Acer switch
 | |
| Manufacturer | Acer |
|---|---|
| Switch type | Clicky |
| Sense method | Spring-over-membrane |
| Keycap mount | Alps mount |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
| Patents | US4939327 (1988) |
The Acer switch is a spring-over-membrane switch from Acer. Acer switches are clicky and tactile and use Alps mount keycaps. They are relatively similar in appearance to Alps SKCL/SKCM series switches, but the clear Acer branding prevents misidentification.
Internals[edit | edit source]
Acer switches are a hybrid of Alps SKCL/SKCM series and membrane rubber dome keyboards. The rubber dome is replaced with an Alps mechanism, and the switch is open at the bottom to allow a hinged plastic part to press on the membrane. The tactile feel and audible click are provided by a folded leaf spring identical to Alps switches. Unlike with Alps switches, the leaf spring cannot be directly removed, as a small plastic lug on the slider keeps the spring in place.
The switch uppers are discrete, and are mounted either into a plastic plate, or directly into the case itself.
US patent 4939327 represents the switch commonly found; the US patent 4990731 filed in 1989 depicts a variant design with leaf spring mounted upside down and attached to the slider, although this variant has yet to be encountered.
Variants[edit | edit source]
The switch has two variants: one with a white slider and one with a black slider:
The two variants are considered to be identical, differing solely in colour.
Keyboards[edit | edit source]
See Keyboards with Acer switches
Acer keyboards can be used to source keycaps for Alps keyboards as they share the same mount.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Plate-mounted switch uppers -
White vs black switch components -
Case-mounted uppers; the switch uppers are open at the base to allow the switch to press on the membrane -
The components of the discrete switch assembly
