Looking for a two leaf low voltage switch

[ViriiGuy]

Hello,

I figure if anyone on the internet would know where to find a good solution to my issue, it would be you guys.

For a tiny bit of background, I am building a Virtual Pinball Cabinet. I want to control two inputs with a single switch.. To be exact, I want to emulate the setup that several pinball machines use, in that a half press of the button controls the first set of flippers and a full press of the button controls the second set of flippers.

On a real pinball machine this is done using this style http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1692 and this style dual leaf switch.
I would like to stay with a similar setup if possible, because I want the feel to as authentic as possible. But the problem is with the extremely low voltages involved with a keyboard encoder, these switches seem to cause stutter.

Does anyone here know of a low voltage replacement part or setup?

Thank you,
Randy

 

[Bobbywhy]

ViriiGuy, Welcome to Physics Forums!

What you describe as “stutter” is often called "switch bounce", "chatter", or “contact bounce”. Many mechanical switches exhibit this behaviour.

“Contact bounce is a common problem with mechanical switches and relays. Switch and relay contacts are usually made of springy metals that are forced into contact by an actuator. When the contacts strike together, their momentum and elasticity act together to cause bounce.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switch

Solutions:
http://www.embedded.com/electronics-blogs/break-points/4024956/Solving-Switch-Bounce-Problems

http://www.elexp.com/t_bounc.htm

For dedicated ICs to control switch bounce, see:
Number: MAX6816, MAX6817, MAX6818
Manufacturer: Maxim-Dallas
Web Page: http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/1896

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

 

[ViriiGuy]

Cool thanks, I will give that a try.