Self-Holding Temperature Switch With Parallel Terminal Contacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-dependent switches require complex and cumbersome electrical connections for the heating resistor component, necessitating precise adjustments and potential damage to external terminals, and may undesirably revert to the closed position after cooling without complete disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-dependent switch design with parallel external terminals and a heating resistor component inside the housing, allowing easy mounting and electrical connection, ensuring the switch remains open until the device is fully de-energized, using a PTC material for self-holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating resistor component is connected using conventional methods, then the switch can achieve self-holding function, but the electrical connections become complex and cumbersome, requiring precise adjustments and potentially damaging external terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating resistor component with the external terminals by having the external terminals extend into the housing and directly contact the heating resistor's contact surfaces. This merging eliminates the need for separate connection elements and simplifies the overall electrical connection structure while maintaining the self-holding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The external terminals serve dual functions: they provide electrical connection to the outside world and simultaneously serve as connection elements for the heating resistor component. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the electrical connection system.
2Ease of operation
If the switch uses a temperature-dependent switching mechanism, then it can automatically interrupt the supply circuit at response temperature, but it may undesirably revert to closed position after cooling without complete disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The heating resistor component provides continuous heating feedback to the temperature-dependent switching mechanism, maintaining it in the open position even after cooling. The resistor receives power from the parallel circuit path and generates heat that prevents the switching mechanism from returning to the closed position until complete disconnection occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by introducing a heating resistor that actively maintains elevated temperature in the switching mechanism. This parameter change ensures the switch remains in the desired open state by counteracting the natural cooling that would otherwise cause re-closure.
3Device complexity
If the heating resistor component is mounted inside the housing, then electrical connections are simplified, but the mounting and electrical connection still require precise adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The external terminals are designed to extend into the housing and make contact with the heating resistor at the same level, creating an equipotential connection surface. This eliminates the need for precise height adjustments and simplifies mounting by ensuring automatic alignment during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The external terminals are pre-positioned and extended into the housing during manufacturing, ready to receive the heating resistor component. This preliminary action eliminates the need for precise field adjustments and simplifies the mounting process by providing pre-aligned connection surfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies electrical connections, reduces component stress, and prevents unwanted re-closure by maintaining the open position until the device is completely disconnected, enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical heating resistor component (32) is arranged inside the housing (24) and is electrically connected in parallel to the switching mechanism (12)
Implementation Method 2
using a PTC material for self-holding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
A temperature-dependent switch (10) comprises a housing (24) and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism (12) arranged therein. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism (12) is configured to switch, depending on its temperature, between a closed position, in which the switching mechanism (12) establishes an electrically conductive connection between a first external terminal (14) and a second external terminal (16), and an open position, in which the temperature-dependent switching mechanism (12) breaks the electrically conductive connection. The two external terminals (14, 16) extend parallel to each other from the housing (24) such that a top surface (28) of the first external terminal (14) lies in a common terminal plane (E) with a top surface (30) of the second external terminal (16). An electrical heating element (32) is arranged inside the housing (24) and is electrically connected in parallel to the switching mechanism (12).On one connection side (42) the heating resistance component (32) has a first contact surface (44) which electrically contacts the top (28) of the first external connection (14) and a second contact surface (46) which electrically contacts the top (30) of the second external connection (16).