# US 12,113,402 B2 · Switch module for a power tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,113,402 B2 - Document ID: US12113402B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/392,650 - Filed: 2021-08-03 - Published: 2023-02-09 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-03 - Assignees: Black & Decker Inc. - Applicants: Black & Decker Inc. - Inventors: Eric W. Wachter; Erik A. Ekstrom; Alpay Hizal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12113402B2 ## CPC - B25F 5/00: Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for - H02K 11/30: Structural association with control circuits or drive circuits - H05K 1/0213: {Electrical arrangements not otherwise provided for} - H05K 1/111: {Pads for surface mounting, e.g. lay-out} - H05K 7/1427: {Housings} - H05K 1/0262: {Arrangements for regulating voltages or for using plural voltages} - H05K 2201/09418: Special orientation of pads, lands or terminals of component, e.g. radial or polygonal orientation - H05K 2201/09663: Divided layout, i.e. conductors divided in two or more parts - H05K 2201/10053: Switch - H05K 2201/1009: Electromotor - H05K 2201/10151: Sensor - B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)} - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract An electronic switch module includes a circuit board having conductive pads coupled to a power source and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; and a variable-speed actuator assembly having an actuator positioned adjacent a side edge of the circuit board and moveable along a movement axis, a plunger coupled to the actuator, and a conductive wiper secured to the plunger in contact with the circuit board. The wiper includes a first leg arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second leg arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads. The sense pad is longitudinally aligned with the conductive pads. The first leg of the wiper is located between the actuator and the second leg, and the sense pad is located between the side edge of the circuit board and the conductive pads. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic module comprising: a circuit board comprising a plurality of conductive pads coupled to a power source and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; and a variable-speed actuator assembly including an actuator positioned adjacent a side edge of the circuit board and moveable along a movement axis perpendicular to the side edge, a link member coupled to the actuator and moveable with the actuator along the movement axis, and a wiper made of conductive material secured to the link member in contact with the circuit board, the wiper having a first leg arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second leg arranged to slidably engage at least one of the plurality of conductive pads when the actuator is pressed; wherein the sense pad is longitudinally aligned with the plurality of conductive pads along an axis that is parallel to the movement axis of the actuator, and wherein the first leg of the wiper is located between the actuator and the second leg, and the sense pad is located between the side edge of the circuit board and the plurality of conductive pads. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive pads is respectively coupled to a plurality of resistors arranged in series with the power source so the plurality of conducive pads outputs a varying voltage level that is coupled to the sense pad via the wiper based on a position of the actuator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electronic module of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conductive pads is printed on the circuit board as a metal layer including a plurality of gaps therebetween exposing the circuit board. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electronic module of claim 2, further comprising an end pad disposed between the plurality of conductive pads and the sense pad, wherein the end pad outputs a voltage level different from the plurality of conductive pads. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic module of claim 4, wherein the actuator is biased away from the circuit board to position the second leg of the wiper on the end pad in a default position of the actuator, and wherein movement of the second leg of the wiper from the end pad to the plurality of conducive pads produces a voltage variation indicative of an initial actuation of the actuator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The electronic module of claim 4, wherein a distance between the end pad and the plurality of conductive pads is smaller than a distance between the end pad and the sense pad but greater than a distance between the respective ones of the plurality of conductive pads. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The electronic module of claim 4, wherein the plurality of conductive pads comprises a second end pad at a distal end thereof opposite the end pad, wherein the second leg of the wiper is arranged to engage the second end pad when the actuator is fully pressed. ### Claim 8 A power tool comprising: a housing; a motor disposed in the housing; and an electronic module disposed partially within the housing, the electronic module configured to provide a signal indicative of a target speed of the motor, the electronic module comprising: a circuit board comprising a plurality of conductive pads coupled to a power source and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; and a variable-speed actuator assembly including an actuator positioned adjacent a side edge of the circuit board and moveable along a movement axis perpendicular to the side edge, a link member coupled to the actuator and moveable with the actuator along the movement axis, and a wiper made of conductive material secured to the link member in contact with the circuit board, the wiper having a first leg arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second leg arranged to slidably engage at least one of the plurality of conductive pads when the actuator is pressed; wherein the sense pad is longitudinally aligned with the plurality of conductive pads along an axis that is parallel to the movement axis of the actuator, and wherein the first leg of the wiper is located between the actuator and the second leg, and the sense pad is located between the side edge of the circuit board and the plurality of conductive pads. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The power tool of claim 8, wherein the plurality of conductive pads is respectively coupled to a plurality of resistors arranged in series with the power source so the plurality of conducive pads outputs a varying voltage level that is coupled to the sense pad via the wiper based on a position of the actuator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The power tool of claim 8, wherein the plurality of conductive pads is printed on the circuit board as a metal layer including a plurality of gaps therebetween exposing the circuit board. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The power tool of claim 8, further comprising an end pad disposed between the plurality of conductive pads and the sense pad, wherein the end pad outputs a voltage level different from the plurality of conductive pads. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The power tool of claim 11, wherein the actuator is biased away from the circuit board to position the second leg of the wiper on the end pad in a default position of the actuator, and wherein movement of the second leg of the wiper from the end pad to the plurality of conducive pads produces a voltage variation indicative of an initial actuation of the actuator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The power tool of claim 11, wherein a distance between the end pad and the plurality of conductive pads is smaller than a distance between the end pad and the sense pad but greater than a distance between the respective ones of the plurality of conductive pads. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The power tool of claim 11, wherein the plurality of conductive pads comprises a second end pad at a distal end thereof opposite the end pad, wherein the second leg of the wiper is arranged to engage the second end pad when the actuator is fully pressed.