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.

Provided is a breaker capable of further downsizing without impairing rigidity and strength of a case. The breaker comprises a fixed contact, a movable piece 4 having and pressing a movable contact to the fixed contact, a thermally responsive element for moving the movable piece to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact by deformation thereof responding to temperature change, a case for containing the fixed piece, the movable piece and the thermally responsive element, and a cover piece attached on the case. The case has an end face on which the cover piece is disposed, a containing recess caved from the end face and forming a space to which the movable piece and the thermally responsive element are contained, and a first protrusion protruding from the end face and to which the cover piece is fitted.

A temperature-dependent switch has a first and a second stationary counter contact and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism with a contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first counter contact and, in this case, produces an electrically conducting connection between the two counter contacts via the contact member. The switching mechanism, in its second switching position, holds the contact member at a spacing from the first counter contact. A closing lock is provided, which prevents the switch, once opened, from closing again. The closing lock locks the temperature-dependent switching mechanism permanently in the second switching position thereof in a mechanical manner.

A temperature-dependent switch with a housing, which comprises a cover part having an upper side and a lower part having a raised peripheral wall, the upper section of which is bent onto the upper side of the cover part and thereby holds the cover part on the lower part, wherein two contact surfaces are provided outside at the housing and a switching mechanism is arranged in the housing, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed state, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces, and an open state, in which the switching mechanism interrupts the electrically conductive connection between the two contact surfaces. A sealing ring is arranged on the upper side of the cover part, which sealing ring is in sealing contact with the bent upper section of the wall.

A temperature-dependent switch which comprises a first and a second stationary counter contact and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a current transfer member. The switching mechanism, depending on its temperature, either closes the switch by pressing the current transfer member against the first and the second counter contact and thereby establishing an electrically conductive connection between the two counter contacts via the current transfer member, or opens the switch by keeping the current transfer member at a distance from the first and the second counter contact and thereby interrupting the electrically conductive connection. A closing lock is provided, which keeps the switch open when it has been opened for the first time. The closing lock comprises a spring washer which directly interacts with the current transfer member and mechanically locks the latter permanently when the switch has been opened for the first time so that the switch remains permanently open.

A temperature-dependent switch having a first electrode, a second electrode, a temperature-dependent switching mechanism, and a housing that accommodates the switching mechanism. The first electrode is connected to a stationary contact that is arranged inside the housing and the switching mechanism comprises a component that is movable relative to the housing, on which movable component a movable contact member is arranged. The switching mechanism is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed state of the switch and an open state of the switch. A first terminal member is attached to the first electrode by a first welded joint produced by ultrasonic welding and/or a second terminal member is attached to the second electrode by a second welded joint produced by ultrasonic welding and/or the stationary contact is attached to a part of the first electrode arranged inside the housing by a third welded joint produced by ultrasonic welding and/or the movable contact member is fastened to the movable component by a fourth welded joint produced by ultrasonic welding.

A breaker 1 has a fixed piece 2 having a fixed contact 20, a movable piece 4 having a movable contact 41 and pressing the movable contact 41 against the fixed contact 20 to contact therewith, a thermally-actuated element 5 deforming with a change in the temperature so as to shift the movable piece 4 from a conduction state in which the movable contact 41 contacts with the fixed contact 20 to a turn-off state in which the movable contact 41 is separated from the fixed contact 20, a PCT thermistor 6 providing an electrical conduction between the movable piece 4 and the fixed piece 2 when the movable piece 4 is in the above-said turn-off state, and a resin case 10 accommodating the fixed piece 2, the movable piece 4, the thermally-actuated element 5, and the PCT thermistor 6. The fixed piece 2 has a contacting portion 27 contacting with the PCT thermistor 6, and the case 10 has a bottom surface 76 and a concave portion 77 which is recessed from the bottom surface 76 toward the PCT thermistor 6 across the fixed piece 2. In a planar view when the fixed piece 2 is viewed from the PCT thermistor 6, the contacting portion 27 is disposed within the concave portion 77.

A temperature-dependent switch has a housing with a cover part having a lower side and an upper side and with an electrically conductive lower part having a circumferential shoulder and a circumferential wall with an upper section that overlaps the cover part. The switch has a first external contact surface on the upper side of the cover part and a second external contact surface externally on the housing, wherein the upper section of the circumferential wall presses the cover part onto the circumferential shoulder. A temperature-dependent switching mechanism is arranged in the housing and, depending on its temperature, establishes or opens an electrically conductive connection between the first and second external contact surfaces. A circumferential cutting burr is arranged on the shoulder in the lower part.

A breaker has a movable piece which has an elastic part elastically deformable and a moving contact in one end portion of the elastic part, and which presses the moving contact against the fixed contact so that the moving contact contacts with the fixed contact; a thermally-actuated element deforming with a change in the temperature to actuate the movable piece so that the moving contact is separated from the fixed contact; a case housing the movable piece and the thermally-actuated element; and a terminal piece to be connected to an external circuit. The case has a side wall extending along a longitudinal direction of the elastic part. The terminal piece has a protruding portion which protrudes from the side wall toward the outside of the case. The side wall is provided, in its neighboring portion of the protruding portion, with a concave portion which dents inwardly of the case.

A temperature-dependent switch includes a housing with a top face and an outer face that runs transversely to the top face. The switch includes a first outer contact area that is arranged on the top face. The switch includes a second outer contact area that is arranged at the housing. The switch includes a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that is arranged in the housing and configured to establish or open an electrically conductive connection between the first and the second outer contact area depending on a temperature of the switching mechanism. The housing is disposed in a metal mounting cap that includes a wall. An upper rim of the wall protrudes beyond the top face of the housing. An inner side of the wall bears at least partially against the outer face of the housing.