IP Library Granted Patent US 7,731,551
Granted Patent B2
US 7,731,551 · App. 11/908,768 · Granted Jun 8, 2010

Contact, method for manufacturing contact, connection device including contact, and method for manufacturing connection device

Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,731,551
App. No.
11/908,768
Granted
Jun 8, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

To provide a contact, formed in an amorphous state, having better spring properties as compared to conventional one; a method for manufacturing the contact; a connection device including the contact; and a method for manufacturing the connection device. The present invention provides a contact comprising an elastically deforming portion that includes at least one amorphous part. The elastically deforming portion includes an auxiliary elastic member 41 made of, for example, NiP (a P content of 15 atomic percent). In this case, an amorphous phase 50 is predominant in the auxiliary elastic member 41 . This enhances spring properties such as a yield stress.

Claims (16)

1. A contact comprising an elastically deforming portion, wherein the elastically deforming portion comprises Ni—X (where X is at least one selected from the group consisting of P, W, and B) in an amorphous state including an amorphous phase and crystals scattered in the amorphous phase, wherein the amorphous phase occupies 60 volume percent or more in the Ni—X and the crystals have a diameter in a range from 3 nm to 15 nm.

2. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the crystals are intermetallic compound crystals formed of Ni—X.

3. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion is formed of only Ni—X.

4. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion is provided with an elastic region made of the Ni—X in a part of a cross section cut in a thickness direction.

5. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion includes a conductive member and an auxiliary elastic member, the conductive member has a resistivity less than that of the auxiliary elastic member, and the auxiliary elastic member has a yield point and elastic modulus greater than those of the conductive member and is formed of the Ni—X.

6. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion is entirely formed in the amorphous state.

7. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the element X is P.

8. The contact according to claim 7 , wherein a composition ratio of P is 15 to 30 atomic percent.

9. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the element X is W.

10. The contact according to claim 9 , wherein a composition ratio of W is 14.5 to 36 atomic percent.

11. The contact according to claim 10 , wherein a composition ratio of W is 20 atomic percent or more.

12. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the Ni—X is formed by plating.

13. The contact according to claim 1 , further comprising ultra-fine precipitates, having a size of 1 mn or less, in addition to the amorphous phase and the crystals.

14. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion has such a yield point that the load applied thereto is 19.6 mN or more and the distortion thereof is 0.1 mm or more.

15. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion is formed in a spiral shape.

16. The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the elastically deforming portion is subjected to heating in a three-dimensionally-shaped state.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 1, 2019
From: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048209/0197 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2007
From: YOSHIDA, SHIN; NAGANO, SHINICHI
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD
Reel/Frame 019830/0157 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2005-074522 · Mar 16, 2005 · national
JP 2006-017030 · Jan 26, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080188101A1 · Aug 7, 2008