Microactuator and method for controlling resonant frequency thereof

• US 6,144,545 A
• Filed: 04/24/1998
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Cho, Young-ho, Lee, Ki-bang, Song, Ci-moo
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US09/065,721
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 361/230-235, 200/181
• US Class Current: 361/233
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 1/008 Laterally driven motors, e.g. of the comb-drive type

Abstract

A microactuator is provided. The microactuator includes a substrate, a support fixed to an upper surface of the substrate, an elastic member connected to the support, an inertial member connected to the elastic member and spaced apart from the upper surface of the substrate by a predetermined distance, to be vibrated in a first direction parallel to the substrate, moving electrodes protruding from both sides of the inertial member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, fixed electrodes fixed on the substrate, facing the moving electrodes, spaced apart from the moving electrodes by a predetermined distance, and supplying an electrostatic repulsive force in the first direction to the moving electrodes when an electric potential is applied, common electrodes fixed on the substrate in the first direction, spaced apart from the moving electrodes and the fixed electrodes by a predetermined distance, and a power supply applying an electric potential to the moving electrodes, the fixed electrodes and the common electrodes.

Claims

1. A microactuator comprising:

a substrate;

a support fixed to an upper surface of the substrate;

an elastic member connected to the support;

an inertial member connected to the elastic member and spaced apart from the upper surface of the substrate by a predetermined distance, to be vibrated in a first direction parallel to the substrate;

moving electrodes protruding from both sides of the inertial member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

fixed electrodes fixed on the substrate, facing the moving electrodes, spaced apart from the moving electrodes by a predetermined distance, and supplying an electrostatic repulsive force in the first direction to the moving electrodes when an electric potential is applied;

common electrodes fixed on the substrate in the first direction, spaced apart from the moving electrodes and the fixed electrodes by a predetermined distance; and

a power supply applying an electric potential to the moving electrodes, the fixed electrodes and the common electrodes.

2. The microactuator of claim 1, wherein the power supply is connected to the moving electrode and the fixed electrode to apply the same electric potential to both.

3. The microactuator of claim 1, wherein the support, the elastic member, the inertial member and the moving electrodes are formed in one body.

4. The microactuator of claim 3, wherein the support, the elastic member, the inertial member and the moving electrodes are formed of an elastic and conductive material.

5. A microactuator comprising:

a substrate;

a support fixed to an upper surface of the substrate;

an elastic member connected to the support portion in a radial direction;

an annular inertial member supported by the elastic member, rotating and vibrating around the support;

a moving electrode protruding radially outward from the inertial member;

a fixed electrode fixed to the substrate, facing the moving electrode, spaced apart from the moving electrode by a predetermined distance, and supplying an electrostatic repulsive force to the moving electrode when an electric potential is applied;

a common electrode fixed to the substrate, spaced apart from the moving electrode and the fixed electrode by a predetermined distance; and

a power supply applying an electric potential to the moving electrode, the fixed electrode and the common electrode.

6. The microactuator of claim 5, wherein the power supply is connected to the moving electrode and the fixed electrode to apply the same electric potential to both.

7. The microactuator of claim 5, wherein the support, the elastic member, the inertial member and the moving electrode are formed in one body.

8. The microactuator of claim 7, wherein the support, the elastic member, the inertial member and the moving electrode are formed of an elastic and conductive material.

9. A method for controlling the resonant frequency of a microactuator including a substrate;

a support fixed to an upper surface of the substrate;

an elastic member connected to the support portion;

an inertial member connected to the elastic member to be vibrated parallel to the substrate;

a moving electrode protruding from the inertial member;

a fixed electrode fixed to the substrate, facing the moving electrode, spaced apart from the moving electrode by a predetermined distance, and supplying an electrostatic repulsive force to the moving electrode when an electric potential is applied;

a common electrode fixed to the substrate, spaced apart from the moving electrode and the fixed electrode by a predetermined distance; and

a power supply applying an electric potential to the moving electrode, the fixed electrode and the common electrode, comprising the steps of;

applying the same electric potential to the fixed electrode and the moving electrode, to form an electrostatic repulsive force therebetween; and

controlling the direct current voltage applied between the common electrode and both the fixed electrode and the moving electrode to change the resonant frequency of the inertial member.