US4306210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-stage temperature switch
Assignee: Behr Thomson Dehnstoffregler GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1978-12-29
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Granted: 1981-12-15
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Expires: 1998-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An electrical switch assembly including two separate, temperature-dependent electrical switches, one of the electrical switches being substantially mechanically acting and the second of the electrical switches being a non-mechanical, solid-state switch. The mechanical switch may be a bimetallic switch of various configurations or may consist of a snap or toggle switch actuated by the expansion of a suitable fluid, for example a wax mixture. The solid-state switch element may be a resistive element which inhibits the electrical conduction upon the occurrence of elevated or lowered temperature, depending on the type of material used. Various embodiments of the mechanical portion of the switch assembly are presented.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Saur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/002; H01H37/02; H01H37/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An electrical switch assembly responsive to temperature of a coolant in a cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the assembly comprising: a housing against at least a portion of which the coolant is to come; an insulating contact pin plate closing off said housing; at least a first contact pin and a second contact pin extending through said contact pin plate; a first switch arranged in said housing, said first switch consisting of a temperature-dependent semiconductor element which is positioned between said housing and said contact pin plate, is in electrical series with said first contact pin in a first electrical circuit and is coupled thermally to said housing; a second switch arranged in said housing, said second switch consisting of a temperature-dependent mechanical switching element which is connected in series with said second contact pin in a second electrical circuit and is thermally coupled to said housing independently of said first switch, said first switch and said switching element being thermally coupled not in series but in parallel to said housing and wherein triggering temperature of said second switch is different from that of said first switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electrical switch assembly responsive to temperature of a coolant in a cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the assembly comprising: a housing against at least a portion of which the coolant is to come; an insulating contact pin plate closing off said housing; at least a first contact pin and a second contact pin extending through said contact pin plate; a first switch arranged in said housing, said first switch consisting of a temperature-dependent semiconductor element which is positioned between said housing and said contact pin plate, is in electrical series with said first contact pin in a first electrical circuit and is coupled thermally to said housing; a second switch arranged in said housing, said second switch consisting of a temperature-dependent mechanical switching element which is connected in series with said second contact pin in a second electrical circuit and is thermally coupled to said housing independently of said first switch, said first switch and said switching element being thermally coupled not in series but in parallel to said housing and wherein triggering temperature of said second switch is different from that of said first switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said temperature-dependent semiconductor element (31) is a cold conductor (PTC-resistor).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said temperature-dependent semiconductor element (31) is a hot conductor (NTC-resistor).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said temperature-dependent semiconductor element (31) is a circular annulus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 4, further comprising an electrical contact ring disposed between said semiconductor element and said contact pin plate and having flexible fingers making electrical contact with said semiconductor element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said temperature-dependent semiconductor element is disc-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 6, further comprising an electrical contact ring disposed between said contact pin plate and said semiconductor element, and having flexible fingers making electrical contact with said semiconductor element and said flexible fingers further making electrical contact with one of said electrical contact pins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanically acting switching element of said second switch includes an actuating lever pivoted in an extension of one of said electrical contact pins, and, cooperating therewith a contact post loaded by a spring and capable of being placed in either of two stable positions due to interaction with said actuating lever.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein said contact post alternates between making and breaking electrical communication in the associated circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein said housing defines an interior space containing a material whose volume depends on temperature, said space being closed by a flexible diaphragm, the motions of said diaphragm being transmitted to said actuating lever for said mechanical switching element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said temperature-dependent mechanically acting switching element of said second switch is a bimetallic strip disposed in a hollow space in said housing, the movable end of said bimetallic strip having an electrical contact point which cooperates with a second contact point electrically communicating with one of said electrical contact pins in said contact plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 11, wherein said bimetallic strip is fastened to the base of the hollow space in said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanically acting switching element of said second switch is a bimetallic snap-disc disposed in an interior space of said housing, and it is provided with an electrical contact point cooperating with a second electrical contact point connected to one of said electrical contact pins in said plug member; whereby, when the temperature of said bimetallic snap-disc increases, electrical communication is established between said contact pin and said snap-disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical switch assembly according to claim 13, wherein said bimetallic snap-disc lies on the base of said hollow space in said housing without constraints.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-14 | 1985-06-15 | 1985-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-14 | 1989-06-15 | 1989-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-14 | 1993-06-15 | 1993-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |