Patent ID: 8586910
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. An optical switch comprising: a housing having a reflecting surface, a mounting surface facing said reflecting surface, and a receiving chamber formed between said reflecting and mounting surfaces, said mounting surface being recessed to form at least two mounting recesses; a sensor unit including a light emitter and at least one light receiver disposed respectively in said mounting recesses and exposed from said mounting surface to face said reflecting surface, said light emitter being capable of emitting light to said light receiver through a reflection of said reflecting surface; a slide disc disposed in said receiving chamber and movable between a blocking position, where said slide disc blocks the light emitted from said light emitter to said light receiver, and an unblocking position, where said slide disc allows the light emitted from said light emitter to be received by said light receiver; and a shutter plate mounted on said mounting surface within said receiving chamber and having at least two light-penetrating portions aligned with said mounting recesses, respectively; wherein said slide disc has a flat face slidable, but not rollable, on said shutter plate; and wherein said housing includes a casing part having a closed end and an open end opposite the closed end, and a cover part covering said open end, said casing part being a single, integral piece having said closed end, said mounting surface, said mounting recesses and said receiving chamber, said cover part having said reflecting surface facing said mounting surface.