Magnetic sensor

Abstract

To provide a magnetic sensor having high bonding strength to a mounting substrate.SOLUTION: A magnetic sensor 100 includes a component body 1 in a rectangular solid shape and multiple terminal electrodes 2 provided on the component body 1. The multiple terminal electrodes 2 include a first terminal electrode 21, a second terminal electrode 22, and a third terminal electrode 23. The first terminal electrode 21 corresponds to one first side face S31 of a pair of first side surfaces S31, S32, and the second terminal electrode 22 corresponds to the remaining first side surface S32 of the pair of first side surfaces S31, S32. Each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided extending over at least a main surface S1, and the corresponding first side surfaces S31, S32. The third terminal electrode 23 is provided between the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 on the main surface S1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to magnetic sensors and, more particularly, to magnetic sensors mounted on a mounting substrate. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a magnetic sensor that is configured by a direct circuit in which a first magnetoresistance element and a second magnetoresistance element are connected in series. The first magnetoresistance element and the second magnetoresistance element are connected in series via an electrode pad for extracting an output voltage. The electrode pad and the first magnetoresistance element are electrically connected by a first wiring pattern. The electrode pad and the second magnetoresistance element are electrically connected by a second wiring pattern. The first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern are formed separately from each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 190950 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, a magnetic sensor mounted on a mounting board is required to be fixed to the mounting board with a strong force, that is, the magnetic sensor is required to have a high fixing strength to the mounting board.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic sensor that has high adhesion strength to a mounting board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A magnetic sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a rectangular parallelepiped component body and a plurality of terminal electrodes. The component body has a main surface, a back surface, a pair of first side surfaces, and a pair of second side surfaces. The main surface is a mounting surface to a mounting board. The back surface faces the main surface. The pair of first side surfaces face each other along a first direction between the main surface and the back surface. The pair of second side surfaces face each other along a second direction different from the first direction between the main surface and the back surface. The plurality of terminal electrodes are provided on the component body. The plurality of terminal electrodes include a first terminal electrode, a second terminal electrode, and a third terminal electrode. The first terminal electrode corresponds to one of the pair of first side surfaces. The second terminal electrode corresponds to the remaining first side surface of the pair of first side surfaces. Each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is provided across at least the main surface and the corresponding first side surface. The third terminal electrode is provided on the main surface between the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure has the advantage of high adhesive strength to the mounting board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the magnetic sensor according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the magnetic sensor is mounted on a mounting board. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a magnetic sensor of a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the magnetic sensor of this embodiment with the multiple terminal electrodes omitted. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the limit strength of the above magnetic sensor and a magnetic sensor of a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the magnetic sensor according to the modified example of the above embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, magnetic sensors according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The following embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Also, each figure described in the following embodiment is a schematic diagram, and the size and thickness ratios of each component in the figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] (Present embodiment) (1) Overview An overview of the magnetic sensor 100 according to this embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The magnetic sensor 100 according to this embodiment detects the position of a detection target by utilizing magnetism. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 100 detects the position of the detection target based on a change in strength or direction of a magnetic field that occurs when the detection target moves relative to the magnetic sensor 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic sensor 100 includes a component body 1 and a plurality of terminal electrodes 2.

[0012] The component body 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a main surface S1, a back surface S2, a pair of first side surfaces S31, S32, and a pair of second side surfaces S41, S42. As shown in FIG. 2, the main surface S1 is a surface that becomes a mounting surface on the mounting board A1 when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the back surface S2 is a surface that faces the main surface S1. In a third direction D3 that is the thickness direction of the component body 1, the main surface S1 and the back surface S2 face each other. The pair of first side surfaces S31, S32 are surfaces that face each other along the first direction D1 between the main surface S1 and the back surface S2. On the other hand, the pair of second side surfaces S41, S42 are surfaces that face each other along a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1 between the main surface S1 and the back surface S2.

[0013] The multiple terminal electrodes 2 include a first terminal electrode 21, a second terminal electrode 22, and a third terminal electrode 23. The first terminal electrode 21 corresponds to one of the pair of first side surfaces S31, S32, the first side surface S31. On the other hand, the second terminal electrode 22 corresponds to one of the pair of first side surfaces S31, S32, the first side surface S32. Each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided across at least the main surface S1 and the corresponding first side surface S31, S32. That is, the first terminal electrode 21 is provided across at least the main surface S1 and the corresponding first side surface S31, and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided across at least the main surface S1 and the corresponding first side surface S32. The third terminal electrode 23 is provided between the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 on the main surface S1.

[0014] A magnetic sensor X1, which is a comparative example of this embodiment, is shown in FIG. 3. The magnetic sensor X1 has four terminal electrodes Z1 to Z4, and one of the four terminal electrodes Z1 to Z4 (the terminal electrode Z3 in the illustrated example) is a non-connected terminal electrode that is not electrically connected to the component body X10. In the magnetic sensor X1, the four terminal electrodes Z1 to Z4 are entirely provided on the main surface Y1. That is, in the magnetic sensor X1, each of the four terminal electrodes Z1 to Z4 is not provided across the main surface Y1 and the corresponding first side surface Y31, Y32 or the corresponding second side surface Y41, Y42. Therefore, when the magnetic sensor X1 is mounted on the mounting board A1 (see FIG. 2), the joint A2 that joins the magnetic sensor X1 to the mounting board A1 comes into contact with each of the four terminal electrodes Z1 to Z4 provided only on the main surface Y1.

[0015] On the other hand, in the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the joint A2 that joins the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 to the mounting board A1 flows along a portion of the first terminal electrode 21 (a second portion 212 described later) provided on the corresponding first side surface S31 and a portion of the second terminal electrode 22 (a second portion 222 described later) provided on the corresponding first side surface S32. As a result, a fillet F1 is formed in the joint A2 that joins the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 to the mounting board A1. The "fillet F1" in this disclosure refers to a portion of the joint A2 that protrudes along a portion of the first terminal electrode 21 (a second portion 212 described later) provided on the corresponding first side surface S31 and a portion of the second terminal electrode 22 (a second portion 222 described later) provided on the corresponding first side surface S32.

[0016] Therefore, in the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, the contact area between the first terminal electrode 21 or the second terminal electrode 22 and the joint A2 is larger than that of the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example. That is, in the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, the contact area between the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 and the mounting board A1 via the joint A2 is larger than that of the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example. As a result, the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment has an advantage of having a higher adhesion strength to the mounting board A1 than the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example. The "adhesion strength" in this disclosure is a degree indicating how strongly the magnetic sensor 100 is fixed to the mounting board A1. More specifically, the higher the adhesion strength, the more firmly the magnetic sensor 100 is fixed to the mounting board A1, and the less likely the magnetic sensor 100 is to be peeled off from the mounting board A1.

[0017] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Overall structure The detailed configuration of the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0018] The magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment uses a magnetoresistance (MR: Magneto Resistance) element whose resistance value changes according to an applied magnetic field to detect a change in the strength or direction of a magnetic field caused by the movement of the detection object relative to the magnetic sensor 100. As an example, the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment is an AMR sensor using an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR: Anisotropic Magneto Resistance) element. Note that the magnetic sensor 100 and the detection object only need to be configured to move relatively to each other, and the magnetic sensor 100 may be configured to move relative to the detection object.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic sensor 100 includes a component body 1, a plurality of terminal electrodes 2, and a plurality of magnetic resistance portions 3.

[0020] 2, the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1 using a joint A2. The joint A2 joins the magnetic sensor 100 to the mounting board A1, thereby fixing the magnetic sensor 100 to the mounting board A1. The material of the joint A2 is, for example, an alloy (so-called solder) mainly composed of lead and tin.

[0021] The mounting board A1 is a printed wiring board having a plurality of conductor parts A11. By mounting the magnetic sensor 100 on the mounting board A1, each of the plurality of terminal electrodes 2 is electrically connected to each of the plurality of conductor parts A11 on the mounting board A1 via the joint parts A2. Note that Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram and differs from the shapes, positions, sizes, etc. of the actual magnetic sensor 100, mounting board A1, and joint parts A2.

[0022] (2-2) Part body The component body 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a main surface S1, a back surface S2, a pair of first side surfaces S31, S32, and a pair of second side surfaces S41, S42. The rectangular parallelepiped shape is not limited to a shape that completely follows a rectangular parallelepiped, but may be any shape that follows a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The component body 1 is, for example, a ceramic substrate. The material of the ceramic substrate is, for example, an alumina sintered body with an alumina content of 96% or more.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the main surface S1 is a surface that becomes a mounting surface on the mounting board A1 when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the back surface S2 is a surface that faces the main surface S1. In a third direction D3 that is a thickness direction of the component body 1, the main surface S1 and the back surface S2 face each other. The pair of first side surfaces S31, S32 are surfaces that face each other along the first direction D1 between the main surface S1 and the back surface S2. On the other hand, the pair of second side surfaces S41, S42 are surfaces that face each other along a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1 between the main surface S1 and the back surface S2. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 intersect each other (orthogonal in the present disclosure).

[0024] The component body 1 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the first direction D1 is longer than the length in the second direction D2. In other words, the component body 1 has a long and narrow rectangular parallelepiped shape, with the first direction D1 being the longitudinal direction of the component body 1 and the second direction D2 being the lateral direction of the component body 1. Therefore, the first side surfaces S31 and S32 are the short side surfaces of the component body 1, and the second side surfaces S41 and S42 are the long side surfaces of the component body 1.

[0025] The main surface S1 has a first edge portion S11 and a second edge portion S12. The first edge portion S11 is connected to one of the pair of second side surfaces S41, S42, and the second edge portion S12 is connected to the other of the pair of second side surfaces S41, S42. The first edge portion S11 and the second edge portion S12 face each other along the second direction D2.

[0026] In addition, assuming that the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the main surface S1 is a surface located closer to the mounting board A1 than the back surface S2, and corresponds to the lower surface shown in Fig. 2. On the other hand, assuming that the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the back surface S2 is a surface located farther from the mounting board A1 than the main surface S1, and corresponds to the upper surface shown in Fig. 2.

[0027] (2-3) Terminal electrode The material of the multiple terminal electrodes 2 is, for example, a Cu alloy. In this embodiment, the number of the multiple terminal electrodes 2 is three. In other words, the magnetic sensor 100 includes three terminal electrodes 2. The three terminal electrodes 2 are a first terminal electrode 21, a second terminal electrode 22, and a third terminal electrode 23.

[0028] The first terminal electrode 21 is a power supply terminal to which electric power is input. More specifically, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the first terminal electrode 21 is a power supply terminal to which electric power is input from the mounting board A1 via a conductor portion A11 to which the first terminal electrode 21 is connected, among the multiple conductor portions A11 on the mounting board A1.

[0029] The second terminal electrode 22 is a ground terminal that is grounded to the ground. More specifically, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the second terminal electrode 22 is grounded to the ground via the conductor portion A11 to which the second terminal electrode 22 is connected, among the multiple conductor portions A11 on the mounting board A1.

[0030] The third terminal electrode 23 is an output terminal that outputs electric power. More specifically, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the third terminal electrode 23 is an output terminal that outputs electric power to the mounting board A1 via the conductor portion A11 to which the third terminal electrode 23 is connected, among the multiple conductor portions A11 on the mounting board A1.

[0031] The first terminal electrode 21 corresponds to one of the pair of first side surfaces S31, S32. On the other hand, the second terminal electrode 22 corresponds to the remaining first side surface S32 of the pair of first side surfaces S31, S32. In other words, the second terminal electrode 22 corresponds to the first side surface S32 of the pair of first side surfaces S31, S32 that is different from the first side surface S31 to which the first terminal electrode 21 corresponds.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided across the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surface S31, S32, and the back surface S2. More specifically, the first terminal electrode 21 is provided across the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surface S31, and the back surface S2, and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided across the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surface S32, and the back surface S2. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first terminal electrode 21 has a first portion 211 provided on the main surface S1, a second portion 212 provided on the corresponding first side surface S31, and a third portion 213 provided on the back surface S2. That is, the first terminal electrode 21 is curved in a horizontal U-shape along the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surface S31, and the back surface S2 when viewed from the second direction D2. Similarly, the second terminal electrode 22 has a first portion 221 provided on the main surface S1, a second portion 222 provided on the corresponding first side surface S32, and a third portion 223 provided on the back surface S2. That is, the second terminal electrode 22 is curved in a horizontal U-shape along the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surface S32, and the back surface S2 when viewed from the second direction D2.

[0033] 2, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the joint A2 tends to flow along the second portion 212 of the first terminal electrode 21 or the second portion 222 of the second terminal electrode 22, and the fillet F1 tends to be formed. As a result, the magnetic sensor 100 has an advantage that the adhesive strength of the magnetic sensor 100 to the mounting board A1 can be more reliably increased.

[0034] Furthermore, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, fillets F1 are formed at opposing positions along the first direction D1. As described above, the component body 1 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the first direction D1 is longer than the length in the second direction D2, which has the advantage that the magnetic sensor 100 is less likely to be peeled off from the mounting board A1 when the magnetic sensor 100 is pressed in along the longitudinal direction (first direction D1).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided over the entire length of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2. More specifically, each of the first portion 211 of the first terminal electrode 21 and the first portion 221 of the second terminal electrode 22 is provided continuously from the first edge portion S11 to the second edge portion S12 of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2. With the above configuration, the contact area between the first terminal electrode 21 or the second terminal electrode 22 and the joint portion A2 is increased. That is, an effect is achieved in that the contact area between the first terminal electrode 21 or the second terminal electrode 22 and the mounting board A1 via the joint portion A2 is increased. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 100 has an advantage of being fixed to the mounting board A1 with a higher strength.

[0036] Each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 covers the entire first side surface S31, S32 corresponding thereto. More specifically, the second portion 212 of the first terminal electrode 21 covers the entire first side surface S31 corresponding thereto, and the second portion 222 of the second terminal electrode 22 covers the entire first side surface S32 corresponding thereto. With the above configuration, the contact area between the first terminal electrode 21 or the second terminal electrode 22 and the joint A2 is increased. That is, an effect is achieved in that the contact area between the first terminal electrode 21 or the second terminal electrode 22 and the mounting board A1 via the joint A2 is increased. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 100 has an advantage of being fixed to the mounting board A1 with a higher strength.

[0037] In this embodiment, the dimension in the first direction D1 of the third portion 213 of the first terminal electrode 21 is longer than the dimension in the first direction D1 of the third portion 223 of the second terminal electrode 22. With this configuration, when an operator mounts the magnetic sensor 100 on the mounting board A1, the operator can distinguish between the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 by checking the rear surface S2 of the component body 1. That is, when an operator mounts the magnetic sensor 100 on the mounting board A1, the operator can distinguish between the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 based on the appearance. As a result, the magnetic sensor 100 has an advantage that the operator can stabilize the work (reduce mounting errors) when mounting the magnetic sensor 100 on the mounting board A1.

[0038] The third terminal electrode 23 is provided on the main surface S1 between the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 in the first direction D1. Hereinafter, the position at which the third terminal electrode 23 is provided on the main surface S1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0039] The first portion 211 of the first terminal electrode 21 has a first end E1 connected to the second portion 212 and a second end E2 facing the first end E1 along the first direction D1. That is, the first terminal electrode 21 has a second end E2 on the opposite side of the first end E1 connected to the second portion 212 in the first portion 211. Similarly, the first portion 221 of the second terminal electrode 22 has a third end E3 connected to the second portion 222 and a fourth end E4 facing the third end E3 along the first direction D1. That is, the second terminal electrode 22 has a fourth end E4 on the opposite side of the third end E3 connected to the second portion 222 in the first portion 221.

[0040] The third terminal electrode 23 has a fifth end E5 on the first terminal electrode 21 side and a sixth end E6 on the second terminal electrode 22 side which face each other along the first direction D1. The fifth end E5 is an end located closer to the first terminal electrode 21 than the sixth end E6 in the first direction D1. Similarly, the sixth end E6 is an end located closer to the second terminal electrode 22 than the fifth end E5 in the first direction D1.

[0041] The first distance Di1 between the second end E2 of the first terminal electrode 21 and the fifth end E5 of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1 is the same as the second distance Di2 between the fourth end E4 of the second terminal electrode 22 and the sixth end E6 of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1. In short, the third terminal electrode 23 is provided in the center in the first direction D1 on the main surface S1. According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily design the wiring width and wiring length of the first magnetoresistance pattern portion 34 and the second magnetoresistance pattern portion 35 in each of the multiple magnetoresistance portions 3 (details will be explained in the section "(2-4) Magnetoresistance portion"). That is, there is an advantage that the design of the magnetic sensor 100 is made easier. Note that "same" in the present disclosure is not limited to being exactly the same, and an error is allowed. For example, an error within 10% is allowed. Similarly, "center" in the present disclosure is not limited to being exactly the center, and an error is allowed. For example, an error of within 10% is acceptable.

[0042] In this embodiment, the third terminal electrode 23 is provided over the entire length of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2. More specifically, the third terminal electrode 23 is provided continuously from the first edge portion S11 to the second edge portion S12 of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2.

[0043] (2-4) Magnetic resistance section The magnetic resistance portion 3 is provided on the main surface S1 of the component body 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the magnetic resistance portion 3 has a first terminal pattern portion 31, a second terminal pattern portion 32, a third terminal pattern portion 33, a first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34, and a second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the magnetic sensor 100 in which the multiple terminal electrodes 2 are omitted in order to explain the magnetic resistance portion 3.

[0044] The first terminal pattern portion 31, the second terminal pattern portion 32, and the third terminal pattern portion 33 are, for example, metal patterns including a Cu alloy. The first terminal pattern portion 31, the second terminal pattern portion 32, and the third terminal pattern portion 33 correspond one-to-one to the first terminal electrode 21, the second terminal electrode 22, and the third terminal electrode 23, respectively. More specifically, the first terminal pattern portion 31 corresponds one-to-one to the first terminal electrode 21, is provided between the first terminal electrode 21 and the main surface S1 of the component body 1, and is connected to the first terminal electrode 21. The second terminal pattern portion 32 corresponds one-to-one to the second terminal electrode 22, is provided between the second terminal electrode 22 and the main surface S1 of the component body 1, and is connected to the second terminal electrode 22. The third terminal pattern portion 33 corresponds one-to-one to the third terminal electrode 23, is provided between the third terminal electrode 23 and the main surface S1 of the component body 1, and is connected to the third terminal electrode 23. The third terminal pattern portion 33 is provided between the first terminal pattern portion 31 and the second terminal pattern portion 32.

[0045] In this embodiment, the dimension of the first terminal pattern portion 31 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 4) is set smaller than the dimension of the first terminal electrode 21 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 1). The first terminal pattern portion 31 is provided such that a seventh end E7 (see FIG. 4) on the third terminal pattern portion 33 side of the first terminal pattern portion 31 substantially overlaps with the second end E2 (see FIG. 1) of the first terminal electrode 21 when viewed from the third direction D3 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4). The third direction D3 referred to here is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] Similarly, in this embodiment, the dimension of the second terminal pattern portion 32 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 4) is smaller than the dimension of the second terminal electrode 22 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 1). The second terminal pattern portion 32 is disposed such that an eighth end E8 (see FIG. 4) on the third terminal pattern portion 33 side of the second terminal pattern portion 32 substantially overlaps with a fourth end E4 (see FIG. 1) of the second terminal electrode 22 when viewed from the third direction D3.

[0047] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the dimension of the third terminal pattern portion 33 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 4) is set to be substantially the same as the dimension of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 1). For this reason, the third terminal pattern portion 33 is set so that, when viewed from the third direction D3, a ninth end E9 (see FIG. 4) of the third terminal pattern portion 33 on the first terminal pattern portion 31 side substantially overlaps with a fifth end E5 (see FIG. 1) of the third terminal electrode 23, and a tenth end E10 (see FIG. 4) of the third terminal pattern portion 33 on the second terminal pattern portion 32 side substantially overlaps with a sixth end E6 (see FIG. 1) of the third terminal electrode 23.

[0048] 1, a first distance Di1 between the second end E2 of the first terminal electrode 21 and the fifth end E5 of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1 is the same as a second distance Di2 between the fourth end E4 of the second terminal electrode 22 and the sixth end E6 of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, a third distance Di3 between the seventh end E7 of the first terminal pattern portion 31 and the ninth end E9 of the third terminal pattern portion 33 in the first direction D1 is the same as a fourth distance Di4 between the eighth end E8 of the third terminal pattern portion 33 and the tenth end E10 of the second terminal pattern portion 32 in the first direction D1.

[0049] The first magnetoresistance pattern portion 34 and the second magnetoresistance pattern portion 35 are metal patterns having a magnetoresistance effect containing a NiFe (nickel ferrite) alloy. The first magnetoresistance pattern portion 34 connects the first terminal pattern portion 31 and the third terminal pattern portion 33. On the other hand, the second magnetoresistance pattern portion 35 connects the second terminal pattern portion 32 and the third terminal pattern portion 33.

[0050] Each of the first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34 and the second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35 is formed in a meandering shape when viewed from the third direction D3 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4). The meandering shape of the first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34 is formed so as to meander along the first progression direction Dt1. In this embodiment, the first progression direction Dt1 is along the second direction D2. On the other hand, the meandering shape of the second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35 is formed so as to meander along the second progression direction Dt2. In this embodiment, the second progression direction Dt2 is along the first direction D1.

[0051] More specifically, the first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34 has a plurality of straight portions 341 and a plurality of turning portions 342. Each of the plurality of straight portions 341 is a metal pattern formed in a linear shape along a direction intersecting (orthogonal in the present disclosure) the first traveling direction Dt1. The plurality of straight portions 341 are arranged along the first traveling direction Dt1. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of straight portions 341 is formed in a linear shape along the first direction D1, and the plurality of straight portions 341 are arranged along the second direction D2. The plurality of turning portions 342 are rectangular metal patterns. The plurality of turning portions 342 connect two adjacent straight portions 341 among the plurality of straight portions 341.

[0052] Similarly, the second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35 has a plurality of straight portions 351 and a plurality of turning portions 352. Each of the plurality of straight portions 351 is a metal pattern formed in a linear shape along a direction intersecting (orthogonal in the present disclosure) the second traveling direction Dt2. The plurality of straight portions 351 are arranged along the second traveling direction Dt2. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of straight portions 351 is formed in a linear shape along the second direction D2, and the plurality of straight portions 351 are arranged along the first direction D1. The plurality of turning portions 352 are rectangular metal patterns. The plurality of turning portions 352 connect two adjacent straight portions 351 among the plurality of straight portions 351.

[0053] The first traveling direction Dt1 and the second traveling direction Dt2 intersect with each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). With this configuration, the amount of change in the resistance value of the first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34 due to a change in the strength or direction of the magnetic field caused by the detection target moving relative to the magnetic sensor 100 differs from the amount of change in the resistance value of the second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 100 can detect the position of the detection target by detecting the potential of the third terminal electrode 23.

[0054] In this embodiment, the third distance Di3 between the seventh end E7 of the first terminal pattern portion 31 and the ninth end E9 of the third terminal pattern portion 33 in the first direction D1 is the same as the fourth distance Di4 between the eighth end E8 of the third terminal pattern portion 33 and the tenth end E10 of the second terminal pattern portion 32 in the first direction D1. As a result, when the detection target is not moving, it is easy to design the wiring width and wiring length of the first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34 and the second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35 so that the resistance value of the first magnetic resistance pattern portion 34 and the resistance value of the second magnetic resistance pattern portion 35 are approximately equal. In other words, there is an advantage that the design of the magnetic sensor 100 is made easier.

[0055] The magnetoresistance unit 3 further includes a protective film 36 (see FIG. 1) for protecting the first magnetoresistance pattern unit 34 and the second magnetoresistance pattern unit 35. The material of the protective film 36 is, for example, epoxy resin. The protective film 36 is formed so as to cover the first magnetoresistance pattern unit 34 and the second magnetoresistance pattern unit 35. In this embodiment, the first terminal pattern unit 31, the second terminal pattern unit 32, and the third terminal pattern unit 33 are connected to the first terminal electrode 21, the second terminal electrode 22, and the third terminal electrode 23, respectively, so that the protective film 36 is formed so as to cover the area on the main surface S1 excluding the first terminal pattern unit 31, the second terminal pattern unit 32, and the third terminal pattern unit 33. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the protective film 36 is formed so as to cover the area on the main surface S1 between the first terminal electrode 21 and the third terminal electrode 23, and the area between the third terminal electrode 23 and the second terminal electrode 22.

[0056] (3) Advantages In the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided across the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surfaces S31, S32, and the back surface S2. Therefore, when the magnetic sensor 100 is mounted on the mounting board A1, the joint A2 tends to flow along the second portion 212 of the first terminal electrode 21 or the second portion 222 of the second terminal electrode 22, and the fillet F1 tends to be formed. As a result, the magnetic sensor 100 has an advantage that the fixing strength of the magnetic sensor 100 to the mounting board A1 can be more reliably increased.

[0057] 3, in the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example, two of the four terminal electrodes Z1 to Z4 (terminal electrodes Z1 and Z2, or terminal electrodes Z3 and Z4 in the illustrated example) are arranged side by side in the short side direction. Therefore, there is a limit to how small the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example can be made.

[0058] 1, in the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, the first terminal electrode 21, the second terminal electrode 22, and the third terminal electrode 23 are provided one each in the short side direction (i.e., the second direction D2). In other words, in the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, the first terminal electrode 21, the second terminal electrode 22, and the third terminal electrode 23 are provided so as not to be aligned along the short side direction. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 100 has the advantage that it can be made smaller than the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example.

[0059] Hereinafter, the difference in adhesive strength to the mounting board A1 between the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment and the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] Plot P1 shown in FIG. 5 indicates the average value of the limit strength of the magnetic sensor X1 having a longitudinal dimension of about 2.2 mm and a transverse dimension of about 1.5 mm, and error bar B1 indicates the variation of the limit strength of the magnetic sensor X1. Similarly, plot P2 shown in FIG. 5 indicates the average value of the limit strength of the magnetic sensor 100 having a longitudinal dimension of about 1.6 mm and a transverse dimension of about 0.8 mm, and error bar B2 indicates the variation of the limit strength of the magnetic sensor 100. The "limit strength" in this disclosure is the load applied to the pressing jig when the second side S42 of the magnetic sensor 100 or the second side Y42 of the magnetic sensor X1 is pressed along the second direction D2 by the pressing jig and the magnetic sensor 100 or the magnetic sensor X1 is peeled off from the mounting board A1. That is, the higher the limit strength, the higher the fixing strength to the mounting board A1.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 5, in the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example, the average value of the limit strength is about 8N, and the limit strength varies from about 6N to about 10N. On the other hand, in the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment, the average value of the limit strength is about 35N, and the limit strength varies from about 31N to about 41N. In short, the limit strength of the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment is about 4.3 times that of the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example. That is, Fig. 5 shows that the adhesive strength of the magnetic sensor 100 to the mounting board A1 is higher than that of the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example to the mounting board A1.

[0062] It is generally known that the smaller the component mounted on the mounting board A1, the smaller the contact area between the component and the mounting board A1, and as a result, the weaker the adhesive strength of the component to the mounting board A1. However, the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment is smaller than the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example, but has a stronger adhesive strength to the mounting board A1 than the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example. In short, the magnetic sensor 100 of this embodiment has the advantage of having a stronger adhesive strength to the mounting board A1, despite being smaller than the magnetic sensor X1 of the comparative example.

[0063] (4) Variations The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] (4-1) Variations In the above-described embodiment, the component body 1 of the magnetic sensor 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the first direction D1 is longer than the length in the second direction D2. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the component body 1 of the magnetic sensor 100a may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the first direction D1a is shorter than the length in the second direction D2a. In short, in the magnetic sensor 100 of the above-described embodiment, the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the component body 1, and the second direction D2 is the lateral direction of the component body 1, but as in the magnetic sensor 100a shown in FIG. 6, the first direction D1a may be the lateral direction of the component body 1, and the second direction D2a may be the longitudinal direction of the component body 1.

[0065] According to the above configuration, when the magnetic sensor 100a is mounted on the mounting board A1, the joints A2 form fillets F1 at positions facing each other in the first direction D1a. This has the advantage that the magnetic sensor 100a is less likely to be peeled off from the mounting board A1 when the magnetic sensor 100a is pressed in along the short side direction (first direction D1a).

[0066] The magnetic sensor 100a includes a component body 1a, a plurality of terminal electrodes 2a, and a plurality of magnetic resistance portions 3, as shown in FIG.

[0067] The component body 1a has a main surface S1, a back surface S2, a pair of first side surfaces S31a, S32a, and a pair of second side surfaces S41a, S42a. The pair of first side surfaces S31a, S32a are surfaces that face each other along a first direction D1a between the main surface S1 and the back surface S2. On the other hand, the pair of second side surfaces S41a, S42a are surfaces that face each other along a second direction D2a different from the first direction D1a between the main surface S1 and the back surface S2. The first direction D1a and the second direction D2a intersect with each other (orthogonal in this disclosure). The component body 1a differs from the component body 1 of the above-described embodiment in that the first side surfaces S31a, S32a are long side surfaces of the component body 1a, and the second side surfaces S41a, S42a are short side surfaces of the component body 1a.

[0068] The number of the multiple terminal electrodes 2a is 3. The three terminal electrodes 2a are a first terminal electrode 21a, a second terminal electrode 22a, and a third terminal electrode 23a.

[0069] The first terminal electrode 21a is a power supply terminal to which power is input, similar to the first terminal electrode 21. The second terminal electrode 22a is a ground terminal that is grounded, similar to the second terminal electrode 22. The third terminal electrode 23a is an output terminal that outputs power, similar to the third terminal electrode 23.

[0070] The first terminal electrode 21a and the second terminal electrode 22a can be described as having the same configuration as the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 in the above-mentioned embodiment by replacing the first direction D1, the second direction D2, the component main body 1, the first side surfaces S31, S32, and the pair of second side surfaces S41, S42 in the above-mentioned embodiment with the first direction D1a, the second direction D2a, the component main body 1a, the first side surfaces S31a, S32a, and the pair of second side surfaces S41a, S42a, respectively, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] Unlike the third terminal electrode 23, the third terminal electrode 23a is provided on a part of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2a. More specifically, the third terminal electrode 23a is provided in the center of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2a. Note that, like the third terminal electrode 23, the third terminal electrode 23a may be provided over the entire length of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2a.

[0072] The other configuration of the third terminal electrode 23a can be described as being similar to that of the third terminal electrode 23 in the above-mentioned embodiment by replacing the first direction D1, the second direction D2, the component main body 1, the first side surfaces S31, S32, the pair of second side surfaces S41, S42, the first terminal electrode 21, and the second terminal electrode 22 in the above-mentioned embodiment with the first direction D1a, the second direction D2a, the component main body 1a, the first side surfaces S31a, S32a, the pair of second side surfaces S41a, S42a, the first terminal electrode 21a, and the second terminal electrode 22a, respectively, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] (4-2) Other Modifications Other variations of the above-described embodiment are listed below. The following variations may be implemented in appropriate combination.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided across the main surface S1, the corresponding first side surfaces S31, S32, and the back surface S2. However, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 may be provided across only the main surface S1 and the corresponding first side surfaces S31, S32. In other words, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 does not have to be provided on the back surface S2.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided over the entire length of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2, but they do not have to be provided over the entire length of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2. That is, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 may be provided on a part of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2. In short, it is sufficient that each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 is provided on at least a part of the main surface S1 in the second direction D2.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, each of the first terminal electrode 21 and the second terminal electrode 22 covers the entirety of the corresponding first side surface S31, S32, but it is not necessary for them to cover the entirety of the corresponding first side surface S31, S32. That is, the first terminal electrode 21 may cover a part of the corresponding first side surface S31, and the second terminal electrode 22 may cover a part of the corresponding first side surface S32. In short, it is sufficient for the first terminal electrode 21 to cover at least a part of the corresponding first side surface S31, and for the second terminal electrode 22 to cover a part of the corresponding first side surface S32.

[0077] 1, the first distance Di1 between the second end E2 of the first terminal electrode 21 and the fifth end E5 of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1 is the same as the second distance Di2 between the fourth end E4 of the second terminal electrode 22 and the sixth end E6 of the third terminal electrode 23 in the first direction D1. However, the first distance Di1 may be greater or smaller than the second distance Di2.

[0078] That is, in the above-described embodiment, the third terminal electrode 23 is provided in the center between the second end E2 of the first terminal electrode 21 and the fourth end E4 of the second terminal electrode 22 on the main surface S1, but it does not have to be provided in the center. The third terminal electrode 23 may be provided in a position on the main surface S1 closer to the fourth end E4 of the second terminal electrode 22 than the second end E2 of the first terminal electrode 21. Furthermore, the third terminal electrode 23 may be provided in a position on the main surface S1 closer to the second end E2 of the first terminal electrode 21 than the fourth end E4 of the second terminal electrode 22.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the number of the multiple terminal electrodes 2 is three, but it may be four or more. That is, the number of the multiple terminal electrodes 2 may be three or more. In this case, the multiple (more specifically, three or more) terminal electrodes 2 may include a first terminal electrode 21, a second terminal electrode 22, and a third terminal electrode 23.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the component body 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the first direction D1 is longer than the length in the second direction D2. However, the component body 1 may have a cubic shape in which the length in the first direction D1 and the length in the second direction D2 are approximately equal.

[0081] (summary) The magnetic sensor (100, 100a) of the first embodiment includes a component body (1, 1a) having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a plurality of terminal electrodes (2, 2a). The component body (1, 1a) has a main surface (S1), a back surface (S2), a pair of first side surfaces (S31, S32, S31a, S32a), and a pair of second side surfaces (S41, S42, S41a, S42a). The main surface (S1) is a mounting surface to be mounted on a mounting board (A1). The back surface (S2) faces the main surface (S1). The pair of first side surfaces (S31, S32, S31a, S32a) face each other along a first direction (D1, D1a) between the main surface (S1) and the back surface (S2). The pair of second side surfaces (S41, S42, S41a, S42a) face each other between the main surface (S1) and the back surface (S2) along a second direction (D2, D2a) different from the first direction (D1, D1a). The multiple terminal electrodes (2, 2a) are provided on the component body (1, 1a). The multiple terminal electrodes (2, 2a) include a first terminal electrode (21, 21a), a second terminal electrode (22, 22a), and a third terminal electrode (23, 23a). The first terminal electrode (21, 21a) corresponds to one of the pair of first side surfaces (S31, S32, S31a, S32a) of the first side surface (S31, S31a). The second terminal electrode (22, 22a) corresponds to the remaining first side surface (S32, S32a) of the pair of first side surfaces (S31, S32, S31a, S32a). Each of the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) and the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) is provided across at least the main surface (S1) and the corresponding first side surface (S31, S32, S31a, S32a). The third terminal electrode (23, 23a) is provided on the main surface (S1) between the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) and the second terminal electrode (22, 22a).

[0082] This embodiment has the advantage that the adhesive strength to the mounting board (A1) is high.

[0083] In the magnetic sensor (100) of the second embodiment, the component body (1) of the first embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the first direction (D1) is longer than its length in the second direction (D2).

[0084] This embodiment has the advantage that the magnetic sensor (100) is less likely to be peeled off from the mounting board (A1) when the magnetic sensor (100) is pressed in along the longitudinal direction.

[0085] In the magnetic sensor (100a) of the third embodiment, the component body (1a) in the first embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the second direction (D2a) is longer than its length in the first direction (D1a).

[0086] This embodiment has the advantage that the magnetic sensor (100a) is less likely to be peeled off from the mounting board (A1) when the magnetic sensor (100a) is pressed in along the short side direction.

[0087] The magnetic sensor (100, 100a) of the fourth aspect is in any one of the first to third aspects, in which the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) has a second end (E2) on the opposite side to the first end (E1) connected to the second portion (212) on the corresponding first side surface (S31, S31a) in the first portion (211) provided on the main surface (S1). The second terminal electrode (22, 22a) has a fourth end (E4) on the opposite side to the third end (E3) connected to the second portion (222) on the corresponding first side surface (S32, S32a) in the first portion (221) provided on the main surface (S1). The third terminal electrode (23, 23a) has a fifth end (E5) on the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) side and a sixth end (E6) on the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) side, which face each other along the first direction (D1, D1a). A first distance (Di1) between the second end (E2) of the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) and the fifth end (E5) of the third terminal electrode (23, 23a) in the first direction (D1, D1a) is the same length as a second distance (Di2) between the fourth end (E4) of the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) and the sixth end (E6) of the third terminal electrode (23, 23a) in the first direction (D1, D1a).

[0088] According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to design the wiring width and wiring length of each of the plurality of magnetoresistance sections (3), which has the advantage that the design of the magnetic sensor (100, 100a) becomes easier.

[0089] The magnetic sensor (100, 100a) of the fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) and the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) are each provided across the main surface (S1), the corresponding first side surface (S31, S32, S31a, S32a), and the back surface (S2).

[0090] This embodiment has the advantage that the adhesive strength to the mounting board (A1) can be more reliably increased.

[0091] The magnetic sensor (100, 100a) of the sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) and the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) are each provided over the entire length of the main surface (S1) in the second direction (D2, D2a).

[0092] According to this embodiment, the contact area between the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) or the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) and the mounting board (A1) becomes larger, which has the advantage of increasing the fixing strength to the mounting board (A1).

[0093] The magnetic sensor (100, 100a) of the seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) and the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) each cover the entirety of the corresponding first side surface (S31, S32, S31a, S32a).

[0094] According to this embodiment, the contact area between the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) or the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) and the mounting board (A1) becomes larger, which has the advantage of increasing the fixing strength to the mounting board (A1).

[0095] In the magnetic sensor (100, 100a) of the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first terminal electrode (21, 21a) is a power supply terminal to which power is input, the second terminal electrode (22, 22a) is a ground terminal to be grounded, and the third terminal electrode (23, 23a) is an output terminal to output power.

[0096] This embodiment has the advantage that the design of the magnetic sensor (100, 100a) is simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 100, 100a magnetic sensor 1, 1a Part body 2, 2a terminal electrode 21, 21a 1st terminal electrode 211 Part 1 212 Part 2 22, 22a 2nd terminal electrode 221 Part 1 222 Part 2 23 3rd terminal electrode 3 Magnetic resistance section A1 Mounting board D1, D1a 1st direction D2, D2a 2nd direction Di1 1st Distance Di2 2nd Distance E1 1st end E2 2nd end E3 3rd end E4 4th end E5 5th end E6 6th end S1 main surface S2 back S31, S32, S31a, S32a 1st side S41, S42, S41a, S42a 2nd side

Claims

1. a component body having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the component body having a main surface to be mounted on a mounting board, a back surface opposite the main surface, a pair of first side surfaces opposing each other along a first direction between the main surface and the back surface, and a pair of second side surfaces opposing each other along a second direction different from the first direction between the main surface and the back surface; a plurality of terminal electrodes provided on the component body; the plurality of terminal electrodes include a first terminal electrode, a second terminal electrode, and a third terminal electrode, the first terminal electrode corresponds to one of the pair of first side surfaces; the second terminal electrode corresponds to the remaining first side surface of the pair of first side surfaces, each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is provided across at least the main surface and the corresponding first side surface; the third terminal electrode is provided on the main surface between the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode; Magnetic sensor.

2. The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the first direction is longer than the length in the second direction. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1 .

3. The component body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the second direction is longer than the length in the first direction. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1 .

4. the first terminal electrode has a first portion provided on the main surface, a second end opposite to a first end connected to a second portion provided on the corresponding first side surface, the second terminal electrode has, in a first portion provided on the main surface, a fourth end opposite a third end connected to a second portion provided on the corresponding first side surface; the third terminal electrode has a fifth end on the first terminal electrode side and a sixth end on the second terminal electrode side which face each other along the first direction, a first distance between the second end of the first terminal electrode and the fifth end of the third terminal electrode in the first direction is equal to a second distance between the fourth end of the second terminal electrode and the sixth end of the third terminal electrode in the first direction; The magnetic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is provided across the main surface, the corresponding first side surface, and the back surface. The magnetic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is provided over an entire length of the main surface in the second direction. The magnetic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. Each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode covers the entire first side surface corresponding thereto. The magnetic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. the first terminal electrode is a power supply terminal to which power is input, the second terminal electrode is a ground terminal that is grounded to ground, The third terminal electrode is an output terminal that outputs the power. The magnetic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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