US1978380A - Ignition apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1934. B, EHRLICH 1,978,380

IGNITION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 23, 1934. EHRLICH 1,978,380

IGNITION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WW/WXM m.

Oct. 23, 1934. L a HRUCH 1,978,380

IGNITION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 23, 1934 IGNITION APPARATUS Louis' B. Ehrlich, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The Electric Auto-Lite Company, Ioledo, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application December 4, 1929, Serial No. 411,524

14 Claims. ((1200-31) This invention relates to ignition systems and apparatus for multiple cylinder internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a timer and distributor mechanism used in an ignition system for automatically timing and distributing the ignition sparks for an engine of this type.

,The inventionyhas for an object the'provision of an improved device of this character inwhich the time of occurrence of the sparks shall be 1511) automatically advanced asthe speed of the engine increases. The invention further embraces an automatic spark advancing mechanism wherein by making relatively slight changes in structural details orarrangements the character or rate of :516 change of spark advance may be varied.

The invention contemplates a centrifugal device for controlling, andcregulating the time of occurrence of the spark which is of simple and compact construction capable of being produced 2) in large quantities at aminimum cost and which is not liable to get out of order.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention; such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to. economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specifica- Mao-U101]. and drawings of certain forms of the invention, which may be preferred iin which Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a; timing and distributing mechanism embodying my invention; L as Figure 2 is atop plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1'; a

Figure 3' is a detail elevational view ofthe cam member and centrifugal device;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the parts'shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified form of my invention;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 5;

I Figure 7 is a detail view-showing another form of my invention;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a detail view showing still. another form of my invention; Figure 10 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 9; I

Figure 11- is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of Figure. 10;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a timing and distributing mechanism, certain parts being removed;

Figure 13 is a detail side elevational view of parts illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 14 is a detail side elevational view of the parts illustrated in Figure 6.

I have illustrated my invention as incorporated in a combined timer and, distributor mechanism for internal combustion engines, but it is to be understood that I contemplate the use of my invention wherever the same may be found applicable. Referring to the drawings in detail, the operative parts of the timer and distributor of my invention are suitably enclosed within a cupshaped housing Shaving an integral downwardly extending stem 6, the cup-like portion of the housing 5 supporting the distributor cap 7 of suitable insulating material. Obviously the housing 5 issupported by the stem 6 which also provicles-ample bearing surface for a shaft 9 adapted to be driven by the internal combustion engine (not shown). The distributor cap 7 is detachably mounted upon the housing 5 being secured thereto by means of a pair of resilient clips 10, the latter being pivoted upon suitable members 12 secured to the housing by means of screws 13, the clips v10 engaging suitable notches 14 formed in opposing walls of the cap '7. The distributor cap is also formed with a plurality of terminal inserts 16 to which the high tension leads may be connected, and whose inner ends lie adjacent the path of travel of a suitable current distributing arm or contact distributorl'l.

The housing 5 is separated into two compart- I ments by means of a plate 20 formed with a plurality of upwardly projecting ears 2,1 which have openings adapted to receive the inner ends of the screws 13; Obviously the screws 13 perform two functions viz., that of holding the pivotal members 12 in position, and fixedly retaining the plate 20 within the housing 5. The mechanism for-periodically'separating the interrupter contacts in the circuit comprises a sleeve 23 mounted upon the reduced upper extremity 24 of the shaft 9, the sleeve being formed with a cam or contact controller 25. The cam 25 is preferably constructed with a plurality of lobes 26 which are adapted, when the shaft 9 is rotated, to intermittently engage a rubbing block 28 (referringparticularly toFigure 12) fixedly secured to a breaker lever 29, the latter being suitably pivoted at one extremity upon a pin 30 carried by the plate 20. Formed out of the plate 20 is an upwardly projecting finger 32 having a threaded opening the cylinders of the engine.

adapted to receive a contact member 33. The contact member 33 is rendered adjustable and may be locked in its adjusted position by means of a nut 34, the contact member 33 being adapted for cooperative engagement with a contact 35 fixed to the extremity of the breaker lever 29.

The breaker lever 29 is electrically connected by means of resilient metallic strips 31 to a binding post 37 insulatingly supported upon the casing 5, one of the strips 31 being preferably made of good current conducting material as, for example, copper, the other strip being constructed of resilient material as, for example, spring steel for the purpose of urging the breaker lever in a direction to keep the rubbing block '28 in constant cooperative engagement with the lobes 26 of the cam 25.

Spark advancing mechanism For the eflicient operation of an internal combustion engine of the variable speed type, it is desirable that the time of igniting of the charges in the cylinders be advanced proportionately with increased speed of the engine. To this end I provide a centrifugal means for varying the time of spark occurrence comprising a support or plate 38 which is fixed to'a non-circular portion 36 of the shaft 9. In the assembly of the plate 36 on the drive shaft 9, the plate is pressed on to the portion 36 and a part of the shaft adjacent the non-circular portion is spun or swaged over as shown at 39, and in this manner prevents any displacement of these parts.

Fixedly secured to the lower extremity of the cam sleeve 23 is a laterally extending member 41 formed with downwardly extending flanges 42 and 43. The'plate 38 is provided with upwardly projecting pins or studs 44 which are adapted to form pivotal supports for disc- like weights 45 and 46. The studs 44 are provided with shoulders 47 for supporting the weights 45 and 46 offering a minimum contact surface therefor, thus materially decreasing the friction required to be overcome before the weights can be moved. The flanges 42 and 43 of the member 41 are adapted to embrace the edges of the discs 45 and 46 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. It

will be apparent from examination of Figures 3 and 4 that the weights 45 and 46 are pivoted eccentrically upon the pins 44 so that rotation of the structure causes the weights 45 and 46 to swing outwardly under the action of centrifugal force. The member 41 and cam sleeve 23 'are resiliently held in their normal position by means of tension plates or springs 49 which are secured as by means of rivets 50'to upwardly projecting flanges 51 formed upon the plate 38.

the axis of the cam 25, and in so doing the con tour of the flanges 42 and 43 is such as to cause the cam 25 to move or to change its position relative to. the drive shaft 9 for the purpose of advancingthe time of the occurrence of the sparks for igniting the combustible mixture in As this advance action of the cam takes place, the springs 49 are flexed out of their normal position, and obviously great numbers.

as the speed of the engine decreases, the centrifugal force acting upon the weights 44 and 45 becomes less and the springs 49 tend to return the plate 41 and the cam 25 to their initial or normal positions. In order to adapt a device of my invention for use with various types of engines requiring different characteristics of sparking ad- Vance or rate of advance, those portions of the flanges 51 supporting the springs 49 are separated from the plate 38 by means of a kerf or slot 52 as particularly shown in Figure 13. By this means the end of the flange supporting the springs 49 may be bent or distorted to change the effective force exerted by the springs 49 against the guiding flanges 42 and 43 and thereby change the rate 'of movement of the cam relative to the shaft 9 and thus change the rate of advance of the sparking means. In this construction the majority of the parts are formed out of sheet material which readily enhances the interchangeability of parts, and materially reduces the cost of production particularly when the parts are manufactured in In some installations it is desirable to have a manual control for the spark advancing mechanism in addition to the automatic control; For this purpose I have illustrated an arm 8 secured to the stem 6 for bodily shifting theposition of the housing 5 relative to the support (not shown) and the shaft 9.

In the form of my invention shown in Figures 5, 6 and 14, the device is very similar" to the form hereinbefore described withthe exception that the weight guiding member 55 embraces a pair of circular weights 56 and is substantially rectangular in form having the downwardly extending flanges 57 engaging the peripheries of the weights 56. In thisform the weights are also mounted eccentrically and under the action of centrifugal force are thrown outwardly causing the plate 55 and the cam 25 to be moved relative to the shaft 9 as has been hereinbefore described. In this form of the invention the innermost and outermost positions of the weights 56 are determined by means of stops 59 and 60 which are formed from the flanges 57 of the member 55.

In this form of device I have provided a different means of adjusting the effective tension of the'spring against the guiding member 55 when it is desirable to adapt this form of de- 'vice for different types of engines requiring different spark advancingcharacteristics. To this end theextremities of the flanges 51 adjacent the free ends of the springs 49 are separated from the supporting plate 38 by means of a kerf 63 so that by distorting or bending the ends of the flanges 51, the effective leverage of the spring pressure acting upon the member 55 may be varied.

In the form of device shown in Figures 7 and. 8, shaft '9 carries a plate 65 supporting the Weights 66 which is provided with upwardly projecting ears 6? to which are secured coil springs 68. The springs are also connected to pins 69 secured upon a member 70 which is similar in construction to the member 41 shown in Figure 4. The springs 68 obviously tend to hold the member '70, cam 25 and weights 66 in their normal position. 'In this form of device the rated advance of the sparking means may be adjusted by merely bending the ears 67 supporting the outermost ends of the springs 68 thereby changing the tension of the springs.

In the form of device shown in Figures 9, l0 and 11 a substantially circular plate '75 is fixedly secured to the drive shaft 9 and is provided with studs 7-7 supporting the weights '78 A substantially rectangular member '79 is provided with diametrically aligned slots 8-1 formed by bending up adjacent portions 82o-f themember 79. The weights 78 are provided with upwardly projecting pins 84 which are received into the slots 81. cam 25 is retained in its normal position by means of coil" springs 85 whosetension may be adjusted by bending ears 86 formed up from the'plate 75. In the operation of this form of the device the weightsacting under centrifugal force are thrown outwardly causing the pins 84 to move longitudinallyof the slots 8landthe member 79 to be moved relative to the drive shaft 9, thus changing the relative position of the interrupter cam 25 and thus causing a change in the time of occurrence of the sparks.

It is apparent that, Within the scope of the invention modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A governing device for the ignition means of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cam member; a pivotally mounted weight; guiding means embracing said weight fixedly secured to said cam member; and means comprising a flat resilient member adapted for engagement with said guiding means to oppose movement thereof relative to said weight.

2. A governing device for the ignition means of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cam' member; a disc-like pivotally mountedweight; guiding means for said weight fixedly secured to said cam member, said guiding means having portions embracing the contour of said weight; and means comprising a resilient member adapted to oppose movement of said Weight.

3. A governing device for the ignition means of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cam member; a disc-like eccentrically mounted weight; guiding means for said weight fixedly secured to said cam member, said guiding means having portions embracing said weight; means comprising a resilient member adapted to oppose the movement of said weight; and means forming a part of said guiding means limiting the relative movement between said weight and said guiding means.

4. A governing device for the ignition means of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cam member; .a pivotally mounted weight; guiding means for said weight fixedly se-l cured to said cam member, said guiding means having portions contacting with the periphery of said weight, said portionsv adapted to limit the initial and final movement of said weight,

5. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a shaft; a support fixedto said shaft; a cam member; a plurality of disc-like weights pivotally mounted upon said support; channel shaped guiding means for said weights fixed to said cam member and relatively movable with respect to said support; and means including a spring adapted for engagement with said guiding means to oppose relative movement of said guiding means and said weights.

6. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a shaft; a support fixed to said shaft; a cam member; a plurality of weights pivotally mounted upon said support; guiding means Themember '79 to which is secured.

for said weights fixed to said cam member and having flanged portions adapted to embrace said weights, said guiding means being formed to limit therelative movement of said weights with re spect'to said guiding'means and a spring adapted to cooperate with said guiding means for opposing relative movement of said weights with respect to said support.

7. A device of the character disclosed including a rotary element adapted to be rotated at a variable speed; a cylindrical disc eccentrically pivoted with respect to said rotary element, said disc being mounted for movement in a plane at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said element; means to oppose the movement distributor arm, said contact controller and "dis tributor' arm being controlled by the movement of said cylindrical disc.

8. An ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a shaft; a support carried by said shaft; a contact controller; means responsive to centrifugal force for causing movement of said contact controller relative to said shaft including a channel shaped member carried by said contact controller; means for opposing movement of said centrifugal responsive means relative to said shaft in engagement with said channel shaped member; and means for adjusting theresistance of said opposing means.

9. A governing device for an ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a shaft; a support carried by said shaft; a cam member; meansincluding a substantially circular revolvable element eccentrically pivoted responsive to centrifugal force for causing movement of said cam member relative to said shaft; means for opposing movement of centrifugal means relative to said cam member; and means for adjusting the resistance of said opposing means.

10. In a device of'the character disclosed, the combination of a shaft; a plate secured to said shaft; a plurality of circular weights eccentrically pivoted upon said plate; a cam member; guiding means for said weights fixedly secured to said cam member, said weights having means engageable with said guiding means for causing relative movement of said cam member relative to said shaft; and resilient means for normally opposing relative movement of said cam member with respect to said shaft.

ll. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a shaft; a plate fixed to said shaft; a cam member; a plurality of weights pivotally mounted upon said plate; guiding means for said weights fixed to said cam member and having flanged portions adaptedto embrace said weights, said guiding means being formed with stop members adapted to limit the relative movement of said weights with respect to said guiding means; and means including a spring secured to said plate for opposing relative movement of said weights, the supporting means for said spring being capable of distortion for regulating the effective tension of said spring.

12. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a shaft; a plate secured to said shaft; a plurality of weights pivotally supported upon said plate; a cam member; guiding means for said weights comprising an elongated memweights and projecting into said slots whereby movement of said weights act to shift the position of said guiding means relative to saidplate; and

)means including a spring for normally opposing 7 relative movement of said weights with-respect to said guiding means; and distortable means connected to said spring for varying the effective tension of said spring. a v I 13. A device of the character-disclosed including a rotary element adapted to be rotated at a variable speed; a cylindrical disc eccentrically pivoted to said rotary element, said disc being mounted in a plane at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said element; means .oomprising a resilient element to oppose the movement of said disc; distortable means to change the effective force of said resilient element acting upon said disc; a cam element; a

distributor arm, said arm element and distributor arm controlled by the movement of said cylindrical disc. y

14. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a shaft; a plate secured to said shaft; a plurality of Weights pivotally supported;;

"upon said plate; a cam member; guiding means effective tension of said spring.

LOUIS B. EHRLICH.

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