Force sensor including sensor plate with local differences in stiffness

Abstract

A force sensor for measuring forces comprises a sensor plate where at least one measuring resistor is arranged whereby deformations of the sensor plate can be detected as a result of forces to be measured. The sensor plate includes at least one local weakened area whereby deformation behavior of the sensor plate is influenced. The weakened area results in bypassing the flux of force in the sensor plate and in concentrating the forces at non-weakened portions of the sensor plate. The at least one measuring resistor is preferably arranged at such non-weakened deforming portion of the sensor plate. The at least one weakened area defines sensor plate portions separated from at least in sections, the sensor plate portions being exposed to opposite forces. The sensor plate can be mounted in a housing with an evaluation circuit, for example, and constitute a force sensor having compact dimensions and high measuring sensitivity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.