US3096405A

US3096405A - Ignition device

Info

Publication number: US3096405A
Application number: US93624A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene C Bettoni
Original assignee: Holley Carburetor Co
Current assignee: Holley Performance Products Inc
Priority date: 1961-03-06
Filing date: 1961-03-06
Publication date: 1963-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-02

Description

y 2, 1963 E. c. BETTONI 3,096,405

IGNITION DEVICE Filed March 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3s 3s 42 I: I

32 24 26 I! 8 i l i 46 2 2| 4s -2o 23 l 22 F'Go -|4 FIGJ.

INVENTOR. EUGENE C. BETTONI ATTO NEYS United States Patent 3,096,405 IGNETION DEVIQE Eugene C. Bettoni, Birmingham, Mich, assignor to Holley Carburetor Company, Warren, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 93,624 13 Ciaims. (Cl. Mid-=31) The present invention relates to ignition systems for internal combustion engines and more particularly, to the construction and adjustment of a circuit breaker assembly.

In the past, different designs of circuit breaker assemblies have been proposed wherein the rubbing blocks were machined to maintain closer tolerances since the adjustable contact arm of each assembly was limited to a small amount of movement. In such instances, the adjustment means employed were suilicient only to obtain approximate settings of the rubbing blocks. If a more precise setting was desired in each assembly, it was required to machine the rubbing block. This machining process is undesirable since it. removes the hard polished surface of the cam-engaging portion of the rubbing block which is vitally necessary for long rubbing block life.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly which includes means for adjusting the circuit breaker assembly to precision accuracy and for eliminatnig the necessity of machining the rubbing blocks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ignition contact set characterized by economy of production, simplicity of construction, and improvement in operation.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially in cross section, taken along the line 11 of FIGURE 2, showing a distributor embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the invention taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the adjustable breaker plate showing it completely separated from the remaining parts of the circuit breaker assembly.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 illustrates an ignition distributor which communicates by means of suitable conduitry, not shown, with a port in the carburetor, not shown. As usual, the carburetor is located on the engine manifold in such a manner so as to deliver a combustible mixture. The flow of the combustible mixture to the individual intake ports of the cylinders, located in an internal combustion engine, is controlled by a throttle Valve.

The distributor 10 comprises a housing 12 including a depending reduced portion 14 having an opening 16 therethrough for the reception of a driving shaft 18. The upper end of the cup-shaped housing 12 is generally closed by a fixed breaker plate 20 which is secured to .the housing 12 by means of a bolt 22. A movable breaker plate 23 is fixed to the fixed breaker plate 29 in .a manner to be subsequently described. A standard breaker arm assembly 24 includes an assembly plate 21 and a breaker arm 25 which carries a rubbing block 26 that is not machined. The block 26 is engageable by the rotating cam 28 to effect, make and break the circuit at the contacts indicated at 30' and 31 in FIGURE 2. The arm 25 is pivoted on a post 29 so as to provide for rocking move- "ice ment about an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of the tubular shaft 32. The cam 28 is fixedly secured to the tubular shaft 32 which is rotatable with the shaft 18 in its normal operation, but which is angularly adjustable relative thereto to advance or retard the spark timing.

An insulated rotor 34 having a spring-like electrical contact 36 thereon is secured to the upper portion of the tubular shaft 32 and is adapted to be rotated thereby normally in accordance with engine speed. Contact 36 which is continually biased against the ignition coil input terminal 38 of the distributor cap 40 is adapted to sequentially traverse the output terminals 42 of cap 40 of which only one is shown) and is so positioned that the two are in juxtaposition whenever the electrical discharge occurs.

The shaft 18 is driven in accordance with engine speed by means of the gear 44. A condenser 46 is connected to the terminals of one of the

contacts

30 or 31 by means of a wire 48.

The adjustable breaker plate 23, as is clearly illus' trated in FIGURE 4, has

adjustment slots

56 and 58. The parallel sides of the slots 58 and 56' are at right angles to each other, as is indicated in FIGURE 4, and are adaptable to receive the

extended portions

60 and 61 of

eccentrics

62 and 63 respectively which are both fixed in the fixed breaker plate 20 as indicated at 65.

Holes

64 and 66 are formed in the adjustable breaker plate 23 to facilitate movement of the circuit breaker assembly 24 during adjustment. Opening 68 is provided in the breaker plate 23 and has a notch 70 therein. A notch '72 is also provided in the assembly plate 21. The standard circuit breaker assembly 24 is adjustable by means of a blade-type tool, such as a screwdriver, which is inserted into

notches

70 and 72. The assembly plate 21 is provided with a pair of

slots

76 and 78.

The assembly of that portion of the distributor 10 embodying the invention will now be described. The mov able or adjustable breaker plate 23 is placed on top of the fixed breaker plate 20 so that the eccentric portions 69- and 61 are received in the

slots

58 and 56 respectively. The assembly plate 21 is placed on top of the plate 23, as is illustrated in FIGURE 3, so that the

adjustment slots

78 and 76 are superimposed over the

holes

64 and 66 which are formed in the movable breaker plate 23.

Locking screws

86 and 82 are inserted through the aforesaid holes and slots so as to engage the threaded

openings

84 and 86 provided in the fixed breaker plate 20. After adjustment, the screws 86 and 82' are tightened.

In order to make the adjustments as taught by the invention, the screws and 82 are loosened enough so that reasonable force will enable movement of the circuit breaker assembly 24 and the movable plate 23. In moving or adjusting the assembly plate 21, a blade-type tool is engaged between

notches

70 and 72 and turned either right or left to the desired position of rubbing block 26 with respect to the cam 28.

Further adjustment of the rubbing block 26 with respect to the cam 28 may be made by turning either or both of the

eccentrics

62 and 63 by placing a screwdriver in slots provided therein. Upward or downward movement of the movable plate 23 may be made by turning eccentric 62, the direction of plate 23 depending upon the movement of the eccentric 6 2. Horizontal movement to the right or left, as viewed in FIGURE 2, is obtained by turning eccentric 63, the direction of movement of the adjustable plate 23 again depending on the direction of movement of eccentric 63. If so desired, both

eccentrics

62 and 63 may be turned. This would result in breaker plate 23 moving between the vertical andh'orizo'ntal'directions. After the movable breaker plate 21 is adjusted and the

contacts

30 and 31 are properly set, the

screws

80 and 82 are tightened.

With the above construction, it may be seen that the movable breaker plate 21 is adjustable for more precise calibration after the primary adjustment is made in the usual manner. This method of adjustment eliminates the necessity of machining the end of the rubbing block, thus reducing cost and increasing rubbing block life.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried by said drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including a pivotally mounted breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment between said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an approximate setting between said rubbing block and said cam, a pair of independently operated secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting between said rubbing block and said cam, and fastening means for holding said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaid settings have been made, one of said secondary adjustment means being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said drive shaft, and the other of said secondary adjustment means being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a second direction substan tially perpendicular to said first direction.

2. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker arm thereon, said breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment between the assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an approximate set-ting of said rubbing block, and a pair of independently operated secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting of said rubbing block, said pair of secondary adjustment means being effective to move said adjustable breaker plate in directions which are approximately 90 apart.

3. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker arm thereon, said breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon, primary adjustment means for eifecting an adjustment between the assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an approximate setting of said rubbing block, and secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting of said rubbing block, said secondary adjustment means comprising a pair of eccentric pin and slot connections between said breaker plates.

4. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker arm thereon, said breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon, primary adjustment means for efiecting an adjustment between the assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an appnoximate setting of said rubbing block, and secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting of said rubbing block, said secondary adjustment means comprising a pair of movable eccentrics connected to said fixed breaker plate, said eccentrics having portions received in adjustment slots provided in said adjustable breaker plate.

5. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the parallel sides of said adjustment slots provided in said adjustable breaker plate are perpendicular to one another.

6. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breaker plate having a pair of upwardly extending eccentrics, an adjustable breaker plate having slots therein for receiving portions of said eccentrics, a pair of openings in said adjustable breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly having a bracket with a pivotally mounted breaker arm thereon, a laterally extending rubbing block on said arm, a pair of fastening slots in said bracket overlying the openings in said adjustable breaker plate, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment bet-ween said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an approximate set-ting of said rubbing block, secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates being obtained by changing the positions of one of said eccentrics so as to obtain the final setting of said rubbing block, and fasteners extending through said fastening slots and openings into threaded engagement with said fixed breaker plate for holding said ignition con-tact assembly and adjustable breaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaid settings have been made.

7. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the parallel sides of the slots in said adjustable breaker plate are perpendicular to one another.

8. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly defined in claim 6 wherein one of said eccentrics is adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a first direction and the other eccentric is adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a second direction which is perpendicular to the movement of the plate in the first direction.

9. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried by said drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker arm there-on, said breaker arm. having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment between the assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain :an approximate setting between said rubbing block and said cam, a pair of independently operated secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting between said rubbing block and said cam, and fastening means for holding said assembly plate and said adjustable breaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaid settings have been made, one of said secondary adjustment means being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said drive shaft, and the other of said secondary adjustment means being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.

10. A distributor mechanism defined in claim 9 wherein said pair of independently operated adjustment means comprises a pair of eccentric connections.

11. A distributor mechanism defined in claim wherein said eccentric connections each comprise a movable eccentric connected to the fixed breaker plate and having a portion received in a slot provided in the adjustable breaker plate.

12. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried by said drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including a pivotally mounted breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment between said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an approximate setting between said rubbing block and said cam, secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting between said rubbing block and said cam, and fastening means for holding said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaid settings have been made, said secondary adjustment means comprising a pair of eccentric connections, one of said'eccentric connections being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of said drive shaft, and the other of said eccentric connections being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.

13. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried by said drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and including a pivotally mounted breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment 'means for effecting an adjustment between said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate to obtain an approximate setting between said rubbing block and said cam, secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting between said rubbing block and said cam, and fastening means for holding said ignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaid settings have been made, said secondary adjustment means comprising a pair of eccentric connections, one of said eccentric connections being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of said drive shaft, and the other of said eccentric connections being adapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said eccentric connections comprising a movable eccentric connected to the fixed breaker plate and having a portion received in a slot provided in the adjustable breaker plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,115,462 Hittle Apr. 26, 1938 2,290,078 Thomas July 14, 1942 2,519,976 Phelon Aug. 22, 1950 2,727,104 Filko Dec. 13, 1955 2,847,524- Slick Aug. 12, 1958 2,902,553 Bensinger Sept. 1, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 473,526 Great Britain Oct. 14, 1937 747,644 France Apr. 4, 1933

Claims

1. A DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM COMPRISING A DRIVE SHAFT A CAM CARRIED BY SAID DRIVE SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, A FIXED BREAKER PLATE, AN ADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE ON TOP OF SAID FIXED BREAKER PLATE, AN IGNITION CONTACT ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID ADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE AND INCLUDING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BREAKER ARM HAVING A LATERALLY EXTENDING RUBBING BLOCK THEREON OPPOSITE SAID CAM, PRIMARY ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR EFFECTING AN ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN SAID IGNITION CONTACT ASSEMBLY AND SAID ADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE TO OBTAIN AN APPROXIMATE SETTING BETWEEN SAID RUBBING BLOCK AND SAID CAM, A PAIR OF INDEPENTLY OPERATED SECONDARY ADJUSTMENT MEANS BETWEEN SAID ADJUSTABLE AND FIXED BREAKER PLATE FOR OBTAINING THE FINAL SETTING BETWEEN SAID RUBBING BLOCK AND SAID CAM, AND FASTENING MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID IGNITION CONTACT ASSEMBLY AND SAID ADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE IN A FIXED POSITION AFTER THE AFORESAID SETTINGS HAVE BEEN MADE, ONE OF SAID SECONDARY ADJUSTMENT MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE SAID ADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE IN A FIRST DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDIC-