Introduction
When you click the mouse or press the buttons on a game controller, the crisp "click" sound and the tactile sensation are the "Click feeling" of the micro switch. This seemingly simple feeling actually hides many engineering design tricks. By adjusting the spring structure, selecting appropriate materials, and optimizing lubrication methods, manufacturers can create a feel that meets the needs of different users, ensuring each press is just right.
Spring structure: The "framework" of the feel
The spring is the "heart" of the micro switch, and its structure directly affects the force and feedback during pressing. To achieve a crisp and precise feel, such as for game controller buttons, manufacturers will design the spring to have multiple bends, which suddenly snaps open at a certain angle, creating a distinct "break point", allowing users to clearly feel that they have pressed it in place. If a softer feel is needed, like for operation buttons on medical equipment, the spring will be made more gentle, with uniform force changes, avoiding excessive force that could affect the operation accuracy. The thickness of the spring also matters; a thicker spring is harder to press and is suitable for industrial equipment that needs to prevent accidental touches; a thinner one is lighter and is commonly used in everyday items like remote controls.
Material selection: The "character" of the feel
Different materials for the springs will bring completely different feels. Stainless steel springs have good elasticity and high hardness, and when pressed, they provide a crisp feedback, like pressing the buttons of a ballpoint pen, with sufficient force and a loud sound, which is suitable for mechanical keyboards, allowing one to feel the clear rhythm when typing. Copper alloy springs are more "gentle", with moderate elasticity, and when pressed, the force is gentle and the sound is small, suitable for TV remote controls, where the operation at night won't disturb others. Some high-end switches also use alloy materials, balancing hardness and toughness, such as the control keys on car steering wheels, which need both clear feedback and not being too strenuous for blind operation by drivers.
Lubrication design: Making the feel smoother
Lubrication is the "invisible assistant" for enhancing the feel. Applying an appropriate amount of lubricant to the contact area between the spring and the contact point can reduce friction, making the pressing smoother and eliminating any lag. For example, for mouse buttons, when the lubrication is done properly, the feel is consistent during consecutive clicks, without any fluctuation. However, the choice of lubricant is very meticulous; too thick a lubricant will make the feel dull, while too thin a lubricant won't be durable. For game devices, the switches commonly use low-viscosity lubricants to ensure smooth clicking; while for outdoor devices, lubricating grease that can withstand high temperatures is used, so the feel won't deteriorate even in cold or hot environments.
Conclusion
From crisp to soft, from hard to light, the feel design of micro switches incorporates meticulous considerations of user needs. By adjusting the spring structure, selecting appropriate materials, and optimizing lubrication methods, manufacturers make the small switch adaptable to different scenarios such as gaming, medical care, and industry. This attention to detail not only enhances the operation experience but also makes each press more in line with people's usage habits, becoming the "communicator" between the device and the user.
Post time: Aug-01-2025
