Patent ID: 7342473

Claim:
A laminated electro-magnetic relay, comprising: a stack of layers, including: a permanent magnet layer that produces a first magnetic field; a layer having a movable element held between a pair of axially-aligned, rotationally flexible hinges; a first spacer layer between said permanent magnet layer and said layer having said movable element, wherein said first spacer layer has an opening formed therein and a bar member, wherein said opening is formed to allow at least one end portion of said movable element to move into a plane of said first spacer layer; and a layer having a coil that produces a second magnetic field to switch said moveable element between first and second stable states; wherein said bar member is: (1) positioned across said opening; (2) parallel to and in alignment with said pair of axially-aligned, rotationally flexible hinges; and (3) adjacent to a central portion of said movable element; wherein at least said central portion of said movable element is magnetically attracted toward said permanent magnet layer; whereby said bar member physically prevents said central portion of said movable element from flexing toward said permanent magnet layer due to said magnetic attraction.