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February 12, 2015
Mounting Area of Existing Products Halved
Alps Electric Develops and Commences Mass Production of a Compact Low-Profile Spring Contact (micro clip)
Alps Electric has developed a spring contact (micro clip) with the industry’s smallest dimensions, ideal for integration into smartphones, wearable computers and other compact mobile devices. Mass production begins in February.
A spring contact is a component that uses physical pressure to create an electrical connection between PC boards or between a PC board and a device. Spring contacts are employed in a wide range of markets, including markets for consumer devices, industrial equipment and automotive electronics, and many are used in smartphones, in particular, for antenna, ground and battery connection. In recent years, they have also been used increasingly for connection of devices like speakers. Meanwhile, requirements for further downsizing of components integrated into end products are growing as PC boards become smaller and components are arranged in higher-density layouts.
Responding to these needs, Alps Electric has developed a spring contact (micro clip) with staggeringly compact size and low height. The industry’s smallest dimensions of 1.4×1.4mm were realized using a unique double-spiral spring construction and precision processing technology. High resilience against vibration and impacts, and therefore high contact reliability, were achieved by employing a spring construction that enables vertical movement despite the square shape, an industry first. Automatic adsorption is also supported. Additionally, a low height of 0.7mm makes the product ideal for wearable computers and other flat electronic devices.
As a connection component, a single contact or multiple contacts can be used. Flexibility of the layout on the PC board is improved, for example by allowing an array arrangement taking advantage of the square shape. Furthermore, the construction prevents catching on fingers during assembly, helping to improve work efficiency during the device assembly process.
Alps Electric will promote the spring contact (micro clip) not only to the smartphone and wearable electronics markets, where compact size and a low profile are major requirements, but also to markets for other consumer devices and industrial equipment, contributing to reliable connection within electronic products.
Features
Ultra-compact, low-profile spring contact (micro clip) with the industry's smallest area
- Compact, space-saving size of 1.4×1.4mm and low height
- Unique spring construction realizes high resilience to vibration and impacts, ensuring high contact reliability
- Square shape means orientation is not a concern during mounting, allowing flexible arrangement (e.g. arrays)
- Supports 3A current despite compact dimensions
- Shape prevents catching on fingers, improving robustness during the assembly process
Principal Applications
Smartphones, wearable electronics and other compact mobile devices
Digital cameras, game consoles and other consumer electronics
Testing instruments and other industrial equipment
Planned Release
| Mass production | From February 2015 |
| Sample price | ¥20 (incl. tax) |
| Monthly output | 10 million units (March 2015) |
| Development | Furukawa Plant, Engineering Headquarters (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) |
| Production | Furukawa Plant, Production Headquarters (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) |
Specifications
| Model | Spring contact (micro clip) |
| Dimensions (W×D) | 1.4 × 1.4mm |
| Height in use | 0.7 - 1.0mm (Alps recommendation) |
| Rated current | 3A |
| Operating temperature range | -30 to +85°C |
About Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
Alps Electric (Tokyo: 6770) is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electronic components for mobile devices, home electronics, vehicles and industrial equipment. With the philosophy of “Perfecting the Art of Electronics” Alps Electric supplies over 40,000 different components to about 2,000 companies all over the world. For more information, visit http://www.alps.com.