Patent ID: 6465929
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B81B,H02N

Abstract:
A microelectromechanical system actuator, comprising:a substrate; a drive mechanism that provides activated motion in a first direction; a drive member slideably coupled to the substrate, the drive member including opposed substantially-linear first and second rows of drive teeth, a head portion, and first and second leg portions that extend from the head portion, the leg portions defining therebetween a channel that is open at an end opposite the head portion and wherein the drive member includes a first margin and a second margin that are located in the channel and on the first and second leg portions, respectively, and wherein the first row of drive teeth are located along the first margin and the second row of drive teeth are located along the second margin; a pallet coupled to the drive mechanism for movement therewith and including opposed plural first and second pallet teeth that are meshingly engagable with the respective first and second rows of drive teeth, the pallet being coupled to the drive mechanism by an extension that extends through the open end of the channel; and a bias member that biases the pallet opposite the first direction so that the plural first pallet teeth meshingly engage the first row of drive teeth when the drive mechanism is not activated, wherein activation of the drive mechanism moves the pallet in the first direction so that the plural second pallet teeth meshingly engage the second row of drive teeth, thereby to move the drive member in translation along a linear drive path.