Patent ID: 6781281
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
An electrostatic actuator comprising:a first statical member having an electrode array comprising at least three groups of activating electrodes periodically deployed in a first direction; a second statical member facing the first statical member and having an electrode extending in the first direction; a movable piece provided between the first and second statical members; and a switching circuit configured to apply a first voltage to cause a potential difference between at least one of the at least three groups of activating electrodes and the movable piece and also configured to apply a second voltage to cause a potential difference between the electrode of the second statical member and the movable niece, the first voltage being applied to sequentially switch a destination of an applied voltage from at least one of the at least three groups of activating electrodes to another group in the first direction, and the second voltage being intermittently applied while the first voltage is applied, wherein the potential difference caused by applying the first voltage between the activating electrodes and the movable piece is larger than the potential difference caused by applying the second voltage between the electrode of the second statical member and the movable piece.