Distributor actuator unit with solenoid advance

Claim 2

The combination with an emissions controlled internal combustion engine operable at idle and off-idle conditions and producing a source of variable engine suction, of an ignition distributor having adjustable spark timing control means therein including an adjustable timing plate initially set when the engine is off in a position corresponding to a desired spark retarded position for reduction of vehicle exhaust emissions at engine idle conditions, engine starting means including a source of electrical energy and an ignition switch operable between several positions including a start position and a run position, and actuator apparatus coupled to said adjustable timing plate of said spark timing control means and operable from said electrical source when said ignition switch is in its start position for adjustment of said spark timing control means at engine starting in a spark advance direction from its initially set spark retarded position and operable thereafter from said source of engine suction during engine run conditions for independent adjustment of said spark timing control means also in a spark advance direction from its said initially spark retarded position at which it is set for both engine off and engine idle conditions and from which it is advanced during both engine starting and off-idle run conditions.

Claim 3

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuator apparatus provides a fixed predetermined amount of spark advnace adjustment of said spark timing control means during engine starting and a continuously variable amount of spark advance adjustment thereof in accordance with prevailing engine suction during off-idle run conditions.

Claim 4

The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein the spark advance adjustment provided by said actuator apparatus during off-idle run conditions is varied over a predetermined range of spark advance settings which includes said fixed amount of spark advance adjustment.

Claim 5

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuator apparatUs includes electrically operated motor means energizable from said electrical source through said ignition switch when the switch is in its start position, vacuum operated motor means connected to said engine suction source, and means coupling both said motor means to said adjustable spark timing control means for independent selective actuation thereof.

Claim 6

The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said coupling means decouples said electrical motor means from movement with said adjustable spark timing control means by said vacuum motor means.

Claim 7

The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein sadid spark timing control means includes an elongated timing link coupled to the timing plate and extending externally of the distributor and wherein said electrical motor means and said vacuum motor means are spaced apart in the direction of extent of said timing link externally of the distributor and wherein said timing link has a pair of motor movement pickup abutments fixed thereto and spaced apart in the direction of extent thereof and respectively located in the path of actuation movement of said motor means.

Claim 8

The combination in accordance with claim 6 above wherein the pickup abutment for said electrical motor means is located between said electrical motor means and said vacuum motor means.

Claim 9

The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein said vacuum motor means and said electrical motor means are contained within the same housing and said electrical motor means comprises a stationary solenoid coil and an armature of tubular form movable within said solenoid coil and surrounding said timing link.

Claim 10

The combination in accordance with claim 8 wherein said timing link passes centrally through said armature and is composed of non-magnetic material.

Claim 11

The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said electrical motor means further includes a first annular core portion at one end of said solenoid coil and a second tubular core portion at the other end of said coil and wherein said armature is movable between said core portions.

Claim 12

A combination vacuum and solenoid operated actuator unit for an engine ignition distributor equipped with means for adjusting the engine timing including an adjustable timing plate, said actuator unit comprising a housing, diaphragm means forming a displaceable wall of a suction chamber defined in a portion of said housing and adapted to be connected to a source of engine vacuum, stop means external to said chamber, means biasing said diaphragm means against one side of said stop means, a solenoid located externally of said chamber and including an electrically energizable solenoid coil, a stationary core portion and an armature movable in the direction of engine suction displacement of said diaphragm means from an initial stop position spaced from said core portion to a second stop position against said core portion upon electrical energization of said coil, and a yieldable thrust rod assembly including a first member secured to said diaphragm means for movement therewith, a second member extending through said housing and pivotally coupled to said timing plate, and yieldable means extending between said first and second members permitting displacement of said second member relative to said first member upon energization of said solenoid, said first member having a portion thereon spaced from and cooperating with the other side of said stop means to limit thereagainst in the course of displacement of said diaphragm means from its initial position against the said one side of said stop means, said second member coupled to said first member and to said armature for selective independent movement in the same direction from engine vacuum actuated displacement of said diaphragm means and from solenoid actuated displacement of said armature respectively between the positive stop positions of said diaphragm means and the stop positions of said armature.

Claim 13

A combination vacuum and solenoid operated actuator unit for an engine ignition distributor equipped with means for adjusting the engine timing including an adjustable timing plate, said actuator unit comprising a housing, diaphragm means forming a displaceable wall of a suction chamber defined in a portion of said housing and adapted to be connected to a source of engine vacuum, stop means external to said chamber, means biasing said diaphragm means against one side of said stop means, a solenoid located externally of said chamber and including an electrically energizable solenoid coil, a stationary core portion and an armature movable in the direction of engine suction displacement of said diaphragm means from an initial stop position spaced from said core portion to a second stop position against said core portion upon electrical energization of said coil, and a yieldable thrust rod assembly including a first member secured to said diaphragm means for movement therewith, a second member extending through said housing and pivotally coupled to said timing plate, and yieldable means extending between said first and second members permitting displacement of said second member relative to said first member upon energization of said solenoid, said first member having a portion thereon spaced from and cooperating with the other side of said stop means to limit thereagainst in the course of displacement of said diaphragm means from its initial position against the said one side of said stop means, said second member coupled to said first member and to said armature for selective independent movement in the same direction from engine vacuum actuated displacement of said diaphragm means and from solenoid actuated displacement of said armature respectively between the positive stop positions of said diaphragm means and the stop positions of said armature.