Patent ID: 9550665
Date: 2017-01-24
CPC Classifications: B81B,B81C,H01G,H02N

Claim:
1. A MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) device comprising: a bottom plate structure supporting conductive electrodes, including at least first, second and third electrodes; a conductive top plate supported by spring structures affixed to peripheral portions of the top plate, wherein the top plate is generally aligned parallel with the first, second and third electrodes; and electrode drive circuitry for: applying a first level of a drive voltage signal between the top plate and each of the first, second and third electrodes, to produce an attractive electrostatic force between the top plate and each of the first, second and third electrodes, sufficient to flex the spring structures and draw the top plate against each of the first, second and third electrodes; and sequentially applying a second level of the drive voltage signal between the top plate and successive ones of the first, second and third electrodes, to sequentially remove the attractive electrostatic force between the top plate and successive ones of the first, second and third electrodes sufficient to allow the spring structures to sequentially peel the peripheral portions away from the first, second and third electrodes.