Steering Angle Sensor on Ball Joint for Single-Wheel Suspension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility vehicles with single-wheel suspension systems for steering wheels face challenges in precisely detecting the steering angle due to the complex mechanics and lack of a direct relation between the steering device components, leading to increased hardware and software requirements for electronic equipment.
Innovation Solution
A steering angle sensor with a rotatable input member connected via an entrainment element to the bolt of the ball-and-socket joint, allowing precise transmission of the wheel carrier's swivel motion, and a cavity in the ball-and-socket joint to accommodate the entrainment element, which is resilient at the centre point, enabling direct detection of the steering angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a steering angle sensor is mounted on a component remote from the wheel (e.g., steering cylinder piston), then the sensor can be easily installed and protected, but the steering angle detection precision deteriorates due to lack of fixed relation between piston position and wheel carrier position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transmission mechanism (ball joint with entrainment element) that directly connects the wheel carrier's swivel motion to the sensor's input member. This intermediary mechanism transmits the steering angle information accurately from the wheel carrier to the sensor, eliminating the need for remote mounting on components like the steering cylinder where the mechanical relationship is not fixed. The ball joint acts as a mediator that preserves the angular position information while enabling direct sensor mounting on the wheel carrier.
2Measurement precision
If the entrainment element is made rigid to ensure precise angular transmission, then the transmission precision improves, but the device complexity and wear increase due to stress during suspension movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the entrainment element resilient rather than rigid. This allows the element to flex and adapt to the relative movements between the wheel carrier and sensor housing during suspension travel, reducing stress and wear while maintaining angular transmission precision. The resilient material absorbs dynamic loads and accommodates positional variations without compromising the accuracy of the steering angle measurement.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ball-and-socket joint structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the ability to accommodate both suspension movement and steering rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the ball-and-socket joint to simultaneously perform two distinct functions: accommodating vertical suspension movement and enabling horizontal steering rotation. The ball joint structure serves as a universal connector that handles both degrees of freedom, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for suspension and steering. This universal design maintains manufacturing simplicity while preserving the complex motion capabilities required for single-wheel suspension systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for precise detection of the steering angle without the need for additional calculations, reducing hardware and software complexity, and providing a compact design with low wear and high transmission precision.
Implementation Method 1
the entrainment element is resilient in the region of the centre point of the ball-and-socket joint
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention discloses a utility vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, with a steering system having single-wheel-suspended steering wheels, which are mounted on a respective wheel carrier (11). Each wheel carrier (11) may be swivelled about the axis of at least one rigidly connected bolt (18) and is connected via a ball-and-socket joint (9) on the at least one bolt, to a transverse steering element (1) that is articulated to the vehicle body. Associated with the ball-and-socket joint (9) is a steering angle sensor (22) comprising a rotatable input member (23), which is located at least approximately in the extension of the axis of the swivel bolt (18). The rotatable input member (23) is connected to the bolt via an entrainment element (25) that transmits the swivel motion of the bolt in an angularly precise manner to detect the current swivel position of the wheel carrier (11).