Patent ID: 7779631

Claim:
An electro-thermal actuator device comprising a case in which there are housed at least one thermal actuator, having a respective body containing a thermo-expandable material, a piston partially inserted in said body and sealing means for said thermo-expandable material, one electrical heater, operative to cause heating of said thermo-expandable material, in order to induce a variation in volume thereof and consequently move said piston, at least part of an actuating element capable of being actuated as a result of movement of said piston, wherein said device comprises a multipolar electrical connection arrangement having a connector body integral with, or connected to, said case and defining seats or passages in which respective portions of at least two terminals are housed, said connector body and said terminals being provided for coupling with an external multipolar connector for supplying power to the device, wherein at least one of said case and connector body comprises at least one of: coding means, operative to allow a unique coupling of the body with said external connector; mechanical coupling or engagement means, destined to co-operate with said external connector to maintain the latter in a substantially fixed position relative to said terminals; and wherein at least one of: said connector body is shaped to be coupled in a unique manner and/or direction to said external connector; said coding means comprise shaped parts of at least one of said connector body and case said coupling or engagement means operate between said connector body and said external connector.