Magnetoresistive sensor for measuring relative displacement of construction parts

This invention relates to a magnetoresistive sensor for measuring relative displacements of construction parts, comprising a magnetoresistive element formed on a surface of a substrate, and a magnet system which generates a magnetic field having a component directed parallel to the substrate surface at the area of the magnetoresistive element. The field component, upon the relative displacement of the construction parts, extends at different angles to the magnetoresistive element and is so large that the magnetoresistive element is always magnetically saturated during the displacement. Magnetoresistive sensor () for measuring relative displacements of construction parts (). A magnetoresistive element () is formed on a surface () of a substrate (). A magnet system () generates a magnetic field () having a component () directed parallel to the substrate surface at the area of the magnetoresistive element. Upon the relative displacement of the construction parts, this field component extends at different angles to the magnetoresistive element and is so large that the magnetoresistive element is always magnetically saturated during the displacement. Upon a relative displacement of the construction parts, the magnetoresistive element describes a path () with respect to the magnet system. The sensor is suitable for measuring rotations through angles up to 360° and for measuring large translations.