A thermal switch includes a thermally responsive plate assembly including a metal support deforming from an initial shape before a header plate assembly is secured to a housing assembly, with a result that a position of a movable contact in the housing assembly is adjusted so as to be within a predetermined height range relative to an open end of a housing. A contact pressure of switching contacts after the assembling is produced by the height adjustment, and subsequently, a neighborhood of a part of the housing to which part the thermally responsive plate assembly is secured is deformed, so that an operating temperature is calibratable.

A thermal switch includes a thermally responsive plate assembly including a metal support deforming from an initial shape before a header plate assembly is secured to a housing assembly, with a result that a position of a movable contact in the housing assembly is adjusted so as to be within a predetermined height range relative to an open end of a housing. A contact pressure of switching contacts after the assembling is produced by the height adjustment, and subsequently, a neighborhood of a part of the housing to which part the thermally responsive plate assembly is secured is deformed, so that an operating temperature is calibratable.

A rocker switch having a sliding and pressing element, comprising a thermal conductive shell and an overheating destructive element. The sliding and pressing element is applied to the rocker switch. The overheating destructive element can be destroyed at a destructive temperature, and the destructive temperature is between 100 C. to 250 C. The thermal conductive shell is pressed against a rocker conductive element of the rocker switch so as to control the rocker conductive element to be electrically connected or electrically disconnected. When the rocker conductive element is electrically connected, and if the overheating destructive element is overheated and destroyed, the rocker conductive element would be electrically disconnected, thereby realizing protection from overheating. The overheating destructive element is tightly adhered to the thermal conductive shell and is capable of completely absorbing a heat energy generated by a circuit, thus giving the element the advantage of high sensitivity.

A rocker switch having a sliding and pressing element, comprising a thermal conductive shell and an overheating destructive element. The sliding and pressing element is applied to the rocker switch. The overheating destructive element can be destroyed at a destructive temperature, and the destructive temperature is between 100 C. to 250 C. The thermal conductive shell is pressed against a rocker conductive element of the rocker switch so as to control the rocker conductive element to be electrically connected or electrically disconnected. When the rocker conductive element is electrically connected, and if the overheating destructive element is overheated and destroyed, the rocker conductive element would be electrically disconnected, thereby realizing protection from overheating. The overheating destructive element is tightly adhered to the thermal conductive shell and is capable of completely absorbing a heat energy generated by a circuit, thus giving the element the advantage of high sensitivity.

A rocker switch having a sliding and pressing element, comprising a thermal conductive shell and an overheating destructive element. The sliding and pressing element is applied to the rocker switch. The overheating destructive element can be destroyed at a destructive temperature, and the destructive temperature is between 100 C. to 250 C. The thermal conductive shell is pressed against a rocker conductive element of the rocker switch so as to control the rocker conductive element to be electrically connected or electrically disconnected. When the rocker conductive element is electrically connected, and if the overheating destructive element is overheated and destroyed, the rocker conductive element would be electrically disconnected, thereby realizing protection from overheating. The overheating destructive element is tightly adhered to the thermal conductive shell and is capable of completely absorbing a heat energy generated by a circuit, thus giving the element the advantage of high sensitivity.

A rocker switch having a sliding and pressing element, comprising a thermal conductive shell and an overheating destructive element. The sliding and pressing element is applied to the rocker switch. The overheating destructive element can be destroyed at a destructive temperature, and the destructive temperature is between 100 C. to 250 C. The thermal conductive shell is pressed against a rocker conductive element of the rocker switch so as to control the rocker conductive element to be electrically connected or electrically disconnected. When the rocker conductive element is electrically connected, and if the overheating destructive element is overheated and destroyed, the rocker conductive element would be electrically disconnected, thereby realizing protection from overheating. The overheating destructive element is tightly adhered to the thermal conductive shell and is capable of completely absorbing a heat energy generated by a circuit, thus giving the element the advantage of high sensitivity.

The temperature switch includes a housing, an actuator, a switch, and a force buffer situated between the actuator and the switch. The switch is movable between a first and second state in response to imposition and release of an actuating force F.sub.A. The force buffer transmits the actuating force F.sub.A from the actuator to the switch when compressed a first distance in the first direction by extension of the actuator in response to an increase in temperature T.sub.1. At temperature T.sub.1, the force buffer transmits the force F.sub.A to move the switch from the first state to the second state. The actuator retracts a second distance in the second direction in response to a decrease in temperature T.sub.2. At temperature T.sub.2, the force buffer releases the force F.sub.A and the switch moves from the second state to the first state.

The temperature switch includes a housing, an actuator, a switch, and a force buffer situated between the actuator and the switch. The switch is movable between a first and second state in response to imposition and release of an actuating force F.sub.A. The force buffer transmits the actuating force F.sub.A from the actuator to the switch when compressed a first distance in the first direction by extension of the actuator in response to an increase in temperature T.sub.1. At temperature T.sub.1, the force buffer transmits the force F.sub.A to move the switch from the first state to the second state. The actuator retracts a second distance in the second direction in response to a decrease in temperature T.sub.2. At temperature T.sub.2, the force buffer releases the force F.sub.A and the switch moves from the second state to the first state.

A power control unit for controlling a power output of an electric heating device is designed as an assembly and has a power switch and a release mechanism therefor. The release mechanism has a bimetallic release and a heating device therefor. The heating device has a two-dimensional carrier with an electrically insulating top side, on which a heating conductor is arranged. For a quicker switching behavior, the carrier may consist of ceramic and have a thickness of less than 1.5 mm or the power control unit may have an elongate compensation bimetallic strip, which has a freely movable compensation end. This is pressed against the release mechanism and can compensate for changes in the ambient temperature, which also affect the bimetallic release.