ELECTRICAL SWITCHES

摘要

An electrical switch (40) comprises: electrical contacts (18, 20, 24) and an actuator (26) for moving the contacts relative to each other between an open state and a closed state. The actuator (26) includes a deformable member (14), preferably a cantilever, which includes a piezoelectric material (26) which is operable to undergo a dimensional change in response to an electric field applied thereacross for moving the contacts (24) relative to each other. The deformable member (14) is microfabricated from a first substrate (46) which is joined to a second substrate (12) including at least some of the contacts (18, 20) to form an assembly.