Snap-action switch element with opener or closer contact

Abstract

The invention relates to a snap-action switch element (100) with an opener contact, comprising a housing (10), a first and second contact point (61; 62) which are fixed to the housing, a contact arm (43) which can be moved between a rest position and a switch position, and an actuation element (20) which is guided in the housing (10) and by means of which the contact arm (43) can be moved between the rest position and the switch position. A switch rocker (30) is rotatably arranged at one end about a rocker rotational axis (12) running transversely to the housing longitudinal axis, wherein a tension spring (70) is hooked on a spring suspension section (34) at the other end of the switch rocker (30). The actuation element (20) is guided perpendicularly to the housing longitudinal axis and is in engagement with the switch rocker (30) between the two free ends thereof. The second contact point (62) which is fixed to the housing constitutes a contact arm rotational axis which is parallel to the rocker rotational axis (12) and against which one end of the contact arm (43) is pressed by the tension spring (70) hooked into the contact arm (43), wherein the other end of the contact arm (43) contacts the first contact point (61) in the rest position. In the case of a closer contact, the first contact point is arranged in a spaced manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a snap-action switching element according to claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A number of snap-action switching elements are known from the prior art. DE 43 16 068 A1 uses a one-piece round wire as a snap-action switching element, which can be transferred from one switching position to another via an actuating element guided in the housing of the snap-action switch, with this switching position being held. EP 3 312 861 A1 discloses another snap-action switching element in which the actuating element engages a spring that controls a rocker switch. A return spring provided inside the actuating element returns the actuating element to its original position.

[0003] DE 43 03 589 A1 discloses a cascaded snap-action switching element with a normally closed or normally open contact with a bistable behavior with two spring-operated rockers connected in series, wherein the first spring is pressed through as an actuating spring by pressing down the actuating element, whereby an actuating rocker is then pivoted, with which the second stage is then triggered.

[0004] JP2008047317A shows a snap-action switching element with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] A similar system is known from JPS60134245U, in which the plunger acts as an actuating element and presses directly onto an L-shaped actuating rocker, which acts on a switching rocker via a spring and switches the movable contact between two fixed contacts.

[0006] CN207542118U discloses a microswitch with a forced disconnection. A button triggers an elastic element and a movable contact piece. Once the switch position is reached, the triggering is forced, with a separator ensuring the separation of the normally closed contact from the movable contact.

[0007] US 2,509,194 A shows a changeover switch with a stop for the actuating rocker formed by a screwable screw.

[0008] State-of-the-art snap-action switching elements have the disadvantage of not providing the user with an optimal tactile switching experience. In most cases, annoying bouncing of the switching contact cannot be ruled out. Automatically and safely releasing the switch from the switching position back to the rest position can usually only be achieved with complex designs and additional components. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an improved snap-action switching element with a normally closed or normally closed contact, which eliminates disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] A snap-action switching element with a normally closed or normally open contact according to the invention comprises a housing, a first and a second contact point fixed to the housing, a contact arm movable between a rest position and a switching position, and an actuating member guided in the housing, with which the contact arm can be moved between the rest position and the switching position. A rocker switch is arranged at one end so as to be rotatable about a rocker rotation axis running transversely to the housing's longitudinal axis, with a tension spring suspended at the other free end of the rocker switch from a spring suspension section. The actuating member is guided perpendicular to the housing's longitudinal axis and engages with the rocker switch between the two ends.The second contact point, which is fixed to the housing, represents a contact arm rotation axis parallel to the rocker's rotation axis, against which one free end of the contact arm is pressed by the tension spring suspended in the contact arm. The other end of the contact arm contacts the first contact point in the rest position for a normally closed contact and is arranged at a distance from the first contact point in the rest position for a normally open contact. The actuating element has a rocker bearing opening provided transversely to its direction of movement, into which a rocker bearing actuating section provided transversely to a main plane of the rocker engages, allowing a compact design of the rocker and actuating element side by side in the housing.In this case, side by side means that the pivoting movement of the rocker switch is achieved via a substantially horizontally aligned rocker bearing actuating section, the longitudinal axis of which is perpendicular to the main axis of the actuating element.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the rocker switch has a driver which, in the rest position, projects beyond the contact arm from below in such a way that, when the rocker switch moves into its switching position before reaching the switching position, in particular in the switching position, it engages with the contact arm from above and pivots it downwards in an actively guided manner if the contact arm does not move between the rest position of the actuating member and the engagement of the driver due to the contact point of the contact arm adhering to the first contact point.

[0012] The length of the tension spring, the distance between the suspension opening in the contact arm and the contact arm rotation axis, as well as the distance between the spring suspension section and the rocker rotation axis are advantageously predetermined so that the torque acting on the rocker switch in the rest position, in the switching position and in the positions in between of the actuating element is always directed upwards, so that the actuating element moves back to the rest position without its actuation.

[0013] These features can be implemented with both a normally closed and a normally open switching element. In both cases, the linear movement of the actuating shaft is transmitted approximately centrally to the rocker switch between its ends. These are sometimes also referred to as free ends, even if they are supported by bearings.

[0014] In the case of a normally closed switching element in particular, function is ensured if the switching rocker has a driver. This driver can comprise at least one horn, ideally two horns to the left and right of the contact arm. A continuous web can also be provided so that the contact arm projects through the passage formed by the web. This contour then projects over the contact arm from below in the rest position in such a way that when the switching rocker moves into the switching position before this switching position is reached, in particular already at or shortly after the switching position is reached, it can engage with the contact arm from above and actively pivot this downwards if the contact arm does not move between the rest position of the actuating element and the engagement due to the contact point of the contact arm adhering to the first contact point.This ensures the circuit in all cases and functionally means a forced separation.

[0015] The rocker bearing actuating section can therefore be a transversely arranged bolt that is inserted into a corresponding receptacle in the rocker switch. It can also be a rocker bearing actuating section that is integrally connected to the rocker switch and engages with the actuating element via a rocker bearing opening, in particular through a substantially horizontally aligned elongated hole with two opposing parallel central regions in the actuating element. The bolt can be cylindrical, but can also be integrally connected to either the rocker or the plunger, or have a positive connection with them. There must be sufficient play in the respective complementary element to combine the vertical movement of the plunger with the pivoting movement of the rocker switch.

[0016] Then, an upper rest position stop can be provided between the rocker bearing actuating section and the spring suspension section. And / or a support section for the contact arm can be provided between the rocker rotation axis and the rocker bearing actuating section, in particular against which the underside of the contact arm rests after exceeding the switching position, thereby preventing mechanical bouncing against the stop.

[0017] The contact arm can have a rocker switch receiving opening extending from the free end containing the contact arm's rotation axis, and a separate spring end receiving opening adjacent to this opening. Such a central linkage to the contact arm prevents unwanted transverse forces.

[0018] The contact arm can then advantageously have a reinforcing U-shape in cross-section in the longitudinal direction at least in the area of ​​the rocker switch receiving opening and the spring end receiving opening, so that it becomes torsionally rigid and only rotates around the axis groove.

[0019] The rocker switch may have a receiving opening and a rocker bearing actuating section inserted into this receiving opening, with which the actuating member engages with the rocker switch between the two ends of the rocker switch.

[0020] The rocker switch can also have two transversely running upper and lower receiving openings. In this case, the rocker switch actuation section is a bolt or cylinder inserted into one of the receiving openings, for example, the upper one. This is particularly advantageous when a double switching element is being provided, where as many components as possible should be standardized. In this case, the other, lower, receiving opening optionally already has a partition in the center. This design forms a laterally designed double switching element.

[0021] Such a double snap-action switching element is based on a single snap-action switching element in which the side wall of the housing has a substantially vertically oriented housing groove in the region of the lower receiving opening of the switching rocker in the side wall, so that a connecting shaft is inserted into the other, here lower receiving opening. The above-mentioned partition wall is advantageous because the connecting shaft cannot move transversely. A further pair of contact points fixed to the housing, a further contact arm, a further switching rocker, and a further tension spring are then provided in a housing extension, each of which is arranged behind said side wall in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis parallel to the first contact points fixed to the housing, the first contact arm, the first switching rocker, and the first tension spring. The movement of the two switching rockers is synchronized by the connecting shaft.This means that only one actuator is needed to safely operate two separate circuits.

[0022] It can also be a single receiving opening and the connecting shaft can then either be integrated in one piece into the rocker bearing actuating section or the rocker bearing actuating section and connecting shaft are arranged one behind the other in the single receiving opening, as seen from the side of the actuating member.

[0023] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a snap-action switching element with a break contact in the rest position according to a first embodiment without the front side wall; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the snap-action switching element according to Fig. 1 in switched position; Fig. 3 a partially sectioned view of the snap-action switching element according to Fig. 1 at the switching point; Fig. 4 a perspective partial view of a snap-action switching element according to a second embodiment with coupled contacts; Fig. 5 a switching sequence force-displacement diagram for a snap-action switching element with a normally closed contact; Fig. 6 a partially sectioned view of a snap-action switching element with a normally open contact according to a third embodiment without the front side wall and with otherwise the same features as in the first embodiment according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 a perspective partial view of a snap-action switching element according to a fourth embodiment with coupled contacts;. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a snap-action switching element with break contact 100 in the rest position according to a first embodiment without the front side wall of the housing 10. Fig. 2 then shows a perspective view of the snap-action switching element after Fig. 1 in switched position, while Fig. 3 a partially sectioned view of the snap-action switching element according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in the switching position.

[0026] The housing 10 has an upper housing passage 11 on the top side and another lower housing passage 11' on the bottom side. The openings 11 and 11' lie one above the other and define an actuating axis along which the actuating member 20, as an actuating shaft, is movable in the longitudinal direction of this axis. The actuating shaft 20 has an upper head section 23 and a lower guided section 24, between which a rocker bearing opening 22 is located. The rocker bearing opening 22 is, in particular, an opening in the form of a substantially horizontally oriented elongated hole in the actuating member 20. The horizontal orientation of the elongated hole accommodates the slight transverse pivoting movement of the switching rocker 30 during its movement. Instead of such an elongated hole, the rocker bearing opening 22 can also have a different shape that allows horizontal play for the movement of the rocker bearing actuating section 33.The rocker bearing opening 22 can have a vertical height to allow movement of the rocker bearing actuating section 33 during the switching process in the direction of the actuating member 20. The upper head section 23 has a T-shaped actuating head in plan view. The T-shaped flanks are widened and beveled in the direction of the actuating axis. The housing 10 has, in the . Fig. 1 guide ribs (not shown) for the actuating element 20. This also includes the T-shaped upper housing passage 11, which is designed with clearance for the actuating head 21.

[0027] A first conductive contact 41 is arranged in the housing 10. The contact 41 is a multiply bent flat metal component, which in side view has a substantially C-shape. One free end of the first contact 41 is accessible from outside the housing 10 and, in the embodiment according to Fig. 1between two housing side wall sections 13. A cable can be connected between the clamping plate 51 and the first contact 41 via a clamping plate 51, which is pressed onto the first contact 41 by a clamping screw 52. At the other free end of the first contact 41, on the side facing away from the housing inner wall, a contact 61 is provided. The C-shaped contact 41 is held in a positive or non-positive engagement by contact support ribs 15 and counter ribs 16 at the Fig. 1 held in the position shown.

[0028] A second conductive contact 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 on the opposite side of the actuating member 20. Here, too, a free end of the second contact 42 can be connected to an external line by means of a clamping plate 51 and screw 52. The second conductive contact 42 is also inserted into the housing 10 near the inner wall of the housing in an approximately C-shape with contact support ribs 15 and counter ribs 16. However, in the upper region at its opposite second free end, it has a bearing groove 62 in side view. The orientation of the bearing groove 62 is horizontal with respect to the vertically oriented actuating member 20. In other words, the bearing groove 62 is oriented transversely or across the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.

[0029] The switching connection of the first conductive contact 41 to the second conductive contact 42 is established by the mounted contact arm 43. Like the first-mentioned contacts 41 and 42, the contact arm 43 is a metal component, but has some additional features. The end projecting into the bearing groove 62 can be tapered and, in particular, rounded. This end projecting into the bearing groove 62 is preferably held laterally against transverse displacement by ribs 16 of the housing 10. Adjacent to the end of the contact arm 43 projecting into the bearing groove 62 is a rocker receiving opening 45, to which a separate spring receiving opening 44 is connected. The contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43 is provided at the opposite free end and can, in particular, be designed as a contact bead inserted into a further opening.

[0030] The length of the contact arm 43 is selected in the housing such that when a free end engages in the bearing groove 62, the contact point 63 can be brought into conductive contact with the first contact point 61. In this Fig. 1 In the rest position shown, the contact arm 43 is arranged slightly inclined, with the area of ​​the free end of the contact point 63 being arranged slightly higher than the free end of the bearing groove 62. This position is maintained until the Fig. 3 Maintain the switching position shown.

[0031] When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the contact arm 43, it is advantageously U-shaped in the areas having the openings 44 and 45, thus having, for example, lateral wings in the original form, which are then folded into this U-shape in order to reinforce the structure of the contact arm 43.

[0032] A transversely extending rocker bearing 12 protruding from the side wall is provided in the housing 10, onto which a rocker 30 with its bearing opening 31 is placed. For short switching travels, the rocker bearing actuating section 33 on the rocker 30 is advantageously provided at approximately the same height as the rocker bearing 12. The rocker bearing actuating section 33 is a transversely oriented bolt, in particular a cylindrical section, in short a cylindrical pin, which is inserted into the rocker bearing opening 22 of the actuating member 20.

[0033] Thus, the rocker switch 30 is divided into two sections, namely the bearing-side section 35 located between the rocker switch bearing 12 and the actuating section 33 and the spring-side section 36 located on the other side. On the bearing-side section 35, two laterally raised horns 32 are provided which rise above the contact arm 43 to the left and right thereof and, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 3 can be seen, are positioned at a distance above the contact arm 43.

[0034] The spring-side section 36 has a spring suspension section 34, in particular a short transversely extending shaft with a circumferential groove for receiving a spring end. The spring-side section 36 can also have a stop that, in the rest position, abuts against the inner wall of the housing 10 from below. The spring suspension section 34 is designed to be narrow enough in the transverse direction to be able to pass through the rocker receiving opening 45. This optional stop can be guided alongside the contact arm 43, like the horns 32, or through the opening 45.

[0035] A tension spring 70 is suspended with one free end from the spring suspension section 34 and suspended with its other free end in the spring receiving opening 44 of the contact arm 43, so that with its spring force it pulls the contact arm 43 with its free end, which is designed as a bearing, into the bearing groove 62 and holds it therein. The longitudinal axis of the spring 70, as can be seen from the Fig. 1 clearly aligned from bottom left to top right and thus exactly opposite to the alignment of the contact arm which is aligned slightly downwards from top left to bottom right.

[0036] This description therefore leads to the switching process, in which in the rest position the Fig. 1the actuating member 20 is pressed down. As a result, the rocker bearing opening 22 is moved downwards towards the lower housing opening 11', which results in a tilting of the switching rocker 30 about the axis of rotation defined by the switching rocker bearing 12. In the process, the rocker bearing actuating section 33 moves downwards and at the same time slightly in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The switching rocker 30 pulls down the suspended section 71 of the spring 70 with its spring suspension section 34, whereby the spring rotates around the inner edge of the spring receiving opening 44 until the position of the Fig. 2 in which the longitudinal direction of the spring 70 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the contact arm 43.

[0037] If the actuating element 20 is pressed further down in the direction of the switching position Fig. 2the spring suspension section 34 moves further downwards and generates a torque around the bearing groove 62, so that the contact point 63 of the contact arm 43 detaches from the contact point 61 of the first contact 41 and the contact arm 43 is interlaced around the bearing groove 62 and comes to rest with its underside on the support surface 37 on the bearing rocker 30.

[0038] The stroke required for this movement by the actuating element 20 is less than 0.3 millimeters for typical sizes of the snap-action switch element 100. This force also prevents bouncing. If contact points 61 and 63 have become stuck together, the horns 31 come into contact with the contact arm 42 from above when the rocker switch 30 moves downwards and pull it downwards in a forced separation, safely breaking any sticking between contact points 61 and 63.

[0039] In the in the Fig. 3In the end position shown, the moment acting on the rocker switch 30 is still directed upwards, ie when the actuating member 20 is released, the rocker switch moves back to the initial position of the rest position after Fig. 1 In the initial position of the rest position, the tension spring 70 exerts an upward torque in addition to the connection of the two mounted parts, rocker switch 30 and mounted contact arm 43, so that the switched rocker switch 30 abuts the top wall of the housing from below with the aforementioned section 36.

[0040] The Fig. 4 shows a perspective partial view of another snap-action switching element 200 according to a second embodiment with coupled contacts. This is also designed as a normally closed contact. However, it can be used analogously to Fig. 6can also be designed as a double normally open contact. In addition to the contacts 41, 42 and 43 from the first embodiment, of which only a part of the contact arm 43 is shown here, there are corresponding contacts, of which Fig. 4 only contacts 142 and 143 are shown. However, it is clearly evident that in the embodiment of the snap-action switching element 200, two identically constructed snap-action switching elements 100 are arranged side by side, whereby the differences will now be pointed out in this description.

[0041] The Fig. 4The housing half 10 shown on the left is constructed like the snap-action switching element 100 and includes the actuating member 20. The housing half 10 is modified in that it has a housing groove 17 on the side facing away from the actuating member 20. In addition to the rocker bearing actuating section 33, which is located in an upper receiving opening 38, the switching rocker 30 also has a lower receiving opening 138, in which a connecting shaft 133 is inserted on the side facing away from the actuating member 20.

[0042] When describing the Fig. 1It has been left open whether the rocker bearing actuating section 33 is designed as one piece with the switching rocker or, as in this case with the embodiment of the snap-action switching element 200, takes the form of a bolt. To simplify the inventory of components, the switching rocker 30 can also have the two-tiered receiving openings 38 and 138 in the case of the embodiment of the snap-action switching element 100, although only the upper opening 38 is used.

[0043] The upper receiving opening 38 has a shoulder that narrows the inner diameter and serves as a stop for the rocker bearing actuating section 33. This can also be replaced by a partition, as in the lower receiving opening 138, and conversely, the partition can be replaced by corresponding oppositely aligned shoulders that narrow the inner diameter. In other embodiments, the arrangement of top and bottom can be reversed accordingly, so that the connecting shaft is inserted into an upper receiving opening 38 and, accordingly, the essentially vertically oriented housing groove 17 is designed further up or simply larger. In the case of the embodiment of the snap-action switching element 200, the connecting shaft 133 projects through the aforementioned housing groove 17 of the housing 10 into the lower receiving opening 138 of the rocker switch 130, which is constructed identically to the rocker switch 30.Advantageously, the lower receiving opening 138 is optionally divided into two blind holes by a centrally arranged wall, so that the inserted connecting shaft 133 cannot move transversely. In the switching rocker 130, the upper receiving opening 38 remains empty, because the switching process is carried out by the single actuating element 20 via the rocker bearing actuating section 33. The identical structure around the switching rockers 30 and 130 results in a similarly supported switching process, since the springs 70 are suspended in an identical position between the contact arms 43 or 143 and the spring suspension sections 34 of the switching rockers 30 and 130, respectively, so that the contact arms 43, 143 are arranged in the bearing grooves 62 of the second contacts 42, 142.

[0044] The Fig. 5 shows a switching sequence force-displacement diagram for a snap-action switching element with a normally closed contact, ie for a snap-action switching element 100 according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3. Since the mechanism of the double snap-action switching element 200 with break contact according to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 identical, this diagram also applies to this version. The same will apply in connection with the description of the Fig. 6 , which shows an embodiment with a snap-action switching element with a normally open contact 400. Reference numeral 301 denotes the X-axis, which represents the path of the actuating shaft 20 from the rest position, shown on the left at the origin, to the point of complete depression at the right end of the diagram. Reference numeral 300 denotes the Y-axis, which represents the value of a force or a distance for the various curves.

[0045] The solid line 310 represents the force acting on the rocker switch 30, such as the force acting on the spring suspension section 34 or the rocker bearing actuation section 33, i.e., the transversely inserted cylindrical pin. It should be noted that this always acts in one direction, with the positive value shown here corresponding to a force in the direction of the rest position of the actuating shaft 20.

[0046] The coarsely dashed curve 320 represents the course of the force acting on the contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43.

[0047] The finely dashed curve 330 represents a path, namely the distance of the supported contact point 63 from the associated fixed contact point 61.

[0048] In the rest position of the actuating shaft 20, a holding force 311 acts on it and holds the actuating shaft 20 in this rest position. In parallel, an initial force 321 acts on the contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43 and holds it to its associated fixed contact point 61. This securely closes the contact arm. Therefore, the distance 331 between the contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43 and its associated fixed contact point 61 is zero (=0).

[0049] When the actuating shaft 20 is actuated, the force acting on the actuating shaft 20 in the opposite direction to its movement increases up to the relative peak value 312 at the beginning of the opening movement of the switching element. This point is characterized by the value of force 322 reaching zero (=0), i.e., when no more force acts on the contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43 and pulls it to the fixed contact point 61. From this point on, the distance between the contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43 and its associated fixed contact point 61 changes rapidly and dramatically from zero to an opening value 332 when the rocker switch 30 switches; in parallel, the force acting on the actuating shaft 20 in the opposite direction to its actuation decreases to a minimum value 313, which corresponds to the force at the end of the opening movement of the switching element.

[0050] Upon further depression of the actuating shaft 20, the restoring force 314 acting on the rocker switch increases monotonically again. Parallel to this, the distance 334 of the contact point 63 continues to increase until the free end of the contact arm 43 eventually rests against the support surface 37.

[0051] The Fig. 6 shows a partially sectioned view of a snap-action switching element with a normally open contact 400 according to a third exemplary embodiment without the front side wall and with otherwise the same features as in the first exemplary embodiment of a snap-action switching element with a normally closed contact according to Fig. 1 . All identical features are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0052] The snap-action switching element 400 is shown in the position in which the (not shown) actuating shaft 20 is in the rest position. However, its vertical position is indirectly represented by the rocker bearing actuating section 33, since this cylindrical pin is arranged in the elongated hole 22 of the actuating shaft 20.

[0053] The kinematic reversal of the function between the Fig. 3 and 6 The illustrated embodiments are immediately apparent, even if the Fig. 3 does not show the embodiment of the switching element with break contact 100 in the rest position of the actuating shaft 20. The mounted contact point 63 rests in the Fig. 6with its rear side against the underside of the horn 32' of the rocker, if one is provided. Otherwise, it can also hit the underside of the housing. The horn 32' is a design of a driver. This corresponds to the contact of the front side of the mounted contact point 63 during the Fig. 3 at the fixed contact point 61. When the actuating shaft 20 is pressed down in the snap-action switching element 400, the pressure decreases as shown in the Fig. 5The force acting on this contact between the horn 32' and the mounted contact point 63, until the switching point is reached, and then the mounted contact arm 43 folds over, pulling the mounted contact point 63 to the fixed contact point 61', which leads to the closing of the second electrical contact. The fixed contact point 61' of the switching element with normally open contact 400 is arranged in the free space below the horns 32' and can be seen in comparison with the design of the switching element with normally closed contact 100 of the support surface 37. The difference between the curves of the circuit diagram of the Fig. 5for the switching element with normally open contact 400 is that the curve 330 of the distance from the mounted contact point 63 to the fixed contact point 61' is essentially mirrored on a vertical straight line through or near the intersection point 340; thus, the distance decreases slowly from an initial value (in particular driven by the horn 32') and then drops with a large gradient to zero, which corresponds to a closure of the contact.

[0054] The Fig. 7 shows a perspective partial view of another snap-action switching element 500 according to another embodiment with coupled contacts. This is also designed as a normally closed contact. However, it can be used analogously to Fig. 6 can also be designed as a double normally open contact. In addition to the contacts 41, 42 and 43 from the first embodiment, of which only a part of the contact arm 43 is shown here, there are corresponding contacts, of which Fig. 4only the contacts 142 and 143 are shown. However, it is clearly visible that in the embodiment of the snap-action switching element 500, two snap-action switching elements 100 of the same design are arranged next to each other, whereby the description here now refers to the differences in the design of Fig. 1 or Fig. 4 is pointed out.

[0055] The Fig. 7The housing half 10 shown on the left is constructed like the snap-action switching element 100 and has the actuating member 20. The housing half 10 is modified in that it has a housing groove 17 on the side facing away from the actuating member 20. In this case, in both snap-action switching elements arranged next to one another, there is only a single receiving opening 538, into which a double connecting shaft 533 is inserted on the side facing away from the actuating member 20. In a modification, the double connecting shaft 533 (as in the other exemplary embodiments, the connecting shaft 133 or generally the rocker bearing connecting section) can be connected in one piece with the actuating member 20, if in return the receiving opening 538 (or the receiving opening 38, etc.) has sufficient play for the horizontal movement required by the pivoting movement of the switching rocker 30.

[0056] In all embodiments, a lower housing opening 11' is provided, which has side walls 111', in which the actuating section 20 is guided as a plunger. In the rest position of the actuating shaft 20, the underside 120 of the actuating section or actuating shaft 20 ends between the side walls 111' of the lower housing opening 11'. Parallel to this, the upper side 110 of the housing 10 is designed to complement the underside 110' of the housing 10, which allows a vertically arranged double snap-action switching element to be provided by arranging two versions of the snap-action switching elements 100, 200, 400, 500 one above the other. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0057] 10 Housing 61 fixed contact point of the 10' Housing part first contact 11 upper housing feedthrough 61' fixed contact point of the first contact 11' lower housing opening 12 Shift paddle bearing 62 Bearing groove in the second contact 13 Housing side panel 63 Contact point of the mounted contact arm 14 Connection contact guide wall 70 tension spring 15 Contact support rib 71 Hanging section 16 Counter rib 100 Snap-action switching element 17 Housing groove 110 Top of the case 20 Actuating shaft 110' Bottom of the case 21 Actuating head 111' side walls 22 Rocker bearing opening 120 Bottom of the 23 upper head section Actuating shaft 24 lower guided section 130 Rocker switch of the double module 30 rocker switch 31 Warehouse opening 133 connecting shaft 32 Horn / bridge of the rocker switch 138 lower receiving opening 32' Horn / bridge of the rocker switch 142 second conductive contact of the double module 33 Rocker bearing actuation section 143 mounted contact arm of the double module 34 Spring suspension section 35 Bearing-side section 200 Snap-action switching element 36 Spring-side section 300 Y-axis (force or distance) 37 Support surface 301 X-axis (path of the 38 upper receiving opening operating shaft) 41 first conductive contact 310 force acting on the rocker switch (e.g. spring suspension section) 42 second conductive contact 43 mounted contact arm 44 Spring receiving opening 311 Force at rest 45 Rocker receiving opening 312 Force at the beginning of the opening movement of the switching element 51 clamping plate 52 clamping screw 313 Force at the end of the opening movement of the switching element 331 Distance of the closed contact (=0). 332 Distance of the open contact after switching movement 314 Increasing force when the actuating shaft is further pressed down 334 increasing distance when the actuating shaft is further pressed down 320 force acting on the contact point 63 of the mounted contact arm 43 340 Intersection point (corresponding to the position of the reflection line) 321 positive initial value of the force 322 0-value of force 400 Snap-action switching element 330 Distance of the stored 500 Snap-action switching element Contact point 63 of the 533 Double connection shaft fixed contact point 61 538 Receiving opening

Claims

1. A snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) with normally closed or normally open contact comprises a housing (10), a first and a second contact point (61, 61'; 62) fixed to the housing, a contact arm (43; 143) movable between a rest position and a switching position, an actuating member (20) guided in the housing (10), with which the contact arm (43; 143) is movable between the rest position and the switching position, a rocker switch (30; 130) which can be rotated at one end about a rocker switch axis of rotation (12) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a tension spring (70) which is being hooked onto a spring hook-in section at the other free end of the rocker switch (30; 130), wherein the actuating member (20) is guided perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the housing and is in engagement (22, 33) with the rocker switch (30; 130) between the two ends of the rocker switch (30; 130), wherein the second contact point (62) fixed to the housing provides a contact arm axis of rotation parallel to the rocker switch axis of rotation (12), against which the one end of the contact arm (43; 143) is pressed by the (44) tension spring (70) suspended in the contact arm (43; 143), the other end of the contact arm (43; 143) contacting the first contact point (61) in the rest position in the case of a normally closed contact or, in the case of a normally open contact, contacting the first contact point (61) in a normally closed position, is arranged at a distance from the first contact point (61') in the case of a normally open contact, characterized in that the actuating member (20) has a rocker bearing opening (22) which is provided transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing and its direction of movement and into which rocker bearing opening (22) engages a rocker bearing actuating section (33) provided transversely to a main plane of the switching rocker (20), wherein the rocker bearing opening (22) comprises a shape providing a horizontal play for the movement of the rocker bearing actuating section (33).

2. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the tension spring (70), the distance between the hook-in opening (44) in the contact arm (43; 143) and the contact arm axis of rotation, and the distance between the spring hook-in section (34) and the rocker axis of rotation (12) are predetermined so that the torque acting on the rocker switch (30; 130) is always directed against the actuating direction of the actuating member (20) in the rest position, in the switching position and in the positions in between, so that the actuating member (20) moves back into the rest position without being actuated.

3. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 500) with normally closed contact according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rocker switch (30; 130) comprises at least one driver (32) which, in the rest position, projects from below over the contact arm (43; 143) in such a way that, when the rocker switch (30, 130) is moved into the switching position before the switching position is reached, in particular in the switching position, it engages with the contact arm (43; 143) from above and pivot it downwards in an actively guided manner if the contact arm (43; 143) does not move between the rest position of the actuating element (20) and the engagement due to the contact point (63) of the contact arm (43; 143) adhering to the first contact point (61).

4. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 500) with normally closed contact according to claim 3, in that the driver comprises at least one horn (32) or a bridge.

5. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact arm (43; 143), starting from the end (62) having the contact arm axis of rotation, has a rocker switch receiving opening (45) and a separate spring end receiving opening (44) adjoining the latter.

6. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact arm (43; 143), viewed in cross-section in the longitudinal direction, has a U-shape reinforcing it at least in the region of the rocker switch receiving opening (45) and the spring end receiving opening (44).

7. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rocker switch (30; 130) has a receiving opening (38) into which the rocker bearing actuating portion (33) is inserted, with which the actuating member (20) is in engagement (22, 33) with the rocker switch (30; 130) between the two ends of the rocker switch (30; 130).

8. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to claim 7, characterized in that an upper rest position stop (36) is provided between the rocker bearing actuating portion (33) and the spring hook-in section (34).

9. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 500) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that, in the case of a normally closed contact, between the rocker rotary axis (12) and the rocker bearing actuating section (33), a support section (37) is provided for the contact arm (43; 143), against which the underside of the contact arm (43, 143) leans after the switching position has been exceeded.

10. The snap-action switching element (400) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that, in the case of a normally open contact, the first contact point (61') is arranged between the rocker rotary axis (12) and the rocker bearing actuating section (33), against which a mounted contact point (63) on the underside of the contact arm (43, 143) abuts after the switching position has been exceeded.

11. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the side wall of the housing (10) has a housing groove (17) in the area of the receiving opening (38) of the rocker switch (30) in the side wall, in that a further pair of contact points fixed to the housing, a further contact arm (143), a further rocker switch (130) with receiving opening and a further tension spring (70) are provided in a housing extension, which are each arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing parallel to the first contact points fixed to the housing, the first contact arm (43), the first rocker switch (30) and the first tension spring (70) behind the said side wall, wherein a connecting shaft (133) is inserted into the receiving openings (38) of the first and second rocker switches (30, 130) through the housing groove (17), wherein the movement of the two rocker switches (30; 130) is synchronized by the connecting shaft (133).

12. The snap-action switching element (200) according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting shaft (133, 533) is integrated integrally into the rocker bearing actuating section (33) or these are arranged one behind the other in the receiving opening (38).

13. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and second switching rockers (30; 14) have two transversely extending upper and lower receiving openings (38; 138), and in that the switching rocker actuating portion (33) is a bolt inserted into the upper or into the lower receiving opening, and in that the connecting shaft (133) is a bolt inserted into the other receiving opening.

14. The snap-action switching element (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that one or both receiving openings (138) of the rocker switch (30, 130) has / have a partition wall in the middle for limiting the movement of the connecting shaft (133) and / or the rocker bearing actuating section (33).

15. The snap-action switching element (100, 200, 400, 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the rocker bearing opening (22) is a horizontally aligned oblong hole.

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