Alps Electric Co., Ltd. has developed the SKRP Series of compact TACT switches realizing the industry's smallest dimensions and heavy operating force of 4.5 N. Sample shipments will commence near the middle of August. The series will be on display at ALPS SHOW 2002, which will be held in Hiten Hall at the New Takanawa Prince Hotel in Minato-ku, Tokyo, over a three-day period from May 15, 2002.
In control switches for automobile products, focus has fallen on greater miniaturization for enhanced mounting precision as well as travel and heavy operating force that clearly indicate activation to the user for greater safety.
The SKRP Series of TACT switches is a lineup developed to fulfill these needs.
Use of the Company's proprietary component-processing technologies has substantially reduced dimensions by roughly 65% to 4.2 mm x 3.2 mm x 2.5 mm* (W x D x H) compared with the previous SKRA Series. Achieving the industry's smallest dimensions will contribute to improved mounting precision on set-top boxes.
A dome contact that has proven effective on Alps TACT switches is employed on the contact point, while rubber is used on the stem portion, which provides the movement for the contact. The combination of this dome contact and rubber stem has made possible a middle stroke with 0.5 mm of travel and heavy operating force of 4.5 N. With a heavy operating force that eclipses the 3.43 N of the SKRA Series (0.55-mm travel type), the SKRP provides accurate indication to the driver that the device has been activated.
This series enables the selection of pretension (setting before pressure activation), which makes use of rubber reaction, and ensures that the set-top box is always in contact with the system. As a result, it suppresses rattling of the key-top caused by minor oscillation of the automobile.
*2.5 mm (H)=Width of the product including key-top
