US 12,216,183 B2
Magnetic sensor and magnetic sensor system
Tetsuya Hiraki, Tokyo (JP); Kenzo Makino, Tokyo (JP); and Naoki Ohta, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to TDK CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by TDK CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Aug. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/896,859.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/238,492, filed on Aug. 30, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-125580 (JP), filed on Aug. 5, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0068352 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G01R 33/09 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 33/09 (2013.01) 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A magnetic sensor comprising:
a first path and a second path through each of which a current flows;
a plurality of structures disposed on the first path and the second path; and
a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that connect the plurality of structures in series, wherein
the first path includes a plurality of first arrays,
the second path includes a plurality of second arrays,
the plurality of first arrays in the first path and the plurality of second arrays in the second path are disposed so that the first arrays in the first path and the second arrays in the second path are alternately arranged one by one in a first direction,
the plurality of first arrays and the plurality of second arrays each include an odd number of structures among the plurality of structures, the odd number of structures being disposed so as to be arranged in a second direction,
at least one of the odd number of structures is a structure including a magnetoresistive element,
the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed at different positions in a third direction, and the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged one by one in a direction in which the current flows in each of the plurality of first arrays and the plurality of second arrays,
each of the plurality of first arrays in the first path includes a first structure located at an end in one direction parallel to the second direction, and a second structure located at an end in an opposite direction to the one direction,
each of the plurality of second arrays in the second path includes a third structure located at an end in the one direction, and a fourth structure located at the end in the opposite direction,
the two first structures of two first arrays adjoining with a gap therebetween in the first direction among the plurality of first arrays in the first path are connected to each other by one of the plurality of first electrodes,
the two second structures of the two first arrays are connected to each other by one of the plurality of second electrodes,
the two third structures of two second arrays adjoining with a gap therebetween in the first direction among the plurality of second arrays in the second path are connected to each other by another one of the plurality of second electrodes, and
the two fourth structures of the two second arrays are connected to each other by another one of the plurality of first electrodes.