Method for manufacturing a switching apparatus for electric systems

A method for manufacturing a switching apparatus for electric systems, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a first housing shell of the switching apparatus, the first housing shell being of thermoplastic material and including a first coupling edge for coupling with another housing shell, the first coupling edge having a first coupling surface and first ribs protruding from the first coupling surface and extending along the first coupling edge;
• providing a second housing shell of the switching apparatus, the second housing shell being of thermoplastic material and including a second coupling edge for coupling with the first housing shell, the second coupling edge having a second coupling surface and second ribs protruding from the second coupling surface and extending along the second coupling edge;
• assembling the first and second housing shells and a plurality of operating components of the switching apparatus, thereby obtaining a preliminary assembly of the switching apparatus, wherein the first and second housing shells are coupled by coupling the first and second coupling edges of the first and second housing shells, wherein protruding portions of the one or more first ribs of the first coupling edge are overlapped and in contact to corresponding protruding portions of the one or more second ribs of the second coupling edge, when the first and second coupling edges of the first and second housing shells are coupled, and wherein one or more spacings are formed between the first and second coupling surfaces and the first and second ribs, when the first and second coupling edges of the first and second housing shells are coupled;
• and
• joining the first and second coupling edges of the first and second housing shells through a vibration welding process, thereby forming a permanent junction between the first and second housing shells and obtaining a sealed outer casing for the switching apparatus.