Patent ID: 6864618
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: B81B,G02B,H02N

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a microelectromechanical system that is fabricated using a substrate and that comprises an elongate coupling microstructure located between and interconnecting a lever microstructure and an actuator assembly microstructure, as well as a mirror microstructure that is interconnected with a portion of said lever microstructure that is movable relative to said substrate, wherein said elongate coupling microstructure comprises first and second coupling ends, said method comprising the steps of: executing a first moving step comprising moving said actuator assembly microstructure relative to said substrate in one direction; pulling on said elongate coupling microstructure in response to said first moving step; executing a first increasing step comprising increasing a spacing between said first lever end and said substrate in response to said pulling step; executing a second increasing step comprising increasing a spacing between said mirror microstructure and said substrate in response to said first increasing step; executing a second moving step comprising moving said actuator assembly microstructure relative to said substrate in a different direction than said first moving step; pushing on said elongate coupling microstructure in response to said second moving step; accelerating said elongate coupling microstructure in response to said second moving step; compressing said elongate coupling microstructure between said first and second coupling ends during at least a portion of said accelerating step; executing a first decreasing step comprising decreasing a spacing between said first lever end and said substrate in response to said accelerating step, wherein said first decreasing step is at least substantially solely controlled by external forces that are exerted on said elongate coupling microstructure during said accelerating step; and executing a second decreasing step comprising decreasing a spacing between said mirror microstructure and said substrata in response to said first decreasing step.