MR position detecting device

Abstract

An MR position detecting device according to the present invention comprises a magnet having magnetic poles alternately magnetized at predetermined intervals, a magnetoresistive element having magneto-detectors for a plurality of phases successively disposed a predetermined distance apart, with a pair of the magneto-detectors provided for each phase. The pair of magneto-detectors for each phase change their resistance values in response to the magnetic field of the magnet, are disposed half the formed magnetic pole width, in substance, apart, and are applied with voltage at both ends of a series connection thereof so as to output a signal from the middle point of the connection. A signal processing circuit defects a change in relative position between the magnetoresistive element and magnet on the basis of a signal obtained from the outputs of the pairs of magneto-detectors for the respective phases of the magnetoresistive element therefore, the device may detect position with high resolution and accuracy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.