Micro magnetic proximity sensor apparatus and sensing method
US6633158B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/01078
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Micro magnetic position sensor apparatus includes a magnet for producing a magnetic field, a fixed contact, and a cantilever having magnetic material positioned therein to produce a torque on the cantilever in the magnetic field, the torque tending to align the cantilever with magnetic field lines in the magnetic field. The cantilever is mounted to provide it with a first position in electrical connection with the fixed contact and a second position in electrical disconnect with the fixed contact. The cantilever is further mounted so as to be normally in one of the first and second positions and movable to the other of the first and second positions when the magnetic field lines in the magnetic field are altered relative to the cantilever by proximity of an external object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.