In electric technology couplers are used to switch off the current, when the coupler is on one position and to switch on the current, when the coupler is on the other position. There are opening (NC) couplers and closing (NO) couplers. The functional principle of the opening (NC) coupler is that by default value the current is connected or the contact surfaces are matched together. When an impulse is directed to the coupler, the contact surfaces are transferred so, that they are not matched together and the current is cut off. In the closing (NO) coupler the function is reverse, by default value the run of the current is cut off or the contact surfaces are apart and the impulse directed to the coupler connects the closed circuit.

Presently the state-of-the-art couplers are either opening (NC) or closing (NO) couplers. The closing NO-type coupler cannot, however, be replaced with the opening NC-type coupler, or vice versa. For this reason, there has to be two versions of the couplers, the NC-and the NO-type one. Consequently, different kinds of products are needed, and they must be manufactured and stored separately.

The object of the invention is to introduce a method and a coupling device, in the use of which the one and same coupling device can be used both as an opening and a closing coupler. In addition, the object is to introduce a method, which is easy to realize and to use. In particular the object is to introduce a coupling device, which is simple in its construction, economically advantageous and dependable in its function.

The object of the invention is achieved with the method and the coupling device, which is characterized by what is presented in the claims.

In the method in accordance with the invention the mentioned second contact surface is changed in respect of the first contact surface by changing the position of the moving part in regards to the frame piece in order to change the functional mode

of the coupler from the opening-type to the closing-type and vice versa. In this way with a simple operation the functional mode of the coupler is altered and changed as desired. The position of the movable part in respect of the frame piece determines the type of the coupler.

In an advantageous application of the invention the moving part is moved in respect of the frame piece. In this way parts connected with and/or located inside the frame piece, such as the contact surfaces of the coupler, can be moved in respect of each other into different positions easily and in a simple way.

In a coupling device in accordance with the invention the mentioned movable part is arranged to move the mentioned second contact surface in respect of the mentioned first contact surface, in order to change the functional mode of the coupler from the opening-type to the closing-type and vice versa, whereat the position of the movable part is arranged to determine the type of the coupler. Thus, the coupling device includes a movable part located in the switch frame, the position of which determines the type of the coupler, which type is either the closing type, normally open (NO, Normally Open), or the opening type, normally closed (NC, Normally Closed). By changing the position of the mentioned movable part, the functional mode of the coupler is changed from the opening to the closing, and vice versa, easily. The construction is in its realization simple and economically advantageous and certainly reliable in its function.

With the method and the coupling device in accordance with the invention several benefits are achieved for the different parties concerned. The benefits for the ma- nufacturer, the whole distribution chain and to the end user are the savings in costs resulting from the maintenance of a smaller product range. For the manufacturer of the product the solution makes it possible to set up less complicated production line and, additionally, it makes the designing of the new switch models easier. For the distribution chains again it gives the possibility to simplify and reduce the product range, and in this way achieve savings in the logistics and storing costs. For the end users (such as, for instance, the electrical installation businesses) the solution offers the same benefit as to the whole distribution chain. Also the actual installation work becomes easier, as the amount of different components needed for the installation work is reduced. Out of this, savings in costs are achieved.

In the following the invention is explained more in detail by referring to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 presents an application of the coupling device in accordance with the invention as an opening (NC) coupler, Figure 2 presents the position of the application in accordance with figure 1 when the position of the coupler is being changed, and Figure 3 presents the coupling device in accordance with figure 1 as a closing (NO) coupler.

The coupling device presented in the figures 1-3 includes the following parts: the frame piece 1, the transverse closing part 2 attached to the frame piece, which forms the first contact surface, part 4 movable in respect of the frame piece, to which is attached the transverse, plate-like part 3 which forms the second contact surface, as well as the transferring device 6.

The movable part 4 comprises a tap-like frame part 7, which is located inside the frame piece and is extended from one side of the frame piece to the other one so, that both ends of the tap 7 reach out from the openings formed on the opposite sides of the frame piece. The transverse closing part 2 is located inside the frame piece and thereon the opening 10 for the tap is formed. The diameter of the plate-like part 3 fastened on the tap is bigger than the opening 10 formed on the transverse closing part. The plate-like part is fastened movably on the tap. On the tap, close to its ends, widenings 11 and 12 as well as a collar 13 are fastened or formed. The collar 13 is located at a small distance from the widening 12 in the inside direction of the frame piece and in such a way, that between the widening and the collar a small gap 14 is left. The plate-like part 3 is placed between the collar 13 and the widening 11. Addi- tionally, the coupler includes a spring element 15, which is located between the collar and the plate-like part. The spring organ is arranged to press the plate-like part away from the collar.

The transferring device 6 placed inside the frame piece comprises the turning element 8 fastened turnable on the frame piece and the transferring element 9, which is placed between the turning element and the frame part of the movable part.

In this application the transferring element is relatively narrow, out of flexible material produced organ, the one end of which is placed in the gap 14 between the widening 12 and the collar 13. The other end lies against the turning element.

Between the turning element and the movable part a support 16 is attached on the frame piece, on which the mid-part of the transferring element is supported. In this

application the support is formed by two transverse supports, between which the transferring organ is placed. The turning organ is mainly a round organ, on which a cutout 17 is formed. The turning organ can be manoeuvred and turned from the outside of the frame piece.

When the coupler is in the NC-position illustrated in figure 1, the turning element 8 is turned so, that the end of the transferring element 9 presses in the gap 14 the collar against the transverse closing part or the contact surface 2. Due to this, the movable part 4 has been transferred in that direction and the spring element 15 is pressing the plate-like part 3 against the transverse closing part 2, whereat the contact surfaces match against each other. The widening 11 is against the inner surface of the frame piece. In this position the coupler is an opening-type coupler.

When transferring the coupler from one position into the other, the turning element 8 is turned. Due to this, the end of the transferring element 9 resting against the turning element is transferred from the curved surface and moves into the cut-out 17 on the turning element, whereat the tap 7 is moving moved by the transferring element into the position presented in figure 2. When turning the turning element further, the end of the transferring element in the direction of the turning element is moved against the curved surface on the other side of the cut-out of the turning element, and as the mid-part of the transferring element is supported between the support elements 16, the leverage effect caused by this movement is turning the other end of the transferring element in the above-mentioned gap 14 against the surface of the widening 11 pressing the movable part into the position presented in figure 3.

In this application the widening 12 is resting against the side of the frame piece pressed by the transferring element, the plate-like part 3 is against the surface of the other widening 12 pressed by the spring element and the plate-like part is at a distance from the transverse closing part 2. Under these circumstances the contact surfaces are not matched against each other and the coupler is a closing-type of coupler.

The invention is not limited to the presented advantageous applications, but it can vary within idea of the invention formed in the claims.