Patent ID: 9368297
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: H01H

Claim Text:
1. An illuminated, waterproof and dust-proof switching element for converting linear movement of a push button into an electrical switching signal, comprising: a housing and a cap which is axially displaceable within the housing along a stroke path between two end bearings; said cap being provided with an integrally molded protective membrane for external sealing that is formed from a flexible plastic material by way of multicomponent injection molding; a frame mounted on the housing; and within the housing at least four contacts and a connection for contacting said contacts, the four contacts being comprised of at least two pairs of the contacts, the at least two pairs of contacts being of like contour and, together, forming a linear arrangement in a region of the connection for contacting said contacts and a rectangular arrangement in an interior of the housing; and the switching element further comprising a pressure compensation element, a circuit board on which at least one push button and at least two lighting elements are arranged, a silicone pad as a restoring element and light seal, a guide, and an end stop; and wherein the pressure compensation element communicates with an ambient external environment to the switching element via a vent duct for compensating pressure between an interior of the switching element and the external ambient environment; wherein the housing is configured to have a meandering channel that forms said vent duct, the vent duct having one end that opens to an interior of the housing within which the circuit board, silicone pad, and guide are situated; wherein said one end is covered by the pressure compensation element; wherein a seat is formed by the housing at said one end into which the pressure compensation element seats; wherein the vent duct has an opposite end that opens at a sidewall of the housing to an external environment of the housing, said opposite end being covered by a latching hook of the frame; and wherein the pressure compensation element does not move with the guide and is located underneath the circuit board.