Micro-device with thermal actuator
US6703916B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2061/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a microswitch containing conductors located on a first level and conductors located on a second level, where the conductors on the first level are supported by a deformable element which can switch by means of an actuator with a bimetallic effect, and where the effect of this switching is that the gap between the conductors on the first level and the conductors on the second level is modified, characterised in that the actuator with a bimetallic effect consists of resistors in close and localised contact with the deformable element, and in that the resistors are capable, when traversed by an electric control current, of expanding sufficiently under the effect of the heat produced by the passage of the electric command current to cause, by the bimetallic effect, the deformable element to trigger before the heat produced in the resistors has been able to propagate into the deformable element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.