# US 10,766,531 B2 · Steering sensor pin assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,531 B2 - Document ID: US10766531B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/119,613 - Filed: 2018-08-31 - Published: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-31 - Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC - Applicants: CNH Industrial America LLC - Inventors: Michael Jensen; Jie Tu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766531B2 ## CPC - B62D 15/023: {by measuring on the king pin} - B62D 7/18: Steering knuckles; King pins - B62D 15/02: Steering position indicators {; Steering position determination; Steering aids} - B60G 2204/11: Mounting of sensors thereon - B60G 2400/41: Steering angle - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract An agricultural vehicle including a front axle assembly having an axle beam with a slot, a wheel assembly including a steering knuckle coupled to a wheel flange assembly, and a steering sensor pin assembly is provided. The steering sensor pin assembly includes a steering sensor pin having a first end and a second end opposite the first end having a flat face, and a kingpin connected to the steering knuckle. The kingpin has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole from the top surface to the bottom surface. The hole is aligned with the slot in the axle beam, and the steering sensor pin is positioned in the hole for coupling the kingpin to the axle beam via the flat face of the steering sensor pin being coupled to the slot. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An agricultural vehicle comprising: a front axle assembly including an axle beam, said axle beam including a slot; a wheel assembly including a steering knuckle and a wheel flange assembly, said steering knuckle coupled to said wheel flange assembly; and a steering sensor pin assembly including: a steering sensor pin having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, wherein said second end has a flat face; a kingpin connected to said steering knuckle, said kingpin having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole from said top surface to said bottom surface, said hole aligned with said slot in said axle beam, and wherein said steering sensor pin is positioned in said hole for coupling said kingpin to said axle beam via said flat face of said steering sensor pin coupled with said slot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said slot is formed in said axle beam, said slot having a slot side surface and a slot bottom surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said slot side surface is thread-less. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said steering sensor pin is thread-less. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said steering sensor pin is configured with a notch, said steering sensor pin including an O-ring seated in said notch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said steering sensor pin assembly further comprises a steering sensor, and wherein said steering sensor is connected to a region of said top surface circumferentially adjacent to said hole for encapsulating said steering sensor pin in said hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said kingpin further comprises a top portion including said top surface and a bottom portion including said bottom surface, said bottom portion further including a bottom portion side surface and a tapered roller bearing assembly arranged circumferentially on said bottom portion side surface, wherein said axle beam has an opening having an opening bottom surface and an opening side surface, wherein said slot is formed in said opening bottom surface, and wherein said bottom portion of said kingpin is positioned in said opening such that said tapered roller bearing assembly contacts said opening side surface of said axle beam for enabling rotation of said kingpin, said connected steering sensor and said connected steering knuckle about said steering sensor pin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said steering sensor is configured to generate an electrical signal based upon an angle of rotation of said steering sensor about said steering sensor pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said angle of rotation of said steering sensor about said steering sensor pin is measured with respect to a reference line that is normal to said flat face of said steering sensor pin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said top portion of said kingpin is connected to said steering knuckle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said top portion of said kingpin is connected to said steering knuckle via fasteners or welds. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said front axle assembly further comprises at least one tie rod, and wherein said at least one tie rod is coupled to said steering knuckle for rotating said steering knuckle, said connected kingpin and said connected steering sensor about said steering sensor pin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The agricultural vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural vehicle is a tractor.