Electromechanical Components for White Goods

Duesseldorf, Germany, June 08, 2005 – ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, one of the leading manufacturers of electronic components, announced today that it has diversified its product spectrum and offers now a broad range of electromechanical components for the manufacturers of “White Goods”. The company uses its long-standing expertise as manufacturer of automotive components to develop and produce electromechanical components for the new generation of household appliances. The product range includes e.g. the ultra-thin detector switches of the SPVL series, compact, high precision rotary sensors of the RDC50 series and power switches of the SDKS series, which comply with European and Chinese explosion-prevention standards. In addition, there are the tiny tact switches of the SKRA series with middle travel rubber stem and digital encoders with 240 degree rotational angle for controlling various household appliances. “The electronics content of household appliances is increasing at a rate far beyond growth in the white goods market, fuelling vast demand for electromechanical components”, said Ulrich Kuhs, Marketing Manager, ALPS Electric Europa. “Our innovative products are the ideal solution for the new generation of electric appliances for household and gastronomy, as they help to reduce consumption of energy and materials, simplify handling, boost convenience and enhance safety.” With the SPVL series ALPS has now a range of ultra-thin detector switches with a large operational range of 180 degree in its programme. Only 1mm in height, the switches feature a travel length of 1.5mm, an operating force of 0.35N and a long operating life of 50,000 switching cycles. These 1circuit-1contact switches are rated for switching currents of up to 1mA at a maximum of 5VDC. Compact, high precision and heat resistant rotary sensors, which meet various needs in position detection, are now offered by the company with the rotary sensors of the RDC50 series. They are available as horizontal, vertical and reflow types with a hollow shaft structure of 3.5mm in diameter and cover an effective variable range of 320 degree. With an operating temperature range from –40°C to +120°C and an operating life of up to 1,000,000 cycles, the sensors are predestined for all kinds of household appliances. Power switches compliant to European and Chinese explosion-prevention standards are now offered by ALPS with the SDKS series. Designed as SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) or SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) type and assembled in “Micro Gap Construction” according to the IEC standard, these switches are the ideal solution for detecting the door positions of refrigerators. The products are rated for switching currents of up to 4A at 125VAC and 2A at 250VAC and have an operating life of up to 6,000 switching cycles. Further features are an operating force of 2.5N (±1.5N) and a travel length of 2.7mm. Under the name “SKRA” ALPS now offers a series of TACT switches with middle travel rubber stem. The surface-mountable components have a footprint of 6.2mm x 6.2mm, a height of 3.4mm or 5.1mm (depending on the height of the stem) and an operating life of up to 100,000 switching cycles. They require an operating force of 1.96N to 3.92N. The travel length ranges between 0.3mm and 0.55mm. The switches are rated for switching currents of up to 50mA at a maximum of 12VDC. For automatic mounting, they are packaged on embossed taping with a width of 12mm/16mm. With an operating temperature range from –30°C to +80°C and an operating life of up to 30,000 cycles, the digital encoders of the EC45A series are the perfect solution to control temperature or blower controls. The components are designed as vertical types with a large ring and a hollow shaft structure with 45mm in diameter. They feature a rotational angle of 240 degree and a detent torque of 36(±16)mNm. The number of detents amounts to 31 positions. All output signals are coded with a 5bit Gray code. The encoders are rated for voltages of 5VDC and have a current consumption of 0.5mA with resistive load. All listed switches are suitable for lead-free reflow soldering and correspond to the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) guidelines. ALPS not only provides a broad range of standard electromechanical components, but on request also develops solutions conjointly with the user, which meet their individual technical and design requirements. In addition, the proven logistic and distribution system guarantees the user an efficient production process. For more information about the rest of ALPS’ line of switches please visit http://www3.alps.co.jp/indexnpv_sw-e.html

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments – Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics – which are contributing to the advance of a digital society. ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 60 sales bases in 13 countries. ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989 the European Head Office is located in Düsseldorf. A team of specialists is working here in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. From Düsseldorf the activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris, Milton Keynes and the European distribution are co-ordinated. ALPS Nordic AB, a 100 percent subsidiary of ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, located in Sweden, is servicing the Scandinavian market.