Patents by Inventor Simon Armbruster

Simon Armbruster 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).

  • Publication number: 20150061695
    Abstract: A micromechanical component and a corresponding test method for a micromechanical component are described. The micromechanical component includes at least one first region, which is elastically connected to a second region via a spring device, a resistor element, which is situated in and/or on the spring device and is at least partially interruptible in the event of damage to the spring device, and a detection device, which is electrically connected to the resistor element, for detecting an interruption in the resistor element and for generating a corresponding detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian REISS, Simon ARMBRUSTER, Helmut GRUTZECK, Joerg MUCHOW, Frederic Njikam NJIMONZIE, Johannes BAADER, Rainer STRAUB, Wolfgang HEINZELMANN
  • Publication number: 20150062677
    Abstract: A micromechanical component and a method for producing a micromechanical component are described. The component has: a frame; a plate spring that is connected to the frame and that has a front side and a rear side facing away from the front side; a mirror element that is situated on the front side of the plate spring and is connected to the front side of the plate spring in such a way that the mirror element is suspended on the frame so as to be capable of displacement; and at least one piezoelectric strip that is connected to the rear side of the plate spring; the plate spring being elastically deformable through the application of an electrical voltage to the at least one piezoelectric strip in order to displace the mirror element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Simon ARMBRUSTER, Helmut GRUTZECK, Frank SCHATZ, Joerg MUCHOW, Frederic Njikam NJIMONZIE, Johannes BAADER, Kerrin DOESSEL, Rainer STRAUB
  • Publication number: 20140376071
    Abstract: A micromechanical component includes a mounting, and a mirror plate which is adjustable with respect to the mounting about at least one rotational axis and which has a mirror side and a rear side which faces away from the mirror side. The mirror plate is connected to the mounting at least via four springs. Each of the four springs extends partially along the rear side of the mirror plate and is connected to the mirror plate via one support post each, which in each case contacts an anchoring area situated on the rear side. Also described is a micromirror device, as well as a manufacturing method for a micromechanical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Simon ARMBRUSTER, Helmut GRUTZECK, Joerg MUCHOW, Frederic Njikam NJIMONZIE, Johannes BAADER, Stefan PINTER, Rainer STRAUB, Zoltan LESTYAN
  • Patent number: 8749013
    Abstract: A sensor, in particular for the spatially resolved detection, includes a substrate, at least one micropatterned sensor element having an electric characteristic whose value varies as a function of the temperature, and at least one diaphragm above a cavity, the sensor element being disposed on the underside of the at least one diaphragm, and the sensor element being contacted via connecting lines, which extend within, on top of or underneath the diaphragm. In particular, a plurality of sensor elements may be formed as diode pixels within a monocrystalline layer formed by epitaxy. Suspension springs, which accommodate the individual sensor elements in elastic and insulating fashion, may be formed within the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster, Arnim Hoechst, Christoph Schelling, Ando Feyh
  • Publication number: 20140118005
    Abstract: A mechanical component has: a mounting; a movable part which, with the aid of at least one first spring and one second spring, is connected to the mounting in such a way that the movable part is movable about a rotational axis extending through a first anchoring area of the first spring on the mounting and a second anchoring area of the second spring on the mounting; a first sensor device with at least one first resistor which is situated on and/or in the first spring; and a second sensor device with at least one second resistor situated on and/or in the second spring. The first sensor device includes a first Wheatstone half bridge and the second sensor device includes a second Wheatstone half bridge. The first and second Wheatstone half bridges are connected to form a Wheatstone full bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang HEINZELMANN, Mohamad IYAD AL DIBS, Rainer STRAUB, Stefan PINTER, Frederic NJIKAM NJIMONZIE, Joerg MUCHOW, Helmut GRUTZECK, Simon ARMBRUSTER, Sebastian REISS
  • Patent number: 8558327
    Abstract: A micromechanical component having a conductive substrate, a first conductive layer provided above the substrate and that forms, above a cavity provided in the substrate, an elastically deflectable diaphragm region of monocrystalline silicon and an adjacent peripheral region, a circuit trace level provided above the first conductive layer in a manner that is electrically insulated from the first conductive layer, the circuit trace level having above the diaphragm region a first electrode region and having above the peripheral region a first connection region electrically connected to the same, and a second conductive layer that is provided above the circuit trace level, the second conductive layer having above the diaphragm region a second electrode region that is electrically insulated from the first electrode region, and having above the peripheral region a second connection region electrically insulated from the second electrode region and electrically connected to the first connection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kathrin Knese, Heribert Weber, Simon Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8530261
    Abstract: A method for producing a component having at least one diaphragm formed in the upper surface of the component, which diaphragm spans a cavity, and having at least one access opening to the cavity from the back side of the component, at least one first diaphragm layer and the cavity being produced in a monolithic semiconductor substrate from the upper surface of the component, and the access opening being produced in a temporally limited etching step from the back side of the substrate. The access opening is placed in a region in which the substrate material comes up to the first diaphragm layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Kathrin Knese, Hubert Benzel, Gregor Schuermann, Simon Armbruster, Christoph Schelling
  • Patent number: 8519494
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical diaphragm structure having access from the rear of the substrate includes: n-doping at least one contiguous lattice-type area of a p-doped silicon substrate surface; porously etching a substrate area beneath the n-doped lattice structure; producing a cavity in this substrate area beneath the n-doped lattice structure; growing a first monocrystalline silicon epitaxial layer on the n-doped lattice structure; at least one opening in the n-doped lattice structure being dimensioned in such a way that it is not closed by the growing first epitaxial layer but instead forms an access opening to the cavity; an oxide layer being created on the cavity wall; a rear access to the cavity being created, the oxide layer on the cavity wall acting as an etch stop layer; and the oxide layer being removed in the area of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Marcus Ahles, Armin Grundmann, Kathrin Knese, Hubert Benzel, Gregor Schuermann, Simon Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8492855
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing a micromechanical capacitive pressure transducer and a micromechanical component produced by this method. First, a first electrode is produced in a doped semiconductor substrate. In a further method step, a diaphragm with a second electrode is produced at the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, it is provided to apply a first layer, which preferably is made of dielectric material, on the diaphragm and the semiconductor substrate. With the aid of this first layer, the diaphragm and the semiconductor substrate of the finished micromechanical capacitive pressure transducer are mechanically connected to one another directly or indirectly. Furthermore, a buried cavity is produced in the semiconductor substrate between the first and second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Patent number: 8492850
    Abstract: A method for producing a silicon substrate, including the steps of providing a silicon substrate having an essentially planar silicon surface, producing a porous silicon surface having a plurality of pores, in particular having macropores and/or mesopores and/or nanopores, applying a filling material that is to be inserted into the silicon, which has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the pores, inserting the filling material into the pores and removing the excess filling material form the silicon surface, if necessary, and tempering the silicon substrate that is furnished with the filling material that has been filled into the pores, at a temperature between ca. 1000° C. and ca. 1400° C., in order to close the generated pores again and to enclose the filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Franz Laermer, Silvia Kronmueller, Paul Farber, Simon Armbruster, Ralf Reichenbach, Christoph Schelling, Ando Feyh
  • Patent number: 8470631
    Abstract: A simple and economical method for manufacturing very thin capped MEMS components. In the method, a large number of MEMS units are produced on a component wafer. A capping wafer is then mounted on the component wafer, so that each MEMS unit is provided with a capping structure. Finally, the MEMS units capped in this way are separated to form MEMS components. A diaphragm layer is formed in a surface of the capping wafer by using a surface micromechanical method to produce at least one cavern underneath the diaphragm layer, support points being formed that connect the diaphragm layer to the substrate underneath the cavern. The capping wafer structured in this way is mounted on the component wafer in flip chip technology, so that the MEMS units of the component wafer are capped by the diaphragm layer. The support points are then cut through in order to remove the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Kathrin Knese, Hubert Benzel, Karl-Heinz Kraft, Simon Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8389327
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing chips (1, 2), in which at least one diaphragm (11, 12) is produced in the surface layer of a semiconductor substrate (10) spanning a cavity (13). The functionality of the chip (1, 2) is then integrated into the diaphragm (11, 12). In order to separate the chip (1, 2), the diaphragm (11, 12) is detached from the substrate composite. The method according to the present invention is characterized by metal plating of the back of the chip (1, 2) in an electroplating process before the chip is separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Matthias Boehringer, Stefan Pinter, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Frieder Haag, Simon Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8334534
    Abstract: A sensor includes at least one micro-patterned diode pixel that has a diode implemented in, on, or under a diaphragm, and the diaphragm in turn being implemented above a cavity. The diode is contacted via supply leads that are implemented at least in part in, on, or under the diaphragm, and the diode is implemented in a polycrystalline semiconductor layer. The diode is implemented by way of two low-doped diode regions or at least one low-doped diode region. At least parts of the supply leads are implemented by way of highly doped supply lead regions of the shared polycrystalline semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Reinmuth, Neil Davies, Simon Armbruster, Ando Feyh
  • Patent number: 8217476
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component and the micromechanical component produced thereby. This component is preferably a diaphragm or a diaphragm layer which is independently produced for the purpose of subsequent assembly with other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kraft, Simon Armbruster, Arnim Hoechst
  • Publication number: 20120132925
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided which includes the following steps: a crystalline semiconductor substrate (1) is supplied; a porous region (10) is provided adjacent to a surface (OF) of the semiconductor substrate (1); a dopant (12) is introduced into the porous region (10) from the surface (OF); and the porous region (10) is thermally recrystallized into a crystalline doping region (10?) of the semiconductor substrate (1) whose doping type and/or doping concentration and/or doping distribution are/is different from those or that of the semiconductor substrate (1). A corresponding semiconductor structure is likewise provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Franz Laermer, Silvia Kronmueller, Paul Farber, Simon Armbruster, Ralf Reichenbach, Christoph Schelling, Ando Feyh
  • Patent number: 8148234
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided which includes the following operations: supplying a crystalline semiconductor substrate, providing a porous region adjacent to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, introducing a dopant into the porous region from the surface, and thermally recrystallizing the porous region into a crystalline doping region of the semiconductor substrate whose doping type and/or doping concentration and/or doping distribution are/is different from those or that of the semiconductor substrate. A corresponding semiconductor structure is likewise provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Franz Laermer, Silvia Kronmueller, Paul Farber, Simon Armbruster, Ralf Reichenbach, Christoph Schelling, Ando Feyh
  • Publication number: 20120068356
    Abstract: A component having a via includes: (i) a first layer having a first via portion, a first trench structure, and a first surrounding layer portion, the first via portion being separated by the first trench structure from the first surrounding layer portion; (ii) a second layer having a second via portion, a second trench structure, and a second surrounding layer portion, the second via portion being separated by the second trench structure from the second surrounding layer portion; (iii) an insulation layer disposed between the first and the second layer, the insulation layer having an opening so that the first and the second via portions of the first and the second layers are directly connected to one another in the region of the opening. The first via portion and the second surrounding layer portion at least partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Marcus Ahles, Jochen Reinmuth, Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20110169107
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a component is described. In a first manufacturing step a base structure having a substrate, a diaphragm, and a cavern region is provided. The diaphragm is oriented substantially parallel to a main plane of extension of the substrate. The cavern region is situated between the substrate and the diaphragm, and has an access opening. In a second manufacturing step, a first conductive layer is provided at least partially in the cavern region, in particular on a second side of the diaphragm facing the substrate, perpendicularly to the main plane of extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Stefan Pinter, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Frieder Haag, Simon Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20110151620
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing chips (1, 2), in which at least one diaphragm (11, 12) is produced in the surface layer of a semiconductor substrate (10) spanning a cavity (13). The functionality of the chip (1, 2) is then integrated into the diaphragm (11, 12). In order to separate the chip (1, 2), the diaphragm (11, 12) is detached from the substrate composite. The method according to the present invention is characterized by metal plating of the back of the chip (1, 2) in an electroplating process before the chip is separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Matthias Boehringer, Stefan Pinter, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Frieder Haag, Simon Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20110147864
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical diaphragm structure having access from the rear of the substrate includes: n-doping at least one contiguous lattice-type area of a p-doped silicon substrate surface; porously etching a substrate area beneath the n-doped lattice structure; producing a cavity in this substrate area beneath the n-doped lattice structure; growing a first monocrystalline silicon epitaxial layer on the n-doped lattice structure; at least one opening in the n-doped lattice structure being dimensioned in such a way that it is not closed by the growing first epitaxial layer but instead forms an access opening to the cavity; an oxide layer being created on the cavity wall; a rear access to the cavity being created, the oxide layer on the cavity wall acting as an etch stop layer; and the oxide layer being removed in the area of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Marcus Ahles, Armin Grundmann, Kathrin Knese, Hubert Benzel, Gregor Schuermann, Simon Armbruster