System and method for detecting a position of a movable element

A method for detecting a position, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a compartment having a body defining an interior wherein the body has an interior surface and a length wherein the length is defined between a first end and a second end wherein the compartment has a first wall at the first end wherein the first wall abuts the body of the compartment;
• connecting a movable element to the compartment wherein the movable element is located at a first position with respect to the first wall;
• connecting a base to the interior surface of the compartment wherein the base has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side;
• emitting a light from the first side of the base;
• and
• detecting an intensity of emitted light within the interior from the second side of the base.

A method for detecting a position, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a compartment having a body defining an interior wherein the body has an interior surface and a length wherein the length is defined between a first end and a second end wherein the compartment has a first wall at the first end wherein the first wall abuts the body of the compartment wherein the first wall has a base wherein the base extends inward with respect to the interior of the compartment wherein the base has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side;
• connecting a movable element to the compartment wherein the movable element is located at a first position with respect to the first wall;
• connecting a light source to the first wall wherein the light source is adjacent to the first side of the base wherein the light source emits into the interior of the compartment;
• and
• connecting a sensor to the first wall wherein the sensor is adjacent to the second side of the base wherein the base is located between the light source and the sensor wherein the sensor detects an intensity of emitted light within the interior.