Patent Application
20140096370
The present invention relates to a novel and useful device and method for setting a vehicle ignition timing.
Ignition systems are used in vehicles to ignite a fuel-air mixture to power internal combustion engines. Timed electrical systems include a distributor or magneto. The distributor generally contains a rotating cam driven by a drive linkage from the engine. Also, a set of breaker points, a condenser, a rotor, and a distributor cap are included in the distributor or magneto. In a mechanically timed ignition system, generally the set of breaker points are located on a pair of plates. One of the plates is often referred to as at an ignition adjustor plate, timing plate, or breaker plate. Such movable plate serves as a mount for one of the breakers or contacts.
As an engine turns, a cam inside a breaker housing also turns. One of the points or contact breakers positioned on an arm rides on the cam so that as the engine turns it reaches the top of the engine's compression cycle. A high point in the cam causes the breakers to open to a certain gap. This opening between the breakers causes the primary winding circuit to interrupt and stops the current through the breaker points. Such contact and opening of the breaker points is employed to ignite an engine through a series of spark plugs and the remaining conventional components of an ignition system, such as a coil and a condenser.
It is important, however, to set the gap or opening between breaker points to determine the efficiency and performance of an engine.
In the past, the maximum opening gap between the breaker points has been determined using a feeler gauge and adjusting the movable mounting plate having one of the breaker points to a particular distance between the other breaker point, typically, measured in thousands of an inch. Such adjustment must be accomplished periodically since the breaker points tends to drift out of adjustment.
It should be realized that a device and method for setting the gap between the breaker points of an ignition system of a vehicle engine, would be a notable advance in the field of vehicle engines.
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful device and method for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system, having a movable mounting plate for one contact located on a base of a housing.
The device of the present invention utilizes a gauge which is positioned relative to the housing. The gauge may take the form of a sheet or plate which substitutes for the cover of the housing for the mounting plate, supporting one of the contacts. Thus, the gauge is then positioned in place of the cover of the housing to lie over the base of the housing. The gage includes a guide, which may be in the form of an orthogonal passageway through the gauge. The guide is intended to direct a cutting instrument, such as a drill, to create an opening in the base of the housing. The opening in the base of the housing is intended to not pass through the base of the housing, in order to prevent entry of moisture into the housing when the original cover is later replaced on the housing.
A shaft is also included in the present invention and is extended in to the opening in the base of the housing formed by the gauge. The shaft is intended to contact the movable mounting plate for one of the contacts. The shaft fixes the position of the movable mounting plate relative to the housing base and, thus, fixes the gap between the pair of contacts in this regard.
The current invention also includes a method for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system which employs the steps of removing the original cover from the housing, and positioning and fixing a gauge to the housing in place of the cover. The gauge includes a guide for creating an opening in the base of the housing in the form of a passageway.
The method further includes forming the opening in the base of the housing utilizing the passageway guide of the gauge for a cutting tool, such as a drill, the cutting tool then forms an opening in the base of the housing. The gauge is subsequently removed from fixation relative to the housing.
A shaft is then inserted into the opening of the base of the housing to lie against the movable mounting plate found at the base of the housing. In this manner, the movable mounting base, holding one of the contacts, fixes the gap between such contact and the other contact held to a base plate. Following insertion of the shaft into the opening, the cover to the housing is replaced.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful device and method for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system has been hereinabove described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system which eliminates the need for periodically setting the ignition contact or breaker gap using a feeler gauge, during engine operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system that operates in an essentially permanent manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system that eliminates labor and expense incurred in the past and results in the efficient operation of a vehicle engine.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for setting the gap of a pair of contacts in a vehicle ignition system that is simple in structure and avoids multiple steps when setting the timing of a vehicle ignition system.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings.
An embodiment of the invention is shown, as a whole, by reference character 10 in the drawings. Device 10 is employed in conjunction with breaker point assembly 12 which serves as part of the ignition system for a vehicle, and is depicted in
Slot 50 allows adjustment of movable mounting plate 44 in this regard, according to directional arrow 52. Thus, in general, gap 40 is adjusted by the movement of contact 38 relative to contact 36, through the rotation of movable mounting plate 44 to adjust the timing of the ignition system associated with breaker point assembly 12. As stated heretofore, such adjustment was normally accomplished, in the prior art by the use of a feeler gauge placed in gap 40 to set the same,
The present invention 10 includes the use of a gauge 54,
Turning to
The position of bore 66 of gage 54 of bore 84 of gage 72 may be predetermined by measurement or by trial and error to properly position moveable mounting plate 44. In certain cases a notch 91 must cut into moveable mounting plate 44 to provide spacing of opening from wall 16. A theoretical improper opening 93 is shown I phantom on
Following the creation of opening 88 in base 18, a shaft 90, such as a set screw, is placed within opening 88 along axis 86 to limit the rotation of movable mounting plate 44 by contact. If prior removed, moveable mounting plate 44 is replaced at this time. That is to say, movable mounting member 44 will not rotate beyond the position of shaft 90. Needless to say the position of shaft 90 is predetermined by the position of opening 88 to correspond with the proper gap 40 for contacts 36 and 38. Thus, gap 40 is easily set and re-set simply by loosening locking screw 48, rotating movable mounting plate 46 against shaft 90, and retightening locking screw 48,
In operation, the user of device 10 predetermines the position of guide bore 66 of gauge 54 such that the guide 84 of gauge 72 corresponds to the proper gap 40 of contacts 36 and 38 of breaker contact apparatus 34,
While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
