In-plane and out-of-plane motion actuator

Abstract

A near-eye light field display for use with a head mounted display unit with enhanced resolution and color depth. A display for each eye is connected to one or more actuators to scan each display, increasing the resolution of each display by a factor proportional to the number of scan points utilized. In this way, the resolution of near-eye light field displays is enhanced without increasing the size of the displays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An out-of-plane MEMS actuator, comprising:
 a first frame;   a second frame connected to the first frame by a hinge, the hinge disposed on a top surface of the first frame and a top surface of the second frame, and defining a clearance space below the hinge which separates the second frame and the first frame; and   a comb drive disposed within an interior space defined by the first frame, the second frame, and the hinge.   
     
     
         2 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge when a voltage is applied to the first frame. 
     
     
         3 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge when a voltage is applied to the second frame. 
     
     
         4 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 1 , comprising two hinges, a first hinge connecting a first end of the first frame and a first end of the second frame, and a second hinge connecting a second end of the first frame and a second end of the second frame. 
     
     
         5 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising a second comb drive disposed on a side of the second frame opposite the comb drive disposed within the interior space. 
     
     
         6 . An out-of-plane MEMS actuator, comprising:
 a first frame;   a second frame connected to the first frame by a hinge, the second frame having a first side and a second side; and   a first comb drive disposed within an interior space defined by the first frame, the first side of the second frame, and the hinge; and   a second comb drive disposed within an interior space defined by the first frame, the second side of the second frame, and the hinge;.   wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge when a voltage is applied to the first frame, the second frame, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 6 , wherein the hinge disposed on a top surface of the first frame and a top surface of the second frame. 
     
     
         8 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 6 , the first frame further comprising a C-shape with an opening on one side, and the second frame comprising a base member and a free member, the free member extending from the base member and being disposed within the opening of the first frame. 
     
     
         9 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 8 , wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge, through the opening in the first frame, when a voltage is applied to the first frame. 
     
     
         10 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 8 , wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge, through the opening in the first frame, when a voltage is applied to the second frame. 
     
     
         11 . The out-of-plane MEMS actuator of  claim 8 , comprising two hinges, a first hinge connecting a first end of the base member of the second frame to the fixed frame, and a second hinge connecting a second end of the base member of the second frame to the fixed frame. 
     
     
         12 . A dual-plane motion actuator, comprising:
 an in-plane motion portion, comprising one or more comb drive actuators configured to provide a linear force in a lateral direction; and   an out-of-plane motion portion disposed on a first end of the in-plane motion portion, the out-of-plane motion portion comprising:
 a first frame; 
 a second frame connected to the first frame by a hinge, the hinge disposed on a top surface of the first frame and a top surface of the second frame, and defining a clearance space below the hinge which separates the second frame and the first frame; and 
 a comb drive disposed within an interior space defined by the first frame, the second frame, and the hinge. 
   
     
     
         13 . The dual-plane motion actuator of  claim 12 , wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge when a voltage is applied to the first frame. 
     
     
         14 . The dual-plane motion actuator of  claim 12 , wherein the second frame rotates in a first direction around an axis of rotation that cuts through the middle of the hinge when a voltage is applied to the second frame. 
     
     
         15 . The dual-plane motion actuator of  claim 12 , the out-of-plane motion portion further comprising two hinges, a first hinge connecting a first end of the first frame and a first end of the second frame, and a second hinge connecting a second end of the first frame and a second end of the second frame. 
     
     
         16 . The dual-plane motion actuator of  claim 12 , the out-of-plane motion portion further comprising a second comb drive disposed on a side of the second frame opposite the comb drive disposed within the interior space. 
     
     
         17 . A multi-degree of freedom actuator, comprising:
 a central frame;   a plurality of dual-plane motion actuators connected to the central frame;   a movable frame disposed around the plurality of dual-plane actuators; and   a plurality of motion flexures, a first end of each motion flexure connected to one of the plurality of dual-plane motion actuators, and a second end of each motion flexure connected to the movable frame.   
     
     
         18 . The multi-degree of freedom actuator of  claim 17 , wherein each motion flexure of the plurality of motion flexures have a length in a direction of in-plane motion associated with the one of the plurality of dual-plane motion actuators to which the motion flexure is connected. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-degree of freedom actuator of  claim 17 , wherein each motion flexure of the plurality of motion flexures has a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being over five times longer than the thickness, and the thickness being over two times larger than the width. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-degree of freedom actuator of  claim 17 , the central frame further comprising a plurality of spokes, and wherein each dual-plane motion actuator is affixed to one or the plurality of spokes.