Magnetic sensor module and clutch assembly using the same

Abstract

To improve the sensitivity of a magnetic sensor.SOLUTION: A magnetic sensor 1 detects the X-directional position of a detection object 4 including a soft magnetic material in a coordinate system having mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The magnetic sensor 1 includes: a first magnet 2A and a second magnet 2B which are positioned along the X direction and have opposite polarities in opposing surfaces 21A and 21B; and a magnetic sensing element 3 which is positioned, as viewed from the Y direction, between the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B. As viewed from the Y direction, the detection object 4 is movable in the X direction between the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a magnetic sensor and a clutch assembly using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic sensors that detect the position of a detection object moving in one direction are known. Patent Document 1 describes a magnetic sensor that has two magnets whose opposing surfaces have the same polarity and a detection element positioned between the two magnets. The detection object can move between the two magnets, and the magnetic sensor detects the position of the detection object based on the direction of the magnetic field at the position of the detection element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6464907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The magnetic sensor described in Patent Document 1 has excellent output linearity, but the change in the direction of the magnetic field relative to the change in the position of the object to be sensed is small, making it difficult to increase sensitivity. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic sensor with higher sensitivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Magnetic sensor of the present disclosure Module teeth, First Direction Along , and are spaced apart so that opposite polarities face each other. Two magnets and When viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction a magnetic sensing element located between the two magnets; 、2 movable in a first direction between the two magnets At the same time, it is possible to detect the position of a detection target including a soft magnetic material. . In the second direction, at least a portion of each of the two magnets overlaps with the object to be sensed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a magnetic sensor with higher sensitivity can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a magnetic sensor according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operating principle of a magnetic sensor. [Figure 3] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of a detection object and the magnetic field intensity By in a comparative example. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the object to be detected and the magnetic field strength By. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a calculation model used in a simulation. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the object to be detected and the magnetic field strength By, with the dimension G as a parameter. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a magnetic sensor according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are conceptual diagrams of magnetic sensors according to a third embodiment and a modification thereof. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic sensor according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a clutch assembly according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a magnetic sensor and a clutch assembly according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description and drawings, an X direction (X axis), a Y direction (Y axis), and a Z direction (Z axis) are defined as being orthogonal to each other in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The X direction corresponds to the direction of movement of the object to be detected, and the Y direction corresponds to the direction of magnetic field detection by the magnetic sensing element.

[0009] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a magnetic sensor 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which Figure 1(a) is a front view of the two magnets (hereinafter referred to as the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B) of the magnetic sensor 1, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the object to be detected 4, as viewed from the Z direction; Figure 1(b) is a top view of the first and second magnets 2A, 2B, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the object to be detected 4, as viewed from the Y direction; Figure 1(c) is an oblique view of the first and second magnets 2A, 2B, the IC package 5, and the object to be detected 4; and Figure 1(d) is a front view showing the installation state of the magnetic sensor 1.

[0010] The magnetic sensor 1 detects the X-direction position of the object 4 to be detected. The magnetic sensor 1 has first and second magnets 2A and 2B positioned along the X-direction (arranged in the X-direction), and a magnetic sensing element 3 positioned between the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B when viewed from the Y-direction. The first and second magnets 2A and 2B are rectangular parallelepipeds with the same dimensions, and the center lines of the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B in the X-direction are aligned. The shapes of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B are not limited to rectangular parallelepipeds, and the dimensions do not have to be the same, and the center lines of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B in the X-direction do not have to be aligned. The first and second magnets 2A and 2B each have opposing surfaces 21A and 21B that face each other in the X-direction, and back surfaces 22A and 22B that are opposite the opposing surfaces 21A and 21B. The polarities of the facing surface 21A of the first magnet 2A and the facing surface 21B of the second magnet 2B are different from each other, and in this embodiment, the facing surface 21A of the first magnet 2A is the north pole and the facing surface 21B of the second magnet 2B is the south pole. Although not shown in the figures, the facing surface 21A of the first magnet 2A may be the south pole and the facing surface 21B of the second magnet 2B may be the north pole. The facing surfaces 21A, 21B and the back surfaces 22A, 22B are parallel to the YZ plane, but may be inclined with respect to the YZ plane.

[0011] The magnetic sensing element 3 is incorporated in an IC package 5. The magnetic sensing element 3 is a Hall element, but it may also be a magnetoresistive element such as a tunnel magnetoresistive element (TMR element). The magnetic sensing element 3 detects a magnetic field in the Y direction. As will be described later, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to detect magnetic fields in the X or Z directions, nor is it necessary to detect the angle of the magnetic field in the XY plane. This simplifies the configuration of the magnetic sensing element 3, making it possible to reduce costs. It is also possible to use an IC package that can detect magnetic fields in two directions, in which case it is possible to use only the output of the magnetic sensing element that detects the magnetic field in the X direction.

[0012] When viewed from the Y direction, the object to be detected 4 can move in the X direction between the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B. There are no particular limitations on the movement range 6 (stroke) of the object to be detected 4, but the magnetic sensor 1 of this embodiment is suitable for use in applications with a short stroke, for example, a movement range 6 in the X direction of 10 mm or less. The object to be detected 4 is a disk that rotates around the X axis, but the shape of the object to be detected 4 is not particularly limited and may be either plate-like or rod-like. The object to be detected 4 is preferably made of a soft magnetic material, but it is sufficient if it at least partially contains a soft magnetic material.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1(d), the magnetic sensor 1 has first and second magnets 2A and 2B, an IC package 5, and a resin case 7 that seals them. The case 7 has a main body 8 that contains the first and second magnets 2A and 2B and the IC package 5, and a mounting part 9 that protrudes from the main body 8. Mounting holes 10 are provided in the mounting part 9, and the magnetic sensor 1 is attached to a base plate 12 with screws 11 inserted into the mounting holes 10. The base plate 12 is fixed to a mechanical device (not shown). The main body 8 has terminal parts 13 for inputting and outputting signals and for supplying power.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operating principle of magnetic sensor 1. In Figure 2(a), the object to be detected 4 is equidistant in the X direction from first magnet 2A and second magnet 2B, while in Figure 2(b), the object to be detected 4 has moved to the left, and in Figure 2(c), the object to be detected 4 has moved to the right. The dashed arrows in the figure conceptually represent magnetic flux. When the object to be detected 4 is in the center as shown in Figure 2(a), the magnetic flux flowing from the north pole of first magnet 2A to the south pole of second magnet 2B is symmetrical with respect to the Y axis passing through magnetic sensing element 3, and therefore the magnetic field strength By in the Y direction detected by magnetic sensing element 3 is zero.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2(b), when the detection object 4 is on the left side, the magnetic flux from the north pole of the first magnet 2A to the south pole of the second magnet 2B is more likely to be absorbed by the detection object 4, and the magnetic flux that leaves the upper part of the first magnet 2A in the Y direction is mainly directed toward the second magnet 2B. As a result, the magnetic flux is generally shifted downward in the Y direction, and at the position of the magnetic sensitive element 3, the magnetic flux is directed downward in the Y direction. Therefore, the magnetic sensitive element 3 detects a magnetic field strength By directed downward in the Y direction. As shown in Figure 2(c), when the detection object 4 is on the right side, the magnetic flux from the detection object 4 directed toward the south pole of the second magnet 2B increases, and the magnetic flux from the north pole of the first magnet 2A to the south pole of the second magnet 2B is more likely to be absorbed by the upper part of the second magnet 2B in the Y direction. As a result, the magnetic flux is generally shifted upward in the Y direction, and at the position of the magnetic sensitive element 3, the magnetic flux is directed upward in the Y direction. Therefore, the magnetic sensitive element 3 detects a magnetic field strength By directed upward in the Y direction. Based on the above principle, the position of the detection object 4 in the X direction can be detected by measuring the magnetic flux intensity By in the Y direction.

[0016] As a comparative example, we calculated the relationship between the X-direction position of the object to be detected 4 and the Y-direction magnetic field strength By at the position of the magnetic sensing element 3 for a magnetic sensor in which the opposing surfaces 21A, 21B of the first magnet 2A and the second magnet 2B have the same polarity. Figure 3(a) shows the results. The magnetic field strength By is smallest at X = 0 mm and increases on both sides of X = 0 mm. Because two X-direction positions correspond to one magnetic field strength By, detecting the X-direction position of the object to be detected 4 is difficult. Figure 3(b) shows the relationship between the X-direction position of the object to be detected 4 and the magnetic field angle Bθ at the position of the magnetic sensing element 3 in the comparative example. The magnetic field angle Bθ can be calculated from the tangent of the X-direction magnetic field strength Bx and the Y-direction magnetic field strength By. Position detection is possible because there is a one-to-one correspondence between the X-direction position and the magnetic field angle Bθ. However, the change in the magnetic field angle Bθ is small, especially away from X = 0 mm, making it difficult to detect the X-direction position of the object to be detected 4 with sufficient accuracy. Although not shown, the magnetic field strength Bx in the X direction does not change significantly depending on the position of the object 4 to be detected, and therefore the magnetic field strength Bx in the X direction does not have sufficient accuracy as an index for detecting the position of the object 4 to be detected.

[0017] For the above reasons, in this embodiment, the magnetic sensing element 3 detects the magnetic field strength in the Y direction, and the magnetic sensor 1 uses only the Y direction magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic sensing element 3 as the magnetic field strength to output a signal indicating the X direction position. Figure 4 shows the relationship between the X direction position of the detection object 4 and the Y direction magnetic field strength By at the position of the magnetic sensing element 3. Figure 4 also shows graphs of the magnetic sensors 1 of the second and third embodiments, which will be described later. The magnetic field strength By has high linearity, and a large magnetic field strength is obtained.

[0018] Next, we will explain the positional relationship between the first and second magnets 2A and 2B and the magnetic sensing element 3 in the Y direction. Figure 5(a) shows an overview of the calculation model used in the simulation. The position of the magnetic sensing element 3 and the Y direction distance between the magnetic sensing element 3 and the detection object 4 are fixed. Using the Y direction dimension G between the Y direction center of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B and the magnetic sensing element 3 as a parameter, we calculated the relationship between the X direction position of the detection object 4 and the magnetic field strength By at the position of the magnetic sensing element 3. Figure 5(b) shows the positional relationship between the first magnet 2A, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the detection object 4 corresponding to G = 0 mm to 7 mm. For convenience, the first magnet 2A corresponding to G = 0 mm to 7 mm is shown as being arranged in the X direction, but the X direction position is the same. Figure 5(a) corresponds to G = 3 mm. Figure 6 shows the calculation results. In all cases, a magnetic field strength By with sufficient magnitude and linearity was obtained. A particularly large magnetic field strength By was obtained when G = 1 to 7 mm, more preferably when G = 2 to 5 mm.

[0019] 5(b), it is preferable that at least a portion of each of the first and second magnets 2A, 2B overlaps with the detection object 4 in the Y direction (G = 1 mm to 7 mm). The relationship between the magnetic sensitive element 3 and the first and second magnets 2A, 2B in the Y direction is not particularly limited, and the magnetic sensitive element 3 and the first and second magnets 2A, 2B may overlap in the Y direction (G = 0 mm to 2 mm), or the first and second magnets 2A, 2B may be spaced apart from the magnetic sensitive element 3 in the Y direction (G = 3 mm to 7 mm). The first and second magnets 2A, 2B may protrude from the detection object 4 toward the magnetic sensitive element 3 in the Y direction (G = 0 mm to 5 mm).

[0020] (Second embodiment) 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams of a magnetic sensor 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in which FIG. 7A is a front view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the detection object 4 of the magnetic sensor 1 as viewed from the Z direction, FIG. 7B is a top view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the detection object 4 as viewed from the Y direction, and FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the IC package 5, and the detection object 4. The magnetic sensor 1 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the magnetic sensor 1 of the first embodiment, except that it has a first yoke 14 attached to the first and second magnets 2A and 2B. Therefore, configurations and effects that will not be described are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0021] The first yoke 14 is made of a soft magnetic material. The first yoke 14 has two side portions 15 attached to the back surfaces 22A and 22B of the facing surfaces 21A and 21B of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, respectively, extending in the Y direction, and a connecting portion 16 connecting the two side portions 15 and extending in the X direction. The magnetic sensing element 3 is located between the connecting portion 16 and the movement range 6 of the detection object 4 in the Y direction. The connecting portion 16 does not have a through-hole. Although not shown, the magnetic flux exiting the facing surface 21A of the first magnet 2A and the magnetic flux entering the facing surface 21B of the second magnet 2B are similar to those in the first embodiment. Similar to the comparative example of the first embodiment, the relationship between the X-direction position of the detection object 4 and the magnetic field strength By and magnetic field angle Bθ was calculated for a magnetic sensor in which the facing surfaces 21A and 21B of the first magnet 2A and second magnet 2B have the same polarity. The results were similar to those shown in Figure 3.

[0022] 4 shows the relationship between the X-direction position of the detection object 4 and the magnetic field strength By at the position of the magnetic sensing element 3 in this embodiment. The first yoke 14 enhances the magnetic field formed by the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, increasing the magnetic flux emanating from the opposing surface 21A of the first magnet 2A and the magnetic flux entering the opposing surface 21B of the second magnet 2B, resulting in an increase in magnetic flux strength By compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, because the first and second magnets 2A and 2B are integrated with the first yoke 14, the positioning accuracy of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B is also improved.

[0023] (Third embodiment) FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a magnetic sensor 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8(a) is a front view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the detection object 4 of the magnetic sensor 1, as viewed from the Z direction. FIG. 8(b) is a top view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the detection object 4, as viewed from the Y direction. FIG. 8(c) is a perspective view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the IC package 5, and the detection object 4. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic sensor 1. The magnetic sensor 1 of this embodiment is configured similarly to the magnetic sensor 1 of the second embodiment, except that the connecting portion 16 of the first yoke 14 has a through hole 17 extending in the Y direction and includes a second yoke 18, a portion of which is disposed in the through hole 17. Therefore, configurations and effects not described above are similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0024] The second yoke 18 is made of a soft magnetic material. The second yoke 18 is a rectangular parallelepiped member, but it may also be a cylinder or a rectangular prism other than a rectangular parallelepiped. The second yoke 18 has a center line 18C extending in the Y direction, and the center line 18C preferably passes through the magnetic sensing element 3. The second yoke 18 terminates midway through the through hole 17 in the Y direction, but may also pass through the through hole 17. The magnetic sensing element 3 is partially inserted into the through hole 17, but may also be located between the first yoke 14 and the movement range 6 of the detection object 4. Because the second yoke 18 is spaced apart from the first yoke 14, the manufacturing process is simplified, as described below. Furthermore, because the connecting portion 16 of the first yoke 14 has the through hole 17, the magnetic sensing element 3 can be installed at a more flexible position in the Y direction.

[0025] (Modification of the third embodiment) 8(d) shows a front view of the first and second magnets 2A and 2B, the magnetic sensing element 3, and the detection object 4 of the magnetic sensor 1 according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the Z direction. In this modified example, the first yoke 14 is omitted from the third embodiment, and only the second yoke 18 is provided as a yoke. As in the third embodiment, the second yoke 18 has a center line 18C extending in the Y direction, and preferably, the center line 18C passes through the magnetic sensing element 3. In this modified example, the magnetic flux intensity By is increased compared to the first embodiment due to the magnetic collecting effect of the second yoke 18.

[0026] 4 shows the relationship between the X-direction position of the object to be detected 4 and the magnetic field strength By at the position of the magnetic sensing element 3 in this embodiment. The second yoke 18 has the effect of strengthening the magnetic field strength By, and the magnetic flux strength By is increased compared to the first and second embodiments. In order to strengthen the magnetic field strength By, it is preferable that the second yoke 18 has a shape that is elongated in the Y direction. Specifically, it is preferable that the Y-direction dimension of the second yoke 18 is greater than the X-direction dimension and the Z-direction dimension.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 9, the magnetic sensor 1 has a first member 19 and a second member 20. The first member 19 includes first and second magnets 2A and 2B, a first yoke 14, and a first case 25 made of resin that supports the first and second magnets 2A and 2B and the first yoke 14. The second member 20 includes a magnetic sensing element 3 (IC package 5), a second yoke 18, and a second case 26 that supports the magnetic sensing element 3 and the second yoke 18. The first member 19 has a protrusion 27 on its side, and the second member 20 has an opening 28 on its side that engages with the protrusion 27. The first member 19 and the second member 20 are connected by snap fitting, simplifying the manufacturing process. Although snap fitting is a simple and preferable connecting means, other connecting means such as adhesive bonding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, and screw fastening can also be used to connect the first member 19 and the second member 20.

[0028] (Fourth embodiment) FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a clutch assembly 31 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The clutch assembly 31 uses the magnetic sensor 1 according to any of the first to third embodiments described above. The clutch assembly 31 includes a clutch 32 and a magnetic sensor 1. The clutch 32 includes a rotating disk 33 and a driven disk 34 that faces the rotating disk 33 in the X direction. The clutch 32 is a friction clutch, and the opposing surfaces of the rotating disk 33 and the driven disk 34 form flat friction surfaces. Although not shown, the clutch 32 may be a dog clutch, in which case an uneven shape is formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the rotating disk 33 and the driven disk 34. The uneven shape is formed in the circumferential direction, and the rotating disk 33 and the driven disk 34 engage with each other without slipping in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The rotating disk 33 receives rotational torque from a rotational drive means 35. The rotational drive means 35 is configured by appropriately combining an engine, a motor, a reducer, etc. The driven disk 34 engages with the rotating disk 33, thereby transmitting the rotational torque of the rotating disk 33 to the driven disk 34. A moving plate 36 is provided on either the rotating disk 33 or the driven disk 34, or on the driven disk 34 in this embodiment. The moving plate 36 is driven in the X direction by a drive means 37 to control the engagement and separation between the rotating disk 33 and the driven disk 34. The detection object 4 in this embodiment is the moving plate 36. That is, the magnetic sensor 1 detects the position of the moving plate 36 in the X direction, thereby controlling the operation of the clutch assembly 31.

[0030] (Additional Note) This specification includes the following disclosure. [Configuration 1] A magnetic sensor that detects the position of a detection object including a soft magnetic material in an X direction in a coordinate system having an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction that are orthogonal to each other, Two magnets positioned along the X direction and having opposing surfaces opposite to each other with different polarities; a magnetic sensing element located between the two magnets when viewed from the Y direction, A magnetic sensor, wherein the object to be detected is movable in the X direction between the two magnets when viewed from the Y direction. [Configuration 2] The magnetic sensor according to configuration 1, wherein the magnetic sensing element detects the magnetic field strength in the Y direction, and the magnetic sensor uses only the magnetic field strength in the Y direction detected by the magnetic sensing element as the magnetic field strength, and outputs a signal indicating the position in the X direction. [Configuration 3] 3. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of the two magnets overlaps with the object to be sensed in the Y direction. [Configuration 4] 4. The magnetic sensor according to configuration 3, wherein the two magnets are spaced apart from the magnetic sensing element in the Y direction. [Configuration 5] 4. The magnetic sensor according to configuration 3, wherein the two magnets overlap the magnetic sensing element in the Y direction. [Configuration 6] 6. The magnetic sensor according to any one of configurations 3 to 5, wherein the two magnets protrude from the object to be sensed toward the magnetic sensing element in the Y direction. [Configuration 7] 7. The magnetic sensor of any one of configurations 1 to 6, having a first yoke attached to the two magnets. [Configuration 8] A magnetic sensor as described in configuration 7, wherein the first yoke has two side portions each attached to the back side of the opposing surfaces of the two magnets and a connecting portion connecting the two side portions, and the magnetic sensing element is located between the connecting portion and the movement range of the object to be detected in the Y direction. [Configuration 9] 9. The magnetic sensor of claim 8, wherein the connecting portion does not have a through hole extending in the Y direction. [Configuration 10] the first yoke has two side portions attached to the back surfaces of the opposing surfaces of the two magnets, respectively, and a connecting portion connecting the two side portions, the connecting portion having a through hole extending in the Y direction; 9. The magnetic sensor according to configuration 8, further comprising a second yoke, a portion of which is provided in the through hole. [Configuration 11] The magnetic sensor of configuration 10, wherein the second yoke has a centerline extending in the Y direction, the centerline passing through the magnetic sensing element. [Configuration 12] 12. The magnetic sensor of claim 10, wherein the second yoke has an elongated shape in the Y direction. [Configuration 13] 13. The magnetic sensor of any one of configurations 10 to 12, wherein the second yoke is spaced apart from the first yoke. [Configuration 14] a first member including the two magnets, the first yoke, and a first case supporting the two magnets and the yoke; a second member including the magnetic sensing element, the second yoke, and a second case supporting the magnetic sensing element and the second yoke; 14. The magnetic sensor according to any one of configurations 10 to 13, wherein the first member and the second member are connected by a connecting means. [Configuration 15] 15. The magnetic sensor of claim 14, wherein the connecting means is a snap fit. [Configuration 16] The magnetic sensor according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising a yoke having a centerline extending in the Y direction, the centerline passing through the magnetic sensing element. [Configuration 17] The magnetic sensor according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, a clutch including a rotating disk that receives a rotational torque, a driven disk that faces the rotating disk in the X direction and engages with the rotating disk to transmit the rotational torque, and a moving plate that drives either the rotating disk or the driven disk in the X direction to control engagement and separation between the rotating disk and the driven disk, The clutch assembly, wherein the moving plate is the object to be detected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 Magnetic sensor 2A First Magnet 2B Second magnet 3 Magnetic sensing element 4. Object to be detected 14 First York 15 Lateral part 16 Connecting part 17 Through hole 18 The Second York 19 First member 20 Second member 25 First Case 26 Second Case 31 Clutch assembly 32 Clutch 33 Rotating disc 34 Driven disc 36 Moving board

Claims

1. Two magnets spaced apart along a first direction with opposite polarities facing each other; a magnetic sensing element positioned between the two magnets when viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The sensor is movable between the two magnets in the first direction and is capable of detecting the position of a detection object including a soft magnetic material, A magnetic sensor module, wherein at least a portion of each of the two magnets overlaps with the object to be sensed in the second direction.

2. The magnetic sensor module of claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensing element detects the magnetic field strength in the second direction, and the magnetic sensor module uses only the magnetic field strength in the second direction detected by the magnetic sensing element as the magnetic field strength to output a signal indicating the position in the first direction.

3. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein the two magnets are spaced apart from the magnetic sensing element in the second direction.

4. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein the two magnets overlap the magnetic sensing element in the second direction.

5. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein the two magnets protrude from the object to be sensed toward the magnetic sensing element in the second direction.

6. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 1 , further comprising a first yoke attached to the two magnets.

7. the first yoke has two side portions attached to the back surfaces of the opposing surfaces of the two magnets, and a connecting portion connecting the two side portions, The magnetic sensor module according to claim 6 , wherein the magnetic sensing element is located between the connecting portion and a range of movement of the object to be sensed in the second direction.

8. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 7 , wherein the connecting portion does not have a through-hole along the second direction.

9. the first yoke has two side portions attached to the back surfaces of the opposing surfaces of the two magnets, and a connecting portion connecting the two side portions, the connecting portion has a through hole aligned in the second direction, The magnetic sensor module according to claim 7 , further comprising a second yoke, a portion of which is provided in the through hole.

10. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 9 , wherein the second yoke has a center line that is an imaginary line along the second direction, and the center line passes through the magnetic sensing element.

11. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 9 , wherein the second yoke has an elongated shape in the second direction.

12. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 9 , wherein the second yoke is spaced apart from the first yoke.

13. a first member including the two magnets, the first yoke, and a first case supporting the two magnets and the first yoke; a second member including the magnetic sensing element, the second yoke, and a second case supporting the magnetic sensing element and the second yoke; The magnetic sensor module according to claim 9 , wherein the first member and the second member are connected by a connecting means.

14. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 13 , wherein the connecting means is a snap fit.

15. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 1 , further comprising a yoke having a centerline that is an imaginary line along the second direction, the centerline passing through the magnetic sensing element.

16. The magnetic sensor module according to claim 1 ; a clutch including a rotating disk that receives a rotational torque, a driven disk that faces the rotating disk in the first direction and engages with the rotating disk to transmit the rotational torque, and a moving plate that drives either the rotating disk or the driven disk in the first direction to control engagement and separation between the rotating disk and the driven disk, The clutch assembly, wherein the moving plate is the object to be detected.

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