Yamada Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Tomoyuki Ito

Kazuo Ito

Masahiko Niino

A bimetal 40 is secured at a holding portion 40b to a fixed pin 52 and a snap portion 40a is supported by a support portion 12a. The free end 40a' of the snap portion 40a comes in contact with a movable contact plate 30 to thereby rock the plate 30. The displacement of the snap portion 40a is restricted at a boundary end portion 40a' by the holding portion 40b. Due to this, when the thermal protector carries out a snap action (or is reversed), the snap portion 40a is rocked like a lever around the support portion 12a supporting the snap portion 40a, and the free end 40a' of the snap portion 40a is greatly displaced. Thus, the travelling distance by which the movable contact 32 travels when the movable contact plate 30 is rocked, can be increased. This can prevent a delay in snap.

Growing community of inventors

Nagoya, Japan

Tomoyuki Ito