Patent ID: 6494471
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A01B,B60G,B62D,G01B

Abstract:
Apparatus for sensing an angular position of a wheel of a vehicle about a steering axis thereof, comprising:a support frame having an upper arm and a lower arm projecting therefrom defining a space therebetween, the lower arm having a passage therethrough communicating with the space, the steering axis extending through the space and the passage: a wheel hub located in the space for supporting the wheel, the steering axis extending through a predetermined bottom axial surface position of the wheel hub; a lower kingpin mounted in the passage through the lower arm and supporting the wheel hub in the space for rotation about the steering axis, the lower kingpin including an axial passage therethrough extending between an upper axial opening facing the bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub and a bottom opening; a sensor mounted in connection with the bottom opening of the lower kingpin, the sensor including an clement rotatable about a rotational axis, the sensor being operable for sensing a rotational position of the rotatable element about the rotational axis; and a pin extending through the axial passage through the kingpin and having a first end pivotably connected to the wheel hub for rotation therewith and a second end connected to the element for rotating the element when the wheel hub is rotated about the steering axis, wherein the pin has an automatically adjustable length between the first end and the second end thereof.