OREANDA-NEWS. Alps Electric has developed a switch with wire harness for its “SPVQ8 Series” lineup of the industry’s smallest waterproof detector switches, ideal for detection of opening and closing or position detection in products such as automotive parts and white goods. Mass production commenced in May 2013.

An increasingly diverse range of electronic components have been incorporated into automotive parts and white goods in recent years in order to realize enhanced safety, comfort and convenience. As more parts are being fitted into limited space and automakers look for ways to improve fuel economy performance, even further size and weight reductions are required of individual parts, including detector switches.

Depending on the product design, space limitations may require that the detector switch is located away from the main circuit board and connected with a wire harness. Previously in such cases, even if the detector switch itself was waterproof, the terminal would be left exposed, necessitating additional waterproofing, for example with resin adhesive, after connecting the switch. Applying proprietary precision processing technology acquired over the years, Alps Electric has now added a switch with a pre-attached wire harness to its SPVQ8 Series of waterproof detector switches, the industry’s smallest. Besides meeting the requirement for smaller and lighter components, waterproofing of the detector switch, including its wire harness, is performed in advance, helping to reduce the customer’s waterproofing workload during assembly.

The wire harness is available in two types: horizontal or vertical. Standard wires are 250mm long, one red and one black, although specifications can be made on an individual basis.