Patent ID: 6571511
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: B60J,E05F,E05Y,H01H

Abstract:
A force-responsive sensor having a length extending in a longitudinal direction and a width, comprising:first longitudinally extending electrically conductive means, second electrically conductive means superimposed on the first electrically conductive means, the second electrically conductive means having longitudinally distributed parts and a plurality of remaining parts, electrically insulating means positioned between and spacing the first electrically conductive means from the longitudinally distributed parts of the second electrically conductive means, the respective remaining parts of the second electrically conductive means being longitudinally distributed along the sensor and normally being resiliently held spaced apart from the first electrically conductive means, but each one of said remaining parts being able to be flexed independently of other ones of the remaining parts and into contact with the first electrically conductive means in response to a force applied to said one of the remaining parts to enable a force-responsive output to be produced, and means defining protruding means extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sensor and outwardly of the second electrically conductive means in a direction away from the first electrically conductive means and in alignment with a single selected said remaining part of the remaining parts for receiving a force applied over an area encompassing the plurality of the remaining parts and transmitting said force applied over an area to the selected said remaining part.