1.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:DE60105479D1

    公开(公告)日:2004-10-21

    申请号:DE60105479

    申请日:2001-03-19

    Abstract: Microelectromechanical actuators include a substrate, spaced apart supports on the substrate and a thermal arched beam that extends between the spaced apart supports and that further arches upon heating thereof, for movement along the substrate. One or more driven arched beams are coupled to the thermal arched beam. The end portions of the driven arched beams move relative to one another to change the arching of the driven arched beams in response to the further arching of the thermal arched beam, for movement of the driven arched beams. A driven arched beam also includes an actuated element at an intermediate portion thereof between the end portions, wherein a respective actuated element is mechanically coupled to the associated driven arched beam for movement therewith, and is mechanically decoupled from the remaining driven arched beams for movement independent thereof. By allowing independent movement of the actuated elements, a variety of actuator applications may be provided wherein it is desired to actuate multiple elements in the same or different directions. For example, first and second driven arched beams may extend parallel to one another, such that the actuated elements that are mechanically coupled to the first and second driven arched beams move in a same direction by the further arching of the thermal arched beam. In other embodiments, the first and second arched beams arch away from each other, such that the actuated elements that are coupled to the first and second driven arched beams move in opposite directions by the further arching of the thermal arched beam. In yet other embodiments, the first and second driven arched beams arch toward one another, such that the actuated elements that are mechanically coupled to the first and second driven arched beams move in opposite directions by the further arching of the thermal arched beam.

    2.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:DE60105479T2

    公开(公告)日:2005-08-25

    申请号:DE60105479

    申请日:2001-03-19

    Abstract: Microelectromechanical actuators include a substrate, spaced apart supports on the substrate and a thermal arched beam that extends between the spaced apart supports and that further arches upon heating thereof, for movement along the substrate. One or more driven arched beams are coupled to the thermal arched beam. The end portions of the driven arched beams move relative to one another to change the arching of the driven arched beams in response to the further arching of the thermal arched beam, for movement of the driven arched beams. A driven arched beam also includes an actuated element at an intermediate portion thereof between the end portions, wherein a respective actuated element is mechanically coupled to the associated driven arched beam for movement therewith, and is mechanically decoupled from the remaining driven arched beams for movement independent thereof. By allowing independent movement of the actuated elements, a variety of actuator applications may be provided wherein it is desired to actuate multiple elements in the same or different directions. For example, first and second driven arched beams may extend parallel to one another, such that the actuated elements that are mechanically coupled to the first and second driven arched beams move in a same direction by the further arching of the thermal arched beam. In other embodiments, the first and second arched beams arch away from each other, such that the actuated elements that are coupled to the first and second driven arched beams move in opposite directions by the further arching of the thermal arched beam. In yet other embodiments, the first and second driven arched beams arch toward one another, such that the actuated elements that are mechanically coupled to the first and second driven arched beams move in opposite directions by the further arching of the thermal arched beam.

    3.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:DE60101110D1

    公开(公告)日:2003-12-11

    申请号:DE60101110

    申请日:2001-03-19

    Inventor: WOOD ROBERT L

    Abstract: Lockable microelectromechanical actuators include a microelectromechanical actuator, a thermoplastic material that is coupled to the microelectromechanical actuator to lock the microelectromechanical actuator, and a heater that melts the thermoplastic material to allow movement of the microelectromechanical actuator. When the thermoplastic material solidifies, movement of the microelectromechanical actuator can be locked, without the need to maintain power, in the form of electrical, magnetic and/or electrostatic energy, to the microelectromechanical actuator, and without the need to rely on mechanical friction to hold the microelectromechanical actuator in place. Thus, the thermoplastic material can act as a glue to hold structures in a particular position without the need for continuous power application. Moreover, it has been found unexpectedly, that the thermoplastic material can solidify rapidly enough to lock the microelectromechanical actuator at or near its most recent position.

    4.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:DE60101110T2

    公开(公告)日:2004-09-09

    申请号:DE60101110

    申请日:2001-03-19

    Inventor: WOOD ROBERT L

    Abstract: Lockable microelectromechanical actuators include a microelectromechanical actuator, a thermoplastic material that is coupled to the microelectromechanical actuator to lock the microelectromechanical actuator, and a heater that melts the thermoplastic material to allow movement of the microelectromechanical actuator. When the thermoplastic material solidifies, movement of the microelectromechanical actuator can be locked, without the need to maintain power, in the form of electrical, magnetic and/or electrostatic energy, to the microelectromechanical actuator, and without the need to rely on mechanical friction to hold the microelectromechanical actuator in place. Thus, the thermoplastic material can act as a glue to hold structures in a particular position without the need for continuous power application. Moreover, it has been found unexpectedly, that the thermoplastic material can solidify rapidly enough to lock the microelectromechanical actuator at or near its most recent position.

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