ALPS Adds Switch with Wire Harness to “SPVQ8 Series” Lineup

The Industry’s Smallest Waterproof Detector Switch Series

Duesseldorf, Germany, June 06, 2013 – ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPE GmbH has developed a switch with wire harness for its “SPVQ8 Series” lineup of the industry’s smallest waterproof detector switches, ideal for detection of opening and closing or position detection in products such as automotive parts and white goods. Mass production commenced in May 2013. An increasingly diverse range of electronic components have been incorporated into automotive parts and white goods in recent years in order to realize enhanced safety, comfort and convenience. As more parts are being fitted into limited space and automakers look for ways to improve fuel economy performance, even further size and weight reductions are required of individual parts, including detector switches. Depending on the product design, space limitations may require that the detector switch is located away from the main circuit board and connected with a wire harness. Previously in such cases, even if the detector switch itself was waterproof, the terminal would be left exposed, necessitating additional waterproofing, for example with resin adhesive, after connecting the switch. Applying proprietary precision processing technology acquired over the years, ALPS has now added a switch with a pre-attached wire harness to its SPVQ8 Series of waterproof detector switches, the industry’s smallest. Besides meeting the requirement for smaller and lighter components, waterproofing of the detector switch, including its wire harness, is performed in advance, helping to reduce the customer’s waterproofing workload during assembly. Despite having the industry’s smallest dimensions, 8.3 × 5.3 × 11.4mm, retaining the characteristic compactness of the SPVQ8 Series, the product realizes IP67*1 dust and water resistance, including for the wire harness connection. It can be incorporated into a wide range of applications, including automotive parts such as car doors, seat belt buckles, gearshifts and motorcycle handle controls, as well as white goods and industrial equipment used around water. High resistance to dust and dirt and high contact reliability, even in shock and vibration environments, are also achieved using a double-sided sliding contact, which slides while clamping a fixed contact from both sides. The wire harness is available in two types: horizontal or vertical. Standard wires are 250mm long, one red and one black, although specifications can be made on an individual basis. *1. “IP67” is an IP Code (International Protection Rating), expressing levels of protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects and against the ingress of water. IP67 indicates that the product is dust-tight and that ingress of water under defined conditions of pressure and time will have no harmful effect on the product. Features Industry’s Smallest Detector Switch with Wire Harness Compact size: 8.3 × 5.3 × 11.4mm IP67 dust and water resistance, including for the wire harness section Use of double-sided sliding contact ensures high contact reliability Principal Applications Detection of opening/closing or position for automotive parts (e.g. sliding doors, back doors, trunk, hood) Detection applications for white goods or industrial equipment used around water Specifications Model SPVQ8 Series Dimensions (W × D × H) 8.3 × 5.3 × 11.4mm Maximum rating 0.1A 12V DC Minimum rating 50µA 5V DC Contact resistance (initial) 500mΩ max. Contact resistance (after lifetime) 1Ω max. Operating life 300,000 cycles (Standard type) 1,000,000 cycles (Long-life type) For more information on the new product please visit www.alps.com/products/e/npv_product/130531_SPVQ8/SPVQ8-E.HTML

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. ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPE GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989 the European Head Office has been located in Düsseldorf, where a team of specialists works in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. The activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris, Milton Keynes, Gothenburg, and our sales office in Milan are coordinated from Düsseldorf.