Micro switch device and manufacturing method

• US 7,705,254 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kwon, Sang Wook, Kim, Che Heung, Song, In Sang
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer; Michael A
• Application Number:
  US11/768,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20080156624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 200/181, 310330-332, 310/348, 310/349, 333/105, 333/133, 333187-189, 333/262, 335/78
• US Class Current: 200/181
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/20 Bridging contacts for circuit breakers H01H73/045
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 59/0009 making use of micromechanics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A micro switch device includes a switch substrate, an electrostatic cover which is separated from the switch substrate, and a bezel which limits a movable area of the electrostatic cover. An input terminal, an output terminal, a first driving electrode, and a second driving electrode are formed on the switch substrate, and the electrostatic cover is physically separated from the switch substrate. In this instance, since the electrostatic cover is physically separated from the switch substrate, the electrostatic cover is not supported by the switch substrate and is able to move within a range, predetermined by the bezel. The electrostatic cover is electrically connected to the second driving electrode, and is able to easily operate with an electrostatic force at a lower power.

Claims

1. A micro switch device comprising:

a switch substrate having an input terminal, an output terminal, a first driving electrode, and a second driving electrode;

an electrostatic cover physically separated from the switch substrate, electrically connected to the second driving electrode to be capable of forming an electrostatic force against the first driving electrode, and having a connection electrode to electrically connect the input terminal with the output terminal; and

a bezel allowing the electrostatic cover to move while limiting a movable area of the electrostatic cover.

2. The micro switch device of claim 1, wherein the bezel limits the movable area of the electrostatic cover while the electrostatic cover is un-pressed.

3. The micro switch device of claim 1, wherein the bezel is capable of electrically connecting the electrostatic cover with the second driving electrode.

4. The micro switch device of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic cover is curvedly formed.

5. The micro switch device of claim 4, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises a conductive layer capable of being electrically connected to the second driving electrode and a first insulation layer formed on one surface of the conductive layer, wherein the conductive layer and the first insulation layer have different residual stresses.

6. The micro switch device of claim 5, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises the second insulation layer which is formed on another surface of the conductive layer corresponding to the first insulation layer.

7. The micro switch device of claim 6, wherein the conductive layer has one of a tensile and a compressive residual stress, wherein the conductive layer residual stress is different from the first insulation layer residual stress and the second insulation layer residual stress.

8. The micro switch device of claim 1, wherein the bezel is circumferentially formed along the electrostatic cover, and is spaced apart a predetermined distance from a circumference of the electrostatic cover.

9. The micro switch device of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises a plurality of micro holes.

10. The micro switch device of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic cover is in a disc shape or a star shape.

11. A micro switch device comprising:

a switch substrate having an input terminal, an output terminal, a first driving electrode, and a second driving electrode;

a dome shaped electrostatic cover physically separated from the switch substrate, comprising a first insulation layer which faces the first driving electrode and an conductive layer formed on the first insulation layer to be electrically connected to the second driving electrode, wherein a connection electrode is formed on a bottom of the first insulation layer between the input terminal and the output terminal to electrically connect the input terminal and the output terminal; and

a bezel circumferentially formed along the electrostatic cover, and spaced apart a predetermined distance from a circumference of the electrostatic cover.

12. The micro switch device of claim 11, wherein the second driving electrode is circumferentially formed along the bezel, and the first driving electrode is formed between the second driving electrode, the input terminal, and the output terminal.

13. The micro switch device of claim 11, wherein the bezel is capable of electrically connecting the conductive layer with the second driving electrode.

14. The micro switch device of claim 11, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises the second insulation layer which is formed on another surface of the conductive layer corresponding to the first insulation layer.

15. The micro switch device of claim 14, wherein the conductive layer has one of a tensile and a compressive residual stress, wherein the conductive layer residual stress is different from the first insulation layer residual stress and the second insulation layer residual stress.

16. The micro switch device of claim 11, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises a plurality of micro holes.

17. A micro switch device comprising:

a switch substrate having an input terminal, an output terminal, a first driving electrode, and a second driving electrode;

an electrostatic cover formed substantially in a dome shape to be physically separated from the switch substrate, and comprising a first insulation layer which faces the first driving electrode and a conductive layer formed on the first insulation layer to be electrically connected to the second driving electrode, wherein a connection electrode is formed on a bottom of the first insulation layer between the input terminal and the output terminal to electrically connect the input terminal and the output terminal; and

a bezel circumferentially formed along the electrostatic cover, and spaced apart a predetermined space from a circumference of the electrostatic cover; and

an electrode bridge electrically connecting either the input terminal or the output terminal to the connection electrode.

18. The micro switch device of claim 17, wherein the second driving electrode is circumferentially formed along the bezel, either the input terminal or the output terminal is connected to the electrode bridge in a circumference of the electrostatic cover, a remaining one of the input terminal or the output terminal is formed on a bottom of the connection electrode, and the first driving electrode is formed between the second driving electrode and the remaining terminal.

19. The micro switch device of claim 17, wherein the bezel is capable of electrically connecting the conductive layer with the second driving electrode.

20. The micro switch device of claim 17, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises the second insulation layer which is formed on another surface of the conductive layer corresponding to the first insulation layer.

21. The micro switch device of claim 20, wherein the conductive layer has one of a tensile and a compressive residual stress, wherein the conductive layer residual stress is different from the first insulation layer residual stress and the second insulation layer residual stress.

22. The micro switch device of claim 17, wherein the electrostatic cover comprises a plurality of micro holes.

23. The micro switch device of claim 17, wherein the electrostatic cover is in a star shape.

24. A micro switch device manufacturing method comprising:

forming an input terminal, an output terminal, a first driving electrode, and a second driving electrode;

forming a first sacrificial layer on a switch substrate;

forming an electrostatic cover which has a connection electrode on the switch substrate on which the first sacrificial layer is formed;

forming a second sacrificial layer on the electrostatic cover;

forming a bezel in a circumference of the second sacrificial layer; and

eliminating the first and second sacrificial layers.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second driving electrode is circumferentially formed along the electrostatic cover, and the bezel is formed on the second sacrificial layer to partially cover the electrostatic cover.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the forming of the electrostatic cover comprises:

forming the connection electrode on the first sacrificial layer,

forming a first insulation layer on the connection electrode and the first sacrificial layer, and

forming a conductive layer on the first insulation layer.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the forming of the electrostatic cover further comprises forming a second insulation layer on the conductive layer, wherein the conductive layer has one of a tensile and a compressive residual stress, wherein the conductive layer residual stress is different from the first insulation layer residual stress and the second insulation layer residual stress.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the forming of the electrostatic cover comprises forming a plurality of micro holes on the electrostatic cover.