Patent ID: 8857274
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: B60N,G01L

Abstract:
1. A force sensor configured to sense the magnitude and direction of a force in at least one direction, the sensor having a compressible layer, an electrically grounded layer and an electrically active layer, wherein: said electrically grounded layer comprises of a flexible conductive material; said electrically active layer comprises a transmitter electrode and a plurality of receiver electrodes arranged to surround said transmitter electrode, in which said transmitter electrode is configured to capacitively couple to each one of said plurality of receiver electrodes; and said compressible layer is positioned between said electrically grounded layer and said electrically active layer; wherein the level of capacitive coupling between said transmitter electrode and each one of said plurality of receiver electrodes varies in dependence upon the magnitude and the direction of a force applied to the sensor which moves said electrically grounded layer closer to said electrically active layer by compression of said compressible layer.