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.
Contents
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 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
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
See Keyboards with Acer switches
Acer keyboards can be used to source keycaps for Alps keyboards as they share the same mount.
Gallery
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
