Editing Acer switch

{{infobox dswitch
| image name        = Acer switch, white.jpg
| manufacturer      = [[Acer]]
| product code      = 
| switch type       = Clicky
| contact mechanism = [[Spring-over-membrane]]
| switch mount      = [[Switch mount#Plate mount|Plate mount]]
| keycap mount      = [[Keycap mount#Alps mount|Alps mount]]
| patents           = [http://www.google.com/patents/US4939327 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==
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 [[click leaf|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 [[switch mount|mounted]] either into a plastic plate, or directly into the case itself.

US patent 4939327 represents the switch commonly found; the [http://www.google.com/patents/US4990731 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==
The switch has two variants: one with a white [[slider]] and one with a black slider:

[[File:Acer switch, white.jpg|200px]] [[File:Acer switch, black.jpg|200px]]

The two variants are considered to be identical, differing solely in colour.

==Keyboards==
See [[:Category:Keyboards with Acer switches|Keyboards with Acer switches]]

Acer keyboards can be used to source keycaps for Alps keyboards as they share the same mount.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Acer switch -- plate mounted.jpg      | Plate-mounted switch uppers
File:Acer switch -- white vs black.jpg     | White vs black switch components
File:Acer switches from below close-up.jpg | Case-mounted uppers; the switch uppers are open at the base to allow the switch to press on the membrane
File:Acer switch discrete components.jpg   | The components of the discrete switch assembly
</gallery>

[[Category:Acer switches]]
[[Category:Keyboard switches with Alps mount]]
[[Category:Clicky switches]]

[[Category:Hammer-over-membrane switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]