the present invention is directed to a micro - switch assembly involving a magnetic latching mechanism . in one aspect of the present invention , it involves a micromachined structure that comprises an outer frame , an inner frame pivotally connected to the outer frame and rotates when an external electromagnetic force is applied , and a mechanism for latching the inner frame at a given angle of inclination relative to the outer frame . one embodiment of the present invention involves the use of a magnetic material , such as permalloy , and permanent magnets to achieve the latching result . a permalloy piece is attached to the inner frame of the micro - switch assembly and a magnet layer is attached to the outer frame . the magnetic force attracting the permalloy piece and the magnet layer allows the latching of the two frames to occur in the absence of the external applied electromagnetic force . the use of this magnetic latching mechanism allows a reduction in the use of electric current to maintain a movable frame in a micromachined structure or a micro - switch assembly in a fixed position . it provides greater mechanical and optical stability and less energy consumption . in other embodiments , additional permalloy pieces can be added to the outer frame to increase the magnetic field , so as to further reduce the electric current necessary for latching and unlatching the frames .