Contact detector and door handle unit including it and smart entry system

Abstract

As a switch for detecting operation of a door handle, a contact joint switch, a capacitance type sensor, etc., is available, but involves problems of a contact failure caused by secular change and a malfunction caused by rain and is not excellent in a multifunctional property used for other applications. A contact detector of the invention includes support means (8) having a moving part displacing upon reception of contact; a cable-like piezoelectric sensor (4) having a part supported by the support means (8) and becoming deformed in conjunction with displacement of the moving part (8c); and signal processing means for performing signal processing of output of the cable-like piezoelectric sensor (8), wherein the cable-like piezoelectric sensor (8) has a bend part (4a) to form a plurality of simultaneous deformation parts and the simultaneous deformation parts become deformed in conjunction with the moving part (8c), whereby contact is detected.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.