thiNcoder® RT - Overview
Overview | Benefits | Technical Specifications
thiNcoder is a revolutionary rotary switch based on the magnetic properties of the magnet, developed by Duraswitch Technologies. It is a thin rotary switch with encoding, the only encoder in the world which can be mounted on a flexible circuit. The majority of other switch technologies use a wiping or friction method, which causes wear and ultimately failure after only several thousands of rotations. The thiNcoder has a lifespan specification of at least 100,000 rotations, well beyond the specifications generally required by most applications. GGI International is able to offer to you the integration of this new technology to your needs for membrane keypads requiring a rotary switch while preserving a thin and effective profile.
The operating principle which allows such performance to be possible is at the same time simple and very effective. Similar to Pushgate, this technology rests on the principle of magnetism. Metal balls ensure contact on the circuit surface. These balls are retained in place by magnets embedded in the switch. They move on the circuit, following the rotation of the thiNcoder knob. The balls thus move underneath the membrane keypad circuit without creating friction or wear, thus ensuring the longevity of the product.
The illustration opposite shows the thiNcoder components. We can see that the magnets are embedded directly in the switch in line with the balls. The balls are held in place by the magnets and the guide which lie under the circuit. The support ring maintains the ideal spacing under the circuit so that the balls and the switch can move in an optimal way within the membrane keypad.
The small component count underneath the membrane keypad circuit ensures the thinnest and most efficient construction.
At the circuit level, the balls are placed by groups of three underneath the circuit and move about while always keeping the same positions relative to one another. The illustration at left shows an example of a circuit and its various states depending on the position of the balls.
- Completely closed circuit, the 3 traces correspond to a state.
- Partially closed circuit, the 2 traces on the right-hand side correspond to a state.
- Completely open circuit.
- Partially closed circuit, the 2 traces on the left-hand side correspond to a state.
The thiNcoder rotary switch tells your microprocessor when to undertake the action which you will have programmed previously according to your need. In other words, the programming of your microprocessor indicates what to do while the thiNcoder indicates when to do it. GGI International can offer you several circuit configurations according to the desired result and the programming which you will undertake.