EP0909223B1 - Transducteur ultrasonique avec element de contact - Google Patents

Transducteur ultrasonique avec element de contact Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0909223B1
EP0909223B1 EP97929161A EP97929161A EP0909223B1 EP 0909223 B1 EP0909223 B1 EP 0909223B1 EP 97929161 A EP97929161 A EP 97929161A EP 97929161 A EP97929161 A EP 97929161A EP 0909223 B1 EP0909223 B1 EP 0909223B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ultrasonic transducer
oscillating element
contact springs
transducer according
oscillating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97929161A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0909223A1 (fr
Inventor
Johann Meier
Karl-Heinz Zoller
Thomas Handschiegel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
Original Assignee
Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH filed Critical Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
Publication of EP0909223A1 publication Critical patent/EP0909223A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0909223B1 publication Critical patent/EP0909223B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/004—Mounting transducers, e.g. provided with mechanical moving or orienting device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
    • B06B1/0662—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface
    • B06B1/0681—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface and a damping structure
    • B06B1/0685—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface and a damping structure on the back only of piezoelectric elements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer, particularly for distance warning systems on motor vehicles.
  • Such transducers are provided with a piezo disk, which is set in vibration by applying a voltage. These vibrations are transmitted to a vibrating element, it being known to lead at least one of the electrical connecting lines via the vibrating element to the piezo disk.
  • a vibrating element it being known to lead at least one of the electrical connecting lines via the vibrating element to the piezo disk.
  • Such a construction is shown for example in German patent application 196 01 656.8.
  • a disadvantage of such transducers is that the electrical lines either have to be soldered directly to the piezo element or at least partially guided through the vibration element, which is preferably made of aluminum. This means that a permanent electrical connection between the feed line and the vibrating element or the piezo disk must be created.
  • the electrical line is soldered directly to the piezo disk or the line is inserted into a groove of the vibration element made of aluminum and caulked there. Both electrical connections can be critical and are less suitable for automatic execution.
  • Another disadvantage is that the transducer is regularly provided with a damping element arranged above the disc within the oscillating element. It must therefore also be ensured that the electrical connection lines are passed through corresponding holes in the damping element, which further complicates simplified production.
  • DE-OS 38 26 799 it has already been proposed to create the connection by means of contact pins which can be inserted into one another, but the ends of the contact pins in turn also have to be permanently connected to the piezo crystal.
  • an ultrasonic transducer in which an electrical circuit in the form of a printed circuit board is inserted.
  • protruding elastic contact arms are attached, which are placed under prestress on assigned connection points in the converter.
  • the contact arms are soldered to the circuit board and are guided through the circuit board through assigned openings after the soldering process.
  • the printed circuit board is held within a holding pot. With regard to contacting, this results in a comparatively complex construction.
  • the invention is therefore based on an ultrasound migrator of the type resulting from the preamble of claim 1.
  • the object of the invention is to simplify the contacting of such transducers and to facilitate mechanical production.
  • the object is achieved by the combination of features resulting from the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the invention therefore consists in providing a special composite body for contacting, with which the contact springs are cast and thus find a firm hold.
  • the invention allows a number of advantageous developments, which are explained below.
  • This measure serves to guide contact springs and to give them a firm hold within the oscillating element.
  • connection body is selected in its outer shape such that it can be pressed into the interior of the cup-shaped vibrating element and is thus permanently anchored in the interior. In this way, the necessary support for the spring contacts cast with the connecting body is created, so that they can rest on the piezo disk with a considerable contact force and thus ensure good contact.
  • the contact spring is guided in its central section in the edge region and coaxially to this of the connecting body, so that there are short distances.
  • Good contact is made with the inner lateral surface of the oscillating element in that the contact on the end of the connecting body facing the piezo disk is bent back in a U-shape, so that the protruding first end can contact the electrically conductive inner lateral surface of the oscillating element over a longer area .
  • a particular advantage can be achieved in that the connecting body is simultaneously used as a damping body for the transducer by producing material that dampens it from suitable vibrations.
  • annular connecting body 1 which can also be designed as a solid body and is preferably formed from damping material.
  • Two contact springs 3, 4 are injected into the wall surface of the connecting body 1.
  • the first ends 5 of the contact springs 3 and 4 serve for the solder connection of connecting lines which are led out of the converter, not shown in the drawing.
  • the free second end 6 of the contact spring 3 is bent into a U-shape at the lower end of the ring and protrudes somewhat from the outer surface of the connecting body 1.
  • an elastic contact surface is created which bears on the inner lateral surface of the oscillating element (not shown) made of conductive metal (aluminum) with good electrical contact.
  • the free end of the contact spring 4 bifurcates into the free second ends 7 and 8, which protrude slightly obliquely at an angle to the bottom plane of the connecting body, so that they can rest with good contact on the bottom of the hollow-cylindrical oscillating element and a good one for this have electrical contact.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show at the first ends 5 of the contact springs 3 and 4 soldered connecting lines 10 and 11.
  • the contact spring 4 is not bifurcated at its lower end, but has only a single free second end 7.
  • the free second end 6 of the contact spring 3 does not protrude freely from the receiving groove in the lateral surface of the connecting body, but is caught in this groove with its end region, so that the free end 6 bulges out of the groove and with its contour over the lateral surface of the connecting body 1 for contacting the oscillating element protrudes.

Claims (6)

  1. Transducteur à ultrasons, en particulier pour installations d'avertissement de distances sur des véhicules à moteur, avec un boîtier présentant une chambre réceptrice pour un élément oscillant en forme de pot, dans lequel l'élément oscillant comporte une paroi latérale périphérique et porte sur sa surface inférieure servant de membrane un disque piézoélectrique, et dans lequel le disque piézoélectrique et, de préférence, l'élément oscillant, sont pourvus de contacts avec des conducteurs de connexion électriques, dans lequel les contacts sont formés par des ressorts de contact (3, 4), dont les secondes extrémités (6, 7, 8) s'appliquent sur le disque piézoélectrique et/ou sur l'élément oscillant et les conducteurs de connexion (10, 11) sont connectés aux premières extrémités libres (5) des ressorts de contact (3, 4), caractérisé en ce que les ressorts de contact (3, 4) sont fixés par coulage avec un corps composite en forme de cylindre (1), les extrémités (5, 6, 7, 8) desdits ressorts s'écartant ou se bombant hors du corps.
  2. Transducteur à ultrasons selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le corps de connexion (1) est pressé dans l'élément oscillant et s'appuie sur l'élément oscillant par la force de frottement contre la surface enveloppante interne de l'élément oscillant et y est ainsi maintenu en position en raison de la force élastique des extrémités des ressorts de contact appliqués.
  3. Transducteur à ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité s'appliquant sur le disque piézoélectrique est divisée en deux extrémités libres (7, 8) ou est formé de deux extrémités libres de deux ressorts de contact parallèles (4).
  4. Transducteur à ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la première extrémité libre (6) affectée à l'élément oscillant est repliée parallèlement à la surface enveloppante interne de l'élément oscillant.
  5. Transducteur à ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le corps de connexion (1) est de forme annulaire ou en forme de cylindre plein et les ressorts de contact (3, 4) s'étendent sensiblement de manière coaxiale à l'intérieur du corps et de préférence dans sa zone périphérique.
  6. Transducteur à ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le corps de connexion est formé en corps amortisseur pour le transducteur et est constitué d'un matériau amortisseur approprié.
EP97929161A 1996-07-01 1997-06-10 Transducteur ultrasonique avec element de contact Expired - Lifetime EP0909223B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19626293 1996-07-01
DE19626293A DE19626293A1 (de) 1996-07-01 1996-07-01 Ultraschallwandler mit Kontaktglied
PCT/EP1997/003019 WO1998000242A1 (fr) 1996-07-01 1997-06-10 Transducteur ultrasonique avec element de contact

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0909223A1 EP0909223A1 (fr) 1999-04-21
EP0909223B1 true EP0909223B1 (fr) 2001-09-19

Family

ID=7798508

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97929161A Expired - Lifetime EP0909223B1 (fr) 1996-07-01 1997-06-10 Transducteur ultrasonique avec element de contact

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6163505A (fr)
EP (1) EP0909223B1 (fr)
DE (2) DE19626293A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2160960T3 (fr)
HU (1) HUP9904041A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998000242A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19744229A1 (de) * 1997-10-07 1999-04-29 Bosch Gmbh Robert Ultraschallwandler
DE19914109C2 (de) * 1999-03-23 2001-10-11 Atotech Deutschland Gmbh Halterung für einen Schwingquarz
DE102008003283A1 (de) * 2008-01-05 2009-07-09 Marquardt Gmbh Füllstandssensor
JP5802212B2 (ja) * 2009-11-09 2015-10-28 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エヌ ヴェ コンプライアント電気接続を備えた曲面超音波ｈｉｆｕトランスデューサ
DE102009052814B3 (de) * 2009-11-13 2011-05-19 Hydrometer Gmbh Ultraschallwandler-Anordnung und Durchflussmesser
DE102010008223A1 (de) * 2010-02-10 2011-08-11 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH, 75038 Signalgebereinrichtung mit einem elektrischen akustischen Signalgeber
DE102013111319B4 (de) * 2013-10-14 2019-10-10 Ge Sensing & Inspection Technologies Gmbh Ultraschallprüfkopf mit neuartiger elektrischer Kontaktierung eines umfassten Ultraschallwandlers sowie Verfahren zur Herstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Prüfkopfs
DE102013022048A1 (de) * 2013-12-23 2015-06-25 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Ultraschallsensor
CN109967330B (zh) * 2018-12-27 2023-11-28 无锡市宇超电子有限公司 一种超声换能装置
DE102020204255A1 (de) 2020-04-01 2021-10-07 Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Membrantopf
DE102020206431A1 (de) 2020-05-25 2021-11-25 Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Membrantopf

Family Cites Families (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US34773A (en) * 1862-03-25 Improvement in apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating-gas
NL6614730A (fr) * 1965-10-26 1967-04-27
US3697985A (en) * 1970-09-23 1972-10-10 Bendix Corp Rear end warning system for automobiles
US3989965A (en) * 1973-07-27 1976-11-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Acoustic transducer with damping means
BR7405910D0 (pt) * 1973-08-09 1975-05-27 Mallory & Co Inc P R Aperfeicoamentos e dispositivo de alarme audivel utilizando um transdutor piezoeletrico
US4081626A (en) * 1976-11-12 1978-03-28 Polaroid Corporation Electrostatic transducer having narrowed directional characteristic
US4162111A (en) * 1977-08-25 1979-07-24 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer with damped housing
US4240152A (en) * 1978-06-15 1980-12-16 Duncan Robert L Object indicator for moving vehicles
US4467313A (en) * 1980-11-14 1984-08-21 Nippon Soken, Inc. Automotive rear safety checking apparatus
US4401089A (en) * 1981-02-09 1983-08-30 Midas International Corporation Ultrasonic transducer
US4450430A (en) * 1981-04-24 1984-05-22 Barishpolsky Boris M Lane change guidance system
US4417480A (en) * 1981-06-02 1983-11-29 Mapco, Inc. Dampened ultrasonic transducer
DE3318525A1 (de) * 1982-09-30 1984-04-05 Emhart Industries, Inc., 46206 Indianapolis, Ind. Ton-signalgebereinrichtung
US4626850A (en) * 1983-05-16 1986-12-02 David Chey Vehicle detection and collision avoidance apparatus
GB2141902B (en) * 1983-05-23 1986-09-17 Raytheon Co Composite transducer
DE3330411A1 (de) * 1983-08-23 1985-03-14 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Piezo-wandler
JPS60114100A (ja) * 1983-11-26 1985-06-20 Toshiba Corp 超音波トランスジユ−サの製造方法
US4691418A (en) * 1986-08-11 1987-09-08 Medasonics Inc. Ultrasonic transducer method
US4797673A (en) * 1986-08-13 1989-01-10 Steven F. Sommers Driver alerting device
DE8704183U1 (fr) * 1987-03-20 1988-07-21 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen, De
US4803670A (en) * 1987-07-07 1989-02-07 Li-Ling Lin Ultrasonic ranging device
EP0312845B1 (fr) * 1987-10-19 1993-05-26 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif de surveillance pour véhicules en marche arrière
DE8717468U1 (fr) * 1987-10-19 1989-03-09 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen, De
DE3826799C2 (de) * 1988-08-06 1995-08-31 Teves Gmbh Alfred Ultraschallwandler
US4994800A (en) * 1989-02-21 1991-02-19 Milliken Franklin L Snap-in housing for backup alarm
US5373482A (en) * 1990-02-26 1994-12-13 Trend Tec Inc. Distance measuring system arranged to limit false indications of distance measurements
US5463384A (en) * 1991-02-11 1995-10-31 Auto-Sense, Ltd. Collision avoidance system for vehicles
US5394292A (en) * 1991-04-30 1995-02-28 Tsuden Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic car bumper
US5229975A (en) * 1992-06-03 1993-07-20 Dynatech Corporation Vehicle proximity sensor
DE4325028B4 (de) * 1993-07-26 2005-05-19 Siemens Ag Ultraschall-Wandlereinrichtung mit einem ein- oder zweidimensionalen Array von Wandlerelementen
US5844471A (en) * 1997-06-13 1998-12-01 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Heated vehicle exterior object sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2160960T3 (es) 2001-11-16
EP0909223A1 (fr) 1999-04-21
WO1998000242A1 (fr) 1998-01-08
US6163505A (en) 2000-12-19
DE19626293A1 (de) 1998-01-08
DE59704677D1 (de) 2001-10-25
HUP9904041A2 (hu) 2000-03-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0762496B1 (fr) Module semi-conducteur de puissance
EP1072034B1 (fr) Element de contact pour un detecteur ultrasonore
DE3826799C2 (de) Ultraschallwandler
EP0909223B1 (fr) Transducteur ultrasonique avec element de contact
EP1064645B1 (fr) Transducteur ultrasonore
EP0712265A1 (fr) Assemblage électronique
DE102009015312A1 (de) Elektronische Vorrichtung, die eine Leiterplatte mit Abstrahlungselement umfasst, Hydraulikeinheit, die die elektronische Vorrichtung umfasst, und Verfahren zum Befestigen des Abstrahlungselements an der Leiterplatte
DE102006016775A1 (de) Elektronische Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Herstellen der Gleichen
DE3718463A1 (de) Kondensator mit drei anschluessen
EP0769683A2 (fr) Système de surveillance d'un niveau prédéterminé d'un fluide dans un récipient
DE4428124B4 (de) Beschleunigungssensor
DE102006041975A1 (de) Ultraschallsensor und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Ultraschallsensors
EP2052409A2 (fr) Boîtier moulé adapté à la technique de montage par pression
DE102017109159B4 (de) Ultraschallwandlereinrichtung und Kontaktierungsverfahren
DE4341662C2 (de) Beschleunigungssensor
EP0679874A2 (fr) Capteur du son
DE102019110399A1 (de) Piezo-Schaltelement und Herstellungsverfahren hierfür
EP0284941B1 (fr) Dispositif électrique d'indication de position
DE3907655C2 (de) Wandler
DE19626082C2 (de) Bauelementgehäuse für eine Oberflächenmontage eines Halbleiter-Bauelementes
DE102018115553A1 (de) Ultraschallsensor-Baugruppe und Ultraschallsensorvorrichtung
DE3028570A1 (de) Verfahren zum kontaktieren von halbleiterbauelementen
DE102019111742A1 (de) Ultraschallsensor-Baugruppe, Ultraschallsensorvorrichtung und Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Ultraschallsensor-Baugruppe
DE19816058B4 (de) Sensorbauteil eines induktiven Näherungsschalters
WO2003009429A1 (fr) Element capteur

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19981216

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990722

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20010919

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59704677

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20011025

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2160960

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20030521

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20030618

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20030623

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030825

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040610

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040611

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050101

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20040610

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050610

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20040611