Leaf spring

In keyboard terminology, a leaf spring or leaf is a flat spring, as opposed to a helical (coil) spring. Chinese to English translations often come out as blade. Leaf springs are used both in switch contact mechanisms, and to provide tactile force curves.

Examples

• Metal leaf contact mechanisms
• Click and tactile leaves
• Futaba complicated linear switches, with a leaf actuator spring
• Fujitsu Leaf Spring switches

Gallery

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  Assorted click and tactile leaves from Alps and Alps clone switches

• 

  Third-generation Fujitsu leaf springs

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  Futaba complicated linear actuator leaf (left) and contact assembly block

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  Sprung electrical contact (left) in a KPT switch

See also

• Metal contact switches — switches which typically use leaf springs in the contact mechanism