Patent attributes
A capacitance type sensor good in operability and less in erroneous operation is provided. Switches SW1 to SW4 are formed between a displacement electrode 40 and switch electrodes E11 to E14 kept at a predetermined potential and grounded switch electrodes E15 to E18. Switches SW 11 to SW 15 are connected to respective capacitance electrodes E1 to E5 that cooperate with the displacement electrode 40 to form capacitance elements. A decision circuit judges states of the switches SW1 to SW4. When at least one of the switches SW1 to SW4 is off, periodic signals are input only to the capacitance electrodes E1 to E4 corresponding to X- and Y-axial directions. When any of the switches SW1 to SW4 is on, a periodic signal is input only to the capacitance electrode E5 corresponding to a Z-axial direction.
