Alps Electric Co., Ltd. has developed the 9mm metal shaft encoder EC09E, realizing the smallest size in the industry for a vertical mounting type encoder with an 80mm2 projected area.
Car navigation systems have advanced in functionality and screen size as a central part of the development of intelligent transport systems (ITS) and vehicle information and communication systems (VICS).
Consequently, various components of car navigation systems must be incorporated in constrained spaces, increasing demand for compact, illuminated and multifunction components that are visible in car cabins and feature excellent design characteristics.
The EC09E is a vertical mount metal shaft encoder developed mainly for car navigation and audio systems.
Employing an octagonal shape, the EC09E is the smallest in the industry with a projected area of 80mm2 (9.5mm (D) x 9.5mm (W)). Compared with other company's products and the previous Alps EC11 Series, the projected area has been reduced by approximately 50% in response to needs that have grown for compact components due to the larger screen sizes and increase in functions of sets. The smooth octagonal shape improves the freedom of illumination design, as it allows light to emanate from the product in an even manner when set manufacturers provide illumination functions.
With a push switch construction, the new product allows users to turn and push the knob to make a selection from a range of choices. The product also accepts various input for multifunctional car navigation systems. While compact, pulse output is the same high precision of former products at 15 pulses (30 clicks), making the product extremely well suited for constrained spaces.
