Patent Publication Number: US-9891293-B2

Title: Magnetic sensor device preventing concentration of magnetic fluxes to a magnetic sensing element

Description:
This is a Division of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/387,482 filed Sep. 23, 2014, which is a National Phase of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/057104 filed Mar. 13, 2013, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2012-066579 filed Mar. 23, 2012. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a sensor device which detects a magnetic intensity. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A current sensor using a plurality of linear magnetic bodies each having a longitudinal direction extending in the direction along a magnetic field to be measured, and SVGMR (Spin Valve Giant Magnetoresistive effect) elements functioning as magnetic sensing elements arranged between the adjacent magnetic bodies, has been considered. 
     Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a current sensor comprising a substantially circular magnetic frame having two internally projecting portions arranged so that tip portions of the projections are opposed with each other around the center of the circler frame, and magnetism detection elements arranged at the internal projections so as to be opposed with each other. The driving method of the current sensor is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 2. 
     RELATED ARTS 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-174751 
         Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-128711 
       
    
     SUMMARY 
     In some cases with the above-mentioned structure using linear magnetic bodies, too many magnetic fluxes to be measured are concentrated toward the SVGMR element, so that the number of fluxes is close to or exceeds the upper limit of the measurement, and thus, measurement accuracy is decreased. 
     The present disclosure has been made in view of the above drawbacks, and one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic sensor device capable of improving measurement accuracy, while magnetic fluxes to be measured can be prevented from concentrating to a magnetic sensing element. 
     The structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to reduce the influence from the external magnetic field. In an example of Patent Document 1, a conductor through which a current to be detected flows is wound around an inward projection, to thereby concentrate magnetic fluxes by the current to the magnetic detection element. 
     In order to solve the problems of the conventional examples, the present disclosure discloses a magnetic sensor device comprising a thin film first magnetic body provided with a magnetic path convergence/divergence section arranged on a predetermined axis, and at least a pair of wing-shaped sections extending from the magnetic path convergence/divergence section toward the opposite sides of said axis, a thin film second magnetic body provided with a magnetic path convergence/divergence section arranged on said predetermined axis to be spaced from the magnetic path convergence/divergence section of the first magnetic body, at least a pair of wing-shaped sections extending from this magnetic path convergence divergence toward the opposite sides of said axis, a first coil wound around the first magnetic body, a second coil wound around the second magnetic body, and a magnetoresistance effect element arranged between the magnetic path convergence/divergence section of the first magnetic body and the of the second magnetic body, wherein the first coil applies a magnetic field to a magnetic path of the first magnetic body, the magnetic path converging/diverging from/to the at least a pair of wing-shaped sections of the first magnetic body to/from the magnetic path convergence/divergence section the second coil applies a magnetic field to a magnetic path of the second magnetic body, the magnetic path diverging/converging from/to the magnetic path convergence/divergence section to/from the at least a pair of wing-shaped sections of the first magnetic body, and a magnetic field is applied to the magnetoresistance effect element along the converged magnetic path. 
     According to the present disclosure, magnetic fluxes to be measured can be prevented from concentrated to a magnetic sensing element, and the measurement accuracy can be increased. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory view showing a schematic example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view showing a structural example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory view showing an example a pattern on each layer of a coil of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing an example of wiring of a coil of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing an example of a wired magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a partial sectional view of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a partial sectional view of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of a partial sectional view of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a circuit showing an example of a circuit connecting to a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory view showing an example of connecting magnetic sensor devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in series. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view showing another structural example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory view showing another example of connecting magnetic sensor devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in series. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of a circuit showing another example of a circuit connecting to a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of a circuit showing still another example of a circuit connecting to a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is an explanatory view showing another example of the shape of a magnetic body used in a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view showing still another structural example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory view showing examples regarding the shape and connection of a magnetoresistance effect element in an example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is an explanatory view showing a modified schematic example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  is an explanatory view showing another modified schematic example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 20  is an explanatory view showing still another modified schematic example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 21  is an explanatory view showing still another modified schematic example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 22  is an explanatory view showing an example of the change in magnetic flux density within a magnetoresistance effect element relative to the intensity of a magnetic field to be measured by a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is an explanatory view showing an example of magnetoresistance change rate by a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 24  is a plan view showing another structural example of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 25  is a plan view showing another an example of the shape of a magnetic body 
         FIG. 26  is an explanatory view showing still another example of a lower coil pattern of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 27  is an explanatory view showing still another example of an upper coil pattern of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 28  is a plan view showing another structural example of a magnetic sensor device according an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 29  is an explanatory view showing another example of a lower coil pattern of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 30  is an explanatory view showing still another example of an upper coil pattern of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 31  is an explanatory view showing an example of a magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 32  is an explanatory view showing another example of a magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 33  is an explanatory view showing still another example of a magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 34  is an explanatory view showing an example regarding the arrangement of a magnetoresistance effect element of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 35  is an explanatory view showing still another example of a magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 36  is an explanatory view showing an example of a multilayered magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a multilayered magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 38  is another cross-sectional view showing an example of a multilayered magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 39  is another view showing an example of a multilayered magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 40  is an explanatory view showing still another example of a magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 41  is an explanatory view showing an example of a coil which can be stacked on a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 42  is an explanatory view showing an example of the change in flux density within a magnetoresistance effect element relative to the intensity of the magnetic field to be measured by a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 43  is an explanatory view showing an example of a magnetic body of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 44  is an explanatory view showing a flux density distribution at magnetic equilibrium of a magnetic sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENT 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  shows an example of a motivational structure for creating a magnetic sensor device  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ( a ) and ( b ) , conceptually, this structure comprises an annular magnetic body  11  formed in a plane, and a magnetoresistance effect element  12  arranged at the center thereof. The magnetic body  11  is magnetized in a way so that when two positions are located in circumferential directions from the center different by an angle of θ, magnetization directions at these positions are different by 2θ (in  FIG. 1 , the magnetization directions are shown by arrows). 
     In the structure of  FIG. 1 ( a ) , the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is an SVGMR (Spin Valve Giant Magnetoresistive) element in which the width direction thereof (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  itself, when a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements are connected in series and zigzag (meander) form, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each magnetoresistance effect element) is a magnetic sensing direction. 
     The magnetoresistance effect element  12  according to the example shown in  FIG. 1 ( a )  comprises a fixed layer having a magnetization direction fixed to the width direction thereof (the layer having a magnetization direction which is not changed by the external magnetic field). 
     In the structure shown in  FIG. 1 ( a ) , the magnetic body  11  and the magnetoresistance effect element  12  are arranged so that the width direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  matches with the direction D (negative Y-axis direction in  FIG. 1 ( a ) ) of the magnetic field to be measured. In the magnetic body  11 , the X-axis direction size (namely, lateral direction size) and the Y-axis direction size (namely, longitudinal direction size) are the same. The magnetic body  11  shown in  FIG. 1 ( a )  has an annular shape having an aspect ratio of 1, and the outer peripheral shape of the magnetic body  11  is an exact circle. 
     In another motivated structure, as exemplified in  FIG. 1 ( b ) , the magnetic body  11  and the magnetoresistance effect element  12  may be arranged so that the direction D (X-axis direction) of the magnetic field to be measured and the width direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  become perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic flux applied from the magnetic body  11  to the magnetoresistance effect element  12  arranged at the center thereof (namely, matches with the X-axis direction). In this case, the magnetic body  11  and the magnetoresistance effect element  12  are arranged so that the width direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  becomes perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic flux applied form the magnetic body  11  to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . The magnetic sensor device  1  exemplified in  FIG. 1 ( a )  has a structure for an embodiment suitable to be used as a feedback type current sensor. The magnetic sensor device  1  exemplified in  FIG. 1 ( b )  has a structure for an embodiment suitable to be used as a magnetic proportion type current sensor. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a magnetic sensor device  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinbelow, then this example should be distinguished from other examples, this example is referred as Type 1). The magnetic sensor device  1  according to this example is provided with an annular magnetic body  11  having a longitudinal size different from the lateral size, a magnetoresistance effect element  12  arranged near the center C of the magnetic body  11 , and layers respectively stacked on the magnetic body  11  to hold the magnetic body  11  therebetween, the layers respectively containing a lower pattern  13   a  of a coil  13  and an upper pattern  13   b  of the coil  13 . This magnetic sensor device  1  is capable of measuring the magnetic field externally applied in the D direction (negative Y-axis direction) in  FIG. 2 . In the magnetic body  11 , the X-axis direction size (namely, the lateral size) is larger than the Y-axis direction size (namely, longitudinal size). The magnetic body  11  in  FIG. 2  has an annular shape having a longitudinal size different from the lateral size. The outer peripheral shape of the magnetic body  11  is not an exact circle. 
     Here, the magnetic body  11 , and the lower pattern  13   a  and the upper pattern  13   b  of the coil  13  are overlapped, and partly hidden in the plan view, and thus, actually, are not easily visible. However, in  FIG. 2  showing a plan view of the magnetic sensor device  1 , the magnetic body  11 , the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , and the coil  13  are shown with transparency. 
     The magnetic body  11  is made of, for example, an iron-nickel alloy (permalloy), and has a thickness of 1 μm, saturation magnetic flux density Bs of 1.45 T, and initial magnetic permeability μi of 2000, in an example of the present embodiment. Further, this magnetic body  11  has a narrowed portion  100  narrowed toward the magnetoresistance effect element  12  at a position where the line extending in the minor-axis direction through the center C (the center both in the width direction and the longitudinal direction) of the magnetic body  11  intersects the magnetic body  11 . Thereby, both the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the magnetic body  11  have substantially dumbbell shapes. The narrowed portion  100  is a portion of the magnetic body where the width of the magnetic body is reduced in the X-axis direction. The dumbbell shape refers to the shape formed by connecting two pieces of C-shape arranged by opposing the openings thereof, or the shape formed by connecting two pieces of 3-shape opposing to each other so that the upper portion of the upper arc of “3” is connected to the lower portion of the lower arc of the other “3”. Here, the inner periphery of the magnetic body  11  is formed to be symmetry with respect to the line passing though the center C and parallel with Y-axis, and other than the narrowed portion  100 , the width w in the Y-axis direction of the inner periphery is gradually reduced as the distance from the center increases. Portions Ly of the magnetic body  11  which extend substantially parallel to the Y-axis are formed to have a wider width than other portions. Thereby, the magnetic body  11  cannot be easily saturated when a large external magnetic field is applied. For example, when the width of Ly is 100 μm, the external magnetic field can be applied about 3182 A/m (40 Oe), when 150 μm, about 3422 A/m (43 Oe) can be applied, and when 200 μm, about 3740 A/m (47 Oe) can be applied. 
     The narrowed portion  100  of the magnetic body  11  is tapered so that the width is gradually reduced toward the magnetoresistance effect element  12  (namely, the closer to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , the narrower the width). Since the width in the X-axis direction is narrowed, the side of the narrowed portion is inclined relative to the Y-axis, and thus, tapered. Further, a notch U (a V-shaped recesses formed at positions where the directions of the magnetic fields are symmetric on the opposite sides in the X-axis direction with respect to the Y-axis) may be formed on the outer peripheral side of the narrowed portion  100  (a position on the outer periphery where the line passing through the center and extending in the minor-axis direction intersects), the notch being notched toward the center C, namely, toward the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . A coil  13  is wound around this magnetic body  11  to form magnetic fields so that the directions of the magnetic fields are distributed to have a 360-degree rotation over the half of the periphery of the magnetic body  11 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnetic body  11  is formed so that the width of the magnetic body  11  at the position where the line passing through the center C and extending in the minor-axis direction intersects is narrower than the width of the magnetic body  11  at the position where the line passing through the center C and extending in the major-axis direction intersects. 
     The magnetoresistance effect element  12  is, for example, a spin-valve giant magnetoresistance effect element (SVGMR element), having a fixed layer magnetized in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), and presenting a resistance value corresponding to the intensity of the magnetic field in the width direction. According an example of the present embodiment, the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is arranged so that the width direction thereof becomes parallel to the Y-axis. In the spin-valve giant magnetoresistance effect element the magnetization direction of the fixed layer is preferably self-pinned. The self-pinned fixed layer may have a structure formed by staking a ferromagnetic layer, an Ru layer, and a ferromagnetic layer, to thereby have antiferromagnetic connection between the ferromagnetic layers with the Ru layer therebetween. 
     The coil  13  comprises a lower pattern  13   a  arranged on the surface stacked on the lower side than the surface having the magnetic body  11 , and an upper pattern  13   b  arranged on the surface stacked on the upper side than the surface having the magnetic body  11 . The lower pattern  13   a  is shown in  FIG. 3( a ) , and the upper pattern  13   b  is shown in  FIG. 3( b ) . In  FIGS. 3( a ) and ( b ) , circler portions indicate positions of via holes. Via holes are located at corresponding positions on the upper pattern  13   b  and the lower pattern  13   a  to electrically connect the corresponding circler portions through the via holes. The lower pattern  13   a  and the upper pattern  13   b  are electrically connected by rectangular pads Q 1  to Q 6 . In the explanation below, major-axis direction of the magnetic body  11  is referred to as X-axis (in the Figure, the direction to the right is the positive direction of the X-axis, whereas the direction perpendicular to this direction is referred to as Y-axis (in the Figure, the upward direction is the positive direction of Y-axis). 
     At the positions where the wire or coil is bent and curved on the XY surface, crosslines connecting the curves or recesses formed by the bending are shown. Using the crosslines, the wire or coil is shown by connecting a plurality of rectangular shaped lines. In this regard, however, the wire or coil may be formed by a single continuous line without any crosslines between the via holes, or between the via hole and the pad. 
     In addition, the lower pattern  13   a  and the upper pattern  13   b  comprise portions which are symmetry with respect to the center point of the annular magnetic body  11 . 
       FIG. 4 ( a )  shows a portion of the lower pattern  13   a  shown in  FIG. 3 ( a ) , which is a portion on the positive direction side of Y-axis from the line parallel to the major-axis of the magnetic body  11  (line corresponding to the axis of symmetry).  FIG. 4 ( b )  shows a portion of the upper pattern  13   b  shown in  FIG. 3 ( b ) , which is a portion on the positive direction side of Y-axis from the line parallel to the major-axis of the magnetic body  11  (line corresponding to the axis of symmetry). At least a portion of the winding wire pattern is not liner, and comprises a parallel portion L parallel to X-axis and a portion obliquely intersecting the parallel portion L (a portion intersecting the magnetic body in the peripheral direction so as to be inclined at an angle within a predetermined angle range, hereinafter referred to as an inclined portion) S. Namely, this pattern is bent in mid-course. 
     The winding wire T 1  of the lower pattern  13   a  in  FIG. 4 ( a )  is connected from the pad Q 1  through the via hole H 1 -H 1 ′ to the winding wire T 1 ′ of the upper pattern  13   b  shown in  FIG. 4 ( b ) . The wound wire T 1 ′ of the upper pattern  13   b  is connected through the via hole H 12 ′-H 12  to the winding wire T 2  of the lower pattern  13   a.    
     The winding wire T 2  includes an inclined portion S 2 , and is connected through the via hole H 2 -H 2 ′ to the winding wire T 2 ′ of the lower pattern  13   b . This winding wire T 2 ′ also includes an inclined portion. Subsequently, winding wires T 3 , T 3 ′, T 4  . . . , T 5 ′ are would around the magnetic body  11  while the wires are arranged to form the lower pattern  13   a  and the upper pattern  13   b  through the corresponding via holes. 
     Here, the among the winding wires T 1 , T 2  . . . , T 5 , and among the winding wires T 1 ′, T 2 ′ . . . , T 5 ′, the further the winding wire located to the positive direction of X-axis, the longer the inclined portion S. The inclined angle of the inclined portion S relative to Y-axis is constant, and is, for example, 20 degrees (70 degrees relative to X-axis). 
     The winding wire T 6  is connected through the via hole H 6 -H 6 ′ to the winding wire T 7 ′ of the upper pattern  13   b . The winding wire T 7 ′ is connected through the via hole H 7 ′-H 7  to the Z-shaped winding wire T 7  of the lower pattern  13   a . The winding wire T 7  includes two inclined portions S 7 - 1  and S 7 - 2 , and a parallel portion P 7 . The line extending from the inclined portion S 7 - 1  is symmetric to the line extending from the inclined portion S 7 - 2 , with respect to Y-axis. The winding wire T 7  is connected through the via hole H 17 -H 17 ′ to the Π-shaped winding wire T 8 ′ of the upper pattern  13   b . Subsequently, winding wires T 8 , T 9 ′, T 9  . . . , T 11 , T 12 ′ are would around the magnetic body  11  while the wires are arranged to form the lower pattern  13   a  and the upper pattern  13   b  through the corresponding via holes. At least a part (in  FIG. 4 , T 8 , T 9 , T 8 ′, T 9 ′) of the winding wires T 8 , T 9  . . . , T 11 , and T 8 ′, T 9 ′, . . . T 11 ′, are respectively provided with two inclined portions S to have shapes substantially symmetric with respect to Y-axis, except for the edges such as connecting portions. 
     In the present example, the winding wires T 10 , T 11 , T 11 ′, T 12 ′ are structured so that the portions the wires substantially parallel to X-axis are wound around the narrowed portion of the magnetic body  11 . The winding wire T 12 ′ is connected through the via hole H 112 ′-H 112  to the winding wire T 12 . The winding wires T 12  . . . T 16 , and T 13 ′ . . . T 16 ′ substantially have shapes respectively symmetric to the shapes of the winding wires T 5 , T 4  . . . , T 1 , T 5 ′, . . . T 2 ′ with respect to Y-axis. The winding wire T 16  is connected through the via hole H 116 -H 116 ′ to the winding wire T 17 ′, and the winding wire T 17 ′ is connected through the via hole H 117 ′-H 117  to the pad Q 2 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the pad Q 3  is wired to the lower pattern  13   a , and is connected to one of the terminals of the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . The pad Q 6  is wired to the layer same as the layer of the lower pattern  13   a , and is connected to the other terminal of the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . 
     According to an example of the present embodiment, as exemplified in  FIG. 5 , the coil current Ic is applied to the pad Q 4 . The pad Q 5  is connected to the pad Q 2 . Further, the pad Q 1  is connected to the common terminal (GND) of the coil current Ic. The supply voltage Vcc of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is applied to the pad Q 3 . The pad Q 6  defines an output terminal Vout (an output terminal of a voltage signal representing a potential Vout from the common terminal (GND) of the magnetoresistance effect element  12 ). The coil current Ic applied to the pad Q 4  flows through the coil  13 , and thereby, the coil  13  magnetizes the magnetic body  11  so that at positions deviated from each other at an angle of θ from the center, the magnetization directions are different by 2θ. In the present example, the magnetic body  11  is magnetized in the direction same as the narrowing down direction of the narrowed portion  100  (namely, in the direction parallel to the width direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12 ). 
       FIG. 6  is an example of a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the magnetic sensor device  1  exemplified in  FIG. 3 , broken along a line passing through the center of the magnetic body  11  (the line along VI-VI in  FIG. 5 ), the view showing the part near the center (the part near the magnetoresistance effect element  12 ) (the same is true for  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). For easy understanding,  FIG. 6  shows the outline of the arrangement of the coil  13 , etc., by reducing the number of windings, etc. The magnetic sensor device  1  according to an example of the present embodiment exemplified in  FIG. 6 , is produced as mentioned below. 
     Namely, an insulation layer  21  consisting of two layers (SiO 2  (substrate side) and Al 2 O 3  (insulation film  22  side)) is formed on a substrate  10 , and even numbers of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (SVGMR element films) each having a width of 10 μm, are formed thereon, by thin film processes. In addition, an insulation film  22  thicker than the film of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is formed thereon, and further, a magnetic body  11  made of permalloy, etc., and a lower pattern  13   a  of a coil  13  wound around the magnetic body  11  are formed on the insulation film  22 , and a resin  23  (insulation body) is provided for sealing. Then, via holes H are formed on the resin  23 , and conductors are formed on the lower pattern  13   a , so that the positions of the conductors correspond to the positions of the via holes H. Next, an upper pattern  13   b  of the coil  13  to be connected to these conductors is formed, and the resin  23  (insulation body) is further provided for sealing. A Pad Q which is to be conductively connected to the coil, is exposed from the resin. The magnetic body  11  is arranged to have a space of about 2 μm from each of the opposite sides in the magnetic flux direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . In the present example, the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is arranged on the substrate  10  side (lower layer side) from the magnetic body  11 , and the portions of the magnetic body  11  near the center C may be extended toward the lower layer side. 
       FIG. 7  shows another example. In the example of  FIG. 7 , an insulation layer  21  consisting of two layers (SiO 2  (substrate side) and Al 2 O 3  (insulation film.  22  side)) is formed on a substrate  10 , and a magnetoresistance effect element  12 , a magnetic body  11  made of permalloy, and aluminum winding wire of a coil  13  wound around the magnetic body  11  (a lower pattern  13   a ) are formed on the insulation layer  21 . The magnetoresistance effect element  12  is formed on the same layer as the magnetic body  11 , and then, the magnetoresistance effect  12  is isolated by an insulation layer  22 . Thereafter, the entirety is sealed by a resin  23 . Then, via holes H are formed on predetermined portions of the resin  23 , and conductors are connected to corresponding portions of the winding wire of the coil  13  (lower pattern  13   a ). Next, a winding wire of the coil (an upper pattern  13   b ) to be connected to these conductors is formed, and the resin  23  (insulation body) is further provided for sealing. 
       FIG. 8  shows still another example. In the example of  FIG. 8 , an insulation layer  21  consisting of two layers (SiO 2  (substrate side) and Al 2 O 3  (insulation film.  22  side)) is formed on a substrate  10 , and a magnetic body  11  made of permalloy, and aluminum winding wire of a coil  13  wound around the magnetic body  11  (a lower pattern  13   a ) are formed on the insulation layer  21 , and then, a resin  23  is provided for sealing. Then, a magnetoresistance effect element  12  is formed by thin film processes, and an insulation layer  22  is formed. Via holes H are formed at predetermined positions of the insulation layer  22 , and conductors are connected to corresponding positions on the winding wire of the coil  13  (lower pattern  13   a ). Next, the remaining portions of the winding wire (upper patter  13   b ) connected to the conductors are formed, and a resin  23  is provided for sealing. In this case, the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is located on the upper layer (on the layer opposite to the substrate  10  side) than the magnetic body  11   
     In any of the examples shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 8 , the magnetoresistance effect element  12  does not have to be arranged on the same face as the magnetic body  11 , as exemplified in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8 . In these examples, the insulation layer  21  does not have to be a two-layered form, but can be a single film of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , silicon nitride, etc., or a multilayered film formed by laminating these films. 
     A magnetic sensor circuit according an example of the present embodiment is what is referred to as a magnetic balance circuit, and can be used, for example, as a current sensor. As exemplified in  FIG. 9 , in the magnetic sensor circuit, one end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is connected to receive a DC bias supply voltage Vcc, and is also connected to the negative (−) terminal of a comparator  14 . The other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is connected to a common terminal (GND). The positive (+) terminal of the comparator  14  is connected to a common terminal (GND) through a reference supply  15 . The output potential of the reference supply  15  defines a potential of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  where no magnetic field is present. 
     The output of the comparator  14  is connected to an end of the coil  13  (pad Q 4 ) through a waveform shaping unit  41  and a low-pass filter (LPF)  42 , and is also connected to an output terminal OUT. Further, the other end of the coil  13  (pad Q 6 ) is connected to a common terminal (GND) through a fixed resistor. 
     A magnetic sensor device  1  according to the example of the present embodiment receives a voltage signal output from the magnetoresistance effect element  12  through the comparator  14 , the waveform shaping unit  41 , and the LPF  42 . The output received through the LPF  42  is a voltage signal proportional to the difference between the potential of the reference supply and the potential of the voltage signal output from the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . 
     Here, if the magnetic sensor device  1  is arranged near a conductor (for example, bus bar) through which a current to be measured flows, the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is varied due to the induction magnetic field caused by the current to be measured. Thus, the output potential is offset from the potential when no magnetic field is present (as mentioned above, the potential of the reference supply has been set equal to this potential), the output received through the comparator  14 , the waveform shaping unit  41 , and the LPF  42  is a voltage signal having a value corresponding to the offset value of the potential. This voltage signal indicates the intensity of the induction magnetic field caused by the current to be measured (current flowing through bus bar). 
     This voltage signal is supplied to one end of the coil  13  to flow a current through the coil  13 , and thereby, a magnetic field (cancel magnetic field) is generated. The magnetic flux caused by this cancel magnetic field and the current to be measured caused by the induction magnetic field are applied through the magnetic body  11  to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . When the magnetic flux passing through the magnetoresistance effect element  12  becomes zero (when the output voltage of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  becomes equal to the reference potential  15 ), a voltage signal V in proportion to the value of the current supplied to the coil  13  is extracted (OUT). This voltage signal V becomes an output signal proportional to the value of the current to be measured (in the above example, the current flowing through the bus bar). 
     In this case, a magnetic shield may be provided between the bus bar and magnetic sensor device  1  according to the present embodiment so as to selectively apply the magnetic field caused by the current within the bus bar to the magnetic sensor device  1 . 
     The magnetic sensor device  1  according to the present embodiment may comprise a plurality of magnetic sensor devices  1  connected in series. In this case, as exemplified in  FIG. 10 , the magnetic sensor devices  1  are arranged parallel to the magnetic field to be measured. The pad Q 1 ′ of one magnetic sensor device  1   a  is electrically connected to the pad Q 4  of the other magnetic sensor device  1   b , and the pad Q 6 ′ of the one magnetic sensor device  1   a  is electrically connected to the pad Q 3  of the other magnetic sensor device  1   b . In this example, the potential at the pad Q 6 ′ of the one magnetic sensor device  1   a , or the potential at the pad Q 3  of the other magnetic sensor device  1   b  defines an output potential Vout from the common potential of the detection output mentioned below. 
     Further, the pad Q 1  of the other magnetic sensor device  1   b  is connected to the common terminal (GND) of the coil current Ic, and the pad Q 6  of the magnetic sensor device  1   b  defines a common potential of the detection output. With this structure, operation with a smaller excitation current is possible compared to the case when a bridge circuit is used, and thus, power consumption required for operation can be reduced. 
     In the above examples, the pad Q 2  and the pad Q 5  (as well as the pad Q 2 ′ and the pad Q 5 ′) are electrically connected by external conductive wires. However, as exemplified in  FIG. 11 , a wire Q may be wired on the same layer as the lower pattern  13   a  or the upper pattern  13   b  of the coil  13 , to electrically connect portions of the coil  13  corresponding to the pads Q 2 , Q 5  (and Q 2 ′, Q 5 ′). 
     Thereby, as exemplified in  FIG. 11 , the pads Q 1 , Q 3 , Q 4 , Q 6  may be formed on one side of the magnetic sensor device  1  with respect to X-axis. When a plurality of magnetic sensor devices  1  are connected in series, the magnetic sensor devices  1  may be arranged in the Y-axis direction as exemplified in  FIG. 12 . 
     Here, when two magnetic sensor devices  1  are provided, as exemplified in  FIG. 10  or  FIG. 12 , the magnetization directions of the fixed layers of the respective magnetoresistance effect elements  12  may be set opposite to the direction D of the external magnetic field. 
     This may be a case of a magnetic balance circuit with these magnetic sensor devices  1 , which can be used as a current sensor. As exemplified in  FIG. 13 , one end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a  of the one magnetic sensor device  1   a  is connected to receive power supply from a DC bias supply Vdd, and the other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a  is connected to one end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   b  of the other magnetic sensor device  1   b . Then, the other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   b  is connected to a common terminal (GND). At this time, connection is formed so that the magnetization direction of the fixed layer of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a , which is perpendicular to the direction from one end to the other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a , is opposite to the magnetization direction of the fixed layer of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   b , which is perpendicular to the direction from one end to the other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   b . In addition, when the other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a , namely, the one end of magnetoresistance effect element  12   b , defines a terminal p, the terminal p is connected to the negative (−) terminal of a comparator  14 . The positive (+) terminal of the comparator  14  is connected through a reference supply  15  to a common terminal (GND). The output potential of the reference supply  15  is a midpoint potential of magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12   b  at the place where no magnetic field is present. 
     On the other hand, the coils  13  respectively wound around the magnetic bodies  11  are connected in series, and the output of the comparator  14  is connected to one end of the serially-connected feedback coil  13 , through a waveform shaping unit  41 , a low-pass filter (LPF)  42 , and a constant current output unit (or an inductor)  43 . Further, the one end of the coil  13  is also connected to a triangular-wave generation circuit  44  through a coupling capacitance C. In addition, the other end of the coil  13  is connected through a fixed resistor  16  to a common terminal (GND), and is also connected through a triangular-wave removal unit (which may be a low-pass filter)  45 , to an output terminal OUT. 
     In the magnetic sensor device  1  according to the present example, a current which changes to have the shape of a triangular-wave generated by the triangular-wave generation circuit  44 , is always supplied to the coil  13 . Accordingly, an induction magnetic field by this triangular-wave shaped current is applied to the magnetoresistance effect element  12  through the magnetic body  11 . As a midpoint potential output of the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , an output which changes in a rectangular-wave shape is obtained with the center at the output potential (reference potential) when no induction magnetic field by the triangular-wave shaped current is applied. 
     When this midpoint potential output of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is obtained through the comparator  14 , the waveform shaping unit  41 , and the LPF  42 , a rectangular-wave shaped signal having a duty ratio of substantially 1:1 can be obtained. 
     Here, if the magnetic sensor device  1  is arranged near the conductor through which the current to be measured flows, resistance values of the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12  bare changed due to the induction magnetic field caused by the current to be measured. Thus, the potential of the terminal P is offset from the midpoint potential (DC offset), and the output potential which changes in the triangular-wave shape, is offset from the reference potential. As a result, the midpoint potential output obtained through the comparator  14 , the waveform shaping unit  41 , and the LPF  42  changes from the triangular-wave having the duty ratio of 1:1 to that of Tp:Tn(Tp≠Tn), corresponding to the offset amount of the potential. The difference between Tp and Tn indicates the intensity of the induction magnetic field caused by the current to be measured. 
     The constant current output unit  43  is, for example, an inductor, and outputs a constant value of current in accordance with the midpoint potential output, while making the directions of currents different between the section wherein the obtained midpoint is higher than the reference potential and the section wherein the obtained midpoint potential is lower than the reference potential. 
     This current is supplied to the coil  13  to cause a magnetic field (cancel magnetic field). The magnetic flux due to the cancel magnetic field, the magnetic flux due to the above-mentioned triangular-wave shaped current, and the induction magnetic field caused by the current to be measured, are applied to the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12   b , through the magnetic yoke  11 . Then, a voltage signal V, which is proportional to the current value supplied to the coil  13  when the magnetic flux passing through the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12   b  is zero, is subjected to the removal of triangular waves by the triangular-wave removal unit  45 , and is extracted from the opposite ends of the fixed resistor  16  (OUT). Therefore, the voltage signal V becomes an output signal proportional to the value of the current to be measured. 
     Further, a bridge circuit can be formed using a plurality of magnetic sensor devices  1  according to the present embodiment. In this case, as exemplified in  FIG. 14 , the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  respectively contained in the magnetic sensor devices  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d  are connected to form a bridge. In  FIG. 14 , the arrow in rectangular representing the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , represents the magnetization direction of each fixed layer. The same structures as those in  FIG. 9  are assigned with the same numerals, and the explanation therefor will be omitted. Also, in  FIG. 14 , the coil  13  represents a collection of coils of magnetic sensor devices  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d  for applying bias. 
     Further, in the magnetic sensor device  1  exemplified in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12 , the inner periphery of the magnetic body  11  is formed so that the longer the distance from the center C, the smaller the width w in the Y-axis direction. However, the shape of the magnetic body  11  according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. As exemplified in  FIG. 15 , according to an example of the present embodiment, the magnetic body  11  may be formed to have an inner periphery P with little change in the Y-axis direction width w, except for the narrowed portion  100 . Namely, the portion excluding the narrowed portion  100  may be formed to be substantially parallel to the X-axis. In  FIG. 15 , the coil  13  is omitted for explanation. The Y-axis direction w of the inner periphery is the same as the narrowest width in the example shown in  FIG. 2 , etc. By narrowing the inner periphery, the magnetic flux density applied from the magnetic body  11  to the magnetoresistance effect element  12  can be increased. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3( a ), ( b ) , etc., there may be different portions between the upper layer pattern  13   b  and the lower layer pattern  13   a  of the coil  13  (the portions indicated by A in  FIG. 3 ). However, these portions may be matched (the lower layer pattern  13   a  may be matched with the upper layer pattern  13   b ). Thereby, the intensity of the magnetic field applied by the coil  13  can be increased. 
     According to an example of the present embodiment, as exemplified in  FIG. 16( a ) to ( c ) , in the magnetic sensor device  1 , the magnetoresistance effect element  12  may be arranged so that the width direction thereof is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic flux to be applied to the magnetoresistance effect element  12  from the magnetic body  11 . In the example, the intensity of the external magnetic field applied in the width direction of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  can be measured. As exemplified in  FIG. 16( a ), ( b ) , a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  may be arranged. When a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  are arranged, as exemplified in  FIG. 17( a ), ( b ) , the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12   b  may be electrically connected in series in the longitudinal direction thereof, to form a zigzag shape (meander shape). In this case, the supply voltage Vcc is applied to one end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a  (the end which is not connected to the magnetoresistance effect element  12   b ), an end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   b  (the end which is not connected to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 ) is connected to a common terminal (GND). The other end of the magnetoresistance effect element  12   a  or the other end of magnetoresistance effect element  12   b  (the ends connected to each other) defines an output terminal. Namely, the midpoint potential of a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  defines an output potential. In  FIG. 17 , the arrow indicating the application of the supply voltage Vcc corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the magnetoresistance effect element. The right-left direction on the paper corresponds to the direction of the external magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistance effect element. 
     Further, in this case, magnetization directions of the fixed layers of the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12   b  are constant (namely, the direction of the X-axis), and the directions are opposed to each other (reverse directions) between the magnetoresistance effect elements  12   a  and  12   b . At this time, if the magnetization of the free layer does not smoothly rotate at the bent portions, the bent portions may be formed by a metal wire W, as exemplified in  FIG. 17( b ) . If the wire W is used, hysteresis of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  can be suppressed. 
     In this example, the magnetic field applied from the magnetic body  11  to the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is not a feedback magnetic field cancelling the magnetic field to be measured, but a bias magnetic field. Further, as exemplified in  FIG. 16( b ), ( c ) , the magnetic body  11  may be formed without the notch U at the narrowed portion  100 , and may be a shape with projecting outer periphery. 
     Further, in this example, the magnetic body  11  may be formed in different shapes as mentioned below, in accordance with the intensity H of the magnetic field to be measured, and the intensity Hb of the bias magnetic field. Specifically, when “b” represents the outer diameter of the magnetic body  11  in the direction of the magnetic field to be measured, and “a” represents the outer diameter of the magnetic body  11  in the direction of the bias magnetic field, which is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field to be measured, when H&gt;Hb, a&gt;b is satisfied, 
     when H&lt;Hb, a&lt;b is satisfied, and 
     when H and Hb are almost the same, a=b is satisfied. 
     Accordingly, by applying a bias magnetic field, the hysteresis of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is decreased and the range of the linear response of the resistance value against the external magnetic field can be made wider. 
     The present embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned examples. As exemplified in  FIG. 18( a ) , a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (with their longitudinal directions match the X-axis direction) may be arranged near the center C of the magnetic body  11  exemplified in  FIG. 2  along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field to be measured), the magnetoresistance effect elements  12  having magnetization directions of the fixed layers to be opposed to each other. Further, as exemplified in  FIG. 18( b ) , a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (with their longitudinal directions match the X-axis direction) may be arranged along the Y-axis direction (the direction of the magnetic field to be measured), the magnetoresistance effect elements  12  having magnetization directions of the fixed layers to be opposed to each other. 
     Further, as exemplified in  FIG. 19( a ) , a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (with their longitudinal directions match the Y-axis direction) may be arranged near the center C of the magnetic body  11  exemplified in  FIG. 15  along the Y-axis direction (the direction of the magnetic field to be measured), the magnetoresistance effect elements  12  having magnetization directions of the fixed layers to be opposed to each other. As exemplified in  FIG. 19( b ) , a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (with their longitudinal directions match the Y-axis direction) may be arranged along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field to be measured), the magnetoresistance effect elements  12  having magnetization directions of the fixed layers to be opposed to each other. 
     Further, in the magnetic body  11  according to the present embodiment, as exemplified in  FIG. 20 , two pairs of narrowed portions  100  opposing to each other may be formed, and a single or a pair of magnetoresistance effect element  12  may be arranged at positions between the opposing narrowed portions  100 . In this case, the directions of the arranged magnetoresistance effect elements  12  may be those shown in  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 15 , or  FIG. 18  or  FIG. 19 . Here, if a singles magnetoresistance effect element  12  is arranged at each position, a half-bridge circuit can be structured, and if a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  are arranged at each position, a full-bridge circuit can be structured. 
     In  FIG. 18  to  FIG. 20 , the coil  13  is not shown in order to easily view the shape of the magnetic body  11 . 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the shape of the magnetic body  11  is not limited to those explained above. Specifically, as exemplified in  FIG. 21 , the magnetic body  11  may have a shape symmetric with respect to the Y-axis, and may comprise a base portion  101  and a narrowed portion  102 , the base portion  101  having a large width portion  101   a  located at a predetermined distance d from the center C with its width increasing as the distance d increases to the positive and negative directions in the X-axis direction, and the narrowed portion  102  having a trapezoidal shape projecting from the center of the base portion  101  toward one side of the Y-axis while being tapered. 
     In this example, as shown in  FIG. 21 , a pair of magnetic bodies  11  are arranged symmetrically with respect to the X-axis, as the top parts of the narrowed portions  102  are opposed to each other with a predetermined space therebetween. Then, a single of a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  are arranged between the top parts of the narrowed portions  102  of the pair of magnetic bodies. In  FIG. 21 , a pair of meander shaped magnetoresistance effect elements  12  are arranged. 
     Also, in this example, a coil  13  is wound in parallel with the Y-axis, around the large width portion  101   a  of the magnetic body  11 . The coil  13  is wound around the portion other than the large width portion  101   a  of the base portion  101 , to have a H-shape and to be coaxial with respect to the center C of the magnetoresistance effect element  12  (when there are a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements  12 , the center C of a virtual rectangular surrounding all the magnetoresistance effect elements  12 ). In addition, the coil  13  is wound around the narrowed portion  102  to be parallel to the X-axis direction. With this structure, the magnetic field surrounding the magnetoresistance effect element  12  can be also generated in the same way as the directions of magnetization are schematically shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The aforementioned magnetic sensor device  1  according to an example of the embodiment of the present disclosure has an annular shape having an aspect ratio other than 1 (an annular shape having an ellipsoidal circumcircle). However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. 
     Another example of the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as Type 2) of the magnetic sensor device  1  is exemplified in  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25 . This magnetic sensor device  1  is also arranged within a magnetic field to be measured oriented in the Y-axis direction to detect the size of the magnetic field to be measured (or the current forming the magnetic field to be measured). The magnetic sensor device  1  can be also used for detecting an angle between a bias magnetic field and an external magnetic field by applying the bias magnetic field.  FIG. 24  is a plan view showing a Type 2 magnetic sensor device  1  obtained by stacking thin films, with transparent view of each layer.  FIG. 25  shows a specific shape (plan view of a first magnetic body  11   a  and a second magnetic body  11   b.    
     As exemplified in  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25 , the Type 2 magnetic sensor device  1  has a first magnetic body  11   a  which is provided with a first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  arranged on a predetermined axis (Y-axis), and a pair of first wing-shaped sections  112   a  extending from the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  toward opposite sides in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the Y-axis. Further, the Type 2 magnetic sensor device  1  also has a second magnetic body  11   b  which is provided with a second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  arranged on the Y-axis so as to be opposed to the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  with a space therebetween, and a pair of second wing-shaped sections  112   b  extending from the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  toward opposite sides in the X-axis direction. The first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  arranged symmetrically with respect to a virtual axis of symmetry Γ (hereinafter, referred to as an axis of symmetry Γ) extending, in the present example, in the X-axis direction. 
     In the present example, the ends (left ends and right ends) of the wing-shaped sections  112   a  and  112   b  of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  which are opposed with the axis of symmetry Γ therebetween, are arranged to be magnetically spaced apart from each other, the space defining a magnetic saturation suppression portion suppressing the magnetic saturation of the wing-shaped sections. Namely, the Type 2 magnetic body  11  is divided into a first magnetic body  11   a  and a second magnetic body  11   b . The first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  are arranged on the same layer. In the present example, each of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  is bilaterally symmetrical, and the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  are rotationally symmetric with respect to the point C where the axis of symmetry Γ intersects the Y-axis. 
     In this example, as shown in  FIG. 25 , a magnetoresistance effect element  12  is arranged between the first and second magnetic path convergence/divergence sections  111   a  and  111   b , with its magnetic sensing direction oriented in the Y-axis direction. The magnetoresistance effect element  12  may be a SVGMR element, a multi-layered MR element, or an AMR element. 
     Here, the first/second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111  may function as a convergence portion converging the magnetic lines flowing from the wing-shaped sections, or a divergence portion diverging the magnetic lines flowing from the side of opposing magnetic path convergence divergence portion  111 , opposed with the axis of symmetry Γ therebetween, toward the wing-shaped sections on the opposite sides, depending on the direction of the current flowing through the coil  13 , which will be described below. Namely, the first/second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111  may diverge or converge the magnetic path, and a part thereof located along the magnetoresistance effect element  12  functions as a pole against the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . The wing-shaped sections  112  define main bodies of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b.    
     According to this example of the present embodiment, an insulation layer is formed on a substrate, and as shown in  FIG. 26  explained below, a lower coil layer is formed on the insulation layer, and further, another insulation layer (which may be a resin, etc.) is formed for sealing, the lower coil layer being formed by arranging a lower pattern  13   a _ a  of a first coil  13   a  to be would around the first magnetic body  11   a , and a lower pattern  13   b _ a  of a second coil  13   b  to be wound around the second magnetic body  11   b , the patterns being made of aluminum. Thereafter, a layer containing the magnetoresistance effect element  12  and the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  is formed by thin film processes. The layer containing the magnetic bodies  11 , is sealed by an insulation layer, and via holes H are formed at predetermined positions of the insulation layer, to connect conductors at corresponding positions on the winding wire (lower patterns  13   a _ a  and  13   b _ a ) of the coil  13 . Next, the remaining portions of the winding wire of the coil to be connected to the conductors (upper patterns  13   a _ b  and  13   b _ b ) is formed by for example, aluminum, and sealed by a resin, etc. In this case, the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is located substantially the same layer as the magnetic bodies  11 . As mentioned above, then each of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  is treated as separated into the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111  and the wing-shaped section  112 , it can be said that coils respectively wound around these portions are formed, and the coils are connected to each other. 
     The first magnetic body  11   a  and the second magnetic body  11   b  are, for example, an alloy of iron and nickel (permalloy), and according to an example of the present embodiment, each has a thickness of 400 nm, a saturation magnetic flux density Bs of 1 T, and an initial magnetic permeability μi of 2000. Each insulation layer has a thickness of 1 μm. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , the first and second magnetic path convergence divergence portions  111   a  and  111   b  of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  have a convex shape projecting in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the X-axis within the layer, hereinafter, referred to as the Y-axis direction) toward the side where they oppose to each other. The convex portion may have a width decreasing toward the axis of symmetry Γ (tapered). Further, a concave portion is formed on the side of each of the first and second magnetic path convergence divergence portions  111   a  and  111   b , opposite to the side where the axis of symmetry Γ locates (on the side opposite to the side where the convergence divergence portions are faced to each other). 
     Next,  FIG. 26  shows the patterns  13   a _ a  and  13   b _ a  of the lower coil layer of the first and second coils  13   a  and  13   b . FIG.  27  shows the patterns  13   a _ b  and  13   b _ b  of the upper coil layer of the first and second coils  13   a  and  13   b . In  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27 , the portions indicated by blacked out rectangles H are the positions of the via holes, and the patterns  13   a _ b  or  13   b _ b  of the upper coil layer and the corresponding patterns  13   a _ a  or  13   b _ a  of the lower coil layer are electrically connected through the via holes located at the positions indicated by the rectangles H. 
     In both  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27 , at least a part of the winding wires of the coil  13  has a wire arrangement substantially parallel to the Y-axis. The wire arrangement of these wires may be formed so that the closer to the magnetic path convergence/divergence sections  111   a  and  111   b , the shorter the length in the Y-axis direction. Further, a portion of the wire arranged to be inclined relative to the Y-axis (a portion inclined at an angle within a predetermined angle range relative to the peripheral direction of the magnetic body, hereinafter, referred to as an inclined portion) is extended from each portion of the wire patterned in parallel with the Y-axis, and the inclined portion is connected through the via hole to an adjacent portion in the pattern. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27 , a part of the pattern corresponding to the coil  13  portion wound around the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111 , includes portions LX arranged parallel to the X-axis. A portion parallel to the Y-axis is extended from each of the opposite ends of the portions LX parallel to the X-axis, and as a whole, a bracket shape similar to the shape of letter C can be formed. Namely, according to the present embodiment, there are a portion of the coil  13  to form a pattern part with an arrangement parallel to the Y-axis (referred to as a first coil element), and a portion of the coil to form a pattern part with a C-letter like bracket shaped arrangement (referred to as a second coil element), the first coil element being adjacent to the second coil element. The direction of the magnetic field formed by the first coil element is parallel to the X-axis, and the direction of the magnetic field formed by the second coil element is oriented toward the side of the axis of symmetry Γ of magnetic path convergence divergence sections  111  and is inclined relative to the X-axis. Namely, the direction of the magnetic fields respectively formed by the first coil element and the second coil element (mutually adjacent coil elements) are inclined with each other (different between the adjacent coil elements). Here, a coil piece refers to a wire wound around the magnetic body for one round, the coil element refers a plurality of coil pieces connected in series. 
     Specifically, in the example shown in  FIG. 27 , the winding wire T 1 ′ in the upper pattern  13   a _ b  of the first coil  13   a  is connected to the pad Qb. This wire T 1 ′ extends on the first wing-shaped section  112   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  in the Y-axis direction, and is connected, through the conductive wire in the via hole H 1   d  arranged in a gap between the first magnetic body  11   a  and the second magnetic body  11   b , to the winding wire T 1  of the lower pattern  13   a _ a  shown in  FIG. 26 . The wire T 1  of the lower pattern  13   a _ a  extends on the first wing-shaped section  112   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  in the Y-axis direction. An inclined portion is extended from the winding wire T 1 , and the end of the inclined portion is connected, through a conductive wire within the via hole H 1   u , to the winding wire T 2 ′ of the upper pattern  13   a _ b.    
     The winding wire T 2 ′ further extends on the first wing-shaped section  112   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  in the Y-axis direction, and is connected through a conductive wire in the via hole H 2   d , to the winding wire T 2  of the lower pattern  13   a _ a . An inclined portion is extended from the winding wire T 2 , and the end of this inclined portion is connected, through a conductive wire in the via hole H 2   u , to the adjacent winding wire T 3 ′ of the upper pattern  13   a _ b . Subsequently, the winding wires T 3 , T 3 ′, T 4 , . . . , T 19  are wound around the magnetic body  11  in the direction parallel with the Y-axis, while the wires alternatively extend on the lower pattern  13   a _ a  and the upper pattern  13   a _ b  through the conductive wires within the corresponding via holes. 
     Further, the winding wire T 20 ′ in the upper pattern  13   a _ b  is connected through the via hole H 20   d  to the winding wire T 20  in the lower pattern  13   a _ a . The winding wire T 20  extends on the first wing-shaped section  112   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  in the Y-axis direction, then, extends on the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  over its enter length (then length in the X-axis direction) in the X-axis direction, further extends obliquely along the outer periphery of the winding wires T 39  to T 21 , and then, extends on the right side of the winding wire T 21  in the direction parallel to the Y-axis direction, on the first wing-shaped section  112   a  (right side) of the first magnetic body  11   a . Then, the winding wire T 20  is connected, thorough the via hole H 20   u , to the winding wire T 21 ′ in the upper pattern  13   a _ b . The winding wire T 21 ′ extends on the in the direction parallel to the Y-axis on the first wing-shaped section  112   a  (right side) of the first magnetic body  11   a , and is connected through the via hole H 21   d  to the winding wire T 21  of the lower pattern  13   a _ a.    
     Subsequently, the winding wires T 22 ′, T 22 , T 23 ′, . . . , T 39  are wound around the magnetic body  11  in the direction parallel with the Y-axis, while the wires alternatively extend on the lower pattern  13   a _ a  and the upper pattern  13   a _ b  through the conductive wires within the corresponding via holes. The winding wire T 39  is connected through the via hole H 39   u  to the winding wire T 40 ′ in the upper pattern  13   a _ b . The winding wire T 40 ′ extends on the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  to form the shape of the letter C, and is connected through the via hole H 40   d  to the winding wire T 40  in the lower pattern  13   a _ a . Subsequently, the winding wires T 41 ′, T 41 , T 42 ′, . . . , T 44  are wound around the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  to form a substantially C-shape, while the wires alternatively extend on the lower pattern  13   a _ a  and the upper pattern  13   a _ b  through the corresponding via holes. The winding wire T 44  in the lower pattern  13   a _ a  is connected, through the conductive wire in the via hole H 44   u , to the conductive wire T 45 ′ in the upper pattern  13   a _ b , the conductive wire T 45 ′ extending between the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  substantially in the X-axis direction and being connected to the external pad Qa. 
     The second coil  13   b  is wound around the second magnetic body  11   b  in the same way as the first coil  13   a . The second coil  13   b  is wound around the second magnetic body  11   b  in the way that the first coil  13   a  is reversed 180 degrees (rotationally symmetric with respect to the point C). 
     Since the coils  13   a  and  13   b  are respectively wound around the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  as aforementioned, when, for example, a coil current Ic is applied to the pad Qa which is connected to the first coil  13   a  to flow the current from the pad Qa to the pad Qb, a magnetic field oriented from the opposite ends of the first wing-shaped section  112   a  toward the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  is formed. Further, at the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a , magnetic lines flowing from the opposite ends of the first wing-shaped section  112   a  converge. A portion of the coil  13  wound around the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  forms a magnetic path toward the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  of the second magnetic body  11   b.    
     At this time, a current is applied to the second coil  13   b  wound around the second magnetic body  11   b  to form magnetic fields oriented from the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  toward the opposite ends of the wing-shaped section  112   b , respectively. Namely, the pad Qb of the second coil  13   b  is connected to the pad Qa of the first coil  13   a , and the pad Qa of the second coil  13   b  is connected to a common terminal (GND. Then, the coil current Ic is applied to the pad Qa of the first coil  13   a . Thereby, a magnetic path is formed, through which the magnetic lines flowing from the first magnetic body  11   a  diverge at the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b , and flow towards the opposite ends of the wing-shaped section  112   b.    
     Specifically,  FIG. 43( a )  shows magnetic fields formed by the coils  13   a  and  13   b , and  FIG. 43( b )  shows distribution of magnetization within the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b . As shown in  FIG. 43( b ) , when supposing an ellipsoidal shape circumscribing both the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b , magnetization distribution is formed from the left end in the figure to make a 360-degree clockwise rotation of the directions of the magnetic fields over the half of the periphery of the circumscribing ellipsoidal shape. The magnetoresistance effect element  12  is located where the magnetic fields converge, and thus, the magnetic fields can be efficiently applied to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . The circuit used at this time may be similar to those exemplified in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , and thus, the explanation therefor is not repeated and is omitted.  FIG. 44  is a reference drawing showing magnetic flux density distributions within Type 1 and Type 2 magnetic bodies, respectively. 
     When the current is applied to flow through the coils  13   a  and  13   b  in reverse, the magnetic lines flowing from the opposite ends of the second wing-shaped section  112   b  converge at the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  of the second magnetic body  11   b , and the magnetic lines flowing from the second magnetic body  11   b  diverge at the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a . Accordingly, the magnetic field (feedback magnetic field) applied to the magnetoresistance effect element  12  by the coils  13   a  and  13   b  respectively wound around the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  is oriented in the reverse direction to the direction of the magnetic field to be measured. 
     The number of winding wires in the coil explained above is not limited to those in the examples shown in  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27 , and the number may be larger or smaller than those in the examples shown in  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27 . Further, in  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27 , the pattern with the arrangement parallel to Y-axis direction is formed so that the closer to the first and second magnetic path convergence/divergence sections  111   a  and  111   b , the shorter the length in the Y-axis direction. Also, magnetic bodies  11  have smaller widths on the side near the first and second magnetic path convergence/divergence sections  111   a  and  111   b  to have larger distances between the magnetic bodies  11  and the axis of symmetry Γ, respectively. Accordingly, the coils  13  wound around the magnetic bodies are also formed to have larger distances from the axis of symmetry Γ near the first second magnetic path convergence/divergence sections  111   a  and  111   b . However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 28  shows a magnetic sensor device  1  according to still another example of the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as Type 3). Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1  is obtained by stacking thin films, similar to Type 2 magnetic sensor device  1 . The shape of the magnetic body  11 , and how the layers are stacked, are the same as those in Type 2. However, Type 3 is different from Type 2 in terms of the coil  13 .  FIG. 28  is a plan view showing Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1  obtained by stacking thin films, with transparent view of each layer. 
       FIG. 29  shows an example of lower patterns  13   a _ a  and  13   b _ a  of the first and second coils  13   a  and  13   b  in Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1 .  FIG. 30  shows an example of upper patterns  13   a _ b  and  13   b _ b  of the first and second coils  13   a  and  13   b  in Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1 . In  FIG. 29  and  FIG. 30 , the portions indicated by blacked out rectangles H are the positions of the via holes, and the upper patterns  13   a _ b  or  13   b _ b  and the corresponding lower patterns  13   a _ a  or  13   b _ a  of the lower coil layer are electrically connected through the corresponding via holes located at the positions indicated by the rectangles H. 
     In both examples shown in  FIG. 29  and  FIG. 30 , at least a part of the pattern defined by the winding wires of the coil  13  has a wire arrangement substantially parallel to the Y-axis. Unlike the pattern in Type 2 magnetic sensor device  1 , in this pattern, the Y-axis direction lengths of the wires of the patterned coil  13  arranged in parallel with the Y-axis are substantially the same, the length being defined from the end on the upper/lower side of the magnetic body  11  to the other end on the side where the magnetic bodies are closed to each other. 
     Further, a portion of the wire arranged to be inclined relative to the Y-axis (a portion inclined at an angle within a predetermined angle range relative to the peripheral direction of the magnetic body, hereinafter, referred to as an inclined portion) is extended from each portion of the wire patterned in parallel with the Y-axis, and the inclined portion is connected through the via hole to an adjacent portion in the pattern. 
     Since the coils  13   a  and  13   b  are respectively wound around the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  as aforementioned, when, for example, a current is applied to flow from the pad Qa which is connected to the first coil  13   a  to the pad Qb, a magnetic field oriented from the opposite ends of the first wing-shaped section  112   a  toward the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  is formed. Further, at the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a , magnetic lines flowing from the opposite ends of the first wing-shaped section  112   a  converge. A portion of the coil  13  wound around the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a  forms a magnetic path toward the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  of the second magnetic body  11   b.    
     At this time, a current is applied to the second coil  13   b  wound around the second magnetic body  11   b  to form magnetic fields oriented from the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  toward the opposite ends of the wing-shaped section  112   b , respectively. Thereby, a magnetic path is formed, through which the magnetic lines flowing from the first magnetic body  11   a  diverge at the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b , and flow towards the opposite ends of the wing-shaped section  112   b . Accordingly, the magnetoresistance effect element  12  is located where the magnetic fields converge, and thus, the magnetic fields can be efficiently applied to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . 
     When the current is applied to flow through the coils  13   a  and  13   b  in reverse, the magnetic lines flowing from the opposite ends of the second wing-shaped section  112   b  converge at the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  of the second magnetic body  11   b , and the magnetic lines flowing from the second magnetic body  11   b  diverge at the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  of the first magnetic body  11   a.    
     The number of winding wires in the coil explained above is not limited to those in the examples shown in  FIG. 29  and  FIG. 30 , and the number may be larger or smaller. The coil does not have to be a winding type, but can be a planar coil provided with a magnetic body  11  on the upper face or the lower face of the coil. Namely, as far as a magnetic field substantially equivalent to the magnetic field formed by the coil in  FIG. 24  can be formed, the arrangement or the shape of the coil is not limited. The shape of the magnetic body  11  in the Type 2 or Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1  is not limited to those shown in  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 28 , but can be the one provided with a constant-width wing-shaped section as exemplified in  FIG. 31 , or the one provided with a wind-shaped section wherein the side facing to the axis of symmetry Γ is linear as exemplified in  FIG. 32 . Further, as exemplified in  FIG. 33 , the side of the wing-shaped section located on the side opposite to the axis of symmetry Γ may be linear. In the example of  FIG. 33 , the side of wing-shaped section facing to the axis of symmetry Γ may be formed so that, within a predetermined range from the magnetic path convergence/divergence section, the closer to the magnetic path convergence/divergence section, the larger the distance from the axis of symmetry Γ, namely, within a predetermined range from the magnetic path convergence/divergence section, the closer to the magnetic path convergence/divergence section, the smaller the width of the wing-shaped section. 
     In addition, in Type 2 or Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1 , the number of magnetoresistance effect element  12  provided between the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  and the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b  does not have to be one. When a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  are provided between the first magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   a  and the second magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111   b , they may be arranged in parallel with the axis of symmetry Γ as exemplified in  FIG. 34( a ) , or may be juxtaposed along the axis of symmetry Γ as exemplified in  FIG. 34 ( b ) . In the figures showing an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the magnetoresistance effect element is not shown, the magnetoresistance effect element may be arranged as shown in any of  FIG. 31  to  FIG. 33 . 
     In the aforementioned explanation regarding Type 2 or Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1 , layers respectively including the lower coil  13   a  and the upper coil  13   b  are stacked to hold the magnetic body  11  therebetween. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. Namely, according to an example of the present embodiment, a first layer including an auxiliary magnetic body  11 ′ having the substantially same shape as the magnetic body  11  around which the coil  13  is wound, a second layer including the lower coil  13   a , a third layer including the magnetic body  11 , a fourth layer including the upper coil  13   b , and a fifth layer including an auxiliary magnetic body  11 ′ having the substantially same shape as the magnetic body  11  around which the coil  13  is wound, are sequentially stacked in this order. This structure corresponds to the one wherein magnetic sensor device  1  according to aforementioned examples is held between the layers each including an auxiliary magnetic body  11 ′ having the substantially same shape as the magnetic body  11 . 
     In addition, each magnetic body  11  may be provided with, not only a wing-shaped section  112 , but also a larger number of wing-shaped sections  112 , on each of the right and left sides. Specifically, the magnetic body exemplified in  FIG. 35  is provided with two wing-shaped sections  112  on each of the right and left sides of the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111 . In this example, coil  13  is arranged to cross the two wing-shaped sections  112  located of each of the right and left sides in the Y-axis direction. When there are 2N pieces (N pairs) of wing-shaped sections, and the coils forming the magnetic field for the respective wing-shaped sections are substantially equivalent, 2N times of the magnetic fields are provided to the magnetic path convergence/divergence section, compared to the case with a pair of wing-shaped sections. Therefore, a necessary feedback magnetic field can be obtained with less current consumption (even if a smaller current is applied to the coil). 
     Further, at least a pair of wing-shaped members  112 ′ made of the same material as the magnetic body  11  may be provided to the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b , respectively. Each pairs of the wing-shaped members  112 ′ has substantially the same shape as the right and left wing-shaped sections  112  of each magnetic body  11 . The wing-shaped members  112 ′ may be arranged on the upper side of the layer having the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111  with an insulation layer therebetween. The wing-shaped members  112 ′ are arranged to overlap the wing-shaped sections  112  having the same shape, in plain view. 
     With respect to the insulation layer between the wing-shaped members  112 ′ and the wing-shaped sections  112 , within the portion of the insulation layer corresponding to the portion around the side, which faces the axis of symmetry Γ, of the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111 , the insulation layer is formed so that the closer to the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111 , the thinner the thickness of the insulation layer. Therefore, the wing-shaped members  112 ′ are magnetically connected to the side, which faces the axis of symmetry Γ, of the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111  of the corresponding magnetic body  11 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 36 , in the plain view, the magnetic body  11  comprising four wing-shaped members  112 ′ (one pair for each of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b ) is not different in the example shown in  FIG. 24 .  FIG. 37  shows a cross-sectional view of the magnetic body  11  cut in the Y-axis direction along the plane including the point of symmetry C.  FIG. 38  shows a cross-sectional view of the magnetic path convergence/divergence section  111  cut in the Y-axis direction near the boundary to the wing-shaped section  112 .  FIG. 39  shows a cross-sectional view cut in the X-axis direction along the plane near the center of wing-shaped section  112 . 
     According to the explanation so far, there are magnetic gaps between the facing ends (left ends and right ends), with the axis of symmetry Γ therebetween, of the wing-shaped sections  112   a  and  112   b  of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b , the magnetic gaps functioning as magnetic saturation suppression sections for suppressing the magnetic saturation of the wing-shaped sections. However, in the present embodiment, the magnetic saturation suppression section does not have to be such a gap. According to an example of the present embodiment, as exemplified in  FIG. 40 , the magnetic body may have a shape wherein the ends, which face with the axis of symmetry Γ therebetween, of the wing-shaped sections  112   a  and  112   b  of the first and second magnetic bodies  11   a  and  11   b  are connected by films functioning as magnetic saturation suppression sections  113 , the film being composed of a material having a comparative low magnetic permeability, and a large magnetic flux density, such as, Co 50 Fe 50 . The Co 50 Fe 50  film has a Bs of 2.4 T, and a magnetic permeability of about one-tenth permalloy. Further, for the magnetic saturation suppression section  113 , a thin film made of a material having a high saturation magnetic flux density and being comparatively hard to be saturated, can be used. 
     Further, according to the present embodiment, as exemplified in  FIG. 41 , a thin-film-like spiral coil  120  may be stacked on the magnetic sensor device  1  within the XY plane. In this case, the spiral coil  120  may be arranged so that the portion substantially parallel with the Y-axis direction is located near the magnetoresistance effect element  12 . By supplying a predetermined current to the spiral coil  120 , a bias magnetic field along the X-axis direction (oriented in reverse with respect to the direction of the magnetic field to be measured) can be applied to the magnetoresistance effect element. 
     In the examples of Type 2 or Type 3, similar to the example shown in  FIG. 19 , the magnetoresistance effect element  12  may be arranged with its magnetic sensing direction (magnetization direction of the fixed layer) not aligned with the Y-axis direction, but aligned with the X-axis direction. In this case, as exemplified in  FIG. 19 ( a ) , a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (with their longitudinal directions in the Y-axis direction) may be aligned with the Y-axis direction (the direction of the magnetic field to be measured) while the magnetization directions of the fixed layers are reversed from each other. As exemplified in  FIG. 19( b ) , a pair of magnetoresistance effect elements  12  (with their longitudinal directions in the Y-axis direction) may be juxtaposed in the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field to be measured) while the magnetization directions of the fixed layers are reversed from each other. 
     EXAMPLES 
     With respect to the magnetic sensor device  1  according to the present embodiment exemplified in  FIG. 2 , an SVGMR element was used for the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , and the magnetic flux densities within the SVGMR element were measured while the intensity of the magnetic field to be measured was changed from 0 to about 3978 A/m (50 Oe), as the results are shown in  FIG. 22 . 
     As exemplified in  FIG. 22 , according to the present example, compared to the case where no feedback current (F.B. current) is applied, when a feedback current is 10 mA, the operation range was increased to about 1591 A/m (20 Oe), and when the feedback current is 20 mA, the operation range was increased to about 3182 A/m (40 Oe). This means that the measurement magnetic fluxes can be prevented from being concentrated on the magnetic sensing element, and the intensity of the magnetic field at which the magnetic saturation occurs can be increased, leading to the expansion of the range where no magnetic saturation takes place, and the increase in the measurement accuracy. 
     Further,  FIG. 23  shows magnetic resistance change rate dR/R of the magnetic sensor device  1  exemplified in  FIG. 16 . It was confirmed that, with respect to the magnetic sensor device  1  exemplified in  FIG. 16 , compared to the case when no bias magnetic field was present ( FIG. 23( a ) ), when a bias magnetic field of about 3978 A/m (50 Oe) was applied, the hysteresis was decreased, the range showing the linear change was expanded, and operation range can be expanded ( FIG. 23( b ) ). 
     Also, according to the present embodiment, with a comparatively low current consumption, a necessary magnetic field can be applied to the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , the range of detectable intensity of the magnetic field can be expanded. 
       FIG. 42  shows the magnetic flux densities By_MRE(T) in the Y-axis direction within the magnetoresistance effect element  12 , relative to the external magnetic field Hex (horizontal axis), regarding magnetic sensor devices  1  which are Type 1 exemplified in  FIG. 2 , Type 2 exemplified in  FIG. 24 , and Type 3 exemplified in  FIG. 28 . In  FIG. 42 , two cases are referred to as Type 2, in which the length of the wing-shaped section in the X-axis direction is shorter in Type 2a than Type 2b.  FIG. 42  will be explained. While a constant feedback current was applied to the coil and the measurement magnetic field Hex was changed, the point at which the magnetic flux density within the element in the Y-axis direction was zero, was defined as a feedback possible magnetic field. The feedback current was 10 mA. 
     According to the present embodiment, the consumption current can be reduced, compared to the current sensor using a magnetic material frame other than a thin film. With Type 1 magnetic sensor device  1 , a larger external magnetic field Hex can be cancelled, and a wider range of the magnetic field can be detected, compared to Type 2/Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1 . 
     This means that Type 1 magnetic sensor device  1  can be operated by a lower consumption current than Type 2/Type 3 magnetic sensor device  1 . On the other hand, as can be understood by referring to the magnetic flux density distribution plot (contour plot) at the time of magnetic equilibrium shown in  FIG. 44 , Type 2 magnetic sensor device  1  provided with the magnetic saturation suppression section has a comparatively low occurrence of magnetic saturation, and thus, can achieve an increased measurement accuracy. 
     EXPLANATION ON NUMERALS 
       1  magnetic sensor device,  10  substrate,  11  magnetic body,  12  magnetoresistance effect element,  13  coil,  14  comparator,  15  reference supply,  16  fixed resistor,  21  insulation layer,  22  insulation film,  23  resin,  41  waveform shaping unit,  42  LPF,  111  magnetic path convergence/divergence section,  112  wing-shaped section,  113  magnetic saturation suppression section