Patent ID: 7669480

Claim:
A sensor element comprising: an elastic member capable of being compressed or expanded by an external force received from an object, a resistance element whose electrical resistance value rises or falls upon the deformation thereof by an external force, and a support member disposed inside or on the surface of the conductive elastic member and capable of supporting the resistance element in a predetermined position; wherein the support member comprises a deformable element capable of being deformed by an external force and a non-deformable element incapable of being deformed by an external force disposed around the periphery of the deformable element and a protruding member; wherein the non-deformable element comprises an external wall member in the form of a four-sided level-surfaced substantially rectangular framework, and the deformable element comprises a central member surrounded by each side of the external wall member and beam members that respectively spans between each side of the external wall member and the central member; wherein the resistance element is supported on the deformable element; and wherein the protruding member protrudes from the central member in a predetermined direction toward the surface of the conductive elastic member.