Patent ID: 7405560

Claim:
A GMR angle sensor for vehicles comprising: a giant magnetoresistive element in which the element resistance is changed in response to an external magnetic field; lead conductors connected to the giant magnetoresistive element; and a protective layer that seals the giant magnetoresistive element and the lead conductors, wherein the protective layer has a laminated structure including: an inorganic film provided on the giant magnetoresistive element and the lead conductors, which ensures that the giant magnetoresistive element and the lead conductors are sufficiently insulated; and a silicone-based organic film provided on the inorganic film, and wherein the inorganic film comprises a silica (SiO 2 ) film and an oxidation-preventing film laminated on the lower surface of the silica film, the oxidation-preventing film being an alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) film having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the silica film.