The invention provides a piezoelectric micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone having a base with a cavity, a piezoelectric diaphragm, and a limit element. The base has a ring base, and a support column. The piezoelectric diaphragm includes diaphragm sheets. Each diaphragm sheet have a fixing end connected with the support column and a free end suspended above the cavity. The limit element includes a limit part arranged apart from the piezoelectric diaphragm to limit the free ends in vibration directions of the diaphragm sheets, and an edge fixing plate connected with the outer edge of the limit part and arranged on the ring base. When the diaphragm sheets greatly deform upwards under impact force, deformation of the diaphragm sheets can be controlled, and the diaphragm sheets are protected to prevent the diaphragm sheets from breaking, thereby improving the stability of the piezoelectric MEMS microphone.

A sensor includes a movable element adapted for rotational motion about a rotational axis due to acceleration along an axis perpendicular to a surface of a substrate. The movable element includes first and second ends, a first section having a first length between the rotational axis and the first end, and a second section having a second length between the rotational axis and the second end that is less than the first length. A motion stop extends from the second end of the second section. The first end of the first section includes a geometric stop region for contacting the surface of the substrate at a first distance away from the rotational axis. The motion stop for contacting the surface of the substrate at a second distance away from the rotational axis. The first and second distances facilitate symmetric stop performance between the geometric stop region and the motion stop.

The present disclosure relates to a microphone. In some embodiments, the microphone may comprise a diaphragm, a backplate, and a sidewall stopper. The diaphragm has a venting hole disposed therethrough. The backplate is disposed over and spaced apart from the diaphragm. The sidewall stopper is disposed along a sidewall of the diaphragm exposing to the venting hole. Thus, the sidewall stopper is not limited by a distance between the movable part and the stable part of the microphone. Also, the sidewall stopper does not alternate the shape of movable part, and thus will less likely introduce crack to the movable part. In some embodiments, the sidewall stopper may be formed like a sidewall stopper by a self-alignment process, such that no extra mask is needed.

A micromechanical apparatus includes a substrate, a movable element disposed in a reference plane in an undeflected state, a transmission structure having a first transmission side coupled to the substrate, and a second transmission side coupled to the movable element, and an actuator configured to provide a force along a force direction parallel to the reference plane and apply the same to the first transmission side. The transmission structure is configured to transfer the force along the force direction to a movement of the movable element out of the reference plane.

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) transducer includes a transducer substrate including an opening; a back plate including a plurality of protrusions oriented substantially perpendicular to the back plate; and a diaphragm between the transducer substrate and the back plate. The diaphragm includes a lead and a plurality of spring members. The lead is structured to suspend the diaphragm over the transducer substrate. The spring members are structured to separate the diaphragm from the transducer substrate and the back plate in the absence of a bias voltage.

A MEMS includes a substrate having an element movably suspended relative to the substrate, the element having a first main surface and an opposite second main surface. The MEMS includes a first spring element connected between the substrate and a first column structure connected to the second main surface, and includes a second spring element connected between the substrate and a second column structure connected to the second main surface.

An electrostatic zipping actuator includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlying the primary electrode, a dielectric layer located between and abutting at least a portion of the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, and a dielectric fluid disposed at least at a junction between the dielectric layer and one of the electrodes, where an average total thickness of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 10 micrometers.

A micromechanical device further comprises a motion limiter configured to prevent a rotor from coming into direct physical contact with a stator. The motion limiter comprises a spring which extends across the rotor-stator gap. The motion limiter further comprises a stopper which is attached to the spring. When the rotor moves toward the stator, the motion limiter is configured to bring the stopper into contact with a counter-structure.

This disclosure describes a micromechanical device comprising a first device part and a second device part. One of the first and second device parts is a mobile rotor and the other of the first and second device parts is a fixed stator. The micromechanical device further comprises a motion limiter which extends from the first device part to the second device part. The motion limiter comprises an elongated lever, and the motion limiter is configured to bring a stopper into contact with a counter-structure by rotating the elongated lever.

A MEMS can include a substrate including a first side and a second side on an opposite side of the substrate from the first side. The MEMS device can include an aperture running through the substrate from the first side to the second side. The substrate can have an edge surrounding the aperture on the first side. The MEMS device can include a diaphragm located over the aperture on the first side. The MEMS device can include a support structure that extends at least partially across the aperture from the edge.