Moving structure and micro-mirror device using the same

• US 8,711,460 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micro-Optimus Technologies, Inc. (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Noge, Hiroshi, Kawano, Kiyohiko, Ueda, Hideki, Tachibana, Hiroaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US13/001,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20110170157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,770 Days
• Field of Search: 3591981-1994, 3592006-2008, 359/221.2, 3592241-2242, 310/309, 310/311, 310/328, 310330-331, 310/36, 162/23, 162/77, 163/19, 163/20, 163/42, 16366-367
• US Class Current: 359/224.1
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/042 Micromirrors, not used as optical switches
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2203/0109 Bridges
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 3/007 For controlling stiffness, e.g. ribs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1017 the main-scanning components remaining positionally invariant with respect to one another in the sub-scanning direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays

Abstract

In a moving structure, stability of swing motion of a moving plate is increased by enhancing tensional rigidity or flexural rigidity while restraining torsion rigidity of the hinge units. The hinge units of ladder shape with honeycombed portions are formed by twin supporting rods and crosspieces bridged between the twin supporting rods so as to support the moving plate rotatably. The tensional rigidity or the flexural rigidity is increased while restraining the torsion rigidity of the hinge units by the honeycombed portions of the hinge units.

Claims

1. A moving structure, comprising:

a moving plate;

beam shaped hinge units which pivot the moving plate swingably; and

a frame unit which supports the hinge units, wherein

each of the hinge units has a ladder shape having twin supporting rods and crosspieces bridged between the twin supporting rods,

the twin supporting rods which are bridged by the crosspieces are not disposed in parallel with each other in a planar view, and

an outer side and an inner side of each of the twin supporting rods are parallel with each other.

2. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the twin supporting rods have no sides disposed in parallel with each other in planar view.

3. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein upper faces and lower faces of the twin supporting rods and the crosspieces in thickness direction are respectively formed on the same levels as those of the moving plate.

4. A micro-mirror device comprising the moving structure described in claim 3, and characterized in that

the moving plate has a mirror for reflecting light, and

electrodes for driving the moving plate swingably are provided on a part of the moving plate and a portion of the frame unit facing it to be perpendicular to the moving plate and in parallel with each other.

5. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crosspieces are not disposed perpendicular to the supporting rods.

6. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the hinge units has a first end portion coupled to the moving plate and a second end portion coupled to the frame unit, and fillets are formed at coupling corners of the first end portion and the moving plate and at coupling corners of the supporting rods and the frame unit.

7. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein fillets are formed at coupling corners of the supporting rods and the crosspieces.

8. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the hinge units has a set of crosspieces, and the crosspieces are crossed and coupled each other between the twin support rods.

9. The moving structure in accordance with claim 8, wherein each of the hinge units has a plurality of sets of crosspieces, and each set of the crosspieces cross at an angle different each other.

10. The moving structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the twin supporting rods are curved lines.

11. The moving structure in accordance with claim 10, wherein the curved lines are catenary curves.

12. A micro-mirror device comprising the moving structure described in claim 1, and characterized in that

the moving plate has a mirror for reflecting light, and

electrodes for driving the moving plate swingably are provided on a mirror portion of the moving plate and a portion of the frame unit facing it.

13. A moving structure comprising:

a moving plate;

beam shaped hinges which pivot the moving plate swingably; and

a frame which supports the hinges, wherein

each of the hinges has a ladder shape having twin supporting rods and crosspieces bridged between the twin supporting rods,

the twin supporting rods are not disposed in parallel with each other in a planar view, and

each of the hinges has a set of crosspieces, and the crosspieces are crossed and coupled to each other between the twin support rods.

14. A moving structure comprising:

a moving plate;

beam shaped hinges which pivot the moving plate swingably; and

a frame which supports the hinges, wherein

each of the hinges has a ladder shape having twin supporting rods and crosspieces bridged between the twin supporting rods,

the twin supporting rods are not disposed in parallel with each other in a planar view, and

the twin supporting rods are curved lines.