A temperature switch 1 includes first terminal unit 2 having a first terminal 5 and a first fixed contact 6, a switch body unit 3 including a bimetal element 22 in which both ends engage a movable plate 15 holding, via an tongue portion 17, first and second fixed contacts 6 and 8 arranged in an internal center portion of an insulation material 10 at prescribed intervals and also holding a movable contact 18 arranged above them, and a second terminal unit 4 having a second terminal 7 and the second fixed contact 8. The first terminal unit 2, the switch body unit 3, and the second terminal unit 4 are sequentially arranged in line. At an ambient temperature, the bimetal element 22 deforms into a convex shape in the contact direction so as to push out the tongue portion 17 and the movable contact 18 at the center of the convex shape, and the movable contact 18 is closed with respect to the first and second fixed contacts 6 and 8 so that a current flows between the first and second terminals 5 and 7. At an ambient temperature equal to or higher than a prescribed value, the bimetal element 22 causes inversion to become concave in the contact direction, releases the biasing force of the spring property toward the space above the tongue portion 17, the movable contact 18 moves away from the first and second fixed contacts 6 and 8, and a current is cut off.

A temperature-dependent switch having a temperature-dependent switching mechanism and a housing on which first and second stationary contacts are arranged. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured to switch in a temperature-dependent manner between a closed state, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between the first and second stationary contacts, and an open state, in which the switching mechanism disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The switching mechanism comprises a carrier body, a spring element, a bimetallic element and a current transfer member. The current transfer member is connected to the bimetallic element by a connecting element other than the carrier body. In the closed state, the current transfer member is pressed against the first and second stationary contacts in order to establish the electrically conductive connection, and in the open state it is lifted off the first and second stationary contacts in order to disconnect the electrically conductive connection.

A temperature-dependent switch having first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprising a current transfer member and a temperature-dependent switching element. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured to switch in a temperature-dependent manner between a closed state, in which the current transfer member is pressed against the first and second stationary contacts so that an electrically conductive connection is established, and an open state, in which the current transfer member is held at a distance from the first and second stationary contacts and, thus, the electrically conductive connection is interrupted. The current transfer member comprises a first section which, in the closed state, is pressed against the first and second stationary contacts, and a second section which projects from the first section and is integrally connected to the first section and which is passed through an opening provided in the temperature-dependent switching element.

A casing for a temperature-dependent switch that switches in a temperature-dependent manner between a closed state, in which the switch establishes an electrically conductive connection between first and second external terminals, and an open state, in which the switch disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The casing comprises: a first casing part made of metal; a second casing part made of metal connected to the first casing part via a hermetically sealing, material-locking connection comprising an electrically insulating connection material; a receptacle for receiving the temperature-dependent switch, wherein the receptacle is at least partially surrounded by the first and second casing parts; a first connection lead led through the electrically insulating connection material for electrical connection to the first external terminal; and a second connection lead led through the electrically insulating connection material for electrical connection to the second external terminal.

A method of assembling a temperature-dependent switch, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a switch housing having first and second electrodes and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged in the switch housing, wherein the switching mechanism switches in a temperature-dependent manner between a closed state, which the switching mechanism assumes below a response temperature and in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between the first and second electrodes, and an open state, which the switching mechanism assumes above the response temperature and in which the switching mechanism disconnects the electrically conductive connection; (ii) heating the switching mechanism to an assembly temperature above the response temperature to bring the switching mechanism in the open state; and (iii) attaching, by a material-bonded connection, a first external terminal to the first electrode or to a part electrically connected with the first electrode, while the switching mechanism is in the open state.

A casing for receiving, in a hermetically sealed manner, a temperature-dependent switch that switches in a temperature-dependent manner between a closed state, in which the switch establishes an electrically conductive connection between a first external terminal and a second external terminal, and an open state, in which the switch disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The casing comprises a first metal casing part; a second metal casing part fixed to the first metal casing part via a hermetically sealing, electrically insulating connection; and a third electrically insulating casing part arranged between the first and second metal casing parts. The first and second metal casing parts together form a receptacle for the temperature-dependent switch, in which the switch, when inserted into the receptacle, is electrically connected to the first metal casing part by its first external terminal and electrically connected to the second metal casing part by its second external terminal.

There is provided a temperature switch in which a thermally actuated element operates in response to heat from a thermosensitive surface unrelated to an energization path and complexity of a structure is relatively low. The temperature switch includes: a thermally actuated element configured to be inverted in warping direction at a predetermined temperature; an elastic plate structure including a movable portion moving with inversion of the thermally actuated element; a fixed contact; and a movable contact provided on the movable portion and configured to come into contact with and separate from the fixed contact. The thermally actuated element is disposed outside a current path generated when the movable contact and the fixed contact are in contact with each other.

A heat-reactive switch includes an airtight container with a housing and a lid plate, two conductive terminal pins fixed in through-holes in the lid plate, a fixed contact point fixed on one of the conductive terminal pins, a heater connected to the other conductive terminal pin and to the lid plate, a heat-reactive plate connected to the housing internal surface, the bending direction becoming inverted at a predetermined temperature, and a mobile contact point provided at the end of the heat-reactive plate. A heating element has a plurality of serpentine portions made from a metal plate in ribbon form, disposed between the lid plate and the heat-reactive plate so as to be parallel thereto. At least two of the serpentine portions are disposed to face each other while sandwiching the conductive terminal pin. Each portion follows the inner peripheral surface of the housing and have planar portions facing each other.

A thermosensitive actuating unit which uses an alloy containing maganese and of which the contained maganese is less likely to be corroded. Provided is a thermosensitive actuating unit which is constituted to have a thermosensitive actuating element which has a manganese surface and a plating layer which covers the manganese surface.

In a thermal protection circuit with two electrical connection terminals for an electrical device to be protected from overheating and at least one temperature-dependent switch, at least one electronic semiconductor switch for DC voltage is arranged.