SNOAA90A february   2023  – may 2023 DRV5033-Q1 , LDC3114-Q1 , TMAG5170-Q1 , TMAG5170D-Q1 , TMAG5173-Q1

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1Introduction
  5. 2Push Buttons
    1. 2.1 Mechanical Buttons
    2. 2.2 Hall-Effect Switches
    3. 2.3 Capacitive Touch Buttons
    4. 2.4 Inductive Touch Buttons
  6. 3Dials, Knobs, and Rotational Selectors
    1. 3.1 Mechanical Dials
    2. 3.2 Hall 3D Linear Dial
    3. 3.3 Encoder Using Hall
    4. 3.4 Encoder Using Inductive
    5. 3.5 Scroll Wheels
    6. 3.6 Rocker Switches
  7. 4Summary
  8. 5References
    1. 5.1 Device Support
    2. 5.2 Related Documentation
  9. 6Revision History

Hall-Effect Switches

Designers can replace some electro-mechanical contacts with a magnet and Hall-effect switch. The overall mechanical structure can stay the same, but the potential for wear and tear decreases when you remove the metal contacts.

GUID-20221213-SS0I-BJGF-8XSL-C7LMVHW1GFXT-low.svgFigure 2-2 Hall-Effect Push Button Stackup Example

Hall-effect sensors work by sensing the strength of the magnetic field and Hall based switches provide a digital output when the magnetic field strength is over a specified threshold. Similar to Hall switches, reed switches also provide a digital output based on the magnetic field, but reed switches still have the mechanical contact in them that can wear down over time. Hall-effect switches come in a variety of options for different thresholds and directional sensitivities to enable design diversity. Devices like the TMAG5328 even have a resistor adjustable threshold that allows for easy mechanical design adjustments or swapping out the magnet used.