Abstract:
A MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) actuator element includes a substrate, a stationary first electrode structure with an edge structure, a second electrode structure with an edge structure, wherein the second electrode structure is deflectably coupled to the substrate by means of a spring structure and electrostatically deflectable by means of the first electrode structure to move the edge structure of the second electrode structure into an intermediate position between a minimum and maximum vertical deflection position, wherein the minimum and maximum deflection position specify a maximum deflection path, wherein the edge structures of the first and second electrode structures are to each other and are vertically spaced apart in the minimum deflection position and wherein, in the maximum deflection position, the vertical immersion path of the edge structure of the second electrode structure into the edge structure of the first electrode structure is up to 0.5 times the maximum deflection path zS.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly for controlling optical directions in an optical sensing system. The micromachined mirror assembly may include a micro mirror configured to direct an optical signal into a plurality of directions. The micromachined mirror assembly may also include at least one actuator coupled to the micro mirror and configured to drive the micro mirror to tilt around an axis. The micromachined mirror assembly may further include one or more objects attached to the micro mirror. The one or more objects may be asymmetrically disposed with respect to the axis to create an imbalanced state of the micro mirror when the micro mirror is not driven by the at least one actuator.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical device, a microelectromechanical system, and a method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical device, wherein the microelectromechanical device may include: a substrate; a diaphragm mounted to the substrate; a first electrode mounted to the diaphragm; a second electrode mounted to the substrate; wherein the first electrode is laterally adjacent to the second electrode; and wherein the diaphragm is arranged over a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Abstract:
Systems and apparatuses are provided for increasing the possible force and/or travel generated in MEMS devices. For example, comb fingers may be utilized to form a strain actuator to generate larger forces. As another example, the force advantage of a parallel plate actuator is leveraged while also leveraging the travel advantage of comb drives to increase force and/or travel capable of being generated. The systems and apparatuses disclosed may utilize one or more comb drives operationally attached to one or more flexures and/or frames.
Abstract:
A scanning device includes a frame, having a central opening, and an array including a plurality of parallel mirrors contained within the central opening of the frame. Hinges respectively connect the mirrors to the frame and define respective, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the mirrors relative to the frame. A main drive applies a driving force to the array so as to drive an oscillation of the mirrors about the hinges at a resonant frequency of the array. A sensor is configured to detect a discrepancy in a synchronization of the oscillation among the mirrors in the array, and an adjustment circuit applies a corrective signal to at least one of the mirrors in order to alleviate the detected discrepancy.
Abstract:
A method of reactive ion etching a substrate 46 to form at least a first and a second etched feature (42, 44) is disclosed. The first etched feature (42) has a greater aspect ratio (depth:width) than the second etched feature (44). In a first etching stage the substrate (46) is etched so as to etch only said first feature (42) to a predetermined depth. Thereafter in a second etching stage, the substrate (46) is etched so as to etch both said first and said second features (42, 44) to a respective depth. A mask (40) may be applied to define apertures corresponding in shape to the features (42, 44). The region of the substrate (46) in which the second etched feature (44) is to be produced is selectively masked with a second maskant (50) during the first etching stage, The second maskant (50) is then removed prior to the second etching stage.
Abstract:
A micro-electromechanical apparatus having a signal attenuation-proof function, and a manufacturing method and a signal attenuation-proof method thereof are disclosed. The micro-electromechanical apparatus includes a substrate, an insulation layer, and a sensing unit. The substrate has a doped region in which a majority of conductive carriers have the same polarity as an electronic signal. The insulation layer is located on the substrate, and the sensing unit is located above the insulation layer and forms the electronic signal when sensing a force.
Abstract:
Provided is an actuator having a structure with which stress concentration on an elastic member of the actuator can be reduced in a manufacturing process thereof and breakage of the elastic member can be inhibited. The actuator includes a movable member, an elastic member configured to connect the movable member and a supporting member to each other, and an electrode pair having a comb electrode structure for displacing the movable member in a direction perpendicular to a reflective surface in which all movable comb electrodes extending from the movable member are substantially in parallel with one another, and a portion of the elastic member, which is located at a beginning of extension from the movable member, is substantially in parallel with the movable comb electrodes.
Abstract:
A physical quantity sensor includes: a base substrate; a movable portion; a plurality of movable electrode fingers which are provided in the movable portion; a fixed electrode finger which is provided on the base substrate; and a fixing portion which fixes the movable portion to the base substrate. In the movable electrode fingers, a movable electrode finger which opposes the fixing portion in the first direction is included. A clearance between the movable electrode finger and the fixing portion is smaller than a clearance between the movable electrode finger and the fixed electrode finger. The width of the movable electrode finger is greater than the width of other movable electrode finger.
Abstract:
A micro-electromechanical apparatus having a signal attenuation-proof function, and a manufacturing method and a signal attenuation-proof method thereof are disclosed. The micro-electromechanical apparatus includes a substrate, an insulation layer, and a sensing unit. The substrate has a doped region in which a majority of conductive carriers have the same polarity as an electronic signal. The insulation layer is located on the substrate, and the sensing unit is located above the insulation layer and forms the electronic signal when sensing a force.