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Alps SKCC Lock

Alps SKCC Lock
A single desoldered Alps SKCC Lock switch
Manufacturer Alps Electric
Family Alps SKCC series
Part Number KCC109021)
Switch Type Alternate action
Travel 3.5mm
Sense method Metal contact
Mount Plate mount
Rated lifetime Unknown
Quoted operating force unknown, likely 200gf2)

Alps SKCC Lock is an alternate action switch in the Alps SKCC Series.

Characteristics

SKCC Lock is a particularly interesting switch due to both its similarities with SKCL Lock yet completely different methods of achieving the same. The upper and lower housing used appear to be the same molds as in LED variants of standard series SKCC switches, except in the lower housing the spring post is omitted.

The wider space on the side where the spring would usually sit is used to house a metal follower arm on what looks like a small piece of raw pcb substrate, which moves around a track in the stem similar to Alps SKCL Lock. As a result of the use of this space, return force has to be provided externally. A small hole through the slider allows the external return spring to be locked into the slider, which eliminates the possibility of flyaway springs when removing a keycap.

Alps SKCC Lock, like all SKCC series switches, uses a contact module to register the keypress. This sits in the housing on the side opposite the follower arm insert.

Additional Information

The switch was likely in production from 1979 alongside the rest of the SKCC series. No end date is known.

1)
Ambit international catalog
2)
based on comparison with SKCL Lock