Introduction to Types of Membrane Switches
Release date:
2022-07-18
Thin-film switch What are the types? Let's all take a brief look together below.

1. Flexible薄膜. The flexible薄膜 switch is a typical form of薄膜 switch. It is called "flexible" because its film layer, isolation layer, and circuit layer are all composed of flexible films with different properties. Specifically, the circuit layer of the flexible薄膜 switch uses PET film—known for its excellent electrical performance—as the substrate for the switch circuit pattern. This layer is further divided into handle spring pieces and upper and lower circuits. Due to the inherent characteristics of polyester film, the薄膜 switch exhibits outstanding insulation, heat resistance, bendability, and high resilience. The switch's circuit diagram, including the connections between the switch itself and its lead wires, is printed using low-resistance, low-temperature-cured conductive ink. As a result, the entire structure of the薄膜 switch possesses remarkable flexibility, making it suitable not only for use on flat surfaces but also adaptable to curved surfaces. Additionally, the lead wires of the flexible薄膜 switch are integrally formed with the switch body itself. During the online connection process of multiple switches, these lead wires converge at a specific point on the film and extend outward according to the designed positions and standardized wire spacing. They serve as soft, flexible, and sealed lead wires that connect seamlessly to the rear circuitry of the overall device.
2. Rigid film. Rigid Thin-film switch It refers to integrating switch patterns and circuitry directly onto standard printed circuit boards with copper cladding. The key features of rigid film switches include convenient material availability, stable manufacturing processes, and low electrical resistance. Additionally, certain components in the circuit can be directly soldered onto the back side of the switch. In cases where the area is limited, the rigid substrate layer can even be omitted altogether. Typically, rigid film switches employ metal guide plates as labyrinthine contact points, resulting in a superior tactile feel during operation. However, one drawback is that they are less flexible compared to their counterparts in complete devices—often requiring a dedicated ribbon cable for signal output. Beyond providing audible signals via buzzers and visual feedback through LED indicators, information feedback from rigid film switches can generally be achieved using metallic handle spring contacts.
3. Flat film switches. In the early stages of membrane switch development, keys on flat film switches were often distinguished by different colors to indicate their position, shape, and size. Typically, color alone was used to convey this information, relying solely on the operator's visual recognition for accurate key activation. However, without any tactile feedback to confirm whether the finger has pressed within the switch's effective range, this approach can compromise both the reliability of system monitoring and the speed of operation. In contrast, 3D film switches—also known as three-dimensional key switches—feature slightly raised key elements that protrude slightly above the panel surface. This design not only provides a clear visual indication of the key's active area, enhancing recognition accuracy and operational speed, but also enhances the user's tactile sensitivity during interaction. Additionally, the 3D design significantly improves the overall aesthetic appeal of the product.
4. Raised film. Typically raised Thin-film switch The keys on the panel merely use color to indicate the position, shape, and size of the key bodies. As a result, operational accuracy can only be visually confirmed by the user. Since there is no adequate feedback information provided, this negatively impacts both the confidence in computer monitoring and the speed of operation. Therefore, during the panel design phase, careful planning is essential—specifically, ensuring that process holes are properly arranged so that the mold can achieve precise positioning during pressing. Additionally, the height of the three-dimensional projection should generally not exceed twice the thickness of the substrate material. To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the product, the embossed or debossed patterns on the membrane switch can be crafted using a variety of techniques.
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