Patent ID: 6293022
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: B60G,B62D

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a wheel angle for use with a vehicle having a vehicle wheel, a manipulating member, an actuator and a steering mechanism, wherein the actuator steers the vehicle wheel with the steering mechanism based on manipulation of the manipulating member, wherein the steering mechanism has a rotating member that rotates in synchronization with the steering of the vehicle wheel, wherein the rotating member is rotatably supported by a collar within a hole formed in a support that is located in the vehicle, and wherein the rotating member pivotally supports the vehicle wheel and the rotating member pivots integrally with the vehicle wheel about a rotational axis, the apparatus comprising:a fixed detector attached to the support to be operably coupled to the rotating member, said detector detects a wheel angle of the vehicle wheel based on the rotational angle of the rotating member;a rotatable input shaft extending from the detector, wherein the detector outputs a signal corresponding to a rotational angle of the input shaft, wherein the input shaft extends through the hole and is coupled to the rotating member for integral rotation;a positioning member located between the support and the detector for fixing the position of the detector in relation to the rotating member, wherein the positioning member comprises a cylindrical body that is fitted to the hole to surround the input shaft, wherein the cylindrical body includes a small diameter portion at its distal end, wherein the diameter of the small diameter portion is smaller than the diameter of the hole.