Patents by Inventor Massimiliano Merli

Massimiliano Merli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11327295
    Abstract: A MEMS device is formed in a die of semiconductor material having a cavity defined therein and having an anchorage portion. A tiltable structure is elastically suspended over the cavity and has a main extension in a horizontal plane. First and second supporting arms extend between the anchorage portion and opposite sides of the tiltable structure. First and second resonant piezoelectric actuation structures are intended to be biased to thereby cause rotation of the tiltable structure about a rotation axis. The first supporting arm is formed by first and second torsion springs, which are rigid to movements out of the horizontal plane and compliant to torsion about the rotation axis and are coupled together at a constraint region. The first and second resonant piezoelectric actuation structures extend between the anchorage portion and the constraint structure, on first and second sides of the first supporting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Nicolo' Boni, Massimiliano Merli
  • Publication number: 20220119245
    Abstract: A MEMS device is formed by a body of semiconductor material which defines a support structure. A pass-through cavity in the body is surrounded by the support structure. A movable structure is suspended in the pass-through cavity. An elastic structure extends in the pass-through cavity between the support structure and the movable structure. The elastic structure has a first and second portions and is subject, in use, to mechanical stress. The MEMS device is further formed by a metal region, which extends on the first portion of the elastic structure, and by a buried cavity in the elastic structure. The buried cavity extends between the first and the second portions of the elastic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Lorenzo VINCIGUERRA, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20220099960
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a fixed structure having a frame defining a cavity, a tiltable structure elastically suspended above the cavity with main extension in a horizontal plane, a piezoelectrically driven actuation structure which can be biased to cause a desired rotation of the tiltable structure about a first and second rotation axes, and a supporting structure integral with the fixed structure and extending in the cavity starting from the frame. Lever elements are elastically coupled to the tiltable structure at a first end by elastic suspension elements and to the supporting structure at a second end by elastic connecting elements which define a lever rotation axis. The lever elements are elastically coupled to the actuation structure so that their biasing causes the desired rotation of the tiltable structure about the first and second rotation axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' Boni, Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli
  • Publication number: 20220099959
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical mirror device includes a supporting frame of semiconductor material and a plate of semiconductor material. The plate is connected to the supporting frame so as to be orientable around at least one rotation axis. A reflective layer is arranged on a first region of the plate. A piezoelectric actuation structure extends on a second region of the plate adjacent to the reflective layer. The piezoelectric actuation structure is configured to apply forces such as to modify a curvature of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20220011567
    Abstract: A MEMS micromirror device is formed in a package including a containment body and a lid transparent to a light radiation. The package forms a cavity housing a tiltable platform having a reflecting surface. A metastructure is formed on the lid and/or on the reflecting surface and includes a plurality of diffractive optical elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto CARMINATI, Nicolo' BONI, Massimiliano MERLI, Enri DUQI
  • Publication number: 20210405346
    Abstract: A MEMS actuator includes a main body having a central portion, couplable to a substrate, and a peripheral portion suspended over the substrate when the central portion is coupled to the substrate. The peripheral portion has a deformable structure extending around the central portion, and forming successively arranged membranes. The MEMS actuator includes bearing structures and corresponding piezoelectric actuators. The bearing structures are fixed at their top to the deformable structure and laterally delimit corresponding cavities, each having a lateral opening facing the central portion of the main body and closed at the top by a membrane. A fixed part of the membrane is fixed to the underlying bearing structure and a suspended part is laterally offset with respect to the underlying bearing structure. The piezoelectric actuators are controllable to cause deformation of the corresponding membrane and rotation of the bearing structures around the central portion of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Patent number: 11086122
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a body of semiconductor material, which forms a cavity, a mobile structure, and an actuation structure. The actuation structure includes at least one first deformable element which faces the cavity and is mechanically coupled to the body and to the mobile structure, and a piezoelectric-actuation system which can be controlled so as to deform the first deformable element and cause a consequent rotation of the mobile structure. The mobile structure includes a supporting region and at least one first pillar region, the first pillar region being mechanically coupled to the first deformable element, the supporting region being set on the first pillar region and overlying at least part of the first deformable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli, Nicolo′ Boni
  • Publication number: 20210229984
    Abstract: To manufacture an oscillating structure, a wafer is processed by: forming torsional elastic elements; forming a mobile element connected to the torsional elastic elements; processing the first side of the wafer to form a mechanical reinforcement structure; and processing the second side of said wafer by steps of chemical etching, deposition of metal material, and/or deposition of piezoelectric material. Processing of the first side of the wafer is carried out prior to processing of the second side of the wafer so as not to damage possible sensitive structures formed on the first side of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enri DUQI, Nicolo' BONI, Lorenzo BALDO, Massimiliano MERLI, Roberto CARMINATI
  • Publication number: 20210188622
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device is formed by a fixed structure having a cavity. A tiltable structure is elastically suspended over the cavity and has a main extension in a tiltable plane and is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the tiltable plane. A piezoelectric actuation structure includes first and second driving arms carrying respective piezoelectric material regions and extending on opposite sides of the rotation axis. The first and the second driving arms are rigidly coupled to the fixed structure and are elastically coupled to the tiltable structure. During operation, a stop structure limits movements of the tiltable structure with respect to the actuation structure along a planar direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The stop structure has a first planar stop element formed between the first driving arm and the tiltable structure and a second planar stop element formed between the second driving arm and the tiltable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20210191107
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical mirror device has a fixed structure defining a cavity. A tiltable structure carrying a reflecting surface is elastically suspended above the cavity with a main extension in a horizontal plane. Elastic elements are coupled to the tiltable structure and at least one first pair of driving arms, which carry respective regions of piezoelectric material, are biasable to cause rotation of the tiltable structure about at least one first axis of rotation parallel to a first horizontal axis of the horizontal plane. The driving arms are elastically coupled to the tiltable structure on opposite sides of the first axis of rotation and are interposed between the tiltable structure and the fixed structure. The driving arms have a thickness, along an orthogonal axis transverse to the horizontal plane, smaller than a thickness of at least some of the elastic elements coupled to the tiltable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20200310110
    Abstract: A MEMS device is formed in a die of semiconductor material having a cavity defined therein and having an anchorage portion. A tiltable structure is elastically suspended over the cavity and has a main extension in a horizontal plane. First and second supporting arms extend between the anchorage portion and opposite sides of the tiltable structure. First and second resonant piezoelectric actuation structures are intended to be biased to thereby cause rotation of the tiltable structure about a rotation axis. The first supporting arm is formed by first and second torsion springs, which are rigid to movements out of the horizontal plane and compliant to torsion about the rotation axis and are coupled together at a constraint region. The first and second resonant piezoelectric actuation structures extend between the anchorage portion and the constraint structure, on first and second sides of the first supporting arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto CARMINATI, Nicolo' BONI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20200301130
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical structure includes a body of semiconductor material having a fixed frame internally defining a cavity, a mobile mass elastically suspended in the cavity and movable with a first resonant movement about a first rotation axis and with a second resonant movement about a second rotation axis, orthogonal to the first axis. First and second pairs of supporting elements, extending in cantilever fashion in the cavity, are rigidly coupled to the frame, and are piezoelectrically deformable to cause rotation of the mobile mass about the first and second rotation axes. First and second pairs of elastic-coupling elements are elastically coupled between the mobile mass and the first and the second pairs of supporting elements. The first and second movements of rotation of the mobile mass are decoupled from one another and do not interfere with one another due to the elastic-coupling elements of the first and second pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20200192199
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a fixed structure defining a cavity with a tiltable structure that is elastically suspended in the cavity. A piezoelectrically driven actuation structure, interposed between the tiltable structure and the fixed structure, is biased for causing rotation of the tiltable structure about a first rotation axis belonging to a horizontal plane in which the tiltable structure rests. The actuation structure includes a pair of driving arms carry respective regions of piezoelectric material and are elastically coupled to the tiltable structure on opposite sides of the first rotation axis through respective elastic decoupling elements. The elastic decoupling elements exhibit stiffness in regard to movements out of the horizontal plane and compliance to torsion about the first rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20200057298
    Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a fixed structure, a mobile portion rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a first actuation structure arranged between the fixed structure and the mobile portion to enable rotation of the mobile portion about the first rotation axis. The mobile portion includes a supporting structure, a tiltable platform rotatable about a second rotation axis, transverse to the first rotation axis, and a second actuation structure coupled between the tiltable platform and the supporting structure. Stiffening elements are arranged between the supporting structure and the fixed structure. The micromechanical device may be used within a picoprojector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Patent number: 10365475
    Abstract: An oscillating structure with piezoelectric actuation includes first and second torsional elastic elements constrained to respective portions of a fixed supporting body and defining an axis of rotation. A mobile element is positioned between, and connected to, the first and second torsional elastic elements by first and second rigid regions. A first control region is coupled to the first rigid region and includes a first piezoelectric actuator. A second control region is coupled to the second rigid region and includes a second piezoelectric actuator. The first and second piezoelectric actuators are configured to cause local deformation of the first and second control regions to induce a torsion of the first and second torsional elastic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli, Sebastiano Conti
  • Publication number: 20190196177
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a body of semiconductor material, which forms a cavity, a mobile structure, and an actuation structure. The actuation structure includes at least one first deformable element which faces the cavity and is mechanically coupled to the body and to the mobile structure, and a piezoelectric-actuation system which can be controlled so as to deform the first deformable element and cause a consequent rotation of the mobile structure. The mobile structure includes a supporting region and at least one first pillar region, the first pillar region being mechanically coupled to the first deformable element, the supporting region being set on the first pillar region and overlying at least part of the first deformable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI, Nicolo' BONI
  • Patent number: 10175474
    Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a tiltable structure that is rotatable about a first rotation axis. The tiltable structure is coupled to a fixed structure through an actuation structure of a piezoelectric type. The actuation structure is formed by spring elements having a spiral shape. The spring elements each include actuation arms extending transversely to the first rotation axis. Each actuation arm carries a respective piezoelectric band of piezoelectric material. The actuation arms are divided into two sets with the piezoelectric bands thereof biased in phase opposition to obtain rotation in opposite directions of the tiltable structure about the first rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli
  • Patent number: 10048491
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a platform carried by a frame via elastic connection elements configured to enable rotation of the platform about a first axis. A bearing structure supports the frame through first and second elastic suspension arms configured to enable rotation of the frame about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The first and second elastic suspension arms are anchored to the bearing structure through respective anchorage portions arranged offset with respect to the second axis. A stress sensor formed by first and second sensor elements respectively arranged on the first and second suspension arms is positioned in proximity of the anchorage portions, on a same side of the second axis, in a symmetrical position with respect to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Merli, Roberto Carminati, Marco Rossi
  • Publication number: 20180031823
    Abstract: An oscillating structure with piezoelectric actuation includes first and second torsional elastic elements constrained to respective portions of a fixed supporting body and defining an axis of rotation. A mobile element is positioned between, and connected to, the first and second torsional elastic elements by first and second rigid regions. A first control region is coupled to the first rigid region and includes a first piezoelectric actuator. A second control region is coupled to the second rigid region and includes a second piezoelectric actuator. The first and second piezoelectric actuators are configured to cause local deformation of the first and second control regions to induce a torsion of the first and second torsional elastic elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli, Sebastiano Conti
  • Publication number: 20170285332
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a platform carried by a frame via elastic connection elements configured to enable rotation of the platform about a first axis. A bearing structure supports the frame through first and second elastic suspension arms configured to enable rotation of the frame about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The first and second elastic suspension arms are anchored to the bearing structure through respective anchorage portions arranged offset with respect to the second axis. A stress sensor formed by first and second sensor elements respectively arranged on the first and second suspension arms is positioned in proximity of the anchorage portions, on a same side of the second axis, in a symmetrical position with respect to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Merli, Roberto Carminati, Marco Rossi