To meet the requirements of gap detecting between radial wires in the automobile industry

a simple structure gap sensor is proposed. The performance of sensor can be optimized by ANSYS finite element method （ FEM）

and the current amplitude changes in the coil during the process of probe moving of sensor is analyzed to realize detection of the gap between radial wires. The experimental results show that the sensor model has good sensitivity and linear range. It can meet the requirements and give reference to further design of such type of sensor.