EP0858670B1 - Electric contact switch - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric contact switch, in particular a micro-switch for motor vehicles, has a housing (1) that carries connection contacts (4) and contains a contact element (5). An actuating element (6) mounted on the housing (1) has a switching lever (13) that acts on the contact element (5). In order to create a small-size contact switch, the contact element (5) has at least one resting branch (11) that is supported on a connection contact (4) and at least one contacting branch (12) that recalls the actuating element (6) and acts upon connection contacts (4) that extend approximately perpendicular to the contacting branch (12).

Description

The invention relates to an electrical contact switch, in particular microswitches for motor vehicles, with a connecting contacts and receiving a contact element Housing on which an actuator with a Switch plunger is mounted, which acts on the contact element, the at least one supported on a connection contact Support leg and at least one of the actuating element returning, as well as approximately perpendicular to it contacts has pressurizing contact leg.

From DE-GM 71 38 974 is an electrical contact switch known, which carries connection contacts in a housing, wherein a contact element is mounted on a connection contact. The contact element is a complex stamped part, the free cuts owns an expensive punching tool for their manufacture necessary is. Nonetheless, is for those for economic Manufacturing necessary tolerances the expected Very wide range of quality. On the one hand this due to the strip thickness and hardness tolerance and on the other hand influenced by the condition of the punch. The resulting effects have an impact on both the switching force as well as the contact force noticeable. In order to there is always a sufficiently high contact force, to meet the electrical requirements, the contact element have a sufficiently high preload, whereby the shifting force and the associated switching noise elevated. Since the contact element is one point Connection contact pivots, results between the other Terminal contact and the contact element a touch contact, the slightly dirty. Therefore, it is required a very to provide high quality contact material pairing. It is very costly, because on the one hand as contact material usually Silver is used and on the other hand at least per contact part an additional step to apply the contact is required. For the function of the contact switch it is necessary that the contact element on the one hand with the Contact towards the terminal contact and the other the bearing is positioned. Until the final assembly then the case must be handled very carefully, because otherwise the contact element from its correct position slips, which would result in an assembly error. The careful trading is very time consuming. By the nature of the Contact assignment can only be closed by one current path be, which means only a limited use of the contact switch is possible.

Furthermore, DE 31 10 971 C2 discloses an electrical one Contact switch, in which the contact element is also a Is stamped part. When actuating the actuating element the contact leg slides on the housing or on the connection contacts along and causes self-cleaning the contact connection. The resilient orientation of the contact element runs to the walls of the housing, i.e. only in one Direction. For resetting the actuator an additional spring element is therefore required. So that the contact element has a sufficiently soft spring force owns, the legs must be long. These legs extend itself in the direction of actuation, causing the contact switch builds big. Furthermore, the contact switch can only switch a circuit, resulting in limited use leads.

From EP-A-0 110 404 a microswitch is known, the one Resilient contact element with at least one on a connection contact supportive support leg and one Actuating element returning and connection contacts perpendicular to it has pressurizing contact leg.

The invention has for its object an electrical To create contact switches of the type mentioned by an inexpensive, versatile and small design high quality is guaranteed.

This object is achieved in that the Contact element a double-acting, one-piece from one electrically conductive round wire existing torsion spring is the center of the support leg from two adjacent bent wire pieces, to which each a half connected via a helix present in the bending radius, the in an upward and outward contact leg transforms.

This measure is done simultaneously with the contact element the return of the actuator accomplishes what to reduce the number of parts and thus the costs leads. Between the connection contacts and the contact leg there is a sliding movement to each other, causing a Self-cleaning of the contacts takes place, and thus on the Use of high quality contact materials can be dispensed with can. The one-piece ensures a high electrical Quality, the use of a round wire and lowers manufacturing costs. Through the two adjacent That has pieces of wire with the subsequent coils Contact element on the bottom of the housing a large support surface, which ensures the contact element always a safe alignment receives. Due to the double-sided torsion spring you achieve a very low use of materials for the Contact element with sufficient spring force.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention one is attached to each piece of wire on the support leg one and a half helix to the spring action of the torsion spring to improve.

Furthermore, each contact leg has at its free end an inward bend. The bending causes a clean and hook-free gliding on the walls of the housing, at the contacts and at the transitions between the contacts and the housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention Contact element bent in a V-shape, and the support leg supports itself on a floor inside the housing at least partially from the connection contact, and the Contact leg protrudes in the direction of an opposite of the floor Housing opening, the contact leg one to about vertical bias. This allows the split with the contact leg to achieve effects become. For one, this is the restoring force for that Actuator facing the bottom of the case is and in the operation of the actuator enlarged. This causes when the actuator is pressed also a higher contact pressure of the support leg on the existing contact in the bottom of the housing, whereby the electrical connection is improved. On the other hand also a contact force of the contact leg on the connection contacts achieved what by the vertical bias of the Contact leg is ensured. By a different Biasing can achieve a different contact force as well as responding to different housing widths become.

In order not to increase the operating force on the control element too high to maintain and thus a long service life of the contact element to achieve, the support leg and are preferred the contact leg of the contact element over a ratio connected to each other to form a large bending radius.

It is also preferably provided that the housing from the bottom with subsequent, perpendicular to it Walls, and the contacts in the floor and at least recessed into a wall, at least in the Walls of the connection contacts are embedded at the same level. The housing can then be easily manufactured as a molded part, the recesses during the production of the molded part for the contacts in the same operation can be. The same level with the surface of the walls Ensure connection contacts embedded in the housing a transition not felt by the shift feeling.

So that the contact switch easily on a contact surface position and there can be electrically connected are expedient the contacts horizontally out of the housing led out and as connecting legs for soldering onto a Printed circuit board. According to an alternative embodiment the invention, the connection contacts are perpendicular led out of the housing and as push-through legs for soldering executed in a circuit board. Here, the Push-through legs of the contact switches in the circuit board Holes are inserted, and the contact switch is then attachable by wave soldering.

The connection contacts are expediently in the form of a lead frame manufactured and encapsulated in plastic in the housing. Hereby the number of parts decreases significantly. This works in the handling of the housing as well as in logistics for the timely provision of the components. This measure is the manufacture of the contact switch while preventing assembly errors very much inexpensive.

In order to keep the number of parts as low as possible, according to a preferred development of the invention Housing off-center on two opposite walls, one each Bearing journal on the in the recessed in the actuator Immerse the bearing bores, spaced from the bearing journal A stop pin is provided on at least one wall which engages in an actuation groove.

To protect the inside of the contact switch from contamination the actuating element is preferably a housing covering shell, the shape of which is the contour of the housing is adapted, with one opposite the bottom of the housing Shell cover the switching plunger is molded, that protrudes between the walls into the housing and the contact element acted upon. By molding the switch plunger the number of parts is reduced again, and the switching plunger always has the correct position to the contact element.

However, it is only a linear operation of the contact switch desired, so according to a preferred alternative, the actuating element a pressure tappet, which is attached to the housing in a Lid is inserted in a lid hole, wherein the pressure ram comes into contact with the inside wall of the lid, Switch plunger wider in cross section than the cover bore having. With the same housing to which the lid is attached attached to the same points as the actuator is therefore a variation of the design of the contact switch possible with the same contact and switching conditions available. The wider one in cross-section Switching plunger prevents the pressure plunger by the in Cross-section of the smaller cover hole falls out.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the im Cross section rectangular switch plunger on its the contact element facing switch cap rounded, the switch cap to the walls of the housing on which the switching plunger is moved past, is slightly inclined, whereby between the switch cap and the corresponding wall of the housing Angle that is less than 90 °. When operating the actuating element comes the contact leg of the contact element following a certain path on one in the wall of the Housing recessed contact to lie. There must always, even after wear of one of the contact elements, there is sufficient contact pressure. For this Basically, the contact leg is created via the slope of the switch cap pushed slightly outwards.

With a small path of the actuating element is supposed to switch more safely and independently of the tolerances to be able to, the contact leg in relation to it cover longer switching distance. Therefore, expediently intervenes the switching plunger attached to the actuator approximately in the middle of the contact leg of the contact element. By the large contact path will continue to be greater self-cleaning the contact pairing achieved.

The operating force applied to the actuator should be as low as possible. Because by this operating force but also influence the contact force between the Support leg of the contact element and in the bottom of the housing recessed connector contact is preferred the contact element with its support leg on the im Welded on the bottom of the housing existing contact. It is also achieved in that the contact element after the Inserting and welding in the housing is tight and not more falls out. The housing can thus be on the line from the machine be equipped and in the further production process as Flow in bulk material.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention have the embedded in the walls of the housing, in Swivel range of the contact leg existing and opposite Connection contacts a different height on. The contact switch then closes two current paths a different point in time, which means the use of the Contact switch is more versatile.

An even greater versatility is achieved when the connection contacts in one wall several in the swivel range of the Contact element consecutive connection contacts are. With a narrow design of the connection contacts the use of the contact switch also as a position transmitter for the determination of the actuator possible.

The electrical contact switch has a simple and but very safe construction. That's why it is possible to miniaturize it, which of course is very inexpensive is. Thus, a contact switch according to the invention for example a width of 5 mm, a length of 9.3 mm and a height of 7.5 mm or a width of 5.6 mm, one Length of 8.5 mm and a height of 9.1 mm.

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht auf einen unbetätigten Kontaktschalter,

Fig. 2

die Seitenansicht der Darstellung nach Fig. 1 in Pfeilrichtung II,

Fig. 3

die Seitenansicht der Darstellung nach Fig. 1 in Pfeilrichtung III,

Fig. 4

eine Frontansicht des Kontaktschalters gemäß Fig. 1 im Schnitt,

Fig. 5

eine Frontansicht des Konaktschalters nach Fig. 4 im betätigten Zustand des Kontaktschalters,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch den Kontaktschalter gemäß Fig. 4 in Richtung der Pfeile VI-VI,

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Darstellung nach Fig. 4 in Richtung des Pfeiles VII ohne Betätigungselement,

Fig. 8

einen Teilschnitt durch den Kontaktschalter gemäß Fig. 5 in Richtung der Pfeile VIII-VIII,

Fig. 9

eine Schnittansicht durch ein mit einem Kontaktelement bestücktes Gehäuse mit alternativ ausgestalteten Anschlußkontakten,

Fig. 10

eine weitere alternative Ausgestaltung der Anschlußkontakte gemäß Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

eine alternative Ausgestaltung des Betätigungselementes des Kontaktschalters,

Fig. 12

einen Schnitt durch den Kontaktschalter gemäß Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf ein Metallband zur Veranschaulichung des Herstellungsverfahrens des Kontaktschalters und

Fig. 14

eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung nach Fig. 13 in Richtung des Pfeiles XIV.

The idea on which the invention is based is explained in more detail in the following description with reference to several exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a front view of an unactuated contact switch,

Fig. 2

1 in the direction of arrow II,

Fig. 3

1 in the direction of arrow III,

Fig. 4

2 shows a front view of the contact switch according to FIG. 1 in section,

Fig. 5

4 in the actuated state of the contact switch,

Fig. 6

4 in the direction of arrows VI-VI,

Fig. 7

4 in the direction of arrow VII without an actuating element,

Fig. 8

5 in the direction of arrows VIII-VIII,

Fig. 9

2 shows a sectional view through a housing equipped with a contact element with alternatively configured connecting contacts,

Fig. 10

a further alternative embodiment of the connection contacts according to FIG. 9,

Fig. 11

an alternative embodiment of the actuating element of the contact switch,

Fig. 12

11 shows a section through the contact switch according to FIG. 11,

Fig. 13

a plan view of a metal strip to illustrate the manufacturing process of the contact switch and

Fig. 14

a side view of the illustration of FIG. 13 in the direction of arrow XIV.

The electrical contact switch essentially has one rectangular housing 1 from the bottom 2 and four walls 3rd (3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4), with the floor opposite a housing opening 42 is provided. That carries inside Housing 1 connecting contacts 4 made in the area of the bottom 1 the housing 1 are led out. Furthermore, 1 a contact element 5 is present, which with the connection contacts 4 interacts. An actuator 6 is on a two opposite walls 3.1 and 3.2 existing warehouse 9 held and takes as a result of the automatic reset the rest position A. With the action of an actuating force pivots the actuator 6 about the bearing 9 and takes his switch position B. To overuse the Avoiding contact element 5 is the actuating element 6 a fixed stop 7 assigned. The direction of the Swinging out of the actuator 6 is by one stop pins attached to the wall 3.1 or 3.2 of the housing 1 8 limited.

In the interior of the housing 1, the contacts 4 are exposed. The connection contact 4b in the bottom 2 is in the area of the bearing 9 and extends in the long dimension of the Housing 1 to almost in the middle of the housing 1 and in the narrow extension of the housing 1 over the entire width of the housing 1, being only a narrow one for the linear expansion Rag 10 is present. Is supported on the connection contact 4b the contact element 5 with its support leg 11. Furthermore, the contact element 5 has a contact leg 12, which is at an acute angle to the support leg 11, wherein the contact leg 12 has a bending radius 43 is connected to the support leg 11. The contact element 5 is resilient, and on its contact leg 12th is supported by a switching plunger on the actuating element 6 13 from. The contact element 5 is itself in the Rest position A already biased. In the walls 3.1 and 3.2 lie opposite the bearing 9, the contacts 4w freely the surface inside the housing 1 and extend over a height determining the switching point and over a to in the area of the contact leg 12 reaching width. In order to the contacts 4w in the walls 3.1 and 3.2 from Contact legs 12 of the contact element 5 are applied can, the contact element 5 has in the region of the contact legs 12 a preload to the walls 3.1 and 3.2 is aligned. The contact element 5 is thus bent in a V-shape and springy. It is in the direction of the actuator 6 between the switching plunger 13 and the bottom 2 and resiliently clamped between the walls 3.1 and 3.2, wherein the directions of the prestresses approximately perpendicular to each other run.

The contact element 5 is made of an electrically conductive round wire manufactured. About one in relation to the material thickness of the contact element 5 is very large bending radius 43 Support leg 11 connected to the contact leg 12. The Material with a bending radius of 43 runs in the form of a spiral 14, with one contact leg from each of the two ends of the helix 14 12 goes tangentially. In the middle of the helix 14 the support leg 11 is worked out. To do this runs Wire piece 15 also tangentially out of the coil 14 and that is offset by approximately 180 degrees to the contact leg 12. The length of the wire piece 15 is almost up to one the opposite wall 3.4 molded seat ramp 16 there bent over 180 degrees and plunges tangentially back into the helix 14 a. Between that formed from the pieces of wire 15 Support leg 11 and the contact leg 12 lie approx. 1 ½ helix 14. The seat ramp formed on the wall 3.4 16 already ensures when inserting the contact element 5 the approximate positioning in the housing 1. As soon as the contact element 5 is acted upon by the actuating element 6 it on the floor 2 until it comes to rest on the Wall 3.3 is coming. Each contact leg 12 carries on his free end of a bend directed into the interior of the housing 1 17. In the transition area to the bend 17 lies Radius in front of the walls 3.1 or 3.2, whereby a clean, hook-free sliding of the contact leg 12 on the respective wall 3.1 or 3.2, or on the connection contacts 4w or the transitions in between goes.

The transitions between the contacts 4w and the respective Wall 3.1 and 3.2 should be used when operating the actuator 6 not be noticeable. For this are the connection contacts 4w level in the corresponding walls 3.1 and 3.2 embedded. The connection contact 4b is also in the bottom 2 embedded at the same level, what a better edition of the Contact element 5 ensures. Embedding is carried out by injection molding with plastic in an injection mold. Such one Injection mold is inexpensive to manufacture if the walls 3 stand perpendicular to the floor 2. Through the walls 3 are the contacts 4 from the housing 1 either vertically or led out horizontally. Outside the housing 1 are connecting legs 18 for soldering onto a circuit board (not shown) or push-through legs 19 for soldering in punched a circuit board. All contacts 4 are produced coherently as a lead frame 20, whereby the Positioning in the injection mold makes work much easier is achieved.

The bearing 9 between the housing 1 and the actuator 6 is on the one hand by on the outer sides of the walls 3.1 and 3.2 molded bearing pins 21 and on the other hand by appropriate existing on the actuator 6, the journal enclosing bearing bores 22 realized. To in the area the bearing 7 to come, the actuator 6 as one the housing 1 covering shell 23 is formed. The shell 23 consists of a shell cover 24 in the form of an unequal leg Prisms and four perpendicular to each other standing shell walls 25. The walls 3 of the housing 1 are assigned to the prism of the shell cover 24, and three of the Shell walls 25 run at the level of the bottom 2 of the housing 1 when the contact switch is in switch position B. The parallel shell wall 25 close to the bearing 9 is shorter and has a chamfer 26, so that the actuating element 6 when swiveling around the bearing 9 the rest position A can achieve. In the walls 3.1 and 3.2 of the housing 1 opposite shell walls 25 each have a circular arc Actuating groove 27, in which the attached to the housing 1 Plunger 8 dips and the self-resetting Path of the actuator 6 limited. Towards Inside have the walls 3.1 and 3.2 opposite Shell walls 25 assembly chamfers 28, the existing on the housing Bearing pin 21 and stop pin 8 in the direction of Actuator 6 pin chamfers 29. The mounting chamfers 28 and the pin chamfers 29 facilitate the assembly of the actuating element 6, which is clipped onto the housing 1. On the shell lid 24 is a directed into the interior of the housing 1 Switch plunger 13 is formed, which is so wide that it up to the proximity of the walls 3.1 and 3.2 of the housing 1 is sufficient and thus the contact legs 12 of the contact element 5 is applied.

In an alternative version of the contact switch (see 11 and 12), the actuating element 6 is a pressure tappet 30. The plunger 30 is only moved linearly and takes it position A or B. On the housing 1 is over the bearing journal 21 and the stop pin 8 clipped on a cover 31, which is stuck without play after clipping. Located in the lid 31 there is a cover bore 32 through which the pressure tappet 30 protrudes outwards. At the bottom of the pressure ram 30, the switching plunger 13 is formed, in cross section is larger than the pressure ram 30 or the cover bore 32 and thus comes to rest on the inner cover wall 33. On the ground 2, the stop 7 is formed, which is the actuation path limited internally and thus the contact element 5 in front Protects damage. In this alternative design four items required for the contact switch, whereas in the execution of the actuating element giving the bearing 9 6 only three items are required. However, the mode of operation is identical in both versions.

The switching plunger 13 is rectangular in cross section and has on its narrow side facing the contact element 5 a rounded tip 34. The width of the shift plunger 13 extends to just before the walls 3.1 and 3.2 of the housing 1. On its long side, the switching plunger 13 on the Switch cap 34 has an apex 35, from which the switch cap 34 runs at an obtuse angle. So it turns out between the wall 3.1 or 3.2 and the switch cap 34 of the Switch plunger 13 an angle that is less than 90 °.

After executing the contact switch according to FIGS. 1 to 8 engages the switching plunger attached to the actuating element 6 13 approximately in the middle of the contact leg 12 of the contact element 5, resulting in a short actuation path of the actuating element 6 a large contact path of the contact leg 12 results.

To improve the electrical connection between the contact element 5 and the connection contact 4b is a Wire piece 15 on the tab 10 by means of laser welding 44 attached.

6, the connection contact 4 in the wall 3.1 of the housing 1 executed higher than the connection contact 4 in the wall 3.2 of the housing 1. If the contact leg 12 of the Contact element 5 are applied, so the first Current path between the connection contact 4 in the bottom 2 and the Connection contact 4 in the wall 3.1 closed before after further actuation also the current path with the connection contact 4 in the wall 3.2 is closed. When executing 9, the current path is simply changed, while in the embodiment according to FIG. 10 a double change of the current path. The narrower the connection contacts 4 are designed, the more current paths can be changed become.

The function of the contact switch is described below. When actuating the actuating element 6, the Switch plunger 13 on the contact leg 12, which is constantly connected to the existing contact in the bottom 2 4 are. The obtuse-angled switch cap 34 causes a slight lateral force acting outwards in the direction of the walls 3.1 and 3.2 on the contact leg 12 and thus supports the Already existing rectified bias in the contact legs 12. As soon as a contact leg 12 to one in a wall 3 inserted contact 4 comes, the Current path closed. When the contact leg is pressed down further 12 this moves along the contact sheet 36 on the corresponding wall 3 and opens or closes corresponding current paths. Only when the actuator 6 come to a stop at the stop 7, the operating path is ended. In any case, the restoring force increases Actuator 6. After releasing the actuator 6 presses the contact leg 12 against the switching plunger 13 and thus moves the actuating element 6 into the rest position A, which cooperates with the stop pin 8 Actuating groove 27 or through the switching plunger 13 with interacting Cover inner wall 33 is limited. Here strokes the contact leg 12 of the contact element 5 again on the corresponding wall 3 over all connection contacts 4 along until it corresponds to its rest position A. Takes point.

13 and 14 is a manufacturing method for a assembled housing 1 shown. A smooth metallic comes from the left Volume 37 without breakthroughs in the workstation 38 receives its die cuts 39. In work station 40 the bending takes place in the area of the punchings 39, whereby the contacts 4 are positioned, and the lead frame 20 is done. In the subsequent work station 41 the pre-punched, bent tape is overmolded 37 with the housing 1 in an injection mold (not shown). The insertion takes place in a further work station of the contact element 5 via the housing opening 42 in the Housing 1 (already drawn in workstation 40 for reasons of space). In other workstations, not shown takes place the assembly of the actuator 6 and a Pre-separation of the bar grid 20 for electrical testing of the Contact switch. For this purpose, the belt 37 runs in a corresponding testing machine, not shown, in which the contact switch according to the electrical requirements, such as current continuity, Voltage drop, etc. and the force-displacement diagram is checked. After the test is finished, the final punching is carried out of the band 37 with the simultaneous bending and Stamping the connecting legs 18 or the desired push-through legs 19. As soon as the contact switch is free, this is done automatic sorting into good or bad parts. Doing so the result for sorting determined in the testing machine used. The conclusions on the one assigned to the test result Contact switches can be carried out at any time since the Manufacturing in the individual workstations 38, 40 and following always in a certain direction, through the center lines 41 shown grid.

Claims (17)

1. Electric contact switch, more especially a microswitch for automotive vehicles, including a housing (1), which carries connection contacts (4) and accommodates a contact element (5), an actuating element (6) being mounted on said housing with a switching projection (13), which acts on the contact element (5), which has at least one supporting portion (11), which is supported on a connection contact (4), and at least one contact portion (12), which returns the actuating element (6) and acts on connection contacts (4) perpendicularly thereto, characterised in that the contact element (5) is a bilaterally acting torsion spring, which is formed in one piece from an electrically conductive round wire and is provided centrally with the supporting portion (11) formed from two bent pieces of wire (15), which lie adjacent each other, and which each communicate with half a coil (14), which is situated in the bend radius (43) and extends into a contact portion (12), which is orientated upwardly and outwardly relative to the housing.
2. Electric contact switch according to claim 1, characterised in that a one-and-a half coil (14) communicates with each piece of wire (15) of the supporting portion (11).
3. Electric contact switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each contact portion (12) has, at its free end, an angular portion (17), which is orientated inwardly of the housing.
4. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that

   the contact element (5) is bent in a V-shaped manner resiliently,

   the supporting portion (11) is supported on a base (2) in the interior of the housing (1) by means of at least a partial abutment against the connection contact (4), and

   the contact portion (12) protrudes in the direction of a housing aperture (42), which is situated opposite the base (2), the contact portion (12) having an initial tension perpendicular thereto.
5. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the supporting portion (11) and the contact portion (12) of the contact element (5) are interconnected via a bend radius (43), which is large compared with the material thickness.
6. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the housing (1) comprises the base (2) provided with walls (3), which communicate therewith and lie perpendicularly relative thereto, and the connection contacts (4) lie in a sunken manner in the base (2) and in at least one wall (3), the connection contacts (4) being embedded at identical levels at least in the walls (3).
7. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the connection contacts (4) extend horizontally from the housing (1) and are configured as connecting legs (18) for soldering on a printed circuit board.
8. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the connection contacts (4) extend perpendicularly from the housing (1) and are configured as through-legs (19) for soldering in a printed circuit board.
9. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the connection contacts (4) are produced as stamped blanks (20) and injection-moulded with the plastics material into the housing (1).
10. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the housing (1) has a respective bearing pin (21) eccentrically on each of two oppositely situated walls (3.1, 3.2), said bearing pins extending in bearing bores (22) formed in the actuating element (6), a stop pin (8) being provided at least on one wall (3.1, 3.2) at a spacing from the bearing pins (21) and engaging in an actuating groove (27).
11. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the actuating element (6) is a container (23), which covers the housing (1), the shape of said container being adapted to the configuration of the housing (1), and the switching projection (13) being provided on a container cover (24), which is situated opposite the base (2) of the housing (1), said switching projection protruding into the housing (1) between the walls (3.1, 3.2) and acting on the contact element (5).
12. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the actuating element is a push rod (30), which is inserted in a cover bore (32) in a cover (31), which is mounted on the housing (1), the push rod (30) having a switching projection (13), which abuts against the internal cover wall (33) and has a wider cross-section than the cover bore (32).
13. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the switching projection (13), which has a rectangular cross-section, is rounded-off on its dome-shaped switching member (34), which faces the contact element (5), the dome-shaped switching member (34) being slightly inclined relative to the walls (3.1, 3.2) of the housing (1), past which walls the switching projection (13) is moved, whereby an angle, which is less than 90°, is formed between the dome-shaped switching member (34) and the corresponding wall (3.1, 3.2) of the housing (1).
14. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the switching projection (13), which is mounted on the actuating element (6), engages roughly in the centre of the contact portion (12) of the contact element (5).
15. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the contact element (5) is welded with its supporting portion (11) on the connection contact (4), which is situated in the base (2) of the housing (1).
16. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the oppositely situated connection contacts (4), which are provided in the walls (3) of the housing (1) and are situated within the pivotal range of the contact portion (12), have different heights.
17. Electric contact switch according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the connection contacts (4) in one wall (3) are a plurality of connection contacts (4) situated one behind the other within the pivotal range of the contact element (5).

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