MEMS DEVICE AND MEMS SPRING ELEMENT

• US 20110024852A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MEMS DEVICE AND MEMS SPRING ELEMENT
• Original Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: WANG, Chuan-Wei, Lee, Sheng-Ta, Hsu, Hsin-Hui
• Granted Patent: US 8,183,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/418
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/025 Inertial sensors not provided for in B81B2201/0235 - B81B2201/0242
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2203/0118 Cantilevers
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 3/0072 For controlling internal stress or strain in moving or flexible elements, e.g. stress compensating layers

Abstract

A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) spring element is disposed on a substrate, and includes a fixing portion and a moveable portion. The fixing portion is fixed on the substrate, and includes an insulating layer, a plurality of metal-fixing layers and a plurality of supporting-fixing layers. The insulating layer is disposed on the substrate. The metal-fixing layers are disposed above the insulating layer. The supporting-fixing layers are connected between the metal-fixing layers. The moveable portion has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected with the fixing portion, and the second end is suspended above the substrate. The moveable portion includes a plurality of metal layers and at least a supporting layer. The supporting layer is connected between the adjacent metal layers, and a hollow region is formed between the supporting layer and the adjacent metal layers. The deformation of the MEMS spring element generated because of the different thermal expansion may be avoided and the working performance of the MEMS spring element can be improved.

Claims

1. A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) spring element disposed on a substrate, comprising:

a fixing portion fixed on the substrate, the fixing portion comprising;

an insulating layer disposed on the substrate;

a plurality of metal-fixing layers disposed above the insulating layer; and

a plurality of supporting-fixing layers connected between the metal-fixing layers; and

a moveable portion having a first end and a second end, the first end connected with the fixing portion, the second end suspended above the substrate, the moveable portion including;

a plurality of metal layers; and

at least a supporting layer connected between the adjacent metal layers, and at least a hollow region formed between the supporting layer and the adjacent metal layers.

2. The MEMS spring element as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the metal layers has at least an opening exposing the hollow region.

3. The MEMS spring element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting layer comprises:

a plurality of supporting units spaced from each other and formed between the adjacent metal layers; and

a plurality of connecting units connected with two ends of the supporting units correspondingly, so as to make the supporting units connect in series.

4. The MEMS spring element as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the supporting units has at least an opening exposing the hollow region.

5. The MEMS spring element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting layer is a loop in shape, and has at least an opening exposing the hollow region.

6. The MEMS spring element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing portion further comprises a plurality of oxide layers located between the adjacent metal-fixing layers and surrounded by the supporting-fixing layers correspondingly.

7. The MEMS spring element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal layers are connected with the metal-fixing layers correspondingly.

8. A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on a substrate, comprising:

an insulating layer disposed on the substrate;

a plurality of metal layers disposed on the insulating layer; and

at least an supporting layer connected between the adjacent metal layers, and at least a hollow region formed between the supporting layer and the adjacent metal layers.

9. The MEMS device as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the metal layers has at least an opening exposing the hollow region.

10. The MEMS device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the supporting layer comprises:

a plurality of supporting units spaced from each other and formed between the adjacent metal layers; and

a plurality of connecting units connected with two ends of the supporting units correspondingly, so as to make the supporting units connect in series.

11. The MEMS device as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of the supporting units has at least an opening exposing the hollow region.

12. The MEMS device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the supporting layer is a loop in shape, and has at least an opening exposing the hollow region.