Patent ID: 6091315
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A switch, comprising:two external terminals for connection to a circuit,a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that above a response temperature interrupts and closes, respectively, said circuit when connected,said switching mechanism comprising:a fixed contact electrically connected to one of said two external terminals, and a moving contact electrically connected to the other of said two external terminals,a bimetallic part acting on said movable contact such that the latter is in contact with the fixed contact depending on the temperature of the bimetallic part, anda safety element produced from a shape-memory alloy that changes its shape into a high-temperature shape if its temperature reaches a transformation temperature which is above the response temperature, the safety element, in its high-temperature shape, holding the movable contact in a safety position which it retains even if the temperature of the safety element again drops below the transformation temperature,wherein the safety element is a compression spring.