Electric temperature protection switch

Abstract

An electric temperature protection switch is provided which has at least two encapsulated contacts in a housing and a current transmission member controlled by a temperature sensing bimetal snap plate. A manual push button device, biased by the force of a reset spring is provided for switching the released switch on again. The switch includes a first bistable snap element directly connected with the transmission member for holding the same in the respective on and off positions. A switch plunger is disposed at a distance from the current transmission member corresponding maximally to the switching stroke of the push button and guided slidably on the switch housing. A second snap element cooperates with the switch plunger and the push button device, which second snap element is moved into a passive position from an active position as the result of actuation of the manual device at critical temperatures, whereby switching of the transmission member from the off to the on position takes place. Greater setting force is provided with respect to the second snap element than with that of the first snap element and a stop is fixed on the housing for the switch plunger for resetting the second snap element from its passive to its active position, with springing back of the spring-loaded push button manual device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.