US1617905A - Timing device and process of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

. 1617,905 b' B. U. H]LLS TIMIIiG DEVICE AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Filed Feb. 11, 1921 Patented Feb. 15, 1 927.

PATENT OFFICE.

'BURTON.U. HILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIMING AND 'IROCEEiS O33 MANUFACTURING THE SAME.

Application filed February 11, 1921. Serial No. 444,174.

My invention belongs'to that general class ofdevices known as timers or timing devices for internal combustion engines, and an improved process of manufacturing the same. As is well known, timing devices, or timers as they are enerally known, are adapted for successive y conducting an electricalcurrent to the several sparking devices from [a common conductor, and thereby '10 igniting the charges in the cylinders and energizing the engine. The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described that is simple, convenient, compact, durable, efficient, re-

, liable and satisfactory for use wherever vfound applicable. It also has particularly "as an'obj act the production of a device which may beeconomically manufactured, and which will-not easily get out of order or be affected by weather conditions. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given. 1 To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding P n Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device mounted for use;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of my imp ved device looking from the rear side "thereof;

Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fi' 4 is across sectional view taken subfstantially through the operating shaft and sleeve, illustrating the retaining pin connecting theparts together; and

1 Fig.5 is a perspective view of a contact and conducting member carried by the rotor. Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown, 1 represents the timer driving shaft driven in the usual or any preferred man- 5 her, not necessary to describe in detail, having'mountedthereon a rotor 2 formed of fiber or' othefr non-conducting material, as will-be hereinafter described. The rotor is preferably circular in form, and is mounted upon a sleeve 3 formed of brass or other suitable electric conducting material, which is in turn secured to the shaft 1 in any preferred manner. As illustrated, the sleeve is detachably secured on and prevented from rotating on the shaft by means of a pin 5, which projects through a slot or the equivalent opening in one wall of the sleeve into the shaft, the sleeve projecting beyond the face of the disk a slight distance, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A cap or cover 6, preferably of metal, incloses the projecting end of the sleeve 3 and pin 5, retaining the pin in place, and is preferably. of a length .to engage with the face of the body of the rotor, the extreme edge of the cap being preferably flanged so as to lie against the rotor. The cap 6 is maintained in position on the shaft and against the rotor, maintaining the rotor firmly in place, by means of a suitable nut 7 or equivalent means mounted upon the extreme end of the shaft.

This construction is not only particularly simple and inexpensive, but the rotor is operatively and securely maintained in a predetermined position upon the shaft both circumf-erentially and longitudinally of the end of the sleeve, being positively held against the shoulder upon the shaft, as, shown. This construction also requires that the rotor be always applied in a predetermined manner, as will be hereinafter described, thereby preventing improper aissembly of the parts.

in the form of device shown, the rotor2is circular in form, as previously mentioned, or that is, substantially cylindrical, the outer edge of which has a face of non-conducting material except at the point where a contact member is positioned. This electricconductor or contact member consists in the preferred construction of a sheet metal plate 9, formed with an extension 10 through which an opening 11 is provided of a size to closely lit the sleeve. The same may be secured on the sleeve in any suitable manner, and in the construction-shown, I have provided a lug 12 adapted to fit in a recess in the flange 3 of the sleeve. The flange 3 maintains the plate in contact with the rotoror disk, while the lug in engagement with the notch therein prevent-s relative rotation of the sleeve and the plate. The plate 9 is flanged or bent over as at 13 at the outer end so as to overlie the edge of the disk, the extreme edge being flanged as at 14 to overlie the opposite face of the rotor. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, the disk is recessed at its edge so the. the portion 13, which conforms to the periphery of the rotor, is substantially flush with the face of the edge.

I prefer to construct the disk or rotor 2 of a body of suitable non conducting material such as bakelite or preferably a spe cia'lly prepared and treated fiber possessing great hardness and rigidity without sacrificing any of its non-conducting qualities. 1 might say that I prefer generally to use a fiber made up of cotton, worked into paper. I also prefer to use the fiber in substantially thin disks or sheets or laminae, which are arranged face to face and forced together under high pressure so as to provide substantially a "unitary structure. Either before or after the pressure forming of the disk or rotor, I suitably size, treat or impregnate the fiber so that it is substantially moistureproof. This treatment may consist of any suitable lubricant or lubricating oils or a combination .of oils. Obviously, any additional binder desired may be arranged between the laminae, but generally the sizing or lubricant will serve as a binder, and the great pressure applied in forming of the rotor will cause the parts to be united permanently and form substantially a unitary structure without additional binding means. By using the laminae, the grain or layers of fiber or other material forming the rotor extend transversely of the disk .or rotor, the same forming a substantially uniform structure of great hardness and durability throughout. The same may be shaped by suitable dies and a hole punched or cut through in any desired manner, either before, during or after the forming. After the hole is provided, the

, sleeve '3 is positioned and the plate 9 forced over the'edge and down to overlie the opposite face of the disk. After the disk is thus constructed, I place the. same in a. suitable grinder ,or equivalent machine, and carcfully finish the edge, including the contact face 13, it being found desirable to finish the edge as accurately and as smoothly as pos sible so that the circumference or periphery is at all points uniformly distant from the axis of rotation and perfectly smooth.

The contact member on the rotor is arranged to cooperate with the desired nun1 ber of contact points or members 17 as the rotor is driven. As shown, I provide a casing 16 of the desired size, shape and material, which normally incloses the rotor and prevents the admission of dust, dirt, moisture, grease, etc. thereto, the same being maintained in place, in the construction shown, 3y its engagement with the body of the engine or other supports carrying the shaft 1 and a member 20 mounted on an adjacent part 21. Member 20 provided with a protruding part arranged to engage in a depression in the end of the cover of the casing, it being understood, however, that the particular construction of the casing and the method of supporting the same may be varied as desired. The construction illustrated, however, permits the casing to be shifted or adjustedias will be hereinafter described. A bracket 19 and operating rod 19' afford means for adjusting the casing. Arranged on the casing are the desired number of binding posts 15, the number depending npon the particular use for which the device is intended to be used. For use on an internal combustion engine, I provide one binding post for each spark plug, or other igniting device, the contacts on the spark plugs being connected therewith by suitable wires or the equivalents, in the usual manner. The binding posts extend within the casing, and are electrically connected with spring members 18, carrying the contacts or brush members 17. The springs extend in the direction of the rotation of the rotor, and serve the double purpose of maintaining the contact members 17 in engagement with the surface of the disk, and at the same time as electrical conductors connecting the members 17 with the binding posts. hen the casing or cover is of metal construction, the binding posts are insulated from the casing by the washers 23 on the inside and similar washers on the outside, of suitable insulating material, and I also prefer to provide a strip 22 of non-conducting material around the interior of the shell.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows: Assuming that the timer is applied substantially as shown, the binding posts being connected with the ignition apparatus and the shaft 1 grounded or connected with the source of electrical oncrgy, as the rotor 2 is driven by the shaft, the contact member 9 at its face portion 13 successively contacts with the several contact members 17 so that the several circuits through the several binding posts are successively closed and opened. If the casing is shifted or adjusted, obviously the time of contact with the members 17 and 9 is varied, being either retarded or advanced depending upon the adjustment made. \Vith this construction, the membi-irs 17 are at all times maintained in perfect contact with the face of the rotating rotor, which as before mentioned. is accurately formed. It will be particularly noted by referring to Fig. 2 that each of the springs 18 extends from the end where the contact member 17 is located to a point toward the opposite end, substantially tangential to the finished edge or peripliery ofthe roton The casing may be face of the disk. This construction also requires less pressure to be put on the contact 17 in order tomaintain the same in place, and there is'consequently less wear on the parts.

By constructing the rotor in the manner described, of layers of fiber or the like suit- I ably treated and formed, a substantially uniform structure is secured, any difference in hardness or softness and tendency to wear beingbalanced by the hardness or softness of the adjacent layers in the rotor, which is impervious to water or moisture, and may be polished to a high degree, the same being maintained polished by the contacts 17 drawing over the same with the substantially light pressure referred to.

The timer may be easily and conveniently disassembled by simply swinging over the arm and.- removing the cover 16.

The points of contact between the member 17 and the plate 9 may be easily cleaned if necessary. The rotor may be conveniently and casilyremoved by merely taking off the nut 7. Owing to the fact that the rotor is impregnated in the manner described, the same does not take up oils or grease irregularly about the surface, as would be the case where a porous body was employed.

Extensive use and continuous hard tests have proved the rotor to be extremely hard and durable, with but slight wear on the contacts and face of the rotor. The rotor to a certain extent lubricates the contacts 17, and reduces wear thereon, so that they are of long life and seldom require to be renewed. They also show that the device is not at all affected by moisture or grease or oil, and

that a particularly efficient operation of the engine is secured.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without defparting from the spirit of my invention;

hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

"What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an ignition timer, a rotor comprising a disk of insulating material having a peripheral slot therein, and a central bore therethrough, a metallic bushing in said bore, a metallic contact member having an arcuate portion in said peripheral slot, flush with the periphery of the disk and overlying said disk at its sides, one of said overlying portions being radially extended inwardly of the disk and encirclingsaid bushing, said bushing having a recess therein, and said radially extended portion of the contact member having a projection thereon engageable in said recess to prevent relative rotational movement"therebetiveen.

2. In an ignition timer, a rotor comprising a disk of insulating material having a pe"- ripheral'recess therein and being axially bored, a metallic bushing in said bore, said metallic bushing having an annularly shouldered enlarged end portion, a metallic contact member having an arcuate portion flush in said peripheral slot and overlying said disk at its sides, one of said overlying portions of the member being radially extended inwardly of the periphery and formed with a ring at the end encircling the reduced portion of the bushing, whereby said ring portion of the contact member may be clamped between the face of the disk and the annular shoulder of the bushing, and means between said bushing and contact. member to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween.

In combination with a rotatable shaft, a sleeve carried by the shaft, an outwardly extending flange formed on the sleeve and provided with a recess therein, a rotor carried by the sleeve, and means carried by the rotor and engageable in the recess of the flange for preventing rotatable movement of the rotor independently of the sleeve.

a. In combination with a rotatable shaft, a sleeve carried by the shaft, an outwardly extending flange formed on the sleeve and provided with a recess therein, a rotor carried by the sleeve, a contact member carried by the rotor, and a lug formed on the contact member and engageable in the recess of the sleeve flange for preventing rotatable movement of the rotor independently of the sleeve. I

5. In an ignition device, a disk of insulating material and a contact member at one side of said disk, having a part extending across and with its outer face flush with the periphery of said disk, in combination with a tubular sleeve extending centrally through said disk and said contact member, whereby said sleeve, said disk, and said contact member are connected to form a unitary device locked against independent rotary movement.

6.1n an ignition device, a disk of insulating material and a metal contact member at one side of said disk having a part extending across and with its outer face flush with the periphery of said disk, in combination with a tubular sleeve extending centrally through said disk and contact member whereby said sleeve, said disk and said contact member are connected as a unitary structure and rotate as such.

'7. In an ignition device, a disk of insulating material and a metal contact mem her at one side of said disk having a part xt n ing across wi h it uter fa e flu h with the pgriphery of said disk, in combination with a b' la l ye ex nding 9e tlally through [said disk and "Said onta ct membgr, and cobpl'gfi'ng means upon' said sleeve and said cbntaQtYmBmbr adaptgd' to prevent rotary mOYQI B lt between them whgrgby said sleeve s a'i d disk gnd sjaid con tact member are, connected to constitute a mitary structure adapted to rotary movemenths such. 10

' In ztesfniinqny whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

BURTON U. HILLS.

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