Sensor with separate actuator and sense fingers

Details Sensor with separate actuator and sense fingers Sensor with separate actuator and sense fingers

1998-10-14

2000-01-18

Noori, Max

Measuring and testing

Speed, velocity, or acceleration

Acceleration determination utilizing inertial element

73862451, 73763, G01P 1508

Patent

active

RE0364983

ABSTRACT:
A micromachined force sensor containing separate sensing and actuator structures. A member is suspended above the substrate so that it is movable along an axis in response to a force. The member includes a set of parallel sense fingers and a separate set of parallel force fingers. The sense fingers are positioned between fingers of two sense plates, to form a first differential capacitor, whose capacitance changes when the member moves in response to a force along the axis. The change in capacitance induces a sense signal on the member, which permits the measurement of the magnitude and duration of the force. The force fingers are positioned between fingers of two actuator plates, to form a second differential capacitor. The sense signal can be used to provide feedback to the second differential capacitor to generate different electrostatic forces between the force fingers and the two actuator plates, to offset the force applied along the preferred axis. Limit stops limit the movement of the member to less than the distance between the electrodes of the differential capacitors, to prevent contact between the electrodes. Additional fingers be positioned around the differential capacitors to minimize parasitic capacitances.

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