Insulating film for temperature-dependent switch and temperature-dependent switch

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulating film (10) for the electrical insulation and / or mechanical sealing of a temperature-dependent switch (100). The insulating film (10) is made of an electrically insulating material and has a through-hole (16) extending between an upper side (12) of the insulating film (10) and a bottom side (14) of the insulating film (10) opposite the upper side (12). Furthermore, the insulating film (10) has at least one irregular element (18) for forming a local irregularity on the upper side (12) and / or the bottom side (14). The at least one irregular element (18) exhibits a corrugation, a local roughening and / or a local protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an insulating film for electrical insulation and / or mechanical sealing of a temperature-dependent switch. Furthermore, this invention relates to a temperature-dependent switch in which such an insulating film is used. Background Technology

[0002] Temperature-dependent switches are well known in the art. An exemplary temperature-dependent switch is disclosed in DE 10 2013 101 392 A1.

[0003] This temperature-dependent switch is used to monitor the temperature of a device in a manner known in the art. For this purpose, the switch, for example, makes thermal contact with the device to be protected via one of its outer surfaces, such that the temperature of the device to be protected affects the temperature of a switching mechanism disposed within the switch.

[0004] The switch is typically connected in series with the power supply circuit of the device to be protected via connecting leads, so that the power supply current of the device to be protected flows through the switch below the switch's response temperature.

[0005] A temperature-dependent switching mechanism located inside the switch ensures the switch's temperature-dependent switching behavior. In the closed state, the switching mechanism presses the moving contact against at least one stationary contact, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the two external terminals of the switch. Conversely, in the open state, the switching mechanism holds the moving contact at a distance from at least one stationary contact, thus breaking the electrical connection between the two external terminals of the switch.

[0006] The switching behavior, i.e., the switching between a closed switch state and an open switch state, occurs in a temperature-dependent manner. The temperature-dependent switching behavior of the switching mechanism is typically achieved by a bimetallic element that switches or jumps between two configurations (a low-temperature configuration or low-temperature position and a high-temperature configuration or high-temperature position) in a known manner with a hysteresis, depending on the temperature.

[0007] Therefore, if the temperature of the bimetallic element rises above a predetermined temperature (known as the bimetallic element's response temperature or switching temperature) due to an increase in temperature within the device to be protected, the bimetallic element abruptly jumps from its low-temperature configuration to its high-temperature configuration, resulting in a switching operation from a closed switch state to an open switch state, and vice versa. In this case, depending on the installation type, the switch can be designed such that it is in a closed switch state below the response or switching temperature, which is called "normally closed," or alternatively in an open switch state, which is commonly referred to as "normally open."

[0008] Temperature-dependent switching mechanisms are typically housed within a switch housing. Because the components of such temperature-dependent switching mechanisms are relatively fragile, they are usually encapsulated in the switch housing to protect them from external influences. The switch housing must be well-sealed to prevent, for example, liquids or contaminants from entering the interior of the switch housing, which could potentially damage the temperature-dependent switching mechanism.

[0009] Since most switch housings consist of two parts, a lower section and a cover that encloses the lower section, it is important to ensure a proper seal at the interface between the lower section and the cover. An insulating film is typically used for this sealing purpose.

[0010] This insulating film is used in these types of switches, especially when the switch housing components are current-carrying metal parts. In this case, not only is it important for the switch housing to be mechanically sealed, but it is also necessary to ensure that the current-carrying components of the switch housing are electrically insulated from each other. If the lower part and the cover of the switch housing both carry current and serve as corresponding electrical terminals of the switch, a short circuit will occur without this electrical insulation. This can be easily prevented by means of the aforementioned insulating film.

[0011] Typically, an insulating film is sandwiched between the lower part and the cover of the switch housing. This ensures not only the mechanical seal of the switch housing but also the electrical insulation between the two switch housing components.

[0012] The insulating film is typically a few hundredths or tenths of a millimeter thick, and its diameter is suitable for the size of temperature-dependent switches, so it is usually only a few millimeters or centimeters in diameter. The insulating film is usually made of plastic material. In most cases, the insulating film has a through-hole located approximately in the center, which serves as a gap for the temperature-dependent switching mechanism. Through this through-hole, the moving contact portion can press against the stationary contact in the closed switching state of the switching mechanism.

[0013] During the manufacturing of temperature-dependent switches, prefabricated insulating films cut to appropriate sizes and shapes are typically stored in batches and, during assembly, are usually slid individually by hand on the switching mechanism or positioned between two switch housing components before the switch housing is closed.

[0014] However, it has been found that during the bulk storage of pre-cut insulating films, electroadhesion may occur due to friction, which could negatively impact the assembly process.

[0015] Because of this adhesion, the individual insulating films must be individually or separated from each other in a time-consuming process before being inserted into the switch housing. If the insulating films overlap precisely, it is even possible that two such films, instead of just one, are accidentally inserted into the switch housing, and this only becomes apparent later (i.e., after the switch has been assembled) due to a malfunction. Even a well-trained assembler's eye can occasionally make this type of mistake, leading to time-consuming and costly follow-up inspections for safety reasons.

[0016] In the case of fully automated insulation film feeding, the overlap and precise adhesion of the insulation film raise a problem, as the one-piece feeding via vibratory feeder or magazine delivery only adequately addresses this issue. Therefore, similar problems arise with manual assembly of the insulation film, as explained above. Consequently, time-consuming and therefore expensive follow-up checks are required, which is why fully automated insertion of the insulation film during switch assembly has proven uneconomical to date, and why multiple manual assembly processes are still necessary when assembling such temperature-dependent switches. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The object of this invention is to provide an insulating film for electrical insulation and / or mechanical sealing of temperature-dependent switches, which overcomes or eliminates at least most of the aforementioned disadvantages. In this case, one object is particularly to prevent the adhesion or overlap of multiple such insulating films during bulk material storage, and even more particularly to prevent two adhered insulating films from being mistakenly inserted into a switch during the assembly of temperature-dependent switches.

[0018] The insulating film for a temperature-dependent switch according to claim 1, wherein the insulating film is made of an electrically insulating material and has a through hole extending between an upper side of the insulating film and a bottom side of the insulating film opposite to the upper side, wherein the insulating film has at least one irregular element for forming local irregularities on the upper side and / or the bottom side, wherein the at least one irregular element has corrugations, local roughening, and / or local protrusions.

[0019] According to the invention, the insulating film is provided with at least one irregular element that causes localized irregularities on the upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film. Furthermore, preferably, this localized irregularity on the smooth and flat upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film prevents multiple such insulating films from sticking together during bulk material storage.

[0020] The at least one irregular element (preferably designed as corrugated, locally roughened, and / or locally protruding) acts as a spacer element, creating small gaps between the insulating films when they are stacked on top of each other during bulk material storage. Therefore, the individual insulating films can be more easily separated from each other.

[0021] The volume increases slightly during bulk material storage due to at least one irregular element arranged on the upper and / or lower side of the insulating film. However, the advantage of the individual insulating films being easier to separate from each other far outweighs this disadvantage. Therefore, this also significantly simplifies the fully automated, single-piece processing of the insulating films supplied as bulk material. This effectively eliminates the possibility of accidentally inserting two insulating films, rather than just one, into temperature-dependent switches, whether manually or fully automatically.

[0022] Therefore, the above objectives have been fully achieved.

[0023] According to the improvement, the insulating film has multiple regions distributed on the upper and / or lower sides and separated from each other, with at least one of at least one irregular element arranged in each region. In other words, according to this improvement, the insulating film has multiple such irregular elements distributed on the insulating film in the separated regions.

[0024] Particularly preferred are these separation regions provided on the upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film at uniform intervals (i.e., at equal intervals). This further improves the aforementioned separation effect of such a separate insulating film during bulk material storage.

[0025] With further improvements, multiple distributed and separated regions are arranged evenly, and in particular symmetrically.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferable that the through holes provided in the insulating film extend along the central axis, and that the insulating film is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis.

[0027] For example, the insulating film can be designed to be rotationally symmetrical about a central axis at 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, or 180°. The term "rotationally symmetrical" here means that the insulating film maps itself back onto itself when rotated about the central axis by a specified angle.

[0028] This rotationally symmetrical design of the insulating film has a particular advantage: it intentionally keeps one degree of freedom (i.e., rotation about the central axis of the insulating film) open during assembly. In other words, the position of the insulating film during installation, or the position of the central axis when inserted into the switch housing, is irrelevant.

[0029] According to another improvement, at least one irregular element has a first distance from a limiting through-hole at the inner edge of the insulating film and a second distance from the radial outer edge of the insulating film, wherein the first distance is less than or greater than the second distance, but different from the second distance. In other words, according to this improvement, at least one irregular element is not radially arranged in the middle between the inner and outer edges of the insulating film, but is radially outward or radially inward offset. In particular, preferably, the first distance is at least three times greater than the second distance, or the second distance is at least three times greater than the first distance. In other words, at least one irregular element is particularly preferably arranged close to the inner edge or close to the outer edge of the insulating film.

[0030] This has a particular advantage: at least one irregular element is typically not located at a point on the insulating film, which is sandwiched between the two housing components of the switch housing in the temperature-dependent assembled state. The insulating film is typically sandwiched between the two housing components of the switch housing, in its radially central region, i.e., its region lies between the radially inner and radially outer edges of the insulating film. If at least one irregular element is located at this point or in this region, it could negatively affect the mechanical seal of the switch. If at least one irregular element is arranged further radially inward or further radially outward, this generally has no effect on the mechanical seal of the switch, because at least one irregular element is then typically freely arranged inside or outside the switch housing.

[0031] It should be understood that in the above-described improvement of the insulating film having multiple such irregular elements, each of these irregular elements is preferably arranged closer to the radially inner edge than the radially outer edge of the insulating film, or closer to the radially outer edge than the radially inner edge of the insulating film, but the distance from the radially outer edge of the insulating film is different from the distance from the radially inner edge. Of course, in this case, at least one of the multiple irregular elements can be arranged closer to the radially inner edge rather than the radially outer edge, and at least another of the multiple irregular elements can be arranged closer to the radially outer edge rather than the radially inner edge.

[0032] With further improvements, the insulating film was designed to be ring-shaped, or more specifically, circular.

[0033] A circular shape is particularly preferred for the insulating film because it is especially suitable for insertion into circular or rounded switches. However, the shape of the insulating film is not limited to a circular shape. "Ring" can also include an oval or elliptical basic shape, as long as the insulating film forms a closed outline (ring) around the through hole.

[0034] According to a further improvement, at least one irregular element is incorporated into the insulating film, specifically through embossing. In other words, according to this improvement, at least one irregular element is subsequently not attached as a separate element to the upper and / or lower side of the insulating film, but is directly incorporated into the insulating film.

[0035] It is particularly preferred to bond at least one irregular element by embossing. Thus, at least one irregular element exhibits an embossed indentation. Such embossing indentations are particularly easy and reliable to produce. In particular, it is preferred that such embossed indentations be formed during the stamping process used to manufacture the insulating film. The insulating film is typically produced by stamping from a large sheet of film, simultaneously stamping through-holes. If at least one irregular element is also bonded to the insulating film during this step, no additional step is required.

[0036] Imprinting and / or bonding at least one irregular element into the insulating film preferably results in at least one irregular element being formed as a local protrusion on the upper side and a local depression on the lower side of the insulating film.

[0037] According to further improvements, at least one irregular element has dot-like protrusions.

[0038] Therefore, at least one irregular element can be designed as, for example, a dot-shaped bump, a dot-shaped connector, a dot-shaped protrusion, or a dot-shaped spacer. If multiple such irregular elements are arranged on the insulating film, the dot-shaped or dot-like design of the irregular elements is particularly advantageous because, compared to elongated pillars or large-area irregular elements, such dot-shaped irregular elements do not cause hardening of the insulating film, or if any, cause only negligible hardening. This particularly simplifies the handling of the insulating film during the assembly of temperature-dependent switches, as the insulating film typically needs to be bent at multiple points to clamp it into the switch housing or between two housing components. Therefore, the insulating film must possess a certain degree of flexibility.

[0039] Therefore, the insulating film should be designed to be flexible and bendable as a whole.

[0040] According to a further improvement, the upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film have a first roughness in the region of at least one irregular element, which is greater than a second roughness in the remaining regions of the upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film.

[0041] According to this improvement, one or more local irregularities on the upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film are therefore not formed by individual protrusions or depressions, but by individual regions that produce different local roughness on the upper and / or lower sides of the insulating film. This can also positively promote the aforementioned effect, preventing the individual insulating films from tending to stick together excessively during bulk material storage.

[0042] Similar effects can be achieved using ripples or other techniques.

[0043] The electrical insulating material used to make the insulating film is preferably a plastic material, especially polyimide, and most preferably Kapton®.

[0044] The thickness t of the insulating film, measured between the top and bottom sides, is preferably ≥0.03 mm and ≤0.3 mm. The outer diameter d of the insulating film is preferably ≥5 mm, but ≤30 mm.

[0045] As described above, the present invention relates not only to the insulating film itself, but also to a temperature-dependent switch in which the insulating film is used. Therefore, another aspect of the invention relates to a temperature-dependent switch having a temperature-dependent switching mechanism configured to switch between a closed switch state and an open switch state according to its temperature, wherein in the closed switch state, a conductive connection is established between two external terminals of the switch, and in the open switch state, the conductive connection is interrupted, wherein the switch has an insulating film according to the invention according to any of the above embodiments.

[0046] In the case of a switch, it is particularly preferred that the switch has a switch housing in which a temperature-dependent switching mechanism is arranged, wherein the switch housing has a lower part and a cover that closes the lower part, wherein an insulating film is arranged between the lower part and the cover.

[0047] Preferably, a first portion of the insulating film is sandwiched between the lower portion and the cover portion, wherein at least one irregular element is spaced apart from the first portion. As described above, it is therefore preferable that at least one irregular element is arranged at a point on the insulating film not sandwiched between the lower portion and the cover portion, so as not to negatively affect the mechanical tightness of the switch housing due to at least one irregular element.

[0048] A further improvement to the temperature-dependent switch preferably includes a stationary contact and a moving contact portion, wherein the moving contact portion is pressed against the stationary contact through a through-hole in the insulating film when the switch is closed, and the moving contact portion remains spaced apart from the stationary contact when the switch is open. According to this improvement, the through-hole in the insulating film thus provides a free passage from at least one area of ​​the stationary contact to the moving contact portion, allowing the temperature-dependent switch to partially establish electrical contact between the stationary and moving contacts when the switch is closed.

[0049] It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the above features and the features to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. In the accompanying drawings:

[0051] Figure 1 This is a first embodiment of the insulating film according to the present invention in a plan view;

[0052] Figure 2 According to the first embodiment Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the insulating film shown;

[0053] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Details of the cross-sectional view shown;

[0054] Figure 4a -d is a plan view of each of the other embodiments of the insulating film according to the present invention;

[0055] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a switch according to the present invention, wherein the switch is in a closed switch state; and

[0056] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch, with the switch in the off state. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Figure 1 and Figure 3 A first embodiment of the insulating film according to the present invention is shown. The insulating film is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Figure 1 The insulating film 10 is shown in a plan view. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the insulating film 10. Figure 3 Show Figure 2 Details of the cross-sectional view of the insulating film 10 indicated by reference numeral III in the attached figure.

[0058] The insulating film 10 is made of a thin film of electrically insulating material. Preferably, the insulating film 10 is made of polyimide, and particularly preferably of Kapton®.

[0059] The insulating film 10 has a diameter d, which is typically in the range of 5 mm to 30 mm. The material thickness t (also referred to as the thickness of the insulating film 10), measured between the upper side 12 and the opposite bottom side 14 of the insulating film 10, is typically in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0060] In the embodiment shown here, the insulating film 10 is designed to be circular in plan view. It has a central through-hole 16, which is preferably arranged in the middle. However, it should be noted that the shape of the insulating film 10 does not necessarily have to be circular. Similarly, the through-hole 16 does not necessarily have to be cylindrical. The through-hole 16 and the portion of the insulating film 10 surrounding this through-hole 16 may also have an oval or elliptical profile. However, it is preferred that the centrally arranged through-hole 16 is completely surrounded by the insulating film 10; that is, the insulating film 10 preferably forms a closed profile surrounding the through-hole 16.

[0061] exist Figure 1-3In the first embodiment shown, the insulating film 10 also has two irregular elements 18. The irregular elements 18 are here designed as dot-like protrusions molded (preferably embossed) into the insulating film 10. For example, as can be seen from… Figure 3 As can be seen from the details, the dotted protrusions each form a local protrusion on the upper side 12 of the insulating film 10 and a corresponding local depression on the opposite lower side 14. Therefore, a groove or indentation is directly molded into the insulating film 10.

[0062] In principle, a single irregular element 18 can be provided on the insulating film 10. Although it is preferred to mold the irregular element 18 or each irregular element 18 into the insulating film 10, in principle, the irregular element 18 or each irregular element 18 can also be placed on or attached to the insulating film 10 as a separate element, such that the irregular element 18 or each irregular element 18 forms a local protrusion on the upper side 12 or the bottom side 14. Similarly, one or more such irregular elements 18 can be arranged on both the upper side 12 and the bottom side 14 of the insulating film 10.

[0063] like Figure 1-3 As shown in the first embodiment, if a plurality of such irregular elements 18 are provided, these irregular elements are preferably arranged uniformly on the insulating film 10. Particularly preferably, the irregular elements 18 are arranged such that the insulating film 10 is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about a central axis 20. Figure 1-3 In the first embodiment shown, the insulating film 10 is rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 20 by 180°.

[0064] Furthermore, preferably, the distance d1 from each irregular element 18 to the inner edge 22 of the insulating film 10 is not equal to the distance d2 from the irregular element 18 to the outer edge 24 of the insulating film 10. In other words, preferably, each irregular element 18 is not arranged at the radial center of the insulating film 10, i.e., at the same distance from the inner edge 22 and the outer edge 24, but is arranged radially outward or radially inward. This is intended to prevent at least one irregular element 18 from being clamped between the two switch housing components in the assembled state, which could potentially lead to leakage. Figure 1 It can be particularly seen that the irregular element 18 is arranged closer to the inner edge 22 than to the outer edge 24 (d1). <d2)。

[0065] Figure 4aAnother embodiment of the insulating film 10 is shown, wherein the irregular element 18 is again designed as a dot-like protrusion on the upper side 12, which is molded into the insulating film 10. However, a total of three such dot-like protrusions forming the irregular element 18 are provided here. Thus, the insulating film 10 is rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 20 by 120°. Furthermore, the irregular element 18 is arranged closer to the outer edge (d2) of the insulating film 10 than to the inner edge 22 of the insulating film 10. <d1)。

[0066] exist Figure 4b In the third embodiment shown, the insulating film 10 also has three irregular elements 18, designed to be rotationally symmetrical about 120°. Each irregular element 18 directly contacts the inner edge 22. Figure 4a Different from China Figure 4b In the third embodiment schematically shown, the irregular element 18 is not designed as a dot-shaped protrusion, but rather as a linear or arrow-shaped elongated pillar. These elongated or arrow-shaped pillars are also preferably molded into the insulating film 10, resulting in localized protrusions on the upper side 12 of the insulating film 10.

[0067] Figure 4c A fourth embodiment of the insulating film 10 is shown. In this fourth embodiment, the insulating film 10 has only a single irregular element 18. The irregular element 18 is designed to be linear or circular. It forms a closed profile completely surrounding the through-hole 16. This linear or circular pillar is preferably also molded in the insulating film 10, and may have the same shape as the dotted protrusions according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 The same cross-sectional shape as shown.

[0068] Figure 4d A fifth embodiment of the insulating film 10 is shown. Here, the insulating film 10 again has three irregular elements 18. Each of the irregular elements 18 is designed as a circular region, wherein the insulating film 10 has a greater roughness than other regions on the upper side 12 and the bottom side 14 of the insulating film 10. For example, the insulating film 10 may be locally wrinkled or roughened in these regions.

[0069] Figure 5 and 6 An embodiment of a temperature-dependent switch according to the invention is shown, wherein an insulating film 10 according to the invention is used. The switch is generally indicated by reference numeral 100.

[0070] Figure 5 The closed position of switch 100 is shown. Figure 6 The off position of switch 100 is shown.

[0071] certainly, Figure 5 and 6The switch 100 shown is merely one example of many possible embodiments of this temperature-dependent switch that can be incorporated into the insulating film 10 according to the invention. In particular, the switching mechanism and housing of the switch 100 can, in principle, be integrated with... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structures shown are different.

[0072] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The switch 100 shown has a switch housing 26, inside which a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 28 is arranged. The switch housing 26 includes a disc-shaped lower portion 30 and a cover 32 that closes the lower portion 30. More precisely, the cover 30 is held onto the lower portion 30 by a curved or rolled upper edge 34.

[0073] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the embodiment of the switch 100 shown, both the lower portion 30 and the cover portion 32 are made of a conductive material, preferably metal. An insulating film 10 is disposed between the lower portion 30 and the cover portion 32. The insulating film 10 ensures electrical insulation between the lower portion 30 and the cover portion 32. Similarly, the insulating film 10 ensures a mechanical seal preventing liquids or contaminants from entering the interior of the switch housing 26 from the outside.

[0074] The irregular element 18 is arranged at points on the insulating film 10. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram is shown schematically. However, it can be seen that, preferably, the points on the insulating film 10 where the irregular elements 18 are arranged are arranged as inward as possible in the radial direction or as outward as possible in the radial direction, so as not to be clamped between the cover portion 32 and the lower portion 30.

[0075] It is also clear why the insulating film 10 has a centrally located through-hole 16. At least in Figure 5 In the closed switch state shown, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism 28 protrudes through the through hole 16 to establish electrical contact between the lower current-carrying part 30 and the current-carrying cover part 32 in the closed switch state.

[0076] Since both the lower portion 30 and the cover portion 32 in this embodiment are made of conductive material, their outer surfaces can be used as electrical terminals of the switch 100. For example, the outer surface of the cover portion 32 can be used as a first terminal 36, and the outer surface of the lower portion 30 can be used as a second terminal 38 of the switch 100. For example, connecting leads can be brazed or soldered to each of these terminals 36, 38, which are used for electrical connections of the switch 100.

[0077] In the embodiment shown here, an additional insulating layer 40 is disposed on the outer side of the cover portion 32.

[0078] The switching mechanism 28 is arranged to clamp between the lower part 30 and the cover part 32. The switching mechanism 28 has a bimetallic element 42, a spring element 44, and a moving contact portion 46. The bimetallic element 42 includes a temperature-dependent bimetallic disc with a central opening therein, through which the bimetallic disc slides on the moving contact portion 46.

[0079] The spring element 44 includes a temperature-independent spring ejector disc having a central opening therein, which also slides over the moving contact portion 46 from the opposite bottom side.

[0080] exist Figure 5 In the closed position of the switch 100 shown, the spring element 44 supports the moving contact portion 46 from below by pressing the inner edge region 48 of the moving contact portion 46 against the circumferential circular collar 50 of the moving contact portion 46 from below. In this case, the spring element 44 rests on the inner base 54 of the lower portion 30 with its outer peripheral edge 52.

[0081] In this position of the switch 100, the bimetallic element 42 is preferably placed freely on the collar 50 of the moving contact portion 46 from the opposite upper side through its inner edge region 56. The outer circumferential edge 58 of the bimetallic element 42 is freely suspended inside the switch housing 26. For this type of switch 100, the bimetallic element 42 is thus mounted in the switch housing 26 in the closed position without any force or secure clamping therein.

[0082] exist Figure 5 In the low-temperature position of the switch 100 shown, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism 28 establishes a conductive connection between the two electrical terminals 36, 38 of the switch 100 by means of a moving contact portion 46 pressed against a fixed and / or stationary contact 60 disposed on a cover 32. In the closed position of the switch 100, the contact pressure of the moving contact portion 46 against the stationary contact 60 is caused by a spring element 42 in the switch 100. The spring element 42 pushes the moving contact portion 46 against the stationary contact 60 through a through-hole 16 in the insulating film 10.

[0083] If the temperature of the device to be protected, and therefore the temperature of the switch 100 and the bimetallic element 42 arranged therein, is from... Figure 5 When the closed position of the switch 100 shown begins to rise to or above the response temperature of the bimetallic element 42, the bimetallic element 42 then... Figure 5 The convex low-temperature structure shown jumps to Figure 6The concave high-temperature structure is shown. During this snap-action, the outer edge 58 of the bimetallic element 42 abuts against the bottom side 62 of the cover portion 32, with the insulating film 10 located therebetween. Using its central or inner edge region 56, the bimetallic element 42 pushes the moving contact head 46 downward and lifts the moving contact portion 46 away from the stationary contact head 60. Therefore, the spring element 44 simultaneously bends downward at its center, causing the spring element 44 to... Figure 5 The first geometric structure shown jumps to Figure 6 In its second geometry, the conductive connection previously established between the two external terminals 36, 38 of the switch 100 via the switching mechanism 28 is thus interrupted.

[0084] Therefore, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism 28 of switch 100 is configured to establish and disconnect the conductive connection between the two external terminals 36, 38 according to temperature. In one embodiment of switch 100, referred to as "normally closed," the switching mechanism 28 is located below the response temperature of the bimetallic element 42. Figure 5 The closed position is shown, in which the switching mechanism 28 establishes a conductive connection between the two terminals 36, 38. Above the response temperature of the bimetallic element 42, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism 28 is in its open position, as shown. Figure 6 As shown.

[0085] However, in principle, this can also be reverse-engineered so that the temperature-dependent switching mechanism 28 is located below the response temperature of the bimetallic element 42. Figure 6 The indicated open position, and above the response temperature of the bimetallic element 42, at Figure 5 The closed position shown. This is then referred to as "normally open".

Claims

1. An insulating film (10) for electrically insulating and / or mechanically sealing a temperature-dependent switch (100), wherein, The insulating film (10) is made of an electrically insulating material and has a through hole (16) extending between the upper side (12) of the insulating film (10) and the bottom side (14) of the insulating film (10) opposite to the upper side (12). The insulating film (10) includes at least one irregular element (18) for forming local irregularities on the upper side (12) and / or the bottom side (14), wherein the at least one irregular element (18) includes at least one of corrugations, local roughening, and local protrusions.

2. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The insulating film (10) has at least two regions distributed on the upper side (12) and / or the bottom side (14) and separated from each other, wherein each of the at least two regions includes at least one irregular element (18).

3. The insulating film (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The at least two regions are symmetrically distributed on the upper side (12) and / or the bottom side (14) of the insulating film (10).

4. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The through hole (16) extends along the central axis (20) and the insulating film (10) is rotationally symmetrical about the central axis (20).

5. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one irregular element (18) has a first distance (d1) from the inner edge (22) of the insulating film (10) defining the through hole (16) and a second distance (d2) from the radial outer edge (24) of the insulating film (10), wherein the first distance (d1) is not equal to the second distance (d2).

6. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The insulating film (10) has an annular shape.

7. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one irregular element (18) is imprinted into the insulating film (10).

8. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one irregular element (18) has dot-like protrusions.

9. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The upper side (12) and / or the bottom side (14) of the insulating film (10) have a first roughness in the region of the at least one irregular element (18), the first roughness being greater than the second roughness in the remaining regions of the upper side (12) and / or the bottom side (14) of the insulating film (10).

10. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical insulating material includes polyimide.

11. The insulating film (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The following applies to the material thickness t of the insulating film (10) measured between the upper side (12) and the bottom side (14): 0.03mm≤t≤0.3mm, and wherein, for the outer diameter d of the insulating film (10), the following applies: 5mm≤d≤30mm.

12. A temperature-dependent switch (100) having a temperature-dependent switching mechanism (28), said temperature-dependent switching mechanism (28) being configured to switch between a closed switch state and an open switch state in a temperature-dependent manner, wherein in the closed switch state, a conductive connection is established between two external terminals (36, 38) of the switch (100), and in the open switch state, the conductive connection is broken, wherein, The switch (100) has an insulating film according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. The temperature-dependent switch (100) according to claim 12, comprising a switch housing (26), wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism (28) is disposed in the switch housing (26), wherein, The switch housing (26) includes a lower part (30) and a cover (32) that closes the lower part (30), wherein the insulating film (10) is disposed between the lower part (30) and the cover (32).

14. The temperature-dependent switch (100) according to claim 13, wherein, The first portion (59) of the insulating film (10) is held between the lower portion (30) and the cover portion (32), and wherein the at least one irregular element (18) is spaced apart from the first portion (59).

15. The temperature-dependent switch (100) according to claim 12, wherein, The temperature-dependent switching mechanism (28) includes a stationary contact (60) and a moving contact portion (46), wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism (28) presses the moving contact portion (46) against the stationary contact (60) through the through hole (16) of the insulating film (10) in the closed switch state, and keeps the moving contact portion spaced apart from the stationary contact (60) in the open switch state.

Images