CN220298294U

CN220298294U - Filler cap assembly for vehicle and vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN220298294U
Application number: CN202321418966.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·利梅雷斯吉安塞; A·德伊苏西加西亚; X·纳伯兰焦
Original assignee: Miles Cooper Co
Current assignee: Miles Cooper Co
Priority date: 2022-06-08
Filing date: 2023-06-06
Publication date: 2024-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-06
Also published as: ES1295839Y; DE202023001242U1; ES1295839U

Abstract

The utility model provides a filler cap assembly (1) for a vehicle and the vehicle. The filler cap assembly has a fixed body (3) and a pivotable cap (2) that can be opened and closed relative to the fixed body (3) by a crank mechanism (10). The crank mechanism (10) comprises a drive shaft (11) made of a first thermoplastic material by injection molding, a cam (12) made of a second thermoplastic material by injection molding, and a cover shaft (13) made of the same material as the first thermoplastic material or of a third thermoplastic material by injection molding. The cam (12) is hingedly connected to the drive shaft (11) and the cover shaft (13). The second thermoplastic is chemically incompatible with the first and third thermoplastics. The crank mechanism provides a sufficient locking of the cover (2) and ensures an external tightness and visual flushing between the cover (2) and the body of the vehicle.

Description

Filler cap assembly for vehicle and vehicle

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to a filler cap assembly for a vehicle having motorized opening and closing and provided with a crank drive.

Background

In the prior art, different configurations of filler cap assemblies for vehicles are known that allow access to the filler tube or to the plug in a hybrid or electric vehicle. These filler cap assemblies are typically provided with a fixed portion attached to the vehicle body and a movable cap that can be opened and closed relative to the fixed portion to reveal or conceal the inlet for the fuel. The assembly generally comprises a tank or body with an integrated filler inlet, a movable cover provided with a trim panel providing continuity with the vehicle body, and optionally a pivotable hinge pivotable relative to the vehicle body about a rotation axis for opening and closing the assembly. The hinge is typically integrated with additional structural functions, including an integrated latch to lock the lid to ensure its closure. Once the cover is unlocked, a drive system, such as a motorized mechanism, makes it possible to open the cover.

The filler cap assembly performs a first aesthetic function that conceals the loading area and enhances the aesthetic appearance of that area of the vehicle. While aesthetic, the assembly also performs other functions, including maintaining tightness between the loading area and the vehicle body, so as to prevent or minimize undesired transfer of external factors (dust, rain, ice, etc.) between different areas of the vehicle. The incorporation of a sealing gasket is a common way of ensuring tightness of the interior (with respect to the invisible portion of the vehicle body) and the exterior (with respect to the visible portion of the vehicle body). These gaskets are typically made of an elastomeric material. If an external sealing gasket is used, it is typically molded onto the lid, hinge or body of the vehicle, the resilient nature of which may make it difficult to properly close the filler cap, so that a high torque must be applied at the end of the lid closing operation. Thus, insufficient closure of the cover may prevent interlocking of the lock due to the force exerted by the gasket through its resilient nature. In particular, in motorized solutions, the disconnection of the motor may hinder the sealing and locking of the cover, since the necessary closing torque is no longer provided.

The utility model ES1288207 relates to the above problems. The utility model proposes a solution based on the use of an elliptic gear which provides variable torque and speed during the opening and closing operations of the lid. The disclosed transmission can be designed such that a sufficiently high torque is ensured at the end of the closing operation. In this way, proper closure of the cover, proper functioning of the locking element and retention of tightness can be ensured.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the utility model to provide another solution than the aforementioned elliptic gear based solution. The proposed solution should constitute an alternative to the use of locking bolts, providing adequate locking and ensuring that an external seal with the visible part of the vehicle body is maintained. In addition, the present utility model should provide a simple solution that simplifies the assembly of some of the components of the filler cap assembly.

It is an object of the present utility model to provide a filler cap assembly for a vehicle comprising a stationary body and a cap pivotable about a rotation axis, said cap being openable and closable relative to said stationary body. The filler cap assembly of the utility model is characterized in that the assembly comprises an actuating element, such as a motor, which is capable of causing the opening and closing of the cap by acting on the rotation axis of the cap via a crank drive. The crank mechanism comprises three distinct parts. The first portion is a drive shaft made by injection molding of a first thermoplastic material. The second part of the transmission is a cam (cam-like member) made by injection moulding of a second thermoplastic material. The third part is a cover shaft made by injection molding of the first thermoplastic or by injection molding of the third thermoplastic. The cam is hingedly connected to the drive shaft and the cover shaft, the second thermoplastic used to make the component being chemically incompatible with the thermoplastic used to make the other two components, namely the drive shaft and the cover shaft. Chemically incompatible is understood to mean that no molecular bonds are established between the chemically incompatible thermoplastics during injection molding. The crank mechanism is configured to make a transition (transition) from a first state in which the cover is open, via an intermediate state in which the cover is closed but unlocked, to a final state in which the cover is closed and locked. The transitions between the three states of the transmission will be described in more detail in the detailed description of the examples or embodiments of the utility model.

The crank mechanism of the present utility model allows for the transmission of rotation of the actuating member to the cap shaft, thereby allowing the filler cap assembly to be rotated from an open position to a closed position (unlocked). In addition, the crank mechanism can perform additional movements to achieve adequate locking of the cover, ensure that the external tightness with the visible portion of the vehicle body is maintained, and also ensure the proper relative position between the cover and the vehicle body so that there is visual continuity or flush between the two portions. The crank mechanism in the present utility model not only provides the advantages described above with respect to tightness and flushness, but also makes it possible to dispense with the implementation of a locking latch.

In addition to allowing the above-described operations, the crank drive of the present utility model provides a constructively simple solution, since it is a mechanism that cannot be disassembled and does not require additional assembly operations, thanks to the chemical incompatibility of the thermoplastic materials used, achieving the mobility sought.

Details concerning the operation of the embodiments, materials used, and manufacturing processes are included in the following detailed description.

The oil filler cap assembly of the present utility model preferably includes a hinge that forms a differential (differential) structural member that connects the cap to the body. However, the present utility model is compatible with hinged or non-hinged lids and is generally compatible with any lid-hinge configuration, regardless of the degree of structural variability of the hinge relative to the filler cap assembly. As used herein, the term lid may refer to any lid-hinge configuration.

Drawings

Details of the utility model can be seen from the drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a filler cap assembly for a vehicle with the cap of the assembly in an open position in accordance with the present utility model;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the fuel cap assembly of FIG. 1 with the cap in the closed and unlocked positions;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the fuel cap assembly of FIG. 1 with the cap in a closed and locked position;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a characteristic crank drive of the utility model, which is incorporated in the embodiment of fig. 1 to 3; and

fig. 5 shows the transition between the three states of the transmission.

Detailed Description

The present utility model relates to a filler cap assembly for a vehicle for covering a loading area for refueling the vehicle and sufficiently ensuring locking and sealing of the cap. Fig. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate specific embodiments of the filler cap assembly of the present utility model showing the cap in an open position, the cap in a closed position (unlocked) and the cap in a closed position (locked), respectively. As shown, the filler cap assembly 1 includes a fixed portion forming a main body 3 and a pivotable cover 2 integrated with an aesthetic panel conforming to the body of the vehicle, as in other conventional solutions. The pivotable cover 2 is rotatable about a rotation axis 13a with respect to the stationary body 3. The assembly 1 may optionally comprise a differential hinge 4 as in the case of the illustrated embodiment. The hinge 4 is integrated with the decorative outer panel of the cover 2. According to other possible alternative embodiments to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cover 2 and the body 3 may have other geometries and comprise additional components.

The opening and closing of the cover 2 is performed by an actuating element, for example an electric motor (not shown in the figures). The actuation element causes a movement of the cover 2 with respect to the fixed body 3, which acts on the rotation axis 13a of the cover 2 through the crank mechanism 10. Fig. 4 shows in more detail such a characteristic crank drive of the utility model, which is incorporated in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3. As shown, the crank mechanism 10 includes three distinct parts: a first part or drive shaft 11, a second part or cam 12 hingedly connected to the first part, and a third part or cover shaft 13 hingedly connected to the second part. The drive shaft 11 is made of a first thermoplastic, the cam 12 is made of a second thermoplastic, and the cover shaft 13 may be made of a third thermoplastic or of the same material as the first thermoplastic used to make the drive shaft 11. The mechanism formed by the three parts described above (drive shaft 11, cam 12 and cover shaft 13) is manufactured by injection moulding, the second thermoplastic being chemically incompatible with the first thermoplastic and with the third thermoplastic in case this is used.

The transmission mechanism in the present utility model allows the rotation of the actuating element to be transmitted to the cover 2 of the assembly 1, providing a constructively simple solution without additional assembly operations due to the chemical incompatibility of the thermoplastic materials used in the moulding process. As shown in fig. 4, the first component, called the drive shaft 11, is a crank, which includes a rotary shaft 11a coupled to an actuating element and a lever 11b hinged to a first end of the cam 12. The third component, called cover shaft 13, also comprises a rotation shaft 13a, which constitutes the rotation shaft of cover 2, and a lever 13b, which is hingedly connected to the second end of cam 12.

The crank mechanism 10 may take three states: a first state in which the cover 2 is in an open position (fig. 1); a second state in which the cover 2 is in the closed position but not locked (fig. 2); and a third state in which the cover 2 is still closed but locked (fig. 3). During the transition of the crank mechanism 10 between the second and third states, the cover 2 does not move. The crank mechanism 10 is configured to provide a transition of the filler cap assembly 1 from an open position of the cap 2 (fig. 1) to a closed position of the cap 2 (fig. 2). In addition, the crank mechanism 10 allows to transmit an additional movement to perform the locking of the lid 2 until a final locked state (fig. 3) is reached, in which the lid 2 continues to be closed. The transition of the crank mechanism 10 is shown superimposed in fig. 5. Starting from the open position of the cover 2 shown in fig. 1, the actuation element rotates the rotation shaft 11 a. The cam 12 is hingedly connected to the drive shaft 11 at a first movable pivot point 14 and to the cover shaft 13 at a second movable pivot point 15. Rotation of the drive shaft 11 causes movement of the cam 12 such that the pivot points 14, 15 follow a path indicated in broken lines in fig. 5, thereby rotating the levers 11b, 13b until the lid 2 reaches the closed position (fig. 2). Starting from the closed position of the cover 2, the crank mechanism 10 performs an additional movement until it reaches the locked state of fig. 3, during which the cover 2 is not moved. This additional movement ensures a locking of the cover 2 during the final part of the path of the transmission system, as well as a sufficient sealing and proper flushing between the cover 2 and the vehicle body when the filler cap assembly 1 is attached to the vehicle. In other words, the crank mechanism 10 is configured to provide a sufficient mechanical lock to maintain the tightness and leveling.

In embodiments in which a resilient joint, such as an elastic joint overmolded onto the hinge 4 (the joint not being shown in the figures), is provided between the body 3 and the lid 2, the resilient nature of the joint may tend to cause an undesired rearward movement of the lid 2 in a direction opposite to the closing direction. The crank mechanism 10 of the present utility model is configured to provide sufficient mechanical locking to counteract the recoil force caused by the resilient joint. In other embodiments, the sealing joint may be located on the cover 2 or the body 3 of the assembly 1.

The transmission mechanism employed in the present utility model is manufactured by injection molding. First, the thermoplastic of the cam 12 is injection molded, followed by the thermoplastic for molding the drive shaft 11 and the cover shaft 13, which thermoplastic is chemically incompatible with the thermoplastic for molding the cam 12, to allow relative mobility between the three parts 11, 12, 13 of the crank mechanism 10.

Alternatively, as in the embodiment of the figures, the drive shaft 11 and the cover shaft 13 are made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide, and the thermoplastic used to make the cam 12 is POM (polyoxymethylene or polyacetal). Other embodiments are contemplated in which the choice of thermoplastic is different, so long as the thermoplastic used to make the cam 12 by injection molding is chemically incompatible with the thermoplastic chosen for the drive shaft 11 and the cover shaft 13.

The configuration of the filler cap assembly 1 may vary from one propulsion system of the vehicle (fossil fuel, electric, hybrid, other.) and this does not constitute a limitation on the applicability of the utility model.

The actuating element may be an electric motor or other type of motor.

Claims

1. A filler cap assembly (1) for a vehicle, the filler cap assembly (1) comprising a fixed body (3) and a cover (2) pivotable about a rotation axis (13 a), the cover (2) being openable and closable relative to the fixed body (3), characterized in that the filler cap assembly (1) comprises:

an actuating element capable of causing the opening and closing of the cover (2) by acting on the rotation axis (13 a) of the cover (2) via a crank mechanism (10), the crank mechanism (10) comprising:

a drive shaft (11) made of a first thermoplastic material by injection moulding,

a cam (12) made of a second thermoplastic material by injection moulding, the cam (12) being hingedly connected to the drive shaft (11) and also hingedly connected to the cover shaft (13), wherein,

the cover shaft (13) is produced from a first thermoplastic material or a third thermoplastic material by injection molding, and wherein,

the second thermoplastic material is chemically incompatible with the first thermoplastic material and is chemically incompatible with the third thermoplastic material, and

the crank mechanism (10) is configured to produce a transition from a state in which the cover (2) is open to a final state in which the cover (2) is closed and locked, through an intermediate state in which the cover (2) is closed and unlocked.

2. Filler cap assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second thermoplastic material is polyoxymethylene.

3. Filler cap assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and third thermoplastic materials are glass fiber reinforced polyamide.

4. Filler cap assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation element is a motor coupled with the drive shaft (11).

5. The filler cap assembly (1) of claim 4, further comprising a resilient joint between the main body (3) and the cap (2), the resilient joint tending to cause rearward movement of the cap (2) in a direction opposite to the closing direction of the cap (2), wherein the crank mechanism (10) is configured to provide a mechanical lock sufficient to counteract a recoil force caused by the resilient joint.

6. The filler cap assembly (1) of claim 4 or 5, wherein the crank mechanism (10) is configured to provide a mechanical lock sufficient to maintain a flush between the cap (2) and a panel of a vehicle body.

7. The filler cap assembly (1) of any of claims 1, 4, 5, wherein the second thermoplastic material is polyoxymethylene and the first and third thermoplastic materials are glass fiber reinforced polyamides.

8. Filler cap assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive shaft (11) comprises a further rotation shaft (11 a) coupled with the actuation element and a lever (11 b) hingedly connected to a first end of the cam (12), and in that the cap shaft (13) comprises the rotation shaft (13 a) of the cap (2) and a lever (13 b) hingedly connected to a second end of the cam (12).

9. Filler cap assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotation axis (13 a) constitutes the rotation axis of a hinge (4) connected to the cap (2) and the body (3).

10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a filler cap assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.