Microswitch with a first actuated portion and a second contact portion

• US 20080011593A1
• Filed: 03/19/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 138 East LCD Advancements Limited (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Carmona, Manuel, Pallares, Jofre
• Granted Patent: US 7,745,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/181
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/20 Bridging contacts for circuit breakers H01H73/045
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2001/0084 with perpendicular movement of the movable contact relative to the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 59/0009 making use of micromechanics

Abstract

A microswitch which is electrostatically actuated, which has a first open position and a second closed position in which said switch closes at least a contact line (30); the microswitch comprising

• • a movable part (10) which has at least a first actuated portion (11) and a second contact portion (12), which are mechanically connected by means of at least a connection element (13);
  • said contact line/s (30) being placed between said first and second portions; wherein in the rest position of the microswitch the actuated portion is at a first distance d1 from the contact line and the contact portion is at a second distance d2 from the contact line; wherein the operation of the microswitch is the following:
  • the first actuated portion is actuated by at least an actuating electrode (20), and
  • in response to said actuation and via the connection element (13) the second contact portion (12) is arranged to contact said contact line (30) reducing said second distance d2 to zero.

Claims

1. A microswitch which is actuated using electrostatic actuation, said microswitch having a first rest or open position and a second actuated or closed position in which said switch closes at least a contact line (30),

wherein the microswitch comprises

a movable part (10) which has at least a first actuated portion (11) and a second contact portion (12), which are mechanically connected by means of at least a connection element (13);

said at least one contact line (30) being placed between said first and second portions;

wherein in the rest position of the microswitch the first actuated portion is at a first distance d1 from the contact line and the second contact portion is at a second distance d2 from the contact line;

wherein the operation of the microswitch is the following;

the first actuated portion is actuated by at least an actuating electrode (20), and

in response to said actuation by the actuating electrode (20) and via the connection element (13) the second contact portion (12) is arranged to contact said contact line (30) reducing said second distance d2 to zero.

2. Microswitch according to claim 1, wherein the at least actuating electrode forms integral part of the movable part of the microswitch.

3. Microswitch according to claim 2, wherein said actuating electrode is of the type described in European patent application No. 06075578.2.

4. Microswitch according to any preceding claim, wherein d1 and d2 are substantially the same.

5. Microswitch according to any of claims 1-3, wherein d1 is bigger than d2.

6. Microswitch according to any preceding claim, wherein there are at least, two connection elements.

7. Microswitch according to any preceding claim, wherein said connection element/s is/are made of dielectric material.

8. Microswitch according to any preceding claim, wherein further electrodes (40) are placed for actuating over the movable part in order to open the switch.

9. Microswitch according claim 8, wherein said further electrode/s to open the switch are integral part of the movable part of the switch.