ALPS Electric Commences “SKPS Series” Surface Mount TACT Switch for Future Automotive Applications

ALPS Electric enables High Operating Force and Long Life Suited to Automotive Applications

ALPS Electric has developed the “SKPS Series” TACT Switch with Soft Operating Feel, realizing a high operating force together with a long operating life to make the product ideal for in-vehicle controls.

Already on mass production from January 2017, the newly developed SKPS Series Surface Mount TACT Switch with Soft Operating Feel inherits the same dimensions as the SKPM Series while achieving both a high 3.6N operating force and a long life of 300,000 cycles (the life of the SKPM Series is 100,000 cycles). Meanwhile, the travel is shorter than earlier products – reduced from 1.3 mm to 1.05 mm – contributing to the development of control environments with excellent reliability and robustness.

Features
Surface mount TACT Switch with soft operating feel achieving both high operating force and a long life

• High operating force (3.0 N or 3.6 N) suited to automotive equipment requirements
• Long life of 300,000 cycles realized despite the high operating force
• Middle stroke (1.05 mm)

Principal Applications

• Switches for car audio-visual and navigation systems, steering wheels and other automotive equipment
• Industrial equipment and measuring instruments

In 2000, ALPS Electric developed and commenced mass production of the SKPM Series Surface Mount TACT Switch with Soft Operating Feel as a switch for integration into automotive equipment. The addition to the product lineup of a model with compact dimensions (5.9 x 6.0 x 5.0 mm) and a range of operating forces between 1.57 N and 3.0 N prompted an excellent response from the market and an extensive sales record.

Changes were made to the sliding structure of the main stem and rubber dome. A structure preventing ingress by dust or dirt was newly adopted to curb contact issues while achieving the same quiet operation as earlier products.

The size and land dimensions of the SKPS Series are the same as for the SKPM Series. This reduces the workload for equipment manufacturers already using the SKPM Series as there is no need to design a new board.

Specifications

• Model: SKPS Series
• Dimensions (W×D×H): 5.9 × 6.0 × 5.0 mm
• Operating force: 3.0 N, 3.6 N
• Travel: 1.05 mm
• Operating life: 300,000 cycles
• Rating (max.): 50 mA 16V DC
• Initial contact resistance: 100 mΩ max.