Load sensor and electromechanical brake system

A load sensor comprising:

• a flange member configured to deflect when receiving, at a load receiving portion, a load from a front side in an axial direction;
• a support member configured to support the flange member from a rear side in the axial direction, at a support portion displaced from the load receiving portion in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction;
• a displacement detecting mechanism configured to detect a movement amount of the flange member relative to the support member;
• and
• a variable detection sensitivity mechanism configured to enable the relative movement amount with respect to a change of the load applied to the flange member to be larger in a low load range in which the load is equal to or lower than a predetermined load value than in a high load range in which the load is higher than the predetermined load value,
• wherein the variable detection sensitivity mechanism comprises an elastic member disposed between the flange member and the support member, the elastic member being configured such that, while the load is equal to or lower than the predetermined load value, the elastic member is expandable and compressible according to a magnitude of the load so as to allow the flange member and the support member to move relative to each other in directions in which the elastic member is expanded and compressed.