Operating mode switch for setting at least one operating mode in a hand-held power tool

Abstract

An operating mode switch for setting at least one operating mode in a hand-held power tool, comprising an adjustment ring rotatable manually around its axis and movable into at least one rotational position which activates an operating mode, and a locking device controlled by the adjustment ring and engaging in the adjustment ring, the locking device being configured such that in the at least one rotational position of the adjustment ring it automatically falls into a locking position which locks the adjustment ring in position, while the engagement ring is engageable from the at least one rotational position by manually rotating the adjustment ring.

1 . An operating mode switch for setting at least one operating mode in a hand-held power tool, comprising an adjustment ring rotatable manually around its axis and movable into at least one rotational position which activates an operating mode; and a locking device controlled by said adjustment ring and engaging in said adjustment ring, said locking device being configured such that in the at least one rotational position of said adjustment ring it automatically falls into a locking position which locks said adjustment ring in position, while said adjustment ring is engageable from said at least one rotational position by manually rotating said adjustment ring.  
   
   
       2 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said locking device includes at least one recess located in a sliding track formed in said adjustment ring, and an axially displaceable non-rotatably held locking element configured to at least partially engage in said recess in a form-fit manner and which bears against said sliding track with an axially directed spring force.  
   
   
       3 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said locking element is configured as a sliding wedge; and further comprising a compression spring acting upon said sliding wedge, said sliding wedge having a wedge angle pointing toward said adjusting ring, said recess being configured triangular in shape with a triangular angle corresponding an angle of said wedge.  
   
   
       4 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 3;  and further comprising a mounting peg which projects axially from an end of said sliding wedge facing away from said wedge angle, and a compression spring being slid onto said mounting pad and bearing, with preload, against said end of said sliding wedge via one spring end and also bearing via another spring end against a spring support located in an axial distance away from said mounting peg.  
   
   
       5 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 4;  and further comprising a guide sleeve, said adjustment ring being rotatably seated on said guide sleeve, said sliding wedge being accommodated in a guide groove which extends in an axial direction in said guide sleeve.  
   
   
       6 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said groove has a closed groove end pointing away from said adjusting ring and provided with a blind hole which accommodates one end of said compression spring, while a spring stop is formed by a hole base of said blind hole.  
   
   
       7 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment ring has a first rotational position for an “impact drilling mode on” operating mode, and a second rotational position for an “impact drilling mode off” operating mode, said locking device being effective in at least said first rotational position.  
   
   
       8 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment ring has several rotational positions for activating particular operating modes, and said locking device is effective in every one of said rotational positions.  
   
   
       9 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment ring includes a manually holdable outer ring and an inner ring which is rigidly coupled with said outer ring and is provided with a sliding track.  
   
   
       10 . An operating mode switch as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said sliding track is formed by a control curve for actuating blocking elements for a safety switch.