The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 01, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 12, 2001
Shuyun Wu, Arcadia, CA (US);
Brent E. Burns, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Integrated Micromachines, Inc., Monrovia, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a micro-switch assembly involving a magnetic latching mechanism. In one aspect of the present invention, it involves a micromachined structure that comprises an outer frame, an inner frame pivotally connected to the outer frame and rotates when an external electromagnetic force is applied, and a mechanism for latching the inner frame at a given angle of inclination relative to the outer frame. One embodiment of the present invention involves the use of a magnetic material, such as Permalloy, and permanent magnets to achieve the latching result. A Permalloy piece is attached to the inner frame of the micro-switch assembly and a magnet layer is attached to the outer frame. The magnetic force attracting the Permalloy piece and the magnet layer allows the latching of the two frames to occur in the absence of the external applied electromagnetic force. The use of this magnetic latching mechanism allows a reduction in the use of electric current to maintain a movable frame in a micromachined structure or a micro-switch assembly in a fixed position. It provides greater mechanical and optical stability and less energy consumption. In other embodiments, additional Permalloy pieces can be added to the outer frame to increase the magnetic field, so as to further reduce the electric current necessary for latching and unlatching the frames.