Proximity sensor and method

A method executed by a proximity sensor that senses the presence or position of a detection object by using magnetic field, the method comprising:

• a step of supplying currents to a plurality of detection coils for generating the magnetic field;
• a step of detecting voltages generated at both ends of the detection coils or currents flowing in the detection coils due to the supply of the currents for each of the detection coils;
• a step of sensing the presence or position of the detection object by using a detection result obtained in the step of detection;
• and
• a step of outputting a sensing result obtained in the step of sensing,
• wherein the step of sensing the presence or position of the detection object includes:
• a step of extracting a first component caused by a mounting metal fitting for mounting the proximity sensor on a support member and a second component caused by the detection object from the detection result obtained in the step of detection,
• a step of compensating the second component by using the first component, a step of sensing the presence or position of the detection object on the basis of the compensated second component;
• and
• a step of acquiring the voltages or the currents from each of the detection coils by a plurality of processing systems, wherein each of the processing systems corresponds to a different one of the detection coils,
• wherein the plurality of detection coils include a first detection coil and a second detection coil, a diameter of the second detection coil is greater than a diameter of the first detection coil and the first detection coil is installed in an inner region of the second detection coil.