ACTIVE MATRIX DEVICE, ELECTROOPTIC DISPLAY, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

• US 20090121989A1
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: NAMOSE, Isamu
• Application Number:
  US12/254,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20090121989A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/85
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1368 in which the switching element is a three-electrode device G02F1/136277 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/40 Arrangements for improving the aperture ratio
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/36 Micro- or nanomaterials
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 59/0009 making use of micromechanics

Abstract

An active matrix device includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes provided above a surface of the substrate; a plurality of switching elements provided so as to correspond to the pixel electrodes, each switching element including: a fixed electrode coupled to one of the pixel electrodes; a movable electrode provided so as to come into contact with or depart from the fixed electrode; and a drive electrode provided so as to be opposed to the movable electrode with an electrostatic gap therebetween; a plurality of first wiring lines coupled to the movable electrodes; and a plurality of second wiring lines coupled to the drive electrodes. Application of a voltage between the movable electrode and the drive electrode generates electrostatic attraction therebetween. The movable electrode is moved by the electrostatic attraction so that the movable electrode comes into contact with the fixed electrode so as to establish continuity between the first wiring line and the corresponding pixel electrode. At least space between the movable electrode and the drive electrode of each of the switching elements is filled with liquid crystal.

Claims

1. An active matrix device comprising:

a plurality of pixel electrodes provided above a surface of a substrate;

a plurality of switching elements provided so as to correspond to the pixel electrodes, each switching element including;

a fixed electrode coupled to one of the pixel electrodes;

a movable electrode provided so as to come into contact with or depart from the fixed electrode; and

a drive electrode provided so as to be opposed to the movable electrode with an electrostatic gap therebetween;

a plurality of first wiring lines coupled to the movable electrodes; and

a plurality of second wiring lines coupled to the drive electrodes, wherein

application of a voltage between the movable electrode and the drive electrode generates electrostatic attraction therebetween, and the movable electrode is moved by the electrostatic attraction so that the movable electrode comes into contact with the fixed electrode so as to establish continuity between the corresponding first wiring line and the corresponding pixel electrode, and

at least space between the movable electrode and the drive electrode of each of the switching elements is filled with liquid crystal.

2. The active matrix device according to claim 1, further comprising

a plurality of storages provided in the switching elements, each storage storing the movable electrode, the drive electrode, and the fixed electrode and being filled with the liquid crystal.

3. The active matrix device according to claim 2, wherein

a liquid crystal layer is provided on sides of the pixel electrodes opposite to sides thereof facing the switching elements, and

the liquid crystal filling the storages is of a type identical to a type of liquid crystal included in the liquid crystal layer.

4. The active matrix device according to claim 3, wherein

the liquid crystal layer communicates with the storages.

5. The active matrix device according to claim 1, wherein

the liquid crystal is non-conductive and mold-releasable.

6. The active matrix device according to claim 5, wherein

the liquid crystal is fluoro liquid crystal.

7. The active matrix device according to claim 1, wherein

the fixed electrode, the movable electrode, and the drive electrode are disposed so that the movable electrode comes into contact with the fixed electrode with the movable electrode and the drive electrode kept separated.

8. The active matrix device according to claim 7, wherein

the movable electrode is supported in a cantilever manner so that a free end thereof is moved,

the fixed electrode is provided so as to be opposed to the free end of the movable electrode, and

the drive electrode is provided so as to be opposed to a portion of the movable electrode closer to a fixed end of the movable electrode than a portion of the movable electrode to which the fixed electrode is opposed.

9. The active matrix device according to claim 1, wherein

the pixel electrodes are provided in positions different from positions of the switching elements in a thickness direction of the substrate as well as provided so as to cover the corresponding switching elements in a plan view.

10. The active matrix device according to claim 1, wherein

the first wiring lines are provided in parallel with each other along the substrate,

the second wiring lines intersect the first wiring lines as well as are provided in parallel with each other along the substrate, and

the switching elements are provided near intersections of the first wiring lines and second wiring lines.

11. An electrooptic display comprising

the active matrix device according to claim 1.

12. An electronic apparatus comprising

the electrooptic display according to claim 11.