Abstract: A magnetic field sensing element comprises an underlayer formed on a substrate, a giant magnetoresistance element formed on the underlayer for detecting a change in a magnetic field, and an integrated circuit formed on the substrate for carrying out predetermined arithmetic processing based on a change in a magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance element, wherein the giant magnetoresistance element and the integrated circuit are formed on the same surface.

Abstract: A magnetic detector for detecting a rotational angle of a gear-like rotary member of magnet material generates twice as many pulses as the number of projected or recessed portions of the rotary member of magnetic material. The magnetic detector comprises a magnet for generating a magnetic field, a rotary member of magnetic material disposed with a predetermined gap retaining relative to the magnet, and an magnetic field sensing device for detecting changes in the magnetic field by movement of the moving member of magnetic material. The magnetic field sensing device is disposed relative to the magnet so that a center axis of the magnetic field sensing device is aligned with a center axis of the magnet wherein a magnetic field acting on the magnetic field sensing device changes from positive to negative and from negative to positive with the movement of the moving member of magnetic material.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensing element comprises an underlayer formed on a substrate, a giant magnetoresistance element formed on the underlayer for detecting a change in a magnetic field, and an integrated circuit formed on the substrate for carrying out predetermined arithmetic processing based on a change in a magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance element, wherein the giant magnetoresistance element and the integrated circuit are formed on the same surface.

Abstract: A knock control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a knock detector for extracting a vibration component superposed on an ion current, and waveform shaping it at a predetermined threshold value to generate a train of knock pulses (Kp) of which the number of pulses indicates a knock intensity of a knock generated in the internal combustion engine, and an engine control unit for counting the number of knock pulses (npn) in the knock pulse train (Kp) output from the knock detector. The engine control unit judges, based on the number of knock pulses (npn), whether or not a knock is occurring. The engine control unit performs a peak hold of the number of knock pulses to calculate the knock judgement threshold value (BGL) by multiplying the number of pulses by (&agr;). Thus, precision in knock judgement is improved by performing knock judgement based on a maximum value (MAX) of the number of knock pulses (npn).

Abstract: A magnetic field sensing element comprises an underlayer formed on a substrate, a giant magnetoresistance element formed on the underlayer for detecting a change in a magnetic field, and an integrated circuit formed on the substrate for carrying out predetermined arithmetic processing based on a change in a magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance element, wherein the giant magnetoresistance element and the integrated circuit are formed on the same surface.

Abstract: A misfire detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine detects only an ion current due to combustion of an air/fuel mixture regardless of a leakage current when combustion: takes place normally.

Abstract: A misfire detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine which is capable of detecting only an ion current due to combustion of an air/fuel mixture regardless of occurrence of a leak current so far as the combustion takes place normally.

Abstract: To obtain a knock detection apparatus which may obtain a good knock pulse S/N even if an ionic current generation amount is changed by the change of a kind of fuel or plugs, a knock detection apparatus for detecting a knock generated, in an internal combustion engine, in which a vibratory component superimposed on an ionic current generated by combustion of fuel is extracted, the component that is equal to or more than a knock detection threshold value is shaped in waveform into a pulse waveform, a knock strength is calculated through counting and calculation process of the number of pulses of the pulse waveform by an engine controlling unit, an ignition timing is controlled on the basis of the knock strength, comprises a knock detection threshold value adjusting unit for changing the knock detection threshold value on the basis of information of an ionic current.

Abstract: To provide a combustion condition detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which may well detect the combustion conditions such as discrimination of a combustion cylinder and knock generating condition and may reduce a circuit scale therefor, there are provided an ignition coil 21 provided for each cylinder; an ignition plug 20 for discharging by the application of the ignition high tension voltage to ignite mixture within the cylinder; a bias circuit 1 provided for each cylinder for applying a bias voltage to the ignition plug 20; an ionic current detection circuit 2 provided for each cylinder for detecting as an ionic current detection signal an ionic current 6 generated in the cylinder that is immediately after the combustion of the mixture; a knock signal processing circuit 4 provided one for a combination of a plurality of cylinders that are every two or more cylinders in ignition order on the basis of a sum of the ionic current detection signals; and an ECU 5 for detecting the combustion c

Abstract: To obtain a knock detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine which may obtain a good knock pulse S/N even if an ionic current generation amount is changed by the change of a kind of fuel or plugs, a vibratory component superimposed on an ionic current generated by combustion of fuel is extracted and shaped in waveform into a pulse waveform by comparison with a threshold value, the number of the pulses in the pulse waveform is calculated by a calculation unit, and a control of an ignition timing is performed on the basis of an output result of the calculation unit. The knock detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises an integration circuit for integrating (charging) the vibratory component superimposed on the ionic current and a discharge circuit for discharging a predetermined amount of charge from the integrated charge. The threshold value is self-adjusted by a balance of charge/discharge between the integration circuit and the discharge circuit.

Abstract: A knock control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a knock detector for extracting a vibration component superposed on an ion current, and waveform shaping it at a predetermined threshold value to generate a train of knock pulses (Kp) of which the number of pulses indicates a knock intensity of a knock generated in the internal combustion engine, and an engine control unit for counting the number of knock pulses (npn) in the knock pulse train (Kp) output from the knock detector. The engine control unit judges, based on the number of knock pulses (npn), whether or not a knock is occurring. The engine control unit performs a peak hold of the number of knock pulses to calculate the knock judgement threshold value (BGL) by multiplying the number of pulses by (&agr;). Thus, precision in knock judgement is improved by performing knock judgement based on a maximum value (MAX) of the number of knock pulses (npn).

Abstract: A magnetic detector having high productivity is provided by producing a connector and a base as separate units, electrically interconnecting them, forming a cut-out portion in a press-in portion of the base, and injecting a thermosetting resin adhesive into a whole case. The case also has a recess portion that prevents excess injected resin from leaking to the outside of the case. The structure of the base also allows for easier injection of resin and simplified connection of the magnetic resistance element to the base.

Abstract: A magnetic detector is disclosed which can output pulses as many as twice the number of projected or recessed portions of a rotary member of magnetic material. The magnetic detector comprises a magnet for generating a magnetic field, a rotary member of magnetic material disposed with a predetermined gap retaining relative to the magnet and being able to change the magnetic field generated by the magnet, and an in-plane-sensitive magnetic field sensing device for detecting changes in the magnetic field by movement of the moving member of magnetic material. The magnetic field sensing device is arranged in a region where a magnetic field acting on the magnetic field sensing device changes from positive to negative and from negative to positive with the movement of the moving member of magnetic material.

Abstract: A combustion state detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine is imparted with facility for determining discriminatively the causes for non-occurrence of combustion.

Abstract: A magnetic detector to detect a magnetic object's rotation and movement using a magnetoresistive element having hysteresis. The magnetoresistive element is set so as to tilt from the magnetizing direction of a magnet up to a predetermined angle &thgr; between the rotational magnetic object to be detected and the magnet. The magnetic detector provides a high accuracy signal that corresponds to the distance between the rotational magnetic object to be detected and the magnetoresistive element. The signal obtained is independent of the rotational direction or rotational speed of the magnetic object to be detected or the atmospheric temperature of an apparatus. Moreover, the temperature dependency of the output signal (amplitude) of the magnetoresistive element is decreased.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic detector in which a GMR device is operated within the limited range of a magnetic field so as to optimize a temperature characteristic of changes in resistance value and to improve noise resistance. The magnetic detector comprises a magnet (4) for generating a magnetic field, a rotary member (2) of magnetic material arranged with a predetermined gap left relative to the magnet and provided with projections capable of changing the magnetic field generated by the magnet, and a giant magnetoresistance device (3) of which resistance value is changed depending on the magnetic field changed by the rotary member of magnetic material. The giant magnetoresistance device is arranged to have such a predetermined gap relative to the magnet that the giant magnetoresistance device operates under a magnetic field applied to change in a predetermined amplitude range, e.g.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensing element comprises an underlayer formed on a substrate, a giant magnetic resistance element formed on the underlayer for detecting a change in a magnetic field, and an integrated circuit formed on the substrate for carrying out predetermined arithmetic processing based on a change in a magnetic field detected by the giant magnetic resistance element, wherein the giant magnetic resistance element and the integrated circuit are formed on the same surface.

Abstract: A knock control device for an internal combustion engine includes means 12 for calculating a knock level signal N on the basis of an ionic current, means 20 for arithmetically estimating a maximum noise level MN on the basis of a variation in the knock level signal, means 25 for obtaining a noise peak value PA on the basis of the maximum noise level, means 14A for calculating a background level BGLA on the basis of the noise peak value, means 15 for judging the knock on the basis of the background level, and means 7 for arithmetically operating the controlled variable on the basis of the knock judgement result.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic detector in which a GMR device is operated within the limited range of a magnetic field so as to optimize changes in resistance value of the GMR device and to improve noise resistance. The magnetic detector comprises a magnet (4) for generating a magnetic field, a rotary member (2) of magnetic material arranged with a predetermined gap left relative to the magnet and provided with projections capable of changing the magnetic field generated by the magnet, and a giant magnetoresistance device (3) of which resistance value is changed depending on the magnetic field changed by the rotary member of magnetic material. The giant magnetoresistance device is arranged in such a position with a predetermined gap relative to the magnetic field generating means that the giant magnetoresistance device is subject to a bias magnetic field applied with the intensity of magnetic field in a predetermined range, e.g.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensing element comprising a giant magnetic resistance element formed on a substrate for detecting a change in a magnetic field, an integrated circuit formed on the substrate for carrying out predetermined arithmetic processing based on a change in the magnetic field, and an input side protective resistor and an output side protective resistor provided on the input side and the output side, respectively, of the integrated circuit, wherein the metal film from which the input side resistor and the output side resistor are formed is identical to the metal film from which the integrated circuit is formed.