07-04-2022 | C&K Components | Connectors, Switches & EMECH
C&K has expanded its key switch product family to incorporate a cold white illuminated switch version. The K12S Bright White Key Switch extends upon the popular and robust K12S switch series. The newly added cold white illumination option meets the growing demand for a high-quality switch with brighter illumination for high-volume industrial and automotive manufacturing.
Utilising an advanced material that delivers better transparency while resisting high reflow temperatures has improved the luminosity of the series switches. The switch can be customised to meet specific customer application requirements, offered in seven standard LED colours.
The switches include a sealed version for outdoor applications such as automotive door locks, motorbike handles, trunk openers, and other environments likely to encounter severe conditions. An IP40 version of the switch is also offered for less demanding environments. The company provides the series switches in DPST, dual-contact versions with a double-step actuation of 6/12N.
“With the growing demand in brightly illuminated switches, K12S delivers performance and practicality for your design,” explained Cedric Garropin, product manager at C&K Components. “By configuring different combinations of spring mechanisms and cam designs, we are able to customise the switches’ travel distance, actuation force, and contact position to meet a variety of different customer requirements within the same form factor.”
The entire series key switches line has gold-plated, self-cleaning contacts with low contact resistance (<100mOhm), 100N overload resistance, and life cycles of 1,000,000. The switches’ low PCB-mounted profile makes them excellent for mechatronics design engineers to integrate into complex sub-assemblies demanding precise control for joysticks, remote controls, vehicle cabins and forklift/crane controls.
The series meets safety requirements for demanding applications in medical, defence, avionics or industrial equipment in the DPST configuration.
