Sensor using an actuator for self-test and method therefor
First Claim
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1. A sensing structure comprising:
- a substrate;
a movable mass positioned over the substrate and movable laterally with respect to the substrate;
a first sensing electrode fixably coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to a first portion of the movable mass to form a first capacitive structure for sensing a change in location of the movable mass along a first axis of lateral movement of the movable mass;
a second sensing electrode fixably coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to a second portion of the movable mass to form a second capacitive structure for sensing a change in location of the movable mass along a second axis of lateral movement of the movable mass, the second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis;
an actuating electrode fixably coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to a third portion of the movable mass, wherein a voltage differential between the actuating electrode and the third portion provides a force for lateral movement of the movable mass in a diagonal direction, the diagonal direction being at a first angle with respect to the first axis and at a second angle with respect to the second axis.
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Abstract
A self-test structure is placed in the middle of a sensing structure that utilizes a movable mass. The sensing structure has portions aligned in two directions that are orthogonal to each other. The self-test structure is an actuator made up of individual sensing patterns. The individual sensing patterns are aligned along a line that is diagonal to the two directions, thereby reducing the number of individual sensing patterns required for the actuator that is used for self-test. The reduced number of sensing patterns results in more mass for the movable mass, thereby improving sensitivity of the sensing structure.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A sensing structure comprising:
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a substrate;
a movable mass positioned over the substrate and movable laterally with respect to the substrate;
a first sensing electrode fixably coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to a first portion of the movable mass to form a first capacitive structure for sensing a change in location of the movable mass along a first axis of lateral movement of the movable mass;
a second sensing electrode fixably coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to a second portion of the movable mass to form a second capacitive structure for sensing a change in location of the movable mass along a second axis of lateral movement of the movable mass, the second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis;
an actuating electrode fixably coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to a third portion of the movable mass, wherein a voltage differential between the actuating electrode and the third portion provides a force for lateral movement of the movable mass in a diagonal direction, the diagonal direction being at a first angle with respect to the first axis and at a second angle with respect to the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for moving and sensing a change in location of a movable mass of a sensing structure, the method comprising:
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applying a force on the movable mass to laterally move a the movable mass in a lateral direction to a first location, the lateral direction being at a first angle with respect to a first axis of lateral movement of the movable mass and being at a second angle with respect to a second axis of lateral movement of the movable mass;
sensing a change in location of the movable mass along the first axis with the movable mass at the first location after the applying;
sensing a change in location of the movable mass along the second axis with the movable mass at the first location after the applying. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A sensing structure comprising:
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a movable mass positioned over a substrate and movable laterally with respect to the substrate;
a first sensing circuit including at least a portion of the movable mass, the first sensing circuit for sensing a change in location of the movable mass along a first axis of lateral movement of the movable mass;
a second sensing circuit including at least a portion of the movable mass, the second sensing circuit for sensing a change in location of the movable mass along a second axis of lateral movement of the movable mass, the first axis being generally orthogonal to the second axis;
an actuator circuit including at least one electrode fixedly coupled to the substrate and adjacent to a portion of the movable mass, wherein a voltage differential between the at least one electrode and the movable mass provides for a movement of the movable mass in a lateral direction with respect to the at least one electrode, the lateral direction being at a first angle with respect to the first axis and being at a second angle with respect to the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification