Force sensor apparatus and a method of assembling the same

A force sensor apparatus, comprising:

• a force ring configured to deform in response to applications of forces to the force sensor apparatus, the force ring having a plurality of sensing elements configured to produce an electrical signal that is indicative of the amount of deformation in the force ring;
• a printed circuit board configured to process the electrical signal from the force ring;
• a sensor cap covering the printed circuit board and a portion of the force ring, the sensor cap having an inner rim and an outer rim, the outer rim of the sensor cap attached to the force ring;
• a circular environmental seal between the inner rim of the sensor cap and the inner rim of the force ring;
• and
• a glass sealed connector that provides an electrical contact to the printed circuit board through the sensor cap.

A method of assembling a force sensor apparatus, the method comprising:

• attaching a printed circuit board (PCB) having electrical components to a support ring;
• electrically coupling the electrical components of the PCB to at least two sensing elements on a force ring, the at least two sensing elements configured to measure forces applied to the force sensor apparatus;
• attaching the support ring to the force ring;
• positioning a sensor cap over the PCB, the support ring, and the force ring;
• attaching the sensor cap to the force ring;
• and
• attaching an interface ring to the force ring and such that the interface ring is positioned around the sensor cap, the interface ring for distributing a load to the force ring.