Patent ID: 11859658
Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B | IPC B  F

Claim 12:
13. A steering system for a machine, the steering system including:
a control arm having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end configured to couple to a chassis of the machine, the opposing second end of the control arm defining an upper mounting surface, a lower mounting surface, and a first passage extending between the upper mounting surface and the lower mounting surface;
a steering knuckle having a knuckle arm defining a second passage extending therethrough, the steering knuckle configured to couple to a steering linkage assembly of the machine to facilitate turning the steering knuckle; and
a ball joint coupling assembly including:
a ball joint housing disposed within the first passage of the control arm, the ball joint housing defining a ball pocket and a first sensor passageway that connects to the ball pocket, the ball joint housing having a peripheral lip extending radially outward from a lower end of the ball joint housing, the peripheral lip in engagement with the lower mounting surface of the control arm;
a mounting plate positioned along the upper mounting surface of the control arm, the mounting plate coupled to the ball joint housing, the mounting plate defining a second sensor passageway that aligns with the first sensor passageway;
a ball joint including:
a ball portion disposed within the ball pocket, the ball portion defining a conical recess that aligns with the first sensor passageway and the second sensor passageway, the conical recess (i) having an opening at an upper end of the ball portion and (ii) terminating inside the ball portion with a shaft head pocket; and
a shaft portion extending from the ball portion, the shaft portion disposed within the second passage of the steering knuckle; and

a steering sensor including:
a sensor head coupled to a top surface of the mounting plate; and
a driveshaft extending from the sensor head into the conical recess of the ball portion, the driveshaft having a shaft head that engages with the shaft head pocket.