Alps Electric has developed the “SKTA Series” Surface Mount TACT Switch™ with Projection (IP67 Equivalent), ideal for side controls on thin smartphones and other wearable electronics applications demanding compact dimensions and dust and water resistance. Mass production begins in March 2017.

Smartphone models with large-sized screens have appeared on the market in recent years and manufacturers have had to devise ways to ensure the phones remain easy to hold and operate, such as by slimming down and curving the sides. And to prevent rain and dirt from infiltrating products like smartphones and compact wearable devices, the electronic components inside those items need to not only be compact, but also have dust- and water-resistant designs.

Responding to these market needs, Alps Electric has developed and commenced mass production of the SKTA Series Surface Mount TACT Switch™ with Projection. Using original design and manufacturing techniques, IP67-equivalent dust and water resistance and a long operating life of 300,000 cycles were realized even with dimensions of 2.6 × 1.6 × 0.53mm, representing a roughly 20 percent smaller mounting area than earlier products.

For the metal contact, an inner projection is employed to help improve ease of use and handling both by preventing differences in feel caused by position variations during installation in the end product and by enabling stable operation of the switch even when it is pressed at the edge or diagonally.

Features

Compact size realized together with IP67-equivalent dust and water resistance

1.Compact dimensions: 2.6 × 1.6mm

2.IP67-equivalent dust and water resistance

3.Long operating life of 300,000 cycles

Principal Applications

Side control switches on smartphones

Headsets, hearing aids and other compact electronic devices requiring dust and water resistance

Planned Release

Mass production:	From March 2017
Sample price	¥200 (Tax excluded)
Monthly output	3 million units (March 2017)
Development	Engineering Headquarters—Furukawa Plant (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Production	Production Headquarters—Kakuda Plant (Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Specifications

Model	SKTA Series
Dimensions (W×D×H)	2.6 × 1.6 × 0.53 mm
Operating force	1.0 N, 1.6 N
Travel	0.11 mm
Operating life	300,000 cycles
Rating (max.)	50mA 12V DC
Initial contact resistance	500 mΩ max.

Source:http://www.alps.com/