Abstract:
The invention relates to an interconnection support for plate-like microcomponents (1) which comprises a support rail (2) fixed to a support plate (3). An insertion slot (4) of said support rail (2) receives a plug-in edge (5) of a plate-like microcomponent (1). Line-connecting elements (10, 10a) are provided for in at least one side wall (9) of the insertion slot (4) of the support rail (2) and can be connected with corresponding connecting elements (11) situated in an external side (1a) of the plate-like microcomponent (1).
Abstract:
A minute structure such as a cantilever 11 is formed on a silicon substrate 10 and heated by irradiating a laser beam to a part of the cantilever 11, by which the cantilever 11 is bent. The two bent cantilevers 11 are inserted into through holes 14 in a crystal substrate 10 formed in advance, and the tip end portions 15 thereof are heated. The heated tip end portions 15 become thicker and at the same time shorter, so that the crystal substrate 12 can be fixed to the silicon substrate 10 without play. By heating a part of the minute structure by such a method, plastic deformation is produced, so that bending and deforming can be performed. Thereby, a three-dimensional micromachined structure is constructed and assembled.
Abstract:
The invention provides droplet actuators with droplet operations surfaces for manipulating droplets, e.g., by conducting droplet operations. The droplet operations surfaces are typically exposed to a droplet operations gap. One or more regions of a droplet operation surface may include patterned topographic features. The invention also provides a droplet actuator in which one or both gap-facing droplet operations surfaces is formed using a removable film. The removable film may, in various embodiments, also include other components ordinarily associated with the droplet actuator substrate, such as the dielectric layer and the electrodes. Further, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and methods for coupling and/or sealing substrates of a droplet actuator, such as techniques for self-aligning assembly of droplet actuator substrates. The invention provides droplet actuators and methods of disassembling the droplet actuator in order to provide access for cleaning and/or recycling of droplet actuator surfaces.
Abstract:
The present invention provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for using the same, which facilitate the introduction of fluid to and from a microfluidic channel located within the microfluidic devices.
Abstract:
A system and method which provide a general-purpose snap connector suitable for coupling microcomponents are disclosed. A snap connector is disclosed that is suitable for performing general assembly, including out-of-plane, 3-D assembly of microcomponents, wherein such microcomponents may be securely coupled together. That is, a snap connector is disclosed which enables microcomponents to be coupled in a manner that constrains undesirable movement of the coupled components relative to each other. Preferably, such a snap connector may be pressure fit with a receptacle (or aperture) of a mating component in a manner that constrains translational and rotational degrees of freedom of the mating component relative to the snap connector. A preferred embodiment provides a "preloaded" snap connector that may be utilized to perform general assembly of microcomponents. An alternative embodiment provides a non-preloaded snap connector suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents. Still a further alternative embodiment provides a "squeeze" snap connector that is suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents. Such snap connectors may be implemented as an integrated part of a microcomponent, or they may be implemented as separate, stand-alone snap connectors. For example, a dual-ended snap connector is disclosed herein, which may be coupled to a first microcomponent, and then used to couple the first microcomponent to a second microcomponent.
Abstract:
An apparatus (1) that is capable of a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration is disclosed. The bistable mechanism (10) has a leg (30, 32) that is coupled on one end by a base member (22, 24) and on the other end by a shuttle (20). The leg (30, 32) stores potential energy as it is deflected. The potential energy stored in the leg (30, 32) has a maximum potential energy position with a low potential energy position on either side of the maximum. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for a latching mechanism (910) and the associated method. The latching mechanism (910) is comprised of a grasping member (932), a lock slider (928), and a detent slider (916). These three members (916, 928, 932) operate together to induce a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by actuating the lock slider (928) in a single direction.
Abstract:
A system and method which provide a general-purpose snap connector suitable for coupling microcomponents are disclosed. A snap connector is disclosed that is suitable for performing general assembly, including out-of-plane, 3-D assembly of microcomponents, wherein such microcomponents may be securely coupled together. That is, a snap connector is disclosed which enables microcomponents to be coupled in a manner that constrains undesirable movement of the coupled components relative to each other. Preferably, such a snap connector may be pressure fit with a receptacle (or aperture) of a mating component in a manner that constrains translational and rotational degrees of freedom of the mating component relative to the snap connector. A preferred embodiment provides a "preloaded" snap connector that may be utilized to perform general assembly of microcomponents. An alternative embodiment provides a non-preloaded snap connector suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents. Still a further alternative embodiment provides a "squeeze" snap connector that is suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents. Such snap connectors may be implemented as an integrated part of a microcomponent, or they may be implemented as separate, stand-alone snap connectors. For example, a dual-ended snap connector is disclosed herein, which may be coupled to a first microcomponent, and then used to couple the first microcomponent to a second microcomponent.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an interconnection support for plate-like microcomponents (1) which comprises a support rail (2) fixed to a support plate (3). An insertion slot (4) of said support rail (2) receives a plug-in edge (5) of a plate-like microcomponent (1). Line-connecting elements (10, 10a) are provided for in at least one side wall (9) of the insertion slot (4) of the support rail (2) and can be connected with corresponding connecting elements (11) situated in an external side (1a) of the plate-like microcomponent (1).
Abstract:
The proposal is for an acceleration sensor intended in particular to detect a motor vehicle collision. The sensor has a spring-mass system (1) with a stable initial position (4) and a stable deflection position (5). On acceleration in the measuring direction, the spring-mass system is at first only negligibly deflected from the initial position (4), but if a predetermined acceleration is exceeded the spring-mass system (1) goes into the deflection position (5) in which an electric contact is made.
Abstract:
본 발명은 마이크로어셈블리 소켓에 관한 것으로서, 장치는 컴포넌트와 조립체를 형성하는 동안 편향되며, 컴포넌트와 조립된 후 컴포넌트와의 접촉을 유지하도록 각각 구성된 적어도 3개의 편향가능한 부재를 포함하며, 상기 편향가능한 부재와 컴포넌트 중의 적어도 하나는 1000 미크론 이하의 두께를 갖는 것을 특징으로 한다.