GB1496559A - Electrostatically actuated display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

1496559 Alphanumeric displays; changing displays BENDIX CORP 2 Dec 1975 [6 Jan 1975] 49488/75 Heading G5C A panel presenting a matrix display or one or more elements carrying messages (Fig. 8, not shown) is formed by the end portions 46 of flexible conducting membrane elements 28, held by ends 42 fixed to the base 24 and coupled to hinge portions 44, in the thin gap between insulated 26, 22 conducting layers on both base 24 and transparent window 18, the sealed space 14 being filled with opaque insulating high dielectric constant fluid 16, e.g. dyed ethyl acetate. With alternating or direct potential difference between the conducting faces, application of base potential to the membrane moves it electrostatically against the window where the colour of the end part or the message contrasts with the fluid while the remainder of the element is masked or matches the fluid: application of the window potential to the element moves it back. If the base and window are at the same potential, any different potential on the element moves it to the nearest surface where it is retained. If the conductivity of the fluid is greater than that of the insulation 26, 22 on the faces, the insulation may preferably be in island form, still preventing contact of the membrane. Figure of eight patterns with an extra dot, or 5 x 7 array may display alphanumeric characters, with insulated pin connections 30 or insulated conducting film connecting strips under the base conducting layer (Figs. 3, 4, not shown). In multiple array displays the base conducting layer may be subdivided into an area for each array (Figs. 6, 7, not shown), to provide multiplex addressing, corresponding membrane elements in each array being commoned: to display elements, in one array their base layer and the elements are given potentials different from the window, while the other base areas have the same potential as the window so that corresponding elements in these areas move or remain at the nearest surface. To display simultaneously elements in the other arrays, each array is given required potentials in turn by a logic circuit, those already set retaining their aspect.