Patent ID: 7688166

Claim:
A micro electromechanical switch comprising: a base substrate portion formed from a substrate; a switch device, wherein the switch device comprises a moveable member separated at least in part from the base substrate portion so as to permit lateral movement of the moveable member along the base substrate portion, wherein the lateral movement allows the moveable member to electrically engage and disengage with a receiving terminal, and further wherein the moveable member and the receiving terminal each comprise: a switch substrate portion formed from the substrate; an insulating layer proximate to the switch substrate portion, wherein at least the insulating layer defines a corner region of the moveable member; and a conducting layer proximate to the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer lies between the conducting layer and the switch substrate portion, and further wherein the conducting layer comprises a protruding region extending radially outward from the switch substrate portion and at least the corner region of the moveable member; and wherein the moveable member further comprises an actuating portion responsive to an actuation stimulus to cause the protruding region of the moveable member to laterally and switchably engage and disengage the protruding region of the receiving terminal to thereby toggle the micro electromechanical switch between an open state and a closed state.