RF MEMS switch with spring-loaded latching mechanism
US7253709B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49204
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus for a micro-electro-mechanical switch that provides for latching switching action. The switch has a cantilever arm disposed on a substrate that can be moved in orthogonal directions for latching and unlatching. To latch the switch, the cantilever arm is moved back by a comb-drive actuator and then pulled down by electrodes disposed on the substrate and the cantilever arm. The comb-drive actuator switch is then released and the cantilever arm moves forward to be captured by a dove-tail structure on the substrate. When the voltage to the electrodes on the substrate and the cantilever arm is removed, the cantilever arm is held in place by the dove-tail structure. The switch is unlatched by actuating the comb-drive actuator to move the cantilever arm away from the dove-tail structure. The cantilever arm will then pop up once it is released from the dove-tail structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.