Current sensor having soft magnetic bodies for adjusting magnetic field intensity

A current sensor, comprising:

• a magneto-resistive effect element which is arranged near a current line, to which a signal magnetic field is applied, the signal magnetic field being induced by a current that flows in the current line, and which generates a magneto-resistive change in accordance with a change of the signal magnetic field;
• cancelling magnetic field generating means that is provided near the magneto-resistive effect element and that generates a cancelling magnetic field that cancels the signal magnetic field;
• a first soft magnetic body that is opposite to the current line with the magneto-resistive effect element interposed therebetween;
• and
• a pair of second soft magnetic bodies that are provided on both sides of the magneto-resistive effect element with regard to a magnetization detecting direction of the magneto-resistive effect element, wherein
• the second soft magnetic bodies are arranged inside of the first soft magnetic body with regard to the magnetization detecting direction.

A current sensor, comprising:

• a magneto-resistive effect element which is arranged near a current line, to which a signal magnetic field is applied, the signal magnetic field being induced by a current that flows in the current line, and which generates a magneto-resistive change in accordance with a change of the signal magnetic field;
• cancelling magnetic field generating means that is provided near the magneto-resistive effect element and that generates a cancelling magnetic field that cancels the signal magnetic field;
• first magnetic field intensity adjusting means that attenuates the signal magnetic field that is applied to the magneto-resistive effect element and that increases the cancelling magnetic field that is applied to the magneto-resistive effect element;
• and
• second magnetic field intensity adjusting means that increases both the signal magnetic field and the cancelling magnetic field that are applied to the magneto-resistive effect element, wherein
• the second magnetic field intensity adjusting means is arranged inside of the first magnetic field intensity adjusting means with regard to a magnetization detecting direction of the magneto-resistive effect element.