Three-axis magnetic sensor, an omnidirectional magnetic sensor and an azimuth measuring method using the same

• US 6,536,123 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Naos Innovation LLC
• Original Assignee: Sensation Inc.
• Inventors: Tamura, Yasuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jagan, Mirellys
• Application Number:
  US09/738,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20020056202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 33/355 R,356,354,304,308,310,312,313,273,361 701/220
• US Class Current: 33/356
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/38 Testing, calibrating, or compensating of compasses
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/0206 Three-component magnetometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/04 using the flux-gate principle
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/07 Hall effect devices

Abstract

A hybrid three-axis magnetic sensor for calculating the accurate direction of the earth magnetism. The hybrid three-axis magnetic sensor includes: a flux gate type magnetic sensor which is so formed that a base serves as a main member and detects two axis components of a magnetic vector defined by a plane parallel to the base; a Hall element which detects another component of the magnetic vector orthogonal to the base; a tilt sensor which detects a tilt angle of the base; and a CPU, wherein the flux gate type magnetic sensor and the Hall element are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC. The thus detected three dimensional magnetic vector is corrected in the light of inclination of the base, so that the direction of the earth magnetism is accurately calculated.

Claims

1. A three axis magnetic sensor, comprising:

a two axis magnetic sensor which detects two axis components of a magnetic vector defined by a plane parallel to a base, said two axis magnetic sensor being so formed that the base serves as a main member; and

a magnetic detecting element which detects a component corresponding to a direction orthogonal to the plane of the magnetic vector,

wherein said two axis magnetic sensor and said magnetic detecting element are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC, and wherein a plurality of coil patterns which detect the two axis components of the magnetic vector are formed over stacked bases.

2. A three axis magnetic sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said base includes a pattern which transfers a detection signal outputted from said magnetic detecting element.

3. An omnidirectional magnetic sensor, comprising:

a three axis magnetic sensor, formed on a base, which detects a three dimensional magnetic vector; and

a tilt sensor which detects inclination of the base,

wherein said three axis magnetic sensor and said tilt sensor are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC, and wherein the base includes a pattern which transfers a detection signal outputted from said tilt sensor, and the detection signal is directly introduced to the base via the pattern when said tilt sensor is mounted on the base.

4. An omnidirectional magnetic sensor, comprising:

a three axis magnetic sensor, formed on a base, which detects a three dimensional magnetic vector; and

a tilt sensor which detects inclination of the base, wherein said tilt sensor detects a first inclination of an X axis and a second inclination of a Y axis which are parallel to the base,

wherein said three axis magnetic sensor and said tilt sensor are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC, and wherein the base includes a pattern which transfers a detection signal outputted from said tilt sensor, and the detection signal is directly introduced to the base via the pattern when said tilt sensor is mounted on the base.

5. An omnidirectional magnetic sensor, comprising:

a three axis magnetic sensor, formed on a base, which detects a three dimensional magnetic vector; and

a tilt sensor which detects inclination of the base, wherein said tilt sensor is an acceleration sensor which detects displacement in three axis directions,

wherein said three axis magnetic sensor and said tilt sensor are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC, and wherein the base includes a pattern which transfers a detection signal outputted from said tilt sensor, and the detection signal is directly introduced to the base via the pattern when said tilt sensor is mounted on the base.

6. An omnidirectional magnetic sensor, comprising:

a three axis magnetic sensor, formed on a base, which detects a three dimensional magnetic vector;

a tilt sensor which detects inclination of the base; and

a film base mounted on the base in the form externally extended from the base, wherein said tilt sensor is mounted on said film base, said film base is folded toward the base, and whole members including said tilt sensor are fixed;

wherein said three axis magnetic sensor and said tilt sensor are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC.

7. An omnidirectional magnetic sensor, comprising:

a three axis magnetic sensor, formed on a base, which detects a three dimensional magnetic vector;

a tilt sensor which detects inclination of the base, wherein said tilt sensor detects a first inclination of an X axis and a second inclination of a Y axis which are parallel to the base; and

a film base mounted on the base in the form externally extended from the base, wherein said tilt sensor is mounted on said film base, said film base is folded toward the base, and whole members including said tilt sensor are fixed;

wherein said three axis magnetic sensor and said tilt sensor are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC.

8. An omnidirectional magnetic sensor, comprising:

a three axis magnetic sensor, formed on a base, which detects a three dimensional magnetic vector;

a tilt sensor which detects inclination of the base, wherein said tilt sensor is an acceleration sensor which detects displacement in three axis directions; and

a film base mounted on the base in the form externally extended from the base, wherein said tilt sensor is mounted on said film base, said film base is folded toward the base, and whole members including said tilt sensor are fixed;

wherein said three axis magnetic sensor and said tilt sensor are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC.