A charging small door with a foldable opening cover and its opening method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a charging small door with a foldable opening cover and a method for opening the same, which includes a base fixed between the inner sheet metal of the vehicle door and the outer sheet metal of the vehicle door, and a charging plug-in module arranged in the base. The base forms a charging opening on the outer sheet metal of the vehicle door, and a closing element is arranged on the charging opening. A driving assembly is connected to the closing element. The closing element includes a face that spreads or folds on the working surface where the charging opening is located, and a transmission part that receives the actuating force of the driving assembly. The transmission part is actuated to move to one side of the charging plug-in module, and the face folds along the working surface, and the charging plug-in module is exposed on the charging opening; or the transmission part moves towards the charging plug-in module to the end of the charging opening, and the face spreads along the working surface and shields the charging opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automotive parts, and particularly relates to a charging small door with a foldable opening cover. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a fuel filling small door or a charging small door is provided on the side wall of a new energy vehicle. The small door assembly is generally movably connected to the inner sheet metal of the vehicle, and the fuel filling port or the charging port is exposed by opening the fuel filling port cover or the charging port cover of the vehicle, so as to achieve the purpose of fuel filling and charging.

[0003] The small door assembly usually has multiple opening methods, and the design of these methods aims to provide convenience and safety. Among them, manual opening is the most basic method. Usually, there is an obvious opening part on the small door assembly. The user only needs to gently press the outer surface or the opening part of the small door assembly to open the small door assembly; while some high - configuration vehicles adopt an automatically opening charging small door. When the user needs to use the fuel filling port or the charging port, the small door assembly will automatically open by operating through the corresponding control inside or outside the vehicle.

[0004] This method is usually driven by a motor to drive the opening and closing of the charging small door. The control of the motor can be achieved through in - vehicle buttons, remote controls, mobile phone APPs, etc., providing higher convenience and intelligence.

[0005] The gooseneck type and the four - link mechanism are two of them. The gooseneck type usually refers to a mechanical structure with a curved shape, similar to the neck of a goose. In the opening mechanism of the charging small door, the connecting rod mechanism is driven by a motor, and the shape and layout of the connecting rod enable the charging small door to open along a specific trajectory and at a specific angle. This design may be used to achieve a more compact opening space or a specific opening effect;

[0006] The four - link mechanism is a mechanical structure formed by connecting four rigid rods through hinges. In the opening mechanism of the charging small door of a new energy vehicle, the four - link mechanism can be driven by a motor to achieve the opening and closing of the charging small door. By reasonably designing the lengths and layouts of the four rods, different motion trajectories and opening angles can be achieved to meet specific usage requirements;

[0007] However, the small doors opened by gooseneck hinges and four-bar linkages still occupy a certain space outside the vehicle. Especially during the opening process, for example, due to the user's incorrect operation, the small door assembly presses against an obstacle, resulting in damage to the opening structure. Therefore, it is necessary to set up electronic control and sensing elements to detect the opening environment of the small door assembly to prevent the above situation from occurring. In addition, when the charging gun or fueling gun is in operation, the small doors opened by gooseneck hinges and four-bar linkages inevitably cause obstacles, restricting the operator's operation direction and operation range. At the same time, dust and water on the surface of the small door assembly are likely to enter the charging or fueling port during the opening process.

[0008] Another small door opening method in the prior art is that the charging small door can slide inside the vehicle door through a slide rail or guide rail system. When charging is required, the small door slides inside the vehicle door along the slide rail. After charging is completed, it can slide out of the vehicle door in the reverse direction. Although this method solves the interference of the small door to the operation, it is necessary to set enough space inside the base of the small door to accommodate the entire small door and the driving structure of the small door, resulting in a large space occupation and high cost of the base of the small door. In addition, this type of retractable small door requires at least two movement trajectories when opening, that is, the first trajectory for the small door to retract into the vehicle body, and the second trajectory for further movement to expose the fueling or charging port, which requires a more complex mechanical structure and control system to achieve, increasing the manufacturing cost and maintenance difficulty. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a charging small door with a foldable opening cover.

[0010] The above technical purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: A charging small door with a foldable opening cover includes a base fixed between the inner sheet metal of the vehicle door and the outer sheet metal of the vehicle door, and a charging socket module arranged in the base.

[0011] The base forms a charging opening on the outer sheet metal of the vehicle door. A closing element is arranged on the charging opening. A driving component is connected to the closing element. The closing element includes a face that spreads or folds on the working surface where the charging opening is located, and a transmission part that receives the driving force of the driving component. The transmission part is actuated to move to one side of the charging socket module, and the face folds along the working surface and exposes the charging socket module on the charging opening; or the transmission part moves towards the charging socket module to the end of the charging opening, and the face spreads along the working surface and shields the charging opening.

[0012] Further, the working surface is divided into a storage area and a charging operation area with respect to the folding and unfolding directions of the closing element. The closing element has a limiting end fixed in the storage area and a free end that moves between the storage area and the charging operation area. The transmission part is connected to the free end and keeps the closing element in a folded state or an unfolded state, and the charging plug-in module is arranged in the charging operation area.

[0013] Further, the closing element includes a plurality of driven parts. The driven parts and the transmission part are slidably arranged outside the charging opening. The face is constrained on the driven parts and the transmission part, and the folding of the face and the mutual approach of the transmission parts are driven by the movement of the transmission part, or the unfolding of the face and the mutual separation of the driven parts are driven by the movement of the transmission part.

[0014] Further, at least one channel is formed between the free end and the limiting end of the closing element when the face is in a folded state or during the folding process.

[0015] Further, a closing edge matching the side wall of the charging opening is provided between the free end and the limiting end of the closing element, and the side edge of the face remains in contact with the charging opening.

[0016] Further, the face includes a plurality of flexible deformation units. The deformation units are sequentially connected with respect to the folding and unfolding directions, and a driven part is connected between two adjacent deformation units. The driven parts approach each other and cause the deformation units to fold and compress, and the driven parts move away from each other and stretch the deformation units.

[0017] Further, a driving track is provided outside the base corresponding to the charging opening, and the transmission part of the closing element is placed in the driving track;

[0018] A mounting seat is provided in the extending direction of the central axis of the base. The driving assembly is arranged on the mounting seat, and the output axis of the driving assembly is arranged parallel to the plugging axis of the charging plug-in module. The driving track is arranged on both sides of the central axis of the base.

[0019] Further, the driving assembly includes an actuator, an output gear provided at the output end of the actuator, and a flexible shaft passing through the actuator and meshing with the output gear. The flexible shaft is placed in the driving track and connected to the free end of the closing element. The flexible shaft is arranged on both sides of the output gear and extends on both sides of the base.

[0020] Further, the driving assembly includes the housing of the actuator and a transmission wheel in the housing. The transmission wheel has a clutch position disengaged from the output gear or the driving motor, and a transmission position meshing between the output end of the driving motor and the output gear;

[0021] An elastic member and a pull rod are also connected to the driving wheel. The elastic member supports the driving wheel in the driving position. The pull rod is configured to manually pull the driving wheel to the clutch position, and the end of the pull rod is limited by rotation with the housing to keep the transmission gear in the clutch position.

[0022] The present invention also provides a method for opening a charging small door with a foldable opening cover, including the following steps:

[0023] A. The charging opening is closed, the closing element is hermetically sealed on the charging opening, and the face is stretched by the transmission part and maintained in a spread posture, and the charging plug-in module is blocked within the closing element;

[0024] B. The charging opening is opened, the driving component drives the transmission part, and the transmission part of the closing element drives the free end of the face to move towards the limiting end, and the panel is squeezed by the transmission part and folded towards the end away from the charging plug-in module, and the charging plug-in module is exposed;

[0025] C. The charging opening is manually opened, the pull rod is pulled, and the transmission gear is driven to disengage to the clutch position, and then the closing element is manually pulled until the face is folded and gathered, and the charging plug-in module is exposed.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. The closing element of the present invention folds and spreads on the action surface where the charging opening is located, so that the opening and closing action trajectories of the closing element are all carried out within the action surface of the charging opening, thereby realizing that the small door assembly will not extend outside the vehicle body during use, effectively avoiding interference between the small door assembly and obstacles, and effectively improving the closing property between the closing element and the charging opening, and the folding and spreading actions are stable;

[0028] 2. The driving components of the closing element of the present invention are arranged on both sides of the charging opening located at the base, and the driving action between the driving component and the closing element is also restricted to be carried out on both sides of the base, effectively reducing the occupied space of the transmission component and simplifying the structure, achieving the effect of convenient operation, without the need to set up a complex transmission link mechanism, and reducing the space requirement for the inner cavity of the base;

[0029] 3. During the process of the closing element folding from spreading to folding, the closing element starts to act and fold from one end of the charging opening, gradually opening the charging operation area, thereby exposing the charging plug-in module. The dirt and water on the surface of the closing element can be taken away by the groove generated by its own folding and prevented from entering the charging opening. At the same time, the closing element in the folded state in the storage area can still play a protective role. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the spreading of the closing element of the present invention on the outer sheet metal;

[0031] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the folding of the closing element of the present invention on the outer sheet metal;

[0032] Figure 3 Front view of the spreading of the closing element of the present invention on the outer sheet metal;

[0033] Figure 4 Front view of the folding of the closing element of the present invention on the outer sheet metal;

[0034] Figure 5 Schematic structural diagram of the spreading closing element of the present invention cooperating with the driving assembly;

[0035] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of the folding closing element of the present invention cooperating with the driving assembly;

[0036] Figure 7 Schematic structural diagram of the base of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 Schematic structural diagram of the base of the present invention from another angle;

[0038] Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of the base of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 10 Schematic structural diagram of the actuator of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 11 Cross-sectional view of the pull rod of the actuator of the present invention in the clutch position;

[0041] Figure 12 Another cross-sectional view of the pull rod of the actuator of the present invention in the clutch position;

[0042] In the figure: 1. Inner sheet metal;

[0043] 2. Outer sheet metal; 2.1. Flange;

[0044] 3. Base; 3.1. Driving track; 3.2. Mounting seat;

[0045] 4. Charging plug-in module;

[0046] 5. Charging opening; 5.1. Charging operation area; 5.2. Storage area;

[0047] 6. Closing element; 6.1. Face; 6.2. Transmission part; 6.3. Driven part; 6.4. Channel; 6.5. Free end; 6.6. Limiting part; 6.7. Closing edge; 6.8. Deformation unit; 6.9. Non-deformation unit;

[0048] 7. Driving assembly; 7.1 Actuator; 7.11 Driving motor; 7.12 Output gear; 7.13 Flexible shaft; 7.14 Housing; 7.141 Limit seat; 7.142 Stop notch; 7.15 Driving wheel; 7.16 Elastic member; 7.17 Pull rod; 7.171 Pulling end; 8. Connecting member; 9. Adjusting nut; Detailed implementation manners

[0049] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0050] It should be understood that although the terms upper, middle, lower, top, one end, etc. appear in this text to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the elements from each other for easy understanding, rather than to define any directional or sequential limitations.

[0051] As Figures 1-12 shown, a charging small door with a foldable opening cover includes a base 3 fixed between the inner sheet metal 1 of the vehicle door and the outer sheet metal 2 of the vehicle door, a charging plug-in module 4 arranged in the base 3, the base 3 forms a charging opening 5 on the outer sheet metal 2 of the vehicle door, a closing element 6 is arranged on the charging opening 5, and a driving assembly 7 is connected to the closing element 6;

[0052] Among them, the base 3 is specifically fixed on the inner sheet metal 1 through a nut adjusting member, and the gap between the base 3 and the surface of the inner sheet metal 1 is further controlled through the nut adjusting member. The opening on the outer sheet metal 2 is slightly smaller than the charging opening 5 on the base 3, so that the end face of the base 3 abuts against the inner surface of the outer sheet metal 2. The closing element 6 is specifically flush with the charging opening 5 on the outer sheet metal 2, and is folded and retracted or spread and opened within the charging opening 5 defined by the outer sheet metal 2.

[0053] It should be noted that the closing element 6 is folded and spread within the plane of the charging opening 5, and it only occupies the surface part 6.1 on the charging opening 5 to avoid interference and obstacles caused by the extension of the closing element 6 outside the outer sheet metal 2.

[0054] Specifically, the closing element 6 includes a face part 6.1 that spreads or folds on the working surface where the charging opening 5 is located, a transmission part 6.2 that receives the driving force of the driving assembly 7, and the face part 6.1 is connected to the transmission part 6.2.

[0055] As Figures 1 to 6As shown, under the action of the driving component 7, the transmission part 6.2 is actuated to move towards the side away from the charging plug-in module 4, and the face 6.1 is folded along the working surface, and the charging plug-in module 4 is exposed on the charging opening 5, so as to open the charging small door;

[0056] Or the transmission part 6.2 is actuated to move towards the end close to the charging plug-in module 4, and the face 6.1 is spread along the working surface, and the charging opening 5 is shielded, so as to close the charging small door.

[0057] Preferably, one end of the closing element 6 far from the transmission part 6.2 is fixedly arranged, and this end is far from the charging plug-in module 4, so as to facilitate the folding or spreading of the face 6.1 under the action of the transmission part 6.2.

[0058] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , preferably, when the closing element 6 is in the spread state, its contour matches the contour of the charging opening 5. Further, when the closing element 6 is in the spread state, its contour fits closely with the charging opening 5 to ensure the sealing performance of the charging opening 5 in the closed state.

[0059] From Figure 4 it can be seen that specifically, the working surface is divided into a storage area 5.2 and a charging operation area 5.1 with respect to the folding and spreading directions of the closing element 6. The closing element 6 has a limiting end fixed in the storage area 5.2 and a free end 6.5 that moves between the storage area 5.2 and the charging operation area 5.1. The transmission part 6.2 is connected to the free end 6.5 and keeps the closing element 6 in the folded state or the spread state. Among them, the limiting end and the free end 6.5 are defined with respect to the folding and spreading directions of the closing element 6. The limiting end is located at the boundary of the charging opening 5 far from the charging plug-in module 4, or the limiting end is located at the boundary of the storage area 5.2 far from the charging operation area 5.1. The free end 6.5 can move to the other boundary of the charging opening 5 and the charging operation area 5.1 under the action of the driving component 7 and the transmission part 6.2, so as to fully unfold the face 6.1 together to close the charging opening 5.

[0060] At the same time, the storage area 5.2 and the charging operation area 5.1 are also defined within the inner cavity of the base 3. The charging plug-in module 4 is arranged in the charging operation area 5.1. In the folded state of the closing element 6, the free end 6.5 approaches the limiting end. At this time, the face 6.1 is folded and retracted in the storage area 5.2 to release the charging operation area 5.1 and allow the charging plug-in module 4 to be exposed; in the spread state of the closing element 6, the free end 6.5 moves away from the limiting end. At this time, the panel is stretched and spread and covers the charging plug-in module 4 until it reaches the other boundary of the charging opening 5 and the charging operation area 5.1 to close the charging operation area 5.1 and block the charging plug-in module 4.

[0061] As shown Figure 8 in Figure 8 , to ensure the stability of the folding and unfolding movements of the closing element 6, a driving track 3.1 is provided on the outer side of the base 3 corresponding to the charging opening 5. The transmission part 6.2 of the closing element 6 is placed in the driving track 3.1. The driving track 3.1 is a channel 6.4 provided on the side wall of the base 3, so that the transmission part 6.2 can receive the driving force on the outer side of the base 3, and the face 6.1 can be folded and spread on the charging opening 5 inside the base 3.

[0062] As shown Figure 5 and Figure 6 in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , as a further embodiment of the closing element 6, the closing element 6 includes a plurality of driven parts 6.3. The driven parts 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2 are slidably arranged on the outer side of the charging opening 5. The face 6.1 is constrained on the driven parts 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2, and the movement of the transmission part 6.2 drives the folding of the face 6.1 and the mutual approach of the transmission parts 6.2, or the movement of the transmission part 6.2 drives the spreading of the face 6.1 and the mutual separation of the driven parts 6.3.

[0063] Combined with Figure 5 and Figure 8 shown in Figure 5 and Figure 8 , specifically, the driven part 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2 slide specifically in the driving track 3.1. The driving track 3.1 is linearly arranged, or approximately linear in accordance with the vehicle body matching. Here, it is defined that the limiting end of the closing element 6 has a limiting part 6.6 extending in the driving track 3.1. The limiting part 6.6, the driven part 6.3, and the transmission part 6.2 are arranged in sequence, and the number of driven parts 6.3 is multiple and arranged between the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2. The limiting part 6.6, the driven part 6.3, and the transmission part 6.2 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the panel, and have a first structure body perpendicular to the working surface, and a second structure body penetrating into the driving track 3.1. The second structure body is arranged parallel to the working surface. While ensuring the stability of the folding and spreading movements of the closing element 6, it also plays a supporting role for the panel to ensure the stability of the deformation of the face 6.1.

[0064] Continuing to refer to Figure 5 , further, to further improve the structural strength of the limiting part 6.6, the driven part 6.3, and the transmission part 6.2 to reduce the play in the driving track 3.1, reinforcing ribs are also provided on the first structure body and the second structure body.

[0065] Specifically, there is a closing edge 6.7 between the free end 6.5 and the limiting end of the closing element 6 that matches the side wall of the charging opening 5, and the side edge of the face 6.1 remains in contact with the charging opening 5, thereby ensuring the sealing performance of the closing element 6 at the charging opening 5.

[0066] As shown Figure 9As shown, as an implementation of the matching between the closing element 6 and the charging opening 5, the outer sheet metal 2 is provided with a flange 2.1 corresponding to the charging opening 5 and folding towards the inside of the base 3. The flange 2.1 encloses and defines the charging opening 5. And in the unfolded state, any side edge of the closing element 6 abuts against the flange 2.1 of the outer sheet metal 2. In addition, the flange 2.1 of the outer sheet metal 2 is also fitted to the inner surface of the inner cavity of the base 3. The driven part 6.3, the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2 all extend downward from the side edge of the closing element 6 to enter the driving track 3.1 of the base 3.

[0067] Referring to Figure 6 , as an implementation of the folding and unfolding of the face 6.1, the face 6.1 includes a plurality of flexible deformation units 6.8. The deformation units 6.8 are sequentially connected in the folding and unfolding direction, and a driven part 6.3 is connected between two adjacent deformation units 6.8. The end of the deformation unit 6.8 is connected to the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2. Among them, the face 6.1 further includes a non-deformation unit 6.9 fixed on the driven part 6.3, the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2, which is used to move synchronously with the action component on the closing element 6 and squeeze or stretch the deformation unit 6.8, so as to complete the folding and unfolding of the closing element 6.

[0068] In the unfolded state, the limiting part 6.6, a plurality of driven parts 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2 are at equal intervals. The driven parts 6.3 are far away from each other and stretch the deformation unit 6.8.

[0069] During the folding process, the transmission part 6.2 receives the driving force from the driving assembly 7. The transmission part 6.2 travels from the end of the charging operation area 5.1 towards the storage area 5.2, and drives the non-deformation unit 6.9 thereon to squeeze the remaining deformation units 6.8 and the driven parts 6.3 during the traveling process. At this time, along the folding direction, a plurality of driven parts 6.3 and deformation units 6.8 are pressed and folded in sequence. The driven part 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2 translate in the driving track 3.1, and the deformation unit 6.8 is squeezed from the stretched and unfolded posture into a folded arch until the driven part 6.3, the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2 approach each other, completing the folding and compression of the closing element 6, so that the closing element 6 is folded in the storage area 5.2, and the charging operation area 5.1 and the charging plug-in module 4 therein are exposed.

[0070] As an embodiment of the closing element 6, the face 6.1 can be an integral flexible member. That is, the deformation units 6.8 are integrally arranged, and the driven part 6.3, the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2 are all integrally formed on the side edge of the panel.

[0071] Based on the above-mentioned closing element 6, the driven part 6.3, the limiting part 6.6 and the transmission part 6.2 can also be integrally embedded in the face part 6.1 and penetrate from one side of the face part 6.1 to the other side. In this way, it plays a further role in supporting the closing element 6 and serving as a framework, effectively ensuring the structural stability of the closing element 6.

[0072] It is worth mentioning that during the folding state or the folding process of the face part 6.1, at least one channel 6.4 is formed between the free end 6.5 and the limiting end of the closing element 6. Specifically, the channel 6.4 is formed between the deformable units on both sides of the driven part 6.3. During the opening process of the small door, the dirt and water on the surface of the closing element 6 are guided by the channel 6.4 to leave the vehicle body surface. Or when the closing element 6 reaches the folding state, the dirt on the surface is retained in the deformed channel 6.4, thereby preventing the dirt from entering the interior of the base 3.

[0073] As an implementation manner of the movement of the closing element 6, the closing element 6 folds with respect to the vehicle body direction. At this time, the chute is formed in the vehicle height direction to guide the dirt and water on the surface of the closing element 6 to leave the charging opening 5. And the closing element 6 gradually folds from the charging operation area 5.1 to the storage area 5.2. At this time, the charging plug-in module 4 is gradually exposed, and the dirt remaining on the surface of the closing element 6 is brought to the side away from the charging plug-in module 4.

[0074] As another implementation manner of the movement of the closing element 6, the closing element 6 folds with respect to the vehicle height direction. At this time, the chute is formed in the vehicle body direction. Preferably, the free end 6.5 and the transmission part 6.2 of the closing element 6 are located above, and the charging plug-in module 4 is located above the storage area 5.2. During the folding process, the free end 6.5 of the closing element 6 gradually descends, blocking and taking the dirt on the surface of the closing element 6 away to the lower side.

[0075] As Figures 5 to 9 shown, another object of the present invention is to reduce the occupied space of the small door assembly in the base 3 by arranging the folding and spreading closing element 6, optimize the overall structural volume of the small door assembly, and adapt to different vehicle models. For this purpose, the transmission part 6.2 on the closing element 6 is further driven by a flexible shaft 7.3 to actuate the sliding of the transmission part 6.2 on the driving track 3.1.

[0076] Specifically, the driving assembly 7 includes an actuator 7.1, an output gear 7.2 provided at the output end of the actuator 7.1, and a flexible shaft 7.3 disposed within the actuator 7.1 and meshing with the output gear 7.2. The flexible shaft 7.3 is placed within the driving track 3.1 and connected to the free end 6.5 of the closing element 6. The flexible shaft 7.3 is arranged on both sides of the output gear 7.2 and extends on both sides of the base 3. The acting end of the flexible shaft 7.3 is locked to the transmission part 6.2 through a connecting member 8 and a screw, thereby realizing the power supply of the transmission part 6.2. Moreover, by adopting the driving method of the flexible shaft 7.3, the flexible shaft 7.3 can be directly placed within the driving tracks 3.1 on both sides of the base 3, and the flexible shaft 7.3 is arranged on one side of the transmission part 6.2 in the vehicle width direction, so as to further reduce the volume of the driving assembly 7 and simplify the structure.

[0077] During the folding or unfolding process of the closing element 6, the actuator 7.1 acts, and drives the flexible shafts 7.3 on both sides of the base 3 to move forward through the rotation of the output gear 7.2, thereby driving the transmission parts 6.2 on both sides of the charging opening 5 and the free end 6.5 of the closing element 6.

[0078] From Figure 5 and Figure 9 It can be seen that as a further optimization of the driving assembly 7, a mounting seat 3.2 is provided along the extension direction of the central axis of the base 3. Specifically, the mounting seat 3.2 extends along the vehicle body direction. The driving assembly 7 is arranged on the mounting seat 3.2, and the output axis of the driving assembly 7 is parallel to the insertion axis of the charging plug-in module 4. The driving tracks 3.1 are arranged on both sides of the central axis of the base 3, thereby reasonably utilizing the space inside the vehicle body sheet metal.

[0079] As Figure 5 and Figures 10 to 12 shown, specifically, the driving assembly 7 includes a housing 7.4 of the actuator 7.1, a transmission wheel 7.5 and a driving motor 7.11 within the housing 7.4. Among them, the driving motor 7.11 is arranged along the plane of the mounting seat 3.2. A worm is provided at the acting end of the driving motor 7.11. The transmission wheel 7.5 and the output gear 7.2 are double-connected gears. The lower connecting tooth part of the transmission wheel 7.5 meshes with the worm, the upper connecting tooth part of the transmission wheel 7.5 meshes with the lower connecting tooth part of the output gear 7.2, and the upper connecting tooth part of the output gear 7.2 meshes with the flexible shafts 7.3 on both sides. Among them, the axes of the transmission wheel 7.5 and the output gear 7.2 are both arranged with respect to the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the worm and worm gear structure is adopted for transmission, so that the driving motor 7.11 can be arranged parallel to the plane of the mounting seat 3.2. Of course, in some other embodiments, when permitted in the vehicle body direction, the arrangement method of the driving assembly 7 can also be adjusted. The same is the arrangement plane of the driving motor 7.11.

[0080] Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12, Further, the transmission wheel 7.5 has a clutch position disengaged from the output gear 7.2 or the drive motor 7.11, and a transmission position engaged between the output end of the drive motor 7.11 and the output gear 7.2. By the arrangement of the transmission wheel 7.5, operating conditions are provided for the emergency manual opening and closing of the closing element 6. In this embodiment, the axis of the transmission wheel 7.5 is arranged in the vehicle width direction, so that the operating part of the transmission wheel 7.5 can extend into the vehicle body for the user to perform emergency operations.

[0081] As an implementation manner of the clutch of the transmission wheel 7.5, an elastic member 7.6 and a pull rod 7.7 are further connected to the transmission wheel 7.5. The axes of the elastic member 7.6 and the pull rod 7.7 are coaxial with the transmission wheel 7.5 and both extend in the vehicle width direction, so that the pulling end 7.71 of the pull rod 7.7 can be exposed in the vehicle body. The elastic member 7.6 supports the transmission wheel 7.5 in the transmission position and applies a force to keep the transmission wheel 7.5 in the engaged position. The pull rod 7.7 is set to manually pull the transmission wheel 7.5 to the clutch position, so that the transmission wheel 7.5 axially leaves the output gear 7.2. After the pull rod 7.7 loses the acting force, the elastic member 7.6 can drive the transmission wheel 7.5 back to the engaged position.

[0082] Wherein, the end of the pull rod 7.7 is limited by rotation with the housing 7.4 to keep the transmission gear in the clutch position. Wherein, a limit seat 7.41 is provided at the end of the housing 7.4, and opposite stop notches 7.42 are provided on the limit seat 7.41. During the emergency operation, the pulling end 7.71 of the pull rod 7.7 is pulled axially away, and the end face of the pulling end 7.71 can be away from the end face of the limit seat 7.41, so that the pull rod 7.7 can perform a rotational movement. After the pulling end 7.71 is adjusted to align with the two stop notches 7.42 and then released, the transmission gear tends to reset under the action of the elastic member 7.6, and at the same time drives the pulling end 7.71 of the pull rod 7.7 to move towards the stop notch 7.42 and reach the position where it abuts against the stop notch 7.42 for limitation. At this time, the pull rod 7.7 is prevented from rotating and axially resetting.

[0083] Preferably, the outer diameter of the upper coupling tooth part of the transmission gear is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower coupling tooth part, so that after the transmission gear is pulled, both the upper and lower coupling tooth parts of the transmission gear can be disengaged from the engagement with the worm and the output gear 7.2 to allow the pull rod 7.7 to perform the rotational limiting operation.

[0084] The present invention also provides a method for opening a charging small door with a foldable opening cover, including the following steps:

[0085] A. The charging opening 5 is closed, the closing element 6 is hermetically closed on the charging opening 5, and the face 6.1 is stretched by the transmission part 6.2 and maintained in a spread posture, and the charging plug-in module 4 is blocked inside the closing element 6;

[0086] B. The charging opening 5 is opened, the driving assembly 7 drives the transmission part 6.2, and the transmission part 6.2 of the actuating closing element 6 drives the free end 6.5 of the face part 6.1 to move towards the limiting end, and the panel is squeezed by the transmission part 6.2 and folds towards the end away from the charging plug-in module 4, and the charging plug-in module 4 is exposed;

[0087] C. The charging opening 5 is manually opened, the pull rod 7.7 is pulled, and the driving gear is disengaged and moved to the clutch position, and then the closing element 6 is manually pulled until the face part 6.1 is folded and retracted, and the charging plug-in module 4 is exposed.

[0088] In step A, the free end 6.5 of the closing element 6 is far from the limiting end, the free end 6.5 and the limiting end are located at both ends of the charging opening 5, and the driven part 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2 are spaced at an equal distance, and the deformation unit 6.8 and the non-deformation unit 6.9 form the face part 6.1 that closes on the charging opening 5 in an extended posture.

[0089] In step B, the flexible shaft 7.3 is actuated by the output gear 7.2 of the actuator 7.1 and travels along the driving track 3.1 under the constraint of the transmission part 6.2. At this time, the transmission part 6.2 travels towards the storage area 5.2 and gradually approaches the adjacent driven part 6.3, and the free end 6.5 of the closing element 6 starts to move towards the opening direction along with the transmission part 6.2; as the transmission part 6.2 travels further, the transmission part 6.2 further squeezes the driven part 6.3, the driven part 6.3 starts to squeeze the adjacent driven part 6.3, the non-deformation unit 6.9 acts synchronously, and the deformation unit 6.8 between the non-deformation units 6.9 is gradually folded and retracted under the squeezing action. Finally, the limiting part 6.6, the driven part 6.3 and the transmission part 6.2 located in the driving track 3.1 on the closing element 6 approach each other, and the closing element 6 completely leaves the charging operation area 5.1 and is retracted and folded in the storage area 5.2.

[0090] In step C, by manually pulling the pull rod 7.7 inside the vehicle body, the pulling end 7.71 of the pull rod 7.7 leaves the limit seat 7.41, overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member 7.6, and causes the transmission wheel 7.5 in the actuator 7.1 to axially leave the meshing position of the output gear 7.2. Then the pull rod 7.7 is rotated, the pulling end 7.71 of the pull rod 7.7 is limited in the stop notch 7.42, and finally the closing element 6 is manually pulled and folded in the storage area 5.2, and the charging plug-in module 4 is exposed in the charging operation area 5.1.

[0091] This specific embodiment is only an explanation of the present invention, and it is not a limitation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without creative contributions according to needs after reading this specification, but as long as it is within the scope of the claims of the present invention, it is protected by the patent law.

Claims

1. A charging small door with a foldable opening cover, characterized in that: It includes a base (3) fixed between the inner sheet metal (1) and the outer sheet metal (2) of the vehicle door, a charging plug-in module (4) arranged in the base (3), the base (3) forms a charging opening (5) on the outer sheet metal (2) of the vehicle door, a closing element (6) is arranged on the charging opening (5), a driving assembly (7) is connected to the closing element (6), and the closing element (6) is folded or retracted within the working surface where the charging opening (5) is located; The closing element (6) includes a face (6.1) that spreads or folds within the working surface where the charging opening (5) is located, and a transmission part (6.2) that receives the driving force of the driving assembly (7); The transmission part (6.2) is actuated to move to a side away from the charging plug-in module (4), and the face (6.1) folds along the working surface, and the charging plug-in module (4) is exposed on the charging opening (5); Or the transmission part (6.2) moves towards the charging plug-in module (4), and the face (6.1) spreads along the working surface and covers the charging opening (5); the working surface is divided into a storage area (5.2) and a charging operation area (5.1) with respect to the folding and spreading directions of the closing element (6), the closing element (6) has a limiting end fixed in the storage area (5.2), and a free end (6.5) that moves between the storage area (5.2) and the charging operation area (5.1), the transmission part (6.2) is connected to the free end (6.5) and keeps the closing element (6) in a folded state or a spread state, and the charging plug-in module (4) is arranged in the charging operation area (5.1); the closing element (6) includes a plurality of driven parts (6.3), the driven parts (6.3) and the transmission part (6.2) are slidably arranged outside the charging opening (5), the face (6.1) is constrained on the driven parts (6.3) and the transmission part (6.2), and the folding of the face (6.1) and the mutual approach of the transmission part (6.2) are driven by the movement of the transmission part (6.2), or the spreading of the face (6.1) and the mutual separation of the driven parts (6.3) are driven by the movement of the transmission part (6.2); when the face (6.1) is in a folded state or during the folding process, at least one channel (6.4) is formed between the free end (6.5) and the limiting end of the closing element (6); the face (6.1) includes a plurality of flexible deformation units (6.8), the deformation units (6.8) are connected in sequence with respect to the folding and spreading directions, and a driven part (6.3) is connected between two adjacent deformation units (6.8), the driven parts (6.3) approach each other and cause the deformation units (6.8) to fold and compress, and the driven parts (6.3) move away from each other and stretch the deformation units (6.8); During the process of the closing element (6) spreading to folding, the closing element (6) starts to fold from one end of the charging opening, gradually opening the charging operation area (5.1), thereby exposing the charging plug-in module (4). The dirt and water on the surface of the closing element (6) can be carried away by the channels generated by its own folding and are prevented from entering the charging opening (5). At the same time, the closing element (6) in the folded state in the storage area (5.2) can still play a protective role.

2. The charging small door with a foldable opening cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a closing edge (6.7) matching the side wall of the charging opening (5) between the free end (6.5) and the limiting end of the closing element (6), and the side edge of the face (6.1) remains in contact with the charging opening (5).

3. The charging small door with a foldable opening cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein: A driving track (3.1) is provided on the outside of the base (3) corresponding to the charging opening (5), and the transmission part (6.2) of the closing element (6) is placed in the driving track (3.1); A mounting seat (3.2) is provided in the extending direction of the central axis of the base (3). The driving assembly (7) is arranged on the mounting seat (3.2), and the output axis of the driving assembly (7) is parallel to the plugging axis of the charging plug-in module (4). The driving track (3.1) is arranged on both sides of the central axis of the base (3).

4. The charging small door with a foldable opening cover according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving assembly (7) includes an actuator (7.1), an output gear (7.2) provided at the output end of the actuator (7.1), and a flexible shaft (7.3) passing through the actuator (7.1) and meshing with the output gear (7.2). The flexible shaft (7.3) is placed in the driving track (3.1) and is connected to the free end (6.5) of the closing element (6). The flexible shaft (7.3) is arranged on both sides of the output gear (7.2) and extends on both sides of the base (3).

5. A charging small door with a foldable opening cover according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving assembly (7) includes the housing (7.4) of the actuator (7.1) and a transmission wheel (7.5) in the housing (7.4). The transmission wheel (7.5) has a clutch position disengaged from the output gear (7.2) or the drive motor (7.11), and a transmission position meshing between the output end of the drive motor (7.11) and the output gear (7.2); An elastic member (7.6) and a pull rod (7.7) are also connected to the transmission wheel (7.5). The elastic member (7.6) supports the transmission wheel (7.5) in the transmission position. The pull rod (7.7) is set to manually pull the transmission wheel (7.5) to the clutch position, and the end of the pull rod (7.7) is limited by rotation with the housing (7.4) to keep the transmission gear in the clutch position.

6. The opening method of the charging small door with a foldable opening cover according to claim 5, characterized in that, Including the following steps: A. The charging opening (5) is closed, the closing element (6) is hermetically closed on the charging opening (5), and the face (6.1) is stretched by the transmission part (6.2) and maintained in a spread posture. The charging plug-in module (4) is blocked inside the closing element (6); B. When the charging opening (5) is opened, the driving component (7) drives the transmission part (6.2), and the transmission part (6.2) of the actuating closing element (6) drives the free end (6.5) of the face part (6.1) to move towards the limiting end. Moreover, the panel is squeezed by the transmission part (6.2) and folds towards the end away from the charging plug-in module (4), and the charging plug-in module (4) is exposed. C. When the charging opening (5) is manually opened, the pull rod (7.7) is pulled to axially move the transmission wheel (7.5) in the actuator (7.1) away from the meshing position of the output gear (7.2). Finally, the closing element (6) is manually pulled and folded in the storage area (5.2), and the charging plug-in module (4) is exposed.

Images