Micro mirror device and projector employing the same

• US 6,880,936 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Shin, Hyung-jae
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Judy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sever, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US10/259,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20040114110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 353/98, 353/99, 353 30- 33, 348/771, 348755-758, 359290-292, 359/295, 359/298, 359872-874, 359/876, 359/877, 359/881
• US Class Current: 353/99
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066

Abstract

A micro mirror device having a micro mirror that can slant with regard a plurality of rotation axes, and a projector employing such a micro mirror device, are provided. This micro mirror device includes a substrate; a plurality of address electrodes formed on the substrate, and a bias electrode for making the micro mirrors slant with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, together with the address electrodes; and a holding plate including a central portion for supporting a second post that supports the micro mirrors and at least one spring hinges transforming elastically when the micro mirrors slant with regard to the rotation axes, the holding plate held by first posts of predetermined numbers which are formed on the bias electrode. The projector includes a light source for illuminating light; a light separator for branching light output from the light source into several beams according to a wavelength region, and reflecting or transmitting the beams at different angles; a micro mirror device for forming an image by rotating a micro mirror, which slants with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, in a predetermined direction or at a predetermined angle, and by selectively reflecting the beams separated from the light separator; and a projection lens unit for magnifying and transmitting beams output from the micro mirror device, so that the beams travel toward a screen.

Claims

1. A micro mirror device capable of individually controlling a plurality of micro mirrors, the micro mirror device comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of address electrodes formed on the substrate, and a bias electrode for making the micro mirrors slant with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, together with the address electrodes; and

a holding plate including a rigid portion having a polygonal or round shape and held by first posts which are formed on the bias electrode, a central portion for supporting a second post that supports the micro mirrors and at least one spring hinges transforming elastically when the micro mirrors slant with regard to the rotation axes, the holding plate held by first posts which are formed on the bias electrode, and the rigid portion enclosing the central portion.

2. The micro mirror device of claim 1, wherein the address electrodes are aligned to face each corners of the micro mirrors.

3. The micro mirror device of claim 2, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion in the diagonal direction of the micro mirror.

4. The micro mirror device of claim 2, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned parallel to each side of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.

5. The micro mirror device of claim 4, wherein spring hinges extend from each side of the central portion.

6. The micro mirror device of claim 2, wherein the holding plate comprises stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

7. The micro mirror device of claim 1, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.

8. The micro mirror device of claim 1, wherein at least one spring hinge positioned parallel to a side of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.

9. The micro mirror device of claim 1, wherein the holding plate includes stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

10. The micro mirror device of claim 1, wherein the address electrodes are positioned parallel to each side of the micro mirror.

11. The micro mirror device of claim 10, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.

12. The micro mirror device of claim 10, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned parallel to a side of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.

13. The micro mirror device of claim 12, wherein the spring hinges extend from the sides of the central portion.

14. The micro mirror device of claim 10, wherein the holding plate comprises stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

15. A micro mirror device capable of individually controlling a plurality of micro mirrors, the micro mirror device comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of address electrodes formed on the substrate, and a bias electrode for making the micro mirrors slant with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, together with the address electrodes; and

a holding plate including a rigid portion held by first post which are formed on the bias electrode, a central portion for supporting a second post that supports the micro mirror, at least one spring hinge connected between the rigid portion and the central portion, the spring hinge transforming elastically when the micro mirror slants with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, and the rigid portion enclosing the central portion.

16. The micro mirror device of claim 15, wherein the address electrodes are aligned to face each corners of the micro mirror.

17. The micro mirror device of claim 16, wherein the at least one spring hinge has the same restoring force with regard to the rotation axes.

18. The micro mirror device of claim 17, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of or parallel to a side of the micro mirror.

19. The micro mirror device of claim 18, wherein the spring hinges extend from each side of the central portion.

20. The micro mirror device of claim 18, wherein the holding plate comprises stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

21. The micro mirror device of claim 15, wherein the address electrodes are aligned to face each side of the micro mirror.

22. The micro mirror device of claim 21, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of or parallel to a side of the micro mirror.

23. The micro mirror device of claim 22, wherein the spring hinges extend from each side of the central portion.

24. The micro mirror device of claim 22, wherein the rigid portion is polygonal shaped.

25. The micro mirror device of claim 24, wherein the rigid portion comprises stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

26. A projector comprising:

a light source for illuminating light;

a light separator for branching light output from the light source into several beams according to a wavelength region, and reflecting or transmitting the beams at different angles;

a micro mirror device for forming an image by rotating a micro mirror, which slants with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, in a predetermined direction or at a predetermined angle, and by selectively reflecting the beams separated from the light separator; and

a projection lens unit for magnifying and transmitting beams output from the micro mirror device, so that the beams travel toward a screen,

wherein the micro mirror device comprises;

a substrate;

a plurality of micro mirrors operating individually;

a plurality of address electrodes formed on the substrate;

a bias electrode for making the micro mirrors slant with regard to a plurality of rotation axes, by the interaction with the address electrodes; and

a holding plate including a rigid portion and held by first posts which are formed on the bias electrode, a central portion for supporting a second post that supports the micro mirror, and at least one spring hinge connected between the rigid portion and the central portion, the spring hinge transforming elastically when the micro mirror slant with regard to the rotation axes, and the rigid portion enclosing the central portion.

27. The projector of claim 26, wherein the address electrodes are aligned to face each corner of the micro mirror.

28. The projector of claim 27, wherein at least spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of or parallel to a side of the micro mirror.

29. The projector of claim 28, wherein the spring hinges extend from each side of the central portions.

30. The projector of claim 28, wherein the rigid portion comprises stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

31. The projector of claim 26, wherein the address electrodes are aligned to face each side of the micro mirror.

32. The projector of claim 31, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of or parallel to a side of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.

33. The projector of claim 32, wherein the spring hinges extend from each side of the central portion.

34. The projector of claim 32, wherein the rigid portion comprises stoppers for preventing the inclination of the micro mirror beyond a predetermined angle.

35. The projector of claim 26, wherein at least one spring hinge is positioned in the diagonal direction of or parallel to a side of the micro mirror with regard to the central portion.