ALPS Electric Develops a New Series of Push Switches -- Push-Push Type -- SPED3 Series, for Automobiles; Proprietary Ratchet Cam Structure Ensures Quiet Operation.

Business Editors

ALPS SHOW 2004

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2004

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. (Pink Sheet:APELY) has announced the development of the SPED3 Series of push switches (push-push type). These switches, which feature near-silent operation, are turned on when a movable slide (note 1) is pushed and turned off when pushed again. Sample shipments are to begin in the middle of March 2004. The series will be on display at the ALPS SHOW 2004 to be held at the Hiten room of the New Takanawa Prince Hotel in Minato-ku, Tokyo for three days starting on May 26, 2004.

Recently, automobile cabin designs have become more rounded to improve appearance and much quieter for a more enjoyable driving experience. In the U.S. automobile market in particular, interior lighting is turned on and off by directly pushing the light. Thus, a virtually noiseless lighting switch of this type is becoming increasingly popular.

In light of this trend, the SPED3 Series features a very quiet mechatronic operation thanks to ALPS' innovative ratchet structure that employs a proprietary ratchet cam (note 2) construction. Following the SPED3 Series, ALPS plans to mass-produce a base installation type and a harness contact type of the product to be installed using different methods, expanding the variety of products that employ its innovative ratchet cam construction. Very little impact sound is generated as the cam (note 3) connects to a slide when the switch is pushed, thanks to the embedding of a damper spring in the movable slide component. In addition, the ridges of the cam are smoothed out, making very little sound as the slide and cam meet when the slide returns to its original position. These innovations are currently patent pending.

The proprietary ratchet cam offers automobile passengers a smooth operational feel that blends in with the overall functional design of the cabin interior. Moreover, similar conventional products in the industry must be pushed six to eight times to inspect the internal contact points that move with the cam and revolving internal components. The SPED3 Series, however, reduces the number of pushes by half, to four times, contributing to cost reductions at automobile manufacturers and cabin equipment manufacturers during their equipment operation inspection processes.

Note 1: The slide is the convex part that turns the switch on and off.

Note 2: The ratchet cam is a movement structure comprising a rotating guide with serrated teeth to prevent backward rotations of the rotation cam, and gears designed to stop rotations at predefined angles.

Note 3: A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa.

Outline of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.

Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments --Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics -- which are contributing to the advance of a digital society.

ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 60 sales bases in 13 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2003 amounted to 601,816 million yen.