Comb-drive actuator

The present invention relates to an actuator, and more particularly to a vertical comb-drive actuator.

Recently, devices manufactured by Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) processing technology are extensively used in the fields of motion sensor and actuator applications, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, or micro scanning mirrors which are composed of a plurality of micro structures with a variety of different design aspects, wherein the micro scanning mirrors are widely applicable to light reflection applications.

Please refer to FIGS. 1A through 1D . FIG. 1A is a partial schematic three-dimensional view of a conventional vertical comb-drive actuator 100 ; FIG. 1B is a partial schematic top view of the conventional actuator 100 in the FIG. 1A ; and FIGS. 1C through 1D are schematic cross-sectional views of the actuator 100 along the line A-A′ when a voltage signal is applied to the conventional actuator.

The actuator 100 includes a support base 102 and a movable body 104 . The stationary electrodes 102 a of the support base 102 are interdigitated with the movable electrodes 104 a of the movable body 104 , as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B . When a power supply 103 provides a voltage signal to the support base 102 and the movable body 104 , an electrical potential difference is established between the support base 102 and the movable body 104 . The electrical potential difference generates an electrostatic force between the stationary electrodes 102 a and the movable electrodes 104 a , which includes the component “Fx” along direction “x” and the component “−Fz” along negative direction of “z” to cause a horizontal displacement in “x” direction and a rotational motion about a rotation axis 105 of the movable body 104 , as shown in FIGS. 1B through 1D .

Specifically, the electrostatic force component “Fx” exerted on the movable body 104 induces horizontal displacement of the movable body 104 along the positive direction “+x” which is perpendicular to the rotation axis 105 . In other words, the electrostatic force component “Fx” pulls the edge portions 106 of the movable electrodes 104 a of the movable body 104 toward a root portion 108 of the stationary electrodes 102 a . The electrostatic force “−Fz” is used to drive the movable body 104 to enable its vertical displacement along the negative direction of “z” which is perpendicular to the rotation axis 105 and the positive direction “x”, and also to enable the clockwise rotation of movable body 104 about rotation axis 105 , as shown in FIGS. 1B through 1D .

In FIGS. 1B through 1D , the electrostatic force “Fx” exerted on the movable body 104 will induce horizontal displacement of the movable body 104 along the positive direction “+x” during rotation which leads to poor motion quality of the movable body 104 . Excessive horizontal displacement of the movable body 104 will cause electrical short between the movable electrodes 104 a and the stationary electrodes 102 a as the edge portions 106 of the movable electrodes 104 a electrically contact the stationary electrodes 102 a of the support base 102 during rotation, which will lead to damage of the actuator 100 .

Consequently, there is a need to develop a novel vertical comb-drive actuator to solve the problems of the poor motion quality and the electrical short problem caused by excessive horizontal displacement during rotation motion of the movable body 104 .

One objective of the present invention is to provide a vertical comb-drive actuator which reduces the horizontal displacement when the movable body rotates and also improves the rotation motion quality of the movable body.

According to the above objective, the present invention sets forth a vertical comb-drive actuator. The comb-drive actuator comprises: a support base, for setting up at least one first comb electrode and a first surface wherein the at least one first comb electrode extends from the first surface; and a movable body attached to the support base, including up at least one second comb electrode and a second surface wherein the at least one second comb electrode extends from the second surface. The movable body is allowed to rotate about a rotation axis and the at least one first comb electrode is interdigitated with the at least one second comb electrode; wherein the at least one second comb electrode extends along a first direction, the rotation axis extends along a second direction, the at least one first comb electrode extends along a third direction, the distance between a first lateral face of the first comb electrode of the support base and the second surface is shorter than a second length between the end surface of the second comb electrode of the movable body and the second surface, and the first lateral face along the first direction is disposed between a second lateral face of the first comb electrode and the end surface along the first direction.

In one embodiment, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are different directions.

In one embodiment, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

In one embodiment, when the movable body is not rotated in rest position, a first length of the first comb electrode along the first direction is shorter than the second length of the second comb electrode along the first direction and the first length is defined as the distance between the first lateral face and the second lateral face.

In one embodiment, when the movable body is not rotated in rest position, the distance between the first lateral face of the first comb electrode of the support base and the second surface is shorter than the second length between the end surface of the second comb electrode of the movable body and the second surface.

In one embodiment, when the movable body is not rotated in rest position, the areas of the first comb electrode and the second comb electrode projected onto the plane defined by the first direction and the third direction are either partially overlapped or not overlapped.

In one embodiment, when the movable body is rotated about the rotation axis, a first length of the at least one first comb electrode along the first direction is shorter than the second length of the at least one second comb electrode along the first direction.

In one embodiment, while the movable body is rotated about the rotation axis, the first lateral face of the at least one first comb electrode along the first direction is disposed between the lower edge of the end surface of the at least one second comb electrode and the second lateral face of the at least one first comb electrode wherein the lower edge is approaching the first lateral face of the at least one first comb electrode.

In one embodiment, the support base further comprises at least one third comb electrode extending from the first surface, and the distance between a third lateral face of the third comb electrode and the second surface of the second comb electrode is greater than the second length between the end surface of second comb electrode and the second surface.

In one embodiment, the first length of the at least one first comb electrode is shorter than a third length of the at least one third comb electrode along the first direction wherein the third length is defined as the distance between a third lateral face and a second lateral face of the third comb electrode along the first direction.

In one embodiment, the support base comprises two sets of the first comb electrode units, each set of the first comb electrode unit comprises a plurality of first comb electrodes, and the two sets of the first comb electrode units are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis respectively.

In one embodiment, the movable body comprises two sets of the second comb electrode units, each set of the second comb electrode units comprises a plurality of second comb electrodes and the two sets of the second comb electrode units are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis respectively.

In one embodiment, an electrical potential difference is applied between one of the two sets of the first comb electrode units and one of the two sets of the second comb electrode units to drive the movable body to rotate about the rotation axis.

In one embodiment, a periodically electrical potential difference is applied between the two sets of the first comb electrode units and the two sets of the second comb electrode units to drive the movable body to rotate about the rotation axis in a bidirectional and reciprocal oscillation motion.

In one embodiment, the two sets of the first comb electrode units on the opposite sides of the rotation axis are electrically isolated.

In one embodiment, the movable body is attached to the support base by torsion bars such that the movable body is allowed to rotate about the rotation axis of the torsion bars.

In one embodiment, the end surfaces of the at least one second comb electrodes are connected to each other.

In one embodiment, in two adjacent second comb electrodes, the second surface and the end surface of at least two adjacent comb electrodes of the second comb electrodes form a closed region.

In one embodiment, a first distance between the first lateral face of the first comb electrode and a third surface is equal to a second distance between the second lateral face of the first comb electrode and the second surface and wherein the third surface is opposite to the first lateral face inside the closed region.

In one embodiment, a first distance between the first lateral face of the first comb electrode and a third surface is not equal to a second distance between the second lateral face of the first comb electrode and the second surface and wherein the third surface is opposite to the first lateral face inside the closed region.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a comb-drive actuator, comprising a support base, comprising at least one first comb electrode, a first surface wherein the at least one first comb electrode extends from the first surface; and a movable body attached to the support base and comprising at least one second comb electrode and a second surface wherein the at least one second comb electrode extends from the second surface wherein the movable body is allowed to rotate about a rotation axis and the at least one second comb electrode is interdigitated with the at least one first comb electrode; wherein the at least one second comb electrode extends along a first direction, the rotation axis extends along a second direction, the at least one first comb electrode extends along a third direction, a distance between a first lateral face of the first comb electrode of the support base and a second surface is shorter than a second length defined as the distance between an end surface of the second comb electrode of the movable body and the second surface, and the first lateral face is disposed between a second lateral face of the first comb electrode and the end surface along the first direction; wherein the support base further comprises at least one third comb electrode extending from the first surface, and a distance between a third lateral face of the third comb electrode and the second surface is longer than the second length between the end surface of second comb electrode and the second surface.

In one embodiment, the first length of the at least one first comb electrode along the first direction is shorter than a third length of the at least one third comb electrode wherein the third length is defined as the distance between a third lateral face and a second lateral face of the third comb electrode along the first direction.

In one embodiment, the support base comprises two sets of the first comb electrode units, each set of the first comb electrode units comprises a plurality of first comb electrodes and the two sets of the first comb electrode units are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis, and two sets of the third comb electrodes units, each set of the third comb electrode units comprises a plurality of third comb electrodes and the two sets of the third comb electrode units are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis, respectively.

In one embodiment, the movable body comprises two sets of the second comb electrode units, each set of the second comb electrode unit comprises a plurality of second comb electrodes and the two sets of the second comb electrode units are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis respectively.

In one embodiment, the two sets of the first comb electrode units are electrically isolated for electrodes located on the opposite sides of the rotation axis, and the two sets of the third comb electrode units are electrically isolated for electrodes located on the opposite sides of the rotation axis.

In one embodiment, an electrical potential difference is applied between one of the two sets of the first comb electrode units and one of the two sets of the third comb electrode units, and one of the two sets of the second comb electrode units to drive the movable body to rotate about the rotation axis.

In one embodiment, a periodically varying electrical potential difference is applied between the two sets of the first comb electrode units and the two sets of the third comb electrode units, and the two sets of the second comb electrode units to drive the movable body to rotate about the rotation axis in a bidirectional and reciprocal oscillation motion.

FIG. 1A is a partial schematic three-dimensional view of a conventional vertical comb-drive actuator;

FIG. 1B is a partial schematic top view of the conventional actuator in the FIG. 1A ;

FIGS. 1C -ID are schematic cross-sectional views of the actuator along line A-A′ of FIG. 1B when a voltage signal is applied to the conventional actuator;

FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a vertical comb-drive actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a partial schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator in rest position along the line B-B′ in FIG. 3B according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a partial schematic three-dimensional view of the comb-drive actuator in a rotated status with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3E is a partial schematic cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ in FIG. 3D of the comb-drive actuator in a rotated status with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3F depicts a relationship between the rotation angle of the movable body and the component of the electrostatic driving force along direction x, “Fx” of the comb-drive actuator when an electrical potential difference is applied to the comb-drive actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a partial schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator in FIG. 4A according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator along the line C-C′ in FIG. 4B when the movable body is in rest position according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a partial schematic three-dimensional view of the comb-drive actuator in a rotated status with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator in a rotated status along the line C-C′ in FIG. 4D with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4F illustrates a relationship between the rotation angle of the movable body and the component of electrostatic driving force along the direction “x”, “Fx” when an electrical potential difference is applied to the comb-drive actuator according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only to provide examples of possible structures and arrangements for the disclosed embodiments. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, directional terms described by the present invention, such as upper, lower, front, back, left, right, inner, outer, side, etc., are only directions by referring to the accompanying drawings, and thus the used directional terms are used to describe and understand the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the drawings, the same reference symbol represents the same or a similar component.

Please refer to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B . FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a vertical comb-drive actuator 200 a according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of the comb-drive actuator 200 a in FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a partial schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator 200 a in FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The comb-drive actuator 200 a comprises a support base 202 and a movable body 204 . The support base 202 includes at least a plurality of first comb electrodes 206 a wherein defined as a first comb electrode unit 207 . For example, twenty-four first comb electrodes 206 a , but not as a limitation, in FIG. 2 are regarded as a first comb electrode unit 207 . The movable body 204 is attached or connected to the support base 202 through a pair of torsion bars 212 wherein the pair of torsion bars 212 defines a rotation axis 208 which is parallel to and/or align with the pair of torsion bars 212 . The movable body 204 includes at least a plurality of second comb electrodes 206 b wherein defined as a second comb electrode unit 209 . For example, twenty second comb electrodes 206 b , but not as limitation, in FIG. 2 are regarded as a second comb electrode unit 209 . The movable body 204 may rotate about the rotation axis 208 and the second comb electrode unit 209 is interdigitated with the first comb electrode unit 207 correspondingly.

Specifically, the support base 202 and the movable body 204 of the comb-drive actuator 200 a in FIGS. 3A and 3B are electrically isolated such that the first comb electrodes 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b are electrically isolated. In one case, the support base 202 is electrically isolated from the movable body 204 with an electrical isolation region 210 wherein the first comb electrode unit 207 disposed on the opposite sides of the pair of torsion bars 212 are also electrically isolated from each other. Furthermore, a portion of the movable body 204 serves as an electrode contact pad 211 which is electrically connected to the pair of torsion bars 212 . When a first power supply 213 a and a second power supply 213 b are applied to the support base 202 and the movable body 204 , electrical potential differences between the first comb electrodes 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b are established and electrostatic forces are generated on the comb-drive actuator 200 a such that the movable body 204 may rotate about the rotation axis 208 relative to the support base 202 . For example, the first power supply 213 a applies a voltage signal V 1 to the first comb electrode unit 207 located to the left of the pair of torsion bars 212 and the second power supply 213 b applies a voltage signal V 2 to the first comb electrode units 207 located to the right of the pair of torsion bars 212 wherein the difference between the voltage signals V 1 and V 2 is equal to the electrical potential difference and the electrical common ground of the first power supply 213 a and the second power supply 213 b is electrically connected to the electrode contact pad 211 . It should be noted that the first power supply 213 a and the second power supply 213 b in FIG. 3A may be capable of outputting at least one set of different voltage signals V 1 and V 2 .

In the present invention, the electrostatic driving torque “T” of the comb-drive actuators 200 a , 200 b and 200 c is proportional to the change of the overlapping area “A” over the relative rotation angle “θ” of the interdigitated comb electrodes. The electrostatic driving torque “T” may be expressed by the following equation (1):

wherein “T” is the electrostatic driving torque generated by applying electrical potential difference to the comb electrode unit located to the left-hand side (voltage signal V 1 ) and to the comb electrode unit located to the right-hand side (voltage signal V 2 ) of the rotation axis 208 such that the movable body 204 may be rotated relative to the support base 202 ; “A” is the overlapped area of the interdigitated comb electrodes; and “θ” is the rotation angle of the movable body 204 relative to the support base 202 .

As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3E of the present invention, the first comb electrodes 206 a of the support base 202 remains in a retracted status relative to the second comb electrode 206 b in the “x” direction whether the second comb electrode 206 b of the movable body 204 is in rest position or in a rotated status when a voltage signal is applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 a . The retracted position of the first comb electrodes 206 a is capable of reducing the component of the electrostatic force along the “x” direction exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b such that the displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b along the “x” direction is minimized and the quality of rotation motion of the movable body 204 is improved. Furthermore, the potential electrical short problem between the second comb electrode unit 209 and first comb electrode unit 207 due to excessive motion in the “x” direction is avoided.

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator 200 a in rest position along the line B-B′ in FIG. 3B according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3D is a partial schematic three-dimensional view of the comb-drive actuator 200 a in a rotated status with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 a according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3E is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator 200 a in a rotated status along the line B-B′ in FIG. 3D with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 a according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A , the support base 202 includes two sets of the first comb electrode units 207 , i.e. four units in total, wherein each set of the first comb electrode unit 207 comprises a plurality of first comb electrodes 206 a . The two sets of the first comb electrode units 207 are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis 208 respectively, and are electrically isolated from each other. The movable body 204 comprises two sets of the second comb electrode units 209 , i.e. four units in total, wherein each set of the second comb electrode unit 209 comprises a plurality of the second comb electrodes 206 b and the two sets of the second comb electrode units 209 are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis 208 respectively. The two sets of the first comb electrode units 207 are interdigitated with the two sets of the second comb electrode units 209 correspondingly. It should be noted that the numbers of the first comb electrode unit 207 and the second comb electrode unit 209 are not limited to two.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C , the support base 202 includes at least a first comb electrode 206 a and a first surface 214 a wherein the first comb electrode 206 a extends perpendicularly from the first surface 214 a . The movable body 204 is attached to but electrically isolated from the support base 202 wherein the movable body 204 includes at least a second comb electrode 206 b and a second surface 214 b wherein the second comb electrode 206 b extends perpendicularly from the second surface 214 b . The movable body 204 is allowed to rotate about the rotation axis 208 and the first comb electrode 206 a is interdigitated with the second comb electrode 206 b.

Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C , the second comb electrode 206 b extends along a first direction “x”, the rotation axis 208 extends along a second direction “y” and the first comb electrode 206 a extends along a third direction “z”. As shown in FIG. 3C , the first length L 1 is defined as the distance between a first lateral face 220 a and a second lateral face 220 b of the first comb electrode 206 a along the first direction “x”, and the second length L 2 is defined as the distance between the end surface 218 and the second surface 214 b of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. The first length L 1 of the first comb electrode 206 a is shorter than the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. When the movable body 204 is not rotated in a rest position, the distance between the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrode 206 a of the support base 202 and the second surface 214 b of the second comb electrode 206 b is shorter than the second length L 2 wherein the first lateral face 220 a is disposed between the second lateral face 220 b and the end surface 218 . In other words, the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrode 206 a retracts a distance D 1 from the end surface 218 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. In one embodiment, the first direction “x”, the second direction “y”, i.e. the rotation axis 208 , and the third direction “z” are in different directions, i.e. not collinear. Preferably, the first direction “x”, the second direction “y” and the third direction “z” are perpendicular to each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3C , when the movable body 204 is in rest position and not rotated, the areas of both the first comb electrode 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto the plane “xz” defined by the first direction “x” and the third direction “z” are either partially overlapped or not overlapped. When the movable body 204 is in rest position, a reference interval 216 is defined as the gap between the first comb electrode 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b along the third direction “z”, as shown in FIG. 3C . If the reference interval 216 is greater than or equal to zero, it represents that the area of the first comb electrode 206 a and the area of the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto the plane “xz” are not overlapped, and if the reference interval 216 is smaller than zero, it represents that the areas of the first comb electrode 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto the plane “xz” are partially overlapped.

In FIG. 3B to FIG. 3E , when the movable body 204 is rotated from zero degree (rest position) to θ degrees about the rotation axis 208 , the first length L 1 of the first comb electrode 206 a is disposed within the projection region of the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b if viewing from the second direction “y”. In one preferred embodiment, while the movable body 204 is rotated about the rotation axis 208 , the first lateral face 220 a is disposed between a lower edge “E” of the end surface 218 and the second lateral face 220 b along the first direction “x” wherein the lower edge “E” is approaching the first comb electrode 206 a . During rotation of the movable body 204 , the first comb electrodes 206 a are interdigitated with the second comb electrodes 206 b such that the areas of the first comb electrodes 206 a and the second comb electrodes 206 b projected onto pane “xz” are partially overlapped. The second comb electrode 206 b is driven by an electrostatic force with component “−Fx” along the negative direction of the first direction “x” and component “−Fz” along the negative direction of the third direction “z” to rotate the movable body 204 clockwise about the rotation axis 208 . It should be noted that the electrostatic force component “−Fx” and the electrostatic force component “−Fz” may vary with the rotation angle “θ”. In FIG. 3E , the electrostatic force component “−2Fx” indicates the sum of the electrostatic force components in the first direction “x” exerted on the second comb electrodes 206 b . As shown in FIG. 3B , the electrostatic force components “−2Fx” exerted on one single second comb electrode 206 b represents the sum of the electrostatic force component “−Fx” along the first direction “x” generated from the two adjacent first comb electrodes 206 a . The electrostatic force component “−Fz” indicates that the sum of the electrostatic force components exerted on the second comb electrodes 206 b in the third direction “z”.

FIG. 3F depicts a relationship between the rotation angle “θ” of the movable body 204 and the electrostatic force component “Fx” when an electrical potential difference is applied to the vertical comb-drive actuator 200 a . The first curve 222 represents that the retracted distance D 1 of the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrodes 206 a is two length units, e.g. micro-meter (μm). In one case, if the rotation angle “θ” is between 2 to 6 degrees, the electrostatic force component “Fx” is within the range of 1.2×10 −7 to 5.5×10 −7 force units, e.g. micro Newton (μN). The second curve 224 represents that the retracted distance D 1 of the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrodes 206 a is twelve length units, e.g. micro-meter (μm). In one case, if the rotation angle “θ” is between 2 through 6 degrees, the electrostatic force component “Fx” is within the range of −1.2×10 −7 to −2.5×10 −7 force units, e.g. micro Newton (μN). In a conventional actuator whose end surface of the first comb electrode is without retracting a distance, the electrostatic force component “Fx” is within the range of 2×10 −7 to 6.5×10 −7 force units as shown in the curve 110 . Since the electrostatic force component “Fx” of the first curve 222 and second curve 224 is lower than that of the curve 110 in the same rotation angle “θ”, the comb-drive actuator 200 a in this embodiment advantageously reduces the electrostatic force component “Fx” along the first direction “x”, and even change its direction, as shown in the second curve 224 , to minimize the horizontal displacement and improve the rotation motion quality of the movable body 204 .

In one embodiment, a constant electrical potential difference between the first comb electrode unit 207 and the second comb electrode unit 209 is applied to drive the movable body 204 to rotate about the rotation axis 208 wherein the first comb electrode units 207 disposed on the opposite sides of the pair of torsion bars 212 (shown in FIG. 3A ) are electrically isolated. In another embodiment, an electrical potential difference varying periodically between the first comb electrode unit 207 and the second comb electrode unit 209 may be applied to drive the movable body 204 to oscillate about the rotation axis 208 in bidirectional motion. For example, the electrical potential difference varying periodically is a specific periodical waveform signal for controlling the trajectory of the reciprocal oscillation motion of the movable body 204 .

Based on the aforementioned descriptions, the first comb electrodes 206 a of the support base 202 remains in a retracted status in “x” direction whether the second comb electrode 206 b of the movable body 204 is in rest position or in rotated position relative to the first comb electrodes 206 a . When applying a voltage signal to the comb-drive actuator 200 a , the retracted first comb electrodes 206 a is capable of reducing the electrostatic force component along a specific direction, e.g. horizontal direction “x” exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b and minimizing the displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b in the specific direction so as to improve the quality of rotation motion of the movable body 104 .

FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of the vertical comb-drive actuator 200 b according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a partial schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator 200 b in FIG. 4A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The comb-drive actuator 200 b comprises a support base 202 and a movable body 204 . The support base 202 includes at least one first comb electrode 206 a (e.g. twelve first comb electrodes 206 a , but not limited thereto) and at least one third comb electrode 206 c (e.g. twelve third comb electrodes 206 c , but not limited thereto) wherein a plurality of the first comb electrodes 206 a (e.g. twelve first comb electrodes 206 a ) and a plurality of the third comb electrodes 206 c (e.g. twelve third comb electrodes 206 c ) are defined as a first comb electrode unit 207 . The movable body 204 is connected to the support base 202 through a pair of torsion bars 212 wherein the pair of torsion bars 212 defines a rotation axis 208 which is parallel to and/or overlapped with the pair of torsion bars 212 . The movable body 204 includes at least one second comb electrode 206 b wherein a plurality of second comb electrodes 206 b are defined as a second comb electrode unit 209 . As shown in FIG. 4A , twenty second comb electrodes 206 b , not limited to, are regarded as one second comb electrode unit 209 . The movable body 204 may be rotated about the rotation axis 208 and the second comb electrode unit 209 is interdigitated with the first comb electrode unit 207 correspondingly.

Specifically in the comb-drive actuator 200 b in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the support base 202 is electrically isolated from the movable body 204 such that both the first comb electrodes 206 a and the third comb electrodes 206 c are electrically isolated from the second comb electrode 206 b . In one embodiment, the support base 202 is electrically isolated from the movable body 204 with an electrical isolation region 210 wherein the first comb electrode unit 207 disposed on the opposite sides of the pair of torsion bars 212 are electrically isolated. Furthermore, a portion of the movable body 204 serves as an electrode contact pad 211 which is electrically connected to the pair of torsion bars 212 . When a first power supply 213 a and a second power supply 213 b are applied to the support base 202 and the movable body 204 , electrical potential differences are established between the first comb electrodes 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b , and electrostatic force are generated on the comb-drive actuator 200 b such that the movable body 204 may rotate about the rotation axis 208 relative to the support base 202 . For example, the first power supply 213 a applies a voltage signal V 1 to the first comb electrode unit 207 located to the left of the pair of torsion bars 212 and the second power supply 213 b applies a voltage signal V 2 to the first comb electrode unit 207 located to the right of the pair of torsion bars 212 wherein the difference between the voltage signals V 1 and V 2 is equal to the electrical potential difference and the electrical common ground of the first power supply 213 a and the second power supply 213 b is electrically connected to the electrode contact pad 211 . It should be noted that the first power supply 213 a and the second power supply 213 b in FIG. 4A may be capable of outputting at least one set of different voltage signals V 1 and V 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B of the present invention, the first comb electrodes 206 a of the support base 202 remains in a retracted status and the third comb electrodes 206 c of the support base 202 remains in an protruded status relative to the second comb electrode 206 b in the “x” direction whether the second comb electrode 206 b of the movable body 204 is in rest position or in a rotated status. If a voltage signal is applied to the comb-drive actuators 200 b , the combination of the retracted status of the first comb electrodes 206 a and the protruded status of the third comb electrodes 206 c is capable of reducing the electrostatic force component of the second comb electrode 206 b along a pre-determined direction, e.g. horizontal direction “x” such that the displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b along the pre-determined direction is minimized and the quality of rotation motion of the movable body 104 is improved. Furthermore, the potential electrical short problems between the second comb electrode 206 b and/or the third comb electrode 206 c , and the first comb electrode 206 a due to excessive horizontal displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b are avoided.

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator 200 b along the line C-C′ in FIG. 4B in rest position according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4D is a partial schematic three-dimensional view of the comb-drive actuator 200 b in a rotated status with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 b according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4E is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the comb-drive actuator 200 b along the line C-C′ in FIG. 4D in a rotated status with an electrical potential difference applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 b according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A , the support base 202 comprises two sets of the first comb electrode units 207 , i.e. four units in total, wherein each set of first comb electrode unit 207 comprises a plurality of first comb electrodes 206 a and a plurality of third comb electrodes 206 c . The two sets of the first comb electrode units 207 are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis 208 respectively, and are electrically isolated to each other. The movable body 204 comprises two sets of the second comb electrode units 209 , i.e. four units in total, wherein each set of the second comb electrode unit 209 comprises a plurality of the second comb electrodes 206 b , and the two sets of the second comb electrode units 209 are disposed on the opposite sides of the rotation axis 208 respectively. The two sets of the first comb electrode units 207 are interdigitated to the two sets of the second comb electrode units 209 correspondingly. It should be noted that the number of the first comb electrode units 207 and the second comb electrode units 209 are not limited to two.

In one embodiment, as shown of FIGS. 4B and 4C , the support base 202 includes at least one first comb electrode 206 a , at least one third comb electrode 206 c and a first surface 214 a wherein the first comb electrode 206 a and the third comb electrode 206 c extend perpendicularly from the first surface 214 a . The movable body 204 is attached to but electrically isolated from the support base 202 wherein the movable body 204 includes at least one second comb electrode 206 b and a second surface 214 b wherein the at least one second comb electrode 206 b extends perpendicularly from the second surface 214 b . The movable body 204 may be rotated about the rotation axis 208 and the at least one first comb electrode 206 a and the at least one third comb electrode 206 c are interdigitated with the at least one second comb electrode 206 b . The first length L 1 , defined as the distance between a first lateral face 220 a and a second lateral face 220 b of the first comb electrode 206 a along the first direction “x” is different from the third length L 3 , defined as the distance between a third lateral face 220 c and a second lateral face 220 b of the third comb electrode 206 c along the first direction “x”. The first lateral face 220 a is disposed between the second lateral face 220 b of the first comb electrode 206 a and the end surface 218 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”.

In FIGS. 4B and 4C , the second comb electrode 206 b extends along a first direction “x”, the rotation axis 208 extends along a second direction “y”, and the first comb electrode 206 a and the third comb electrode 206 c extend perpendicularly from the first surface 214 a along a third direction “z”. In one embodiment of FIG. 4C , the first length L 1 of the first comb electrode 206 a along the first direction “x” is shorter than the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”, and the third length L 3 of the third comb electrode 206 c along the first direction “x” is greater than or equal to the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. In another embodiment, the first length L 1 of the first comb electrode 206 a along the first direction “x” is shorter than the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”, and the third length L 3 of the third comb electrode 206 c along the first direction “x” is shorter than the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x” wherein the first length L 1 is shorter than the third length L 3 . When the movable body 204 is in rest position and not rotated, the distance between the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrode 206 a on the support base 202 and the second surface 214 b of the second comb electrode 206 b is shorter than the second length L 2 , defined as the distance between the end surface 218 of second comb electrode 206 b of the movable body 204 and the second surface 214 b . In other words, the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrode 206 a retracts a distance D 1 relative to the end surface 218 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. Furthermore, the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b is shorter than the distance between the third lateral face 220 c of the third comb electrode 206 c and the second surface 214 b of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. In other words, the third lateral face 220 c of the third comb electrode 206 c protrudes a distance D 2 relative to the end surface 218 of second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. In one embodiment, the first direction “x”, the second direction “y”, i.e. the rotation axis 208 , and the third direction “z” are in different directions, i.e. not collinear directions. Preferably, the first direction “x”, the second direction “y” and the third direction “z” are perpendicular to each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4C , when the movable body 204 is in rest position and not rotated, the areas of both the first comb electrode 206 a and the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto the plane “xz” defined by the first direction “x” and the third direction “z” are either partially overlapped or not overlapped. In addition, the areas of the third comb electrode 206 c and the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto the plane “xz” are either partially overlapped or not overlapped. When the movable body 204 is in rest position and not rotated, a reference interval 216 is defined as the gap between the first comb electrode 206 a (or the third comb electrode 206 c ) and the second comb electrode 206 b along the third direction “z”, as shown in FIG. 4C . If the reference interval 216 is greater than or equal to zero, it represents that the area of the first comb electrode 206 a (or the third comb electrode 206 c ) and the area of the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto plane “xz” are not overlapped, and if the reference interval 216 is smaller than zero, it represents that the area of the first comb electrode 206 a (or the third comb electrode 206 c ) and the area of the second comb electrode 206 b projected onto plane “xz” are partially overlapped.

In FIG. 4B to FIG. 4E , when the movable body 204 is rotated from zero degree (rest position) to θ degrees about the rotation axis 208 , the first length L 1 of the first comb electrode 206 a is disposed within the projection region of the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b if viewing from the second direction “y”. In one preferred embodiment, while the movable body 204 is rotated about the rotation axis 208 , the first lateral face 220 a is disposed between a lower edge “E” of the end surface 218 and the second lateral face 220 b along the first direction “x”. A portion of the third length L 3 of the third comb electrode 206 c is disposed within the projection region of the second length L 2 of the second comb electrode 206 b . The first comb electrodes 206 a and the third comb electrodes 206 c are interdigitated with the second comb electrodes 206 b respectively such that the area of the first comb electrodes 206 a and the area of the third comb electrodes 206 c projected onto plane “xz” are partially overlapped with the area of the second comb electrodes 206 b projected onto plane “xz”. The second comb electrode 206 b is driven by the electrostatic forces generated between the first comb electrodes 206 a and the second comb electrodes 206 b , and between the third comb electrodes 206 c and the second comb electrodes 206 b simultaneously wherein the resultant electrostatic force comprises a component “Fx” in the first direction “x” and a component “Fz” in the third direction “z”. The electrostatic forces are capable to drive the movable body 204 to rotate about the rotation axis 208 .

It should be noted that, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 4D through 4E , when the movable body 204 is rotated from zero degree to θ degree about the rotation axis 208 , the resultant electrostatic force may vary along with the rotation angle “θ”. In FIG. 4B , the electrostatic force “ΣFx” represents the sum of electrostatic force components exerted on the second comb electrodes 206 b in the first direction “x”. For example in region R 1 in FIG. 4B , one single second comb electrode 206 b is interdigitated with two adjacent first comb electrodes 206 a which is retracted by a distance D 1 relative to the end surface 218 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. When an electrical potential difference is applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 b , an electrostatic force component “−Fx2” in the first direction “x” is generated from each side of the second comb electrode 206 b so the sum of the electrostatic force components exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b in the first direction “x” is equal to “−2Fx2”. The minus sign indicates forces are in negative “x” direction. In region R 2 in FIG. 4B , one single second comb electrode 206 b is interdigitated with one adjacent first comb electrodes 206 a and one adjacent third comb electrodes 206 c , wherein the first comb electrode 206 a is retracted by a distance D 1 and the third comb electrode 206 c is protruded by a distance D 2 from the end surface 218 of second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. When an electrical potential difference is applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 b , an electrostatic force component “−Fx2” in the first direction “x” is generated from the lower side of the second comb electrode 206 b and an electrostatic force component “Fx1” in the first direction “x” is generated from the upper side of the second comb electrode 206 b . Therefore, the sum of the electrostatic force component exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b in the first direction “x” is “Fx1-Fx2”. In region R 3 of FIG. 4B , one single second comb electrode 206 b is interdigitated with two adjacent third comb electrodes 206 c , which are protruded by a distance of D 2 from the end surface 218 of the second comb electrode 206 b along the first direction “x”. When an electrical potential difference is applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 b , electrostatic force components “Fx1” in the first direction “x” are generated from the both side of the second comb electrode 206 b so the sum of the electrostatic force component exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b in the first direction “x” is equal to “2Fx1”. It should be noted that the quantities and the configurations of the first comb electrodes 206 a and the third comb electrodes 206 c may be optimized such that the sum of the electrostatic force components exerted on the second comb electrodes 206 b “ΣFx” along the first direction “x” is minimized.

FIG. 4F depicts a relationship between the rotation angle “θ” of the movable body 204 and the electrostatic force component “Fx” in the first direction “x” when an electrical potential difference is applied to the vertical comb-drive actuator 200 b . The third curve 226 represents that the retracted distance D 1 of the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrodes 206 a is twenty length units, e.g. micro-meter (μm). In one case, if the rotation angle “θ” is between 2 to 6 degrees, the electrostatic force component “Fx” is within the range of −2.0×10 −7 to −5.5×10 −7 force units, e.g. micro Newton (μN). The fourth curve 228 represents that the protruded distance D 2 of the third lateral face 220 c of the third comb electrodes 206 c is three length units, e.g. micro-meter (μm). In one case, if the rotation angle “θ” is between 2 to 6 degrees, the electrostatic force component “Fx” is within the range of 2.5×10 −7 to 8.5×10 −7 force units.

The fifth curve 230 represents the sum of the electrostatic force components “Fx” of the third curve 226 and of the fourth curve 228 along the first direction “x” in the corresponding rotation angle which is within the range of 0.5×10−7 to 3.0×10−7 force units as shown in FIG. 4F . In comparison with the third curve 226 and the fourth curve 228 , the electrostatic force component “Fx” of the fifth curve 230 is much closer to zero for rotation angle between 0 to 6 degrees. Therefore, the sum of the electrostatic force components “Fx” which affects the quality of the rotation motion of the movable body 204 is minimized. In comparison with a conventional vertical comb-drive actuator whose end surface of the first comb electrode is without retracting by a distance, the electrostatic force component “Fx” along the first direction is within the range between 2×10−7 to 6.5×10−7 force units for rotation angle between 2 to 6 degrees as shown in the second curve 112 . Under the same rotation angle “θ”, the sum of the electrostatic force components along the first direction “x” in the fifth curve 230 is substantially lower than that in the second curve 112 ; thus, the comb-drive actuator 200 b of the present invention is capable of reducing the sum of the electrostatic force components along the first direction “x” and minimizing the displacement of the movable body 204 along the first direction “x”. Therefore, the electrical short problem between the second comb electrodes 206 b and the first comb electrodes 206 a and the third comb electrodes 206 c due to excessive lateral displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b can be avoided.

In one embodiment, a constant electrical potential difference is applied between the first comb electrode unit 207 and the second comb electrode unit 209 to drive the movable body 204 to rotate about the rotation axis 208 wherein the first comb electrode units 207 disposed in the opposite sides of the pair of torsion bars 212 (shown in 4 A) are electrically isolated. In another embodiment, an electrical potential difference varying periodically between the first comb electrode unit 207 and the second comb electrode unit 209 may be applied to drive the movable body 204 to oscillate about the rotation axis 208 in bidirectional motion. For example, the electrical potential difference varying periodically is a specific periodical waveform signal for controlling the trajectory of the reciprocal oscillation motion.

Based on the aforementioned descriptions, the first comb electrodes 206 a of the support base 202 remains in a retracted status in “x” direction, and the third comb electrodes 206 c of the support base 202 remains in a protruded status in “x” direction whether the second comb electrode 206 b of the movable body 204 is in rest position or in a rotated position relative to the first comb electrodes 206 a . When applying a voltage signal to the comb-drive actuator 200 a , the retracted first comb electrodes 206 a and the protruded third comb electrodes 206 c are capable of reducing the electrostatic force component along a specific direction, e.g. horizontal direction “x” exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b and minimizing the displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b from the displacement in the specific direction so as to improve the quality of rotation motion of the movable body 104 . Therefore, the electrical short problem between the second comb electrodes 206 b and the first comb electrodes 206 a and the third comb electrodes 206 c due to excessive lateral displacement of the second comb electrode 206 b can be avoided.

FIG. 5 depicts a partial schematic top view of the comb-drive actuator 200 c according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The comb-drive actuator 200 c is similar to the comb-drive actuator 200 a in the first embodiment but the difference is that the second comb electrode 206 b in the third embodiment forms a closed region CR on the plane “xy” to surround a portion or all of the first comb electrodes 206 a . In other words, the end surfaces 218 of the second comb electrode 206 b are interconnected and located beyond the first lateral face 220 a of the first comb electrode 206 a in the first direction “x”. In FIG. 5 , the support base 202 includes at least one first comb electrode 206 a and a first surface 214 a wherein the first comb electrode 206 a extends perpendicularly from the first surface 214 a . The movable body 204 is mechanically attached to but electrically isolated from the support base 202 . The movable body 204 includes at least one second comb electrode 206 b and a second surface 214 b wherein the second comb electrode 206 b extends perpendicularly from the second surface 214 b . The movable body 204 is allowed to rotate about the rotation axis 208 and the first comb electrode 206 a is interdigitated with the second comb electrode 206 b . The end surfaces 218 of the second comb electrodes 206 b are connected to form a closed region CR between two adjacent second comb electrodes 206 b . Namely, viewing from the top of plane “xy”, two adjacent second comb electrodes 206 b , a second surface 214 b and an end surface 218 form a closed region CR which surrounds a portion or all of the first comb electrodes 206 a . As shown in FIG. 5 , the two outmost first comb electrodes 206 a in the support base 202 are disposed outside the closed region CR and the rest of four first comb electrodes 206 a are disposed within the closed region CR. In each closed region CR, when an electrical potential difference is applied to the comb-drive actuator 200 c , an electrostatic force component along the positive “x” direction “Fx1” and an electrostatic force component along the negative “x” direction “−Fx2” are generated and exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b from the neighboring first comb electrode 206 a . Thus, the sum of the electrostatic force components along the “x” direction exerted on the second comb electrode 206 b in one closed region CR is “(2Fx1-2Fx2)”. In one embodiment, if the first interval S 1 defined as the distance between the first lateral face 220 a and the third surface 214 c is equal to the second interval S 2 defined as the distance between the second lateral face 220 b and the second surface 214 b , the sum of the electrostatic force components “(2Fx-2Fx2)” is minimized to near zero. In another embodiment, if the first interval S 1 is not equal to (greater than or smaller than) the second interval S 2 , the sum of the electrostatic force components “(2Fx1-2Fx2)” may be reduced but may not approach to zero. For the third embodiment of the present invention, the sum of the electrostatic force components along the “x” direction and exerted on the second comb electrodes 206 b under various rotation angles is smaller than that of the conventional vertical comb-drive actuator.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended that they cover various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.