Magnetic sensor device and magnetic sensor

Abstract

Check for failures in the magnetic sensor element. [Solution] The magnetic sensor device 1 comprises N (N≧2) magnetic sensor elements 12, N loop-shaped wirings 171 corresponding to each magnetic sensor element 12, an application unit 19 that applies alternating current to the N loop-shaped wirings 171, and a self-checking unit that checks for the occurrence of a failure in any of the magnetic sensor elements 12 based on the detection results of each magnetic sensor element 12 when the alternating current is applied by the application unit 19.

Claims

1. N (N≧2) magnetic sensor elements, N loop-shaped wirings corresponding to each of the aforementioned magnetic sensor elements, An application means for applying alternating current to the N loop-shaped wirings, A verification means for checking for the occurrence of a failure in any of the magnetic sensor elements based on the detection results of each of the magnetic sensor elements when the alternating current is applied by the application means, A magnetic sensor device equipped with the following features.

2. The N loop-shaped wirings are configured such that their relative positional relationship with respect to the corresponding magnetic sensor element is the same. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 1.

3. A connecting wire that sequentially connects the N loop-shaped wires, wherein the connecting wire connects the N loop-shaped wires in series. Furthermore, The application means applies the alternating current to the N loop-shaped wiring by applying the alternating current to the connecting wiring. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 1.

4. The wiring formed by connecting the N loop-shaped wirings and the connecting wiring is a single continuous line of wiring. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned connecting wiring consists of a pair of wires placed next to each other such that the polarity of the current flowing through them is reversed. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned alternating current has a frequency between 10 Hz and 10 kHz. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned N is 4 or greater. The N magnetic sensor elements are arranged in a planar manner. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 1.

8. The verification means checks for the occurrence of a failure in any of the N magnetic sensor elements based on the amplitude and phase of the alternating current based on the detection results of each of the N magnetic sensor elements. The magnetic sensor device according to claim 1.

9. A magnetic sensor in a magnetic sensor device comprising a magnetic sensor and a control device, N (N≧2) magnetic sensor elements, N loop-shaped wirings corresponding to each of the aforementioned magnetic sensor elements, An application means for applying alternating current to the N loop-shaped wirings, A magnetic sensor having the following characteristics, wherein the control device can check for the occurrence of a failure in any of the magnetic sensor elements based on the detection result of each of the magnetic sensor elements when the alternating current is applied by the application means.

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