Linearly deployed actuators
First Claim
1. An actuator device, comprising:
- a fixed frame;
a movable frame configured to rotate about a pivot axis relative to the fixed frame; and
interlocking flaps disposed at the pivot axis between the fixed frame and the movable frame and configured to restrict the movable frame from moving out of plane relative to the fixed frame at the pivot axis, wherein the interlocking flaps comprise a first flap extending from the fixed frame across the pivot axis and over a shoulder portion formed on the movable frame and a second flap extending from the movable frame across the pivot axis and over a shoulder portion formed on the fixed frame.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for making an actuator includes forming a substantially planar actuator device of an electrically conductive material, the device incorporating an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame, a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame, and an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced at a selected distance apart from the fixed frame and fixing the moveable frame at the deployed position for substantially rectilinear, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An actuator device, comprising:
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a fixed frame; a movable frame configured to rotate about a pivot axis relative to the fixed frame; and interlocking flaps disposed at the pivot axis between the fixed frame and the movable frame and configured to restrict the movable frame from moving out of plane relative to the fixed frame at the pivot axis, wherein the interlocking flaps comprise a first flap extending from the fixed frame across the pivot axis and over a shoulder portion formed on the movable frame and a second flap extending from the movable frame across the pivot axis and over a shoulder portion formed on the fixed frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating an actuator device, the method comprising:
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rotating a movable frame of the actuator device about a pivot axis relative to a fixed frame of the actuator device; and restricting the movable frame from moving out of plane relative to the fixed frame at the pivot axis by interlocking flaps disposed at the pivot axis between the fixed frame and the movable frame, the interlocking flaps comprise a first flap extending from the fixed frame across the pivot axis and over a shoulder portion formed on the movable frame and a second flap extending from the movable frame across the pivot axis and over a shoulder portion formed on the fixed frame. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making interlocking flaps of an actuator device, the method comprising:
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forming a trench in a substrate; forming an oxide layer on an upper surface of the substrate and inner walls of the trench; forming a polysilicon layer on the oxide layer; removing a bottom portion of the substrate to extend the trench through the substrate to form a gap separating a fixed frame from a movable frame of the actuator device; and etching selected areas of an oxide liner formed by the oxide layer and the polysilicon layer to form the interlocking flaps, the interlocking flaps comprising a first flap extending across the gap and over a shoulder portion of the movable frame of the actuator and a second flap extending across the gap and over a shoulder portion of the fixed frame of the actuator device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification