Membrane Switch Keyboard

Waterproof Flex Membrane Switches

The membrane switch is an operating system that integrates key functions, indicating components, and instrument panels. It consists of four parts: panel, upper circuit, isolation layer, and lower circuit. When the membrane switch is pressed, the contacts of the upper circuit deform downward and make contact with the plate of the lower circuit. After releasing your finger, the contacts of the upper circuit bounce back, the circuit is disconnected, and the loop triggers a signal. The membrane switch has a rigorous structure, beautiful appearance, and good sealing performance. It has the characteristics of moisture resistance and long service life. It is widely used in electronic communications, electronic measuring instruments, industrial control, medical equipment, the automobile industry, smart toys, household appliances, and other fields.

As a membrane switch has three layers or more. However, most membrane switches include three to four layers, but also different applications, and different layers structure.

Waterproof Membrane Switches

If there is no properly sealed waterproof membrane switch or waterproof keyboard, your electronic products will be at risk of moisture, dust, dirt, and other fine particles invading. This may damage your membrane switch keyboard equipment, leading to shortages and failures, and it is not cheap to repair.

Before designing a waterproof membrane switch or a waterproof keyboard membrane, be sure to pay attention to the difference between a waterproof membrane switch and a waterproof membrane switch: a waterproof rubber keyboard and a membrane switch can only resist water exposure, such as vertical splashing or overflowing. However, waterproof switches and keyboards can withstand complete immersion in water or spray flushing.

Using a waterproof membrane switch is the best way to protect your investment and save money, time, and stress.

CE Certification Waterproof Membrane Switches

Shanyo produces waterproof membrane switches and keyboard films that comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard IP68. Components manufactured according to this standard can be soaked in fresh water at a depth of 1.5m (4.9 feet) for up to 30 minutes and can withstand dirt, dust, sand, and humid environments.

We recommend using an IP68 waterproof rubber keyboard in the following applications：

• Boat/boat
• trailer
• truck
• All-terrain vehicle
• Handheld electronics

Our rubber membrane switches are made of high-grade silicone rubber and conductive carbon particles or non-conductive rubber actuators. Through the compression molding process, an angled net is formed around the keyboard, which collapses whenever the user presses a key. This protective webbing provides users with a variety of benefits.

China Waterproof Flexible Membrane Switches Protect against Damage from Water, Dust, and Micro-Particulate

The most important role of waterproof membrane switches is to protect your precious electronic equipment from further damage. The stamper silicone rubber of the rugged membrane switch can be moisture-proof, thereby extending the service life of the equipment.

Cheap Waterproof Membrane Switch

In addition to its waterproof ability, the low price makes rubber keyboards and switches such a popular choice. These components are often cheaper than waterproof mechanical switches and can provide the functions you need at a cost-effective price.

Membrane Switch Waterproof Resistance to Extreme Temperature And Aging

Silicon is not only very suitable for waterproof and dustproof particles but also plays a good role in heat resistance and long-term use. Moisture resistance and chemical resistance can slow down deterioration, making silicone rubber keyboards and waterproof membrane switches a huge investment.

Customized Waterproof Flexible Membrane Switches Have Appearance Options And A Tactile Feedback

Waterproof membrane switches and rubber keyboards can be designed in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors to meet your needs. They provide flexibility in terms of rubber hardness and keyboard surface design. You can also create your favorite tactile feedback style, including a 3-dimensional keyboard and a firm tactile response.

The keyboard film adopts a smooth silicone rubber keyboard, which increases comfort

Keyboards and membrane switches are conducive to user interaction, and silicone rubber is a good way to improve the user experience. Unlike plastic buttons, rubber buttons are soft and more comfortable to press.

Tactile waterproof membrane switch surface can be easily cleaned

The waterproof silicone rubber keyboard is easy to clean and disinfect. You won’t have to worry about bacteria, pollution, or dirt and debris infiltrating the silicone rubber keyboard switch.

waterproof flexible membrane switch features: Fully functional and reliable

Choosing the right waterproof membrane switch or silicone rubber keyboard for your application is an important decision. Before purchasing a waterproof user interface, it is very important to provide the correct design for your application. Our professionals are always ready to assist you in your design.

Waterproof membrane switch panel must:

Contact us to discuss waterproof membrane switches options

Shanyo is a trusted manufacturer of waterproof membrane switches and metal dome arrays. We serve more than nine industries and have the technology needed to provide the best solution for your application. Please visit our marine industry page to learn more about our custom waterproof membrane switches and rubber keyboards.

If you have questions about using a waterproof rubber keyboard in your application, please contact Shanyo immediately.

Introduction to specific types of membrane switches

Flexible membrane switch

A flexible membrane switch is a typical form of membrane switch. This type of membrane switch is called flexible because the mask, isolation, and circuit layers of the membrane switch are all composed of flexible films of various properties.

The circuit layer of the flexible membrane switch uses polyester film (PET) with good electrical properties as the carrier of the switch circuit pattern. This layer is divided into feel elastic pieces and upper and lower circuits. Due to the properties of the polyester film, the membrane switch has good insulation, heat resistance, bending resistance, and high resilience.

The graphics of the switch circuit, including the connection of the switch and its lead wires, are printed with low-resistance, conductive paint cured under low-temperature conditions. Therefore, the entire membrane switch has a certain degree of flexibility and is not only suitable for use on planar bodies but can also be matched with curved bodies. The lead wire of the flexible membrane switch is integrated with the switch body itself. When making the connection of the group switch, it is gathered at a certain point of the membrane and extends outward according to the position specified by the design and the standard line spacing. As a soft, the sealed lead wire that can be bent at will is connected to the rear circuit of the whole machine.

Rigid membrane switch

A rigid membrane switch means that the switch pattern and circuit are made on a common printed circuit copper-clad board. The characteristics of the rigid membrane switch are convenient materials, stable technology, low resistance, and certain components in the circuit that can be directly welded on the back. When the area is not large, the hard lining layer can be omitted. Rigid membrane switches generally use metal guides as conductive labyrinth contacts, so they have a better feel. The disadvantage is that the installation in the whole machine is not as convenient as that of the soft membrane switch, and it often needs to be welded and the leads drawn out through flat cables. In addition to buzz signals and LED indicators, the information feedback of rigid membrane switches can generally use metal feel shrapnel.

Flat membrane switch

The buttons on the membrane switch use different colors to indicate the position, shape, and size of the key body, which is more common in the initial stage of membrane switches. Three-dimensional membrane switch: Usually, the buttons on the membrane switch just use color to express the position, shape, and size of the key body. In this way, the accuracy of the operation can only be identified by the operator’s vision. Since there is no appropriate feedback information to indicate whether the finger is pressed within the effective range of the switch to make the switch operate, this affects the confidence in monitoring the entire machine and the speed of operation. A membrane switch that makes the switch key body slightly convex and slightly higher than the panel to form a three-dimensional shape is called a three-dimensional key switch. Three-dimensional keys can not only accurately determine the range of the key body, improve the recognition speed, and make the operator’s touch more sensitive, but also enhance the decorative effect of the product’s appearance. Production of three-dimensional keys.

Raised membrane switch

Usually, the keys on the membrane switch just use color to express the position, shape, and size of the key body. In this way, the accuracy of the operation can only be identified by the operator’s vision. Since there is no appropriate feedback information, the confidence in machine monitoring and the speed of operation are affected. Therefore, arrangements must be made during the design stage of the panel to provide process holes for precise positioning during mold pressing. The height of the three-dimensional protrusions should generally not exceed twice the thickness of the base material. To improve the appearance of the product, the protrusions of the raised membrane switch can be made in many variations.

Membrane Switch Keyboard Classified by Structure

Long service life but non-tactile;

Has a good tactile feel, but has a relatively short service life;

Beautiful appearance, strong three-dimensional sense, but no touch;

The appearance is beautiful, has a strong three-dimensional sense, and has a tactile feel;

Type (a): When the design is improper, it is easy to have a two-stage phenomenon, but the panel is damaged and the electrical performance is still there;
Type (b): There is no two-stage phenomenon, and there are few structural layers, which is more economical. If the panel is damaged, the electrical performance will not exist;

Type (a): It is the most basic and commonly used structure. The shrapnel plays the role of both touch and line;
Type (b): has a complex structure and is used in situations where there are many and dense shrapnel and no jumpers are required. The shrapnel is placed on the upper line, the conductive surfaces of the upper and lower lines are upward, and the upper line needs to be punched. When this structure is turned on, the four legs of the shrapnel are not in the same plane as the center point, and there are “two sections”. At the same time, the shrapnel is often in an excessively concave state. After a long time, the shrapnel will not rebound, so it is not recommended;
Type (c): The shrapnel is placed on the upper line and only plays a tactile role. The conductive surface of the upper line is downward and the conductive surface of the lower line is upward. If there are “two sections”, it is not recommended;
Type (d): The shrapnel is placed on the lower line, and there are traces on both the upper and lower wires. The shrapnel not only functions as a tactile sensation but also connects the upper and lower lines; it is used when the shrapnel is dense and does not have jumps. In the case of wires, the structure is simpler than type (b). When designing, attention should be paid to routing the circuit to avoid the four legs of the shrapnel to ensure there is no short circuit.

Be sure to open the bottom plastic mold;
(a) The LED circuit and the lower circuit are on the same layer: the structure is simple, but if the height of the selected LED lamp is higher, the LED lamp will lift the panel. At this time, the LED window on the panel should be convex or the surface adhesive layer should be thickened. The thickness makes it thicker than the thickness of the LED lamp;
(b) The LED circuit and the lower circuit are on different layers: The structure is complex, but the LED window does not have to be convex, but the area above the LED light must be hollowed out to prevent light from passing through the LED light hole. Note: When wiring the wiring at this time, you need to avoid wiring around the LED light hole.

This type can avoid jumpers and does not require drilling holes so that the conductive surface can be downward. The disadvantage of this structure is that the lines are easily broken at the fold.

The outer frame is a closed frame with no wiring. It protects the inner frame and prevents moisture from entering the casing from the outlet groove.

How Can We Help?

In addition to our Quote Form, we are always available for an in-person meeting or conference call to discuss the design and project in greater detail.

Shanyo’s sales force extends across the entire country, so please contact us directly and we will put you in touch with your local sales representative. Complimentary samples of our products are also available upon request.

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When you’re ready to start your next project, simply upload your 3D CAD design files, and our engineers will get back to you with a quote as soon as possible.