Switches for use in microelectromechanical and other systems, and processes for making same

摘要

Embodiments of switches (10) include electrically-conductive housings (30, 60), and electrical conductors (34, 64) suspended within and electrically isolated from the housings (30, 60). Another electrical conductor (52) is configured to move between a first position at which the electrical conductor (52) is electrically isolated from the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60), and a second position at which the electrical conductor (52) is in electrical contact with the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60). The switches (10) further include an actuator (70, 72, 74, 76) comprising an electrically-conductive base (80) and an electrically-conductive arm (82a, 82b) having a first end restrained by the base (80). The electrical conductor (52) is supported by the arm (82a, 82b), and the arm (82a, 82b) is operative to deflect and thereby move the electrical conductor (52) between its first and second positions.

主权项

1. A switch, comprising:
an electrically-conductive first housing; a first electrical conductor suspended within and electrically isolated from the electrically-conductive first housing; an electrically-conductive second housing; a second electrical conductor suspended within and electrically isolated from the electrically-conductive second housing; a third electrical conductor moving between a first position at which the third electrical conductor is electrically isolated from the first and second electrical conductors, and a second position at which the third electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the first and second electrical conductors; a first actuator comprising an electrically-conductive base and an electrically-conductive arm having a first end restrained by the electrically-conductive base, wherein the third electrical conductor is supported by the electrically-conductive arm, and the electrically-conductive arm deflects and moves the third electrical conductor between the first and second positions; and an electrically-conductive hub permanently connected to the first electrical conductor and selectively electrically connectable to the second electrical conductor via transitions of the third electrical conductor to and from the first and second positions.