Micro electromagnetically actuated latched switches

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10580604-B2
Application number	US-201715458444-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2017
Priority date	Jun 5, 2012
Publication date	Mar 3, 2020
Grant date	Mar 3, 2020

Abstract

Micro-electromagnetically actuated latched miniature relay switches formed from laminate layers comprising a spring and magnet, electromagnetic coils, magnetic latching material, and transmission line with contacts. Preferably the miniature relay switches transmit up to about 50 W of DC or AC line power, and carry up to about 10 A of load current, with an overall volume of less than about 100 mm 3 . In addition to switching large power, the device preferably requires less than 3 V to actuate, and has a latching feature that retains the switch state after actuation without the need for external applied voltage or current.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A latching micro-electro-mechanical relay switch comprising:
a first laminate layer comprising a moveable component comprising a spring and a magnet,
a second laminate layer comprising a coil, the coil configured to actuate the moveable component, and
a third laminate layer comprising a magnetic material, the magnetic material configured to hold the magnet of the moveable component, the magnetic material further configured to latch the magnet of the moveable component into an “on” state,
wherein the first, second and third laminate layers are separate and distinct layers, and
wherein the first laminate layer is positioned between the second laminate layer and the third laminate layer.

2. The switch of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third laminate layers are laminated together.

3. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises a multi-turn, six layer coil.

4. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises a six layer coil.

5. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the moveable component comprises a polyimide spring.

6. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the third laminate layer comprises a transmission/signal line.

7. The switch of claim 6 , wherein the transmission/signal line comprises a plurality of contact pads.

8. The switch of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic material is positioned below the plurality of contact pads to provide magnetic latching.

9. The switch of claim 1 , wherein contact surfaces between the magnet and contact pads are coated with a conductive element coating.

10. A switch according to claim 9 , applied as a standalone micro relay control function for one of windshield wipers, flashers, power steering, door locks, dashboard electronics, or defogger.

11. The switch of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second electromagnetic coil for providing electromagnetic energy to actuate the moveable component.

12. The switch of claim 11 , wherein the magnet and spring are actuated to latch the magnet on both the top and bottom of the switch.

13. A standalone automotive micro relay control switch, comprising a switch according to claim 1 .

14. An embedded automotive micro relay control switch, comprising a switch according to claim 1 .

15. A multi-channel lighting control box, comprising at least one switch according to claim 1 .

16. The multi-channel lighting control box according to claim 15 , configured to control one or more lights.

17. The multi-channel lighting control box according to claim 15 , configured to control a panel of lights.

18. The multi-channel lighting control box according to claim 15 , configured to receive commands from a computing device via a network.

19. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the coil provides electromagnetic energy to actuate the moveable component.

20. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is driven to the latched “on” state when a pulsed current passes through the coil.

21. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is driven to a delatched state when a pulsed current is reversed through the coil.

22. A single pole, single throw (SPST) electromagnetic micro relay comprising
a plurality of laminate layers,
a movable component having a spring and magnet in a first laminate layer of the plurality of laminate layers,
a magnetic material in a third laminate layer of the plurality of laminate layers, and
an electromagnetic actuation mechanism in a second laminate layer of the plurality of laminate layers, wherein the movable component is actuated by the mechanism to pull the movable component close enough to the magnetic material to latch the movable component in an “on” state,
wherein the first, second and third laminate layers are separate and distinct layers, and
wherein the first laminate layer is positioned between the second laminate layer and the third laminate layer.

23. The SPST of claim 22 , wherein the electromagnetic actuation mechanism includes an electromagnetic coil in the second laminate layer of the plurality of laminate layers.

24. The SPST of claim 23 , further comprising an iron core positioned within the electromagnetic coil.

Assignees

• Univ California

Inventors

• Bachman Mark
• Li Guann-Pyng
• Zhang Yang
• Wang Minfeng

Classifications

• B81B3/0054 Primary

  For holding or placing an element in a given position · CPC title

• B81B2201/016

  having a bridge fixed on two ends and connected to one or more dimples · CPC title

• H01H50/005

  using micromechanics · CPC title

• H01H2001/0042

  Bistable switches, i.e. having two stable positions requiring only actuating energy for switching between them, e.g. with snap membrane or by permanent magnet · CPC title

• H01H50/58

  Driving arrangements structurally associated therewith; Mounting of driving arrangements on armature · CPC title