DE202016105735U1 - Device for opening and closing a tank flap - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for opening and closing a fuel filler flap (10), at least comprising a fuel filler flap (10) and a lever arrangement, wherein - the lever arrangement in each case two levers (16, 18) which are arranged laterally pivotable on the tank flap (10), - two levers (16, 18) form a four-bar linkage, and - the tank flap (10) has on the inside at least one closure (14) for a filler neck and / or a closure (14) for a power supply line.

Description

A device for opening and closing a fuel filler flap is described, wherein the device comprises a tank flap and a lever arrangement.

Various tank flap systems are known from the prior art. As a rule, tank flaps are actuated via a mechanism in the region of a driver's seat. Such a mechanism may, for example, include a cable. Upon actuation of a lever or other device, e.g. via a cable, the fuel cap unlocked and can then be opened by hand by pivoting.

There are also known tank flap systems, with an automatic opening can be done.

DE 199 19 251 A1 discloses a closure device for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle with a ball valve for closing the filler neck and a fuel cap coupled to the ball valve via a lever.

DE 299 13 204 U1 discloses an automatic closure device for fuel tanks, wherein a bayonet ring is provided, which must be rotated to release a filler neck. Subsequently, the closure for the filler neck can be moved together with a tank lid.

Conventional fuel filler flap open in the open state, however, far out. Here it can come by the comparatively long lever from tank flap and lever arm to large forces on tank module and vehicle side wall. Furthermore, the addition of a second filling tube (SCR or gas) or plug-in derivatives of the large charging socket, the tank module is considerably larger than conventional motor vehicles. Also with regard to the design of fuel filler flaps, the known designs are disadvantageous, especially if the fuel filler caps have larger dimensions.

Problems continue to exist in that the tank module geometries have become so large that it is very difficult to find suitable materials and geometries that withstand abuse requirements. In addition, there are difficulties in maintaining manufacturing tolerances due to the increased geometries.

It is therefore an object to provide a device for opening and closing tank flaps, which overcomes the problems of the prior art, provides an alternative solution to the known from the prior art tank flap systems and allows safe and easy opening and closing of fuel flaps.

The object is achieved by a device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims in detail.

• – weist die Hebelanordnung jeweils zwei Hebel auf, die seitlich an der Tankklappe verschwenkbar angeordnet sind,
• – bilden die zwei Hebel ein Viergelenk aus, und
• – weist die Tankklappe an der Innenseite mindestens einen Verschluss für einen Tankstutzen und/oder einen Verschluss für eine Energieversorgungsleitung auf.

In a device solving the above object, at least comprising a tank flap and a lever arrangement,

• The lever arrangement in each case has two levers, which are arranged on the tank flap in a pivotable manner laterally,
• - The two levers form a four-bar linkage, and
• - Has the fuel filler flap on the inside at least one closure for a filler neck and / or a closure for a power supply line.

The design of the device according to the above features allows a slight projection of the fuel filler flap over a vehicle side wall in the open position, whereby a possible lever is kept very low in abuse. Due to the parallel opening direction, it is also possible to realize a sealing of the tank flap directly in a joint. The fuel filler flap is arranged in the region of an opening of a vehicle wall, with a seal serving for different purposes. On the one hand, it prevents substances from entering the area behind the fuel filler flap in the closed position of the fuel filler flap and that substances can escape from the area behind the fuel filler flap.

Furthermore, the lever arm comes without cantilever pivot bearing, whereby a considerable space gain and a tool cost savings can be achieved.

Since the fuel filler flap also serves as a closure for the filler neck and / or as a closure for a power supply line, no separate closures are required. A loss of closures is thereby excluded, for example. In addition, with an opening movement, both opening of the fuel filler flap and opening of the filler neck or releasing a connection of a power supply line can be achieved. Likewise, when closing the fuel filler flap, the filler neck or the connection is automatically closed. The closure can be arranged or formed directly on the rear side or the inside of the tank flap facing the vehicle. The closure can be realized, for example, by a sealing ring.

At least one closure for a further energy supply line and / or a closure for a fluid line can be provided on the inside. In particular, vehicles with additional drive options or vehicles that can be operated both with conventional fuels (eg gasoline) and with other fuels (eg natural gas), therefore, have at least two fuel tanks and / or a fuel tank and an electrical energy storage. If the filler neck or the connections are arranged together behind a fuel filler flap, the fuel filler flap must also be dimensioned accordingly. Especially relatively large tank flaps charge in the open state correspondingly large, so that is prevented by the device described above, that the fuel filler flap protrudes far and no large lever is available in case of misuse.

The further energy supply line may have a gas filling nozzle and / or the further energy supply line may be an electrically conductive supply line. Furthermore, the fluid conduit may be a conduit for urea. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can be either purely electric, only with a fuel such as e.g. Petrol or diesel, or driven together by an electric drive and an internal combustion engine. Hybrid vehicles therefore have both a conventional filler neck and a charging socket on the vehicle. A fuel filler flap, which covers both the filler neck and the charging socket, is formed correspondingly large.

Furthermore, diesel can be supplied as fuel, wherein a filler neck or a first filling tube with a diesel tank and a further nozzle or a second filling tube are connected to a urea tank. In this embodiment, the second filling tube or the additional nozzle is an SCR filling tube (SCR - "Selective Catalytic Reduction"), by means of which filling with a urea solution is realized. The urea serves to reduce the nitrogen oxide of the exhaust gases.

At least one of the levers may be electrically pivotable. The levers are pivotally connected at one end to the fuel filler flap and pivotally connected at the other end to a vehicle part. The end of a lever can be pivoted electrically, whereby the electric control of the operator does not have to touch the fueling flap for opening and closing.

The device may additionally comprise at least one actuator and / or at least one electric motor for pivoting at least one lever. The end of at least one lever is directly or indirectly connected to the electric motor or the actuator. In further embodiments, a drive shaft or a drive journal may have a defined cross-section, which is accommodated in an end portion of the at least one lever, wherein the end portion has a corresponding cross-section. In still further embodiments, the actuator may, for example, engage a portion of the at least one lever which is spaced from the pivot axis of the lever.

The levers can be curved. As a result, the tank flap, for example, can substantially completely release a tank opening in a vehicle wall and be arranged relatively close to the vehicle wall in the open position, wherein the pivoting mechanism is of simple construction and the pivotable ends of the levers are mounted on a section of the tank opening. Further, it is possible to arrange the pivot axes of the two levers on each side of the vehicle relatively close to each other.

One of the levers on the sides of the fuel filler flap may be slidably mounted in a guide in further embodiments at its end facing away from the fuel filler flap. About the other lever pivoting takes place, said other lever is rotatably arranged. The lever with the displaceable end is pivotally connected to the fuel filler flap and can perform a compensating movement during pivoting through the sliding bearing. The displaceable end can be further connected to other means, for example, a manual movement and thus also allow pivoting, if, for example, an electric opening and closing of the fuel filler flap is not possible.

In further embodiments, the ends of the two levers facing away from the fuel filler flap are arranged pivotably on a housing wall, and at least one of the ends is connected to an opening device. The opening device may, for example, comprise at least one electric motor and / or at least one actuator, which may be designed in accordance with the embodiments described above.

In other embodiments, the device can have an emergency opening mechanism which can be triggered via a cable pull, a knob and / or lever. For example. the cable is connected at one end to a displaceably guided end of a lever or with a portion of a lever which is spaced from the pivot axis. The emergency opening mechanism ensures that opening is possible even if, for example, electrical components for opening and closing have failed. The emergency opening mechanism can continue be designed so that a closing of the fuel filler flap can be achieved.

The cable, the knob and / or the lever are connected in further embodiments with an actuator for pivoting the at least one lever.

The device may additionally comprise a spring device, via which the fuel filler flap can be pivoted. Either the fuel filler flap is manually pivotable and can be pivoted by a person after unlocking the four-joint lever assembly, or the fuel filler flap is, for example, electrically opened and closed, wherein the spring device is part of an emergency opening mechanism. About such an emergency opening mechanism also closing can be achieved. The spring device helps to open the fuel filler flap, wherein the fuel filler flap is locked in the closed state via, for example, a hook, which in turn can be moved via a key or a cable in its unlocked position.

The device described here is particularly suitable for vehicles which have at least two connecting pieces, filling tubes or sockets.

Further advantages, features and design options will become apparent from the following description of the figures of non-limiting embodiments to be understood.

In the drawings shows:

1 a perspective view of a housing and a fuel filler flap in the closed state;

2 a rear perspective view of the fuel filler flap and the housing of 1 ;

3 a perspective view of the fuel filler flap in a partially open state;

4 a perspective view of the lever assembly and the housing without tank flap in a partially open state;

5 a rear perspective view of the fuel filler flap, the lever assembly and a drive unit;

6 a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of 1 with a fuel filler flap in a closed position;

7 a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of 1 with a tank flap in a partially open position;

8th a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of 1 with a tank flap in a substantially half-open position;

9 a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of 1 with a fuel filler flap in an almost open position; and

10 a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of 1 with a fuel filler flap in an open position.

Parts indicated by like reference characters in the drawings substantially correspond to each other unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, it is omitted to show and describe components that are not essential to understanding the technical teaching disclosed herein.

1 shows a perspective view of a tank flap 10 in the closed state. The tank flap 10 is in a housing 12 taken, the housing 12 is arranged on a vehicle wall and surrounds an opening. The housing 12 is arranged on the inside of the vehicle wall and has an opening through which at least one filler neck or a socket is guided. On the case 12 are levers 16 and 18 a lever arrangement arranged pivotably, at its other end with the tank flap 10 are pivotally connected. The lever arrangement comprises a total of four levers 16 and 18 , each with a lever 16 and a lever 18 on opposite sides of the fuel filler flap 10 are arranged.

2 shows a rear perspective view of the fuel filler flap 10 and the housing 12 from 1 , The levers 16 and 18 on both sides of the fuel filler flap 12 have a curvature.

3 shows a perspective view of the fuel filler flap 10 in a partially open state. This will be one of the levers 16 pivoted. The other levers 16 and 18 serve only for stabilization and are not driven.

4 shows a perspective view of the lever assembly and the housing 12 without the fuel filler flap 10 in a partially open state. The front ends of the lever 16 and 18 that with the fuel filler flap 10 pivotally connected, have pins which in openings of two plates 22 (please refer 5 ) are included. The pins are pivotable in the openings of the plates 22 stored. The rear ends of the levers 16 and 18 have cones in openings of plates 21 are pivotally mounted. The plates 21 are on the case 12 arranged. One of the levers 16 points instead of a pin, only in the plates 21 is stored, a drive pin 24 on, the front section also in a plate 21 is pivotally mounted and has a rear portion which is in a drive unit 20 empties.

5 shows a rear perspective view of the fuel filler flap 10 , the lever arrangement and the drive unit 20 , The tank flap 10 has a closure on the inside 14 on. About the closure 14 be in the closed position of the fuel filler flap 10 a filler neck or socket sealed sealing. The tank flap 10 thus provides both a closure 14 for at least one filler neck or a socket and a closure analogous to a conventional tank lid ready.

The drive unit 20 has an electric motor with the drive pin 24 is coupled. The drive pin 24 has a front portion which is formed similar to the front portions of the other pins, via which the lever 16 and 18 are pivotally mounted. A rear section of the drive pin 24 (not shown in the figures) is within the housing of the drive unit 20 recorded and has a profile. For example. The rear section has a profile with a cross-shaped cross-section. A gear shaft has a portion with a gear and a portion in which the portion having the cross-shaped cross section of the rear portion of the drive pin 24 is included. This portion of the gear shaft has a corresponding opening, so that the rear, cross-shaped portion of the drive pin 24 is held against rotation. The gear portion of the gear shaft is engaged with a spindle connected to a drive shaft of the electric motor.

Will open the fuel filler flap 10 detected, the electric motor is put into operation and causes by rotation of the spindle rotation of the gear shaft. This transmits the rotary motion to the drive pin 24 , Will the drive pin 24 twisted, there is a twisting of the lever 16 and about the coupling of the fuel filler flap 10 with the levers 16 and 18 and their rotatable mounting a shift of the fuel filler flap 10 as in the 6 to 10 shown.

In other embodiments, a vehicle has at least one port (e.g., fuel filler neck), a fluid line, and / or a power outlet. For example, a filler neck can be designed for a conventional fuel such as gasoline or diesel and the other tank neck for natural gas. Furthermore, a second nozzle for filling a urea tank can be provided, wherein the urea for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is used in diesel vehicles.

The (tank) nozzles are connected via corresponding piping systems with tank systems. In further embodiments, a charging socket is provided instead of a second filler neck. In still further embodiments, two filler necks and / or two charging sockets may be provided, with three different charging / tank facilities from a common tank flap 10 can be covered.

On the inside of the fuel filler flap 10 are additional closures 14 arranged at a closed fuel filler flap 10 also close the filler neck or sockets tightly.

The in the 1 to 5 shown devices may be formed, for example, as a tank module for an electric vehicle. Electric tank modules from the prior art usually have in addition to a fuel filler flap, which closes the trough to the outside, nor one or two internal flaps that close the socket itself. The customer / operator must therefore first open the fuel filler flap, in order to additionally open the socket cover. In an opening mechanism according to the in the 1 to 5 this embodiment is not necessary, since only the fuel filler flap 10 must be opened and in this course the socket will release to the wet area.

6 shows a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of 1 with a fuel filler flap 10 in a closed position. The tank flap 10 lies on a circumferential edge of the housing 12 at. At the edge and / or at the fuel filler flap 10 can be arranged sealing elements. closures 14 are in the 6 to 10 Not shown.

7 shows a schematic sectional view of the tank flap 10 in a partially open position. About the drive unit 20 is the lever 16 with the drive pin 24 been pivoted. The other levers 16 and 18 support the movement and are automatically pivoted with. Due to the rotatable mounting of the pins of the lever 16 and 18 retains the fuel filler flap 10 their orientation and is not even pivoted.

8th shows a schematic sectional view of the tank flap 10 in a substantially half open position. The orientation of the fuel filler flap 10 has not changed.

9 shows a schematic sectional view of the tank flap 10 in a further open position. The orientation of the fuel filler flap 10 has been retained and the fuel filler flap 10 gives the opening, formed by the housing 12 , almost completely free.

10 shows a schematic sectional view of the tank flap 10 in an open position. The orientation of the fuel filler flap 10 has been retained and the fuel filler flap 10 does not block access to a filler neck and / or a charging socket. The tank flap 10 is located outside an opening formed by the housing 12 , and has little leverage in abuse.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 tank flap

12

 casing

14

 shutter

16

 lever

18

 lever

20

 drive unit

21

 plate

22

 plate

24

 drive journal

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19919251 A1 [0004]
• DE 29913204 U1 [0005]

Claims (11)

Device for opening and closing a fuel filler flap ( 10 ), at least comprising a fuel filler flap ( 10 ) and a lever arrangement, wherein - the lever arrangement in each case two levers ( 16 . 18 ), which laterally on the tank flap ( 10 ) are pivotally mounted, - the two levers ( 16 . 18 ) form a four-bar linkage, and - the fuel filler flap ( 10 ) on the inside at least one closure ( 14 ) for a filler neck and / or a closure ( 14 ) for a power supply line. Device according to claim 1, wherein on the inside of the tank flap ( 10 ) at least one closure ( 14 ) for a further power supply line and / or a closure ( 14 ) is provided for a fluid line. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The further energy supply line has a gas filling gas, - The further power supply line is an electrically conductive supply line, and / or - The fluid line is a line for urea. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the levers ( 16 ) is electrically pivotable. Device according to claim 4, comprising at least one actuator and / or at least one electric motor for pivoting at least one lever ( 16 ). Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the levers ( 16 . 18 ) are curved. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each one of the levers ( 16 ; 18 ) on the sides of the fuel filler flap ( 10 ) at its the fuel filler flap ( 10 ) facing away from the end is slidably mounted in a guide. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tank flap ( 10 ) opposite ends of both levers ( 16 . 18 ) are pivotally mounted on a housing wall and at least one of the ends is connected to an opening device. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an emergency opening mechanism which can be triggered via a cable, a knob and / or lever. Device according to claim 9, wherein the cable, the knob and / or the lever with an actuator for pivoting the at least one lever ( 16 ) are connected. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a spring device, via which the tank flap ( 10 ) is pivotable.

Images