Coupling element for an electric switching device, specifically a vacuum switching tube, wherein the coupling element has a first switching contact for the opening and closing of an electrical contact with a second switching contact, characterized in that: - the coupling element has an oblong winding body, having two ends (301, 302) arranged in opposition in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the first switching contact is arranged at one end; - the coupling element comprises a rotation body, through which the winding body extends, and is provided for coupling to a drive in order to execute a rotary movement by means of the drive, wherein the rotation body comprises two sides (404, 405), of which one faces the one end of the winding body, and the other faces the other end of the winding body; - the rotation body is rotatably mounted on the winding body, and the winding body is guided in a linear manner, such that the winding body is not rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, but can be moved in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the rotation body; - on one or both sides (404, 405) of the rotation body, a plurality of wires (6, 6') in each case are arranged between the rotation body and the winding body such that, by means of opposing rotary movements of the rotation body, a winding and unwinding of the wire(s) (6, 6') is caused on the winding body and, as a result, the winding body is moved in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the rotation body, in order to open and close the electrical contact of the first switching contact with the second switching contact. - the coupling element has an oblong winding body, having two ends (301, 302) arranged in opposition in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the first switching contact is arranged at one end; - the coupling element comprises a rotation body, through which the winding body extends, and is provided for coupling to a drive in order to execute a rotary movement by means of the drive, wherein the rotation body comprises two sides (404, 405), of which one faces the one end of the winding body, and the other faces the other end of the winding body; - the rotation body is rotatably mounted on the winding body, and the winding body is guided in a linear manner, such that the winding body is not rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, but can be moved in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the rotation body; - on one or both sides (404, 405) of the rotation body, a plurality of wires (6, 6') in each case are arranged between the rotation body and the winding body such that, by means of opposing rotary movements of the rotation body, a winding and unwinding of the wire(s) (6, 6') is caused on the winding body and, as a result, the winding body is moved in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the rotation body, in order to open and close the electrical contact of the first switching contact with the second switching contact. - the coupling element comprises a rotation body, through which the winding body extends, and is provided for coupling to a drive in order to execute a rotary movement by means of the drive, wherein the rotation body comprises two sides (404, 405), of which one faces the one end of the winding body, and the other faces the other end of the winding body; - the rotation body is rotatably mounted on the winding body, and the winding body is guided in a linear manner, such that the winding body is not rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, but can be moved in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the rotation body; - on one or both sides (404, 405) of the rotation body, a plurality of wires (6, 6') in each case are arranged between the rotation body and the winding body such that, by means of opposing rotary movements of the rotation body, a winding and unwinding of the wire(s) (6, 6') is caused on the winding body and, as a result, the winding body is moved in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the rotation body, in order to open and close the electrical contact of the first switching contact with the second switching contact.