Patent classifications
B81B3/004
Driving circuits for a piezoelectric microelectromechanical system mirror
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a Microelectromechanical System, MEMS, mirror apparatus, comprising a MEMS mirror and at least two piezo actuators, wherein the at least two piezo actuators are connected to each other and configured to control, or controlling, movement of the MEMS mirror and a single supply drive signal connected to each of the at least two piezo actuators.
Optical module
An optical module includes a support layer, a device layer which is provided on the support layer, and a movable mirror which is mounted in the device layer. The device layer has a mounting region which is penetrated by the movable mirror, and a driving region which is connected to the mounting region. A space corresponding to at least the mounting region and the driving region is formed between the support layer and the device layer. A portion of the movable mirror is positioned in the space.
Force-balanced micromirror with electromagnetic actuation
A scanning device includes a planar scanning mirror disposed within a frame and having a reflective upper surface. A pair of flexures have respective first ends connected to the frame and respective second ends connected to the mirror at opposing ends of a rotational axis of the mirror. A rotor including a permanent magnet is disposed on the lower surface of the mirror. A stator includes first and second cores disposed in proximity to the rotor on opposing first and second sides of the rotational axis and first and second coils of wire wound respectively on the cores. A drive circuit drives the first and second coils with respective electrical currents including a first component selected so as to control a transverse displacement of the mirror and a second component selected so as to control a rotation of the mirror about the rotational axis.
MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR LIGHT STEERING WITH FLEXIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE
In one example, an apparatus being part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module is provided. The apparatus comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a substrate. The MEMS comprising an array of micro-mirror assemblies, each micro-mirror assembly comprises: a first flexible support structure and a second flexible support structure connected to the substrate; a micro-mirror comprising a first connection structure and a second connection structure, the first connection structure being connected to the first flexible support structure at a first connection point, the second connection structure being connected to the second flexible support structure at a second connection point, the first and second connection points being aligned with a rotation axis around which the micro-mirror rotates, the first flexible support structure and the second flexible support structure being configured to allow the first and second connection points to move when the micro-mirror rotates.
MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR LIGHT STEERING WITH REDUCED FINGER THICKNESS
In one example, an apparatus that is part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module of a vehicle comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a substrate. The MEMS comprises an array of micro-mirror assemblies, each micro-mirror assembly comprising: a micro-mirror having a first thickness; and an actuator comprising first fingers and second fingers, the first fingers being connected with the substrate, the second fingers being mechanically connected to the micro-mirror having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the actuator being configured to generate an electrostatic force between the first fingers and the second fingers to rotate the micro-mirror to reflect light emitted by a light source out of the LiDAR module or light received by the LiDAR module to a receiver.
VIBRATING ELEMENT
A vibrating element includes a movable part, a substrate made of metal, a driving source, and a holding member holding the substrate. The substrate includes a pair of support beam parts, a support part, and a torsion beam part. Each of the support beam parts has a first end part and a second end part. The support part supports the first end part. The torsion beam part swingably supports the movable part. The second end part of each of the support beam parts is provided with a fixing part fixed to the holding member. By adjusting an inclination with respect to the holding member, the fixing part is fixed to the holding member in a state in which each of the support beam parts applies tension to the torsion beam part in a direction away from the movable part in a first direction in which the torsion beam part extends.
Mirror assembly for light steering with flexible support structure
In one example, an apparatus being part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module is provided. The apparatus comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a substrate. The MEMS comprising an array of micro-mirror assemblies, each micro-mirror assembly comprises: a first flexible support structure and a second flexible support structure connected to the substrate; a micro-mirror comprising a first connection structure and a second connection structure, the first connection structure being connected to the first flexible support structure at a first connection point, the second connection structure being connected to the second flexible support structure at a second connection point, the first and second connection points being aligned with a rotation axis around which the micro-mirror rotates, the first flexible support structure and the second flexible support structure being configured to allow the first and second connection points to move when the micro-mirror rotates.
Mirror assembly for light steering with reduced finger thickness
In one example, an apparatus that is part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module of a vehicle comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a substrate. The MEMS comprises an array of micro-mirror assemblies, each micro-mirror assembly comprising: a micro-mirror having a first thickness; and an actuator comprising first fingers and second fingers, the first fingers being connected with the substrate, the second fingers being mechanically connected to the micro-mirror having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the actuator being configured to generate an electrostatic force between the first fingers and the second fingers to rotate the micro-mirror to reflect light emitted by a light source out of the LiDAR module or light received by the LiDAR module to a receiver.
VIBRATING MIRROR ELEMENT AND OPTICAL SCANNER
Provided is a vibrating mirror element including: a mirror part; a substrate made of metal, including a pair of beams, a support supporting each of the pair of beams, and a torsion part swingably supporting the mirror part; a driving source generating a plate wave that swings the mirror part; and a vibration suppression part suppressing vibration transmitted to the pair of beams. The vibration suppression part is configured to suppress the vibration transmitted to the pair of beams by abutting against the pair of beams at a position between a second mirror end among ends of the mirror part that is opposite a first mirror end near the support and the torsion part in a first direction in which the pair of beams extends.
Micromechanical component having an oscillator, a method for the manufacture thereof, and a method for exciting a motion of an adjustable element about a rotational axis
A micromechanical component having a mount, an adjustable element, which is connected via at least one spring to the mount, and an actuator device, a first oscillatory motion of the adjustable element about a first axis of rotation and simultaneously a second oscillatory motion of the adjustable element, which is set into the first oscillatory motion, being excitable about a second axis of rotation in response to the actuator device; and the adjustable element being configured by the at least one spring to be adjustable on the mount in such a way that the adjustable element is adjustable by a resulting angular momentum about a rotational axis, which is oriented orthogonally to the first axis of rotation and orthogonally to second axis of rotation. Also, a method for manufacturing a micromechanical component. Moreover, a method for exciting a motion of an adjustable element about a rotational axis.