Disclosed herein are aspects of a multiple-mass, multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer sensor device with a fully differential sensing design that applies differential drive signals to movable proof masses and senses differential motion signals at sense fingers coupled to a substrate. In some embodiments, capacitance signals from different sense fingers are combined together at a sensing signal node disposed on the substrate supporting the proof masses. In some embodiments, a split shield may be provided, with a first shield underneath a proof mass coupled to the same drive signal applied to the proof mass and a second shield electrically isolated from the first shield provided underneath the sense fingers and biased with a constant voltage to provide shielding for the sense fingers.

An acceleration sensor as a physical quantity sensor includes: a substrate; a correction electrode fixed to the substrate; a detection electrode fixed to the substrate; and a moving member fixed to the substrate. The moving member has: a base part; a first anchor part fixed to the substrate; a first finger electrode extending from the base part and facing the correction electrode; a mass part provided in such a way as to be displaceable in a direction of detection of a physical quantity in relation to the substrate; and a second finger electrode extending from the mass part and facing the detection electrode. A distance between a second anchor part where the detection electrode and the substrate are fixed, and the base part, is shorter than a distance between the second anchor part and the mass part.

An acceleration sensor as a physical quantity sensor includes: a substrate; a correction electrode fixed to the substrate; a detection electrode fixed to the substrate; and a moving member fixed to the substrate. The moving member has: a base part; a first anchor part fixed to the substrate; a first finger electrode extending from the base part and facing the correction electrode; a mass part provided in such a way as to be displaceable in a direction of detection of a physical quantity in relation to the substrate; and a second finger electrode extending from the mass part and facing the detection electrode. A distance between a second anchor part where the detection electrode and the substrate are fixed, and the base part, is shorter than a distance between the second anchor part and the mass part.

A MEMS inertial sensor includes a supporting structure and an inertial structure. The inertial structure includes at least one inertial mass, an elastic structure, and a stopper structure. The elastic structure is mechanically coupled to the inertial mass and to the supporting structure so as to enable a movement of the inertial mass along a first direction, when the supporting structure is subjected to an acceleration parallel to the first direction. The stopper structure is fixed with respect to the supporting structure and includes at least one primary and one secondary stopper elements. If the acceleration exceeds a first threshold value, the inertial mass abuts against the primary stopper element and subsequently rotates about an axis of rotation defined by the primary stopper element. If the acceleration exceeds a second threshold value, rotation of the inertial mass terminates when the inertial mass abuts against the secondary stopper element.

A MEMS inertial sensor includes a supporting structure and an inertial structure. The inertial structure includes at least one inertial mass, an elastic structure, and a stopper structure. The elastic structure is mechanically coupled to the inertial mass and to the supporting structure so as to enable a movement of the inertial mass along a first direction, when the supporting structure is subjected to an acceleration parallel to the first direction. The stopper structure is fixed with respect to the supporting structure and includes at least one primary and one secondary stopper elements. If the acceleration exceeds a first threshold value, the inertial mass abuts against the primary stopper element and subsequently rotates about an axis of rotation defined by the primary stopper element. If the acceleration exceeds a second threshold value, rotation of the inertial mass terminates when the inertial mass abuts against the secondary stopper element.

The disclosure describes a magnetic circuit assembly that includes a magnet assembly and an excitation ring. The magnet assembly defines an input axis and includes a pole piece and a magnet underlying the pole piece. The excitation ring includes a base and an outer ring positioned around the magnet assembly. The base includes a platform layer underlying the magnet and a base layer underlying the platform layer. The outer ring overlies the base layer. An inner portion of the outer ring faces the magnet assembly and an outer portion of the outer ring is configured to couple to an outer radial portion of a proof mass assembly. The pole piece and the platform layer include a high magnetic permeability material.

The disclosure describes a magnetic circuit assembly that includes a magnet assembly and an excitation ring. The magnet assembly defines an input axis and includes a pole piece and a magnet underlying the pole piece. The excitation ring includes a base and an outer ring positioned around the magnet assembly. The base includes a platform layer underlying the magnet and a base layer underlying the platform layer. The outer ring overlies the base layer. An inner portion of the outer ring faces the magnet assembly and an outer portion of the outer ring is configured to couple to an outer radial portion of a proof mass assembly. The pole piece and the platform layer include a high magnetic permeability material.

A microelectromechanical device includes a substrate, a first structural layer, and a second structural layer of semiconductor material. A sensing mass extends in the first structural layer and is coupled to the substrate by first elastic connections to enable oscillation of the sensing mass in a sensing direction perpendicular to the substrate by a maximum amount relative to a resting position of the sensing mass. An out-of-plane stopper structure includes an anchorage fixed to the substrate and a mechanical end-of-travel structure, which extends in the second structural layer, faces the sensing mass, and is separated therefrom by a gap having a width smaller than the maximum displacement distance of the sensing mass. The mechanical end-of-travel structure is coupled to the anchorage by second elastic connections that enable movement of the mechanical end-of-travel structure in the sensing direction in response to an impact of the sensing mass.

The present application discloses an inertial sensor comprising a proof mass, an anchor, a flexible member and several sensing electrodes. The anchor is positioned on one side of the sensing, mass block in a first axis. The flexible member is connected to the anchor point and extends along the first axis towards the proof mass to connect the proof mass, in which the several sensing electrodes are provided. In this way, the present application can effectively solve the problems of high difficulty in the production and assembly of inertial sensors and poor product reliability thereof.

An inertial sensor is an inertial sensor for detecting a physical quantity based on a displacement in a Z axis when defining three axes perpendicular to each other as an X axis, a Y axis, and the Z axis, and is provided with a substrate, a movable body which is fixed to the substrate, oscillates around an oscillation axis along the X axis, and has two planes opposed to each other and side surfaces connecting the two planes to each other, and a limiter which is fixed to the substrate, and is opposed to the side surfaces of the movable body, wherein the movable body is provided with a resilient portion in a portion opposed to the limiter.