Patent ID: 6040611
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A microelectromechanical, MEM, device comprising:a substrate having:a first interconnection line;a second interconnection line being parallel to the first interconnection line; anda first and second primary control electrode wherein the first primary control electrode is positioned on one side of the first interconnection line and wherein the second primary control electrode is positioned on the other side of the second interconnection line;a flexible cantilever beam having a top surface and a bottom surface and a beam width and having:a flexible anchor secured to the bottom surface of the beam at a center of the beam and attached to a center of the substrate so as to position the beam orthogonally to the first and second interconnection lines;a first and second secondary control electrode secured to the bottom surface of the beam and positioned opposite the first andsecond primary control electrode saida first and second contact pad secured to the bottom surface of the beam and positioned opposite the first and second interconnection lines wherein said first contact pad and said first interconnection line define a first gap having a first gap width, and said second contact pad and said second interconnection line define a second gap having a second gap width, and wherein said flexible cantilever beam has a beam width larger than said first and second gap widths at a first and second portion corresponding to the first and second interconnection lines; andwherein when a voltage is applied to one of the first and second primary control electrodes and the corresponding one of the first and second secondary control electrodes the beam will move towards one of the first and second primary control electrodes causing one of the first and second contact pads to overlap the corresponding one of the first and second gaps so as to make an electrical connection between the corresponding one of the first and second interconnection lines.