US3660623A

US3660623A - Distributor sensor adaptor

Info

Publication number: US3660623A
Application number: US143829A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis A Bevacqua
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-17
Filing date: 1971-05-17
Publication date: 1972-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-02

Abstract

Apparatus for connecting a sensor used in a contactless ignition system in the distributor of a vehicle including an adaptor plate with breakaway portions for fitting the plate to different types of internal combustion engine distributor housings. The timing sensor is connected to the adaptor plate in a spaced relation to the distributor cam. The adaptor plate in turn is connected to an advance plate within the distributor housing utilizing connecting means originally used to connect the breaker points to the advance plate.

Description

United States Patent Bevacqua [4 1 May 2, 1972 4] DISTRIBUTOR SENSOR ADAPTOR Primary Examiner.l. R. Scott [7 2] Inventor: Louis A. Bevacqua, Des Plaines, lll. AtomeyMue"er and Aichele [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Franklin Park, Ill. Apparatus for connecting a sensor used 111 a contactless igm- [22] Filed: May 17, 1971 tion system in the distributor of a vehicle including an adaptor plate with breakaway portions for fitting the plate to different [21] Appl. No.. 143,829 types of internal combustion engine distributor housings. The timing sensor is connected to the adaptor plate in a spaced 521 US. Cl. ..2oo/19 R, 123/148 12 relation to the butor cam. The adaptor plate in turn is 51 Int. Cl. ..H0lh 19/00 cmnected an advance the distribuwr musing 58 Field of Search ..200/19 R 31- 123/148 utilizing cmnecting means iginany used the breaker points to the advance plate.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures P'A'TENTEB A 2M2 a 3,660,623

LOUIS A BEVACQUA BY DISTRIBUTOR SENSOR ADAPTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2 with a timing sensor secured thereto in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a sensor being adjusted with a gapping ring in place between it and the cam.

Electronic'ignition systems have been developed and util- 5 ized in internal combustion engines. One utilizing a timing DETAILED DE CRIP I 3. mhthe g g i g g 9f 6 gi s g gg z gg Referring to FIG. 1 the adaptor apparatus is shown installed p 3 an ugh i a an th in the original distributor housing 24. The adaptor plate 10 89?, o z l Zi P? i fl e 10 with the timing sensor 12 and associated securing means 14, converslon come" ona i er pom e c e on 16, 18, 20 is connected to the advance plate 22 within the dissystem to timing sensor operation has required permanent h th I hm k th tributor housing 24. anges f f f g? 9:. me 3 '39 wot e Breakaway

tabs

26, 28 and 30 are shown in FIG. 2 as are g g i g f an f 9 i separation groove 32 between

tabs

26 and 28, groove 34 er a t z gig o sltuauon dlsm tors between tab 28 and the main body 31 of the adaptor plate 10 m Hem f erem .i the weaker and groove 36 between breakaway tab 30 and the main body pomts 2 m erent i g;

'fi 31. Each of the grooves has been channeled into the plate to means an t e rotors may even rotate m erem lrecnons' weaken it without limiting its effectiveness as a mounting plate thereby providing an effective way to remove the tabs as S MM OF THE IN T N required. The plate is rigid and made of die cast zinc approxi- An object of this invention is to provide a simple and gigg gi g i y g f; g gfig gszgg economical device for converting a plurality of different intern p I an y nal combustion engine distributors from breaker oint operaducuve and nonmagnetic p The lettering on the face of the plate (FIG. 3) designates ion to timing sensor operation.

separate holes which are utilized by reference to the following A further object of this invention is to provide a method and Chart When installing the nv 1' i n apparatus- The apapparatus for conversion of a motor vehicle distributor from p p ly lettered holes l'ecelve the Screws for mountmg the breaker point operation to timing sensor operation without g Sensor Llke parts h n gl n like numbers In the necessity of undertaking permanent alterations to the disthe g The h p Of the adaptor Plate and holes and tributor. dentations around the periphery as shown in FIG. 2 are selected in order to satisfy the requirements for a standard in one embodiment of the inv n i n the reak p m adaptor plate for a plurality of distributors. It was as a result of condenser and lead wire connected to the breaker points are those Same requirements h h breakaway b were mi]- removed. Two flat head screws are then inserted and secured ized in the development of the standard plate. in designated recessed holes in the adaptor plate depending The following chart was prepared to indicate how the adapupon the type of distributor. N x h p r pl i p itor plate 10 can be mounted in standard brand vehicles which tioried within the distributor housing with the screw heads a indicated therein 35 Vehicle A, B, C and D. It is not meant sandwiched between the adaptor plate and advance plate and t li it the inventi i an manner but is shown only as an secured to the advance plate by the same screws and same example of how the adaptor plate has been successfully emtapped holes as were used to secure the breaker points to the 40 ployed.

Vehicle Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Break off the section Attach sensor mountof adaping screws and nuts to Mount sensor on Install adaptor plate Adjust gap with Install strain tor plate the adaptor plate using adaptor plate as in into the distributor gapping ring as rclici grommet Direction of cam listed the two holes and nuts Fig. l or turned over as using holes listed illustrated in as illustrated in rotation below listed belowsoe Fig. 3 listed below belowrcl'or to Fig. 3 figure bclow liguro listed below Vehicle A: 8 031. CCW" 30 Z holes, thin nuts Turned over (No. on 13" holes Fig. 4 Fig. l. bottom). Vehicle B:

6- and 8-cyl. CW 26 Y holes, thin nuts Fig. 1 C holes Fig. 4 Fig. 4. V hfi-lanl 8-cyl. CCW 30 X holes, thin nuts... Fig. l E holes Fig, 4.

0 IC 0 I 8-cyl. CW 26 Y holes, thick nuts... Fig. 1 D" holes Fig. 4 Fig. 4. 8-cyl. CCW 26 Z holes, thick nuts Turned over (No. 60 on D holes bottom). Vehicle 1):

8cy1. CW" 26 Y holes, thick nuts." Fig. 1 D holes Fig. 4 Fig. 4, 8-oyl. CCW 26 "Z holes, thick nuts... Tujriittid ogcr (No. 60 on 'D holes advance plate with the distributor in breaker point operation. A designated gapping ring is fitted over the cam to maintain a spaced relation between the distributor cam and sensor which is mounted on the flat head screws and secured bydesignated nuts. The gapping ring is thereafter removed and finally a strain relief grommet is inserted through the existing lead hole in the distributor housing and secured.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view in perspective of the apparatus in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of an adaptor plate in accordance with this invention;

Referring now to the chart, after the breaker point apparatus has been removed from the distributor the next step is to break away appropriate sections so the plate will fit into the distributor housing. Vehicle C, for example, with a clockwise rotating distributor has been converted as shown in FIG. 1. With two pairs of pliers, one clamped on each side of groove 32, the plate 26, as prescribed by step 1 of the chart, is bent back and forth until it breaks, separating the section 26 from the rest of the plate. The adaptor plate is then the appropriate size for positioning within the distributor housing 24 (FIG. 1).

In step 2 the flat head mountingscrews l4 and 16 (FIG. 1) are inserted in the recessed holes lettered Y" in the chart (38 and 40 in FIG. I) of adaptor plate 10. One of the problems in developing standard apparatus was the axial placement of the FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the adaptor plate of FIG. 7 timing sensor within the distributor. In the C vehicle the chart requires the use of thick nuts 42 and 44 to secure the

mounting screws

14 and 16 to the adaptor plate in comparison to the thin" nuts used in A vehicles. The thick nuts axially set the sensor 12 relative to the adaptor plate. Whether the thick or thin nuts are used to secure the mounting screws, the remaining two nuts secure the sensor to the mounting screws. In one instance nuts designated as thin nuts are on the order of one-eighth inch and thick nuts are on the order of three-sixteenth inch. With the flathead screws secured by nuts 42 and 44 (FIG. 1), the adaptor plate 10 is then positioned within the distributor housing 24 so the screw heads are sandwiched between the advance plate 22 and adaptor plate 10. The adaptor plate 10 is fitted over point nib 48 and secured to the advance plate 22 with

screws

50, 51 and 52 inserted through the D holes as indicated by step 4, and inserted into tapped

holes

54, 55, and 56 in the advance plate. The screws and tapped holes being identical to those originally used in securing the breaker points to the advance plate of the distributor.

In one case for B vehicles, the original breaker point securing means are not used. Instead a longer screw 86 (FIG. 4) is used to secure the adaptor plate in cooperation with a compression ring 88 which fits around point post 90.

The sensor 12 is positioned the same for all B vehicles. However, for A vehicles, and C and D eight cylinder vehicles in counterclockwise operation adapting the distributor requires turning the sensor over so the original top 60 is positioned at the bottom.

In mounting, the sensor (FIG. 1) is fitted over the mounting

screws

14 and 16, and secured with nuts 18 and respectively.

For installation, a uniform distance is maintained between the sensor 12 and the cam 58 by a gapping ring such as the ring 70 which is shown in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. The size of the gapping ring is dependent on the relative size of the cam. In the present invention a single gapping ring may be utilized for all the models listed. The gapping ring of spring steel maintains a uniform gap between the cam points 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 and the sensor 12. Slot 84 as displayed in FIG. 1 permits limited motion of the sensor 12 for adjustment to maintain engagement with the gapping ring.

To complete the conversion of the distributor, a strain relief grommet 92 (FIG. 4) and retaining ring 94 are normally installed to hold the sensor lead 96 in place in the existing lead hole 100 in the distributor housing (FIG. 4). Enough slack must, however, be allowed in the sensor lead for movement of the advance plate 22. In most automobiles the movement of the advance plate might reach approximately 10 at most.

Special note should be made of the absence of damage to the original equipment during conversion. In fact, the reconversion to breaker point operation may still be accomplished. At no time during the conversion is there a need to drill new holes, out parts to fit, grind, mill or perform any other step of preparing parts other than breaking off appropriate breakaway tabs. Substitution of parts is minimal. The method is straightforward and requires no special skill.

What has been disclosed then is a simple, economical method and apparatus for conversion of any selected one of a plurality of internal combustion engine distributors from breaker point operation to timing sensor operation for a contactless ignition system.

I claim:

1. Adaptor apparatus for converting any selected one of a plurality of different motor vehicle distributors having timing cam means and an advance plate from breakenpoint operatron to timing sensor operatlon for electronic ignition, said adaptor comprising,

an adaptor plate;

a timing sensor;

means for indexing said timing sensor to said adaptor plate;

first connecting means for connecting said sensor to said adaptor plate;

and second connecting means for connecting said adaptor plate to the advance plate thereby positioning said timing sensor in a spaced relation to the timing cam means.

2. The adaptor apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second connecting means comprises means originally used for connecting the breaker points of said distributor to said advance plate.

3. The adaptor apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said adaptor plate includes breakaway means for adapting said plate to fit a specific distributor housing.

4. The adaptor apparatus according to claim 1 including said adaptor plate having a plurality of indexing means, and further including means for selecting a predetermined indexing means to use for indexing said timing sensor to said adaptor plate.

5. The adaptor apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said predetermined indexing means positions said adaptor plate with respect to the advance plate.

Claims

1. Adaptor apparatus for converting any selected one of a plurality of different motor vehicle distributors having timing cam means and an advance plate from breaker point operation to timing sensor operation for electronic ignition, said adaptor comprising, an adaptor plate; a timing sensor; means for indexing said timing sensor to said adaptor plate; first connecting means for connecting said sensor to said adaptor plate; and second connecting means for connecting said adaptor plate to the advance plate thereby positioning said timing sensor in a spaced relation to the timing cam means.