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Back-lit switches: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Tek-pushbutton-light-on.jpg|400px|thumb|right| ON state]] | [[File:Tek-pushbutton-light-on.jpg|400px|thumb|right| Switch ON state]] | ||
[[File:Tek-pushbutton-light-off.jpg|400px|thumb|right| OFF state]] | [[File:Tek-pushbutton-light-off.jpg|400px|thumb|right| Switch OFF state]] | ||
[[File:Tek 7k DPDT PCB switch 1.jpg|400px|thumb|right| Switch interior]] | |||
Tek introduced '''back-lit pushbutton switches''' at the end of the 1960s in the 7000 scope family. | Tek introduced '''back-lit pushbutton switches''' at the end of the 1960s in the 7000 scope family. | ||
The design is described in detail in [[Patent US 3584174A|US Patent 3,584,174]]. | |||
The lamps are not supplied from the standard +5 V (logic supply) rail but from a separate lamp supply rail which is not present in all mainframes (e.g. missing from | ==Lamps== | ||
There is one [[150-0048-01|miniature 5 V incandescent lamp]] per interlocking group of buttons, with clear plastic light guides reflecting the light to the backs of the transparent plastic buttons. The lamp is powered all the time. In the Off state of the switch, a small metal flap covers the un-lit button end, whereas in the On state, this flap is pushed open. | |||
The lamps are not supplied from the standard +5 V (logic supply) rail but from a separate lamp supply rail which is not present in all mainframes (e.g. missing from 7xx3 series scopes; see [[Media:040-0686-01.pdf | modification 040-0686-01 adding this supply]]). | |||
In mainframes that do supply the lamps, the lamp voltage (and therefore lamp intensity) can often be varied, e.g. through a 3-way (off/mid/high) switch in the back of the instrument. In some early 7000-series scopes like the [[7503]], [[7504]], or [[7904]] (non-A), this is a front panel control. | |||
==Contacts== | |||
The switch consists of a mechanical interlock with sliding plungers that is attached on top of a PCB. This plastic part is screwed to the front panel (under the printed aluminum cover plate). | |||
The contact surfaces are gold-plated PCB traces, the switch contacts are small metal see-saw style springs point-welded to a center support pin that is soldered into the PCB. | |||
The contacts can break off from the support, giving no or intermittent conduction. It is possible to solder the contact to the support if care is taken to apply solder only to the center, or to transplant an unused contact (see example photo). | |||
==Repairing sticky ganged switches== | |||
While Tek documentation states that Series 71 switches are not repairable, this is not strictly true. If the problem is a gang of interlocked switches where it is difficult to change which switch is depressed, this can be resolved without disassembly. | |||
On switches using a metal light guide, a raised rectangle exists on the housing. Cutting through this with an x-acto knife will expose the mechanical interlock. Dispense electrical contact lube into this hole and work the switches. I had best luck alternating lube and alcohol; I believe the latter helped to transport the lube through the switch. See photos in gallery below. | |||
It should be possible to lubricate switches with acrylic light pipe similarly, though they lack the handy raised mark. | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Media:Repairing tek-made board-mounted push-button switches.pdf|Repairing Tek-Made Board-Mounted Push-Button Switches]] | |||
* [[Pushbutton switches]] | |||
{{PatentLinks|back-lit switches}} | |||
==History== | |||
From [https://vintagetek.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/On-The-History-And-Environment-Of-Tektronix.pdf On The History and Environment of Tektronix]: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
So, one day, Howard said, "the [7000-series] plug-ins will be 5¼ inches in height." | |||
[[Oliver Dalton]] recalls the decision to reduce the plug-in height as a traumatic one:<br /> | |||
"The decision set us back at least one year for the height decision required three major electro-mechanical component efforts in addition to the [[7000 series readout system|IC read-out effort]]: 1) new lit push-buttons ... we needed 25 on a panel; 2) [[cam switch]]es - these were Howard's ideas ... we needed them to be small and reasonably cheap; 3) [[miniature relays|relays]] ... we needed them to be small and reliable. We then largely had to make do with other available parts, like potentiometers. | |||
[...] | |||
Howard Vollum was the person who started the push-button effort because he wanted small buttons. Some of the key inputs on the design came from the Model Shop, such as from [[John Winkelman]] who came up with a latch mechanism. | |||
</blockquote> | |||
==Photos== | |||
<gallery> | |||
backlit-sw-1.jpg | |||
Tek-pushbutton-light-on.jpg | |||
Tek-pushbutton-light-off.jpg | |||
Tek 7k DPDT PCB switch 1.jpg | Dual DPDT switch interior (mV / mρ mode switch from a [[7S12]]) | |||
Tek 7k DPDT PCB switch 2.jpg | |||
7A12 switch.jpg | Sticky switch, before repair | |||
Switch xacto.jpg | Cutting a hole for lubrication | |||
Switch lube.jpg | Injecting lubricant | |||
</gallery> | |||
[[Category:Repair issues]] | |||
[[Category:Electromechanical components]] | |||