AU2017311253A1

AU2017311253A1 - Protective covering

Info

Publication number: AU2017311253A1
Application number: AU2017311253A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gerhard Bona; Norbert Ritschel; Rainer Schmidt
Original assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-10
Filing date: 2017-07-05
Publication date: 2019-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-05
Also published as: AU2017311253B2; WO2018028890A1; EP3497759B1; EP3497759A1; PL3497759T3; DE102016114802A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective covering (12) for a slide-in operating element (5) in a switching system, comprising a base part (13) having a front side (14), a rear side (15), and a circumferential edge (16). On the rear side (15) of the base part (13), configurations (20, 21, 22, 23) are formed, which are suitable to engage in corresponding openings (7, 8, 9, 10) in an operating front (4d) of the slide-in operating element (5) and to close the same. Furthermore, a first circumferential sealing element is provided on the rear side (15) of the base part (13) adjacent to the edge (16). In addition, an opening (19) extending from the rear side (15) to the front side (14) through the base part (13) for the through-passage of an actuating element (11) of the slide-in operating element (5) is provided, wherein the opening (19) is dimensioned such that an actuation of the actuating element (11) is not possible when the protective covering (12) is mounted.

Description

The present invention relates to a protective covering for a slide-in operating element in a switching system along with a switching system, comprising a slide-in operating element with such a protective covering.

Switching systems are used for the distribution of electrical energy as well as for the switching, control and monitoring of incoming and outgoing lines, in particular in the case of large scale consumers. For this purpose, various switching devices can be integrated into a switching system housing and attached there to bus bars.

Building switching systems into plug-in technology is already known. In doing so, at least individual fields of the switching system can be equipped with insertable modules. In the case of a defect, the affected module can merely be replaced without the complete switching system needing to be de-energized. This is of importance especially for industrial applications, because large systems which are operated via a switching system do not need to be switched off completely and restarted in the case of a defect of an individual component. Plug-in systems allow the defective component to be replaced even when they are energized. As a result, malfunctions can be rectified quickly without interrupting service.

For many applications, the reliable functioning of a switching system must be guaranteed even under unfavorable environmental conditions. In particular, the penetration of moisture and/or dust into the switching system must be prevented.

Switching systems are assigned an IP protection class related to their suitability for various environmental conditions, which defines the degree of protection of the housing

WO 2018/028890

PCT/EP2017/066800 against the penetration of foreign bodies and water. For this purpose, two code numbers are appended to the abbreviation IP, wherein the first code number indicates the protection of the housing against foreign bodies and the second code number indicates the protection of the housing against water.

Frequently only protection class IP30 is achieved for switching systems in plug-in technology, because not all modular components are protected against the penetration of dust and moisture. Even if large parts of the switching system have a high protection class, for example IP54, the entire switching system is still subject to a limitation up to IP30, as soon as an individual module is subject to this limitation.

So, for example, a module from the company IDS-Technology GmbH, disclosed in DE 10 2008 046 881 A1, for tapping the electrical energy power rails is built into numerous current switching systems. Said module comprises a locking unit and a unit with a plurality of contact switches, wherein the contact switches can be actuated by means of the locking unit and wherein the locking unit and the contact switches are arranged in a housing.

Said module has openings in the region of its operating front which are not protected from the penetration of water and dust and therefore only a maximum protection class of IP30 is allowed. The cited module is an example of a slide-in operating element.

Sealing larger regions of a switching system with additional doors or coverings in order to thereby achieve a higher protection class is already known. Thus, DE 10 2004 049 708 B4 discloses a one-piece carrier frame for electrical built-in modules, which comprises an integrated covering for the insertion opening. In this case, the covering covers an insertion opening, into which a larger number of built-in modules can be inserted. The covering is inserted into a circumferential groove around the insertion opening. An individual covering of a single plug-in module is not possible with this.

The problem addressed by the present invention is providing a protective covering for an individual slide-in operating element in a switching system, whereby an improved protection against foreign bodies and water can be achieved as well as simultaneously

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PCT/EP2017/066800 protection against incorrect operation. Moreover, the problem addressed by the invention lies in providing a switching system with an improved protection against foreign bodies and water as well as against incorrect operation.

This problem is solved by a protective covering with the features of Patent Claim 1 as well as by a switching system with the features of Patent Claim 10.

Further development and embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to Patent Claim 1, the invention consists of a protective covering for a slide-in operating element in a switching system, comprising a base part having a front side, a rear side and a circumferential edge, wherein on the rear side of the base part configurations are formed, which are suitable to engage in corresponding openings in an operating front of the slide-in operating element and to close the same, wherein furthermore a first circumferential sealing element is provided on the rear side of the base part adjacent to the edge, wherein, in addition, an opening extending from the rear side to the front side through the base part for the through-passage of an actuating element of the slide-in operating element is provided, wherein the opening (19) is dimensioned such that an actuation of the actuating element (11) is not possible when the protective covering (12) is mounted.

In other words, the invention provides a protective covering for a single, individual slidein operating element within a larger switching system arrangement, which comprises a base part, which engages in the openings to be sealed in the operating front of the slide-in operating element and produces a sealing of said openings via a first sealing element provided on the base part.

In particular, it is possible, in a simple way, to achieve a sealing according to protection class IP54 for a switching system that already, in large parts, satisfies the requirements of protection class IP54, in which, however, individual modules as slide-in modules are subject to a lower protection class and therefore must be separately sealed. In particular, the protective covering according to the invention is suitable for sealing the

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PCT/EP2017/066800 aforementioned modules from the company IDS-Technology GmbH, which can be used as slide-in operating elements in a switching system. The individual adaption to the respective module to be sealed makes larger modifications to the entire system superfluous, such as mounting sealing doors or flaps, for example. The protective covering according to the invention can be integrated into an existing switching system in the simplest manner and brings about an improvement in the protection class of such a switching system with the simplest of means.

“Protective covering for a slide-in operating element” within the meaning of the invention should be understood to indicate that the protective covering can be applied directly to the operating front of an operating element, as well as that the protective covering can be mounted on a housing section, for example a switching cabinet, which, for its part, has openings through which a slide-in operating element positioned behind it can be operated or read. As a result, an operating element can be used as a plug-in module of a larger switching cabinet arrangement and be arranged behind a housing wall of the switching cabinet, wherein the housing wall has corresponding openings as access openings to the slide-in operating element. The protective covering according to the invention can here be mounted on the housing wall to seal the openings in the housing wall. In the following, the operating front of a slide-in operating element is therefore understood both as the operating front of a slide-in operating element itself, as well as the section of a housing wall behind which a slide-in operating element is positioned and which has corresponding access openings.

The protective covering can be positioned especially simply via the configurations formed on the base part, because the configurations engage in the corresponding openings in the operating front of the slide-in operating element. In this case, corresponding openings are to be understood to indicate that the configurations can be inserted into the openings without force and that at the same time there is only a small amount of play between the configurations and the limitations of the opening. A high level of positional accuracy is thereby achieved and a shifting or twisting of the protective covering can be prevented.

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The openings in the operating front of the slide-in operating element can, for example, be access openings for actuating devices, via which a specific operating condition of the slide-in operating element can be adjusted. They can also be openings in which a visual display unit for displaying a specific operating condition of the slide-in operating element is arranged. They can likewise be openings within which actuating elements of the slidein operating element can be moved.

According to the invention, it is provided that, in the inserted position of the protective covering, an actuating element of the slide-in operating element reaches through the opening extending through the base part. The protective covering can be fixed on the operating front of the slide-in operating element via said actuating element that reaches through, in that a fastening means, for example, a nut, can be screwed on the actuating element reaching through the opening. For this purpose, the actuating element is provided, at least in sections, with a thread.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, the opening on the front side of the base part is surrounded by a second sealing element. By screwing a nut on the actuating element and firmly tightening said nut, the protective covering is pressed against the operating front of the slide-in operating element. In this way, the openings in the operating front of the slide-in operating element that are covered by the protective covering are outwardly sealed, wherein the first sealing element ensures a sealing in the region of the edge of the base part and the second sealing element ensures a sealing in the region of the opening, through which the actuating element reaches.

It can also be provided that instead of a second sealing element surrounding the opening, the nut is equipped with a sealing element on the side thereof facing the base part, which sealing element brings about the sealing of the opening, through which the actuating element reaches.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least a third sealing element is provided, which is arranged circumferentially around at least one configuration on the rear side of the base part. In other words, in addition to the circumferential first sealing element adjacent to the edge, one or a plurality of other sealing elements can be

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PCT/EP2017/066800 provided on the rear side of the base part. Thus, every single configuration can be surrounded by an individual third sealing element on the rear side of the base part; or, merely individual configurations can be surrounded by a third sealing element or individual configurations can be surrounded by a plurality of third sealing elements. The third sealing elements, in addition to the first sealing element or the first and second sealing elements, allow an even better sealing effect of the protective covering to be achieved.

According to the invention, grooves can be provided for accommodating the sealing elements. In this case, a circumferential first groove adjacent to the edge can be formed on the rear side of the base part for accommodating the first sealing element, a circumferential second groove around the opening for the through-passage of the actuating element can be formed on the front side of the base part for accommodating the second sealing element and, if third sealing elements are provided, corresponding third grooves surrounding all or individual configurations can be formed on the rear side of the base part. Basically, all first, second and third sealing elements can be accommodated in grooves or merely individual sealing elements. These types of grooves facilitate the positioning of the sealing elements and provide the same with a more solid and more resistant contour since they cannot break out laterally.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the sealing elements are fabricated of a polyurethane foam, in particular of a two component polyurethane foam. These types of foams are highly elastic and have an especially high impermeability.

It can be provided that the sealing elements are applied by foaming directly at the location of the seal seat on the base part and are permanently connected thereto. To this end, normally a fluid or thixotropic, paste-like sealing mass is prepared in a machine and introduced via a nozzle in the form of a bead either into grooves formed on the base part or applied directly to the base part. A soft sealing material with excellent sealing properties is obtained by subsequent drying and/or curing. These types of sealing elements, which are also known under the name of FIPFG (formed in place foam gasket), are permanently connected to the base part and cannot fall off or shift out of place. An especially great and reliable sealing effect is hereby achieved. Because the

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PCT/EP2017/066800 cured seal adheres by itself to the base part, it is possible to dispense with an adhesion of the sealing elements.

Basically, all or merely individual sealing elements can be fabricated from a polyurethane foam and be applied by foaming. Especially the second sealing element, which can be provided on the front side of the base part for sealing the opening through which the actuating element reaches, can be formed as a prefabricated, insertable sealing ring, while the first sealing element provided on the rear side of the base part is preferably applied by foaming.

One embodiment of the invention provides that at least one recessed grip is formed on the base part. This type of recessed grip facilitates in particular the removal of the base part from the operating front of the slide-in operating element, because the protective cap can, to a certain extent, attach itself firmly on the operating front due to the clamping effect in the region of the sealing elements. In this case, the at least one recessed grip allows a better gripping on the protective covering with the hand or with a suitable tool. The protective covering can have two recessed grips, arranged for example on opposing edge regions of the base part, whereby an especially easy gripping is possible with the thumb and index finger.

In an embodiment of the protective covering according to the invention, the base part is fabricated, at least in sections, of a translucent material. Even with a mounted protective covering, it is hereby possible to see and control the covered regions, in particular visual display units. In particular, in this way, the visual display of an operating condition of the slide-in operating element can be read at all times. In this case, merely a region of the base part, which covers a visual display unit for example, can be designed to be transparent, or else the entire base part can be fabricated of a transparent material.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the base part is fabricated of a plastic in an injection molding process.

The invention provides that the opening for the through-passage of an actuating element of the slide-in operating element is dimensioned such that an actuation of the

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PCT/EP2017/066800 actuating element is not possible when the protective covering is mounted. In other words, when the protective cap is mounted, a switching path of the actuating element is blocked such that an actuation of the actuating element is prevented. In this way, the protective covering according to the invention provides protection against incorrect operation of the slide-in operating element in addition to protection against foreign bodies and water. In order to be able to once again actuate the slide-in operating element by means of the actuating element, the protective covering must first be at least loosened enough that the switching path for the actuating element is once again released.

Blocking the switching path can thereby be achieved in such a way that a configuration on the rear side of the base part engages in and covers the opening in the operating front of the slide-in operating element defining the switching path, wherein only the opening extending from the rear side to the front side through the base part for the through-passage of the actuating element of the slide-in operating element remains.

In order to once again make the region covered by the protective covering accessible, the fastening means fixed on the actuating element can be loosened and either the protective covering completely removed from the operating front of the slide-in operating element or else the fastening means is loosened just enough that the configurations on the rear side of the base part can be moved out of the openings in the operating front, but the protective covering still remains connected to the slide-in operating element by the actuating element extending through the opening in the base part. In this case, the actuating element can function as a swivel axis around which the protective covering swivels downward. In this way, the openings in the operating front of the slide-in operating element are released, wherein at the same time the protective covering is mounted on the slide-in operating element in a captive manner. The opening for the through-passage of the operating element can thereby be arranged expediently on the base part so that the swivel movement of the protective covering occurs automatically, when the fastening means are loosened and the configurations are moved out of the openings in the operating front.

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Finally, the invention also relates to a switching system, comprising a slide-in operating element with a protective covering according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein, in the inserted position of the protective covering, an actuating element of the slide-in operating element reaches through the opening extending through the base part of the protective covering and the protective covering can be clamped in a sealing manner by a fastening means that can be fixed on the actuating element.

The fastening element can be a nut, in particular a knurled nut, which can be screwed onto the actuating element that is provided, at least in sections, with a thread. By firmly tightening said nut, the protective covering is firmly pressed against the operating front of the slide-in operating element and is therefore clamped firmly between the operating front and the nut. This allows an especially good sealing effect to be achieved.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments and making reference to the enclosed drawings, which show:

Figure 1:	An insert frame having a plurality of modules for integration in a switching system arrangement with protective coverings according to the invention mounted;
Figure 2:	An enlarged section from the depiction in Figure 1, wherein the protective coverings are only partially mounted;
Figure 3:	A perspective view of the front side of an exemplary embodiment of a protective covering according to the invention;
Figure 4:	A view of the rear side of the protective covering from Figure 3;
Figure 5:	A view of the protective covering from Figure 4 from the direction of arrow A in Figure 4;
Figure 6:	A perspective view of the front side of another exemplary embodiment of a protective covering according to the invention;

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Figure 7: A view of the rear side of the protective covering from Figure 6.

An insert frame 1 with a plurality of similar modules 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is depicted in Figure

1. The modules 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are fastened to the insert frame 1 and can be integrated with said insert frame in a switching system arrangement (not shown in greater detail here) using plug-in technology. Every module 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises a plurality of components (not described in greater detail here), each of which is arranged behind an operating front 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d facing a user and between partition walls 3.

Further explanations will now be provided by way of example based on the module 2d, but they apply equally to the remaining modules 2a, 2b and 2c. Various buttons and switches are arranged on the operating front 4d, which make an actuation of the components of the module 2d arranged behind the operating front 4d possible. Arranged directly behind the operating front 4d is slide-in operating element 5. This slide-in operating element 5 is also able to be actuated from the operating front 4d, however, in the depiction in Figure 1, the corresponding area is concealed by a protective covering 12. The protective covering 12 will be explained subsequently in more detail based on Figures 3 to 5.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the depiction in Figure 1, wherein, in this case, the protective coverings 12 are not mounted on the modules 2c and 2d. This depiction shows that the operating front 4d has openings 7, 8, 9 and 10, which offer access to the actuation or visual display elements of the slide-in operating element 5 behind said openings. A pin-shaped actuating element 11 of the slide-in operating element 5 extends through the opening 10 through the operating front 4d. The opening 10 is formed as an elongated hole, within which the actuating element 11 can be displaced. Key receptacles in the slide-in operating element 5, into which an operating key can be inserted, are accessible through the openings 7 and 8.

In a basic position of the actuating element 11, the key receptacles are closed behind the openings 7 and 8 so that it is not possible to insert the operating key. The module

2d is in a disconnected position. By manually displacing the actuating element 11 within

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PCT/EP2017/066800 the opening 10, the key receptacles behind the openings 7 and 8 open. By inserting the operating key in the key receptacle that lies behind the opening 7 and turning the operating key, the module 2d can be transferred from the disconnected position into a test position. By inserting the operating key into the key receptacle that lies behind the opening 8 and turning the operating key, the module 2d can be transferred from the disconnected position into an operating position. The respective current operating condition of the module 2d is indicated by a color coding, which can be read through the opening 9.

In order to satisfy the requirements for protection class IP54 in a switching system arrangement, the openings 7, 8, 9, 10 must be protected against water and foreign bodies. The protective covering 12 is provided for this purpose and will now be explained in greater detail based on Figures 3 to 5.

The protective covering 12 comprises a base part 13 having a front side 14 and a rear side 15, wherein, in the inserted position, the front side 14 faces a user and the rear side 15 faces an operating front of the slide-in operating element. The base part 13 is fabricated of a transparent plastic in an injection molding process. It has a circumferential edge 16. The base part has a length of approx. 8 cm, a width of approx. 5 cm, as well as a thickness of approx. 0.5 cm in the region of the edge and is rounded at the corners. Recessed grips 17, 18 make the base part 13 easier to grip.

An opening 19 extends from the rear side 15 to the front side 14 through the base part 13 for the through-passage of the actuating element 11 of the slide-in operating element

5. The opening 19 is the only opening in the base part 13 which extends from the rear side 15 to the front side 14 through the base part 13. Regions 31, 32, 33 are not openings extending through the base part 13. In fact, Figure 3 only indicates the position of the configurations 20, 21, 22 (which will be explained later) on the rear side 15 of the base part 13, which are also visible from the front side 14 because of the transparent material of the base part 13.

Formed on the rear side 15 of the base part 13 are configurations 20, 21, 22, 23, which, in the inserted position of the protective covering 12, engage in the openings 7, 8, 9 and

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PCT/EP2017/066800 in the operating front 4d and close the same. The configurations 20 to 23 and the projection thereof beyond the rear side 15 of the base part 13 can be seen especially well in the depiction in Figure 5. Because of the special arrangement of the configurations 20 to 23, corresponding with the openings 7 to 10 to be sealed, the protective covering 12 is especially easy to position.

The configurations 20 and 21 are formed to be circular and, in the inserted position of the protective covering 12, also seal the circular openings 7 and 8 in the operating front 4d. The configuration 22 is formed to be square and, in the inserted position of the protective covering 12, also seals the square opening 9 in the operating front 4d. The configuration 23 is formed to be essentially oval and, in the inserted position of the protective covering 12, seals the opening 10 in the operating front 4d, wherein the actuating element 11 extends through the only opening 19 that goes through the base part 13. In other words, the configuration 23 and the engagement thereof in the opening 10 prevent the actuating element 11 from being displaced within the opening 10 when the protective covering is in the inserted position and the slide-in operating element 5 from being transferred to another operating condition. In this way, the mounted protective covering 12 offers protection against incorrect operation of the slide-in operating element 5. Because the base part 13 is fabricated of a transparent plastic, the visual display of operating condition can always be read in the opening 9 even when the protective covering 12 is mounted.

A first circumferential sealing element adjacent to the edge 16 is provided on the rear side 15 of the base part 13. Said sealing element itself is not depicted in Figure 4, but the groove 25 is, within which the circumferential sealing element is arranged. Furthermore, additional third sealing elements provided circumferentially around every configuration 20, 21, 22, 23 on the rear side 15 of the base part 13 are likewise not shown, but the grooves 26, 27, 28, 29 accommodating said third sealing elements are.

Finally, a groove 30 is also arranged circumferentially around the opening 19 on the front side 14 of the base part 13 and is used to accommodate a second sealing element (also not shown).

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The sealing elements that are not shown here are fabricated from a two component polyurethane foam and are applied by foaming directly at the location of the seal seat,

i.e., in the grooves 25 to 30, on the base part 13. The sealing elements are hereby permanently connected to the base part 13.

Therefore, the configurations 20 to 23 are respectively surrounded by two sealing elements, namely a common, circumferential first sealing element in the groove 25 as well as individual third sealing elements surrounding each configuration 20 to 23 and accommodated in the grooves 26 to 29. The opening 19 is surrounded by a second sealing element, which is accommodated in the groove 30. In this way, the openings 7 to 10 in the operating front 4d are efficiently sealed again water and dust when the protective covering 12 is mounted and fixed so that protection class IP54 is achieved.

The fastening of the protective covering 12 on the operating front 4d is accomplished with the aid of a knurled nut 34, where applicable, with an intermediate placement of a washer 35. The knurled nut 34 is screwed onto the actuating element 11 equipped with a thread and extending through the opening 19 of the base part 13 and firmly tightened. By tightening the knurled nut 34, the protective covering 12 is pressed against the operating front 4d or clamped between the operating front 4d and the knurled nut 34.

Such a mounted and fixed protective covering 12, in accordance with the requirements of protection class IP54, prevents, on the one hand, water and/or dust from getting into the openings 7 to 10 in the operating front 4d, and, on the other hand, guarantees protection against incorrect operation of the slide-in operating element 5, because the actuating element 11 cannot be moved when the protective covering 12 is mounted.

In order to once again make the regions covered by the protective covering 12 accessible, either the knurled nut 34 can be loosened completely and removed so that the protective covering 12 can also be removed completely, or else the knurled nut 34 is loosened only enough that it still remains on the actuating element 11, and the base part 13 can move a little bit away from the operating front 4d so that the configurations 20 to 23 can be moved out of the openings 7 to 10. The protective covering 12 can then be swiveled downward by 180° around the axis B of the actuating element 11, as

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PCT/EP2017/066800 indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1. In this state, the openings 7 to 10 are once again accessible, and the actuating element 11 can again be displaced within the opening 10, wherein at the same time there is security against loss of the protective covering 12.

Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the protective covering 12 according to the invention, which differs from the protective covering 12 in Figures 3 to 5 merely in terms of the outer dimensions thereof, as well as in terms of the arrangement of the configurations 20 to 23 and the opening 19. The protective covering 12 in Figures 6 and 7 is accordingly suitable for sealing a larger slide-in operating element 5 with correspondingly arranged openings to be sealed.

In the case of alternative, exemplary embodiments of the invention that are not shown here, only a first sealing element and correspondingly only one circumferential groove 25 can be provided on the rear side 15 of the base part 13; the grooves 26, 27, 28, 29 and the third sealing elements can then be dispensed with.

Especially the second sealing element can also be formed as a prefabricated sealing ring in alternative exemplary embodiments of the invention and be inserted into the groove 30 on the front side 14 of the base part 13. In another embodiment, it is possible to dispense with the groove 30 and the second sealing element completely and the nut used for fixing the protective covering 12 can be equipped with a sealing element on the side thereof facing the base part 13 thereby guaranteeing the sealing of the opening 19 in this manner.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. Protective covering (12) for a slide-in operating element (5) in a switching system, comprising a base part (13) having a front side (14), a rear side (15) and a circumferential edge (16), wherein on the rear side (15) of the base part (13) configurations (20, 21, 22, 23) are formed, which are suitable to engage in corresponding openings (7, 8, 9, 10) in an operating front (4d) of the slide-in operating element (5) and to close the same, wherein, furthermore, a first circumferential sealing element is provided on the rear side (15) of the base part (13) adjacent to the edge (16), wherein, in addition, an opening (19) extending from the rear side (15) to the front side (14) through the base part (13) for the through-passage of an actuating element (11) of the slide-in operating element (5) is provided, wherein the opening (19) is dimensioned such that an actuation of the actuating element (11) is not possible when the protective covering (12) is mounted.
2. Protective covering (12) according to Claim 1, wherein the opening (19) on the front side (14) of the base part (13) is surrounded by a second sealing element.
3. Protective covering (12) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a third sealing element is provided, which is arranged circumferentially around at least one configuration (20, 21, 22, 23) on the rear side (15) of the base part (13).
4. Protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein grooves (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30) are provided for accommodating the sealing elements.
5. Protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing elements are fabricated of a polyurethane foam.
6. Protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing elements are applied by foaming directly on the base part (13) and permanently connected thereto.

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7. Protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the base part (13) is fabricated from a plastic in an injection molding process.
8. Protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the base part

5 (13) is, at least in sections, fabricated of a translucent material.
9. Protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one recessed grip (17, 18) is formed on the base part (13).
10 10. Switching system, comprising a slide-in operating element (5) having a protective covering (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein, in the inserted position of the protective covering (12), an actuating element (11) of the slide-in operating element (5) reaches through the opening (19) extending through the base part (13) of the protective covering (12) and the protective covering (12) can be
15 clamped in a sealing manner by a fastening means (34) that can be fixed on the actuating element (11).