Author Topic: Tact-switch splash-proofing  (Read 5938 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline colotronTopic starter

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 45
  • Country: ar
Tact-switch splash-proofing
« on: February 12, 2014, 09:46:15 pm »
I'm working on a project using an enclosure similar to an usb-stick, intended to be water-splash resistant (IP54 or better).
 
I need to include a tactile switch in the pcb, hence I have to make an opening in the enclosure to use the switch. There isn't any other openings in the enclosure.
Is there any way to cover the enclosure hole with a flexible membrane/film to block water entry and still being able to push the switch?.
I saw this:
Also this: http://www.zago.com/products/crystal-switch-seals/tactile-and-dip-switch-seals/
but the available space is constrained and can't use seals that big.

Have to choose the tactile switch yet, but I need to know how to solve the water proofing first.
I have 5mmx5mm on the PCB to use a surface mount-top actuated switch, maybe something like:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/KMR231NG%20LFS/CKN10246CT-ND/2176497
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PTS820%20J20M%20SMTR%20LFS/CKN10505CT-ND/4176679
Don't know if using plunger/cap/other accessories is recommendable.

Any suggestions?  :-//
 

Offline Corporate666

  • Supporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 2011
  • Country: us
  • Remember, you are unique, just like everybody else
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2014, 10:35:13 pm »
I've solved waterproofing problems in various ways with various levels of success.

In your case what about a small square of thin (and therefore flexible) silicone or rubber sheet applied to the underside of the housing before assembly - such that when you put it together, the plunger of the switch pushes up into the membrane and can be pressed through it.

It's not always the most popular person who gets the job done.
 

Offline colotronTopic starter

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 45
  • Country: ar
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2014, 12:15:03 am »
Thanks Corporate666.
Yes, I think that can be easy and cheap to do, but I'm not sure about the commercial products available.
Maybe something like this?:

(From http://www.rollsheetrubber.com/html_l.aspx?id=789 )

What adhesive/sealant can I use to glue it to the enclosure (ABS plastic)?: silicone?, some of this?:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/Industrial-Adhesives-Tapes/Adhesive-Sealants?N=5510818&rt=r3
Maybe some glue used in aeromodeling?
 

Offline NiHaoMike

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 9780
  • Country: us
  • "Don't turn it on - Take it apart!"
    • Facebook Page
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2014, 05:03:44 am »
Rather than cut a hole in the casing, make the casing out of a somewhat flexible material so that applying pressure activates the button. Or if it's plastic or some other nonconductive material, use capacitance sensing instead of a mechanical button.
Cryptocurrency has taught me to love math and at the same time be baffled by it.
Cryptocurrency lesson 0: Altcoins and Bitcoin are not the same thing.
BTC: 18813fu8LQEdDwH9YLM1ABed3XwCfeSeFi
 

Offline babysitter

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 900
  • Country: de
  • pushing silicon at work
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2014, 09:24:00 am »
If it is for a single-shot hobby project, drill a hole about 2x diameter of the plunger, plunger front just below the outer edge, stick a paper label on your device and wrap it in the kind of self-adhesive foil used to protect books.

For a commercial device, consider a membrane made of lexan with a "dome" shaped stamped on it made by a electronics fabbing house, or go for a membrane keyboard, or a rubber membrane (in that case I might be able to help you get something interesting...)

Edit: People that know might also have a look at my thread here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/experience-with-buttons-inside-potting-material/new/#new
« Last Edit: February 13, 2014, 09:40:31 am by babysitter »
I'm not a feature, I'm a bug! ARC DG3HDA
 

Offline colotronTopic starter

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 45
  • Country: ar
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2014, 10:28:22 am »
NiHaoMike
Already buy the enclosure, I'm afraid I can't use another one.
Initially thought to implement the button using capacitive-sensing. But then a tact switch seems to be better:
the microcontroller doesn't have capacitive sense I/O hardware, and will be necessary to wake-up the micro every second to scan the key; also (and more important) there is the possibility of accidental touch detection by splashing water/unintended touch (just by grabbing the thing).

With the tact switch I don't have to wake the micro to read the switch, the switch will wake the micro; and there is no possibility of accidental button activation.
The change in mind is not final, depends on how hard is to do the tact-switch stuff.

BabySitter
It's not for a single-shot home project, but neither for a thousand units product, lets say a few tens per year. Doesn't have to be consumer-grade nice looking quality neither. A few dodginess is allowed :P reliability is more important.
I will dismantle some membrane keypad laying around and see if I can use the key-membrane.
 

Offline HSPalm

  • Regular Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 108
  • Country: no
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2014, 12:42:59 pm »
Place a small mic inside and you can simply shout your commands at it.
 

Offline lgbeno

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 355
  • Country: 00
Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2014, 12:57:22 pm »
Post a link to you enc drawing
 

Offline colotronTopic starter

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 45
  • Country: ar
Re: Tact-switch splash-proofing
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2014, 01:13:57 pm »
HSPalm, already considered a mic, but the unintended activation still being a problem.

lgbeno, here it is
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/290/260906_r4_5-13573.pdf

Looking at https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/experience-with-buttons-inside-potting-material/msg386748/
Make me consider using some IP67 tact-switch and sealing the switch metal body to the enclosure, leaving the plunger exposed to the outside free to be pushed (didn't know about IP67 switch existence). They are a little bigger than I wanted (5x5mm vs 6x6mm), but I can make a little more room
Candidate switches:
[url]http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?FV=fff40011%2Cfff8005e%2C1140003%2C1140160%2C11403b7%2C4080043%2C4080075%2C8dc0013%2C8dc0019%2C8dc0048%2Cae40007%2Cae4000a%2Cae4000b%2C182c0016%2C182c002a&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=1000006&page=1&stock=1&pbfree=0&rohs=0&quantity=1&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=100]http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?FV=fff40011%2Cfff8005e%2C1140003%2C1140160%2C11403b7%2C4080043%2C4080075%2C8dc0013%2C8dc0019%2C8dc0048%2Cae40007%2Cae4000a%2Cae4000b%2C182c0016%2C182c002a&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=1000006&page=1&stock=1&pbfree=0&rohs=0&quantity=1&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=100]
[url]http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?FV=fff40011%2Cfff8005e%2C1140003%2C1140160%2C11403b7%2C4080043%2C4080075%2C8dc0013%2C8dc0019%2C8dc0048%2Cae40007%2Cae4000a%2Cae4000b%2C182c0016%2C182c002a&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=1000006&page=1&stock=1&pbfree=0&rohs=0&quantity=1&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=100
[/url]

Edit after reading the other post: damn... reed switches... why I don't think that before.... |O
« Last Edit: February 13, 2014, 01:18:20 pm by colotron »
 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf

 

-->