Patent ID: 7130099

Claim:
A micromirror unit comprising: an inner frame including an upper frame body, a lower electrode base, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the frame body and the electrode base, the frame body being provided with outwardly extending comb-teeth electrodes, the electrode base being provided with inwardly extending comb-teeth electrodes; an outer frame surrounding the inner frame, the outer frame including an upper frame member, a plurality of lower auxiliary portions, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the frame member and each of the auxiliary portions, at least one of the auxiliary portions being provided with inwardly extending comb-teeth electrodes interactive with the outwardly extending comb-teeth electrodes of the inner frame, at least another of the auxiliary portions being electrically separate from said one auxiliary portion; a mirror forming base provided with a mirror surface, the mirror forming base being surrounded by the inner frame and provided with outwardly extending comb-teeth electrodes interactive with the inwardly extending comb-teeth electrodes of the inner frame; an inner torsion connector connecting the frame body of the inner frame to the mirror forming base; and an outer torsion connector which connects the inner frame to the outer frame and defines an axis about which the inner frame and the mirror forming base are rotated relative to the outer frame, the outer torsion connector having a width measured in a direction which is parallel to the mirror surface and perpendicular to said axis; wherein the width of the outer torsion connector is relatively great at a connecting portion to the inner frame, and becomes gradually smaller from the inner frame toward the outer frame; and wherein the outer torsion connector comprises a plurality of torsion bars connected to a same side of the inner frame, at least one of the torsion bars connecting the frame body of the inner frame to the frame member of the outer frame to provide a first electrical conducting path, at least another of the torsion bars connecting the electrode base of the inner frame to said another auxiliary portion of the outer frame to provide a second electrical conducting path which is electrically separate from the first electrical conducting path.