Electromagnetic switch for a starting device, and method for switching the electromagnetic switch

The invention relates to an electromagnetic switch (16) for a starting device (10), comprising two contacts (180, 181) that are electroconductively inter-connected by a mobile contact bridge (184). At least one of the two contacts (180, 181) preferably comprises a contact surface (300) fixed to a contact stud (150, 151). According to the invention, a) the contact surface (300) is at least essentially flat, and an edge (279) of the contact bridge (180, 181), is arranged in such a way that, (184), providing electrical contact between the contact bridge (184) and the contact once it has come into contact with the contact surface (300), it enables a linear contact between the contact (189, 181) and the contact bridge (184), or b) the contact surface (300) comprises bumps lying essentially in one plane, and an edge (279) of the contact bridge (184), providing electrical contact between the contact bridge (184) and the contact (180, 181), is arranged in such a way that, once it comes into contact with the contact surface (300), it enables essentially a multiple-point contact between the contact (180, 181) and the contact bridge (184), or c) a surface (318) of the contact bridge (184), oriented towards the contact (180, 181), and a longitudinal axis (312) of the contact stud (150, 151), form an angle ( ) oriented towards a central axis (315) of the switch (16) and larger than 90°, or d) a surface (318) of the contact bridge (184), oriented towards the contact (180, 181), and a longitudinal axis (312) of the contact stud (150, 151), form an angle ( ) which is radially outwardly oriented towards a central axis (315) of the switch (16) and is larger than 90°. The invention also relates to a method for switching an electromagnetic switch, preferably a starting device (10), comprising two contacts (180, 181) that are connected by a mobile contact bridge (184). When the contact bridge (184) is contacted by at least one of the two contacts (180, 181), a rubbing movement is generated between the contact bridge (184) and the contact surface (300) of the contact (180, 181).