Compact disconnect switch

A compact disconnect switch for the load circuit of a vehicle battery with the following features, that is with

• a housing (1);
• an input conductor (5) mounted in the housing (1), which can be connected to an electrode terminal (21) of the battery,
• an output conductor (6), which can be connected to the load circuit,
• a stationary contact element (64) and a movable contact element (81) for establishing a switching connection between the input conductor (5) and the output conductor (6),
• a contact carrier (8), which carries the movable contact element (81), can be switched between an opening position and a closing position and is prestressed into the opening position by spring force,
• a locking mechanism (3), which fixes the contact carrier (8) in the closing position or returns it into this position, and
• means for opening the locking mechanism,
• the means for opening the locking mechanism containing at least one release element (4) of a shape memory alloy, which contracts when heated by being subjected to a heating current, and the locking mechanism (3) having at least one spring element (110) of a shape memory alloy which acts on the contact carrier (8), brings about the closing position of the latter and expands when heated by being subjected to a heating current.