Surface-mountable 4-directional Switch with Center Push TACT Switch for Compact Designs

Duesseldorf, Germany, October 19, 2004 – For use in portable electronic equipment such as PDAs, cellular phones, digital cameras, digital video cameras or portable audio devices, ALPS Electric Europa GmbH has designed the 4-directional switch with center push TACT switch of the SKRH series. The surface-mountable switches are remarkable for their high durability of up to 200,000 or 500,000 cycles for each direction and their compact and low-profile body of 7.45mm x 7.5mm x 5.0mm (L x W x H) maximum including stem. The miniaturization of compact portable information equipment continues to improve. At the same time, the complexity of products is increasing. To control this greater variety of functions, input devices with better space conservation are required that enable intuitive, fast operation. With the SKRH series ALPS has developed tactile switches to meet these needs. The SKRH series allows for four-way operation in a variety of portable digital devices in a thin switch with a center-push button. ALPS employs an octagonal structure that contributes to smaller outline dimensions. Therefore the surface-mounting area is reduced by 53% compared to the company's previous SKQU series. The switches are available with or without guide bosses and rated for switching currents of up to 50mA at a maximum of 12VDC. They feature operating forces of 1.23N (4-directional) and 2.35N (center push) and have an actuating travel of 0.25mm (4-directional) and 0.15mm (center push). The initial low contact resistance value is less than 500mΩ. All SKRH-series TACT switches are lead-free, surface-mountable, and suitable for lead-free reflow soldering. For automatic mounting, they are packaged on embossed tape with a width of 16mm. For more information on the SKRH series please visit http://www3.alps.co.jp/pdf/2004pdf/pdf_e/Switch/Tact/skrh.pdf

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. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2003 amounted to YEN 602 billion. 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.