Temperature-dependent switch

A temperature-dependent switch, comprising a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member,

• wherein in a first switching position, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first stationary contact, thereby producing an electrically conductive connection between the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact via the movable contact member, and, in a second switching position, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism keeps the movable contact member spaced at a distance from the first stationary contact, thereby disconnecting the electrically conductive connection,
• wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises a temperature-dependent snap-action part, which is configured to switch from a geometric low-temperature configuration to a geometric high-temperature configuration upon reaching a switching temperature, and which is configured to switch back from the geometric high-temperature configuration to the geometric low-temperature configuration upon subsequently reaching a reset temperature that is lower than the switching temperature,
• wherein a switching of the temperature-dependent snap-action part from the geometric low-temperature configuration to the geometric high-temperature configuration moves the temperature-dependent switching mechanism from the first switching position to the second switching position, thereby opening the temperature-dependent switch,
• wherein a closing lock is provided that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the temperature-dependent switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the temperature-dependent switching mechanism in the second switching position,
• wherein the closing lock comprises a locking element which comprises a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes,
• wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to change a shape of the locking element upon reaching a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, to a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the temperature-dependent switching mechanism, the force holds the temperature-dependent switching mechanism in the second switching position, and
• wherein the locking element is arranged on a second side of the temperature-dependent snap-action part facing away from the first stationary contact and is configured to exert in its second shape the force directly or indirectly on the movable contact member.