Patent ID: 6308631
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B81B

Abstract:
A micromechanical device for translating vertical force to horizontal movement, comprising:a substrate having a surface;a recess formed within the surface, having a wide section with an opening formed coplaner to the surface, with at least one side wall extending at an angle of about 90.degree. or less from the opening of the wide section, and at least one narrow section extending from the wide section through the side wall; and,at least one structural member comprising:a mass proximate to the side wall, the mass wider than the narrow section of the recess and sufficiently narrow to at least partially enter the wide section of the recess;a positioning system attached to the mass and aligned proximate to the narrow section of the recess;means for exerting a horizontal force on the mass, approximately coplaner with the surface, attached to the positioning system; and,means for exerting a vertical force on the mass, approximately perpendicular to the surface, sufficient to force the mass along the side wall, thereby engaging the horizontal force means.