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What is the one thing that all modern appliances have in common? Be it their safety features, position sensing, control panels, appliance door locks, or pressure sensing, everything needs implementation of this handy component. Have you ever wondered how the refrigerator light turns on the moment you open its door and turns off when closed? Imagine for a second your microwave operating without the closed door. Or a washing machine running even if the lid is slightly open. How unsafe would that be? All such features are only possible with the extensive use of microswitches. Unlike the traditional switches, they work in a very different manner. In this article, we will be discussing microswitches in detail, for example, their working, and their diverse application areas.
Contrary to how it sounds, a microswitch is not a switch that is very small in size. Such small-sized contact makers exist, but those are just regular switches. A microswitch is a particular type of switch that requires very little actuation force to operate. Since they are easy to operate, manufacturers use them in various sensors and control equipment.
Microswitches, also referred to as miniature snap-action switches, consist of spring-loaded levers with two positions: namely on and off. The neutral configuration is when the switch is not subjected to any external force. When the user exerts pressure, it causes the contacts inside the microswitch to meet, starting the circuit. In this regard, microswitches are more like toggle buttons in nature.
At present various types of microswitches are available in the market, catering to the diverse needs of the modern world.
These microswitches activate and deactivate with the help of a small mechanical force such as a spring, plunger, roller pin, flexible rod, etc. We will be discussing some of them below:
- Hinge Roller Lever: This switch activates via a roller generally connected to a hinged lever. Which works to make sure that the connectors operate with ease and precision during high-speed operations such as camera operation.
- Pin Plunger: The plunger operation is always suited for short strokes direct in nature. The same is the case with this switch. It can detect high-precision positions very quickly and activate or deactivate according to them.
- Leaf Spring Switch: These switches come with a leaf spring, which is responsible for actuating them when required. The powerful spring is vital for applications like cylinder drives and low-speed cams.
Optical microswitches operate via a beam of light. These devices operate primarily on the principles of light and employ coupling technology to activate and deactivate by utilizing light-emitting and light-receiving components. If a hindrance blocks the optical path, the optocoupler starts, which changes the electrical circuit impedance. So, the breaker closes, registering a click. In this way, the electricity-light-electricity cycle controls the switching with ease. Moreover, many medical and industrial applications, such as MRI imaging, use them too, since it is magnetically invisible to the imaging process and is inherently safe in explosive atmospheres too.
- Precise and Accurate: Microswitches have revolutionized today's modern world. One of their key benefits is that they provide a highly accurate performance compared to other types of switches. Its versatility and adaptability to various use cases also make it an outstanding option, as it is highly resistant to external factors such as water and dust, and offers a prolonged lifespan when compared to its traditional counterparts.
- Reduced Arcing Damage: Moreover, switching operations involve arcing damage due to frequent operations, which is a common problem. Microswitches win the battle as they can significantly reduce arcing damage by arcing fast switching speeds. So, with microswitches by your side, you don’t need to worry about delays or interruptions, no matter how frequently you turn your devices on or off.
- Reliable Switching: The use of microswitches reduces the occurrence of false or delayed signals responsible for unwanted malfunctions or unavailability of equipment since it has a very reliable switching mechanism. That is why they are highly suited for high-frequency operations or automation.
Microswitches play a vital role in the working of our everyday life appliances. They are everywhere but perhaps hidden from your sight. Operation of automatic sliding doors, refrigerator light turning on and off, automated robotic projects, or 3D printer all use microswitches in one way or another. In industrial applications such as conveyor belts, microswitches detect the presence of an object on the conveyor belt. Similarly, they can also cause equipment malfunction and trigger an automatic safety shutdown if required.
Many diverse areas of our lives rely on the reliable and accurate functioning of microswitches. Some of them are:
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A typical computer mouse has to perform two primary functions, namely moving and clicking. The microswitch is commonly used in modern mice like the MEETION wireless gaming mouse BTM011 to register the click operation. This switch has mechanical and electrical functionality, so when you press the button, the microswitch activates to report it. Since clicking is repetitive and frequent, microswitches provide a highly reliable, precise, and accurate performance.
One of the primary uses of microswitches is in the automatic transmission system of a car. When you change the shift lever from ‘Parking’ to ‘Drive,’ it is the microswitch behind that triggers itself and sends a signal to the controller to engage the driving gear. Moreover, they also prevent accidental shifting of gears, thus making the automatic transmission a safe feature. Similarly, when you press the brake, a microswitch is triggered and sends the signal to the controller to turn on the brake lights.
You must have used a vending machine to get your favorite snacks and drinks. Have you ever wondered how they detect jammed trays or the number of coins you enter? Well, it's the micro-switches that, when triggered, make possible such vending operations.
We can see how microswitches are shaping to be the gateway for a modern automated world filled with intelligent appliances. It is ultimately raising the quality of human life and making it easy and comfortable. Long service life, compact size, diverse application variants, and adaptability to different environments are significant benefits of using these microswitches. Such is the revolutionary impact of microswitches that modern intelligent appliances may not be possible if microswitches are not there.
An electrical switch, in the most basic sense, is a device that turns an electric current either on or off. If that was all you needed to know about switches, it would be a very short story. However, electrical switches come in thousands of styles, sizes, and ratings, while encompassing an even larger number of features, specifications, and footprints.
A “tactile switch” is one type of widely used switch that completes an electrical circuit typically when pressure is applied to the device by the user, which then gives the user a perceptible “click” or haptic bump in response, indicating current flow. Current flow is turned off when the switch is released. To give a shorter definition, a tactile switch is a momentary action device whose operation is perceptible by touch. This tangible feedback gives some assurance to the user that the switch has operated and a signal has flowed. Tactile switch models are also available that turn off current when the switch is pushed and turn it back on when released. These “normally closed” tactile switches are also available from CUI Devices.
Examples of common tactile switchesSwitches of this type began as membrane, or screen-printed switches in the early 1980’s for use in keyboards and keypads. Their lack of tactile feedback and poor performance was quickly met with resistance until the introduction of devices with metal domes as part of the switch design in the late 1980’s. The domed design provided tactile feedback along with a more robust method of actuation plus better longevity. Today, tactile switches are widely used as input devices across thousands of commercial and consumer devices.
There can be some user confusion in the naming of tactile switches in that they are often referred to as push button switches. A push button switch is designed to allow current flow in a circuit when the actuator is depressed and goes a specified travel distance and stop the flow of current when pushed again. Push button switches can be mounted either on panels or directly on printed circuit boards (PCBs). To learn more about push button switches, read our Push Button Switches 101 blog.
On the other hand, a tactile switch allows current flow when the actuator is pushed and held, and stops the current flow when it is released, or vice versa. There is minimal travel of the actuator. These are known as “momentary action” switches, and while some push buttons are momentary, all tactile switches are. Tactile switches are also typically much smaller than push button switches, and because of their design often carry lower voltage and current ratings. They also offer audio or haptic feedback and are exclusively designed to be directly mounted onto PCBs.
Tactile switches offer important and useful features that can enhance the user perception of a product. First, they provide momentary circuit engagement – the current is on when the switch is pushed and is off when the switch is released, or vice versa. This allows for faster data input, as in a computer keyboard, and continuous operation until necessary, as in a motor control keypad.
Second, and most important, tactile switches offer tactile and auditory feedback to the operator, confirming that the switch is engaged and power is flowing to the circuit. They also, as in the case of computer keyboards, provide a fulfilling physical “feel” to the function of typing that can also indicate missed strokes, or lack of input.
Third, tactile switches typically operate at lower power and current ratings. This makes them less costly to produce and better matched to low voltage devices and systems. The lower voltage also means less arcing at contact points.
Finally, with very few moving parts, tactile switches typically last longer than other mechanical switches. This allows for their use directly mounted on circuit boards, with less worry about removal for repair. It also means that, in comparison to other switch types, they cost less to use in a product.
Tactile switches are somewhat elegant in their simplicity, employing a very limited number of parts to meet their intended function. The basic tactile switch design typically incorporates four parts, including the largest component - a molded resin base (4) containing terminals and contacts to connect the switch to the PCB base.
Basic tactile switch structureA contact dome (3) with an arched shape fits into the base and deflects, or reverses shape under force. This process produces the audible and haptic click of a tactile switch. The dome connects two fixed contacts in the base when flexed and thus powers the circuit. When the operating force is removed, the dome returns to its original shape and the circuit is interrupted. Domes are made of both metal and other materials depending on the amount of haptic and audible feedback required.
The plunger (2) sits on top of the contact dome and is pushed to flex the dome and activate the switch. Plungers can be made of metal, rubber, or other materials and can be flat or offer raised projections, depending on the needs of the overall product. The type of material used in the plunger and the contact dome will also determine the click tactile feel and sound.
On top of the plunger sits the cover (1), which protects the internal mechanism of the switch. This can be made of metal or other materials, depending on the intended use of the switch and the amount of protection needed. Specific covers can also include a ground terminal to protect against static discharge.
Selecting the right tactile switch for your product is not just a process of evaluating specifications on a product datasheet. Tactile switches, due to their “feel” and “sound” can influence the user perception of quality in the overall product. This perception can be difficult to quantify. The force needed to activate the switch and the haptic feedback the user senses must meet the application and will vary from consumer to industrial products.
It is often wise to match the characteristics of a particular switch to its application by testing the actual switch in prototype use. For example, an automotive switch may require more actuation force to avoid input errors caused by vehicle vibration. A switch used on a printer or a consumer gaming product can be less sensitive. Of course, in either case the switch must also function reliably over the lifetime of the product.
All that said, there are many design specifications applicable to tactile switches, including:
Tactile switches are available in two major types, either standard (or open), or sealed. The standard type of tactile switch is not sealed to outside elements like dust, gases, or water. The sealed type has mechanical elements to protect the internal parts from dust and water ingress in harsh environments.
Some of the different types of tactile switches that are available include:
Tactile switches typically contain 4 pins. These pins are internally connected into 2 sets. The purpose of using 4 pins is to provide stability when the device is mounted on a circuit board. When wiring, you technically only need to use 2 of the leads, but it is best practice to use all of the pins possible, while realizing that the pairs are connected internally. Tactile switches are also available with just 2 pins. There are also 5-pin tactile switches available to allow for joystick-like control in a very small package.
Typical tactile switch pin configurationDue to their small size, low height, and long life, tactile switches fit many needs in various types of consumer and industrial products. A list of some of the typical applications include:
Some newer applications that take advantage of the small footprint, light weight, and durability of tactile switches include wearable technology, smart body armor, and body cameras.
Tactile switches are an intelligent choice when low-power, momentary action power control or data input is required in a product, and where tactile and auditory feedback is a desirable feature. CUI Devices offers a line of tactile switches featuring compact packages, a range of actuator heights, and multiple configuration options.
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