Stress bimorph MEMS switches and methods of making same
US7053737B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2059/0081
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch formed on a substrate, the switch comprising a transmission line formed on the substrate, a substrate electrostatic plate formed on the substrate, and an actuating portion. The actuating portion comprises a cantilever anchor formed on the substrate and a cantilevered actuator arm extending from the cantilever anchor. Attraction of the actuator arm toward the substrate brings an electrical contact into engagement with the portions of the transmission line separated by a gap, thus bridging the transmission line gap and closing the circuit. In order to maximize electrical isolation between the transmission line and the electrical contact in an OFF-state while maintaining a low actuation voltage, the actuator arm is bent such that the minimum separation distance between the transmission line and the electrical contact is equal to or greater than the maximum separation distance between the substrate electrostatic plate and arm electrostatic plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.