buttondiodespcb
This may be a stupid question, but I have searched online for a little bit and can't seem to find my answer. I am working on a circuit board that uses buttons that i've never seen before. These buttons just have a metal lead around them and an LED in the middle (for lighting up the button I'd assume) but how does a button like this even work? I've attached some pictures to show you what i mean.
this is the back of the push buttons from the device
There are two kinds of push buttons. There are some with a lock mechanic (which will remain on the last state until it's pressed again) and there are some without this lock (which will remain open/closed while the button is pressed).
The problem I can see with the push buttons as sensors in this case is because they have limits of activation. Sometime they will wear and lose sensibility or even they will not switch anymore. Datasheets specifies it, usually is about hundreds of thousands or millions times.
I think the space is enough, but it will relies on your skills designing the PCB.
What you want to get is a one channel, wireless remote control, like this one from Amazon:
The receiver has a relay contact output, that can be set to either operate momentarily as the remote button is pushed (which is what you want), or operate in a latching mode, on, off, on, off (which you don't want). This is selected by a small white mode button on the unit. One of the reviews explains the settings (apparently the documentation is not so good.)
You will want to wire the relay contact in parallel with the Door button contact on your existing unit.
The unit runs on 12V, I don't know if that voltage is already available from your box or not. Otherwise you will have to make provisions for it.
Best Answer
The gold plated interlocking concentric "rings" are two contacts of a switch.
When they are electrically connected by a resistance of less than say 10 k Ohms the circuit is activated.
The white "rubber" has a conductive ring on it which is close to but not touching the gold contacts - it is probably held clear by small protrusions in the rubber moudling. When the rubber is pressed from above it presses the ring onto both contacts and closes the circuit.
The conductive material is often made of a conductive ink or similar which may be loaded with carbon particles to make it conductive.