WO2004099830A1 - Electrowetting module - Google Patents
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- WO2004099830A1 WO2004099830A1 PCT/IB2004/050563 IB2004050563W WO2004099830A1 WO 2004099830 A1 WO2004099830 A1 WO 2004099830A1 IB 2004050563 W IB2004050563 W IB 2004050563W WO 2004099830 A1 WO2004099830 A1 WO 2004099830A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- module
- fluid
- compound
- electrowetting
- dipole moment
- Prior art date
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- 150000001335 aliphatic alkanes Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- AUHZEENZYGFFBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N mesitylene Substances CC1=CC(C)=CC(C)=C1 AUHZEENZYGFFBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
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- OCJBOOLMMGQPQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,4-dichlorobenzene Chemical compound ClC1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1 OCJBOOLMMGQPQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- KPUWHANPEXNPJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N disiloxane Chemical class [SiH3]O[SiH3] KPUWHANPEXNPJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1 UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 3
- 150000001491 aromatic compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims 3
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims 3
- XKEFYDZQGKAQCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene Chemical compound ClC1=CC(Cl)=CC(Cl)=C1 XKEFYDZQGKAQCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- ZUOUZKKEUPVFJK-UHFFFAOYSA-N diphenyl Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1C1=CC=CC=C1 ZUOUZKKEUPVFJK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- SQNZJJAZBFDUTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N durene Chemical compound CC1=CC(C)=C(C)C=C1C SQNZJJAZBFDUTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- 150000002902 organometallic compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims 2
- HJUGFYREWKUQJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrabromomethane Chemical compound BrC(Br)(Br)Br HJUGFYREWKUQJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- 125000006527 (C1-C5) alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims 1
- QCKHVNQHBOGZER-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene Chemical compound BrC1=CC(Br)=C(Br)C=C1Br QCKHVNQHBOGZER-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- JHBKHLUZVFWLAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene Chemical compound ClC1=CC(Cl)=C(Cl)C=C1Cl JHBKHLUZVFWLAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- YWDUZLFWHVQCHY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,3,5-tribromobenzene Chemical compound BrC1=CC(Br)=CC(Br)=C1 YWDUZLFWHVQCHY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- SWJPEBQEEAHIGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,4-dibromobenzene Chemical compound BrC1=CC=C(Br)C=C1 SWJPEBQEEAHIGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- XJKSTNDFUHDPQJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,4-diphenylbenzene Chemical group C1=CC=CC=C1C1=CC=C(C=2C=CC=CC=2)C=C1 XJKSTNDFUHDPQJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- CPELXLSAUQHCOX-UHFFFAOYSA-M Bromide Chemical compound [Br-] CPELXLSAUQHCOX-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims 1
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims 1
- 235000010290 biphenyl Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004305 biphenyl Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims 1
- 150000004820 halides Chemical group 0.000 claims 1
- CAYGQBVSOZLICD-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexabromobenzene Chemical compound BrC1=C(Br)C(Br)=C(Br)C(Br)=C1Br CAYGQBVSOZLICD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- CKAPSXZOOQJIBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexachlorobenzene Chemical compound ClC1=C(Cl)C(Cl)=C(Cl)C(Cl)=C1Cl CKAPSXZOOQJIBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- YUWFEBAXEOLKSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexamethylbenzene Chemical compound CC1=C(C)C(C)=C(C)C(C)=C1C YUWFEBAXEOLKSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 claims 1
- 229930184652 p-Terphenyl Natural products 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002210 silicon-based material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- VXKWYPOMXBVZSJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetramethyltin Chemical compound C[Sn](C)(C)C VXKWYPOMXBVZSJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 32
- 230000005499 meniscus Effects 0.000 description 22
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
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- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 6
- DIOQZVSQGTUSAI-UHFFFAOYSA-N decane Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCC DIOQZVSQGTUSAI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
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- 125000001997 phenyl group Chemical group [H]C1=C([H])C([H])=C(*)C([H])=C1[H] 0.000 description 3
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- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- JTPNRXUCIXHOKM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-chloronaphthalene Chemical compound C1=CC=C2C(Cl)=CC=CC2=C1 JTPNRXUCIXHOKM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000026030 halogenation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005658 halogenation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- MYMSJFSOOQERIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-bromodecane Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCBr MYMSJFSOOQERIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoromethane Chemical compound FC NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B3/00—Simple or compound lenses
- G02B3/12—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
- G02B26/004—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
- G02B26/005—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid based on electrowetting
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B3/00—Simple or compound lenses
- G02B3/12—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses
- G02B3/14—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses of variable focal length
Definitions
- the invention relates to an electrowetting module, comprising a cavity, containing at least a first body of a first fluid and a second body of a second fluid, the two bodies being separated by an interface, and means for exerting a force on at least one of the bodies to change the position and/or shape of the interface.
- wetting techniques make it possible to manipulate a volume of a fluid along a predetermined path. With these techniques, the surface tension of said volume is locally altered (usually reduces), causing the volume to flow in the direction of its lowest surface tension.
- a fluid is a substance that alters its shape in response to any force, and includes gases, vapors, liquids and mixtures of solids and liquids, capable of flow.
- wettability of a surface by a certain fluid gives an indication of the ease with which said fluid may wet said specific surface, which may for instance depend on the nature of and/or the electric potential across said surface. If a surface has a "high wettability" by a specific fluid, this indicates that a droplet of said fluid in contact with said surface will have a rather expanded shape, with a relatively large contact area and a relatively small contact angle, usually less than about 90°. "Low wettability” indicates that the droplet in contact with said surface will have a rather contracted shape, with a relatively small contact area and a relatively large contact angle, usually exceeding about 90°.
- wetting is understood to encompass all techniques causing the surface tension of a volume, e.g. a droplet of a specific fluid to be locally varied, so as to influence the wetting behavior of said fluid with respect to a specific surface.
- the two fluids have desired properties, for example: densities as close as possible; low melting points; adapted viscosity; good electrowetting behavior; non poisonous; and, in case of an optical module, transparency and indices of refraction of a certain predetermined difference.
- an optical module is an electrowetting-based lens, also called an electrowetting lens, of which the focal distance can be changed.
- an electrowetting lens the interface between the two fluid bodies is a meniscus.
- the first fluid body is an electrically conducting and or polar liquid and the second fluid body is an electrically non-conducting liquid.
- the first liquid is, for example salted water and the second liquid is, for example an organic non-polar, water-immiscible liquid such as decane and silicone oil.
- the electrowetting optical module is provided with means for exerting an electrical force by means of which the shape and or the position of the meniscus can be shaped.
- electrowetting optical module examples include zoom lenses, diaphragms, diffraction gratings, filters and beam deflectors. Embodiments of these modules are described in PCT patent application no. IB03/00222 and in European patent applications nos. 020789309.2, 02080387.0 and 02080060.3.
- the electrowetting optical modules are very compact and may therefore be used with much advantage in devices, like optical disc scanning devices, mini cameras for a/o mobile phones, displays etc.
- optical power of an optical electrowetting module is determined by the curvature of the meniscus and the difference between the refractive index of the first liquid and that the second liquid.
- optical electrowetting modules which can produce large optical power variations. Since the maximum change in curvature of the meniscus is determined by the size of the electrowetting cell, the change in optical power that can be realized by the change of the curvature is limited for a given electrowetting lens. The problem of increased power thus should be solved in another way.
- Another electrowetting module is a motor which uses the electrowetting effect to manipulate a volume of fluid along a predetermined path, which fluid causes two motor elements to move relative to each other, as will be described later on.
- one of the bodies of fluids may be flattened due to centrifugal forces, if the densities of the first fluid and of the second fluid are not matched to each other. It is an object of the invention to provide an electrowetting module as defined in the opening paragraph, which module, if used as an optical module, allows varying the optical power over a larger range.
- the electrowetting module is characterized in that at least one of the fluids comprises a compound having a zero dipole moment in the gaseous phase. The dipole moment in the liquid phase is preferably also zero.
- the at least one of the fluids is preferably electrically non-conducting.
- This electrowetting module is based on the insight that it appeared to be possible to increase the refractive index and/or the density of a fluid suitable for electrowetting by using compounds which are substituted with atoms or groups which have a high atomic or molecular mass. Such atoms or groups often turn the non-polar molecules of the original fluid into polar molecules, due to differences in electro negativity. The symmetrical substitution of these atoms or groups removes the influence of electronegativity, so that thus substituted compounds can be used for electrowetting purposes.
- the optical power and the range of power variation can be increased. If the said compound is used as or included in the non-polar fluid in an electrowetting motor, it prevents flattening of the fluid.
- the at least one of the fluids comprises at least one of an alkane, a siloxane and a germoxane.
- These solvents have a low dipole moment.
- a compound having zero dipole moment is dissolved in such a solvent, a fluid suitable for electrowetting is obtained.
- the at least one of the fluids essentially comprises molecules having zero dipole moment.
- the compound having a zero dipole moment preferably contains symmetric molecules.
- Another aspect of the invention is that for an optical module the curvature of the meniscus can be decreased while maintaining the optical power. In this way the sensitivity for optical aberrations of the module can be reduced. Moreover the actuating voltage needed for a required change in the optical power can be reduced.
- an electrowetting lens with fluid bodies showing an increased refractive index difference is disclosed, for example by B. Berge and J. Peseux in Eur. Phys. J. E3, 159-163 (2000).
- the fluid bodies of this lens consist of water and chloronaphtalene respectively.
- This lens does not show good electrowetting behavior, especially not for DC voltages. It is now assumed that this is due to the fact that chloronaphthalene is an asymmetric molecule, having a certain dipole moment, which will influence the electrowetting behavior negatively.
- a group of compounds has been traced, which provide fluids or liquids with refractive indices and/or densities which are larger than known fluids and thus are very suitable to be used as or to be included in at least one of the fluids of the electrowetting module of the invention.
- Preferred compounds are defined in claims 2 to 7.
- a module comprising such a compound may be configured as an optical component, the first and said second fluid body having different refractive indices. In such an optical module the compound added to one of the fluids has a refractive index difference increasing effect.
- the first fluid body may be electrically conducting and/or polar
- the second fluid body may be electrically non-conducting and the module may be provided with means for exerting an electric force to change the position and/or shape of the meniscus-shaped interface.
- the difference in refractive index is from 0.05 to 0.3, preferably from 0.1 to
- the refractive index of said second, non-conducting body being larger than 1.4, preferably larger than 1.5, more preferably larger than 1.55.
- the second body has a low refractive index between 1.3 and 1.5, more specifically between 1.33 and 1.43.
- the first and second fluid bodies show a substantially similar density.
- Fig. 1 shows, in a cross-section through its optical axis, a known electrowetting lens in a non-activated state
- Fig. 2 shows such a lens in an activated state
- Fig. 3 shows a lens according to the invention in an activated state
- Figs 4a and 4b shows, in a cross-sectional view, an activated electrowetting motor at two different moments in time.
- Fig. 1 shows an electrowetting module constituting a variable focus lens.
- the element comprises a first cylindrical electrode 2 forming a capillary tube, sealed by means of a transparent front element 4 and a transparent rear element 6 to form a fluid chamber 8 containing two fluids.
- the electrode 2 may be a conducting coating applied on the inner walls of a tube.
- the two fluids consist of two non-miscible liquids in the form of an electrically insulating first liquid A, currently, for example a silicone oil or an alkane, and an electrically conducting second liquid B, currently, for example, water containing a salt solution.
- the first fluid A has a higher refractive index than the second fluid B.
- the first electrode 2 is a cylinder of inner radius typically between 1mm and 20mm.
- This electrode is formed of a metallic material and is coated by an insulating layer 10, formed for example of parylene.
- the insulating layer has a thickness of between 50 nm and 100 ⁇ m.
- the insulating layer is coated with a fluid contact layer 12, which reduces the hysteresis in the contact angle of the meniscus 14, i.e. the interface between the fluids A and B, with the cylindrical wall of the fluid chamber.
- the fluid contact layer is preferably formed from an amorphous fluorocarbon such as TeflonTM AF1600 produced by DuPontTM.
- the fluid contact layer 12 has a thickness between 5nm and 50 ⁇ m.
- a second, annular, electrode 16 is arranged at one side of the fluid chamber, in this case, adjacent the rear element 6.
- the second electrode is arranged with at least one part in the fluid chamber such that the electrode acts on the second fluid B.
- the two fluids A and B are non-miscible so as to tend to separate into two fluid bodies separated by a meniscus 14.
- the fluid contact layer 12 has a higher wettability with respect to the first fluid A than with respect to the second fluid B.
- Fig.l shows this lens configuration, i.e. the non-activated state of the electrowetting lens.
- the initial contact angle ⁇ between the meniscus and the fluid contact layer 12, measured in the fluid B is larger than 90°. Since the refractive index of the first fluid A is larger than the refractive index of the second fluid B, the lens formed by the meniscus, here called meniscus lens, has a negative power in this configuration.
- Fig. 2 shows the lens configuration if such a voltage from a source 17 is supplied to the lens, i.e. if the lens is in the activated state.
- the voltage is relatively high, for example between 150V and 250V and the meniscus has now a convex shape
- the maximum contact angle ⁇ between the meniscus and the fluid contact layer 12 is, for example of the order of 60°.
- the meniscus lens 1 in this configuration has a positive power and it focuses an incident beam b in a focal spot 18 at a certain distance d from the lens.
- IB03/00222 A zoom lens, which comprises at least two independently controllable interfaces between a higher refractive index liquid and lower refractive index fluid, is described in the European patent application no. 02079473.1 (PHNL021095).
- the optical power of the lens depends on the curvature of the meniscus and the difference in refractive indices between the conductive and non-conductive liquids, as can be seen in the following equation: ni_ - n 2
- S Wherein S is the optical power of the meniscus lens, r the radius of curvature of the meniscus, n 2 the refractive index of the non-conductive liquid A and i the refractive index of the conductive liquid B.
- the optical power change of an electrowetting lens depends on the difference in refractive indices between the conducting and non-conductive liquids and on the change in curvature of the meniscus. Since the maximum change in curvature is determined by the size of the electrowetting cell, the change in optical power caused by change in curvature is limited for a given electrowetting lens. Moreover a strong curvature of the meniscus introduces optical aberrations in the beam passing the electrowetting lens and requires a high control voltage. A larger optical power change can be achieved by enlarging the difference in refractive index between the conductive liquid and the non-conductive liquid.
- the non-conductive liquids currently used in electrowetting lenses e.g.
- At least one compound, which has a zero dipole moment in the gaseous phase is used as the non-conducting, or non-polar, liquid or solution A, or as a component in this liquid or solution.
- a compound which is substituted with atoms or groups having a higher molecular weight, an additional effect can be obtained in that its presence might increase the refractive index in the liquid A substantially, whilst the other requirements for the liquid, such as high transparency, non- miscibility with the other liquid or fluid B and a good electrowetting behavior still can be satisfied.
- This measure can be used to increase the range of power variations of a variable focus electrowetting lens having a given meniscus curvature or to reduce meniscus curvature of a variable focus lens having a given range of power variations. If used in an electrowetting zoom lens, the measure allows increasing the zoom factor. By not-increasing or decreasing the meniscus curvature the sensitivity for optical aberrations in the optical system of which the electrowetting lens forms is not increased or decreased, respectively. Moreover, the required actuation voltage to achieve a certain change in optical power is lower.
- Fig. 3 shows an electrowetting lens 20, which has the same construction and configuration as the lens of Fig.2, but is provided with a non-conducting fluid A' that comprises the said compound having a zero dipole moment in the gaseous phase, instead of the fluid A of Fig. 2.
- a control voltage that has the same level as the voltage supplied to the lens 1 of Fig. 2 is in the same and maintaining the level is that the focal spot 18' is situated at a distance d' from the lens, which is smaller than the distance d in Fig. 2.
- the meniscus shape is independent of orientation and thus of gravity.
- the shape will be perfectly spherical and independent of orientation if the densities of the liquids are equal. This requirement can also be satisfied in the electrowetting lens according to the invention.
- the selected compounds with zero dipole moments have refractive indices typically larger than 1.46, making them suitable for electrowetting lenses with large optical power range.
- the subset with a refractive index greater than 1.5 is particularly suited because they allow miniaturized zoom lenses for portable applications (for instance mobile phone) with a larger zoom factor.
- Even more preferred are the class of symmetric liquids or solutions with a benzene ring as the central molecule, thus symmetric, substituted benzene compounds, such as p-xylene, mesitylene and 1 ,4-dichlorobenzene. It is in this respect observed that it is known to increase the density of the second fluid by using modified molecules, the modification consisting of halogenation, for example.
- decane having a density of 0.73 g/cm 3
- 1- bromodecane has a density of 1.07 g/cm 3
- naphthalene having a density of 1.03 g/cm 3
- chloronaphthalene has a density of 1.63 g/cm 3 .
- the present compounds thus also comprise compounds having a central benzene ring.
- the benzene ring results in a high refractive index, compared with a corresponding aliphatic chain. Modification by halogenation of such compounds revealed that the compounds having an aliphatic chain had bad electrowetting properties due to the relatively large dipole moment.
- the invention may also be used in an electrowetting motor wherein use is made of the fact that the shape of the interface can be changed by means of an electric force, on the basis of the wetting technique, for manipulating a volume of a fluid along a predetermined path.
- Figs. 4A and 4B show a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of such a motor 30, in particular a rotary motor, at different time moments.
- the motor comprises a substantially cylindrical first body 33 and a substantially cylindrical second body 35, which is concentrically positioned within the first body 33.
- the first and second body 33, 35 enclose between their respective inner and outer surface a substantially cylindrical chamber 34, which is filled with a non-polar and/or non-conductive first fluid 36, such as an oil, and volumes 37a-d of a polar and/or conductive second fluid 37, in this example an aqueous solution, for instance (salted) water.
- the fluids 36, 37 are immiscible.
- the first body 33 is provided with means for varying the wettability of its inner surface, namely twelve electrodes 40 extending in axial direction of the first body 33, spaced at substantially regular radial intervals along the circumference.
- the inner surface of the first body 33 is covered with a layer 42 of electrically insulating, hydrophobic material or more generally, a material having a wettability by the second fluid 37 which is lower than the wettability by the first fluid 36.
- a layer 42 of electrically insulating, hydrophobic material or more generally, a material having a wettability by the second fluid 37 which is lower than the wettability by the first fluid 36 are for instance Teflon-like materials like the amorphous fluoropolymer AF1600 provided by Dupont or parylene or a combination thereof, in case where the first fluid 36 is an oil or air and the second fluid is (salted) water.
- the electrodes 40 are connected to a voltage supply (not shown).
- the second body 35 is of solid design but could be hollow, if so desired, and is mounted movably, in particular rotatably, in the first body 33 by one or more suitable bearings.
- the or each bearing could for instance be an oil bearing, configured by providing the first and/or second body 33, 35 with an annular groove, in which upon rotation of the second body 35, pressure will build up, centering the second body 35 in the first body 33.
- the second body 35 is provided at its outer surface with coupling means in the form of four hydrophilic areas 44, said number corresponding to the number of volumes 37a-d.
- These areas 44 could for instance be made of or covered by a material having a wettability by the second fluid 37 that is higher than the wettability by the first fluid 36, which material could for instance be glass.
- the areas 44 are separated from each other in radial direction by areas 45, made of or covered by hydrophobic material, which could be a selection from any of the materials mentioned before.
- the hydrophilic areas 44 may be recessed to enhance the coupling force with the volumes.
- two or more of the volumes 37a-d could be interconnected via at least one suitable conduit 39 in second body 35, as illustrated in broken lines in Figs. 4A and 4B.
- the areas of high and low wettability 44, 45 may be omitted, but can also be maintained, to increase the maximum force of the motor may exert.
- a motor as described above operates as follows.
- the electrodes 40 marked with Roman numerals I that is the upper, lower, left and right electrodes
- the hydrophobic layer 42 covering said electrodes I will become locally hydrophilic.
- the four volumes 37a-d will therefore contact the first body 33 at the four electrodes I. They furthermore contact the second body 35 at the coupling means, that is the hydrophilic areas 44 and the conduits 39. If subsequently the voltage supply is shifted to second electrodes II, situated next to the former electrodes I, the layer above said second electrodes II will become hydrophilic, whereas the layer above the first electrodes I will switch back to hydrophobic.
- the second body 35 can be rotated continuously.
- the electrodes 40 are positioned relatively close to each other or even overlap through a "tooth" structure.
- the radial dimensions of the electrodes 40 are preferably equal to or smaller than the radial dimensions of the volumes 37a-d. Such positioning and/or dimensioning of the electrodes 40 will ensure that the volumes 37a-d can "sense" a newly supplied voltage to a succeeding electrode 40 II.
- the rotation is clockwise. It will be appreciated that this direction can be readily reversed by reversing the order in which the electrodes 10 I, II are activated. Obviously, the frequency of rotation will depend on the activation frequency of successive electrodes 40 I, II. It is noted that although in the illustrated example four volumes 37a-d of conductive fluid are used, any number of volumes can be used.
- the volumes 37a-d may be line-shaped in axial direction or consist of a series of axially spaced droplets. It is further noted that with the embodiment of Figs. 4A and 4B, it is also possible to have the first body 33 rotate instead of the second body 35, provided that the first body 33 is rotatable mounted and the second body 35 is fixed. In that case, upon switching the voltage from the first I to the second electrodes II, the volumes 37a-d would move towards the second electrodes II (featuring the higher wettability) up till the edge of the hydrophilic area 44. Subsequently, the second electrodes II due to wetting forces would be drawn to the volumes 37a-d, causing the first body 33 to rotate anti-clockwise.
- the motor described may suffer from flattening of one of the bodies of fluids due to the exerted centrifugal force of the motor, which will influence its performance. According to the invention this can be prevented by using one of the compounds described above, for example one of the compounds of table 1. This table gives also the densities of the compounds.
- the present compounds are preferably used as, or in, the non-conducting or non-polar liquid or fluid. Because most of the compounds have a density larger than water (which is usually the conducting liquid), it will be obvious that said compounds should be mixed with a compound having lower density, to match with the density of water.
- electrowetting lens and an electrowetting motor as examples of an electrowetting module
- the invention is not in any way limited to such modules.
- the invention may be used in any electrowetting module, such as a variable-focus lens, a zoom lens, a diaphragm, a filter and a beam deflector.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006506932A JP2006525544A (en) | 2003-05-06 | 2004-05-03 | Electrowetting module |
EP04730909A EP1623252A1 (en) | 2003-05-06 | 2004-05-03 | Electrowetting module |
US10/555,263 US20070058094A1 (en) | 2003-05-06 | 2004-05-03 | Electrowetting module |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP03076376.7 | 2003-05-06 | ||
EP03076376 | 2003-05-06 |
Publications (1)
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WO2004099830A1 true WO2004099830A1 (en) | 2004-11-18 |
Family
ID=33427138
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2004/050563 WO2004099830A1 (en) | 2003-05-06 | 2004-05-03 | Electrowetting module |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070058094A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1623252A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006525544A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20060009293A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100406955C (en) |
TW (1) | TW200508664A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004099830A1 (en) |
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WO2006123288A2 (en) * | 2005-05-20 | 2006-11-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Electrowetting element, lens system, electronic device and driving method |
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- 2004-05-03 WO PCT/IB2004/050563 patent/WO2004099830A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-05-03 CN CN2004800120510A patent/CN100406955C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 2004-05-03 JP JP2006506932A patent/JP2006525544A/en active Pending
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1623252A1 (en) | 2006-02-08 |
CN1784614A (en) | 2006-06-07 |
TW200508664A (en) | 2005-03-01 |
US20070058094A1 (en) | 2007-03-15 |
CN100406955C (en) | 2008-07-30 |
KR20060009293A (en) | 2006-01-31 |
JP2006525544A (en) | 2006-11-09 |
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