Sensor assembly and medical device incorporating same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
- a beam structure comprising a plurality of beams, each beam having a sensing element disposed thereon;
a loading element mechanically coupled to the plurality of beams; and
a structure to prevent deflection of one or more beams of the plurality of beams when a force applied by the loading element towards the structure is greater than a threshold value, wherein;
the beam structure comprises a first portion affixed to the structure; and
each beam of the plurality of beams is freestanding with respect to the structure and comprises;
an end portion separated from the structure by an airgap in the absence of a force applied by the loading element towards the structure; and
an arm portion extending radially inward from the first portion to the end portion, the arm portion being separated from the structure by a distance that is greater than a separation distance provided by the airgap.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus are provided for sensor assemblies and related medical devices. An embodiment of a sensor assembly includes a beam and a sensing element disposed on the beam. The sensor assembly also includes a structure to prevent deflection of the beam when a force applied to the sensor assembly is greater than a threshold value.
383 Citations
6 Claims
-
1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
-
a beam structure comprising a plurality of beams, each beam having a sensing element disposed thereon; a loading element mechanically coupled to the plurality of beams; and a structure to prevent deflection of one or more beams of the plurality of beams when a force applied by the loading element towards the structure is greater than a threshold value, wherein; the beam structure comprises a first portion affixed to the structure; and each beam of the plurality of beams is freestanding with respect to the structure and comprises; an end portion separated from the structure by an airgap in the absence of a force applied by the loading element towards the structure; and an arm portion extending radially inward from the first portion to the end portion, the arm portion being separated from the structure by a distance that is greater than a separation distance provided by the airgap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification