Patent ID: 8760158
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A current sensor comprising: a conductor through which a current to be measured flows; and a magnetic detecting bridge circuit formed of four magneto-resistance effect elements with a resistance value varied by application of an induced magnetic field from the current to be measured, the four magneto-resistance effect elements having a same resistance change rate, each of the four magneto-resistance effect elements having a laminated structure including: wherein the laminated structure does not include any layer made of antiferromangnetic material, wherein the magneto detecting bridge circuit has an output between two of the four magneto-resistance effect elements, magnetization directions of the ferromagnetic fixed layers of the two magneto-resistance effect elements being different from each other by 180°, wherein the magnetic detecting bridge circuit has a wiring symmetrical to a power supply point, wherein the magnetic detecting bridge circuit measures the current to be measured by the outputs of the four magneto-resistance effect elements which are in proportion to the induced magnetic field, wherein each of the magneto-resistance effect elements has a meandering shape including a plurality of stripes, each of the plurality of stripes being perpendicular to the induced magnetic field extended from the conductor, and wherein the magnetization direction, which is a pin-direction, of each of the ferromagnetic fixed layers is perpendicular to the stripes in each of the magneto-resistance effect elements.