Patent ID: 6894486

Claim:
A magnetic sensor comprising: a bias magnet having a bottom surface and at least one side surface oriented generally perpendicularly in relation to said bottom surface, said bias magnet providing a magnetic field; a magnetically sensitive element facingly adjacent said at least one side surface of said bias magnet; and a magnetic target located adjacent said bottom surface of said bias magnet and adjacent said magnetically sensitive element disposed in movable relation with respect thereto, said magnetic target comprising a plurality of predetermined magnetic irregularities which magnetically affect said magnetic field of the bias magnet sensed by the magnetically sensitive element as said magnetic target moves in relation to said bias magnet and said magnetically sensitive element; wherein said magnetic field of said bias magnet is oriented substantially parallel to a direction of movement of said magnetic irregularities of said magnetic target; wherein said magnetically sensitive element is sensitive to a component of said magnetic field which is parallel to the direction of movement; and wherein said magnetically sensitive element is aligned with said bias magnet parallel to the direction of movement of said magnetic irregularities.