IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,063,546
Granted Patent B2
US 8,063,546 · App. 12/371,987 · Granted Nov 22, 2011

Vibrator comprising two X-cut crystal substrates with an intermediate electrode

Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,063,546
App. No.
12/371,987
Granted
Nov 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vibratory structure includes: a first X-cut crystal substrate; a second X-cut crystal substrate stacked on the first X-cut crystal substrate so that the x-axis of the second X-cut crystal substrate is parallel to the x-axis of the first X-cut crystal substrate; a base formed by the first X-cut crystal substrate and the second X-cut crystal substrate; and vibratory arm sections formed so as to be integrated together with the base in one body, and protruding from the base.

Claims (33)

1. A vibratory structure comprising:

a first X-cut crystal substrate;

a second X-cut crystal substrate stacked on the first X-cut crystal substrate so that the x-axis of the second X-cut crystal substrate is parallel to the x-axis of the first X-cut crystal substrate;

a base formed by the first X-cut crystal substrate and the second X-cut crystal substrate;

vibratory arm sections formed so as to be integrated together with the base in one body, and protruding from the base;

an intermediate electrode sandwiched between the first X-cut crystal substrate and the second X-cut crystal substrate;

a first drive electrode formed on an upper face of the vibratory arm section, the upper face being perpendicular to the x-axis of the vibratory arm section; and

a second drive electrode formed on a back face of the vibratory arm section, the back face being perpendicular to the x-axis of the vibratory arm section, wherein

a first voltage is supplied to both the first drive electrode and the second drive electrode, and a second voltage which has a phase opposite to the first voltage is supplied to the intermediate electrode.

2. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the base and the vibratory arm sections are formed so that the second X-cut crystal substrate is stacked on the first X-cut crystal substrate, the y-axis of the first X-cut crystal substrate is parallel to the y-axis of the second X-cut crystal substrate, and the z-axis of the first X-cut crystal substrate is parallel to the z-axis of the second X-cut crystal substrate.

3. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the base and the vibratory arm sections are formed so that the second X-cut crystal substrate is stacked on the first X-cut crystal substrate, the x-axis direction of the first X-cut crystal substrate is identical to the x-axis direction of the second X-cut crystal substrate.

4. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the base and the vibratory arm sections are formed so that the second X-cut crystal substrate is stacked on the first X-cut crystal substrate, the x-axis direction of the first X-cut crystal substrate is inverted to the x-axis direction of the second X-cut crystal substrate.

5. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the vibratory arm sections are disposed so that an upper face of the vibratory arm sections are parallel to an upper face of the base.

6. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the intermediate electrode is formed on each of the first X-cut crystal substrate and the second X-cut crystal substrate.

7. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an insulating film that is adjacent to the intermediate electrode.

8. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of the vibratory arm sections including a first vibratory arm section and a second vibratory arm section, the first vibratory arm section to which the first voltage is supplied and the second vibratory arm section to which the second voltage is supplied being adjacent to each other.

9. A vibrator comprising:

the vibratory structure according to claim 1 ; and

a package containing the vibratory structure.

10. An oscillator comprising:

the vibratory structure according to claim 1 ;

an integrated circuit; and

a package containing the vibratory structure and the integrated circuit.

11. The vibratory structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first vibratory arm section including a first drive electrode, a second drive electrode, and an intermediate electrode; and

a second vibratory arm section including an intermediate electrode, the intermediate electrode of the second vibratory arm section being electrically connected to the first drive electrode and the second drive electrode of the first vibratory arm section.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2009
From: KITAMURA, FUMITAKA
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022264/0190 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-038838 · Feb 20, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090206704A1 · Aug 20, 2009