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Alps Electric Introduces D Series Spring Contacts with Insulation Coating

2017-12-07 | Return

Alps Electric has developed the new SCTA□D Series, with reduced insertion loss and improved robustness, to add to its lineup of industry-smallest* spring contacts ideal for board-to-board or board-to-device connection inside smartphones, wearable computers and other mobile equipment. Mass production and sales of SCTA3D, 4D and 5D Series began in October 2017.

Smartphones, smart watches and wristband-type health management devices are smaller, thinner, lighter and more functional than ever before. Ways they are used, too, have recently become increasingly sophisticated, involving connection to other devices and network environments for such purposes as managing data, linking to cloud services and updating firmware. And as these compact mobile devices evolve, the electronic components inside them also need to be able to support advanced functionality, miniaturization and high-density mounting while at the same time having greater rigidity for envisaged use in a wide range of environments.

Responding to these needs, Alps Electric developed and introduced to the market in 2015 the SCTA□A Series—an original series of spring contacts for board-to-board and board-to-device connection inside electronic equipment. In January 2017, Alps developed the SCTA1D Series with enhanced product performance. And now, following the addition of SCTA3D, 4D and 5D Series to the lineup, the company has commenced sales to replace the SCTA□B Series (released September 2016).

Compared to earlier Alps products, the SCTA□D Series achieves dramatically reduced insertion loss on connection of a device such as an RF antenna. This is due to laser welding of the tips of the two spiral springs, which ensures that signals do also pass through the support spring (sub-terminal). In addition, joining the tips of main and support springs improves robustness without compromising the original function and performance of the springs. And just like the SCTA□B Series, the SCTA□D Series has insulation coating applied to the spiral part of the spring, preventing shorting paths due to spring bending and thereby realizing stable high frequency performance.

Contributing to stable connection inside electronic equipment, the expanded product lineup puts Alps Electric in a better position to promote sales of the series to not only smartphone and wearable computer sectors, where compact size and a low profile are major requirements, but a broad range of markets, including consumer electronics and industrial equipment.

*According to Alps Electric research

Features

1.Space-saving compact size (1.4 × 1.4mm (1.45 × 1.45mm)) and low height

2.Unique spring construction realizes high resilience to vibration and impacts, ensuring high contact reliability

3.Square shape means orientation not a concern during mounting, allowing flexible arrangement (e.g. arrays)

4.Supports 3A current despite compact dimensions

5.Insertion loss during RF antenna connection minimized

6.Insulation coating prevents shorting paths (e.g. due to bending)

Specifications

Series	SCTA1D	SCTA3D	SCTA4D	SCTA5D
Dimensions (W×D)	1.4×1.4㎜	1.45×1.45㎜
Height in use	0.7㎜ – 1.0㎜	1.05㎜ – 1.35㎜	1.25㎜ – 1.55㎜	1.45㎜ – 1.75㎜
Travel	0.45㎜	0.5㎜
Rated current	3A
Operating temperature range	-30 to ＋85℃

Principal Applications

Connection of devices requiring stable high frequency performance, and board-to-board or other connection inside electronic equipment

Planned Release

Mass production:	From October 2017
Sample price	¥100 (Tax excluded)
Monthly output	3 million units (for each series)
Development	Engineering Headquarters-Furukawa R＆D Center (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Production	Production Headquarters-Furukawa Plant (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)

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