Monolithic capacitive transducer
First Claim
1. A capacitive transducer, comprising:
- a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a first plane, the substrate having a cavity with an interior peripheral edge, the cavity extending between the first surface and the second surface;
a body having an exterior peripheral edge, the body being parallel to the first plane and at least partially blocking the cavity, the body being connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane;
a first set of comb fingers mounted to the substrate, the first set of comb fingers being connected to a first electrical connection;
a second set of comb fingers mounted to the body and extending past the exterior peripheral edge of the body, the second set of comb fingers being connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger being interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers defining a capacitance, the capacitance being related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A capacitive transducer includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the substrate defines a first plane. The substrate has a cavity with an interior peripheral edge. The cavity extends between the first surface and the second surface. A body is provided that has an exterior peripheral edge. The body is parallel to the first plane and at least partially blocking the cavity. The body is connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane. A first set of comb fingers is mounted to the substrate. The first set of comb fingers is connected to a first electrical connection. A second set of comb fingers is mounted to the body and extends past the exterior peripheral edge of the body. The second set of comb fingers is connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection. The first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger are interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing. The first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers define a capacitance. The capacitance is related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers.
72 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A capacitive transducer, comprising:
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a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a first plane, the substrate having a cavity with an interior peripheral edge, the cavity extending between the first surface and the second surface; a body having an exterior peripheral edge, the body being parallel to the first plane and at least partially blocking the cavity, the body being connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane; a first set of comb fingers mounted to the substrate, the first set of comb fingers being connected to a first electrical connection; a second set of comb fingers mounted to the body and extending past the exterior peripheral edge of the body, the second set of comb fingers being connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger being interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers defining a capacitance, the capacitance being related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A capacitive transducer comprising:
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a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a first plane, the substrate having a cavity with an interior peripheral edge, the cavity extending between the first surface and the second surface; a body having an exterior peripheral edge, the body being parallel to the first plane and at least partially blocking the cavity such that the exterior peripheral edge of the body is within the interior peripheral edge of the cavity, the body being connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane; a first set of comb fingers mounted to the substrate, the first set of comb fingers being connected to a first electrical connection; a second set of comb fingers mounted to the body and extending past the exterior peripheral edge of the body, the second set of comb fingers being connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger being interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers defining a capacitance, the capacitance being related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers.
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20. A capacitive transducer comprising:
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a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a first plane, the substrate having a cavity with an interior peripheral edge, the cavity extending between the first surface and the second surface; a body having an exterior peripheral edge, the body being parallel to the first plane, the exterior peripheral edge of the body extending past the interior peripheral edge of the cavity to block the cavity, the body being connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane; a first set of comb fingers mounted to the substrate, the first set of comb fingers being connected to a first electrical connection; a second set of comb fingers mounted to the body and extending past the exterior peripheral edge of the body, the second set of comb fingers being connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger being interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers defining a capacitance, the capacitance being related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification