US3198974A

US3198974A - Ignition distributor

Info

Publication number: US3198974A
Application number: US126406A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles L Dusenberry; Harry A Williamson
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1961-06-16
Filing date: 1961-06-16
Publication date: 1965-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-03

Description

Aug. 3, 1965 c. L. DUSENBERRY ETAL IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 16, 1961 INVENTORS (War/es Z. Dusezzberzy A 3, 1965 c. L. DUSENBERRY ETAL 3,193,974

IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1961 mvamoas (2 0246: 1. Dusewberzy Harry G. diff/Hanson 5r 77951)? ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,198,974 IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR Charles L. Dusenherry, Chesterfieid, and Harry A. Williamson, Anderson, Ind, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Delaware Filed June 16, 1961, Ser. No. 126,406 19 Claims. (Cl. 316-70) This invention relates to a timing mechanism for controlling the ignition timing of an internal combustion engine.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an ignition timing apparatus that is capable of developing pulses of voltage that may be timed in accordance with the speed and load conditions of an engine on which the timing apparatus is used.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ignition timing device wherein a permanent magnet and coil Winding are mounted on a shiftable timing plate and wherein a rotor formed of magnetic material controls the flux path of magnetic flux that is developed by the permanent magnet and which induces a pulsating voltage in the coil winding.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an ignition timing device which includes a shaft that carries a rotor formed of magnetic material, there being a timing plate provided that carries a permanent magnet and a coil winding assembly which is shiftable by a vacuum unit, the rotor being adjustable relative to the shaft by a centrifugal advance mechanism that is driven by the shaft.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of an ignition timer taken along line 11 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of an ignition timer made in accordance with this invention and taken along line 22 of FIGURE 3.

*FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view of an ignition timer made in accordance with this invention and taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 3, the reference numeral designates the base of a distributor which may be formed of any suitable metal material. The base 10 may be for example formed of cast iron or could 'be formed of die cast aluminum. The base It has a central bore 12 which accommodates the shaft designated by reference numeral 14. The shaft 14 is journalled for rotation in

bearings

16 and 18, th bearing 18 having a portion 20 which projects above the top end of the distributor base 10. A gear 22 is connected with the shaft 14 and this gear is adapted to mesh with the gear that is driven by a cam shaft of an engine on which an ignition timer is used.

The base It) is formed with a plurality of pockets 24 which receive a suitable permanent lubricating material designated by reference numeral 26. The top end of these pockets is closed by a lubricant seal 28 and a felt washer 30.

The ignition timer of this invention includes an annular timing plate 32 which is secured to an annular bearing member 34. It can be seen that the bearing member 34 is journalled on the portion 20 of bearing 18 and it also can be seen that the timing plate 32 slides on an upstanding portion 36 of the base 10. The timing plate 32 is therefore rotatable with respect to the fixed bearing 18 and can rotate around the axis of the shaft 14. The timing plate 32 is shifted by a conventional vacuum motor 3,198,974 Patented Aug. 3, 1965 G3 which has the usual spring 40 and a diaphragm 42. The diaphragm 42 is connected with an actuating rod 44, the end of which is connected with the timing plate 32. A pipe 45 is connected with the interior of the vacuum motor 38 and is adapted to be connected with the intake manifold of the engine upon which the ignition timer is used.

The timing plate 32 carries a magnetic pick-up assembly which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 46. This magnetic pick-up assembly 46 comprises

identical pole pieces

48 and 50 which are annular in configuration. As is best illustrated in FIGURE 1, the pole pieces have V-shaped projections which project radially inwardly. The projections on pole piece 48 are designated by reference numeral 52 and it is understood that the pole piece 50 has identical projections which are aligned with the projections 52 illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The

pole pieces

48 and 50 are disposed on opposite sides of an annular permanent magnet 54 which is of the ceramic type and may be for example a ferrite permanent magnet. This permanent magnet could of course take various other forms and be made up of various compositions. Positioned between the pole piece 50 and the timing plate 32 is an annular non-magnetic spacer member 5'6 which may be for example formed of brass material. A coil winding '58 wound on a spool 60 that is formed of insulating material is positioned between the pole pieces 48 and 5t) and inwardly of the permanent magnet 54. The outer peripheral edge of the coil winding axially abuts the inner surface of the permanent magnet 54 and the parts of the magnetic assembly 46 are held together by the

screw fasteners

62 and 64. The

screw fasteners

62 and 64 pass through openings formed in the

pole pieces

48 and 50 and pass through notches formed in the permanent magnet 54. The

fasteners

62 and 64 likewise pass through notches formed in a spacer 56 and are threaded into suitable threaded openings in the timing plate 32. It thus is seen that as the timing plate 32 rotates, the entire magnetic assembly 46 rotates therewith.

The ignition timer of this invention is provided with a centrifugal advance mechanism to vary the timing of the voltage pulses induced in the coil winding 58. To this end, a weight plate 66 is provided which is connected with a soft iron rotor generally designated by reference 11- meral 68. This soft iron rotor 68 is journalled for rotation on the shaft 14 and has four projecting arms or poles designated respectively by

reference numerals

70, 72, 74 and 76. It can be seen that the weight plate 66 and th rotor member 68 will move together and that they can rotate relative to the shaft 14 due to the fact that the section 78 of the rotor is journalled on the shaft 14.

The centrifugal advance mechanism includes a cam plate member 80 which is fixed to the top end of the shaft 14. This cam plate member 80 carries

posts

82 and 84. The weight plate 66 carries

posts

86 and 88 upon which are journalled the

flyweights

90 and 92. A spring 94 connects

posts

84 and 88 and in a similar fashion spring 96 connects

posts

82 and 86. It can be seen that rotor 68 will be adjusted relative to the shaft 14 as the flyweights 9t) and 92 are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force. This will provide a centrifugal advance adjustment for the ignition timer as will become more readily apparent hereinafter.

The weight base 66 drives a distributor rotor generally designated by reference numeral 98 which is formed of a suitable insulating material and which ha an electrode which cooperates with the circumferentially spaced electrode 162 and the central electrode 104 of cap 166. The distributor cap 106 is supported by the base 10 of the distributor in a manner Well known to those skilled in the art.

The ignition timer of this invention will develop pulses of voltage in the coil winding 58 as the rotor 68 is driven al e raby the shaft 14. These pulses of voltage will be timed both in accordance with the engine load conditions and in accordance with engine speed conditions. The pulses of voltage are adapted to control an ignition system of the type illustrated in copending application S.N. 95,161 filed on March 13, 1961, now patent 3,087,001 and assignec to the assignee of this invention. In that application, the pulses of voltage generated in the pick-up coil are used to control the conductivity of a transistor which in turn controls the current flow to the primary winding of an ignition coil. It will of course be appreciated that other systems could be used with the ignition timer of this invention as long as they can be controlled by timed voltage pulses.

It will be appreciated that the permanent magnet 54 will set up a flow of magnetic flux that will for example pass through the pole piece 4-3, then through the rotor 63, and then back to the pole piece 54 and then back to an opposite side of the permanent magnet 54. This flow of magnetic flux will link with the coil winding 58 to cause a voltage to be induced in this coil winding. It can be seen from an inspection of FIGURE 1 that flux will fiow in the magnetic circuit when the arms or teeth 70-76 are lined up with corresponding teeth 52 on pole piece 48 with the teeth on the pole piece 5% Thus when the teeth on the rotor 68 are in alignment with the teeth on the pole pieces, a magnetic circuit is completed which will cause a flow of magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 54. As the rotor 68 rotates, the time Will come when the teeth 7046 are not aligned with any of the teeth on the

pole pieces

48 and 50 and the flow of magnetic flux is then abruptly cut off. This change in magnetic flux will cause pulses of voltage to be induced in the coil winding 58 and there will be eight pulses of voltage for every complete revolution of the rotor 68.

The pulses of voltage will be timed both in accordance with the shifting of the timing plate 52 and in accordance with the speed of rotation of the shaft 14. The vacuum unit 38 will of course shift the timing plate 32 to vary the timing of the pulses of voltage in accordance with the amount of vacuum that is applied to the pipe 45. This pipe is of course connected with the intake manifold of the engine. The centrifugal advance mechanism will adjust the rotor 6:; relative to the shaft 14 to therefore also vary the timing of the voltage pulses in accordance with the speed of rotation of the shaft 14. The ignition timer is thus capable of providing timed ignition pulses both in accordance with the vacuum conditions in the vacuum unit 38 and in accordance with the speed of the shaft 14.

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

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a timing plate supported by said base member, a permanent magnet and coil winding supported by said timing plate, pole piece means formed of magnetic material engaging opposite ends of said permanent magnet and said coil winding, a shaft rotatable in said base, and a rotor formed of magnetic material carried by said shaft adjacent said pole piece means, said rotor member varying an air gap formed between it and one of said pole piece means as it rotates.

2. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a shaft rotatable with respect to said base member, a timing plate adjustable with respect to said base member, a. vacuum unit for adjusting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly supported by said timing plate including a flux generating means and a coil winding, and a rotor formed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft and swinging in close proximity relative to said magnetic assembly.

3. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a timing plate, a shaft journalled for rotation with respect to said base member, a magnetic assembly including a flux generating means and a coil winding supported by said timing plate, a rotor member formed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft relative to said magnetic assembl and a centrifugal advance mechanism driven by said shaft for adjusting said rotor member relative to said shaft.

4. An ignition timing device comprising, a base member, a haft journalled for rotation in said base member, a timing plate shiftable relative to said base member, a vacuum unit supported by said base member for shifting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly carried by said timin plate including a permanent magnet and a coil winding, a rotor member formed of magnetic material driven by said shaft and swinging in close proximity relative to said magnetic assembly whereby voltages are induced in said coil winding as said rotor rotates, and a centrifugal advance mechanism driven by said shaft for adjusting said rotor member relative to said shaft.

5. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a timing plate shiftable relative to said base member, a vacuum unit for shifting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly including first and second pole pieces having radially projecting teeth, an annular permanent magnet disposed between said pole pieces, a coil Winding disposed between said pole pieces, a spacer member formed of non-magnetic material spacing one of said pole pieces from said timing plate, fastener means for securing said pole pieces, said permanent magnet, said coil winding and non-magnetic spacer member to said timing plate, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member, and a rotor member formed of magnetic material driven by said shaft and rotating in close proximity relative to the inwardly projecting teeth of said pole pieces, said rotor member having teeth that are aligned with the teeth of said pole pieces in certain predetermined positions of said rotor.

6. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a timing plate shiftable relative to said base member, a vacuum unit for shifting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly carried by said timing plate, said magnetic assembly including first and second pole pieces each having radially inwardly extending teeth, a permanent magnet disposed between and engaging said pole pieces, a coil winding positioned between said pole pieces and inwardly of said permanent magnet, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member, and a rotor member formed of magnetic material having radially outwardly extending teeth driven by said shaft relative to said magnetic assembly.

7. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a timing plate shiftable relative to said base member, a vacuum unit for shifting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly carried by said tiiming plate including a permanent magnet and a coil winding, spacer means formed of nonmagnetic material spacing said magnetic assembly from said timing plate, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member, and a rotor formed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft and swinging in close proximity relative to said magnetic assembly whereby pulses of voltages are induced in said coil winding as said rotor rotates.

8. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, said base member having a central bore, a bearing fitting within said bore, a shaft journalled for rotation in said hearing, a timing plate journalled for rotation on a portion of said bearing, a vacuum unit for shifting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly carried by said timing plate including a flux generating means and a coil winding, and a rotor rotatably driven by said shaft relative to said magnetic assembly for causing pulses of voltage to be induced in said coil winding as said rotor rotates.

9. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member, a timing plate shiftable relative to said base member, a vacuum unit for shifting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly carried by said timing plate including a permanent magnet and a coil winding, a rotor member formed of mag- $3 netic material rotatably driven by said shaft and swing ing in close proximity relative to said magnetic assembly to cause pulses of voltage to be induced in said coil winding as said rotor rotates, a second rotor member formed of insulating material carrying an electrical contact, a distributor cap supported by said base member and enclosing said magnetic assembly and said second rotor, said distributor cap having contact means cooperating with the electrical contact carried by said second rotor.

10. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a magnetic assembly supported from said base member including a permanent magnet and a coil winding, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member, a rotor member formed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft relative to said magnetic assembly, centrifugal advance mechanism driven by said shaft for adjusting said rotor member relative to said shaft, a second rotor member formed of insulating material enclosing said centrifugal advance mechanism and carrying an electrical contact, and a distributor cap carried by said base member including contact means cooperating with the electrical contact carried by said second rotor.

11. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a magnetic assembly supported from said base member including a permanent magnet and a coil winding, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member relative to said magnetic assembly, a rotor formed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft and swinging in close proximity relative to said magnetic assembly to cause pulses of Voltages to be induced in said coil winding as said rotor rotates, and a centrifugal advance mechanism positioned above said magnetic assembly for adjusting said rotor relative to said shaft in accordance with the speed of rotation of said shaft.

12. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, a magnetic assembly including a permanent magnet and a coil winding carried by said base member, a shaft journalled for rotation in said base member, a rotor member fromed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft and swinging in close proximity relative to said magnetic assembly for causing pulses of voltage to be induced in said coil winding as said rotor rotates, a first plate member connected with said shaft, 21 second plate member connected with said rotor, and flyweight means journalled for swinging movement on one of said plate member and engaging the other plate member for ad 6 justing said rotor member relative to said shaft in accordance with the speed of rotation of said shaft.

13. An ignition timer comprising, a base member, said base member having a central bore, a bearing in said central bore, a shaft journalled for rotation in said bearing, a timing plate journalled for rotation on a portion of said bearing and engaging an upstanding portion of said base member, a vacuum unit for adjusting said timing plate, a magnetic assembly carried by said timing plate including a permanent magnet and a coil winding, and a rotor member formed of a magnetic material driven by said shaft relative to said magnetic assembly whereby pulses of voltages are induced in said coil Winding as said rotor rotates.

14. An ignition timer comprising, a shaft, a timing plate adjustable relative to said shaft, a magnetic assembly fixed to said timing plate including a pole piece formed of magnetic material, a coil winding and a permanent magnet, a rotor member formed of magnetic material rotatably driven by said shaft and rotatable with respect to said magnetic assembly, said rotor member forming part of a magnetic circuit which links said coil winding and which includes said pole piece and said permanent magnet, said pole piece and rotor member having edges which define a varying air gap as said rotor member rotates relative to said magnetic assembly whereby the reluctance of said magnetic circuit is varied as said rotor member rotates.

15. The ignition timer according to claim 14 wherein a vacuum control unit is provided for adjusting the timing plate relative to the shaft.

16. The ignition timer according to claim 14 wherein a centrifugal mechanism is provided for adjusting the rotor member relative to the shaft.

17. The ignition timer according to claim 2 where the flux generating means is a permanent magnet.

18. The ignition timer according to claim 3 where the flux generating means is a permanent magnet.

19. The ignition timer according to claim 8 where the flux generating means is a permanent magnet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,071,573 2/37 Randolph et al 3 l0-68.4 2,824,245 2/58 Trevitt 3 lOl 08 2,872,537 2/59 Hartzell et al. 200-31 MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. AN IGNITION TIMER COMPRISING, A BASE MEMBER, A TIMING PLATE SUPPORTED BY SAID BASE, A PERMANENT MAGNET AND COIL WINDING SUPPORTED BY SAID TIMING PLATE, POLE PIECE MEANS FORMED OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL ENGAGING OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID PERMAMENT MAGNET AND SAID COIL WINDING, A SHAFT ROTATABLE IN SAID BASE, AND A ROTOR FORMED OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT ADJACENT SAID POLE PIECE MEANS, SAID ROTOR MEMBER HAVING IN AIR GAP FORMED BETWEEN IT AND ONE OF SAID POLE PIECE MEANS AS IT ROTATES.