Abstract: A power generation element and an actuator for vibration power generation is provided that can be mass-produced at low cost while achieving increase in electromotive force. A power generation element includes a main series magnetic circuit having a frame yoke made of magnetic material and provided with a fixed portion that is one end and a free portion that is the other end across a U-shaped bent portion, a main magnet that applies a magnetic bias to the frame yoke, and a first gap formed at a position in contact with the free portion; and an auxiliary series magnetic circuit having an auxiliary yoke made of magnetic material and attached to the frame yoke, an auxiliary magnet that gives a magnetic bias to the auxiliary yoke, a second gap formed at a position facing the first gap across the free portion, the frame yoke, the main magnet, and the first gap.

Abstract: A power generation element and an actuator for vibration power generation is provided that can be mass-produced at low cost while achieving increase in electromotive force. A power generation element includes a main series magnetic circuit having a frame yoke made of magnetic material and provided with a fixed portion that is one end and a free portion that is the other end across a U-shaped bent portion, a main magnet that applies a magnetic bias to the frame yoke, and a first gap formed at a position in contact with the free portion; and an auxiliary series magnetic circuit having an auxiliary yoke made of magnetic material and attached to the frame yoke, an auxiliary magnet that gives a magnetic bias to the auxiliary yoke, a second gap formed at a position facing the first gap across the free portion, the frame yoke, the main magnet, and the first gap.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device disposed in an elongated magnetic sensor, for example, has two parallel arrays of magnetosensitive elements arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction. The magnetosensitive elements are connected in series through connection conductors, in a meandering pattern. The magnetoresistive device is disposed between two other magnetoresistive devices. The magnetoresistive devices are arranged such that the intervals between the magnetosensitive elements disposed at the ends of a magnetoresistive in the longitudinal direction and the opposed magnetosensitive elements of the magnetoresistive devices, respectively, are equal to the intervals between the magnetoresistive elements within the magnetoresistive devices.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device disposed in an elongated magnetic sensor, for example, has two parallel arrays of magnetosensitive elements arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction. The magnetosensitive elements are connected in series through connection conductors, in a meandering pattern. The magnetoresistive device is disposed between two other magnetoresistive devices. The magnetoresistive devices are arranged such that the intervals between the magnetosensitive elements disposed at the ends of a magnetoresistive in the longitudinal direction and the opposed magnetosensitive elements of the magnetoresistive devices, respectively, are equal to the intervals between the magnetoresistive elements within the magnetoresistive devices.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetosensitive portions of a plurality of magnetic resistance elements and a plurality of magnets are aligned substantially linearly to be perpendicular to a moving direction of a detection object, and directions of magnetic poles of the magnets are alternately inversed, such that directions of magnetic fluxes, which are perpendicular to a surface on which the magnetosensitive portions of the magnetic resistance elements are arranged, of the continuously disposed magnets, are alternately inverse.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetosensitive portions of a plurality of magnetic resistance elements and a plurality of magnets are aligned substantially linearly to be perpendicular to a moving direction of a detection object, and directions of magnetic poles of the magnets are alternately inversed, such that directions of magnetic fluxes, which are perpendicular to a surface on which the magnetosensitive portions of the magnetic resistance elements are arranged, of the continuously disposed magnets, are alternately inverse.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a plurality of rows of elements in each of which a plurality of magnetoresistive elements are aligned in a direction which intersects at a predetermined angle the passing direction of an object to be detected, the object including magnetic patterns, the plurality of rows of elements being staggered in the passing direction of the object to be detected. Each of the magnetoresistive elements includes a magnetic sensitive region, and each of the magnetoresistive elements in one of the rows of elements is aligned so that the magnetic sensitive region overlaps the magnetic sensitive region of the magnetoresistive element in another row in the passing direction of the object to be detected. Accordingly, the whole region passed by the object in the alignment direction of the magnetoresistive elements is a magnetic sensitive region.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a plurality of rows of elements in each of which a plurality of magnetoresistive elements are aligned in a direction which intersects at a predetermined angle the passing direction of an object to be detected, the object including magnetic patterns, the plurality of rows of elements being staggered in the passing direction of the object to be detected. Each of the magnetoresistive elements includes a magnetic sensitive region, and each of the magnetoresistive elements in one of the rows of elements is aligned so that the magnetic sensitive region overlaps the magnetic sensitive region of the magnetoresistive element in another row in the passing direction of the object to be detected. Accordingly, the whole region passed by the object in the alignment direction of the magnetoresistive elements is a magnetic sensitive region.