Patent ID: 7482728
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: H02N,H04N

Abstract:
1. An electrostatic actuator, comprising: a first substrate equipped with a first stator electrode and a first dielectric film covering the first stator electrode; a second substrate equipped with a second stator electrode and a second dielectric film covering the second stator electrode, the second stator electrode being positioned to face the first stator electrode; a movable part having first and second surfaces that are positioned to face the first and second stator electrodes, respectively, the movable part being provided with first and second movable electrodes formed on the first and second surfaces of the movable part, respectively; and a driving circuit including a switching circuit which selectively sets one of wherein the switching circuit is so switched as to apply a first potential to each of the first movable electrode and the second stator electrode and also apply a second potential differing from the first potential to the first stator electrode during the first moving mode in which the movable part is moved toward the first substrate, apply the first potential to each of the second movable electrode and the first stator electrode and also apply the second potential to the second stator electrode during the second moving mode in which the movable part is moved toward the second substrate, keep one or both of the first stator electrode, and the first movable electrode in an electrical floating state during the first holding mode in which the movable part is kept attached to the first substrate, and intermittently apply the first potential to the first movable electrode and apply the second potential to the first stator electrode to maintain the first holding mode, and keep one or both of the second stator electrode and the second movable electrode to be electrically floated in an electrical floating state during the second holding mode in which the movable part is kept attached to one of the first and second substrates, and intermittently apply the first potential to the second movable electrode and apply the second potential to the second stator electrode to maintain the second holding mode.