Emergency-stop switch and machine with an emergency-stop switch

Abstract

The invention relates to an emergency-stop switch (1) having: a switch mechanism (10) with a manually operable switch (11) and a first contact element (12) which is operatively connected to the switch (11), wherein the switch (11) is designed to bring the first contact element (12) into contact with a second contact element (14), when the switch (11) is operated, in order to trigger an emergency-stop function, and having a cable pull mechanism (20) with a switching tongue (21) which is guided in a switching tongue guide (22), wherein the switching tongue (21) is designed to be connected to a first end of a cable (30), wherein a switching tongue spring (24) prestresses the switching tongue (21) in a direction averted from the cable (30) during operation, wherein the cable (30) is connected, by way of its second end, to a compensation spring (31) with prestress during operation, wherein the first contact element (12) is operatively connected to the switching tongue (21) in such a way that the switching tongue (21) is guided in the direction toward the cable (30) and against a spring force of the switching tongue spring (24) in the switching tongue guide (22) when the prestressed cable (30) is pulled and, in the process, brings the first contact element (12) into contact with the second contact element (14) in order to trigger the emergency-stop function by means of the cable pull mechanism (20). The invention further relates to a machine with such an emergency-stop switch (1), wherein the second contact element (14) is connected to the machine in such a way that tripping of the emergency-stop function by means of the emergency-stop switch (1) triggers the situation of the machine being brought to a standstill.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an emergency stop switch and a machine with such an emergency stop switch.

[0002] Emergency stop switches known from the prior art typically have a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism comprises a switch connected to a first contact element. When the switch is actuated, the switch is configured to bring the first contact element into contact with a second contact element in order to trigger an emergency stop function via the switch mechanism. This brings a machine equipped with the emergency stop switch to a standstill.

[0003] WO 2008 / 047102 A1 discloses an emergency switch with a manually operable switch and a cable pull. GB 2 216 723 A discloses an emergency switch operable by means of a cable. DE 10 2010 060 506 A1 discloses a method for monitoring a switching device.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and safe emergency stop switch.

[0005] This object is achieved by an emergency stop switch having the features of patent claim 1. Accordingly, an emergency stop switch is proposed comprising: a switch mechanism with a manually operable switch and a first contact element rigidly operatively connected to the switch, wherein the switch is configured to bring the first contact element into contact with a second contact element upon actuation of the switch in order to trigger an emergency stop function, and a cable pull mechanism with a switching tongue guided in a switching tongue guide, wherein the switching tongue is configured to be connected to a first end of a cable, wherein a switching tongue spring pretensions the switching tongue in a direction opposite to the cable during operation, and wherein the cable is connected at its second end to a compensating spring in a pretensioned manner during operation, wherein the first contact element is operatively connected to the switching tongue in such a way thatthat when the pre-tensioned cable is pulled, the switching tongue is guided in the switching tongue guide in the direction of the cable and against a spring force of the switching tongue spring, thereby bringing the first contact element into contact with the second contact element in order to trigger the emergency stop function by means of the cable pull mechanism.

[0006] With the help of the emergency stop switch according to the invention, an emergency stop function can be triggered either by manually operating the switch using the switch mechanism or by pulling the cable using the cable pull mechanism. The emergency stop switch according to the invention thus provides two mechanisms for triggering the emergency stop function. This enables the operator to quickly and safely trigger the emergency stop function, adapted to the respective situation. When coupled to a machine, the emergency stop switch can be manually triggered by the machine operator or another person using the switch or the cable. This switches the machine from an operating mode to the emergency stop, thus bringing the machine to a standstill in a dangerous situation.

[0007] Furthermore, the cable pull mechanism provides an additional means of triggering the emergency stop function when the operator is not near the switch but is near the cable, which can be used, for example, to cordon off an area. This increases operability and ensures that the emergency stop switch will trigger the emergency stop correctly.

[0008] Since the switch mechanism and the cable pull mechanism are coupled to each other via the first contact element, the structure of the emergency stop switch according to the invention is compact and simple.

[0009] Operation refers to an operation of the emergency stop switch in which the switching tongue is connected to the first end of the cable, pre-tensioned to the compensating spring, and the cable is pre-tensioned to the compensating spring at its second end. The cable and / or the compensating spring can, in particular, be designed to be replaceable.

[0010] In particular, the switching tongue can be connected to the first end of the cable. Furthermore, in particular, the switching tongue can be pre-tensioned in the direction away from the cable by means of the switching tongue spring. Also, in particular, the cable can be connected to a compensating spring at its second end during operation, maintaining a pre-tension.

[0011] To preload the switching tongue by means of the switching tongue spring, the switching tongue can be placed against the switching tongue spring.

[0012] The second contact element can be part of a switching unit. The switching unit can trigger the emergency stop function when the second contact element is actuated. For this purpose, the second contact element can be configured to switch an electrical contact of the switching unit, thereby triggering the emergency stop function.

[0013] The rope can, in particular, be designed as a wire rope. This makes the rope robust and resistant to mechanical damage, thus reducing the risk of the rope breaking. Furthermore, the switching tongue can be connected to a rope eyelet. The rope can be attached to the eyelet, which is particularly simple and secure.

[0014] A plain bearing can be installed on the shift tongue guide. This allows for a defined and lubricated sliding of the shift tongue within the shift tongue guide.

[0015] It can be provided that the first contact element and the switching tongue are operatively connected to one another by means of an actuator. The actuator can in particular be designed such that it can be moved along the switching tongue. The actuator can in particular be designed to slide and / or roll along the switching tongue. The actuator can be arranged such that, in operating mode, it is in permanent contact with the first contact element and the switching tongue. Furthermore, the actuator can be mounted so as to be displaceable in the direction from the switching tongue to the second contact element, or in other words along a first axis along which the switching mechanism acts. By pulling the cable, the switching tongue is guided in its switching tongue guide and the actuator moves along the switching tongue and the first contact element, which in turn can move the first contact element towards the second contact element.

[0016] It can be provided that the actuator is designed as a drag roller. Alternatively, the actuator can be designed, for example, as a sliding element. The drag roller can be formed by a cylindrical body that is rotatably mounted on a longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical body. The drag roller can be arranged such that, in operating mode, it is in permanent contact with the first contact element and the switching tongue. Furthermore, the drag roller can be mounted so as to be displaceable in the direction from the switching tongue to the second contact element, or in other words along a first axis along which the switching mechanism acts. By pulling the cable, the switching tongue is guided in its switching tongue guide and the drag roller rolls along the switching tongue and the first contact element, which in turn can move the first contact element towards the second contact element.

[0017] It can be provided that the actuator is arranged in a recess in the switching tongue. The recess is designed such that, when the actuator is located in the recess, a distance exists between the first contact element, against which the actuator rests, and the second contact element. By pulling the cable, the switching tongue is guided in its switching tongue guide, and the actuator moves along the switching tongue and is moved out of the recess. The distance between the first contact element and the second contact element is reduced until the first contact element finally meets the second contact element, triggering the emergency stop function.

[0018] Because the first contact element and the switching tongue are operatively connected to one another by means of the actuator, in particular the drag roller, and in particular can be operatively connected to one another solely by means of the actuator, the contact between the first contact element and the second contact element established by pulling the rope is not interrupted when the rope is released. The switching tongue spring, which is compressed by pulling the rope, forces the switching tongue back into its original position before the rope was pulled, i.e. away from the rope. This however only moves the actuator back into the recess, while the first contact element continues to make contact with the second contact element. This ensures that the machine remains in the emergency stop once the emergency stop function has been triggered by pulling the rope. This prevents or even prevents the machine from being started up unintentionally by releasing the rope.The rope does not need to be held to ensure the machine stops. To return to the machine's operating mode or to deactivate the emergency stop, the switch on the switch mechanism simply needs to be pulled back or disengaged. The first contact element is also connected to the switch, so that when the emergency stop function is triggered by pulling the rope, the switch is also actuated or engaged. This ensures that the operating mode is not resumed until safe operation is possible.

[0019] It can be provided that the recess has two flanks running obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the switching tongue. The actuator can be designed to move upwards along a first flank of the two flanks when the cable is pulled and / or along a second flank of the two flanks when the cable breaks, in order to move the first contact element towards the second contact element. The two flanks can in particular be formed on a common side of the switching tongue. The two flanks can be arranged opposite one another. The two flanks can run or rise in opposite directions. There can be a distance between the two flanks. The distance can be formed by a straight section on the switching tongue. The flanks can in particular run obliquely to the longitudinal axis at an angle in the range of 15° to 75°, in particular in the range of 30° to 60°.This provides sufficient resistance to move the actuator.

[0020] It can also be provided that the recess is trapezoidal. The trapezoidal shape can have the flanks described above. In this sense, the recess represents a trapezoidal shape. It is advantageous but not necessary for the recess to correspond mathematically exactly to a trapezoidal shape. The trapezoidal recess in this sense does not have to be formed only from straight lines, but can also have rounded lines and rounded corners, as long as it represents a trapezoidal shape in the broadest sense. The trapezoidal shape enables easy movement of the actuator along a (straight or rounded) flank of the trapezoidal recess in the switching tongue. By means of inclined flanks of the trapezoidal shape, the distance between the first contact element and the second contact element can be set as a linear function depending on the guide path of the switching tongue, which enables a particularly simple design.A line of symmetry of the trapezoidal recess can be aligned with a first axis along which the switch mechanism operates. This ensures that the actuator sits optimally in the recess.

[0021] It can also be provided that the switching tongue spring is pre-tensioned. In particular, the switching tongue spring can be pre-tensioned with such a spring force that, when the cable breaks, the switching tongue spring guides the switching tongue in the switching tongue guide in the direction away from the cable so far that the actuator moves out of the recess. This is particularly advantageous if the recess is trapezoidal and / or has two flanks running obliquely to the longitudinal axis. This is because, on a first flank of the trapezoidal shape, the functionality for the emergency stop function is provided by pulling the cable, with the first actuator moving up along the first flank and moving the first contact element to the second contact element.And on a second flank of the recess, the functionality for the emergency stop function is provided by breaking the cable, with the actuator moving up the second slope and moving the first contact element toward the second contact element. Accordingly, the switching tongue spring can be preloaded with such a spring force that, upon breaking the cable, the switching tongue spring guides the switching tongue in the switching tongue guide in the direction away from the cable so far that the actuator moves out of the recess along the second flank.

[0022] A special feature is that if the pre-tensioned reed spring is released due to the cable breaking, the switch can no longer be reset or disengaged. This is because the reed is then retracted in the opposite direction along the cable, meaning that the actuator can no longer reach the recess due to a lack of pre-tension in the cable and the reed spring. It blocks the retraction of the switch by being located between the first contact element and the reed. This prevents the machine from being accidentally operated in operating mode by resetting the switch if the cable breaks. Consequently, the broken cable must first be replaced until operation can resume.

[0023] The switch can also be designed as a mushroom-head switch. The mushroom-head switch can be easily activated by pressing to trigger the emergency stop function, whereby it locks in the pressed position. The mushroom-head switch can also be easily released by pulling back to end the emergency stop or set the operating mode, in which case it is released.

[0024] It can also be provided that the first contact element is designed as a contact plate. This provides a large contact surface for contacting the second contact element. Furthermore, the actuator can move particularly well along the contact plate. The contact plate can, for example, be circular.

[0025] It can also be provided that the shift tongue spring is designed as a spiral spring arranged concentrically around the shift tongue. This allows for a particularly compact design of the cable pull mechanism.

[0026] It can also be provided that the shift tongue guide is formed in a shift tongue housing, wherein the shift tongue housing has a contact section against which the shift tongue spring rests. Resting against the contact section, the shift tongue spring can be easily compressed and tensioned when the cable is pulled, subsequently causing the shift tongue to reset. Furthermore, the formation of the contact section in the shift tongue housing also enables a compact design of the cable pull mechanism.

[0027] The shift tongue housing can be formed from a first shift tongue housing part and a second shift tongue housing part. The shift tongue can be fixed in the second shift tongue housing part by means of a fixing device, for example by means of a clamping pin. The fixing of the shift tongue by means of the clamping pin causes the second shift tongue housing part to be moved away from the first shift tongue housing part when the cable is pulled. This allows the shift tongue to be easily moved along the second axis. A bellows can be arranged between the shift tongue housing parts, which can expand and contract to follow the movement of the shift tongue and provide a dust seal.

[0028] The switching tongue can furthermore be provided with a support section on which the switching tongue spring is supported. The support section can be designed as a circumferential thickening of the switching tongue. In particular, the switching tongue spring can be supported against the support section by means of a disc spring. The switching tongue spring can thus be simply supported against the support section to enable compression. This also enables a compact design of the cable pull mechanism.

[0029] Furthermore, the shift tongue can have a guide pin guided in a longitudinal guide of the cable mechanism. The guide pin can be guided, in particular, in a longitudinal guide of the shift tongue housing. The longitudinal guide can be designed as an elongated recess in the shift tongue housing. The guide pin can be arranged, in particular, on the support section. This prevents twisting of the shift tongue and the cable.

[0030] Furthermore, the compensating spring can be firmly clamped in a clamping fixture during operation or be designed to be firmly clamped in a clamping fixture. This allows for easy pretensioning of the cable.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that a first axis, along which the switch mechanism acts, and a second axis, along which the cable mechanism acts, are arranged transversely, in particular orthogonally, to each other. This creates a compact structure in which both mechanisms interact with each other in a simple manner.

[0032] Finally, it can also be provided that the switch mechanism and the cable pull mechanism are arranged in a common housing of the emergency stop switch. The housing can furthermore have at least one opening. One opening can be intended for the switch, which can be mounted on the housing. In this respect, the switch can be easily operated from outside the housing. Furthermore, another opening can be intended for the switch tongue guide, a switch tongue housing and / or the cable. The switch tongue housing can also be mounted on the housing. This allows the cable to be easily pulled from outside the housing. The switch mechanism can in this case be fastened to the housing, in particular screwed, for example by means of a flange plate. The cable pull mechanism can in this case be fastened to the housing in such a way that the switch tongue housing is inserted into the opening in the housing with a form-fitting fit.This also enables a compact, safe and simple design of the emergency stop switch.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be provided that the switching tongue has a marking for setting a predetermined pre-tension of the cable, wherein the emergency stop switch has a viewing opening for reading the marking. In other words, a predetermined displacement of the switching tongue can be set. This allows the pre-tension of the cable to be manually set to a predetermined or, in other words, correct value. For example, the marking can be a circumferential groove or color marking on the switching tongue. The predetermined marking can be set when the marking is in a predetermined position that can be seen through the viewing opening. This position can be given, for example, when the marking is in the center of the viewing opening. Using the marking, the point of correct pre-tension can then be easily identified or read if it can be seen in the center of the viewing opening.The viewing opening can be designed, for example, as a circular recess, in particular with a sight glass. The viewing opening can be formed, in particular, in the switching tongue housing.

[0034] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a machine with the emergency stop switch, wherein the second contact element is connected to the machine in such a way that triggering the emergency stop function by means of the emergency stop switch causes the machine to stop.

[0035] Thus, the second contact element can be connected to a switching unit of the machine, as mentioned above, or the switching unit can be part of the emergency stop switch and connected to a power supply unit or another supply unit of the machine in order to trigger an emergency stop function.

[0036] Further details and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, on the basis of which an embodiment of the invention is described and explained in more detail.

[0037] They show: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an emergency stop switch in a partially cutaway, perspective side view; and Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a part of the emergency stop switch from Fig. 1 .

[0038] The emergency stop switch 1 is located in the Fig. 1 in an operating mode. The operating mode is a mode in which the emergency stop function is not triggered and a machine equipped with emergency stop switch 1 is operating properly, in particular, is supplied with power.

[0039] The emergency stop switch 1 has a housing 2. A switch mechanism 10 and a cable pull mechanism 20 are accommodated in the housing 2 of the emergency stop switch 1.

[0040] The switch mechanism 10 has a switch 11, which in the present embodiment is designed as a mushroom-head switch. The switch 11 is rigidly connected to a first contact element 12 by means of a connecting part 13. The first contact element 12 is designed here as a round contact plate 12. The switch 11 can be actuated in the direction X.1 along the first axis X.

[0041] When the switch 11 is actuated due to an emergency, the connecting part 13 and the first contact element 12 are displaced in the direction X.1 along the first axis X. As the contact plate 12 moves, it contacts a second contact element 14 of a switching unit 15 arranged on a side wall of the housing 2. This triggers an emergency stop function. For example, in a machine with a power supply, the power supply to the machine can be interrupted by executing the emergency stop function. This brings the machine to a standstill.

[0042] To deactivate the emergency stop function or return to operating mode, the switch 11 can be reset in direction X.2 along the first axis X. This action releases the contact between the contact plate 12 and the second contact element 14, thereby placing the switching unit 15 into operating mode.

[0043] The cable pull mechanism 20 has a switching tongue 21 and a cable 30. The switching tongue 21 is connected to the first end of the cable 30 by means of a cable eye 29. Furthermore, the switching tongue 21 is guided in a switching tongue guide 22. The switching tongue guide 22 is presently formed in a switching tongue housing 23. The switching tongue housing 23 encloses the switching tongue 21 in a section close to the cable 30 and leaves the switching tongue 21 free in a section remote from the cable 30.

[0044] A shift tongue spring 24 of the cable mechanism 20 is arranged concentrically around the shift tongue 21. The shift tongue spring 24 is supported against a support section 25 of the shift tongue 21. In this case, the shift tongue spring 24 is designed as a compression spring. In this case, the support section 25 is designed as a circumferential thickening of the shift tongue 21. Furthermore, the shift tongue spring 24 is placed against a contact section 26. The contact section 26 is formed in a shift tongue housing 23.

[0045] The cable 30 is further connected at its second end to a compensating spring 31. The compensating spring 31 is clamped in a fixed clamp 32. The compensating spring 31 pre-tensions the cable 30. When the cable 30 is pre-tensioned, the switching tongue spring 24 is compressed between the support section 25 and the contact section 26 and thus pre-tensioned.

[0046] The switching tongue 21 further comprises a trapezoidal recess 27 with two flanks F.1, F.2 (see Fig. 2 ). The cable pull mechanism 20 has an actuator 28 arranged in the trapezoidal recess 27 in operating mode. The actuator 28 is mounted displaceably along the second axis Y. In this case, the actuator 28 is designed as a drag roller 28. In this case, the drag roller 28 is mounted on the connecting part 13 of the switch mechanism 10. A longitudinal center axis of the drag roller 28, designed as a rotational axis, coincides with the first axis X of the switch mechanism 10.

[0047] If the cable 30 is now pulled in any direction along the first axis X, the second axis Y, or the third axis Z, which are each orthogonal to one another, when the emergency stop switch 1 is in the operating mode, the switching tongue 21 is pulled along its switching tongue guide 22 in the direction Y.2 along the second axis Y and against the spring resistance of the pre-tensioned switching tongue spring 24. As a result, the switching tongue 21 is displaced in the direction Y.2 relative to the drag roller 28 and the contact plate 12. In the process, the trapezoidal recess 27 with the switching tongue 21 moves relative to the drag roller 28 in the direction Y.2 along the second axis Y. Accordingly, the drag roller 28 rolls onto the first flank F.1 of the trapezoidal recess 27 near the free end of the switching tongue 21 and thereby moves in the direction X.1 along the first axis X.The towing roller 28 also rolls on the contact plate 12 and pushes it toward the second contact element 14 until the contact plate 12 and the second contact element 14 make contact. This triggers the emergency stop function via the cable mechanism 20.

[0048] If the cable 30 is now released by the operator who pulled it, the switching tongue spring 24, which is further pretensioned against the spring resistance, pushes the switching tongue 21 back in the direction Y.1 along the second axis Y until the towing roller 28 moves along the first flank F.1 and in the direction X.2 along the first axis X in order to once again reach the center of the recess 27. The cable 30, which is again tensioned by the compensating spring 31, prevents the towing roller 28 from moving further in the direction Y.2 along the second axis Y, including over the second slope. The contact plate 12 remains on the second contact element 14, so that despite the cable being released, the operating mode does not begin because the towing roller 28 is not firmly connected to the contact plate 12, but merely contacts it when the emergency stop function is triggered.

[0049] To deactivate the emergency stop function or return to operating mode, switch 11 must also be reset in direction X.2 along the first axis X. This process releases the contact between the contact plate 12 and the second contact element 14, thereby switching the switching unit 15 into operating mode.

[0050] In addition to triggering the emergency stop function by pressing switch 11 and pulling the cable 30, the emergency stop switch 1 has a third possibility for triggering the emergency stop function. This third possibility is if the cable 30 breaks. For safety reasons, the emergency stop function is activated in this case.

[0051] If the cable 30 breaks, the pre-tension of the cable 30 by means of the compensating spring 31 on the switching tongue 21 is no longer effective. This completely releases the pre-tensioned switching tongue spring 24, so that this pre-tension is also released and the switching tongue spring 24 returns the switching tongue 21 to its maximum in direction Y.1 along the second axis Y. In the process, the drag roller 28 rolls along the second flank F.2 (see Fig. 2 ) of the trapezoidal recess 27 and presses the contact plate 12 against the second contact element 14, thereby triggering the emergency stop function.

[0052] The towing roller 28 is then located in the direction Y.2 along the second axis Y behind the trapezoidal recess 27 and between the switching tongue 21 and the contact plate 12. Unlike when the cable 30 is pulled, the towing roller 28 no longer returns to the recess 27 after the cable 30 is released, since there is no pretension available from the cable 30 that would guide the switching tongue 21 in the direction Y.2 along the second axis Y. Furthermore, the switching tongue spring 24 would also have to be overcome in order to bring the recess 27 in front of the towing roller 28. The towing roller 28 thus blocks the retraction of the mushroom head switch 11. For safety reasons, this prevents the emergency stop switch 1 from being unlocked if the cable 30 breaks. The broken cable 30 must be replaced in order to make the emergency stop switch 1 operational again so that it can be put into operating mode.

[0053] How Figur 2 in the view of a longitudinal section through the switching tongue 21 including the switching tongue housing 23 of the emergency stop switch 1 from Fig. 1 shows, the switching tongue 21 is designed as an actuating bolt, which is guided in the switching tongue guide 22 in the switching tongue housing 23. At its end opposite the trapezoidal recess 27, the switching tongue 21 is provided with the cable eye 29 for connection to the cable 30 (see Fig. 1 ) tied together.

[0054] The trapezoidal recess 27 has the first flank F.1 and the second flank F.2, which are formed on a common side of the switching tongue 21. The flanks F.1, F.2 are formed in opposite directions, obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis L of the switching tongue 21. Between the flanks F.1, F.2 is a central section of the recess 27, which in this case runs straight and in which the towing roller 28 is located when the cable 30 is not pulled and is not broken.

[0055] Furthermore, the switching tongue housing 23 is formed from a first switching tongue housing part 23.1 and a second switching tongue housing part 23.2. The switching tongue 21 is fixed in the second switching tongue housing part 23.2, which is close to the cable eyelet 29, by means of a clamping pin 33. The first switching tongue housing part 23.1 is close to the trapezoidal recess 27 and encompasses the switching tongue spring 24. The fixing of the switching tongue 21 by means of the clamping pin 21 causes the second switching tongue housing part 23.2 to be moved away from the first switching tongue housing part 23.1 when the cable 30 is pulled. This allows the switching tongue 21 to move along the second axis Y.

[0056] A bellows 35 is arranged between the shift tongue housing parts 23.1, 23.2, which can expand and contract to follow the movement of the shift tongue 21 and provide a seal against escaping oil from a sliding bearing 34 and the shift tongue guide 22. The sliding bearing 34 is formed in the first shift tongue housing part 23.1 and enables the shift tongue 21 to slide in the shift tongue guide 22.

[0057] In addition, the switching tongue 21, which is coaxially surrounded by the switching tongue spring 24 designed as a compression spring, is provided with a sleeve 36 and supported against the support section 25 by means of a spring plate 37. The support section 38 has a guide pin 38. The guide pin 38 extends in a direction Z.2 along the third axis Z. The guide pin 38 is guided in a longitudinal guide of the switching tongue housing 23, as shown in Fig. 1is partially visible. The longitudinal guide is designed as an elongated recess in the switching tongue housing 23, in particular in the first switching tongue housing part 23.1. This prevents twisting of the switching tongue 21 and the cable 30.

[0058] Furthermore, the shift tongue housing 23 has a viewing opening 40 for reading a marking 21 arranged on the shift tongue 21. The marking 21 is arranged at a position along the shift tongue 21 such that when the marking 21 is located in the center of the viewing opening 40, a predetermined pretension of the cable 30 is set.

Claims

1. An emergency stop switch (1), having: - a switch mechanism (10) with a manually operable switch (11) and with a first contact element (12) which is rigidly operatively connected to the switch (11), wherein the switch (11) is configured, upon actuation of the switch (11), to bring the first contact element (12) into contact with a second contact element (14) to trigger an emergency stop function, and - a cable mechanism (20) with a switch tongue (21) guided in a switch tongue guide (22), wherein the switch tongue (21) is configured to be connected to a first end of a cable (30), wherein a switch tongue spring (24) preloads the switch tongue (21) during operation in a direction away from the cable (30), wherein the cable (30) is connected on its second end with preload to an equalizing spring (31) during operation, wherein the first contact element (12) is operatively connected to the switch tongue (21) in such a way that the switch tongue (21), when the preloaded cable (30) is pulled, is guided in the switch tongue guide (22) in the direction of the cable (30), opposing a spring force of the switch tongue spring (24), and in the process brings the first contact element (12) into contact with the second contact element (14) in order to trigger the emergency stop function by means of the cable pull mechanism (20).

2. The emergency stop switch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first contact element (12) and the switch tongue (21) are operatively connected to each other by means of an actuator (28).

3. The emergency stop switch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuator (28) is designed as an idler wheel.

4. The emergency stop switch (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the actuator (28) is arranged in a recess (27) in the switch tongue (21).

5. The emergency stop switch (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (27) has two flanks (F.1, F.2) running obliquely to a longitudinal axis (L) of the switch tongue (21).

6. The emergency stop switch (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the recess (27) is trapezoidal.

7. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch tongue spring (24) is preloaded.

8. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch tongue spring (24) is designed as a spiral spring which is arranged concentrically around the switch tongue (21).

9. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch tongue guide (22) is formed in a switch tongue housing (23), and the switch tongue housing (23) has a contact portion (26) against which the switch tongue spring (24) is applied.

10. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch tongue (21) has a support portion (25) on which the switch tongue spring (24) is supported.

11. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch tongue (21) has a guide bolt (38) guided in a longitudinal guide of the cable pull mechanism (20).

12. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during operation, the equalizing spring (31) is firmly clamped in a clamp (32) or is configured to be firmly clamped in a clamp (32).

13. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first axis (X) along which the switch mechanism (10) acts and a second axis (Y) along which the cable mechanism (20) acts are transverse, in particular orthogonal, to each other.

14. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch mechanism (10) and the cable pull mechanism (20) are arranged in a single housing (2) of the emergency stop switch (1).

15. The emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch tongue (21) has a marking (41) for adjusting a predetermined preload of the cable (30), the emergency stop switch (1) having a viewing port (40) for reading the marking (41).

16. A machine having an emergency stop switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second contact element (14) is connected to the machine in such a way that triggering the emergency stop function by means of the emergency stop switch (1) causes the machine to stop.

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