Miniature magnetic device package

A miniature magnetic encoder comprising:

• a magnetic flux responsive element having two or more extending leads, the magnetic flux responsive element formed in a generally rectangular shape defining a major axis and a pair of sides generally parallel to said major axis;
• one or more flux concentrators disposed adjacent to said flux responsive element;
• and
• a housing overmolded over said magnetic flux responsive element, defining a major axis, said one or more flux concentrators and a portion of said extending leads, said magnetic flux responsive element, one or more flux concentrators and said housing configured to have a footprint of around 5 mm.

A method for making a miniature magnetic encoder comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a magnetic flux responsive element having two or more extending leads;
• (b) providing one or more flux concentrators;
• (c) juxtaposing said one or more flux concentrators adjacent to said magnetic flux responsive element;
• (d) overmolding over said magnetic flux responsive element, said one or more flux concentrators and a portion of said extending leads.

A miniature magnetic sensor comprising:

• a generally rectangular Hall effect device which includes two parallel spaced apart sides defining a major axis generally parallel thereto, one of said two parallel spaced apart sides defining a sensing plane, said Hall effect device including two or more extending leads for connection to an external circuit;
• a magnet having at least one flat side formed with a magnetic pole adjacent to said flat side, said magnet juxtaposed so that said at least one flat side is adjacent to one side of said Hall effect device opposite said sensing plane;
• a flux concentrator having a least one flat side juxtaposed adjacent to said sensing plane of said Hall effect device;
• and
• a housing for said magnetic flux responsive device, said magnet, said flux concentrator and a portion of said extending leads.

A process for forming a miniature magnetic sensor comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a Hall effect device formed with a generally rectangular shape defining two parallel space apart sides and a major axis generally parallel thereto, one of said sides defining a sensing plane, said Hall effect device formed with a pair of extending leads for connection to an external circuit;
• (b) providing a magnet having at least one flat side, said magnet formed with one magnetic pole adjacent to said flat side;
• (c) juxtaposing said magnet so that its flat side is adjacent to a side of the Hall effect device opposite said sensing plane;
• (d) providing a flux concentrator having at least one flat side;
• (e) juxtaposing said flat side of said flux concentrator adjacent to said sensing plane of said Hall effect device;
• (f) forming a housing for carrying said Hall effect device, said flux concentrator said magnet and a portion of said extending leads.