US1461628A - Magnetic speedometer - Google Patents

Description

Juy W, R923. EALSLZS J. PATRICK r MAGNETIC SPEEDOMETER Filed Dec. l, 1921 anne-nto@ 'Patented July l0, i9,

'arene JOSHUA PATRICK, OF DETRIT, MICHIGAN.

.maar

MAGNETIC SPEEDOMETER.

Application led December To all lwhom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSHUA PATRICK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Detroit,"county of Wayne, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Magnetic Speedometers, of which the following is a full, clear,

concise, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which vthe invention relates to make and use the same, reference being made `therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to speed indicating' devices of speedometers used in connection with motor driven vehiclesI to lindicate the speed at which the same are driven, andparticularly to speedometers of the magnetic type wherein an angularly rotatable speed cup is moved throughout Various angles vby the action of eddy current induced therein by a rotating armature, the poles of which move adjacent a magnet within the field of which the speed cup or a ortion thereof lies. The principal object o my invention is to provide a speedometervof the class or type above referred to wherein all the parts thereof may be assembled upon a foundation or supporting platewhich closes an opening in the case of the instrument; and then introduced into or removed from the case as a single unitaryl structure, all the elements of the instrument being supported solely and l.

'1s secured to the front plate of the instru- 90 entirely by and from said front plate, and independently of the casing of the instrument.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved speedometer of the type in question in which the shaft whereby the same is driven from the vehicle is connected with the rear wall of the instrument casing and extends substantially at right angles therefrom; said driving shaft. being operatively connected witli the armature of the instrument, through a sliding joint; and the armature and a l the other operating parts of the instrument being supported from a` front plate which is removable from the casing, so thatfsaid plate andthe parts carried thereby may be removed from the casing without disconnecting the driving shaft therefrom.

With the above and other objects of' invention in View, as will hereinafter and at length more fully appear, myinvention consists in the improved magnetic speedometer l, 1921. Serial No. 519,211.

illustrated in the accompanying drawing and hereinafter described and claimed; and 1n such variations and modiications thereof, within the scope of the concluding claims, as will be` obvious to those skilledin the art to which my invention relates.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, and wherein the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated: Y l

Figure l is a view showing my improved A speedometer in elevation and as seen kfrom -the front thereof, portions of the plate which supports the various operating parts of the instrument being broken away in order to better illustrate parts otherwise hidden by the supporting plate.

Figure 2 is a view showing a section upon a vertical plane indicated approximately by the line 2-2, Figures l and 3, of the principal operating parts of the instrument.

' Figure 3 is a view showing the frontv supporting plate' and various elements of the. instrument carried thereby, the casing of the instrument being omitted and the view showing a section upon a plane indicated approximately by the line 3-3, Figure 2, looking toward the left. v 4

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view 85 taken upon'a plane mdicated approximately by the line 1 -4, Figure 3, showing the manner in which the support for the rear bearing member for supporting the armature ment. lReferring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 5 designates the main casing of the instrument which may be made from pressed metal, as a die-casting, or otherwise 9e and-which casing is hollow and cup-shaped in form, and open along one side or` end thereof;A said opening being surrounded by an outwardly extending flange 6 which is provided with holes through which the loo screws pass whereby the instrument as a whole is secured in place in an opening provided in the dash or instrument board. rl`he casing shown is made from comparatively thi'n metalA and is provided with a hollow 105 bushing 7 secured upon the inner surface of the rear wall thereof and extending -through an openingV therein, andA to which bushing the non-rotating external casing 8 of the flexible driving shaft through my which the instrument is driven is secured as by means of a suitable gland nut 9 to thereby connect the driving shaft and housing to the casing; The plane of the o ening of the casing is substantiall y-paralle f with the bottom or rear wall t ereof and is closed by a main foundation plate or cover which serves as a support for-all theoperating parts of the instrument, the same being shown as provided With a peripherally extending flange `11 which fits closely within 4the open side or end ofthe casing as best shown in Figure 2 lof the drawing. rll`his 'supporting late 1s commonly made from die-cast meta altho the method ofits formation is immaterial; and the same isprovided with an opening 12 through which the speed indicating member or speed cup ofl the instrument may be seen and readpand with other openings 13 and 14 I through whichthe readings of the trip andI total odometer wheels usuall 'l present in speedometers may be read; an also with an opening 15 opposite -the axis of rotation of therotating parts of the instrument and, across which a bearing supporting bar`16 extends, to thereby provide a support for the outer :jewel bearing of the speed cup shaft of the instrument. y

The reference numeral 18 4designates the magnet of the instrument which is secured to the supporting plate .10 by agscrew 20 extending between the poles thereof andI through a clip 21, and a second clip 22 which engages the magnet near the middle portidnthereof, themagnet as a whole preferably lying within a. recess 23 provided for it in the foundationl plate in order `that it may be more fixedly. held in position; and

' .said foundation'plate is preferably provided with aprojecting lug 24 which lies between the poles of the magnet and maintainsv them the proper distance apart. While I have illustrated the magnet as of horse-shoe form i it will be appreciated that a magnetic element of other form may be used such, for example, as two or more magnets arranged with their poles adjacent one another.

Located within the casing 5 and secured to the supporting plate 10 is a supporting member 24 which is substantiallyl cup-shaped Ain form and made preferably from thin non- /inagnetic sheet metal having highv electrical resistance to prevent the formation of eddy currents, the outer' endv of-said member being secured to the said plate as by means of screws 25' thel heads .of which overlie the peripheral edge of an outwardlyextendihg n' flange 26 of said memberiandy said flange being preferably lturned towardthe plate at its free edge, as indicated at27, in order that the flange may be properly spaced away from the ad]acent inner-wall of the plate. 'I(l l1e,supr`aortihg plate is preferably provided -wlth arc-shaped ledges 28 with which the outwardly turned portion 27 of the'ange 26 engages, as best shown in Figures Iand' v tion,

resinas 4, to ing member as a `whole within the casing ment.

The supporting member 2x4 which` it will be appreciated is thus supported solely and entirely by and from the frontsupporting plate 10 is provided withl a long bearing 29 extending from the inner unsupported end thereof toward and preferably into the hollow sleeve 7, said bearing having an inner annular projecting flange 30 which sur-- rounds a' central .opening provided in the thereby properly position the supportand relative to the plate 10 of the instru` supporting member.- The bearing is pro- Y videdpwith an internally threaded passageV into which a threaded stud 31 of a jewel supporting' member- 32 extends, as best shown in igure 2, the bearing being thus supported from the supporting member by the clamping action of the member'32 the periphery of which lies opposite the flange 30, and serves to clamp the edge of the supv porting member 24 surrounding the opening therein between the said jewel bearing supporting member and said collar. The supporting member 24 and the bearing'29 are' functionally a single structure, and may obviously be made integral if desired.

It will therefore be appreciated that the bearing 29 'is supported entirely from `the main supporting plate or cover 10 of the instrument through `and by means of the supporting member 24 and extends substantially at right angles to the said plate; the said bearing and supporting member beingsecured to the plate by the screws 25, as

above explained, and the bearing being driving shaft into a similar recess in the.

sleeve, or in accordance lwith other schemes suitable for providing a driving connection which will be positive as regards rotary mobut non-positive as regards relative longitudinal movement of the parts, so that the driving shaft may be removed from 'the casing without injury to the interior mechanism of the instrument as is ,usual in speedometer drives.

f The sleeve 33 is threaded 'at its inner end as shown at 34 and the reference numeral 35 designatesthe rotating armature-fof the ment which is screwed onto the memesvv threaded portion 34 Aand againstja collar 36 I provided upon the sleeve.' The armature is v This cylindrical portion of the armature 35 is slotted 'to provide a plurality of separate and distinct poles 38. The armature is made of iron or other magnetic metal; and the poles thereof which move close to the magnet and speed cup serve to` vary the magnetic flux flowing between the poles of the magnet and induce eddy currents yin the speed cup of the instrument, in accordance withv the general mode Lof operation of magn etic speedometers of the class to which my invention-relates.` l

The reference numeral `39 designates t-he angularly movable speed-cup of my improved Iragnetic speedometer', the same having a substantially cylindrical portion 40 lwhich. lies between the magnet 18 and the poles of the armature so that eddy currents will be induced therein as the armature is rotated; said speed cup having an outward- -ly extending flange 41 which moves adjacent the inner wall of the supporting plate 10 and across the opening 12 therein, and has figures upon it to indicate the speed at which 'the vehicle with which the speedometer isk used is travelling, as is usual in such devices.`

'This speed cup is supported by a pivot 42 the inner end of which is supported in a jewel bearing carried by the jewel bearing supporting member 32, and the outer end of which is supported'in a jewel' carried by a screw 43 which is in threaded engagement with the cross-bar 16 so that the bearings for the speed cup may be properly adjusted, said screw being locked in position after the speed cup is properly adjusted by a lock nut 44. A hair spring 45 is operatively connected' at its inner end with the pivot 42 and at its outer end with a finger 46 which is adjustably held between the lock nut 44 and the cross bar 16, the purpose of the spring being to oppose the vrotation thereof and return the speedcup to a zero reading and hold it in that position when the armature is stationary, as is usual in magnetic speedometers.

The armature sleeve 33 is provided with a worm 47 from which the odometer mechanism, indicated conventionally at 48, with which such instruments are commonly provided is driven, no specific odometer mechanism however being illustrated as the invention to which this present application relates is not concerned with the odometer features of the instrument; and the said sleeve is held in place upon the bearing 29 by a screw 49 in threaded vengagement with the passage above referred to inthe said bearing member.

also as the odometer elements, may be assembled outside the casing and then introduced into and removed therefrom as a single unitary structure.

My invention therefore provides a speedometer in which the parts may be more readily assembled than has heretofore commonly been the case; the magnet being first secured tol the front plate, then the speed cup put in position and loosely supported in its bearings, after which the supporting member 24 is` fastened to the foundation plate by the screws 25, thus providing a single rigid bearing for the sleeve 33 which carries the rotating armature of the instrument.

After the sleeve 33 has been assembled with the bearing 29 the same is held in place thereupon by the screw 49 thus pro.- viding, asy above pointed out, an instrument il which a single unusually long and rigid bearing is. provided for the main rotating element of the instrument, and in which all the parts involved in the speed indicating function are supported from the front supporting plate. The assembling is completed by placing the supporting plate within the open front end of the casing which, however, in no way provides a bearing for any rotating element of the instrument; and it will be appreciated that the entire speed indicating mechanism may be removed from the casing as a single unitary structure along with the said plate. The single long bearing for the armature of the instrument avoids binding at the bearings therefor and provides for long life thereof; and the general concentric arrangement of the several elements which comprise the instrument insure proper alignment of the several parts as the vinstrument is assembled upon the main supporting plate.

After the instrument has been assembled and properly adjusted a sealing plate 50`the peripheral edge ofr which engages an annular groove provided in the front plate is sprung into place, thereby closing the opening 15 and covering the front jewel bearing and hair spring; which cover plate, being preferably put in place while the edges thereof are sprung inward, provide a construction in which-the user of the instrument cannot readily gain access to the hair spring and other internal parts and vary the adjustment of the instrument.

Having thus described and explained my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

` 1. In a speedometer of the class described; a suitable hollow easing having an opening at its front side-orl end; a supporting plate fac . form located `within said casing and sup-' posite said opening;

secured to said casing and acting to close' said opening; speed 'indicating'mechanism located Within said casing and supported solely and entirely by said supporting plate; and a driving shaft supported by said casing and operatively connected with an element of said speed indicating mechanism to drive the same.

2. In a speedometer of the class described, a suitable hollow easing having an opening at its front side or end, and a rear Wall opa supporting plate se cured to said casing and acting to close said opening; a Supporting member located Within said casing and supported solely and entirely by said supporting plate; a magnet and an armature concentric'ally arranged relative to one another and one 'of which is I, rotatably supported by said supporting member `While the other is fiXedly secured to said supporting plate; an angularly movable speed cup supported by said supporting plate and operativelyassociated with said" magnet and armature; anda driving shaft supported by said rear Wall and operatively connected with the rotating member afore- Said to drive the same.

3. In a speedometer of the class described.

ha' suitable hollow casing having an opening atjitl's ,front side or end, and a rear Wall opposite and substantially plane of said opening; a supporting plate fitting within saidfopening; a hollow supporting member substantially cup-shaped in ported solely and entirely by said supporting plate; a magnet secured tosaid supporting plate-and located within said support-- ingmember; an angularly movable speed cup located Within said supporting member and arranged adjacent said magnet and supported from bearings carried one by said supporting plate and the other by -said supporting member; an armature rotatable -upona bearing carried by said supporting member and having poles vwhich move adjacent said magnet and speed cup; and a driving` shaft supported by said .rear ivall and operatively connected with the armature aforesaid to drive the same.

4. In a speedometer of the class described,

4a-suit-able hollow casing having an opening at its front side or end; a supporting plate carried by! said casing :and acting to 4close said opening; a hollow substantially cupshaped support-ing member located Within said casing and secured to said supporting plate so as to be supported thereby7 and Whichsupporting member is provided with a bearing disposed substantially at right angles to said supporting plate; an angularly movable speed cup located Within said supparalle'l with the porting member and supported in bearings one carried by said member and the other by said plate; a magnet located Within said speedcup and secured to said plate; a rotat-.

able armature supported solely by said bearing and having poles moving adjacent said speed cup and magnet; and a driving shaft operatively connected with said armature to drive the same.

5. In a speedometer of the class described,

a suitable hollow casing having an openj ing at its front side or end, and a rear Wall opposite and substantially parallel with the plane of said opening; al supporting plate fitting Within said Opening; a'hollow substantially cup-shaped supporting mcmberlocated within said casing and sezured to said supporting plate so as to be supported .thereby, and which supporting member lis provide'dfwith a bearing disposed substantially 4 yat right angles to said supporting plate; an angularly movable speed cup locatedvvithin said supportingimember and supported inbearings one carried by said member and the other by said plate; a'magnet locate-d within said speed cup and secured to said plate; a rotatable armature'supported solely i by said bearing and having'. poles .moving adjacent said speed cup and magnet; and a driving shaft supported bv said rear wall and-operatively connected nWith said armature to drive the same.

' 6.` In a speedometer of the class described,

7. In a speedometer of the class described, 4

a suitable hollow casinghaving a supporting lll) plate .at its front side or end` and which plate is provided with an opening; a speed cup angulaily rotatable about,v an axis disposed substantially at/iight angles to said supporting plate, and having a radially ex' tending flange at its open end whichv moves across the opening aforesaid vin said plate;- a substantially cup-Shaped supporting member carried vby said supportingv plate and enclosing said speed cup andv its flange aforesaid, and which members vis provided with al bearing substantially co-aXial' with the axis of rotation of said speed cup; a magnet secured to said supporting plate and located Within said supporting member; an armature rotatable upon and supported solely by the bearing aforesaid of said supporting member, and the poles of which armature move adjacent said speed cup and magnet; and a driving shaft operatively connected with said armature to drive the same.

8. In a speedometer of the class described, a. suitable hollow casing having an opening in its front side or end, and a rear Wall opposite vsaid opening; la supporting plate secured to said casing and extending across said opening; speed indicating mechanism located Within said casing and supported solely and entirely by said supporting plate; and a driving shaft having a non-rotatable external casing fxedly secured to said cas-v ing, and a rotatable inner core operatively connected with an element of said speed indicating mechanism to drive the same.

9. In a speedometer of the class described, a suitable hollow casing having an opening in its front side or end, and a. rear Wall opposite said opening; a supporting plate secured to said casing and extending across said opening; a supporting member located Within said casing and secured to said supporting plate` and having a bearing a't its free end; a magnet carried by said supporting plate; an angularly rotatable speed cup supported` in bearings carried b v said supporting plate and supporting member; an armature rotatable upon the bearing aforesaid and supported solely by said supporting member, and ythe poles of which move adjacent said speed cup and magnet; and a drivingshaft having a non-rotating external casing ixedly secured to said speedometer casing, and a rotatable inner core operatively connected with said armature to drive the same.

lin testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSHUA PATRICK.

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