Rotationally deployed actuator devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for making an actuator device, the method comprising:
- forming a substantially planar structure, comprising;
an outer frame having a latch foot extending therefrom;
a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame for rotational movement relative thereto;
a latch mass coupled to the fixed frame for rotational movement relative thereto, the latch mass having a latch block coupled thereto by at least one latch block flexure;
a moveable frame coupled to the outer frame for rotational movement relative thereto; and
,an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame; and
,rotating the latch mass downward from a position coplanar with the outer frame such that a side surface of the latch block makes contact with and slides down against an opposing side surface of the latch foot and until an upper surface of the latch block is disposed below and held in latching contact with a lower surface of the latch foot by the at least one latch block flexure and the fixed portion of the actuator teeth is disposed at a selected angle relative to the moving portion of the actuator teeth.
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Abstract
A method for making an actuator device includes forming a substantially planar structure, including an outer frame with a latch foot, a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame, a latch mass coupled to the fixed frame, a latch block coupled to the latch mass by a latch block flexure, a moveable frame coupled to the outer frame, and an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth alternately attached to the fixed and moving frames. For operation, the latch mass is rotated downward until an upper surface of the latch block is disposed below and held in latching contact with a lower surface of the latch foot by the latch block flexure.
129 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for making an actuator device, the method comprising:
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forming a substantially planar structure, comprising; an outer frame having a latch foot extending therefrom; a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame for rotational movement relative thereto; a latch mass coupled to the fixed frame for rotational movement relative thereto, the latch mass having a latch block coupled thereto by at least one latch block flexure; a moveable frame coupled to the outer frame for rotational movement relative thereto; and
,an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame; and
,rotating the latch mass downward from a position coplanar with the outer frame such that a side surface of the latch block makes contact with and slides down against an opposing side surface of the latch foot and until an upper surface of the latch block is disposed below and held in latching contact with a lower surface of the latch foot by the at least one latch block flexure and the fixed portion of the actuator teeth is disposed at a selected angle relative to the moving portion of the actuator teeth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An actuator device, comprising:
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an outer frame having a latch foot extending therefrom; a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame for rotational movement relative thereto; a latch mass coupled to the fixed frame for rotational movement relative thereto, the latch mass having a latch block coupled thereto by at least one latch block flexure; a moveable frame coupled to the outer frame for rotational movement relative thereto; and
,an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, wherein the latch mass is rotated downward relative to the outer frame, an upper surface of the latch block is disposed below and held in latching contact with a lower surface of the latch foot by the at least one latch block flexure, and the fixed portion of the actuator teeth is disposed at a selected angle relative to the moving portion of the actuator teeth. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for making an actuator device, the method comprising:
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forming a substantially planar structure, comprising; an outer frame having a latch mass rotatably coupled thereto, the latch mass having a latch block coupled thereto by at least one latch block flexure; a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame; a moving frame rotatably coupled to the outer frame and the latch mass for rotational movement relative thereto; and
,an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame; and
,rotating the latch mass upward from a position coplanar with the outer frame such that a side surface of the latch block makes contact with and slides up against an opposing side surface of the latch foot and until an lower surface of the latch block is disposed above and held in contact with an upper surface of the latch foot by the at least one latch block flexure and the fixed portion of the actuator teeth is disposed at a selected angle relative to the moving portion of the actuator teeth. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An actuator device, comprising:
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an outer frame having a latch mass rotatably coupled thereto, the latch mass having a latch block coupled thereto by at least one latch block flexure; a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame; a moving frame rotatably coupled to the outer frame and the latch mass for rotational movement relative thereto; and
,an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, wherein the latch mass is rotated upward relative to the outer frame, a lower surface of the latch block is disposed above and held in contact with an upper surface of the latch foot by the at least one latch block flexure, and the fixed portion of the actuator teeth is disposed at a selected angle relative to the moving portion of the actuator teeth. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification