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:
Nov. 12, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 26, 2010
Tang Min, Singapore, SG;
Olivier Le Neel, Singapore, SG;
Ravi Shankar, Singapore, SG;
STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Singapore, SG;
STMicroelectronics N.V., Amsterdam, NL;
Abstract
Switches that are actuated through exposure to a magnetic field are described. A mobile element of a switch includes one or more anchoring members that are in electrical contact with one of the conductive portions. The mobile element also has a beam that is attached to the one or more anchoring members. The beam can be attached to the one or more anchoring members by flexures. The beam has an end portion that is configured to move toward the other conductive portion when exposed to an external force, such as a magnetic field. Various configurations of anchoring members may significantly decrease initial upward beam deformation upon manufacture of the mobile element, resulting in an increased sensitivity upon exposure to a magnetic field. Methods for manufacturing switches that exhibit increased sensitivity to magnetic fields are also disclosed.