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 thermal cut-off device includes a plastic base, two electrodes, a temperature sensing element, and a plastic cover that fits over the base. The temperature sensing element is curved downward, and may be a bimetal or a trimetal. When the device is subject to an over-temperature condition, the orientation of the curve flips such that the temperature sensing element is then curved upward. When the temperature sensing element is curved upward, it lifts an arm of one of the electrodes, which severs the electrical connection between the electrodes. In this manner the device shuts off during an over-temperature condition in order to protect the circuit in which the device is installed. To prevent corrosion of the temperature sensing element, a first moisture insulation layer is applied to the outer surface of the thermal cut-off device. The moisture insulation layer may be an epoxy adhesive or a UV/visible light-cured adhesive or light/heat cured adhesive. In some embodiments, a second moisture insulation layer is formed on the surface of the temperature sensing element.

An electrical fuse assembly includes electrically conductive first and second electrodes, and a bimetallic fuse element. The bimetallic fuse element electrically connects the first and second electrodes. The bimetallic fuse element is configured to disintegrate, and thereby disconnect the first electrode from the second electrode, in response to a current exceeding a prescribed trigger current of the bimetallic fuse element for at least a prescribed duration.

A metal housing or casing for a thermal fuse (i.e., a thermal cut-off device) that has a multilayer metal construction including a copper-based layer, a first nickel layer disposed on a first side of the copper-based layer and including an outer surface of the casing, a second nickel layer disposed on a second side of the copper-based layer opposite to the first side of the copper-based layer, and a single silver layer disposed only on the second nickel layer and comprising the inner surface of the casing.

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.

This invention is a thermally actuated switch in which a sealed vessel contains a fixed contact and a heat-sensitive-plate assembly that has a structure in which a movable contact is anchored to one lengthwise end of a heat-sensitive plate, one end of a metal support is anchored to the other end of said heat-sensitive plate, and the heat-sensitive plate is then drawn. The heat-sensitive-plate assembly has a dish-shaped drawn section near the middle of the heat-sensitive plate and has folded sections between the area where the movable contact is anchored and the widthwise edges of the heat-sensitive plate and also between the area where the metal support is anchored and the widthwise edges of the heat-sensitive plate.

A cable including a power conductor configured to transmit electrical power between a first device and a second device, a first data conductor configured to transmit data between the first device and the second device, and a first bimetallic switch coupled to the first data conductor and configured to mitigate current flowing through the first data conductor if a temperature of the first bimetallic switch exceeds a predefined first trip temperature, wherein the opening of the first data line indicates a fault condition to a device to which the cable is connected, whereby electrical power flowing through the power conductor is resultantly mitigated.

An electrical fuse assembly includes electrically conductive first and second electrodes, and a bimetallic fuse element. The bimetallic fuse element electrically connects the first and second electrodes. The bimetallic fuse element is configured to disintegrate, and thereby disconnect the first electrode from the second electrode, in response to a current exceeding a prescribed trigger current of the bimetallic fuse element for at least a prescribed duration.

A cable including a power conductor configured to transmit electrical power between a first device and a second device, a first data conductor configured to transmit data between the first device and the second device, and a first bimetallic switch coupled to the first data conductor and configured to mitigate current flowing through the first data conductor if a temperature of the first bimetallic switch exceeds a predefined first trip temperature, wherein the opening of the first data line indicates a fault condition to a device to which the cable is connected, whereby electrical power flowing through the power conductor is resultantly mitigated.

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.