Abstract: A 2-axis driving electromagnetic scanner, having a structure in which a mirror is separated from a driving unit and directly driven, is provided. The electromagnetic scanner includes: an outer driving unit which is capable of rotating around a first axis; an inner driving unit which is suspended from the outer driving unit so as to rotate around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a stage which is located on an upper surface of the inner driving unit so as to rotate together with the inner driving unit. In the electromagnetic scanner, the stage is connected to the inner driving unit by a link unit protruding from a center of a lower surface of the stage.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming apparatus capable of, and method of, improving color registration. The image forming apparatus can employ a beam deflector having a double-sided mirror portion that pivots to bi-directionally scan multiple light beams on multiple photosensitive media at different phases by using both mirror sides of the double-sided mirror portion. The individual monochromic images developed on the photosensitive media are transferred onto a transfer medium to overlap one another in phase to form a full color image.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided, which includes a deformable membrane, walls formed on the membrane to define cavities, rods formed within the cavities, and on the surface of the membrane on one side with reference to a cavity center, to move in association with the deformation of the membrane, and an actuating unit formed on a lower side of the membrane to be piezoelectrically driven to deform the membrane. The actuating device is applicable to miniaturized electronic devices and can actuate the function modules appropriately.

Abstract: Disclosed are several embodiments of a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) mirror and a mirror scanner employing the same. An optical scanning unit employing such mirror scanner and an image forming apparatus including the optical scanning unit are also disclosed. The MEMS mirror may include a movable unit, which may in turn include a mirror portion and a magnet frame portion. The mirror portion may have mirror surfaces on the face surface(s) thereof. The magnet frame portion may include an opening into which a magnet is received. The MEMS mirror may also include a first fixing end and a second fixing end, to which the moving unit may be elastically supported by one or more elastic members that allows oscillating or pivoting movement of the moving unit.

Abstract: A MEMS switch includes a lower substrate having a signal line on an upper surface of the lower substrate; an upper substrate, having a cavity therein, disposed apart from the upper surface of the lower substrate by a distance, and having a membrane layer on a lower surface of the upper substrate; a bimetal layer formed in the cavity of the upper substrate on the membrane layer; a heating layer formed on a lower surface of the membrane layer; and a contact member formed on a lower surface of the heating layer. The contact member can come into contact with or separate from the signal line. A method for manufacturing the MEMS switch includes preparing the upper and lower substrates and combining them so that a surface having the signal line faces a surface having the contact member and the upper and lower substrates are disposed apart by a distance.

Abstract: A micro actuator and a method of manufacturing the micro actuator. A micro actuator includes a base frame, a first movable part, a second movable part, at least one pair of permanent magnets, a coil part, and a deformation suppression portion. The first movable part is rotatably connected to the base frame. The second movable part is rotatably connected to the first movable part and includes a mirror which changes an optical path. The coil part includes a plurality of coil sections protruded from top surfaces of the first and second movable parts. The deformation suppression portion includes a plurality of grooves formed in the first and second movable parts between the coil sections. The deformation suppression portion suppresses a thermal deformation, which occurs when a current is applied to the coil part, so as to reduce deformations of the first and second movable parts.

Abstract: An actuator which is actuated by an external input and also can remove noise caused by a high frequency by providing a low pass filter capable of preventing a particular high frequency through its mechanical structure. The actuator includes an external gimbal, an internal gimbal, and a connection axis which is disposed in an identical direction to an axis extended from the external gimbal. In this intake, the connection axis is provided between the external gimbal and internal gimbal whereby a not desired high frequency vibration may not be transmitted to a vibrated body provided in the internal gimbal. The actuator constructed as above does not need an electrical control and an additional part, and can be actuated by an external input, and also is highly productive and does not require an additional cost by providing a low pass filter with only comparatively simple change of a mechanical design.

Abstract: A driving system is provided. The driving system includes a fixed substrate, a coil unit which generates an electromagnetic force if an electric current applied, a magnet unit formed on the fixed substrate to face the coil unit, and a plurality of driving units which are interconnected with each other on the fixed substrate, and which are moved respectively in parallel direction with respect to a surface of the fixed substrate in accordance with an interaction between the electromagnetic force and a magnetic force of the magnet unit, if the electric current is applied. As a result, a non-contact driving is provided.

Abstract: A vibration type MEMS switch and a method of fabricating the vibration type MEMS switch. The vibration type MEMS switch includes a vibrating body supplied with an alternating current voltage of a predetermined frequency to vibrate in a predetermined direction; and a stationary contact point spaced apart from the vibrating body along a vibration direction of the vibrating body. When a direct current voltage with a predetermined magnitude is applied to the stationary contact point, a vibration margin of the vibrating body is increased, the vibrating body contacts the stationary contact point and the vibration type MEMS switch is turned on. A first substrate is bonded to a second substrate to isolate the vibrating body in a sealed vacuum space. The vibration type MEMS switch is turned on and/off by a resonance.

Abstract: A 2-axis driving electromagnetic scanner, having a structure in which a mirror is separated from a driving unit and directly driven, is provided. The electromagnetic scanner includes: an outer driving unit which is capable of rotating around a first axis; an inner driving unit which is suspended from the outer driving unit so as to rotate around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a stage which is located on an upper surface of the inner driving unit so as to rotate together with the inner driving unit. In the electromagnetic scanner, the stage is connected to the inner driving unit by a link unit protruding from a center of a lower surface of the stage.

Abstract: A vertical comb actuator radio frequency (RF) micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch. The RF MEMS switch includes a substrate; first and second signal lines spaced at a predetermined interval from each other and deposited on an upper surface of the substrate; an actuator positioned over the first and second signal lines when viewed from the upper surface of the substrate and spaced at a predetermined interval from the first and second signal lines; and a fixing portion positioned over the actuator when viewed from the upper surface of the substrate, wherein the fixing portion permits the actuator to come in contact with the first and second signal lines when a predetermined driving voltage is applied. Thus, it is possible to prevent the actuator from sticking to the substrate. In addition, the RF MEMS switch can be operated with a low voltage and insertion loss and power loss can be reduced.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided, which includes a deformable membrane, walls formed on the membrane to define cavities, rods formed within the cavities, and on the surface of the membrane on one side with reference to a cavity center, to move in association with the deformation of the membrane, and an actuating unit formed on a lower side of the membrane to be piezoelectrically driven to deform the membrane. The actuating device is applicable to miniaturized electronic devices and can actuate the function modules appropriately.

Abstract: A MEMS switch including a substrate at least one fixed electrode formed on top of the substrate and at least one restoring electrode formed on top of the substrate and formed at a lateral surface of the fixed electrode. At least one signal line is formed on top of the substrate and has a switching contact part. A movable electrode is distantly connected from the top of the substrate at a predetermined space via an elastic connector on the substrate and at least one contact member formed on a bottom surface of the movable electrode or on a bottom surface of the elastic connector for attachment to or detachment from the switching contact part. At least one pivot boss is formed on either the bottom surface of the movable electrode or on the top of the substrate.

Abstract: An RF MEMS switch having asymmetrical spring rigidity. The RF MEMS switch has supporting members spaced apart in a certain interval on a substrate, a membrane being a motion member suspended by plural spring members extended on both sides of the membrane, and a bottom electrode being a contact surface on an upper surface of the substrate facing a bottom surface of the membrane, wherein the plural spring members placed on opposite sides of the membrane have asymmetrical rigidity, and a portion of the membrane on a side of stronger spring rigidity is first separated from the contact surface when the RF MEMS switch is turned off. The present invention has an advantage of easy separation of the switch from the contact surface, when the switch is turned off, due to the different rigidity of the springs located on the sides of the membrane.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a frame, an actuator formed on the same layer as the frame and connected to the frame to be capable of performing a relative motion with respect to the frame, and at least one stopper restricting a displacement of the actuator in a direction along the height of the actuator. The MEMS device is fabricated by bonding a second substrate to a first substrate, forming the frame and the actuator by partially removing the first substrate, and forming the at least one stopper by partially removing the second substrate.

Abstract: A micro actuator and a method of manufacturing the micro actuator. A micro actuator includes a base frame, a first movable part, a second movable part, at least one pair of permanent magnets, a coil part, and a deformation suppression portion. The first movable part is rotatably connected to the base frame. The second movable part is rotatably connected to the first movable part and includes a mirror which changes an optical path. The coil part includes a plurality of coil sections protruded from top surfaces of the first and second movable parts. The deformation suppression portion includes a plurality of grooves formed in the first and second movable parts between the coil sections. The deformation suppression portion suppresses a thermal deformation, which occurs when a current is applied to the coil part, so as to reduce deformations of the first and second movable parts.

Abstract: A scanner for removing a high frequency component from an external input using a mechanical structure of the scanner is provided. The scanner includes a mirror; an internal gimbal which is provided around the mirror; an external gimbal which is provided around the internal gimbal, including a driving coil; a frame which is provided around the external gimbal; a first torsion axis which connects the mirror and the internal gimbal; a connection axis which connects the internal gimbal and the external gimbal, and is perpendicular to the first torsion axis; a second torsion axis which connects the external gimbal and the frame, and is parallel to the connection axis; and a magnet which forms a magnetic field having an angle with a direction of the second torsion axis, wherein a high frequency vibration is filtered through the connection axis and transferred to the mirror.

Abstract: A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device is provided. The MEMS device includes: a stage which operates in a vibration mode; an axle which supports the stage and allows rotation of the stage; and a capacitive sensor which detects rotation of the stage. The capacitive sensor includes: a sensing arm which extends from the stage; driving combs which extend from the sensing arm and rotated together with the stage; fixed combs which are fixedly supported for engagement with the driving combs, the fixed combs including surfaces overlapping opposite surfaces of the driving combs in accordance with the rotation of the driving combs; and a capacitance sensing portion which detects a capacitance change of the driving combs and the fixed combs. Therefore, the MEMS device performs precise scanning by structurally preventing deformation of the stage having a light reflecting surface.

Abstract: A two-axis micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a moving plate, a stage, a driving coil, a pair of magnets, and a yoke magnetic body. The moving plate is supported coaxially on a first axis to move pivotably about the first axis. The stage is supported coaxially on the second axis in an inner region of the moving plate. The driving coil includes a coaxial coil portion arranged along the first axis of the driving plate and divided at a center by the stage, and a first connecting coil portion and a second connecting coil portion. The yoke magnetic body is disposed between the pair of magnets in a region above or below the magnets and is formed of a material capable of being magnetized by the magnets in order to suddenly change a magnetic flux density according to a distance between the pair of magnets.

Abstract: An actuator and a two dimensional scanner. The actuator and the two dimensional scanner include a base plate, a movable plate pivoted around at least one of a first imaginary axis or a second imaginary axis which are perpendicular to each other, a magnetic field-producing portion forming a magnetic force which acts in a direction parallel to the second axis and has a minimum size at a position of the first axis, a support member disposed coaxially with at least one of the first axis and the second axis, connecting the base plate and the movable plate, and forming a pivoting axis of the movable plate, and a driving coil portion to which a driving power of the movable plate is applied and disposed on the movable plate so as to have a point symmetry shape with respect to an intersecting point of the first axis and the second axis.