Impulse actuated MEMS devices
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- an element disposed at a first end of an elongated flexure, the flexure having an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain movement of the element along a first trajectory and between opposite initial and final element positions;
an actuator, comprising a stator and a stage supported for movement relative to the stator along a second trajectory intersecting the first trajectory at the initial element position and between opposite initial and final stage positions; and
,an apparatus for accelerating the stage along the second trajectory and against the element such that at least some of the momentum of the stage is imparted to the element and causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial element position to the final element position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An impulse actuated device for, e.g., an optical element of a digital camera, includes an elongated flexure having a first end upon which the optical element is disposed, and an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain the element to move along an arcuate, relatively long first trajectory between opposite initial and final positions, and a short-throw, high force element actuator that includes a stator and a stage supported for movement relative to the stator and along a second trajectory intersecting the first trajectory at the initial position of the element, and an apparatus for accelerating the stage along the second trajectory and against the element such that at least some of the momentum of the stage is imparted to the element and causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial position to the final position.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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an element disposed at a first end of an elongated flexure, the flexure having an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain movement of the element along a first trajectory and between opposite initial and final element positions; an actuator, comprising a stator and a stage supported for movement relative to the stator along a second trajectory intersecting the first trajectory at the initial element position and between opposite initial and final stage positions; and
,an apparatus for accelerating the stage along the second trajectory and against the element such that at least some of the momentum of the stage is imparted to the element and causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial element position to the final element position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for actuating an element, the method comprising:
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disposing the element at a first end of an elongated flexure, the flexure having an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain movement of the element along a first trajectory and between opposite initial and final element positions; and
,accelerating a mass against the element such that at least a portion of the momentum of the mass is imparted to the element and causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial element position to the final element position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An impulse actuated MEMS device, comprising:
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an element integrally formed at a first end of an elongated flexure having an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain movement of the element along a planar, arcuate first trajectory and between opposite initial and final positions; an actuator, comprising a stator and a stage supported above the stator for parallel movement relative to the stator along a second trajectory coplanar with and intersecting the first trajectory at the initial element position, each of the stator and the stage having a plurality of electrodes disposed on respective opposing surfaces thereof; and
,an apparatus for selectably applying electrostatic charges to the respective electrodes of the stator and the stage such that the stage is accelerated along the second trajectory and against the element and thereby imparts momentum to the element that causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial position to the final position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A digital camera, comprising:
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an array of photosensitive pixels; optics, including a light aperture, disposed coaxially along an optical axis in front of the array and operable to selectably admit light from a subject and onto the array; and
,an impulse actuated MEMS device, comprising; an optical element disposed at a first end of an elongated flexure, the flexure having an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain movement of the element to movement along a first trajectory and between an initial position spaced apart from the optical axis and a final position coincident with the optical axis; an actuator, comprising a stator and a stage supported for movement relative to the stator and along a second trajectory intersecting the first trajectory at the initial position; and
,an apparatus for accelerating the stage along the second trajectory and against the optical element such that at least some of the momentum of the stage is imparted to the optical element and causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial position to the final position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification