JPH09159455A - Protective structure for vibrator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a protective structure by which a pillar-shaped vibrator can be protected by a method wherein the vibrator is supported on a board by one pair of support members in the direction of an axial line, one pair of hooking members which protrude to the side of the board are installed at the vibrator and a stopper which restrains a displacement in a definite amount or higher in respective directions is installed. SOLUTION: U-shaped filaments 3, 3, for support, which are composed of metal wires or the like are connected respectively near nodes of ridges 2a, 2b at the ridges 2a, 2b on support lines at a pillar-shaped vibrator 1 whose cross section is square- shaped, and their leg ends are fixed and bonded respectively to boards 4a, 4b so as to support the vibrator 1. The vibrator 1 is provided with piezoelectric elements 7a, 7b on its side faces 6a, 6b. One pair of hooking members 11, 11 which protrude to the side of the boards are installed at ridges on the opposite sides of the ridges 2a, 2b which connect the filaments 3, 3. Stoppers 12 are installed at the boards 4a, 4b so as to protrude to the side of the vibrator 1 in such a way that the members 11, 11 correspond to their leg parts, respective tip parts are bent to the side of the central part, and bent parts 12a are formed. By this structure, it is possible to surely prevent the excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 by bringing the members 11, 11 into contact with the respective stoppers 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibrator protection structure for effectively protecting a vibrator suitable for use in a vibration gyro or the like against the action of an external force and preventing a change in its vibration posture. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a structure for supporting a vibrator on a substrate, as shown in a perspective view of FIG. 9 (a), a vibrator 1 is formed on a prism-shaped vibrator 1 on ridge lines 2a, 2b facing each other. At the position corresponding to the node of 1 or its vicinity, for example,
Two substantially U-shaped supporting wires 3 and 3 made of metal wires are connected to each other, and each supporting wire 3 and 3 is connected.
There is one in which the leg ends of are fixed to each of the first substrate 4a and the second substrate 4b. Here, the second substrate 4b is bonded to the first substrate via the cushioning material 5. In addition,
In this example, piezoelectric elements 7a and 7b are provided on the respective side surfaces 6a and 6b that are adjacent to each other via one ridgeline 2a of the vibrator 1.

As another supporting structure, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), cushion rings 8 made of rubber or the like are provided at positions corresponding to the respective nodes of the vibrator 1 or in the vicinity thereof. There is one in which the supporting flat plates 9 for fitting and holding the cushion rings 8 are fixed to the substrate 4.

When the vibrator 1 supported in this way is made to function as a vibration gyro, each piezoelectric element 7a,
By vibrating the vibrator 1 in the Y-axis direction in the figure by 7b and rotating the vibrator 1 around the Z-axis, the vibrator 1 is generated based on the Coriolis force generated in the X-axis direction.
Bending vibration in the X-axis direction. This causes a difference in impedance between the respective piezoelectric elements 7a and 7b, and by measuring the difference, Coriolis force, and by extension,
The angular velocity can be detected.

[0005]

By the way, in such a support structure, in order to eliminate restrictions on bending vibration of the vibrator 1 as much as possible, the wire diameters of the supporting filaments 3, 3 and the supporting flat plates 9, 9 are set. The thickness of the vibrator 1
And the contact areas between the supporting lines 3, 3 and the cushion rings 8, 8 are made as small as possible. On the other hand,
When such a support structure is applied to an automobile or the like as a vibration gyro, the vibrator 1 may be formed due to unevenness on the road surface.
Is subjected to acceleration, vibration impact, etc. in various directions, the force acting on the supporting wire, etc. due to these causes the elastic limit of the supporting wire 3, 3 and the vibration with the supporting wire 3, 3. When the size exceeds the strength of connection with the child 1, plastic deformation of the supporting wire or the supporting flat plate, damage of the connecting portion between the supporting wire and the vibrator 1, displacement of the vibrator 1 with respect to the cushion ring 8,
The cushion ring 8 is torn or the like, and in any of these cases, there is a problem that the supporting posture of the vibrator 1, and hence the flexural vibration posture thereof, changes, and the function of the vibration gyro is greatly impaired.

The present invention has been made as a result of investigations aimed at solving such problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is that the vibrator is subjected to a large acceleration, a vibration shock or the like. Even in such a case, the bending vibration posture of the vibrator should be maintained in the initial posture, in addition to the diameter of the supporting wires and the contact area between the supporting wires and the vibrator should be sufficiently small. It is to provide a protective structure for a vibrator capable of

[0007]

According to the vibrator support structure of the present invention, a columnar vibrator such as a prism or a cylinder is supported on a substrate by a pair of support members spaced apart in the axial direction thereof. In addition, the vibrator is provided with a pair of engaging members protruding toward the substrate side at intervals in the axial direction thereof, and the substrate is provided at an interval from each engaging member, and each of the engaging members forming a pair, Each stopper is provided to restrain the displacement exceeding a predetermined amount in the direction, and here, by preventing the excessive displacement of the vibrator in each direction by the contact of the engaging member with the stopper, Since it is possible to sufficiently prevent the plastic deformation of the support member, the damage of the connecting portion between the support member and the oscillator, the displacement of the oscillator with respect to the support member, etc., the bending vibration posture of the oscillator can always be kept constant. , Low function of vibration gyro It can be removed fear.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those described in the prior art are designated by the same reference numerals. Here, on the ridgelines 2a and 2b of the columnar vibrator 1 having a quadrangular cross-sectional shape, which are located on the support lines, at positions corresponding to respective nodes of the vibrator 1 or positions near them,
Two substantially U-shaped supporting filaments 3 and 3 made of metal wire or the like are connected to each other, and the supporting filaments 3 and 3 are respectively connected.
The leg ends of are fixed to the first substrate 4a and the second substrate 4b laminated on the first substrate via the cushioning material 5 to support the vibrator 1. Here, the vibrator 1 has piezoelectric elements on the respective side surfaces 6a and 6b which are adjacent to each other via one ridgeline 2a.
It has 7a and 7b. Here, the cross-sectional shape of the vibrator 1 may be a polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like, which is not shown, and the side faces on which the piezoelectric elements 7a and 7b are formed are side faces not shown. You can also

Further, here, each ridge line connecting the supporting filaments 3, 3 at two places spaced apart in the axial direction of the vibrator 1.
A pair of frame-shaped engaging members 11, 11 arranged on the ridgelines on the side opposite to 2a, 2b and projecting to the substrate side are attached to the respective ridgelines by welding, bonding or the like. These pair of engaging members 11, 11 are preferably attached at positions corresponding to respective nodes of the vibrator 1 or in the vicinity thereof,
In their side view, they have hook shapes that face each other, and each of them has an upper end portion 11 extending along a ridge.
It has a and a leg portion 11b which is bent at a right angle and projects downward from the a. Here, each engaging member attached to each of the lower end ridge line 2a and the upper end ridge line 2b of the vibrator 1.
Both 11 and 11 have two leg portions 11b located apart from the oscillator 1, and these two leg portions 11b are shown in FIG. 2 (b).
As is clear from the example shown in the front view, the notch 11c cut in from the outside to the inside in the width direction of the engaging member 11.
Having.

On the other hand, the first and second substrates 4a, 4b
Each of the engaging members 11, 11 has a leg portion 11 of each.
Each stopper 12 located corresponding to b is provided so as to project toward the vibrator side, and the tip end portion of each stopper 12 is a bent portion 12a that bends toward the central portion side in the length direction of the vibrator 1, and Replace each bent portion 12a with each leg of the engaging member 11.
As shown in the front view and the side view of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the notch 11c formed in the notch 11c is arranged at a predetermined distance from the peripheral surface of the notch. Here,
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the upright base portion 12b of each stopper 12 has a leg portion 11 of each engaging member 11,11.
It is located outside the axis b with a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the vibrator 1.

With the above-mentioned structure, the vibrator 1 functions in the same manner as described in the prior art, and X is generated by the rotational movement around the Z axis under bending vibration in the Y axis direction.
Generates Coriolis force in the axial direction.

Further, here, the excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 in the Y-axis direction is caused by the collision between the upper surface or the lower surface of the notch 11c provided in each leg portion 11b and the bent portion 12a of the stopper 12, and As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the excessive displacement in the X-axis direction is caused by the bending portion 12a of either one of the two stoppers 12 provided corresponding to the one engaging member 11 and the notch 11c. Each of them is surely prevented by the collision with the bottom portion, and further, the excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 in the Z-axis direction and the leg portion 11b of one of the pair of engaging members 11 and 11 and the stopper. It will be blocked by the collision with the 12 upright bases 12b. Therefore, the gap between the peripheral surface of the notch 11c and the stopper bent portion 12a in each direction, and the pair of engaging members.
Each leg part 11b of 11 and 11 and each stopper
The spacing between the 12 upright bases 12b is determined in consideration of the elastic limit of the supporting wires 3, 3, the oscillator mass and the generated acceleration, the impact vibration, etc. By sufficiently preventing plastic deformation, the bending vibration posture of the vibrator 1 can be constantly maintained.

By the way, when such a support structure is used as a vibrating gyro, the vibrator 1 is often housed alone or together with an electric circuit portion in a case or the like. As a result of the plastic deformation of the supporting wires 3 and 3 being prevented, collision between the vibrator 1 and the supporting wires 3 and 3 and the case and other attachments is avoided to damage their components. Can be effectively protected from.

Thus, according to this protection structure, excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 due to acceleration in each direction acting on the vibrator 1, shock vibration, etc., prevents excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 and the pair of engaging members 11 and the respective stoppers 12. Since it can be surely prevented by the collision with, the oscillator 1 and the supporting filaments 3 and 3 are not damaged, and the bending vibration posture of the oscillator 1 is always kept constant. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the function of the vibration gyro.

Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has been described above, the stopper 12 can be formed integrally with the substrates 4a and 4b, and the stopper 12 projects from a casing (not shown) for fixing the substrates 4a and 4b. It can also be indirectly attached to the substrates 4a and 4b by providing them.

3 to 6 are views showing other examples of the structure of the engaging member 11 and the stopper 12. The example shown in FIG.
To the leg portions 12b of the respective engaging members 11 and 11 attached to
A notch 11c is formed which is recessed toward the center of the vibrator 1 in the longitudinal direction, and a stopper 12 is inserted into each notch.
The bent portion 12a is formed by bending the engaging members 11 from the outer side to the inner side in the width direction. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the relative relation between the notch and the bent portion is shown in FIG. 2, which is the reverse of that shown in FIG. 2, in which the stopper 12 has a notch 12c recessed inward in the width direction of each engaging member 11, and the tip end portion of the leg portion 11b of each engaging member 11. In addition, a bent portion 11d that is bent toward the central portion side in the axial direction of the vibrator 1 and enters into the notch 12c is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the direction in which the bent portion 11d is fitted in the notch 12c provided at the upper end of the stopper 12 is shown in FIG.
It is the reverse of what is shown in.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a protruding portion 12d protruding toward the end portion of the vibrator 1 is inserted between the leg portions of the hooking member 11 having a substantially glazing shape from the upright base portion 12b of the stopper 12. It was made. In this example, the leg portion 11
The relative position between b and the upright base 12b is reversed from that shown in FIG. 6 (b), and the protrusion protruding from the upright base 12b toward the center of the vibrator 1 is inserted between the legs. You can also In any of these examples, the distance between the notched peripheral surface and the bent portion, the distance between the leg portion and the upright base portion, the distance between the leg portion and the protrusion and the upright base portion, and the like are selected as required. As a result, the same operational effect as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be brought about. Here, the pair of engaging members 11 and 11 may be joined together on the same ridge line, or may be disposed so as to penetrate the vibrator 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment, in which the engaging members 11 and 11 are provided on both end faces of the vibrator 1 and the lower ends of the engaging members 11 are perforated. Hole 11e
The bent portion 12a bent from the upright base portion 12b of the stopper 12 to the central portion side of the vibrator 1 is inserted in the stopper 12, and here, the distance between the bent portion 12a and the peripheral surface of the hole 11e and By appropriately selecting the distance between the engaging members 11 and 11 and the upright base portion 12b of the stopper 12, it is possible to sufficiently restrain the excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 in each direction. By the way, in this example, the bent portion 12
It is also possible to insert a into the hole 11e from the opposite direction to that shown in the figure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment. When the vibrator 1 is supported in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 9 (b), the supporting flat plates 9 are arranged at different positions. Also, the engaging member 11 and the stopper 12 similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are arranged on the end side of the vibrator 1. This protective structure also ensures that excessive displacement of the vibrator 1 caused by acceleration, impact, etc. acting on the vibrator 1 in various directions is ensured by the abutment between the pair of engaging members 11 and the respective stoppers 12. It is possible to prevent the vibrator 1, the supporting flat plate 9 and the like from being damaged, and to keep the bending vibration posture of the vibrator 1 always constant.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, the excessive displacement of the vibrator when a large external force is applied to the vibrator is prevented by the abutment of the pair of engaging members and the respective stoppers, thereby supporting the vibrator. In addition to plastic deformation, displacement, and damage of members, the risk of displacement and damage of the oscillator is sufficiently eliminated, and the bending vibration posture of the oscillator is always kept constant, preventing the function of the vibration gyro from decreasing. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hooking member and a stopper.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another configuration of the engaging member and the stopper.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration of the engaging member and the stopper.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration of the engaging member and the stopper.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration of the engaging member and the stopper.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a support structure for a vibrator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 vibrator, 2a, 2b ridge line 3 supporting wire, 4, 4a, 4b substrate 5 cushioning material 6a, 6b side surface 7a, 7b piezoelectric element, 8 cushion ring 9 supporting flat plate, 11 engaging member 11a upper end portion, 11b leg Part 11c, 12c Cutout, 11d, 12a Bent part 11e Hole, 12 Stopper 12b Upright base, 12d Projection

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vibrator having a columnar shape as a whole is supported on a substrate by a pair of supporting members which are spaced apart in the axial direction of the vibrator, and the vibrator is spaced apart in the axial direction thereof. Providing a pair of engaging members projecting to the substrate side, the substrate is located at a distance from each engaging member,
A vibrating element protective structure comprising stoppers for restraining displacements of a pair of engaging members in each direction exceeding a predetermined amount.