Electromechanical function unit for a battery-operated, handheld work apparatus

• US 10,136,542 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2017
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andreas STIHL AG & Company KG (Stihl Holding AG & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Andreas STIHL AG & Company KG (Stihl Holding AG & Company KG)
• Inventors: Gurr, Kay-Steffen, Kolb, Joachim, Liebhard, Gernot, Mueller, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Dhakal, Bickey
• Application Number:
  US15/461,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20170273209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/57 surface mounting terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 3/06 for stopping or slowing an individual dynamo-electric motor or dynamo-electric converter
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1427 Housings

Abstract

An electromechanical function unit is for a battery operated, handheld work apparatus that has an operating switch for putting the work apparatus into operation. The operating switch is to be actuated by an actuating element of the work apparatus. The operating switch is connected to a control unit for operating the work apparatus. The control unit includes a circuit board having electronic components, and has a first circuit board side, and a second circuit board side that faces away from the first circuit board side. In order to avoid wiring and to reduce the tolerance chain, provision is made to dispose the operating switch on the second circuit board side. The operating switch is supported statically via a support arrangement, independently of the circuit board. The support arrangement has no mechanical connection to the circuit board, and leads from the second circuit board side to the first circuit board side.

Claims

1. A function unit for a battery operated, handheld work apparatus, the function unit comprising:

an operating switch for operating the work apparatus;

an actuating member configured to actuate said operating switch;

a circuit board having a plurality of electronic components arranged thereon;

said circuit board having a control unit mounted thereon for operating said work apparatus;

said circuit board having a first circuit board side and a second circuit board side facing away from said first circuit board side;

a housing defining a housing-fixed wall;

said first circuit board side facing toward said housing-fixed wall;

said operating switch being arranged at said second circuit board side;

a mechanical support arrangement connected to said housing-fixed wall and being independent of said circuit board;

said operating switch being statically supported by said support arrangement independently of said circuit board;

said support arrangement projecting from said housing and, without a mechanical connection to said circuit board, from said second circuit board passing side to said first circuit board side; and

,

said circuit board having a passthrough opening formed therein to accommodate the passing of said support arrangement therethrough so as to cause said support arrangement to mechanically brace said operating switch against said housing-fixed wall.

2. The function unit of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiving trough;

said circuit board being held in said receiving trough;

said first circuit board side facing said receiving trough; and

,

said support arrangement supporting said operating switch with respect to said receiving trough.

3. The function unit of claim 2, wherein said circuit board is potted in said receiving trough.

4. The function unit of claim 2, wherein:

said receiving trough has a base;

said circuit board, on said first circuit board side, has electrical contacts configured for an electrical connection to a battery pack; and

,

said electrical contacts project through said base of said receiving trough.

5. The function unit of claim 1, wherein all electrical connections between a battery pack, the control unit and the operating switch are formed as conducting paths on said circuit board of said control unit.

6. The function unit of claim 1, wherein:

the work apparatus includes an electric motor having an electrical braking circuit;

said braking circuit includes a braking resistor and an electric braking switch; and

,

said braking switch is arranged on said second circuit board side in a mounting module.

7. The function unit of claim 6, wherein said braking switch is arranged in said mounting module.

8. The function unit of claim 7, wherein said electrical braking circuit is formed as a conductor path on said circuit board of said control unit.

9. A function unit for a battery operated, handheld work apparatus, the function unit comprising:

an operating switch for operating the work apparatus;

an actuating member configured to actuate said operating switch;

a circuit board having a plurality of electronic components arranged thereon;

said circuit board having a control unit mounted thereon for operating said work apparatus;

said circuit board having a first circuit board side and a second circuit board side facing away from said first circuit board side;

said operating switch being mounted on said second circuit board side;

a support arrangement statically bracing said operating switch independently of said circuit board;

said support arrangement leading through from said second circuit board side to said first circuit board side without a mechanical connection to said circuit board; and

,

said support arrangement being formed by a support dome and a support bearing seated on said support dome.

10. The function unit of claim 9, wherein:

said support dome has a first dome end facing said support bearing; and

,

said support bearing overlaps said first dome end.

11. The function unit of claim 9, wherein:

said operating switch is mounted on said second circuit board side with a mounting module;

said circuit board defines a passthrough opening; and

,

said support bearing is formed on said mounting module and projects through said passthrough opening.

12. The function unit of claim 9 further comprising:

a receiving trough for said circuit board; and

,

said support dome being formed on said receiving trough.