# US 12,000,738 B2 · Load sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,000,738 B2 - Document ID: US12000738B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/671,346 - Filed: 2022-02-14 - Published: 2022-05-26 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-27 - Assignees: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yui Aihara; Susumu Uragami; Yuta Moriura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000738B2 ## CPC - G01L 1/146: {for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays (G01L1/148 takes precedence)} - G01L 1/148: {using semiconductive material, e.g. silicon} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A load sensor includes: an electrode; a dielectric formed on a lower surface of the electrode; and a conductive elastic body disposed so as to face a lower surface of the dielectric and having conductivity. A plurality of projecting portions are formed on an upper surface of the conductive elastic body. The conductive elastic body has a bending shape that is bent in an up-down direction, in at least a part thereof. Alternatively, at least either the conductive elastic body or the electrode has a bending shape that is bent in an up-down direction, in at least a part thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A load sensor comprising: an electrode; a dielectric formed on a lower surface of the electrode; and an elastic body disposed so as to face a lower surface of the dielectric and having conductivity, wherein a plurality of projecting portions are formed on an upper surface of the elastic body, and the elastic body has a bending shape that is bent in an up-down direction, in at least a part thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the bending shape is bent such that a center portion thereof is closer to the dielectric than an end portion thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the bending shape is bent such that an end portion thereof is closer to the dielectric than a center portion thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The load sensor according to claim 2, wherein the bending shape is bent in a spherical shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the bending shape is bent in a cylindrical surface shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body has a plurality of the bending shapes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein an entirety of the elastic body is bent in the up-down direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the dielectric is curved in the up-down direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of projecting portions are formed on the upper surface of the elastic body so as to be arranged in a grid pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of projecting portions are formed on the upper surface of the elastic body so as to be arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of projecting portions are formed on the upper surface of the elastic body so as to be arranged in a radial pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portions each have a cross-sectional area that decreases with decreasing distance to the dielectric. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The load sensor according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portion has a spherical shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The load sensor according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portion has a cone shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The load sensor according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portion has a frustum shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The load sensor according to claim 12, wherein the projecting portion has a ridge shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the load sensor includes a plurality of the elastic bodies arranged side by side so as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein a thin metal plate for defining bending of the elastic body is provided on a lower surface of the elastic body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein an opening is provided at a center portion of the bending shape. ### Claim 20 A load sensor comprising: an electrode; a dielectric formed on a lower surface of the electrode; and an elastic body disposed so as to face a lower surface of the dielectric and having conductivity, wherein a plurality of projecting portions are formed on an upper surface of the elastic body, and at least either the elastic body or the electrode has a bending shape that is bent in an up-down direction, in at least a part thereof.