Abstract
The load cell is a force sensor and a transducer that is used to convert a physical force into a electrical signal for weighing equipment. Most conventional load cells are widely used a metal foil strain gauge for sensing element when force being applied spring element in order to converts the deformation to electrical signals. The sensitivity of a load cell is limited by its low gauge factor, hysteresis and creep. But silicon-based sensors perform with higher reliability. This paper presents the basic design and development of the silicon type load cell with an SUS630 diaphragm. The load cell consists of two parts the silicon strain gauge and the SUS630 structure with diaphragm. Structure analysis of load cell was researched by theory to optimize the load cell diaphragm design and to determine the position of peizoresistors on a silicon strain gauge. The piezo-resistors are integrated in the four points of silicon strain gauge processed by ion implantation. The thickness of the silicon strain gauge was polished by CMP under 100 ${\mu}M$. The 10 mm diameter SUS630 diaphragm was designed for loads up to 10 kg with 300 ${\mu}M$ of diaphragm thickness. The load cell was successfully tested, the variation of ${\Delta}$R(%) of four points on the silicon strain gauge is good linearity properties and sensitivity.