Device for the optoelectronic detection of switching positions of a switching element

An optoelectronic switch position detection apparatus for detecting the switch positions of a switch element movable in switch position steps in a switch direction with each switch position step corresponding to a switch position includes receivers, a light, and a shutter. The receivers are arranged at a distance correspondingly from each other of a switch position step in the switch direction of the switch element. The shutter is coupled to the movement of the switch element to move relative to the receivers and the light as the switch element moves in the switch direction between switch positions. The state of one of the receivers changes between an exposed state in which the receiver is exposed to the light and a shaded state in which the shutter shades the receiver from the light when the switch element moves in the switch direction from one switch position to an adjacent switch position.