Electronic/electrical component housing with strips of metal plate and shape memory material forming a heat transfer path

Abstract

A housing for electronic/electrical components includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a strip of metal plate, and a strip of shape memory material. The inner panel and the outer panel are disposed parallel to each other to define an internal space. The strip of metal plate extends from an inner surface of the outer panel. The strip of shape memory material extends from an inner surface of the inner panel and is attached to or detached from the metal plate on the outer panel while changing into an original straight shape or a bent shape according to a temperature variation. When the temperature increases beyond a first transition temperature, the shape memory material straightens to form a heat transfer path. When the temperature falls below a second transition temperature, the shape memory material bends and is separated from the metal plate to interrupt the heat transfer path.