Multi integrated switching device structures
AssigneeTelepath Networks, Inc.
InventorsKevin Wilson, Robert Tarzwell, Patrick McGuire
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A permanent magnet is pivotally mounted in a top spacer layer of a switching device and rests on a flex arm created in an underlying flex circuit layer. The underside of the flex arm rests on a thin bar formed in a lower spacer layer beneath which lies a base layer including an electromagnet. Activation of the electromagnet causes rotation of the flex arm to thereby close and open electrical contacts formed respectively on the underside of the flex arm and on the top surface of the base layer.
Claims18
A switching device comprising:
- a planar flex circuit layer with a single permanent magnet mounted thereon, the single permanent magnet having a central pivot point and being configured to rotate about said pivot point to open or close electrical contacts;
- a soft iron core magnet and a coil wound about the core, the magnet and coil being disposed beneath the flex circuit layer;
- and
- a first pair of electrical contacts positioned on a bottom surface of the flex circuit layer.
A switching device structure comprising:
- a flex circuit layer having a flex arm suspended to pivot in a cavity formed in said flex circuit layer by first and second pivot arms, each of the first and second pivot arms being positioned on respective opposite sides of said flex arm and extending horizontally from the respective opposite side;
- first and second electrical contacts mounted on a bottom surface of said flex arm and positioned to come into contact with respective third and fourth electrical contacts positioned on an underlying base component;
- and
- first and second electrical signal traces on said bottom surface respectively configured to electrically interconnect with the first and second electrical contacts and to run out a respective one of the pivot arms onto a surface of said flex circuit layer adjacent said cavity, the flex arm further being pivotable with respect to said flex circuit layer to such an extent that the first and second electrical contacts are enabled to come into contact with the respective third and fourth electrical contacts on the underlying base component.
A switching device structure comprising:
- a flex circuit layer having a flex arm suspended to pivot in a cavity formed in said flex circuit layer by first and second pivot arms, each of the first and second pivot arms being positioned on respective opposite sides of said flex arm and extending horizontally from the respective opposite side;
- first and second electrical contacts mounted on a bottom surface of said flex arm and positioned to come into contact with respective third and fourth electrical contacts positioned on an underlying base component;
- and
- first and second electrical signal traces on said bottom surface respectively configured to electrically interconnect with the first and second electrical contacts and to run out a respective one of the pivot arms onto a surface of said flex circuit layer adjacent said cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.