Patent ID: 6246305
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A micromechanical switch comprising:a base layer having first and second major opposing parallel surfaces and having a cantilever etched from the first major surface, the cantilever having an arm and a head;first and second paired electrical leads being electrically isolated but spaced so as to allow contact with the cantilever head;the cantilever head having a surface that is magnetically and electrically conductive;the base layer having a magnetic shunt extending between the first and second major surfaces of the base layer and under the cantilever head so as to exert an attractive force on the head when carrying magnetic flux;a permanent magnet movably locatable in a first position sufficiently adjacent to the second major surface and said magnetic shunt so as to transfer enough flux from the permanent magnet to draw the cantilever head to the electric leads and locatable at a second position at a distance sufficiently far from the second major surface so as to not transfer enough flux to draw the cantilever head to the electric leads.