Latching mechanism for locking an actuating shaft and electrical switch with a latching mechanism of this type

摘要

A latching mechanism is for locking an actuating shaft of an electrical switch, which can be transferred from an OFF position into an ON position by a drive train counter to the force of at least one first spring, in its ON position. The latching mechanism includes a first lever, which is pivotably coupled to the drive train of the actuating shaft and is supported against a stop held in a locking position. For accelerated release of the actuating shaft, also provided is a second lever, which has a working surface assigned to the stop. In this case, the second lever is held in a first stop position against the first lever by way of a second spring. When the second lever pivots under the action of an initiating force, which opposes the force of the second spring, the working surface acts in such a way on the stop that the stop is transferred into a release position. In order to release the actuating shaft more quickly, the forces of the two springs act independently of one another on the first lever, so that a mechanism which provides the initiating force can be formed independently of the drive train.