Microswitch with a micro-electromechanical system
US6818843B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H59/0009
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Microswitch, comprising a base element (G) with a contact surface (KG) and an electrode (EG), and a switching element (S) with a contact surface (KS) and an electrode (ES) disposed opposite the electrode (EG) of the base element (G) at a distance (g). The switching element (S) is provided with a spring constant and is connected at least with a part of its edge portion with the base element (G) in a fixed manner. The contact surfaces (KG, KS) form a switching contact which is closable against a reaction force caused by the spring constant by means of a voltage applied to the electrodes (EG, ES). The base element (G) and the switching element (S) each comprise an auxiliary electrode (HG, HS) at a distance (a) from the electrode (EG, ES), to which a voltage can be applied. For opening the switching contact the electrodes (EG, ES) have a first voltage potential (U1) and the auxiliary electrodes have a second voltage potential (U2) of the voltage. The voltage potentials (U1, U2) effect an accumulation of positive and negative charge carriers on the surface portions of the electrodes (EG, ES) and the auxiliary electrodes (HG, HS) such that surface portions with positive and negative char…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.