Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Wheel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-16
2001-09-25
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Wheel
C033S0010PT
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293022
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device that detects the wheel angle of an industrial vehicle such as a forklift. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a structure for installing a wheel angle detector at a predetermined position.
The body frame of a typical forklift is prevented from being excessively tilted with respect to the rear axle by centrifugal force generated during turning. Specifically, the tilting, or swing amount, of the rear axle is controlled during a turn of the vehicle based, for example, on the vehicle speed and the angle of the steered wheels. Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-24270 discloses a method for detecting the angle of the steered wheels of a forklift.
The forklift disclosed in the publication includes a power steering apparatus. The power steering apparatus has a steering shaft, which is rotated by manipulation of a steering wheel, and a valve unit coupled to the steering shaft. The valve unit supplies hydraulic oil to and drains hydraulic oil from a cylinder in accordance with rotation of the steering shaft. The cylinder has a pair of piston rods protruding from its sides. Each piston rod is coupled to a vehicle wheel. Hydraulic oil from the valve unit moves the piston rods. Accordingly, the piston rods steer the wheels. The moving amount of the piston rods is detected by a stroke sensor. The angle of the wheels is computed based on the value detected by the stroke sensor.
In another method for detecting the angle of steered wheels, linear movement of piston rods in a cylinder is converted into rotation by a converter such as a link mechanism. This rotation is detected by a potentiometer. The angle of the steered wheels is detected based on the value detected by the potentiometer.
The first method, in which the movement of piston rods is detected by a stroke sensor, complicates the computation of the wheel angle. Moreover, since the stroke sensor is expensive, the first method is costly. In the latter method, where linear movement of piston rods is converted into rotation and is detected by a potentiometer, the potentiometer is relatively inexpensive and thus reduces the cost. However, this method requires a converter such as a link for converting movement of the piston rods to rotation. This increases the number of parts and complicates the installation of the apparatus. Further, if the converter is not assembled accurately, the detection of the wheel angle will be inaccurate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a wheel angle detector that has a simple and inexpensive construction and accurately detects the angle of vehicle wheels.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for accurately installing a rotation amount detector that is suitable for the above wheel angle detector.
To achieve the foregoing and other objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting a wheel angle of a vehicle wheel is proved in a first aspect of the present invention. The vehicle has a manipulating member, an actuator and a steering mechanism. The actuator steers the vehicle wheel with the steering mechanism based on manipulation of the manipulating member. The steering mechanism has a rotating member that rotates in synchronization with the steering of the vehicle wheel. The apparatus includes a detector for detecting a rotation amount of the rotating member as a wheel angle of the vehicle wheel.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a mounting structure of a detector that detects a rotation amount of a rotating member is provided. The rotating member is rotatably supported by a hole formed in a support. The detector is attached to the support to be operably coupled to the rotating member. A positioning member is located between the support and the detector for fixing the position of the detector in relation to the rotating member.
In a third aspect of the present invention, a mounting structure of a detector that detects a rotation amount of a rotating member is provided. The rotating member is rotatably supported by a hole formed in a support. The detector is attached to the support to extend through the hole and to be operably coupled to the rotating member. A bearing is located between the hole and the rotating member. A space is defined in the hole for containing lubricant supplied to the bearing. A seal is provided in the hole for separating the lubricant from the detector.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2077082 (1937-04-01), Wedlake
patent: 3782831 (1974-01-01), Senften
patent: 4530155 (1985-07-01), Burkhardt et al.
patent: 4637488 (1987-01-01), Fotheringham et al.
patent: 5636703 (1997-06-01), Papke et al.
patent: 5855072 (1999-01-01), Nakaho
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Patent Abstracts of Japan, Publication No. 02254069, Published Oct. 12, 1990.
Patent Abstracts of Japan Publication No. 04224471, published Aug. 13, 1992.
Chino Kenji
Hyodo Masaya
Iwanaga Yoshihisa
Bennett G. Bradley
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
Morgan & Finnegan L.L.P.
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