Patent ID: 8316725

Claim:
A force sensor comprising: a substrate including a first side and a second side; a sensing die including a front side and a back side, wherein the sensing die includes a diaphragm formed by etching the back side of the sensing die and one or more piezoresistive elements positioned on the front side on the diaphragm, wherein the front side of the sensing die is mounted facing the first side of the substrate; a housing member positioned on the first side of the substrate, the housing member defining a first cavity around the sensing die, wherein the housing member includes an opening positioned over the sensing die; and an actuator assembly including: a ball bearing positioned in the first cavity of the housing member and in contact with the back side of the diaphragm; a pin member including a first end coupled to the ball bearing and a second end extending through the opening of the housing member; and a button member coupled to the second end of the pin member; wherein the actuator assembly is configured to transmit a force from the button member to the diaphragm.