US3883707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive distributor circuit breaker with eccentrically mounted, roller bearing type cam
Assignee: Breakthrough Research & Dev Co
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Filing: 1974-01-17
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1994-01-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved breaker point actuating apparatus for producing electrical impulses in timed relation to the operational cycle of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a conventional rolling bearing fixed to a distributor drive shaft on an axis eccentric from the rotational axis of the distributor drive shaft. The bearing includes an outer race freely rotatable with rspect to an inner race which in turn is fixed to the distributor drive shaft. An exterior annular surface of the outer race is utilized to engage a wiper associated with a set of contact points. As the distributor drive shaft is rotated, the exterior surface wobbles due to the eccentric bearing axis and is radially reciprocated against the wiper, thereby opening and closing the associated point contacts. Since the outer race is freely rotatable on the inner race, frictional contact between the exterior surface of the outer race and the wiper serves to hold the outer race substantially stationary and thereby substantially reduces frictional wear between the surface and the wiper.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Wenzlaff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:48
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P7/00; F02P7/06; F02P7/063; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/40; F16B2200/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
In an ignition distributor of the type mounted on an internal combustion engine and including a distributor drive shaft having an outer end operatively powered by said engine to rotate about a fixed axis, at least one set of normally-closed, spring-loaded contact points mounted to a plate adjacent said distributor drive shaft and having a wiper associated with one of the contact points, said wiper being biased toward the fixed axis, and contact point actuator means mounted to the outer end of the distributor drive shaft for rotation therewith, said contact point actuator means having an exterior surface thereon in engagement with the wiper for operating the wiper in response to rotation of the distributor drive shaft to move the wiper radially with respcet to said fixed axis, thereby opening and closing said contact points, an improvement in said contact point actuator means comprising: a drive member mounted to the outer end of the distributor drive shaft for rotation therewith about said fixed axis, said member having an eccentric exterior surface centered about an actuator axis parallel to and spaced from said fixed axis; an actuator member rotatably mounted to the eccentric exterior surface of said drive member for free rotation of said actuator member relative to said drive member about said actuator axis, said actuator member having an exterior surface engaged by said wiper, whereby rotation of said distributor drive shaft serves to rotate said drive member about said fixed axis and permits the actuator member to wobble the exterior surface of said actuator member against the wiper and thereby alternately open and close the contact points without relative sliding movement between said actuator member and said wiper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
In an ignition distributor of the type mounted on an internal combustion engine and including a distributor drive shaft having an outer end operatively powered by said engine to rotate about a fixed axis, at least one set of normally-closed, spring-loaded contact points mounted to a plate adjacent said distributor drive shaft and having a wiper associated with one of the contact points, said wiper being biased toward the fixed axis, and contact point actuator means mounted to the outer end of the distributor drive shaft for rotation therewith, said contact point actuator means having an exterior surface thereon in engagement with the wiper for operating the wiper in response to rotation of the distributor drive shaft to move the wiper radially with respcet to said fixed axis, thereby opening and closing said contact points, an improvement in said contact point actuator means comprising: a drive member mounted to the outer end of the distributor drive shaft for rotation therewith about said fixed axis, said member having an eccentric exterior surface centered about an actuator axis parallel to and spaced from said fixed axis; an actuator member rotatably mounted to the eccentric exterior surface of said drive member for free rotation of said actuator member relative to said drive member about said actuator axis, said actuator member having an exterior surface engaged by said wiper, whereby rotation of said distributor drive shaft serves to rotate said drive member about said fixed axis and permits the actuator member to wobble the exterior surface of said actuator member against the wiper and thereby alternately open and close the contact points without relative sliding movement between said actuator member and said wiper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement set out in claim 1 wherein said exterior surface of said actuator member is cylindrical and is centered about said actuator axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement set out in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of rolling bearing members interspersed between the eccentric exterior surface of said drive member and the interior surface of said actuator member to provide low friction contact between said actuator member and said drive member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The improvement set out in claim 3 wherein said actuator member and said rolling members are elements of a conventional rolling bearing, and wherein said drive member comprises an inner circular race of said rolling bearing and a central core extending therethrough, said central core being fixed to said inner circular race and being attached to the outer enD of said distributor drive shaft with said fixed axis and said actuator axis being parallel and spaced apart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |