Adaptable photoelectric automotive distributor combination

Claim 2

In combination with an automotive Distributor having a breaker plate, a rotor shaft, and means for mounting breaker points on said plate, the improvement comprising a photoelectric unit having a radiation source and a radiationsensitive element, a printed circuit, first means for mounting said photoelectric unit on said printed circuit in electrical contact therewith, and second means for mounting said printed circuit on said breaker-mounting means to replace said breaker points on said breaker plate.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1, wherein said printed circuit is mounted on a board, and said board is mounted on said breaker plate.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2, wherein said breaker-mounting means comprises holes in said breaker plate, and said second means for mounting comprises fasteners cooperating with said holes.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises shutter means for interrupting the radiation path of said photoelectric unit, and means for rotating said shutter means in synchronism with said rotor shaft.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 4, wherein said shutter means comprises a circular rotor having a flange of a material opaque to said radiation and including windows in said flange for transmitting said radiation.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 5, wherein said circular rotor is adapted for being attached to said rotor shaft for rotation therewith, and said flange depends from said circular rotor into the path of radiation from said source to said sensitive element.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 6, wherein said circular rotor also has an outer flange depending from said circular rotor for protecting said photoelectric unit, said radiation source emits infrared radiation, and said windows are transparent to infrared radiation.

Claim 9

In an automotive distributor having a breaker plate, a rotor shaft, and holes in said breaker plate for mounting breaker points on said plate, the combination comprising a photoelectric unit having an infrared radiation source and a silicon phototransistor adapted for receiving said radiation across a gap, a printed circuit mounted on an insulating material board, said board being adapted for mounting on said breaker plate in replacement of said breaker points, a protector board adapted for being fastened over said printed circuit, holes in said board adapted to match said breaker-plate holes, eyelet fasteners adapted for attaching said insulating material and protector boards together, bolt means for attaching said boards to said breaker plate through said eyelets and holes, electric terminal means attached to said printed circuit and said insulating material board for making circuit connections to said radiation source and to said transistor, and shutter means, comprising a flat circular disk having a hub adapted for attaching said disk to said rotor shaft for rotation therewith at all times, an outer depending flange on said disk for protecting said photoelectric unit, and an inner depending flange being opaque to said infrared radiation and adapted for rotating in said radiation gap, said inner gap having a plurality of windows corresponding to the number of cylinders in the engine for said automobile.

Claim 10

In an automotive distributor having a breaker plate, a rotor shaft, and holes in said breaker plate for mounting breaker points on said plate, the combination comprising a photoelectric unit having an infrared radiation source and a silicon phototransistor adapted for receiving said radiation across a gap, a printed circuit mounted on an insulating material board, said board being adapted for mounting on said breaker plate in replacement of said breaker points, a protector board adapted for being fastened over said printed circuit, holes in said board adapted to match said breaker-plate holes, eyelet fasteners adapted for attaching said insulating material and protector boards together, bolt means for attaching said boards to said breaker plate through said eyelets and holes, electric terminal means attached to said printed circuit and said insulating material board for making circuit connections to said radiation source and to said transistor, and shutter means, comprising a flat circular disk having a hub adapted for attaching said disk to said rotor shaft for rotation therewith at all times, an outer depending flange on said disk for protecting said photoelectric unit, and an inner depending flange being opaque to said infrared radiation and adapted for rotating in said radiation gap, said inner gap having a plurality of windows corresponding to the number of cylinders in the engine for said automobile.

Claim 11

The invention according to claim 8, wherein said infrared source comprises a light-emitting diode.

Claim 12

In combination with an automotive distributor having a rotor shaft and an electrically conductive arm extending radially relative to said shaft, said distributor being adapted for use with an ignition system that employs a photoelectric engine-timing unit, the improvement comprising a unitary molded rotor adapted for mounting on said shaft, said rotor including electrically insulating means for supporting said conductive arm, means for engaging said shaft to support said rotor for synchronous rotation with said shaft, and shutter meanS integral with said engaging means for actuating said photoelectric unit.

Claim 13

In combination with an automotive distributor having a rotor shaft and an electrically conductive arm extending radially relative to said shaft, said distributor being adapted for use with an ignition system that employs a photoelectric engine-timing unit, the improvement comprising a unitary molded rotor adapted for mounting on said shaft, said rotor including electrically insulating means for supporting said conductive arm, means for engaging said shaft to support said rotor for synchronous rotation with said shaft, and shutter meanS integral with said engaging means for actuating said photoelectric unit.

Claim 14

The improvement according to claim 10, wherein said shutter means comprises a circular rotor having a depending flange with windows therein.

Claim 15

The improvement according to claim 11, wherein said shutter means also comprises an outer flange depending from said circular rotor for protecting said flange with windows.

Claim 16

The improvement according to claim 12, wherein said engaging means comprises an electrically insulating sleeve, and said circular rotor comprises an electrically insulating disk.