TACT Switch™

Factors Determining the Feel of a Switch

The required feel of a switch varies according to the application, the usage environment and other factors.
Alps Alpine TACT Switch™ products are broadly divided into sharp feel and soft feel types. Some even allow the load to be selected.
Here we explain the mechanisms that determine how a switch feels to operate.

Factors Determining the Feel of a Switch

These factors are illustrated below as a feeling curve showing the relationships.

Factors Determining the Feel of a Switch
Factors Determining the Feel of a Switch

Switches with the same load characteristics produce a soft, smooth sensation with a long travel, and a sharp, satisfying sensation with a short travel.
Conversely, switches with the same travel but variations in click ratio deliver different sensations to the finger (typically, 40-60% is considered good).

Besides sensations in the finger, the time taken for the device to react when the contact closes, the sound created with each click and other factors combine to convey an operating feel to the user.

Alps Alpine has a diverse lineup of TACT Switch™ products on offer. Choose the best one suited to your application or usage environment.

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