Microstructure relay switches
First Claim
1. A microstructure relay switch comprising:
- a main body;
a moveable relay switching element;
at least one membrane which connects said moveable relay switching element to said main body;
an actuator which moves said moveable relay switching element from a first position to a second position;
a first electrical contact being positioned on said moveable relay switching element; and
a second electrical contact being positioned on said main body, such that when said actuator moves said moveable relay switching element from said first position to said second position, said first electrical contact makes electrical connection with said second electrical contact to complete an electrical circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A micro relay switch (300) having a main body (13), a first electrical contact (302) positioned on a moveable relay switching element (17), and a second electrical contact positioned on the main body (13). One or more membranes (26, 52) connect the moveable switching element (17) to the main body (13) and an actuator (30) moves the moveable switching element (17) from a first position (72) to a second position (74). The first and second electrical contacts (302, 304) are positioned such that when the actuator (30) moves the moveable relay switching element (17) from the first position (72) to the second position (74), the first electrical contact (302) makes electrical connection with the second electrical contact (304). The membranes may be either or both of a primary membrane (26) or a secondary membrane (52). A primary membrane (26) may be used as a temporary membrane (32).
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A microstructure relay switch comprising:
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a main body;
a moveable relay switching element;
at least one membrane which connects said moveable relay switching element to said main body;
an actuator which moves said moveable relay switching element from a first position to a second position;
a first electrical contact being positioned on said moveable relay switching element; and
a second electrical contact being positioned on said main body, such that when said actuator moves said moveable relay switching element from said first position to said second position, said first electrical contact makes electrical connection with said second electrical contact to complete an electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A microstructure relay switch prepared by the process comprising the steps of:
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A) providing a substrate main body;
B) forming first and second electrical contacts on said substrate main body; and
C) forming a groove surrounding a shaft, said groove not extending to completely separate said shaft from said substrate material, so that a membrane of material remains which connects said shaft to said substrate main body, said first electrical contact being positioned on said shaft, and said second electrical contact being positioned on said substrate main body. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for manufacturing microstructure relay switches comprising the steps of:
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A) providing a substrate main body;
B) forming first and second electrical contacts on said substrate main body; and
C) forming a groove surrounding a shaft, said groove not extending to completely separate said shaft from said substrate material, so that a membrane of material remains which connects said shaft to said substrate main body, said first electrical contact being positioned on said shaft, and said second electrical contact being positioned on said substrate main body. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A relay switching array for relay switching signals from at least one input channel between a plurality of output channels, comprising:
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a plurality of relay switches, each relay switch having a main body, a moveable relay switching element, at least one membrane which connects said moveable relay switching element to said main body, an actuator which moves said moveable relay switching element from a first position to a second position, a first electrical contact being positioned on said moveable relay switching element, and a second electrical contact being positioned on said main body, such that when said actuator moves said moveable relay switching element from said first position to said second position, said first electrical contact makes electrical connection with said second electrical contact to complete an electrical circuit at least one input channeling device which delivers at least one input signal to said relay switch array; and
a plurality of output channeling devices which receives at least one output signal from said relay switch array. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification