A suspended micromachined structure including a proof mass and multiple
support arms configured to suspend the mass above a substrate. At least
one support arm may include two spring elements, each attached to the
substrate as well as to a rigid lateral element. Thus, there may be three
points of attachment along each lateral element. These points of
attachment create three effective flexure points along each rigid lateral
element that allow the proof mass to move with a great deal of freedom
axially, parallel to the substrate. The linearity of the spring constant
that acts on the proof mass may be improved.