Charging or fueling module for vehicle

Abstract

A charging or fueling module of a vehicle has: a base body for mounting the charging or fueling module on a body structure of the vehicle; the turning cover or the cover plate body is assembled on the base body in a pivoting or movable manner; the cover body is assembled on the turning cover or the cover plate body through a plurality of fastening elements, and when the turning cover or the cover plate body occupies the closed position, the cover body extends in a mode of being flush with an outer skin of a vehicle body structure of the vehicle. Particularly, each fastening element is provided with a first connection matching part which is fixedly connected with the flip cover or the cover plate body or the retaining body of the flip cover or the cover plate body and a second connection matching part which is fixedly connected with the back side of the opening cover body, wherein the first connection partner is arranged in such a way that the first connection partner is complementary to the second connection partner at least partially or in some regions and is configured for forming a releasable forced locking connection with the second connection partner (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging or refueling module for a vehicle, and in particular to an optimized fastening of a cover body of the charging or refueling module for a vehicle on a flap or cover body of the charging or refueling module for a vehicle or a holding body of the flap or cover body.

[0002] The vehicle is in particular a vehicle with a hybrid drive or an electric drive, but vehicles with a purely combustion-powered drive are not excluded within the scope of the invention.

[0003] Vehicles with a hybrid drive or electric drive have at least one battery or traction battery which, for example in a PHEV vehicle (PHEV=Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or a BEV vehicle (BEV=Battery Electric Vehicle), can be charged via a charging interface accessible from outside the vehicle body, which is usually a charging socket, for example by connection to a charging station or to a conventional external electrical terminal.

[0004] The charging interface is usually arranged in a charging recess of the vehicle body, which is covered or closed by a charging flap or a charging closure element. A mechanism cooperating with the charging flap or the charging closure element allows the charging recess to be selectively opened and closed, or the charging flap or the charging closure element to be opened and closed relative to the charging recess, and thus allows access to the charging port.

[0005] In vehicles with a combustion-powered drive, the fuel tank is supplied with fuel via a refueling neck accessible from the outside, for example by connection to a refueling pump or a refueling gun. Similar to the charging port, the refueling neck is usually arranged in a refueling neck recess associated with the vehicle body, which is covered or closed by a refueling flap or a refueling closure element. A mechanism cooperating with the refueling flap or the refueling closure element also allows the refueling recess to be selectively opened and closed, or the refueling flap or the refueling closure element to be opened and closed relative to the refueling recess, and thus allows access to the refueling neck.

[0006] A refueling module and a charging module of the type considered herein generally have a base body, by means of which the refueling module or the charging module can be mounted on the body structure of the vehicle. A flap or cover body is mounted on the base body in a movable and in particular pivotable manner, wherein a flap body is mounted on the flap or cover body. When the flap or cover body occupies the closed position, the flap body extends in a manner flush with the outer skin surface of the body structure of the vehicle.

[0007] Until now, the assembly process of the flap body on the flap or cover body has involved an iterative process. A number of iterative steps are required until the flap body extends flush with the outer skin surface of the motor vehicle. Such an iterative process is highly expensive.

[0008] Usually, a plurality of fastening elements are used for mounting the flap body on the flap or cover body or on a holding body of the flap or cover body, which fastening elements are generally each formed as a metal clip.

[0009] In such cases, there is the problem that, due to the use of such fastening elements, which are in particular configured as metal clips, a stress-free positioning of the flap is not possible or can be achieved only with relatively high effort.

[0010] In the event of temperature changes and / or moisture absorption, the fastening element configured as a metal clip changes its properties, so that there is a risk that after the flap body is assembled on the flap or cover body or on the retaining body of the flap or cover body, a flush positioning of the flap body relative to the surface of the outer skin of the motor vehicle is not achieved or is achieved only partially.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to more easily assemble the flap body on the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body, so that when the flap or cover body occupies its closed position, the flap body extends flush with the desired quality surface and preferably also flush with the outer skin surface of the vehicle's body structure.

[0012] Another requirement is to be able to remove the flap from the flap or cover body or from the holder of the flap or cover body even if the flap or cover body is in its closed position, for example due to a failure of the electric actuator for actuating the flap or cover body.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to propose a new charging module or refueling module for a vehicle.

[0014] This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1 , wherein advantageous developments of the charging module or refueling module according to the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0015] The invention therefore relates in particular to a charging or refueling module for a vehicle, wherein the charging or refueling module has a base body for mounting the charging or refueling module on a body structure of the vehicle.

[0016] The charging or refueling module also has a flap or cover body mounted on the base body in a movable, in particular pivotable manner, and a flap body mounted on the flap or cover body or a retaining body of the flap or cover body by means of a plurality of fastening elements. When the flap or cover body occupies the closed position, the flap body mounted on the flap or cover body or a retaining body of the flap or cover body extends flush with the outer skin of the body structure of the vehicle.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is particularly proposed that each fastening element has a first connection partner fixedly connected to the flap or cover body or the holding body of the flap or cover body and a second connection partner fixedly connected to the back side of the flap body. Here, the first connection partner is designed in a manner that is at least partially or partially complementary to the second connection partner and is configured to form a releasable positive locking connection with the second connection partner.

[0018] The connection partner of each fastening element is in particular configured as a plastic part, in particular an injection-molded plastic part. It is proposed that the first connection partner of each fastening element is preferably configured in one piece with the flap or cover body or with the holding body of the flap or cover body, and the second connection partner of each fastening element is preferably configured in one piece with the flap body, in particular with the back side of the flap body.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting counterpart of each fastening element is configured such that the flap body can be detached from the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body even when the flap or cover body occupies the closed position.

[0020] The advantage of this design variant is that even in the event of a failure of the electric actuator of the charging or refueling module, for example, the flap body can be detached from the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body when the flap or cover body is in its closed position. This is necessary, for example, in order to ensure that emergency unlocking is achieved.

[0021] According to the implementation of the charging or refueling module of the present invention, it is proposed that the connecting counterpart of each fastening element is configured to position the flap body in a stress-free manner relative to the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body when the flap body is in a fastened or assembled state.

[0022] This ensures in an easily achievable but still effective manner that the flap extends flush with the desired surface quality and preferably also flush with the vehicle body structure outer skin surface at the joint, wherein such positioning is particularly unaffected by temperature and / or moisture content.

[0023] In a design variant of the charging or refueling module according to the invention it is provided that the first connection partner and / or the second connection partner of each fastening element is configured for locking together in a desired assembly position of the two connection partners.

[0024] For example, it is proposed here that the first connecting partner or the second connecting partner of each fastening element, preferably the first connecting partner, has at least one locking protrusion, which is configured to be used to snap into a locking receiving part of another connecting partner, especially the second connecting partner, in the desired assembly position of the two connecting partners.

[0025] In an improvement of the recently mentioned design variant of the charging or refueling module according to the invention, it is proposed that the connecting partner of each fastening element is configured such that the positive locking connection formed between the connecting partner parts in the desired assembly position of the connecting partner parts can be released only after overcoming a particularly predetermined or determinable force threshold.

[0026] In this case, the in particular predetermined or determinable force threshold is defined in particular by at least one tapering reinforcement rib which is associated with one of the two connection partners, in particular with the first connection partner.

[0027] In particular, the fastening element is configured so that the flap body can be assembled on the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body by movement, in particular superimposed movement, of the flap body in the X / Y direction relative to the flap or cover body or relative to the retaining body of the flap or cover body.

[0028] Alternatively or in addition to this, the fastening element is configured such that: the flap body can be removed from the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body by introducing a predetermined or determinable critical force component along the Y direction, preferably can be removed from the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body by introducing a predetermined or determinable critical force component only along the Y direction.

[0029] According to a preferred implementation of the charging or refueling module of the present invention, it is proposed that the first connection partner or the second connection partner, preferably the second connection partner, of each fastening element is at least partially or partially configured as a plug-in socket with a receiving portion, wherein in order to form a forced locking connection with another connection partner, in particular with the first connection partner, the plug-in element of the other connection partner can be inserted into the receiving portion.

[0030] In this regard, it is proposed that the receiving parts of each fastening element, which are respectively at least partially or partially configured as connecting counterparts of a plug-in socket, are arranged parallel to each other, so that in order to mount the flap body on the flap or cover body or on the retaining body of the flap or cover body or in order to remove the flap body from the flap or cover body or from the retaining body of the flap or cover body, the flap body moves in a direction, in particular in a direction parallel to the outer skin of the vehicle, relative to the flap or cover body or the retaining body of the flap or cover body.

[0031] In a design variant of the most recently mentioned embodiment of the charging or refueling module according to the invention, it is proposed that the receiving part of the connection counterpart, which is configured at least partially or partially as a socket, is composed of two guide surfaces arranged opposite to each other, wherein the guide surfaces are arranged at a certain distance from each other so that a gap is formed for the plug-in element.

[0032] In particular, it is also conceivable in this regard that a receiving portion, which is configured at least partially or regionally as a connection partner of a plug socket, is configured such that, when the plug element is inserted, the receiving portion is elastically expanded, which ultimately results in tensioning and clamping in the desired assembly position.

[0033] The invention also relates to a vehicle having a charging or refueling module of the type described above according to the invention.

[0034] The invention will be described in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] In the attached picture:

[0036] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a charging or refueling module according to the invention is shown schematically and in a top view without a flap body mounted on a flap or cover body of the charging or refueling module, so that the arrangement of fastening elements for mounting the flap body on the flap or cover body can be seen;

[0037] Figure 2 Schematically and in isometric view, respectively, the Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of two connecting counterparts of a connecting element of a charging or refueling module, in particular in a state in which the flap body is not (yet) mounted on the flap or cover body;

[0038] Figure 3 Schematically and in isometric view respectively Figure 2 The connecting counterpart of the fastening element shown is in particular in a state in which the flap body or a (second) connecting counterpart associated with the flap body forms a releasable positive locking connection with a (first) connecting counterpart associated with the flap or cover body;

[0039] Figure 4 Schematically and in isometric views, respectively, the following are shown when removing the flap body from the flap or cover body: Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a connection counterpart of a connection element;

[0040] Figure 5.1 Schematically and in isometric view, respectively, the Figure 2 Further views of the connection counterpart of the connection element;

[0041] Figure 5.2 Schematically and in isometric view, respectively, the Figure 2 further views of the connection counterpart of the connection element; and

[0042] Figure 6 Schematically and in isometric view, respectively, for Figure 1 An alternative embodiment of a connection partner for a charging or refueling module.

[0043] The connecting counterparts 5, 6 of each fastening element, schematically shown in the accompanying drawings, are designed so that the flap body 13 of the charging or refueling module 1 can be removed from the flap or cover body 3 of the charging or refueling module 1 even when the flap or cover body 3 occupies its closed position.

[0044] In particular, the connecting counterpart 5 , 6 of each fastening element is configured for positioning the flap body 13 in a stress-free manner relative to the flap or cover body 3 in the fastened state of the flap body 13 .

[0045] The connection partners 5, 6 are designed for the desired assembly position of the two connection partners 5, 6 (see Figure 3 ) are locked together, wherein the positively locked connection formed between the connection partners 5, 6 in the desired assembly position of the connection partners 5, 6 can only be released after overcoming a force threshold value that is particularly predetermined or determinable. The force threshold value is defined in particular by the tapering reinforcement ribs 14, which are particularly associated with the first connection partner 5.

[0046] In particular, in the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings of the charging or refueling module 1 according to the invention or of the fastening element of the charging or refueling module 1 according to the invention, it is proposed that the connecting mating parts 5, 6 and in particular the connecting mating part 6 associated with the opening cover body 13 are at least partially or partially configured as a plug-in socket, which has a receiving part, into which the plug-in element of another connecting mating part (here: the first connecting mating part 5, i.e. the connecting mating part 5 associated with the flip cover or cover body 3) can be inserted, so as to form a forced locking connection between the two connecting mating parts 5, 6 and in particular between the plug-in socket on the one hand and the plug-in element on the other hand.

[0047] Here, the receiving parts of the connecting counterparts 5, 6 of each fastening element, which are respectively at least partially or partially configured as plug-in sockets, are arranged parallel to each other, so that, in particular in order to remove the flap body 13 from the flap or cover body 3, the flap body 13 moves relative to the flap or cover body 3 in a certain direction, in particular in a direction parallel to the outer skin of the vehicle.

[0048] In detail, Figure 1 Schematically and in a top view, an exemplary embodiment of a charging or refueling module 1 according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 (not shown) with the flip cover or cover body 3 of the charging or refueling module 1, in Figure 1 The illustration of the mouth cover body 13 is omitted.

[0049] During charging or refueling of module 1 Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the flap or cover body 3 is pivotably supported relative to the base body 2 of the charging or refueling module 1. A kinematic mechanism ( Figure 1 (not visible in the image).

[0050] In particular, the movement mechanism is associated with an electric drive in order to pivot the flap or cover body 3 together with the flap body 13 mounted thereon from the closed position to the open position (and vice versa) as required.

[0051] However, the invention is not limited to a pivotably mounted flap or cover body 3. It is also conceivable that the flap or cover body 3 is at least partially displaceably or otherwise movably mounted relative to the base body of the charging or refueling module 1.

[0052] Here, it can be provided that: on the flap or cover body 3 or alternatively on the flap or cover body 3 ( Figure 1 A plurality of fastening elements are provided on the holding body (not shown) so that the flap body 13 can be assembled on the flap or cover body 3 by means of these fastening elements. This is usually achieved in the following way: when the flap or cover body 3 occupies the closed position (see Figure 1 In the position shown), the flap body 13 extends visibly flush or surface-flush with the outer skin of the body structure of the vehicle.

[0053] In particular, from Figure 1 As seen in the top view, the fastening elements are all arranged along the same direction (X direction).

[0054] It is particularly provided here that the fastening element is configured such that the flap body 13 can be mounted on the flap or cover body 3 of the charging or refueling module 1 by a particularly superimposed movement of the flap body 13 in the X / Z direction relative to the flap or cover body 3.

[0055] On the other hand, the fastening element is configured such that the flap body 13 can be detached from the flap or cover body 3 , in particular by applying a critical force component acting in the Y direction to the flap body 13 .

[0056] Reference below Figures 2 to 6 A possible embodiment of the fastening element is described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0057] In detail, each fastening element has a first connection partner 5 fixedly connected to the flap or cover body 3 and a second connection partner 6 fixedly connected to the back side of the flap body 13. Here, the first connection partner 5 is designed and configured to form a releasable positive locking connection with the second connection partner 6 in a manner that is at least partially or partially complementary to the second connection partner 6.

[0058] Here, the connecting counterpart 5 , 6 of each fastening element is configured such that the flap body 13 can be detached from the flap or cover body 3 even when the flap or cover body 3 assumes the closed position.

[0059] The connecting counterpart 5 , 6 of each fastening element is configured for positioning the flap body 13 relative to the flap or cover body 3 in a stress-free manner in the fastened or assembled state of the flap body 13 .

[0060] Furthermore, the connecting partners 5 , 6 of each fastening element are configured to be latched together in a desired assembly position of the two connecting partners 5 , 6 .

[0061] To this end, the first connecting partner or the second connecting partner 5, 6 of each fastening element and preferably the first connecting partner 5 has a locking protrusion 7, which is designed to engage and / or snap into the locking receiving part of the other connecting partner in the desired assembly position of the two connecting partners 5, 6.

[0062] The connecting partners 5 , 6 of each fastening element are configured such that the positively locked connection formed between the connecting partners 5 , 6 in the desired assembly position of the connecting partners 5 , 6 can only be released after overcoming a particularly predetermined or determinable force, particularly a displacement in the Y direction.

[0063] For this purpose, it is conceivable that a predetermined or determinable force threshold, in particular acting in the Y direction, is defined by a tapering reinforcement rib 14 which is associated with one of the two connection partners 5 , 6 , in particular the first connection partner 5 , 6 .

[0064] In detail, the first connection partner and the second connection partner 5, 6 and in particular the second connection partner 6 of the exemplary embodiment of the fastening element shown in the accompanying drawings are at least partially or partially configured as a plug-in socket with a receiving portion, wherein in order to form a forced locking connection with the other connection partner 5, the plug-in element of the other connection partner can be inserted into the receiving portion in particular along the X direction.

[0065] The receiving parts of the connection partners 5, 6 of each fastening element, which are each configured at least partially or partially as plug sockets, are arranged parallel to each other (eg, they can be connected from the outside). Figure 1 ), so that in order to assemble the flap body 13 on the flap or cover body 3 and / or remove it from the flap or cover body 3, the flap body 13 moves relative to the flap or cover body 3 in a certain direction, in particular in a direction parallel to the outer skin of the vehicle, preferably in the X direction.

[0066] Also in Figures 2 to 6 It can be seen from the figure that the receiving portion of the connection partner, which is configured at least partially or partially as a socket, is composed of two guide surfaces arranged opposite to each other, wherein the guide surfaces are arranged at a certain distance from each other so as to form a gap for the plug element of the other connection partner.

[0067] Here, the receiving portion of the connection partner, which is configured at least partially or regionally as a plug socket, is configured such that, when the plug element is inserted, the receiving portion expands elastically, wherein this ultimately results in tensioning and clamping in the desired assembly position.

[0068] In particular, in the exemplary embodiment of the fastening element it is provided that the connecting partner 5 , 6 of each fastening element is in each case configured as a plastic part, in particular an injection-molded plastic part.

[0069] Here, the first connecting partner 5 of each fastening element can preferably be configured in one piece with the flap or cover body 3 .

[0070] On the other hand, the second connecting partner 6 of each fastening element can preferably be configured in one piece with the flap body 13 , in particular with the back side of the flap body 13 .

[0071] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawing, but rather results from an overview of all features disclosed herein.

[0072] List of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1 Charging or refueling module

[0074] 2 Matrix

[0075] 3 Flip cover or cover body

[0076] 5 First connection partner of the fastening element

[0077] 6 Second connection partner of the fastening element

[0078] 7 Locking protrusion of the first connection partner

[0079] 8 The latch receiving portion of the second connecting partner

[0080] 13. Mouth cover

[0081] 14 Reinforcement ribs.

Claims

1. A charging or refueling module (1) for a vehicle, wherein the charging or refueling module (1) has the following items: - a base (2) for mounting the charging or refueling module (1) on the body structure of the vehicle; - a flap or cover body (3) which is mounted on the base body (2) in a pivotable or movable manner; and - a flap body (13) which is mounted on the flap or cover body (3) or on a retaining body of the flap or cover body (3) by means of a plurality of fastening elements and which extends flush with the outer skin of the body structure of the vehicle when the flap or cover body (3) occupies the closed position, Each fastening element comprises a first connecting counterpart (5) and a second connecting counterpart (6), wherein the first connecting counterpart (5) is fixedly connected to the flip cover or cover body (3) or the retaining body of the flip cover or cover body (3), and the second connecting counterpart (6) is fixedly connected to the back side of the mouth cover body (13), wherein the first connecting counterpart (5) is arranged in a manner at least partially or partially complementary to the second connecting counterpart (6) and is configured to form a releasable forced locking connection with the second connecting counterpart (6).

2. The charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 1, The connecting counterpart (5, 6) of each fastening element is configured so that: when the flip cover or cover body (3) occupies the closed position, the flap body (13) can also be removed from the flip cover or cover body (3) or from the retaining body of the flip cover or cover body (3).

3. A charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, The connecting counterpart (5, 6) of each fastening element is configured to position the flap body (13) in a stress-free manner relative to the flap or cover body (3) or relative to the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3) when the flap body (13) is in a fastened or assembled state.

4. A charging or refueling module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first connection partner and / or the second connection partner (5, 6) of each fastening element is configured to be locked together in a desired assembly position of the two connection partners (5, 6).

5. The charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 4, The first connecting partner or the second connecting partner (5, 6) of each fastening element, preferably the first connecting partner (5), has at least one latching protrusion (7), which is configured to engage and / or latch into a latching receiving portion of the other connecting partner in a desired assembly position of the two connecting partners (5, 6).

6. Charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 4 or 5, The connecting partners (5, 6) of each fastening element are configured such that a positively locked connection formed between the connecting partners (5, 6) in a desired assembly position of the connecting partners (5, 6) can be released only after a force threshold, which is particularly predetermined or determinable and acts particularly in the Y direction, has been overcome.

7. The charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 6, The in particular predetermined or determinable force threshold, in particular acting in the Y direction, is defined by at least one tapering reinforcement rib (14), which is associated with one of the two connection partners (5, 6), in particular with the first connection partner (5).

8. A charging or refueling module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The fastening element is configured so that the flap body (13) can be assembled on the flap or cover body (3) or on the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3) by movement, in particular superimposed movement, of the flap body (13) in the X / Y direction relative to the flap or cover body (3) or relative to the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3).

9. A charging or refueling module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The fastening element is configured so that: the flap body (13) can be removed from the flap or cover body (3) or from the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3) by introducing a predetermined or determinable critical force component along the Y direction, preferably can be removed from the flap or cover body (3) or from the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3) by introducing a predetermined or determinable critical force component only along the Y direction.

10. A charging or refueling module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The first connection partner or the second connection partner (5, 6), preferably the second connection partner (6) of each fastening element is at least partially or partially configured as a socket with a receiving portion, wherein in order to form the forced locking connection with the other connection partner (5), the plug-in element of the other connection partner can preferably be inserted into the receiving portion along the X direction.

11. The charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 10, The receiving parts of the connecting counterparts (5, 6) of each fastening element, which are respectively configured at least partially or partially as a socket, are arranged parallel to each other, so that in order to assemble the flap body (13) on the flap or cover body (3) or on the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3) and / or remove it from the flap or cover body (3) or from the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3), the flap body (13) moves in a direction, in particular in a direction parallel to the outer skin of the vehicle, relative to the flap or cover body (3) or the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3).

12. Charging or refueling module (1) according to claim 10 or 11, The receiving portion of the connection partner (5, 6) which is at least partially or partially configured as a plug socket is formed by two guide surfaces arranged opposite to each other, wherein the guide surfaces are arranged at a certain distance from each other so as to form a gap for the plug element.

13. A charging or refueling module (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, The receiving part of the connection partner (5, 6) which is configured at least partially or locally as a plug socket is configured so that: when the plug element is inserted, the receiving part is elastically expanded, which ultimately enables tensioning and clamping in the desired assembly position.

14. Charging or refueling module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The connecting counterparts (5, 6) of each fastening element are respectively configured as plastic parts, in particular injection-molded plastic parts, wherein the first connecting counterparts (5) of each fastening element are preferably configured integrally with the flap or cover body (3) or the retaining body of the flap or cover body (3), and wherein the second connecting counterparts (6) of each fastening element are preferably configured integrally with the mouth cover body (13), in particular with the back side of the mouth cover body (13).

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