Rotation rate sensor with uncoupled mutually perpendicular primary and secondary oscillations

A rotational rate gyroscope for detecting rotation thereof about an axis of rotation, comprising the following features:

• a base member;
• a primary oscillator adapted to be excited to perform a primary movement which is directed normal to the axis of rotation or about an axis normal to the axis of rotation, respectively;
• a secondary oscillator adapted to be caused, by a Coriolis force, to perform a secondary movement which is directed normal to the axis of rotation or about an axis normal to the axis of rotation, respectively, and normal to the primary movement, with major surfaces of the primary oscillator and the secondary oscillator extending substantially in the same plane and the movement of the primary oscillator and/or the movement of the secondary oscillator taking place in this plane;
• a first spring means constituting a primary oscillator suspension and holding the primary oscillator so as to be movable with respect to the base member;
• a second spring means separate from the first spring means and connecting the primary oscillator to the secondary oscillator and constituting a secondary oscillator suspension,
• wherein
• the primary oscillator suspension is designed such that it permits the primary oscillator to move in the direction of the primary movement, and that it does not permit the primary oscillator to move in the direction of the secondary movement, and
• the secondary oscillator suspension is designed such
• that it transfers the primary movement to the secondary oscillator substantially in rigid manner;
• that it permits the secondary oscillator to move in the direction of the secondary movement;
• and
• that it substantially prevents a transfer of the secondary movement back to the primary oscillator,
• wherein the rotation thereof about a first axis can be detected;
• wherein the primary oscillator suspension supports the primary oscillator so as to be rotatable with respect to the base member about a second axis, said second axis being substantially normal to the first axis;
• wherein the secondary oscillator suspension supports the secondary oscillator so as to be rotatable with respect to the primary oscillator about a third axis, said third axis being substantially normal to the first and second axes;
• wherein the torsional strength of the primary oscillator suspension with respect to torsion about the third axis is higher than the torsional strength of the secondary oscillator suspension with respect to torsion about the third axis;
• and
• wherein the secondary oscillator suspension is a torsion spring exhibiting resilience with respect to torsion about the third axis.