Lift Switch

The Lift Switch is a device that modifies the output from your assistive switch. The primary case is for a user who would prefer to rest on their switch and lift off of it to activate it, instead of requiring the user to hover over the switch. There are four operating modes: momentary, latching, timed latch, and reverse acting, described below:

• Momentary – The output will turn on momentarily when you lift off of the assistive switch.
• Latching – The output toggles between on/off when you lift off of the assistive switch.
• Timed Latch – The output will turn on for a set amount of time (7s) when you lift off of the assistive switch.
• Reverse Acting - Reverses the action of an assistive switch. Assistive switch off (not activated) = Lift Switch on, Assistive switch on (activated) = Lift Switch off.

The Lift Switch can also be used as a mouse click in any of the above modes, by plugging the Lift Switch into a computer through a USB cable.

To use the Lift Switch, simply plug in an assistive switch into the 3.5 mm jack, and plug the other end of the lift switch into your switch adapted device.

To change operating modes, press the Mode button located on the side of the Lift Switch. The selected mode is indicated by the light colour, as described below:

• Green - Momentary – The output will turn on momentarily when you lift off of the assistive switch.
• Blue - Latching – The output toggles between on/off when you lift off of the assistive switch.
• Yellow - Timed Latch – The output will turn on for a set amount of time (7s) when you lift off of the assistive switch.
• Red - Reverse Acting - Reverses the action of an assistive switch. Assistive switch off (not activated) = Lift Switch on, Assistive switch on (activated) = Lift Switch off.



To use the Lift Switch as a mouse click, simply plug it into your computer, tablet, or smart phone, using the correct cable or adapter, and put it into the mode that would work best for you. 

The Lift Switch is designed primarily for disabilities that affect a user’s strength and endurance. The Lift Switch also enables use of switch sites where a user has movement but would otherwise choose not to use it due to ergonomic considerations, for example an accessible switch under an elbow when resting on an armrest. The Lift Switch has been used by people with various disabilities and diagnoses such as ALS, Muscular Dystrophy and MS.  

This build involves an intermediate level of 3D printing, soldering, Arduino firmware, and assembly. It also involves ordering a custom PCB. This build has some surface mount soldering.

The Lift Switch hardware consists of off-the-shelf electronics and hardware components, 3D printed components, and a custom printed circuit board (PCB). The build consist of soldering the parts to the PCB, flashing Arduino code to the microcontroller, and assembling the enclosure. For more detailed build instructions, see the Maker Guide.

CERN OHL-W