A temperature-dependent switch comprising a housing, which comprises a cover part and a lower part, wherein an insulating foil is arranged between the cover part and the lower part. The temperature-dependent switch further comprises a first external contact surface provided externally on the housing, a second external contact surface provided externally on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged in the housing. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second external contact surfaces. The insulating foil is at least partially coated or printed with a sealing agent which, for sealing the housing, contacts the cover part and/or the lower part in a sealing area.

A breaker 1 includes a fixed piece 2 having a fixed contact 21, a movable piece 4 including a movable contact 41 and having the movable contact 41 so as to be pressed against and in contact with the fixed contact 21, a thermally actuated element 5 shifting the movable piece 4 from a conductive state to a cut-off state in accordance with a temperature change, and a case 7 accommodating the fixed piece 2, the movable piece 4, and the thermally actuated element 5. The case 7 includes a case main body 71 accommodating the movable piece 4 and the thermally actuated element 5, a lid member 81 covering a housing concave portion 73 of the case main body 71, and a metal plate 9 embedded in the lid member 81. Heat capacity of the metal plate 9 is larger than heat capacity of the fixed piece 2.

A breaker 1 includes a fixed piece 2 having a fixed contact 21, a movable piece 4 including a movable contact 41 and having the movable contact 41 so as to be pressed against and in contact with the fixed contact 21, a thermally actuated element 5 shifting the movable piece 4 from a conductive state to a cut-off state in accordance with a temperature change, and a case 7 accommodating the fixed piece 2, the movable piece 4, and the thermally actuated element 5. The case 7 includes a case main body 71 accommodating the movable piece 4 and the thermally actuated element 5, a lid member 81 covering a housing concave portion 73 of the case main body 71, and a metal plate 9 embedded in the lid member 81. Heat capacity of the metal plate 9 is larger than heat capacity of the fixed piece 2.

A temperature-dependent switch comprises a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts. In its second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism further comprises first and second temperature-dependent snap-action parts which switch from geometric low-temperature configurations to geometric high-temperature configurations when exceeding first and second switching temperatures, respectively, and switch back when subsequently falling below first and second reset temperatures, respectively. Switching the first and/or the second snap-action part from its geometric low-temperature configuration to its geometric high-temperature configuration brings the switching mechanism from its first switching position to its second switching position.

A temperature-dependent switch comprises a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts. In its second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism further comprises first and second temperature-dependent snap-action parts which switch from geometric low-temperature configurations to geometric high-temperature configurations when exceeding first and second switching temperatures, respectively, and switch back when subsequently falling below first and second reset temperatures, respectively. Switching the first and/or the second snap-action part from its geometric low-temperature configuration to its geometric high-temperature configuration brings the switching mechanism from its first switching position to its second switching position.

A temperature-dependent switch having a housing with an upper part and a lower part, wherein a first and a second stationary contact are arranged on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member, and, in its second switching position, keeps the movable contact member spaced apart from the first contact. A closing lock prevents the switch, once having opened, from closing again by locking the switching mechanism permanently in its second switching position in a mechanical manner. The closing lock comprises a substantially disc-shaped locking element and a first latching member, which, in order to lock the switching mechanism, interacts in the second switching position with a second latching member that is arranged on the movable contact member.

A temperature-dependent switch having a housing with an upper part and a lower part, wherein a first and a second stationary contact are arranged on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member, and, in its second switching position, keeps the movable contact member spaced apart from the first contact. A closing lock prevents the switch, once having opened, from closing again by locking the switching mechanism permanently in its second switching position in a mechanical manner. The closing lock comprises a substantially disc-shaped locking element and a first latching member, which, in order to lock the switching mechanism, interacts in the second switching position with a second latching member that is arranged on the movable contact member.

A temperature-dependent switch comprises first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member and a temperature-dependent snap-action part, which transitions between geometric low- and high-temperature configurations based on a temperature of the switch. Switching the snap-action part from its geometric low- to high-temperature configuration moves the switching mechanism from a first to a second switching position and thereby opens the switch. A closing lock prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping it in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a fusible medium which melts when a melting temperature of the medium is exceeded, contacts, in a molten state, a part of the switching mechanism when it is in its second switching position, and solidifies again and thereby locks it in its second switching position when the temperature of the switch falls below the melting temperature of the medium again.

Thermal fuses and related methods of operation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a thermal fuse may include an insulating component and two electrodes operatively connected to the insulating component. Based on a difference in the thermal coefficients of expansion, the insulating component may expand axially relative to the electrodes with increasing temperature. As the insulating component expands the two electrodes may be moved axially apart to transition between an open and closed configuration. In some embodiments, the thermal fuse may transition between the open and closed configuration depending on whether or not an operating temperature of the thermal fuse is above or below a threshold temperature.

Thermal fuses and related methods of operation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a thermal fuse may include an insulating component and two electrodes operatively connected to the insulating component. Based on a difference in the thermal coefficients of expansion, the insulating component may expand axially relative to the electrodes with increasing temperature. As the insulating component expands the two electrodes may be moved axially apart to transition between an open and closed configuration. In some embodiments, the thermal fuse may transition between the open and closed configuration depending on whether or not an operating temperature of the thermal fuse is above or below a threshold temperature.