Multi-stage stopper system for MEMS devices
First Claim
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1. A MEMS system comprising:
- a movable mass having at least one contact surface;
a stopper for stopping a movement of the mass, the stopper having a first contact surface that contacts a corresponding first contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a first direction and a second contact surface that contacts a corresponding second contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a second direction wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction;
a first stopper gap formed between the first contact surface of the stopper and the corresponding first contact surface of the mass and a second stopper gap formed between the second contact surface of the stopper and the corresponding second contact surface of the mass; and
a spring system in communication with and adjacent to at least one of the first and second stopper gaps wherein the spring system is formed as part of the moveable mass and wherein the spring system comprises at least two spring structures, each spring structure abutting a different stopper gap around the stopper.
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Abstract
A MEMS sensing system includes a movable mass having at least one contact surface, a stopper system for stopping the movement of the mass, the stopper system having at least one contact surface that contacts a corresponding contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a direction, at least one stopper gap formed between the at least one contact surface of the stopper system and the corresponding contact surface of the mass, and a spring system in communication with the at least one stopper gap.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A MEMS system comprising:
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a movable mass having at least one contact surface; a stopper for stopping a movement of the mass, the stopper having a first contact surface that contacts a corresponding first contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a first direction and a second contact surface that contacts a corresponding second contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a second direction wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; a first stopper gap formed between the first contact surface of the stopper and the corresponding first contact surface of the mass and a second stopper gap formed between the second contact surface of the stopper and the corresponding second contact surface of the mass; and a spring system in communication with and adjacent to at least one of the first and second stopper gaps wherein the spring system is formed as part of the moveable mass and wherein the spring system comprises at least two spring structures, each spring structure abutting a different stopper gap around the stopper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A MEMS system comprising:
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a movable mass having at least one contact surface; a plurality of stoppers for stopping a movement of the mass, each stopper having a first contact surface that contacts a corresponding first contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a first direction and a second contact surface that contacts a corresponding second contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a second direction wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; stopper gaps between each of the contact surfaces of the stoppers and the corresponding contact surfaces of the mass; and a spring system in communication with and adjacent to at least one of the stopper gaps wherein the spring system is formed as part of the moveable mass and wherein the spring system comprises at least two spring structures, each spring structure abutting a different stopper gap around a given stopper. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method of producing an impact resistant MEMS sensor, the method comprising:
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providing a movable mass having at least one contact surface; providing a stopper for stopping a movement of the mass, the stopper having a first contact surface that contacts a corresponding first contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a first direction and a second contact surface that contacts a corresponding second contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a second direction wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; forming a first stopper gap between the first contact surface of the stopper and the corresponding first contact surface of the mass and a second stopper gap formed between the second contact surface of the stopper and the corresponding second contact surface of the mass; and forming a spring system as part of the moveable mass that abuts the at least one stopper gap, wherein forming a spring system comprises forming at least two spring structures, each spring structure abutting a different stopper gap around the stopper. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification