Micromechanical switch

• US 7,081,592 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kaelberer, Arnd
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLAUS, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/517,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20050173233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.45 R, 200/181, 200 6148- 6152, 735/141.6, 735/142.9, 735/143.2, 735/143.5, 735/143.6, 735/143.7, 735/143.8, 735/10
• US Class Current: 200/61.45R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/0036 Switches making use of microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] for electromagnetic relays H01H50/005; for electrostatic relays H01H59/0009
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002

Abstract

A micromechanical switch having a mass, a first spring element, and a contact element is provided. The mass contacts the contact element if a specified degree of displacement of the first spring element is exceeded.

Claims

1. A micromechanical switch, comprising:

a movable mass;

a first spring element connected to the movable mass;

at least one contact element; and

a second spring element, wherein the at least one contact element is movable and connected to the second spring element;

wherein the first spring element is displaced when there is a specified movement of the movable mass, the movable mass and the at least one contact element being separated from one another up to a specified degree of displacement of the first spring element, and wherein the movable mass contacts the at least one contact element starting at the specified degree of displacement of the first spring element, and wherein a common movement of the movable mass and the at least one contact element is provided when the displacement of the first spring element is greater than the specified degree of displacement.

2. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 1, wherein the first spring element includes an U-spring element.

3. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first spring element and the second spring element includes an U-spring element.

4. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 3, wherein the spring constant of the second spring element is substantially lower than the spring constant of the first spring element.

5. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a third spring element providing a stabilizing effect on the movement of the movable mass.

6. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 5, wherein the spring constant of the third spring element is substantially lower than the spring constant of the first spring element.

7. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the second spring element is substantially lower than the spring constant of the first spring element.

8. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a third spring element providing a stabilizing effect on the movement of the movable mass.

9. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 8, wherein the spring constant of the third spring element is substantially lower than the spring constant of the first spring element.

10. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a third spring element providing a stabilizing effect on the movement of the movable mass.

11. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 10, wherein the spring constant of the third spring element is substantially lower than the spring constant of the first spring element.

12. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a stop, wherein the stop prevents displacement of the first spring element beyond a specified maximum degree of displacement of the first spring element.

13. The micromechanical switch as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a stop, wherein the stop prevents displacement of the first spring element beyond a specified maximum degree of displacement of the first spring element.