Patent · US Expired

Bistable micro-switch and method for manufacturing the same

US6384707B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
13References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 15, 2001
Grant dateMay 7, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 15, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2061/0122
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a bistable switch using a shape memory alloy, and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the bistable switch includes a substrate having at least one power source; a flexible sheet having a first distal end attached to the substrate; a bridge contact formed at a second and opposite distal end of the flexible sheet; and at least one heat activated element connected to a first surface of the flexible sheet and between the second distal end and the power source. During operation, current from the power source passing through the heat activated element to indirectly bend the flexible sheet and short the signal contacts on the substrate with a sustainable force.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.