Versatile system for restricting movement of MEMS structures
First Claim
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1. A micro-electromechanical device comprising:
- a movable first structure;
a gate structure;
a latch structure, disposed along the movable first structure in proximity to the gate structure; and
a locking signal element, adapted to force the latch structure into engagement with the gate structure.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system for selectively restricting movement of a MEMS device (200). The system of the present invention provides a device comprising movable MEMS device structure (222) and a fixed gate structure (218). A latch structure (248) is formed or otherwise disposed along the MEMS device structure, in proximity to the gate structure. A locking electrode (212) is disposed or formed in proximity to the gate structure, and is adapted to force the latch structure into engagement with the gate structure responsive to an activation signal. Circuitry (202) provides the activation signal to the locking electrode.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A micro-electromechanical device comprising:
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a movable first structure;
a gate structure;
a latch structure, disposed along the movable first structure in proximity to the gate structure; and
a locking signal element, adapted to force the latch structure into engagement with the gate structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of restricting movement of a movable micro-electromechanical device structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first movable micro-electromechanical device structure;
providing a gate structure;
providing a latch structure, disposed along the first movable micro-electromechanical device structure in proximity to the gate structure;
providing a locking signal element, adapted to force the latch structure into engagement with the gate structure responsive to an activation signal;
providing the activation signal to force the latch structure into engagement with the gate structure; and
terminating the activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for selectively restricting movement of a MEMS device structure, the system comprising:
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a movable MEMS device structure;
a fixed gate structure;
a latch structure, formed or disposed along the movable MEMS structure in proximity to the fixed gate structure;
a locking electrode, adapted to force the latch structure into engagement with the fixed gate structure responsive to an activation signal, and to free the latch structure from engagement with the fixed gate structure responsive to a deactivation signal; and
circuitry to provide the activation or deactivation signal to the locking electrode.
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Specification