Patent ID: 7464484

Claim:
A probe head, comprising: a stationary component; sensors, each sensor including a pressure-sensitive surface, the sensor adapted to produce electrical signals when a pressure force acts that has a directional component orthogonal to the pressure-sensitive surface, the sensors stationary with respect to the stationary component; and a probe component deflectable relative to the stationary component, the probe component including a longitudinal axis, a first contact point and a second contact point; wherein, by contact of the probe component, pressure forces are introduced into the sensors by the first contact point so that a level change in the electrical signal of at least one of the sensors is generated, and, in response to a further deflection of the probe component, the probe component is transferred to a stop position, in which the second contact point touches the stationary component in a supporting manner; wherein the pressure forces that are introducible into the sensors are limited in the stop position; and wherein a first distance between the first contact point and the longitudinal axis is shorter than a second distance between the second contact point and the longitudinal axis.