Integrated Microminiature Relay
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first substrate comprising a first coil for generating a magnetic field, wherein the coil is substantially planar and lies in a first plane, and wherein the first coil and the first substrate are monolithically integrated; and
a second substrate comprising an electrical switch that comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is moved by the magnetic field, and wherein the electrical switch and the second substrate are monolithically integrated, and further wherein the first electrical contact moves selectively in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane.
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Abstract
A micro-relay that overcomes some of the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art is disclosed. The micro-relay comprising: (1) a first substrate comprising one or more monolithically integrated planar coils for generating a magnetic field; and (2) a second substrate comprising a magnetically actuated switch having a moving contact that selectively moves in a plane parallel to its substrate. The first and second substrate are aligned and bonded to collectively provide a closed magnetic circuit that efficiently channels the generated magnetic field through the switch.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first substrate comprising a first coil for generating a magnetic field, wherein the coil is substantially planar and lies in a first plane, and wherein the first coil and the first substrate are monolithically integrated; and a second substrate comprising an electrical switch that comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is moved by the magnetic field, and wherein the electrical switch and the second substrate are monolithically integrated, and further wherein the first electrical contact moves selectively in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a first coil for generating a magnetic field, wherein the first coil is substantially planar and lies in a first plane; a first magnetic core for channeling the magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic core comprises a first electrical terminal and a first electrical contact that is movable, and wherein the first coil surrounds the first magnetic core in the first plane; a second coil for augmenting the magnetic field, wherein the first coil is substantially planar and lies in a second plane; and a second magnetic core for channeling the magnetic field, wherein the second magnetic core comprises a second electrical terminal and a second electrical contact, and wherein the second coil surrounds the second magnetic core in the second plane; wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact collectively define a magnetically actuated switch for controlling the flow of a first current between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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(1) a first substrate that defines a first plane, wherein the first substrate comprises a plurality of coils for collectively generating a magnetic field, and wherein each of the coils is substantially planar and parallel to the first plane, and further wherein the first substrate and the plurality of coils are monolithically integrated, and (2) a second substrate comprising an electrical switch that comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is dimensioned and arranged to move selectively in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane, and further wherein the second substrate, the first electrical contact, and second electrical contact are monolithically integrated; wherein the magnetic field moves the first electrical contact in the second plane to actuate the electrical switch. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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providing a first substrate comprising a first coil for generating a magnetic field, wherein the first coil is substantially planar and lies in a first plane; providing a second substrate comprising an electrical switch that is a magnetically actuated switch, wherein the electrical switch comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, and wherein the first electrical contact is movable selectively in a second plane; and arranging the first substrate and second substrate in a first arrangement wherein the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane; and enabling the coupling of the magnetic field and the electrical switch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification