EP0778596A2 - Switch with a temperature sensitive switching mechanism - Google Patents

Switch with a temperature sensitive switching mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0778596A2
EP0778596A2 EP96114995A EP96114995A EP0778596A2 EP 0778596 A2 EP0778596 A2 EP 0778596A2 EP 96114995 A EP96114995 A EP 96114995A EP 96114995 A EP96114995 A EP 96114995A EP 0778596 A2 EP0778596 A2 EP 0778596A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
projection
switch
contact
spring
spring washer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96114995A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0778596B1 (en
EP0778596A3 (en
Inventor
Marcel Peter Hofsäss
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HOFSAESS, MARCEL
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Individual
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Publication of EP0778596A2 publication Critical patent/EP0778596A2/en
Publication of EP0778596A3 publication Critical patent/EP0778596A3/en
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Publication of EP0778596B1 publication Critical patent/EP0778596B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
    • H01H37/02—Details
    • H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
    • H01H37/52—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
    • H01H37/54—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting
    • H01H37/5427—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting encapsulated in sealed miniaturised housing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
    • H01H37/02—Details
    • H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
    • H01H37/52—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
    • H01H37/54—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting
    • H01H2037/5445—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting with measures for avoiding slow break of contacts during the creep phase of the snap bimetal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
    • H01H37/02—Details
    • H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
    • H01H37/52—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
    • H01H37/54—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting
    • H01H2037/5463—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting the bimetallic snap element forming part of switched circuit

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a switch with a temperature-dependent switching mechanism, a housing which accommodates the switching mechanism and has a lower part and a cover part which closes the latter, and a first counter contact provided on the inside of the cover part and a second counter contact provided on the inside of the lower part, the switching mechanism being electrically conductive spring part, which in one of its switching positions is in contact with both the first and the second counter contact.
  • the known switch is used to monitor the temperature of a device. For this purpose, it is connected in series with the device to be monitored via its external connections and arranged in such a way that the temperature of the device to be monitored influences the temperature of a bimetal part. If the switching temperature is exceeded, the switch mechanism opens the connection between the two external connections and the circuit above it is interrupted. If the temperature drops, the circuit is closed again, although this does not necessarily have to be the case; bistable temperature-dependent switches are also known.
  • the known switch has a housing consisting of an electrically conductive lower part and an electrically conductive cover part which closes the latter, an insulating film being provided for insulation between the lower part and the cover part.
  • An inwardly projecting area is formed on the cover part as a first counter contact.
  • the switching mechanism has a spring washer, on which a movable contact is attached by a flanged edge, which comes into contact with the first mating contact.
  • a bimetallic snap disk is placed over the spring washer, which is accommodated in the housing without forces below the switching temperature.
  • the current flows through the conductive cover part, the first mating contact, the movable contact, the spring washer and the conductive lower part, on which the spring washer is supported, so that the inner bottom forms the second mating contact.
  • the external connection is made directly by contacting the lower part and the cover part.
  • the bimetal snap disk snaps and presses the spring washer with its movable contact away from the first counter contact.
  • the mechanical assembly of the known switch is particularly complex because the contact must be attached to the spring washer via the flanged edge.
  • a comparable switch is known from DE 37 10 672 A1.
  • This so-called temperature monitor is designed to be self-retaining, so it includes a heating resistor connected in parallel to the bimetal switchgear, which is connected in series between the external connections when the switchgear is open and is heated up by the current flowing through it to the point that it heats the bimetal switchgear above it Switching temperature holds so that it does not return to the basic state.
  • the high-resistance parallel resistor is integrated in the cover part, which consists either of insulating material or of an electrically conductive resistance material.
  • the movable contact is loosely inserted in the spring washer and clamped between the spring washer and the bimetallic snap disk via a projecting annular shoulder.
  • the movable contact is a turned part, which can only be produced with the appropriate material and manufacturing effort, so that it contributes significantly to the total cost of the known switches.
  • this object is achieved in the switch mentioned at the outset in that a projection which points into the housing and which projects into an opening provided in the spring part at least in one switching position is provided on the first mating contact.
  • the inventor of the present application has recognized that, surprisingly, the movable contact part on the spring part can be dispensed with, and that the required electrical contact between the spring part and the mating contact can be effected and / or promoted in that a projection is provided on the counter-contact, on which the spring washer sits, so to speak, with its opening.
  • a projection is provided on the counter-contact, on which the spring washer sits, so to speak, with its opening.
  • the projection ensures good, electrically conductive contact of the spring part with the first mating contact in the correct orientation.
  • the new switch has a number of advantages.
  • the manufacturing costs are reduced by the smaller number of components that can be found in the new switch, since the new mating contact replaces the previous movable contact part and the previous mating contact. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to attach the contact part to the spring washer before or during the final assembly of the switch, so that this manufacturing step is omitted. Overall, this not only reduces the component costs, the costs for stockpiling and the number of components, but also the time required for the final assembly, which can now also take place automatically, thereby avoiding further rejects.
  • Another advantage is that the number of contact resistances, ie the number of contact areas required, is reduced to the absolute minimum, since the contact resistance between the movable contact part used in the prior art and the spring washer is eliminated. The quality of the total contact resistance of the switch is thus improved, and the problems with the choice of material are also solved against the background of aging.
  • the projection is made of an electrically conductive material or an electrically insulating material.
  • the projection can be formed in one piece with the mating contact if it also consists of electrically conductive material. If, on the other hand, the projection is made of insulating material, it merely serves to guide the spring part relative to the mating contact, and it can preferably extend as a guide bolt to the bottom of the lower part.
  • the projection made of electrically conductive material ensures even greater contact security between the spring part and the first mating contact, better guidance and centering of the spring part in the housing is possible in the case of the projection made of electrically insulating material in that the projection extends as a guide pin to the bottom of the lower part, but it does not lead to a short circuit due to its insulator ability.
  • the spring part is held captively on the projection.
  • the spring part is already attached to the projection attached to the cover part before the final assembly of the switch and then e.g. can be captively connected to the projection by flanging or welding. This also greatly simplifies the assembly of the new switch, since the fitting of a spring washer onto a projection is easier to automate than the insertion of a spring washer into a generally pot-like housing.
  • the projection has a thickened head, over which the spring part can be pushed in a latching manner.
  • the advantage here is that it is not absolutely necessary to ensure the captive hold after the spring part has been plugged onto the projection by additional measures such as flanging or welding. Rather, the spring washer is pushed over the thickened head, overcoming mechanical resistance, so that it snaps onto the projection. This measure also makes final assembly of the new switch much easier, since additional manufacturing steps can be saved.
  • the spring part is a prestressed bimetallic snap disk, on the other hand it is preferred if the spring part is assigned a bimetal snap disk which is arranged with its opening on the projection.
  • the switching mechanism is very simple, since the additional spring disk used in the prior art can be dispensed with.
  • the bimetallic snap disk ensures both the electrical contact between the two mating contacts and the temperature-dependent switching of the rear derailleur.
  • the spring part namely presses the bimetallic snap disk into the switch position in which, for example, the two mating contacts are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. If the bimetallic snap disc now heats up, this bimetallic snap disc is gradually deformed at its edge, that stands out from the ground. During this so-called creeping phase, however, the spring part ensures that the electrically conductive connection between the two mating contacts is retained. Only when the bimetallic snap disk snaps suddenly, that is to say jumps out of its convex shape into a concave shape, is the spring part lifted off the projection on the mating contact by the action of the bimetal snap disk.
  • the cover part is made of electrically conductive material and the counter contact is deep-drawn from the material, the projection also preferably being deep-drawn from the material.
  • both a spring washer and a plate spring or a spiral spring can be used as the spring part.
  • a switch 10 is shown schematically in longitudinal section, which comprises a housing 11 in which a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 12 is arranged.
  • the housing 11 comprises a lower part 14 and a cover part 15 closing it. Since both the lower part 14 and the cover part 15 consist of electrically conductive material, an insulating film 16 is arranged between them. In the assembled state shown in FIG. 1, the cover part is fastened to the lower part 14 by a flange 17 with the insulating film 16 interposed.
  • the electrical connection of the switch 10 takes place, for example, in that strands or crimp connections are soldered to both the lower part 14 and the cover part 15. For the sake of clarity, these connections are not shown in the drawing.
  • a first counter contact 21 is soldered or welded to its base part 22, so that there is an electrically conductive connection between the first counter contact 21 and the cover part 15.
  • the first mating contact 21 furthermore has a projection 23 which points into the housing 11 and, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is formed in one piece with the base part 22, that is to say likewise consists of electrically conductive material.
  • the projection 23 it is also possible to manufacture the projection 23 from an electrically insulating material and to attach it to e.g. glue the base part 22.
  • the switching mechanism 12 arranged in the housing 11 comprises a bimetallic snap disk 24 and a spring washer 25 arranged underneath it.
  • the bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are arranged with their openings 26 and 27 on the projection 23, which is centered on the cover part 15 is provided so that the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are centered in the housing 11 by the selected arrangement.
  • the spring washer 25 is supported with its edge 28 on the inner bottom 29 of the lower part 14, which acts as a second counter-contact 30.
  • the switching state shown in Fig. 1 there is thus an electrically conductive connection of the cover part 12 via the first mating contact 21 and the spring washer 25 to the lower part 14, whereby the projection 23 ensures that the spring washer 25 and the bimetallic snap disc are provided with a centering effect 24 do not slip relative to the first mating contact 21; this increases the contact security.
  • the bimetallic snap disc 24 bends upward with its edge 31 in FIG. 1, while the spring washer 25 continues for the electrical connection between the lower part 14 and the cover part 15 worries. If the switching temperature of the switching mechanism 12 is now exceeded, the bimetallic snap disk 24 suddenly snaps from its shown concave shape into a convex shape. It is then supported with its edge 31 on the insulating film 16 at the top and presses the spring washer 25 downward onto the bottom 29 of the lower part 14. The electrical contact with the first mating contact 21 is thus canceled, so that the switch 10 is, so to speak, open.
  • a thickened head 32 is arranged on the projection 23, by means of which the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are held captively on the first mating contact 21 and thus on the cover part 15.
  • This head can follow one hand the pushing of the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 onto the projection 23 are produced by widening or flanging, but it can also be provided during the manufacture of the first mating contact 21. In the latter case, the head 32 is then dimensioned such that the openings 26 and 27 can be pushed over it under pressure, so that the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 latch onto the projection 23, so to speak.
  • the individual parts of the switching mechanism 12 can first be mounted on the cover part 15 before the cover part 15 is pushed onto the lower part 14.
  • the order of the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 is reversed compared to the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1, the spring washer 25 lies above the bimetal snap disk 24.
  • the bimetallic snap disc 24 lifts off with its edge 31 from the base 29 and presses the edge 28 upward against the force of the spring washer 25 against the insulating film 16.
  • bimetallic snap disk 24 it is not absolutely necessary to provide a spring washer 25 in addition to the bimetallic snap disk 24.
  • the latter can be dispensed with if the bimetallic snap disk 24 itself is designed as a prestressed spring part, so that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 2 below its switching temperature. Since the bimetallic snap disk 24 is generally also made of an electrically conductive material, it can thus itself ensure an electrical connection between the cover part 15 and the lower part 14.
  • the arrangement of the bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 again corresponds to the construction shown in FIG. 1.
  • a deep-drawn nose 34 is now provided on the cover part 15 as the first counter-contact 33, so that the first counter-contact 33 is, as it were, integral with the cover part 15.
  • a guide pin 35 adjoins the nose 34 as a projection, which extends to the bottom 29 of the lower part 14.
  • the function of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds exactly to that of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 1, but the cover part 15 is manufactured more simply.
  • the guide pin 35 is made of insulating material and glued to the nose 34, for example. However, it is also possible to glue the guide pin 35 to the bottom 29, so that it already exerts its centering effect during the final assembly of the switch 10 when the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are inserted. If, however, the guide pin 25 is glued to the nose 34, the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are first pushed onto the guide pin 35 during the final assembly of the switch 10, before the lower part 14 is then pushed into the cover part 15 and flanged with it .
  • a first mating contact 37 is provided, the nose 38 of which extends through the openings 26 and 27 in the bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25.
  • the mating contact 37 and its nose 38 are formed integrally on the cover part 15 by deep drawing. The assembly of this switch 10 is thereby significantly simplified in the manner described above.
  • the spring washer 25 can be dispensed with if the bimetallic snap disk 24 itself is designed as an electrically conductive spring part.
  • the spring washer 25 can also be designed as a plate spring or as a spiral spring.
  • the design as a spiral spring is possible here in that the projection formed on the first mating contact can serve as a guide and thus avoid lateral deflection of the spiral spring.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Slide Switches (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Oscillators With Electromechanical Resonators (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)

Abstract

The switch has a housing (11) for the switch mechanism (12). The switch has a lower housing part (14) and a cover housing part (15) as a closure for the lower part (15). The switch has a first counter contact (21) inside the cover part (15) and a second counter contact (33) inside the lower part (14). The switch mechanism (12)has an electrically conductive spring part (24). In one switch position, this is installed with both counter contacts. A projection (23) on the first housing (21) extends into the housing (11). At least in its one switch position, the projection extends into an opening (26) in the spring part (24). The projection is preferably made of electrically conductive material.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft einen Schalter mit einem temperaturabhängigen Schaltwerk, einem das Schaltwerk aufnehmenden Gehäuse, das ein Unterteil und ein dieses verschließendes Deckelteil aufweist, und einem innen an dem Deckelteil vorgesehenen ersten sowie einem innen an dem Unterteil vorgesehenen zweiten Gegenkontakt, wobei das Schaltwerk ein elektrisch leitendes Federteil umfaßt, das in einer seiner Schaltstellungen sowohl mit dem ersten als auch mit dem zweiten Gegenkontakt in Anlage ist.The present invention relates to a switch with a temperature-dependent switching mechanism, a housing which accommodates the switching mechanism and has a lower part and a cover part which closes the latter, and a first counter contact provided on the inside of the cover part and a second counter contact provided on the inside of the lower part, the switching mechanism being electrically conductive spring part, which in one of its switching positions is in contact with both the first and the second counter contact.

Ein derartiger temperaturabhängiger Schalter ist aus der DE 29 17 482 C2 bekannt.Such a temperature-dependent switch is known from DE 29 17 482 C2.

Der bekannte Schalter dient dazu, die Temperatur eines Gerätes zu überwachen. Dazu wird er über seine Außenanschlüsse in Reihe mit dem zu überwachenden Gerät geschaltet und so angeordnet, daß die Temperatur des zu überwachenden Gerätes die Temperatur eines Bimetall-Teiles beeinflußt. Wird die Schalttemperatur überschritten, so öffnet das Schaltwerk die Verbindung zwischen den beiden Außenanschlüssen, und der darüber geführte Stromkreis wird unterbrochen. Sinkt die Temperatur ab, so wird der Stromkreis wieder geschlossen, obwohl dies nicht unbedingt der Fall sein muß, es sind auch bistabile temperaturabhängige Schalter bekannt.The known switch is used to monitor the temperature of a device. For this purpose, it is connected in series with the device to be monitored via its external connections and arranged in such a way that the temperature of the device to be monitored influences the temperature of a bimetal part. If the switching temperature is exceeded, the switch mechanism opens the connection between the two external connections and the circuit above it is interrupted. If the temperature drops, the circuit is closed again, although this does not necessarily have to be the case; bistable temperature-dependent switches are also known.

Der bekannte Schalter weist ein aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Unterteil sowie einem dieses verschließenden, elektrisch leitfähigen Deckelteil bestehendes Gehäuse auf, wobei zur Isolation zwischen dem Unterteil und dem Deckelteil eine Isolierfolie vorgesehen ist. An dem Deckelteil ist ein nach innen vorstehender Bereich als erster Gegenkontakt ausgebildet. Das Schaltwerk weist als Federteil eine Federscheibe auf, an der durch einen Bördelrand ein beweglicher Kontakt befestigt ist, der mit dem ersten Gegenkontakt in Anlage kommt. Über die Federscheibe ist eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe gestülpt, die unterhalb der Schalttemperatur kräftefrei in dem Gehäuse aufgenommen ist. Der Stromfluß erfolgt über das leitende Deckelteil, den ersten Gegenkontakt, den beweglichen Kontakt, die Federscheibe und das leitende Unterteil, an dem sich die Federscheibe abstützt, so daß der innere Boden den zweiten Gegenkontakt bildet. Der Außenanschluß erfolgt unmittelbar über Kontaktierung von Unterteil und Deckelteil.The known switch has a housing consisting of an electrically conductive lower part and an electrically conductive cover part which closes the latter, an insulating film being provided for insulation between the lower part and the cover part. An inwardly projecting area is formed on the cover part as a first counter contact. The switching mechanism has a spring washer, on which a movable contact is attached by a flanged edge, which comes into contact with the first mating contact. A bimetallic snap disk is placed over the spring washer, which is accommodated in the housing without forces below the switching temperature. The current flows through the conductive cover part, the first mating contact, the movable contact, the spring washer and the conductive lower part, on which the spring washer is supported, so that the inner bottom forms the second mating contact. The external connection is made directly by contacting the lower part and the cover part.

Wird die Schalttemperatur überschritten, so schnappt die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe um und drückt die Federscheibe mit ihrem beweglichen Kontakt von dem ersten Gegenkontakt weg.If the switching temperature is exceeded, the bimetal snap disk snaps and presses the spring washer with its movable contact away from the first counter contact.

Der mechanische Zusammenbau des bekannten Schalters ist insbesondere deshalb aufwendig, weil der Kontakt über den Bördelrand an der Federscheibe befestigt werden muß.The mechanical assembly of the known switch is particularly complex because the contact must be attached to the spring washer via the flanged edge.

Ein vergleichbarer Schalter ist aus der DE 37 10 672 A1 bekannt. Dieser sogenannte Temperaturwächter ist selbsthaltend ausgebildet, umfaßt also einen zu dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk parallel geschalteten Heizwiderstand, der bei geöffnetem Schaltwerk in Reihe zwischen die Außenanschlüsse geschaltet ist und sich durch den durch ihn hindurchfließenden Strom so weit aufheizt, daß er das Bimetall-Schaltwerk über seiner Schalttemperatur hält, so daß es nicht wieder in den Grundzustand zurückgeht. Der hochohmige Parallelwiderstand ist in das Deckelteil integriert, das entweder aus Isoliermaterial oder aus einem elektrisch leitenden Widerstandsmaterial besteht.A comparable switch is known from DE 37 10 672 A1. This so-called temperature monitor is designed to be self-retaining, so it includes a heating resistor connected in parallel to the bimetal switchgear, which is connected in series between the external connections when the switchgear is open and is heated up by the current flowing through it to the point that it heats the bimetal switchgear above it Switching temperature holds so that it does not return to the basic state. The high-resistance parallel resistor is integrated in the cover part, which consists either of insulating material or of an electrically conductive resistance material.

Bei diesem Schalter ist der bewegliche Kontakt lose in die Federscheibe eingelegt und über eine vorstehende Ringschulter zwischen die Federscheibe und die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe eingeklemmt.With this switch, the movable contact is loosely inserted in the spring washer and clamped between the spring washer and the bimetallic snap disk via a projecting annular shoulder.

Hier ist von Nachteil, daß während der Endmontage, die in der Regel manuell von angelernten Kräften durchgeführt wird, zunächst die Federscheibe in das Unterteil, dann das Kontaktteil in die Federscheibe und schließlich die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe über das Kontaktteil gelegt werden muß. Dieser Vorgang ist sehr zeitaufwendig und nur bedingt automatisierbar. Ferner kann es beim Zusammenbau dazu führen, daß das Kontaktteil verrutscht, so daß der Ausschuß erhöht wird.The disadvantage here is that during the final assembly, which is usually carried out manually by trained forces, first the spring washer in the lower part, then the contact part in the spring washer and finally the bimetallic snap disc must be placed over the contact part. This process is very time-consuming and can only be automated to a limited extent. Furthermore, it can cause the contact part to slip during assembly, so that the reject is increased.

Um diese Nachteile zu beseitigen, wurde in der DE 43 37 141 A1 bereits vorgeschlagen, den Kontakt an die Federscheibe anzuschweißen.In order to eliminate these disadvantages, it has already been proposed in DE 43 37 141 A1 to weld the contact to the spring washer.

Dadurch werden zwar die vorstehend erwähnten Nachteile bezüglich der Endmontage des Schalters beseitigt, es ist jedoch wie bei dem eingangs erwähnten Schalter aus der DE 29 17 482 C2 erforderlich, durch zusätzliche Maßnahmen den Kontakt an der Federscheibe zu befestigen.This eliminates the disadvantages mentioned above with regard to the final assembly of the switch, but it is necessary, as with the switch from DE 29 17 482 C2 mentioned at the outset, to fasten the contact to the spring washer by additional measures.

Bei sämtlichen insoweit diskutierten, bekannten Schaltern ist der bewegliche Kontakt ein Drehteil, das nur mit entsprechendem Material und Fertigungsaufwand hergestellt werden kann, so daß es merklich zu den Gesamtkosten der bekannten Schalter beiträgt.In all known switches discussed so far, the movable contact is a turned part, which can only be produced with the appropriate material and manufacturing effort, so that it contributes significantly to the total cost of the known switches.

Ausgehend hiervon ist Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, den eingangs genannten Schalter derart weiterzubilden, daß er einen einfachen und preiswerten Aufbau aufweist und leicht zusammenzubauen ist.Proceeding from this, it is an object of the present invention to develop the switch mentioned at the outset in such a way that it has a simple and inexpensive structure and is easy to assemble.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe bei dem eingangs genannten Schalter dadurch gelöst, daß an dem ersten Gegenkontakt ein in das Gehäuse weisender Vorsprung vorgesehen ist, der zumindest in der einen Schaltstellung in eine in dem Federteil vorgesehene Öffnung hineinragt.According to the invention, this object is achieved in the switch mentioned at the outset in that a projection which points into the housing and which projects into an opening provided in the spring part at least in one switching position is provided on the first mating contact.

Die der Erfindung zugrundeliegende Aufgabe wird auf diese Weise vollkommen gelöst.The object underlying the invention is completely achieved in this way.

Der Erfinder der vorliegenden Anmeldung hat nämlich erkannt, daß überraschenderweise auf das bewegliche Kontaktteil an dem Federteil verzichtet werden kann, und daß der erforderliche elektrische Kontakt zwischen dem Federteil und dem Gegenkontakt dadurch bewirkt und/oder gefördert werden kann, daß an dem Gegenkontakt ein Vorsprung vorgesehen ist, auf dem die Federscheibe sozusagen mit ihrer Öffnung aufsitzt. Durch diesen Vorsprung wird die Federscheibe in dem Gehäuse des neuen Schalters zentriert, so daß bei der Endmontage Ausschuß durch eine falsch eingelegte Federscheibe vermieden wird. Ferner sorgt der Vorsprung für eine gute, elektrisch leitende Anlage des Federteiles an dem ersten Gegenkontakt in lagerichtiger Ausrichtung.The inventor of the present application has recognized that, surprisingly, the movable contact part on the spring part can be dispensed with, and that the required electrical contact between the spring part and the mating contact can be effected and / or promoted in that a projection is provided on the counter-contact, on which the spring washer sits, so to speak, with its opening. By means of this projection, the spring washer is centered in the housing of the new switch, so that rejects due to an incorrectly inserted spring washer are avoided during final assembly. Furthermore, the projection ensures good, electrically conductive contact of the spring part with the first mating contact in the correct orientation.

Der neue Schalter weist damit eine ganze Reihe von Vorteilen auf. Die Fertigungskosten werden einmal durch die geringere Zahl an Bauteilen reduziert, die in dem neuen Schalter zu finden sind, da der neue Gegenkontakt sozusagen das bisherige bewegliche Kontaktteil sowie den bisherigen Gegenkontakt ersetzt. Ferner ist es nicht mehr erforderlich, das Kontaktteil vor oder während der Endmontage des Schalters an der Federscheibe zu befestigen, so daß dieser Fertigungsschritt entfällt. Insgesamt sind damit nicht nur die Bauteilkosten, die Kosten für die Vorratshaltung und die Zahl der Bauteile sondern auch die erforderliche Zeit für den Endzusammenbau reduziert, der jetzt auch automatisch erfolgen kann, wodurch weiter Ausschuß vermieden wird. Ein weiterer Vorteil liegt darin, daß die Anzahl der Übergangswiderstände, also die Anzahl der erforderlichen Kontaktbereiche auf das absolute Minimum reduziert wird, da der Übergangswiderstand zwischen dem im Stand der Technik verwendeten beweglichen Kontaktteil sowie der Federscheibe wegfällt. Die Qualität des gesamten Übergangswiderstandes des Schalters wird also verbessert, wobei auch die Probleme bei der Materialauswahl vor dem Hintergrund der Alterung gelöst werden.The new switch has a number of advantages. The manufacturing costs are reduced by the smaller number of components that can be found in the new switch, since the new mating contact replaces the previous movable contact part and the previous mating contact. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to attach the contact part to the spring washer before or during the final assembly of the switch, so that this manufacturing step is omitted. Overall, this not only reduces the component costs, the costs for stockpiling and the number of components, but also the time required for the final assembly, which can now also take place automatically, thereby avoiding further rejects. Another advantage is that the number of contact resistances, ie the number of contact areas required, is reduced to the absolute minimum, since the contact resistance between the movable contact part used in the prior art and the spring washer is eliminated. The quality of the total contact resistance of the switch is thus improved, and the problems with the choice of material are also solved against the background of aging.

Dabei ist es dann bevorzugt, wenn der Vorsprung aus elektrisch leitendem Material oder aus elektrisch isolierendem Material gefertigt ist.It is then preferred if the projection is made of an electrically conductive material or an electrically insulating material.

Hier ist von Vorteil, daß einerseits der Vorsprung einstückig mit dem Gegenkontakt ausgebildet werden kann, wenn er ebenfalls aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material besteht. Ist der Vorsprung dagegen aus Isoliermaterial gefertigt, so dient er lediglich der Führung des Federteiles relativ zu dem Gegenkontakt, wobei er sich vorzugsweise als Führungsbolzen bis zum Boden des Unterteiles erstrecken kann.The advantage here is that on the one hand the projection can be formed in one piece with the mating contact if it also consists of electrically conductive material. If, on the other hand, the projection is made of insulating material, it merely serves to guide the spring part relative to the mating contact, and it can preferably extend as a guide bolt to the bottom of the lower part.

Während bei dem aus elektrisch leitendem Material gefertigten Vorsprung für eine noch größere Kontaktsicherheit zwischen dem Federteil und dem ersten Gegenkontakt gesorgt wird, ist bei dem aus elektrisch isolierendem Material gefertigen Vorsprung eine bessere Führung und Zentrierung des Federteiles in dem Gehäuse dadurch möglich, daß sich der Vorsprung als Führungsbolzen bis zum Boden des Unterteiles erstreckt, wobei er wegen seiner Isolatorfähigkeit jedoch nicht zu einem Kurzschluß führt.While the projection made of electrically conductive material ensures even greater contact security between the spring part and the first mating contact, better guidance and centering of the spring part in the housing is possible in the case of the projection made of electrically insulating material in that the projection extends as a guide pin to the bottom of the lower part, but it does not lead to a short circuit due to its insulator ability.

In einer Weiterbildung ist es bevorzugt, wenn das Federteil unverlierbar an dem Vorsprung gehalten wird.In a further development, it is preferred if the spring part is held captively on the projection.

Hier ist von Vorteil, daß das Federteil bereits vor der Endmontage des Schalters auf den an dem Deckelteil befestigten Vorsprung aufgesteckt und dann z.B. durch Umbördeln oder Schweißen mit dem Vorsprung unverlierbar verbunden werden kann. Auch hierdurch wird die Montage des neuen Schalters stark vereinfacht, da das Aufstecken einer Federscheibe auf einen Vorsprung leichter zu automatisieren ist als das Einlegen einer Federscheibe in ein in der Regel topfartiges Gehäuse.It is advantageous here that the spring part is already attached to the projection attached to the cover part before the final assembly of the switch and then e.g. can be captively connected to the projection by flanging or welding. This also greatly simplifies the assembly of the new switch, since the fitting of a spring washer onto a projection is easier to automate than the insertion of a spring washer into a generally pot-like housing.

Ferner ist es bevorzugt, wenn der Vorsprung einen verdickten Kopf aufweist, über den das Federteil rastend geschoben werden kann.It is further preferred if the projection has a thickened head, over which the spring part can be pushed in a latching manner.

Hier ist von Vorteil, daß es nicht unbedingt erforderlich ist, nach dem Aufstecken des Federteiles auf den Vorsprung durch zusätzliche Maßnahmen wie Umbördeln oder Schweißen für den unverlierbaren Halt zu sorgen. Vielmehr wird die Federscheibe unter Überwindung eines mechanischen Widerstandes über den verdickten Kopf geschoben, so daß sie auf dem Vorsprung verrastet. Auch diese Maßnahme sorgt also für eine deutlich einfachere Endmontage des neuen Schalters, da weitere Fertigungsschritte eingespart werden können.The advantage here is that it is not absolutely necessary to ensure the captive hold after the spring part has been plugged onto the projection by additional measures such as flanging or welding. Rather, the spring washer is pushed over the thickened head, overcoming mechanical resistance, so that it snaps onto the projection. This measure also makes final assembly of the new switch much easier, since additional manufacturing steps can be saved.

In einem Ausführungsbeispiel ist es dann bevorzugt, wenn das Federteil eine vorgespannte Bimetall-Schnappscheibe ist, wobei es andererseits bevorzugt ist, wenn dem Federteil eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe zugeordnet ist, die mit ihrer Öffnung auf dem Vorsprung angeordnet ist.In one exemplary embodiment, it is preferred if the spring part is a prestressed bimetallic snap disk, on the other hand it is preferred if the spring part is assigned a bimetal snap disk which is arranged with its opening on the projection.

Wenn das Federteil selbst eine vorgespannte Bimetall-Schnappscheibe ist, ergibt sich ein sehr einfaches Schaltwerk, da auf die im Stand der Technik verwendete zusätzliche Federscheibe verzichtet werden kann. Die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe sorgt dabei sowohl für den elektrischen Kontakt zwischen den beiden Gegenkontakten als auch für das temperaturabhängige Schalten des Schaltwerkes.If the spring part itself is a prestressed bimetallic snap disk, the switching mechanism is very simple, since the additional spring disk used in the prior art can be dispensed with. The bimetallic snap disk ensures both the electrical contact between the two mating contacts and the temperature-dependent switching of the rear derailleur.

Wenn jedoch eine gesonderte Bimetall-Schnappscheibe vorgesehen ist, gegen die das Federteil arbeitet, ergibt sich der an sich bekannte Vorteil, daß eine Verschiebung der Schalttemperatur insbesondere bei einer hohen Zahl von Schaltzyklen verhindert wird. Das Federteil drückt nämlich die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe in die Schaltstellung, in der z.B. die beiden Gegenkontakte elektrisch leitend miteinander verbunden sind. Wenn sich die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe jetzt erwärmt, so erfolgt eine allmähliche Verformung dieser Bimetall-Schnappscheibe an ihrem Rand, der sich von dem Boden abhebt. Das Federteil sorgt während dieser sogenannten Schleichphase jedoch dafür, daß die elektrisch leitende Verbindung zwischen den beiden Gegenkontakten erhalten bleibt. Erst wenn die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe schlagartig umschnappt, also aus ihrer konvexen in eine konkave Form springt, wird das Federteil durch die Wirkung der Bimetall-Schnappscheibe von dem Vorsprung an dem Gegenkontakt abgehoben.If, however, a separate bimetallic snap disk is provided, against which the spring part works, there is the advantage known per se that shifting of the switching temperature is prevented, particularly with a high number of switching cycles. The spring part namely presses the bimetallic snap disk into the switch position in which, for example, the two mating contacts are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. If the bimetallic snap disc now heats up, this bimetallic snap disc is gradually deformed at its edge, that stands out from the ground. During this so-called creeping phase, however, the spring part ensures that the electrically conductive connection between the two mating contacts is retained. Only when the bimetallic snap disk snaps suddenly, that is to say jumps out of its convex shape into a concave shape, is the spring part lifted off the projection on the mating contact by the action of the bimetal snap disk.

Weiter ist es bevorzugt, wenn das Deckelteil aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material gefertigt und der Gegenkontakt aus dem Material tiefgezogen ist, wobei vorzugsweise auch der Vorsprung aus dem Material tiefgezogen ist.It is further preferred if the cover part is made of electrically conductive material and the counter contact is deep-drawn from the material, the projection also preferably being deep-drawn from the material.

Diese Maßnahme ist konstruktiv von Vorteil, denn durch entsprechende Profilierung der Innenseite des Deckelteiles können sowohl der Gegenkontakt als auch der an ihm vorgesehene Vorsprung in einem einzigen Arbeitsgang ausgebildet werden. Dadurch wird nicht nur die Zahl der erforderlichen Einzelteile für den neuen Schalter weiter reduziert, die Zahl der erforderlichen Montageschritte beim endgültigen Zusammenbau des neuen Schalters wird ebenfalls weiter verringert.This measure is structurally advantageous because, by appropriate profiling of the inside of the cover part, both the mating contact and the projection provided on it can be formed in a single operation. This not only further reduces the number of individual parts required for the new switch, it also further reduces the number of assembly steps required for the final assembly of the new switch.

Abschließend sei noch erwähnt, daß als Federteil sowohl eine Federscheibe als auch eine Tellerfeder oder eine Spiralfeder verwendet werden können.Finally, it should also be mentioned that both a spring washer and a plate spring or a spiral spring can be used as the spring part.

Weitere Vorteile ergeben sich aus der Beschreibung und der beigefügten Zeichnung.Further advantages result from the description and the attached drawing.

Es versteht sich, daß die vorstehend genannten und die nachstehend noch zu erläuternden Merkmale nicht nur in der jeweils angegebenen Kombination, sondern auch in anderen Kombinationen oder in Alleinstellung verwendbar sind, ohne den Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung zu verlassen.It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Die Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und wird in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert, in der:

Fig. 1
ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des neuen Schalters in einem schematischen Längsschnitt zeigt;
Fig. 2
ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel des neuen Schalters in einem schematischen Längsschnitt zeigt;
Fig. 3
ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel des neuen Schalters in einem schematischen Längsschnitt zeigt; und
Fig. 4
ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel des neuen Schalters in einem schematischen Längsschnitt zeigt.
The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description, in which:
Fig. 1
shows a first embodiment of the new switch in a schematic longitudinal section;
Fig. 2
shows a second embodiment of the new switch in a schematic longitudinal section;
Fig. 3
shows a third embodiment of the new switch in a schematic longitudinal section; and
Fig. 4
shows a fourth embodiment of the new switch in a schematic longitudinal section.

In Fig. 1 ist mit 10 ein Schalter schematisch im Längsschnitt gezeigt, der ein Gehäuse 11 umfaßt, in dem ein temperaturabhängiges Schaltwerk 12 angeordnet ist.In Fig. 1 a switch 10 is shown schematically in longitudinal section, which comprises a housing 11 in which a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 12 is arranged.

Das Gehäuse 11 umfaßt ein Unterteil 14 sowie ein dieses verschließendes Deckelteil 15. Da sowohl Unterteil 14 als auch Deckelteil 15 aus elektrisch leitendem Material bestehen, ist zwischen diesen eine Isolierfolie 16 angeordnet. In dem in Fig. 1 gezeigten, zusammengebauten Zustand ist das Deckelteil durch einen Bördelrand 17 an dem Unterteil 14 unter Zwischenlage der Isolierfolie 16 befestigt.The housing 11 comprises a lower part 14 and a cover part 15 closing it. Since both the lower part 14 and the cover part 15 consist of electrically conductive material, an insulating film 16 is arranged between them. In the assembled state shown in FIG. 1, the cover part is fastened to the lower part 14 by a flange 17 with the insulating film 16 interposed.

Der elektrische Anschluß des Schalters 10 erfolgt z.B. dadurch, daß sowohl an das Unterteil 14 als auch an das Deckelteil 15 Litzen oder Crimpanschlüsse angelötet werden. Aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit sind in der Zeichnng diese Anschlüsse nicht dargestellt.The electrical connection of the switch 10 takes place, for example, in that strands or crimp connections are soldered to both the lower part 14 and the cover part 15. For the sake of clarity, these connections are not shown in the drawing.

Innen an dem Deckelteil 15 ist ein erster Gegenkontakt 21 mit seinem Basisteil 22 angelötet oder angeschweißt, so daß eine elektrisch leitende Verbindung zwischen dem ersten Gegenkontakt 21 und dem Deckelteil 15 besteht.On the inside of the cover part 15, a first counter contact 21 is soldered or welded to its base part 22, so that there is an electrically conductive connection between the first counter contact 21 and the cover part 15.

Der erste Gegenkontakt 21 weist ferner einen in das Gehäuse 11 hinein weisenden Vorsprung 23 auf, der bei dem in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel einstückig mit dem Basisteil 22 ausgebildet ist, also ebenfalls aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material besteht. Selbstverständlich ist es auch möglich, den Vorsprung 23 aus einem elektrisch isolierenden Material zu fertigen und ihn an z.B. das Basisteil 22 anzukleben.The first mating contact 21 furthermore has a projection 23 which points into the housing 11 and, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is formed in one piece with the base part 22, that is to say likewise consists of electrically conductive material. Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the projection 23 from an electrically insulating material and to attach it to e.g. glue the base part 22.

Das in dem Gehäuse 11 angeordnete Schaltwerk 12 umfaßt eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie eine unter dieser angeordnete Federscheibe 25. Die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie die Federscheibe 25 sind mit ihren Öffnungen 26 und 27 auf dem Vorsprung 23 angeordnet, der mittig an dem Deckelteil 15 vorgesehen ist, so daß durch die gewählte Anordnung die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie die Federscheibe 25 in dem Gehäuse 11 zentriert werden.The switching mechanism 12 arranged in the housing 11 comprises a bimetallic snap disk 24 and a spring washer 25 arranged underneath it. The bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are arranged with their openings 26 and 27 on the projection 23, which is centered on the cover part 15 is provided so that the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are centered in the housing 11 by the selected arrangement.

Die Federscheibe 25 stützt sich mit ihrem Rand 28 am inneren Boden 29 des Unterteiles 14 ab, der als zweiter Gegenkontakt 30 wirkt. In dem gezeigten Schaltzustand in Fig. 1 besteht somit eine elektrisch leitende Verbindung von Deckelteil 12 über ersten Gegenkontakt 21 und Federscheibe 25 zu dem Unterteil 14, wobei durch den Vorsprung 23 im Sinne einer zentrierenden Wirkung dafür gesorgt wird, daß Federscheibe 25 und Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 nicht gegenüber dem ersten Gegenkontakt 21 verrutschen; dies erhöht also die Kontaktsicherheit.The spring washer 25 is supported with its edge 28 on the inner bottom 29 of the lower part 14, which acts as a second counter-contact 30. In the switching state shown in Fig. 1 there is thus an electrically conductive connection of the cover part 12 via the first mating contact 21 and the spring washer 25 to the lower part 14, whereby the projection 23 ensures that the spring washer 25 and the bimetallic snap disc are provided with a centering effect 24 do not slip relative to the first mating contact 21; this increases the contact security.

Wenn jetzt die Temperatur des Schaltwerkes 12 durch Erhitzung eines zu überwachenden Verbrauchers erhöht wird, so biegt sich die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 mit ihrem Rand 31 in Fig. 1 nach oben, während die Federscheibe 25 weiter für die elektrische Verbindung zwischen Unterteil 14 und Deckelteil 15 sorgt. Wird jetzt die Schalttemperatur des Schaltwerkes 12 überschritten, so schnappt die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 von ihrer gezeigten konkaven Form plötzlich in eine konvexe Form um. Sie stützt sich dann mit ihrem Rand 31 an der Isolierfolie 16 oben ab und drückt die Federscheibe 25 nach unten auf den Boden 29 des Unterteiles 14. Damit wird der elektrische Kontakt zu dem ersten Gegenkontakt 21 aufgehoben, so daß der Schalter 10 sozusagen geöffnet ist.If the temperature of the switching mechanism 12 is now increased by heating a consumer to be monitored, the bimetallic snap disc 24 bends upward with its edge 31 in FIG. 1, while the spring washer 25 continues for the electrical connection between the lower part 14 and the cover part 15 worries. If the switching temperature of the switching mechanism 12 is now exceeded, the bimetallic snap disk 24 suddenly snaps from its shown concave shape into a convex shape. It is then supported with its edge 31 on the insulating film 16 at the top and presses the spring washer 25 downward onto the bottom 29 of the lower part 14. The electrical contact with the first mating contact 21 is thus canceled, so that the switch 10 is, so to speak, open.

Durch die zentrierende Wirkung, die durch die Öffnungen 26 und 27 sowie den Vorsprung 23 erreicht wird, richten sich Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 und Federscheibe 25 nach dem Absinken der Temperatur in dem Gehäuse 11 wieder so aus, wie dies in Fig. 1 gezeigt ist. Damit ist aber die Betriebssicherheit dieses Schalters 10 sehr hoch, da es nicht zu "Fehllagen" bei Teilen des Schaltwerkes 12 kommen kann.Due to the centering effect, which is achieved through the openings 26 and 27 and the projection 23, the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 align again after the temperature in the housing 11 has dropped, as shown in FIG. 1. However, the operational reliability of this switch 10 is very high, since "incorrect positions" cannot occur in parts of the switching mechanism 12.

Diese Zentrierung ist auch bei der Endmontage des neuen Schalters 10 von Vorteil, da bei dem Aufschieben des Deckelteiles 15 auf das Unterteil 14 eine automatische Zentrierung der zuvor in das Unterteil 14 eingelegten Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie Federscheibe 15 über den Vorsprung 23 erfolgt.This centering is also advantageous in the final assembly of the new switch 10, since when the cover part 15 is pushed onto the lower part 14, the bimetallic snap disk 24 and spring washer 15 previously inserted into the lower part 14 are automatically centered via the projection 23.

Bei dem in Fig. 2 gezeigten zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel ist an dem Vorsprung 23 ein verdickter Kopf 32 angeordnet, durch den die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie die Federscheibe 25 unverlierbar an dem ersten Gegenkontakt 21 und damit an dem Deckelteil 15 gehalten werden. Dieser Kopf kann einerseits nach dem Aufschieben der Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie der Federscheibe 25 auf den Vorsprung 23 durch Aufweiten oder Umbördeln erzeugt werden, er kann jedoch auch bereits bei der Fertigung des ersten Gegenkontaktes 21 vorgesehen sein. Im letzteren Falle ist der Kopf 32 dann so bemessen, daß die Öffnungen 26 und 27 unter Druck über ihn hinübergeschoben werden können, so daß Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie Federscheibe 25 sozusagen auf dem Vorsprung 23 verrasten.In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a thickened head 32 is arranged on the projection 23, by means of which the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are held captively on the first mating contact 21 and thus on the cover part 15. This head can follow one hand the pushing of the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 onto the projection 23 are produced by widening or flanging, but it can also be provided during the manufacture of the first mating contact 21. In the latter case, the head 32 is then dimensioned such that the openings 26 and 27 can be pushed over it under pressure, so that the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 latch onto the projection 23, so to speak.

Bei der Endmontage des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Schalters 10 können damit zunächst die Einzelteile des Schaltwerkes 12 an dem Deckelteil 15 montiert werden, bevor das Deckelteil 15 auf das Unterteil 14 aufgeschoben wird.During the final assembly of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 2, the individual parts of the switching mechanism 12 can first be mounted on the cover part 15 before the cover part 15 is pushed onto the lower part 14.

Zu Fig. 2 ist noch zu bemerken, daß hier die Reihenfolge von Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie Federscheibe 25 gegenüber dem Ausführungsbeispiel aus Fig. 1 umgekehrt ist, die Federscheibe 25 liegt über der Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24. Wenn sich die Temperatur in dem Gehäuse 11 jetzt erhöht, so hebt die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 mit ihrem Rand 31 von dem Boden 29 ab und drückt gegen die Kraft der Federscheibe 25 deren Rand 28 nach oben gegen die Isolierfolie 16.2 it should also be noted that the order of the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 is reversed compared to the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1, the spring washer 25 lies above the bimetal snap disk 24. When the temperature in the housing 11 now raised, the bimetallic snap disc 24 lifts off with its edge 31 from the base 29 and presses the edge 28 upward against the force of the spring washer 25 against the insulating film 16.

Gerade in diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ist es nicht zwingend erforderlich, zusätzlich zur Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 noch eine Federscheibe 25 vorzusehen. Auf die letztere kann nämlich dann verzichtet werden, wenn die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 selbst als vorgespanntes Federteil ausgebildet ist, so daß sie unterhalb ihrer Schalttemperatur die in Fig. 2 gezeigte Stellung einnimmt. Da die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 in der Regel ebenfalls aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material gefertigt ist, kann sie somit selbst für eine elektrische Verbindung zwischen dem Deckelteil 15 sowie dem Unterteil 14 sorgen.In this exemplary embodiment in particular, it is not absolutely necessary to provide a spring washer 25 in addition to the bimetallic snap disk 24. The latter can be dispensed with if the bimetallic snap disk 24 itself is designed as a prestressed spring part, so that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 2 below its switching temperature. Since the bimetallic snap disk 24 is generally also made of an electrically conductive material, it can thus itself ensure an electrical connection between the cover part 15 and the lower part 14.

Bei dem in Fig. 3 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel entspricht die Anordnung von Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie Federscheibe 25 wieder der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Konstruktion. An dem Deckelteil 15 ist jetzt als erster Gegenkontakt 33 eine tiefgezogene Nase 34 vorgesehen, so daß der erste Gegenkontakt 33 sozusagen einstückig mit dem Deckelteil 15 ausgebildet ist. An die Nase 34 schließt sich als Vorsprung ein Führungsbolzen 35 an, der bis zum Boden 29 des Unterteiles 14 reicht.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement of the bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 again corresponds to the construction shown in FIG. 1. A deep-drawn nose 34 is now provided on the cover part 15 as the first counter-contact 33, so that the first counter-contact 33 is, as it were, integral with the cover part 15. A guide pin 35 adjoins the nose 34 as a projection, which extends to the bottom 29 of the lower part 14.

Auf diesem Führungsbolzen 35 sitzen nun die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie die Federscheibe 25 mit ihren Öffnungen 26 und 27.The bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 with their openings 26 and 27 are now seated on this guide pin 35.

Die Funktion des in Fig. 3 gezeigten Schalters 10 entspricht exakt der des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Schalters 10, wobei das Deckelteil 15 jedoch einfacher hergestellt ist. Der Führungsbolzen 35 ist aus isolierendem Material gefertigt und bspw. an die Nase 34 angeklebt. Es jedoch auch möglich, den Führungsbolzen 35 auf den Boden 29 zu kleben, so daß er bereits beim Einlegen von Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie Federscheibe 25 seine zentrierende Wirkung während der Endmontage des Schalters 10 ausübt. Ist der Führungsbolzen 25 dagegen an die Nase 34 angeklebt, so werden bei der Endmontage des Schalters 10 zunächst die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie die Federscheibe 25 auf den Führungsbolzen 35 aufgeschoben, bevor dann das Unterteil 14 in das Deckelteil 15 eingeschoben und mit diesem verbördelt wird.The function of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds exactly to that of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 1, but the cover part 15 is manufactured more simply. The guide pin 35 is made of insulating material and glued to the nose 34, for example. However, it is also possible to glue the guide pin 35 to the bottom 29, so that it already exerts its centering effect during the final assembly of the switch 10 when the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are inserted. If, however, the guide pin 25 is glued to the nose 34, the bimetallic snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25 are first pushed onto the guide pin 35 during the final assembly of the switch 10, before the lower part 14 is then pushed into the cover part 15 and flanged with it .

In Fig. 4 schließlich ist in einer Weiterbildung des Ausführungsbeispieles gemäß Fig. 3 ein erster Gegenkontakt 37 vorgesehen, dessen Nase 38 sich durch die Öffnungen 26 und 27 in Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 sowie Federscheibe 25 hindurch erstreckt. Bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ist nur eine sehr geringe Anzahl von Bauteilen erforderlich, da integral an dem Deckelteil 15 sowohl der Gegenkontakt 37 als auch dessen Nase 38 durch Tiefziehen ausgebildet sind. Der Zusammenbau dieses Schalters 10 wird dadurch auf die vorstehend beschriebene Weise deutlich vereinfacht.Finally, in FIG. 4, in a further development of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, a first mating contact 37 is provided, the nose 38 of which extends through the openings 26 and 27 in the bimetal snap disk 24 and the spring washer 25. In this embodiment there is only a very small number of components required, since both the mating contact 37 and its nose 38 are formed integrally on the cover part 15 by deep drawing. The assembly of this switch 10 is thereby significantly simplified in the manner described above.

Abschließend sei noch bemerkt, daß in sämtlichen Ausführungsbeispielen der Fig. 1 - 4 auf die Federscheibe 25 verzichtet werden kann, wenn die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 24 selbst als elektrisch leitendes Federteil ausgebildet wird. Ferner kann die Federscheibe 25 auch als Tellerfeder oder als Spiralfeder ausgebildet werden. Insbesondere die Ausbildung als Spiralfeder wird hier dadurch möglich, daß der an dem ersten Gegenkontakt ausgebildete Vorsprung zur Führung dienen kann und somit ein seitliches Ausweichen der Spiralfeder vermeidet.Finally, it should also be noted that in all of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1-4, the spring washer 25 can be dispensed with if the bimetallic snap disk 24 itself is designed as an electrically conductive spring part. Furthermore, the spring washer 25 can also be designed as a plate spring or as a spiral spring. In particular, the design as a spiral spring is possible here in that the projection formed on the first mating contact can serve as a guide and thus avoid lateral deflection of the spiral spring.

Claims (10)

Schalter mit einem temperaturabhängigen Schaltwerk (12), einem das Schaltwerk (12) aufnehmenden Gehäuse (11), das ein Unterteil (14) und ein dieses verschließendes Deckelteil (15) aufweist, und einem innen an dem Deckelteil (15) vorgesehenen ersten sowie einem innen an dem Unterteil (14) vorgesehenen zweiten Gegenkontakt (21, 33, 37; 30), wobei das Schaltwerk (12) ein elektrisch leitendes Federteil (24, 25) umfaßt, das in einer seiner Schaltstellungen sowohl mit dem ersten als auch mit dem zweiten Gegenkontakt (21, 33, 37; 30) in Anlage ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß an dem ersten Gegenkontakt (21, 33, 37) ein in das Gehäuse (11) weisender Vorsprung (23, 34, 35, 38) vorgesehen ist, der zumindest in der einen Schaltstellung in eine in dem Federteil (24, 25) vorgesehene Öffnung (26, 27) hineinragt.Switch with a temperature-dependent switching mechanism (12), a housing (11) accommodating the switching mechanism (12), which has a lower part (14) and a cover part (15) closing it, and a first and a provided on the inside of the cover part (15) provided on the inside of the lower part (14) second counter-contact (21, 33, 37; 30), the switching mechanism (12) comprising an electrically conductive spring part (24, 25) which in one of its switching positions with both the first and the second mating contact (21, 33, 37; 30) is in contact,
characterized in that a projection (23, 34, 35, 38) pointing into the housing (11) is provided on the first counter-contact (21, 33, 37), which at least in one switching position into a in the spring part (24, 25) provided opening (26, 27) protrudes. Schalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Vorsprung (23, 34, 37) aus elektrisch leitendem Material gefertigt ist.Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (23, 34, 37) is made of electrically conductive material. Schalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Vorsprung (35) aus elektrisch isolierendem Material gefertigt ist.Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (35) is made of electrically insulating material. Schalter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Vorsprung sich als Führungsbolzen (35) bis zum Boden (29) des Unterteiles (14) erstreckt.Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the projection extends as a guide pin (35) to the bottom (29) of the lower part (14). Schalter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Federteil (24, 25) unverlierbar an dem Vorsprung (23) gehalten ist.Switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring part (24, 25) is held captively on the projection (23). Schalter nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Vorsprung (23) einen verdickten Kopf (32) aufweist, über den das Federteil (24, 25) rastend geschoben ist.Switch according to Claim 5, characterized in that the projection (23) has a thickened head (32) over which the spring part (24, 25) is pushed in a latching manner. Schalter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Federteil eine vorgespannte Bimetall-Schnappscheibe (24) ist.Switch according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring part is a prestressed bimetallic snap disc (24). Schalter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dem Federteil (25) eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe (24) zugeordnet ist, die mit ihrer Öffnung (26) auf dem Vorsprung (23, 34, 35, 38) angeordnet ist.Switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring part (25) is assigned a bimetallic snap disc (24) which is arranged with its opening (26) on the projection (23, 34, 35, 38). Schalter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Deckelteil (15) aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material gefertigt und der erste Gegenkontakt (33, 37) aus dem Material tiefgezogen ist.Switch according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover part (15) is made of electrically conductive material and the first mating contact (33, 37) is deep-drawn from the material. Schalter nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß auch der Vorsprung (38) aus dem Material tiefgezogen ist.Switch according to Claim 9, characterized in that the projection (38) is also deep-drawn from the material.
EP96114995A 1995-12-09 1996-09-19 Switch with a temperature sensitive switching mechanism Expired - Lifetime EP0778596B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE19545997 1995-12-09
DE19545997A DE19545997C2 (en) 1995-12-09 1995-12-09 Switch with a temperature-dependent switching mechanism

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EP0778596A2 true EP0778596A2 (en) 1997-06-11
EP0778596A3 EP0778596A3 (en) 1998-06-03
EP0778596B1 EP0778596B1 (en) 2001-12-12

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US (1) US5828286A (en)
EP (1) EP0778596B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE210888T1 (en)
DE (2) DE19545997C2 (en)
ES (1) ES2169781T3 (en)

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CN100446148C (en) * 2005-11-07 2008-12-24 徐佳义 A temperature controller with manual reset
US7626484B2 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-12-01 Honeywell International Inc. Disc seat for thermal switch
DE102009030353B3 (en) * 2009-06-22 2010-12-02 Hofsaess, Marcel P. Cap for a temperature-dependent switch and method for producing a temperature-dependent switch
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US20130021132A1 (en) * 2011-07-21 2013-01-24 Honeywell International Inc. Permanent one-shot thermostat
DE102011119632B3 (en) 2011-11-22 2013-04-11 Marcel P. HOFSAESS Temperature-dependent derailleur
DE102011122890A1 (en) 2011-11-22 2013-05-23 Marcel P. HOFSAESS Temperature-dependent switch has contact element that is detached from support region of spring snap disc over portion of peripheral region by gap
DE102011119637B4 (en) * 2011-11-22 2013-06-06 Marcel P. HOFSAESS Temperature-dependent switch with a temperature-dependent switching mechanism and method for producing such a switch
DE102019128367B4 (en) * 2019-10-21 2021-06-10 Marcel P. HOFSAESS TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT SWITCH

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5828286A (en) 1998-10-27
ES2169781T3 (en) 2002-07-16
EP0778596B1 (en) 2001-12-12
EP0778596A3 (en) 1998-06-03
DE59608437D1 (en) 2002-01-24
DE19545997A1 (en) 1997-06-12
DE19545997C2 (en) 1997-12-18
ATE210888T1 (en) 2001-12-15

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