IRVINE, Calif., – Sept. 12, 2007 – Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST) has leveraged its strengths by expanding the company's current position sensor product line to include its Crouzet division's miniature and subminiature snap-action switches for the North American transportation market. The new switches feature an industry-first design that includes diagnostic functionality and longer overtravel that provides increased flexibility for design engineers. Targeted for passenger car, commercial vehicle, agricultural, and industrial applications, these switches were fully developed by Crouzet in France and have a proven success rate in European and Asian OEM applications.
The Crouzet snap-action switch products include the V3, V4, and V5 models with various actuators, sizes and termination methods to fulfill diverse application requirements. The featured products in the North American launch are the V5 fully sealed (IP67) subminiature, single break, changeover switches that revolutionize switching technology by providing diagnostic capabilities for switch readiness. Three integrally molded pins on the switch housing accept surface mounted components (SMC) – typically resistors – to allow an inexpensive diagnostic capability on both normally closed (NC) and normally open (NO) circuits. This feature allows instant indication of resistance to determine switch functioning readiness, improving safety and system confidence. The standard SMC design also eliminates the need for extra circuit boards to house diagnostic components, offering streamlined packaging for space-critical applications.
Measuring only 14.7mm x 5.4mm x 7.5mm (LxWxH), the V5's external package is dimensionally compatible with competitive packages in terms of fit, but completely differentiated by superior performance features. The V5 out-performs competitive products with 2mm of plunger overtravel (versus a typical 1.2mm overtravel length), current ratings from 1 mA (5v) to 2A (14V), and an extended operating temperature range of -40 to +90°C (-40 to 194°F). With its extended overtravel length, the V5 offers design engineers expanded tolerance flexibility, simplified subassembly design integration, and reduced potential for switch damage. Additionally, the switch can be actuated in multi-directional angles up to 45°, eliminating extra levers or arms that would otherwise be required for actuation, resulting in reduced component costs and smaller overall footprint.
All three Crouzet switches are rated at up to 1 million cycles and are available in a range of pin configurations including, flat, thru hole, right angle, or with integrated and fully sealed wire harnesses that can be custom designed with any mating connector. The V3 and V4 models offer choice of actuators with two to four possible fixing points, depending on model, and higher current carrying capabilities for unique customer applications. CST provides custom-engineered solutions with dedicated actuators, wire harnesses and customer specified mating connectors – all in production validated (PPAP) configurations.
This product launch combines the superior product reliability of the Crouzet line of switches with CST's North American engineering support to provide unique, customized switching solutions. The resulting switch team is comprised of CST sales and engineering support from the new Novi, Michigan offices, and the design engineering and TS-16949 resources from the Duncan Electronics division – an existing leader in position sensing solutions. This combination of sales support and design engineering resources was conceived to provide truly custom switching solutions in OEM applications.
The sales and engineering support roles for the Crouzet line of switches have been thoughtfully and clearly defined to provide prompt and competitive design solutions that require unique packaging. The Duncan division is a fully capable position sensor manufacturer with engineering support that can solve difficult mechanical actuation, packaging and termination issues. "This step allows CST to provide local design support with the globally competitive manufacturing resources necessary to compete in today's switch market," noted Paul Cain Director of Marketing for CST's North American Division for Position Sensors and Switches. "The Crouzet line is an ideal complement to our existing line of position sensors. In many respects, the custom packaging design effort is identical to our existing rotary and linear position sensors, both having to meet the same durability, cost and testing requirements." BEI Duncan also offers complete sensor testing at its Irvine, California headquarters.
The Crouzet V line of snap-action switches complements and expands the company's existing line of non-contacting sensors, which includes NCAPS, Hall Effect and potentiometric position solutions. Pricing starts from $0.25 each in production quantities with delivery in 8 weeks for standard products.
