Micromechanical Component With Movable Parts Via Partial Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing micromechanical components are limited to static structures and do not allow for post-processing or the creation of movable components.
Innovation Solution
A method using a liquid starting material that can be cured by radiation, applied to a substrate, where the material is partially cured by a focused radiation source to create three-dimensional structures with cavities, allowing for the production of micromechanical components with movable parts and hydraulic actuators or sensors, and enabling post-processing through subsequent curing or conversion into a gas phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a liquid starting material is completely cured by irradiation to produce static micromechanical structures, then manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but adaptability and possibility of post-processing are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial curing by irradiation to only specific regions of the liquid starting material, leaving other regions uncured or partially cured. This allows the cured regions to provide structural stability while the uncured regions remain adaptable for post-processing and modification, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability
2Ease of manufacture
If the liquid starting material is removed completely after curing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to create movable parts and hydraulic components is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes only specific portions of the liquid starting material after partial curing, while retaining the liquid material in regions where movable parts and hydraulic components are desired. This selective removal enables both ease of manufacture for static structures and versatility for dynamic components
3Manufacturing precision
If a focused laser beam is used to cure the starting material point-by-point, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary partial curing to create the basic structural framework and cavities before complete curing. This allows the essential three-dimensional structure to be established with high precision through point-by-point writing, while the remaining liquid material can be quickly cured in bulk later, thereby improving overall productivity without sacrificing manufacturing precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of micromechanical components with movable parts and hydraulic functionality, allowing for complex geometries and enhanced mechanical stability, as well as quick and efficient curing of large components, while maintaining adaptability and elasticity.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid starting material, which can be cured by irradiation, is applied to a substrate, the starting material is cured by local irradiation with a first irradiation source
Implementation Method 2
the liquid starting material within the cavity can be subsequently converted into a gas phase
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a~7c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing micromechanical components (1), wherein a liquid starting material (2) which can be cured by means of irradiation is applied onto a substrate, and a partial volume (21) of the starting material is cured by means of a local irradiation process using a first radiation source in order to produce at least one three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure delimits at least one closed cavity (10), in which at least one part of the liquid starting material (2) is enclosed. The invention further relates to a micromechanical component that contains a liquid starting material (2), which is partly cured by means of irradiation, and at least one cavity (10), in which the liquid starting material (2) is enclosed.