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).

  • Patent number: 7918136
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor element (1) is provided, which has a sealed diaphragm (2) affixed in a frame (3), exhibits high sensitivity at high overload resistance and has a small size, and which allows a piezoresistive measured-value acquisition. To this end, at least one carrier element (4), which is connected to the frame (3) via at least one connection link (5), is formed in the region of the diaphragm (2). Furthermore, piezoresistors (6) for detecting a deformation are situated in the region of the connection link (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Muchow, Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster, Christoph Schelling
  • Publication number: 20110002359
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster, Arnim Hoechst, Christoph Schelling, Ando Feyh
  • Publication number: 20110001200
    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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kraft, Simon Armbruster, Arnim Hoechst
  • Patent number: 7858424
    Abstract: A method for producing a sensor array including a monolithically integrated circuit is described as well as a sensor array. This sensor array has a micromechanical sensor structure, in which a first partial structure which is associated with the sensor structure is produced at the same time as a second partial structure which is associated with the circuit, a process variation of the first partial structure being performed in order to adjust a structure property of the sensor structure while the second partial structure remains the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster
  • Patent number: 7843025
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a micromechanical semiconductor element includes providing on a semiconductor substrate a patterned stabilizing element having at least one opening. The opening is arranged such that it allows access to a first region in the semiconductor substrate, the first region having a first doping. Furthermore, a selective removal of at least a portion of the semiconductor material having the first doping out of the first region of the semiconductor substrate is provided. In addition, a membrane is produced above the first region using a first epitaxy layer applied on the stabilizing element. In a further method step, at least a portion of the first region is used to produce a cavity underneath the stabilizing element. In this manner, the present invention provides for the production of the patterned stabilizing element by means of a second epitaxy layer, which is applied on the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Frank Schaefer, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Publication number: 20100267183
    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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Kathrin Knese, Hubert Benzel, Karl-Heinz Kraft, Simon Armbruster
  • Patent number: 7755152
    Abstract: A method for producing a micromechanical diaphragm sensor includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region, a diaphragm, and a cavity that is located at least partially below the diaphragm. Above at least one part of the first region, a second region is generated in or on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, with at least one part of the second region being provided as crosspieces. The diaphragm is formed by a deposited sealing layer, and includes at least a part of the crosspieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Frank Schaefer, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Publication number: 20100164027
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Torsten Kramer, Kathrin Knese, Hubert Benzel, Gregor Schuermann, Simon Armbruster, Christoph Schelling
  • Publication number: 20100164023
    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: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kathrin Knese, Heribert Weber, Simon Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20100140618
    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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Jochen Reinmuth, Neil Davies, Simon Armbruster, Ando Feyh
  • Publication number: 20100035068
    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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Hubert Benzel, Matthias Illing, Franz Laermer, Silvia Kronmueller, Paul Farber, Simon Armbruster, Ralf Reichenbach, Christoph Schelling, Ando Feyh
  • Patent number: 7647832
    Abstract: A micromechanical device and a method for producing this device are provided, the device having a sensor pattern that includes a spring pattern and a seismic mass. The seismic mass may be connected to the substrate material via the spring pattern, and a clearance may be provided in a direction perpendicular to the major substrate plane between the spring pattern and the substrate material. Alternatively, the spring pattern and the seismic mass may have a common, essentially continuous, front side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Muchow, Hubert Benzel, Markus Lang, Regina Grote, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Volkmar Senz
  • Publication number: 20090256219
    Abstract: A method for producing a micromechanical diaphragm sensor includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region, a diaphragm, and a cavity that is located at least partially below the diaphragm. Above at least one part of the first region, a second region is generated in or on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, with at least one part of the second region being provided as crosspieces. The diaphragm is formed by a deposited sealing layer, and includes at least a part of the crosspieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Hubert BENZEL, Frank Schaefer, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Publication number: 20090236610
    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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: 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: 7572661
    Abstract: Described is a method for manufacturing a micromechanical sensor element and a micromechanical sensor element manufactured in particular using such a method which has a hollow space or a cavity and a membrane for detecting a physical variable. Different method steps are performed for manufacturing the sensor element, among other things, a structured etch mask having a plurality of holes or apertures being applied on a semiconductor substrate. Moreover, an etch process is used to create depressions in the semiconductor substrate beneath the holes in the structured etch mask. Anodization of the semiconductor material is subsequently carried out, the anodization taking place preferably starting from the created depressions in the semiconductor substrate. Due to this process, porous areas are created beneath the depressions, a lattice-like structure made of untreated, i.e., non-anodized, substrate material remaining between the porous areas and the depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Stefan Finkbeiner, Matthias Illing, Frank Schaefer, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Patent number: 7569412
    Abstract: A method for producing a micromechanical diaphragm sensor includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region, a diaphragm, and a cavity that is located at least partially below the diaphragm. Above at least one part of the first region, a second region is generated in or on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, with at least one part of the second region being provided as crosspieces. The diaphragm is formed by a deposited sealing layer, and includes at least a part of the crosspieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Frank Schaefer, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Publication number: 20090142873
    Abstract: A method for producing a sensor array including a monolithically integrated circuit is described as well as a sensor array. This sensor array has a micromechanical sensor structure, in which a first partial structure which is associated with the sensor structure is produced at the same time as a second partial structure which is associated with the circuit, a process variation of the first partial structure being performed in order to adjust a structure property of the sensor structure while the second partial structure remains the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20090127640
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a micromechanical semiconductor element includes providing on a semiconductor substrate a patterned stabilizing element having at least one opening. The opening is arranged such that it allows access to a first region in the semiconductor substrate, the first region having a first doping. Furthermore, a selective removal of at least a portion of the semiconductor material having the first doping out of the first region of the semiconductor substrate is provided. In addition, a membrane is produced above the first region using a first epitaxy layer applied on the stabilizing element. In a further method step, at least a portion of the first region is used to produce a cavity underneath the stabilizing element. In this manner, the present invention provides for the production of the patterned stabilizing element by means of a second epitaxy layer, which is applied on the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Hubert Benzel, Frank Schaefer, Simon Armbruster, Gerhard Lammel, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Publication number: 20090101997
    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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster, Christoph Schelling, Joerg Brasas
  • Publication number: 20090084182
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor element (1) is provided, which has a sealed diaphragm (2) affixed in a frame (3), exhibits high sensitivity at high overload resistance and has a small size, and which allows a piezoresistive measured-value acquisition. To this end, at least one carrier element (4), which is connected to the frame (3) via at least one connection link (5), is formed in the region of the diaphragm (2). Furthermore, piezoresistors (6) for detecting a deformation are situated in the region of the connection link (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Joerg Muchow, Hubert Benzel, Simon Armbruster, Christoph Schelling