The integrated structure of the stress sensor section with the control section facilitates the confirmation of the matching of both sections before the input device is incorporated into an electronic device. For example, it is possible to select only the input device which exhibits favorable matching as a result of the confirmation and to incorporate it in the electronic device. Therefore, with the above-described structure of the present invention, an input device that enables constantly favorable matching of both the stress sensor section and the control section can be provided.
A stress sensor in which the direction and magnitude of a stress being applied to a post (6) bonded to or integrated with the surface of an insulating board (3) can be grasped from variation in the resistance of a plurality of resistor elements (8) being stimulated by application of the stress while suppressing variation in the shape of each resistor (2). The resistor element (8) comprises a resistor (4) formed, by screen print, between a pair of electrodes for the resistor element, i.e. circuit pattern electrodes (1), arranged on the surface of the insulating board (3). The electrode is connected, through a conductor (9), with a board terminal part (5) arranged at one end of the insulating board (3). The electrode (1) and the conductor (9) or a print accuracy adjusting member (7) have a constant height from the surface of the insulating board (3). Arrangement of the conductor (9), the electrode (1) and the print accuracy adjusting member (7) is entirely identical or similar for the plurality of resistor elements (8) in the vicinity thereof.
A stress sensor enduring against long-term use is provided. Accordingly, a substrate (4), which is used as both a sensor part (1) and a supporting part (2), functions as a stress sensor, in which the sensor part (1) has means for deforming a part thereof in response to a given stress and strain gauges (5) having a function for varying electric properties in response to the deformation, and in which the deforming part has a stress dispersing means (10).
An input device which enables a constantly favorable matching of both a stress sensor section (10) and a control section (11). To provide this device, the stress sensor section (10) which generates a change in characteristic values of a strain gauge (14) due to stress application to a post (2) arranged on one face of a board (sensor section board (1)) is integrated with the control section (11) which converts the change in characteristic values into data on a direction and intensity of the stress. For example, a resistance element (12) is used for the strain gauge (4) arranged on the sensor section board (1). The control section (11) keeps necessary ICs and electronic components mounted on the face of the control section board (3).
A stress sensor enduring against long-term use is provided. Accordingly, a substrate (4), which is used as both a sensor part (1) and a supporting part (2), functions as a stress sensor, in which the sensor part (1) has means for deforming a part thereof in response to a given stress and strain gauges (5) having a function for varying electric properties in response to the deformation, and in which the deforming part has a stress dispersing means (10).