Abstract: A position detection apparatus includes a magnetic unit and a sensor. The magnetic unit includes a magnetic member and a retainer. The magnetic member includes a magnet and a first magnetic yoke. The magnet extends in an axial direction and has a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, and a first maximum outer diameter in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The cross-section has a substantially constant area in the axial direction. The first magnetic yoke is disposed adjacent to the magnet in the axial direction and has a second maximum outer diameter in the radial direction. The second maximum outer diameter is greater than the first maximum outer diameter. The retainer extends in the axial direction and retains the magnetic member. The sensor detects a magnetic field that changes in association with a movement of the magnetic unit along the axial direction.

Abstract: An angle detection apparatus includes a magnetic sensing element, a magnetic field generator, and a yoke. The magnetic field generator is rotatable around a rotation axis with respect to the magnetic sensing element and generates a magnetic field. The yoke is disposed in a magnetic-field influence region and is rotatable together with the magnetic field generator. The magnetic-field influence region is a region that lies between the magnetic field generator and the magnetic sensing element in a rotation axis direction along the rotation axis, and that is to be influenced by the magnetic field.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus includes a magnetic unit and a sensor. The magnetic unit includes a magnetic member and a retainer. The magnetic member includes a magnet and a first magnetic yoke. The magnet extends in an axial direction and has a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, and a first maximum outer diameter in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The cross-section has a substantially constant area in the axial direction. The first magnetic yoke is disposed adjacent to the magnet in the axial direction and has a second maximum outer diameter in the radial direction. The second maximum outer diameter is greater than the first maximum outer diameter. The retainer extends in the axial direction and retains the magnetic member. The sensor detects a magnetic field that changes in association with a movement of the magnetic unit along the axial direction.

Abstract: A lens drive unit that prevents an actuator from being inclined is provided. In the lens drive unit, when a lens frame is displaced in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the actuator extends and contracts with respect to a base member by, for example, impact from an outside of the lens drive unit, a drive shaft of the actuator abuts on a first lateral wall and a column, so that the actuator is prevented from being inclined with respect to the base member.

Abstract: A lens drive unit that offers enhanced reliability in connection between an actuator electrode and an electric wire is provided. In the lens drive unit, an actuator has a weight housed in an holding portion of a base member and is thereby fixed in the base member. Electrodes on a lateral surface of the weight directly contact respective terminal electrodes on an inner lateral surface of the holding portion, so that an electrical connection is established therebetween. The arrangement enhances reliability in connection between the actuator electrodes and the terminal electrodes.

Abstract: A position detecting device includes a first bias magnet and a second bias magnet and a detecting element configured to detect a direction of a magnetic field generated by the first magnet and the second magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet are disposed with magnetic poles thereof having the same polarity arranged opposing each other. The direction of the magnetic field detected by the detecting element changes when an object to be detected D moves in an opposing direction between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: A lens drive unit that prevents an actuator from being inclined is provided. In the lens drive unit, when a lens frame is displaced in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the actuator extends and contracts with respect to a base member by, for example, impact from an outside of the lens drive unit, a drive shaft of the actuator abuts on a first lateral wall and a column, so that the actuator is prevented from being inclined with respect to the base member.

Abstract: A lens drive unit that offers enhanced reliability in connection between an actuator electrode and an electric wire is provided. In the lens drive unit, an actuator has a weight housed in an holding portion of a base member and is thereby fixed in the base member. Electrodes on a lateral surface of the weight directly contact respective terminal electrodes on an inner lateral surface of the holding portion, so that an electrical connection is established therebetween. The arrangement enhances reliability in connection between the actuator electrodes and the terminal electrodes.

Abstract: A position detecting device includes a first bias magnet and a second bias magnet and a detecting element configured to detect a direction of a magnetic field generated by the first magnet and the second magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet are disposed with magnetic poles thereof having the same polarity arranged opposing each other. The direction of the magnetic field detected by the detecting element changes when an object to be detected D moves in an opposing direction between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic position detection device that can detect position even if there is only one object magnet. A magnetic position detection device includes a bias magnet, a magnetic detection element, an object magnet, and a mobile object. Opposite poles of the bias magnet and of the object magnet face each other. The magnetic detection element is disposed between pole surfaces of the bias magnet and of the object magnet. The magnetic detection element is fixed to the bias magnet and has a fixed positional relationship to the bias magnet. The orientation of the magnetic field at the magnetic detection element changes in accordance with the position of the object magnet. The magnetic detection element detects the orientation of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic detection element.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a bias magnetic field generator and a magnetic detection element disposed on one side of the bias magnetic field generator, in a magnetic pole direction. The magnetic sensor identifies a medium, that is a magnetic powder adhered medium or a magnetic film adhered medium, passing across the magnetic detection element on the side opposite to the bias magnetic field generator. The magnetic detection element detects variation in a magnetic field component parallel to a movement direction of the medium identified. A passage region of the medium includes a specific region in which a magnetic field increases when distance from the magnetic detection element becomes larger in the magnetic pole direction.

Abstract: Magnetic members are arranged along a straight line and can be placed face-to-face with spin-valve magnetoresistive elements. The magnetic pole faces of the magnetic members which can be face-to-face with the spin-valve magnetoresistive elements have different magnetic polarities from the magnetic pole faces of neighboring magnetic members. The magnetic members are arranged at a uniform pitch. Each magnetic member is spaced from neighboring magnetic members. X/P is from 40% to 60%, where X is length of each magnetic member along an arrangement direction of the magnetic members, and P is pitch of the magnetic members along the arrangement direction.

Abstract: Magnetic members are arranged along a straight line and can be placed face-to-face with spin-valve magnetoresistive elements. The magnetic pole faces of the magnetic members which can be face-to-face with the spin-valve magnetoresistive elements have different magnetic polarities from the magnetic pole faces of neighboring magnetic members. The magnetic members are arranged at a uniform pitch. Each magnetic member is spaced from neighboring magnetic members. X/P is from 40% to 60%, where X is length of each magnetic member along an arrangement direction of the magnetic members, and P is pitch of the magnetic members along the arrangement direction.

Abstract: A moving body detecting apparatus including at least a gear 1 as a magnetic moving body including at least one of a projected portion or a recessed portion, a bias magnet 5 for applying a bias magnetic field thereto, and two pairs of spin valve type giant magneto resistive elements R1, R2 and R3, R4, in which the moving body detecting apparatus is arranged such that magnetizing directions of pinned layers of the paired spin valve type giant magneto resistive elements are directed to direct substantially in a forward direction and substantially in an opposite direction relative to the direction of moving the gear 1, for example, linearly.

Abstract: A moving object detection device has a magnetic sensor element, a permanent magnet for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor element; a board on which electronic parts are mounted, a holder; and a case. The holder has an integral approximately box-shaped support part to hold the magnet and the board, and the holder is inserted into the case so that the magnetic sensor element, the permanent magnet, and the board are contained in the case. The holder and the case are fitted and fastened to each other by concave-convex-shaped elements.

Abstract: A moving body detecting apparatus including at least a gear 1 as a magnetic moving body including at least one of a projected portion or a recessed portion, a bias magnet 5 for applying a bias magnetic field thereto, and two pairs of spin valve type giant magneto resistive elements R1, R2 and R3, R4, in which the moving body detecting apparatus is arranged such that magnetizing directions of pinned layers of the paired spin valve type giant magneto resistive elements are directed to direct substantially in a forward direction and substantially in an opposite direction relative to the direction of moving the gear 1, for example, linearly.

Abstract: A moving object detection device has a magnetic sensor element, a permanent magnet for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor element; a board on which electronic parts are mounted, a holder; and a case. The holder has an integral approximately box-shaped support part to hold the magnet and the board, and the holder is inserted into the case so that the magnetic sensor element, the permanent magnet, and the board are contained in the case. The holder and the case are fitted and fastened to each other by concave-convex-shaped elements.