Slide Switch offers low profile for mobile devices.April 2, 2010 -
Measuring 5.5 x 2.5 x 0.7 mm, SSAJ series slide switch is suited for mobile phones, digital cameras, and compact music players. It includes operational knob reinforced by metal plate inserted into plastic body, while tactile feedback is created using plate spring that generates 1.5 N operating force. Offering maximum rating of 10 mA/5 Vdc, minimum frequency of 50 µA/3 Vdc, unit has operational life of 10,000 cycles and supports lead-free soldering.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Alps Electric
4020 Westchase Blvd., #100
Raleigh, NC, 27607
USA
Alps Unveils New Slide Switch for Mobile Devices
Low-profile, 0.7mm-High SSAJ Slide Switch is the Industry's Smallest*
TOKYO - Alps Electric announced today development of the SSAJ series, a 0.7mm-high slide switch that enables the design of more compact electronic devices including mobile phones, digital cameras and compact music players. Sample shipments will commence from February 2010.
Trends toward smaller and slimmer portable devices have led to the need for notably smaller and thinner components. Demand has been particularly strong for thin and compact slide switches, which are usually placed on the side of a device and manipulated to turn power on and off or perform a hold (pause) function. An increasing number of devices such as smartphones, many of which feature touch panel operation, have begun including slide switches to allow for easier visual confirmation of the mobile phone's pause function.
In response to these growing needs, Alps Electric has developed the industry's smallest slide switch, which, at 5.5mm wide by 2.5mm deep by 0.7mm high, boasts a 36% reduction in volume, thus decreasing the space required on a circuit board compared with the Company's conventional SSAD series (6.7mm × 3.2mm × 0.7mm) products. Moreover, this slide switch supports lead-free soldering.
Switches and other small, thin components mounted in devices that are subject to direct manual manipulation must be durable. Therefore, the operational knob on the SSAJ slide switch is reinforced by a metal plate inserted inside its plastic body.
Tactile feedback is also important to users yet because components in such small products are so tiny, it is increasingly difficult to realize proper sensation. Alps Electric leveraged its longstanding mechanical design technologies to address this issue by creating a unique structure with a plate spring, realizing a 1.5N operating force. By generating an appropriate clicking sensation, this contributes to higher product usability.
* Based on Alps' survey in terms of volume ratio as of February 1, 2010.
Features
Development of industry's smallest slide switch
1. Assures durability due to insertion of a metal plate into the operational knob
2. Realizes a distinct clicking sensation thanks to the 1.5N operating force
3. Suitable for lead-free soldering
Principal Applications
Mobile phones, digital still cameras, digital camcorders, mobile music players, portable devices such as notebook PCs
Planned Release
Sample production From February 2010
Mass production From February 2010
Sample price 100 yen (tax included)
Planned monthly production 2 million units (December 2010 scheduled)
Development MMP Division, Furukawa Plant (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Production MMP Division, Wakuya Plant (Wakuya-cho, Tohda-gun, Miyagi Prefecture)
Specifications
Product name SSAJ Series
Dimensions (W × D × H) 5.5mm × 2.5mm × 0.7mm
Maximum rating 10mA 5V DC
Minimum frequency 50 µA 3V DC
Contact resistance 300 mW max. (initial)
Operating force 1.5 N
Operating life 10,000 cycles
Travel 1.4 mm
Number of poles 1
Number of positions 2
About Alps Electric co., Ltd.
Alps Electric (Tokyo: 6770) is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electronic components for mobile devices, home electronics, vehicles and industrial equipment. With the philosophy of "Perfecting the Art of Electronics" Alps Electric supplies over 40,000 different components to about 2,000 companies all over the world. For more information, visit www.alps.com.
|
User comments about this story
Fascinating !
These days I can clearly see that the
trend of electronic component business is moving on to the field of mobile devices. Wish i could get a sample of this beauty !
By Sean Kim on Apr 11, 2010 20:24
Reply to this comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 
