CURRENT SENSOR

• US 20140070801A1
• Filed: 11/11/2013
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alps Green Devices Co., Ltd. (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: TAMURA, Manabu
• Granted Patent: US 8,878,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/244
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/20 using galvano-magnetic devices, e.g. Hall-effect devices , i.e. measuring a magnetic field via the interaction between a current and a magnetic field, e.g. magneto resistive or Hall effect devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/207 Constructional details independent of the type of device used
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/00 Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof G01R5/00 takes precedence; for measuring bioelectric currents or voltages A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/02 Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux G01R33/20 takes precedence

Abstract

A current sensor includes a first conductor and a second conductor arranged so as to form current paths parallel to each other; a circuit board arranged such that a surface thereof is perpendicular to the current paths; and a first magnetoelectric transducer and a second magnetoelectric transducer arranged on the surface of the circuit board such that the first conductor is interposed therebetween. The first conductor, the second conductor, the first magnetoelectric transducer, and the second magnetoelectric transducer are located on a same plane.

Claims

1. A current sensor comprising:

a first conductor and a second conductor arranged so as to form current paths parallel to each other;

a circuit board arranged such that a surface thereof is perpendicular to the current paths; and

a first magnetoelectric transducer and a second magnetoelectric transducer arranged on the surface of the circuit board such that the first conductor is interposed therebetween, wherein

the first conductor, the second conductor, the first magnetoelectric transducer, and the second magnetoelectric transducer are located on a same plane orthogonal to the surface of the circuit board.

2. The current sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the first conductor and the second conductor has a flat plate shape in which a width direction thereof is orthogonal to the plane, and a center position thereof in the width direction is located on the plane.

3. The current sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of magnetic shields arranged such that the first conductor, the first magnetoelectric transducer, and the second magnetoelectric transducer are interposed therebetween, the magnetic shields intersecting the plane.

4. The current sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the first magnetoelectric transducer and the second magnetoelectric transducer is arranged such that a sensitivity axis direction thereof is orthogonal to the plane.

5. The current sensor according to claim 1, wherein

each of the first conductor and the second conductor includes a thin plate portion and thick plate portions at both sides of the thin plate portion, and

the first magnetoelectric transducer and the second magnetoelectric transducer are arranged such that the thin plate portion of the first conductor is interposed therebetween.