Laminated relays with multiple flexible contacts
First Claim
1. A latching switch, comprising:
- a plurality of layers attached together in a stack, including;
a layer having a first flexible member therein, wherein said first flexible member has a magnetic material and a longitudinal axis;
a layer having a second flexible member therein;
a permanent magnet layer that produces a first magnetic field, which induces a magnetization in said magnetic material, said magnetization characterized by a magnetization vector pointing in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the first flexible member, wherein the first magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and
a layer that includes a coil that produces a second magnetic field to cause the first flexible member to switch between a first stable state and a second stable state, wherein in the first stable state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second flexible member, which flexes in response.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems of assembling and making laminated electro-mechanical system (LEMS) switches are described. A plurality of structural layers are formed that include at least two structural layers that each include a flexible member. The plurality of structural layers are stacked and aligned into a stack, to form at least one switch. Each structural layer in the stack is attached to an adjacent structural layer of the stack. When the formed switch is in an “on” state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second flexible member. When making contact with the second flexible member, the second flexible member flexes in response. In a further aspect, three flexible members may be present. When the switch is in an “on” state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second and third flexible members. When making contact with the second and third flexible members, the second and third flexible members flex in response.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A latching switch, comprising:
a plurality of layers attached together in a stack, including; a layer having a first flexible member therein, wherein said first flexible member has a magnetic material and a longitudinal axis; a layer having a second flexible member therein; a permanent magnet layer that produces a first magnetic field, which induces a magnetization in said magnetic material, said magnetization characterized by a magnetization vector pointing in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the first flexible member, wherein the first magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and a layer that includes a coil that produces a second magnetic field to cause the first flexible member to switch between a first stable state and a second stable state, wherein in the first stable state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second flexible member, which flexes in response. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A latching switch, comprising:
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a first layer having a first flexible member formed therein, wherein said first flexible member has a magnetic material and a longitudinal axis; a second layer that includes an opening therethrough; a third layer having a second flexible member therein; and a fourth layer that includes a permanent magnet that produces a first magnetic field, which induces a magnetization in said magnetic material, said magnetization characterized by a magnetization vector pointing in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the first flexible member, wherein the first magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; wherein during operation, the first flexible member switches between a first stable state and a second stable state, wherein in the first stable state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second flexible member, which flexes in response, wherein in the second stable state, the first flexible member is not in contact with the second flexible member; wherein in the first stable state, the first flexible member moves through a cavity formed at least in part by said opening to contact the second flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 37)
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36. A latching switch, comprising:
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a first layer having a first flexible member formed therein; a second layer that includes an opening therethrough; a third layer having a second flexible member therein; and a fourth layer that includes a soft magnetic material; wherein during operation, the first flexible member switches between a first stable state and a second stable state, wherein in the first stable state, the first flexible member is in contact with the second flexible member, which flexes in response, wherein in the second stable state, the first flexible member is not in contact with the second flexible member; wherein in the first stable state, the first flexible member moves through a cavity formed at least in part by said opening to contact the second flexible member.
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Specification