Abstract: A movement unit is provided with a first magnet and a second magnet. A detection unit includes a first magnetic sensor having an axis of sensitivity and a second magnetic sensor having an axis of sensitivity different from the axis of sensitivity of the first magnetic sensor. The movement unit and the detection unit are movable relatively to each other along a movement trajectory. The first and second magnets have facing surfaces, each of which is a projecting curved surface having a shape such that both ends thereof are positioned farther away from the movement trajectory than a center portion thereof. This shape can suppress the linearity error for measured values when the first and second magnets are demagnetized in a high-temperature environment.

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 detection unit is disposed at a position facing a first magnet with a spacer member interposed therebetween, the first magnet is disposed between the spacer member and a second magnet so that a polarity of the first magnet corresponds to a polarity of the second magnet opposite to the polarity of the first magnet, a magnetic force generated from the second magnet reaches a position distant from the detection unit in a space to be detected as compared to a magnetic force generated from the first magnet, a magnetic field is generated by composition of the magnetic force generated from the first magnet and the magnetic force generated from the second magnet, and the detection unit detects the approach of an object to be detected by detecting a change of a magnetic field that occurs when an influence of the magnetic force generated from the second magnet is changed.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes: a magnet mounted in a rotatable rotation body so as to be rotatable with the rotation body; a circular yoke extending in a circular shape so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the magnet around a rotation shaft of the magnet and having a notched portion in a part thereof in an extension direction of the circular yoke; and a magneto-resistive effect element disposed in the notched portion and detecting a direction of a magnetic field generated in the notched portion. A rotation angle of the magnet matches a direction of a magnetic field applied to the GMR element.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder is provided, in which a large output voltage (a large amplitude) is obtained so that the magnetic encoder can have a strong resistance to external noise and so that malfunction can be prevented. Each of first to fourth magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, A3, and A4 has at least a pinned layer, and a free layer in which an internal magnetization direction changes in accordance with external magnetic fields emitted by a magnetic body 11. A magnetization direction ? of the pinned layer is set to be in a first direction (a direction Z2) that is parallel to an outer peripheral side surface 11A and that is perpendicular to rotation directions ra1-ra2, or is set to be in a second direction (a direction Z1) that is opposite to the first direction. Additionally, an initial magnetization direction ? of the free layer is set to be in the first direction (the direction Z2) or the second direction (the direction Z1).

Abstract: A magnet which is attached to a rotary body and which is rotatable together with the rotary body; an annular yoke which extends annularly to surround an outer peripheral surface around a rotary shaft of the magnet and in which a notch portion is formed in a part in the extending direction; and a hall element which is disposed in the notch portion and which detects the strength of a magnetic field in the radial direction of the magnet and detects the strength of a magnetic field in the rotation angle direction perpendicular to the magnetic field in the radial direction of the magnet are provided. The angle of rotation of the magnet is calculated on the basis of signals corresponding to the magnetic field strengths in the radial direction and rotation angle direction detected by the hall element.

Abstract: Soft magnetic material elements are provided on both sides of each of magneto-resistance effect elements with a spacing therebetween. As a result, an external magnetic field generated from a magnet can be pulled to above a substrate on which the magneto-resistance effect element is provided, thereby making it possible to amplify the external magnetic field to be applied to the magneto-resistance effect element to more than in the related art. Since a bias magnetic field is applied to a free magnetic layer, a magnetic sensor is resistant to a disturbance magnetic field. Moreover, since the external magnetic field applied to the magneto-resistance effect element can be amplified, even if the bias magnetic field is applied to the free magnetic layer, the magnetic detection sensitivity can be apparently improved to more than in the related art, thereby increasing the output.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive elements each have a layered structure including a pinned magnetic layer having a magnetization direction pinned in one direction, a free magnetic layer with magnetization being variable by an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic material layer arranged therebetween. Assuming that a center distance between a N-pole and a S-pole of a permanent magnet is ?, the magnetoresistive elements connected in series are arranged in a direction parallel to a relative movement direction with a center distance ? arranged therebetween. Interfaces in the layers of the layered structure of each of the magnetoresistive elements are orthogonal to a facing surface of the permanent magnet, and are in the relative movement direction. The pinned magnetic layers of the magnetoresistive elements have magnetization directions, all the magnetization directions are orthogonal to the relative movement direction in a plane parallel to the interfaces.

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 encoder is provided, in which a large output voltage (a large amplitude) is obtained so that the magnetic encoder can have a strong resistance to external noise and so that malfunction can be prevented. Each of first to fourth magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, A3, and A4 has at least a pinned layer, and a free layer in which an internal magnetization direction changes in accordance with external magnetic fields emitted by a magnetic body 11. A magnetization direction ? of the pinned layer is set to be in a first direction (a direction Z2) that is parallel to an outer peripheral side surface 11A and that is perpendicular to rotation directions ra1-ra2, or is set to be in a second direction (a direction Z1) that is opposite to the first direction. Additionally, an initial magnetization direction ? of the free layer is set to be in the first direction (the direction Z2) or the second direction (the direction Z1).

Abstract: A magnetic detector includes a magnetoresistive element and a fixed resistor that are constituted from identical laminates. Hard bias layers are disposed on two sides of the fixed resistor each with a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A GMR angle sensor for vehicles includes a GMR element in which the element resistance is changed in response to an external magnetic field, lead conductors connected to either end of the GMR element, and a protective layer that seals the GMR element and the lead conductors, wherein the protective layer has a laminated structure including an oxidation-resistant inorganic film that ensures that the GMR element and the lead conductors are sufficiently insulated and a silicone-based organic film laminated on the inorganic film.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic detection device having excellent thermal resistance and water resistance by changing a configuration of layers of an insulating protection layer covering a magnetic detection element. A magnetic detection element is covered with an insulating protection layer, and the insulating protection layer has an alumina layer covering the magnet detection element and a silica layer covering the alumina layer. According to the embodiment, thermal resistance and water resistance can be properly improved, and therefore a magnetic detection device having excellent magnetic sensitivity and a high reliability can be realized without degrading characteristics of the magnetic detection device.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a meandering X-axis array that is constituted by X-axis segments alternately connected, and a meandering Y-axis array that is constituted by Y-axis segments alternately connected. When rotated 90°, the Y-axis array has the same layout as the X-axis array. Such a structure cancels the electrical resistance change due to the AMR effect, thus reducing the waveform distortion of output voltage.

Abstract: A GMR angle sensor for vehicles includes a GMR element in which the element resistance is changed in response to an external magnetic field, lead conductors connected to either end of the GMR element, and a protective layer that seals the GMR element and the lead conductors, wherein the protective layer has a laminated structure including an oxidation-resistant inorganic film that ensures that the GMR element and the lead conductors are sufficiently insulated and a silicone-based organic film laminated on the inorganic film.

Abstract: A method of calculating a compensation value for an angle detecting sensor including a sensor unit, a signal converting section, a signal adjusting section, an arithmetic operation section, a memory section, and a compensator includes a first step of generating two signals having a predetermined phase difference from a plurality of output signals; a second step of calculating a rotation angle of an object from the two signals as an output angle before compensation; and a third step of extracting a candidate signal having a minimum residual energy in the signal after removal as the compensation value when a plurality of candidate signals having the same period but different amplitudes has been removed from a total error signal included in the output angle before compensation.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a meandering X-axis array that is constituted by X-axis segments alternately connected, and a meandering Y-axis array that is constituted by Y-axis segments alternately connected. When rotated 90°, the Y-axis array has the same layout as the X-axis array. Such a structure cancels the electrical resistance change due to the AMR effect, thus reducing the waveform distortion of output voltage.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a meandering X-axis array that is constituted by X-axis segments alternately connected, and a meandering Y-axis array that is constituted by Y-axis segments alternately connected. When rotated 90°, the Y-axis array has the same layout as the X-axis array. Such a structure cancels the electrical resistance change due to the AMR effect, thus reducing the waveform distortion of output voltage.

Abstract: A method of calculating a compensation value for an angle detecting sensor including a sensor unit, a signal converting section, a signal adjusting section, an arithmetic operation section, a memory section, and a compensator includes a first step of generating two signals having a predetermined phase difference from a plurality of output signals; a second step of calculating a rotation angle of an object from the two signals as an output angle before compensation; and a third step of extracting a candidate signal having a minimum residual energy in the signal after removal as the compensation value when a plurality of candidate signals having the same period but different amplitudes has been removed from a total error signal included in the output angle before compensation.

Abstract: The fixed layers of all magnetoresistive elements that are formed on the same substrate are magnetized in the same direction. Chips including magnetoresistive elements are cut out individually from the substrate. A magnetic sensor is assembled by combining cut-out chips together with consideration given to the magnetization directions of the fixed layers of the magnetoresistive elements in the chips. In this manner, the fixed layers of the magnetoresistive elements are magnetized by a sufficiently strong magnetic field for magnetization, whereby an output signal having a large absolute value is obtained from the magnetoresistive elements.