Device for detecting different steering angles

• US 5,366,042 A
• Filed: 09/02/1993
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Ritzer, Manfred, Wilks, Eberhard, Sigl, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyson, Karin L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/108,757
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 280/96.1, 180/253, 250/231.13, 250/231.14, 250/231.18, 73/118.1
• US Class Current: 180/253
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/02 Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/342 the sensed object being the obturating part

Abstract

The invention concerns a device having an originator and a receiver unit (10, 11) and a signal-processing device (17) for detecting different steering angles. The device delivers switch signals, for instance, for actuating differential locks. For identifying discrete steering angles the originator unit (10) operates in conjunction with two sensors (12, 13). The proposed steering-angle sensory analysis is preferably used in axles of tractors and construction machines.

Claims

1. A detection device for detecting discrete steering angle of a wheel, said device comprising:

an originator unit;

a receiver unit (11) interacting with said originator unit, said receiver unit comprising two sensors (12,

     13); and

a signal-processing unit (17), communicating with said receiver unit (11), for determining different steering angles of a driven wheel of an axle for a motor vehicle;

wherein said originator unit (10) and said two sensors (12,

     13) operate in conjunction with one another for identifying a discrete steering angle (α

1 to α

6) of the wheel and, based upon the possible switch conditions (I, O) of said sensors (12,

     13), said signal-processing unit (17) detects the discrete steering angles (α

1 to α

6) according to a direction and a magnitude of the steering angle and, when the wheel is located in a straight-ahead travel position and said two sensors are activated, said two sensors (12,

     13) are positioned adjacent a web portion of said originator unit (10) and generate an identical switch condition (I or O).

2. A device according to the claim 1, wherein said originator unit (10) has a plurality of sectors (19, 20, 21) with leading edges (A1 to A4) which produce said switch conditions (I, O) of said sensors (12, 13), and at least two discrete steering angles (α

1 to α

6) are detectable for each direction of rotation of the wheel from a straight-ahead travel position.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said originator unit (10) has four leading edges (A1 to A4) in which three discrete steering angles (α

1 to α

6) are detectable for each direction of rotation of the wheel from a straight-ahead travel position.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said originator unit (10) comprises an axle kingpin (6).

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said sensors (12, 13) extend radially with respect to an axis of rotation (D) of said axle kingpin (6).

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein said sensors are assembled, in one plane, adjacent one another in bores (8, 9) of an axle bridge (2) and said sensors form an angle with respect to one another.

7. A device according to claim 2, wherein said originator unit (10) includes three serially arranged sectors (19, 20, 21) and the central sector is formed by a groove (19).

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said leading edges (A1 to A4) and said three sectors (19, 20, 21) is designed in a manner such that the discrete steering angles (α

1 to α

6) deviate from one another for each steering direction of the wheel.

9. A device according to the claim 1, wherein said two sensors, when activated, generate identical switch conditions (I or O), as the switch condition (I or O) generated when the wheel is located in a straight-ahead travel position, only for a single desired contiguous steering angle range during a right-hand turn and for a single desired contiguous steering angle range during a left-hand turn.

10. A detection device for detecting discrete steering angle of a wheel, said device comprising:

an originator unit;

a receiver unit (11) interacting with said originator unit, said receiver unit comprising two sensors (12,

     13); and

a signal-processing unit (17), communicating with said receiver unit (11), for determining different steering angles of a driven wheel of an axle for a motor vehicle;

wherein said originator unit (10) and said two sensors (12,

     13) operate in conjunction with one another for identifying a discrete steering angle (α

1 to α

6) of the wheel and, based upon the possible switch conditions (I, O) of said sensors (12,

     13), said signal-processing unit (17) detects the discrete steering angles (α

1 to α

6) according to a direction and a magnitude of the steering angle, said sensors are assembled in bores (8,

     9) of an axle bridge (2), and connecting wires (14,

     15), interconnected with said sensors (12,

     13), are located within a common duct (16) of said axle bridge (2).

11. A detection device for detecting discrete steering angle of a wheel, said device comprising:

an originator unit;

a receiver unit (11) interacting with said originator unit, said receiver unit comprising two sensors (12,

     13); and

a signal-processing unit (17), communicating with said receiver unit (11), for determining different steering angles of a driven wheel of an axle for a motor vehicle;

wherein said originator unit (10) and said two sensors (12,

     13) operate in conjunction with one another for identifying a discrete steering angle (α

1 to α

6) of the wheel and, based upon the possible switch conditions (I, O) of said sensors (12,

     13), said signal-processing unit (17) detects the discrete steering angles (α

1 to α

6) according to a direction and a magnitude of the steering angle, and said sensors (12,

     13) are protected from an external environmental influence by a detachable sealing cover.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said sensors (12, 13) are situated on a side of an axle bridge (2) remote from a forward direction of travel (F).