Microswitches - which ones to buy - Shoryuken Forums Archive

Every joystick and button has some form of microswitch.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Micro Switches.

A joystick is just a lever with 4 switches to respond to the 4 cardinal directions of UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT.
All joysticks on the market (with the few exceptions like Analog or optical) uses 4 micro switches. Some joysticks like Seimitsu uses leveled micro switches while Sanwa JLF and Happ/ IL uses non-levered.

Here is an example of a Cherry brand Microswitch that could be used for joystick applications

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18//ls32switch.jpg

Here is a Levered Microswitch

Microswitches in different styles.

As you notice these switches have 2 or 3 tabs. 2 tab switches are usually very straight forwards so I going to cover the 3 tab switches instead. As you see on the image of the Cherry Switch you have a Com or Common , NC and NO tab. Common is short for common ground, and that is where your ground wire goes to. NO or Normally Open is where you want your other wire to go to, for your signal. Normally open is when the current is OFF when the button is not pressed. NC is Normally Closed, and we only used that if we want the circuit to be in a ON state until some press a button. NC is not used in most arcade applications so we will ignore it for now.

This is the underside of a Happ joystick, as you can see 4 switches are positioned around the shaft (part that is connected to the 'handle' of the joystick) on the end of the shaft, we have a actuator, it has 2 jobs, retaining the spring that returns the stick to center, and to press into a switch to activate it.

Here is an example of a Happ button with a microswitch underneath.

No all buttons use that style of Microswitch.

http://www.leshoparcade.com/img/produits/gd/558.jpg

Here is an example of a microswitch for a 30mm Sanwa button, Seimitsu buttons uses a very similar switch. Note there is only 2 terminals or tabs and a grove to fit the plunger (part of the button that goes up and down).

Switches for Happ/IL Joysticks and Buttons:
they used the same style micro switch. Like the Cherry switch you see above.
The Default switch brand for happ is E-Switch

Sanwa JLF series:
By default Sanwa JLF joysticks use Omicron switches, although Sanwa sticks are compatible with other brands such as Cherry (as Above) or E-Switch (not recommended) Most Sanwa JLF sticks now have therestock switches installed in a PCB.
And the switches take a 5 pin wire harness instead of having every switch wired up.

Helpful Links
http://shoryuken.com/f177/sanwa-seimitsu-faq-/
slagcoin

A user rating of various US, European, Chinese and Japanese Microswitches Very informative. Unfortunately its in Polish, so you might have to run it trough Google translate first.
Mikroprze??czniki V (Polish)
Google Translate (Google Translate to English)

What is the one thing that all modern appliances have in common? Be it their safety features, position sensing, control panels, appliance door locks, or pressure sensing, everything needs implementation of this handy component. Have you ever wondered how the refrigerator light turns on the moment you open its door and turns off when closed? Imagine for a second your microwave operating without the closed door. Or a washing machine running even if the lid is slightly open. How unsafe would that be? All such features are only possible with the extensive use of microswitches. Unlike the traditional switches, they work in a very different manner. In this article, we will be discussing microswitches in detail, for example, their working, and their diverse application areas.

 

1. What are Microswitches?

Contrary to how it sounds, a microswitch is not a switch that is very small in size. Such small-sized contact makers exist, but those are just regular switches. A microswitch is a particular type of switch that requires very little actuation force to operate. Since they are easy to operate, manufacturers use them in various sensors and control equipment.

 

Microswitches, also referred to as miniature snap-action switches, consist of spring-loaded levers with two positions: namely on and off. The neutral configuration is when the switch is not subjected to any external force. When the user exerts pressure, it causes the contacts inside the microswitch to meet, starting the circuit. In this regard, microswitches are more like toggle buttons in nature.   

 

2. Different types of Microswitches

At present various types of microswitches are available in the market, catering to the diverse needs of the modern world.

 

Mechanical Microswitch

These microswitches activate and deactivate with the help of a small mechanical force such as a spring, plunger, roller pin, flexible rod, etc. We will be discussing some of them below:

-  Hinge Roller Lever: This switch activates via a roller generally connected to a hinged lever. Which works to make sure that the connectors operate with ease and precision during high-speed operations such as camera operation.

For more information, please visit Sealed Plunger Actuator Limit Switch Price.

 

-  Pin Plunger: The plunger operation is always suited for short strokes direct in nature. The same is the case with this switch. It can detect high-precision positions very quickly and activate or deactivate according to them.

 

-  Leaf Spring Switch: These switches come with a leaf spring, which is responsible for actuating them when required. The powerful spring is vital for applications like cylinder drives and low-speed cams.

 

Optical Microswitch

Optical microswitches operate via a beam of light. These devices operate primarily on the principles of light and employ coupling technology to activate and deactivate by utilizing light-emitting and light-receiving components. If a hindrance blocks the optical path, the optocoupler starts, which changes the electrical circuit impedance. So, the breaker closes, registering a click. In this way, the electricity-light-electricity cycle controls the switching with ease. Moreover, many medical and industrial applications, such as MRI imaging, use them too, since it is magnetically invisible to the imaging process and is inherently safe in explosive atmospheres too.

 

3. Why are Microswitches so great?

 

Advantages of Microswitches

 

-  Precise and Accurate: Microswitches have revolutionized today's modern world. One of their key benefits is that they provide a highly accurate performance compared to other types of switches. Its versatility and adaptability to various use cases also make it an outstanding option, as it is highly resistant to external factors such as water and dust, and offers a prolonged lifespan when compared to its traditional counterparts.

 

-  Reduced Arcing Damage: Moreover, switching operations involve arcing damage due to frequent operations, which is a common problem. Microswitches win the battle as they can significantly reduce arcing damage by arcing fast switching speeds. So, with microswitches by your side, you don't need to worry about delays or interruptions, no matter how frequently you turn your devices on or off.

 

-  Reliable Switching: The use of microswitches reduces the occurrence of false or delayed signals responsible for unwanted malfunctions or unavailability of equipment since it has a very reliable switching mechanism. That is why they are highly suited for high-frequency operations or automation.

 

4. Applications of Microswitches

Microswitches play a vital role in the working of our everyday life appliances. They are everywhere but perhaps hidden from your sight. Operation of automatic sliding doors, refrigerator light turning on and off, automated robotic projects, or 3D printer all use microswitches in one way or another. In industrial applications such as conveyor belts, microswitches detect the presence of an object on the conveyor belt. Similarly, they can also cause equipment malfunction and trigger an automatic safety shutdown if required.

 

5. Examples of Microswitches in Daily Life

Many diverse areas of our lives rely on the reliable and accurate functioning of microswitches. Some of them are:

 

Microswitch in Computer Mouse

A typical computer mouse has to perform two primary functions, namely moving and clicking. The microswitch is commonly used in modern mice like the MEETION wireless gaming mouse BTM011 to register the click operation. This switch has mechanical and electrical functionality, so when you press the button, the microswitch activates to report it. Since clicking is repetitive and frequent, microswitches provide a highly reliable, precise, and accurate performance.

 

Microswitches in Automotive Systems

One of the primary uses of microswitches is in the automatic transmission system of a car. When you change the shift lever from 'Parking' to 'Drive,' it is the microswitch behind that triggers itself and sends a signal to the controller to engage the driving gear. Moreover, they also prevent accidental shifting of gears, thus making the automatic transmission a safe feature. Similarly, when you press the brake, a microswitch is triggered and sends the signal to the controller to turn on the brake lights.

 

Microswitches in Appliances

You must have used a vending machine to get your favorite snacks and drinks. Have you ever wondered how they detect jammed trays or the number of coins you enter? Well, it's the micro-switches that, when triggered, make possible such vending operations.

 

6. Conclusion

We can see how microswitches are shaping to be the gateway for a modern automated world filled with intelligent appliances. It is ultimately raising the quality of human life and making it easy and comfortable. Long service life, compact size, diverse application variants, and adaptability to different environments are significant benefits of using these microswitches. Such is the revolutionary impact of microswitches that modern intelligent appliances may not be possible if microswitches are not there.

 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Waterproof Limit Switch Wholesale.