Abstract: A current sensor for measuring an electric current flowing through a conductor includes a ring shaped magnetic core, a bare semiconductor chip, and a case. The magnetic core has a gap and surrounds the conductor. The bare semiconductor chip has a front surface and a vertical Hall effect element formed on the front surface. The bare semiconductor chip is arranged in the gap of the magnetic core to detect a magnetic field generated by the electric current. The magnetic core and the bare semiconductor chip are accommodated in the case. A back surface of the bare semiconductor chip is fixed in the case in such a manner that the front surface of the bare semiconductor chip is parallel to a direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic core is shaped in a ring having a gap and disposed to surround a conductive wire. When an electric current flows in the conductive wire, a magnetic field is generated in the gap. A sensor package includes a Hall element and a lead frame, which are embedded in a resin mold. The sensor package is disposed in the gap to produce an output signal corresponding to the magnetic field in the gap. The Hall element is positioned in the center of the gap, that is, at the position which is the same distance from the end surfaces of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A mounting structure of a current sensor includes: the current sensor including a detection portion; and a connection member for electrically connecting between a battery post of a battery and a harness. The current sensor is mounted on the connection member. The connection member includes a predetermined portion, a current density of which is higher than that of other portions of the connection member. The detection portion of the current sensor is disposed on the predetermined portion of the connection member when the current sensor is mounted on the connection member. The mounting structure may include a pair of holes, one for connection at the battery post, the other one for connection to the harness.

Abstract: A magnetic core according to the present invention is used in a current sensor for detecting amount of current flowing through a conductor by a Hall element. The magnetic core is made of a resin material, in which a granular magnetic material is dispersed, and is shaped to form a circular magnetic flux passage therein by injection molding. The magnetic core is formed by laminating plural layers in an inside to outside direction of the magnetic core, and a magnetic material content is made higher in the outer layers than in the inner layers. In this manner, uniformity of the magnetic flux density in the core is improved. Alternatively, the magnetic core is made by laminating plural layers having respective magnetic material content ratios in its thickness direction to adjust magnetic saturation to a desired level. A measurable range of electric current is widened by suppressing magnetic saturation in the magnetic core without increasing its size.

Abstract: A current detection apparatus includes a magnetic core having a ring shape with a gap and a center opening portion through which a current path is disposed, and a magnetic sensor including a magnetic sensing element such as a Hall effect element arranged in the gap. When a current flows through the current path, the magnetic core generates magnetic flux therein so that magnetic field is generated in the gap. The magnetic sensor outputs different electrical signals, each of which is measured in a different measurement range and corresponds to intensity of the magnetic field in the gap. The current detection apparatus measures the current based on the electrical signals outputted from the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a ring shaped magnetic core having a center opening and a gap and provided to a surface of the substrate, and a Hall element provided to the surface and placed in the gap of the magnetic core such that a control current for operating the Hall element flows perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The magnetic core and the Hall element are formed to the substrate by semiconductor manufacturing techniques. Therefore, the Hall element can be placed in the gap to be accurately positioned with respect to the magnetic core and the gap can have a reduced separation distance. Thus, the current sensor can have an increased sensitivity and accurately measure a current to be detected.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit for detecting a magnetic field includes: a magneto-electric conversion element for detecting the magnetic field and converting a detected magnetic field to an electric signal, a conductive pattern for flowing a test current therethrough, the conductive pattern disposed around the magneto-electric conversion element; a detection element for detecting the electric signal of the magneto-electric conversion element when the test current flows through the conductive pattern; and an output element for outputting a test result based on the electric signal detected by the detection element

Abstract: A current sensor for measuring an electric current flowing through a conductor includes a ring shaped magnetic core, a bare semiconductor chip, and a case. The magnetic core has a gap and surrounds the conductor. The bare semiconductor chip has a front surface and a vertical Hall effect element formed on the front surface. The bare semiconductor chip is arranged in the gap of the magnetic core to detect a magnetic field generated by the electric current. The magnetic core and the bare semiconductor chip are accommodated in the case. A back surface of the bare semiconductor chip is fixed in the case in such a manner that the front surface of the bare semiconductor chip is parallel to a direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic core is shaped in a ring having a gap and disposed to surround a conductive wire. When an electric current flows in the conductive wire, a magnetic field is generated in the gap. A sensor package includes a Hall element and a lead frame, which are embedded in a resin mold. The sensor package is disposed in the gap to produce an output signal corresponding to the magnetic field in the gap. The Hall element is positioned in the center of the gap, that is, at the position which is the same distance from the end surfaces of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A temperature sensor utilizes the temperature characteristics of a resistance element to detect the temperature by sensing a change in the temperature as a change in the resistance of the resistance element. The resistance element includes a first resistance element which is arranged at such an angle that the resistance thereof increases relative to an angular change in one direction of a magnetic vector that is imparted, and a second resistance element which is arranged at such an angle that the resistance thereof decreases relative thereto. The change in the temperature is sensed as a change in the added value of resistances of the first and second resistance elements.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a ring shaped magnetic core having a center opening and a gap and provided to a surface of the substrate, and a Hall element provided to the surface and placed in the gap of the magnetic core such that a control current for operating the Hall element flows perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The magnetic core and the Hall element are formed to the substrate by semiconductor manufacturing techniques. Therefore, the Hall element can be placed in the gap to be accurately positioned with respect to the magnetic core and the gap can have a reduced separation distance. Thus, the current sensor can have an increased sensitivity and accurately measure a current to be detected.

Abstract: A current sensor for measuring an electric current flowing through a current bus bar includes: a magnetic core with an opening, through which the current bus bar passes with a predetermined interval; and a first magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic flux density in the magnetic core, the magnetic flux density generated by the electric current passing through the current bus bar. The magnetic core has a first gap and a second gap. The first magnetic sensor is disposed in the first gap. The second gap is capable of preventing magnetic saturation of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A capacitance type humidity sensor includes: a detection substrate including a detection portion on a first side of the detection substrate; and a circuit board including a circuit portion. The detection portion detects humidity on the basis of capacitance change of the detection portion. The circuit portion processes the capacitance change as an electric signal. The detection substrate further includes a sensor pad on a second side of the detection substrate. The sensor pad is electrically connected to the detection portion through a conductor in a through hole of the detection substrate.

Abstract: A current detection apparatus includes a magnetic core having a ring shape with a gap and a center opening portion through which a current path is disposed, and a magnetic sensor including a magnetic sensing element such as a Hall effect element arranged in the gap. When a current flows through the current path, the magnetic core generates magnetic flux therein so that magnetic field is generated in the gap. The magnetic sensor outputs different electrical signals, each of which is measured in a different measurement range and corresponds to intensity of the magnetic field in the gap. The current detection apparatus measures the current based on the electrical signals outputted from the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A mounting structure of a current sensor includes: the current sensor including a detection portion; and a connection member for electrically connecting between a battery post of a battery and a harness. The current sensor is mounted on the connection member. The connection member includes a predetermined portion, a current density of which is higher than that of other portions of the connection member. The detection portion of the current sensor is disposed on the predetermined portion of the connection member when the current sensor is mounted on the connection member.

Abstract: An N-type epitaxial layer is formed on a p-type silicon substrate. Four N+ regions (diffusion regions used as electrodes) are formed in the N-type epitaxial layer. An insulation layer having a fixed depth is formed around each of the N+ regions on a principal surface of an epitaxial layer. The insulation layer restricts a current path region formed between the N+ regions. Side surfaces of the N+ regions are covered by the insulation layer. The N+ regions are brought into contact with the epitaxial layer by a bottom surface exposed from the insulation layer.

Abstract: A capacitance type humidity sensor includes: a detection substrate including a detection portion on a first side of the detection substrate; and a circuit board including a circuit portion. The detection portion detects humidity on the basis of capacitance change of the detection portion. The circuit portion processes the capacitance change as an electric signal. The detection substrate further includes a sensor pad on a second side of the detection substrate. The sensor pad is electrically connected to the detection portion through a conductor in a through hole of the detection substrate.

Abstract: A current sensor for measuring an electric current flowing through a current bus bar includes: a magnetic core with an opening, through which the current bus bar passes with a predetermined interval; and a first magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic flux density in the magnetic core, the magnetic flux density generated by the electric current passing through the current bas bar. The magnetic core has a first gap and a second gap. The first magnetic sensor is disposed in the first gap. The second gap is capable of preventing magnetic saturation of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A temperature sensor utilizes the temperature characteristics of a resistance element to detect the temperature by sensing a change in the temperature as a change in the resistance of the resistance element. The resistance element includes a first resistance element which is arranged at such an angle that the resistance thereof increases relative to an angular change in one direction of a magnetic vector that is imparted, and a second resistance element which is arranged at such an angle that the resistance thereof decreases relative thereto. The change in the temperature is sensed as a change in the added value of resistances of the first and second resistance elements.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor (10) includes a plurality of magneto-resistive elements (R1 to R8) constituting each magneto-resistive element bridge (11, 12) disposed symmetrically. When the resistance values of the magneto-resistive elements (R1 to R8) patterned are varied in accordance with the angle thereof, the deviation of the center value of the offset voltage of the bridge circuit constructed by the plural magneto-resistive elements can be eliminated.