Patent ID: 8917170
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring the articulation angle between a tractor and trailer in an articulated vehicle during turning of the tractor, the tractor including a fifth wheel mounted to the tractor and having a mounting zone defined in part by opposed parallel walls of fixed width there between, the apparatus comprising: a kingpin mounted to the trailer and being secured in the mounting zone of the fifth wheel, said kingpin and the fifth wheel rotating relative to one another during turning of the tractor, said kingpin having a kingpin mounting plate and a kingpin shaft extending downwardly therefrom; a transfer assembly mounted to said kingpin and having a tongue positioned between the opposed parallel walls of the mounting zone, said tongue having a width fitting intimately between the fixed width between the opposed parallel walls of the fifth wheel, said transfer assembly being rotationally moved relative to said kingpin by relative rotational movement between said kingpin and the fifth wheel; an articulation sensing means having one of a reader element and output element mounted to said transfer assembly and the other of said reader element and said output element operatively mounted to said trailer such that said reader element and said output element interact to provide a signal corresponding to the articulation angle between the tractor and trailer.