"Contact mechanism"

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Is the term "Contact mechanism" the best one available?

Actually, here's another one: "metal leaf" contacts. Magnetic reed switches use metal leaves, it's just that they're not closed under physical pressure, but rather magnetic attraction.

However, some switches don't use contacts at all.

The confusing one for me is capacitive switches, where the second capacitor plate (coil spring, foam disc etc) appears to be allowed to touch the PCB. Doesn't capacitance stop working if you remove the dielectric? Wouldn't that mess up the controller's perception of the switch?

[Findecanor]

"Actuation mechanism" would be a better term, I think.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Can it be a "mechanism" in a non-mechanical keyboard? ;-)

[Findecanor]

Eh... "method", then?

[Muirium]

"Mechanical" is a flawed term for quality keyboards. It fails to adequately describe some of the best keyboards available, as Matt goes into, at depth, here:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/adv ... t7436.html

Let alone the rubber dome vs. membrane trap!

Anyway, actuation makes more sense than contacts. The term "actuation point" is already widespread, and leads me to think it is quite logical. Whatever the, um, mechanics.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Actuation it is then. One word down, one to go …