MEMS switch and method of fabricating the same

• US 20080001691A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Song, In-sang, Hong, Young-tack, Lee, Sang-hun, Kim, Che-heung, Kwon, Sang-wook, Kim, Jong-seok
• Application Number:
  US11/585,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20080001691A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 335/220
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/014 having a cantilever fixed on one side connected to one or more dimples
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/016 having a bridge fixed on two ends and connected to one or more dimples
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 3/001 Structures having a reduced contact area, e.g. with bumps or with a textured surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 59/0009 making use of micromechanics

Abstract

A MEMS switch includes a substrate, at least one signal line and at least one electrode formed on the substrate, and a moving beam disposed in a spaced-apart relation with respect to the substrate above the substrate so as to be connected with or disconnected from the signal line according to an operation of the electrode. The moving beam includes at least one body, and at least one support to support the body. The body has a modulus of elasticity larger than that of the support. The MEMS switch prevents the moving beam from being stuck and increases a contact force generating between the moving beam and the signal line, thereby enabling a signal to be stably transmitted.

Claims

1. A MEMS switch comprising:

a substrate;

at least one signal line and at least one electrode formed on the substrate; and

a moving beam disposed in a spaced-apart relation with respect to the substrate and above the substrate so as to be connected with or disconnected from the signal line according to an operation of the electrode;

wherein the moving beam comprises at least one body, and at least one support to support the body, the body having a modulus of elasticity larger than that of the support.

2. The MEMS switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving beam is configured so that the body has a thickness larger than that of the support.

3. The MEMS switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving beam is configured so that at least one support is disposed at each of two ends of the body.

4. The MEMS switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving beam is configured, so that at least one support is disposed at one end of the body.

5. The MEMS switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving beam is configured so that at least one support is disposed to connect two bodies with each other and to be pivotable.

6. A MEMS switch comprising:

a substrate;

at least one signal line and at least one electrode formed on the substrate; and

a moving beam supported by an elastic member in a spaced-apart relation with respect to the substrate and above the substrate, the moving beam being connected with or disconnected from the signal line according to an operation of the electrode;

wherein the moving beam has a modulus of elasticity larger than that of the elastic member.

7. A method of fabricating a MEMS switch comprising:

forming at least one signal line and at least one electrode on the substrate; and

disposing a moving beam in a spaced-apart relation with respect to the substrate and above the substrate, the moving beam being configured so that a body has a modulus of elasticity larger than that of a support.