Micromechanical moving structures including multiple contact switching system

A micromechanical electric switch comprising:

• an electrically-insulative base having a generally planar surface;
• a patterned first conductive layer on said base comprising at least a pair of stationary switch contacts;
• a cavity-supporting polymer dielectric layer over said base and said patterned first conductive layer;
• at least one cavity in said cavity-supporting polymer dielectric layer exposing said stationary switch contacts;
• at least one movable switch contact generally conforming to the shape of said at least one cavity and axially movable within said at least one cavity, said at least one movable switch contact comprising a portion of a second conductive layer;
• and
• an actuator attached to said second conductive layer.

A micromechanical electric switch comprising:

• an electrically-insulative base having a generally planar surface;
• a patterned first conductive layer on said base comprising a plurality of pairs of stationary switch contacts;
• a cavity-supporting polymer dielectric layer over said base and said patterned first conductive layer;
• a plurality of cavities in said cavity-supporting polymer dielectric layer exposing said stationary switch contacts;
• a plurality of movable switch contacts generally conforming to the shape of said cavities and axially movable within said cavities, said movable switch contacts comprising a portion of a second conductive layer;
• and
• an actuator attached to said second conductive layer.