Patent ID: 7372281
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: G01D,G06F,H01H,H03K

Abstract:
1. A capacitance type sensor comprising: a substrate that defines thereon an XY plane; a detective member opposed to the substrate; a conductive member disposed between the substrate and the detective member so as to be displaceable together with the detective member along a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the substrate; a first capacitance electrode formed on the substrate so as to cooperate with the conductive member to form a first capacitance element; a second capacitance electrode formed on the substrate so as to cooperate with the conductive member to form a second capacitance element; a common electrode formed on the substrate, electrically connected to the conductive member, and kept at a ground potential or another fixed potential; and a plurality of switch electrodes formed on the substrate so as to be distant from the conductive member, and kept at a potential different from the ground potential, the conductive member being able to be displaced toward the first and second capacitance electrodes and come into contact with at least one of the plurality of switch electrodes when the detective member is displaced, the sensor being able to detect displacement of a portion of the detective member corresponding to a first direction in the XY plane on the basis of detection of a change in capacitance value of the first capacitance element caused by a change in distance between the conductive member and the first capacitance electrode, by using only a signal being input to the first capacitance electrode, when the conductive member is distant from at least one of the plurality of switch electrodes, and the sensor being able to detect displacement of a portion of the detective member corresponding to a direction on the Z-axis on the basis of detection of a change in capacitance value of the second capacitance element caused by a change in distance between the conductive member and the second capacitance electrode, by using only a signal being input to the second capacitance electrode, when the conductive member is in contact with all of the plurality of switch electrodes.