A temperature switch includes a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature so as to move a movable contact to a position that is in contact with a fixed contact and to a position that is separated from the fixed contact, a first lead wire that is connected to the fixed contact and that includes a covering member, a second lead wire that is connected to the movable contact and that includes a covering member, and a first-insulation-case member and a second-insulation-case member each of which includes a first-lead-wire concave portion and a second-lead-wire concave portion, and which are fit into each other so as to form accommodation space S that accommodates the temperature detection unit, the movable contact, and the fixed contact, where first-lead-wire concave portion accepts insertion of the covering member of the first lead wire and the second-lead-wire concave portion accepts insertion of the covering member of the second lead wire.

A breaker comprises: a first terminal piece on which a fixed contact is formed; a movable piece having a movable contact, for pressing the movable contact against the fixed contact so as to contact therewith; a thermally-actuated element deforming with a change in temperature and moving the movable piece so that the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a second terminal piece electrically connected to the movable piece. The movable piece is provided, within a contact portion contacting with the second terminal piece, with a protrusion projecting toward the thermally-actuated element.

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 has a fixed contact 21, a movable piece 4 which has an elastic portion 43 formed in a plate shape and being elastically deformable, and a movable contact 41 in one end portion of the elastic portion 43, so as to press the movable contact 41 against the fixed contact 21, a thermally-actuated element 5 which is deformed in accordance with a temperature change, and shifts from a conduction state in which the movable contact 41 contacts with the fixed contact 21 to a shut-off state in which the movable contact 41 separates from the fixed contact 21, and a case 10 which accommodates the fixed contact 21, the movable piece 4, and the thermally-actuated element 5. The case 10 has a side wall 11 extending in a long direction Dl of the movable piece 4, and the side wall 11 is provided, in an adjacent portion to the thermally-actuated element 5, with a convex portion 14 protruding toward the outside of the case 10.

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the 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 contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the two contacts and opens the switch. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes. The locking element is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the switching mechanism, which force holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position.

Electromechanical circuit breakers are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the breakers can be integrated into battery management systems to simplify battery management circuitry and/or to provide redundancy to the battery management systems. In some embodiments, the breakers can be provided to reduce damage to the battery management systems during hot-swapping of a battery cell. The breakers can be automatically resettable or not automatically resettable in various embodiments.

A device for controlling battery operation includes a battery cell, a thermal cutoff, and a battery management system. The thermal cutoff is coupled in series between the battery cell and a system load of the device. The thermal cutoff has at least three terminals. A first terminal of the thermal cutoff is electrically-coupled to the battery cell and a second terminal of the thermal cutoff is electrically-coupled to the system load. The thermal cutoff includes a permanent failure mechanism having an open state and closed state wherein the closed state allows electrical communication between the first terminal and the second terminal. The battery management system is electrically-coupled to a third terminal of the thermal cutoff. The permanent failure mechanism permanently switches to the open state in response to an electrical signal from the battery management system.

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 that comprises a cover part and an electrically conductive lower part. The switch further comprises a first external contact surface arranged on the upper side of the cover part, and a second external contact surface provided externally on the housing. Still further, the switch comprises a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that is arranged in the housing and that, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second external contact surfaces. A circumferential cutting burr acting as a sealing means is furthermore provided, that penetrates into the insulating foil or the cover part, wherein the cutting burr is arranged on a sealing ring that is connected to the lower part by means of a non-positive, positive and/or firmly bonded connection.

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.