Non-contact speed selector swtich in rotary power tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025091188-A1
Application number	US-202418966455-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 3, 2024
Priority date	Nov 7, 2017
Publication date	Mar 20, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom. An electric motor is positioned within the motor housing portion. The power tool also includes trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor. The power tool further includes a non-contact mode selector switch that is separate from the trigger switch and configured to adjust an operational mode of the tool. The non-contact mode selector switch is positioned in a foot of the handle portion opposite the motor housing portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A power tool comprising:
a housing including a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom; an electric motor positioned within the motor housing portion; a trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor; and a non-contact mode selector switch separate from the trigger switch and configured to adjust an operational mode of the power tool, wherein the non-contact mode selector switch is positioned in a foot of the handle portion opposite the motor housing portion.

2 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein the operational mode that is adjustable by the non-contact mode selector switch is a rotational speed of the motor.

3 . The power tool of claim 2 , wherein at least two of the operational modes are a first rotational speed of the electric motor and a different, second rotational speed of the electric motor.

4 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein the foot includes a bottom surface configured to be selectively coupled to a battery pack, wherein the foot includes a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and wherein the top surface includes an aperture through which a portion of the non-contact mode selector switch extends.

5 . The power tool of claim 4 , wherein the non-contact mode selector switch is movable within the aperture in a direction transverse to a rotational axis of the electric motor.

6 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein the non-contact mode selector switch includes a proximity sensor and a shuttle movable relative to the proximity sensor.

7 . The power tool of claim 6 , wherein the proximity sensor is a Hall-effect sensor.

8 . The power tool of claim 7 , wherein the non-contact mode selector switch includes a circuit board disposed within the foot of the handle portion, and wherein the Hall-effect sensor is disposed on the circuit board.

9 . The power tool of claim 8 , wherein the shuttle includes a magnet, and wherein the Hall-effect sensor is configured to adjust the operational mode of the power tool based on a position of the magnet.

10 . The power tool of claim 9 , wherein the magnet is disposed on a lower surface of the shuttle that is oriented parallel to a surface of the circuit board on which the Hall-effect sensor is disposed.

11 . The power tool of claim 10 , wherein the shuttle is movable along an axis oriented parallel to the lower surface of the shuttle.

12 . A power tool comprising:
a housing including a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom, the handle portion including a foot extending therefrom opposite the motor housing portion; a battery receptacle defined in a bottom surface of the foot in which a battery pack is receivable; an electric motor positioned within the motor housing portion; a trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor; and a mode selector switch positioned in the foot of the handle portion, the mode selector switch configured to adjust an operational mode of the power tool.

13 . The power tool of claim 12 , wherein the mode selector switch includes a movable actuator and a stationary sensor, and wherein the actuator is not in physical contact with the sensor.

14 . The power tool of claim 13 , wherein the mode selector switch includes a circuit board configured to support the sensor.

15 . The power tool of claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor, wherein the actuator includes a magnet, and wherein the mode selector switch is configured to adjust the operational mode of the power tool based on a position of the magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor.

16 . The power tool of claim 15 , wherein the magnet is disposed on a lower surface of the actuator that is oriented parallel to a surface of the circuit board on which the Hall-effect sensor is disposed.

17 . The power tool of claim 12 , wherein the mode selector switch includes a circuit board disposed within the foot of the handle portion, wherein the mode selector switch includes a plurality of recesses disposed on an underside of a movable portion of the mode selector switch such that the plurality of recesses are positioned within the foot, and wherein the mode selector switch includes a detent spring positioned beneath the movable portion of the mode selector switch and disposed adjacent the circuit board.

18 . The power tool of claim 12 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the motor housing portion defines a forward direction and rearward direction of the power tool, with the forward direction being adjacent an output shaft of the power tool, wherein at least a portion of the foot extends forward of the handle, and wherein the mode selector switch is positioned in the foot forward of the handle.

19 . The power tool of claim 12 , wherein the operational mode that is adjustable by the mode selector switch is a rotational speed of the motor.

20 . The power tool of claim 19 , wherein the operational mode includes a first operational mode coinciding with a first rotational speed of the electric motor, and a second operational mode coinciding with a different, second rotational speed of the electric motor.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Merget Maxwell L
• Liang Jingyuan
• Sande Michael R
• Halverson Michael
• Duncan Ian
• Mantych Nicholas C
• Huber Alex

Classifications

• B25B21/00

  Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; (details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006}); Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose (machines B23P19/06) · CPC title

• B25D17/00

  Details of, or accessories for, portable power-driven percussive tools {(details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00)} · CPC title

• B25D2250/255

  Switches · CPC title

• B25F5/026

  in the form of an auxiliary handle (B25F5/024 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B25D2250/095

  Electric motors · CPC title