Patent ID: 7900336
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: B81C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hand assembled MEMS apparatus comprising: a meso-scale first component; a meso-scale second component; at least one of said first and second components being a microfabricated MEMS device having a plurality of spring members co-located on a single wafer substrate; said first and second components adapted for being moved by hand relative to one another in an assembly direction, from a relatively loose-fit preliminary alignment orientation to a relatively tight-fit assembled orientation; said spring members configured to bias an other of said first and second components towards the assembled orientation; at least one cam surface integrally disposed on the other of said first and second components, said cam surface configured to slidably engage and move said spring members against their biases upon continued hand movement in the assembly direction; a microfabricated abutment disposed on at least one of said first and second components, said abutment disposed to limit relative movement of said first and second components in at least one direction other than the assembly direction; said spring members configured to move independently of said abutment, wherein said abutment is configured to limit deflection of the spring members by the other of said first and second components; and a microfabricated tactile feedback member disposed on at least one of said first and second components, said tactile feedback member configured to disrupt the hand movement in the assembly direction once said components have substantially reached said assembled orientation.