Temperature-dependent switching mechanism, temperature-dependent switch, and method of manufacturing the same

A temperature-dependent switch comprising:

• a temperature-dependent switching mechanism;
• and
• a switch housing surrounding the temperature-dependent switching mechanism and comprising a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal;
• wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises:
• a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc comprising a first through hole;
• a temperature-independent snap-action spring disc comprising a second through hole;
• and
• an electrically conductive contact member comprising a main body that passes through the first through hole and the second through hole;
• wherein the electrically conductive contact member comprises a support shoulder projecting radially from the main body, a first locking element projecting radially from the main body and being arranged on a first side of the support shoulder, and a second locking element projecting radially from the main body and being arranged on a second side of the support shoulder opposite the first side,
• wherein the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc is arranged between the first locking element and the support shoulder and is held captive, but with clearance, on the main body of the electrically conductive contact member by the first locking element and the support shoulder,
• wherein the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc is arranged between the second locking element and the support shoulder and is held captive, but with clearance, on the main body of the electrically conductive contact member by the second locking element and the support shoulder,
• wherein the electrically conductive contact member is integrally formed and the main body is integrally connected to the support shoulder, the first locking element and the second locking element, and
• wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism is configured to establish an electrical connection between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal below a response temperature of the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc and to interrupt the electrical connection upon exceeding the response temperature.

A method of manufacturing a temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprising:

• providing a temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc comprising a first through hole;
• providing a temperature-independent snap-action spring disc comprising a second through hole;
• providing an electrically conductive contact member comprising a main body and a support shoulder projecting radially from the main body;
• passing the main body through the first through hole so that the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc is arranged on a first side of the support shoulder;
• passing the main body through the second through hole so that the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc is arranged on a second side of the support shoulder opposite the first side;
• forming a first portion of the main body arranged on the first side of the support shoulder to create a first locking element such that the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc is arranged between the first locking element and the support shoulder and is held captive, but with clearance, to the main body of the electrically conductive contact member by the first locking element and the support shoulder;
• and
• forming a second portion of the main body arranged on the second side of the support shoulder to create a second locking element such that the temperature-independent snap-action spring disc is arranged between the second locking element and the support shoulder and is held captive, but with clearance, to the main body of the electrically conductive contact member by the second locking element and the support shoulder.