Portable electric tool provided with compact electronics

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable electric tool comprising a casing that houses: an electric motor; an electronic board housed in a portion of the casing, said portion extending along a main axis. According to the invention, the electronic board comprises at least two interconnected printed circuits, the at least two printed circuits being arranged essentially circumferentially around the main axis.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Electric handheld tool with compact electronics

[0003] 1. Field of the invention

[0004] The field of the invention is that of portable electric tools, corded or battery-powered.

[0005] 2. Prior art

[0006] Portable power tools, such as screwdrivers, drills, etc., require an external power source for operation and / or data transmission.

[0007] This energy supply can be achieved via a battery or via a cable connected to the tool temporarily by a connector (male or female) generally located at one end of the tool.

[0008] These tools also require one or more electronic cards for their operation. These different electronic cards are used to manage: the power supply to the tool, the management of screwing, drilling or other cycles... communication with an external box, a display of reports to the operator,

[0009] These electronic cards can possibly be superimposed.

[0010] Conventionally, a portable electric tool comprises a casing at one end of which there is a rotating terminal member capable of driving in rotation and / or translation an accessory such as a drill bit or a screw socket.

[0011] The terminal member is connected to the output of a transmission whose input is connected to the rotor of a motor.

[0012] In the extension of the motor extend one or more electronic cards, to which the motor is connected, then a connector connected to the electronic cards.

[0013] Typically, the connector part is separate from the electronic board and is connected to it by a cable harness. It is positioned longitudinally after the electronic board part.

[0014] There are also tools in which the connector pins are soldered to a connector PCB across the tool. This connector PCB is itself soldered to the tool's main circuit board.

[0015] Furthermore, there are several solutions for positioning and maintaining electronic cards inside the housing of a tool.

[0016] The card can be held by screws directly on the housing, possibly with elastomer elements to limit vibrations on the card.

[0017] Another solution is to hold the electronic card by wedging it between two portions of the casing assembled together to form the casing.

[0018] Another solution is to place the electronic card in a sheath (holding it in place for example with screws), then insert the sheath into the tool housing.

[0019] Whatever solution is implemented, the integration of electronic cards into existing tools poses some problems.

[0020] In particular, the integration of electronic cards into power tools is detrimental to the compactness of the tools.

[0021] This results from several constraints, including the following.

[0022] Firstly, the low-voltage electronic cards must maintain minimum insulation distances from the three power cables (high voltage) supplying the three phases of the motor. This distance between the connector and the electronic cards results in an elongation of the tool casing.

[0023] Secondly, to be comfortably grippable by an operator working daily to carry out tasks, the body of the tools must have a small diameter gripping portion. This small diameter of the tool body, in a region where the connector and the electronic cards are installed, means that it is difficult to install them while respecting the required isolation distances unless the electronic cards are moved away from the connector.

[0024] In order to comply with these constraints, a sufficient distance in the longitudinal direction is prescribed between the electronic cards and the connector, which means that the body of the tools is relatively long.

[0025] Furthermore, the systems for holding electronic cards in the body of the tools are quite bulky: the screws traditionally used to hold the cards take up a lot of space inside the tool; the systems for holding cards by sliding / wedging require a significant thickness of electronic cards to ensure that they are not damaged during assembly; the sheath systems require additional parts which also take up space in the body of the tool; stacking cards requires inter-card connectors and elements to hold them together.

[0026] All this has the effect of harming the compactness of the different elements and therefore in particular of lengthening the tools.

[0027] There is therefore a need to improve the integration of electronic cards within power tools.

[0028] 3. Objectives of the invention

[0029] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0030] In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an objective of the invention is to provide a technique for integrating electronic cards into an electrical tool which makes it possible to satisfy the constraints in terms of compliance with the insulation distances between the electronic cards and the connector while offering good comfort of use.

[0031] In particular, the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which makes it possible to compact, i.e. reduce the size, the integration of electronic cards.

[0032] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which contributes to guaranteeing good reliability, in particular by providing a technique which prevents damage to the cards.

[0033] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is simple to implement and / or robust and / or reliable and / or economical.

[0034] 4. Presentation of the invention

[0035] For this, the invention proposes a portable electric tool comprising a casing housing: an electric motor; an electronic card housed in a portion of said casing, said portion extending along a main axis.

[0036] According to the invention, said electronic card comprises at least two printed circuits interconnected with each other, said at least two printed circuits being arranged essentially circumferentially around said main axis.

[0037] Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, the printed circuits making up the electronic card of an electric tool are “wound” around the main axis of a portion of the casing.

[0038] It is thus possible to reduce the length of the electronic card, and therefore that of the tool while: respecting a minimum insulation distance between the card and the connector, and providing a small casing diameter.

[0039] The invention thus makes it possible to provide a tool that respects the required insulation distance between the electronic card and the connector while being compact, which makes it comfortable to use for an operator working with it to carry out operations.

[0040] According to a possible characteristic, said printed circuits are connected two by two by means of deformable conductive tabs.

[0041] According to a possible characteristic, said portion of said casing houses a support for said electronic card, said support having at least as many support faces as said electronic card comprises printed circuits, said faces extending in planes substantially parallel to said main axis.

[0042] According to a possible characteristic, a tool according to the invention comprises means for securing said electronic card to said support.

[0043] According to a possible characteristic, said securing means comprise holding elements projecting from the surface of said support, said tabs comprising fixing openings each allowing the passage of one of said holding elements.

[0044] According to a possible characteristic, said fixing openings are provided at free ends of said tabs.

[0045] According to a possible characteristic, said holding elements are provided at the junction between two consecutive support faces of said support.

[0046] According to a possible characteristic, a tool according to the invention comprises means for locking said holding elements in said fixing openings.

[0047] According to a possible characteristic, said locking means comprise pins extending laterally to said holding elements along axes parallel to said support surfaces.

[0048] According to a possible characteristic, said locking means comprise slots arranged in each of said holding elements along a plane parallel to a support surface from which said holding element projects. According to a possible characteristic, at least some of said fixing openings have at least one softening slot at their periphery.

[0049] According to a possible characteristic, said securing means comprise means for locking in translation at least one of said printed circuits relative to said following support: an axis parallel to said support face against which said at least one printed circuit is located and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said support, and an axis parallel to said support face against which said at least one printed circuit is located and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support.

[0050] According to a possible characteristic, said translation locking means comprise translation holding projections integral with said support, said translation locking projections being capable of cooperating with notches formed in said at least one printed circuit.

[0051] According to a possible characteristic, each holding projection has: a first stop, which extends perpendicular to the support face on the surface of which it is formed, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support, and a second stop, which extends perpendicular to the support face on the surface of which it is formed, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support;each of said notches defines: a first bearing surface perpendicular to the support face against which said at least one printed circuit is affixed, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support, and a second bearing surface perpendicular to the support face against which said at least one printed circuit is affixed, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support, each first bearing surface bearing against a first stop, and each second bearing surface bearing against a second stop, said tool comprising: at least two first bearing surfaces oriented in opposite directions and at least two first stops oriented towards each other; at least two second bearing surfaces oriented in opposite directions and at least two second stops oriented towards each other.;

[0052] According to a possible characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises a locking ring secured to one end of said support, said locking ring comprising as many locking lugs as said electronic card comprises printed circuits, each of said locking lugs covering one end of one of said printed circuits.

[0053] According to a possible characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises an envelope covering said electronic card and said locking ring at their periphery in the extension of said casing so as to hold said electronic card and said locking ring in place.

[0054] According to a possible characteristic, a tool according to the invention comprises means for positioning said printed circuits on said support faces.

[0055] According to a possible characteristic, said positioning means comprise pins forming projections on the surface of at least some of said support faces, said pins being capable of cooperating with housings of complementary shape provided in said printed circuits or in said tabs.

[0056] According to a possible characteristic, said support comprises a connector provided with at least one electronic contact capable of being connected to a power source, said support being crossed at least in part substantially along said main axis by at least one cable connected to said motor and / or to said electronic card.

[0057] According to a possible characteristic, said casing comprises a portion housing said motor extending along a main axis, the main axes of the casing portions housing said motor and said electronic card being merged or forming an angle.

[0058] 5. Description of figures

[0059] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0060] [Fig 1] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a tool according to the invention;

[0061] [Fig 2] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an electronic card of a tool according to the invention, laid flat; [Fig 3] Figure 3 illustrates a detail of Figure 2;

[0062] [Fig 4] Figure 4 illustrates another detail of Figure 2;

[0063] [Fig 5] Figure 5 illustrates the electronic board shown in Figure 2 but wrapped around an axis;

[0064] [Fig 6] Figure 6 illustrates an electronic card support of a tool according to the invention;

[0065] [Fig 7] Figure 7 illustrates a detail of Figure 6;

[0066] [Fig 8] Figure 8 illustrates an electronic card wrapped around the support shown in Figure 6;

[0067] [Fig 9] Figure 9 illustrates a longitudinal section of a tool according to the prior art;

[0068] [Fig 10] Figure 10 illustrates a partial perspective view of a tool according to the invention, the support of the electronic card of which is in section so as to make the holes which pass through it visible;

[0069] [Fig 11] Figure 11 illustrates an electronic card wrapped around the support shown in Figure 6;

[0070] [Fig 12] Figure 12 illustrates a cross-section of a tool according to the prior art;

[0071] [Fig 13] [Fig 14] [Fig 15] [Fig 16] Figures 13 to 16 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.

[0072] 6. Description of particular embodiments

[0073] I. First embodiment

[0074] 6.1. Structure

[0075] 6.1.1. Cable power supply

[0076] An example of a portable electric tool according to a first embodiment of the invention is presented in relation to figures 1 to 8 and 10 to 12. It may in particular be a screwdriver, a drill or other.

[0077] Such a tool comprises a housing 10.

[0078] This casing 10 houses, at one of its ends, a connector 11 which allows the tool to be connected to a cable 12 for electrical power supply and / or data exchange.

[0079] This cable 12 is connected to a controller (not shown) which integrates the intelligence allowing, among other things, to power and control the motor.

[0080] At the other end of the casing 10 is located an end member 13 capable of driving in rotation and / or in translation an accessory such as for example a cutting tool (such as a drill bit, etc.) or a screw socket, etc.

[0081] Between the connector 11 and the terminal member 13, the casing 10 comprises: a handle portion 14, a motorization portion 15, and a transmission portion 16.

[0082] The transmission portion 16 houses a transmission T, generally with gears. This transmission T is connected on the one hand to the terminal member 13 and on the other hand to the rotor R of a motor M housed in the motorization portion 15.

[0083] The handle portion 14 is intended to be held by an operator so as to manipulate the tool.

[0084] This handle portion 14 may extend along a main axis essentially coincident with the axis of the rotor of the motor, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, it may extend along an axis forming an angle relative to the axis of the rotor. This is then a so-called pistol grip type tool.

[0085] The handle portion 14 houses an electronic card 17. This electronic card 17 can be designed to perform various functions such as, for example, the display of information, the control of torque and / or angle measuring means, the exchange of information with an actuation trigger, the bidirectional exchange of information with the controller, etc.

[0086] In this embodiment, the electronic card 17 comprises four printed circuits 170. However, in variants, the number of printed circuits 170 of the electronic card 17 may be different and will be at least equal to two. It may thus be greater than four, and thus for example be equal to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...

[0087] The printed circuits 170 are arranged essentially circumferentially around the main axis of the handle portion 14. In other words, they are "wound" around this axis.

[0088] For this, the printed circuits 170 are connected two by two by means of deformable conductive tabs 18.

[0089] More precisely, the electronic card 17 comprises two tabs 18 which extend essentially parallel to each other and to which the printed circuits 170 are secured, by gluing or otherwise, preferably at regular intervals.

[0090] The portions 180 of tabs 18 located at the junction between two consecutive printed circuits 17 can be folded to wrap the printed circuits 17 around an axis, and thus form hinges of some sort.

[0091] The housing portion 10 which houses the electronic card 17, in this case the handle portion 14, also houses a support 19 for the electronic card 17.

[0092] This support 19 has at least as many support faces 190 as the electronic card 17 comprises printed circuits 170. In the present embodiment, the support 19 therefore comprises four support faces 190. These support faces 190 extend in planes substantially parallel to the main axis of the casing portion 10 housing the electronic card 17, in this case the handle portion 14.

[0093] The tool includes means for securing the electronic card 17 to the support 19.

[0094] These securing means, reversible or not, could for example be: an elastic ring of the O-ring type surrounding the printed circuits and keeping them pressed against the support faces; glue allowing each printed circuit 170 to be stuck on the corresponding support face 190; screws; rivets; clips...

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, these securing means comprise holding elements 191 projecting from the surface of the support 19.

[0096] In this embodiment, these holding elements 191 are two in number and are positioned at the junction between two consecutive support faces 190. They are spaced apart by a center distance substantially identical to the center distance of the tabs 18.

[0097] The tabs 18 comprise, at each of their free ends, not connected to a printed circuit 170, a fixing opening 181 allowing the passage of one of these holding elements 191.

[0098] Each holding element 191 has a first end extending to the surface of a first support face 190 and a second end extending to the surface of the second support face 190 following the first.

[0099] The first of these ends comprises a locking slot 192 arranged along a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the first support face 190.

[0100] The second of these ends comprises pins 193 extending laterally to the holding elements 191 along axes parallel to the support faces 190.

[0101] The slots 192 and the pins 193 constitute means for locking the holding elements 191 in the fixing openings 181, as will become more clear later in the description.

[0102] At least two of the openings 181 may have at least one softening slot 182 at their periphery. These softening slots 182 are preferably provided on two end tabs 180 located on the same side of the electronic card.

[0103] In variants: the slots 192 may be replaced by pins 193, in which case there will be no slots 192; the pins 193 may be replaced by slots 192, in which case there will be no pins 193; the position of the pins 193 and the slots 192 may be reversed with respect to that shown in the drawings.

[0104] In this embodiment, the tool comprises means for positioning the printed circuits 170 on the support faces 190.

[0105] In this embodiment, these positioning means comprise pins 194 forming projections on the surface of at least some of the support faces 190. These pins 194 are capable of cooperating with housings 171 of complementary shape provided in the printed circuits 17 or in the tabs 18.

[0106] Preferably, at least one housing 171 will be provided in each printed circuit 17, and more preferably at least two. As many pins 194 will be provided as there are housings 171.

[0107] The support 19 comprises the connector 11, or at least its part forming a terminal block 110, provided with at least one electronic (or electrical) contact.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the terminal block 110 comprises three electrical contacts 111 capable of being connected to an electricity supply source to supply the phases of the motor M. These contacts 111 are connected to the phases of the motor M by wires protected in a sheath 20 which passes through a hole 21 passing longitudinally through the support 19.

[0109] The terminal block 110 also comprises electrical contacts 112, of any number, some of which are capable of being connected to a power supply source and others to the controller. These contacts 112 are connected to the electronic card 17 by wires 22 which pass through a hole 23 provided for this purpose in the support 19 and preferably opening at the periphery thereof through an orifice 24. These contacts 112 allow the electronic card 17 to be supplied with power and to exchange information with the controller.

[0110] 6.1.2. Battery power supply

[0111] When the connector 11 is not used to connect the tool to a cable 12 but to at least one battery, all the wires connected to the contacts 111, 112 are connected to the electronic card 17 and the electronic card 17 is connected to the motor M to enable, in addition to its other functions, to provide power and control.

[0112] 6.2. Assembly

[0113] The assembly of the electronic card 17 to the casing 10 is obtained in the following manner.

[0114] Before being assembled to the tool, the electronic card 17 extends in a plane as shown in Figure 2.

[0115] To assemble the electronic card 17 to the tool, the two holding elements 191 are engaged in two of the openings 181 of its tabs 18, located on the same side of the electronic card 17, taking care to slide the edge of the openings 181 into the slots 192. Thus, these two ends of the tabs 18 are held integral with the holding elements 191.

[0116] The first printed circuit 170, connected to the ends of the tabs 18 secured to the holding elements 191, is then applied against the corresponding support face 190, taking care to introduce the pins 194 of this support face 190 into the housings 171 of this printed circuit 170.

[0117] The portions 180 of tabs 18 located between the printed circuit 170 which has just been pressed against the support face 190, are folded so as to apply the following printed circuit 17 against the corresponding support surface 190, taking care to introduce the pins 194 of this support face 190 into the housings 171 of this printed circuit 170.

[0118] This type of operation is repeated twice to press the other two printed circuits 170 against the two following support faces 190.

[0119] The two holding elements 191 are then introduced into the openings 181 of the two free ends of the tabs 18. The softening slots 182 make it easier for the pins 193 to pass through the openings 181. The electronic card 17 is then secured and locked onto the support 19 of the tool.

[0120] 6.3. Advantages

[0121] The technique according to the invention provides numerous advantages, including in particular: the provision of a compact and comfortable tool to use since the implementation of an electronic card wrapped around the tool makes it possible to reduce the length of the card, and to reduce the length and diameter of the tool; to improve the insulation of the motor power cables from the electronic card by causing them to pass inside the support of the electronic card, which avoids having to, as is the case in the prior art illustrated in Figure 9, move the electronic card away from the connector to satisfy the insulation level; this also contributes to reducing the length of the tool.

[0122] 11. Second embodiment

[0123] An example of a portable electric tool according to a second embodiment of the invention is presented in relation to figures 13 to 16.

[0124] Only the main differences between this second embodiment and the first embodiment will now be described.

[0125] The differences between this second embodiment and the first embodiment are essentially located at the level of the means of securing the electronic card 17 to the support 19.

[0126] In this second embodiment, these securing means comprise means for locking the printed circuits 17 in translation relative to the support 19.

[0127] These translation locking means comprise translation holding projections 30 secured to the support 19, these translation locking projections 30 being able to cooperate with notches 31 formed in the printed circuits 17.

[0128] These translational holding projections 30 extend on the surface of each support face 190 orthogonally to them.

[0129] Each holding projection 30 has: a first stop 301, which extends perpendicular to the support face 190 on the surface of which it is formed, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, and a second stop 302, which extends perpendicular to the support face 190 on the surface of which it is formed, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 19.

[0130] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, two support faces 190 include four holding projections 30 and two support faces 190 include two holding projections 30.

[0131] When a support face 190 comprises four holding projections 30, these holding projections 30 are preferably essentially located near the four corners of the support face 190.

[0132] When a support face 190 comprises two holding projections 30, these holding projections 30 are preferably located: on two sides of the support face 190 opposite relative to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, and arranged opposite relative to the longitudinal axis of the support or else in a diametrically opposite manner, or on the same side, relative to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, of the support face 190.

[0133] In variants, the four support faces 190 could include four holding projections 30.

[0134] Each printed circuit 170 has notches 31, which in this embodiment are provided at each corner of the printed circuit 170.

[0135] Each of these notches 31 defines: a first bearing surface 310 perpendicular to the support face 190 against which the printed circuit 17 is affixed, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, and a second bearing surface 311 perpendicular to the support face 190 against which the printed circuit 17 is affixed, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 19. The first stops 301 are parallel to the first bearing surfaces 310 and the second stops 302 are parallel to the second bearing surfaces 311.

[0136] In this embodiment: two support faces 190 comprise two first stops 301 and two second stops 302, and two other support faces 190 comprise four first stops 301 and four second stops 302.

[0137] Likewise, each printed circuit 17 comprises, on two of its opposite sides relative to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, two first support surfaces 310 and two second support surfaces 311. Each printed circuit 17 therefore comprises four first support surfaces 310 and four second support surfaces 311.

[0138] The first bearing surfaces 310 formed on two sides of a printed circuit 17 opposite relative to the longitudinal axis of the support 19 are oriented in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the support 19.

[0139] The second support surfaces 311, formed on the same side of a printed circuit 17 relative to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, are oriented in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the support 19.

[0140] The first stops 301, formed on two sides of the support 19 opposite with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support 19, are oriented towards each other so that they face each other.

[0141] The second stops 302 formed on the same side of the support 19, relative to the longitudinal axis of the support, are oriented towards each other so that they face each other.

[0142] The projections 30 and the notches 31 are arranged in such a way that, when a printed circuit 170 rests against a bearing face 190 comprising four holding projections 30,: each first bearing surface 310 bears against a first stop 301, and each second bearing surface 311 bears against a second stop

[0143] 302. Thus, when a printed circuit 170 is placed on a support face 190 of the support

[0144] 19 comprising four holding projections 30, the printed circuit 170 is locked in translation along: an axis parallel to the corresponding support face 190 and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the support 19 thanks to the contact of the first bearing surfaces 310 against the first stops 301; an axis parallel to the corresponding support face and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support thanks to the contact of the second bearing surfaces 311 against the second stops 302.

[0145] The blocking along these two axes is done in both directions taking into account the implementation of first 301 and second 302 stops and first 310 and second 311 support surfaces operating in an antagonistic manner.

[0146] More precisely,: the translational locking along an axis parallel to a support face 190 and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the support 19 is possible by the implementation of at least two first bearing surfaces 310 oriented in opposite directions and at least two first stops 301 oriented towards each other; the translational locking along an axis parallel to a support face 190 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support 19 is possible by the implementation of at least two second bearing surfaces 311 oriented in opposite directions and at least two second stops 302 oriented towards each other.

[0147] Thus, to allow blocking of a printed circuit 17 in both directions along these two axes, it is appropriate to implement at least two: first support surfaces 310; first stops 301; second support surfaces 311; second stops 302; arranged as indicated above.

[0148] In the embodiment described here, two printed circuits are locked in translation by using for each four holding projections totaling four of these bearing surfaces and four of these stops blocking them along the two axes and in both directions. The other two printed circuits are locked by using for each two holding projections totaling two first stops oriented opposite each other and two second stops oriented in the same direction. These two printed circuits are therefore locked in both directions transversely to the axis of the support, but are free in translation in one direction along the axis of the support. This is solely due to a simplification of the support for its manufacturability. However, the holding is better if each of the printed circuits is locked in translation along the two axes and in both directions by using four of each of these bearing surfaces and stops.

[0149] In variants of this second embodiment, it will be sufficient, to block a printed circuit in both directions and along these two axes, to put at least two of each of these surfaces and stops.

[0150] Furthermore, these translational locking means may be implemented for only one of the printed circuits 17 and not for all of the printed circuits.

[0151] Indeed, since the printed circuits 17 are linked to each other, it is sufficient for one of them to be blocked in translation relative to the support 19 for the others to be blocked as well. However, the positioning is better if each of the printed circuits is individually blocked in translation relative to the support 19.

[0152] The means for securing the card 17 to the support 19 further comprise a locking ring 32.

[0153] This locking ring 32 has locking lugs 320, which protrude from one of its sides. The number of locking lugs 320 is equal to the number of printed circuits 170 that the electronic card 17 comprises.

[0154] This locking ring 32 is furthermore crossed by a central hole 321 defining a bore capable of cooperating with a receiving portion 195 of complementary shape formed at the end of the support 19. The assembly between the locking ring 32 and the receiving portion 195 is tightened so that the securing of the locking ring 32 to the support is done by force fitting. To improve the force fitting of the locking ring 32 and the receiving portion 195, the latter may comprise grooves 1950 provided to press forcefully against the peripheral wall of the central hole 321.

[0155] The receiving portion 190 comprises keying elements 1951 intended to be housed in receptacles 322 provided for this purpose in the locking ring 32.

[0156] When the locking ring 32 is secured to the support 19 by fitting its central hole 321 onto the receiving portion 195, each locking lug 320 covers the end of the corresponding printed circuit 170. This prevents the electronic card 17 from being able to unwind around the support 19 by keeping the printed circuits 170 pressed against the corresponding support faces 190.

[0157] The means for securing the electronic card 17 to the support 19 also comprise an envelope 33 intended to cover the electronic card 17 and the locking ring 32 at their periphery in the extension of the casing 10. This envelope 33 makes it possible to hold the electronic card 17 and the locking ring 32 in place relative to the support 19.

[0158] This casing 33 comprises two half-shells 330, which meet in a joined manner around the electronic card 27 and the locking ring 32.

[0159] The casing 33 has at one of its ends a first locking conformation 331, such as for example a protuberance, provided to cooperate with a second locking conformation 100 of complementary shape, for example a groove, formed in the casing 10, to lock the casing 33 in translation relative to the casing 10 along the axis of the tool.

[0160] The casing 33 has at the other of its ends a first holding conformation 332, such as for example a protuberance, provided to cooperate with a second holding conformation 323 of complementary shape, for example a groove, formed in the locking ring 32, to hold the locking ring 32 in place.

[0161] The two half-shells 330 are held together around the electronic card

[0162] 17 and the locking ring 32 by means of two O-rings 34. These O-rings 34 are arranged at two of the opposite ends of the half-shells 330 and placed in grooves 334 provided for this purpose at the periphery of the half-shells 330.

[0163] The half-shells 300 may comprise one or more holding pins 333, which protrude at their inner periphery towards the support 19. These pins 333 are designed to cooperate with holes made in all or part of the printed circuits 170 to hold them in place.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Portable electric tool comprising a casing (10) housing: an electric motor (M); an electronic card (17) housed in a portion (14) of said casing (10), said portion (17) extending along a main axis, characterized in that said electronic card (17) comprises at least two printed circuits (170) interconnected with each other, said at least two printed circuits (170) being arranged essentially circumferentially around said main axis, said portion (14) of said casing (10) housing a support (19) of said electronic card (17), said support (19) having at least as many support faces (190) as said electronic card (17) comprises printed circuits (170), said faces (190) extending in planes substantially parallel to said main axis, said support (19) comprising a connector (11) provided with at least one electronic contact (111) capable of being connected to a power source,said support (19) being crossed at least in part substantially along said main axis by at least one cable (12) connected to said motor (M) and / or to said electronic card (17)., 2. Tool according to claim 1 wherein said printed circuits (170) are connected two by two by means of deformable conductive tabs (18).

3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2 comprising means for securing said electronic card (17) to said support (19).

4. Tool according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said securing means comprise holding elements (191) projecting from the surface of said support (19), said tabs (18) comprising fixing openings (181) each allowing the passage of one of said holding elements (191).

5. Tool according to claim 4 wherein said fixing openings (181) are provided at free ends of said tabs (18).

6. Tool according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said holding elements (191) are provided at the junction between two consecutive support faces (190) of said support.

7. Tool according to claim 4 or 5 comprising means for locking said holding elements (191) in said fixing openings (181).

8. Tool according to claim 7 wherein said locking means comprise pins (193) extending laterally to said holding elements (181) along axes parallel to said support surfaces (190).

9. Tool according to claim 7 or 8 wherein said locking means comprise slots (192) provided in each of said holding elements (191) along a plane parallel to a support surface (190) from which said holding element (191) projects.

10. Tool according to claim 8 or 9 wherein at least some of said fixing openings (181) have at least one softening slot (182) at their periphery.

11. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said securing means comprise means for locking in translation at least one of said printed circuits (170) relative to said support (19) along: an axis parallel to said support face (190) against which said at least one printed circuit (170) is located and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said support (19), and an axis parallel to said support face (190) against which said at least one printed circuit (170) is located and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support (19).

12. Tool according to claim 11 wherein said translation locking means comprise translation holding projections (30) integral with said support (19), said translation locking projections (30) being capable of cooperating with notches (31) formed in said at least one printed circuit (17).

13. Tool according to claim 12 wherein each holding projection (30) has: a first stop (301), which extends perpendicular to the support face (190) on the surface of which it is formed, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support (19), and a second stop (302), which extends perpendicular to the support face (190) on the surface of which it is formed, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support (19); each of said notches (31) defines: a first bearing surface (310) perpendicular to the support face (190) against which said at least one printed circuit (17) is affixed, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support (19), and a second bearing surface (311) perpendicular to the support face (190) against which said at least one printed circuit (17) is affixed, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support (19), each first bearing surface (310) bearing against a first stop (30), and each second bearing surface (311) bearing against a second stop (302), said tool comprising: at least two first bearing surfaces (310) oriented in opposite directions and at least two first stops (301) oriented towards each other;at least two second bearing surfaces (311) oriented in opposite directions and at least two second stops (302) oriented towards each other.; 14. Tool according to any one of claims 11 to 13 comprising a locking ring (32) secured to one end of said support (19), said locking ring (32) comprising as many locking lugs (320) as said electronic card (17) comprises printed circuits (170), each of said locking lugs (320) covering one end of one of said printed circuits (170).

15. Tool according to claim 14 comprising an envelope (33) covering said electronic card (17) and said locking ring (32) at their periphery in the extension of said casing (10) so as to hold said electronic card (17) and said locking ring (32) in place.

16. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising means for positioning said printed circuits (170) on said support faces (190).

17. Tool according to claim 16 wherein said positioning means comprise pins (194) forming projections on the surface of at least some of said support faces (190), said pins (194) being capable of cooperating with housings (171) of complementary shape provided in said printed circuits (170) or in said tabs (18).

18. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said casing (10) comprises a portion (15) housing said motor (M) extending along a main axis, the main axes of the portions (14, 15) of casing (10) housing said motor (M) and said electronic card (17) being merged or forming an angle.

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