Method of releasing an attachment

• US 20050036828A1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Tanskanen, Pia, Ryynanen, Matti
• Application Number:
  US10/496,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036828A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/77 Use of a shape-memory material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/07 by means of multiple interengaging protrusions on the surfaces, e.g. hooks, coils,
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/21 Utilizing thermal characteristic, e.g. , expansion or contraction, etc.

Abstract

The invention relates to a product comprising at least two parts (1, 2) attached to each other by at least one attachment means. In order to make automated disassembly of the product possible, said at least one attachment means (3 to 5) includes an element (5) made of an MSM material, which is shaped in a first shape allowing said at least one attachment means (3 to 5) to attach said parts (1, 2) to each other, and which is responsive to a magnetic field for entering a shape transition resulting in a second shape, whereby the attachment between said parts achieved by said at least one attachment means (3 to 5) is released.

Claims

1. A method of releasing an attachment between parts attached to each other by at least one attachment means, comprising

exposing said at least one attachment means to a magnetic field, which triggers a Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) element included in said at least one attachment means to a shape transition resulting in a shape where said at least one attachment means releases the attachment between the parts.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising

cooling down said parts in order to adjust the temperature of said MSM element to a predetermined temperature range prior to said step of exposing said at least one attachment means to a magnetic field.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comrising:

arranging said parts attached to each other onto a conveyor; and

transporting said parts on the conveyor through a gap where the magnetic field has been generated, whereby said at least one attachment means is exposed to the magnetic field.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein

arranging said parts onto the conveyor comprises arranging said parts onto the conveyor in a predetermined position such that said at least one attachment means will be exposed to the magnetic field from a predetermined direction.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising

generating said magnetic field with one or more permanent magnets.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising

generating said magnetic field with one or more electromagnets.

15. A method according to claim 2, further comrising:

arranging said parts attached to each other onto a conveyor; and

transporting said parts on the conveyor through a gap where the magnetic field has been generated, whereby said at least one attachment means is exposed to the magnetic field.

16. A method according to claim 2, further comprising generating said magnetic field with one or more permanent magnets.

17. A method according to claim 3, further comprising generating said magnetic field with one or more permanent magnets.

18. A method according to claim 4, further comprising generating said magnetic field with one or more permanent magnets.

19. A method according to claim 2, further comprising generating said magnetic field with one or more electromagnets.

20. A method according to claim 3, further comprising generating said magnetic field with one or more electromagnets.

21. A method according to claim 4, further comprising generating said magnetic field with one or more electromagnets.

7. A method of handling parts of a product, comprising:

providing said parts with at least one attachment means comprising a Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) element, which is shaped to allow said at least one attachment means to attach the parts to each other;

attaching said parts to each other with said at least one attachment means; and

in order to disassemble said product,

exposing said at least one attachment means to a magnetic field, which triggers a shape transition of said MSM element resulting in a shape where said at least one attachment means releases the attachment between the parts.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising

cooling down said parts in order to adjust the temperature of said MSM element to a predetermined temperature range prior to exposing said at least one attachment means to the magnetic field.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said exposing of said at least one attachment means to the magnetic field is carried out by transporting said parts through a magnetic field generated by one or more permanent magnets.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein said exposing of said at least one attachment means to the magnetic field is carried out by transporting said parts through a magnetic field generated by one or more electromagnets.

13. A product according to claim 10, wherein said product is a portable communication terminal.

22. A method according to claim 8, wherein said exposing of said at least one attachment means to the magnetic field is carried out by transporting said parts through a magnetic field generated by one or more permanent magnets.

23. A method according to claim 8, wherein said exposing of said at least one attachment means to the magnetic field is carried out by transporting said parts through a magnetic field generated by one or more electromagnets.

26. A product according to claim 13, wherein the material of said MSM element consists of NiMnGa alloy.

11. A product comprising at least two parts attached to each other by at least one attachment means, wherein

said at least one attachment means includes an element made of a Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) material, which is shaped in a first shape allowing said at least one attachment means to attach said parts to each other, and which is responsive to a magnetic field for entering a shape transition resulting in a second shape, whereby the attachment between said parts achieved by said at least one attachment means is released.

12. A product according to claim 11, wherein

said element is made of an MSM material which is responsive to a magnetic field for entering a shape transition, provided that the temperature of the material is within a predetermined temperature range substantially below ordinary room temperature.

14. A product according to claim 11, wherein the material of said MSM element consists of NiMnGa alloy.

24. A product according to claim 11, wherein said product is a portable communication terminal.

25. A product according to claim 12, wherein the material of said MSM element consists of NiMnGa alloy.