What Are the Benefits of Silicone Rubber Keypads Nowadays?

Silicone rubber keypads have become increasingly popular in the electronic industry due to their numerous advantages over traditional keypads. They are flexible, durable, and have a unique tactile feel that makes them easy to use. In this article, we will explore what silicone rubber keypads are, how they work, and why they are an excellent choice for your next project.

What are silicone rubber keypads?

A silicone rubber keypad is a type of keypad made from a combination of silicone rubber and carbon pills. The keypad's buttons are designed to be pressed, creating a connection between the carbon pills and the printed circuit board (PCB) underneath. When the button is released, the carbon pills disconnect, breaking the circuit.

Silicone rubber keypads are available in various shapes, sizes, and colors. They are also customizable, which means you can create a keypad that meets your specific requirements.

How do silicone rubber keypads work?

Silicone rubber keypads work by utilizing a conductive material, such as carbon, to create a connection between the keypad button and the PCB. When you press a button on a silicone rubber keypad, the button compresses the carbon pill, which creates a connection between the pill and the PCB. This connection completes the circuit, sending a signal to the device.

When you release the button, the carbon pill bounces back to its original position, breaking the connection and opening the circuit. This simple mechanism allows silicone rubber keypads to be incredibly reliable and long-lasting, with a lifespan of over a million cycles.

Applications of Silicone Rubber Keypad

Silicone rubber keypads have numerous applications in various industries. One of the most common applications is in the electronics industry, where they are used in remote controls, calculators, keyboards, and other electronic devices. They are also widely used in the automotive industry, where they are used in dashboard controls, climate control systems, and other vehicle controls. Silicone rubber keypads are also found in medical equipment, such as medical monitors, defibrillators, and other medical devices. Additionally, they are used in industrial equipment, such as machinery controls and other industrial devices. With their durability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, silicone rubber keypads have become an essential component in many modern electronic and industrial devices.

The Benefits of Silicone Rubber Keypads

1. Comfortable to use

All of the keys on silicone rubber keypads are ergonomically designed so that every key would be comfortable to use. Moreover, the keypads made out of silicone rubber are much softer and smoother than any other material construction. When you need to work on tapping keys constantly, you will enjoy using silicone rubber keypads instead. 

2. Tactile feedback

The most impressive feature of the silicone rubber keypads is that they produce excellent tactile feedback through their construction or metal dome designs. If there is no visual or auditory signal, it is difficult for users to know whether they have actuated the button, and therefore easy to make input errors. However, when pressing a button on a silicone rubber keypad, users would feel a snap and clearly realize the button has been actuated.

3. Waterproof and daustproof

The two biggest threats to all electronic products are water and dust. They can adversely affect the functionality of your device. Fortunately, silicone rubber is naturally able to prevent moisture and dust from going through. Furthermore, customized gasket designs can be also manufactured to seal the silicone rubber keypad assemblies. It means moisture and dust can't make their way to the PCB underneath the keypad. If you want your products to be outdoors or in harsh conditions, a silicone rubber keypad would be the best choice.

4. Durability and reliability

Silicone rubber is one of the most durable keypad materials. If you want to make your keypad able to withstand wear and tear in daily usage, silicone rubber keypads would be the best choice. On the other hand, although there are all kinds of silicone rubber keypads designed in different ways, they are similar in their simple construction. A silicone rubber keypad consists of only two conductive contacts which are separated by air. The mechanics of how silicone rubber keypads work is simple and reliable. You just need to press the button, and then the top contact will press against the bottom contact, completing the circuit.

5. Cost-effective and Design Flexibility 

Compared with other materials, the price of silicone rubber is the lowest. It would make your cost lower, and the price more competitive. Besides, silicone rubber keypads are highly customizable as well. In order to meet customers' specific requirements, silicone rubber keypads can be customized for multiple functions. There is a range of mature processes you can add to your product.

Conclusion

Silicone rubber keypads are an excellent choice for electronic devices that require a reliable, durable, and flexible interface. They are customizable, cost-effective, and provide tactile feedback, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. By choosing a silicone rubber keypad for your next project, you can be sure that you are getting a high-quality product that will perform well over time.

03/22/2023