A position detecting sensor includes a magnet, a magnetic detecting element, and a yoke adjacent to or near the magnet. A detected member is positioned at one side of the position detecting sensor so as to be adjacent to or away from the position detecting sensor. The magnet is oriented to generate a magnetic line of flux which flows in a direction complying with an extending direction of the detected member. The magnetic detecting element is positioned in an area in which a magnetic flux density generated by the magnet is relatively low when the detected member is positioned away from the position detecting sensor and a magnetic flux density is relatively high when the detected member is positioned adjacent to the position detecting sensor.
A target activated sensor including a magnet, a magnetic field sensing element located proximate the magnet and a single ferrous pole located proximate the sensing element. The sensing element senses a change in magnetic field caused by the presence of a target. The magnet, sensing element and single pole piece may be combined in a single package.
A vehicle seat assembly including a rail pair defining a mounting rail and a triggering rail. One of the rails is supported on a floor pan of the vehicle and the other is adapted to support a seat cushion. The rails are moveably supported relative to each other. Also, included is a field effect sensor operatively supported by the mounting rail such that the field effect sensor can be positioned in a first range of positions as well as second range of positions relative to the triggering rail. The sensor is adapted to emit an electric field and to detect disruption of the field when the field effect sensor is positioned in the first range of positions.