Patent ID: 6066947
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A magnetic detection device, comprising:a bias magnet producing a magnetic field to an object having a magnetic substance; andmagnetoresistive means, arranged so as to oppose said bias magnet and adjoin a pole face thereof on a side of said object and arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of said object, for producing a change of resistance by a change of the magnetic field in response to a movement of said object,wherein said magnetoresistive means comprises a first magnetoresistive means including a plurality of first micro-magnetoresistive elements juxtaposed along a first direction facing said object and connected with each other in series, said plurality of first micro-magnetoresistive elements respectively forming elongated patterns extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction,wherein a width of said plurality of first micro-magnetoresistive elements in the first direction is smaller than a dimension of said elongated patterns in the second direction by a predetermined length, andwherein said magnetoresistive means further comprises a second magnetoresistive means connected to said first magnetoresistive means in series and arranged adjacently to a pole face of said bias magnet on the side of the object, said second magnetoresistive means including a plurality of second micro-magnetoresistive elements juxtaposed along the second direction and which respectively form patterns extending in the second direction with a dimension substantially equal to the width of said plurality of first micro-magnetoresistive elements.