A control assembly for selectively controlling actuation of an electric motor arranged to power a hand-held power tool based on combined performance of two dissimilar operator actions and a hand-held power tool including such a control assembly. A switch member may be closed responsive to an enabling action including a first of the two dissimilar operator actions. A throttle control member becomes operable responsive to actuation of the throttle control member past a first movement threshold, i.e. a second dissimilar operator action, while the switch member is in the actuated state. The throttle control member remains repeatedly operable above a second movement threshold, even if the switch member is opened. Actuation of the throttle control member to below the second movement threshold will render the throttle control member non-operable until renewed combined performance of the first and second dissimilar operator actions.

A control assembly for selectively controlling actuation of an electric motor arranged to power a hand-held power tool based on combined performance of two dissimilar operator actions and a hand-held power tool including such a control assembly. A switch member may be closed responsive to an enabling action including a first of the two dissimilar operator actions. A throttle control member becomes operable responsive to actuation of the throttle control member past a first movement threshold, i.e. a second dissimilar operator action, while the switch member is in the actuated state. The throttle control member remains repeatedly operable above a second movement threshold, even if the switch member is opened. Actuation of the throttle control member to below the second movement threshold will render the throttle control member non-operable until renewed combined performance of the first and second dissimilar operator actions.

An earplug dispenser for contactless operation by a user having a container portion for receiving a plurality of earplugs. A dispensing portion is coupled to the container portion. The dispensing portion has a motor and a rotor coupled to the motor. The rotor has a plurality of rotor openings to receive individual earplugs in each rotor opening. The dispensing portion also has a dispensing opening. The motor rotates the rotor to dispense earplugs through the dispensing opening.

A power tool has highly airtight electrical connection between a controller and a switch to effectively prevent a short circuit. A grinder includes a housing, a motor accommodated in the housing, a controller accommodated in the housing and including a circuit board and a controller terminal located on a first facing surface and electrically connected to the circuit board, a switch accommodated in the housing and including a switch terminal located on a second facing surface facing the controller, being in direct contact with the controller terminal, and electrically connected to the controller terminal, and a seal located between the first facing surface and the second facing surface and sealing a periphery of the controller terminal and a periphery of the switch terminal with the controller terminal being in direct contact with the switch terminal. The first facing surface is a surface of the controller facing the switch.

A hand-held rotary power tool includes a housing that provides a manual grip zone that is grasped by the user during operation of the tool. The housing includes a switch opening that overlies an electrical switch that controls operation of a tool motor. The tool includes a switch actuator that is disposed in tool housing so as to be accessible to a user of the tool via the switch opening and is operable to control the position of the switch. The switch actuator is configured to damp tool noise and transmission of tool vibration to the tool housing.

A hand-held rotary power tool includes a housing that provides a manual grip zone that is grasped by the user during operation of the tool. The housing includes a switch opening that overlies an electrical switch that controls operation of a tool motor. The tool includes a switch actuator that is disposed in tool housing so as to be accessible to a user of the tool via the switch opening and is operable to control the position of the switch. The switch actuator is configured to damp tool noise and transmission of tool vibration to the tool housing.

A power tool (1), such as an impact wrench (1), includes: a brushless motor (8); a motor housing (7), which houses the brushless motor (8); an anvil (4), which is rotationally driven by the brushless motor (8) and disposed forward of the brushless motor (8); a handle (3), which is disposed downward of the motor housing (7); a battery-mount part (5), which is disposed downward of the handle (3); a battery pack (6), which is mounted on the battery-mount part (5) by being slid relative to the battery-holding housing (5); and a controller (70) for controlling the brushless motor (8). A switch panel (73) having at least one manipulatable button (73c) and at least one display part is provided downward of the handle (3) and is tilted such that the switch panel (73) is higher in the front.

A power tool (1), such as an impact wrench (1), includes: a brushless motor (8); a motor housing (7), which houses the brushless motor (8); an anvil (4), which is rotationally driven by the brushless motor (8) and disposed forward of the brushless motor (8); a handle (3), which is disposed downward of the motor housing (7); a battery-mount part (5), which is disposed downward of the handle (3); a battery pack (6), which is mounted on the battery-mount part (5) by being slid relative to the battery-holding housing (5); and a controller (70) for controlling the brushless motor (8). A switch panel (73) having at least one manipulatable button (73c) and at least one display part is provided downward of the handle (3) and is tilted such that the switch panel (73) is higher in the front.

A grasp-activated power switch is integrated within a handle for a hand-held power tool. The switch has an outer shell defining an inner channel with a first and second pin extending therein. The tool body has a first and second conductor. A motor within the tool body is electrically connected to one of the first or second conductors and to an internal battery. The internal battery is connected to the other of the first or second conductors. On its surface the outer shell has actuating and non-actuating areas. A manual grasping force when applied to the actuating area connects the first and second pins with the first and second conductors to complete an electrical circuit. The closure energizes the tool motor. With each grasp, the switch toggles power to the motor off or on, and when on, the motor transmits power through the inner channel.

An) electric machine with variable torque generation having a tunable Halbach array configuration. The electric machine includes a magnet assembly for generating a magnetic field. The magnet assembly includes a plurality of fixed magnets disposed in a ring arrangement so that fixed magnets having a north pole faced toward the rotor or stator are alternated with fixed magnets having a south pole faced toward the rotor or stator, a plurality of rotatable magnets disposed within a respective slot formed between two adjacent fixed magnets, a drive assembly for turning the rotatable magnets within the slots to vary the magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly in the rotor or stator, the drive assembly configured to turn the rotatable magnets between a first position wherein the magnetic field in the rotor or stator is augmented and a second position wherein the magnetic field in the rotor or stator is cancelled.