Rotary switch with reflector coded actuator drum
AssigneeGeneral Instrument Corporation
InventorsStephen Ching, Frank B. Babbitt, Jr., Adnan Merchant
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-position rotary switch comprises an actuator drum divided into a plurality of different n-bit codes where each bit is represented by a reflective area or a non-reflective area on the drum. The drum is radiated by a suitable emitter and radiation reflected off of the drum by reflective bits is detected by a plurality of radiation detectors. The drum is rotatable to bring the different n-bit codes into view of the radiation detectors. Each different n-bit code detected by the radiation detectors is indicative of a particular switch position.
Claims5
A multi-position rotary switch comprising:
- an actuator drum divided into a plurality of different n-bit codes where each bit is represented by a reflective area of a non-reflective area on the drum;
- a plurality of emitter-detector pairs each including an emitter means for providing radiation;
- and
- detector means for reading the n-bit codes by detecting said radiation reflected off the reflective area of said drum, said pairs each arranged to emit radiation to and detect radiation from a different bit in the n-bit codes;
- a circuit board positioned adjacent to said drum with said emitter-detector pairs facing said drum and longitudinally arranged to correspond to said longitudinal strips;
- means for rotating said drum to successively bring the different n-bit codes into view of said radiation detector means;
- whereby each different n-bit code detected by said radiation detector means is indicative of a particular switch position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.