Linearly deployed actuators
First Claim
1. An actuator, comprising a substantially planar actuator device, the actuator device comprising:
- an outer frame;
a fixed frame attached to the outer frame;
a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame;
a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement of the moveable frame relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame;
an element coupled to the moveable frame by a flexure for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the fixed and outer frames and for coplanar, rotational movement about a central axis of the element; and
,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 moveable frame is mechanically and/or adhesively fixed in a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced apart from the fixed frame at a selected distance that is greater than the length of the teeth and less than twice the length of the teeth for substantially perpendicular movement relative thereto.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for making an actuator includes forming a substantially planar actuator device of an electrically conductive material, the device incorporating an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame, a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame, 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, moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced at a selected distance apart from the fixed frame and fixing the moveable frame at the deployed position for substantially rectilinear, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An actuator, comprising a substantially planar actuator device, the actuator device comprising:
-
an outer frame; a fixed frame attached to the outer frame; a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame; a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement of the moveable frame relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame; an element coupled to the moveable frame by a flexure for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the fixed and outer frames and for coplanar, rotational movement about a central axis of the element; and
,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 moveable frame is mechanically and/or adhesively fixed in a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced apart from the fixed frame at a selected distance that is greater than the length of the teeth and less than twice the length of the teeth for substantially perpendicular movement relative thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for making an actuator, the method comprising:
-
forming a substantially planar actuator device, the actuator device comprising; an outer frame; a fixed frame attached to the outer frame; a moveable frame disposed parallel to and coplanar with the fixed frame; a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame; and 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 fixed frame and the moveable frame are spaced apart by approximately the length of the teeth; moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced apart from the fixed frame at a selected distance that is greater than the length of the teeth and less than twice the length of the teeth; and
,mechanically and/or adhesively fixing the moveable frame at in the deployed position for substantially rectilinear movement toward and away from the fixed frame. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification