ALPS Develops SPVQ9 Series Sliding Contact Micro Switch

Micro switches are switches that turn On/Off instantly by means of an internal contact snap action (*1). They are widely used within operating switch units for operation detection, such as in automobile Electrical Parking Brakes (EPB). Redundancy is commonly achieved in these mechanisms using such methods as a duplex circuit fail-safe (*2) to ensure safety.

Conventionally, two micro switches were used in EPBs to provide redundancy. However, there were defects with this type of structure, such as when the timing of the On/Off synchronization in each switch would not match during low speed operation. This resulted in demand for micro switches with a reliable circuit, secure synchronization and stable contact in various operation speeds.

ALPS developed the industry’s first two-circuit sliding contact micro switch as a “clip type” product, adopting a two-sided sliding contact structure which clips the fixed contacts from both sides. The structure is resistant to particles, dust, vibration, and impact, ensuring reliable contact.

The variable contact points in the sliding contact structure clip the fixed contact points. Therefore, pressure at the contact points is constantly maintained in any range of operation, including where the switch is pressed, On/Off switching and the switch’s fully depressed point. Combined with the snap action structure, stable contact is constantly maintained regardless of the operating position and speed, making the “SPVQ9 Series” highly reliable as an operation switch.

The switching timing between the two circuits is below 15ms at any operation speed. This enables design of a fail-safe system with only one switch, which contributes to cost reduction and saves design space.

This micro switch is water proof, and dust and water resistance is compliant with IP67 (*3).

*1 A mechanism that adopts a spring and operates immediately when a certain amount of force is applied.
*2 A feature which assumes failure caused by miss-operation or design defect, and in the event of failure, responds with the minimum harm possible.
*3 IP67 is an International Protection (IP) regulation which indicates the amount of protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects and water. IP67 indicates dust tightness and resistance against regulated pressure for a certain amount of time in water.