Supported strain gauge and joy stick assembly and method of making
US5325081A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49103
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A self terminating supported printed circuit strain gauge structure has a printed circuit including at least one strain gauge, interconnecting circuitry interconnecting the strain gauge to a connector circuit arrangement of a connector for connecting the circuit to a PC board. The entire circuit including the strain gauge, the interconnecting circuitry and the connector arrangement is formed on a single contiguous flexible dielectric substrate. The interconnecting circuitry and the connector elements are formed of a highly conductive material at least partially overplated onto the strain gauge printed circuit. A resilient support layer is laminated to the surface of the base substrate opposite the circuit to form a spring support structure for reinforcing and supporting the strain gauge circuit. The spring supported strain gauge printed circuit structure may have three or more strain gauges and be designed for incorporation in a joy stick strain gauge assembly for sensing the magnitude and direction of force applied to the joy stick by a user and such an assembly. The method of construction is also part of the invention, as are integrated connector features.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.