Patent ID: 6392220
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B81B,G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
An integrated, micromachined structure comprising:a reference member; a pair of diametrically opposed torsional flexure hinges projecting from the reference member, at least one of the torsional flexure hinges being formed by coupling together first ends of at least three (3) interconnected basic hinge-segments, each basic hinge-segment having a longitudinal axis, the first end of each basic hinge-segment being located between ends of the torsional flexure hinge; and a dynamic member coupled by the pair of torsional flexure hinges to the reference member to be thereby supported from the reference member for rotation about an axis established by the pair of torsional flexure hinges and that is not oriented perpendicular to any of the hinge-segment longitudinal axes; the reference member, the pair of torsional flexure hinges and the dynamic member monolithically fabricated using a stress-free semiconductor layer of a silicon substrate; whereby the micromachined structure is more compact than if the dynamic member were supported from the reference member by a conventional unfolded torsion bar, and the torsional flexure hinge is stiffer either horizontally or vertically, or both, than a conventional unfolded torsion bar having the same torsional spring constant as the torsional flexure hinge.