Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided in which in a case where magnetization amounts of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer in the first magnetic sensor element are respectively set to be Mst11 and Mst12 and magnetization amounts of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer in the second magnetic sensor element are respectively set to be Mst21 and Mst22, in a case of Mst11>Mst12, a relationship of Mst21>Mst22 is satisfied, and in a case of Mst11<Mst12, a relationship of Mst21<Mst22 is satisfied.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes: a first magnetic detection element group and a second magnetic detection element group each of which including a plurality of self-pinned magnetoresistive effect elements; and a first control unit and a second control unit configured to respectively process detection signals detected from a magnetic field by the magnetoresistive effect elements of the first magnetic detection element group and the second magnetic detection element group, in which pinned magnetization directions of at least two magnetoresistive effect elements in the first magnetic detection element group and the second magnetic detection element group are different from each other, and the plurality of magnetoresistive effect elements of the first magnetic detection element group and the plurality of magnetoresistive effect elements of the second magnetic detection element group are arranged so that the magnetization directions thereof are symmetrical.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided in which in a case where magnetization amounts of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer in the first magnetic sensor element are respectively set to be Mst11 and Mst12 and magnetization amounts of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer in the second magnetic sensor element are respectively set to be Mst21 and Mst22, in a case of Mst11>Mst12, a relationship of Mst21>Mst22 is satisfied, and in a case of Mst11<Mst12, a relationship of Mst21<Mst22 is satisfied.

Abstract: In an angular speed detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, in a positive counter, a first counter value P is obtained by adding 3 when an average angular speed “ASMAV (deg/s)” calculated at each “time” is higher than or equal to, for example, 3000 (deg/s) and subtracting 1 when the average angular speed is lower than 3000. In a negative counter, a second counter value M is obtained by adding 3 when the average angular speed “ASMAV (deg/s)” is lower than or equal to ?3000 (deg/s) and subtracting 1 when the average angular speed is higher than ?3000. When the first counter value or the second counter value has exceeded a predetermined error threshold (for example, 20), it is determined that an error has occurred.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a member position detecting apparatus having a high degree of freedom for design and layout of a seat rail, capable of suppressing accumulation of dust and eliminating influence of an external magnetic field. A member position detecting apparatus 1 has a function of detecting whether a metallic seat rail (a moving member) 3 guided by a metallic stationary rail 2 has reached a front end position (a predetermined position) P on the stationary rail 2. The openings of the stationary rail 2 and the seat rail 3 face each other and the end portions thereof are folded and engaged with each other. The stationary rail 2 is disposed on the floor of a vehicle, and a planar magnet 5 is provided at a front end portion thereof. The seat rail 3 is fixed on a lower portion of the vehicle seat, and a magnetic sensor 7 is provided to face the magnet 5 at the front end portion of the seat rail.

Abstract: First and second GMR devices formed in a first block and fifth and sixth GMR devices formed in a third block are disposed in a symmetrical manner as to a point of origin. The first and fifth GMR devices, and the second and sixth GMR devices are disposed in a symmetrical manner as to the point of origin, and accordingly the intensity and direction of an external magnetic field applied from a rotating magnet is the equal between the first and fifth GMR devices, and also equal between the second and sixth GMR devices. Thus, combining the first, fifth, second, and sixth GMR devices to form a Wheatstone bridge circuit enables detection precision of rotation angles to be improved.

Abstract: A steering output part is fixed with a worm wheel for power assist. By a spur gear formed on the worm wheel, an input gear of a detecting unit is rotated with a speed increase. Within the detecting unit, provided is a speed-reducing mechanism for speed-reducing the rotation of the detecting shaft. By this speed reduction, a detection rotating member provided in a case rotates at an angle of 1:1 to the rotation of the steering output part, a rotation angle of which is detected by a detecting element.

Abstract: A magnetic switch using magnetoresistive elements having respective free layers whose magnetization directions are varied by an external magnetic field. The magnetic switch also has a first magnet and a second magnet that produce respective magnetic fields that serve as the external magnetic field and are different from each other in strength and opposite to each other in direction, and a magnetic shield member whose relative position with respect to the first magnet and the second magnet varies. The magnetic shield member moves between a first position with which both of the magnetic fields of the first magnet and the second magnet act on the magnetoresistive elements to magnetize their free layers in a first direction and a second position with which only one of the magnetic fields of the first magnet and the second magnet acts on the magnetoresistive elements to magnetize their free layers in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor includes a cylindrical housing having a partition wall which divides the interior of the housing into a first storing space and a second storing space. The first storing space stores a rotating mechanism and is closed with a first cover in such a manner that a shaft portion of a rotating member projects outside, and the second storing space stores an electrical circuit component and is closed with a second cover. A magnet included in the rotating mechanism is disposed at a position close to the partition wall, and a giant magnetoresistive element included in the electrical circuit component is disposed in a recess formed in the partition wall. Thus, the rotating mechanism and the electrical circuit component are completely separated from each other by the partition wall, so that a complex sealing process is not necessary and the detection accuracy can be increased.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a member position detecting apparatus having a high degree of freedom for design and layout of a seat rail, capable of suppressing accumulation of dust and eliminating influence of an external magnetic field. A member position detecting apparatus 1 has a function of detecting whether a metallic seat rail (a moving member) 3 guided by a metallic stationary rail 2 has reached a front end position (a predetermined position) P on the stationary rail 2. The openings of the stationary rail 2 and the seat rail 3 face each other and the end portions thereof are folded and engaged with each other. The stationary rail 2 is disposed on the floor of a vehicle, and a planar magnet 5 is provided at a front end portion thereof. The seat rail 3 is fixed on a lower portion of the vehicle seat, and a magnetic sensor 7 is provided to face the magnet 5 at the front end portion of the seat rail.

Abstract: A magnetic switch hardly affected by an external magnetic field even if a cheap magnet is used and capable of performing magnetic detection for a long period of time is provided. A first magnetic path L1 and a second magnetic path L2 in which a stationary rail 13 and a movable rail 14 lead magnetic fluxes are formed in a non-shielding state where magnetism shielding 18 is not interposed in a gap G between a magnet M and a Hall element H to secure the number of magnetic fluxes that pass through the Hall element H. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a costly rare earth magnet having a large number of generated magnetic fluxes. In n shielding state where the magnetism shielding 18 is interposed in the gap G, the first magnetic path L1 is shielded. As a result, the number of magnetic fluxes that pass through the Hall element H is almost zero.

Abstract: A magnetic switch hardly affected by an external magnetic field even if a cheap magnet is used and capable of performing magnetic detection for a long period of time is provided. A first magnetic path L1 and a second magnetic path L2 in which a stationary rail 13 and a movable rail 14 lead magnetic fluxes are formed in a non-shielding state where magnetism shielding means 18 is not interposed in a gap G between a magnet M and a Hall element H to secure the number of magnetic fluxes that pass through the Hall element H. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a costly rare earth magnet having a large number of generated magnetic fluxes. In n shielding state where the magnetism shielding means 18 is interposed in the gap G, the first magnetic path L1 is shielded. As a result, the number of magnetic fluxes that pass through the Hall element H is almost zero.

Abstract: A rotation-angle detecting device includes a rotor, a first output mechanism for outputting a first detection signal in response to the rotation of the rotor, and a second output mechanism for outputting a second detection signal in response to the rotation of the rotor. The first output mechanism includes a first output gear meshed with a first transmission gear of the rotor and having an axis in parallel with the axis of the rotor, and a first output section for outputting the first detection signal in response to the rotation of the first output gear. The second output mechanism includes a second output gear meshed with a second transmission gear of the rotor and having an axis in parallel with the axis of the rotor, and a second output section for outputting the second detection signal in response to the rotation of the second output gear.

Abstract: First and second GMR devices formed in a first block and fifth and sixth GMR devices formed in a third block are disposed in a symmetrical manner as to a point of origin. The first and fifth GMR devices, and the second and sixth GMR devices are disposed in a symmetrical manner as to the point of origin, and accordingly the intensity and direction of an external magnetic field applied from a rotating magnet is the equal between the first and fifth GMR devices, and also equal between the second and sixth GMR devices. Thus, combining the first, fifth, second, and sixth GMR devices to form a Wheatstone bridge circuit enables detection precision of rotation angles to be improved.

Abstract: The absolute angle of the rotation angle is detected on the basis of a first detection signal including sawtooth continuous pulses and a second detection signal that rises stepwise. The second detection signal includes a plurality of flat portions and a plurality of gradually rising portions that link the flat portions, corresponding to the pulses of the first detection signal. Each gradually rising portion corresponds to the sharply falling portion of the first detection signal. When the value of the second detection signal is included in a flat portion, the absolute angle is found based on the first and second detection signals, and, when the value of the second detection signal is included in a gradually rising portion, the absolute angle is found based on the first detection signal in conjunction with the second detection signal corresponding to a flat portion preceding or following the gradually rising region.

Abstract: A rotary sensor with a prolonged service life ensures stable electrical conduction between an intermediate terminal and an electrode even if the components making up the rotary sensor repeatedly expand and contract due to high and low temperatures. In the rotary sensor, an output detection member is constructed of an insulating board having an electrode on its surface, a retaining portion being formed on the insulating board. The intermediate terminal is made of a metal material, and has a pair of mounting portions provided on both ends thereof and a first contact portion and a second contact portion provided between the pair of mounting portions. The intermediate terminal is secured to the retaining portion of the insulating board by the pair of mounting portions such that it sandwiches the insulating board lengthwise. The first contact portion is in resilient contact with the internal pin and the second contact portion is in resilient contact with the electrode.

Abstract: A steering output part is fixed with a worm wheel for power assist. By a spur gear formed on the worm wheel, an input gear of a detecting unit is rotated with a speed increase. Within the detecting unit, provided is a speed-reducing mechanism for speed-reducing the rotation of the detecting shaft. By this speed reduction, a detection rotating member provided in a case rotates at an angle of 1:1 to the rotation of the steering output part, a rotation angle of which is detected by a detecting element.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor includes a cylindrical housing having a partition wall which divides the interior of the housing into a first storing space and a second storing space. The first storing space stores a rotating mechanism and is closed with a first cover in such a manner that a shaft portion of a rotating member projects outside, and the second storing space stores an electrical circuit component and is closed with a second cover. A magnet included in the rotating mechanism is disposed at a position close to the partition wall, and a giant magnetoresistive element included in the electrical circuit component is disposed in a recess formed in the partition wall. Thus, the rotating mechanism and the electrical circuit component are completely separated from each other by the partition wall, so that a complex sealing process is not necessary and the detection accuracy can be increased.

Abstract: A rotation-angle detecting device includes a rotor, a first output mechanism for outputting a first detection signal in response to the rotation of the rotor, and a second output mechanism for outputting a second detection signal in response to the rotation of the rotor. The first output mechanism includes a first output gear meshed with a first transmission gear of the rotor and having an axis in parallel with the axis of the rotor, and a first output section for outputting the first detection signal in response to the rotation of the first output gear. The second output mechanism includes a second output gear meshed with a second transmission gear of the rotor and having an axis in parallel with the axis of the rotor, and a second output section for outputting the second detection signal in response to the rotation of the second output gear.

Abstract: A rotary sensor comprising a rotor having a shaft portion, a casing supporting the rotor, an angle detecting member operated by the rotor, and a cover member for closing an open end portion of the casing, the shaft portion of the rotor being formed from a synthetic resin material, the cover member being formed from a metallic material, one of the shaft portion and the cover member being provided with a projection, the other of the shaft portion and the cover member being provided with a recess, and the projection being arranged in the recess.