High cycle deflection beam MEMS devices
US6998946B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2059/0072
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A high life cycle MEMS device is provided by the invention. The inventors have recognized that the deflection beam or deflection beams of an MEMS shunt switch are a failure point in need of improvement. In an aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the signals in the grounded state of an MEMS shunt switch are bypassed to ground on a path that avoids the deflection beam(s) supporting the movable pad. In a preferred embodiment, ground posts are disposed to contact the movable pad in an actuated position and establish a signal path from a signal line to ground. The inventors have also recognized that a shape of deflection beams near their anchor point contributes to failures. In another preferred aspect of the invention, an anchoring portion of the deflection beam or deflection beams is generally coplanar with the remaining portion of the deflection beam(s). An additional post beneath the anchoring portion of the deflection beam(s) permits deflection beam(s) lacking any turns that form a weak structural point.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.