Miniature trackball switch replaces joysticks

10 March 2004 Switches, Relays & Keypads

ITT Industries, Cannon has launched what it says is the industry's first ever miniature trackball 360° scanning and select switch. The switch was developed to replace navigation keys or mini-joysticks used in mobile and smart phones, PDAs, cameras, camcorders, as well as keyboards, remote controls, and GPS systems. The 8 mm diameter ball is housed in a unit measuring only 12 x12 x 9,1 mm. Two built-in LEDs can be integrated inside the housing of the trackball and provide an electrically independent 2-colour illumination of the ball.

The trackball scanning switch can be customised to deliver from 8 to 24 pulses per ball rotation. Operating life is higher than that offered by a joystick. With 300 000 full rotations, it achieves from 2,4 to 7,2 million cycles depending of the number of pulses chosen per one complete turn. Trackball is a fully electromechanical component that consumes no current and requires only 0,2 VA max switching power. Tactile feedback is designed to be very positive. The 8 mm ball gives very positive feedback, providing a selecting force of 2,2 N ±25% and a scanning rotating force of 0,35 N ±0,1 N.

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