Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A capacitive accelerometer sensor having a structure etched out of a conductive monocrystalline layer arranged on a substrate, comprising: a seismic mass movable in a longitudinal direction in a plane of the seismic mass in response to an occurrence of an acceleration; suspension segments coupling the seismic mass to the substrate, the suspension segments being coupled at first ends to the seismic mass and at second ends to the substrate, the suspension segments being coupled such that the seismic mass is movable in the longitudinal direction; parallel, plate-like first fingers extending from the seismic mass at substantially right angles to the longitudinal direction; plate-like second fingers, running parallel and opposed to the first fingers, and being coupled at first ends to the substrate; an isolation strip electrically isolating the second fingers and the suspension segments from a surrounding layer of the conductive monocrystalline layer; a passivation layer extending over the isolation strip and at least partially over the surrounding layer; and conductors arranged on the passivation layer and running across the isolation strip, the conductors being coupled to the second fingers and the suspension segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A capacitive accelerometer sensor having a structure etched out of a conductive monocrystalline layer arranged on a substrate, comprising: a seismic mass movable in a longitudinal direction in a plane of the seismic mass in response to an occurrence of an acceleration; suspension segments coupling the seismic mass to the substrate, the suspension segments being coupled at first ends to the seismic mass and at second ends to the substrate, the suspension segments being coupled such that the seismic mass is movable in the longitudinal direction; parallel, plate-like first fingers extending from the seismic mass at substantially right angles to the longitudinal direction; plate-like second fingers, running parallel and opposed to the first fingers, and being coupled at first ends to the substrate; an isolation strip electrically isolating the second fingers and the suspension segments from a surrounding layer of the conductive monocrystalline layer; a passivation layer extending over the isolation strip and at least partially over the surrounding layer; and conductors arranged on the passivation layer and running across the isolation strip, the conductors being coupled to the second fingers and the suspension segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the isolation strip is formed from a p-diffusion in a layer including n-type silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the isolation strip is formed by an at least partially filled trench, the trench being at least one of isotropically and anisotropically etched.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the trench is provided with an insulating layer prior to filling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the filling is composed of polycrystalline material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sensor according to claim 5, wherein the polycrystalline material is polysilicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one cross bar, for coupling the first ends of the second fingers, the at least one cross bar being formed as a first connection for the capacitor arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is etched away on a rear side in a middle region, such that a remaining frame area of the substrate is provided for retaining the second ends of the suspension segments and the first ends of the second fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is composed of p-type silicon, and the surrounding layer and the sensor structure are composed of n-type silicon.