Panasonic's new push-button switch, named the 2.6 × 1.6 mm Top Push Surface Mount Device (SMD) Light Touch Switch, has a thickness of 0.5 mm, the industry's slimmest, which contributes to improving the design flexibility of wearable and hearable devices.
Panasonic Corporation announced that it will commercialize an SMD push-button switch named "Light Touch Switch" that achieves the industry's thinnest, 0.50 mm thickness. The external dimension is 2.6×1.6 mm and it is applicable to wearable and hearable devices.
The use of hearable devices such as hearing aids is expected to increase, driven by aging societies as well as increased numbers of wearable devices due to growing numbers of IoT-enabled products. Push-button switches are installed in devices for turning their power on and off, switching functions, and controlling volume. There is a need not only for smaller sizes and profiles, but also easy operability, tactile feedback, and waterproof and dust-proof capabilities. Using its unique precision processing technology, Panasonic has commercialized a push-button switch that works under the light operation force but gives clear tactile feedback, while successfully reducing the product thickness to the industry's thinnest of 0.50 mm.
Panasonic's new push-button switch has the following features:
- The industry's thinnest 0.50 mm thickness contributes to the reduction of devices in size and improves design in flexibility:
- Dimension: Length 2.6 × width 1.6 × thickness 0.50 mm;
Panasonic's conventional product: Length 2.6 × width 1.6 × thickness 0.53 mm/0.55 mm
- Dimension: Length 2.6 × width 1.6 × thickness 0.50 mm;
- The product achieves light operation force and a clear click feeling (tactile feedback), contributing to noise reduction during operation:
- Operation force: 1.0 N Panasonic's conventional product: 1.6 N and 2.4 N
- Operation force: 1.0 N Panasonic's conventional product: 1.6 N and 2.4 N
- Water-resistant and dust-proof design is ideal for wearable and hearable devices and allows it to be used both indoors and outdoors:
- Compliant with IP67 level in International Protection Marking.
Suitable applications:
Wearable devices (smart watches, wristbands, etc.), hearable devices (headphones, hearing aids, etc.), healthcare devices (portable medical devices, etc.), and other devices
