Reduction of Electrostatic Control Voltage with a Tri-Electrode Actuator

• Main Authors: Yu Zhou, Cyrus Shafai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-08-01
• Series: Proceedings
• Subjects: electrostatic actuator; tri-electrode topology; low voltage driving; FEM
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/1/4/282

We present a new tri-electrode topology for reducing the control voltage for electrostatic actuators. Conventional parallel plate actuators are dual-electrode systems, formed by the MEMS structure and the drive electrode. By placing a perforated intermediate electrode between these elements, a tri-electrode configuration is formed. This topology enables a low voltage on the intermediate electrode to modulate the electrostatic force on the MEMS device, while the higher voltage on the drive electrode remains fixed. Results presented show that in comparison to conventional parallel plate electrostatic actuators, the intermediate electrode’s modulating voltage can be as low as 20% of normal, while still providing the full actuation stroke.