Actuator having an asymmetric rigid structure for changing an optical beam path and method for driving the same

• US 5,917,647 A
• Filed: 07/07/1998
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yoon, Yong-seop
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURKE, MARGARET A
• Application Number:
  US09/111,589
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 359/223, 359/224, 359/290, 359/291, 359/295, 359/298, 359/318, 359/849, 359/871
• US Class Current: 359/298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means

Abstract

An actuator having an asymmetric rigid structure for changing an optical beam path. The actuator has a base plate installed in a cover, first electrodes installed on an upper surface of the base plate by evaporation, a driving electrode disposed between the first electrodes, a pair of support plates each installed on a respective one of the first electrodes for receiving a voltage from the first electrodes, a reflecting plate disposed between the pair of support plates for reflecting an incident beam emitted from a beam source, and asymmetric members connected to the reflecting plate for adjusting an incident path of the incident beam and an inclination angle of a reflection beam with respect to the incident beam. The actuator can easily adjust the incident path of the incident beam and an inclination angle of the reflection beam with respect to the incident beam by asymmetrically inclining the reflecting plate. The actuator has only one driving electrode so that the driving conduit thereof is simply formed and reliable operation thereof is be attained.

Claims

1. An actuator having an asymmetric rigid structure for changing an optical beam path, the actuator comprising:

a base plate installed in a cover;

a pair of first electrodes installed on an upper surface of the base plate by evaporation;

a driving electrode disposed between the pair of first electrodes;

a pair of support plates each installed on a respective first electrode for receiving a voltage from the first electrode;

a reflecting plate for reflecting an incident beam emitted from a beam source, the reflecting plate being disposed between the pair of support plates; and

first and second springs which are each respectively connected to one of the support plates and the reflecting plate for adjusting an incident path of the incident beam and an inclination angle of a reflection beam with respect to the incident beam, the first and second springs having a different coefficient of stiffness from each other.

2. The actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the first and second springs are different from one another so that when a static electricity is generated between the driving electrode and the reflecting plate, the incident path of the incident beam and the inclination angle of the reflecting beam are variably adjusted.

3. The actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflecting plate has a point of incidence for receiving an incident beam, wherein the point of incidence is closer to said first spring than to said second spring.

4. The actuator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first spring has a higher coefficient of stiffness than said second spring.

5. The actuator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second spring has a higher coefficient of stiffness than said first spring.

6. A method of driving an actuator having an asymmetric rigid structure for changing a path of an incident beam and an inclination angle of a reflection beam with respect to the incident beam, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) applying a voltage to first electrodes which are installed on a base plate, by evaporation, in such a manner that the voltage is transmitted to a reflecting plate which reflects the incident beam;

(b) generating a static electricity between the reflecting plate and a driving electrode by applying voltage to the driving electrode which is installed between the first electrodes;

(c) making an inclination angle by inclining the reflecting plate towards the one of a pair of asymmetric members connected to the reflecting plate, having a larger amount of deformation than the other;

(d) projecting the reflection beam at an angle by introducing the incident beam into the reflecting plate;

(e) shutting off the voltage applied to the first electrodes and driving electrode thereby removing a difference of an electric potential between the driving electrode and the reflecting plate; and

(f) returning the reflecting plate to a horizontal position thereof by a restoring force of the asymmetric members.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein step (c) further comprises a step of changing, with respect to each other, the positions of the asymmetric members connected to the reflecting plate thereby adjusting the inclination angle of the reflecting plate.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein step (d) further includes projecting the reflection beam at an acute angle by introducing the incident beam into the reflecting plate from the side of the reflecting plate closer to the asymmetric member having the larger amount of deflection.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein step (d) further includes projecting the reflection beam at an obtuse angle by introducing the incident beam into the reflecting plate from the side of the reflecting plate closer to the asymmetric member having the smaller amount of deflection.