EP0696810B1 - Temperature controller - Google Patents

Temperature controller Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0696810B1
EP0696810B1 EP95107960A EP95107960A EP0696810B1 EP 0696810 B1 EP0696810 B1 EP 0696810B1 EP 95107960 A EP95107960 A EP 95107960A EP 95107960 A EP95107960 A EP 95107960A EP 0696810 B1 EP0696810 B1 EP 0696810B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heating resistor
switching device
cover part
temperature controller
bimetallic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95107960A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0696810A1 (en
Inventor
Marcel Hofsäss
Dieter Dr. Bühling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thermik Geraetebau GmbH
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Thermik Geraetebau GmbH
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Publication of EP0696810A1 publication Critical patent/EP0696810A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/50—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position
    • H01H1/504—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position by thermal means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
    • H01H37/02—Details
    • H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
    • H01H37/52—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
    • H01H37/54—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting
    • H01H37/5427—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting encapsulated in sealed miniaturised housing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/14—Electrothermal mechanisms
    • H01H71/16—Electrothermal mechanisms with bimetal element
    • H01H71/164—Heating elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a temperature monitor, in particular for electrical consumers, such as, for example, electric motors and transformers, having a bimetallic switching mechanism which opens or closes at excess temperature in a housing comprising a cover part and a pot-like base part, a first heating resistor connected to the bimetallic switching mechanism, which acts when the switching mechanism is actuated in the sense of a self-holding function, and a second heating resistor connected to the bimetal switching mechanism, which acts in such a way that the bimetal switching mechanism at too high a current flow through the second heating resistor switches to protect the consumer from overcurrent.
  • electrical consumers such as, for example, electric motors and transformers
  • Such a temperature monitor is known from DE-OS-43 36 564.
  • the known temperature monitor comprises a bimetallic switching mechanism which opens in the event of overtemperature or overcurrent, to which the first heating resistor is connected in parallel and with which the second heating resistor is connected in series.
  • the known temperature monitor comprises a ceramic carrier plate provided with conductive and insulating coatings, on which an encapsulated bimetal switching mechanism is arranged, next to which a PTC thermistor module is connected, which is electrically connected in parallel with the bimetal switching mechanism and acts as a first heating resistor.
  • a thick-film resistor is also arranged on the ceramic carrier plate, which leads under the bimetal switchgear and is connected in series with it.
  • the task of the known temperature monitor is to interrupt the flow of current through the electrical consumer when this consumer is too high a temperature or when the current through the consumer is too high.
  • the known temperature monitor is connected in series to the consumer, so that the temperature monitor is traversed by the current flowing through the consumer, the bimetal switchgear being closed at temperatures below the response temperature and / or at currents below the response current.
  • the operating current of the consumer flows through the series connected second heating resistor of a few ohms as well as through the closed contacts of the bimetallic switching mechanism that bridges the first heating resistor. If the temperature of the consumer now exceeds a predetermined limit value, the bimetallic switching mechanism that is in thermal contact with the consumer suddenly opens its contacts by a bimetallic snap disk snapping around inside the bimetallic switching mechanism. The current now flows through the heating resistor connected in series and via the second heating resistor, which has such a large resistance that the current is very much lower than the original operating current, so that the consumer is virtually switched off. As a result of the PTC thermistor characteristic of the second heating resistor, the current decreases further with the heating of this heating resistor.
  • the bimetallic snap disk Due to the heat radiation and / or conduction from this heating resistor, the bimetallic snap disk is further heated in such a way that it remains held in its position with the contacts open. In this way, it is prevented that when the consumer is switched off as a result of overtemperature, an automatic reclosure takes place, which could lead to so-called contact flutter with periodic switching on and off and is generally undesirable.
  • the series-connected heating resistor heats up to such an extent that the switching mechanism finally reaches and opens its response temperature. In this case, the self-holding takes place in the same way as already described above.
  • temperature monitor fulfills all the requirements in terms of function, it is disadvantageous that it has a relatively bulky and large construction, which can be attributed in particular to the ceramic carrier plate.
  • temperature monitors of this type are usually made very small, for example they have a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 5 mm, which places extreme demands on the manufacturing accuracy and at the same time the need for simple, yet functionally reliable constructions justified.
  • Such a miniature temperature monitor is known from EP-A-0 342 441 and from DE-OS-37 10 672.
  • This temperature monitor is designed to be self-retaining, but has no sensitivity to overcurrent.
  • the known temperature monitor comprises a heating resistor connected in parallel with the bimetallic switching mechanism, which acts in a similar way to that described above in connection with the first heating resistor.
  • a second heating resistor connected in series is not provided.
  • the high-impedance parallel resistor is integrated in the housing of the bimetal switchgear.
  • This housing comprises a pot-shaped lower part and an associated cover part, which can either consist of insulating material or of an electrically conductive resistance material.
  • a bimetallic snap disk and a spring washer are arranged in the housing part and carry a movable contact with which a fixed contact is associated, which is carried by the cover part.
  • the spring washer presses the movable contact against the fixed contact and at the same time serves to over forward the contacts flowing current to the bottom part, to which a first external contact is attached.
  • the second external contact of the known temperature monitor is arranged on the cover part and is in electrically conductive contact with the fixed contact of the bimetallic switching mechanism through the cover part.
  • the spring bimetallic snap disk acts on the spring washer, which snaps suddenly when a certain response temperature is exceeded and thereby lifts the movable contact from the fixed contact, so that the current flow through the bimetal switchgear is interrupted.
  • This heating resistor can either consist of the resistance material of the cover part or can be printed on the cover part if it consists of insulating material.
  • the known temperature monitor has the disadvantage that it does not offer overcurrent protection.
  • Another disadvantage is that in the embodiment where the cover part is made of electrically conductive resistance material, an insulating sleeve between the cover part and the bottom part is required in order to ensure a defined current path and thus a defined resistance. If, on the other hand, the heating resistor is formed by a printed resistance path, it is disadvantageous that this resistance path must be formed spirally and / or in arcs in order to achieve the desired resistance value and current profile.
  • the disadvantages relate to the high manufacturing costs in both cases.
  • From DE-OS-41 42 716 is a temperature monitor in a similar miniature version without locking by parallel switched heating resistor, but known for this with a series-connected heating resistor integrated in the smallest space, which ensures current monitoring.
  • the series resistor is arranged as an etched or stamped part or as a film printed with a resistor in the immediate vicinity and in thermal and electrical contact with the spring washer of the bimetallic switching mechanism in such a way that it comes to rest in the bottom part of the housing.
  • the etched or stamped parts used here as heating resistors cannot be manufactured too precisely with regard to the resistance value and only for a small resistance range.
  • bimetal circuit breakers in the form of pots which each have only one of the two protective functions mentioned above with respect to temperature and current.
  • DE-OS-36 32 256 discloses a temperature monitor which responds only to overcurrent and does not hold, in which a resistance wire coil which is freely tensioned in the vicinity of the bimetal element is provided as the heating resistor. Disadvantages here are the high space requirement, possible fluctuations in the position assignment to the bimetallic element and the associated fluctuations in the heat transfer, and contact problems at the connections of the resistance wire helix.
  • this object is achieved on the basis of the described prior art in that the first and the second heating resistor are integrated in the cover part.
  • the object underlying the invention is completely achieved in this way.
  • the inventor has found that by means of these design measures a compact temperature monitor can be created, which can only be produced inexpensively by replacing a new cover part, even during the production of known temperature monitors.
  • the integration of both heating resistors in the cover part offers the further advantage that the number of electrical contact points is reduced compared to the prior art, which results in a higher reliability of the temperature monitor.
  • the bimetallic switching mechanism comprises a fixed contact part held in the cover part as well as a movable contact part which is carried by a spring snap disc which can be moved by a bimetallic snap disk.
  • first heating resistor is connected in parallel with and the second heating resistor in series with the bimetallic switching mechanism that opens when the temperature rises.
  • the first heating resistor which effects the self-holding function would have to be connected in series to the bimetallic switching mechanism, while the second heating resistor which caused the temperature sensitivity would have to be arranged in parallel with the series circuit comprising the first heating resistor and the bimetallic switching mechanism.
  • the temperature of the consumer to be monitored and, for example, the current flow would be monitored by a control unit, so that two monitoring functions could be achieved with a single temperature monitor.
  • the new temperature monitor opens as a result of an excess temperature in the consumer, the current is cut through the control unit is greatly reduced, which can be used to switch off the control unit.
  • an excessively high current through the control device which could damage the consumer, would also be monitored at the same time, because this excessively high current would result in the bimetallic switching mechanism closing via the second heating resistor connected in parallel, and thus the current now taking place through the parallel connected low-resistance heating resistor flows through the series connected high-resistance heating resistor.
  • the cover part is at least partially made of insulating material and the first and / or the second heating resistor and their connection connections are applied, preferably printed, in a layer arrangement on the insulating material.
  • the cover part is at least partially made of electrically conductive material, preferably of PTC thermistor material, which is provided as the first or second heating resistor.
  • the heating resistor connected in series is applied in layer form either to a deposited insulating layer or to a separate, previously produced film.
  • the film is placed on with the resistance layer and, together with the actual cover part, which can be made of insulating material or of PTC thermistor material, connected to the pot-like base part by flanging.
  • certain irregularities in the cover part and / or the flanging tool are compensated for in an advantageous manner by the film.
  • the electrically conductive material forms the first heating resistor and if an insulating layer is applied to it, to which the second heating resistor is applied, preferably printed, in a layer arrangement.
  • the second heating resistor is applied to the top of the cover part facing away from the base part and is connected with its one connection connection to the fixed contact part and with its other connection connection to a first external connection held on the cover part.
  • This embodiment has the advantage that several functions can be integrated in the new cover part in a manner that is simple in terms of production technology, which in principle also reduces the space requirement.
  • the heating resistor connected in series is on the side of the cover part facing away from the bimetallic snap disk, this design reduces the time until switching due to overtemperature by a certain preheating of the heating resistor connected in parallel, which contributes to a reliable response of the new temperature monitor.
  • the heating resistor (s) in the form of a layer has a structure which determines the resistance, with a resistance-determining segment preferably being left out laterally.
  • the advantage here is that the heating resistor is simply printed on as a continuous surface, the resistance being determined by a segment to be left free, which has manufacturing advantages over the arc-shaped or spiral arrangements of the prior art.
  • first and / or the second heating resistor are connected to the bimetallic switching mechanism via ring-shaped connection connections arranged on the cover part.
  • This measure has the advantage that ring-shaped, i.e. Centrally symmetrical structures can be applied evenly when printed on the conductor track, with the further advantage that when assembling the new temperature monitor it is not necessary to pay attention to a special angular alignment between the base part and the cover part.
  • the layer arrangements are covered by a preferably electrically insulating protective layer.
  • the advantage here is that the installation of the new temperature monitor can also be carried out by inexperienced, trained personnel, since the risk of incorrect installation with additional undesired contacting of the resistance layers is avoided.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a temperature monitor 10, which has a first external connection 11 and a second external connection 12, via which the temperature monitor 10 is connected in series with an electrical consumer, such as an electric motor or a transformer.
  • the temperature monitor 10 comprises a bimetallic switching mechanism 14 to which a first heating resistor 15 is connected in parallel.
  • a second heating resistor 16 is arranged in series with the parallel circuit consisting of the bimetal switching mechanism 14 and the first heating resistor 15, and as a rule has a significantly lower ohmic resistance than the first heating resistor 15.
  • the bimetal switching mechanism is in thermal contact with the one to be monitored electrical consumers.
  • the bimetallic switchgear 14 If the bimetallic switchgear 14 has a temperature below its response temperature, the first heating resistor 15 is short-circuited by the bimetallic switchgear 14, so that the operating current of the consumer only flows through the second heating resistor 16, which is also in thermal contact with the bimetallic switch. Derailleur 14 is. Now increases the temperature of the bimetallic switching mechanism, be it due to an increased temperature of the electrical consumer to be monitored or due to an excessive operating current through the second heating resistor 16 heats up accordingly, the bimetal switchgear 14 opens when it has exceeded its response temperature. This eliminates the short circuit across the first heating resistor 15, which is now flowed through in series with the second heating resistor 16 by the operating current.
  • the operating current is significantly reduced, which generally leads to the electrical consumer being switched off.
  • the operating current that is still flowing is sufficient to keep the bimetal switching mechanism 14 at a temperature above the response temperature via the ohmic heating of the first heating resistor 15.
  • the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 remains at the elevated temperature and is thus open, so that there is no undesirable contact flutter.
  • the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 has tripped as a result of overcurrent, that is to say if the second heating resistor 16 has been heated up to such an extent that the operating current has exceeded the response temperature due to the thermal contact with the bimetallic switching mechanism 14.
  • the new temperature monitor 10 comprises a housing 17 with a cup-shaped base part 18 and with a cover part 19 which closes the base part 18 and which rests on a circumferential shoulder 21 of the base part 18.
  • the housing 17 is closed by a flange 22 which presses the cover part 19 onto the circumferential shoulder 21.
  • the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 which is of conventional construction. It comprises a spring washer 24, which carries a movable contact part 25, over which a bimetallic snap disk 26 is placed.
  • the spring washer 24 is supported on a base 28 of the cup-shaped base part 18 and thus prestresses the movable contact part 25 against a fixed contact part 29 which extends like a rivet through the cover part 19 to the outside, where a head 30 is visible.
  • the bimetal switching mechanism 14 has a temperature below its response temperature, so that it is in the closed state. If the temperature of the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 is increased, the bimetallic snap disk 26 suddenly snaps from the convex shape shown into a concave shape and is supported on the underside of the cover part 19 in such a way that it moves the movable contact part 25 against the force of the Spring washer 24 lifts off the fixed contact part 29, as is generally known.
  • the cover part 19 is provided with two ring-shaped conductor or contact tracks 32, 33, which are realized by means of a printed and baked silver paste. While the contact track 32 rests on the shoulder 21 and ensures good electrical contact between the heating resistor 15 and the base part 18 made of electrically conductive material, the contact track 33 is located in the region of the fixed contact part 29 and ensures a corresponding electrically conductive connection between the heating resistor 15 and the contact part 29. Since the second External connection 12 is soldered to the flanged edge 22, because of the arrangement described, the heating resistor 15 is connected in parallel with the switching mechanism 14 and is bridged by the switching mechanism 14 when the latter is closed.
  • the cover part 19 On its upper side facing the outside, the cover part 19 carries an insulating layer 35, on which a resistance layer is applied in the mask printing process, which forms the heating resistor 16 with a resistance value of 0.1 to 10 ⁇ .
  • ring-shaped contact tracks 37, 38 are also printed from silver-containing paste, of which the contact track 37 ensures that the second heating resistor 16 is connected to the fixed contact part 29.
  • the outer contact track 38 connects to the first outer connection 11.
  • a protective layer 39 which provides mechanical and electrical protection.
  • the second heating resistor 16 is connected in series between the first external connection 11 and the fixed contact part 29, so that the arrangement according to FIG. 2 is integrated in an extremely compact manner and only into the cover part 19, the block diagram shown in FIG Temperature monitor with overcurrent and overtemperature protection and self-holding function implemented.
  • FIG. 3 shows the temperature monitor 10 from FIG. 2 in a top view, the protective layer 39 being omitted for reasons of clarity.
  • the second heating resistor 16 does not represent a purely annular layer, but is formed by a ring segment which leaves a cutout 41 free.
  • the heating resistor 16 can be understood as a parallel connection of many small elementary resistors between the ring-shaped conductor tracks 37 and 38, so that an enlargement or reduction of the cutout 41 leads to a reduction or enlargement of the resistance value of the heating resistor 16, which thus also easily in retrospect its resistance value can be adjusted. Since the heating resistor 16 points outwards, this can take place even with the temperature monitor 10 already installed.
  • the resistance value of the heating resistor 16 must be set so that the ohmic heat generated in it as the nominal operating current flows through it is sufficient to heat the bimetallic snap disk 26 beyond the response temperature.
  • the cover part 19 can also be made of an insulating material, wherein the first heating resistor 15 can also be formed as a sheet resistor, in this case on the inwardly facing surface of the cover part 19. This sheet resistance would extend between the contact tracks 32 and 33 exactly as the sheet resistor 16 extends between the contact tracks 37 and 38, so that the parallel connection of the first heating resistor 15 to the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 is maintained.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Control Of Temperature (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
  • Inorganic Insulating Materials (AREA)
  • Fire-Detection Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Control Of Combustion (AREA)

Abstract

A temperature-sensitive switch (10) for protecting electrical parts against excess temperature and/or excess current comprises a bimetallic switching device (14) which opens or closes its contacts in response to an excess temperature. Said switching device (14) is contained in a casing (17) having a pot-like bottom part (18) and cover (19). A first heating resistor (15) is connected in circuit with the switching device (14) such that it locks the switching device (14) in a self-holding manner when said switching device (14) is actuated in response to an excess temperature. A second heating resistor (16) is connected in circuit with said switching device (14) and produces heat in response to a current flow therethrough. When an excess current flows through the second heating resistor (16) the switching device (14) is actuated. Both, the first and second heating resistors (15, 16) are integrated in said cover (19) of said casing (17).

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft einen Temperaturwächter, insbesondere für elektrische Verbraucher, wie bspw. Elektromotoren und Transformatoren, mit einem bei Übertemperatur öffnenden oder schließenden Bimetall-Schaltwerk in einem ein Deckelteil sowie ein topfartiges Bodenteil umfassenden Gehäuse, einem mit dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk verschalteten ersten Heizwiderstand, der bei betätigtem Schaltwerk im Sinne einer Selbsthaltefunktion wirkt, und einem mit dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk verschalteten zweiten Heizwiderstand, der derart wirkt, daß das Bimetall-Schaltwerk bei zu hohen Stromfluß durch den zweiten Heizwiderstand schaltet, um den Verbraucher vor Überstrom zu schützen.The present invention relates to a temperature monitor, in particular for electrical consumers, such as, for example, electric motors and transformers, having a bimetallic switching mechanism which opens or closes at excess temperature in a housing comprising a cover part and a pot-like base part, a first heating resistor connected to the bimetallic switching mechanism, which acts when the switching mechanism is actuated in the sense of a self-holding function, and a second heating resistor connected to the bimetal switching mechanism, which acts in such a way that the bimetal switching mechanism at too high a current flow through the second heating resistor switches to protect the consumer from overcurrent.

Ein derartiger Temperaturwächter ist aus der DE-OS-43 36 564 bekannt.Such a temperature monitor is known from DE-OS-43 36 564.

Der bekannte Temperaturwächter umfaßt ein bei Übertemperatur oder Überstrom öffnendes Bimetall-Schaltwerk, zu dem der erste Heizwiderstand parallel und mit dem der zweite Heizwiderstand in Reihe geschaltet ist.The known temperature monitor comprises a bimetallic switching mechanism which opens in the event of overtemperature or overcurrent, to which the first heating resistor is connected in parallel and with which the second heating resistor is connected in series.

Der bekannte Temperaturwächter umfaßt eine mit leitenden und isolierenden Beschichtungen versehene Keramikträgerplatte, auf der ein gekapseltes Bimetall-Schaltwerk angeordnet ist, neben dem ein Kaltleiterbaustein sitzt, der elektrisch parallel zu dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk geschaltet ist und als erster Heizwiderstand wirkt. Auf der Keramikträgerplatte ist weiter ein Dickschichtwiderstand angeordnet, der unter das Bimetall-Schaltwerk führt und mit diesem in Reihe geschaltet ist.The known temperature monitor comprises a ceramic carrier plate provided with conductive and insulating coatings, on which an encapsulated bimetal switching mechanism is arranged, next to which a PTC thermistor module is connected, which is electrically connected in parallel with the bimetal switching mechanism and acts as a first heating resistor. A thick-film resistor is also arranged on the ceramic carrier plate, which leads under the bimetal switchgear and is connected in series with it.

Aufgabe des bekannten Temperaturwächters ist es, den Stromfluß durch den elektrischen Verbraucher zu unterbrechen, wenn dieser Verbraucher eine zu hohe Temperatur oder wenn der Strom durch den Verbraucher zu hohe Werte aufweist. Zu diesem Zweck wird der bekannte Temperaturwächter in Reihe zu dem Verbraucher geschaltet, so daß der Temperaturwächter von dem durch den Verbraucher fließenden Strom durchflossen wird, wobei das Bimetall-Schaltwerk bei Temperaturen unterhalb der Ansprechtemperatur und/oder bei Strömen unterhalb des Ansprechstromes geschlossen ist.The task of the known temperature monitor is to interrupt the flow of current through the electrical consumer when this consumer is too high a temperature or when the current through the consumer is too high. For this purpose, the known temperature monitor is connected in series to the consumer, so that the temperature monitor is traversed by the current flowing through the consumer, the bimetal switchgear being closed at temperatures below the response temperature and / or at currents below the response current.

Der Betriebsstrom des Verbrauchers fließt über den in Reihe geschalteten zweiten Heizwiderstand von einigen Ohm sowie über die geschlossenen Kontakte des Bimetall-Schaltwerkes, das den ersten Heizwiderstand überbrückt. Überschreitet die Temperatur des Verbrauchers jetzt einen vorgegebenen Grenzwert, so öffnet das in thermischem Kontakt mit dem Verbraucher stehende Bimetall-Schaltwerk plötzlich seine Kontakte, indem eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe im Inneren des Bimetall-Schaltwerkes umspringt. Der Strom fließt nunmehr über den in Reihe geschalteten Heizwiderstand sowie über den zweiten Heizwiderstand, der einen so großen Widerstand aufweist, daß der Strom sehr viel geringer ist als der ursprüngliche Betriebsstrom, so daß der Verbraucher quasi abgeschaltet ist. Infolge der Kaltleitercharakteristik des zweiten Heizwiderstandes geht der Strom mit der Aufheizung dieses Heizwiderstandes weiter zurück. Durch die Wärmestrahlung und/oder -leitung von diesem Heizwiderstand wird die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe weiter so aufgeheizt, daß sie selbsthaltend in ihrer Stellung mit geöffneten Kontakten verbleibt. Auf diese Weise wird verhindert, daß bei einer Abkühlung des infolge von Übertemperatur abgeschalteten Verbrauchers eine automatische Widereinschaltung erfolgt, was zu einem sogenannten Kontaktflattern mit periodischem Wiederein- und Wiederausschalten führen könnte und in der Regel unerwünscht ist.The operating current of the consumer flows through the series connected second heating resistor of a few ohms as well as through the closed contacts of the bimetallic switching mechanism that bridges the first heating resistor. If the temperature of the consumer now exceeds a predetermined limit value, the bimetallic switching mechanism that is in thermal contact with the consumer suddenly opens its contacts by a bimetallic snap disk snapping around inside the bimetallic switching mechanism. The current now flows through the heating resistor connected in series and via the second heating resistor, which has such a large resistance that the current is very much lower than the original operating current, so that the consumer is virtually switched off. As a result of the PTC thermistor characteristic of the second heating resistor, the current decreases further with the heating of this heating resistor. Due to the heat radiation and / or conduction from this heating resistor, the bimetallic snap disk is further heated in such a way that it remains held in its position with the contacts open. In this way, it is prevented that when the consumer is switched off as a result of overtemperature, an automatic reclosure takes place, which could lead to so-called contact flutter with periodic switching on and off and is generally undesirable.

Erreicht dagegen nicht die Temperatur sondern der Strom durch den Verbraucher und damit durch das Bimetall-Schaltwerk einen vorgegebenen Grenzwert, so heizt sich der in Reihe geschaltete Heizwiderstand so weit auf, daß das Schaltwerk schließlich seine Ansprechtemperatur erreicht und öffnet. Die Selbsthaltung erfolgt in diesem Falle auf die gleiche Weise, wie es oben bereits beschrieben wurde.If, on the other hand, it is not the temperature but the current through the consumer and thus through the bimetallic switching mechanism that reaches a predetermined limit value, the series-connected heating resistor heats up to such an extent that the switching mechanism finally reaches and opens its response temperature. In this case, the self-holding takes place in the same way as already described above.

Obwohl der bekannte Temperaturwächter funktionell sämtlichen Erfordernissen genügt, ist es von Nachteil, daß er eine relativ sperrige und große Bauweise aufweist, die insbesondere auf die Keramik-Trägerplatte zurückzuführen ist. Aus Gründen der Unterbringung und der Wärmekapazität werden derartige Temperaturwächter nämlich in der Regel sehr klein ausgeführt, sie haben bspw. einen Durchmesser von 10 mm und eine Höhe von 5 mm, was extreme Anforderungen an die Fertigungsgenauigkeit stellt und zugleich die Notwendigkeit einfacher und dabei funktionssicherer Konstruktionen begründet.Although the known temperature monitor fulfills all the requirements in terms of function, it is disadvantageous that it has a relatively bulky and large construction, which can be attributed in particular to the ceramic carrier plate. For reasons of accommodation and heat capacity, temperature monitors of this type are usually made very small, for example they have a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 5 mm, which places extreme demands on the manufacturing accuracy and at the same time the need for simple, yet functionally reliable constructions justified.

Ein derartiger Miniatur-Temperaturwächter ist aus der EP-A-0 342 441 sowie aus der DE-OS-37 10 672 bekannt. Dieser Temperaturwächter ist selbsthaltend ausgebildet, weist jedoch keine Überstromempfindlichkeit auf. Mit anderen Worten, der bekannte Temperaturwächter umfaßt einen zu dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk parallel geschalteten Heizwiderstand, der ähnlich wirkt, wie es oben im Zusammenhang mit dem ersten Heizwiderstand beschrieben wurde. Ein in Reihe geschalteter zweiter Heizwiderstand ist nicht vorgesehen.Such a miniature temperature monitor is known from EP-A-0 342 441 and from DE-OS-37 10 672. This temperature monitor is designed to be self-retaining, but has no sensitivity to overcurrent. In other words, the known temperature monitor comprises a heating resistor connected in parallel with the bimetallic switching mechanism, which acts in a similar way to that described above in connection with the first heating resistor. A second heating resistor connected in series is not provided.

Um die Baugröße des bekannten Temperaturwächters gering zu halten, ist bei diesem der hochohmige Parallelwiderstand in das Gehäuse des Bimetall-Schaltwerkes integriert. Dieses Gehäuse umfaßt ein topfförmiges Unterteil und ein zugeordnetes Deckelteil, das entweder aus Isoliermaterial oder aus einem elektrisch leitenden Widerstandsmaterial bestehen kann.In order to keep the size of the known temperature monitor small, the high-impedance parallel resistor is integrated in the housing of the bimetal switchgear. This housing comprises a pot-shaped lower part and an associated cover part, which can either consist of insulating material or of an electrically conductive resistance material.

In dem Gehäuseteil ist eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe sowie eine Federscheibe angeordnet, die einen beweglichen Kontakt trägt, dem ein fester Kontakt zugeordnet ist, der von dem Deckelteil getragen wird. Die Federscheibe drückt den beweglichen Kontakt gegen den festen Kontakt und dient gleichzeitig dazu, den über die Kontakte fließenden Strom zu dem Bodenteil weiterzuleiten, an dem ein erster Außenkontakt befestigt ist. Der zweite Außenkontakt des bekannten Temperaturwächters ist an dem Deckelteil angeordnet und steht durch das Deckelteil hindurch in elektrisch leitendem Kontakt mit dem festen Kontakt des Bimetall-Schaltwerkes. Auf die Federscheibe wirkt die erwähnte Bimetall-Schnappscheibe ein, die bei Überschreiten einer bestimmten Ansprechtemperatur plötzlich umschnappt und dabei den beweglichen Kontakt von dem festen Kontakt abhebt, so daß der Stromfluß durch das Bimetall-Schaltwerk unterbrochen wird.A bimetallic snap disk and a spring washer are arranged in the housing part and carry a movable contact with which a fixed contact is associated, which is carried by the cover part. The spring washer presses the movable contact against the fixed contact and at the same time serves to over forward the contacts flowing current to the bottom part, to which a first external contact is attached. The second external contact of the known temperature monitor is arranged on the cover part and is in electrically conductive contact with the fixed contact of the bimetallic switching mechanism through the cover part. The spring bimetallic snap disk acts on the spring washer, which snaps suddenly when a certain response temperature is exceeded and thereby lifts the movable contact from the fixed contact, so that the current flow through the bimetal switchgear is interrupted.

Der Strom fließt nun durch den parallel geschalteten Heizwiderstand und bewirkt somit die oben bereits erläuterte Selbsthaltung. Dieser Heizwiderstand kann entweder aus dem Widerstandsmaterial des Deckelteiles bestehen oder aber auf das Deckelteil aufgedruckt sein, wenn dieses aus isolierendem Material besteht.The current now flows through the heating resistor connected in parallel and thus causes the self-retention already explained above. This heating resistor can either consist of the resistance material of the cover part or can be printed on the cover part if it consists of insulating material.

Bei dem bekannten Temperaturwächter ist von Nachteil, daß er keinen Überstromschutz bietet. Ferner ist von Nachteil, daß bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel, wo das Deckelteil aus elektrisch leitendem Widerstandsmaterial gefertigt ist, eine Isolierhülle zwischen dem Deckelteil und dem Bodenteil erforderlich ist, um für einen definierten Stromweg und damit einen definierten Widerstand zu sorgen. Ist der Heizwiderstand dagegen durch eine aufgedruckte Widerstandsbahn ausgebildet, so ist von Nachteil, daß diese Widerstandsbahn spiralförmig und/oder in Bögen ausgebildet werden muß, um den gewünschten Widerstandswert und Stromverlauf zu erreichen. Die Nachteile betreffen in beiden Fällen den hohen Fertigungsaufwand.The known temperature monitor has the disadvantage that it does not offer overcurrent protection. Another disadvantage is that in the embodiment where the cover part is made of electrically conductive resistance material, an insulating sleeve between the cover part and the bottom part is required in order to ensure a defined current path and thus a defined resistance. If, on the other hand, the heating resistor is formed by a printed resistance path, it is disadvantageous that this resistance path must be formed spirally and / or in arcs in order to achieve the desired resistance value and current profile. The disadvantages relate to the high manufacturing costs in both cases.

Aus der DE-OS-41 42 716 ist in ähnlicher Miniaturausführung ein Temperaturwächter zwar ohne Selbsthaltung durch parallel geschalteten Heizwiderstand, aber dafür mit einem auf kleinstem Raum integrierten in Reihe geschalteten Heizwiderstand bekannt, der für eine Stromüberwachung sorgt. Der Vorwiderstand ist als Ätz- oder Stanzteil bzw. als mit einem Widerstand bedruckte Folie in unittelbarer Nähe sowie in thermischem und elektrischem Kontakt mit der Federscheibe des Bimetall-Schaltwerkes derart angeordnet, daß er unten im Bodenteil des Gehäuses zum Liegen kommt.From DE-OS-41 42 716 is a temperature monitor in a similar miniature version without locking by parallel switched heating resistor, but known for this with a series-connected heating resistor integrated in the smallest space, which ensures current monitoring. The series resistor is arranged as an etched or stamped part or as a film printed with a resistor in the immediate vicinity and in thermal and electrical contact with the spring washer of the bimetallic switching mechanism in such a way that it comes to rest in the bottom part of the housing.

Neben dem aufwendigen Zusammenbau des bekannten Temperaturwächters ist weiter von Nachteil, daß die hier als Heizwiderstände verwendeten Ätz- oder Stanzteile hinsichtlich des Widerstandswertes nicht allzu genau und nur für einen kleinen Widerstandsbereich gefertigt werden können. Es ist ein zusätzliches Isolierbauteil zwischen dem Gehäuseboden und dem Heizwiderstand und aus Gründen der Widerstandseinstellung meistens ein zusätzlicher, außen aufgesetzter weiterer hochohmiger Widerstand in Reihe zu dem erwähnten Vorwiderstand erforderlich, was insgesamt den Fertigungsaufwand und auch die Außenabmessungen vergrößert.In addition to the complex assembly of the known temperature monitor, it is further disadvantageous that the etched or stamped parts used here as heating resistors cannot be manufactured too precisely with regard to the resistance value and only for a small resistance range. There is an additional insulating component between the housing base and the heating resistor and, for reasons of resistance adjustment, usually an additional, externally attached further high-resistance resistor in series with the series resistor mentioned, which overall increases the manufacturing outlay and also the external dimensions.

Allgemein sind Bimetall-Schutzschalter in Topfenform bekannt, die nur jeweils eine der beiden eingangs erwähnten Schutzfunktionen bezüglich Temperatur bzw. Strom aufweisen. So offenbart die DE-OS-36 32 256 einen nur auf Überstrom ansprechenden Temperaturwächter ohne Selbsthaltung, bei dem als Heizwiderstand eine in der Nähe des Bimetallelementes frei gespannte Widerstandsdrahtwendel vorgesehen ist. Nachteilig sind hier der hohe Platzbedarf, mögliche Schwankungen in der Lagezuordnung zu dem Bimetallelement und damit verbundene Schwankungen des Wärmeüberganges sowie Kontaktprobleme an den Anschlüssen der Widerstandsdrahtwendel.In general, bimetal circuit breakers in the form of pots are known, which each have only one of the two protective functions mentioned above with respect to temperature and current. For example, DE-OS-36 32 256 discloses a temperature monitor which responds only to overcurrent and does not hold, in which a resistance wire coil which is freely tensioned in the vicinity of the bimetal element is provided as the heating resistor. Disadvantages here are the high space requirement, possible fluctuations in the position assignment to the bimetallic element and the associated fluctuations in the heat transfer, and contact problems at the connections of the resistance wire helix.

Aus der DE-PS-34 01 968 ist es bekannt, einen elektrischen Anschluß des Bimetallelementes selbst aus Material hohen Widerstandes zu fertigen, um dieses bei Überstrom zusätzlich aufzuheizen und eine steilere Kennlinie für das Auslösen des Temperaturwächters in Abhängigkeit von der Höhe des Überstromes zu erreichen. Der Wärmeübergang auf das Bimetallelement ist hier besser und sicherer als bei der vorgenannten Lösung, aber vor allem der Raumbedarf in radialer Erstreckung ist derart hoch, daß eine topfförmige Ausgestaltung nicht möglich ist. Weiterhin haben die Widerstandselemente eine komplizierte und schwierig herzustellende Form, wobei ein direkter Stromdurchgang durch das Bimetallelement selbst zu einem ungenaueren Schalten führt, als bei einem Bimetallelement, das nur von einem speziellen Vorwiderstand beheizt wird.From DE-PS-34 01 968 it is known to manufacture an electrical connection of the bimetallic element itself from material of high resistance in order to additionally heat it up in the event of overcurrent and to achieve a steeper characteristic curve for triggering the temperature monitor as a function of the level of the overcurrent . The heat transfer to the bimetallic element is better and safer here than in the aforementioned solution, but above all the space requirement in the radial extension is so high that a pot-shaped configuration is not possible. Furthermore, the resistance elements have a complicated and difficult to manufacture form, a direct current passage through the bimetal element itself leading to less precise switching than with a bimetal element which is only heated by a special series resistor.

Ausgehend von diesem Stand der Technik ist es Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, den eingangs erwähnten Temperaturwächter derart weiterzubilden, daß die vorstehend genannten Nachteile vermieden werden. Insbesondere soll ein kleiner, kompakter und einfach herzustellender Temperaturwächter geschaffen werden, der sowohl bei Überstrom als auch bei Übertemperatur anspricht und eine Selbsthaltefunktion aufweist.Starting from this prior art, it is the object of the present invention to develop the temperature monitor mentioned at the outset in such a way that the disadvantages mentioned above are avoided. In particular, a small, compact and easy to manufacture temperature monitor is to be created, which responds to both overcurrent and overtemperature and has a self-holding function.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe ausgehend von dem beschriebenen Stand der Technik dadurch gelöst, daß der erste und der zweite Heizwiderstand in dem Deckelteil integriert sind.According to the invention, this object is achieved on the basis of the described prior art in that the first and the second heating resistor are integrated in the cover part.

Die der Erfindung zugrundeliegende Aufgabe wird auf diese Weise vollkommen gelöst. Der Erfinder hat nämlich gefunden, daß durch diese konstruktiven Maßnahmen ein kompakter Temperaturwächter zu schaffen ist, der sogar bei laufender Fertigung bekannter Temperaturwächter lediglich durch Austausch eines neuen Deckelteiles kostengünstig herzustellen ist. Die Integration beider Heizwiderstande in das Deckelteil bietet den weiteren Vorteil, daß die Zahl der elektrischen Kontaktstellen gegenüber dem Stand der Technik vermindert wird, wodurch sich eine höhere Zuverlässigkeit des Temperaturwächters ergibt.The object underlying the invention is completely achieved in this way. The inventor has found that by means of these design measures a compact temperature monitor can be created, which can only be produced inexpensively by replacing a new cover part, even during the production of known temperature monitors. The integration of both heating resistors in the cover part offers the further advantage that the number of electrical contact points is reduced compared to the prior art, which results in a higher reliability of the temperature monitor.

In einer Weiterbildung ist es bevorzugt, wenn das Bimetall-Schaltwerk ein in dem Deckelteil gehaltenes festes Kontaktteil sowie ein bewegliches Kontaktteil umfaßt, das von einer durch eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe bewegbaren Feder-Schnappscheibe getragen wird.In a further development, it is preferred if the bimetallic switching mechanism comprises a fixed contact part held in the cover part as well as a movable contact part which is carried by a spring snap disc which can be moved by a bimetallic snap disk.

Bei der damit möglichen robusten und kompakten Ausführung befinden sich alle Teile des Temperaturwächters in dem Gehäuse, was den Einbau beim Anwender erleichtert.With the robust and compact design that is possible, all parts of the temperature monitor are located in the housing, which makes installation easier for the user.

Insgesamt ist es bevorzugt, wenn der erste Heizwiderstand parallel zu und der zweite Heizwiderstand in Reihe mit dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk geschaltet ist, das bei Übertemperaturen öffnet.Overall, it is preferred if the first heating resistor is connected in parallel with and the second heating resistor in series with the bimetallic switching mechanism that opens when the temperature rises.

Dies ist eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des neuen Temperaturwächters, der bei Übertemperaturen öffnet, obwohl es auch möglich ist, den neuen Temperaturwächter so auszugestalten, daß er bei Übertemperaturen schließt. Im letzteren Falle wäre der die Selbsthaltefunktion bewirkende erste Heizwiderstand in Reihe zu dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk zu schalten, während der die Temperaturempfindlichkeit bedingende zweite Heizwiderstand parallel zu der Reihenschaltung aus erstem Heizwiderstand und Bimetall-Schaltwerk anzuordnen wäre. In diesem Falle würde die Temperatur des zu überwachenden Verbrauchers sowie bspw. der Stromfluß durch ein Steuergerät überwacht, so daß mit einem einzigen Temperaturwächter zwei Überwachungsfunktionen erzielt werden könnten. Öffnet der neue Temperaturwächter infolge einer Übertemperatur des Verbrauchers, so wird dadurch der Strom durch das Steuergerät stark reduziert, was zu einer Abschaltung des Steuergerätes verwendet werden kann. Andererseits würde ein zu hoher Strom durch das Steuergerät, der zu einer Beschädigung des Verbrauchers führen könnte, gleichzeitig mit überwacht, denn dieser zu hohe Strom würde über den parallel geschalteten zweiten Heizwiderstand dazu führen, daß das Bimetall-Schaltwerk schließt und somit den Strom nunmehr statt durch den parallel geschalteten niederohmigen Heizwiderstand durch den in Reihe geschalteten hochohmigeren Heizwiderstand fließt.This is a preferred embodiment of the new temperature monitor that opens when the temperature is too high, although it is also possible to design the new temperature monitor so that it closes when the temperature rises. In the latter case, the first heating resistor which effects the self-holding function would have to be connected in series to the bimetallic switching mechanism, while the second heating resistor which caused the temperature sensitivity would have to be arranged in parallel with the series circuit comprising the first heating resistor and the bimetallic switching mechanism. In this case, the temperature of the consumer to be monitored and, for example, the current flow would be monitored by a control unit, so that two monitoring functions could be achieved with a single temperature monitor. If the new temperature monitor opens as a result of an excess temperature in the consumer, the current is cut through the control unit is greatly reduced, which can be used to switch off the control unit. On the other hand, an excessively high current through the control device, which could damage the consumer, would also be monitored at the same time, because this excessively high current would result in the bimetallic switching mechanism closing via the second heating resistor connected in parallel, and thus the current now taking place through the parallel connected low-resistance heating resistor flows through the series connected high-resistance heating resistor.

In einem Ausführungsbeispiel ist es bevorzugt, wenn das Deckelteil zumindest teilweise aus Isolierwerkstoff gefertigt ist und der erste und/oder der zweite Heizwiderstand sowie deren Anschlußverbindungen in Schichtanordnung auf dem Isolierwerkstoff aufgebracht, vorzugsweise aufgedruckt sind.In one embodiment, it is preferred if the cover part is at least partially made of insulating material and the first and / or the second heating resistor and their connection connections are applied, preferably printed, in a layer arrangement on the insulating material.

Weiter ist es bevorzugt, wenn das Deckelteil zumindest teilweise aus elektrisch leitendem Material, vorzugsweise aus Kaltleitermaterial gefertigt ist, das als erster oder zweiter Heizwiderstand vorgesehen ist.It is further preferred if the cover part is at least partially made of electrically conductive material, preferably of PTC thermistor material, which is provided as the first or second heating resistor.

Bei diesen Ausführungsformen ist von Vorteil, daß der in Reihe geschaltete Heizwiderstand in Schichtform entweder auf eine abgeschiedene Isolierschicht oder auf eine gesonderte, zuvor gefertigte Folie aufgebracht wird. Im letzteren Falle wird die Folie mit der Widerstandsschicht aufgelegt und zusammen mit dem eigentlichen Deckelteil, das aus Isolierwerkstoff oder aus Kaltleiterwerkstoff bestehen kann, durch Bördeln mit dem topfartigen Bodenteil verbunden. Bei dieser Herstellungsweise werden durch die Folie in vorteilhafter Weise gewisse Ungleichmäßigkeiten des Deckelteiles und/oder des Bördelwerkzeuges ausgeglichen.In these embodiments, it is advantageous that the heating resistor connected in series is applied in layer form either to a deposited insulating layer or to a separate, previously produced film. In the latter case, the film is placed on with the resistance layer and, together with the actual cover part, which can be made of insulating material or of PTC thermistor material, connected to the pot-like base part by flanging. In this production method, certain irregularities in the cover part and / or the flanging tool are compensated for in an advantageous manner by the film.

Dabei ist es bevorzugt, wenn das elektrisch leitende Material den ersten Heizwiderstand bildet und wenn auf diesen eine Isolierschicht aufgebracht ist, auf die der zweite Heizwiderstand in Schichtanordnung aufgebracht, vorzugsweise aufgedruckt ist.It is preferred if the electrically conductive material forms the first heating resistor and if an insulating layer is applied to it, to which the second heating resistor is applied, preferably printed, in a layer arrangement.

Ferner ist es bevorzugt, wenn der zweite Heizwiderstand auf die von dem Bodenteil wegweisende Oberseite des Deckelteiles aufgebracht ist und mit seiner einen Anschlußverbindung mit dem festen Kontaktteil sowie mit seiner anderen Anschlußverbindung mit einem ersten, an dem Deckelteil gehaltenen Außenanschluß verbunden ist.It is further preferred if the second heating resistor is applied to the top of the cover part facing away from the base part and is connected with its one connection connection to the fixed contact part and with its other connection connection to a first external connection held on the cover part.

Diese Ausführung hat den Vorteil, daß auf fertigungstechnisch einfache Weise mehrere Funktionen in dem neuen Deckelteil integriert werden, was zugleich auch den Raumbedarf prinzipiell verringert. Zwar liegt der in Reihe geschaltete Heizwiderstand auf der von der Bimetall-Schnappscheibe abgewandten Seite des Deckelteiles, diese Ausführung vermindert jedoch durch eine gewisse Vorheizung des parallel geschalteten Heizwiderstandes die Zeit bis zum Schalten infolge von Übertemperatur, was zu einem sicheren Ansprechen des neuen Temperaturwächters beiträgt.This embodiment has the advantage that several functions can be integrated in the new cover part in a manner that is simple in terms of production technology, which in principle also reduces the space requirement. Although the heating resistor connected in series is on the side of the cover part facing away from the bimetallic snap disk, this design reduces the time until switching due to overtemperature by a certain preheating of the heating resistor connected in parallel, which contributes to a reliable response of the new temperature monitor.

Ingesamt ist es dabei bevorzugt, wenn der oder die schichtförmig ausgebildeten Heizwiderstände eine widerstandsmitbestimmende Struktur besitzen, wobei vorzugsweise seitlich ein widerstandsbestimmendes Segment ausgespart bleibt.Overall, it is preferred if the heating resistor (s) in the form of a layer has a structure which determines the resistance, with a resistance-determining segment preferably being left out laterally.

Hier ist von Vorteil, daß der Heizwiderstand auf einfache Weise als eine in sich durchgehende Fläche aufgedruckt wird, wobei der Widerstand durch ein freizulassendes Segment bestimmt wird, was gegenüber den bogenförmigen oder spiralförmigen Anordnungen aus dem Stand der Technik fertigungstechnische Vorteile aufweist.The advantage here is that the heating resistor is simply printed on as a continuous surface, the resistance being determined by a segment to be left free, which has manufacturing advantages over the arc-shaped or spiral arrangements of the prior art.

Dabei ist es ferner bevorzugt, wenn der erste und/oder der zweite Heizwiderstand über ringförmige, an dem Deckelteil angeordnete Anschlußverbindungen mit dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk verbunden sind.It is further preferred if the first and / or the second heating resistor are connected to the bimetallic switching mechanism via ring-shaped connection connections arranged on the cover part.

Diese Maßnahme hat den Vorteil, daß ringförmige, d.h. zentrisch symmetrische Strukturen beim Leiterbahndrucken gleichmäßig aufgebracht werden können, wobei weiter von Vorteil ist, daß beim Zusammenbau des neuen Temperaturwächters nicht auf eine besondere winkelmäßige Ausrichtung zwischen Bodenteil und Deckelteil zu achten ist.This measure has the advantage that ring-shaped, i.e. Centrally symmetrical structures can be applied evenly when printed on the conductor track, with the further advantage that when assembling the new temperature monitor it is not necessary to pay attention to a special angular alignment between the base part and the cover part.

Ferner ist es bevorzugt, wenn die Schichtanordnungen von einer vorzugsweise elektrisch isolierenden Schutzschicht bedeckt sind.It is further preferred if the layer arrangements are covered by a preferably electrically insulating protective layer.

Hier ist von Vorteil, daß der Einbau des neuen Temperaturwächters auch von ungeübtem, angelerntem Personal durchgeführt werden kann, da die Gefahr eines Falscheinbaues mit zusätzlichen unerwünschten Kontaktierungen der Widerstandsschichten vermieden wird.The advantage here is that the installation of the new temperature monitor can also be carried out by inexperienced, trained personnel, since the risk of incorrect installation with additional undesired contacting of the resistance layers is avoided.

Weitere Vorteile ergeben sich aus der Beschreibung und der beigefügten Zeichnung.Further advantages result from the description and the attached drawing.

Es versteht sich, daß die vorstehend genannten und die nachstehend noch zu erläuternden Merkmale nicht nur in der jeweils angegeben Kombination, sondern auch in anderen Kombinationen und in Alleinstellung verwendbar sind, ohne den Rahmen der vorstehenden Erfindung zu verlassen.It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations and on their own without departing from the scope of the above invention.

Die Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und wird in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Schaltskizze eines Temperaturwächters für Übertemperatur- und Überstrom-Schutz, mit Selbsthaltefunktion;
Fig. 2
einen Axialschnitt durch einen neuen Temperaturwächter; und
Fig. 3
eine Draufsicht auf das Deckelteil des Temperaturwächters aus Fig. 2.
The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:
Fig. 1
a circuit diagram of a temperature monitor for overtemperature and overcurrent protection, with self-holding function;
Fig. 2
an axial section through a new temperature monitor; and
Fig. 3
3 shows a plan view of the cover part of the temperature monitor from FIG. 2.

Fig. 1 zeigt ein schematisches Blockdiagramm eines Temperaturwächters 10, der einen ersten Außenanschluß 11 sowie einen zweiten Außenanschluß 12 aufweist, über die der Temperaturwächter 10 mit einem elektrischen Verbraucher, wie bspw. einem Elektromotor oder einem Transformator, in Reihe geschaltet wird. Der Temperaturwächter 10 umfaßt ein Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14, zu dem ein erster Heizwiderstand 15 parallel geschaltet ist. In Reihe mit der Parallelschaltung aus Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 und erstem Heizwiderstand 15 ist ein zweiter Heizwiderstand 16 angeordnet, der in der Regel einen deutlich geringeren Ohmschen Widerstand aufweist als der erste Heizwiderstand 15. Das Bimetall-Schaltwerk befindet sich in thermischem Kontakt mit dem zu überwachenden elektrischen Verbraucher.1 shows a schematic block diagram of a temperature monitor 10, which has a first external connection 11 and a second external connection 12, via which the temperature monitor 10 is connected in series with an electrical consumer, such as an electric motor or a transformer. The temperature monitor 10 comprises a bimetallic switching mechanism 14 to which a first heating resistor 15 is connected in parallel. A second heating resistor 16 is arranged in series with the parallel circuit consisting of the bimetal switching mechanism 14 and the first heating resistor 15, and as a rule has a significantly lower ohmic resistance than the first heating resistor 15. The bimetal switching mechanism is in thermal contact with the one to be monitored electrical consumers.

Weist das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 eine Temperatur unterhalb seiner Ansprechtemperatur auf, so ist der erste Heizwiderstand 15 durch das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 kurzgeschlossen, so daß der Betriebsstrom des Verbrauchers lediglich durch den zweiten Heizwiderstand 16 fließt, der ebenfalls in thermischem Kontakt mit dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 ist. Erhöht sich jetzt die Temperatur des Bimetall-Schaltwerkes, sei es durch eine erhöhte Temperatur des zu überwachenden elektrischen Verbrauchers oder durch einen zu hohen Betriebsstrom durch den zweiten Heizwiderstandes 16, der sich dementsprechend aufheizt, so öffnet das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14, wenn dieses seine Ansprechtemperatur überschritten hat. Dadurch wird der Kurzschluß über dem ersten Heizwiderstand 15 aufgehoben, der nunmehr in Reihe mit dem zweiten Heizwiderstand 16 vom dem Betriebsstrom durchflossen wird. Da der erste Heizwiderstand 15 einen deutlich höheren Ohmschen Widerstand aufweist als der zweite Heizwiderstand 16, wird der Betriebsstrom deutlich reduziert, was in der Regel zu einem Abschalten des elektrischen Verbrauchers führt. Der jetzt noch fließende Betriebsstrom reicht jedoch aus, um über die Ohmsche Erwärmung des ersten Heizwiderstandes 15 das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 auf einer Temperatur oberhalb der Ansprechtemperatur zu halten. Selbst wenn sich jetzt der Verbraucher wieder abkühlt, bleibt das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 auf der erhöhten Temperatur und somit geöffnet, so daß es nicht zu unerwünschtem Kontaktflattern kommt. Gleiches gilt, wenn das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 infolge von Überstrom ausgelöst hat, wenn also der zweite Heizwiderstand 16 durch den zu großen Betriebsstrom so weit aufgeheizt wurde, daß durch den thermischen Kontakt zu dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 dieses seine Ansprechtemperatur überschritten hat.If the bimetallic switchgear 14 has a temperature below its response temperature, the first heating resistor 15 is short-circuited by the bimetallic switchgear 14, so that the operating current of the consumer only flows through the second heating resistor 16, which is also in thermal contact with the bimetallic switch. Derailleur 14 is. Now increases the temperature of the bimetallic switching mechanism, be it due to an increased temperature of the electrical consumer to be monitored or due to an excessive operating current through the second heating resistor 16 heats up accordingly, the bimetal switchgear 14 opens when it has exceeded its response temperature. This eliminates the short circuit across the first heating resistor 15, which is now flowed through in series with the second heating resistor 16 by the operating current. Since the first heating resistor 15 has a significantly higher ohmic resistance than the second heating resistor 16, the operating current is significantly reduced, which generally leads to the electrical consumer being switched off. However, the operating current that is still flowing is sufficient to keep the bimetal switching mechanism 14 at a temperature above the response temperature via the ohmic heating of the first heating resistor 15. Even if the consumer cools down again, the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 remains at the elevated temperature and is thus open, so that there is no undesirable contact flutter. The same applies if the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 has tripped as a result of overcurrent, that is to say if the second heating resistor 16 has been heated up to such an extent that the operating current has exceeded the response temperature due to the thermal contact with the bimetallic switching mechanism 14.

In Fig. 2 ist in einem Axialschnitt eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des neuen Temperaturwächters 10 gezeigt. Der neue Temperaturwächter 10 umfaßt ein Gehäuse 17 mit einem topfförmigen Bodenteil 18 sowie mit einem das Bodenteil 18 verschließenden Deckelteil 19, das auf einer umlaufenden Schulter 21 des Bodenteiles 18 aufliegt. Das Gehäuse 17 ist über einen Bördelrand 22 verschlossen, der das Deckelteil 19 auf die umlaufende Schulter 21 drückt.A preferred embodiment of the new temperature monitor 10 is shown in an axial section in FIG. 2. The new temperature monitor 10 comprises a housing 17 with a cup-shaped base part 18 and with a cover part 19 which closes the base part 18 and which rests on a circumferential shoulder 21 of the base part 18. The housing 17 is closed by a flange 22 which presses the cover part 19 onto the circumferential shoulder 21.

In dem Inneren des Gehäuses 17 befindet sich das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14, das von üblicher Konstruktion ist. Es umfaßt eine Federscheibe 24, die ein bewegliches Kontaktteil 25 trägt, über das eine Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 26 gestülpt ist. Die Federscheibe 24 stützt sich an einem Boden 28 des topfförmigen Bodenteiles 18 ab und spannt so das bewegliche Kontaktteil 25 gegen ein festes Kontaktteil 29 vor, das sich nach Art eines Nietes durch das Deckelteil 19 nach außen hin erstreckt, wo ein Kopf 30 sichtbar ist.In the interior of the housing 17 there is the bimetallic switching mechanism 14, which is of conventional construction. It comprises a spring washer 24, which carries a movable contact part 25, over which a bimetallic snap disk 26 is placed. The spring washer 24 is supported on a base 28 of the cup-shaped base part 18 and thus prestresses the movable contact part 25 against a fixed contact part 29 which extends like a rivet through the cover part 19 to the outside, where a head 30 is visible.

In dem in Fig. 2 gezeigten Zustand hat das Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 eine Temperatur unterhalb seiner Ansprechtemperatur, so daß es sich im geschlossenen Zustand befindet. Wird die Temperatur des Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 erhöht, so schnappt die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 26 plötzlich von der gezeigten konvexen Form in eine konkarve Form um und stützt sich an der Unterseite des Deckelteiles 19 derart ab, daß es das bewegliche Kontaktteil 25 gegen die Kraft der Federscheibe 24 von dem festen Kontaktteil 29 abhebt, wie dies allgemein bekannt ist.In the state shown in FIG. 2, the bimetal switching mechanism 14 has a temperature below its response temperature, so that it is in the closed state. If the temperature of the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 is increased, the bimetallic snap disk 26 suddenly snaps from the convex shape shown into a concave shape and is supported on the underside of the cover part 19 in such a way that it moves the movable contact part 25 against the force of the Spring washer 24 lifts off the fixed contact part 29, as is generally known.

Wesentlich für den neuen Temperaturwächter 10 ist die Gestaltung des Deckelteiles 19, als dessen mehrere Funktionen übernehmender Grundkörper der erste Heizwiderstand 15 dient, der hier ein keramischer Kaltleiter-Heizwiderstand 15 ist. In der Schnittdarstellung von Fig. 2 sind die noch zu beschreibenden Schichten zur Verdeutlichung übertrieben dick dargestellt. An seiner in das Innere des Gehäuses 17 weisenden Unterseite ist das Deckelteil 19 mit zwei ringförmigen Leiter- oder Kontaktbahnen 32, 33 versehen, die mittels einer aufgedruckten und eingebrannten Silberpaste realisiert sind. Während die Kontaktbahn 32 auf der Schulter 21 aufliegt und für einen guten elektrischen Kontakt zwischen dem Heizwiderstand 15 und dem aus elektrisch leitendem Material bestehenden Bodenteil 18 sorgt, befindet sich die Kontaktbahn 33 im Bereich des festen Kontaktteiles 29 und sorgt für eine entsprechende elektrisch leitende Verbindung zwischen dem Heizwiderstand 15 und dem Kontaktteil 29. Da der zweite Außenanschluß 12 an dem Bördelrand 22 angelötet ist, befindet sich aufgrund der beschriebenen Anordnung der Heizwiderstand 15 in Parallelschaltung zu dem Schaltwerk 14 und ist bei geschlossenem Schaltwerk 14 durch dieses überbrückt.What is essential for the new temperature monitor 10 is the design of the cover part 19, the first heating resistor 15 serving as the main body taking over several functions, which here is a ceramic PTC heating resistor 15. In the sectional view of FIG. 2, the layers still to be described are shown exaggeratedly thick for clarification. On its underside facing the inside of the housing 17, the cover part 19 is provided with two ring-shaped conductor or contact tracks 32, 33, which are realized by means of a printed and baked silver paste. While the contact track 32 rests on the shoulder 21 and ensures good electrical contact between the heating resistor 15 and the base part 18 made of electrically conductive material, the contact track 33 is located in the region of the fixed contact part 29 and ensures a corresponding electrically conductive connection between the heating resistor 15 and the contact part 29. Since the second External connection 12 is soldered to the flanged edge 22, because of the arrangement described, the heating resistor 15 is connected in parallel with the switching mechanism 14 and is bridged by the switching mechanism 14 when the latter is closed.

An seiner nach außen gewandten Oberseite trägt das Deckelteil 19 eine Isolierschicht 35, auf der im Masken-Druckverfahren eine Widerstandsschicht aufgebracht ist, die den Heizwiderstand 16 mit einem Widerstandswert von 0,1 bis 10 Ω bildet. Zur Kontaktierung sind darauf ebenfalls aus silberhaltiger Paste ringförmige Kontaktbahnen 37, 38 aufgedruckt, von denen die Kontaktbahn 37 für einen Anschluß des zweiten Heizwiderstandes 16 an das feste Kontaktteil 29 sorgt. Die äußere Kontaktbahn 38 stellt eine Verbindung zu dem ersten Außenanschluß 11 her. In Fig. 2 ist weiter gezeigt, daß die Widerstandsschicht 16 mit einer Schutzschicht 39 abgedeckt ist, die für mechanischen und elektrischen Schutz sorgt.On its upper side facing the outside, the cover part 19 carries an insulating layer 35, on which a resistance layer is applied in the mask printing process, which forms the heating resistor 16 with a resistance value of 0.1 to 10 Ω. For contacting, ring-shaped contact tracks 37, 38 are also printed from silver-containing paste, of which the contact track 37 ensures that the second heating resistor 16 is connected to the fixed contact part 29. The outer contact track 38 connects to the first outer connection 11. In Fig. 2 it is further shown that the resistance layer 16 is covered with a protective layer 39, which provides mechanical and electrical protection.

Durch die getroffene Anordnung ist der zweite Heizwiderstand 16 in Reihe zwischen den ersten Außenanschluß 11 und das feste Kontaktteil 29 geschaltet, so daß die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 2 auf äußerst kompakte Weise und lediglich in das Deckelteil 19 integriert das in Fig. 1 angegebene Blockdiagramm eines Temperaturwächters mit Überstrom- und Übertemperatur-Schutz sowie Selbsthaltefunktion realisiert.Due to the arrangement, the second heating resistor 16 is connected in series between the first external connection 11 and the fixed contact part 29, so that the arrangement according to FIG. 2 is integrated in an extremely compact manner and only into the cover part 19, the block diagram shown in FIG Temperature monitor with overcurrent and overtemperature protection and self-holding function implemented.

Während der Widerstandswert des ersten Heizwiderstandes 15, der für die Selbsthaltefunktion zuständig ist, nur so groß gewählt werden muß, daß die in ihm umgesetzte Ohmsche Leistung zu einer Wärmeentwicklung führt, die die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 26 auf einer Temperatur oberhalb ihrer Ansprechtemperatur hält, also etwas unkritisch bezüglich der Widerstandsbemessung ist, sorgt der zweite Heizwiderstand 16 für die Überstromempfindlichkeit und muß daher genauer eingestellt werden. Wie dies erfolgt, soll nunmehr anhand von Fig. 3 gezeigt werden.While the resistance value of the first heating resistor 15, which is responsible for the self-holding function, only has to be chosen so large that the ohmic power implemented in it leads to heat development which keeps the bimetallic snap disk 26 at a temperature above its response temperature, that is to say somewhat is not critical with regard to the resistance dimensioning, the second heating resistor 16 ensures the overcurrent sensitivity and must therefore be set more precisely. How this is done will now be shown with reference to FIG. 3.

In Fig. 3 ist der Temperaturwächter 10 aus Fig. 2 in einer Draufsicht von oben dargestellt, wobei aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit die Schutzschicht 39 weggelassen wurde.FIG. 3 shows the temperature monitor 10 from FIG. 2 in a top view, the protective layer 39 being omitted for reasons of clarity.

Es ist zu erkennen, daß der zweite Heizwiderstand 16 keine rein ringförmige Schicht darstellt, sondern durch ein Ringsegment gebildet wird, das einen Ausschnitt 41 freiläßt. Der Heizwiderstand 16 kann als Parallelschaltung vieler kleiner Elementarwiderstände zwischen den ringförmigen Leiterbahnen 37 und 38 aufgefaßt werden, so daß eine Vergrößerung oder Verkleinerung des Ausschnittes 41 zu einer Verkleinerung bzw. Vergrößerung des Widerstandswertes des Heizwiderstandes 16 führt, der somit auf einfache Weise auch noch nachträglich in seinem Widerstandswert eingestellt werden kann. Da der Heizwiderstand 16 nach außen zeigt, kann dies sogar bei bereits fertig montiertem Temperaturwächter 10 erfolgen.It can be seen that the second heating resistor 16 does not represent a purely annular layer, but is formed by a ring segment which leaves a cutout 41 free. The heating resistor 16 can be understood as a parallel connection of many small elementary resistors between the ring-shaped conductor tracks 37 and 38, so that an enlargement or reduction of the cutout 41 leads to a reduction or enlargement of the resistance value of the heating resistor 16, which thus also easily in retrospect its resistance value can be adjusted. Since the heating resistor 16 points outwards, this can take place even with the temperature monitor 10 already installed.

Es sei noch bemerkt, daß der Widerstandswert des Heizwiderstandes 16 so eingestellt werden muß, daß die in ihm bei hindurchfließendem Nenn-Betriebsstrom entstehende Ohmsche Wärme ausreicht, um die Bimetall-Schnappscheibe 26 über die Ansprechtemperatur hinaus aufzuheizen.It should also be noted that the resistance value of the heating resistor 16 must be set so that the ohmic heat generated in it as the nominal operating current flows through it is sufficient to heat the bimetallic snap disk 26 beyond the response temperature.

Abschließend sei noch erwähnt, daß das Deckelteil 19 auch aus einem Isolierwerkstoff gefertigt sein kann, wobei auch der erste Heizwiderstand 15 als Schichtwiderstand, in diesem Falle auf der nach innen weisenden Fläche des Deckelteiles 19 ausgebildet sein kann. Dieser Schichtwiderstand würde sich zwischen den Kontaktbahnen 32 und 33 genau so erstrecken, wie sich der Schichtwiderstand 16 zwischen den Kontaktbahnen 37 und 38 erstreckt, so daß die Parallelschaltung des ersten Heizwiderstandes 15 zu dem Bimetall-Schaltwerk 14 erhalten bleibt.Finally, it should also be mentioned that the cover part 19 can also be made of an insulating material, wherein the first heating resistor 15 can also be formed as a sheet resistor, in this case on the inwardly facing surface of the cover part 19. This sheet resistance would extend between the contact tracks 32 and 33 exactly as the sheet resistor 16 extends between the contact tracks 37 and 38, so that the parallel connection of the first heating resistor 15 to the bimetallic switching mechanism 14 is maintained.

Claims (10)

  1. Temperature controller, in particular for electrical devices such as electrical motors and transformers, having a bimetallic switching device (14) opening or closing in response to excess temperatures and arranged in a casing (17) having a cover part (19) as well as a pot-like bottom part (18), a first heating resistor (15) connected in circuit with said bimetallic switching device (15) and acting in a self-locking manner when said bimetallic switching device (14) is actuated, and a second heating resistor (16) connected in circuit with said bimetallic switching device (14) and acting such that the bimetallic switching device (14) is actuated upon a too high current flow through the second heating resistor (16), such as to protect the electrical device for excess current, characterized in that said first and second heating resistor (15, 16) are integrated in said cover part (19).
  2. Temperature controller of claim 1, characterized in that said bimetallic switching device (14) comprises a stationary contact part (29) held in the cover part (19) as well as a movable contact part (25) borne on a spring washer (24) to be actuated by a bimetallic snap disk.
  3. Temperature controller of claim 2, characterized in that the first heating resistor (15) is connected in parallel and the second heating resistor (16) in series to said bimetallic switching device (14) opening at excess temperature.
  4. Temperature controller of any of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the cover part (19) is made at least partly of isolating material and said first and/or said second heating resistors (15, 16) as well as their terminals (33, 34, 37, 39) are laminated onto said insulating material, preferably printed onto the latter.
  5. Temperature controller of any of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the cover part (19) is made at least partly of electrically conductive material, preferably of a material with positive temperature coefficient, said material being provided as said first or second heating resistor (15, 16).
  6. Temperature controller of claim 5, characterized in that said electrically conductive material forms said first heating resistor (15), an insulating layer (35) being applied onto the first heating resistor (15), said second heating resistor (16) being laminated, preferably printed onto the insulating layer.
  7. Temperature controller of claim 6, characterized in that said second heating resistor (16) is applied to an upper side of the cover part (19) facing away from the bottom part (18), wherein a terminal (37) of the second heating resistor (16) is connected with said fixed contact part (29) and said other terminal (38) is connected with a first external terminal (11) held at said cover part (19).
  8. Temperature controller of any of claims 4 through 7, characterized in that said laminated heating resistor(s) (15, 16) comprise(s) a structure (41) defining at least partly the resistance of said resistor(s), wherein preferably a lateral segment (41) defining at least partly the resistance is being left out.
  9. Temperature controller of any of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that said first and/or said second heating resistor (15, 16) are connected to said bimetallic switching device (14) by ring-shaped terminals (32, 33, 37, 38) arranged on said cover part (19).
  10. Temperature controller of any of claims 4 through 9, characterized in that the layer arrangement (16) is covered by a preferably electrically isolating protective coating (39).
EP95107960A 1994-08-10 1995-05-25 Temperature controller Expired - Lifetime EP0696810B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4428226A DE4428226C1 (en) 1994-08-10 1994-08-10 Temp. monitoring switch e.g. for electric motor or transformer
DE4428226 1994-08-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0696810A1 EP0696810A1 (en) 1996-02-14
EP0696810B1 true EP0696810B1 (en) 1997-11-05

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EP95107960A Expired - Lifetime EP0696810B1 (en) 1994-08-10 1995-05-25 Temperature controller

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US (1) US5615072A (en)
EP (1) EP0696810B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3422346B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE160050T1 (en)
DE (2) DE4428226C1 (en)
DK (1) DK0696810T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2109032T3 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2109032T3 (en) 1998-01-01
ATE160050T1 (en) 1997-11-15
DE4428226C1 (en) 1995-10-12
DE59500942D1 (en) 1997-12-11
DK0696810T3 (en) 1998-01-05
JPH08171841A (en) 1996-07-02
EP0696810A1 (en) 1996-02-14
US5615072A (en) 1997-03-25
JP3422346B2 (en) 2003-06-30

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