Patent ID: 7460803
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. An electric potential measuring device, comprising: a support member; an oscillating body axially supported by the support member such that the oscillating body oscillates about the support member; at least one pair of detection electrodes provided on a surface of the oscillating body with the oscillation axis between the pair of detection electrodes; a drive portion for varying a distance between one of the detection electrodes and an electric potential measuring object disposed facing the detection electrodes and a distance between the other one of the detection electrodes and the electric potential measuring object by causing the oscillating body to oscillate; and a signal detecting portion connected to the detection electrodes for detecting an output signal, wherein lines of electric force from the electric potential measuring object reach the detection electrodes at all times while the oscillating body is oscillating, and wherein the oscillating body is caused to oscillate such that when one of the pair of detection electrodes moves toward the electric potential measuring object, the other one of the pair of detection electrodes moves away from the electric potential measuring object.