Patent ID: 6040675
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B23Q,G03F,G05B

Abstract:
A supporting apparatus for supporting a table having N degrees of freedom, where N is an integer greater than one, said apparatus comprising:a stage;a leaf spring mounted on said stage and initially contacting said table at a contact point, said leaf spring having a coefficient of elasticity greater in a first direction and smaller in a direction perpendicular to said first direction, and having a characteristic of positive rigidity; anda pair of permanent magnets mounted in an area between said stage and said table, in an arrangement such that magnetic poles of said permanent magnets oppose each other and are arranged in a direction perpendicular to said first direction, said pair of permanent magnets generating a force that substantially corresponds to the self weight of said table at a neutral position and counterbalancing said characteristic of positive rigidity of said leaf spring.