A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device may comprise a first layer that includes a stator comb actuator; a second layer that includes a rotor comb actuator; a mirror structure that includes a mirror; and a first set of hinges and a second set of hinges configured to tilt the mirror structure about a first axis of the MEMS device based on a driving torque caused by the stator comb actuator engaging with the rotor comb actuator. The first set of hinges may be configured to resist a lateral linear force on the mirror structure in a direction associated with the first axis caused by the stator comb actuator engaging with the rotor comb actuator. The second set of hinges may be configured to resist an in-plane torque on the mirror structure about a second axis of the MEMS device caused by the stator comb actuator engaging with the rotor comb actuator.

A multi-axis MEMS assembly includes: a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator configured to provide linear three-axis movement, the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator including: an in-plane MEMS actuator, and an out-of-plane MEMS actuator; and an optoelectronic device coupled to the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator; wherein the in-plane MEMS actuator includes an electromagnetic actuator portion.

An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a bidirectional comb drive actuator. The apparatus may also include a cantilever. The cantilever includes a first end connected to the bidirectional comb drive actuator and a second end connected to an inner frame. In addition, the cantilever may include first and second conductive layers for routing electrical signals. Embodiments of the disclosed apparatuses, which may include multi-dimensional actuators, allow for an increased number of electrical signals to be routed to the actuators. Moreover, the disclosed apparatuses allow for actuation multiple directions, which may provide for increased control, precision, and flexibility of movement. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments provide significant benefits with regard to optical image stabilization and auto-focus capabilities, for example in size- and power-constrained environments.

An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a bidirectional comb drive actuator. The apparatus may also include a cantilever. The cantilever includes a first end connected to the bidirectional comb drive actuator and a second end connected to an inner frame. In addition, the cantilever may include first and second conductive layers for routing electrical signals. Embodiments of the disclosed apparatuses, which may include multi-dimensional actuators, allow for an increased number of electrical signals to be routed to the actuators. Moreover, the disclosed apparatuses allow for actuation multiple directions, which may provide for increased control, precision, and flexibility of movement. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments provide significant benefits with regard to optical image stabilization and auto-focus capabilities, for example in size- and power-constrained environments.

[Object] To provide an electrostatic device capable of improving device characteristics. [Solving Means] An electrostatic device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an electrically conductive base material, a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer, and a bonding layer. The first conductor layer includes a first electrode portion and a first base portion and is connected to a signal line. The first base portion supports the first electrode portion and is disposed on the base material. The second conductor layer includes a second electrode portion and a second base portion and is connected to a reference potential. The second electrode portion is opposed to the first electrode portion in a first axis direction and configured to be movable relative to the first electrode portion in the first axis direction. The second base portion supports the second electrode portion and is disposed on the base material. The bonding layer is disposed between the base material and the first and second base portions and includes a plurality of first bonding portions that partially support at least the first base portion.

Systems and apparatuses are provided for increasing the possible force and/or travel generated in MEMS devices. For example, comb fingers may be utilized to form a strain actuator to generate larger forces. As another example, the force advantage of a parallel plate actuator is leveraged while also leveraging the travel advantage of comb drives to increase force and/or travel capable of being generated. The systems and apparatuses disclosed may utilize one or more comb drives operationally attached to one or more flexures and/or frames.

A device can have an outer frame and an actuator. The actuator can have a movable frame and a fixed frame. At least one torsional flexure and at least one hinge flexure can cooperate to provide comparatively high lateral stiffness between the outer frame and the movable frame and can cooperate to provide comparatively low rotational stiffness between the outer frame and the movable frame.

Caging structures are disclosed for caging or otherwise reducing the mechanical shock pulse experienced by MEMS device beam structures during events that may cause mechanical shock to the MEMS device. The caging structures at least partially surround the beam such that they limit the motion of the beam in a direction perpendicular to the beam's longitudinal axis, thereby reducing stress on the beam during a mechanical shock event. The caging structures may be used in combination with mechanical shock-resistant beams.

A micromechanical component having a substrate, a membrane that covers an opening structured into the substrate from a first side of the substrate and that can be warped by a pressure difference between the first side of the substrate and a second side, oriented away from the first side, of the substrate, and having at least one actuator electrode that is connected at least to the membrane in such a way that the at least one actuator electrode can be displaced relative to the substrate by a warping of the membrane, the at least one actuator electrode being capable of being displaced relative to the substrate by the warping of the membrane, in each case along a displacement axis oriented parallel to the second side of the substrate. A production method for a micromechanical component is also described.

A MEMS actuator including buckled flexures and a method of assembling the actuator are described. The assembled MEMS actuator includes an inner frame; an outer frame including latched electrical bars, where a first of the latched bars includes a latch protrusion secured to a corresponding latch groove of a second of the latched bars; and buckled flexures coupling the inner frame to the outer frame. The flexures are buckled during assembly of the MEMS actuator by incorporating the electrical bar latching mechanism into the design of the outer frame of the MEMS actuator. In one implementation, the MEMS actuator is assembled by providing a MEMS actuator with unbuckled flexures coupling the outer frame of the MEMS actuator to an inner frame of the MEMS actuator, where the outer frame includes unlatched electrical bars, and latching the electrical bars of the outer frame, resulting in buckled flexures.