An electronic switch and control module (200) for a power tool (100) having an electric motor (104) is provided. The module (200) includes a module housing (204) including a bottom surface (207), side walls (228), and an open face; a printed circuit board (PCB) (202) fittingly received from the open face of the module housing (204) and securely disposed within the module housing (204); an encapsulation member (260) arranged to mate (266) with a mating surface of the side walls (228) of the module housing (204) to form an enclosed compartment (210a) over a portion of the PCB (202) to enclose at least one electronic or electro-mechanical element (214) mounted on a surface of the PCB (202); and power switches (206) mounted on the surface of the PCB (202) within an open compartment (210b) of the module housing (204) where the encapsulation member (260) does not enclose the surface of the PCB (202), the power switches (206) being electrically configured to switchably connect a supply of electric power from a power source (108) to the electric motor (104).

A directional input unit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, where the input unit is configured to output a signal indicative of a rotational direction of the electric motor. The input unit includes a forward/reverse actuator having a lever extending from an engagement member and pivotable around a pivot member, the lever having a contact tip, and a biasing member. The biasing member including a lever engaging member engaging the contact tip and having an upper portion and a lower portion with a groove formed at an end common point of the upper and lower portions. A first leg of the biasing member extend downwardly from the upper portion and arranged to be securely received inside an opening of a holder, and a second leg extends upwardly from the lower portion outside the opening between the lever engaging member and the first leg.

An electric switch (1), in particular for manually operated electric tools or appliances with an electric motor, is switchable from outside by means of a plunger (13). A changeover device (40) is provided for setting the direction of rotation of the electric motor, which changeover device can be activated for example by a tappet (47) arranged on the outside. The switch (1) is constructed very compactly, which simplifies the sealing of a switch of this type.

An electrical switch has at least one fixed contact and a moving contact lever (110) supported for movement between a first (ON) position in contact with said at least one fixed contact and a second (OFF) position out of contact therewith. An operating mechanism moves the moving contact lever between the first and second positions. The operating mechanism includes a resiliently biased presser 150 resiliently pressing upon the moving contact lever for moving the same between the first and second positions while riding in opposite first or second direction past a barrier (110E) associated with the moving contact lever. The presser has opposite first and second sides 153, 154 corresponding to the first and second directions. The operating mechanism includes a spring 170 having first and second parts 173, 174 acting on the first and second sides of the presser respectively to maintain the presser in a neutral position yet permitting limited extra movement of the presser in a rearward direction against the action of the spring as the presser reaches the barrier (110E) in a forward direction, thereby accumulating extra forward biasing force in the spring upon the presser to assist the presser to move relatively faster upon riding past the barrier.

It is enabled to facilitate fine adjustment of power as well as reduction of the amount of movement required to maximize the power. An actuator 13 is moved by operation of a user. A pressure sensitive sensor 15 detects applied pressing force. A pressing member 14 presses the pressure sensitive sensor 15. When the amount of movement of the actuator 13 is smaller than a predetermined amount, the pressing member 14 presses the pressure sensitive sensor 15 to apply force corresponding to the amount of movement of the actuator 13. When the amount of movement of the actuator 13 is not smaller than the predetermined amount, the pressing member 14 presses the pressure sensitive sensor 15 to apply force corresponding to pressing force applied to the actuator 13 by the user.

A lock member 23 includes a fit portion 23b, an inclined portion 23a and a contacting portion 23c. The fit portion 23b is fitted with a projecting portion 14b of a trigger 14 to maintain an off-lock state. The inclined portion 23a is brought into contact with a shaft 15a of an unlock button 15 and moves the lock member 23 to release the off-lock state. The projecting portion 14b is slidable on the contacting portion 23c and maintains an on state.

An actuator (16) is allowed to move toward +A direction and toward -A direction. A movable contact (18) engages with the actuator. A fixed contact (726, 736) touch the movable contact with electrical connection when the movable contact is located at an ON position, and are apart from the movable contact with electrical isolation when the movable contact is located at positions other than the ON position. An arc prevention mechanism (19) prevents arc between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

An actuator (16) is allowed to move toward +A direction and toward -A direction. A movable contact (18) engages with the actuator. A fixed contact (726, 736) touch the movable contact with electrical connection when the movable contact is located at an ON position, and are apart from the movable contact with electrical isolation when the movable contact is located at positions other than the ON position. An arc prevention mechanism (19) prevents arc between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

A rechargeable grinder (1) includes a brushless motor (6), a main body housing (2) configured to accommodate the brushless motor (6), a main switch (46) and a micro switch (53) configured to distribute power to the brushless motor (6), and a switch lever (66) capable of moving with respect to the main switch (46) and the micro switch (53), wherein a lock off lever (76) capable of operating the micro switch (53) in association with movement of the switch lever (66) toward a switch is provided so as to be movable between a lock release position in which the micro switch (53) can be operated and a lock position in which the micro switch (53) cannot be operated.

A directional input unit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, where the input unit is configured to output a signal indicative of a rotational direction of the electric motor. The input unit includes a forward/reverse actuator having a lever extending from an engagement member and pivotable around a pivot member, the lever having a contact tip, and a biasing member. The biasing member including a lever engaging member engaging the contact tip and having an upper portion and a lower portion with a groove formed at an end common point of the upper and lower portions. A first leg of the biasing member extend downwardly from the upper portion and arranged to be securely received inside an opening of a holder, and a second leg extends upwardly from the lower portion outside the opening between the lever engaging member and the first leg.