IP Library Granted Patent US 7,656,252
Granted Patent B2
US 7,656,252 · App. 11/561,146 · Granted Feb 2, 2010

Micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) resonator and manufacturing method thereof

Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,656,252
App. No.
11/561,146
Granted
Feb 2, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator, includes: a substrate; a fixed electrode formed on the substrate; and a movable electrode, arranged facing the fixed electrode and driven by an electrostatic attracting force or an electrostatic repulsion force that acts on a gap between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. An internal surface of a support beam of the movable electrode facing the fixed electrode has an inclined surface.

Claims (18)

1. A micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator, comprising:

a substrate;

a fixed electrode formed on the substrate; and

a movable electrode, arranged facing the fixed electrode and driven by an electrostatic attracting force or an electrostatic repulsion force that acts on a gap between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode;

wherein the fixed electrode has a tapered surface on a side thereof.

2. The micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 1 , wherein the gap has a constant distance.

3. A micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered surface on the fixed electrode is curved.

4. The micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered surface has an inclination angle.

5. A micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 4 , wherein the inclination angle is from 5°-15°.

6. A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator, comprising:

forming, on a substrate, a fixed electrode having a tapered surface on a side thereof; and

forming a movable electrode above the fixed electrode, having a gap in between, and arranged to face the fixed electrode.

7. The method for manufacturing the micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 6 , wherein

forming the movable electrode further includes:

forming a sacrifice film on the fixed electrode; and

thereafter forming the movable electrode on the substrate and on the sacrifice film, so that the movable electrode is arranged to face at least part of the fixed electrode.

8. A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 6 , wherein the tapered surface on the side of the fixed electrode is curved.

9. A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator according to claim 6 , wherein the tapered surface on the side of the fixed electrode has an inclination angle from 5°-15°.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2019
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: 138 EAST LCD ADVANCEMENTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 050197/0212 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2006
From: INABA, SHOGO; SATO, AKIRA
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018664/0577 →
Priority Claims (3)
JP 2005-332444 · Nov 17, 2005 · national
JP 2005-332445 · Nov 17, 2005 · national
JP 2006-261135 · Sep 26, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070109074A1 · May 17, 2007