# US 10,373,790 B2 · Micro-electro-mechanical system and method for producing the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,373,790 B2 - Document ID: US10373790B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/235,462 - Filed: 2016-08-12 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-14 - Assignees: Fraunhofe-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. - Applicants: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. - Inventors: Thomas Lisec; Fabian Stoppel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373790B2 ## CPC - H01H 59/0009: {making use of micromechanics} - F16K 99/0048: {using piezoelectric means} - H01H 47/00: Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the relay and designed to obtain desired operating characteristics or to provide energising current - H01H 49/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of relays or parts thereof - H01H 57/00: Electrostrictive relays; Piezoelectric relays - H10N 30/204: {using bending displacement, e.g. unimorph, bimorph or multimorph cantilever or membrane benders} - H01H 2057/006: {Micromechanical piezoelectric relay} - H10N 30/2042: {Cantilevers, i.e. having one fixed end} - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A micro-electro-mechanical system includes a deflectable actuator plate and an abutment area. An integral piezoelectric functional layer of the deflectable actuator plate is configured across an area APS of the actuator plate. The deflectable actuator plate is configured to effect a hollow warp in at least a controlled or non-controlled state, wherein the abutment area is disposed facing a hollow side of the deflectable actuator plate defined by the hollow warp. The deflectable actuator plate is configured to provide, in the state in which the same effects the hollow warp, mechanical contact between the deflectable actuator plate and the abutment area. In the other state, the deflectable actuator plate is disposed spaced apart from the abutment area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 MEMS comprising: a deflectable actuator plate; and an abutment area; wherein an integral piezoelectric functional layer of the deflectable actuator plate is configured across an active area of the deflectable actuator plate; wherein the deflectable actuator plate comprises a controlled state (on-state) and a non-controlled state (off-state) and effects a hollow warp in at least one of the two states; wherein the abutment area of a hollow side is disposed facing a hollow side of the deflectable actuator plate; wherein the deflectable actuator plate is configured to provide in the state in which the same effects the hollow warp, mechanical contact between the deflectable actuator plate and the abutment area; and wherein the deflectable actuator plate is spaced apart from the abutment area in the other state; wherein an elliptical ring exists, which overlaps by more than 95% with the active area and whose elliptical ring area takes up at least 60% of a total area of the deflectable actuator plate; wherein the elliptical ring comprises an outer elliptical trajectory with a main axis and a minor axis disposed perpendicularly to the main axis; and wherein a ratio between the main axis and the minor axis comprises a value in the range of greater than or equal to 0.25 and less than or equal to 4. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein a first direction and a second direction of the hollow warp are disposed linearly independent of one another in a main side of the deflectable actuator plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein the deflectable actuator plate comprises a dimension along a first direction of extension and a dimension along a second direction of extension, wherein the first and second directions of extension are disposed perpendicularly to one another along a main side of the deflectable actuator plate and wherein a ratio of the two dimensions comprises a value in a range of greater than or equal to 0.25 and less than or equal to 4. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, further comprising a further abutment area disposed opposite to the abutment area, wherein the deflectable actuator plate is suspended between the abutment areas such that in the state in which the controllable actuator plate effects the hollow warp, a mechanical contact can be provided between the controllable actuator plate and the further abutment area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein the deflectable actuator plate comprises, in the state (off-state) where the deflectable actuator plate is spaced apart from the abutment area, a plurality of contact areas which are disposed on a circular or elliptical trajectory, wherein the contact areas are configured to establish the mechanical contact with the abutment area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein the abutment area comprises a first subregion and a second subregion spaced apart from the first subregion, wherein the deflectable actuator plate is implemented, in the state where the same effects the hollow warp, to provide the mechanical contact between the deflectable actuator plate and the first subregion and between the deflectable actuator plate and the second subregion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein the deflectable actuator plate, in the state in which the deflectable actuator plate is spaced apart from the abutment area, comprises a main side geometry comprising a polygonal, elliptical, round outline or an outline defined by polygonal, elliptical or round shapes arranged equidistantly along a circular trajectory. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein the deflectable actuator plate comprises a main side geometry with an inner recess. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode disposed on the abutment area or on a further abutment area, such that an electric field can be generated between the electrode and the deflectable actuator plate, wherein the deflectable actuator plate is configured to effect, based on the electrostatic field, a movement in the direction of the electrode, wherein the further abutment area is disposed opposite to the abutment area, such that the deflectable actuator plate is disposed between the abutment area and the further abutment area. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, wherein the deflectable actuator plate is a bimorph comprising a substrate, a first electrode that covers the substrate at least partly, piezoelectric material that covers the first electrode at least partly and a second electrode that covers the piezoelectric material at least partly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, comprising a further abutment area disposed opposite to the first abutment area and wherein the deflectable actuator plate is suspended on the further abutment area by means of anchor elements; wherein the anchor elements are disposed on a half side of the deflectable actuator plate on an outer cladding area of the deflectable actuator plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) MEMS according to claim 1, comprising a further abutment area disposed opposite to the first abutment area and wherein the deflectable actuator plate is suspended on the further abutment area by means of anchor elements; wherein the anchor elements are disposed on an inner cladding area of the deflectable actuator plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Electrical circuit, comprising: an MEMS according to claim 1; and a control unit coupled to the MEMS and configured to control the deflectable actuator plate.