Temperature-dependent switching mechanism and temperature-dependent switch

Abstract

A temperature-dependent switching mechanism for a temperature-dependent switch, having a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, a temperature independent snap-action spring disc, an electrically conductive contact member to which the bimetal snap-action disc and the snap-action spring disc are captively held, so that the bimetal snap-action disc, the snap-action spring disc and the contact member form a switching mechanism unit captively held together, and a switching mechanism housing which captively holds the switching mechanism unit. The switching mechanism housing surrounds the switching mechanism unit from a first housing side, a second housing side opposite the first housing side, and a housing peripheral side extending between and transverse to the first and second housing sides. The switching mechanism housing is configured as an at least partially open housing and includes an opening on the first housing side through which the contact member is accessible from outside the switching mechanism housing.

Claims

1. A temperature-dependent switching mechanism for a temperature-dependent switch, comprising: a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc that is configured to snap from a low temperature configuration to a high temperature configuration upon exceeding a response temperature; a temperature-independent snap-action spring disc; an electrically conductive contact member to which the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc are captively held, so that the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc, and the electrically conductive contact member form a switching mechanism unit captively held together; and a switching mechanism housing in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and which captively holds the switching mechanism unit, wherein the switching mechanism housing is formed in one piece from an electrically conductive material and surrounds the switching mechanism unit from a first housing side, a second housing side opposite the first housing side, and a housing peripheral side extending between and transverse to the first and second housing sides, wherein the switching mechanism housing comprises a side wall forming the housing peripheral side, wherein a free, upper portion of the side wall is bent over and forms the first housing side, wherein the switching mechanism housing is configured as an at least partially open housing and comprises an opening on the first housing side through which the electrically conductive contact member is accessible from outside the switching mechanism housing, and wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc in its low temperature configuration is spaced from an inner surface of the free, upper portion of the side wall arranged inside the switching mechanism housing and in its high temperature configuration bears against the inner surface.

2. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive contact member permanently protrudes outwardly through the opening or is movable together with the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc within the switching mechanism housing such that the electrically conductive contact member protrudes outwardly through the opening upon a corresponding movement within the switching mechanism housing.

3. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the opening is smaller than a diameter of the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc measured parallel to the diameter of the opening and/or smaller than a diameter of the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc measured parallel to the diameter of the opening.

4. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism housing comprises a dome-shaped portion or a pot-shaped portion forming at least a part of the second housing side.

5. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the switching mechanism housing is rotationally symmetrical about a central axis, and wherein the dome-shaped portion or the pot-shaped portion forms a centrally arranged part of the second housing side.

6. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism housing is rotationally symmetrical about a central axis.

7. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the switching mechanism unit is rotationally symmetrical about the central axis.

8. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc comprises a first through hole and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc comprises a second through hole, wherein the electrically conductive contact member passes through the first through hole and the second through hole, wherein the electrically conductive contact member further comprises a radially projecting support shoulder, a first locking element arranged on a first side of the radially projecting support shoulder, and a second locking element arranged on a second side of the radially projecting support shoulder opposite the first side, wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc is arranged between the first locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder and is held captive on the electrically conductive contact member by the first locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder, and wherein the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc is arranged between the second locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder and is held captive on the electrically conductive contact member by the second locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder.

9. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the first through hole is arranged centrally in the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, and wherein the second through hole is arranged centrally in the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc.

10. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc are each circular disc-shaped.

11. A temperature-dependent switch comprising: a temperature-dependent switching mechanism; and a switch housing surrounding the temperature-dependent switching mechanism and comprising a first contact and a second contact; wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises: a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc that is configured to snap from a low temperature configuration to a high temperature configuration upon exceeding a response temperature; a temperature-independent snap-action spring disc; an electrically conductive contact member to which the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc are captively held, so that the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc, and the electrically conductive contact member form a switching mechanism unit captively held together; and a switching mechanism housing in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and which captively holds the switching mechanism unit, wherein the switching mechanism housing is formed in one piece from an electrically conductive material and surrounds the switching mechanism unit from a first housing side, a second housing side opposite the first housing side, and a housing peripheral side extending between and transverse to the first and second housing sides, wherein the switching mechanism housing comprises a side wall forming the housing peripheral side, wherein a free, upper portion of the side wall is bent over and forms the first housing side, wherein the switching mechanism housing is configured as an at least partially open housing and comprises an opening on the first housing side through which the electrically conductive contact member is accessible from outside the switching mechanism housing, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured to establish an electrical connection between the first contact and the second contact below a response temperature of the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and to interrupt the electrical connection upon exceeding the response temperature, and wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc in its low temperature configuration is spaced from an inner surface of the free, upper portion of the side wall arranged inside the switching mechanism housing and in its high temperature configuration bears against the inner surface.

12. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive contact member permanently protrudes outwardly through the opening or is movable together with the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc within the switching mechanism housing such that the electrically conductive contact member protrudes outwardly through the opening upon a corresponding movement within the switching mechanism housing.

13. The temperature-dependent switch according to claim 11, wherein a diameter of the opening is smaller than a diameter of the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc measured parallel to the diameter of the opening and/or smaller than a diameter of the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc measured parallel to the diameter of the opening.

14. A temperature-dependent switching mechanism for a temperature-dependent switch, comprising: a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc; a temperature-independent snap-action spring disc; an electrically conductive contact member to which the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc are connected, so that the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc, and the electrically conductive contact member form a switching mechanism unit held together; and a switching mechanism housing in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and which holds the switching mechanism unit, wherein the switching mechanism housing is formed in one piece from an electrically conductive material and surrounds the switching mechanism unit from a first housing side, a second housing side opposite the first housing side, and a housing peripheral side extending between and transverse to the first and second housing sides, wherein the switching mechanism housing is configured as an at least partially open housing and comprises an opening on the first housing side through which the electrically conductive contact member is accessible from outside the switching mechanism housing, wherein the electrically conductive contact member protrudes outwardly through the opening or is movable together with the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc within the switching mechanism housing such that the electrically conductive contact member protrudes outwardly through the opening upon a corresponding movement within the switching mechanism housing, and wherein a diameter of the opening is smaller than a diameter of the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc measured parallel to the diameter of the opening and smaller than a diameter of the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc measured parallel to the diameter of the opening.

15. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the switching mechanism housing comprises a dome-shaped portion or a pot-shaped portion forming at least a part of the second housing side.

16. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 15, wherein the switching mechanism housing is rotationally symmetrical about a central axis, and wherein the dome-shaped portion or the pot-shaped portion forms a centrally arranged part of the second housing side.

17. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the switching mechanism housing is rotationally symmetrical about a central axis.

18. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the switching mechanism unit is rotationally symmetrical about the central axis.

19. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc comprises a first through hole and the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc comprises a second through hole, wherein the electrically conductive contact member passes through the first through hole and the second through hole, wherein the electrically conductive contact member further comprises a radially projecting support shoulder, a first locking element arranged on a first side of the radially projecting support shoulder, and a second locking element arranged on a second side of the radially projecting support shoulder opposite the first side, wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc is arranged between the first locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder and is held on the electrically conductive contact member by the first locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder, and wherein the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc is arranged between the second locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder and is held on the electrically conductive contact member by the second locking element and the radially projecting support shoulder.

20. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to claim 19, wherein the first through hole is arranged centrally in the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc, and wherein the second through hole is arranged centrally in the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of the temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to a first embodiment;

(2) FIG. 2 a schematic sectional view of the temperature-dependent switching mechanism according to a second embodiment;

(3) FIG. 3 a schematic sectional view of the temperature-dependent switch according to an embodiment, wherein the switch is in its low-temperature position;

(4) FIG. 4 a schematic sectional view of the temperature-dependent switch shown in FIG. 3, wherein the switch is in its high-temperature position; and

(5) FIG. 5 a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the temperature-dependent switch, wherein the switch is in its low-temperature position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIGS. 1-2 show two different embodiments of the switching mechanism, each in a schematic sectional view. In each case, the switching mechanism is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 10.

(7) The switching mechanism 10 is a temperature-dependent switching mechanism. It comprises a functional switching mechanism unit 12 and a switching mechanism housing 14 surrounding this switching mechanism unit 12. The switching mechanism housing 14 surrounds the switching mechanism unit 12 from all six spatial directions, at least partially in each case. However, as will be explained in detail below, the switching mechanism housing 14 is configured as a partially open housing so that the switching mechanism unit 12 is accessible from at least one spatial direction, preferably from only one spatial direction, from outside the switching mechanism housing 14.

(8) Due to the fact that the switching mechanism housing 14 at least partially surrounds the switching mechanism unit 12 from all six spatial directions, the switching mechanism unit 12 is captively held in the switching mechanism housing 14. As long as the switching mechanism 10 is not inserted into a temperature-dependent switch, there is preferably some clearance between the switching mechanism unit 12 and the switching mechanism housing 14. The switching mechanism unit 12 is movable within the switching mechanism housing 14 when the switching mechanism 10 is in the low temperature position.

(9) The switching mechanism unit 12 is constructed in three parts. The switching mechanism unit 12 comprises a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 16, a temperature-independent snap-action spring disc 18 and a contact member 20. The bimetal snap-action disc 16 and the snap-action spring disc 18 are captively held on the contact member 20.

(10) The switching mechanism unit 12 can thus be pre-produced as a semi-finished product and then inserted as a whole into the switching mechanism housing 14. The switching mechanism 10 together with the switching mechanism unit 12 and the switching mechanism housing 14 then also form a semi-finished product for a temperature-dependent switch produced therefrom later.

(11) Since both the three components 16, 18, 20 of the switching mechanism unit 12 are captive to each other and the switching mechanism unit 12 is captively held in the switching mechanism housing 14, the switching mechanism 10 can be held in bulk storage until it is installed in a temperature-dependent switch.

(12) The switching mechanism housing 14 protects the fragile components of the switching mechanism unit 12, i.e. in particular the bimetal snap-action disc 16 and the snap-action spring disc 18, from damage during bulk storage. The insertion of the switching mechanism unit 12 into such a switching mechanism housing 14 also has the advantage that the switching mechanism 10 can be inserted in a very simple manner into a temperature-dependent switch to be manufactured. Due to this very simple handling of the switching mechanism, the assembly process of the temperature-dependent switch can be automated without more ado.

(13) The switching mechanism housing 14 at least partially surrounds the switching mechanism unit 12 from a first housing side 22, a second housing side 24 opposite the first housing side 22, and a housing peripheral side 26 extending between and transverse to the first and second housing sides 22, 24, respectively. Preferably, the switching mechanism housing 14 completely surrounds the switching mechanism unit 12 from both the second housing side 24 and the housing peripheral side 26. Thus, the second housing side 24 and the housing peripheral side 26 preferably form closed housing sides of the switching mechanism housing 14. Only the first housing side 22 is a partially open housing side of the switching mechanism housing 14. In other words, the housing peripheral side 26 surrounds the switching mechanism unit 12 along the entire circumference, i.e., from a total of four mutually orthogonally aligned spatial directions. Furthermore, the switching mechanism housing 14 also completely surrounds the switching mechanism unit 12 from a further spatial direction, namely from a spatial direction aligned orthogonally to the second housing side 24. Only from the sixth spatial direction, which is aligned orthogonally to the first housing side 22, does the switching mechanism housing 14 only partially surround the switching mechanism unit 12.

(14) At the first housing side 22, the switching mechanism housing 14 comprises an opening 28 through which the contact member 20 is accessible from outside the switching mechanism housing 14.

(15) According to the two embodiments of the switching mechanism 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contact member 20 permanently projects outward through the opening 28. However, depending on the design of the height of the switching mechanism housing 14, this does not necessarily have to be the case. In principle, it is sufficient if the contact member 20 is accessible from the outside through the opening 28 and the switching mechanism unit 12 is movable within the switching mechanism housing 14 in such a way that the contact member 20 projects outwardly through the opening 28 during a corresponding movement within the switching mechanism housing.

(16) A diameter D1 of the opening 28 is smaller than a diameter D2, measured parallel thereto, of the bimetal snap-action disc 16 and/or the snap-action spring disc 18. Thus, although the contact member 20 is accessible from the outside through the opening 28, the bimetal snap-action disc 16 and the snap-action spring disc 18 cannot detach from the switching mechanism housing 14.

(17) The switching mechanism housing 14 is of one-piece design and is made of an electrically conductive material, for example metal. It comprises a bottom wall 30 and a side wall 32 integrally connected to the bottom wall. The bottom wall 30 forms the second housing side 24 of the switching mechanism housing 14. The side wall 32 forms the housing peripheral side 26 of the switching mechanism housing 14. A free upper portion 34 of the side wall 32 is bent in a direction towards a central axis 36, which forms the longitudinal axis of the contact member 20. A free, circumferential edge 38 of this bent-over upper portion 34 radially delimits the opening 28 of the switching mechanism housing 14.

(18) In the low-temperature position of the switching mechanism unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the snap-action spring disc 18 bears with its outer edge against the switching mechanism housing 14. More specifically, the snap-action spring disc 18 bears with its outer edge on an inner side 40 of the bottom wall 30 facing the switching mechanism unit 12. In this position of the switching mechanism unit 10, the snap-action spring disc 18 carries the contact member 20. The bimetal snap-action disc 16, on the other hand, is in this position of the switching mechanism mounted in the switching mechanism housing 14 more or less free of forces.

(19) The two snap-action discs 16, 18 are preferably circular disc-shaped and each comprises a centrally arranged through hole 42, 44. The through hole 42 arranged centrally in the bimetal snap-action disc 16 is referred to as the first through hole. The through hole 44 arranged in the snap-action spring disc 18 is referred to as the second through hole.

(20) The two snap-action discs 16, 18 are slipped over the contact member 20 from opposite sides with their respective through hole 42, 44. The contact member 20 thus penetrates both snap-action discs 16, 18 at a central position.

(21) The contact member 20 comprises a base body 46, which is preferably solid and made of an electrically conductive material. The base body 46 is passed through the two through holes 42, 44.

(22) Approximately in the middle, i.e. at about half the height, the contact member 20 comprises a support shoulder 48 projecting radially from the base body 46. The two snap-action discs 16, 18 rest against this support shoulder 48 from opposite sides. The bimetal snap-action disc 16 is arranged on a first side of the support shoulder 48, which in FIGS. 1 and 2 forms the upper side of the support shoulder 48. The snap-action spring disc 18 is arranged on a second side of the support shoulder 48 opposite the first side, which second side forms the bottom side of the support shoulder 48 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(23) Further, locking elements 50, 52 are formed on the contact member 20, with the aid of which the two snap-action discs 16, 18 are held on the contact member 20. The two locking elements 50, 52 project radially from the base body 46 of the contact member 20. The first locking element 50 is arranged on the first side of the support shoulder 48. The second locking element 52 is arranged on the opposite second side of the support shoulder 48.

(24) The bimetal snap-action disc 16 is arranged between the first locking element 50 and the support shoulder 48, and is held captive to the contact member 20 due to the radial projection of the first locking element 50 and the support shoulder 48 between the first locking element 50 and the support shoulder 48.

(25) The snap-action spring disc 18 is arranged between the second locking element 52 and the support shoulder 48, and is held captive to the contact member 20 due to the radial projection of the second locking element 52 and the support shoulder 48 between the second locking element 52 and the support shoulder 48.

(26) The contact member 20 is formed in one piece together with the support shoulder 48 and the two locking elements 50, 52. The support shoulder 48 and the two locking elements 50, 52 are therefore integral with the base body 46 of the contact member 20.

(27) In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two locking elements 50, 52 are each configured as a circumferential collar. The circumferential collar forming the first locking element 50 projects upward at an angle radially from the base body 46 of the contact member 20. The collar forming the second locking element 52 projects downward at an angle radially from the base body 46 of the contact member 20.

(28) Both collars can be formed relatively easily by forming a circumferential cut notch in the contact member 20. The cut notches are formed in the contact member after the two snap-action discs 16, 18 with their through holes 40, 42 have been slipped over the contact member 20.

(29) As an alternative to such collars, which are produced by introducing cut notches, the two locking elements 50, 52 can also each comprise one or more retaining claws (not shown). Such retaining claws are also preferably integral with the base body 46 of the contact member 20.

(30) It is advantageous for the function of the switching mechanism 10 if the bimetal snap-action disc 16 is held on the contact member 20 with larger clearance than the snap-action spring disc 18. This guarantees sufficiently free movement of the bimetal snap-action disc 16. At the same time, the slightly smaller clearance between the snap-action spring disc 18 and the contact member 20 enables the best possible electrical contact between these two components.

(31) The two embodiments of the switching mechanism 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 differ mainly in the shape of the switching mechanism housing 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 30, which forms the second housing side 24 of the switching mechanism housing 14, is of essentially plate-like design and comprises a cup-like bulge 54 in a central portion. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 30 has an arcuate configuration in section. The bottom wall 30 of the switching mechanism housing 14 thus forms a kind of convex dome.

(32) Of course, other shapes of the switching mechanism housing 14 are possible. However, the contact member 20 should be able to move downward within the switching mechanism housing 14 when the snap-action discs 16, 18 snap over from the low-temperature position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the high-temperature position. For this purpose, there must be sufficient space in particular for the contact member 20 so that it does not collide with the bottom wall 30 in the high-temperature position of the switching mechanism 10.

(33) In FIGS. 3 and 4, an embodiment of a temperature-dependent switch in which the switching mechanism 10 can be used is shown in each case in a schematic sectional view. The switch is denoted therein in its entirety by reference numeral 100.

(34) FIG. 3 shows the low-temperature position of the switch 100. FIG. 4 shows the high-temperature position of the switch 100.

(35) According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the switch 100 comprises a switch housing 56 which functions as a housing for the switching mechanism 10. The switching mechanism 10 is inserted into the switch housing 56 together with its switching mechanism housing 14. The switching mechanism 10 corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

(36) The switch housing 56 comprises a pot-like lower part 58 and a lid part 60 held to the lower part 58 by a folded or flanged edge 62.

(37) Both the lower part 58 and the lid part 60 are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. An insulating foil 64 is arranged between the lower part 58 and the lid part 60. The insulating foil 64 provides electrical insulation of the lower part 58 with respect to the lid part 60. Likewise, the insulating foil 64 provides a mechanical seal that prevents liquids or contaminants from entering the interior of the housing from outside.

(38) Since the lower part 58 and the lid part 60 are each made of electrically conductive material, thermal contact can be made via their outer surfaces to an electrical device to be protected. The outer surfaces also serve as the external electrical connection of the switch 100. For example, the outer surface 61 of the lid part 60 can act as the first electrical connection and the outer surface 59 of the lower part 58 can act as the second electrical connection.

(39) A further insulation layer 66 may be arranged on the outside of the lid part 60, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(40) The switching mechanism 10 is arranged clamped between the lower part 58 and the lid part 60. A spacer ring 68, against which the switching mechanism housing 14 rests circumferentially, is used to position the switching mechanism 10. The contact member 20 should be aligned with respect to a counter contact 70, which is arranged on the inside of the lid part 60. This counter contact 70 is also referred to herein as the first stationary contact. The inner side 71 of the lower part 58 serves as the second stationary contact.

(41) In the low temperature position of the switch 100 shown in FIG. 3, the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc 18 is in its first configuration and the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 16 is in its low temperature configuration. The snap-action spring disc 18 presses the contact member 20 against the counter contact 70, and the switch 100 is thus in its closed position in which an electrically conductive connection is established between the first stationary contact 70 and the second stationary contact 71 via the contact member 20 and the snap-action spring disc 18. Contact pressure between the contact member 20 and the first stationary contact 70 is provided by the snap-action spring disc 18. In contrast, the bimetal snap-action disc 16 is mounted in the switching mechanism housing 14 in this state with virtually no force.

(42) If the temperature of the device to be protected now increases, and thus the temperature of the switch 100 as well as the bimetal snap-action disc 16 arranged therein increases to the switching temperature of the bimetal snap-action disc 16 or above the switching temperature, the bimetal snap-action disc 16 snaps over from its convex low-temperature position shown in FIG. 3 to its concave high-temperature position shown in FIG. 4. During this snap-over, the outer edge of the bimetal snap-action disc 16 supports against the first housing side 22 of the switching mechanism housing 14. More specifically, the bimetal snap-action disc 16 bears against an inner surface 72 of the bent-over upper portion 34 arranged inside the switching mechanism housing 14. As a result, the snap-action spring disc 18 simultaneously flexes downward at its center, causing the snap-action spring disc 18 to snap over from its first stable geometric configuration shown in FIG. 3 to its second stable geometric configuration shown in FIG. 4.

(43) FIG. 4 shows the high-temperature position of the switch 100, in which it is open. The circuit is thus interrupted.

(44) When the device to be protected and thus the switch 100 together with the bimetal snap-action disc 16 then cool down again, the bimetal snap-action disc 16 snaps back into its low-temperature position upon reaching the reset temperature, which is also referred to as the snap-back temperature, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Thus, a reversible switching behavior can be realized.

(45) Of course, it is also possible for the switch 100 to be prevented from switching back to the high-temperature position once it has been snapped over by means of a corresponding locking device. A large number of such locking devices, which are used in particular for one-time switches where a switch-back is to be prevented, are already known from the prior art.

(46) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the switch 100. Compared to the switch housing 56 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the switch housing 56 here has a much simpler design. It comprises only one contact 70, which is connected to a first electrical terminal 61, and a second contact 71, which is connected to a second terminal 59. The two contacts 70, 71 are configured as simple metal sheets which are connected to each other via an insulator 76. The insulator 76 electrically separates the two contacts 70, 71 from each other and at the same time provides a mechanical connection between the two contacts 70, 71.

(47) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the switching mechanism 10 is merely inserted between the two contacts 70, 71. However, the switch housing 56 has a partially open design here and, unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is not hermetically sealed.

(48) The switch housing 56 of the switch 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may, for example, be directly integrated into a device to be monitored by the switch 100. The simple design of the switch housing 56 shown in FIG. 5 is intended to illustrate in principle that the switching mechanism 10 can also be integrated into substantially simpler switch housings 56 due to its structural design. The reason for this is in particular that the switching mechanism 10 is already fully functional in itself due to the switching mechanism housing 14, in which the switching mechanism unit 12 is captively mounted. Insofar as certain applications do not require hermetic sealing of the switch 100, all that is required on the switch housing 56 are two contacts 70, 71, between which the switching mechanism unit 10 is arranged clamped. No other components are required on the switch housing 56 except for the electrical terminals 59, 61 connected to the contacts 70, 71.

(49) It is understood that the switching mechanism 10 can be used in switch housings of completely different designs.