Abstract: An illuminated, waterproof and dust-proof switching element for converting a linear movement of a push button into an electrical switching signal, has a housing and a cap which is axially displaceable within the housing along a stroke path between two end bearings. The cap has a protective membrane for external sealing that is formed from a flexible plastic material by way of multicomponent injection molding. The switching element includes within the housing at least four contacts, a pressure compensation element, a circuit board on which at least one push button and at least two lighting elements are arranged, a silicone pad as a restoring element, a guide, an end stop, a cap with integrally molded protective membrane, and a frame. At least two pairs of the contacts have a like contour including a linear arrangement in the region of a plug and rectangular arrangement in the interior.

Abstract: A dustproof and waterproof switch, in particular for a seat belt buckle of restraint systems of motor vehicles for indicating that the latch plate has been inserted into the seat belt buckle and properly locked, includes two contact plates, composed of a fixed contact plate and a contact spring plate, wherein the contacting regions of the contact plates are disposed in a housing-interior of the switch housing which is protected from foreign matter, and the switch can be activated by moving a slide in a channel disposed lateral to the housing-interior, whereby the spring contact plate is deflected by way of an actuating bracket which is pivotably mounted in the switch housing at one end and penetrates the side of the housing-interior facing the channel at the other end by means of an angled section.