MEMS sensor using multi-layer movable combs
First Claim
1. A Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor, comprising:
- a substrate;
at least one proof mass having a first plurality of combs, wherein the proof mass is coupled to the substrate via one or more suspension beams such that the proof mass and the first plurality of combs are movable;
at least one anchor having a second plurality of combs, wherein the anchor is coupled to the substrate such that the anchor and the second plurality of combs are fixed in position relative to the substrate;
wherein the first plurality of combs is interleaved with the second plurality of combs;
wherein each of the combs in the first plurality of combs and the second plurality of combs comprises a plurality of conductive layers electrically isolated from each other by one or more non-conductive layers;
wherein each conductive layer is individually coupled to a respective electric potential such that fringing electric fields are screened to reduce motion of the first plurality of combs along a sense axis due to the fringing electric fields.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A MEMS sensor comprises a substrate and at least one proof mass having a first plurality of combs, wherein the proof mass is coupled to the substrate via one or more suspension beams such that the proof mass and the first plurality of combs are movable. The MEMS sensor also comprises at least one fixed anchor having a second plurality of combs. The first plurality of combs is interleaved with the second plurality of combs. Each of the combs in the first plurality of combs and the second plurality of combs comprises a plurality of conductive layers electrically isolated from each other by one or more non-conductive layers. Each conductive layer is individually coupled to a respective electric potential such that fringing electric fields are screened to reduce motion of the first plurality of combs along a sense axis due to the fringing electric fields.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor, comprising:
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a substrate; at least one proof mass having a first plurality of combs, wherein the proof mass is coupled to the substrate via one or more suspension beams such that the proof mass and the first plurality of combs are movable; at least one anchor having a second plurality of combs, wherein the anchor is coupled to the substrate such that the anchor and the second plurality of combs are fixed in position relative to the substrate; wherein the first plurality of combs is interleaved with the second plurality of combs; wherein each of the combs in the first plurality of combs and the second plurality of combs comprises a plurality of conductive layers electrically isolated from each other by one or more non-conductive layers; wherein each conductive layer is individually coupled to a respective electric potential such that fringing electric fields are screened to reduce motion of the first plurality of combs along a sense axis due to the fringing electric fields. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic system comprising:
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an inertial measurement unit comprising one or more micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors configured to provide motion measurements; and a processing unit configured to process the motion measurements received from the inertial measurement unit; wherein the one or more MEMS sensors each comprise; a plurality of fixed combs; and a plurality of movable combs interleaved with the plurality of fixed combs; wherein each of the plurality of fixed and movable combs comprises a plurality of conductive layers separated by one or more non-conductive layers, each conductive layer configured to be individually coupled to a respective voltage such that electrical fringing fields about the movable combs are balanced by the respective voltage applied to each conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of reducing out-of-plane forces generated in an electrostatic drive comb, the method comprising:
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applying a first electric potential to a first conductive plate above a proof mass having a plurality of movable combs and above an anchor having a plurality of fixed combs interleaved between the plurality of movable combs, each of the plurality of movable combs and the plurality of fixed combs having a plurality of conductive layers separated by one or more non-conductive layers; applying a second electric potential to a second conductive plate below the proof mass and the anchor; individually applying a respective electric potential to each of the plurality of conductive layers in each of the plurality of fixed combs and in each of the plurality of movable combs to balance electric fields produced by the first and second conductive plates. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification