A PTC starter is provided. A first pin is electrically connected to a first electrode of a thermistor. The thermistor and an elastic element are arranged in respective mounting cavities. The elastic element is provided with a connecting piece, through which a second pin is electrically connected to or disconnected from a second electrode of the thermistor. In a normal state of the thermistor, the elastic element is in an elastic deformation state, a first contact part and a second contact part of the elastic element are in electrical contact with the second electrode of the thermistor and the second pin respectively. After the thermistor ruptures, the elastic element resets, which causes the connecting piece to move so that the second contact part of the elastic element detaches from the second pin. An isolation structure is provided between the thermistor mounting cavity and the elastic element mounting cavity.

A case has an engagement hole formed in a side surface thereof in the width direction, a cover has a projecting piece formed thereon, the projecting piece projecting toward the case side, and a tip portion of the projecting piece is fitted into the engagement hole from the inside. A reset bar has a recessed portion formed in a preset range extending in the depth direction and the circumferential direction within the outer peripheral surface of the reset bar and, when positioned at either an initial position or an automatic reset position, prevents the tip portion from being pushed inside by having the outer peripheral surface opposed to the back side of the projecting piece. In addition, when positioned at a manual reset position, the reset bar allows the tip portion to be pushed inside by having the recessed portion opposed to the back side of the projecting piece.

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 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.

The invention relates mainly to a starter for a heat engine of a motor vehicle comprising: at least one electromagnetic contactor comprising a positive output terminal, at least one electric motor, the electric motor comprising: at least one brush cage (43), at least one positive brush (35) mounted in the brush cage (43), an electrical path (91) between the positive brush (35) and the positive output terminal (32), and at least one thermal protection (96) situated in the electrical path (91), in which the thermal protection is suitable for disconnecting the two elements (93, 95) when the thermal protection has a temperature above a temperature threshold to electrically disconnect the positive output terminal relative to the positive brush (35).

A temperature-sensing tape including a flexible, electrically insulating substrate, a plurality of temperature-sensing elements disposed on the substrate, wherein a temperature-sensing element includes a bimetallic switch.

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.

A temperature switch includes a base having a receiving hole, and a conducting mechanism mounted on the base and having first and second conductive modules, a connection module connected electrically and releasably to the first and second conductive modules, and two deformable rods that are disposed in the receiving hole and that push the second conductive module to abut against the connection module. The second conductive module is moved away from the connection module when one of the deformable rods is deformed by temperature to switch the temperature switch from an energized position to a safety cut-off position.

A breaker comprises: a fixed piece having a fixed contact; a movable piece having a movable contact and pressing the movable contact against the fixed contact to contact therewith; a thermally-actuated element for shifting the movable piece from a conduction state in which the movable contact contacts with the fixed contact to a turn-off state; a PCT thermistor; and a resin case. The fixed piece has a contacting portion contacting with the PCT thermistor. The resin case has a bottom surface provided with a concave portion. In a planar view when the fixed piece is viewed from the PCT thermistor, the contacting portion is disposed within the concave portion. The concave portion has a bottom recessed from the bottom surface of the resin case to prevent the bottom from protruding outwardly from the bottom surface when the thermally-actuated element is deformed.

A circuit interrupting device with a temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism is provided. The temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism is located in close proximity to a section of conductor that generates heat. An energized first solenoid generates a magnetic force capable of moving an armature that unlatches a latch releasing a spring to open a main contactor removing power from an electrical circuit. The temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism upon reaching a predetermined temperature which is higher than the predetermined temperature threshold of the temperature sensing switch also generates a mechanical force capable of moving the armature that unlatches the latch releasing the spring to open the main contactor removing power from the electrical circuit. Once activated, the temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism inhibits the latch from latching which prevents a reset of the circuit interrupting device thus the circuit interrupting device is permanently disabled as the main contactor cannot be closed, and power no longer be reconnected to the electrical circuit.