Pressure switch

#The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also described in German Patent Application DE 10 2005 032 158.5 filed on Jul. 9, 2005. This German Patent Application, whose subject matter is incorporated here by reference, provides the basis for a claim of priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).

#The present invention generally relates to pressure switches.

#More particularly the present invention relates to a pressure switch with a housing in which a plunger element that is movable against a spring force of a first elastic element is located, contacts being located directly or indirectly on the plunger element, and the first elastic element being located on the side of the plunger element facing toward or away from a media connection.

#FIG. 1 shows a partial cross section of a pressure switch, according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2a shows a side top view of a plunger element, according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2b shows a top view of the plunger element from below, according to the present invention.

#Pressure switch 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 2 with a media connection 3. A plunger element 4 designed as a stepped plunger is movably located in housing 2. End 5 of plunger element 4 facing away from media connection 3 interacts with a first elastic element 6, which is designed as a spring. First elastic element 6 bears against an adjustment screw 7 that can be screwed into housing 2.

#Second elastic element 8, which is also designed as a spring, is located on the end of plunger element 4 where the media connection is located. Second elastic element 8 bears against a housing stop 9 and against a stop 10 that has a plate-shaped configuration. Second elastic element 8 is located on a shank 11 of plunger element 2. Not-shown contacts are located above a seal 12. A snap ring 13 is provided to prevent plunger element 4 from falling out.

#Second elastic element 8 is preloaded and tries to move plunger element 4 in arrow-head direction 14. When a medium acts on pressure switch 1 in arrow-head direction 15, plunger element 4 is moved against the spring forces of elastic elements 6, 8 in arrow-head direction 15. The contacts inside housing 2 are lengthened as a result and, depending on the design of the contacts, a normally-open, normally-closed or changeover contact function of pressure switch 1 is realized. Fixed contacts connected with terminals 16 in an electrically conductive manner can be assigned to the contacts capable of being moved by plunger element 4.