Patent ID: 7092593

Claim:
A microactuator device comprising: (i) a magnetic field generating part which generates a magnetic field; (ii) a microactuator which comprises: a fixed part which includes a first electrode part; and a movable part which is movably disposed with respect to the fixed part, and which includes a second electrode part and a current path placed in the magnetic field; wherein an electrostatic force is generated between the second electrode part and the first electrode part when a voltage is applied across the second electrode part and the first electrode part, and the current path generates a Lorentz force when powered; wherein the movable part is movable between a first position in which the electrostatic force is increased and a second position in which the electrostatic force drops or disappears, and when the movable part is displaced from the second position, the movable part is urged by a return force to return to the second position; and wherein the current path is disposed so that a Lorentz force can be generated in a direction from the first position toward the second position, and in an opposite direction; and (iii) a control part which controls the voltage that is applied across the first and second electrode parts and the current that flows through the current path; wherein when the movable part is caused to move from the first position to the second position, the control part controls the current so that the Lorentz force is generated, and gradually decreases, in a direction extending from the second position toward the first position, at least while the movable part is moving from a point intennediate between the first position and the second position to a point in a vicinity of the second position.