US 12,444,560 B2
Temperature-dependent switch
Marcel P. Hofsaess, Steintahleben (DE)
Filed by Marcel P. Hofsaess, Steintahleben (DE)
Filed on Aug. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/448,565.
Claims priority of application No. 102022120447.2 (DE), filed on Aug. 12, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0055204 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. H01H 37/54 (2006.01); H01H 37/64 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 37/5427 (2013.01) [H01H 37/64 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A temperature-dependent switch, comprising:
a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a switching mechanism unit, which comprises a movable contact part coupled to a bimetallic snap-action disc, and having a switching mechanism housing, in which the switching mechanism unit is arranged and held captively therein; and
a switch housing, in which the switching mechanism housing is arranged and held captively therein, wherein the switch housing comprises a stationary contact part, which acts as a mating contact to the movable contact part,
wherein 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 circumferential side extending between and transversely to the first and the second housing sides,
wherein the switching mechanism housing on the first housing side comprises an opening through which the movable contact part interacts with the stationary contact part,
wherein the switching mechanism housing comprises an electrically conductive first base body and the temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured so as, below a response temperature of the bimetallic snap-action disc, to keep the temperature-dependent switch in a low-temperature position in which the temperature-dependent switching mechanism establishes a first electrical connection via the movable contact part between the electrically conductive first base body and the stationary contact part, and, if the response temperature is exceeded, to bring the temperature-dependent switch into a high-temperature position in which the temperature-dependent switching mechanism interrupts the first electrical connection,
wherein the temperature-dependent switch further comprises a PTC component, which is electrically connected in parallel to the first electrical connection, and
wherein the electrically conductive first base body forms a part of the second housing side of the switching mechanism housing, wherein the part of the second housing side forms a freely accessible outside of the temperature-dependent switch.