Electromechanical relay and monitoring switch for electromechanical relay

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical relay comprising a relay housing surrounding a contact chamber of the relay and comprising a contact arrangement arranged in the contact chamber. The contact arrangement has a movable armature and a coil for moving the armature, a shaft connected to the armature, and a contact bridge arranged on the shaft for contacting the fixed relay contact in the contact chamber. Comprising switch contacts for monitoring the switching state of the relay is arranged in the relay housing. The switch contacts may be actuated by an actuator, which may be displaced by a contact arrangement. It is proposed that the monitoring switch of the relay has a switch housing separate from the relay housing. Thus, additional protection and improved sealing of the monitoring switch mechanism can be achieved, which results in a long-lasting and reliable function of the monitoring switch. The invention also relates to a suitable monitoring switch for an electromechanical relay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromechanical relay and a monitoring switch for such an electromechanical relay. Background Art

[0002] Such electromechanical relays can be used, for example, as so-called HV relays in the high voltage range and are used, for example, in the automotive sector, in particular for electric vehicles or for hybrid vehicles. Electromechanical relays can be used to control the current flowing through a circuit by opening or closing a line path extending through the relay. In particular in the high voltage range, it may be necessary to monitor the switching state of the relay, for example to ensure a safe state when starting a charging process, to detect one-sided welding of a contact bridge to a relay contact, or to be able to display the switching state at an output device.

[0003] Efforts are increasingly being made in the direction of micro switches which are integrated into the relay housing and which enable precise monitoring of the switching position by positioning close to the contact arrangement.

[0004] In fact, available monitoring switches usually require installation spaces that are not suitable for existing relays. In addition, available monitoring switches usually have to be installed on a circuit board, which requires additional installation space and also incurs additional costs.

[0005] Document CN 214254280 U discloses a relay with a micro switch, which is arranged between the relay contacts and has an actuator opposite to the shaft of the contact arrangement. When the shaft with the contact bridge is displaced in the direction of the relay contacts, the shaft presses the actuator of the micro switch in the direction of the two parallel contact arms of the micro switch, so that contact is formed between them and the switching state of the micro switch changes. The micro switch is embedded in the relay housing, and an opening is provided between the contact chamber with the contact arrangement and the micro switch chamber, and the micro switch actuator is inserted into the opening. Summary of the invention

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electromechanical relay comprising a monitoring switch, and a monitoring switch suitable for such a relay, which enable a long-term and reliable monitoring of the switching position of the relay.

[0007] This object is achieved by an electromechanical relay according to claim 1 and a monitoring switch according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0008] According to the features of independent claim 1, an electromechanical relay is proposed, which comprises a relay housing enclosing a contact chamber of the relay and comprises a contact arrangement arranged in the contact chamber, wherein the contact arrangement has a movable armature and a coil for moving the armature, a shaft connected to the armature and a contact bridge arranged on the shaft for contacting fixed relay contacts in the contact chamber, wherein a monitoring switch comprising switching contacts for monitoring the switching state of the relay is arranged in the relay housing, wherein the switching contacts can be actuated by an actuator, and the actuator can be displaced by means of the contact arrangement, wherein the monitoring switch has a switch housing separated from the relay housing.

[0009] The electromechanical relay according to the features of independent claim 1 has the advantage that additional protection and improved sealing of the monitoring switch mechanism can be achieved, which leads to a durable and reliable function of the monitoring switch. In other words, the monitoring switch is not exposed in the relay housing, but is embedded in the relay housing in a defined protective cover. Despite the very small installation space available, it has proven worthwhile to provide a separate switch housing to protect the switching mechanism of the monitoring switch. The monitoring switch is protected by the switch housing, in particular against the intrusion of particles from the contact chamber of the relay, where particle separation heat and friction effects can occur, for example due to the switching movement of the contact arrangement and the flowing switching current. With the relay proposed here, the switching position of the relay in the housing can be monitored reliably over a long period of time. Due to the switch housing, the monitoring switch is designed to be robust, but its internal switching mechanism can still be designed to be sensitive. In addition, the monitoring switch can be installed in the relay more easily as a preassembled module with the switch housing, which also makes it easier to manufacture the relay and simplifies the maintenance or replacement of the monitoring switch.

[0010] It is advantageous if the relay housing and / or the switch housing has an actuator guide for the actuator of the monitoring switch. With the guide, the actuator can be guided to the actuation point in a targeted and defined manner. In addition, the actuator guide supports a reliable and precise displacement of the actuator on the switching mechanism of the monitoring switch by reducing the risk of the actuator tilting or sliding at the actuation point of the monitoring switch. In particular, the actuator can be displaced in a linear movement path so as to avoid the actuator getting stuck on the surrounding structure on its movement path. The linear movement path can be supported and ensured by a straight actuator guide. In particular, the periphery of the actuator can be sealed against the wall of the actuator guide to further reduce the possibility of particles entering the monitoring switch.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuator guide can at least partially form a labyrinth. The labyrinth (also referred to as a labyrinth seal in the context of an electromechanical relay) can be formed by a fine containment channel with at least one deflection portion, which can be used as a particle catcher for suspended particles and fluid media. The sealing of the monitoring switch can be further improved by the labyrinth. Starting from one side of the contact arrangement, the actuator of the monitoring switch can be at least partially immersed in such a labyrinth, whereby additional sealing portions as well as auxiliary guides can be provided and, depending on the design, stops for the actuator can also be provided. In addition, an actuator at least partially immersed in the labyrinth reduces the installation space required for the relay with the monitoring switch.

[0012] The actuator can advantageously extend between the contact bridge and the monitoring switch in the area of ​​the relay housing facing the contact bridge. This allows the movement of the contact bridge to be directly monitored. The actuator can directly transmit the actuation movement of the contact arrangement to the monitoring switch. Here, the monitoring switch can be arranged in the area of ​​the relay housing facing the contact bridge. The actuator can be connected to the contact bridge, for example, by integral bonding or form-fit connection. According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuator is not connected to the contact bridge in order to compensate for tolerances in the displacement movement and reduce the risk of jamming. The actuator can extend on an imaginary extension of the shaft, in its actuation direction toward the relay contact, in the direction of the monitoring switch, so that the actuator can be displaced along, for example, the center force direction or force line of the contact arrangement. This allows the actuator to be arranged in a manner advantageous in terms of force, so that the force transmission to the actuator is optimized, and any torque acting on the actuator is avoided, for example. The actuator can be automatically reset by an optional reset spring, so that a sensitive and accurate monitoring circuit with a fast reaction time can be realized.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the monitoring switch can be arranged between the relay contacts. This results in a particularly space-saving arrangement of the monitoring switch. In particular, no additional installation space needs to be provided in the relay for the monitoring switch. Furthermore, the switching position of the relay is monitored in the immediate vicinity of the relay contacts, enabling reliable and accurate monitoring.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the actuator can extend between the armature or shaft and the monitoring switch in the area of ​​the relay housing away from the contact bridge. The monitoring switch can be particularly advantageously arranged in the area of ​​the relay housing away from the contact bridge, for example, if the contact bridge is located above the armature, the monitoring switch is arranged below the armature. This embodiment can be particularly suitable for relays with a substantially closed switch chamber, the switch chamber having relay contacts and contact bridges, the switch chamber being spatially separated from the motor compartment, the motor compartment comprising, for example, a device having a coil, an armature, a core and / or a yoke. With the proposed embodiment, the possibility of particles entering the monitoring switch can be further reduced because the monitoring switch is located in a protected area away from the contacts arranged by the contacts. The actuator can be arranged in the switch housing of the monitoring switch, for example, in a linearly displaceable manner, and the monitoring switch can be actuated by a tensile force or a compressive force applied by the displaced armature or shaft. For example, the actuator can also be firmly connected to the armature or shaft. The switch housing can have an actuator guide for the actuator. The actuator can be automatically reset by an optional return spring to enable a sensitive and precise monitoring circuit with a fast reaction time.

[0015] For example, the actuator can be made of a ceramic material. The ceramic material can be, for example, a zirconium oxide ceramic, but other ceramic materials are also conceivable. This provides a particularly robust and temperature-resistant actuator with good sliding friction properties, high hardness and high mechanical strength. In particular, such an actuator has a high chemical stability, which is accompanied by a long service life without significant particle detachment. According to an alternative embodiment, the actuator can also be made of a plastic material, such as a thermosetting material, for example if the actuator is actuated via the armature of a relay. Plastic-metal connections can also be advantageously used for the actuator. When selecting a suitable actuator material, any creepage distances specified by standardization must be observed.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the monitoring switch has a contact arm as a switch contact and a mating contact arm, the contact arm being able to be at least partially moved towards the mating contact arm to make contact therewith. This embodiment enables a very small, in particular narrow and flat monitoring switch to be realized. Furthermore, no separate lever is required to actuate the monitoring switch. By applying a force to the actuator, the contact arm can be displaced towards the mating contact arm. The contact arm can be pivoted relative to the mating contact arm by means of the actuator. When contact is made between the contact arm and the mating contact arm in a specified contact area, an electrical contact is established between the contact arm and the mating contact arm, and the monitoring switch assumes a switching state corresponding to the contact. The contact arm and the mating contact arm are preferably arranged in a switch housing of the monitoring switch.

[0017] The contact arm may have a contact element protruding in the direction of the mating contact arm. The mating contact arm may have a mating contact element protruding in the direction of the contact arm. The contact element and / or the mating contact element may be designed as, for example, a contact rivet. The contact element and / or the mating contact element may be connected to the contact arm or the mating contact arm mechanically or in an integral manner (e.g. by welding or brazing), or may be formed integrally with the contact arm or the mating contact arm, for example by sputtering or by a spring material galvanized with a precious metal and a stamped contact block. The contact arm and the mating contact arm may be spaced apart from each other by a spacer in an area facing away from the actuation area (in the actuation area the actuator acts on the contact arm) to ensure reliable contact only in the expected contact area of ​​the contact arm with the mating contact arm.

[0018] The contact arm and / or the mating contact arm can advantageously be designed as a spring element. As a result, a gentle deflection and contacting can be achieved depending on the selected spring characteristics; moreover, the contact arm can be automatically reset by the actuator when the actuation force ceases. In particular, the spring element can be designed as a leaf spring and thus a substantially flat contact element of low height can be formed in order to achieve a flat monitoring switch. The blade surfaces of the contact arm and the mating contact arm can face each other and, for example, extend at least partially parallel to each other.

[0019] By forming the contact arm and / or the mating contact arm as a spring element, the monitoring switch is also particularly suitable for an arrangement in the force direction of the contact arrangement, since tolerance-related force overloads in the actuation region on the switch contact can be buffered.

[0020] The contact arm and the mating contact arm may be arranged to be axially or laterally displaceable relative to each other. The relative displaceability may be achieved by a suitable geometry of the contact arm or the mating contact arm, such as a resilient design with an angled portion or a bend and a travelling mating contact. The relative displaceability allows limited friction in the contact area between the contact arm and the mating contact arm during contact, which may achieve an advantageous cleaning effect in the contact area. This effectively removes any particle deposits that may have formed on the contact surface or prevents them from forming in the first place.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the contact arm may have a bend or an angle portion. This allows, for example, the actuation area of ​​the contact arm to be spatially deviated from the contact area of ​​the contact arm. As a result, contact can already be achieved using a short displacement path of the contact arm in the actuation area. The bend or angle portion can, for example, deflect the contact arm by an angle between 10° and 90°. In particular, the contact arm may also have two or more bends or angle portions, wherein two consecutive bends or angle portions may be opposite to each other. For example, the contact arm may be Z-shaped or may have one or more Z-shaped portions. The stiffness of the contact arm may also be reduced by the bend or angle portion, thereby achieving a slight relative movability of the contact arm relative to the mating contact arm. This may achieve limited friction in the contact area between the contact arm and the mating contact arm, which may achieve a favorable cleaning effect in the contact area. Therefore, any particle deposits that may have formed on the contact surface may be effectively removed or prevented from forming in the first place.

[0022] The contact arm may have an actuator receiver. This enables the actuator to apply a force to the contact arm in a defined manner. The actuator receiver may be arranged in an actuator region of the contact arm, in which the actuator abuts the contact arm. In a simple embodiment, the actuator receiver may be a recess in the contact arm, into which the actuator may be plunged. However, advantageously, the actuator receiver may also be a separate protective element to protect the contact arm from signs of wear. The actuator receiver may, for example, be a dome-shaped protective element located on the contact arm, for example recessed in a through hole of the contact arm. The actuator receiver may be made of, for example, a robust plastic material and is designed for frequent contact of the actuator. The shape (e.g. dome-shaped) and / or its material (e.g. plastic material) of the actuator receiver may enable additional sealing of the switching mechanism of the monitoring switch in the actuation region.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the monitoring switch may have a contact following path. This may compensate for an increased pressure of the contact arm on the mating contact arm, for example by overpressure. For example, the contact following path may be formed by a mating contact arm that is limitedly displaceable or elastically deflectable.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the monitoring switch can be designed as a normally closed contact. In this case, the switching elements, such as the contact arm and the mating contact arm of the monitoring switch, are designed as so-called NC switching elements ("normally closed switch"). When actuated, the switch circuit is disconnected. The monitoring switch designed as an NC switch has a low tolerance sensitivity and can, for example, compensate for tolerances in the contact arrangement. It can also reduce the load on the contact arm.

[0025] According to an alternative embodiment, the monitoring switch can be designed as a normally open contact. In this case, the switch element, such as the contact arm and the mating contact arm of the monitoring switch, is designed as a so-called NO switch element ("normally open switch"). When actuated, the switch circuit is closed.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the switch element of the monitoring switch can also be designed as a changeover switch so as to be able to indicate a safe open state and a safe closed state.

[0027] The switch housing can be installed and fixed in the relay housing using suitable integrated or additional connection devices. For installation, the switch housing can be inserted into the housing channel of the relay housing provided for this purpose. The switch housing can be screwed to the relay housing for firm fixation. According to an embodiment of simplified assembly, the switch housing can have a latching element and can be configured to establish a latch connection with a matching latching profile of the relay housing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the switch housing can have a form-fitting profile for contacting a corresponding matching profile of the relay housing. The form-fitting profile can be, for example, a recess or notch on the outer profile of the switch housing, which can form an undercut with the associated matching profile of the relay housing. This can achieve a form fit between the relay housing and the switch housing, which will position the switch housing particularly firmly in the relay housing and protect it from undesirable displacements that may cause the monitoring quality to be impaired. The switch housing can, for example, be adapted to a protrusion or recess that already exists in the relay housing due to the design, so that the installation space is optimized at the same time.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a monitoring switch for an electromechanical relay, wherein the monitoring switch is designed according to one of the above-mentioned features. In particular, the monitoring switch has a switch housing. In addition, the switch housing can, for example, have an actuator guide, which can, for example, also at least partially form a labyrinth. The monitoring switch can have a contact arm and a mating contact arm arranged in the switch housing, and the contact arm can be at least partially moved toward the mating contact arm to contact the mating contact arm. The contact arm and / or the mating contact arm can be designed as a spring element. The contact arm and the mating contact arm can be arranged to be axially displaceable relative to each other. The contact arm can have a bend or an angled portion. The contact arm can have an actuator receiving portion. The switch housing can have a shape-fitting profile for contacting a corresponding mating profile of a relay housing.

[0029] The advantages of a safe, reliable and compact monitoring circuit for a relay can also be achieved by the proposed monitoring switch.

[0030] Quite generally, in the context of the present application, unless explicitly defined otherwise, the terms "a" and "an" are not to be understood as a number, but as an indefinite article having the literal meaning of "at least one". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention allows various embodiments and is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show in schematic form:

[0032] Figure 1 - a cross-sectional side view of an electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch according to a first embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 - a cross-sectional front view of an electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch according to a first embodiment;

[0034] Figure 3 - a transverse cross-sectional view of an electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch according to a second embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4 -Exploded view of the monitoring switch;

[0036] Figure 5 - Side cross-section of the monitoring switch;

[0037] Figure 6 -Perspective bottom view of the monitoring switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an electromechanical relay 13, in particular an HV relay, according to a first embodiment is shown. The relay 13 shown has a relay housing 14, which encloses a contact chamber 23, in which a contact arrangement 15 is present. The contact arrangement 15 has a movable armature 16 and a coil 17 for moving the armature 16, the movable armature 16 not being shown in further detail in the illustration, but being similar to the embodiment according to Figure 3 The armature 16 in the second exemplary embodiment of the contact arrangement 15 is equivalent. For example, by exciting the coil 17 in a suitable manner, the armature 16 can be linearly displaced in the direction of the force F of the contact arrangement 15. The shaft 18 of the contact arrangement 15 is connected to the armature 16 and follows the movement of the armature, so that the shaft 18 can also be linearly displaced in the direction of the force F of the contact arrangement 15. As a result, the contact bridge 12 connected to the shaft 18 can be displaced toward the relay contact 19 arranged in a fixed position in the contact chamber 23, so as to enable contact to be made between the contact bridge 12 and the relay contact 19, thereby closing the conductive path. When the coil 17 is de-energized, the movement direction of the contact arrangement 15 is reversed, so that the armature 16, the shaft 18 and the contact bridge 12 are displaced backwards against the direction of the force F of the contact arrangement 15, and the contact between the contact bridge 12 and the relay contact 19 is cancelled, so that the conductive path is disconnected.

[0039] The monitoring switch 20 is arranged in the relay housing 14 so as to monitor the switching position of the relay 13, for example, to be able to distinguish between contact and non-contact of the contact bridge 12 and the relay contact 19. The monitoring switch 20 has a switching contact, which is actuated by the actuator 9 connected to the contact arrangement 15 and changes the switching state of the monitoring switch 20, for example, between an open and closed state or a conductive and non-conductive state.

[0040] The monitoring switch 20 has a switch housing 21 that is separate from the relay housing 14, which protects the switch contacts within the monitoring switch 20 and, for example, also largely seals the switch contacts from the contact chamber 23. This provides a durable and robust monitoring switch 20 that can have a sensitive monitoring switch mechanism with low operating currents and voltages without being affected by interactions with interfering particles.

[0041] According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the relay housing 14 has an actuator guide 22, which has a central guide channel for the actuator 9 and a labyrinth 11 adjacent to the guide channel, into which the actuator 9 can engage with the guide structure. The actuator guide 22 ensures a defined guidance of the actuator 9 and, in particular, together with the labyrinth 11, achieves a good seal between the monitoring switch 20 and the contact chamber 23. The actuator guide 22 can be, for example, a cylindrical housing channel. It can be designed so that the actuator 9 is not completely pulled out of the actuator guide 22 in any switching position of the relay 13, so that the actuator 9 always reliably closes the actuator guide 22. The labyrinth 11 can form a stop for the guide structure of the actuator 9, because the actuator 9 can only enter it up to the maximum labyrinth depth, and any further displacement of the actuator 9 is blocked by the labyrinth wall. The labyrinth 11 can also be used as a particle trap by having a fine receiving channel with at least one deflection in which particles can be trapped.

[0042] from Figure 5 The detailed illustration of the monitoring switch 20 shown shows that, for example, the switch housing 21 can also have an actuator guide 22 , for example in the form of a cylinder, for targeted actuation of the switching contacts in the monitoring switch 20 .

[0043] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the first exemplary embodiment shown, the actuator 9 extends in the area of ​​the relay housing 14 facing the contact bridge 12 between the contact bridge 12 and the monitoring switch 20 in order to enable direct contact bridge monitoring. The monitoring switch 20 is arranged above the contact bridge 12 in the area of ​​the relay housing 13 facing the fixed relay contact 19 and Figure 2As shown, it protrudes into the space between the relay contacts 19, thereby providing a very compact monitoring solution that can be easily integrated into the relay 13. The actuator 9 is connected to the contact bridge 12 and can be displaced in the direction of the monitoring switch 20 along the direction of the force F of the contact arrangement 15 in order to actuate its switching contacts. The return spring 10 allows the actuator 9 to return automatically in order to realize a sensitive monitoring circuit with a fast response time.

[0044] Figure 3 An alternative possible arrangement of a monitoring switch 20 is shown, and thus another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The contact arrangement 15 shown here has an operating principle comparable to that of the contact arrangement 15 of the first exemplary embodiment. However, according to a second embodiment, the monitoring switch 20 can also be arranged in a region of the relay housing 14 facing away from the contact bridge 12, in this case below the armature 16, above which the contact bridge 12 is located. The terms above and below or top and bottom can, for example, relate to the direction of the force F of the contact arrangement 15, which in the contact position of the contact bridge 12 and the relay contact 19 corresponds to an upward movement. In the second exemplary embodiment shown, the actuator 9 is displaced directly by the armature 16, which also enables a very direct switching position monitoring by means of the armature with an advantageous reference surface. In other exemplary embodiments, it is also conceivable in this arrangement to actuate the actuator 9 by means of the shaft 18. The switch housing 21 has an actuator guide 22, with which the actuator 9 can be guided in a defined manner towards the switching contacts of the monitoring switch 20.

[0045] Reference below Figures 4 to 6 The detailed structure of the monitoring switch 20 shown in the exemplary embodiment is explained. The monitoring switch 20 has a two-part switch housing 21, which has a switch housing base 6 and a switch housing cover 7. The switching contacts of the monitoring switch 20 are arranged in the switch housing 21 and are formed as a contact arm 2, the contact arm 2 having a contact element 4 designed as a contact rivet, and a mating contact arm 1 having a mating contact element 3 designed as a contact rivet. The contact arm 2 can be moved toward the mating contact arm 1, in particular pivoted toward the mating contact arm 1, so as to contact the mating contact arm 1 via the contact element 4 and the mating contact element 3. The contact arm 2 and the mating contact arm 1 are designed as leaf springs, and due to the possibility of elastic deflection of the contact arm 2, a very narrow and flat design of the monitoring switch 20 can be achieved with a gentle actuation option.

[0046] The contact arm 2 can be moved toward the mating contact arm 1 by means of an actuator 9. For this purpose, the contact arm 2 has an actuator receptacle 5, which serves as a dome-shaped protective insert to protect the contact arm 2 from wear and particle ingress. Furthermore, the switch housing 21 has a cylindrical actuator guide 22 toward the actuator receptacle 5. Furthermore, a spacer 8 is provided between the contact arm 2 and the mating contact arm 1 in order to ensure a reliable contact between the contact arm 2 and the mating contact arm 2 only in the region of the contact elements 3, 4.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the switch contacts of the monitoring switch 20 can be designed as NO switching elements, which only establish a closed circuit path in the sense of contact when actuated by the actuator 9, so that the monitoring switch 20 is designed as a normally open contact. Other embodiments can also have an NC configuration of the switch element, for example, Figure 3 As shown, the normally closed circuit of the monitoring switch 20 is interrupted by actuation, so that the monitoring switch 20 is designed as a normally closed contact. By means of the monitoring connection 27 connected to the switch contact, the switching state of the monitoring switch 20 can be read out via an evaluation circuit not shown in more detail and further processed, for example displayed.

[0048] The contact arm 2 has several bends 24, by which the actuation region of the contact arm 2 is spatially offset from the contact elements 3, 4 and the Z-shape of the contact arm 2 is partially formed. This slightly reduces the spring stiffness of the contact arm 2 and enables a limited axial relative movement between the contact elements 3, 4, by which a self-cleaning effect of the contact elements 3, 4 can be achieved by means of friction forces.

[0049] With the presented relay 13 and monitoring switch 20 , a safe, reliable and compact monitoring circuit for the relay 13 can be realized.

Claims

1. An electromechanical relay (13) comprising a relay housing (14) enclosing a contact chamber (23) of the relay (13), and the electromechanical relay (13) comprising a contact arrangement (15) arranged in the contact chamber (23), wherein: The contact arrangement (15) comprises a movable armature (16) and a coil (17) for moving the armature (16), a shaft (18) connected to the armature (16), and a contact bridge (12) arranged on the shaft (18) for contacting a fixed relay contact (19) in the contact chamber (23), wherein a monitoring switch (20) comprising switching contacts for monitoring the switching state of the relay (13) is arranged in the relay housing (14), wherein the switching contacts can be actuated by an actuator (9) which can be displaced by means of the contact arrangement (15), characterized in that the monitoring switch (20) has a switch housing (21) which is separate from the relay housing (14).

2. The electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that The relay housing (14) and / or the switch housing (21) has an actuator guide (22) for the actuator (9) of the monitoring switch (20).

3. The electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that The actuator guide (22) at least partially forms the labyrinth (11).

4. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuator (9) extends between the contact bridge (12) and the monitoring switch (20) in a region of the relay housing (14) facing the contact bridge (12).

5. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The monitoring switch (20) is arranged between the relay contacts (19).

6. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The actuator (9) extends between the armature (16) or the shaft (18) and the monitoring switch (20) in a region of the relay housing (14) facing away from the contact bridge (12).

7. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuator (9) is made of ceramic material.

8. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The monitoring switch (20) has a contact arm (2) as a switch contact and a mating contact arm (1), wherein the contact arm (2) can at least partially move toward the mating contact arm (1) to come into contact with the mating contact arm (1).

9. The electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 8, characterized in that The contact arm (2) and / or the mating contact arm (1) are designed as spring elements.

10. An electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The contact arm (2) and the mating contact arm (1) are arranged to be displaceable axially and / or laterally relative to each other.

11. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The contact arm (2) has a bent portion (24) or an angled portion.

12. An electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The contact arm (2) has an actuator receiving portion (5).

13. A monitoring switch (20) for an electromechanical relay (13) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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