Abstract: A rotation detection sensor is disposed to face an outer peripheral part of a signal rotor, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a position of the outer peripheral part with the rotation of the signal rotor. The rotation detection sensor detects a rotation reference position with the detection of switching from projections to a missing tooth part on the basis of a gap to the signal rotor, and detects switching from the missing tooth part to the projections to output a rotation reference position signal indicative of position information on the rotation reference position at timing of the detection. An ECU receives the detection signal and the rotation reference position signal from the rotation detection sensor, and acquires the rotation reference position on the basis of the rotation reference position signal.

Abstract: A rotation detection sensor is disposed to face an outer peripheral part of a signal rotor, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a position of the outer peripheral part with the rotation of the signal rotor. The rotation detection sensor detects a rotation reference position with the detection of switching from projections to a missing tooth part on the basis of a gap to the signal rotor, and detects switching from the missing tooth part to the projections to output a rotation reference position signal indicative of position information on the rotation reference position at timing of the detection. An ECU receives the detection signal and the rotation reference position signal from the rotation detection sensor, and acquires the rotation reference position on the basis of the rotation reference position signal.

Abstract: A rotation detector includes a semiconductor chip, a nonmagnetic case body, a biasing permanent magnet and a nonmagnetic cap fixed to the case body, wherein the case body has a joint surface, and the cap has an inside surface in contact with the joint surface. A method of manufacturing the rotation detector includes the following steps: assembling the semiconductor chip, the case body and the biasing permanent magnet into a unit; forming at least one groove adjacent to the joint surface so as to form a space between the joint surface and the inside surface when the cap is fixed to the case body; fixing the cap to the case body so that the inside surface of the cap can be in contact with the joint surface; irradiating a laser beam at portions behind the inside surface of the cap under a prescribed pressure to melt materials of the case body and the cap and to make melted materials flow to the space; and cooling the melted materials to re-crystallize.

Abstract: A rotation detector includes a semiconductor chip, a nonmagnetic case body, a biasing permanent magnet and a nonmagnetic cap fixed to the case body, wherein the case body has a joint surface, and the cap has an inside surface in contact with the joint surface. A method of manufacturing the rotation detector includes the following steps: assembling the semiconductor chip, the case body and the biasing permanent magnet into a unit; forming at least one groove adjacent to the joint surface so as to form a space between the joint surface and the inside surface when the cap is fixed to the case body; fixing the cap to the case body so that the inside surface of the cap can be in contact with the joint surface; irradiating a laser beam at portions behind the inside surface of the cap under a prescribed pressure to melt materials of the case body and the cap and to make melted materials flow to the space; and cooling the melted materials to re-crystallize.

Abstract: Rotation detecting apparatus for detecting rotation of a magnetic rotor includes: a sensor chip having a magnetoresistive device; and a bias magnet. The magnetoresistive device is capable of detecting change of a magnetic vector near the sensor chip so that the rotation detecting apparatus detects the rotation of the magnetic rotor. The change of the magnetic vector is generated by the bias magnetic field and the rotation of the magnetic rotor. The bias magnet is disposed around the sensor chip so that a deflection angle of the magnetic vector is controllable.

Abstract: Rotation detecting apparatus for detecting rotation of a magnetic rotor includes: a sensor chip having a magnetoresistive device; and a bias magnet. The magnetoresistive device is capable of detecting change of a magnetic vector near the sensor chip so that the rotation detecting apparatus detects the rotation of the magnetic rotor. The change of the magnetic vector is generated by the bias magnetic field and the rotation of the magnetic rotor. The bias magnet is disposed around the sensor chip so that a deflection angle of the magnetic vector is controllable.

Abstract: A solar sensor comprises a housing, a pair of optical devices, an optical lens and a lens member. The optical devices are disposed in the right side and the left side on the top side of the housing, respectively, of the axis parallel to the direction of travel of a vehicle. The optical lens is disposed above the optical devices and guides incident light toward the optical devices. The lens member comprising solid projections is disposed between the optical devices and the optical lens. The top surface of the lens member is coated with a screen film except the areas under the projections. The lens member makes total quantity of solar irradiation to the optical devices constant in collaboration with the optical lens.

Abstract: Plural photodetectors for receiving light and generating detection signals. A light amount controlling portion is arranged above the photodetectors for controlling an amount of the light to the photodetectors according to an incident angle. A weighting portion for weighting sensitivities of the photodetectors respectively. The sensitivities are weighted to provide a total output characteristic of the weighted detection signals of which magnitude varies according to the incident angle. Weighting is provided by a signal processing circuit by controlling gains, or a translucent film on the photodetectors for controlling transparencies portions above respective photodetectors, or opaque films on the photodetectors for controlling amounts of the light to respective photodetectors. A first function signal may be obtained from a part of photodetectors for an air conditioner and a second function signal may be obtained from all of photodetectors for head lamp on/off controlling.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a quantity of light has a housing, which has an axis along a direction in which light enters with an azimuth of 0°. A right side photodetector is disposed on a left side of the axis, and a left side photodetector is disposed on a right side of the axis. A central photodetector is disposed on the axis with a sensitivity, which is lowered as compared to those of the right side and left side photodetectors. A right side light signal is obtained by outputs from the right side photodetector and the central photodetector, and a left side light signal is obtained by outputs from the left side photodetector and the central photodetector. Accordingly, an adverse effect by a positional shift between a shading member disposed above the photodetectors and the photodetectors is lessened.

Abstract: A solar sensor comprises a housing, a pair of optical devices, an optical lens and a lens member. The optical devices are disposed in the right side and the left side on the top side of the housing, respectively, of the axis parallel to the direction of travel of a vehicle. The optical lens is disposed above the optical devices and guides incident light toward the optical devices. The lens member comprising solid projections is disposed between the optical devices and the optical lens. The top surface of the lens member is coated with a screen film except the areas under the projections. The lens member makes total quantity of solar irradiation to the optical devices constant in collaboration with the optical lens.

Abstract: A temperature control system has a light intensity detection device for providing temperature compensation in accordance with the variation in angle of incident sunlight. The light intensity detection device includes a photoelectric device having a light receiving surface and which produces an electrical output signal in accordance with the intensity of received light. An optical device is disposed between a light source and the light receiving surface. Incident light transmitted through the optical device is re-directed to the light receiving surface by a plurality of prism surfaces disposed on the optical device facing the photoelectric device. The prism surfaces may be concentrically arranged around the optical axis of the photoelectric device.