Auxiliary switch including cam operated, u-shaped leaf spring bridging contact arrangement

An auxiliary switch arrangement comprising:

• (A) a housing;
• (B) first and second fixed contact pieces, the first and second fixed contact pieces being fastened inside the housing;
• and
• (C) a leaf spring strip, the leaf spring strip being U-shaped, and the leaf spring strip having
• (1) a first end, the first end being fastened inside the housing, and
• (2) a second end, the second end having a spring-loaded contact bridge formed thereon, the contact bridge including first and second movable contact pieces, the first and second movable contact pieces being movable with respect to the first and second fixed contact pieces, the first and second movable contact pieces being movable between a switched-on position in which the first and second movable contact pieces connect the first and second fixed contact pieces and a switched-off position in which the first and second movable contact pieces leave the first and second fixed contact pieces disconnected.

A method of switching between a switched-on position and a switched-off position of an auxiliary switch, the method comprising:

• (A) providing the auxiliary switch with a housing, first and second fixed contact pieces fastened inside the housing, and a U-shaped leaf spring strip, the leaf spring strip having a contact bridge disposed at one end thereof with first and second movable contact pieces;
• (B) switching the auxiliary switch to the switched-on position from the switched-off position to establish an electrical connection between the first and second fixed contact pieces, including the steps of
• (1) moving a slide in a first direction, the moving step being performed by a switching device, and
• (2) pressing the first and second movable contact pieces against the first and second fixed contact pieces, the pressing step being performed by the leaf spring strip, the pressing step occurring in response to the movement of the slide in the first direction, the first and second movable contact pieces establishing the electrical connection between the first and second fixed contact pieces;
• and
• (C) switching the auxiliary switch to the switched-off position from the switched-on position, including the steps of
• (1) moving the slide in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, the moving step being performed by the switching device, and
• (2) lifting the first and second movable contact pieces off the first and second fixed contact pieces, the lifting step being performed by the cams of the slide, the cams applying a force to the contact bridge which acts against a force simultaneously applied to the contact bridge by the leaf spring strip, the lifting step occurring in response to the movement of the slide in the second direction, the lifting of the first and second movable contact pieces off the first and second fixed contact pieces interrupting the electrical connection between the first and second fixed contact pieces.