Sensing mechanism for hitch articulation angle
US6956468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/065
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention describes a sensor mechanism for measuring hitch articulation angle. A configuration of the contact face between hitch ball and receiver eliminates the effect of the unwanted trailer motions, such as roll and pitch while accurately registering trailer yaw motion. Also, there is no yaw slippage at the contact that was a major problem during the successive acceleration and brake maneuvers. With the freely rotating ball and shaft, the angle is measured using an angle sensor, such as an optical encoder, potentiometer, or other means. For the case of a relative angle sensor, automatic zero angle calibration can be used to allow an absolute angle measurement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.