Inductance element for magnetic sensor and current sensor including the same

An inductance element for a magnetic sensor, the inductance element comprising:

• a first core comprising a first soft magnetic material and having first and second connecting surfaces;
• a second core comprising a second soft magnetic material different from the first soft magnetic material and having third and fourth connecting surfaces facing the first and second connecting surfaces, respectively;
• and
• a coil wound around the first core between the first and second connecting surfaces,
• wherein the first core is larger in magnetic field strength at which magnetic saturation occurs than the second core, and
• wherein the second core is higher in permeability than the first core and comprises at least a portion that has a meander shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first to fourth connecting surface, the at least portion of the second core having the meander shape comprising a plurality of alternately-arranged parts extending in different directions to define a plurality of voids therebetween that extend through an entire thickness of the second core, and
• wherein the third and fourth connecting surfaces cover the first and second connecting surfaces, respectively, and wherein the meander shape is defined between the third and fourth connecting surfaces such that a magnetic flux along the plurality of alternately-arranged parts follows a meandering path that is narrower than either of the third and fourth surfaces, that begins between respective ends of the third connecting surface and that ends between respective ends of the fourth connecting surface.