Patent ID: 7167613
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: B81B,G02B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A micro-electro-mechanical device mounted on a substrate comprising: an array of first pivoting members pivotally mounted on said substrate about a first lateral axis, each of said first pivoting members including a first and a second supporting region on opposite sides of said first lateral axis; an array of second pivoting members pivotally mounted on said substrate about a second lateral axis parallel to the first lateral axis, each of said second pivoting members including a first supporting region interleaved with the first supporting regions of the first array of pivoting members between said first and second lateral axes, and a second supporting region on an opposite side of the second lateral axis; and a first electrode beneath each of the second supporting regions for pivoting the first and second pivoting members about the first and second axes, respectively from a rest position; first torsional hinges anchored to the substrate along the first lateral axis enabling the first array of pivoting members to pivot about the first lateral axis; and second torsional hinges anchored to the substrate along the second lateral axis enabling the second array of pivoting members to pivot about the second lateral axis; wherein the first and second torsional hinges also enable the first and second pivoting members to rotate about longitudinal axes perpendicular to the first and second lateral axes; and wherein each of the first and second torsional hinges includes a first hinge anchored to the substrate, and a second hinge anchored to the first and second pivoting members.