Display apparatus with narrow gap electrostatic actuators

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for incorporating tip-gap adjustment features (TGAF) in actuators of shutter assemblies. The TGAF are incorporated into a drive beam of the actuator during the formation of the shutter assembly over a mold. The TGAF are configured such that they develop a mechanical stress or stress gradient. When the shutter assembly is released from the mold, the stress or stress gradient in the TGAF bend the drive beam such that a tip-gap between the drive beam and a load beam of the actuator is reduced. The reduced tip-gap, in turn, reduces an actuation voltage needed to actuate the shutter assembly.

Description

[0001] Related applications [0002] This patent application claims priority to US Utility Application Serial No. 13 / 800,151, filed March 13, 2013 and assigned to its assignee, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein, entitled "Display Apparatus with Narrow Gap Electrostatic Actuators." technical field [0003] This invention relates to the field of imaging displays, and in particular to imaging displays employing electrostatic display element actuators. Background technique [0004] Certain electromechanical systems (EMS) electrostatic actuators include opposing beams supported above a substrate. The voltage required to actuate such actuators depends in part on the minimum distance between the beams. For example, the voltage required to actuate the actuator decreases as the minimum distance between opposing beams decreases. In some embodiments of these actuators, the voltage required to actuate the actuator is reduced due to the inherent stress that th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] However, some manufacturing processes do not cause the beam to accumulate enough internal stress to produce this bending

Therefore, additional voltage may be required to actuate such actuators, resulting in a more power hungry and slower display

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