Patent ID: 8984966
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
1. A single-axis capacitive MEMS force sensor for sub-Millinewton force sensing, comprising: a sensor probe with a probe tip on which the force is applied, the sensor probe configured to transmit the force to a movable body; at least one comb drive for capacitive measurement of an amount of deflection of the moveable body in response to the force transmitted by the sensor probe, the at least one comb drive comprising two non-movable capacitor electrodes located next to each other and a movable common electrode; a substrate for supporting the sensor probe and the at least one comb drive, wherein the probe tip of the sensor probe overhangs the substrate on two adjacent sides of the substrate, wherein the two non-movable capacitor electrodes and the movable common electrode form a differential comb drive.