WO2016142521A2

WO2016142521A2 - Adjustment device comprising a sealing flap adjustable by an external force

Info

Publication number: WO2016142521A2
Application number: PCT/EP2016/055304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Kahl; Markus Bauernfeind; Maik Rienecker
Original assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kg, Coburg
Priority date: 2015-03-12
Filing date: 2016-03-11
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Also published as: WO2016142521A3; DE102015214784A1; DE102016202214A1; WO2016142520A1; DE102015214781A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustment device (V) comprising at least one sealing flap (K) for at least partially sealing a seal opening (BO) on a vehicle, via which opening a connecting element (A) for connecting a cable and/or a fill opening for replenishing a liquid, in particular a fuel, is accessible when the sealing flap (K) is open, and comprising a drive (3) for adjusting the sealing flap (K) by an external force. According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment device is provided with a compound lever (2) which is coupled to the drive (3), comprises at least two pivot levers (2a - 2d) that can be pivoted about different pivot axes (S1, S2) and via which an adjustment force is transmitted in order to adjust the sealing flap (K) by an external force. The two pivot levers (2a, 2b) are rigidly interconnected by means of a connecting piece (201), thus defining a U-shaped adjustment bracket (21) of the compound lever (2).

Description

Adjustment device with a

power-operated adjustable flap

description

The present invention relates to an adjusting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such an adjustment device has at least one closure flap for at least partially closing a closure opening on a vehicle, via which a connection element for connecting a line and / or a filling opening for refilling a liquid, in particular a fuel, is accessible when the closure flap is open. The closure flap is thus, for example, a tank flap or flap on the vehicle, via which a filling opening for replenishing mop water or oil is accessible. Likewise, the closure flap may be a cover flap over which a connection socket for a charging cable is protectively covered in an electric vehicle. Usually, the cover is used to cover a cavity or cavity on the vehicle body, within which e.g. a tank opening or a connection socket is present.

In the course of increasing automation and to increase the comfort of such closure flaps are on a vehicle today via a regular electric motor drive power-operated adjustable. Previously known from practice Versteilvorrichtungen with such flaps regularly have a relatively complex and / or bulky adjustment mechanism, which take up much space within the trough / cavity or adjacent thereto and are cumbersome to use, such as from DE 44 38 610 A1 or US 201 1/0140477 A1 known adjusting devices.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a closure device with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the closure flap, which is improved in this regard and requires less space or at least allows an improved space utilization and / or easier to use.

This object is achieved with an adjusting device of claim 1 or claim 16. According to a first aspect of the invention, the adjusting device comprises a lever mechanism coupled to the drive with at least two pivoting about different pivot axes pivoting levers, via the lever mechanism an adjusting force for externally powered adjustment of the flap is transferable and the two pivot levers are rigidly connected to each other via a connector and define such a U-shaped adjustment of the lever mechanism.

A first pivot lever of the U-shaped adjustment bracket is preferably pivotable about its pivot axis about a drive shaft driven by the drive to adjust the closure flap, and another, third, the stabilization serving pivot lever is about its - preferably parallel to the other pivot axis - pivot axis pivoted by the adjustment of the flap.

The at least one first pivot lever is thus driven by the drive, while the at least one third pivot lever is merely tracked by its connection with the closure flap and in combination with the at least one first pivot lever and the adjusting bracket sets the adjustment path for the closure flap during opening and closing. Thus, the two different first and second pivot levers of the adjustment and the additional third pivot lever are connected at different locations with the flap and preferably hinged thereto respectively, so that the flap remains aligned parallel to the pivot axes when it is opened or closed. The flap is thus through the lever mechanism with its at least three pivotable about different pivot axis pivoting levers not simply pivoted on, but is driven via the lever mechanism to an adjustment, in which the shutter when opening along a first spatial direction and a transverse to the first spatial direction second spatial direction remains consistent. In this way, the closure flap is lifted off, for example, when opening via the lever mechanism, first of all by a support edge at least partially surrounding the connection element and / or the filling opening, and then pivoted laterally away in order to make the connection element and / or the filling opening accessible from the outside. Such adjustability of the closure flap on the lever mechanism can be optimized in particular by the pivot axes of the pivot lever relative to the closure opening eccentrically, so offset to a centrally extending longitudinal or transverse axis.

The aforementioned adjusting movement is also supported alternatively or additionally by a design of one or more of the pivot lever as an angle lever. In this case, an angle lever is understood to mean a lever which has two legs which run at an angle of 180 ° (that is, not equal to 180 °), preferably in the range of 45 ° to 135 ° to one another. Preferably, such an angle lever at the end of one of its two legs is pivotally mounted about the respective pivot axis.

By means of the lever mechanism, the closure flap can be operated by external force in a reliable and space-saving manner in a state of the adjustment device installed as intended on a vehicle

- Be opened based on a vehicle vertical axis substantially up or down or

- Are open relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis substantially forward or backward.

Here, as already explained, it is preferable for the closure flap to be given an adjustment path via the lever mechanism, in which the spatial orientation of the closure flap with respect to the vertical axis of the vehicle and / or the vehicle longitudinal axis does not change. The flap is thus coupled to the lever mechanism so that the flap is not tilted or twisted during a foreign power-operated adjustment. In one embodiment, all or at least one of the pivot lever is connected to a lever end respectively with the closure flap, z. B. via a clip connection. To transmit an adjusting the pivot lever, the drive may have a gear transmission. Here, for example, meshes with a first gear wheel element, which is driven by a drive motor of the drive, with a second gear member which is rotatably connected to at least one pivot lever. One of the gear elements is in a variant z. B. formed as a worm wheel.

In one embodiment, the driven second gear element is rotatably connected to a drive shaft to which at least one of the pivot lever is fixed in order to transmit a drive torque to this pivot lever.

In an alternative embodiment, the driven second gear element, for example via one or more bearing pins, rotatably held on a bearing part, with which a pivot lever or a plurality of pivot levers are connected. The adjusting bar with the two pivoting levers is in this case for example formed integrally with the bearing part. In order to accommodate the adjustment bow as compact as possible in the closed state of the closure flap, the pivot lever preferably extend at an angle to the bearing part with the driven second gear element. The driven second gear element may in this case also be formed on the bearing part, in that the bearing part forms an external toothing with which the first gear element drivable by a drive motor of the drive meshes. If, in contrast, the second gear element is designed as a separate component and connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the bearing part, the bearing part and the second gear element can be manufactured more easily from different materials. For example, the bearing part with the adjusting yoke formed thereon, which comprises the two pivot levers, can be made of a plastic in order to save weight, while the second gear element can be made of a metallic material. In one embodiment variant, the adjusting bar can be driven by a drive motor of the drive in order to adjust the closing flap. In addition, as already explained above, several or preferably only a single further (third) pivoting lever is provided, via which or the closure flap is held in an adjusting movement in a constant orientation with respect to the pivot axes of the lever mechanism. In one embodiment variant, the adjusting bar and a single further pivoting lever are arranged and mounted in such a way that, when the closing flap is closed, the pivoted-in adjusting bar also engages its lever ends adjacent to the connection element and / or the filling opening, while the lever end of the single further pivot lever is present above or below the connection element and / or the filling opening. In particular, in such an embodiment, it can be provided that the individual pivoting lever is guided through a passage opening on a covering part, which is opposite the closed closing flap and covers at least parts of electronics and the drive of the adjusting device, so that the mounting of the individual, preferably not itself driven, but tracked pivot lever hidden by the cowling and thus from the outside (even with the flap open) is not visible.

In one embodiment, four pivot levers are provided, which are pivotally mounted in pairs about a pivot axis on a housing-like support structure of the closure device, relative to which the closure flap is adjustable. On or in this support structure and the drive can be arranged.

In one embodiment, at least two spaces are defined by the support structure, which are separated by a partition wall of the support structure, wherein in one space the drive is arranged and in the other space, the connection element and / or the filling opening is arranged.

In one embodiment variant, a receptacle is formed in a compartment separated by means of the partition, in which a pivot lever or a plurality of pivot levers are completely accommodated when the closure flap is closed. For example, in such a receptacle, the adjusting yoke of the adjusting device is completely accommodated when the closing flap is closed. In this case, in one exemplary embodiment, the adjusting bar can also extend around a housing part in which, for example, parts of the electronics of the adjusting device are accommodated protected from environmental influences. In one exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the closure flap can be tilted so far in the opening location that a hollow or cavity on the body of the vehicle, in which the connection element and / or the filling opening are located, is prevented from rain and / or dirt is protected. To control the force-actuated adjustment of the closure flap, it is provided in a variant embodiment that it has an operating element in a viewing area released by the closure flap in the opened state, via which a User can trigger a closing of the flap. The operating element is equipped, for example, with a sensor element, via which a finger or hand movement of the user can be detected, which can be evaluated as an operating event for closing or opening the closure flap. For this purpose, the sensor element is, for example, part of a capacitive detection device, via which a control event for adjusting, in particular for closing the closure flap, can be detected without contact.

In the field of view of the closure device may also be provided at least one display element to a user visually an operating state of the adjusting device, in particular a current position of the closure flap, a level of a fuel tank or a battery of the vehicle and / or an indication of the finger or hand movement to be performed to adjust the flap. Such a display element preferably comprises one or more LEDs.

The aforementioned aspects of a display element for the combined display of different information are obviously independent of the use of an adjustment mechanism with a lever mechanism.

Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the invention, by means of which, above all, the ease of use of an adjusting device can be increased with a power-operated adjustable closing flap, it is proposed that

to provide at least one sensor element for controlling the power-operated adjustment of the closure flap, via which a finger or hand movement of a

User can be detected, which can be evaluated as a control event for adjusting the flap, and

Provide at least one display element over which the user is visually displayed both an operating state of the adjusting device and / or a level of a fuel tank or a battery of the vehicle as well as an indication of the finger or hand movement to be performed for adjusting the flap.

As already explained, the sensor element may be part of a capacitive detection device, via which a control event for adjusting, in particular for opening and / or closing the closure flap, can be detected without contact. By means of the at least one display element, which comprises, for example, an LED light bar, a user is thus for example shown the current position of the closure flap and a fill level of a fuel tank or a battery of the vehicle. For example, the LEDs can light up in different colors or light intensities depending on the respective fill level. In addition, the same LEDs are controllable such that they individually or in pairs or groups alternately illuminate a particular sequence in order to indicate to a user a direction of movement for the finger or hand movement to be performed so that it can be recognized as a permissible operating event.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

Hereby show:

Figures 1A to 1 E an embodiment of an adjusting device, in which a

Closing flap relative to a vehicle vertical axis can be opened substantially up or down, in different views and positions of the closure flap;

Figures 2A to 2D, the adjusting device of Figures 1A to 1 B in side view with the flap in different positions. Figures 3A to 3C a detail of the adjusting device with opened

Closing flap when installed;

4A to 4C, a second embodiment of an adjustment device, in which the closure flap can be opened with respect to a vehicle longitudinal axis substantially to the front or rear, in different views;

Figures 5A to 5H, the adjusting device of Figures 4A to 4C in perspective

View with the shutter in different positions between a fully closed and a fully open state; Figures 6A to 7B, a first embodiment of an inventive

Adjustment device with a laterally adjustable flap in different views without showing the flap;

Figures 8A and 8B, the adjusting device of Figures 6A to 7B with the

Closing flap in closed and opened state;

Figures 9A to 9C, the adjusting device of Figures 6A to 8B in different

Page views;

Figures 10A to 10D an adjusting device according to the invention with a

Indicator that visualizes a user on the one hand on the operating condition and / or level of a fuel tank or a battery and on the other hand via a

Gesture for opening the shutter informs.

Figures 1A to 1E, 2A to 2D and 3A to 3C show an embodiment of an adjustment device V. This adjustment device V has a provided for installation in a bodywork component of a vehicle support frame T as a support structure. This support frame T surrounds a closure opening BO which can be closed by a closure flap K adjustably mounted on the support frame T. A connection region AB enclosed by the support frame T is accessible via the closure opening BO when the closure flap K is open. At this connection area AB a connection socket A is provided as a connection element for connecting a line. The connection socket A serves, for example, to connect a charging cable. Thus, for example, the battery of an electric vehicle can be rechargeable via the connection socket A. In the present case, the closing flap K is adjustable in power-operated manner by means of a drive 3. An adjusting movement of the closing flap K for opening and closing is controlled by a motor 31 of the drive 3. The motor 31 in this case drives a lever mechanism 2 via a gear transmission, which transmits an adjusting movement to the closing flap K. The gear transmission is formed by a first gear element driven by the motor 31 in the form of a drive pinion 33 and a second gear element meshing therewith in the form of a gear segment 201. The gear segment 201 is in this case connected to a drive shaft 20 which defines a first pivot axis S1 of the lever mechanism 2.

On the drive shaft 20, a first pair of pivoting levers 2a and 2b rotatably disposed. These pivot levers 2a and 2b are formed as an angle lever. Two legs of the respective angle lever 2a or 2b run here at an angle of approximately 90 ° to each other. In this case, a respective lever end of a leg is fixed to the drive shaft 20, while the lever end of the other leg is hinged to the closure flap K in the region of a lever attachment 1 a or 1 b.

In addition to the two pivoting levers 2a and 2b of the lever mechanism 2 that can be driven via the drive shaft 20, the lever mechanism 2 has a second pair of pivoting levers 2c and 2d. These pivoting levers 2c and 2d are also each formed as an angle lever. However, the two further pivot levers 2c and 2b are pivotably mounted on the support frame T about a second pivot axis S2 extending parallel to the first pivot axis S1 of the pivot levers 2a and 2b. The other two pivoting levers 2c and 2d are not driven by the motor 31 to rotate about its pivot axis S2. Rather, these pivoting levers 2c and 2d are pivoted by the adjustment of the closure flap K.

Thus, the lever ends of the further pivoting levers 2c and 2d are fixed to the closure flap K at further lever mountings 1c and 1d so that the further pivoting levers 2c and 2d are entrained and pivoted about their pivot axis S2 during an adjustment of the closure flap K by the pivoting levers 2a and 2b become. The additional, entrained pivot lever 2c and 2d serve to stabilize the position of the shutter K and the specification of a specific orientation of the flap K in particular during the adjustment. About the lever mechanism 2 with its four each formed as an angle lever pivoting levers 2a to 2d the shutter K is thus mounted relative to the support frame T and for this purpose at four spatially offset points at the lever ends of the pivot lever 2a to 2d articulates. Thus, the shutter K is prevented from tilting about one of the pivot axis S1 or S2. Rather, it is ensured via the four pivoting levers 2a to 2b that the closure flap K remains aligned parallel to the pivot axis S1 and S2 during the entire adjusting movement between an open position and a closed position and also remains aligned parallel to a spatial direction extending transversely thereto. The two pairs of pivoting levers 2a-2b and 2c-2d, around the two mutually parallel and spaced pivot axis S1 and S2 are pivotable, are thus synchronous to each other, but not parallel to each other adjustable.

At the lever mounts 1 a to 1 d, in which the free ends of the lever levers 2 a to 2 b are hinged to the closure flap K, a clip connection is preferably provided in each case. For example, each lever end of a rocker arm 2a to 2d may be clipped on an inner side of the closing flap K, in order to allow rapid assembly of the closing device V. In the present case, the two pivot axes S1 and S2 run essentially parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis in the installed state of the adjustment device V, so that the closure flap K can be opened upwardly, relative to a vehicle vertical axis, in order to make the connection socket A accessible. The drive shaft 20 extends over almost the entire length of the support frame T, wherein the pivot lever 2a and 2b are connected in the region of the ends of the drive shaft 20 with this. The pivot axes S1 and S2 of the pivot levers 2a to 2d of the lever mechanism 2 are both arranged eccentrically, in this case in relation to the vehicle vertical axis upper (or - when installing the support frame rotated by 180 ° - lower) third of the support frame T and the enclosed by him Closure opening BO. About this eccentric pivotal mounting of the pivot lever 2a to 2d and their design as an angle lever is on the one hand achieved that the shutter K is lifted when opening initially, especially along a first spatial direction of the support frame T and in particular the connection socket A, before then substantially along a thereto vertically extending second spatial direction, the flap K is swung up (or down). On the other hand, a sufficiently large adjusting force can be applied to the closure flap K via the lever mechanism 2 in order to pull it in a sealing manner against the supporting frame T and optionally the connecting bushing A. In order to sealingly close the closure opening BO and, if appropriate, the connection socket A via the closure flap K, a seal, for example a seal, for example on the underside of the support frame T, the connection socket A and / or on an underside of the closure flap K facing these components. in the form of a circumferential sealing lip or a sealing pad, be provided.

As is illustrated in particular with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1 E, the support frame T has a partition wall ST, which separates two spaces within the support frame T transversely to the extension direction of the pivot axis S1 and S2. In a first room here is the connection area AB with the connection socket A. arranged. In the separated second space of the drive 3 is completely housed with the drive motor 31 and the gear transmission.

While in FIGS. 2A to 2D the sequence of movements in closing the closure flap K is illustrated in detail in a side view, FIGS. 3A to 3C show the closure device V in an installed state in which the carrier frame T is mounted to a body part B shown here in detail is.

With the figures 4A to 4C and 5A to 5H, a further embodiment of an adjusting device V is illustrated. Here, matching components are identified by identical reference numerals.

Here too, a lever mechanism 2 is provided with four pivoting levers 2a to 2d, each designed as an angle lever, in order to force-adjust a closure flap K. In contrast to the variant of FIGS. 1A to 3C, here the pivot axes S1 and S2 of the two pairs of pivot lever 2a to 2b and 2c to 2d are arranged running transversely to a longitudinal direction of the rectangular support frame T. The parallel pivot axes S1 and S2 thus run here in the intended built-in state of the adjustment device V on a vehicle substantially parallel to a vehicle vertical axis. About the lever mechanism 2 with the pivoting levers 2a and 2b and their drive shaft 20 is the closure flap K relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis then substantially backwards (or - when rotated by 180 ° installation - forward) to open. Again, the individual pivoting levers 2a to 2d of a pair of pivoting levers 2a to 2b and 2c to 2d respectively disposed in the immediate vicinity of an inner wall of the support frame T, so that the pivot lever 2a to 2d in a swung-in state in which the shutter K is completely closed , In a near-edge region of the closure opening BO are ordered to and claim as possible no space in the center of the closure opening BO.

In the embodiment variant according to the invention of FIGS. 6A to 6B, 7A to 7D, 8A to 8B and 9A to 9C, the closure device V again has a closure flap K which can be adjusted substantially laterally to the rear (or front) to make a connection socket A available. The support frame T summarizes here again a closure opening BO, over which the shutter A is open for the insertion of a charging cable connector with the shutter open. The support frame T can be fixed to a body part via a fastening part BF. The support frame T is also divided here again by a partition ST in two rooms. A first room has inter alia the connection socket A. The other space forms a receptacle L in which, inter alia, parts of the lever mechanism 2 are accommodated when the closure flap K is closed. Thus, in particular, an adjustment bracket 21 is accommodated in the receptacle L. This adjusting bracket is formed by two pivoting levers 2a and 2b, which are connected by a connecting piece 210 rigidly with each other at their projecting (upper) end of the lever. The thus U-shaped adjusting bracket 21 is positively held on the connecting piece 210 on an inner side of the closure flap K and hingedly connected to the closure flap K.

Between the other two, on the support frame T hinged (lower) ends of the pivoting levers 2a and 2b of the adjusting bracket 21, a bearing part 22 is further formed. This gear preferably made of plastic bearing member 22 serves to support a gear 201 'as a second gear member of a gear transmission of the drive 3. This gear 201' is in this case via bearing pins 20 ', which protrude at opposite end faces of the gear 201', rotatably on the bearing part 22nd arranged. Thus, a rotation of the gear 201 'for pivoting the adjusting bracket 21 and its two pivoting levers 2a and 2b about the pivot axis S1.

For rotation of the gear 201 ', a first gear element in the form of a drive screw 33' of the drive 3 is provided. This drive worm 33 'meshes with the gear 201' to open and close the shutter K. In order to ensure in this embodiment, when opening and closing the closure flap K, that the closure flap K always remains parallel to the pivot axis S1 and transverse aligned parallel thereto, the lever mechanism 2 in addition to the adjustment bar 21 with the two pivot levers 2a and 2b a single further (third) pivot lever 2c on. This is again not directly driven by the drive motor 31, but is hinged to a second pivot axis S2 on the support frame T and the shutter K and is tracked only upon adjustment of the shutter K. About the other single pivot lever 2c, which defines another bearing point for the shutter K, the shutter K is locked against tilting about the pivot axis S1.

The single pivot lever 2c is again formed as an angle lever in this variant. The storage of each swing lever 2c takes place here on the Support frame T behind a cowling, which faces the inside of the closed flap K. In this covering part, a passage opening in the form of a longitudinally extending bearing slot 4 is provided. In this bearing slot 4, the single pivot lever 2c is guided transversely to its pivot axis S2 by its lever end 210c, which is articulated to the closure flap K, being inserted through the bearing slot 4. The bearing slot 4 extends in the intended installed state of the adjustment direction V substantially parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis. For compact accommodation of electronic components and parts of the drive 3, a housing part 5 is provided within the support frame T and in particular within the space separated by the partition wall ST from the connection socket A. This housing part 5 is encompassed by the adjusting bracket 21 when this is pivoted in accordance with Figures 6A and 7A, that is, the shutter K is in a closed position.

In the adjusting device V of FIGS. 6A to 9C, the closing flap K is connected to the lever mechanism 2 such that in a maximally open position of the closing flap K it still at least partially covers the space with the housing part 5 and only accesses a viewing area with the connection socket A. power. In its open position corresponding to FIG. 8B, the closing flap K consequently covers in particular the adjusting bow 21 and the bearing part 22 completely as well as the individual pivoting lever 2c. In order to sealingly close in the closed position of the closing flap K also the connecting sleeve A, a flat or circumferential sealing element DA is provided on an underside of the closing flap K. This sealing element DA is pressed via the lever mechanism 2 against the connection socket A, when the closure flap K is closed. This is illustrated in more detail in particular with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C.

In order to force-open the closure flap K into the closed position in which the closure flap K completely covers the closure opening BO according to the front view of FIG. 8A, an operating element may be provided on or inside the vehicle and / or on a remote control. In the illustrated embodiment, an operating element is provided (optionally additionally) directly in the area of the accessible connection socket A. This control In the present case, it is equipped with a sensor element SE, via which a user event triggered by a user can be detected. For example, the sensor element SE is part of a capacitive detection device in order to detect, without contact, a movement carried out by means of a finger or a hand of a user as a permissible operating event.

In order to further visually signal to a user, in particular when the closure flap K is open, the filling state of a battery of the vehicle and / or the gesture to be executed for closing the closure flap K, a display element AZ is provided (compare in particular FIGS. 6A to 7B) which are installed as intended Condition protected by a translucent cover AD. This display element AZ may for example comprise a light bar with one or more LEDs. Further details for a possible operation of the display element AZ are shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D explained below.

As in the embodiment of Figures 1A to 3C, the pivot axis S1 and S2 of the lever mechanism 2 of the embodiment variant shown in Figures 6A to 9C are provided off-center and in a region near the edge of the closure opening BO. In this way, in conjunction with the angularly formed pivoting levers 2a to 2c, the closing flap K can be adjusted in such a way that, when opening, first of all, it is lifted along a first spatial direction R1 from the connecting sleeve A and, in an adjusting movement superimposed thereon, essentially along a second, perpendicular thereto extending spatial direction R2 relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis is shifted to the rear. In an opening position, the closure flap K is then at a comparatively short distance on an adjacent body outer skin and consequently takes up relatively little space in the opened state. The closure flap K is thus adjusted via the lever mechanism 2 during adjustment between the closed position and the open position maximally forward and thus maximally along the transverse to the pivot axis S1 or S2 extending spatial direction R1 to the connection socket A and the support frame T surrounding body outer skin but not in the fully open position.

The inventively designed adjusting devices V with the lever mechanism 2, which has an adjusting bracket 21, build comparatively compact and therefore take up little space on the body of the vehicle to complete. In addition, a closure opening BO on the body can easily be closed by sealing over the lever mechanism 2, the closure flap K can be pulled with sufficient force in or against a seal seat.

For ease of assembly of the adjustment devices V shown, these are preferably designed as a prefabricated adjustment module in which the drive 3 and the lever mechanism 2 are already operatively arranged on the support frame T to be inserted into a body opening. Optionally, the closure flap K can already be mounted on a prefabricated, functional adjustment module with the support frame T, the drive 3 and the lever mechanism 2. In the provision of a sensor for detecting an operating event on the adjustment device V and / or providing a display element AZ to the adjustment device V preferably also the respective element is already fully functional pre-assembled on the adjustment module to provide a pre-testable unit, which only still to assemble the body part and to couple with a power supply and possibly a higher-level control electronics.

FIGS. 10A to 10D illustrate a possible actuation of the display element AZ in order, in particular, to provide a user with a visual indication of how he places his hand H in front of the closed closure flap over a plurality of illuminants of the display element AZ, here in the form of individual LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 K has to move to detect via a capacitive detection device (with the sensor element SE) contactless a control event for opening the shutter K. The individual LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 are arranged here in a row one behind the other and arranged on an (here upper) edge region of the closure opening BO, so that light emitted by the LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 is visible even when the closure flap K is closed.

In the present case, a wiping movement which a user makes with his hand H in front of the closed closing flap K from left to right is evaluated as a permissible operating event by the capacitive detection device. The gesture carried out with the hand H is reminiscent of a sliding movement, but here the hand H does not touch the closing flap K. In which the individual LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 individually, in pairs or in groups light alternately and / or different colors and are controlled in such a way that a light spot or stripe (possibly a particular color) seems to migrate from left to right, the user will notice to move his hand H also from left to right to open the shutter K. The individual LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 light up for this purpose for example, one after the other. The result is the visual impression of a "running light" on the edge of the flap K.

If the closing flap K is completely opened, this operating state ("closing flap opened") is displayed via the display element AZ, for example by all LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 lighting up together for a specific time (eg 3, 4 or 5 seconds), in particular in a predetermined light color , for example, white.

If the closing flap K is closed, a visual signal representative of this is also previously generated via the LEDs 6.1 to 6.6, for example in which the individual LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 flash briefly and / or synchronously.

In addition, the display element AZ is presently designed and controlled via a display electronics, that this is also a Ladefortschritt when plugging a charging plug to the connector A visually displayed to a user. For this purpose, for example, an increase in a color-changing bar is visualized during charging via the light bar of the display element AZ defined with the LEDs 6.1 to 6.6. For example, if the battery is empty, only one LED 6.1 lights up in red at the end of the light bar. When carrying out a charge of the battery via a connected charging plug then light up after some time this LED 6.1 and an adjacent LED 6.2 in red and then three adjacent LEDs 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 in red. If the vehicle battery continues charging, four LEDs 6.1 to 6.4 in series and then additional LEDs in orange. When the battery is almost or fully charged, almost all LEDs 6.1 to 6.6 will turn green and then off. After completing the charging process and unplugging a charging plug from the socket A, this is also visually acknowledged via the display element AZ.

As a result, the display element AZ on the adjusting device V is thus used not only to inform the user about an operating state of the adjusting device V and a fill level of a battery of the vehicle, but also visually provides the user with an indication of the hand movement to be performed for adjusting the closing flap K display. Of course, the features explained in connection with FIGS. 10A to 10D can be implemented, in particular, in adjusting devices V, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E, 2A to 2D, 3A to 3C, 4A to 4C and 5A to 5H, which are a Lever 2 without an adjustment bracket 21 have. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 a -1 d lever attachment

2 lever mechanism

20 drive shaft

20 'journals

201 gear segment (2nd gear element)

201 'gear (2nd gear element)

21 adjustable stirrups

210 connector

210c lever end

22 bearing part

2a - 2d swivel lever

3 drive

31 engine

33 drive pinion (1st gear element)

33 'drive worm (1st gear element)

4 bearing slot (passage opening)

5 housing part

6.1 - 6.6 LED (illuminant)

A connection socket (connecting element)

AB connection area

AD cover

AZ display element

B body part

BF fixing part

BO closure opening

DA sealing element

H hand

K flap

L recording

R1, R2 direction

S1, S2 pivot axis

SE sensor element

ST partition T supporting frame (supporting structure)

V adjustment device

Claims

claims

1 . Adjustment device, with at least one closure flap (K) for at least partially closing a closure opening (BO) on a vehicle, via the open flap (K) a connection element (A) for connecting a line and / or a filling opening for refilling a liquid , in particular a fuel, and

- A drive (3) for power-operated adjustment of the closure flap (K), characterized in that with the drive (3) coupled lever mechanism (2) with at least two pivotable about different pivot axes (S1, S2) pivoting levers (2a - 2d) is provided , via which an adjustment force for the externally operated adjustment of the closure flap (K) is transferable, wherein the two pivot levers (2a, 2b) are rigidly connected to one another via a connecting piece (201) and thus a U-shaped adjusting yoke (21) of the lever mechanism (2) define.

2. adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure flap (K) with the lever mechanism (2) is coupled such that the closure flap (K) during an adjustment from an open position to a closed position initially substantially along a first spatial direction (R1 ) is lifted off an edge surrounding the closure opening (BO) and then adjusted substantially along a second spatial direction (R2) extending transversely to the first spatial direction.

3. adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one first pivot lever (2a, 2b) of the U-förimgen adjusting bracket (21) of the drive (3) driven about its pivot axis (S1) is pivotable to the closure flap ( K), and at least one further, third, the stabilization and / or the specification of a specific orientation of the closure flap (K) serving pivot lever (2c, 2d) about its pivot axis (S2) by the adjustment of the closure flap (K) is pivotable ,

4. adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the pivot lever (2 a - 2 d) is connected at one end of the lever with the closure flap (K).

5. adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the pivoting lever (2 a - 2 d) is designed as an angle lever.

6. adjusting device according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one pivot lever (2a - 2d) via a clip connection is positively connected to the closure flap (K).

7. adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (3) has a gear transmission.

8. adjusting device according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that the at least one first pivot lever (2 a, 2 b) of the U-shaped adjusting bracket (21) of the drive (3) driven about its pivot axis (S1) is pivotable, is rotatably connected to a second gear wheel (201 ') which meshes with a first of a drive motor (31) of the drive (3) drivable gear element (33').

9. adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot lever (2 a - 2 d) of the lever mechanism (2) on a housing-like support structure (T) of the closure device (V) are pivotally mounted relative to the flap (K) adjustable is.

10. adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that on or in the support structure (T) of the drive (3) is arranged.

1 adjusting device according to claim 10, characterized in that by the support structure (T) at least two spaces are defined, which are separated by a partition wall (ST) of the support structure (T), and in the one space of the drive (3) is arranged and in the other space, the connection element (A) and / or the filling opening is arranged.

12. adjusting device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that in a closed position of the closure flap (K) in which the closure flap (K), the closure opening (BO) is closed, the adjustment bracket (21) is completely housed in the room, the through the partition (ST) is separated from the space in which the connection element (A) and / or the filling opening is arranged.

13. Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the lever mechanism (2), the closure flap (K) can be opened in a purpose built on a vehicle state of the adjustment device (V) relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis substantially forward or backward ,

14. Adjustment device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, with at least one closure flap (K) for at least partially closing a closure opening (BO) on a vehicle, via the open flap (K) a connection element (A) for connecting a Line and / or a filling opening for refilling a liquid, in particular a fuel is accessible, and

- A drive (3) for the power-operated adjustment of the closure flap (K), characterized in that for controlling the power-operated adjustment of the closure flap (K) at least one sensor element (SE) is provided, via which a finger or hand movement of a user can be detected which can be evaluated as a control event for adjusting the closure flap (K), and at least one display element (AZ) is provided via which the user visually displays both an operating state of the adjusting device (V) and / or a filling level of a fuel tank or a battery of the vehicle Also, an indication of the finger or hand movement to be performed for adjusting the shutter (K) is displayed.

15. adjusting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the

Sensor element (SE) is part of a capacitive detection device, via the a control event for adjusting the closure flap (K) can be detected without contact.

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