Handheld power tool with compact AC switch
First Claim
1. A power tool having a compact AC switch assembly, comprising:
- an electric motor;
a housing containing said electric motor and including a handle;
a trigger configured to selectively operate the electric motor, the trigger being movable along an axis of trigger travel between an extended position and a depressed position;
said trigger having a trigger travel distance over which it travels from said extended position to said depressed position;
a trigger switch attached to said trigger to control said electric motor in accordance with position of said trigger in relation to said trigger switch; and
said trigger switch including a printed circuit board having a width extending along said axis of trigger travel;
a variable resistor on the printed circuit board;
wherein a length of the variable resistor along the axis of trigger travel is greater than 50% of the printed circuit board width extending along said axis of trigger travel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power tool is disclosed having a compact AC switch assembly. An electric motor driving the power tool is contained within a housing that includes a handle. A trigger is slidingly received in the handle and moves in an axis of trigger travel along a trigger travel distance extending between an extended position of the trigger and a depressed position. A trigger switch including a printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical communication with the trigger and controls the electric motor in accordance with trigger position. The printed circuit board has a plurality of conductive traces that are sequentially arranged and linearly aligned adjacent the trigger in a direction that is transverse to the axis of trigger travel to reduce the width of the printed circuit board to a value that is less than or equal to three times the trigger travel distance.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power tool having a compact AC switch assembly, comprising:
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an electric motor; a housing containing said electric motor and including a handle; a trigger configured to selectively operate the electric motor, the trigger being movable along an axis of trigger travel between an extended position and a depressed position; said trigger having a trigger travel distance over which it travels from said extended position to said depressed position; a trigger switch attached to said trigger to control said electric motor in accordance with position of said trigger in relation to said trigger switch; and said trigger switch including a printed circuit board having a width extending along said axis of trigger travel; a variable resistor on the printed circuit board; wherein a length of the variable resistor along the axis of trigger travel is greater than 50% of the printed circuit board width extending along said axis of trigger travel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A power tool having a compact AC switch assembly, comprising:
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an electric motor; a housing containing said electric motor and including a handle; a trigger configured to selectively operate the electric motor, the trigger being movable along an axis of trigger travel between an extended position and a depressed position; the trigger having a trigger travel distance over which it travels from said extended position to said depressed position; a trigger switch attached to said trigger to control said electric motor in accordance with position of said trigger in relation to said trigger switch; and said trigger switch including a printed circuit board having a width extending along said axis of trigger travel; wherein the trigger travel distance is at least 33% of the printed circuit board width extending along said axis of trigger travel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A power tool having a compact AC switch assembly, comprising:
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an electric motor; a housing containing said electric motor and including a handle; a tool member configured to be driven by the electric motor; a trigger configured to selectively operate the electric motor, the trigger being movable along an axis of trigger travel between an extended position and a depressed position; the trigger having a trigger travel distance over which it travels from said extended position to said depressed position; a trigger switch attached to said trigger to control said electric motor in accordance with position of said trigger in relation to said trigger switch; and said trigger switch including a printed circuit board having a width extending along said axis of trigger travel; a variable resistor on the printed circuit board; wherein a length of the variable resistor along the axis of trigger travel is greater than 50% of the printed circuit board width extending along said axis of trigger travel; wherein the trigger travel distance is at least 33% of the printed circuit board width extending along said axis of trigger travel wherein there are a plurality of conductive traces on the circuit board; wherein the conductive traces pass through the axis of trigger travel; and wherein at least one of the plurality of conductive traces passes through the variable resistor.
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Specification