US2713096A

US2713096A - Ball bearing distributor plate

Info

Publication number: US2713096A
Application number: US365033A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leslie L Brunk
Original assignee: RENBERLES PRODUCTS CO
Current assignee: RENBERLES PRODUCTS CO
Priority date: 1953-06-30
Filing date: 1953-06-30
Publication date: 1955-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 1972-07-12

Description

y 12, 1955 L. L. BRUNK BALL BEARING DISTRIBUTOR PLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 50. 1953 INVENTOR.

m U S R a B R L. o E n U A s E 7 Y B FIG-2 July 12, 1955 L. L. BRUNK 2,713,096

BALL BEARING DISTRIBUTOR PLATE Filed June 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LESLIE L.BRUNK c 7844171101116 loumun,

ATTORNEYS nitd 2,723,696 Patented July 12, 1955 bike BALL BEARKNG DISTRIBUTOR PLATE Application June 30, 1953, Serial No. 365,4?33

5 Claims. (Cl. 200-31) This invention relates to distributor plates for internal combustion engines, and particularly to such a distributor plate adapted for being angularly adjusted in response to variations in the manifold vacuum of the engine.

Distributor plates of the nature referred to carry the breaker points which are in series with the primary coil of the ignition spark coil and a cam adjacent the distributor plate, usually extending through a central aperture thereof, rotates with the engine to cause periodic opening and closing of the breaker points.

In internal combustion engines, an important factor in maintaining the engine in proper and efficient operating condition is the control of the timing thereof, in particular, variation of the instant of sparking of the spark plug for each cylinder, so that it occurs at the proper time with reference to the speed of the engine and the load thereon.

Ordinarily, the speed of the engine is detected by governor means that operate to advance the cam of the distributor mechanism so as to advance the spark as the engine speeds up, while the load on the engine and, to a certain extent, the speed thereof, is determined by detecting the intake manifold vacuum and utilizing this vacuum by way of a flexible diaphragm or the like to move the distributor plate in such a direction that for higher manifold vacuums the distributor moves to advance the spark.

In at least one type of distributor mechanism the cam is rigidly connected for rotation with the engine cam shaft and the entire control of the advancing and retarding of the spark is accomplished by movement of the distributor plate in response to changes in intake manifold vacuum.

In either case, the best and most efficient engine results will only be obtained when the distributor plate follows the changes in intake manifold very closely and does not flutter or move relative to the axis of the distributor cam except in a purely rotary path.

in connection with the distributor mechanisms wherein the entire control of the timing is by way of a vacuum control of the rotated position of the distributor plate, it becomes extremely important for the plate to be firmly supported for such rotary movement, so that during adjustment of the distributor plate by changes in manifold vacuum, the only factor in the ignition system that varies will be the time that the breaker points of the system are interrupted by the distributor cam.

This invention, similarly to my copending application, Serial No. 315,040, filed October 16, 1952, contemplates supporting the distributor plate on a precision ball bearing, one race of which is fixed to the movable portion of the distributor plate, and the other race of which is fixedly mounted within the distributor housing of the ignition system. With such an arrangement, utilizing precision ball bearings in order to obtain the most accurate and precise locating of the distributor plate and the most accurate possible guiding thereof during its rotary movement, it is highly important to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from getting into the spaces between the races of the ball bearing. Such foreign matter and dirt could impede the movement of the movable portion of the distributor plate assembly, whereby it could not respond with the necessary precision to changes in the intake manifold vacuum, thus leading to faulty operation, and can also induce wear of the ball bearing, thereby permitting flutter and improper guiding of the movable portion of the distributor plate, and which also will lead to faulty and inefiicient engine operation.

Having the foregoing in mind, it is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved distributor plate assembly for being received in the distributor housing of an automotive engine ignition system which will provide for extremely accurate and substantially friction-free rotation support of the portion of the distributor plate which carries the breaker points of the distributor system.

A still further object is the provision of a ball bearing distributor plate especially adapted for being readily incorporated within the distributor housing of an automotive engine ignition system with the distributor plate accurately and permanently located therein.

A still further object is the provision of a ball bearing support for a distributor plate mechanism referred to in which the ball bearing of the support is protected and shielded against the ingress of any dirt or foreign material, thus promoting long and efficient life of the hearing.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a ball bearing plate of the nature referred to which is inexpensive to construct and which can readily be incorporated in a conventional distributor housing of the proper type with no change thereof.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a ball bearing type distributor plate serving as a replacement for the conventional distributor plate in the housing of a distributor, and which replacement plate comprises dual points so arranged as to increase the dwell period, thereby leading to better sparking conditions of the ignition system, particularly at high speeds of engine operation.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an ignition distributor housing having mounted therein a distributor plate according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof, indicated by line 2-2 on Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn at enlarged scale showing the manner in which two of the principal parts of the distributor plate assembly are secured together;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the distributor plate assembly of the present invention without the breaker points mounted thereon, but showing the bushing and snap ring forming a part of the conventional distributor; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the distributor plate of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated at it the body portion of the housing of an ignition distributor with the cover thereof removed and also with the cam and cam shaft thereof removed, but with the cam illustrated in dot-dash outline at 12 in Figure 1.

Secured to the housing 10 is a vacuum unit 14 adapted for connection at 36 with a tube leading to a suitable point on the intake manifold of the engine. Within the 3 vacuum unit 14 is a diaphragm from which leads a rod 18 into the interior of housing 10. The diaphragm within vacuum unit 14 is adapted for flexing leftwardly as the vacuum therein increases, thus moving rod 18 leftwardly, all as viewed in Figure 1.

The ignition housing illustrated in the drawings is characterized by having a central bushing member 2i pressed into a bore 22 on the axis of the distributor housing, and which bushing has an internal bore 24 which guides the shaft carrying cam 12. In the conventional arrangement, the outer surface of bushing 2b where it extends into the recess 26 of the housing it? is availed of for providing support for the distributor plate of the ignition system. In the conventional arrangement, the distributor plate comprises a central sleeve part fitting relatively loosely about bushing 29 and retained thereon by snap ring 23. Such an arrangement provides a rotatable support for the distributor plate, and likewise locates the distributor plate axially within recess 26.

However, such a support is necessarily somewhat loose because without play between the sleeve on the distributor plate and the bushing 20 and between the opposite ends of the sleeve and the snap ring 28 and the bottom wall of recess 26, the distributor plate would not be free to turn, and, therefore, could not respond to changes in vacuum in the vacuum unit 14. Such a distributor plate support is thus objectionable to a degree, becase it permits movement of the distributor plate in the housing in a path other than purely rotary, thus introducing inaccuracies in the timing that will cause im- F1} proper and inefficient engine operation.

According to the present invention, a ball bearing is provided having an inner race 3% which is a press fit over bushing 20, and which extends from the bottom wall of recess 26 up to snap ring 28. of the ball bearing when thus mounted in position on bushing 20 is positively and permanently located relative to the axis of bore 24 and therefore of cam 12, and, inasmuch as the race 30 does not turn on bushing 26, this accuracy of rotation is not lost through wear between the race and bushing.

The ball bearing also comprises an outer race 32, and between the races 39 and 32 are a series of balls 34 fitting in grooves in the races. The ball bearing is of a precision type and the balls 34 so support outer race 32 on inner race 39 that the outer race can have only rotary movement relative the inner race and is held thereon against axial, radial, or tilting movements relative thereto.

Since inner race Si) is fixedly mounted relative to the axis of rotation of cam 12, as previously mentioned, it will be readily perceived that outer race 32 is held in all of its rotative positions in a fixed position radially and axially of the said axis of rotation of cam 12.

Resting on top of outer race 32 is the distributor plate proper 36 and a cup or retainer member 38 is provided closely embracing outer race 32 and having fingers or tabs 49 extending upwardly through apertures 42 in plate 35 and bent over so as firmly and rigidly to interconnect cup 3%, plate 36, and the ball bearing outer race 32.

The distributor plate 36 is adapted for adjustably mounting a pair of conventional breaker point assemblies 44 which are connected in parallel by the connector id and which are also connected by the wire 48 With the lead-in terminal 5? of the distributor housing, and which terminal is likewise connected with the wire 52 leading to condenser 54 which, due to the dual points on the breaker points, must be mounted externally of the distributor housing, as by availing of one of the screws 56 that secure the vacuum unit 14 to the said housing.

The distributor housing has mounted therein a pair of fixed posts 58, and tension springs 69 are connected between these posts and the adjustable anchor studs 62. on the distributor plate. This arrangement of the springs 61 provides means for readily varying the response of the dis- Inner race 30 I 4 tributor plate to changes in vacuum in the vacuum unit 14, while the ball bearing support of the plate insures that the plate will perform in accordance with the setting of the adjustable studs 62.

inasmuch as it is highly important to seal the space between the races 35 and 32 from the entrance of foreign matter, the ball bearing inner race 3% is of such a length that it extends through distributor plate 36 by way of aperture 6? in the said plate, which has a relatively close iit about race 33. Ball bearing inner race also extends vardly through a relatively closely fitting aperture 1.1 the bottom of the cup or retainer member 3-5, and in this manner the space between the races of the ball bearing is substantially completely sealed against the entrance of any foreign matter thereto, thus insuring long and friction-free life of the hearing.

it will be evident that, while the arrangement illustrated is the one to be preferred, the ball bearing inner race could, nevertheless, be made somewhat shorter, and in which case, the provision of suitable collars about bush- Zi either below or above the inner ball bearing race or on both sides thereof would provide for fixed axial locating of the ball bearing, and, therefore, of the dis tributor plate on bushing 29, While still providing the important sealing of the ball bearing in the manner referred to. The longer ball bearing inner race is to be preferred because it will better locatethe ball bearing on bushing 29.

it Will be evident also that, conceivably, the function of bearing retainer 33 as to the fixing of the distributor plate to the ball bearing and the eifective sealing of the ball bearing, could be efiectively duplicated by tabs struck out from plate as and shaped about outer race 38, with disks or washers being provided for closing the spaces between the races. It Will thus be understood that While the arrangement illustrated and described is the preferred arrangement, there are other possible constructions whereby the important advantages of a ball bearing support for the distributor plate which will hold it firmly against radial, axial, and tilting movement, while permitting unimpeded rotary movement thereof, and, at the same time, sealing the ball bearing support against foreign matter, all in an inexpensive and easily manufactured design, could be obtained.

it will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions, and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

claim:

1. in combination with a distributor housing for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, said housing having a recess therein to receive the distributor plate of the system and having a bushing upstanding from the center of the recess for journaling the cam shaft of the ignition system, a distributor plate in the recess for mounting the distributor points of the ignition system and having a central aperture coaxial with said bushing, a ball bearing having inner and outer races and balls therebetween beneath said plate having its outer race fixedly connected to the underside of said plate, the inner race of said ball bearing being substantially longer than said outer race and being press fitted over said bushing and engaging the bottom wall of said recess about said bushing, the upper end of said inner race extending through the aperrare in said plate and terminating adjacent the upper end of said bushing, and a snap ring on the upper end of said bushing engaging the upper end of said inner race.

2. in combination with a distributor housing for the ignition system of internal combustion engine, said housing having a recess therein to receive the distributor plate of the system and having a bushing upstanding from the center of the recess for journaling the cam shaft of the ignition system, a distributor plate in the recess for mounting the distributor points of the ignition system and having a central aperture coaxial with said bushing,

a ball bearing having inner and outer races and balls therebetween beneath said plate having its outer race fixedly connected to the underside of said plate, the inner race of said ball bearing being substantially longer than said outer race and being press fitted over said bushing and engaging the bottom wall of said recess about said bushing, the upper end of said inner race extending through the aperture in said plate and terminating adjacent the upper end of said bushing, and a snap ring on the upper end of said bushing engaging the upper end of said inner race, and means fixedly connecting said outer race to the underside of said piate.

3. In combination with a distributor housing for the ignition system and internal combustion engine, said housing having a recess therein to receive the distributor plate of the system and having a bushing upstanding from the center of the recess for journaliing the cam shaft of the ignition system, a distributor plate in the recess for mounting the distributor points of the ignition system and having a central aperture co-axial with said bushing, a ball bearing having inner and outer races and balls therebetween beneath said plate having its outer race fixedly connected to the under side of said plate, the inner races of said ball bearing being mount- E ed over said bushing, the upper end of said inner race extending through the aperture of the plate and terminating adjacent the upper end of said bushing, and means on said bushing engaging the upper end of said bushing for preventing axial movement of said inner race on said bushing.

4. In a combination as claimed in claim 3 with means fixedly connecting said outer race to the under side of said plate.

5. In a combination as claimed in claim 2 with said connecting means comprising a cup-like member embracing the outer race and having fingers extending through the aperture inside the plate and bent over to affix the cup-like member to the plate, and said cup member at the bottom extending inwardly over said outer race to a position of proximity with said inner race.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,202,077 Arthur May 28, 1940 2,617,899 Brunk NOV. 11, 1952 2,660,630 Henrichs Nov. 24, 1953 2,685,622 Raballo et al. Aug. 3, 1954