Integrated released beam sensor for sensing acceleration and associated methods
First Claim
1. An integrated sensor comprising:
- a switch detecting circuit region; and
a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent said switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including;
a plurality of floating contacts positioned adjacent and lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region for defining a plurality of released beams so that each of said plurality of released beams displaces in a predetermined direction responsive to acceleration, said plurality of released beams including at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region to different predetermined lengths and at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region to substantially the same predetermined lengths,at least one fixed contact layer underlying said plurality of released beams,remaining portions of at least one sacrificial layer positioned between said at least one fixed contact layer and each of said plurality of released beams, each of said plurality of released beams being positioned in spaced relation from said at least one fixed contact layer in a normally open position, the spaced relation forming by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer, said remaining portions of the at least one sacrificial layer including at least one concave surface underlying each of said plurality of released beams, and each of said plurality of released cantilever beams contacting said at least one fixed contact layer responsive to acceleration in a predetermined direction to form a closed switch position, andat least one insulating support plate underlying said at least one fixed contact layer, andwherein said switch detecting circuit region generates a signal responsive to the contact of said at least one of said plurality of released beams with said at least one fixed contact layer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a fixed contact layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer on the fixed contact layer, and a floating contact on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer and having only portions thereof directly overlying the fixed contact layer and in spaced relation therefrom in a normally open position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to the predetermined direction so that the floating contact contacts the fixed contact layer responsive to acceleration in the predetermined direction. The floating contact is preferably a released beam which is released by opening a window or removing unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer. The methods of forming an integrated sensor advantageously are preferably compatible with know integrated circuit manufacturing processes, such as for CMOS circuit manufacturing, with only slight variations therefrom.
42 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An integrated sensor comprising:
-
a switch detecting circuit region; and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent said switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including; a plurality of floating contacts positioned adjacent and lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region for defining a plurality of released beams so that each of said plurality of released beams displaces in a predetermined direction responsive to acceleration, said plurality of released beams including at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region to different predetermined lengths and at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region to substantially the same predetermined lengths, at least one fixed contact layer underlying said plurality of released beams, remaining portions of at least one sacrificial layer positioned between said at least one fixed contact layer and each of said plurality of released beams, each of said plurality of released beams being positioned in spaced relation from said at least one fixed contact layer in a normally open position, the spaced relation forming by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer, said remaining portions of the at least one sacrificial layer including at least one concave surface underlying each of said plurality of released beams, and each of said plurality of released cantilever beams contacting said at least one fixed contact layer responsive to acceleration in a predetermined direction to form a closed switch position, and at least one insulating support plate underlying said at least one fixed contact layer, and wherein said switch detecting circuit region generates a signal responsive to the contact of said at least one of said plurality of released beams with said at least one fixed contact layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An integrated cantilever sensor for sensing acceleration in a predetermined direction, the integrated sensor comprising:
-
a CMOS switch detecting circuit region; and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent and extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including; an insulating support layer, a fixed contact layer positioned on the insulating support layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned on portions of said fixed contact layer, the sacrificial layer comprising an oxide layer, and a floating contact layer on said remaining portions of the sacrificial layer and having portions thereof directly overlying said fixed contact layer and in spaced relation therefrom in a normally open position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to the predetermined direction for defining a released cantilever beam, the released cantilever beam comprising an integrally monolithic material having a generally uniform thickness extending substantially the entire length thereof, the spaced relation forming from removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer, said released cantilever beam contacting said fixed contact layer responsive to acceleration in the predetermined direction to form a closed switch position, and wherein said CMOS switch detecting circuit region generates a signal responsive to contact of said released cantilever beam with said fixed contact layer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification