TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT SWITCH

Abstract

A temperature-dependent switch having a housing and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged therein. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism switches, depending on its temperature, between a closed position, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between a first external terminal and a second external terminal, and an open position, in which the temperature-dependent switching mechanism disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The two external terminals are led parallel alongside each other out of the housing so that their upper sides lie in a common connection plane. Arranged inside the housing is an electrical heating resistor component, which is electrically connected in parallel with the switching mechanism. The electrical heating resistor component has on a connection side a first contact area, which electrically contacts the upper side of the first external terminal, and a second contact area, which electrically contacts the upper side of the second external terminal.

Claims

1. A temperature-dependent switch, comprising a housing and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged in the housing, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed position, in which the switching mechanism establishes an electrically conductive connection between a first external terminal and a second external terminal, and an open position, in which the temperature-dependent switching mechanism disconnects the electrically conductive connection, wherein the first external terminal and the second external terminal are led parallel alongside each other out of the housing in such a way that an upper side of the first external terminal and an upper side of the second external terminal lie in a common connection plane, and wherein an electrical heating resistor component is arranged inside the housing, the electrical heating resistor component being electrically connected in parallel to the switching mechanism and having on a connection side a first contact area, which electrically contacts the upper side of the first external terminal, and a second contact area, which electrically contacts the upper side of the second external terminal.

2. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the first contact area and the second contact area lie in a common contact plane which is aligned parallel to or coplanar with the connection plane.

3. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the first contact area and the second contact area are separated from each other by a gap or a contact interruption element.

4. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the heating resistor component lies with its first contact area directly on the upper side of the first external terminal or is fastened to the upper side of the first external terminal, and wherein the heating resistor component lies with its second contact area directly on the upper side of the second external terminal or is fastened to the upper side of the second external terminal.

5. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, further comprising a spring that presses a connection side of the heating resistor component against the first external terminal and the second external terminal.

6. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 5, wherein the spring acts on the heating resistor component on an upper side of the heating resistor component opposite the connection side.

7. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the heating resistor component is spatially separated from the switching mechanism by at least one wall inside the housing.

8. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the heating resistor component comprises a PTC material.

9. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an insulating material carrier, which carries a first stationary electrode electrically connected to the first external terminal and a second stationary electrode electrically connected to the second external terminal and keeps the first stationary electrode and the second stationary electrode at a distance from each other along a vertical direction, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism is arranged inside the housing in a recess of the insulating material carrier between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to the first external terminal by a line connecting element that is aligned transversely to the first electrode and the second electrode and that is arranged in the housing, and wherein the first external terminal and the second external terminal are led through the insulating material carrier in the connection plane that is aligned transversely to the height direction.

10. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 9, wherein the first external terminal and the second external terminal are arranged parallel alongside each other inside and outside the insulating material carrier.

11. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 9, wherein the insulating material carrier forms a lower part of the housing, which is closed by a cover part.

12. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 9, wherein the connection plane is aligned orthogonally to the vertical direction.

13. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 9, wherein the first electrode is arranged on a first side of the switching mechanism, and wherein the second electrode, the first external terminal, and the second external terminal are arranged on a second side of the switching mechanism opposite first side.

14. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises a temperature-dependent switching element, which is configured to change its geometric shape depending its temperature in order to switch the switching mechanism between the closed position and the open position.

15. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises a spring element, which is configured to produce the electrically conductive connection in the closed position of the switching mechanism, by being electrically connected to the first external terminal and generating a mechanical contact pressure, with which a movable contact part of the switching mechanism is pressed against a stationary contact part that is electrically connected to the second external terminal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the switch, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism of the switch is in its closed position;

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 1, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism of the switch is in its open position;

[0071] FIG. 3A shows a schematic perspective representation of an exemplary embodiment of a heating resistor component used in the switch;

[0072] FIG. 3B shows a plan view from below of the heating resistor component shown in FIG. 3A;

[0073] FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the switch, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism of the switch is in its closed position;

[0075] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 5, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism of the switch is in its open position;

[0076] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the switch, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism of the switch is in its closed position; and

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 7, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism of the switch is in its open position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0078] FIGS. 1 and 2 each shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the temperature-dependent switch. The switch is denoted therein in its entirety by the reference numeral 10.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows the closed position of switch 10. FIG. 2 shows the open position of switch 10.

[0080] The switch 10 has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 12, which is configured to switch the switch 10, depending on its temperature, from its closed position to its open position and vice versa.

[0081] In the closed position of the switch shown in FIG. 1, the switching mechanism 12 establishes an electrically conductive connection between the two external terminals 14, 16 of the switch 10. In the open position of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 2, by contrast, the switching mechanism 12 disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the first external terminal 14 and the second external terminal 16.

[0082] The first external terminal 14 is electrically conductively connected to a first electrode 18. In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this first electrode 18 at the same time forms the cover of the switch 10. In other words, the first electrode 18 is formed by a cover part 19 made of metal.

[0083] The second external terminal 16 is electrically conductively connected to a second electrode 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the second electrode 20 is connected in one piece to the second external terminal 16. In other words, one and the same metal sheet forms the second electrode 20 and the second external terminal 16.

[0084] The two electrodes 18, 20 are formed as flat planar electrodes. The switching mechanism 12 is arranged inside the switch 10 in the space between the two electrodes 18, 20.

[0085] The two electrodes 18, 20 are kept at a distance from each other by an insulating material carrier 22, which forms a part of the housing 24 of the switch 10. The insulating material carrier 22 carries the two electrodes 18, 20 and fixes them in their arrangement. The two electrodes 18, 20 are therefore immovable, stationary electrodes.

[0086] The two electrodes 18, 20 are kept at a distance from each other along a vertical direction by the insulating material carrier 22. This vertical direction, which is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by an arrow h, runs transversely, preferably orthogonally, in relation to the two electrodes 18, 20.

[0087] The first electrode 18 is arranged on an upper side (referred to here as the first side) of the switching mechanism 12, while the second electrode 20 is arranged on the underside (referred to here as the second side) of the switching mechanism 12 lying opposite in the vertical direction h.

[0088] The insulating material carrier 22 is formed essentially in a pot shape. It forms the lower part 23 of the housing 24. The insulating material carrier 22 is formed around the second electrode 20 by overmoulding or potting in such a way that the second electrode 20 is an integral component of the lower housing part 23.

[0089] The lower part 23 of the housing is closed by the first electrode 18 formed as the cover part 19. The cover part 19 is surrounded all around, along its entire circumference, by the insulating material carrier 22 and is held captively on it by a hot-embossed upper edge of the insulating material carrier 22 and the lower part 23.

[0090] In the insulating material carrier 22, a line connecting element 26 made of electrically conductive material is also integrated. This line connecting element 26 may be for example a conduction plate or some other electrical conductor which is integrated in the insulating material carrier 22, and thus, despite its arrangement inside the housing 24, is electrically insulated from the switching mechanism 12 also arranged inside the housing 24. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the line connecting element 26 is formed L-shaped in cross section.

[0091] The line connecting element 26 connects the first electrode 18 to the first external terminal 14. In this way it is possible, despite the arrangement of the two electrodes 18, 20 offset in the vertical direction h, nevertheless to lead the two external terminals 14, 16 through the insulating material carrier 22 from the inside to the outside at the same height. The first external terminal 14 is accordingly arranged behind the second external terminal 16 in the sectional views shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the first external terminal 14 is arranged at the same height as the second external terminal 16 and runs parallel to the second external terminal 16. The latter can be seen in particular by joint consideration with the plan view from above shown in FIG. 4.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, the two external terminals 14, 16 run parallel alongside each other outside the insulating material carrier 22 and, due to the line connecting element 16, can be arranged in a common connection plane E, which is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by a dashed line. More specifically, the two upper sides 28, 30 of the two external terminals 14, 16 lie in particular in the common connection plane E. The two external terminals 14, 16 are preferably formed as flat or plate-shaped connections.

[0093] While the upper side of the second electrode 20 in the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is also arranged in the connection plane E, the first electrode 18 is arranged offset parallel to the connection plane E in the vertical direction h. The connection plane E is preferably aligned orthogonally in relation to the vertical direction h.

[0094] An electrical heating resistor component 32 lies on top of the two external terminals 14, 16. This heating resistor component 32 is electrically connected in parallel with the switching mechanism 12 and is also arranged inside the housing 24 in a separately provided recess 34 of the insulating material carrier 22 laterally alongside the switching mechanism 12, but spatially separated from it.

[0095] The heating resistor component 32 serves essentially for the self-holding functions with which the switch 10 is kept open after opening by the switching mechanism 12 until the device to be protected by the switch 10 is de-energized independently of the switch 10.

[0096] The heating resistor component 32 has an approximately cuboidal component 36 made of PTC material. On this PTC block 36, two contact elements 38, 40 of conductive material are arranged. These two contact elements 38, 40 are for example respectively formed as a metal sheet, which is fastened to the PTC block 36. The two contact elements 38, 40 are arranged on the same side 42 of the PTC block 36. This side 42 is referred to as the connection side of the heating resistor component 32.

[0097] On the connection side 42, each of the two contact elements 38, 40 respectively has a contact area 44, 46. The two contact areas 44, 46 lie in one and the same contact plane K, which in the installed state of the heating resistor component 32 coincides with the connection plane E. The first contact area 44, arranged on the first contact element 38, serves for the electrical contacting of the heating resistor component 32 at the first external terminal 14. The second contact area 46, arranged on the second contact element 40, serves for the electrical contacting of the heating resistor component 32 with the second external terminal 16.

[0098] The heating resistor component 32 lies flat on top of the two external terminals 14, 16 of the switch 10, wherein the first contact area 44 lies on the upper side 28 of the first external terminal 14 and the second contact area 46 lies on the upper side 30 of the second external terminal 16.

[0099] To increase the contact pressure between the two contact areas 44, 46 and the upper sides 28, 30, the heating resistor component 32 is pressed with its connection side 42 against the two external terminals 14, 16 with the aid of a compression spring 48. This compression spring 48 acts on the heating resistor component 32 on an upper side 50 lying opposite from the connection side 42. On the upper side 50, the heating resistor component 32 may be covered by an insulation layer 52 to electrically insulate the PTC block 36 from the compression spring 48.

[0100] For the insulation of the two contact elements 38, 40 from each other, a contact interruption element 54 may also be arranged between them (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). As an alternative to this, the two contact elements 38, 40 of the heating resistor component 32 are separated from each other by a gap (air gap).

[0101] The basic arrangement of the two external terminals 14, 16 and the heating resistor component 32 can also be seen from FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a plan view from above of the switch 10, wherein some components arranged inside the housing 24 (for example components 20 and 26) are indicated by dashed lines. The second electrode 20, which is indicated in FIG. 4 by dashed lines, runs obliquely or in an angled manner in relation to the second external terminal 16 but, as already mentioned, lies together with the second external terminal 16 in the connection plane E. However, the second electrode 20 does not necessarily have to be run in an angled manner or obliquely in relation to the second external terminal 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The second electrode 20 may in principle also be in line with the first external terminal 16. In such a case it is preferred that the second external terminal 16 runs together with the second electrode 20 in the radial direction of the switch housing 24. If the second external terminal 16 is arranged in the middle, i.e. offset parallel downwards in the direction of the first external terminal 14 with respect to the position shown in FIG. 4, a parallel alignment of the two external terminals 14, 16 is also possible. With reference to FIG. 4, the second external terminal 16 and the second electrode 20 would then be arranged in a line parallel to the first external terminal 14 in the middle of the housing.

[0102] Also in the exemplary embodiments of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 5-8, the two upper sides 28, 30 of the external terminals 14, 16 are arranged in a common connection plane and a heating resistor component 32 is provided to implement of the self-holding function of the switch 10, wherein the heating resistor component 32 lies with its two contact areas 44, 46, also lying in a common contact plane K, on top of the upper sides 28, 30 of the two external terminals 14, 16. This basic principle for arranging and contacting the heating resistor component 32 as well as the design of the heating resistor component 32 outlined in principle in FIGS. 3A and 3B are thus also implemented in the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-8. The two exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-8 differ from the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 in the functional and structural type of design of the switching mechanism 12 and in some features of the housing 24 to be explained below.

[0103] In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switching mechanism 12 has a temperature-dependent switching element 56, which is electrically and mechanically connected in series with a spring element 58. The temperature-dependent switching element 56 is formed in the first exemplary embodiment as a bimetal element, which has the shape of an elongated spring tongue. The spring element 58 is made of metal and also formed as an elongated spring tongue.

[0104] A first end 60 of the spring element 58 is fastened to the first electrode 18 with a material bond. Starting from this first end 60, the spring element 58 protrudes in the manner of a cantilever into the cavity formed by the recess 61 inside the switch 10. The opposite second, free end 62 of the spring element 58 is fastened with a material bond (e.g. by soldering or welding) to a first end 64 of the temperature-dependent switching element 56. At a second end 66 opposite from the first end 64, the temperature-dependent switching element 56 carries a movable contact part 68, which interacts with a stationary contact part 70 arranged on the second electrode 20.

[0105] In the closed position of the spring element 58 and the temperature-dependent switching element 56, the movable contact part 68 is pressed against the stationary contact part 70, whereby the switch 10 is closed and the electrically conductive connection between the two external terminals 14, 16 is established.

[0106] If, starting from this, the temperature of the switching element 56 increases as a result of an increased current flow through the switch 10 or as a result of an increased outside temperature, first the creeping phase of the switching element 56 begins, a phase in which its spring force operating against the force of the spring element 58 subsides. Due to the mechanical series connection of the switching element 56 with the spring element 58, this gradual decrease in the force of the switching element 56 is compensated by the spring element 58, so that the movable contact part 68 is still pressed against the stationary contact part 70.

[0107] If the temperature of the switching element 56 then increases further up to or beyond the response temperature of the switching element 56, the switching element 56 snaps into its high-temperature configuration shown in FIG. 2, whereby the switching mechanism 12 is brought into its open position and the electrically conductive connection between the two external terminals 14, 16 is interrupted.

[0108] In the open position of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 2, therefore, no current flows any longer from the first external terminal 14 by way of the switching mechanism 12 to the second external terminal 16. However, a small residual current still flows between the two external terminals 14, 16 by way of the heating resistor component 32. This residual current causes the heating resistor component 32 to heat up automatically. The resulting development of heat is also transferred to the switching mechanism 12 and the associated temperature-dependent switching element 56. Accordingly, the heating resistor component 32 brings about the so-called self-holding of the switch 10, by which the switch 10 is kept permanently open until no voltage from the outside is present any longer between the two external terminals 14, 16. This is usually only the case when the device to be monitored by switch 10 is de-energized, for example by removing it from the power supply.

[0109] Without the heating resistor component 32, which is electrically connected in parallel with the switching mechanism 12, the switching mechanism 12 would automatically switch back to its closed position shown in FIG. 1 as soon as the temperature of the device to be monitored by the switch 10, and thus also the temperature of the switch 10, decreases again.

[0110] In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the temperature-dependent switching behaviour of the switch 10 is brought about by a structurally and functionally differently designed switching mechanism 12. However, the self-holding principle explained above which is brought about by the heating resistor component 32 is also retained here. The aforementioned type of arrangement of the heating resistor component 32 with its one-sided contacting with the two external terminals 14, 16 is also implemented in the exemplary embodiment of the temperature-dependent switch shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0111] In the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the switching mechanism 12 comprises a temperature-dependent switching element 56 and a temperature-dependent spring element 58. The switching element 56 is formed here as a disc-shaped bimetal element, which is why it is also referred to as a bimetal disc. The spring element 58 is also disc-shaped and preferably formed as a spring snap disc which has two temperature-independent stable configurations, between which it snaps back and forth under the effect of force.

[0112] In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the switching element 56 and the spring element 58 are electrically and mechanically connected in parallel with each other. The movable contact part 68 is fastened to the spring element 58 with a material bond. The switching element 56 formed as a bimetallic disc is slipped over the movable contact part 68 with a hole 72 provided in its centre.

[0113] The cover part 19, which, as in the first embodiment, is preferably made of metal, acts as the first electrode 18. As before, the first electrode 18 is electrically conductively connected to the first external terminal 14 by way of the line connecting element 26, which is embedded in the insulating material carrier 22.

[0114] A metal sheet which is embedded in the insulating material carrier 22 and, at least in certain portions, lies with the external terminals 14, 16 in the connection plane E, in which the contact areas 44, 46 of the heating resistor component 32 are also arranged, acts as the second electrode 20.

[0115] Unlike in the first exemplary embodiment, the stationary contact part 70 is not formed as a separate component which is connected to the second electrode 20 with a material bond, but is formed by an elevated central portion of the second electrode 20 itself.

[0116] In the closed position of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 5, the disc-shaped spring element 58 is supported with its outer edge 74 on the inner side of the cover part 19, and thus on the first electrode 18. In this closed position of the switch 10, the temperature-dependent switching element 56 can be mounted free from any forces and protrude freely with its outer edge 76 into the recess 61 formed in the interior of the switch 10. Unlike in the first exemplary embodiment, the switching element 56 therefore does not have current flowing through it in the closed position of the switch 10.

[0117] In the closed position of the switch 10, the current flows from the first external terminal 14 by way of the line connecting element 26 into the first electrode 18 and from there by way of the spring element 58, the movable contact part 68, the stationary contact part 70 and the second electrode 20 to the second external terminal 16.

[0118] Likewise, in the closed position of the switch shown in FIG. 5, the temperature-dependent switching element 56 does not contribute to the contact pressure with which the movable contact part 68 is pressed against the stationary contact part 70. In the design of the switching mechanism 12 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this closing pressure is only brought about by the spring element 58.

[0119] If the temperature of the switch 10, and thus also of the switching mechanism 12, increases to the response temperature of the switching element 56 or beyond this, the switching element 56 snaps from its convex position shown in FIG. 5 to its concave position shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the switching element 56 is supported with its outer edge 76 on the insulating material carrier 22 and presses the spring element 58 out of its concave position shown in FIG. 5 into its convex position shown in FIG. 6, whereby the movable contact part 68 is lifted off the stationary contact part 70 and the electrically conductive connection established by the switching mechanism 12 is opened.

[0120] In the open position of the switching mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 6, the current flows between the first external terminal 14 and the second external terminal 16 only through the heating resistor component 32, which, as previously mentioned, is heated and keeps the switch 10 in the open position until the power supply is completely interrupted.

[0121] In the third exemplary embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the switching mechanism 12 is formed functionally similarly to the switching mechanism 12 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The switching element 56 and the spring element 58 are mechanically and electrically connected in parallel. In addition, also in the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the switching element 56 and the spring element 58 are disc-shaped or circular disc-shaped and connected by their respective centre to the movable contact part 68.

[0122] However, the switching element 56 and the spring element 58 in this case lie from opposite sides against a circumferential collar 74 forming the outer edge of the movable contact part 68.

[0123] In addition to the switching element 56, the spring element 58 and the movable contact part 68, the switching mechanism 12 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a switching mechanism housing 80. This switching mechanism housing 80 is preferably made of metal. It is used to house the switching mechanism 12 or the switching mechanism unit formed by the switching element 56, the spring element 58 and the movable contact part 68.

[0124] The switching mechanism housing 80 is formed as a partially open housing and preferably made of metal. The switching mechanism unit formed by the switching element 56, the spring element 58 and the movable contact part 68 is held captively, but with play, in the switching mechanism housing 80.

[0125] With the aid of such a switching mechanism housing 76 it is possible to pre-produce the switching mechanism 12 as a semi-finished product, to keep it as an item in stock and then to insert it as a whole into the switch housing 24.

[0126] In the closed position of the switch shown in FIG. 7, the spring element 58 is supported with its outer edge 74 on the inner side of the switching mechanism housing 80 and presses the movable contact part 68 against the stationary contact part 70. Also in this exemplary embodiment of the switching mechanism 12, in the closed position of the switch 10, the switching element 56 is mechanically mounted free from any forces and does not have current flowing through it.

[0127] In the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the switching mechanism housing 80 acts as the first electrode 18 of the switching mechanism 12. Accordingly, the cover part 19 does not have to be formed here from electrically conductive material, but may for example be made of plastic, e.g. from a similar or even the same material as the insulating material carrier 22, which forms the lower part 23 of the housing 24.

[0128] When the cover part 19 is made of plastic, the heating resistor component 32 also does not have to be electrically insulated with respect to the compression spring 48, for which reason it is possible to dispense with the insulation layer 52. The heating resistor component 32 also lies here with its contact areas 44, 46 on the underside or connection side 42 directly against the upper sides 28, 30 of the external terminals 14, 16.

[0129] The switching mechanism housing 80 acting as the first electrode 18 lies on the line connecting element 26, so that here too the line connecting element 26 provided internally in the switch establishes the electrical contact between the first electrode 18 and the first external terminal 14 and allows attachment of the two external terminals 14, 16 at the same height or leading out of the external terminals 14, 16 from the insulating material carrier 22 at the same height.

[0130] The current flow in the closed position of the switch shown in FIG. 7 takes place from the first external terminal 14 by way of the line connecting element 26, the switching mechanism housing 80 (the first electrode 18), the spring element 58, the movable contact part 68, the stationary contact part 70 and the second electrode 20 to the second external terminal 16.

[0131] In the open position of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 8, the temperature-dependent switching element 56 is supported with its outer edge 76 on the inner side of the switching mechanism housing 80 and presses the movable contact part 68 upwards, whereby the movable contact part 68 is lifted off the stationary contact part 70 and the current flow by way of the switching mechanism 12 is interrupted. Thus, the spring element 58 also snaps from its concave position shown in FIG. 7 to its convex position shown in FIG. 8.

[0132] The open position is also kept open here by the self-holding brought about by the heating resistor component 32 until there is no voltage any longer between the two external terminals 14, 16.

[0133] Accordingly, the three exemplary embodiments shown here differ essentially in the design of the switching mechanism 12, while the principle of the self-holding brought about by the heating resistor component 32, as well as the type of arrangement and electrical contacting of the heating resistor component 32 and the attachment of the two external terminals 14, 16 in a common connection plane E is implemented in a similar manner in principle in all three exemplary embodiments by providing a line connecting element 26 arranged inside the switch.

[0134] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0135] As used in this specification and claims, the terms for example, e.g., for instance, such as, and like, and the verbs comprising, having, including, and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.