Apparatus for sensing an angular position of a wheel of a vehicle about a steering axis

Abstract

Apparatus for sensing an angular position of a steerable wheel of a vehicle, such as a work machine or the like, about a steering axis thereof. The apparatus includes a support frame having an upper arm and a lower arm defining a space through which the steering axis passes, and a wheel hub located in the space for supporting the wheel. The steering axis extends through a predetermined bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub, and a lower kingpin is mounted in a passage through the lower arm and supports the wheel hub in the space for rotation about the steering axis. The lower kingpin includes an axial passage therethrough extending between an upper axial opening facing the bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub and an externally located bottom opening. A sensor is mounted in connection with the bottom opening of the lower kingpin, the sensor including an element 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.