Piezoelectric relay with tapered magnetic detent
US4458171A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2057/003
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay including a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect the bender element; first contact means mounted on the movable portion; second stationary contact means remote from the bender element and proximate the first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of the bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on the movable portion for magnetically adhering the movable portion to the first pole member until the deflection force of the bender element exceeds the holding force of the magnetic circuit; one of the first and second pole members is convergingly tapered toward its face and has a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other of the first and second pole members; at least one of the first and second pole members is movable toward and away from the other to adjust the length of the gap between them.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.