MEMS devices having overlying support structures
First Claim
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1. An electromechanical device, comprising:
- a substrate;
an electrode layer located over the substrate;
a conductive movable layer located over the electrode layer, wherein the movable layer is generally spaced apart from the electrode layer by an air gap, and wherein the movable layer includes depressions in support regions; and
rigid support structures formed over the movable layer and at least partially within the depressions in the movable layer, wherein the rigid support structures extend over only a portion of the movable layer, and wherein a portion of the movable layer located between rigid support structures is movable to bring said portion into contact with an underlying layer.
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Abstract
Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, portions of the rivet structures extend through the movable layer and contact underlying layers. In other embodiments, the material used to form the rigid support structures may also be used to passivate otherwise exposed electrical leads in electrical connection with the MEMS devices, protecting the electrical leads from damage or other interference.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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a substrate; an electrode layer located over the substrate; a conductive movable layer located over the electrode layer, wherein the movable layer is generally spaced apart from the electrode layer by an air gap, and wherein the movable layer includes depressions in support regions; and rigid support structures formed over the movable layer and at least partially within the depressions in the movable layer, wherein the rigid support structures extend over only a portion of the movable layer, and wherein a portion of the movable layer located between rigid support structures is movable to bring said portion into contact with an underlying layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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an electrode layer supported by a substrate; a conductive movable layer; and means for supporting said conductive movable layer over said electrode layer, wherein said supporting means overlie only a portion of the conductive movable layer adjacent the means for supporting, and wherein a portion of said conductive movable layer located between said supporting means is movable to bring said portion into contact with an underlying layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification