Micro-electromechanical drive mechanism arranged to effect rectilinear movement of working member

Abstract

A micro-electromechanical drive mechanism is provided, comprising at least two elongate drive members and associated coupling structures coupled to a working member. The drive members each incorporate an electrical circuit in electrical contact with drive circuitry provided on a substrate, for receiving an electrical signal therefrom, and have a fixed end anchored to the substrate and a free end displaceable relative to the substrate on receipt of the electrical signal from the drive circuitry. The coupling structures are each fast with the free end of an associated drive member so as to be displaceable therewith. The working member is fast with and interposed between the coupling structures so as to be displaceable therewith. The drive members and associated coupling structures are configured so that the displacement of the free ends of the drive members is translated into substantially rectilinear movement of the working member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.