optical switch
OPTICAL SWITCHES FROM GETT ARE LEADING THE WAY IN TOUCH-FREE TECHNOLOGY
Technology has been evolving at a rapid pace and is accelerating functionality and usability requirements—the same is true of switch systems. If touch sensing technology in the form of single-touch and surface capacitive sensors and capacitive touchscreens were dominating the market a few years ago, touchless technology is the future.
Good hygiene practices and the need to adopt prevention measures to minimize health risks have become increasingly relevant, particularly since the pandemic. We are meeting this need with our optical switch, thereby creating a safe and intuitive human-machine interaction.
THE BENEFITS OF THE OPTICAL SWITCH AT A GLANCE
No mechanical wear and tear
Without the need for mechanical activation to operate the switches, there is no wear and tear. The same goes for the actuation points themselves, as they require no physical input either.
Absolutely hygienic
By eliminating the push and touch aspect, contactless input technology significantly reduces microbial cross-contamination and prevents the spread of infection. When no contact surfaces need to be touched, you can protect yourself and your community from contagious disease.
RELIABLE SWITCH ACTIVATION
It is irrelevant whether you are wearing gloves, carrying items or have dirty hands—the sensing technology is based on reflection and detection.
A DETAILED LOOK AT THE OPTICAL SWITCH
HOW IT WORKS
The switch is based on optical proximity sensing. Compared to its counterparts (optical barriers and two-dimensional infrared fields), it has both a technical and an infrastructural advantage, as only one component is needed.
A standard touch button has three switch modes: standby, detection and trigger. Different levels of brightness and/or a color of your choosing indicate that a mode has switched. Both the display color and brightness can be adjusted using special configuration software. The touch sensor can detect an approaching object up to 150 mm away. This threshold can be customized based on the customer's requirements, too. Actual activation is triggered at 20 mm in front of the surface.
The default switch-on and switch-off times are set to 100 ms for safety and precision and to prevent modes from unintentionally switching, such as when someone walks by too closely. If 100 ms are too short or too long for you, we can easily configure this activation time to fit your specific needs.
THE DESIGN
The optical switch is a component for insertion.
The diameter of the switch’s head measures 30 mm. The actual function window in the middle of the surface measures 5 mm x 7 mm. It is surrounded by seven RGB-LEDs, which allow an individual color selection from 16.7 million colors.
The front panel of the switch’s surface is made of acrylic glass and its diameter measures 24.7 mm. It is printed on the rear. When adapting the print layout, it is essential to ensure that the function window is not affected.
The optical distance sensor is 36.8 mm long, including the switch’s head and thread, a M22x1 thread.
The switch uses 9 – 24 V DC power. The flat plug for the power supply is located at the bottom. It has four contact pins, two for the supply voltage and two potential-free contacts, acting as opening and closing switches.
CUSTOMIZABLE OPTIONS
The standard switch and its proximity sensor have pre-configured default thresholds. The standard parameters can be directly adjusted using the customer’s workstation and custom configuration software. Options include:
- LED colors,
- Brightness,
- Functions,
- Switching distances, and
- Bounce, signal, and recovery times.
We can even create an eye-catching aesthetic by simply adjusting the shape and design of the optical switch to your preference.
INTEGRATION
The switch requires a 22.3 mm diameter edge bore opening to insert it in a support module. The touch sensor head measures 30 mm in diameter. It is fastened without torsion using a screw thread, which is supplied in the order. It measures 43 mm overall.
Because optoMOS or photoMOS relays are used, it is easy to replace the mechanical switches, as the switch connections behave like normal contacts.
The unit can be placed behind a closed surface for a sleek appearance. It must be transparent so as not to impair its operability. The switch is provided with a full-surface, double-sided adhesive for the insertion option, not including the cutout for the control window.
Several optical switches may also be combined on one printed circuit board. The following use case illustrates what this might look like.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE OPTICAL SWITCH
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES
- Configurable illumination colors
- Contactless activation without cross-contamination
- Works with gloves
- Very good EMC properties
- Proximity detection
- Configurable triggering distance
- Can be wiped clean in functional mode (configurable)
FIELDS OF APPLICATION FOR THE OPTICAL SWITCH
- Equipment and apparatus engineering
- Aerospace and aviation
- Industrial sites and production facilities
- Healthcare settings
- Embedded systems
- Outdoor areas: building automation and security systems
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Outer dimensions: 7.3 mm x Ø 30 mm
- Housing: plastic, anthracite
- Front screen: plastic, clear backside printed
- Mounting type: thread M22 x1
- Standard mounting dimension: Ø 22.3 mm with anti-rotation protection
- Housing head: round
- LED illumination colors:
Standby and detection = blue; trigger = green - Illumination type: ring
- 3 modes: standby, detection, trigger; brightness and color change in response to mode
- Distance threshold: detection at approx. 150 mm; trigger at approx. 20 mm
- Switch activation: a circuit is opened and closed