22

GB
Design and Operation
Yaw rate sensor G202
The necessity for installing this sensor close to
the centre of gravity of the vehicle results
from the fact that it is mounted together with
the lateral acceleration sensor on a bracket.
Task
It determines whether torques are acting on a
body. Depending on the installation position,
it is then possible to determine a rotation
about one of the three-dimensional axes. In
the ESP system the sensor has to determine
whether the vehicle is turned about its vertical
axis. We talk in this case of measuring the yaw
rate.
Effect in the event of failure
In the absence of the measurement of the yaw
rate it is not possible to detect in the control
unit whether the vehicle is developing a
tendency to skid. The ESP function is then no
longer operational.
Self-diagnosis
The self-diagnosis determines whether an
open circuit exists in the wiring or whether
there is a short circuit to positive or to earth. In
addition, the system detects whether the
sensor signal is plausible.
Electrical circuit
The yaw rate sensor is connected directly to
the control unit J104 by three cables.
SP28-45 G202
J104
SP28-44
23
GB
Design
The basic element is a micromechanical
system with a double tuning fork made of a
silicone crystal, which has been housed in a
small electronic element on a sensor board.
Let us take a look at a simplified
representation of the double tuning fork. It is
connected at its "waist" to the other silicone
element, which we have omitted here in order
to make the illustration clearer to understand.
The double tuning fork consists of an exciter
tuning fork and a measuring tuning fork.
SP28-46
SP28-47
Exciter tuning fork
Measuring
tuning fork
Connection to
other silicone
body
The exciter
tuning fork
oscillates in
resonance
Alternating voltage
with a frequency of
11 kHz
The measuring
tuning fork
does not
oscillate in
resonance
Function
If an alternating voltage is applied, the silicone
tuning fork can be caused to vibrate with
sympathetic oscillations.
The two halves are harmonised in such a way
that the exciter tuning fork oscillates in the
resonance at exactly 11 kHz and the
measuring tuning fork at 11.33 kHz. If an
alternating voltage with a frequency of exactly
11 kHz is applied to the double tuning fork, the
exciter tuning fork vibrates with sympathetic
oscillations, but not the measuring tuning
fork.
A tuning fork which is vibrating with
sympathetic oscillations, reacts more inertly
to the effect of a force than a mass which is
not oscillating.
24
GB
Design and Operation
What this means is:
Whereas the measuring tuning fork and the
rest of the sensor moves together with the
vehicle when the effect of a rotational
acceleration is felt, the oscillating part of the
double tuning fork (exciter tuning fork) follows
this movement with a certain time lag.
Consequently, the double tuning fork turns
within itself in the same way as a cork opener.
This turning motion results in a modified
distribution of the charge at the tuning fork
which is measured by electrodes, analysed by
the sensor electronics and transmitted as a
signal to the control unit.
SP28-48
Resonance
oscillation
Turning
moment