Trigger switch

Abstract

Provided is a trigger switch that is assembled in an electric device such as an electric tool and drives a driving unit such as a driving motor of the electric device, and can suppress the occurrence of abnormalities such as failures and malfunctions caused by wear of metal contacts. The trigger switch (TS) comprises: a trigger (1) that receives a push-in operation; a switching lever (3) that receives a switching operation of switching the driving mode of a driving unit (M) and operates; a proximity sensor (6) that detects the approach of a component; a switching detection unit (51) that approaches or moves away from the proximity sensor in conjunction with the movement of the switching lever; and a driving detection unit (13) that approaches the proximity sensor in conjunction with the pushing of the trigger. The trigger switch determines the driving mode of the driving unit according to the proximity of the switching detection unit detected by the proximity sensor, and drives the driving unit in the determined driving mode when the proximity sensor detects the approach of the driving detection unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a trigger switch which drives a driving part in response to a pressing operation of a trigger. Background Art

[0002] As a trigger switch for controlling the operation of an electric tool, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric tool switch that uses a switching lever to switch the forward and reverse rotation of a motor and rotates the motor by pressing a trigger.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-231494 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the electric tool switch disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the switching lever is switched or the trigger is pressed, the slider that is linked to the trigger slides on the upper surface of the sliding resistor, causing friction of the metal contact. The friction of the metal contact causes the contact to deteriorate over time due to wear, which may cause failures, malfunctions, and other abnormalities.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a trigger switch capable of suppressing the occurrence of abnormalities due to wear of metal contacts and the like.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the trigger switch described in the present application is a trigger switch that receives a pressing operation of a trigger to drive a driving part, and is characterized in that it comprises: a sensor that detects the approach of a component; a driving detection part that is linked to the pressing of the trigger and approaches the sensor; and a control part that drives the driving part when the sensor detects the approach of the driving detection part.

[0011] In addition, the trigger switch described in the present application receives a pressing operation of a trigger to drive the driving unit, and is characterized in that it comprises: a switching component that receives a switching operation to switch the driving mode of the driving unit and operates; a sensor that detects the approach of the component; a switching detection unit that approaches or moves away from the sensor in conjunction with the action of the switching component; and a control unit that determines the driving mode for driving the driving unit based on the proximity of the switching detection unit detected by the sensor.

[0012] In addition, the trigger switch described in the present application receives a pressing operation of a trigger to drive a driving unit, and is characterized in that it comprises: a switching component that receives a switching operation to switch the driving mode of the driving unit and operates; a sensor that detects the approach of a component; a switching detection unit that approaches or moves relative to the sensor in conjunction with the action of the switching component; a driving detection unit that approaches the sensor in conjunction with the pressing of the trigger; a control unit that controls the driving unit; the control unit comprises: a determination unit that determines the driving mode of the driving unit based on the approach status of the switching detection unit detected by the sensor; and a driving unit that drives the driving unit in the driving mode determined by the determination unit when the sensor detects the approach of the driving detection unit.

[0013] Furthermore, in the trigger switch, it is characterized in that it is provided with a press-in detection unit for detecting a press-in operation of the trigger, and when the press-in detection unit detects the press-in operation, the decision unit of the control unit determines a driving mode of the driving unit, and the driving unit of the control unit drives the driving unit after the decision unit determines the driving mode.

[0014] Furthermore, in the trigger switch, the driving unit of the control unit drives the driving unit with an output corresponding to the proximity of the driving detection unit detected by the sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, in the trigger switch, the sensor is a sensor that detects the presence or position of a metal body using a magnetic field, and the switching detection portion and the driving detection portion are metal bodies.

[0016] The trigger switch described in the present application is a trigger switch in which a driving unit is driven by pressing a trigger, and is characterized in that a sensor is provided for detecting a position of a component, and the sensor drives the driving unit based on the detected position of the component.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] The trigger switch of the present invention drives the driving unit based on the proximity of the component detected by the sensor. Therefore, since the use of metal contacts that may cause friction is suppressed, the occurrence of abnormalities such as failures and malfunctions caused by wear of the metal contacts can be suppressed, achieving excellent effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0020] Figure 2This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application in a partially cutaway state.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic side view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application in a partially cutaway state.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0023] Figure 5A This is a schematic external view showing an example of the external appearance of a switching lever and a biasing member included in the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0024] Figure 5B This is a schematic external view showing an example of the external appearance of a switching lever and a biasing member included in the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic external view showing an example of a joint member included in the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a control configuration associated with a control unit in an electric device incorporating the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic plan view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0028] Fig. 9 This is a schematic plan view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0029] Fig.10 This is a schematic plan view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0030] Fig.11 This is a schematic side view showing an example of the trigger switch described in the present application in a partially cutaway state.

[0031] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0032] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0033] Fig.14 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0034] Fig.15 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0035] Fig.16 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0036] Fig.17 This is a flowchart schematically showing an example of processing of a control unit included in the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0037] Fig.18 This is a line graph showing an example of the change in inductance detected by the proximity sensor included in the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0038] Fig.19 This is a line graph showing an example of the change in inductance detected by the proximity sensor included in the trigger switch described in the present application.

[0039] Description of Reference Numerals

[0040] TS trigger switch; 1 trigger; 11 operating part; 13 driving detection part; 2 frame; 3 switching lever (switching component); 31 lever part; 34 cam part; 4 force-applying part; 5 engaging part; 51 switching detection part; 6 proximity sensor; 7 press-in detection part; 8 control part; ET electric device; MU main device; M driving part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] <Application Examples>

[0043] The trigger switch described in this application is applicable to various electric devices represented by electric tools such as electric drills, electric screwdrivers, electric wrenches, and electric grinders having a drive unit such as a motor. In the following embodiments, such a trigger switch TS is described as an example with reference to the drawings.

[0044] <Implementation Method>

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figure 1 Indicates various electric devices ET that can be incorporated into electric tools, etc. (refer to Figure 7 ) is an appearance of a trigger switch TS. The trigger switch TS is a switch operated by the user of the electric device ET. When the user presses the trigger 1 of the trigger switch TS, a driving unit M (see Figure 7) driven. The trigger switch TS includes a roughly rectangular frame 2 that can be assembled into the electric device ET and a trigger 1 that can be pressed by the operator. In addition, the trigger switch TS includes a switching lever 3 (switching component) that switches the driving direction of the driving part M, for example, switching the forward and reverse rotation direction of the electric screwdriver. It should be noted that in the subsequent description, although the direction of the trigger switch TS is expressed as the side where the trigger 1 is installed as the front, the frame 2 side as the rear, the switching lever 3 side as the top, and the opposite side of the switching lever 3 as the bottom, it is for the convenience of description and does not limit the direction of the trigger switch TS when in use.

[0046] The configuration including the internal structure of the trigger switch TS will be further described. Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the trigger switch TS described in the present application in a partially cutaway state. Figure 3 This is a schematic side view showing an example of the trigger switch TS described in the present application in a partially cutaway state. Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The left half of the frame body 2 is shown through so that the inside of the frame body 2 can be visually confirmed. Figure 4 is from Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional view shown is a view from the AB direction.

[0047] The trigger 1 of the trigger switch TS has a locking protrusion 10 formed on the upper surface. Figure 2 As shown, the trigger 1 is engaged with the locking recess 30 formed at the front end of the switching lever 3 to prevent the trigger 1 from being pressed in unexpectedly. The front of the trigger 1 forms an operating portion 11 where the user places his finger when operating. A through shaft 12 is formed inside the trigger 1, extending from the inner side of the operating portion 11 to the side of the frame 2. The rear part of the through shaft 12 passes through the through hole 20 opened in the front of the frame 2 and extends inside the frame 2. The driving detection portion 13 is installed at the rear end of the through shaft 12 located in the frame 2. The driving detection portion 13 is formed using a metal material. The driving detection portion 13 is a shape cut out of a rectangular parallelepiped with a plane obliquely intersecting from the top to the back, and is formed into a tapered shape in which the area of ​​the vertical section gradually decreases from the front side to the rear side. Between the inner side of the operating portion 11 and the front of the frame 2, a spring material 14 such as a compression coil spring that applies force to the trigger 1 forward is arranged in a manner of winding around the through shaft 12 in the circumferential direction. The through-shaft 12 and the spring material 14 are covered with a resin sleeve 15 formed in a corrugated shape.

[0048] A switching lever 3 is arranged on the upper part of a frame 2 provided in the trigger switch TS. The frame 2 accommodates various components such as a force applying member 4 for applying force to the switching lever 3 forward, an engaging member 5 for engaging with the switching lever 3, a proximity sensor 6 for detecting the approach and position of metal, a pressing detection unit 7 for detecting the pressing operation of the trigger 1, and a control unit 8 for performing various controls.

[0049] Figure 5A and Figure 5B 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of the external appearance of the switching lever 3 and the urging member 4 included in the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figure 5A The switching lever 3 and the urging member 4 for urging the switching lever 3 forward are shown from a front oblique downward viewpoint. Figure 5B Represented from a viewpoint below.

[0050] use Figures 2 to 4 as well as Figure 5A and Figure 5B The switching lever 3 and the force-applying member 4 are described. The switching lever 3 is formed with parts such as a locking recess 30, a rod 31, a rocking shaft 32, an extension 33, and a cam 34. In the switching lever 3, the locking recess 30, the rod 31, and the rocking shaft 32 are exposed outside the frame 2. The rod 31 is a part that receives a rocking operation by the operator, and the switching lever 3 that receives the rocking operation rocks left and right with the rocking shaft 32 as the rocking center. The aforementioned locking recess 30 is formed at the lower front end of the rod 31, and the locking recess 30 is engaged with the locking protrusion 10 formed on the upper surface of the trigger 1. Figures 2 to 4 , the locking recess 30 of the rod 31 is engaged with the locking protrusion 10 of the trigger 1 to lock the rod 31 .

[0051] In the switching lever 3, the extension portion 33 and the cam portion 34 are accommodated in the frame 2. The extension portion 33 is a portion extending substantially rearward from the swing shaft portion 32, and the rear end of the extension portion 33 forms a wide and thick cam portion 34. The cam portion 34 is formed in a substantially pentagonal shape with rounded corners in a top view. A semicircular engagement protrusion 34a that engages with the force applying member 4 is formed at the vertex located at the rear end portion of the cam portion 34. An arc-shaped cam groove 34b is engraved on the lower surface of the cam portion 34.

[0052] The urging member 4 is arranged behind the switching lever 3 in the frame 2. The front face of the urging member 4 facing the switching lever 3 is formed in a substantially M-shape in a top view, and an engaging recess 40 is formed near the center. The engaging recess 40 engages with the engaging protrusion 34a of the cam portion 34 formed on the switching lever 3. A compression coil spring is installed at the rear of the urging member 4, and the urging member 4 as a whole is urged toward the switching lever 3 side in the front by the compression coil spring.

[0053] Figure 61 is a schematic external view showing an example of the engaging member 5 provided in the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figures 2 to 4 as well as Figure 6 The joining member 5 will be described. Figure 6 The coupling component 5 is shown from a rear oblique upward viewpoint. The coupling component 5 is a component that moves by coupling with the switching lever 3, and a cam protrusion 50 is formed on the upper part, which is embedded with a small gap in the cam groove 34b carved on the lower surface of the cam portion 34 of the switching lever 3. A switching detection portion 51 using a metal rod extending rearward is formed at the rear of the coupling component 5. The movement of the coupling component 5 is limited to the front-to-back direction by the frame 2. When the switching lever 3 is shaken, the switching lever 3 acts as an active cam and the coupling component 5 acts as a driven cam. Through the engagement of the arc-shaped cam groove 34b of the switching lever 3 and the cam protrusion 50, the shaking of the switching lever 3 is transmitted as the movement of the coupling component 5 in the front-to-back direction.

[0054] use Figures 2 to 4 The proximity sensor 6 is described. The proximity sensor 6 is a sensor that detects the proximity of a component, and for example, a sensor that detects the presence or position of a metal body by a magnetic field can be used. The proximity sensor 6 exemplified in the present application is configured using, for example, a coil that generates a magnetic field as described in Japanese Patent No. 5115085. The proximity sensor 6 detects the proximity of the driving detection part 13 and the switching detection part 51 formed of metal.

[0055] use Figure 4 The press-in detection portion 7 is described. The press-in detection portion 7 is formed using a flexible leaf spring-shaped metal sheet, and is arranged above and below the through hole 20 in the inner surface of the front side of the frame 2. When the trigger 1 is not pressed in, the front of the driving detection portion 13 formed of the metal material contacts the upper and lower press-in detection portions 7. If the trigger 1 is pressed in, the driving detection portion 13 moves backward and leaves the press-in detection portion 7. When the driving detection portion 13 contacts the upper and lower press-in detection portions 7, the upper and lower press-in detection portions 7 are electrically connected to the driving detection portion 13 and thus become conductive. If the driving detection portion 13 leaves the press-in detection portion 7, the upper and lower press-in detection portions 7 are electrically disconnected. Therefore, the pressed state of the trigger 1 can be detected based on the conductive state between the upper and lower press-in detection portions 7.

[0056] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a control structure associated with the control unit 8 in the electric device ET incorporating the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7The control unit 8 is described. The electric device ET is formed by assembling a trigger switch TS into the main unit MU. The main unit MU includes a driving unit M such as a motor. The control unit 8 of the trigger switch TS is, for example, a microcomputer using a printed circuit board and various LSI, VLSI and other integrated circuits arranged on the substrate, and includes electronic components and various terminals. The control unit 8 receives the detection results of the press detection unit 7 and the proximity sensor 6 as input, performs various processing based on the detection results, and outputs a drive signal to the main unit MU for driving the driving unit M such as a motor provided in the main unit MU of the electric device ET. The electric device ET drives the driving unit M based on the drive signal input to the main unit MU.

[0057] Next, the operation and action of the trigger switch TS described in the present application will be described. First, the switching of the drive mode in the trigger switch TS described in the present application will be described. Figures 8 to 10 It is a schematic plan view showing an example of the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figures 8 to 10 A schematic plan view of a state where the trigger switch TS described in the present application is removed from the housing 2 is shown. Figure 8 Indicates the state where the switching lever 3 is located at the center of the swing range. Figure 8 As shown in the example, the switch lever 3 is located at the center of the swing range. Figure 8 When the switching lever 3 is located at the center of the swing range, the locking recess 30 at the front end of the switching lever 3 is engaged with the locking protrusion 10 on the upper surface of the trigger 1. Since the locking protrusion 10 of the trigger 1 is locked to the locking recess 30 and cannot be pressed in, the locking recess 30 and the locking protrusion 10 function as a safety mechanism to prevent accidental pressing.

[0058] Fig. 9 The switching lever 3 is shown in a state where it is swung to the left (counterclockwise in a top view). When the operator drives the driving unit M such as the motor of the electric device ET in a forward rotation mode, the switching lever 3 is swung to the left. Fig. 9 As shown in the example, the switch lever 3 is swung to the left, and the engagement between the locking recess 30 of the switch lever 3 and the locking protrusion 10 of the trigger 1 is disengaged, so that the trigger 1 can be pushed in. In addition, as the switch lever 3 is swung, the engagement member 5 that engages with the cam protrusion 50 on the cam groove 34b engraved in an arc shape on the lower surface of the cam portion 34 of the switch lever 3 moves forward in conjunction with the swung movement of the switch lever 3.

[0059] Fig.10The switching lever 3 is shown in a state where it is swung to the right (clockwise in a top view). When the operator drives the driving unit M such as the motor of the electric device ET in a reverse mode to rotate in the reverse direction, the switching lever 3 is swung to the right. Fig.10 As shown in the example, the switch lever 3 is swung to the right, and the trigger 1 is in a state where it can be pushed in. In conjunction with the swung movement of the switch lever 3, the engaging member 5 moves rearward.

[0060] Fig.11 This is a schematic side view showing an example of the trigger switch TS described in the present application in a partially cutaway state. Fig.12 and Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Fig.11 The left half of the frame body 2 is shown through so that the inside of the frame body 2 can be visually confirmed. Fig.12 and Fig.13 The inside of frame 2 is enlarged. Fig.11 and Fig.12 The state where the switching lever 3 is swung to the left to change the driving mode to the forward rotation mode is shown. In conjunction with the swung leftward movement of the switching lever 3, the engaging member 5 moves forward. Fig.13 Indicates a state in which the switching lever 3 is shaken to the right to make the drive mode a reverse mode. In conjunction with the shaking of the switching lever 3 to the right, the coupling component 5 moves rearward. By the forward and backward movement of the coupling component 5, the position of the proximity sensor 6 relative to the switching detection part 51 formed at the rear of the coupling component 5 changes. The proximity sensor 6 detects the position of the switching detection part 51 as a change in inductance. Specifically, at a position of the switching detection part 51 that is close to the proximity sensor 6, the inductance value increases compared to the position away from the proximity sensor 6. Therefore, the control unit 8 can determine whether the drive mode is a forward mode or a reverse mode based on the inductance value detected by the proximity sensor 6.

[0061] Next, the internal operation of the trigger 1 in the trigger switch TS described in the present application during the pressing operation will be described. Figures 14 to 16 This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged example of a part of the internal structure of the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Figures 14 to 16 The interior of the frame 2 is shown enlarged.

[0062] Fig.14 This indicates that the engagement member 5 is located at the front and the trigger 1 is not pressed. When the trigger 1 is not pressed, the driving detection portion 13 of the trigger 1 is located at the front end of the moving range in the frame 2 and contacts the upper and lower press detection portions 7. Fig.14 In the illustrated state, the control unit 8 does not output a driving signal to the driving unit M included in the main unit MU of the electric device ET.

[0063] Fig.15 Indicates from Fig.14 The state shown in the example is the state of the trigger 1 being pressed. When the operator presses the trigger 1, the driving detection part 13 of the trigger 1 is separated from the upper and lower press detection parts 7. When the driving detection part 13 of the trigger 1 is separated from the upper and lower press detection parts 7, the upper and lower press detection parts 7 are electrically disconnected. When the control part 8 detects the disconnection between the press detection parts 7, the control part 8 determines the driving mode of the driving part M based on the inductance detected by the proximity sensor 6. Fig.15 In the example shown, since the switching detection portion 51 of the engagement member 5 is located in the front, the forward rotation mode is determined.

[0064] After the forward rotation mode is determined, the operator further presses the trigger 1, and the driving detection part 13 of the trigger 1 approaches the proximity sensor 6, and the coil enters the inner area of ​​the winding. The proximity sensor 6 detects the approach of the driving detection part 13 as a change in inductance. Since the driving detection part 13 is formed into a cone with a gradually decreasing area of ​​the vertical section from the front side to the rear side, the inductance gradually increases as the driving detection part 13 approaches the coil of the proximity sensor 6 and further enters the inner area. After determining the driving mode, the control unit 8 activates the driving unit M based on the inductance detected by the proximity sensor 6, and controls the output related to the action corresponding to the inductance. For example, the driving unit M is rotated in the forward rotation direction at a number of rotations corresponding to the amount of pressing.

[0065] Fig.16 This indicates a state where the switching detection portion 51 of the engagement member 5 is located at the rear and the trigger 1 is pressed in. Since the switching detection portion 51 is located at the rear, if the operator presses the trigger 1, the drive mode is determined to be the reverse mode. Then, the drive portion 24 is rotated in the reverse direction at a rotation number corresponding to the amount of the trigger 1 being pressed in.

[0066] Next, control of the control unit 8 included in the trigger switch TS described in the present application will be described. Fig.17 This is a flowchart schematically showing an example of the processing of the control unit 8 of the trigger switch TS described in the present application. The control unit 8 of the trigger switch TS is equivalent to a dormant state when the trigger 1 is not pressed, and is activated when receiving an input of a wake-up signal such as power-on (step S1). The wake-up signal is input as, for example, power-on to the control unit 8 when it is detected that the press-in detection unit 7 is shut off. The control unit 8 uses the wake-up signal as the detection of the press-in operation of the press-in detection unit 7 to perform subsequent processing.

[0067] The activated control unit 8 detects the approach or separation of the switching detection unit 51 through the inductance detected by the proximity sensor 6 (step S2 ), and determines the drive mode of the drive unit M based on the detection result (step S3 ).

[0068] Fig.18 : is a line graph showing an example of the change in inductance detected by the proximity sensor 6 included in the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Fig.18 For example, the horizontal axis is the amount of the trigger 1 pressed, and the vertical axis is the inductance value, and the relationship is shown. The inductance value is constant regardless of the amount of the trigger 1 pressed, and changes according to the forward mode and the reverse mode. In steps S2 to S3, by comparing with a preset threshold value in the control unit 8, it is determined whether it is the forward mode where the inductance value is less than the threshold or the reverse mode where the inductance value is greater than the threshold, and the drive mode of the drive unit M is determined based on the result of the determination.

[0069] Back to Fig.17 According to the flowchart of FIG. 1 , after determining the driving mode, the control unit 8 of the trigger switch TS detects the proximity of the driving detection unit 13 through the inductance detected by the proximity sensor 6 (step S4), and outputs the driving unit M based on the detection result (step S5). In steps S4 to S5, the output corresponding to the proximity is performed in the driving mode determined in step S3. The control unit 8 outputs the analog signal or digital signal obtained by converting the value of the inductance, or the analog signal or digital signal indicating the number of rotations of the motor, i.e., the driving unit M, to the driving unit M as the output to drive the driving unit M.

[0070] Fig.19 : is a line graph showing an example of the change in inductance detected by the proximity sensor 6 included in the trigger switch TS described in the present application. Fig.19 For example, the horizontal axis is the amount of trigger 1 pressed, and the vertical axis is the value of inductance to show the relationship. Fig.19 As shown in the example, as the amount of push of the trigger 1 increases, the inductance gradually increases. In the control unit 8, an output corresponding to the detected inductance is performed, that is, an output is performed to drive the driver M at a rotation speed corresponding to the inductance. It should be noted that it can be appropriately set to drive the driver M at a rotation speed that increases according to the push amount until the driver M is pushed to reach a specified value of the inductance; after reaching the specified value, it can be driven at a certain rotation speed regardless of the push amount, etc.

[0071] During the startup, the control unit 8 controls the driving of the driving unit M according to the amount of the trigger 1 pressed through the process of step S3. It should be noted that when the operator releases the pressing of the trigger 1 and the pressing detection unit 7 becomes energized, the control unit 8 stops the output to the driving unit M and becomes a dormant state. As described above, the control unit 8 controls the driving unit M included in the main unit MU.

[0072] As described above, the trigger switch TS described in the present application detects the proximity of the switching detection part 51 and the driving detection part 13 through the proximity sensor 6, and drives the driving part M according to the detection result. Since the trigger switch TS described in the present application detects the switching state of the switching lever 3 and the pressing state of the trigger 1 in a non-contact manner, the contact type contacts such as metal contacts can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect of suppressing the occurrence of abnormalities caused by the wear of the metal contacts and other aging degradation.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other ways. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiments are only examples of various points and are not limited interpretations. The technical scope of the present invention is the scope described according to the scope of the claims and is not restricted by the full text of the specification. In addition, deformations and changes within the scope of the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the proximity sensor 6 detects the proximity of a component based on inductance, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various non-contact sensors such as a capacitive sensor, a magnetic field sensor, and an optical sensor may be used.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a forward rotation mode and a reverse rotation mode indicating the driving direction of the driving unit M are set as the drive modes switchable by the switching lever 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a variable speed mode in which the rotation speed is controlled in accordance with the amount of pressing and a constant speed mode in which the rotation speed is constant regardless of the amount of pressing can be appropriately set as the switchable drive modes.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the control unit 8 is housed in the housing 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 8 can be moved outside the housing 2 and housed in the main unit MU.

Claims

1. A trigger switch that drives a driving unit by receiving a push operation of a trigger, characterized in that: have: a sensor that detects the proximity of a component; a driving detection portion formed in a tapered shape with a vertical cross-section gradually decreasing in area toward the sensor, and approaching the sensor in conjunction with the pressing of the trigger; a control unit that drives the driving unit at a rotation speed corresponding to the amount of depression of the trigger when the sensor detects the approach of the driving detection unit; The sensor is a sensor that uses a magnetic field to detect the presence or position of a metal body. The driving detection part is a metal body.

2. A trigger switch that drives a driving unit by receiving a push-in operation of a trigger, characterized in that: have: a switching member that operates in response to a switching operation for switching a driving mode of the driving unit; a sensor that detects the proximity of a component; a switching detection portion formed in a tapered shape with a vertical cross-section gradually decreasing in area toward the sensor, and moving closer to or away from the sensor in conjunction with the operation of the switching member; a driving detection portion which is moved in conjunction with the pressing of the trigger and approaches the sensor; A control unit, which controls the driving unit; The control unit comprises: a determination unit that determines a driving mode of the driving unit according to a proximity condition of the switching detection unit being located in front of or behind the sensor detected by the sensor; a driving unit that drives the driving unit at a rotation speed corresponding to the amount of depression of the trigger in the driving mode determined by the determining unit when the sensor detects the approach of the driving detection unit; The sensor is a sensor that uses a magnetic field to detect the presence or position of a metal body. The switching detection portion and the driving detection portion are metal bodies.

3. The trigger switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: A push detection unit is provided for detecting a push operation of the trigger, When the push detection unit detects a push operation, the decision unit of the control unit determines a drive mode of the drive unit. The driving unit of the control unit drives the driving unit after the determination unit determines the driving mode.

4. The trigger switch according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The driving unit of the control unit drives the driving unit with an output corresponding to the proximity degree of the driving detection unit detected by the sensor.

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