Micro-mirror hinge
First Claim
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1. A micromirror device comprising:
- a first, second and third deflectable members occupying respective adjacent areas of the micromirror device;
a deflectable member support proximate the center of the first deflectable member;
first and second torsion hinge supports respectively located beneath the second and third deflectable members anda torsion hinge spaced apart from and coupled to the first deflectable member by the deflectable member support, the torsion hinge positioned along an axis about which the deflectable member rotates and the torsion hinge being supported by the first and second torsion hinge supports.
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Abstract
According to one embodiment of the present invention a digital micro-mirror device is taught that includes a pixel occupying an area of the device and a hinge coupled to the pixel and positioned such that at least a portion of the hinge falls outside the area of the pixel.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A micromirror device comprising:
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a first, second and third deflectable members occupying respective adjacent areas of the micromirror device; a deflectable member support proximate the center of the first deflectable member; first and second torsion hinge supports respectively located beneath the second and third deflectable members and a torsion hinge spaced apart from and coupled to the first deflectable member by the deflectable member support, the torsion hinge positioned along an axis about which the deflectable member rotates and the torsion hinge being supported by the first and second torsion hinge supports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An array of deflectable mirror elements comprising:
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a first deflectable mirror element that is adjacent to both a second deflectable mirror element and a third deflectable mirror element; and wherein the first deflectable mirror element comprises a first hinge; wherein the first hinge is supported by a first support and a second support, the first support being located beneath the second deflectable mirror element and the second support being located beneath the third deflectable mirror element; and wherein the first hinge comprises a first mounting, said first mounting being connected to the center of said first deflectable mirror element for deflection of the first deflectable mirror element about an axis established by the first hinge. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of reflecting light by:
tilting a plurality of deflectable mirror elements coupled to respective ones of a plurality of hinges, each hinge associate with each deflectable mirror element comprising a torsion portion operable to twist upon deflection of a corresponding one of the deflectable elements, the torsion portion traversing at least respective portions of at least two of the plurality of deflectable mirror elements other than the associated deflectable mirror element, and each hinge being supported by supports located beneath the respective at least two other deflectable mirror elements. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
Specification