Patent ID: 7663289

Claim:
A method of moving an element having a planar lower surface using a micro electro-mechanical actuator, the method comprising: providing a planar substrate having a planar upper surface and a planar moveable flap formed therein, suspending the element above the substrate such that the lower surface of the element is disposed parallel to the upper surface of the substrate and is spaced apart therefrom by a constant distance; bringing a first portion of the planar movable flap into contact with the lower surface of the element; and, bringing a second portion of the flap into contact with the lower surface of the element such that the second portion of the flap is disposed against and substantially parallel to the lower surface of the element and causes the element to move laterally relative to the substrate; wherein the bringing of the first and second portions of the flap into contact with the surface are respectively effected through first and second electrostatic forces acting between the flap and the element, and the field strength of the second electrostatic force is greater than that of the first electrostatic force.