Methods and apparatus for actuating displays
This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of apertures formed in a layer of material. Each light modulator corresponds to one or more apertures and has a portion which may overlap a corresponding aperture, where the size of the overlap is proportional to a distance between the array and the layer of material.
1. A display apparatus for forming an image comprising:
a first transparent substrate;
a second transparent substrate on which an array of light modulators are formed, wherein light modulators of the array modulate light to form the image;
a spacing element formed from a heat-reflowable material aligning the first transparent substrate with the second transparent substrate, wherein the heat-reflowable material is selected such that while in a molten phase during manufacture of the display apparatus, the heat-reflowable material effects relative movement between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to align the first and second transparent substrates.
2. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat-reflowable material obtains a substantially liquid state between about 150 degrees and about 400 decrees Centigrade.
3. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spacing element serves as an adhesive joining the first transparent substrate to the second transparent substrate.
4. The display apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a reflective aperture layer formed on one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.
5. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light modulators comprise MEMS light modulators.
6. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spacing element is disposed on a periphery of the array of light modulators.
7. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spacing element is disposed within the array of light modulators.
8. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat-reflowable material comprises one of a metal, a plastic, and a glass.
9. The display apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat-reflowable material, when in a substantially liquid state, wets the surface of features on both the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.
10. A display apparatus comprising:
a first transparent substrate;
a second transparent substrate on which an array of light modulators are formed;
a spacing element disposed within the array of light modulators and formed from a heat-reflowable material aligning the first transparent substrate with the second transparent substrate, wherein the heat-reflowable material is selected such that while in a molten phase during manufacture of the display apparatus, the heat-reflowable material effects relative movement between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to align the first and second transparent substrates.
11. The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the heat-reflowable material obtains a substantially liquid state between about 150 degrees and about 400 decrees Centigrade.
12. The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the spacing element serves as an adhesive joining the first transparent substrate to the second transparent substrate.
13. The display apparatus of claim 10 , comprising a reflective aperture layer formed on one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.
14. The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the light modulators comprise MEMS light modulators.
15. The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the spacing element is disposed on a periphery of the array of light modulators.
16. The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the heat-reflowable material comprises one of a metal, a plastic, and a glass.
17. The display apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the heat-reflowable material, when in a substantially liquid state, wets the surface of features on both the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.