Abstract: A variable capacitor is provided which is appropriate for suppressing fluctuation in driving voltage characteristic and for achieving a larger variation ratio of static capacitance. The variable capacitor includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrodetrode. The fixed electrode includes a first opposing face, while the movable electrode includes a second opposing face that faces the first opposing face. The movable electrode further includes a curved portion that protrudes toward the fixed electrode. The variable capacitor also includes a dielectric pattern provided on the first opposing face.

Abstract: A switch includes a first member, one end of which being secured to a substrate, multiple first beam portions respectively having multiple first contact portions, one ends of the multiple beam portions being secured to the first member, multiple contact switch portions connected in parallel, the multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions being in a contact state or in a non-contact state in the multiple contact switch portions, and resistors arranged respectively between the multiple contact switch portions and a common connection point to which the multiple contact switch portions are coupled. When at least one of the multiple switch portions is in a contact state, one of the resistors corresponding to the at least one of the multiple switch portions in a contact state has a resistance value greater than another one of the resistors corresponding to at least one of the multiple contact switch portions that is in a non-contact state.

Abstract: A switch includes a movable portion, a first electrode and a second electrode. The movable portion is provided on a substrate and moves with respect to the substrate. The first electrode is provided on the movable portion. The second electrode is able to contact with the first electrode and is fixed to the substrate. f×Ro×C?1.6×10?4 when an operation frequency is represented as “f” (Hz), a transmission impedance is represented as “Ro” (?), and a capacitance in “OFF” state between the first electrode and the second electrode is represented as “C” (F).

Abstract: A micro-switching device includes a fixing portion, a movable portion, a first electrode with first and second contacts, a second electrode with a third contact contacting the first contact, and a third electrode with a fourth contact opposing the second contact. In manufacturing the micro-switching device., the first electrode is formed on a substrate, and a sacrifice layer is formed on the substrate to cover the first electrode. Then, a first recess and a shallower second recess are formed in the sacrifice layer at a position corresponding to the first electrode. The second electrode is formed to have a portion opposing the first electrode via the sacrifice layer, and to fill the first recess. The third electrode is formed to have a portion opposing the first electrode via the sacrifice layer; and to fill the second recess. Thereafter the sacrifice layer is removed.

Abstract: A micro-switching device includes a movable electrode provided on a movable support having an end fixed to a fixing member. The switching device also includes first and second stationary electrodes. The movable electrode includes first and second contact portions. The first stationary electrode includes a third contact portion facing the first contact portion of the movable electrode. The second stationary electrode includes a fourth contact portion facing the second contact portion of the movable electrode. The distance between the first and the third contact portions is smaller than the distance between the second and the fourth contact portions. The switching device further includes a driving mechanism having a driving force generation region provided on the movable support. The center of gravity of the driving force generation region is closer to the second contact portion than to the first contact portion.

Abstract: A microstructure, suitable for avoiding sticking phenomena, includes a base, a first structural portion joined to the base, and a second structural portion opposed to the base and having a fixed end fixed to the first structural portion. Such a microstructure is made by a method including the step of processing a material substrate having a stacked structure made of a first layer, a second layer, and an intermediate layer between the first and second layers. By this method, the first layer is formed with the first structural portion, the second structural portion having the fixed end fixed to the first structural portion, and a support beam bridging the first and second structural portions. Thereafter, wet etching is performed to remove a region of the intermediate layer between the second layer and the second structural portion, followed by a drying step, and a cutting step with respect to the support beam.

Abstract: A switch includes multiple torsion springs with each of one ends thereof secured to a substrate, a beam portion, to which each of the other ends of the multiple torsion springs is secured, and which is swung by an electrostatic actuator, and a switch contact portion in which a first contact provided at the beam portion and a second contact secured to the substrate are in connection or disconnection.

Abstract: A switch includes a first member, one end of which being secured to a substrate, multiple first beam portions respectively having multiple first contact portions, one ends of the multiple beam portions being secured to the first member, multiple contact switch portions connected in parallel, the multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions being in a contact state or in a non-contact state in the multiple contact switch portions, and resistors arranged respectively between the multiple contact switch portions and a common connection point to which the multiple contact switch portions are coupled. When at least one of the multiple switch portions is in a contact state, one of the resistors corresponding to the at least one of the multiple switch portions in a contact state has a resistance value greater than another one of the resistors corresponding to at least one of the multiple contact switch portions that is in a non-contact state.

Abstract: A load is connected with a power supply. An energizing electric contact and a transient current contact are connected electrically in parallel with each other and can do time-coordinated making and breaking operation. A capacitor is connected in series with the transient current contact. During breaking operation of the energizing contact and keeping making state of the transient current contact, a transient current from the power supply flows into the capacitor and delay voltage increase of the energizing contact using voltage drop at an internal resistance of the power supply and the load.

Abstract: An electrical contact device (X1) includes a first contactor with contact portions (C1, C2) and a second contactor with contact portions (C3, C4). The device (X1) also includes an electrical circuit having a branch path (YA) provided by the contact portions (C1, C3) and a branch path (YB) provided by the contact portions (C2, C4). When closed, the branch path (YA) has a smaller resistance, and the branch path (YB) a greater resistance. In a closing operation, the first and second contactors approach each other. Then the contact portion (C1) and the contact portion (C3) contact with each other after the contact portion (C2) and the contact portion (C4) contact with each other. In an opening operation, the first and second contactors separate from each other. Then the contact portion (C1) and the contact portion (C3) separate after the contact portion (C2) and the contact portion (C4) separate.

Abstract: An electrical contact device (X1) includes a first contactor with contact portions (C1, C2) and a second contactor with contact portions (C3, C4). The device (X1) also includes an electrical circuit having a branch path (YA) provided by the contact portions (C1, C3) and a branch path (YB) provided by the contact portions (C2, C4). When closed, the branch path (YA) has a smaller resistance, and the branch path (YB) a greater resistance. In a closing operation, the first and second contactors approach each other. Then the contact portion (C1) and the contact portion (C3) contact with each other after the contact portion (C2) and the contact portion (C4) contact with each other. In an opening operation, the first and second contactors separate from each other. Then the contact portion (C1) and the contact portion (C3) separate after the contact portion (C2) and the contact portion (C4) separate.

Abstract: An electrical contacting device includes a plurality of current paths connected in parallel to each other, and a plurality of electrical contact points each having a first contact and a second contact that are mechanically opened and closed. Each current path is provided with a corresponding one of the contact points. For prevention of the occurrence of arc discharge at the contact points, each current path has its electrical characteristics adjusted in order not to allow the passage of the minimum discharge current.

Abstract: An electrical contacting device includes a plurality of current paths connected in parallel to each other, and a plurality of electrical contact points each having a first contact and a second contact that are mechanically opened and closed. Each current path is provided with a corresponding one of the contact points. For prevention of the occurrence of arc discharge at the contact points, each current path has its electrical characteristics adjusted in order not to allow the passage of the minimum discharge current.