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EP0123376A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Connector using a shape memory alloy member

Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1984-02-06
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2004-02-06
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Abstract

Abstract Aconnecter has thin sheets (2) of shape memory alloy on a surface of a substrate (1), positioned such that the sheets (2) project over a hole in the substrate. A pin (3) is inserted into the hole with the temperature being such that the sheets (2) are easily deformed. A suitable change oftemperature causes the sheets (2) to attempt to return to their original shape, thereby establishing a good electrical connection between the sheets (2) and the pin (3). Another change of temperature causes the sheets (2) to stop trying to return to their original shape, making it easy to remove the pin (3). This arrangement makes possible a reliable connector which may easily be made small.

Inventors

  • 👤 Shinichi Ito
  • 👤 Keiichirou Nakanishi
  • 👤 Akira Masaki
  • 👤 Kiichiro Mukai

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 18:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/01

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 58 words
1 . A connecter having a connection terminal of a shape memory alloy; characterised in that: the connecter includes an insulator substrate (1) having a hole therein; and in that the connection terminal comprises a thin sheet (2) of the shape memory alloy on the substrate, the terminal having a gap portion for insertion of a pin (3).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 58 words
1 . A connecter having a connection terminal of a shape memory alloy; characterised in that: the connecter includes an insulator substrate (1) having a hole therein; and in that the connection terminal comprises a thin sheet (2) of the shape memory alloy on the substrate, the terminal having a gap portion for insertion of a pin (3).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A connecter according to claim 1 wherein the tip of the thin sheet (2) is bent in the direction of insertion of the pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
A connecter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connection terminal includes at least two thin sheets (2) of the shape memory alloy, the gap portion being between the ends of the two sheets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
A connecter according to claim 3, wherein the number n of thin sheets is : where n max is a number determined by consideration of thin sheet each having a maximum width equal to their thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A connecter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hole has a tapering portion at the surface of the substrate (1).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
A connecter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection terminal is located on the surface of the substrate towards which the pin is inserted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 39 words
A connecter according to any one of the preceding claims having a plurality of substrates (1) and a corresponding plurality of connection terminals (2), whereby the terminals are electrically connected one with another when the pin (3) is inserted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A connecter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thin sheet (2) is shaped by photolithography.

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