Motion restraints for micromechanical devices
First Claim
1. A system of restraints for use with a micromechanical transducer comprising:
- a moveable transducer element flexibly supported within a recess of a semiconductor substrate;
at least one thick metal layer region deposited over a region of plural thin metal layers, disposed at one or more positions about said recess, fixed to said semiconductor substrate, and extending towards said element so as to prevent displacement of said transducer element beyond a predetermined limit,wherein said thick metal layer region extends from the surface of said semiconductor substrate over said moveable transducer element; and
a stalk supporting said thick metal layer region and extending from a portion of said substrate through an aperture in said transducer element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Motion restraints and a method for their fabrication are provided for use with a micromechanical transducer, such as a gyroscope or an accelerometer, to limit the motion of resiliently supported transducer elements, preventing extreme lateral or rotational displacement of the elements. The motion restraints are fabricated of a material such as gold that prevents or reduces the sticking of the transducer elements at points of contact between them. In one embodiment, the motion restraints include cantilevered depositions that extend from the substrate over the transducer element. In a further embodiment, the restraints includes a metal capped post and close-tolerance lateral restraints.
67 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A system of restraints for use with a micromechanical transducer comprising:
-
a moveable transducer element flexibly supported within a recess of a semiconductor substrate; at least one thick metal layer region deposited over a region of plural thin metal layers, disposed at one or more positions about said recess, fixed to said semiconductor substrate, and extending towards said element so as to prevent displacement of said transducer element beyond a predetermined limit, wherein said thick metal layer region extends from the surface of said semiconductor substrate over said moveable transducer element; and a stalk supporting said thick metal layer region and extending from a portion of said substrate through an aperture in said transducer element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification