Touch sensor

Abstract

A touch sensor of the invention can output a directional information from which direction an object to be measured touches a contact, as well as a positional information. The touch sensor includes a movable plate; at least four movable contacts provided on the movable plate and arranged in a rectangular shape; a measuring shaft attached to the movable plate to extend perpendicularly thereto and having a contact portion at one end thereof; a base plate situated at a side opposite to the movable contacts and having at least four fixed contacts formed at positions corresponding to the respective movable contacts so that the fixed contacts contact the corresponding movable contacts; a device for uring the movable plate to the base plate so that the movable contacts and the fixed contacts contact together; and insulating guides provided on the base plate or the movable plate to surround the movable and fixed contacts. The guides contact and guide the movable or fixed contacts. When the object to be measured touches the contact portion, adjacent two movable contacts become rotational supporting points, and two movable contacts provided at an opposite side of the adjacent two movable contacts are separated from two fixed contacts corresponding thereto.