Patent ID: 6015970
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
A switch assembly for an electrical device, comprising:a printed circuit substrate having a first major surface;first and second light detectors mounted upon the first major surface of said printed circuit substrate;a light source mounted upon the first major surface of said printed circuit substrate; anda rotatable interposer mechanism having first and second concentric cylindrical walls, the walls having first and second respective diameters, the first wall being translucent to IR light and having a light transmission control means for adjusting the intensity of light transmitted therethrough, the second wall being opaque and having an opening formed therethrough, whereinlight emitted from the light source is transmitted through the opening in the opaque second wall to the second light detector only when said electrical device is in an OFF mode, light emitted from the source is transmitted only to the first light detector when said electrical device is in an ON mode, and the intensity of light received by the first light detector is adjustable via said light transmission control means.