Abstract: This sensor unit includes a base having a substantially-rectangular planar shape including a first side and a second side that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of first sensors provided on the base and arranged on a first axis. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first side and passes through a center position of the base.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position detector, a second position detector, and a signal generator. The first position detector includes a first magnetic field generation unit, a second magnetic field generation unit, and a first magnetic sensor. The second position detector includes a third magnetic field generation unit, a fourth magnetic field generation unit, and a second magnetic sensor. The positions of the second and fourth magnetic field generation units vary in response to variations in a detection-target position. The signal generator generates a position detection signal, which is the sum of a first detection signal generated by the first magnetic sensor and a second detection signal generated by the second magnetic sensor. Each of the first and second position detectors includes a bias magnetic field generation unit.

Abstract: This sensor unit includes a base having a substantially-rectangular planar shape including a first side and a second side that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of first sensors provided on the base and arranged on a first axis. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first side and passes through a center position of the base.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position detector, a second position detector, and a signal generator. The first position detector includes a first magnetic field generation unit, a second magnetic field generation unit, and a first magnetic sensor. The second position detector includes a third magnetic field generation unit, a fourth magnetic field generation unit, and a second magnetic sensor. The positions of the second and fourth magnetic field generation units vary in response to variations in a detection-target position. The signal generator generates a position detection signal, which is the sum of a first detection signal generated by the first magnetic sensor and a second detection signal generated by the second magnetic sensor. Each of the first and second position detectors includes a bias magnetic field generation unit.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided that can attenuate a magnetic field in a direction that is perpendicular to the magnetic field detecting direction at a higher rate than the magnetic field in the magnetic field detecting direction. Magnetic sensor 1 has: first soft magnetic layer 3; a pair of second soft magnetic layers 4A, 4B that is positioned at a location that is different from first soft magnetic layer 3 in the Z direction of first soft magnetic layer 3; and magnetic field detecting element 2 that is positioned between first soft magnetic layer 3 and second soft magnetic layers 4A, 4B in the Z direction, wherein magnetic field detecting element 2 has a magnetic field detecting direction that is parallel to a direction in which the pair of second soft magnetic layers 4A, 4B is arranged.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided that can attenuate a magnetic field in a direction that is perpendicular to the magnetic field detecting direction at a higher rate than the magnetic field in the magnetic field detecting direction. Magnetic sensor 1 has: first soft magnetic layer 3; a pair of second soft magnetic layers 4A, 4B that is positioned at a location that is different from first soft magnetic layer 3 in the Z direction of first soft magnetic layer 3; and magnetic field detecting element 2 that is positioned between first soft magnetic layer 3 and second soft magnetic layers 4A, 4B in the Z direction, wherein magnetic field detecting element 2 has a magnetic field detecting direction that is parallel to a direction in which the pair of second soft magnetic layers 4A, 4B is arranged.

Abstract: In a magnetic sensor, first and second resistors are provided in a path that connects a power supply port and a first output port, and third and fourth resistors are provided in a path that connects a ground port and the first output port. In a direction parallel to an X direction, both of a distance between the first resistor and the second resistor and a distance between the third resistor and the fourth resistor are ?/2, and a distance between the first resistor and the third resistor is zero. A magnetization of a magnetization pinned layer in the first and fourth resistors contains a component in a ?X direction. The magnetization of the magnetization pinned layer in the second and third resistors contains a component in the X direction.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position detector, a second position detector, and a signal generator. The first position detector includes a first magnetic field generation unit, a second magnetic field generation unit, and a first magnetic sensor. The second position detector includes a third magnetic field generation unit, a fourth magnetic field generation unit, and a second magnetic sensor. The positions of the second and fourth magnetic field generation units vary in response to variations in a detection-target position. The signal generator generates a position detection signal, which is the sum of a first detection signal generated by the first magnetic sensor and a second detection signal generated by the second magnetic sensor. Each of the first and second position detectors includes a bias magnetic field generation unit.

Abstract: This sensor unit includes a base having a substantially-rectangular planar shape including a first side and a second side that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of first sensors provided on the base and arranged on a first axis. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first side and passes through a center position of the base.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes first to fourth resistors, a power supply port, a ground port, a first output port, and a second output port. The first resistor and the second resistor are located in a first region and connected in series via a first connection point connected to the first output port. The third resistor and the fourth resistor are located in a second region and connected in series via a second connection point connected to the second output port, at least a part of the second region being located at a position different from the first region in a direction parallel to an X direction. The first and second resistors are located between the third and fourth resistors in a direction parallel to a Y direction.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a magnetoresistive effect element including a first side surface and a second side surface facing in opposite directions along a first axis and a first end surface and a second end surface facing in opposite directions along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The sensor has a sensitivity axis extending in a direction of the first axis, a first yoke unit provided adjacent to the first side surface of the magnetoresistive effect element, and a first bias magnetic field generation unit provided adjacent to the first end surface of the magnetoresistive effect element. The first bias magnetic field generation unit is provided to be capable of applying a bias magnetic field on the magnetoresistive effect element and the first yoke unit.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position detector, a second position detector, and a signal generator. The first position detector includes a first magnetic field generation unit, a second magnetic field generation unit, and a first magnetic sensor. The second position detector includes a third magnetic field generation unit, a fourth magnetic field generation unit, and a second magnetic sensor. The positions of the second and fourth magnetic field generation units vary in response to variations in a detection-target position. The signal generator generates a position detection signal, which is the sum of a first detection signal generated by the first magnetic sensor and a second detection signal generated by the second magnetic sensor. Each of the first and second position detectors includes a bias magnetic field generation unit.

Abstract: A method of designing a magnetic sensor that can easily accommodate various design conditions is provided. The method has: preparing magnetic sensors, wherein, for each magnetic sensor, magnetization directions of the first to fourth magnetically pinned layers form first to fourth angles ?1 to ?4 relative to a specific reference angle, respectively, and ?1=?3, ?2=?4, ?1??2, and each magnetic sensor has a value of ?1-?2 that is different from values of ?1-?2 of remaining magnetic sensors, for each magnetic sensor, obtaining a relationship between an angular range of the magnetization direction of the first to fourth magnetically free layers and an output range of the magnetic sensor, wherein the angular range satisfies a specific linear relationship between the magnetization direction and the output of the magnetic sensor, and selecting a magnetic sensor that satisfies required conditions for the angular range and the output range from among the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: This sensor unit includes a base having a substantially-rectangular planar shape including a first side and a second side that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of first sensors provided on the base and arranged on a first axis. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first side and passes through a center position of the base.

Abstract: A pair of bias magnets applies a bias magnetic field to the magneto-resistive effect element, the bias magnetic field having a component in a direction such that the component cancels the external magnetic field that is applied to the magneto-resistive effect element and a component that is perpendicular to the external magnetic field. The bias magnet has an elongate cross section in a plane that is parallel both to the external magnetic field and to the bias magnetic field. In a projection plane that is parallel to the cross section and onto which the bias magnets and the magneto-resistive effect element are projected, the bias magnet includes an element facing side that is opposite to the magneto-resistive effect element and that extends in a longitudinal direction. The bias magnet is magnetized in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The element facing side is longer than other sides.

Abstract: A method of designing a magnetic sensor that can easily accommodate various design conditions is provided. The method has: preparing magnetic sensors, wherein, for each magnetic sensor, magnetization directions of the first to fourth magnetically pinned layers form first to fourth angles ?1 to ?4 relative to a specific reference angle, respectively, and ?1=?3, ?2=?4, ?1??2, and each magnetic sensor has a value of ?1-?2 that is different from values of 01-02 of remaining magnetic sensors, for each magnetic sensor, obtaining a relationship between an angular range of the magnetization direction of the first to fourth magnetically free layers and an output range of the magnetic sensor, wherein the angular range satisfies a specific linear relationship between the magnetization direction and the output of the magnetic sensor, and selecting a magnetic sensor that satisfies required conditions for the angular range and the output range from among the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a magnetoresistive effect element including a first side surface and a second side surface facing in opposite directions along a first axis and a first end surface and a second end surface facing in opposite directions along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The sensor has a sensitivity axis extending in a direction of the first axis, a first yoke unit provided adjacent to the first side surface of the magnetoresistive effect element, and a first bias magnetic field generation unit provided adjacent to the first end surface of the magnetoresistive effect element. The first bias magnetic field generation unit is provided to be capable of applying a bias magnetic field on the magnetoresistive effect element and the first yoke unit.

Abstract: Magnetic sensor assembly 1 has first member 10 having first to third magnetic sensors 13A to 13C, and second member 20 having first to third magnets 22A to 22C. Second member 20 can be moved in X and Y directions and can be rotated about a Z axis relative to first member 10. Output of first to third magnetic sensors 13A to 13C monotonously changes. A change of the output of first magnetic sensor and a change of the output of second magnetic sensor are different from each other. First to third magnets are positioned on first to third straight lines L1 to L3. A first angle that is formed between first straight line L1 and X axis, a second angle that is formed between second straight line L2 and X axis, and a third angle that is formed between third straight line L3 and Y axis are same.

Abstract: A pair of bias magnets applies a bias magnetic field to the magneto-resistive effect element, the bias magnetic field having a component in a direction such that the component cancels the external magnetic field that is applied to the magneto-resistive effect element and a component that is perpendicular to the external magnetic field. The bias magnet has an elongate cross section in a plane that is parallel both to the external magnetic field and to the bias magnetic field. In a projection plane that is parallel to the cross section and onto which the bias magnets and the magneto-resistive effect element are projected, the bias magnet includes an element facing side that is opposite to the magneto-resistive effect element and that extends in a longitudinal direction. The bias magnet is magnetized in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The element facing side is longer than other sides.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a magnetoresistive effect element including a first side surface and a second side surface facing in opposite directions along a first axis and a first end surface and a second end surface facing in opposite directions along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The sensor has a sensitivity axis extending in a direction of the first axis, a first yoke unit provided adjacent to the first side surface of the magnetoresistive effect element, and a first bias magnetic field generation unit provided adjacent to the first end surface of the magnetoresistive effect element. The first bias magnetic field generation unit is provided to be capable of applying a bias magnetic field on the magnetoresistive effect element and the first yoke unit.