U.S. patent application number 10/779077 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for shock absorbing assembly for a pencil ignition coil.
Invention is credited to Levers, Harry Oliver JR., Paul, Mark Albert.
Application Number | 20050179183 10/779077 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34808662 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050179183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paul, Mark Albert ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
SHOCK ABSORBING ASSEMBLY FOR A PENCIL IGNITION COIL
Abstract
A shock absorbing assembly reduces impact forces on a terminal
of a spark plug that is mounted within a spark plug bore of an
internal combustion engine when a pencil ignition coil is mounted
thereto. The shock absorbing assembly includes a plug cup that is
fixedly secured to the terminal end of the spark plug. A case cup
is movably mounted to the plug cup. The case cup includes a
resistor receptacle for receiving the pencil ignition coil therein.
The shock absorbing assembly also includes a cup spring that
extends between the plug cup and the case cup. The cup spring
absorbs the impact forces of mounting the pencil ignition coil to
the terminal of the spark plug.
Inventors: |
Paul, Mark Albert; (Fishers,
IN) ; Levers, Harry Oliver JR.; (Muncie, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JIMMY L. FUNKE
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Legal Staff, Mail Code: 480-410-202
P.O Box 5052
Troy
MI
48007-5052
US
|
Family ID: |
34808662 |
Appl. No.: |
10/779077 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
267/166 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16F 1/128 20130101;
H01F 38/12 20130101; F02P 3/02 20130101; H01F 2038/122
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
267/166 |
International
Class: |
F16F 001/06 |
Claims
1. A shock absorbing assembly for reducing impact forces on a
terminal of a spark plug mounted in a bore of an engine head when a
pencil ignition coil is being mounted to the terminal of the spark
plug, said shock absorbing assembly comprising: a plug cup fixedly
secured to the terminal of the spark plug; a case cup movably
mounted to said plug cup, said case cup including a resistor
receptacle for receiving an end of a resistor therein; and; a cup
spring extending between said plug cup and said case cup for
absorbing the impact forces of mounting the pencil ignition coil to
the terminal of the spark plug.
2. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
plug cup includes a case receiving flange for locking said case cup
in position with respect to said plug cup.
3. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said
case cup includes a locking lip for engaging said case receiving
flange to prevent said case cup from disengaging said plug cup.
4. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said
case cup and said plug cup are coaxial.
5. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said
cup spring includes an electrically conductive member.
6. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said
case receiving flange includes an angled surface to allow the
pencil ignition coil to extend at an angle with respect to the
spark plug.
7. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said
plug cup includes a terminal receiving cylinder.
8. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 5 including a
spring clip engagable with said plug cup for maintaining said plug
cup in contact with the terminal of the spark plug.
9. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
spring clip includes detents extending inwardly.
10. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said
plug cup includes a plurality of holes to receive said detents of
said spring clip therein and to allow said detents to contact the
terminal end of the spark plug.
11. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein
said plug cup is manufactured via a drawing operation.
12. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein
said case cup is manufactured via a drawing operation.
13. A shock absorbing assembly for reducing impact forces on a
terminal spark plug mounted in a bore of an engine head when a
pencil ignition coil is being mounted to the terminal of the spark
plug said shock absorbing assembly comprising: a plug cup fixedly
secured to the terminal of the spark plug, said plug cup including
a case receiving flange, said case receiving flange including an
angled surface to allow the pencil ignition coil to extend at an
angle with respect to the spark plug; a case cup movably mounted to
said plug cup, said case cup including a resistor receptacle for
receiving an end of a resistor therein; and a cup spring extending
between said plug cup and said case cup for absorbing the impact
forces of mounting the pencil ignition coil to the terminal of the
spark plug.
14. A shock absorbing assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein
said cup spring includes an electrically conductive member.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND ART
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an internal combustion engine spark
ignition system. More specifically, the invention relates to a
pencil ignition coil designed to be mounted to a spark plug without
damaging the pencil ignition coil or the spark plug.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The internal combustion engine can be categorized in several
ways. One such way to categorize the internal combustion engine is
whether the design requires a spark to combust the fuel within
cylinders of the internal combustion engine. Diesel engines do not
require a spark to be generated within the cylinders thereof.
Non-diesel consuming internal combustion engines do, however,
require a spark to ignite the fuel within the cylinders
thereof.
[0005] With regard to non-diesel internal combustion engines the
design thereof include the utilization of pencil ignition coils to
operate the spark plugs. Recent developments in internal combustion
engines include coils, sometimes called pencil coils, that are
designed to be mounted directly to the spark plug. In addition, the
pencil ignition coil is designed to primarily extend through the
spark plug bore of the internal combustion engine. In other words,
the pencil ignition coil is a long, thin pencil ignition coil
designed to utilize the wasted space of the spark plug bore of the
internal combustion engine.
[0006] Inherent in the design of a pencil ignition coil is the
requirement that the pencil ignition coil be positively mounted to
the engine and electrically connected with the terminal of the
spark plug. Once the spark plug has been screwed into the spark
plug bore, one way to positively mount to the engine and
electrically connect the pencil ignition coil to the spark plug is
to friction fit the pencil ignition coil over the terminal of the
spark plug. To ensure the pencil ignition coil does not disengage
the spark plug during the operation of the internal combustion
engine, the friction fit (or press fit) must be strong enough to
withstand operational forces that might jar the pencil ignition
coil from the spark plug. Creating the friction fit is problematic
because the impact force used to create the friction fit by forcing
the pencil ignition coil over the spark plug may cause damage to
the pencil ignition coil or the spark plug. If such damage occurs,
either the spark plug and/or the pencil ignition coil will have to
be replaced prematurely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A shock absorbing assembly reduces impact forces on a
terminal of a spark plug that is mounted within a bore of an
internal combustion engine when a pencil ignition coil is mounted
thereto. The shock absorbing assembly includes a plug cup that is
fixedly secured to the terminal end of the spark plug. A case cup
is movably mounted to the plug cup. The case cup includes a
resistor receptacle for receiving the pencil ignition coil therein.
The shock absorbing assembly also includes a cup spring that
extends between the plug cup and the case cup. The cup spring
absorbs the impact forces of mounting the pencil ignition coil to
the terminal of the spark plug.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of
the invention mounted in a spark plug bore of an internal
combustion engine;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic of a pencil ignition coil
and spark plug utilizing the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
the invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment
of the invention mounted to a terminal of the spark plug; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a side view of a pencil ignition
coil, generally indicated at 10, is shown mounted within an engine
head 12 of an internal combustion engine 13. The pencil ignition
coil 10 includes a cover 14 that extends out of the engine head 12
and provides for electrical connection to a voltage source 16 as
well as being operatively connected to ground 18, as is best seen
in FIG. 2.
[0016] The pencil ignition coil 10 also includes a ferromagnetic
core 20 that is surrounded by a primary winding 22 and a secondary
winding 24. The primary winding 22 is connected to the voltage
source 16 through a first terminal 25. The secondary winding 24 is
connected to ground on the low voltage side. A subsequent end 26 of
the primary winding 22 is connected through a second terminal 27 to
a switch 28 that switches between a low impedance 30 and a high
impedance 32. A subsequent end 34 of the secondary winding 24 is
operatively connected to a terminal 36 of a spark plug 38 through a
resistor 39. The spark plug 38 includes two terminals 40, 42 that
define a gap 43. When the switch 28 switches from the low impedance
30 to the high impedance 32, a current is generated in the
secondary winding 24 forcing current to pass between the two
terminals 40, 42, creating a spark in the gap 43 therebetween. This
spark ignites the fuel within a cylinder 44 of the internal
combustion engine 13.
[0017] Extending between the pencil ignition coil 10 and the spark
plug 38 is a shock absorbing assembly, generally indicated at 46.
The shock absorbing assembly 46 reduces the impact forces on the
terminal 36 of the spark plug 38. More specifically, the spark plug
38 is threaded within a spark plug bore 48 of the engine head 12.
The pencil ignition coil 10 must be mounted on the terminal 36 of
the spark plug 38. The forces generated to secure the pencil
ignition coil 10 to the terminal 36 are absorbed by the shock
absorbing assembly 46 disposed therebetween.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of one embodiment of the
shock absorbing assembly 46 is shown. The shock absorbing assembly
46 includes a plug cup 50 that is fixedly secured to the terminal
36 of the spark plug 38. The plug cup 50 includes a cylindrical
body 52 and a case receiving flange 54 extending thereout at one
end of the cylindrical body 52. More specifically, the case
receiving flange 54 extends outwardly perpendicular to a side wall
of the cylindrical body 52. The cylindrical body 52 includes an
angled distal end 56 to aid the plug cup 50 as it is being inserted
over the terminal 36. Depending on the design of the pencil
ignition coil 10, the engine head 12 and the spark plug 38, the
case receiving flange 54 may include a terminal boss 58 extending
down into the cylindrical body 52 to properly position the plug cup
50 with respect to the terminal 36.
[0019] The shock absorbing assembly 46 also includes a case cup 60.
The case cup 60 is movably mounted to the plug cup 50. The case cup
60 includes a resistor receptacle 62 that extends at a coil end 64
of the case cup 60. The resistor receptacle 62 receives the
resistor 39 therein. The case cup 60 includes a case cylinder 66
that extends between the pencil ignition coil 10 and the plug cup
50. The case cylinder 66 includes a locking lip 68 that extends
inwardly from the case cylinder 66. The locking lip 68 engages the
case receiving flange 54 and prevents the plug cup 50 from
disengaging the case cup 60. The locking lip 68 defines an aperture
70 through which the plug cup 50 extends.
[0020] The plug 50 and case 60 cups are manufactured from a drawing
operation. While these parts may be manufactured using a standard
screw machine operation, the drawing operation is a more efficient
way to manufacture the plug 50 and case 60 cups without
compromising performance.
[0021] The shock absorbing assembly 46 also includes a cup spring
72 that extends between the plug cup 50 and the case cup 60. It is
the cup spring 72 that absorbs the impact forces of the mounting of
the pencil ignition coil 10 onto the terminal 36 of the spark plug
38. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the cup spring 72 is a
compression coil spring that is fabricated from a ferromagnetic
material. It is important that the cup spring 72 be fabricated from
a material that conducts electricity so that the pencil ignition
coil 10 can make sufficient electrical contact with the spark plug
38 to generate the appropriate spark. As may be seen from FIG. 3,
the case cup 60 and the plug cup 50 are coaxial.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the case cup 60,
the cup spring 72 and the plug cup 50 are all coaxial with a case
74 that receives the pencil ignition coil 10 therein. Wile the case
74 is shown to have multiple sections having different diameters,
it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shape
of the case 74 may vary so long as it maintains the elements
therein coaxial. A terminal clip 76 is fitted around the
cylindrical body 52 of the plug cup 50 to secure the plug cup 50 to
the terminal 36. In one embodiment, the terminal clip 76 includes
detents 72 that extend into holes 79 or recesses in the plug cup
50. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
terminal clip 76 may be configured in other shapes. In particular,
the terminal clip 76 may be fabricated in a three-leaf combination
similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,071, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, wherein like prime numerals represent
elements similar to those found in the first embodiment, a shock
absorbing assembly 46' is shown secured to a terminal 36' of a
spark plug 38'. The plug cup 50' is designed to be received within
the case cup 60' and the cup spring 72'. The plug cup 50' includes
a terminal receiving cylinder 73 that extends into the case cup 60'
and the cup spring 72'. The case receiving flange 54' is designed
such that it includes an angled surface 78. The angled surface 78
engages the locking lip 68' of the case cup 60'. The case receiving
flange 54' is opposite a terminal abutting end 80 of the plug cup
50'. The shock absorbing assembly 46' is designed to allow the plug
cup 50' to extend within the case cup 60' at an angle that is not
coaxial with the case cup 60'. This allows the pencil ignition coil
10 to be mounted within the engine head 12 at an angle with respect
to the terminal 36 of the spark plug 38.
[0024] In a second alternative embodiment, wherein like double
primed reference characters represent elements similar to those
found in the preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing assembly 46"
includes a composite cup spring 72". The composite cup spring 72"
includes a primary spring element 82 and a secondary spring element
84. The primary spring element 82 is made of an elastomeric
material and is capable of absorbing impact forces when the pencil
ignition coil 10 is mounted to the terminal 36" of the spark plug
38". The secondary spring element 84 is a winding that provides
secondary shock absorbing characteristics of the composite cup
spring 72". More importantly, the secondary spring element 84
provides an electrical path maintaining the electrical connection
between the pencil ignition coil 10 and the spark plug 38". It may
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the secondary
spring element 84 may be replaced with another element that has
minimal spring characteristics so long as the path for the
electrical current between the pencil ignition coil 10 and the
spark plug 38" is maintained.
[0025] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used,
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation.
[0026] Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than as specifically described.
* * * * *