Patent ID: 7071431
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: G02B,H01H

Abstract:
1. An electrostatic actuated micro-switch having an electrically open state and an electrically closed state, comprising: a substrate; a catilever disposed over the substrate and having first and second physical positions corresponding to the electrically open and electrically closed states of the micor-switch; a permanent magnet disposed under the substrate substantially along the length of the cantilever for maintaining the cantilever in one of the first and second physical positions; and first and second electrodes disposed over the substrate and spaced apart with respect to opposite portions of the cantilever, while being mechanically isolated from the cantilever, the first electrode providing a first electrical potential with respect to the cantilever to cause the cantilever to move in response to electrostatic forces arising from the first electrical potential to the first physical position corresponding to the electrically open state of the micro- switch, the second electrode providing a second electrical potential with respect to the cantilever to cause the cantilever to move in response to electrostatic forces arising from the second electrical potential to the second physical position corresponding to the electrically closed state of the micro-switch.