Magnetic microswitch
AssigneeAsulab S.A.
InventorFran.cedilla.ois Gueissaz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Magnetic microswitch able to be actuated by a magnetic field, including two strips (1, 2) each including a distal portion (5, 5') whose overlap forms an air gap of distance e, at least one of said strips (1) made of magnetic material having one end (3) attached to the substrate via a foot (9), a median portion (4) and a distal portion (5) of length L.sub.o, said strip being flexible with respect to the second strip (2). The median portion (4) of the flexible strip (1) is formed with a total cross-section less than that of the distal portion (5) so as to have a lesser bending resistance allowing the strip to have both deflection of an amplitude at least equal to e to make contact under the influence of a magnetic field and sufficient return force towards the open position in the absence of a magnetic field.
Claims16
A magnetic microswitch, made in one piece by galvanic growth from a substrate, including two conductive strips having, with respect to one another, overlapping ends and remote ends, connected at their remote ends to electric connection means, and each including a distal portion, whose overlap determines an air gap of distance e,
- at least one of said strips being made of magnetic material and consisting of one remote end attached to the substrate via a foot, a distal portion, and a median portion formed by at least one isthmus connecting said distal portion to the end fixed to the foot, said strip having a constant thickness and being flexible with respect to the distal portion of the second strip between an open position in the absence of a magnetic field and a closed position in which the two strips are in contact with each other under the influence of the magnetic field,
- wherein said median portion of the flexible strip is formed with a total cross-section less than the cross-section of the distal portion, thereby allowing the strip to have both deflection of an amplitude at least equal to e to make contact under the influence of a magnetic field and sufficient return force towards the open position in the absence of a magnetic field.
A magnetic microswitch, made in one piece by galvanic growth from a substrate, including two conductive strips having, with respect to one another, overlapping ends and remote ends, connected at their remote ends to electric connection means, and each including a distal portion, whose overlap determines an air gap of distance e,
- at least one of said strips being made of magnetic material and consisting of one remote end attached to the substrate via a foot, a distal portion, and a median portion wherein the thickness of the median portion is less than the thickness of the distal portion, said strip being flexible with respect to the distal portion of the second strip between an open position in the absence of a magnetic field and a closed position in which the two strips are in contact with each other under the influence of the magnetic field,
- wherein said median portion of the flexible strip is formed with a total cross-section less than the cross-section of the distal portion, thereby allowing the strip to have both deflection of an amplitude at least equal to e to make contact under the influence of a magnetic field and sufficient return force towards the open position in the absence of a magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.