US3072758A

US3072758A - Vacuum control assembly for distributors

Info

Publication number: US3072758A
Application number: US64621A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce D Gribben; Wallace C Brown
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1960-10-24
Filing date: 1960-10-24
Publication date: 1963-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-08

Description

Jar 8, 1963 3,072,758

B. D. GRIBBEN ETAL VACUUM CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR DISTRIBUTORS I so VII/fj'lfI/la 74 74 se T y- Filed Oct. 24, 1960 Fig.5

INVENTORS. Bruce 0. Gribben bl/ace 6. 8mm

Their Aflorngy United. Statesv Patent Ofifice 3,072,758 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 3,072,758 VACUUM CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR DISTRIBUTORS Bruce D. Gribben and Wallace C. Brown, Anderson, Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 24, 1960, Ser. No. 64,621 10 Claims. (Cl. 200-19) This invention relates to distributors for internal combustion engines, and more particularly to improved vacuum advance apparatus for such distributors.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a dis tribu-tor that has a vacuum control unit that is of a simplified construction in that it includes a diaphragm that is simply fitted onto a flanged portion of the ease member to thereby provide a vacuum chamber defined by the diaphragm and case. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a distributor' that has a vacuum unit that includes a case formed. as a'plastic molded part and a diaphragm that is fitted to an annular flanged portion of the case.

I A furtherobject of this invention is to provide a distributor vacuumicontrol assembly that includes a bracket member that is secured to the distributor base, a bracket member having a U-shaped section with one leg of this .U-shaped section having a recess that receives a portion of a plastic case member and another leg, of the U-shaped section forming a stop for the diaphragm which is fitted to an annular flanged portion of the case.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a distributor vacuum advance mechanism that has an improved range block for limiting the vacuum advance of the distributor. i .1 Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings where preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

. FIGURE 1 is a top plan viewof a distributor that is fitted with a vacuum control assembly made in'accordance with this invention. a I

7 FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3- 3 of FIGURE 2. I L

- FIGURE 4 is an end view of the vacuum control assembly made in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a range block made in accordance with this invention. I

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly .to FIGURE 1, the reference numeral generally 'designates a distributor for controlling the ignition of an internal combustion engine. The distributor has a metal base designated by reference'numeral 12 and this metal v base supports a rotatable breaker plate designated by reference numeral 14. The breaker plate 14, as in conventional practice, carries a contact set generally designated by reference numeral 16. This contact set has the usual ,pivotally. mounted breaker arm 18 carrying the contact 20. The contact 20 cooperates with a fixed contact 22 as is well known to those skilled in the art and the breaker lever 18 has arubbirig block 24 that engages ,a cam member 26. The cam member, as is well known to those skilled in the art, is driven by the distributor shaft and causes the

breaker contacts

20 and 22 to open and close in synchronisrn' with operation of the engine.

The breaker plate 14 is rotated around the longitudinal axis of the cam 26 by the vacuumcontrol assembly which is to be described. I V g The vacuum control assembly for shifting the breaker plate 14 includes a bracket member generally designated by reference numer-a'l 28. This bracket member is formed of a suitable metal material and it is seen that it has a straight section 30 formed with a longitudinally extending slot 32. The straight section 30 of the bracket member is secured to the distributor base 12 as by the fasteners 34. The bracket member 28 has a U-shaped section defined by the

legs

34 and 36 which are substantially parallel to each other. A slot 38 is formed in one leg 34 of this U-shaped section and this slot has generally converging

side walls

140 and 142.

The vacuum power unit of the vacuum control assembly includes a molded part generally designated by reference numeral 40 which is formed of a plastic material such as nylon.v It can be seen that this molded part 40 has a tubular conduit portion 42 and an annular flange 44. The molded part 40 has a plurality of strengthening ribs 46 extending along part of the length of this part. In addition, the molded part 40 has an internal annular portion 48 which serves as a seat for the spring 50. The

'. molded part 40 has an annular shoulder 52 which is spaced from an end wall 54 of the case 40.

The molded case 40 carries a diaphragm 56 which may be formed of rubber or other similar flexible material. The diaphragm is connected with a rod 58 having an upturned portion 60 which passes through the slot 32 formed in the bracket member 28. The connection between the rod 58 and the diaphragm 56 is made by the

metal washers

62 and 64 which are positioned on opposite sides of the diaphragm and which engage the rod 58. The rod 58 is headed over at 66 in orderto tightly compress the diaphragm between the

washers

62 and 64 and therefore provide an air-tight connection with the end of the red member 58. It is important to note that the diaphragm 56 has an annular section 68 that is formed with a groove that receives the annular flanged portion 44 of the molded case 40. In assembling the diaphragm 56 to the molded case 40, it is only necessary to fit the diaphragm onto the case with the annular flange snapping into the groove formed in the annular portion 68 of the diaphragm. The spring 50, as is clearly apparent from FIGURE 2, is interposed between the end wall 54 of the case and the metal washer 62. v The spring 50 biases the diaphragm in such a direction as to force the washer 64 into engagement with the end wall 36 of the bracket. This end wall has downwardly projecting legs 36a which also engage the washer 64 to limit the movement of the diaphragm 56 in one direction. It will, of course, be appreciated that when the'tubular conduit portion 42 of the case is connected with vacuum the diaphragm is shifted rightwardly to cause a rightward movement of the rod 58. The upturned portion 60 0f the rod fits within an opening formed in the breaker plate 14 and it therefore can be seen that the. shiftable movement of the rod will cause a rotatable movement of the breaker plate. V The molded case member 40 is held in place by slipping the annular portion 53 of the case member. into the slot 38 formed in the leg 34 of the bracket member 28. A part of the bracket member will then be positioned between .range block which limits the vacuum advance of the distributor. This range block is generally designated by reference numeral 70 and is shown in perspective in FIGURE 5. Therange block has a pair of lugs 72 which are each formed with an outwardly extending tooth portion 74. The range block 70 also has a downwardly extending section 76.

The range block 70 is assembled to the bracket member 28 of the vacuum control assembly by simply pushing the lugs 72 down through the slot 32. When the lugs are moved downwardly in the slot 32 a distance suflicient to clear the bottom edge of the portion 30 of the bracket member, the teeth snap outwardly and engage the underside of the portion 30 of the bracket member to securely hold the range block in place in the bracket member. The range block 70 is preferably formed of a suitable plastic material such as nylon and it will be apparent that when it is inserted in the slot 32 it will limit movment of the rod member 58 to some predetermined amount in a rightward direction in FIGURE 2. This will, of course, limit the amount of vacuum advance that can be achieved when the range block is used.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination, a distributor having a base, a breaker plate shiftable relative to said base, breaker contact means carried by said breaker plate, a vacuum control assembly including a bracket member, said bracket member having a section secured to said base and having a generally U-shaped section, a case member formed of moldable plastic material having an annular flanged portion, a diaphragm fitted to said annular flanged portion, a spring member located between a portion of said case member and said diaphragm, said case member and diaphragm being positioned between two of the legs of the U-shaped section with one of the legs limiting movement of the diaphragm in one direction, means securing the case member to the other of said legs, and a rod member connecting said diaphragm and said breaker plate.

2. A vacuum control assembly for shifting the breaker plate of a distributor comprising, a bracket member having a section that is adapted to be secured to the base of the distributor and a generally U-shaped section, a case member formed of a moldable plastic material having an open end, said case member having an annular flanged portion, a diaphragm having an annular extending groove receiving the annular flanged portion of said case member and closing the open end of said case member, a slot in one of the legs of the U-shaped section of said bracket member, said slot receiving a portion of said case member to support one end of said case member, said bracket member having another portion limiting movement of said diaphragm in one direction under the influence of spring means interposed between said case member and diaphragm, and a rod member connected with said dia: phragm.

3. A vacuum control assembly for actuating the breaker plate of a distributor comprising, a bracket member having a section adapted to be secured to the base of the distributor, a case member formed of a moldable plastic material having an open end, said case member having an annular extending flange, a diaphragm formed with an'annular groove receiving the annular flange of said case member and closing the open end of said case member, conduit means connecting the interior of said case member with the exterior thereof, a spring interposed between said diaphragm and one end of said case member for urging said diaphragm in one direction, a slot formed in a portion of said bracket member, said slot receiving a section of said case member and being positioned between an end wall of said case member and an annular extending portion of said case member to fix said case member from movement relative to said bracket member, said bracket member having another section limiting movement of said diaphragm in one direction under the influence of said spring, and a rod member connected with said diaphragm.

4. A vacuum control assembly for actuating a breaker plate of a distributor comprising, a case member formed of a moldable plastic material having an open end, said case member having an annular flange, a diaphragm closing said open end and including an annular groove receiving said annular flange, a bracket member having a first section that is adapted to be secured to the base of the distributor, said bracket member having a second second section formed with a slot, said case member having a section fitting within said slot and having sections positioned on opposite sides of the second section of said bracket member for securing one end of said case member to said bracket member, passage means formed in said case member passing through the slot formed in the second section of said bracket member, said bracket member having integral means limiting movement of said diaphragm in one direction under the influence of a spring that is interposed between one wall of said case member and said diaphragm, and a rod member connected with said diaphragm. V

5. In combination, a distributor having a base, a break! er plate shiftable relative tosaid base member, breaker contact means carried by said breaker plate, a bracket member secured to said base having a slot, a rod member shiftable in said slot and connected with said breaker plate for shifting the same, vacuum power means for shifting said rod member, and a range block positioned within said slot for limiting movement of said rod memher in one direction, said range block having a pair of lugs passing through said slot and having teeth engaging a portion of said bracket member.

6. In combination, a distributor having a base, a break er plate shiftable relative to said base, breaker contact means carried by said breaker plate, a bracket member secured to said base having a slot, a rod member shiftable in said slot and connected with said breaker plate for shifting the same, vacuum power means for shifting said rod, and a range block fitted within said slot for limiting movement of said rod in one direction, said range block being formed of a plastic material and having means that snap under one wall of the bracket member when the block is fitted within said slot.

'7. In combination, a distributor having a base, a break-- er plate shiftable relative to said base, breaker contact means carried by said breaker plate, a bracket member secured to said base, said bracket member having a slot formed with side walls and end walls, a rod member shiftable in said slot and connected with said breaker plate for shifting the same, vacuum power means for shifting said rod member, and a range block fitted within said slot engaging one of said end walls for limiting movement of said rod member in one direction. 7

8. In combination, a distributor having a base, a breaker plate shiftable relative to said base, breaker contact means carried by said breaker plate, a bracket member secured to said base, said bracket member having a slot, 9. rod member shiftable in said slot and connected with said breaker plate for shifting the same, vacuum power means for shifting said rod'member, and a range block having lugs passing through said slot and having portions engaging one side of said bracket member forpreventing removal of said range block from said bracket member, said range block limiting movement of said rod member in one direction and having a portion in sliding engagement with said rod member.

9. In combination, a distributor having a base, a break er plate shiftable relative to said base, breaker contact means carried by said breaker plate, a vacuum control assembly, said vacuum. control assembly including a generally cup-shaped housing having an open end, said cup shaped housing having an annular flanged portion, a diaphragm having an annular groove receiving the annular flanged portion of said cup-shaped housing enclosing the open end of said cup-shaped housing, said flanged portion and groove forming the sole means for securing said diaphragm to said cup-shaped housing, a unitary bracket member having a portion secured to said base member, 1

said bracket member having a first integral portion supporting one end of said cup-shaped housing and having a second integral portion serving as a stopmeans for said diaphragm, said second integral portion performing no clamping function on said diaphragm, and a rod member connecting said diaphragm and said breaker plate.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the cup-shaped housing is formed of a moldable plastic material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hardrnan Dec. 23, 1930 White Aug. 4, 1936 Arthur et a1 Sept. 27, 1938 Ostling June 14, 1949 Hartzell et a1 Oct. 30, 1956 Clason June 4-, 1957

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION, A DISTRIBUTOR HAVING A BASE A BREAKER PLATE SHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BASE, BREAKER CONTACT MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BREAKER PLATE, A VACUUM CONTROL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A BRACKET MEMBER, SAID BRACKET MEMBER HAVING A SECTION SECURED TO SAID BASE AND HAVING A GENERALLY U-SHAPED SECTION, A CASE MEMBER FORMED OF MOLDABLE PLASTIC MATERIAL HAVING AN ANNULAR FLANGED PORTION, A DIAPHRAGM FITTED TO SAID ANNULAR FLANGED PORTION, A SPRING MEMBER LOCATED BETWEEN A PORTION OF SAID CASE MEMBER AND SAID DIAPHRAGM, SAID CASE MEMBER AND DIAPHRAGM BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN TWO OF THE LEGS OF THE U-SHAPED SECTION WITH ONE OF THE LEGS LIMITING MOVEMENT OF THE DIAPHRAGM IN ONE DIRECTION, MEANS SECURING THE CASE MEMBER TO THE OTHER OF SAID LEGS, AND A ROD MEMBER CONNECTING SAID DIAPHRAGM AND SAID BREAKER PLATE.