US1670440A - Ignition-circuit controller - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 22, 1928.

FARNUMI. DORSEY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A

ASSIGNOR TO NORTH EAST ELECTRIC CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

IGNITION-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed Kay 9, 1927. Serial Ro. 189 ,955.

This invention relates to ignition appa-' ratus of the type in which the circuit through the primary winding of an electric ignition coil or transformer is controlled by a vibratory circuit breaker or timer, while the secondary discharges of the coil are controlled by means of a'rotary circuit controller or distributor, by which they are communicatedto the spark plugs of the several engine cylinders in the proper order.

In ignition apparatus of the type referred to, the timer and the distributor. are usually combined in a single compact assembly, and operated by an upright shaft driven by the mechanism of the engine. In cases where the engine has a large number of cylinders, however, or where it is desired to energize two spark plugs simultaneously in each cylinder of an engine having six or more cyhnders, the number of distributor terminals becomes so large that it is difiicult to arrange them in a single circle or series without rendering the distributor inconveniently large in diameter and complicated in the arrangement of its contact members.

The object of the present invention is to produce a timer-distributor assembly in which a large number of distributor terminals may be employed, while, at the same time, the assembly is compact inform and simple and inexpensive in construction. To this end it is proposed to divide the distributor terminals into two or more circular series arran ed side by side, and to use a plurality of rotary distributor members, geared to a single central timer shaft by which a plurality of timers may be operated either simultaneously or successively, as the case may require.

The invention is more particularly set forth in the following description of the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of an ignition circuit controller embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, with some of the upper parts removed, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the distributor cap, on a reduced scale.

' The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises the usual upright drive shaft 5, journalled in a stem 6 y which the apparatus may be attached to anengme 1n the usual manner. A shell or housing 7, surmounting the stem, may contain an automatic spark advancer or timing device 8, of any ordinary or suitable form, although this is not essential to the present invention. Mounted on or connected with the upper end of the shaft 5 is'a' cam 9 which operates the primary circuit controllers or t-imers,'the latter being shown as arms 10, cooperating with adjustable fixed contacts 13. The timer members are supported by, and enclosed within, a metal housing 11 provided with pivot studs 12 upon which the timer arms are supported. The timers may be of any ordinary .or suitable form, and the electrical connections with the other parts of the apparatus are not shown, as they will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

On each side of the cam 9 an upright bearing stud 14 is fixed in the housing 11, and upon these studs two distributor rotors 15 are journalled, the rotors being provided, for this purpose, with hearing sleeves 16. Each rotor is provided also with a gear 17, while a pinion 18, meshing with the two gears, is mounted above and concentric with the cam 9, so as to drive the rotors in timed relation with the operation of the cam and the timer arms. The rotor, the sleeve 16 and the gear 17 are preferably made integrally in each case, being moulded from bakelite or similar insulatin material. The pinion 18 is also prefera l 7 made from moulded insulating material, and it is shown as having a key-and-slot connection with the cam, by which it is rotated, while freely removable, however, to afford convenient access to the timer parts beneath.

Axially above each distributor rotor is located the usual central secondary contact 19, and each rotor is provided with the usual contact strip or spring 20, engaging the corresponding contact 19. Each rotor is also provided with the usual terminal 21, adapted to cooperate successively with a circular series of stationary terminals 22. The contacts 19 and the terminals 22 are all preferably mounted in a single moulded cap of suitable insulating material, and the several terminals may be connected in the usual manner with the spark plugs which they are to control. Near each end of the housing 11 space is afforded for a condenser 24, to cooperate in the usual manner with one of the respective pairs of timer contacts.

It will be evident that in one direction lit) greater,;.that is, than. in. the case. ot adistributon having, only eight terminals. This permits the apparatus to be placed close alongside the cylinder block-or other parts of an engine,;with a compactness which is, in many cases, very useful.

In the illustrated apparatus the parts are arranged particularly with a, view to double ignition m. an eight cylinder eng ne,

the two timer arms being arranged, for simultaneous operation. It. will be evident, however,, that by slight changes. im the adjustment on timing of theparts, and. in the number of. secondary terminals in each, circle, the; apparatus may be adapted; to a variety of conditions; such, for example, as doubleignrtlon in a four or srx cyhnder; eng1ne, or

single ignition: in. an, engine of eight, twel v e or slxteen cylinders v The invention claimed is: v-

An ignition circuit: controller, comprising: a timer-cam and a pinion, coaxially supported and rotated, With the pinion located above the cam, circuit-breaker arm's actuated by: the; cam, a plurality Qt. bearing studs fixed alongside? the cam, distributor rotors rotatable upon the bearing studs and provided witli-gears meshing with the pinv ion, and circles of distributor terminals supported concentric with the respective distributor rotors. V r V s 21 {An ignition circui'lt controller 'compris: ingg, a base, an upright shaft journalled in the; base a cam anda pinion supported and rotated in said shaft, circuit-breaker arm's actuated. y the; cam, bearing studs located alongsidethe cainrandi fi'xed', a,t their lower ends, to, the base, distributor rotors rotatable, upon thebearing stud'sfand provided withgears. meshingfwith thev pinion, and a cap Jot insulating material, covering the CirCUitrQOIItIiOII -ngI members and" supporting circles of distributor terminals concentric with the respective rotors. a

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