US1678947A - Ignition timer - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1928.

' F. c. KROEGER IGNITION TIMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Fi'led Nov. 6. 1922 Iban/.212.707I

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July 31, 1928. 1,678,947

F. c. KROEGER vIGNITION TIMER Original File'd Nov. 6. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .u fnUEz-JZLUT JM am M Patented July 31, 1928.

UNITEDsTATEs PATENT OFFICE. f

FREDERICK C. XBOEGEB, OF ANDERSON,

INDIANA,- ASSIGNOB, BY HEBNE ASSION- MENTS, TO DELCO-BEMY OOR'IORA'II.)N,A OF'DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

IGNITION TIMER.

Application led Iovember'6,r1922, Serial N o. 599,238. Renewed February 3,1927.

This invention relates to ignitionvapparatus for internal-combustion engines, and more particularly to the timer and distributor unit commonly called the distributor.

one of a set of interchangeable parts suchl as sets of timer cams, distributor rotors and distributor heads, whereby the distributor lll can be adapted for either direction of rotation of its driving shaft, and can be adapted to provide ignition for engines having different numbers of cylinders, for example, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders. In this manner thenumber of different parts required for producing apparatus for different engine requirements will be reduced to the minimum.

A further object is to provide a distributor in which the internal electrical circuits are provided without the use of wire oonf ductors.

' A further object is" to provide means for manually adjusting the distributor, said means cooperating with any one of a series of manual timing range stops each of lwhich permits the proper range of manual adjustment for the particular engine with which the distributor is' to be used.

Further objects and advantages of theA present 'invention will be apparent from the following description, reference -being had to the accompanying drawings, where a pre- Aferred embodiment of the present' invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a, distributor embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the distributor cap and Segment removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a terminal bracket and Contact support;

Fig. 4 is a side view thereof looking in the direction of the arrow 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line5-5 of Fig. 1; n

Figs. 6, 7 and 8-are sectional views taken on the lines 6-6, 77, and 8 8, respectively of Fig. 2';

Fig. 9 is aside view of the distributor Itis among the objects of the present inlooking in the direction of the arrow 9 in F1g. 1, certain parts being inV section', the sections being taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. l; f I

Fig. 10 isja plan view showing the timer cup with the automatic advance'mechanism positioned therein; f

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the rotatable mechanism of the timer, the section of the automatic advance mechanism being taken on the line 11--11zof Fig. 10; f' l Fig. 12 is a breaker base;

Figz is a fragmentary sectional view of a portlon of the circuit breaker base and a portion of the distributor head; i

plan view of the circuit segments adapted for counterclockwise rotation of the distributor driving shaft.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of an assembly of the rotating parts adapted for counterclock-` wise rotation;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of an assembly of the rotating parts adaptedpfor clockwise rotation; vand.

Fig. 17 is a plan rotor shown in Fig. 16. v

20 designates a timer cup which has acylindrical shank 21 and an annular flange 22 concentric with saidl shank. Shank 21 is centrally apertured toreceive a bushing 23 which provides a bearing :for the main shaft view of the distributor Fig. 14 is a plan view of the distributorv I' .24. Shaft 24 carries` at its lower end a coupling 25 having tongues 26 adapted to beengaged by notches in asimilar memberl the vweightlever rests upon one 'or two hut tons 31 whichare struck up fromthe up per surface of the weight base. This construction tends td reduce friction which would retard the movement of a weight 1ever 29 about its pivot 28. Each weight is provided with a finger 32 which enga an.

di? a.

arm 33 of'the automatic cam or sp1 Spider 34 is attached to the lower end of cam shaft 35 which is journalled upon the reduced upper end 36 of the driving shaft 24. (See Fig. 11). The lower end of shaft 35 is spaced from the shoulder 37 of the shaft 24 by means of a washer 38. Two spider arms 33 each carry a spring post 39, and' 'ignition timer as the speedincreases as will be apparent more clearly hereinafter. The lower end of post 39a extending into hole 27* cooperates with plate 27 to provide a stop limiting the movement of the weights 29. In the innermost position of the weights 29 the`A springs 40 extend radially and the post 39* practically touches one side of the hole 27a. It is apparent that the governor is constructed for a timer in which the timer cam shaft is to revolve in a counterclockwise direction.

If`it is desired to adapt the apparatus for an installation in which the timer shaft ,is revolved in a clockwise direction, the weights 29 are reversed upon their posts 28 as shown at 29a in Fig. 16F and have the weight plates 30 welded on the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 10, whereby lthese weights with their' plates are arranged for counterclockwise rotation outwardly upon their weight posts. Therefore in such a construction when the`weights swing out the spider 34 will be rotated clockwise relative to the shaft 24, and will advance the timer cam shaft 35 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 16. It is also necessary to interchange the post 39* with a post 39 so that the post 39a in its new location will extend into a hole 27 b in plate 27. When the automatic mechanism is at rest, the post 39a in Fig. 16 will practically touch one side of the hole 27". Therefore hole 27" serves the same purpose as the hole 27"l does when the apparatus is arranged for counterclockwise rotation.

The timer cam shaft 35 is prvided with a tapered portion 41 and a reduced'upper end which is threaded at 42-to receive a nut 43. (See Fig. 11). The timer cam 44 is centrally apertured to receive the tapered portion 41 and the reduced portion 42, the

cam having conical portions 45 and 4'6 which bear against the tapered conical portion 41 of the shaft 35. After the cam 44 has been located in proper position of adjustment ing a flat portion 51 conforming to the lflat 75' 48. This construction provides for locating the distributor rotor in proper relation to the lcam 44. The rotor 49 supports a segment 52 which is riveted at 534to a preferably metallic member 54, or insert around which the distributor rotor is molded. A felt wick or plug 35a acts as a lubricant reservoir to supply lubrication between parts 35 and 36.

The cam 44 as shown in Fig. 2 will pro- 85 vide ignition for Aa'six cylinder four stroke cycle engine. In order to accommodate the distributor to a four or eight cylinder engine, it will be necessary among other things to substitute for the cam 44 other cams hav- 90 ing four or eight lobes, for example, to suit the requirements of a four or eight cylinder engine.

The flange 22 of timer cup 2O supports a circuit breaker base 60, said hase being held .down by screws 61.

The base 60 is provided with metal bosses 62, 63, and 64 preferably in arcuate alignment with 'a central aperture 65 surrounded by a boss 66, and

with two elongated openings 6 7 and 68 pref- 100 erably th/e same distance from the hole 65 and concentric therewith. (See Fig. 12). The base 6() is provided with a counter-bored` recess 69 in alignment with the elongated hole 67 and this recess is adapted to receive 105 one of a set of interchangeable washers 70 having the same external diameter but varying in internal diameter for a purpose to be described.

The circuit breaker plate 71 is provided 110 with a central aperture adapted to receive the boss A66 which serves as a bearing for the' plate 71. In order to yieldingly maintain the plate 71 in engagement with the bosses 62, 63 and 64, andthe base 60, the plate 71 115 is provided with hold-down studs 72 which extend from the plate 71 down through the arcuate slots 67 and 68, and each of these studs is reduced at its lower end to provide a threaded portion for engagement by a nut 73. The reducing of the lower end of the Stud in diameter provides the stud with a stop shoulder 74 which definitely limits thc distance to which the nut 73 can be screwed along the stud 72. Between the nut 73 and 125 the underside of the base 60, the stud 72 is surrounded by a plain washer 75 and a spring washer 76. The' plain washer 75 is yieldingly pressed bythe Spring washer 76 against the lower face of the circuit breaker (See Fig. 15). 70

l this manner the plate 71 will be maintained substantially at right angles to the cam shaft and there will be little tendency for the plate to get loose and rattle. O11 the other hand `this plate is relatively free to turn about the central boss 66.

A terminal bracket 80 is attachedito the plate 71'but insulated therefrom, there being a non-conducting member 81 between the bracket 80 and the plate 71, and a non-con ducting strip 82 is located on top of bracket 80 to receive the heads of rivets 83 the Shanks of which are insulated from the bracket 80 by means of non-conducting washers 84 located within holes 85 and having sufficient internal diameter to receive Bracket 80 1s` the Shanks of the rivets 83. provided withfa condenser supporting ear 86 having a plain aperture 87 and with a contact supporting ear 88 having a threaded aperture 89. Bracket 80 is provided with a -threaded aperture 90 for receiving the terminal screw 91, the lower end ot which extends through an enlarged'hole 92 provided in the handle portion 93 of the breaker plate 71. .The handle 93 is provided with a hole 94 gr receiving a link or the like by which the breaker plate 71 may be rotated from a distance as by means of the usual spark vance lever on the steering post of an automobile. It will be clear that when the circuit breaker plate 71 with all the parts mounted thereon as explained in detail in the following paragraph, is manually rotated about the bossy 66 by the handle 93 the spark will be advanced or retarded according to the direction of rotation of said plate 71. The arcuate slots 67 and 68 in the base 60 thr Uh which the hold down studs 72 extend permits the rotation of plate 71 through a range depending on the length of said arcuate slots. A set of interchangeable washers 70 (described above and clearly illustrated in F ig. 12) is provided for changing the length of the arcuate slot 67 and thus for provid the proper range of manual adjustment o1 the spark for the particular engine with which the distributor is to be used.

The handle 93 of the breaker lever plate 71, the terminal bracket 80 and the non-conducting plate 81 extend through a notch 931l in the flange or side wall of the base or container 60, thel notch 93a being 'slightly deeper than the combined thickness of these parts. The part 82 extends above the plane of the lower edge of the\ distributor head 150 which is seated u A n the flange 60?. The parts 71, 80,81 an 82 have cylindrial edge surfaces' indicated at 71, 80, 81* and 82a respectivelyl in Figs. 5, 3'and2. These cylindrical surfacesl combine to provide a closure for the notch 93* in all positions of -bes metallic condenser can 134 whichuis V over t 135 against a metallic button 136 which 1s electrically connected with 'the the lever 93, and thus tend to prevent entrance of dust and other foreign matter within the timer housing provided by the base 60 and the head 150. ,Y

A threaded rod 100,'carrying a nut `101 andl a contact 102 and having a hexagonal head 103, has threaded engagement with the hole 89 in ear 88. By turning the hexagonal head 103, the rod 100 may be screwed in and .out with respect to the ear 88 for purpose of adustment and the rod 100 is secured in a just/ed position by means ot' the lock nut 101. rlhe contact 102 is adapted to be engaged by contact 104 riveted to an ear 105 substantially at right angles to the main portion of a breaker lever 106 which is locatedsubstantiallyparallel tothe plate 71. The lever 106 is attached to a shaft 107 perpendicular to plate 71 having a portion which rests upon a circuit breaker lever hearing 108 carried by plate 71 and having a portlon 109 which is journalled within the bearing 108. 'llhe lever 106 carries an intermediate portion which is ben't down as indicated at 110 below the plane or the main portion of the lever and substantially perpendicular thereto and this portion 110 is bent substantially at right angles to the ear 105 as indicated at 111 and inwardly toward the timer cam da A cam rubbing block 112, preferably micarta specially treated, is attached by rivets113 to the portion 111. The circuit breaker lever, spring 115 is coiled around the parts 107 and 108 and has one end 116 pressing against the lever 106 and the other end 117 pressing against a spring retainer-stud 118 which is carried by the plate 71. Stud 118 supports a condenser supporting arm 119 having a slotted hole 120 for receiving the threaded portion of a screw 121. Stud 118 also supports al circuit breaker lever retainer 122 which is held down by the screw 121 there being a lock washer 123 located between the head of screw 121 andthe condenser "support 119. The retainer 122 has its free end 123 dished out as shown in Fig. 6 to lit over-the riveted v end 124 ot' the hub 107 or the lever 106. By loosening screw 121 thepretainer 122 may to one side to permit removal of the brea er lever 106 from the base 71 for i replacement or' repairs. v

The condenserdesignated as a whole by numeral is one which is preferably in accordance with the invention disclosed in the copending application of August Toelle,

132 and attached to but insulated from a condenser end cover 133 which is soldered to a spun 1 othercondenser foil. /IIhe button 136 carries p a stud 137 having al threaded portion 138 passing through the condenser support 119 and receiving a lock washer 139 and a nut 140. The screw 132 passes through the hole 87 in the ear 86 of bracket 80 and attaches the condenser core 131 mechanically and electrically to the bracket ear 86. A lock washer 142 is located between the head of screw 132 and the ear 86 which is positioned against the protruding end of the core 131.

The distributor head 150 made of molded nonconducting material such as bakelite embodies certain features disclosed in the patent to O. F. Conklin No. 1,372,065, issued March 22, 1921. The head 150 is provided .with a circular row of high tension cable receiving sleeves 151 disposed concentrically about a central cable receiving sleeve 1 52. Sleeves 151 are provided with metallic lining members 153 and needles 154 extend centrally of the lining members 153 and are attached to inserts 155, preferably of Monel metal which has been embedded in the bakelite of the head by molding the bakelite around the inserts. The cable receiving sleeve 152 is provided with a metallic lining 156 into which projects a needle 157 attachedL toa sleeve 158 within which slides a button 159 yieldingly maintained in engagement with the distributor segment 52 by means of a spring 160. The sleeve 152 receives the high tension cable from the secondary windl ing of the ignition coil, needle 157 enters in between the strands `of the cable and provides a conducting path to the distributor segment 52 which distributes sparking impulses to the distributor posts or inserts 155 in recurrent sequence. Each of the needles 154 enters between the strands of a high tension cable received `by!- the sleeve 151, said. cable being attached tol'an engine spark plug. The distributor head 150 is held down upon thel circuit breakerbase 60 by means of spring clips 161 each having a hook rtiony 162 received by a recess 163 provi ed in the base 60. -The fiange 22 of the timer cup will close the lower end of this recessv163-when the base 60 is attached to the cup 22'as shown in Fig. 9 and therefore the hook end 162 will be retained within-this recess. The clip 161 is provided with a loop 164 adjacent its upper end adapted to be received by a socket 165 provided by the head 150, and this loop 164`is adapted to snap over a shoulder 166' which prevents accidental displacement of the clip 161."v The connection between the hook end 162 and the recess 163 is loose enough to permit swinging the clip 161 away from rthe head 150. so that the head can be' removed froml the base 60. The head 150 carries a lug 150* adapted to fit between the sides 172 and 173 of a notch 174 for the purpose of locating the headonthe'baseO. 4

Lubrication for the shaft 24 is provided by means of a grease or oil cup 170 communicating through passage 171 withthe shaft 24.

The ignition apparatus'described is adapted Jfor use in a grounded system of ignition in which the engine frame which supports the ignition .timer serves as a part of the primary ignition circuit. In such systems it is customary to ground one terminal of the battery and to connect the other terminal with .an ignition switch which in turn is connected with one primary terminal of the ignition coil. The other primary terminal of the coil is connected in any suitable manner with the terminal screw '91. The high tension terminal of the ignition coil is connected by a suitable cable with the sleeve 152 and needle 157 and the other distributor posts are connected by suitable cables with vthe spark plugs of the engine. There arey no wire connectors located within the distributor` The terminal bracket 80 serves as a conductor to the stationary contact 102 and to one terminal of the condenser. 130. The movable contact 104 is grounded through 'the breaker lever 106 and plate 71. The other terminal of the condenser 130 is grounded through its supporting member 119. The retainer 122 also serves to ground the breaker lever 106.

Where the timer cam normall rotates counter-clockwise as viewed in Flg. 2, the

This new location of the cam relative to the automat-ic mechanism is indicated at 444. The same piece is used, therefore the flat will 'be in the position 48a. The cams 44 and 44B shown in Figs. 15 and 16, respectively are ust touching the circuit breaker block 112.

urther movement of cam 44 counterclockwise will cause t-he breaker contacts 102 and 104 to separate to cause sparking, andv further movement 'of'cam 44 clockwise will 4clause the contacts 102 and 104 to separate.

It is apparent' that automatic' advance mechanism and the timer cam have been' arranged for clockwise rotation without adding 4or substituting any new parts. The parts shown in Fig. 15 and preceding figures have been rearranged. In order to provide for distribution of the sparking impulses two rotors are used, Arotor 49 (Fig. 14) for counterclockwise rotation and rotor 49 (Fig.

117) for clockwise rotation (as viewed in Fig. 1'6). These rotors differ only in respect to the location of their flatsJ 51 and 51?, respectively, to their rotor segment 52;, A normal line to the fiat 51 (meaning aline passing through the axis ,of the rotor and perpendicular to the flat 51) is located below the center line of the rotor segment as viewed from one direction of rotation to the opposite. For example, if the cam 44 is rotated 40 degrees to bring it 'from the position shown in Fig. 15 to position 44 in Fig. 16, then the angle between the normal to ,the locating fiat in the rotor recess to the center line or the rotor segment will be 20 degrees.

To accommodate the distributors in engines having a number of cylinders other than sin, it is obvious that the distributor head and the timer cam must be replaced by corresponding parts which are constructed to meet the particular ignition requirements, In other words, if the distributor is to be adapted ior a four cylinder engine, the cam 24 must be replaced by a tour lobe cam and the distributor head replaced by one having four i of sin equidistant sleeves 151 and posts 1,55.

e the form of mechanism herein 'shown and described constitutes a preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it is to he understood that other forms might`be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow. y

vWhat I claim is as follows:-

l. lin an ignition distributor, the combination with timer contacts; of a cam for separating the contacts; a cam supporting shaft having av lever arm; a drive sha-ft; and speed responsive means for angularly adjusting the relation of. said shafts including a weight support, a pivot post carried by said support,

yand a weight member including a weight lever having a finger, the lever being rotatably mountable on the post with either face oi the lever adjacent the weight support whereby the linger may engage either side edge of the arm to permit either direction ot rotation of the cam with respect to the drive shaft as the speed increases, sald weight member including a weight plate attached to the lever on the side thereof remote fromI the support, whereby with the same set of parts the speed responsive means can be constructed to function for either direction of rotation of the drive shaft. o

2. In an ignition distributor, the combination with timer contacts; of a cam for sepashaft.

rating the contacts;I at least two arms attached to said cam and extending transversely therefrom; a drive shaft; and speed responsive means for actuating said arms for angularly adjusting the lrelation of the cam to the drive shaft including a weight sup-' port attached to said shaft, weight members pivotally mounted on said support and cach. having a finger engaging one of the cam arms to angularly adjust said cam from a normal position, spring means for .ma t the arms to normal position, and a pin insertable through a hole in either c a and extending into either of two holes in the weight support provided, respectively, immediately under the holes in the cam a the holes in the weight support be larger than thepin and so disposed that when the pin is inserted through one cam arm into a weight support hole said pin cooperates .with

the weight support to provide a stop un 1 ing the movement of the cam arms in one direction from normal, and when the pin. is inserted through the other cam arm into the other weight support hole the pin cooperates with the weight support to limit the movement ofthe cam arms in the opposite direction from normal with rct to the drive 3. ln an ition distributor, the combination with timer contacts; of a cam for separating the contacts; a stop pin; provisions for attaching the pin to the cam in two positions relative to the cam; a drive shaft; means for connecting the shaft with c and for angularly adjusting the cam from a normal position with respect to the shaft in response to increase in sp; spring means for returning the cam to normal and a member connected to the drlve shaft and provided with spaced apertures each for receiving the stop pin in one of its positions of attachment to the cam, said apertures being 'larger than the pin and so disposed that when the pin is in one oir its positions of attachment to the cam and extends into one aperture said. pin cooperates with the apertured member to provide a stop limiting the movement ofthe cam.v in one direction from normal, and when the pin is in the sition;

other position of attacent to the cam and extends into the other aperture said pin cooperates with the apertured member to provide a stop limiting the movement of the cam in the opposite direction from normal with respect to the drive shaft..

4. In an tion distributor, the combination with a support having a recess; ot a breaker plate rotatable on said support; a. stationary contact carried b said plate; a

breaker lever ha a mova le contact carv,means for supporting said condenser and electrically connecting it between the two contacts, said means including an apertured ear supported by the plate for receiving one terminal of the condenser, and an apertured,

arm for receiving the other condenser terminal, said arm being adjustably connected with the pivoted lever.

6. An ignition timer comprising in combination, a base; a breaker lever support on said base; a cover on said breaker lever support; and spring clips hingedly retained between the base and the said support, and including hook portions adapted to engage the cover.

7. An ignition timer comprising in combination, a base; a breaker lever support carried by said base; a cover for said support; and spring clips hingedly retained between the base and said support and including hook .portions adapted to engage the cover, said clips and support having co-operatin rovisions whereby the clips may have a lmnted swinging movement, but are maintained in attachment to the said support and base lwhile said support is attached to the said ase.

8. An ignition timer comprising in combination, a base; a plate carryin the distributor timer mechanism secure to said base and including recesses in the edge engaging said base vsaid recesses having enlared inner portions; a distributor head on sai plate; and spring clips adapted to be mserted in the recesses beforev the'plate is secured to the base, said clips having provlsions extending into the enlarged portions of the recess whereby the clips are hingedly retained between the base and plate when the plate is secured to the base, and hook formations on the clips for Ysecuring the distributor head to the plate.

9. An ignition device comprising in comb1nation, a. cup-shaped container having a notch in its flange; a breaker plate rotatably supported in said container and having a handle portion extending through the notch; a breaker lever. having a contact'and pivotally supported on the breaker plate; a terminal bracket insulatingiy carried by the breaker plate and having a contact supported thereon for engagement by the breaker lever contact,and a. portion aligned with, and

extending through the notch withthehan-i minal bracket insulatingly mounted on said plate and having a portion extending along y said handle through the notch; and two angular rtions, one of which supports a contact a apted to be engaged by the breaker -80 lever, the other supporting one end of the condenser; and a terminal carried by the terminal bracket outside the container.

11. An ignition devicev comprising in combination, a housing; a base plate rotatably supported in said housing; an interrupter mechanism in said housing, including a stationary contact supported by a terminal plate insulatingly carried on the base plate, and a movable contact carried on a breaker lever; a post on the base plate pivotally supporting a' breaker lever; a stud on said base plate adjacent the said post; a clip adjustably secured on the stud by means of a screw, and adapted to have one end rest on the breaker lever to hold it in posi- `tion on the post; a conductor arm having one end adjustably secured to the stud by the screw holding the clip, said arm hav-v ing an aperture in its free end; and a condenser, supported between the said conductor arm and terminal plate. 12. A n ignition device comprising in combination, a cup-shaped container having a notch in its side wall; a cover seated u n the said side wall; a breaker plate rotata ly supported within the container and having an operating handle extending through said notch; a terminal bracket'within said container and having a portion extending 11o through the notch and superposed upon the handle; a non-conducting plate located between the bracket and breaker plate, said breakei` plate, terminal and bracket and insulatingplate having cylindrical edge por- 115 tions cooperating to provide a closure for the notch in all operatin positions of the handle; and a circuit ma e and break device, su portedby the breaker plate and electrica ly connected ywith. theterminal bracket. 13. An ignition. device comprisin in combination, a cup-shapedjcont-ainer aving a notch in its side wall; a breaker plate rotatably supported 'in'the casing and co- 125 axially thereof, said plate havin a gate portion adjacent the notch exten ing beyond each end of said notch, said gate portion` being providedl with an'outer, arcuate edge ,concentric to and coinciding with the inner surface of the casing and adapted to move in a terminal on said bracket outside the easing; close proximity thereto; an arm extending means insulated from the breaker plate and from the breaker plate through the notch terminal bracket for holding them together providing an operating lever therefor; an with their interposed insulating plate; and

5 insulating plate on the gate portion of the a breaker mechanism supported on the 1:;

breaker plate; a terminal bracket on the inbreaker plate and terminal bracket.

l p sulating plate, having the same contour as In testimony whereof I hereto aiiiX Smy -'the gate portion mentioned, and having a signature.

portion extending through the notch in sul 10 perposed alignment With the operating lever; FREDERICK C. KROEGER.

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