Patent ID: 7637174

Claim:
A force sensor comprising: a force sensor chip for detecting an external force; and a shock absorbing device for damping the external force and imparting the damped external force to an action part of the force sensor chip, wherein the shock absorbing device has a damping mechanism for damping the external force, the damping mechanism having an annular groove formed in at least a front surface thereof, wherein the action part is positioned in a center part of the force sensor chip, a support part is peripherally positioned so as to surround the action part, connecting parts are positioned between and connecting the action part and the support part, and a plurality of strain resistance elements are disposed on one surface of the force sensor chip in a boundary part between each of the connecting parts and the action part, and wherein the annular groove is defined by two side walls inclined relative to a center axis of the damping mechanism such that the two side walls are directed toward the force sensor chip.