Abstract: A hybrid printed circuit carrier including a ceramic carrier, traces applied on the carrier, circuit components located on said carrier and a plurality of switch contacts. The switch contacts form a portion of a movable switch and are fixedly applied on the same surface of the carrier as the traces and the circuit components. The application of at least a portion of the fixed contacts of the moving switch allows these contacts to be located on the carrier in the same process step as the location of the other components to be located on the carrier. This application can be executed easily using a pick-and-place apparatus, thereby avoiding labor-intensive manual processing. Also, contact elements for a plug connection with wires can be applied on the carrier. The location of the contact elements onto said carriers obviates the need for screw connections, etcetera for making electrical connections with the switch unit, which are classically formed by wires.

Abstract: A switch for electric hand-tools includes: a switch housing with a switching device arranged therein; and a carriage arranged movably in the housing and which is drivable by a trigger connected thereto. The carriage is provided with at least one slider for sliding over a potentiometer track and with at least one movable contact of a mechanical switch. The switch housing is provided with an electrical connecting system which, when a module is arranged on the switch housing, is adapted to form an electrical connection between the switch housing and the module. The switch housing with the switching device arranged therein can be adapted, by connecting a module thereto, to provide an additional switch function and to adapt to a specific method of connection of the wires to be connected to the switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable resistor comprising a strip of resistance material arranged on an insulating carrier and a slider made of conductive material guidable along the strip and contacting the strip, wherein the slider is manufactured from elastomeric material. A slider manufactured from an elastomeric material will, as a result of its flexibility, make contact with the resistance strip over a relatively large part of the width of the resistance strip so flat the problems of an uneven current distribution associated with one-point contact are avoided. The use of an elastomeric material further provides the option of dimensioning and shaping the slider such that it can be handled easily by means of a positioning machine, and the problems of the usually elongate rigid sliders on the production line are avoided. The slider is preferably manufactured from conductive rubber or a conductive plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switch comprising a carrier which is manufactured substantially from plastic and in which fixed contacts are arranged, and a part which is movable relative to the carrier and in which movable contacts are arranged, wherein the fixed contacts are enclosed by plastic on at least a part of all their sides, so that the fixed contacts are fixed in plastic. According to a first preferred embodiment at least one plastic element extends at least on a first side of the fixed contacts, which plastic element leaves clear a part of the surface on the first side of the fixed contacts. Sufficient fixation is herein obtained by the plastic element, while it will be apparent that a contact face of the contacts must remain free in order to be able to function as a contact.