Vandal-proof switch (metal push button switch)-indispensable in daily life

At present, technology applications worldwide are increasing day by day. As companies and public departments try to control costs and provide customers with a better experience, the trend of technology application is constantly increasing in many public places indoors and outdoors.

This approach brings many benefits, but it also creates a series of challenges. Among them is the Human Machine Interface (HMI), which usually consists of a series of push switches. Generally speaking, we will take good care of the equipment we own, but these public equipment is likely to be abused maliciously or unintentionally.

For this reason, designers can now use extremely rugged switches to develop various man-machine interfaces for public technology, so that they can withstand the test of time.

When designating a switch for a rugged man-machine interface, the designer should consider which key specifications.

We need a vandal-proof switch

Fundamentally speaking, in order to achieve system applications, the system requires users to input information to determine the operations they wish to achieve, or to provide information to the system. Since speech recognition technology is still in the early stages of development, the use of various types of switches is still the preferred method for human-machine interface development.

When technical equipment is deployed in an uncontrolled area and operated by a non-equipment owner, it is likely to be abused. Individual users sometimes choose to maliciously damage the equipment for many reasons. Even legal users of the equipment may not care about the equipment. They will press the switch carelessly and vigorously, thus shortening the service life of the equipment, especially the technical equipment with man-machine interface. Obviously, for example, a sophisticated membrane switch matrix is often unable to be used for a long time under the above-mentioned conditions.

Due to the increase in the deployment of such equipment, the demand for high-strength human-machine interfaces has also increased. Except for family life, everything we do in daily life is almost inseparable from various push-switch control systems.

For example: When you go to a certain place by car, you will see that there are usually buttons on the gas pumps to select the gasoline product number. If it is an electric car, you will find that the charging station also has several buttons for inputting commands and starting/stopping the charging process. When inflating tires, washing or cleaning our car at the service station, a button-based human-machine interface device is needed.

Even if we don't drive, but instead travel by train, we will see more and more types of buttons; for example, buttons are used when opening car doors, going to the bathroom or using intercom devices. When buying a ticket, the ticket vending machine may also be equipped with a durable human-machine interface.

After arriving at the destination, we may need some cash. At this time, you will find that the ATM also has a high-strength keyboard to effectively prevent damage. The building we are going to may also have an access control or intercom system. After entering the building, the elevator room also has a button to select a floor.

High-strength man-machine interface dedicated switch

The high-strength man-machine interface special switch (which can withstand the destructive operation of rough users or malicious saboteurs) is different from standard switches in terms of manufacturing materials and methods.

Vandal-proof switches usually use metal structures, and stainless steel is the most used, but nickel-plated (Ni) brass is also very common, and sometimes anodized aluminum is also used. After these switches are properly sealed, they can prevent the intrusion of moisture due to weather, or the inadvertent (or malicious) splashing water on the HMI panel and causing water to enter the system. The protection level of the human-machine interface is usually up to IP67, that is, the switch is completely immune to dust and can be immersed in water at a depth of 3 feet for 30 minutes.

Similar to the IP rating scale for ingress protection, the IK rating scale defines the level of impact protection. The protection level of most anti-vandal switches can reach IK10 (currently the highest impact protection level), and the highest energy level that can withstand impact is up to 20 joules.

Many anti-vandal switches are equipped with icons on the buttons to indicate their functions; in many cases, LED lights are used to provide operating feedback under weak light conditions.

Metal waterproof is a tamper-proof sealed push switch, which can provide standard LED lighting in a main body with a diameter of 8mm/12mm/16mm/19mm/22mm/25mm/30mm. This series of switches are made of stainless steel and use anti-scratch starters to achieve appearance protection. The rated service life of the switch is 500,000 switching operations, and it is suitable for use under environmental conditions of 20°C~+55°C. The switch uses single-pole double-throw and double-pole double-throw, with normally open or normally closed contacts, with instant or locking action function.

The stainless steel actuator can adopt flat, dome or long structure, and the corresponding specifications can be designed according to the application. The required starting force of the switch is 2.5N (SP) or 3.5N (DP) ─ requires a clear pressing action to operate, and can bring positive tactile feedback to the user.

The switch meets IP67 sealing protection requirements, can withstand IK10 mechanical shock, its threaded structure can be easily assembled through the front panel, and at the same time, it uses the cross-line function to realize easy connection with the printed circuit board.