Magnetic Sensor Horizontal Mounting for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sensor chips are difficult to support stably, especially when a magnetic member with a large length perpendicular to the element-forming surface is used, leading to potential instability and misalignment.

Innovation Solution

The magnetic sensor design mounts the sensor chip and magnetic member on a circuit board in a horizontal state, allowing for stable support of the magnetic member even with large lengths, and incorporates a configuration with multiple magnetoresistive elements and auxiliary magnetic members to enhance magnetic flux concentration and sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnetic member with a large length perpendicular to the element-forming surface is used, then the magnetic flux concentration capability is improved, but the support stability deteriorates causing the magnetic member to fall or bend

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux concentration capabilityVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical mounting (perpendicular to element-forming surface) to horizontal mounting (parallel to circuit board surface) of the magnetic member. This dimensional change allows the magnetic member to achieve large length for flux concentration while maintaining stability through the horizontal orientation supported by the circuit board and sensor chip structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the magnetic member length perpendicular to the element-forming surface is increased, then more magnetic flux can be concentrated, but the device complexity increases due to mounting difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux concentrationVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the magnetic member mounting with the circuit board structure by placing both the sensor chip and magnetic member on the same circuit board surface. This integration simplifies the overall mounting process and reduces device complexity while enabling the magnetic member to achieve the required length for effective flux concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a magnetic member with large perpendicular length is used, then sensitivity can be enhanced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential falling or bending

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidsupport reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the mounting orientation from vertical to horizontal, the patent enables the magnetic member to achieve greater length for enhanced sensitivity while the horizontal orientation naturally improves stability and prevents falling or bending, thus maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration ensures stable support of the magnetic member and increases the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor by concentrating magnetic flux effectively, preventing instability and enhancing detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic member for concentrating magnetic flux to a sensor chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux concentration: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic member is made of a magnetic material having a high permeability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Implementation Method 3

magnetic sensors using a magnetoresistive element or the like are widely used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetoresistance: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentEP3376244B1Magnetic sensor
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 TDK CORP
  • EP3376244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic sensor capable of supporting a magnetic member in a stable manner, even when a magnetic member with a large length in a direction perpendicular to an element-forming surface is used. A magnetic sensor includes a sensor chip 30 including an element-forming surface 31 provided with a magnetism detection elements MR1-MR4, a magnetic member 40 including a first side surface 41 facing the element-forming surface31, and a circuit board 20 including a mounting surface 21 on which the sensor chip 30 and the magnetic member 40 are mounted. The sensor chip 30 and the magnetic member 40 are mounted on the circuit board such that the element-forming surface 31 and the first side surface 41 are substantially orthogonal to the mounting surface 21 of the circuit board 20. According to the present invention, because the sensor chip 30 and the magnetic member 40 are mounted on the circuit board 20 in a horizontal state, the magnetic member 40 can be supported in a stable manner even when the length of the magnetic member 40 is large.