Lens cleaning via electrowetting
US10908414B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/2405
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus includes a mass detection circuit coupled to a surface covered with a plurality of electrodes. The mass detection circuit is configured to detect a mass of a first droplet present on the surface. The apparatus further includes a transducer circuit coupled to a transducer, which is coupled to the surface and form a lens unit. The transducer circuit configured to excite a first vibration of the surface at a resonant frequency to form a high displacement region on the surface. The apparatus also includes a voltage excitation circuit coupled to the plurality of electrodes. In response to the detection of the mass of the first droplet, the voltage excitation circuit is configured to apply a sequence of differential voltages on one or more consecutive electrodes which moves the first droplet to the high displacement region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.