Patent ID: 8186232

Claim:
A sensor assembly ( 10 , 110 ), comprising: a first beam ( 18 , 18 ′, 118 ) and a second beam ( 18 , 18 ′, 118 ); said first and second beams being generally co-linear and having inner and outer ends and upper and lower surfaces; the inner ends of said first and second beams being spaced apart to define a gap ( 20 ) between said beams, said beams extending along an x-axis of said sensor assembly; said beams being flexible to flex relative to said x-axis; said beams being selectively configured to have an anisotropic response to displacements, strains, and forces applied along said x-axis between said outer ends of said first and second beams; a contact pad ( 14 , 114 ) operatively connected to the outer ends of each of said beams ( 18 , 18 ′, 118 ); each of said contact pads being adapted for attachment of the sensor assembly ( 10 , 110 ) to an application (A) surface; a pedestal ( 30 , 30 ′, 130 ) comprising opposed sides ( 32 , 32 ′) having an upper end and a lower end and a mounting plate ( 31 ) extending between the upper ends of said sides; said mounting plate being flexible about a y-axis of said sensor assembly; said pedestal sides being connected to the inner ends of said first and second beams proximate the lower ends of said pedestal sides such that said mounting plate of said pedestal extends across said gap at a position vertically above a plane defined by the upper surfaces of the first and second beams; a sensor module ( 138 ) coupled to said mounting plate ( 31 ); and said sensor module comprising at least one sensor configured for generating an output signal representative of a displacement, strain, or force applied along said x-axis.