Temperature-sensitive switch with a casing

• US 4,849,729 A
• Filed: 03/31/1988
• Issued: 07/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter Hofsass
• Original Assignee: Peter Hofsass
• Inventors: Hofsass, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, H.
• Application Number:
  US07/176,206
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 337/102, 337/103, 337/104, 337/105, 337/106, 337/107, 337/343, 337/377
• US Class Current: 337/102
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/504 by thermal means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/5427 encapsulated in sealed miniaturised housing

Abstract

A temperature-sensitive switch with a casing having a pot-like lower part and a top part, whereby in the lower part is provided a bimetallic disk and under the action of the latter at least one movable contact part can be connected to a stationary opposite contact, so that it is possible to produce an electrical connection between the lower part, movable contact part and opposite contact part. Between the contact part and the lower part there is a fixed, electrically high-value connection provided by a resistor element, so that the temperature-sensitive switch does not automatically close again after opening unless a master switch is interrupted for the power supply.

Claims

1. Temperature-sensitive switch comprising a casing, a pot-shaped lower part and an upper part, the lower part containing a switch mechanism with at least one bimetallic disk and a movable contact part and, under the action of the bimetallic disk, the movable contact part can be connected to a stationary opposite contact, so that it is possible to produce an electrical connection between the pot-shaped lower part, movable and stationary opposite contact parts, wherein a resistor part having a high electrical resistance is arranged between the opposite stationary contact part and the pot-shaped lower part so as to form a permanent electric connection therebetween, said resistor part being arranged within a contour of the casing.

2. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein the resistor part includes a PTC element.

3. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein the electrical resistance of the resistor part is adjustable.

4. Temperature-sensitive switch according to one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the resistor part includes a metal resistor part guided in spiral bends.

5. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 4, wherein the resistor part includes a stamped metal disk.

6. Temperature-sensitive switch according to one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the resistor part includes a carbon resistor part.

7. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 6, wherein a insulating cover is one of melted or cast around the resistor part.

8. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 4, wherein removable bridges are formed between individual portions of the resistor part.

9. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 6, wherein removable bridges are formed between individual portions of the resistor part.

10. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein support means are disposed in said casing for supporting the resistor part therein, said support means being made from insulating material.

11. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 10, wherein the support means is made form a ceramic material.

12. Temperature-sensitive switch according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the resistor part is pressed onto the support means.

13. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein sealing means are provided for sealing the switch mechanism in the casing so as to protect the switch mechanism from the environment, said sealing means including a sealing disk.

14. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein a seal means is provided for sealing the switch mechanism in the casing so as to protect the switch mechanism from the environment and outside effects, said seal means including a soldering.

15. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein said reistor part surrounds a portion of the stationary contact part.

16. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 15, wherein the stationary contact part includes a current transmission member;

and wherein said resistor part surrounds the current transmission member.

17. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 16, wherein the pot-shaped lower part includes a crimp portion at an upper end thereof, and wherein said resistor part is electrically connected to said pot-shaped lower part through said crimp portion.

18. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 17, wherein said resistor part includes a PTC element.

19. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 18, wherein an insulating material is provided around said PTC element in such a fashion that a contact between the PTC element and the pot-shaped lower part only occurs at the crimp portion.

20. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein the stationary contact part includes a current transmission member having a contact at one end thereof cooperable with the movable contact part, and wherein a ceramic part is interposed between the resistor part and the contact provided at the end of the current transmission member.

21. Temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein the resistor part and the ceramic part surround the current transmission member, and wherein an intermediate layer is interposed between the resistor part and the ceramic part.