Coupled micromachined structure

• US 6,722,197 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Weber, Mark W., Knowles, Gary R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAINT SURIN, JACQUES M
• Application Number:
  US09/884,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 735/041.2, 735/142.4, 735/041.4, 736/51, 735/040.4, 735/161.6, 735/142.9, 735/143.2
• US Class Current: 73/504.12
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5719 using planar vibrating masses driven in a translation vibration along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 2015/0814 for translational movement of the mass, e.g. shuttle type

Abstract

A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.

Claims

1. A micromachined device comprising:

a first proof mass and a second proof mass, the first and second proof masses each having a plurality of support arms flexibly coupling the masses to a substrate; and

at least one spring element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one spring element connected to the first proof mass and the second end of the at least one spring element connected to the second proof mass, the at least one spring element compressing when the first proof mass and the second proof mass move toward each other, and uncompressing when the first proof mass and the second proof mass move away from each other, wherein the first end of the at least one spring element and the second end of the at least one spring element form a straight line that comprises an axis of oscillation of the first proof mass and the second proof mass.

2. A micromachined device comprising:

a first proof mass and a second proof mass, the first and second proof masses each having a plurality of support arms flexibly coupling the masses to a substrate; and

a plurality of spring elements, each spring element having a first end and a second end, the first end of each spring element connected to the first proof mass and the second end of each spring element connected to the second proof mass, the plurality of spring elements compressing when the first proof mass and the second proof mass move toward each other, and uncompressing when the first proof mass and the second proof mass move away from each other;

wherein the first end of each spring element is connected to a side of the first proof mass that is closest to the second proof mass and the second end of the at least one spring element is connected to a side of the second proof mass that is closest to the first proof mass; and

wherein the first end of each spring element and the second end of each spring element form a straight line that is parallel to a desired direction of oscillation of the first proof mass and the second proof mass.

3. A micromachined device comprising:

a first proof mass;

a second proof mass;

a plurality of support arms flexibly coupling the first proof mass to a substrate;

a plurality of support arms flexibly coupling the second proof mass to the substrate;

at least one of the support arms including a first end coupled to the substrate and a second end coupled to the substrate;

wherein at least one of the first and the second proof masses are connected to the at least one support arm at a point between the first end and the second end of the support arm; and

at least one spring element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one spring element connected to the first proof mass and the second end of the at least one spring element connected to the second proof mass;

wherein the first end of the at least one spring element is connected to a side of the first proof mass that is closest to the second proof mass and the second end of the at least one spring element is connected to a side of the second proof mass that is closest to the first proof mass; and

wherein the first end of the at least one spring element is connected a side of the first proof mass that is closest to the second proof mass at substantially the midpoint of the side of the first proof mass and the second end of the at least one spring element is connected to a side of the second proof mass that is closest to the first proof mass at substantially the midpoint of the side of the second proof mass.

4. The micromachined device of claim 3, wherein the first end of the at least one spring element and the second end of the at least one spring element form a straight line that comprises an axis of oscillation of the first proof mass and the second proof mass.

5. A micromachined device comprising:

a first proof mass;

a second proof mass;

a plurality of support arms flexibly coupling the first proof mass to a substrate;

a plurality of support arms flexibly coupling the second proof mass to the substrate;

at least one of the support arms including a first end coupled to the substrate and a second end coupled to the substrate;

wherein at least one of the first and the second proof masses are connected to the at least one support arm at a point between the first end and the second end of the support arm; and

a plurality of spring elements, each spring element having a first end and a second end, the first end of each spring element connected to the first proof mass and the second end of each spring element connected to the second proof mass;

wherein the first end of each spring element is connected to a side of the first proof mass that is closest to the second proof mass and the second end of the at least one spring element is connected to a side of the second proof mass that is closest to the first proof mass; and

wherein the first end of each spring element and the second end of each spring element form a straight line that comprises an axis of oscillation that is parallel to a desired direction of oscillation of the first proof mass and the second proof mass.