JPH10275309A - Magneto-resistance effect type head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lengthen a life of the head. SOLUTION: This head is constituted for the purpose of reading out a magnetized data specified at prescribed magnetizing intervals of a short space or a long space formed on a magnetic recording medium, such as a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card, etc. In order to detect a horizontal component in the direction parallel to the magnetizing direction M out of magnetic flux of the magnetized data, a magneto-resistance effect element 3 is arranged parallel to the magnetic recording medium 2, and also on both sides of the magneto- resistance effect element 3 in its magnetizing direction M, shield plates 4 are provided to be separated from each other by a distance equivalent to the magnetizing intervals of the short space or smaller than that from the middle of the magneto-resistance effect element 3 in the magnetizing direction M.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a magnetoresistive head for reading data from a magnetic recording medium.
More specifically, the present invention relates to the shape of a magnetoresistive element of a magnetoresistive head and its peripheral members.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A magnetoresistive head is known as a magnetic head for reading magnetic information recorded on a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic card or a magnetic disk. In recent years, in order to increase the recording density of a magnetic recording medium, FIG.
2, a so-called perpendicular magnetoresistive head (hereinafter, referred to as “MR head”) in which a magnetoresistive element (hereinafter, referred to as “MR element”) 101 is perpendicular to a magnetic recording medium, for example, a magnetic stripe 102 of a magnetic card. ) 103 is used. In this vertical MR head 103,
The MR element 101 is arranged perpendicular to the magnetic stripe 102, and the longitudinal direction of the MR element 101 is parallel to the width direction of the magnetic stripe 102. Then, the magnetic information is read by sliding the MR head 103 along the magnetic stripe 102.

Here, the magnetic stripe 102 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a large number of magnetized data having a set of S pole and N pole are magnetized along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic stripe 102. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, there are two types of magnetization data: long intervals and short intervals that are half the long intervals, and magnetic information is formed by a combination of these.

The vertical MR element 101 senses a component (perpendicular magnetic flux) of magnetic flux generated between the S pole and the N pole of each magnetization data on the magnetic stripe 102, which is perpendicular to the magnetic stripe 102. . Thereby, the magnetic information of the magnetic stripe 102 can be read.

[0005]

However, since the vertical type MR head 103 is sensitive to the vertical magnetic flux, the
The element 101 must be used very close to the magnetic stripe 102. This is because the perpendicular magnetic flux is generated only in the vicinity of the magnetic stripe 102, so that the MR element 1
This is because if the 01 is separated from the magnetic stripe 102, the magnetic flux in the vertical direction cannot be sensed. Therefore, the MR element 101
For example, the glass protective film between the magnetic stripe 102 and the magnetic stripe 102 must be thinned.
The R element 101 was exposed, making it difficult to extend the life of the head.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetoresistive head capable of extending the life of the head.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a magnetization interval of magnetization data formed on a magnetic recording medium is set to a predetermined interval of a short interval or a long interval. In a magnetoresistive head for reading data, a magnetoresistive element is arranged in parallel with a magnetic recording medium so as to detect a horizontal component in a direction parallel to a magnetization direction of a magnetic flux of magnetized data, and A shield plate is provided on both sides of the magnetization direction of the resistance effect element, which is separated from the center of the magnetization direction of the magnetoresistance effect element by a distance equal to or shorter than a short magnetization interval.

Therefore, since the magnetoresistive element detects the horizontal component of the magnetization data, the distance between the magnetoresistive element and the magnetic recording medium can be increased. this is,
This is because the horizontal magnetic flux of the magnetization data also exists at a position farther from the magnetic recording medium than the vertical magnetic flux. Therefore, it takes a long time until the head surface is worn and the magnetoresistive effect element is exposed, so that the head life is prolonged.

When the magnetoresistive effect element is located at the magnetic pole position between the short-distance magnetized data and the long-distance magnetized data, the short-distance magnetized data of the magnetized data which is farther from the magnetoresistive element is separated. Since the magnetic poles are covered by the shield plate, a part of the magnetic flux of the magnetization data at short intervals passes through the shield plate, so that the ratio of the magnetic flux perceived by the magnetoresistive effect element is reduced, and the magnetic flux at the next adjacent short interval is formed. The magnetic flux from the magnetic pole of the magnetic data is not drawn into the magnetoresistive element. Further, at this time, a part of the long-distance magnetization data is covered by the shield plate, so that most of the magnetic flux of the long-distance magnetization data passes through the shield plate and is magnetized by the magnetoresistive element. This allows
Since the horizontal component of each magnetic flux cancels out inside the magnetoresistive element, the position of the magnetic pole is detected with high accuracy.

Further, in the magnetoresistive head according to the second aspect, the magnetic recording medium is a magnetic card, the short interval is almost half of the long interval, and the magnetoresistive element converts the horizontal component of the magnetized data. The magnetic card is provided separately from the magnetic card so as to detect the magnetic flux. Therefore, the magnetized data of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card can be read by the magnetoresistive head. Since the magnetoresistive element is separated from the magnetic card in order to sense the horizontal magnetic flux of the magnetization data, a protective film made of glass or the like may be provided between the magnetoresistive element and the magnetic card. it can.

Furthermore, in the magnetoresistive head according to the third aspect, a protective film is formed on the surface of the magnetoresistive element, and the surface of the protective film is slid on the magnetic card. Therefore, the magnetoresistive element does not directly contact the magnetic card, and the magnetoresistive element does not wear. In addition, since a material having high hardness can be selected as the material of the protective film, the head life of the magnetoresistive head is prolonged.

Further, in the magnetoresistive head according to the fourth aspect, the surface of the magnetoresistive element is provided so as to be more distant from the magnetic card than the surface of the shield plate.
Therefore, even when the head surface is worn and the shield plate is exposed on the head surface, the magnetoresistive element is located at a position separated from the head surface and is not exposed. For this reason, it takes a long time until the magnetoresistive effect element is exposed on the head surface due to wear of the head surface, so that the head life is prolonged.

Further, in the magnetoresistive head according to the fifth aspect, the magnetoresistive element includes a magnetosensitive portion formed on the substrate surface with a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the magnetization data; Connection terminal portions formed on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the magnetic portion. Therefore, the magnetic sensing part of the magnetoresistive effect element senses the magnetic flux of the magnetized data, and the connection terminal is connected to the detection circuit.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of the present invention will be described below in detail based on an example of an embodiment shown in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetoresistive head (hereinafter, referred to as an "MR head") 1 according to the present invention has a magnetization interval of magnetization data formed on a magnetic stripe 2 of a magnetic card as a magnetic recording medium. This is for reading data set at a predetermined short or long interval. The magnetic information here is such that the long interval magnetization data is "0" data portion 2a, and the short interval magnetization data having a length of 1/2 of the long interval is "1".
It is arranged as the data section 2b.

The MR head 1 is arranged in parallel with the magnetic stripe 2 so as to detect a horizontal component in a direction parallel to the magnetization direction M of the magnetic flux of the magnetization data.
3), and is equal to or shorter than a short magnetization interval from the center of the magnetization direction M of the MR element 3 on both sides with respect to the magnetization direction M of the MR element 3. Shield plates 4, 4 separated by a distance
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MR head 1
An MR substrate 5 having the element 3, a lead wire 6 connected to the MR element 3 by soldering, and a head body 7 for fixing the MR substrate 5 and the lead wire 6 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the MR substrate 5 has three magnetic stripes 2 of a magnetic tape of a magnetic card to be read.
The substrate 8 overlaps with the magnetic stripes 2, 2, and the thin film MR elements 3, 3, 3 which are formed on the surface thereof and are arranged at the corresponding positions of the magnetic stripes 2, 2, 2; And shield plates 4 and 4 to be arranged.

Each MR element 3 is formed by depositing permalloy on a substrate 8 and has a magnetically sensitive portion whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the magnetization direction M of the magnetic stripe 2 (shown by hatching in FIGS. 4 and 5). ) 9 and connection terminal portions 10, 10 formed at both ends of the magnetic sensing portion 9. The thickness of the magnetic sensing part 9 is about 30 nm.

The magnetization direction M of the magnetic stripe 2 of the magnetic sensing portion 9
Is shorter than the short magnetization interval of the magnetic stripe 2 as shown in FIG. The length of the magnetic sensing portion 9 in the direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction M of the magnetic stripe 2 is shorter than the width of the magnetic stripe 2 to be read as shown in FIG. Further, the connection terminal portions 10 and 10 are connected to the back side of the substrate 8 through through holes 8 a and are soldered to the lead wires 6. A protective film 11 made of glass is adhered to the head surface 1a of the MR head 1. This prevents the magnetic sensing portion 9 from directly contacting the magnetic stripe 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, shield plates 4 are arranged on both sides of the magnetic sensing portion 9 of each MR element 3 in the magnetizing direction M at a predetermined distance from the magnetic sensing portion 9. Here, the distance between the magnetic sensing part 9 and the shield plate 4 is set by the magnetization distance of the magnetic stripe 2 for reading. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the magnetically sensitive portion 9 and the shield plate 4 is determined when the magnetic portion 9 is at the magnetic pole position of the magnetization data.
Is the length covering the magnetic pole position of the magnetization data at short intervals.

Here, in the magnetic card used in the present embodiment, the recording density of the magnetized data of the three magnetic stripes 2, 2, 2 is increased by 21 by the two magnetic stripes 2, 2 at both ends.
0 BPI and 75 BPI for the magnetic stripe 2 at the center. For this reason, the long magnetization intervals are 121 μm for the magnetic stripes 2 at both ends and 339 for the central magnetic stripe 2.
μm. Thereby, the distance between the center of the magnetic sensing part 9 and the shield plate 4 is about 50 μm for the MR elements 3 at both ends,
The center MR element 3 has a thickness of about 160 μm.

The length of the magnetizing direction M of the shield plate 4 is determined such that when the magnetic sensing portion 9 is at the magnetic pole position, the magnetic pole away from the magnetic sensing portion 9 of the magnetized data at long intervals is equal to the shield plate 4. Is preferably the length to cover. This is because most of the magnetic flux of the magnetized data at long intervals passes through the shield plate 4.

On the other hand, the shield plate 4 is made of a material through which magnetic flux can easily pass. Specifically, it is preferably permalloy.
Further, the thickness of the shield plate 4 is made equal to the thickness of the MR element 3. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the corner of the side of the shield plate 4 facing the magnetic sensing part 9 is chamfered at about 45 degrees. The connection terminal portions 10, 10 facing the corners are formed at about 45 degrees. For this reason, the shield plate 4 can be disposed so as to face the entire region of the length in the direction orthogonal to the magnetization direction M of the magnetic sensing portion 9.

The operation of reading the magnetic data of the magnetic stripe 2 by the MR head 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the magnetic sensing portion 9 of the MR element 3 is at the magnetic pole position between the long-distance magnetization data and the short-distance magnetization data, one of the shield plates 4 is short-distance magnetization. Since a part of the magnetic flux of the short-distance magnetization data passes through the shield plate 4 to the adjacent short-distance magnetization data side to cover the magnetic pole separated from the magnetic sensing part 9 of the data, the magnetic sensing part 9 Do not reach. for that reason,
The magnetic flux detected by the magnetic sensing unit 9 is smaller than the magnetic flux generated between the magnetic poles of the short-time magnetization data when the shield plate 4 is not provided. As a result, compared to the case where the shield plate 4 described later is not provided, the magnetic fluxes of the magnetization data of the long interval and the short interval have substantially the same intensity, and no peak shift occurs. At the same time, in the next short interval magnetization data adjacent to the short interval magnetization data, a magnetic flux is generated only between the magnetic poles of the magnetization data. Therefore, the magnetic flux from the magnetic pole of the magnetization data is not drawn into the magnetic sensing unit 9.

When the shield plate 4 is not provided, as shown in FIG. 11, the distance between the MR element 3 and the magnetic stripe 2, that is, the position where the horizontal component of the magnetic flux cancels out if the depth is inappropriate is set. A so-called peak shift that deviates in the magnetic direction M occurs.

For example, when the depth of the MR element 3 (the depth in this case refers to the distance between the magnetic sensing unit 9 and the magnetic card) is smaller than an appropriate value, one data unit 2 having a small magnetization interval.
Since the magnetization interval between b and 2b is small (the distance between the S pole and the N pole is short), the magnetic flux from one data portion 2b is more present near the magnetic stripe 2 so that the zero data portion 2a
This is probably because the magnetic flux is stronger than that from For this reason, MR
The position where the horizontal component of the magnetic flux cancels out in the element 3 is slightly smaller than the magnetic pole position as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.
The position (3 ') is closer to the a side.

For example, when the depth of the MR element 3 is larger than an appropriate value, the magnetic flux from the 0 data portion 2a having a large magnetization interval becomes stronger. It is considered that this is because the magnetic flux from the 0 data portion 2a exists more at a location away from the magnetic stripe 2. Therefore, the position where the horizontal component of the magnetic flux cancels out in the MR element 3 is a position (3 ″) slightly closer to the one data portion 2b than the magnetic pole position as indicated by the imaginary line in the drawing. In these cases, the MR element 3
Cannot be accurately detected at the magnetic pole position, and the reading accuracy of magnetic information is degraded.

On the other hand, in the MR head 1 of this embodiment, since the shield plates 4 and 4 are provided, it is possible to reduce the magnetic flux due to the short-period magnetization data to be detected by the magnetic sensing unit 9. Therefore, even when the depth is small, it can be almost accurately detected that the MR element 3 is at the magnetic pole position. Therefore, the depth at which the MR head 1 can operate can be widened, and a long-life head can be realized.

Here, inside the MR element 3, since the magnetic flux lines of the respective magnetic fluxes are directed in opposite directions, the horizontal components cancel each other out.
Magnetic flux is hardly sensed by the magnetic sensing unit 9. For this reason, the resistance value of the MR element 3 increases. Here, when the MR head 1 is operated by the constant current circuit, the voltage E = current I
Since the current A is constant due to the relationship of the resistance R, the voltage E increases as the resistance value of the MR element 3 increases. As shown in FIG. 1, since the voltage E has a peak at the magnetic pole position of the magnetic stripe 2, the magnetic pole position can be obtained by detecting the peak of the voltage E.
Then, the 0 data portion 2a and the 1 data portion 2b are discriminated based on the detected interval between the magnetic pole positions, and the magnetic information is read.

According to the MR head 1, since the MR element 3 is arranged in parallel with the magnetic stripe 2 to sense the horizontal magnetic flux of the magnetization data, the depth of the MR element 3 can be increased. . Therefore, it takes a long time until the head surface 1a is worn and the MR element 3 is exposed.
The head life can be extended.

When the MR element 3 is at the magnetic pole position, the magnetic flux sensed by the magnetic sensing unit 9 is made substantially the same from the magnetized data of the long and short intervals by the shield plates 4 and 4, The magnetic flux from the next magnetized data adjacent to the magnetized data is not drawn into the magnetic sensing unit 9. As a result, the depth range in which the horizontal magnetic flux drawn into the MR element 3 from each magnetization data can have substantially the same magnitude can be expanded. Therefore, when the MR head 1 is used for a long period of time, the head surface 1a is worn and the MR element 3 is used.
Can read magnetic information with high accuracy without causing a peak shift.

Here, the manufacturing process of the MR head 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the head substrate 7 incorporates the MR substrate 5 and the lead wires 6. Then, a protective film 11 made of glass is adhered to the head surface 1a side of the head main body 7. Further, the portion where the protective film 11 is adhered is cylindrically polished. Thus, the MR head 1 is completed.

The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the shield plate 4 is equal to the thickness of the MR element 3 as shown in FIG. 1, but is not limited to this, and the thickness is equal to the depth of the MR element 3 as shown in FIG. Can be. In this case, the MR element 3 is installed at a position largely separated from the head surface, and the shield plate 4 is installed at a position where the shield plate 4 is occupied from the installation position of the MR element 3 to the vicinity of the head surface.

According to this embodiment as well, the depth of the MR element 3 can be increased, so that the head life can be extended. Further, when the MR element 3 is at the magnetic pole position, the magnetic flux from the magnetized data at the short interval and the long interval can be made almost the same strength by the shield plate 4, and the next magnetic flux adjacent to the magnetized data at the short interval can be made the same. The magnetic flux from the magnetic data is not drawn into the magnetic sensing unit 9. This allows
The depth range in which the horizontal magnetic flux drawn into the MR element 3 from each magnetized data can be set to the same size can be widened, and the head surface 1a is worn out by using the MR head 1 for a long time, so that the MR element 3 is magnetic stripe 2
, Magnetic information can be read with high accuracy without causing a peak shift.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the MR head 1 shown in FIG. 1, the length of the magnetization direction M of the magnetic sensing part 9 is set to 20 μm as shown in FIG.
The length of the magnetic sensing portion 9 in the direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction M is 0.8 m
m, and the peak shift amount was measured when the thickness of the magnetically sensitive portion 9 was 30 nm. This measurement was performed for the case where the shield plate 4 was provided and for the case where the shield plate 4 was not provided.
And FIG. 9 shows the measurement results.

As shown in the figure, when the proper value of the peak shift amount is 0.95 to 1.05, if the shield plate 4 is not provided, the peak shift amount becomes improper at a depth of 10 to 50 μm. Depth 0 to 50μ when plate 4 is provided
m provided an appropriate peak shift amount. Therefore, it was found that by providing the shield plate 4, an appropriate value of the peak shift amount can be obtained in a depth range sufficient for practical use as an MR head.

The resolution of the magnetic information 0 and 1 was measured under the same conditions as the measurement shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows the measurement results. As shown in the figure, it was found that almost the same resolution could be obtained regardless of the presence or absence of the shield plate 4.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, the magneto-resistive head according to the first aspect of the present invention detects the magnetic recording medium so as to detect a horizontal component of the magnetic flux of the magnetization data in a direction parallel to the magnetization direction. Since the magnetoresistive element is arranged in parallel with the magnetic recording medium, the distance between the magnetic recording medium and the magnetoresistive element can be increased. Therefore, it takes a long time until the head surface is worn and the magnetoresistive effect element is exposed, so that the head life can be extended.

In the magnetoresistive head according to the first aspect, on both sides of the magnetoresistive element with respect to the magnetizing direction, the magnetizing interval is equal to or shorter than the short magnetizing interval from the center of the magnetizing direction of the magnetoresistive element. Since the shield plates are separated by a distance, when the magnetoresistive effect element is at the magnetic pole position between the magnetized data at a short interval and the magnetized data at a long interval, The horizontal magnetic flux drawn into the magnetoresistive element can be made substantially equal in magnitude. Therefore, the horizontal components of the respective magnetic fluxes cancel each other inside the magnetoresistive element, so that the magnetic pole position can be detected with high accuracy regardless of the distance between the magnetoresistive element and the magnetic recording medium. Therefore, even if the magnetoresistive head is used for a long period of time and the depth of the magnetoresistive element is reduced, the magnetic pole position can be detected with high accuracy and the magnetic information can be read with high accuracy.

In the magneto-resistive head according to the second aspect, the magnetic recording medium is a magnetic card, the short interval is almost half of the long interval, and the magneto-resistive element converts the horizontal component of the magnetized data. Since it is provided separately from the magnetic card so as to detect the magnetic flux, it is possible to read the magnetization data of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card. Also, since the magnetoresistive element is separated from the magnetic card in order to sense the horizontal magnetic flux of the magnetization data, a protective film made of glass or the like may be provided between the magnetoresistive element and the magnetic card. it can. Thereby, the wear amount of the head surface can be reduced and the head life can be extended.

In the magnetoresistive head according to the third aspect, a protective film is formed on the surface of the magnetoresistive element, and the surface of the protective film is slid on the magnetic card. The wear of the magnetoresistive element can be prevented without the resistive element coming into direct contact with the magnetic card. In addition, since a material having high hardness can be selected as the material of the protective film, the head life of the magnetoresistive head can be extended.

Furthermore, in the magnetoresistive head according to the fourth aspect, since the surface of the magnetoresistive element is provided to be separated from the magnetic card than the surface of the shield plate, the head surface is worn. Even when the shield plate is exposed on the head surface, the magnetoresistive element is located at a position separated from the head surface and is not exposed. Therefore, it takes a long time for the magnetoresistive element to be exposed on the head surface due to wear of the head surface, so that the head life can be extended.

Further, in the magneto-resistance effect type head according to the fifth aspect, the magneto-resistance effect element includes a magneto-sensitive portion formed on the surface of the substrate with a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the magnetization data; Connection terminals formed on both sides in the direction orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the magnetic part, so that the magnetically sensitive part of the magnetoresistive effect element senses the magnetic flux of the magnetization data and the connection terminal part. Can be connected to the detection circuit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a magnetic sensing portion, a shield plate, and a magnetic recording medium of a magnetoresistive head according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the vicinity of the head surface of a magnetoresistive head.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an MR substrate of a magnetoresistive head, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a front view.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a magnetoresistive element and a shield plate.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a magnetoresistive element and a shield plate.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a magnetoresistive head is manufactured.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing another embodiment of the magnetoresistive head.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing dimensions of each part of a magnetoresistive element used for measurement.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between a depth and a peak shift amount.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between depth and resolution.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a magnetoresistive element and a magnetic recording medium of a horizontal magnetoresistive head without a shield plate.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional vertical magnetoresistive head.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a conventional perpendicular magnetoresistive element and a magnetic recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MR head (magnetoresistive head) 2 Magnetic stripe (magnetic recording medium) 3 MR element (magnetoresistive element) 4 Shield plate 8 Substrate 9 Magnetic sensing part 10 Connection terminal part 11 Protective film M Magnetization direction

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A magnetoresistive head for reading data in which magnetization intervals of magnetization data formed on a magnetic recording medium are set at predetermined short intervals or long intervals, wherein a magnetic flux of the magnetization data is read. A magnetoresistive element is arranged in parallel with the magnetic recording medium so as to detect a horizontal component in a direction parallel to the magnetizing direction, and the magnetoresistive elements are arranged on both sides of the magnetoresistive element in the magnetizing direction. Wherein the shield plate is provided at a distance from the center of the magnetizing direction of the magnetizing direction equal to or shorter than the short magnetizing interval. 2. The magnetic recording medium is a magnetic card,
The short interval is approximately one half of the long interval, and the magnetoresistance effect element is provided apart from the magnetic card so as to detect a magnetic flux of a horizontal component of the magnetization data. A magnetoresistive head according to any of the preceding claims. 3. The magnetoresistive head according to claim 2, wherein a protective film is formed on a surface of the magnetoresistive element, and the surface of the protective film is brought into sliding contact with the magnetic card. . 4. The magnetoresistive head according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the magnetoresistive element is provided so as to be more distant from the magnetic card than a surface of the shield plate. 5. The magnetoresistive element includes: a magneto-sensitive portion formed on a substrate surface with a direction orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the magnetization data as a longitudinal direction; 5. The magnetoresistive head according to claim 1, further comprising connection terminals formed on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the direction.