Variable capacitance element

• US 6,833,985 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Fujii, Yasutaka, Kobayashi, Masato, Kobayashi, Shinji, Takemura, Koji, Kawai, Hiroshi, Konaka, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMAS, ERIC W
• Application Number:
  US10/379,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20030223176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 361/277-281, 361/287, 361/290
• US Class Current: 361/281
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 5/16 using variation of distance between electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 5/40 Structural combinations of variable capacitors with other electric elements not covered by this subclass, the structure mainly consisting of a capacitor, e.g. RC combinations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2059/0072 with stoppers or protrusions for maintaining a gap, reducing the contact area or for preventing stiction between the movable and the fixed electrode in the attracted position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 59/0009 making use of micromechanics
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/127 Strip line switches

Abstract

A variable capacitance element includes a coplanar line or signal conduction and a movable body, which are vertically displaced through a supporting bar and which are provided on a substrate. A movable electrode is provided between a first driving electrode and second and third driving electrodes which are movable electrodes. Voltage is applied between the movable electrodes, such that one of the movable electrodes is pressed against the coplanar line through a dielectric film. Thus, high frequency signals conducting through the coplanar line are shut off. When voltage is applied between the other electrodes, the movable electrode and the dielectric film are moved apart from the coplanar line. Thus, high frequency signals are conducted through the coplanar line.

Claims

1. A variable capacitance element comprising:

a substrate;

a high frequency signal conducting portion on the substrate;

an upper member disposed on the substrate;

a movable body supported by a single surface of the upper member, the movable body including an insulating semiconductor or an insulator against high frequency signals;

a movable electrode provided on the movable body and facing toward the high frequency signal conducting portion;

a fixed side electrode for movable body displacement provided on the upper member in an area facing toward the movable body; and

a movable side electrode for movable body displacement provided on the movable body, facing toward the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement and spaced apart from the movable electrode;

wherein

the movable side electrode for movable body displacement and the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement displace the movable body toward the substrate using electrostatic gravity produced by applying direct-current voltage between the movable side electrode for movable body displacement and the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement so as to vary electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode in the movable body and the high frequency signal conducting portion on the substrate.

2. A variable capacitance element according to claim 1, wherein the high frequency signal conducting portion is one of a coplanar line and a microstrip line, and the variable capacitance element is a shunt switch element for controlling ON and OFF of signal conduction of the coplanar line or the microstrip line, which is the high frequency signal conducting portion, by using a change in electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode and the high frequency signal conducting portion.

3. A variable capacitance element comprising:

a substrate;

a high frequency signal conducting portion on the substrate;

an upper member disposed on the substrate;

a movable body supported by the upper member at only two ends thereof, the movable body including an insulating semiconductor or an insulator against high frequency signals;

a movable electrode provided on the movable body and facing toward the high frequency signal conducting portion;

a fixed side electrode for movable body displacement provided on the upper member in an area facing toward the movable body; and

a movable side electrode for movable body displacement provided on the movable body, facing toward the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement and spaced apart from the movable electrode;

wherein

the movable side electrode for movable body displacement and the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement displace the movable body toward the substrate using electrostatic gravity produced by applying direct-current voltage between the movable side electrode for movable body displacement and the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement so as to vary electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode in the movable body and the high frequency signal conducting portion on the substrate.

4. A variable capacitance element according to claim 3, wherein the high frequency signal conducting portion is one of a coplanar line and a microstrip line, and the variable capacitance element is a shunt switch element for controlling ON and OFF of signal conduction of the coplanar line or the microstrip line, which is the high frequency signal conducting portion, by using a change in electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode and the high frequency signal conducting portion.

5. A variable capacitance element comprising:

a substrate;

a high frequency signal conducting portion on the substrate;

an upper member disposed on the substrate;

a movable body supported by the upper member, the movable body including an insulating semiconductor or an insulator against high frequency signals;

a movable electrode provided on the movable body and facing toward the high frequency signal conducting portion;

a fixed side electrode for movable body displacement provided on the upper member in an area facing toward the movable body; and

a movable side electrode for movable body displacement provided on the movable body, facing toward the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement and spaced apart from the movable electrode;

wherein

only the movable side electrode for movable body displacement and the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement are used to displace the movable body toward the substrate using electrostatic gravity produced by applying direct-current voltage between the movable side electrode for movable body displacement and the fixed side electrode for movable body displacement so as to vary electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode in the movable body and the high frequency signal conducting portion on the substrate.

6. A variable capacitance element according to claim 5, wherein the high frequency signal conducting portion is one of a coplanar line and a microstrip line, and the variable capacitance element is a shunt switch element for controlling ON and OFF of signal conduction of the coplanar line or the microstrip line, which is the high frequency signal conducting portion, by using a change in electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode and the high frequency signal conducting portion.