Hall sensor array

• US 8,552,721 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Melexis Technologies NV (Sensinnovat BVBA)
• Original Assignee: Melexis Technologies NV (Sensinnovat BVBA)
• Inventors: Peev, Rumen, Tsankov, Radostin, Gaydov, Stoyan
• Primary Examiner(s): Vazquez, Arleen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, SON T
• Application Number:
  US12/329,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20090201017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,768 Days
• Field of Search: 324/207.2, 324/251, 324/249, 327/510, 327/511, 257/421, 257/426
• US Class Current: 324/251
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/0005 Geometrical arrangement of magnetic sensor elements; Apparatus combining different magnetic sensor types G01R33/0206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/0094 Sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/06 using galvano-magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/07 Hall effect devices

Abstract

A Hall sensor array has two Hall sensors arranged in opposed quadrants of a two by two array. Each Hall sensor has four contacts, arranged as two pairs of opposite contacts, the axes of each pair being substantially perpendicular.

Claims

1. A Hall sensor array consisting of a single pair of Hall elements for use in a two phase measurement cycle, each of the Hall elements comprising a plate having two pairs of opposing contacts, the pairs of opposing contacts being arranged such that their respective axes are substantially perpendicular, wherein the Hall elements in the single pair of Hall elements are arranged at diagonally opposed corners of a square array, and wherein the square array is so configured that the corresponding axes of the pairs of opposing contacts used for biasing on each Hall element at any one time are perpendicular.

2. A Hall sensor array according to claim 1, wherein adjacent corners of the Hall elements are biased by the same polarity during consecutive measurement phases.

3. A Hall sensor array according to claim 1, wherein each Hall element takes up substantially a whole quadrant of an area of the Hall sensor array.

4. A Hall sensor array according to claim 1, wherein the array comprises additional components, said additional components being disposed substantially symmetrically about a symmetry axis, said symmetry axis being perpendicular to an axis intersecting the center of each of said Hall elements in said pair.

5. A Hall sensor array comprising two or more pairs of Hall elements for use in a two phase measurement cycle, each of the Hall elements comprising a plate having two pairs of opposing contacts, the pairs of opposing contacts being arranged such that their respective axes are substantially perpendicular to those of the adjacent Hall elements,

wherein the Hall elements in a first pair of Hall elements are arranged at diagonally opposed corners of a first square array,

wherein the Hall elements in a second pair of Hall elements are arranged at diagonally opposed corners of a second square array, and

wherein any two adjacent Hall elements from different pairs of Hall elements are arranged at diagonally opposed corners of an additional square array,

wherein the additional square array is so configured that the corresponding axes of the pairs of opposing contacts used for biasing on any two adjacent Hall elements at any one time are perpendicular.

6. A Hall sensor array according to claim 5, wherein adjacent corners of adjacent Hall elements are biased by the same polarity during consecutive measurement phases.