Microelectromechanical structure comprising distinct parts mechanically connected through a translation/rotation conversion assembly

A process for manufacturing a microelectromechanical structure, comprising the steps of:

• forming a first part which is rotatably movable, said step of forming a first part including the step of forming a first element belonging to a motion conversion assembly (and integral with said first part;
• forming a second part that is movable with translatory motion, said step of forming a second part including the step of forming a second element belonging to said motion conversion assembly and integral with said second part;
• one of said steps of forming a first and a second element including the step of forming a projection;
• another of said steps of forming a first and a second element including the step of forming elastic engagement elements;
• and
• assembling said first part and second part, in so that, during said step of assembling, said elastic engagement elements automatically and elastically engage said projection.

A device comprising:

• a first platform, rotatable about first and second axes, the first and second axes lying in a geometric plane of the first platform;
• a projection shaped as a four sided pyramidal frustum, with a broad base affixed to a lower surface of the platform and a narrow base projecting downward from the platform;
• a second platform, parallel to and beneath the first platform, translatable along third and fourth axes, the third and fourth axes lying in a geometric plane of the second platform and parallel to the first and second axes, respectively;
• and
• first and second engagement springs, each of the first and second engagement spring having outer and inner ends, the outer ends of the first and second engagement springs being affixed to an upper surface of the second platform, the inner ends of the first and second engagement springs flexing upward and capturing the projection between them.