Abstract: This invention provides an optical micro-switch, and a method of mass-producing such optical micro-switches. The optical micro-switch comprises a first housing half containing electronic circuitry which generates light and a second housing half containing electronic circuitry which senses light, the electronic circuitry is separated by a plunger with an aperture and a slide with two apertures. The plunger and slide are positioned in the light transmission path between the light-emitting circuitry and the light-sensing circuitry. The optical micro-switch has an input prong, output prong, and a ground prong. The slide can be moved into either of two different positions which configures the switch as a normally open switch or a normally closed switch. In mass-producing these optical micro-switches, a continuous tape lead frame is provided. This continuous tape lead frame contains duplicate sets of frame portions for the first housing half and a second housing half of each optical micro-switch produced.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical micro-switch, and a method of mass-producing such optical micro-switches. The optical micro-switch comprises a first housing half containing electronic circuitry which generates light and a second housing half containing electronic circuitry which senses light, the electronic circuitry is separated by a plunger with an aperture and a slide with two apertures. The plunger and slide are positioned in the light transmission path between the light-emitting circuitry and the light sensing circuitry. The optical micro-switch has an input prong, output prong, and a ground prong. The slide can be moved into either of two different positions which configures the switch as a normally open switch or a normally closed switch. In mass-producing these optical micro-switches, a continuous tape lead frame is provided. This continuous tape lead frame contains duplicate sets of frame portions for the first housing half and a second housing half of each optical micro-switch produced.