the present invention, the first auxiliary link portion is spaced in the front-rear direction (Y) with respect to the left link piece of the first link portion extending to the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion. Provided, and the first auxiliary link portion is coupled to the first movable portion and the support portion, respectively, so as to rotate in the same direction together with the first link portion,
A second auxiliary link portion is provided at a distance in the front-rear direction (Y) with respect to the right link piece of the second link portion extending to the right side of the right end portion of the second movable portion, The two auxiliary link portions are connected to the first movable portion and the support portion, respectively, so as to rotate in the same direction together with the second link portion,
In the second movable part, it is preferable that the left end part and the right end part facing at least diagonally are connected by the first link part and the second link part, respectively. Thereby, the 1st movable part and the 2nd movable part can be stably translated in the height direction.

  In the present invention, the first link portion is connected to the first support portion provided on the left end side of the second movable portion via the first fulcrum connection spring, and the second link portion is connected to the second support portion. The link portion is preferably connected to a second support portion provided on the right end side of the second movable portion via the second fulcrum connection spring.

  Or in this invention, the said support part is extended and formed in the said left-right direction (X) so that the said 2nd movable part may be divided | segmented in the front-back direction (Y), The left end part of the said support part, The first link part is connected via the first fulcrum connection spring, and the right end part of the support part and the second link part are connected via the second fulcrum connection spring. Can be configured. According to this structure, the support part can be made one.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said 1st link part and the said 2nd link part are connected via the center connection spring in the approximate center position in the said left-right direction of the said 2nd movable part. As a result, when the first link portion and the second link portion rotate, the rotation state of the first link portion and the second link portion can be stabilized, and the movable portion can be stabilized more stably. Can be translated.

  In the present invention, the first movable part is disposed on both sides in the front-rear direction of the second movable part, and the first fixed electrode is disposed at a position facing the first movable part in the height direction, A second fixed electrode is arranged at a position facing the second movable part in the height direction, and the detection part is configured by each movable part and each fixed electrode to detect a change in capacitance. Preferably there is. In the present invention, each fixed electrode can be concentrated in the vicinity of the center of the movable sensor, and even if there is a warp of the base material or the like, it causes noise, for example, rotational motion around the center of rotation through the sensor center, etc. Even if this occurs, a differential output circuit including a variable capacitor between the first movable part and the first fixed electrode and a variable capacitor between the second movable part and the second fixed electrode is configured. The noise component on the differential output can be canceled and a stable output can be obtained.

In the present invention, the first movable portion includes a left extension piece extending leftward from a front-rear direction (Y) region of the second movable portion, and a front-rear direction of the second movable portion. A right extending piece extending in the right direction from each region in the direction (Y),
The left link piece of the first link portion extending to the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion is opposed to the left extension piece in the front-rear direction (Y),
The right link piece of the second link portion extending to the right side from the right end portion of the second movable portion is opposed to the right extension piece in the front-rear direction (Y),
A left space region sandwiched between a pair of left extending pieces is formed on the left side of the second movable part, and a pair of right extending pieces is provided on the right side of the second movable part. The right space area sandwiched between is formed,
In the left space area and the right space area, a detection unit in the left-right direction and a detection unit in the front-rear direction are provided, respectively.
The left-right direction detection unit and the front-rear direction detection unit are respectively provided with a movable electrode and a fixed electrode cut out from the same plate material as the second movable unit and the first movable unit. It is preferable. In the present invention, even in the downsizing of the movable sensor, the length of the link portion can be formed longer than in the conventional configuration, and the sensitivity of the Z-axis detection unit that detects displacement in the height direction can be improved. In addition, a small three-axis movable sensor can be configured by effectively using the left space area and the right space area for the detection unit in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

  According to the present invention, the fulcrum coupling spring is disposed at a position that coincides with the both ends in the left-right direction of the second movable part in the front-rear direction, or preferably disposed outside the both ends. The length dimension in the left-right direction of each link part via the spring can be made longer than before, and thereby the amount of displacement of each movable part in the height direction can be made larger than before. Therefore, in the movable sensor having the first movable portion and the second movable portion that can be displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction, a movable sensor having higher sensitivity than the conventional one without reducing the size of the spring. Can be obtained. In addition, a space region can be formed, and a small three-axis movable sensor can be configured by using this space region as a valid reason.

The top view of the movable sensor of the 1st Embodiment of the present invention, The perspective view which shows the state which the movable sensor of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is operating, A partially enlarged plan view of the second movable part; The top view of the movable sensor of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, The perspective view which shows the state which the movable sensor of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is operating, The top view of the movable sensor of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, The perspective view which shows the state which the movable sensor of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is operating, The top view of the movable sensor of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, The top view of the movable sensor of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, The perspective view which shows the state which the movable sensor of the 5th Embodiment of this invention is operating, The partial enlarged plan view which expanded and showed the part which connects the 1st link part in Drawing 1, and the 2nd link part, FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial plan view showing an enlarged portion for connecting the first link portion and the second link portion in FIG. The partial expanded plan view which expanded and showed the part which connects the 1st link part and 2nd link part in FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged front view of the movable sensor shown in FIG. 1 (a front view of the movable sensor shown in FIG. The top view of the triaxial movable sensor in this Embodiment, A circuit diagram showing a detection circuit, The top view of the movable sensor of a comparative example.

  Regarding the movable sensor shown in each figure, the X direction is the left-right direction, the X1 direction is the right direction, the X2 direction is the left direction, the Y direction is the front-rear direction, the Y1 direction is the front, and the Y2 direction is the rear. Further, the direction perpendicular to both the Y direction and the X direction is the vertical direction (height direction; Z).

  The movable sensor 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a silicon substrate (plate material) that is a rectangular flat plate. That is, a planar resist layer corresponding to the shape of each member is formed on the silicon substrate, and the silicon substrate is etched by deep RIE (deep reactive ion etching) or the like at a portion where the resist layer does not exist. Each member is separated by cutting in the process. Therefore, each member which comprises the movable sensor 1 is comprised within the range of the thickness of the surface of a silicon substrate, and a back surface.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the movable sensor 1 includes a first movable part 2 and a second movable part 3. The first movable part 2 is located outside the second movable part 3. When the movable sensor 1 is in a stationary state, the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 have their front surfaces and back surfaces located on the same surface, and the other members are the surface and It does not protrude from the back side.

  The movable sensor 1 is very small. For example, the length of the long sides 1a and 1b of the rectangle is 2 mm or less, and the length of the short sides 1c and 1d is 0.8 mm or less. Furthermore, the thickness dimension is 0.1 mm or less.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the movable sensor 1, an outer frame portion surrounded by rectangular long sides 1 a and 1 b and short sides 1 c and 1 d is a first movable unit 2. The direction in which the long sides 1a, 1b extend is the left-right direction (X), and the direction in which the short sides 1c, 1d extend is the front-rear direction (Y). A rectangular first space region 2a is vertically formed through the central portion of the first movable portion 2, and the second movable portion 3 is formed inside the first space region 2a. Yes. The first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 are independent of each other.

  In the neutral state (stationary state) shown in FIG. 1, the surface 2b of the first movable part 2 and the surface 3b of the second movable part 3 are the same surface, and the back surface of the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 2 The back surface of the part 3 is the same surface. The area of the surface 2 b of the first movable part 2 is larger than the area of the surface 3 b of the second movable part 3, and the mass of the first movable part 2 is larger than the mass of the second movable part 3. However, the mass of the second movable part 3 may be larger than the mass of the first movable part 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first movable portion 2 is formed on the front movable piece 2 c formed in front of the second movable portion 3 (Y1) and on the rear side (Y2) of the second movable portion 3. The rear movable piece 2d is provided. The front movable piece 2c and the rear movable piece 2d are point-symmetrical, and the front movable piece 2c and the rear movable piece 2d are main parts having most of the mass of the first movable part 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a first left extension piece 2c1 extending in the left direction (X1) from the left end portion of the front movable piece 2c is formed, and rightward from the right end portion of the front movable piece 2c ( A first right extending piece 2c2 extending in X2) is formed. In addition, a second left extending piece 2d1 extending in the left direction (X1) from the left end portion of the rear movable piece 2d is formed, and extending in the right direction (X2) from the right end portion of the rear movable piece 2d. A second right extending piece 2d2 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the left end portions of the first left extending piece 2c1 and the second left extending piece 2d1 are integrally connected by a left connecting piece 7 extending in the front-rear direction (Y). On the left side (X1) of the second movable portion 3, the first left extended piece 2c1, the second left extended piece 2d1 and the left connecting piece 7 of the first movable portion 1 are surrounded by Two space regions (left space region) 5 are formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the right end portions of the first right extending piece 2c2 and the second right extending piece 2d2 are integrally connected by a right connecting piece 8 extending in the front-rear direction (Y). On the right side (X2) of the second movable part 3, the first right extending piece 2c2, the second right extending piece 2d2 and the second connecting piece 8 of the first movable part 1 are provided. An enclosed third space region (right space region) 6 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 shown in FIG. 1 receive a force (for example, acceleration) from the outside, they are displaced in the opposite direction in the height direction (Z). To do. At this time, the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 are translated in the height direction (Z).

  In the present embodiment, the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 regulate displacement of the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 in the height direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first link portion 10 is provided with a left link piece 10 a extending to the left side (X1) from the left end portion 3 c of the second movable portion 3. The left link piece 10a is located on the inner side of the first left extending piece 2c1 extending from the front movable piece 2c constituting the first movable portion 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first link portion 10 is integrated with the left link piece 10a around the front (Y1), right (X2), and rear (Y2) of the second movable portion 3. A first central link piece 10b formed so as to surround is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the left link piece 10 a constituting the first link portion 10 is connected to the first movable portion 2 and the left connecting piece 7 via a first left connecting spring 12. Further, the first central link piece 10b constituting the first link portion 10 is connected to the right end portion 3d side of the second movable portion 3 through the second movable portion 3 and the first right connection spring 13. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the 1st support part (1st anchor) 15 is provided in the position of the left end part 3c side of the 2nd movable part 3, and the front (Y1). The first support portion 15 is located between the first left coupling spring 12 and the first right coupling spring 13 in the left-right direction (X). As shown in FIG. 1, the first link portion 10 is connected to the first support portion 15 via a first fulcrum connection spring 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second link portion 11 is provided with a right link piece 11 a extending to the right side (X2) from the right end portion 3 d of the second movable portion 3. The second right link piece 11a is located on the inner side of the second right extending piece 2d2 extending from the rear movable piece 2d constituting the first movable portion 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second link portion 11 is integrated with the right link piece 11a around the rear (Y2), left (X1), and front (Y1) of the second movable portion 3. A second central link piece 11b formed so as to surround is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the right link piece 11 a constituting the second link portion 11 is connected to the first movable portion 2 and the right connection piece 8 via a second right connection spring 17. Further, the second central link piece 11b constituting the second link portion 11 is connected to the left end portion 3c side of the second movable portion 3 via the second movable portion 3 and the second left connecting spring 18. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a second support portion (second anchor) 19 is provided on the right end 3 d side of the second movable portion 3 and at a rear (Y2) position. The 2nd support part 19 is located between the 2nd right connection spring 17 and the 2nd left connection spring 18 in the left-right direction (X). And as shown in FIG. 1, the 2nd link part 11 is connected via the 2nd support part 19 and the 2nd fulcrum connection spring 20. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a third support portion (third anchor) 22 is provided by notching the rear side (Y2 side) of the second movable portion 3 on the left end portion 3c side, and the second movable portion is provided. The fourth support portion (fourth anchor) 23 is provided by cutting out the front side (Y1 side) of the right end portion 3d of the third portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first link portion 10 has a third left end portion of the first central link piece 10 b extending at the rear side (Y 2) of the second movable portion 3. The support portion 22 and the third connection spring 22a are connected to each other. Further, the second link portion 11 has a right end portion of the second central link piece 11b extending at the front side (Y1) of the second movable portion 3 and the fourth support portion 23. The fourth connection spring 23a is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a first auxiliary link portion 21 is provided at a rear position facing the left link piece 10 a of the first link portion 10 via the second space region 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fifth support portion (fifth anchor) 24 is provided at the rear (Y2) of the second movable portion 3 on the left end portion 3c side.

  And the left end part side of the 1st auxiliary link part 21 is connected via the left connection piece 7 which comprises the 1st movable part 2, and the 5th connection spring 25, The right end of the 1st auxiliary link part 21 The part side is connected to the fifth support part 24 via a sixth connection spring 26.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a second auxiliary link portion 29 is provided at a front position facing the right link piece 11 a of the second link portion 11 via the second space region 6.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a sixth support portion (sixth anchor) 30 is provided in front (Y1) of the second movable portion 3 on the right end portion 3d side.

    And the right end part side of the 2nd auxiliary link part 29 is connected via the right connection piece 8 which comprises the 1st movable part 2, and the 7th connection spring 31, and the left end of the 2nd auxiliary link part 29 The part side is connected to the sixth support part 30 via an eighth connection spring 32.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the 1st support part 15, the 3rd support part 22, and the 5th support part 24 which are arrange | positioned at the left end part 3c side of the 2nd movable part 3 are the front-back direction (Y). The connecting springs 16, 18, 22a, 26 are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction (Y1). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the 2nd support part 19, the 4th support part 23, and the 6th support part 30 which are arrange | positioned at the right end part 3d side of the 2nd movable part 3 are the front-back direction ( The connecting springs 20, 13, 23a, 32 are arranged in the same position in the front-rear direction (Y1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the distance in the left-right direction (X) between the first left coupling spring 12 and the first fulcrum coupling spring 16 is L1, and the first fulcrum coupling spring 16 and the first right coupling. The distance from the spring 13 in the left-right direction (X) is L2, the distance between the second left coupling spring 18 and the second fulcrum coupling spring 20 is L3, and the second fulcrum coupling spring 20 and the second right The distance from the connection spring 17 was L4. In addition, the distance to the left-right direction (X) between the 5th connection spring 25 and the 6th connection spring 26 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as L1, The 7th connection spring 31 and the 8th connection spring The distance to 32 in the left-right direction (X) is the same as L4.
In the present embodiment, the distances L1, L2, L3, and L4 are all the same size.

  Each support portion (anchor) 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 30 shown in FIG. 1 is fixedly supported via an insulating layer (not shown) on the support substrate 36 side shown in FIG. 14. For example, an SOI substrate is configured by the functional layer including the movable portions 2 and 3, the link portions 10 and 11 and the support portion shown in FIG. 1, the support substrate 36 shown in FIG. 14, and the insulating layer (not shown).

  The insulating layer (not shown) is removed except between the support portions and the support substrate 36. Therefore, the movable portions 2, 3 and the link portions 10, 11 are movable in the height direction (Z). It is said that.

  In FIG. 14, the amount of displacement in the height direction (Z) of the movable parts 2 and 3 is shown larger than the actual amount. Therefore, in the height direction (Z) between each support part and the support substrate 36. The distance in the height direction (Z) between each support portion and the counter substrate 35 is also shown larger than the actual dimensional ratio.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the counter substrate 35 is disposed at a distance from the support substrate 36 in the height direction (Z). A fixed electrode 37 is provided on the surface 35 a of the counter substrate 35. FIG. 14 shows the first fixed electrode 37 facing the front movable piece 2 c of the first movable part 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, first fixed electrodes 37 and 38 (shown by dotted lines) are formed at positions facing the first movable portion 2 in the height direction, and the second movable portion 3 and the height are formed. A second fixed electrode 39 (shown by a dotted line) is formed at a position facing in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each fixed electrode 37-39 is arrange | positioned at equal intervals in the front-back direction (Y). The fixed electrodes 37 to 39 are formed in the vicinity of the center O <b> 1 of the movable sensor 1.

  The functional layer shown in FIG. 1 of the movable sensor 1 in this embodiment is formed in a point-symmetric shape with the center O1 of the movable sensor 1 as a symmetric point.

  When acceleration is applied to the movable sensor 1 from the outside, since the mass of the first movable part 2 is larger than the mass of the second movable part 3, the first movable part 2 stays in the absolute space by inertial force. As a result, the first movable part 2 moves relative to the support parts 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 30 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the acceleration acts. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the link portions 10 and 11 rotate in the height direction (Z) around the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the second movable part 3 moves in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the first movable part 2. The fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 19 are arranged point-symmetrically with the center O1 as a symmetric point, and the coupling springs are also arranged point-symmetrically, so that the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 are , Moving in opposite directions while maintaining parallel postures.

  In addition, since each link part 10 and 11 is wider than a connection spring, and has rigidity higher than a connection spring, it can suppress rotating while the link parts 10 and 11 are twisted or bent.

  In the stationary state, the distance in the height direction between the first movable part 2 and the first fixed electrodes 37 and 38 and the distance in the height direction between the second movable part 3 and the second fixed electrode 39 are Although it is the same, when the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 are displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction under the acceleration, the first movable part 2 and the first fixed electrode 37, The distance in the height direction between 38 and the distance in the height direction between the second movable part 3 and the second fixed electrode 39 are different. As a result, the capacitance generated between the first movable part 2 and the first fixed electrodes 37 and 38 and between the second movable part 3 and the second fixed electrode 39 has different values, and the detection shown in FIG. The circuit 60 can obtain a detection output based on the difference in capacitance change.

  In the detection circuit 60 of FIG. 16, a variable capacitor constituted by the first fixed electrodes 37 and 38 and the first movable portion 2 (first movable electrode) is indicated by Ca, and the second fixed electrode 39 and A variable capacitor constituted by the second movable part 3 (second movable electrode) is indicated by Cb.

  The pulse generator 61 generates a pulse signal whose voltage changes with a rectangular wave having a constant period, and this pulse signal is given to a delay path La1 composed of a resistor Ra and the variable capacitor Ca. The voltage whose rise is delayed in the delay path La1 and the voltage of the pulse signal that has passed through the bypass path La2 that has not passed through the delay path La1 are supplied to the AND circuit 62. In the delay path La1, the rise time of the voltage changes due to the change in the capacitance of the variable capacitor Ca, and the AND circuit 62 outputs a voltage having a pulse width corresponding to the change in the rise time of the voltage. The rectangular wave output from the AND circuit 62 is smoothed by the smoothing circuit 63.

  Similarly, a voltage that has passed through a delay path Lb1 composed of a resistor Rb and a variable capacitor Cb and a pulse signal that has passed through the bypass path Lb2 are applied to the AND circuit 64, and the AND circuit 64 receives the variable capacitor Cb. A voltage having a pulse width corresponding to the change in capacitance is output. The voltage is smoothed by the smoothing circuit 65.

  The fluctuation of the pulse width of the voltage applied from the AND circuit 62 to the smoothing circuit 63 and the fluctuation of the pulse width of the voltage applied from the AND circuit 64 to the smoothing circuit 65 are opposite to each other. Therefore, by obtaining the difference between both outputs in the differential circuit 66, it is possible to obtain a detection output to which absolute values are added, and to cancel fluctuations due to temperature changes and noise.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first fulcrum connection spring 16 is located on the left side of the left end 3 c of the second movable part 3, and the second fulcrum connection spring 20 is connected to the second movable part 3. It is located on the right side of the right end 3d.

  FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the left end portion 3c and the vicinity of the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 in an enlarged manner.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 extends in parallel with the front-rear direction (Y) and the first left end surface 3c1 located on the leftmost side (X1) and the front-rear direction (Y) The second left end surface 3c2 extending in parallel to the first left end surface 3c1 and positioned slightly to the right (X2), and extending in parallel to the front-rear direction (Y) and further to the right than the second left end surface 3c2. A third left end face 3c3 is provided.

  The second left end surface 3c2 is a portion formed by cutting away from the position of the first left end surface 3c1 in the right direction (X2) in order to form the second left connecting spring 18. The third left end surface 3c3 is a portion formed by cutting away from the first left end surface 3c1 in the right direction (X2) in order to form the third support portion 22.

  Here, the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 is defined as the first left end surface 3c1 located on the leftmost side among the left end surfaces 3c1 to 3c3 and the third left end surface 3c3 located on the rightmost side. It is specified on the line between. If the second left end surface 3c2 and the third left end surface 3c3 are not formed by notches as shown in FIG. 3, the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 is the first left end surface shown in FIG. 3c1. Further, when the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 is configured only by the first left end surface 3c1 and the second left end surface 3c2, the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 is the first It is defined as a line between the left end surface 3c1 and the second left end surface 3c2.

  Even in the case where the left side surface is inclined obliquely, the intermediate point between the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion can be defined as the left end portion 3c.

  The first fulcrum connection spring 16 shown in FIG. 1 is formed at the same position in the front-rear direction (Y) as the second left connection spring 18 shown in FIG. The second movable portion 3 is located on the left side (X1) with respect to the left end portion 3c.

  The right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 extends in parallel to the front-rear direction (Y) and extends in parallel to the first right end surface 3d1 positioned on the rightmost side (X2) and to the front-rear direction (Y). A second right end surface 3d2 located slightly on the left side (X1) from the first right end surface 3d1, and a third right side extending further in the front-rear direction (Y) and located further to the right than the second right end surface 3d2. And a right end surface 3d3.

  The right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 is between the first right end surface 3d1 positioned on the rightmost side and the third right end surface 3d3 positioned on the leftmost side among the right end surfaces 3d1 to 3d3. It is specified on the line. If the second right end surface 3d2 and the third right end surface 3d3 are not formed by notches as shown in FIG. 3, the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 is the first right end surface shown in FIG. 3d1. Further, when the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 includes only the first right end surface 3d1 and the second right end surface 3d2, the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 It is defined as a line between the right end surface 3d1 and the second right end surface 3d2.

  And since the 2nd fulcrum connection spring 20 shown in FIG. 1 is located on the same line to the 1st right connection spring 13 shown in FIG. 3 and the front-back direction (Y), it is the 2nd fulcrum connection spring. 20 is located on the right side (X1) of the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3.

  As described above, the fulcrum connection springs 16 and 20 are arranged outside the both end portions 3c and 3d in the left-right direction of the second movable part 3, so that the link parts 10 and the link parts 10 and 20 via the fulcrum connection springs 16 and 20 are arranged. 11 can be lengthened in the left-right direction (X), whereby the amount of displacement in the height direction (Z) of each of the movable parts 2 and 3 can be increased. Therefore, in the movable sensor including the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 that can be displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction, a movable sensor with higher sensitivity than the conventional one can be obtained. In the conventional movable sensor, in order to increase the sensitivity, each spring must be miniaturized to reduce the spring constant, and it is difficult to maintain the processing accuracy in the manufacturing process. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to cope with high sensitivity without miniaturizing each spring in this way.

  In addition, each fulcrum connection spring 16 and 20 may be formed in the same position of the both ends 3c and 3d of the left-right direction and the front-back direction (Y).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the distances L1 to L4 have the same dimensions. Therefore, in each link portion 10, 11, the direction parallel to the left-right direction (X) with the position of the fulcrum coupling springs 16, 20 as the center. The length dimension of the link piece to each is the same length. For this reason, the amount of displacement in the height direction of the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 has the same size in the vertical direction around the position of the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20, and thus the first movable portion 2. And the 2nd movable part 3 can be stably translated in a height direction (Z).

  The configuration in which the distances L1 to L4 shown in FIG. 1 have the same dimensions is the same in the embodiments shown in FIG.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, each movable part 2, 3, each link part 10, 11, and each support part 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 30 are cut out from the same board | plate material (silicon substrate), and each connection The springs 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 22 a, 23 a, 25, 26, 31, and 32 are constituted by torsion bars that are formed to be sufficiently narrower than the link portions 10 and 11.

  Thereby, each movable part 2 and 3 and each link part 10 and 11 can be displaced appropriately in the height direction, and it can be restored to a static posture by the elastic force of the torsion bar when no external force acts. Become.

  The configuration of the torsion bar described above is the same in the embodiments shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first link portion 10 is connected via a first support portion 15 and a first fulcrum connection spring 16 located on the left end portion 3 c side of the second movable portion 3, The second link portion 11 is connected to the second support portion 19 located on the right end portion 3d side of the second movable portion 3 via a second fulcrum connection spring 20. Thereby, when each link part 10 and 11 rotates to a height direction, when each link part 10 and 11 is seen from the front side and back side which are shown in FIG. 1, each link part 10 and 11 will cross. Each link part 10 and 11 can be rotated (refer FIG. 14).

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a first auxiliary link portion 21 and a second auxiliary link portion 29 are provided. The first auxiliary link portion 21 is connected to the first movable portion 2 and the support portion 24 so as to rotate in the same direction together with the first link portion 10 (see also FIG. 2).

  Further, the second auxiliary link portion 29 is connected to the first movable portion 2 and the support portion 30 so as to rotate in the same direction together with the second link portion 11 (see also FIG. 2).

  In the second movable portion 3, the left end portion 3c and the right end portion 3d at the diagonally opposite portions are respectively connected to the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 and the connecting springs 13 and 18, respectively. Are connected.

  Thus, the first movable part 2 having a large mass is connected to the link parts 10, 11, 21, 29 via the connection springs 12, 17, 25, 31 in the vicinity of the four corners. Thereby, the 1st movable part 2 can be stably translated in a height direction. In addition, the second movable part 3 having a small mass is connected to the link parts 10 and 11 via the connection springs 13 and 18 at the diagonally opposite portions, so that the second movable part 3 is also high. It can be translated stably in the vertical direction. Note that the second movable portion 3 can also be connected to the link portions at the four corners, whereby the second movable portion 3 can be translated more stably in the height direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first movable part 2 includes a front movable piece 2c and a rear movable piece 2d disposed on both sides in the front-rear direction (Y) of the second movable part 3, Fixed electrodes 37 to 39 facing the movable parts 2 and 3 in the height direction (Z) are provided on the counter substrate 35 (see FIG. 14). And each movable part 2, 3 (movable electrode) and each fixed electrode 37-39 comprise a detection part, and in the detection part, the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 are high. It is possible to detect a change in capacitance that occurs when reverse displacement occurs in the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixed electrodes 37 to 39 can be concentrated in the vicinity of the center O1 of the movable sensor 1, and the fixed electrodes 37 to 39 are equally spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). Can be arranged. As a result, even if the counter substrate 35 is warped or the like, and the rotational movement about the front-rear direction (Y) passing through the sensor center O1, which causes noise, occurs, the first movable portion 2 and By configuring a differential output circuit including a variable capacitor -Ca between the first fixed electrodes 37 and 38 and a variable capacitor -Cb between the second movable part 3 and the second fixed electrode 39 (see FIG. 16). ), The noise component on the differential output can be canceled, and a stable output can be obtained. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first central link piece 10 b of the first link portion 10 and the second central link piece 11 b of the second link portion 11 are connected using the central connection spring 51. be able to. The center connection spring 51 extends in the front-rear direction (Y) and is folded back to connect the first center link piece 10b and the second center link piece 11b. Thereby, when the 1st link part 10 and the 2nd link part 11 rotate in the height direction (Z), the rotation state of the 1st link part 10 and the 2nd link part 11 is changed. The movable parts 2 and 3 can be translated in a more stable manner.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the movable sensor according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view (perspective view) of the movable sensor shown in FIG. In the following, the description will mainly focus on differences from the first embodiment of FIG. Therefore, since the part which is not demonstrated is the same as FIG. 1, please refer description of FIG. In addition, regarding the reference numerals, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same functions even if the shapes are different from those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first link portion 10 has a pair of left link pieces 10 a and 10 c extending in the left direction from the left end portion 3 c of the second movable portion 3 and spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). It is formed to be empty. Each left link piece 10a, 10c extends in parallel in the left-right direction (X). The left end portions of the left link pieces 10 a and 10 c are connected to the left connection piece 7 of the first movable portion 2 via left connection springs 12 and 25.

  Further, the left link pieces 10a and 10c constituting the first link portion 10 are integrated on the left end portion 3c side of the second movable portion 3, and the front (Y1) and right side of the second movable portion 3 ( X2) and a first central link piece 10b formed to surround the rear (Y2). The both ends in the front-rear direction (Y) of the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 and the first central link piece 10b are connected via the right connection springs 13 and 13, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second link portion 11 has a pair of right link pieces 11a and 11c extending in the right direction from the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 and spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). It is formed with a gap. Each right link piece 11a, 11c extends in parallel in the left-right direction (X). The right end portions of the right link pieces 11 a and 11 c are connected to the right connection piece 8 of the first movable portion 2 via right connection springs 17 and 31.

  The right link pieces 11a and 11c constituting the second link portion 11 are integrated on the right end portion 3d side of the second movable portion 3 so as to be rearward (Y2) and leftward (Y2) of the second movable portion 3. X1) and a second central link piece 11b formed so as to surround the front (Y1). Then, both ends of the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 in the front-rear direction (Y) and the second central link piece 11b are connected via left connecting springs 18 and 18.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first support portions (anchors) 15 and 15 are formed on the front (Y1) and the rear (Y2) on the left end portion 3c side of the second movable portion 3, respectively. In addition, second support portions (anchors) 19 and 19 are formed on the front (Y1) and the rear (Y2) on the right end 3d side of the second movable portion 3, respectively.

  And each left link piece 10a, 10c which comprises the 1st link part 10 and each 1st support part 15 and 15 are connected via the 1st fulcrum connection springs 16 and 16, respectively. Moreover, each right link piece 11a, 11c which comprises the 2nd link part 11 and each 2nd support part 19 and 19 are connected via the 2nd fulcrum connection springs 20 and 20, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first fulcrum coupling springs 16, 16 are located on the left side (X1) with respect to the left end portion 3 c of the second movable portion 3. Further, the second fulcrum connection springs 19 and 19 are located on the right side (X2) with respect to the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the 1st movable part 2 and the 2nd movable part 3 move to a reverse direction in a height direction (Z). 4 and 5, the auxiliary link portion is not formed unlike FIG. 1, and the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 connect the four corners of the first movable portion 2 to the connection spring. It is connected via 12, 17, 25, 31. The second movable portion 3 is connected at its four corners to the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 via connection springs 13, 13, 18, and 18.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the number of support portions 15, 15, 19, and 19 is 4, which is smaller than that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 are outside in the left-right direction with respect to the left and right ends 3 c and 3 d of the second movable part 3. Is located. Therefore, the length dimension in the left-right direction of each link part 10 and 11 via the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 can be formed long, and thereby the displacement amount in the height direction of each movable part 2 and 3 can be made larger than before. can do. Therefore, in the movable sensor including the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 that can be displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction (Z), a highly accurate movable sensor can be obtained compared to the conventional one. . In the conventional movable sensor, in order to increase the sensitivity, each spring must be miniaturized to reduce the spring constant, and it is difficult to maintain the processing accuracy in the manufacturing process. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to cope with high sensitivity without miniaturizing each spring in this way.

  4 is located at the approximate center of the second movable portion 3 in the left-right direction (X). In the portion indicated by B, as shown in FIG. The first central link piece 10 b of the link part 10 and the second central link piece 11 b of the second link part 11 are connected via a central connection spring 50. The center connection spring 50 extends in the front-rear direction (Y) and is folded back to connect the first center link piece 10b and the second center link piece 11b. Thereby, when the 1st link part 10 and the 2nd link part 11 rotate in the height direction (Z), the rotation state of the 1st link part 10 and the 2nd link part 11 is changed. The movable parts 2 and 3 can be translated in a more stable manner.

  In addition, in the portion indicated by reference numeral C shown in FIG. 4, a point-symmetrical center connection spring of the center connection spring 50 shown in FIG. 12 with respect to the center O1 of the movable sensor is disposed.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the movable sensor according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view (perspective view) of the movable sensor shown in FIG. In the following, the description will mainly focus on differences from the first embodiment of FIG. Therefore, since the part which is not demonstrated is the same as FIG. 1, please refer description of FIG. In addition, regarding the reference numerals, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same functions even if the shapes are different from those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first link portion 10 has a pair of left link pieces 10 a and 10 c extending in the left direction from the left end portion 3 c of the second movable portion 3 and spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). It is formed to be empty. Each left link piece 10a, 10c extends in parallel in the left-right direction (X). The left end portions of the left link pieces 10 a and 10 c are connected to the left connection piece 7 of the first movable portion 2 via left connection springs 12 and 25.

  Further, the left link pieces 10a and 10c constituting the first link portion 10 are integrated on the left end portion 3c side of the second movable portion 3, and the front (Y1) and right side of the second movable portion 3 ( X2) and a first central link piece 10b formed to surround the rear (Y2). The both ends in the front-rear direction (Y) of the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 and the first central link piece 10b are connected via the right connection springs 13 and 13, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second link portion 11 has a pair of right link pieces 11 a and 11 c extending in the right direction from the right end portion 3 d of the second movable portion 3 and spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). It is formed with a gap. Each right link piece 11a, 11c extends in parallel in the left-right direction (X). The right end portions of the right link pieces 11 a and 11 c are connected to the right connection piece 8 of the first movable portion 2 via right connection springs 17 and 31.

  The right link pieces 11a and 11c constituting the second link portion 11 are integrated on the right end portion 3d side of the second movable portion 3 so as to be rearward (Y2) and leftward (Y2) of the second movable portion 3. X1) and a second central link piece 11b formed so as to surround the front (Y1). Then, both ends of the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 in the front-rear direction (Y) and the second central link piece 11b are connected via left connecting springs 18 and 18.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, one first support portion (anchor) 15 is formed at the center of the second movable portion 3 in the front-rear direction (Y) and on the left end portion 3 c side of the second movable portion 3. Is done. One second support portion (anchor) 19 is formed at the center of the second movable portion 3 in the front-rear direction (Y) and on the right end portion 3d side of the second movable portion 3.

  And the 1st link part 10 and the 1st support part 15 are each connected via the 1st fulcrum connection springs 16 and 16 in the position of two places spaced apart in the front-back direction (Y). . Further, the second link portion 11 and the second support portion 19 are connected via the second fulcrum connection springs 20 and 20 at two positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction (Y). .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first fulcrum coupling springs 16, 16 are located on the left side (X1) with respect to the left end portion 3 c of the second movable portion 3. Further, the second fulcrum connection springs 19 and 19 are located on the right side (X2) with respect to the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the 1st movable part 2 and the 2nd movable part 3 move to a reverse direction in a height direction (Z). 4 and 5, the auxiliary link portion is not formed unlike FIG. 1, and the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 connect the four corners of the first movable portion 2 to the connection spring. It is connected via 12, 17, 25, 31. The second movable portion 3 is connected at its four corners to the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 via connection springs 13, 13, 18, and 18.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the number of support portions 15 and 19 is two, which is smaller than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 are outside in the left-right direction with respect to the left and right ends 3 c and 3 d of the second movable part 3. Is located. Therefore, the length dimension in the left-right direction of each link part 10 and 11 via the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 can be formed long, and thereby the displacement amount in the height direction of each movable part 2 and 3 can be made larger than before. can do. Therefore, in the movable sensor including the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 that can be displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction (Z), a highly accurate movable sensor can be obtained compared to the conventional one. . In the conventional movable sensor, in order to increase the sensitivity, each spring must be miniaturized to reduce the spring constant, and it is difficult to maintain the processing accuracy in the manufacturing process. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to cope with high sensitivity without miniaturizing each spring in this way.

  6, as described in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 are connected via the central connection spring 50 described in FIG. 12. ing.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of the movable sensor in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of the movable sensor in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view (perspective view) of the movable sensor shown in FIG. In the following, the description will mainly focus on differences from the first embodiment of FIG. Therefore, since the part which is not demonstrated is the same as FIG. 1, please refer description of FIG. In addition, regarding the reference numerals, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same functions even if the shapes are different from those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a support portion 52 is formed at the center position of the movable sensor. The support portion 52 includes an anchor 52a that is fixedly supported by the support substrate 36 shown in FIG. 14 via an insulating layer (not shown), and arm portions 52b and 52c that extend on both sides in the left-right direction (X) of the anchor 52a. With. The second movable part 3 is divided in the front-rear direction (Y) by the support part 52 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first link portion 10 has a pair of left link pieces 10a, 10c extending in the left direction with respect to the left end portion 3c of the second movable portion 3 spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). It is formed to be empty. Each left link piece 10a, 10c extends in parallel in the left-right direction (X). The left end portions of the left link pieces 10 a and 10 c are connected to the left connection piece 7 of the first movable portion 2 via left connection springs 12 and 25.

  The left link pieces 10a and 10c constituting the first link part 10 are integrated on the left end part 3c side of the second movable part 3, and further, the front (Y1) of the second front movable piece 3e and the first Two first central link pieces 10b passing through the front (Y1) of the two rear movable pieces 3f are provided.

  And each 1st center link piece 10b is via the right connection springs 13 and 13 in the front (Y1) side of each right end part 3d side of the 2nd front movable piece 3e and the 2nd back movable piece 3f. It is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second link portion 11 has a pair of right link pieces 11a and 11c extending in the right direction from the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3 and spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). It is formed with a gap. Each right link piece 11a, 11c extends in parallel in the left-right direction (X). The right end portions of the right link pieces 11 a and 11 c are connected to the right connection piece 8 of the first movable portion 2 via right connection springs 17 and 31.

  Further, the right link pieces 11a and 11c constituting the second link part 11 are integrated on the right end part 3d side of the second movable part 3, and further, the rear (Y2) of the second front movable piece 3e and the second Two second central link pieces 11b passing behind (Y2) the two rear movable pieces 3f are provided.

  And each 2nd center link piece 11b is via the left connection springs 18 and 18 in the back (Y2) side of each left end part 3c side of the 2nd front movable piece 3e and the 2nd back movable piece 3f. It is connected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first fulcrum coupling spring 16 is provided at two positions where the first link portion 10 and the left arm portion 52 b constituting the support portion 52 are spaced in the front-rear direction (Y). , 16 are connected. Further, the second link portion 11 and the right arm portion 52c constituting the support portion 52 are connected via the second fulcrum connection springs 20 and 20 at two positions spaced in the front-rear direction (Y), respectively. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first fulcrum coupling springs 16, 16 are located on the left side (X1) with respect to the left end portion 3 c of the second movable portion 3. Further, the second fulcrum connection springs 20 and 20 are located on the right side (X2) with respect to the right end portion 3d of the second movable portion 3.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is very similar to FIG. 8, but the portion surrounded by the symbol D in FIG. 9 is the first central link piece 10b constituting the first link portion 10 as shown in FIG. It connects with the 2nd link part 11 via the center connection springs 54 and 55 in each of front (Y1) and back (Y2). The shapes of the central coupling springs 54 and 55 are substantially the same as those in FIG.

  9 has the same shape as that of FIG. 13, but in the portion of E, the front (Y1) of the second central link piece 11b constituting the second link portion 11 and It connects with the 1st link part 10 via the center connection springs 54 and 55 in each back (Y2).

  As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 13, the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 can be connected to strengthen the connection, and the link portions 10 and 11 and the movable portions 2 and 3 can be further connected. Can move stably.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the 1st movable part 2 and the 2nd movable part 3 move to a reverse direction in a height direction (Z). 8 to 10, unlike FIG. 1, the auxiliary link portion is not formed, and the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 connect the four corners of the first movable portion 2 to the connection spring. It is connected via 12, 17, 25, 31. The second front movable piece 3e and the second rear movable piece 3f divided into two are respectively connected to the first link portion 10 and the second link portion 11 and the connecting springs 13 and 13 at opposite ends facing diagonally. , 18 and 18 are connected.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the number of support portions 52 is one. However, the arm portions 52b and 52c are extended from the anchor 52a constituting the support portion 52 to the left and right sides, and the arm portions 52b and 52c and the link portions 10 and 11 are coupled via the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20, respectively. Has been.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 are outside the left and right ends 3 c and 3 d of the second movable part 3 in the left and right direction. Is located. Therefore, the length dimension in the left-right direction of each link part 10 and 11 via the fulcrum coupling springs 16 and 20 can be formed long, and thereby the displacement amount in the height direction of each movable part 2 and 3 can be made larger than before. can do. Therefore, in the movable sensor including the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 that can be displaced in the opposite directions in the height direction (Z), a highly accurate movable sensor can be obtained compared to the conventional one. .

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the first movable part 2 includes a left extension piece 2c1, 2d1 extending to the left side of the left end part 3c of the second movable part 3 and a left extension piece 2c1, 2d1. The left connecting piece 7 is integrally connected to each other, whereby a second space region (left space region) 5 is formed on the left side (X1) of the second movable portion 3. The left link pieces 10a and 10c of the first link part 10 and the first auxiliary link part 21 (in the form of FIG. 1) are arranged inside the left extension pieces 2c1 and 2d1. Further, the first movable part 2 is integrally formed between the right extension pieces 2c2, 2d2 and the right extension pieces 2c2, 2d2 extending to the right side (X2) of the right end part 3d of the second movable part 3. A right connecting piece 8 to be connected is provided, whereby a third space region (right space region) 6 is formed on the right side (X2) of the second movable part 3. Note that the right link pieces 11a and 11c of the second link portion 11 and the second auxiliary link portion 29 (the form in FIG. 1) are disposed inside the right extending pieces 2c2 and 2d2.

  The second space region 5 and the third space region 6 can be configured as detection units for the horizontal plane directions (X1-X2, Y1-Y2), respectively. FIG. 15 shows an example of the triaxial movable sensor 70. The configuration of the Z-axis detection unit 71 including the first movable unit 2, the second movable unit 3, the link units 10 and 11, and each support unit illustrated in FIG. 15 is very similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. . However, in FIG. 15, the first fulcrum connection spring 16 and the second fulcrum connection spring 20 are formed at the same position in the front-rear direction (Y) with the left end 3 c and the right end 3 d of the second movable part 3. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the second space region 5 includes a movable electrode and a fixed electrode cut out from the same plate material (silicon substrate) as the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3, etc. A detection unit 72 for X) is provided. Further, the third space region 6 has a movable electrode and a fixed electrode cut out from the same plate material (silicon substrate) as the first movable portion 2 and the second movable portion 3 in the front-rear direction (Y). A detection unit 73 is provided. The electrodes constituting the detection unit 72 and the electrodes constituting the detection unit 73 are orthogonal to each other. When an external force is received from the left-right direction (X), the electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode of the detection unit 72 changes, thereby outputting a detection signal for the external force generated in the left-right direction (X). it can. In addition, when an external force is received from the front-rear direction (Y), the capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode of the detection unit 73 changes, thereby outputting a detection signal for the external force generated in the front-rear direction (Y). be able to.

  A movable sensor 70 shown in FIG. 15 constitutes a three-axis movable sensor. With the configuration shown in FIG. 15, even if the length of the movable sensor 70 in the left-right direction (X) is shortened along with the downsizing of the movable sensor 70, the Z-axis detection unit 71 allows each link. By extending the portions 10 and 11 to the outside of the left and right ends 3c and 3d of the second movable portion 3, the length of the link portions 10 and 11 in the left and right direction can be increased, and the Z axis The sensitivity of the detection unit 71 can be improved, and the second space region 5 and the third space region 6 can be effectively used as the two-axis detection units 72 and 73 other than the Z axis, and are small and excellent in sensitivity. A triaxial movable sensor 70 can be configured.

  Sensitivity measurement was performed using the movable sensor of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the movable sensor of the comparative example shown in FIG.

  In the comparative example of FIG. 17, the support portion (anchor) is located at the center in the left-right direction (X) of the second movable portion 3 and at the front (Y1) and rear (Y2) positions of the second movable portion 3, respectively. ) 57 and 57 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the 1st link part 58 is formed in the shape of a crank, and is connected via the support part 57 and the fulcrum connection spring 57a. The second link portion 59 is formed in a point-symmetric shape with the first link portion 58 with the center O2 of the movable sensor as a symmetric point. And the 2nd link part 59 is connected via the support part 57 and the fulcrum connection spring 57a.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the first link portion 58 is connected to the first movable portion 2 via the connecting spring 70a at the left end portion and connected to the second movable portion 3 at the right end portion. It is connected via 70b. The second link portion 59 is connected to the first movable portion 2 via the connecting spring 70c at the right end portion, and connected to the second movable portion 3 via the connecting spring 70d at the left end portion. Is done.

  In the comparative example shown in FIG. 17, auxiliary link portions 74 and 75 are provided. The auxiliary link portion 74 is connected to the first movable portion 2 via the connecting spring 73a at the left end portion and supported at the right end portion. It is connected to the portion 57 via a connecting spring 73b. Further, the auxiliary link portion 75 is connected to the first movable portion 2 via the connection spring 73c at the right end portion, and is connected to the support portion 57 via the connection spring 73d at the left end portion.

  Similarly to this embodiment, when the movable sensor shown in FIG. 17 receives external force such as acceleration from the height direction (Z), the link portions 58 and 59 rotate in the height direction via the fulcrum connection spring 57a. Thus, the first movable part 2 and the second movable part 3 move in the opposite direction in the height direction (Z).

  In the comparative example shown in FIG. 17, the fulcrum connection spring 57 a is formed inside the left end 3 c and the right end 3 d of the second movable part 3. This is one of the forms different from the embodiment.

  The gap between the movable part and the fixed electrode shown in FIG. 14 is the same size (specifically 1.7 μm) in the embodiment of FIG. 6 and the comparative example of FIG. 17, and the width of each connecting spring is the same as that of FIG. The same dimensions (specifically 1.34 μm) in the form and the comparative example of FIG.

  Then, the differential capacitance change with respect to the acceleration (centrifugal force) of the embodiment of FIG. 6 and the comparative example of FIG. 17 was obtained. As a result, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the acceleration sensitivity was 3.5 fF / G, and in the comparative example of FIG. 17, the acceleration sensitivity was 1.5 fF / G.

  Thus, it has been found that the embodiment can improve the sensitivity as compared with the comparative example.

  This embodiment is applicable not only to acceleration sensors but also to MEMS sensors in general, such as angular velocity sensors and impact sensors.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,70 Movable sensor 2 1st movable part 3 2nd movable part 3c 3rd space Left end part 3d (of 2nd movable part) Right end part 5 (2nd movable part) 2nd space area 6 3rd space Region 7 Left connecting piece 8 Right connecting piece 10 First link portion 10a, 10c Left link piece 10b First central link piece 11 Second link portion 11a, 11c Right link piece 11b Second central link piece 12, 13 , 17, 18, 22a, 23a, 25, 31, 32 Connecting springs 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 30, 52 Support parts (anchors)
16 1st fulcrum connection spring 20 2nd fulcrum connection springs 21 and 29 Auxiliary link portion 35 Counter substrate 36 Support substrates 37 to 39 Fixed electrodes 50, 51, 54, 55 Center connection springs 71, 72, 73 Detector

Claims (9)

A support unit fixedly supported, a first movable unit and a second movable unit that are displaced in the height direction and have different masses, and a first unit that is rotatably connected to the support unit and each movable unit. A link unit, a second link unit, and a detection unit for detecting the displacement of the movable unit;
The first movable part is located outside the second movable part;
The first link part and the second link part are formed to extend in the left-right direction (X),
The first link portion extends to the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion and is connected to the first movable portion via a first left connection spring and the second movable portion. Between the first left connection spring and the first right connection spring in the left-right direction. Is connected to the support portion located at the first fulcrum connection spring,
The second link portion extends to the right side of the right end portion of the second movable portion and is connected to the first movable portion via a second right connection spring and the second movable portion. Connected to the second movable part via a second left connecting spring on the left end side of the part, and between the second right connecting spring and the second left connecting spring in the left-right direction. Is connected to the support portion located at the second fulcrum connection spring,
When the first link portion rotates around the first fulcrum connection spring and the second link portion rotates around the second fulcrum connection spring, the second movable portion and The first movable part is displaced in the opposite direction in the height direction,
The first fulcrum connection spring is located at a position coincident with the left end of the second movable portion in the front-rear direction (Y), or is located on the left side of the left end, and the second fulcrum connection spring Is a position that coincides with the right end portion of the second movable portion in the front-rear direction (Y), or is located on the right side of the right end portion.   The distance in the left-right direction (X) between the first left connection spring and the first fulcrum connection spring, the left-right direction (X) between the first fulcrum connection spring and the first right connection spring. The distance between the second left connection spring and the second fulcrum connection spring in the left-right direction (X), the left and right connection between the second fulcrum connection spring and the second right connection spring The movable sensor according to claim 1, wherein the distance in the direction (X) is formed with the same dimension. The first link portion is provided with a plurality of left link pieces on the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion and extending in the front-rear direction (Y) with an interval therebetween, A link piece is connected to the first movable part via the first left connecting spring;
The second link portion is provided with a plurality of right link pieces on the right side of the right end portion of the second movable portion and extending in the front-rear direction (Y) with an interval therebetween, A link piece is connected to the first movable part via the second right connecting spring;
The left movable portion and the right end portion facing at least diagonally of the second movable portion are connected to each other by the first link portion and the second link portion, respectively. The movable sensor described. A first auxiliary link portion is provided at a distance in the front-rear direction (Y) with respect to the left link piece of the first link portion extending to the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion, The first auxiliary link portion is connected to the first movable portion and the support portion so as to rotate in the same direction together with the first link portion,
A second auxiliary link portion is provided at a distance in the front-rear direction (Y) with respect to the right link piece of the second link portion extending to the right side of the right end portion of the second movable portion, The two auxiliary link portions are connected to the first movable portion and the support portion, respectively, so as to rotate in the same direction together with the second link portion,
The left movable portion and the right end portion facing at least diagonally of the second movable portion are connected to each other by the first link portion and the second link portion, respectively. The movable sensor described.   The first link portion is connected to a first support portion provided on the left end side of the second movable portion via the first fulcrum connection spring, and the second link portion is 5. The movable sensor according to claim 1, wherein the movable sensor is connected to a second support portion provided on the right end side of the second movable portion via the second fulcrum connection spring. 6. .   The support portion is formed to extend in the left-right direction (X) so as to divide the second movable portion in the front-rear direction (Y), and the left end portion of the support portion and the first link The first support portion connecting spring is connected to the right end portion of the support portion and the second link portion is connected to the second support portion connecting spring. 5. The movable sensor according to any one of items 4 to 4.   The said 1st link part and the said 2nd link part are connected via the center connection spring in the approximate center position in the said left-right direction of the said 2nd movable part. The movable sensor described.   The first movable part is disposed on both sides of the second movable part in the front-rear direction, and the first fixed electrode and the second movable part are disposed at positions facing the first movable part in the height direction. 2. The second fixed electrode is disposed at a position facing the portion in the height direction, and the detection unit includes a movable unit and a fixed electrode to detect a change in capacitance. The movable sensor according to any one of 7. The first movable part includes a left extension piece extending leftward from a front-rear direction (Y) region of the second movable part, and a front-rear direction (Y) of the second movable part. A right extending piece extending in the right direction from each region,
The left link piece of the first link portion extending to the left side of the left end portion of the second movable portion is opposed to the left extension piece in the front-rear direction (Y),
The right link piece of the second link portion extending to the right side from the right end portion of the second movable portion is opposed to the right extension piece in the front-rear direction (Y),
A left space region sandwiched between a pair of left extending pieces is formed on the left side of the second movable part, and a pair of right extending pieces is provided on the right side of the second movable part. The right space area sandwiched between is formed,
In the left space area and the right space area, a detection unit in the left-right direction and a detection unit in the front-rear direction are provided, respectively.
The left-right direction detection unit and the front-rear direction detection unit are respectively provided with a movable electrode and a fixed electrode cut out from the same plate material as the second movable unit and the first movable unit. The movable sensor according to claim 1.

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