Electromechanical relay and monitoring switch for an electromechanical relay

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical relay (13) with a relay housing (14) enclosing a contact chamber (23) of the relay (13) and a contact assembly (15) arranged in the contact chamber (23). The contact assembly (15) has 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 stationary relay contacts (19) in the contact chamber (23). A monitoring switch (20) with switch contacts for monitoring the switching state of the relay (13) is arranged in the relay housing (14). The switch contacts can be actuated by an actuator (9) that can be moved by means of the contact assembly (15). It is proposed that the monitoring switch (20) of the relay (13) has a separate switch housing (21) from the relay housing (14).This allows for additional protection and improved sealing of the monitoring switching mechanism, resulting in a long-lasting and reliable function of the monitoring switch (20). Furthermore, the invention relates to a suitable monitoring switch (20) for an electromechanical relay (13).

Description

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

[0002] Such electromechanical relays can be used, for example, as so-called HV relays in high-voltage applications, such as in the automotive sector, particularly in electromobility or hybrid vehicles. Electromechanical relays control the flow of current through a circuit by opening or closing a conductor path running through the relay. Especially in high-voltage applications, it may be necessary to monitor the relay's switching state, for example, to ensure a safe state when initiating a charging process, to detect one-sided welding of the contact bridge on the relay contacts, or to display the switching state on an output device.

[0003] There is a growing trend towards the use of an internal microswitch integrated into the relay housing, which enables precise monitoring of the switching position by being positioned close to the contact arrangement.

[0004] In practice, readily available monitoring switches usually require a space that proves unsuitable for the existing relay. Furthermore, these switches typically need to be mounted on a circuit board, which requires additional space and incurs further costs.

[0005] CN 214254280 U discloses a relay with a microswitch arranged between the relay contacts and featuring an actuator opposite the shaft of the contact assembly. When the shaft with the contact bridge is moved towards the relay contacts, the shaft pushes the microswitch actuator towards two parallel contact arms of the microswitch, thus establishing contact between them and changing the switching state of the microswitch. The microswitch is recessed into the relay housing, with an opening between the contact chamber containing the contact assembly and the microswitch compartment into which the microswitch actuator is inserted.

[0006] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing an electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch and a monitoring switch suitable for such a relay, which enable long-term reliable monitoring of the switching positions of the relay.

[0007] The problem is solved with an electromechanical relay according to claim 1 and with a monitoring switch according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0008] According to the features of independent claim 1, an electromechanical relay is proposed comprising a relay housing enclosing a contact chamber of the relay and a contact arrangement arranged in the contact chamber, wherein the contact arrangement comprises 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 stationary relay contacts in the contact chamber, wherein a monitoring switch with switch contacts for monitoring the switching state of the relay is arranged in the relay housing, wherein the switch contacts can be actuated by an actuator that can be moved by means of the contact arrangement, and wherein the monitoring switch comprises a switch housing separate 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 switching mechanism can be achieved, resulting in a long-lasting and reliable operation of the monitoring switch. In other words, the monitoring switch is not exposed within the relay housing, but rather embedded in a defined protective enclosure. Despite the very limited 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 particle ingress from the contact chamber of the relay, where, for example, the switching movements of the contact assembly and the flowing switching currents can cause heat and friction effects that release particles.The presented relay enables long-term, reliable, in-house monitoring of the relay's switching states. The monitoring switch is robustly designed thanks to its housing, yet its internal switching mechanism can be designed to be sensitive. Furthermore, the monitoring switch, as a pre-assembled unit with its housing, can be more easily installed in the relay, thus simplifying relay manufacturing and facilitating 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. This guide allows the actuator to be moved precisely and accurately to the actuation point. Furthermore, the actuator guide ensures reliable and precise movement of the actuator onto the switching mechanism of the monitoring switch by reducing the risk of the actuator jamming or slipping at the actuation point. The actuator's movement can be linear, preventing it from jamming against a surrounding structure. A straight actuator guide can support and ensure this linear movement.The actuator can, in particular, seal against a wall of the actuator guide with its circumference to further reduce the possibility of particle ingress into the monitoring switch.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuator guide can form a labyrinth, at least in sections. A labyrinth, also called a labyrinth seal in the context of electromechanical relays, can be formed by fine housing channels with at least one deflection, which can serve as a particle trap for suspended particles and fluid media. A labyrinth further improves the sealing of the monitoring switch. Starting from the side of the contact assembly, the actuator of the monitoring switch can at least partially immerse itself in such a labyrinth, thereby providing additional sealing, supplementary guidance, and, depending on the design, also a stop for the actuator. Furthermore, an actuator that at least partially immerses itself in the labyrinth reduces the installation space required for the relay with monitoring switch.

[0012] The actuator can advantageously extend in a region of the relay housing facing the contact bridge, between the contact bridge and the monitoring switch. This allows the movement of the contact bridge to be monitored directly. The actuator can directly transmit the positioning movement of the contact assembly to the monitoring switch. The monitoring switch can be located in a region of the relay housing facing the contact bridge. The actuator can be connected to the contact bridge, for example, by a material-fit or positive-locking 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 to reduce the risk of jamming.The actuator can extend along an imaginary line of travel from the shaft towards the relay contacts in the direction of its actuation, thus allowing the actuator to be displaced, for example, along a central force direction or force line of the contact arrangement. This results in a force-efficient arrangement of the actuator, optimizing force transmission and, for example, avoiding any torques acting on the actuator. The actuator can be automatically reset by means of an optional return spring to enable a sensitive and precise monitoring circuit with fast response times.

[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 space needs to be provided within the relay for the monitoring switch. Furthermore, the monitoring of the relay's switching position takes place in the immediate vicinity of the relay contacts, thus enabling reliable and accurate monitoring.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the actuator can extend in a region of the relay housing opposite the contact bridge, between the armature or shaft and the monitoring switch. The monitoring switch can be particularly advantageously arranged in a region of the relay housing opposite the contact bridge, for example, below the armature if the contact bridge is located above the armature. This embodiment can be particularly suitable for relays that have a substantially enclosed switching chamber with the relay contacts and the contact bridge, which is spatially separated from the motor compartment, which, for example, comprises an arrangement with the coil, the armature, a core, and / or a yoke.With the proposed embodiment, the probability of particle ingress into the monitoring switch can be further reduced, since the monitoring switch is positioned in a protected, contact-remote area of ​​the contact assembly. The actuator can, for example, be arranged to be linearly displaceable within the monitoring switch housing and trigger the monitoring switch through a tensile or compressive force exerted by the displaced armature or shaft. Alternatively, the actuator can be rigidly connected to the armature or shaft. The switch housing can include an actuator guide. The actuator can be automatically reset by means of an optional return spring to enable a sensitive and precise monitoring circuit with fast response times.

[0015] The actuator can, for example, be made of a ceramic material. This ceramic material could be, for instance, zirconium oxide ceramic, but other ceramic materials are also conceivable. This results in a particularly robust and temperature-resistant actuator with good sliding friction properties, high hardness, and high mechanical strength. In particular, such an actuator exhibits high chemical stability, which translates into a long service life without significant particle shedding. According to alternative embodiments, the actuator can also be made of a plastic material, for example, a thermosetting plastic, such as when the actuator is actuated via the relay armature. Plastic-metal composites can also be advantageously used for the actuator. When selecting a suitable actuator material, any creepage distances specified by standards must be taken into account.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the monitoring switch has a contact arm and a mating contact arm as switch contacts, wherein the contact arm can be moved at least partially onto the mating contact arm to make contact. This embodiment enables the realization of very compact, in particular narrow and flat, monitoring switches. Furthermore, no separate lever is required to actuate the monitoring switch. The contact arm can be moved onto the mating contact arm by means of a force applied by the actuator. The contact arm can be pivoted relative to the mating contact arm by means of the actuator. Upon contact between the contact arm and the mating contact arm in a designated 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 inside the switch housing of the monitoring switch.

[0017] The contact arm can have a contact element projecting towards the mating contact arm. The mating contact arm can also have a mating contact element projecting towards the contact arm. The contact element and / or the mating contact element can, for example, be designed as a contact rivet. The contact element and / or the mating contact element can be mechanically or metallurgically bonded to the contact arm or the mating contact arm, e.g., by welding or brazing, or formed integrally with it, for example, by sputtering or by using a spring material electroplated with a precious metal and featuring an embossed contact lug. The contact arm and the mating contact arm can be spaced apart by a spacer in an area facing away from the actuation area where the actuator acts on the contact arm, in order to ensure reliable contact exclusively in the intended contact area of ​​the contact arm and the mating contact arm.

[0018] The contact arm and / or the mating contact arm can advantageously be designed as spring elements. This allows for smooth deflection and contacting according to a selected spring characteristic curve. Furthermore, the contact arm can automatically return to its original position when the actuator force is released. In particular, the spring elements can be designed as leaf springs, thus forming essentially flat contact elements with a low profile, enabling the creation of a low-profile monitoring switch. The leaf surfaces of the contact arm and the mating contact arm can face each other and, for example, run parallel to each other at least in sections.

[0019] Due to the design of the contact arm and / or the counter-contact arm as a spring element, the monitoring switch is particularly suitable for an arrangement in the direction of force of the contact arrangement, since a tolerance-related force overload on the switch contacts in the actuation area can be cushioned.

[0020] The contact arm and the counter-contact arm can be arranged to be axially or laterally displaceable relative to each other. This relative displaceability can be achieved through a suitable geometry of the contact arm or counter-contact arm, for example, a spring-loaded design with angles or bends, and a moving counter-contact. This relative displaceability allows for limited friction in the contact area between the contact arm and the counter-contact arm during contact, which can produce a beneficial cleaning effect in the contact area. This effectively removes any particle deposits that may have formed on the contact surfaces or prevents their formation in the first place.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the contact arm can have a bend or angle. This allows, for example, an actuation area of ​​the contact arm to be spatially separated from a contact area. Contact can thus be established even with a small displacement of the contact arm within the actuation area. The bend or angle can, for example, deflect the contact arm by an angle between 10° and 90°. In particular, the contact arm can also have two or more bends or angles, whereby two successive bends or angles can be opposite to each other. For example, the contact arm can be Z-shaped or have one or more Z-shaped sections.Furthermore, bends or angles can reduce the stiffness of the contact arm, thereby allowing a slight relative movement of the contact arm compared to the opposing contact arm. This enables limited friction in the contact area between the contact arm and the opposing contact arm, which can achieve a beneficial cleaning effect in the contact area. Any particle deposits that may have formed on the contact surfaces can thus be effectively removed or prevented from forming in the first place.

[0022] The contact arm can have an actuator receptacle. This enables a defined force to be applied to the contact arm by the actuator. The actuator receptacle can be located in an actuation area of ​​the contact arm where the actuator contacts the contact arm. In a simple embodiment, the actuator receptacle can be a recess in the contact arm into which the actuator can be inserted. Advantageously, however, the actuator receptacle can also be a separate protective element to protect the contact arm from wear. The actuator receptacle can, for example, be a dome-shaped protective element positioned on the contact arm, such as being recessed into a through-opening in the contact arm. The actuator receptacle can, for example, be made of a robust plastic and designed for frequent contact by the actuator.The actuator receptacle can achieve additional sealing of the monitoring switch's switching mechanism in the actuation area through its shape, for example a dome shape, and / or through its material, for example a plastic.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the monitoring switch can have a contact travel. This allows increased pressure of the contact arm on the mating contact arm, for example due to over-pressing, to be compensated for. For example, the contact travel can be formed by a mating contact arm that is either limitedly displaceable or elastically deflectable.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the monitoring switch can be configured as a normally closed (NC) switch. 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 circuit is opened. A monitoring switch configured as a normally closed (NC) switch exhibits low tolerance sensitivity and can, for example, compensate for tolerances in the contact arrangement. Furthermore, it allows for a lower load on the contact arm.

[0025] According to an alternative embodiment, the monitoring switch can be configured as a normally open switch. 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 NO (normally open) switching elements. When actuated, the circuit is closed.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the switching elements of the monitoring switch can also be designed as changeover switches to indicate a safely open state and a safely closed state.

[0027] The switch housing can be mounted and secured in the relay housing by suitable integrated or additional connecting means. For mounting, the switch housing can be inserted into a designated channel in the relay housing. The switch housing can also be screwed to the relay housing for secure fixation. According to an embodiment simplifying assembly, the switch housing can have a locking element and be configured to create a locking connection with a corresponding mating contour on the relay housing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the switch housing can have a positive locking contour for mating with a corresponding mating contour on the relay housing. The positive locking contour can, for example, be a recess or a protrusion on the outer contour of the switch housing that forms an undercut with a corresponding mating contour on the relay housing.This allows for a positive fit between the relay housing and the switch housing, ensuring that the switch housing is positioned particularly securely within the relay housing and protected against unwanted displacement that could impair monitoring quality. The switch housing can, for example, be adapted to existing, design-related protrusions or recesses in the relay housing, thus simultaneously optimizing installation space.

[0028] The invention also relates to a monitoring switch for an electromechanical relay, wherein the monitoring switch is configured according to one of the features described above. In particular, the monitoring switch comprises a switch housing. Furthermore, the switch housing can, for example, have an actuator guide, which can, for example, form a labyrinth at least partially. The monitoring switch can have a contact arm and a mating contact arm arranged in the switch housing, wherein the contact arm can be displaced onto the mating contact arm at least partially for contacting the latter. The contact arm and / or the mating contact arm can be configured 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 angle. The contact arm can have an actuator receptacle.The switch housing can have a form-fitting contour for mounting on a corresponding counter contour of the relay housing.

[0029] The presented monitoring switch also allows for the benefits of a safe, reliable and compact monitoring circuit for relays.

[0030] In general, in the context of this application, the words “a / an”, unless expressly defined otherwise, are not to be understood as a number, but as an indefinite article with the literal meaning of “at least one”.

[0031] The invention permits various embodiments and is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. They show schematically: Fig. 1 - a partial side sectional view of an electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 - a partial front-view sectional view of the electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 - a lateral sectional view of an electromechanical relay with a monitoring switch according to a second embodiment; Fig. 4 - an exploded view of the monitoring switch; Fig. 5 - a side sectional view of the monitoring switch; Fig. 6 - a perspective bottom view of the monitoring switch.

[0032] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows sectional views of an electromechanical relay 13, in particular a high-voltage relay, according to a first embodiment. The relay 13 shown has a relay housing 14 that encloses a contact chamber 23 in which a contact arrangement 15 is provided. The contact arrangement 15 has a contact element, not shown in detail in the section, but shown with the armature 16 in the second embodiment according to Figure 2. Fig. 3 comparable movable armatures 16 and a coil 17 for moving the armature 16.

[0033] For example, by appropriately energizing the coil 17, the armature 16 can be linearly displaced along a force direction F of the contact arrangement 15. A shaft 18 of the contact arrangement 15 is connected to the armature 16 and follows the armature movement, so that the shaft 18 can also be linearly displaced in the force direction F of the contact arrangement 15. This allows a contact bridge 12 connected to the shaft 18 to be moved towards relay contacts 19 fixedly arranged in the contact chamber 23, thus enabling contact between the contact bridge 12 and the relay contacts 19 and closing an electrical conduction path.When the coil 17 is de-energized, the direction of movement of the contact arrangement 15 reverses, so that the armature 16, the shaft 18 and the contact bridge 12 are moved back against the direction of force F of the contact arrangement 15 and contact between the contact bridge 12 and the relay contacts 19 is broken, so that the electrical conduction path is opened.

[0034] To monitor the switching state of relay 13, for example to distinguish between contact and non-contact of the contact bridge 12 with the relay contacts 19, a monitoring switch 20 is arranged in the relay housing 14. The monitoring switch 20 has switch contacts which are actuated by an actuator 9 connected to the contact arrangement 15 and which change the switching state of the monitoring switch 20, for example between an open and closed state or an electrically conductive and a non-conductive state.

[0035] The monitoring switch 20 has a switch housing 21 that is separate from the relay housing 14, thereby protecting the switch contacts inside the monitoring switch 20 and largely sealing them, for example, from the contact chamber 23. This provides a durable and robust monitoring switch 20 that can have a sensitive monitoring switching mechanism with low operating currents and voltages without being affected by interactions with interfering particles.

[0036] According to the illustrated embodiment, the relay housing 14 has an actuator guide 22 with 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 a guide structure. The actuator guide 22 ensures defined guidance of the actuator 9 and, in particular, in conjunction with the labyrinth 11, achieves a good seal between the monitoring switch 20 and the contact chamber 23. The actuator guide 22 can, for example, be a cylindrically shaped housing channel. It can be designed so that the actuator 9 is never completely withdrawn from the actuator guide 22 in any switching position of the relay 13, thus ensuring that the actuator 9 always reliably closes the actuator guide 22.The labyrinth 11 can act as a stop for the guide structure of the actuator 9, limiting the actuator 9's insertion depth to the maximum labyrinth depth and preventing further movement of the actuator 9 by the labyrinth wall. The labyrinth 11 can also function as a particle trap by featuring fine housing channels with at least one deflection point in which particles can be trapped.

[0037] For example, the one in Fig. As can be seen from the detailed illustration of the monitoring switch 20 shown in Figure 5, the switch housing 21 can also have, for example, a cylindrically shaped actuator guide 22 for targeted actuation of the switch contacts in the monitoring switch 20.

[0038] According to the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the first embodiment shown in Figure 2, the actuator 9 extends in a region 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 monitoring of the contact bridge. The monitoring switch 20 is arranged above the contact bridge 12 in a region of the relay housing 14 facing the stationary relay contacts 19 and projects as shown in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 2 shows the actuator positioned in a space between the relay contacts 19, thus providing a very compact monitoring solution that integrates well into the relay 13. The actuator 9 is connected to the contact bridge 12 and can be moved along the force direction F of the contact arrangement 15 towards the monitoring switch 20 to actuate its switch contacts. A return spring 10 allows the actuator 9 to automatically return to its original position, enabling a sensitive monitoring circuit with fast response times.

[0039] Fig. Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement of the monitoring switch 20 and thus illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. The contact arrangement 15 shown here has a comparable function to the contact arrangement 15 of the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, however, the monitoring switch 20 can also be arranged in a region of the relay housing 14 facing away from the contact bridge 12, here below the armature 16, with the contact bridge 12 being located above the armature 16. The terms above and below, or top and bottom, can refer, for example, to the force direction F of the contact arrangement 15, with the force direction F in the contacting position of the contact bridge 12 and relay contacts 19 corresponding to an upward movement.In the second embodiment shown, the actuator 9 is displaced directly by the armature 16, thus also enabling very direct switching position monitoring with a favorable reference surface provided by the armature. In other embodiments, actuation of the actuator 9 by the shaft 18 in this arrangement is also conceivable. The switch housing 21 has an actuator guide 22 with which the actuator 9 can be guided in a defined manner onto the switch contacts of the monitoring switch 20.

[0040] Based on the Fig. Sections 4 to 6 below describe the detailed construction of the monitoring switch 20 shown in the exemplary embodiments. The monitoring switch 20 has a two-part switch housing 21 with a switch housing base 6 and a switch housing cover 7. The switch contacts of the monitoring switch 20 are arranged in the switch housing 21. These contacts are designed as a contact arm 2 with a contact element 4, which is designed as a contact rivet, and a mating contact arm 1 with a mating contact element 3, which is also designed as a contact rivet. The contact arm 2 can be moved onto the mating contact arm 1 by means of the contact element 4 and the mating contact element 3, and in particular, can be pivoted onto it. The contact arm 2 and the mating contact arm 1 are designed as leaf springs and enable a very narrow and flat design of the monitoring switch 20 while allowing for smooth actuation due to the spring deflection of the contact arm 2.

[0041] The contact arm 2 can be moved onto the mating contact arm 1 by means of an actuator 9. For this purpose, the contact arm 2 has an actuator receptacle 5, which, as a dome-shaped protective insert, protects the contact arm 2 from wear and particle ingress. In addition, the switch housing 21 has a cylindrical actuator guide 22 facing the actuator receptacle 5. Furthermore, a spacer 8 is provided between the contact arm 2 and the mating contact arm 1 to ensure reliable contact between the contact arm 2 and the mating contact arm 2 exclusively in the area of ​​the contact elements 3, 4.

[0042] The switch contacts of the monitoring switch 20 can be configured as in Fig. Figure 1 shows that the elements are designed as normally open (NO) switching elements which only establish a closed circuit in the sense of contact when actuated by an actuator 9, so that the monitoring switch 20 is designed as a normally closed (NC) contact. Further embodiments are possible, as shown, for example, in Figure 1. Fig. Figure 3 also shows an NC configuration of the switching elements, in which the normally closed circuit of the monitoring switch 20 is interrupted by actuation, so that the monitoring switch 20 is configured as a normally closed contact. The switching state of the monitoring switch 20 can be read and further processed, for example displayed, by means of monitoring terminals 27 connected to the switch contacts via an evaluation circuit (not shown).

[0043] The contact arm 2 has several bends 24, which spatially separate the actuation area of ​​the contact arm 2 from the contact elements 3, 4 and form a Z-shape of the contact arm 2 in sections. This slightly reduces the spring stiffness of the contact arm 2 and allows a limited axial relative movement between the contact elements 3, 4, through which a self-cleaning effect of the contact elements 3, 4 can be achieved by means of frictional forces.

[0044] With the presented relay 13 and the monitoring switch 20, a safe, reliable and compact monitoring circuit for relay 13 can be achieved. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 214254280 U

[0005]

Claims

[1] An electromechanical relay (13) comprising a relay housing (14) enclosing a contact chamber (23) of the relay (13) and 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 fixed relay contacts (19) in the contact chamber (23), wherein a monitoring switch (20) with switch contacts for monitoring the switching state of the relay (13) is arranged in the relay housing (14), wherein the switch contacts can be actuated by an actuator (9) which can be displaced by means of the contact arrangement (15), characterized by that the monitoring switch (20) has a switch housing (21) separate from the relay housing (14). [2] Electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 1, characterized bythat 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] Electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuator guide (22) forms a labyrinth (11) at least in sections. [4] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator (9) extends in a region of the relay housing (14) facing the contact bridge (12) between the contact bridge (12) and the monitoring switch (20). [5] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the monitoring switch (20) is arranged between the relay contacts (19). [6] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the actuator (9) extends in an area of ​​the relay housing (14) facing away from the contact bridge (12) between the armature (16) or the shaft (18) and the monitoring switch (20). [7] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator (9) is made of a ceramic material. [8] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the monitoring switch (20) has a contact arm (2) and a counter-contact arm (1) as switch contacts, wherein the contact arm (2) can be displaced at least in sections onto the counter-contact arm (1) in order to make contact therewith. [9] Electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 8, characterized by that the contact arm (2) and / or the counter contact arm (1) is designed as a spring element. [10] Electromechanical relay (13) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized bythat the contact arm (2) and the counter contact arm (1) are arranged to be axially and / or laterally displaceable relative to one another. [11] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by that the contact arm (2) has a bend (24) or angulation. [12] Electromechanical relay (13) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by that the contact arm (2) has an actuator holder (5). [13] Monitoring switch (20) for an electromechanical relay (13) according to one of the preceding claims.

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