Temperature-dependent switch

A temperature-dependent switch comprising:

• a first stationary counter contact;
• a second stationary counter contact;
• a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a first switching position and a second switching position, wherein:
• the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises a contact member, a temperature-dependent snap disc having a geometric high-temperature configuration and a geometric low-temperature configuration, and a temperature-independent spring disc at which the contact member is arranged,
• the spring disc has a first geometric configuration and a second geometric configuration, and
• the temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured so that:
• in the first switching position, the spring disc is in the first geometric configuration and presses the contact member against the first stationary counter contact and produces an electrically conducting connection between the two stationary counter contacts via the contact member, and
• in the second switching position, the spring disc is in the second geometric configuration and holds the contact member spaced apart from the first stationary counter contact;
• a housing in which the two stationary counter contacts are provided, and in which the switching mechanism is arranged;
• and
• a closing lock that permanently locks the temperature-dependent switching mechanism in a mechanical manner, when the switching mechanism is in the second switching position, so as to prevent the switching mechanism once having moved to the second switching position from moving back to the first switching position,
• wherein:
• the closing lock comprises at least one first latching member arranged on the contact member and interacting with a second latching member,
• the first latching member is arranged in the housing,
• the second latching member is arranged in and connected to the housing,
• when the switching mechanism moves from the first switching position to the second switching position, at least one of the latching members radially and elastically yields to allow the latching members to slide into engagement with one another such that the contact member is permanently locked to the housing, and therefore the switching mechanism is permanently locked in the second switching position, and
• the latching members are selected from a group consisting of a circumferential groove, a circumferential bead, a resilient tongue, a recess, and a latching lug.