Patent ID: 12209010

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that identical, functionally equal or equal elements, objects and/or structures are provided with the same reference numbers in the different figures, so that the description of these elements illustrated in different embodiments is interchangeable or inter-applicable.

The following embodiments relate to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Such systems can be manufactured in silicon technology and/or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Structures can be generated in the corresponding semiconductor technology, for example by material deposition, but can also be obtained by material removal, for example by using etching processes or grinding processes.

FIG.1ashows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS101according to an embodiment. The MEMS101includes a substrate12comprising, for example, a semiconductor material, such as polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon, gallium arsenide, or the like. In the context of the embodiments described herein, the substrate12may be considered stationary and may be, for example, part of a chip or the like.

The MEMS101further comprises a movable element14movably suspended relative to the substrate12. For example, the moveable element14may be moved rotationally, such as by moving the moveable element14about an axis of rotation16. Although the axis of rotation16is shown to intersect a volume of the movable element14in the depicted resting position, that is, in the absence of external acting forces, the axis of rotation16may also be disposed outside the volume of the movable element14, such as adjacent to a second main surface14B opposite to the first main surface14A facing the substrate. The axis of rotation16is arranged as close as possible to the illustrated position within the volume of the movable element14.

For example, the main surfaces14A and14B are connected to each other by one or more side surfaces14C, such as a lateral area of a cylinder body to which the main surfaces14A and14B form the lid areas.

The movable element may be, for example, a mirror element, wherein the main surface14A is formed in a mirror-like manner. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively or additionally, the main surface14A may have another function, for example an electrically conductive function, such that the MEMS101may be used as an electrical switch, for example.

The movable element14may be supported on or suspended from the substrate12via spring elements221and222. Mounting areas12aand12b, where the respective spring element221or222is connected to the substrate12, may be spatially spaced apart. The spring elements221and222may extend in a plane parallel to the main surface14B in a load-free state of the MEMS. Forces introduced by actuators and/or external forces, including weight forces, may cause the spring elements to deflect.

A column structure241may be arranged between the spring element221and the main side14B, which may be considered as a rigid body with respect to the spring element221and approximately does not undergo or perform any deformation during regular operation of the MEMS101.

The main surfaces14A and14B may be arranged parallel to an x/y plane in space. Spring elements221and222may be arranged parallel thereto. The spring elements221and222may be configured to perform an out-of-plane movement with respect to planes parallel to the x/y plane when external forces are applied to them, such as by using actuators. Thereby, ends24aand24bof the spring elements222and222facing away from the substrate12can be deflected along the direction z perpendicular to y and x, respectively. That is, the ends24aand24bcan be deflected along directions of movement261and262, respectively, which are at least approximately parallel to the z direction. An in-phase movement of the ends24aand24bmay allow translational displacement of the movable element14along positive z-direction or negative z-direction. An opposite phase movement may provide the rotational movement18.

The column structure241is arranged at an angle α1 with respect to the spring element221. For example, the spring element221may extend substantially parallel to the main surface14B in the illustrated resting state. The column structure241may have an axial extension, such as a length or height of a cylinder structure, extending in space along the directions of movement261and262, respectively. Thereby, the column structure241can act as a lever with respect to the movement performed by the spring element221. Accordingly, the column structure242may be arranged inclined at the angle α2 with respect to the spring element222. For example, the column structures241and242may be arranged perpendicular to the main surface14B within manufacturing tolerances, allowing for ease of production. Manufacturing tolerances may arise, for example, from etching processes that may cause inclined sidewalls of the column structures24, but may leave a substantially perpendicular configuration of at least the central axis or neutral fiber along the axial extension unaffected.

The column structures241and242may also include semiconductor material, but may alternatively or additionally also include other and in particular functional materials which, for example, have a magnetic, piezoelectric or electrically conductive property. Here, a geometry of the column structure241and242is not limited to round, oval or elliptical configurations, in particular with regard to a cross-section parallel to an x/y plane, but can also extend polychronously, for example rectangularly, in this plane.

The column structures241and242are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation16, which may also be referred to as the tilting axis. For this purpose, the column structures241and242have equal distances281and282to a plane32, which extends parallel to the y/z plane in space and intersects the axis of rotation16.

As shown inFIG.1a, the spring elements221and222may extend outwards from the column structures241and242towards the substrate12, wherein “inner” may mean an area of a centroid of the movable element14and “outward” may mean a direction from that point towards outside of the movable element14.

FIG.1bshows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS102according to an embodiment corresponding to the MEMS101, but where the spring elements221and222extend inwards from the column structures241and242. For this purpose, the column structures241and242are arranged at a greater distance from each other and from the axis of rotation16compared to the MEMS101. Compared to the MEMS101, this allows more precise control of the movable element14, possibly at the expense of a leverage obtained by the column structures241and242. This leverage is influenced by a distance of the column structures241and242from the axis of rotation16. However, these losses can be compensated for by appropriate geometries of the spring elements221and222, by lengths of the column structures241and242, by actuator forces and other means described herein.

The illustration ofFIG.1bfurther differs fromFIG.1ain that the axis of rotation16is arranged adjacent to the main surface14B. For example, the same is arranged outside a volume of the movable element14. The exact position of the axis of rotation16may be influenced by the geometry of the spring elements221and222as well as the column structures241and242.

Similar to what is shown for the MEMS101, the MEMS102is also configured such that the column structures241and242, the spring elements221and222, optionally the substrate12, and any actuator technology that may be arranged is covered by the main side14B, simply put, these elements are arranged below and/or behind the movable element14. This may also be understood to mean that said elements do not project above sides341and342defined by a projection of the movable element14in an x/y plane along the z-direction. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. According to further embodiments, the spring element221and222protrude beyond the useful area of the main surface14A to an extent of at most 50%, at most 30% and even more advantageously, at most 10%, i.e., protrude beyond sides341and342.

In other words,FIGS.1aand1bshow embodiments of a MEMS device with a movable useful area, two support elements, two flexible springs, and two fixations, i.e., the substrate12.

FIG.2shows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS20according to an embodiment, the structure of which is based on the structure of the MEMS102, whereby the explanations are equally valid for a structure according to the MEMS101. The spring elements221and222may include one or more hinges36. Hinges may be sections of the spring elements221and/or222and/or elements introduced or provided specifically for this purpose, which are intended to deform particularly strongly relative to other areas of the spring elements221and/or222, so that the deformation can be concentrated here and the other areas can be comparatively rigid. In the area of the hinges, for example, compared to the other areas, at least 1.5-fold, 2-fold, 3-fold or more deformation can take place.

Embodiments provide that the spring elements221and222are both provided with hinges36, which allows a symmetrical spring force for the rotational movement18in both directions. In contrast, other embodiments provide that only one of the spring elements221or222is provided with a hinge36, that a different number of hinges36is provided, and/or that a stiffness reduction provided by the hinges provided in the spring elements221or222is different overall or at least locally. Thereby, an adjustment of the movement amplitude of the rotational movement18can be adjusted, so that, for example, different movement amplitudes in different directions can be obtained by identically configured actuators or identical actuator forces, which enables a simple control.

One or more of the hinges361to364may be at least partially implemented by a local change in a spring material and/or by a local change in a spring structure of the spring elements221and222, respectively, although combinations are also possible. For example, a local change of the spring structure may comprise thinning of the spring element. The hinges361,362,363and/or364can alternatively or additionally also be implemented by a material different from materials of the spring element221and/or222, wherein functional materials, for example electrically conductive, magnetic or micromagnetic and/or piezoelectric materials, which enable transmission or generation of forces, can be particularly suitable for this purpose.

In other words, in inventive MEMS devices or MEMS actuators, the hinges361,362,363and/or364can be realized as a local softer structure, such as comprising folded springs, of the bending beam when the force is progressively transmitted via the bending beam structure, such as springs or piezoelectric and/or thermal actuators, in a derivable manner, i.e. continuously. Alternatively, at least one of the hinges361to364can also be a turning point of the springs or be arranged at a location where a bending line of the spring elements221or222defines a turning point of a derivative function, since force acts locally and concentratively on this point, for example by capacitive or magnetic forces.

By arranging hinges361to364, leverages can be increased or reductions thereof can be compensated. Thus, not only can the MEMS102be extended with one or several hinges in one or several spring elements, but it is also possible to extend MEMS101with corresponding spring elements. Referring again toFIGS.1aand1b, both devices solve the problem of lateral displacement of the movable useful area of the movable element14within a MEMS device when the same is tilted and allows the same high tilt angle regardless of the tilt direction. The useful area may be the aperture plate of a MEMS mirror, but the invention is not limited to MEMS mirrors. A first essential feature of the invention is that the movable useful area is supported by support elements, the column structures24, which in turn are suspended from flexible springs, the spring elements22.FIG.1aandFIG.1bshow possible embodiments using two columnar support elements. Here, it is important that the connecting points of the support elements with the flexible springs are located away from the center of rotation16as well as the plane32. From this point of view, the support elements, which serve primarily as levers, can assume any shape and can also merge into one another, even though the embodiments described herein describe separately arranged columnar support elements. The greater the distance between the support elements, for example by increasing the distance in the MEMS102compared to the MEMS101, the smaller the lateral displacement of the movable element14triggered by the tilting can be. Therefore, if the geometric dimensions of the column structures, the spring elements and the movable element are the same, it may occur that the lateral displacement of the MEMS102is smaller than the lateral displacement of the MEMS101. On the other hand, however, the MEMS101has the advantage of a stronger leverage achieved, since the point of action at the free ends of the flexible springs, i.e. the transition to the column structures24, is closer to the center of rotation of the useful area.

The hinges361to364can now be used, among other things, to at least partially compensate the reduced leverage of the MEMS102compared to the MEMS101by increasing the lever by the hinges361to364within the flexible springs221and222. Although two spring elements361and362or363and364are shown, a different number of hinges ≥0 may be implemented, for example at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, or at least 4. The hinges36may be realized by folding the spring, for example.

Locations of the arrangement of hinges36in the spring element can be selected depending on the needs of the MEMS. The smaller a distance of the hinge with respect to the substrate12, the more effective the hinge is in terms of amplifying the leverage. At the same time, however, the hinge provides higher resistance there. Conversely, a soft location due to a hinge results in a large deflection, but at the same time, a self-deformation consumes forces introduced into the spring elements22and may therefore result in a lower actuator effect. Above that, the hinges36can be used to correct a displacement of the movable element14along the z-direction. For this purpose, embodiments provide for an arrangement of the hinges361or364in a transition region between the spring elements221and222, respectively, and the associated column structure241and242, respectively, to enable correction or compensation of a displacement of the movable element14along the z-direction.

Different implementations of the hinges36may correspond to each other in that stiffness reduction is obtained along a direction parallel to a surface normal38bof the main surface14B. In a plane-parallel configuration, this may also mean a stiffness reduction parallel to a surface normal38aof the main surface14A. In each case, the possibly hypothetical state of an unaffected or force-less MEMS can be used for this purpose.

Embodiments provide for a spring element to have a hinge adjacent to the column structure, such as hinges361and364. In addition, the spring elements may have another hinge arranged adjacent to the substrate, such as hinges362and363. The hinges362and363may also be arranged directly on the substrate12, alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the hinges361and/or364are spaced apart from the column structure24by a regular or other portion of the spring element, analogous to the spacing from the substrate12.

FIG.3ashows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS301according to an embodiment whose structure is based on the structure of the MEMS101, the explanations being equally valid for a structure according to the MEMS102. The MEMS301includes actuator means42comprising at least one part42aand/or42b, each part42aand42bbeing configured to generate a force in at least one spring element221and/or222to effect deflection of the movable spring element14. The actuator portion42amay be configured to generate an actuator force in an area of the column structure241. The part42bmay be configured to generate a force in the area of the column structure242, so that, based on the generated force, a deflection of the column structure241and/or242may be obtained, which may be translated into a translational and/or rotational movement of the movable spring element14via the support of the same on the substrate12by means of the spring elements221and222.

For example, the actuator42may provide at least one of a thermally induced actuator force, a piezoelectrically induced actuator force, an electrostatically induced actuator force, and a magnetically induced actuator force. As an alternative, or in addition to generating a force acting on the column structures241and/or242, a force may be generated on or in the spring elements221and/or222such that the actuator force is generated in an area of the respective spring element221and/or222.

Thus, the column structure241and/or the column structure242may comprise a magnetic material or, alternatively, a magnetizable material. The actuator means42may be configured to generate a magnetic field adjacent to the magnetic material to effect movement of the movable element14. For example, controllable magnets441and442may be disposed in spatial proximity to column structures241and242, respectively, such that activation of the magnet441results in a magnetic force between the magnet441and the column structure241to effect movement of the movable element14at that location along the direction of movement261. By activating the magnet442, a force may be obtained between the magnet442and the column structure242, which may result in deflection of the column structure242and consequently the movable element14along the direction of movement262. Thus, in-phase activation of the magnets441and442may result in translational movement of the movable element14along positive or negative direction of movement26, while opposite-phase activation may result in the rotational movement18.

In other words, the support elements or columns may include a hard magnetic material so that they can be actively moved bidirectionally by means of magnetic fields, e.g. generated by coils.

FIG.3bshows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS302whose structure is based on the structure of the MEMS102, wherein the explanations are equally valid for a structure according to MEMS101. Similar to the structure of the MEMS102, spring elements221and222are directed outward from the substrate12. The column structures241and242may include magnetizable or magnetic material, as described in connection with the MEMS301. The column structures241and242may be formed to be magnets or comprise magnets. For example, high-performance NdFeB (neodymium-iron-boron) micromagnets may be arranged. This can be produced, for example, by agglomeration of micrometer-sized powder using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and integrated into MEMS devices at substrate level. Such a method is described, for example, in [1] or [2]. Significant forces can already be generated using micromagnets with diameters between 50 μm and 500 μm, and arbitrary sizes and/or forces can be used depending on the application. The generated forces can be transmitted over distances in the millimeter range, which is sufficient for MEMS applications.

In other words,FIGS.3aand3bshow embodiments of a MEMS device having a movable useful area, two support elements with columns of a hard magnetic material therein, two flexible springs, and two fixations.

FIG.4ashows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS401according to an embodiment whose structure is based on the structure of the MEMS101, wherein the explanations are equally valid for a structure according to the MEMS102. The actuator means has an electrode structure including electrodes461to464, wherein the electrode structure may comprise pairs of electrodes461and462, respectively. The electrode pairs may each comprise electrodes461and463that are movable relative to electrodes462and464arranged on the substrate12, respectively, such that electrostatic actuators are implemented by the electrode pairs. The electrodes461and463may be arranged, for example, on the column structures241and242, at ends thereof facing away from the main surface14B, so as to be as close as possible to the respective other electrodes462and464.

The electrodes462and464arranged or supported on the substrate12may be free of contact with the opposing column structure241and242respectively, and the spring element221and222, respectively, particularly in the no-load resting state.

Regardless of the implementation of the actuator, the MEMS described herein may be configured such that the substrate12, on which the spring elements221and222are arranged, protrudes beyond the spring elements221and222along positive z-direction, i.e. towards the main surface14B only to an extent of 100 μm, 50 μm, 10 μm, and most advantageously not. This results in a high rotational amplitude and movement amplitude of the movable element14.

FIG.4bshows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS402according to an embodiment having a similar structure as the MEMS401, but implementing the spring curve outwards as described in connection with the MEMS102,20, and302.

The spring elements221and222of the MEMS401and402can be formed from an electrically insulating material or at least from a material that prevents a short circuit between the electrodes461and462or463and464in the event of indirect contact via the spring elements221and222, respectively. An equally possible electrically conductive property of the spring elements can be supplemented by arranging an insulating layer between the respective spring element221and222, respectively, and at least one adjacent electrode461and/or462and463and/or464, respectively.

In other words,FIGS.4aand4bshow embodiments of a MEMS device with a movable useful area, two support elements with capacitive electrodes, two flexible springs and two fixations. The support elements, i.e., the column structures, can also be moved electrostatically. High forces can be obtained by implementing large electrode areas, for example by using large diameter support elements or electrodes protruding beyond the column structures. Alternatively or additionally, small electrode distances can be implemented.

FIG.5shows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS50according to an embodiment where an electrode element461and463, respectively, of the actuator means is arranged on or in the spring elements221and222, respectively. Exemplarily, the spring elements221and222extend outwards from a suspension on the substrate12, although another implementation, for example one extending inwards, is also possible.

Other than described for the MEMS401and402, the spring elements221and222are formed electrically conductive at least in some areas and/or the electrode461and463, respectively, is arranged thereon. It may be advantageous to arrange the actuator means with the electrode pairs461and462or463and464relatively close, i.e. adjacent to, the substrate12in order to take advantage of the high forces, which at the same time have relatively small local travel distances. However, the pairs of electrodes461and462or463and464can be arranged at a different location. The electrodes461and463can be arranged on or in a material of the spring elements221and222. The deflected state of the MEMS50shown inFIG.5may be obtained, for example, when an electric voltage is applied only between the electrodes463and464, wherein an electric capacitance C2arranged between the electrodes463and464may be, for example, different from that between the electrodes461and462when an electric voltage is applied between these electrodes to obtain a counter-rotational movement18.

A distance48b1between the substrate12and the electrode461set in relation to a distance48a1between the electrode461and the column structure241can quantify an achievable leverage for the actuator deflection, as well as a ratio between the comparable distances48b2and48a2between the electrode463and the substrate12on the one hand and the column structure242on the other hand. This can be used as a configuration criterion for the MEMS50. The greater the proportion48aof a total length of the spring element22, the greater the achievable leverage may be.

The MEMS50may comprise sensor means58configured to detect a position and/or an orientation of the movable element14. For this purpose, the sensor means58may detect an input signal62from a measuring means configured for this purpose, which detects the position and/or orientation of the movable element14electrically, optically, mechanically and/or piezoelectrically. According to an embodiment, the sensor means58is configured to obtain the input signal62from the electrodes461to464, meaning that the electrodes461and464can also be used as a sensor as an alternative or in addition to being used as an actuator.

A control means64may be configured to regulate the actuator means to deflect the movable element14from its resting position based on the detected position and/or orientation of the movable element14. This enables the control means64, which is configured to control the actuator means42, to be provided with information in the form of a corresponding signal66in order to configure a control signal68for the actuator means42so as to obtain a closed control loop. The use of the electrodes461to464in connection with the sensor means58can be combined by additional elements for force generation.

FIG.6shows a schematic side-sectional view of a MEMS60according to an embodiment where the spring elements221and222comprise the magnetic material or magnetizable material described in connection with MEMS301and302. The structure of the MEMS60may be based on the structure of the MEMS102, wherein the explanations are equally valid for a structure according to the MEMS101. Here, the magnetic or magnetizable material521and522may be integrated into the area elements22, so that the block-by-block illustration on the spring elements221and222is to be understood as merely exemplary and schematic. The actuator means may include the magnets441and442to generate the forces used to deflect the movable element14.

A location of force induction into the spring elements221and/or222can provide a turning point of the bending line of the spring element, just as inFIG.5, here including both continuous and discontinuous changes of direction.

The actuator modes of operation of the MEMS50and60may be combined. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to use thermal and/or piezoelectric actuators to obtain a deflection of the movable element14. The actuators or elements thereof may be arranged on or in the column structures241and/or242, on or in the spring elements221and/or222, and/or at transitions between spring elements and column structures or column structures and movable element or spring element and substrate12.

In other words,FIGS.5and6show embodiments of MEMS devices with a movable useful area, two support elements, two flexible springs, and two fixations. Optionally, hinges361to364may be implemented as described in connection with the MEMS20. Locations of the hinges36may correspond to transitions between the spring elements22and the column structures24on the one hand and locations of force generation by the actuator means on the other hand, each of which may be implemented individually. For example, a corresponding hinge can be implemented by integrating the magnetic material52into the spring element22. That is, hinges may consist of or at least include capacitive electrodes or magnetic components.

FIG.7shows a schematic view from a bottom of a MEMS70, which comprises a total of twelve spring elements arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner about a tilting center56. Although the spring elements221to2212are shown as extending radially outwards from the column structures241to2412, inward extension is also possible, and mixed forms can also be implemented.

The tilting center56may coincide with the axis of rotation16, although a higher number of axes of rotation may be obtained based on the arrangement of spring elements221to2212, for example six. The number of twelve spring elements221to2212, connecting a total of twelve associated column structures241to2412to the substrate12, is selected merely as an example. A higher number of such elements associated with the MEMS101,102,20,301,302,401,402,50, and60includes any number ≥3. The tilting center56, when projected into the second main surface14B parallel to the surface normal38b, may coincide with a centroid, meaning a geometric center, of the main surface14B. The tilting center56coincides with the surface centroid at least within a tolerance range of ±5 μm, ±2 μm, or ±1 μm. This allows a high precision of the deflection.

The above mentioned common configuration of support elements is particularly evident here. Thus, at least some of the column structures241to2412may form a common structure, i.e., be connected to each other. For example, this may result in a circular structure, an annular structure or a polygon or the like, or also a part thereof.

Different spring elements may be formed along different axial extension directions between the respective column structure and the substrate12. While this is obvious, for example, for the spring elements221and222, an arrangement of two opposing spring elements, such as221and227of the MEMS70or221and222of the other MEMS may also be understood to be in opposite directions and therefore different from each other.

Optionally, the spring elements221to222may comprise a number of hinges36according to the configuration, the number of one hinge being selected merely by way of example and may also have a different value, for example 0, 2, 3, 4 or a higher value.

In other words,FIG.7shows a schematic view of a MEMS device with a movable useful area, twelve support elements, twelve flexible springs with hinge and twelve fixations from the bottom. The configuration enables space-saving integration of force generation into the support elements and/or spring elements according to another feature of the present invention. In contrast to known approaches with four actuators aligned along the x- and y-axis, this embodiment allows twelve actuators or support elements to be distributed in a circle. Thanks to this, the useful area can be rotated or tilted about any axis with constant high angle. If the support elements are driven magnetically, for example, as described in connection withFIG.3aor3b, arrangements according toFIGS.4aand4bcan also be used, instead of or in addition to force generation, for capacitive detection of the position of the support elements in order to determine the position of the useful area based on this.

FIG.8illustrates a schematic flowchart of a method800according to an example embodiment that can be used for manufacturing a MEMS described herein, for example, the MEMS101,102,20,301,302,401,402,50,60, and/or70. A step810includes providing a substrate and an element movably suspended relative to the substrate, the element having a first main surface and an opposite second main surface. A step820includes arranging a first spring element between the substrate and a first column structure connected to the second main surface, and arranging a second spring element between the substrate and a second column structure connected to the second main surface, thereby movably suspending the movably suspended element14.

According to an embodiment, the method800comprises a step of generating the first column structure and/or the second column structure by depositing a magnetic material, such as NdFeB, to obtain a magnetic column structure.

Referring again toFIG.1a, a manufacturing method may be carried out, for example, such that the substrate12and the column structures24, and optionally also the spring elements22, are obtained from a common wafer and are formed, for example, by front-side etching and/or rear-side etching. The movable element14may then, for example, be arranged in the form of another wafer, for example by means of wafer bonding.

Embodiments allow a reduction of the lateral displacement, for example along the x-direction and/or y-direction by building the useful area on multiple columns, which also locally stabilizes the center of rotation in space. For a micromirror, for example, this can mean a small loss of light, which is advantageous. In addition, embodiments allow the leverage, which decreases with increasing distance between the columns, to be re-enforced by hinges on the springs. The hinges can have or provide soft structures or be a point on the springs where the driving force is concentrated so that deformation is provided. By using the columns below the useful area to generate force, the fill factor of the MEMS device can be high or even very high and dramatically increased compared to known solutions. By using magnets or capacitive electrodes at least as parts of the column structures and/or as hinges on the spring elements, the leverage can be increased and correspondingly large deflections can be obtained. With the stated capacitive components, it is possible to determine the position of the useful area. By using several non-orthogonal actuators/springs, the axes of rotation can be flexibly defined so that, for example, a large tilt angle can also be obtained around diagonals or intermediate angles, see MEMS70.

According to an embodiment, a MEMS device comprises a useful area with one or several support elements and several flexible bending beams connected thereto, for example springs or actuators. The useful area is applied to the support element(s) such that the support elements and bending beams are located below the useful area. The bending beams are connected to the one or several support elements at one end and to a fixation at the other end. The connecting points of the flexible springs with the one or several support elements are outside the axis of rotation of the useful area.

The support elements are optionally used as actuators below the useful area for force generation or for active positioning of the useful area. Alternatively or additionally, the support structures below the useful area are configured such that the position of the center of rotation of the useful area is stabilized in space, for example by spacing apart the attachment locations of the spring elements. Alternatively or additionally, for force generation, the support elements can comprise micromagnets or electrode areas, so that an effective force can be applied to the support elements by means of counter components fixed on the carrier element, i.e. drive magnets/coils or electrodes, and the useful area can be actively moved. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to use the combination of electrode areas and the corresponding counter components to capacitively detect the position and/or location of the useful area. Alternatively or additionally, it is not needed that support elements and the flexible springs are arranged orthogonally. In particular, they can also be arranged at any angle, in particular using a number >2, to realize a flexible axis of rotation of the useful plate mounted thereon. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible springs may comprise hinge elements. Such a hinge serves as the bending point of the bending beam. At the bending point, an almost discontinuous course of the bending line is made possible. This allows a leverage to be exploited in the force action.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is obvious that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, such that a block or device of an apparatus also corresponds to a respective method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding apparatus.

While this invention has been described in terms of several advantageous embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

REFERENCES

[1] Patent specification EP 2670880 B1, V. Milanovic and K. Castelino, “MEMS device control with filtered voltage signal shaping.”[2] T. Reimer et al, “Temperature-stable NdFeB micromagnets with high-energy density compatible with CMOS back end of line technology”, MRS Advances, No. 1, 2016.