MEMS locking system
A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator configured to provide multi-axis movement, the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator including: a first portion, a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are displaceable with respect to each other, and a locking assembly configured to releasably couple the first portion and the second portion to attenuate displacement between the first portion and the second portion.
1. A multi-axis MEMS assembly comprising:
a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator configured to provide multi-axis movement, the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator including:
a first portion,
a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are displaceable with respect to each other, and
a locking assembly configured to releasably couple the first portion and the second portion to attenuate displacement between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the locking assembly includes an engagement assembly and an actuator assembly coupled to the first portion and configured to displace the engagement assembly so that the engagement assembly releasably engages the second portion.
2. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement assembly is configured to engage a surface of the second portion.
3. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement assembly is configured to engage a recess of the second portion.
4. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator includes an in-plane MEMS actuator; and
the in-plane MEMS actuator includes the first portion and the second portion.
5. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 4 further comprising:
an optoelectronic device coupled to the in-plane MEMS actuator of the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator.
6. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 4 wherein the in-plane MEMS actuator is an image stabilization actuator.
7. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 4 wherein the in-plane MEMS actuator is configured to provide linear X-axis movement and linear Y-axis movement.
8. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 7 wherein the in-plane MEMS actuator is further configured to provide rotational Z-axis movement.
9. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator includes an out-of-plane MEMS actuator; and
the out-of-plane MEMS actuator includes the first portion and the second portion.
10. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 9 wherein the out-of-plane MEMS actuator is an autofocus actuator.
11. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 9 wherein the out-of-plane MEMS actuator is configured to provide linear Z-axis movement.
12. A multi-axis MEMS assembly comprising:
a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator configured to provide multi-axis movement, the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator including:
an in-plane MEMS actuator having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are displaceable with respect to each other, and
a locking assembly configured to releasably couple the first portion and the second portion to attenuate displacement between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the locking assembly includes an engagement assembly and an actuator assembly coupled to the first portion and configured to displace the engagement assembly so that the engagement assembly releasably engages the second portion.
13. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement assembly is configured to engage a surface of the second portion.
14. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement assembly is configured to engage a recess of the second portion.
15. A multi-axis MEMS assembly comprising:
a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator configured to provide multi-axis movement, the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator including:
an out-of-plane MEMS actuator having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are displaceable with respect to each other, and
a locking assembly configured to releasably couple the first portion and the second portion to attenuate displacement between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the locking assembly includes an engagement assembly and an actuator assembly coupled to the first portion and configured to displace the engagement assembly so that the engagement assembly releasably engages the second portion.
16. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement assembly is configured to engage a surface of the second portion.
17. The multi-axis MEMS assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement assembly is configured to engage a recess of the second portion.