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Cherry MV

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Overview

MV is a low-cost semi-discrete keyboard switch from Cherry. MV was announced as Cherry Viola on the 10th of January 2020, although it now seems to be named simply “MV”. MV switches are open-bottom plate mounted, making use of contact pads on the PCB below as stationary contacts. TechPowerUp’s Corsair K60 RGB PRO review depicts the switch contacts fairly clearly on pages 3 and 5. Confusingly the article refers to “what appears to be some form of conductive lube to help with the actual contacts”, which in one of the photos can be seen clearly straddling the two separate contact pads on the PCB. The movable contact piece inside the plunger is supposed to move down and bridge these pads, but the pads would be short-circuited if the grease is conductive, and permanently open circuit if it is insulating.

Cherry MV is intended to displace membrane switching in lower-end gaming keyboards, without costing as much as full mechnical switches.

The force curve is progressive rate with knee, termed by Cherry as “CrossLinear”. Taking their preload figure of 20 cN minimum, the actuation force of 45 cN at 2 mm, and the total travel force of 75 cN at 4 mm, the switch is in reality almost perfectly linear. The higher the preload force, the more pronounced the effect would be, but it does not appear that they would ever have as strong a change in force as seen with the RAFI RS 74 and RS 76 illuminated mechanical switch models. The force curve based solely on Cherry’s published figures is shown below:

The switch itself appears to have taken inspiration from Cherry MY, with a similar plunger style and similar contact arrangement, although the leaf spring in MY only provides membrane pressure.

Specifications

The specifications are as follows:

Feedback “CrossLinear” progressive rate with knee
Total travel 4.0±0.4 mm
Pretravel 2.0±0.6 mm
Preload 20 cN min.
Actuation force 45±15 cN
Voltage Typically 2–5 V
Current Typically 0.1–1 mA
Form SPST-NO
Spacing 16 mm minimum
Movable contact material High-quality copper alloy
Spring material Stainless steel
Illumination External SMD LED

See also