Patent ID: 8757001

Claim:
A force sensor system, comprising: a substrate including a first side and a second side; a cover coupled to the first side of the substrate, the cover having an inner surface, an outer surface, an opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and a wall structure extending from the inner surface that defines a sensor cavity and a processor cavity between the inner surface and the substrate; a sensor mounted on the first side of the substrate and disposed within the sensor cavity, the sensor configured to generate a sensor signal representative of a force supplied to the sensor; a processor mounted on the first side of the substrate and disposed within the processor cavity, the processor coupled to receive the sensor signal and configured, upon receipt thereof, to supply a force sensor output signal; a load bearing element coupled to the second side of the substrate and configured to limit force transferred to the substrate; and a force transfer element disposed partially within sensor cavity and movable relative to the cover, the force transfer element extending from the opening in the cover and engaging the sensor, the force transfer element adapted to receive an input force and configured, upon receipt of the input force, to transfer the input force to the sensor.