Patent ID: 6647795
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
A capacitive physical load sensor comprisinga substrate having a fixed electrode; a diaphragm having a movable electrode, wherein the diaphragm is located across a gap from the substrate; a retaining part for the diaphragm formed around the diaphragm; a plurality of protruding parts, wherein each protruding part extends from a surface of the substrate or from a surface of the diaphragm into the gap, and surfaces of the protruding parts contact an opposed surface, the opposed surface being the surface of either the substrate or the diaphragm, to support the diaphragm when certain physical loads are applied to the diaphragm, respectively; and a correction circuit for correcting a load detection value outputted by the diaphragm, so that the sensor correction circuit issues an output value that changes in a manner that is substantially proportional to changes in the physical load applied to the diaphragm, wherein the load detection value is corrected according to whether the protruding parts are supporting the diaphragm, so that the rate of change of the sensor output value remains substantially constant with respect to the changes in the load applied to the diaphragm before and after the protruding parts support the diaphragm.