Turnover cover for charging, refueling or overhauling

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging, refueling or service flap (100), in which the charging, refueling or service flap (100) is reversibly displaceable, in particular pivotable, relative to a charging, refueling or service recess, between a closed position and an open position by means of an actuator, and having the following: a carrier (102), the carrier can be pivotally attached to the charging, refueling or maintenance notch; and an actuating device (104) having an actuating mechanism (108) which covers at least partially, in particular all of the surface of the carrier (102), the actuating mechanism (108) being movable relative to the carrier (102) between a rest position and an actuating position in order to generate an actuating signal for opening or closing the charging, refueling or service flap (100) when the actuating mechanism (108) is moved into the actuating position.

Description

[0002] The present invention relates to a charging, refueling or inspection flap for covering a charging, refueling or inspection recess that is received or can be received on or in a housing of a vehicle. Other aspects of the present invention relate to a charging, refueling or inspection assembly or a vehicle having such a charging, refueling or inspection flap.

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

[0004] The charging interface is usually arranged in a charging recess of the vehicle body, and this charging recess 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 selective opening and closing of the charging recess, or flipping open and shut of the charging flap or the charging closure element relative to the charging recess, and thus allows access to the charging interface.

[0005] In a vehicle having a combustion drive, fuel is supplied to the fuel tank via a fuel filler neck accessible from the outside by connection, for example, to a fuel pump or a fuel nozzle. Like the charging interface, the fuel filler neck is usually arranged in a fuel filler neck housing associated with the vehicle body, and this fuel filler neck housing is covered or closed by a fuel flap or a fuel closure element. A mechanism cooperating with the fuel flap or the fuel closure element also allows selective opening and closing of the fuel recess, or flipping open and shut of the fuel flap or the fuel closure element relative to the fuel recess, and thus allows access to the fuel filler neck.

[0006] The terms "fuel flap" or "fuel recess" used herein should not be understood to refer only to the components assigned to the fuel tank or required for filling the fuel tank. Rather, these terms also include components of a tank for receiving other operating materials (such as diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue)) or additives (such as water). The present invention thus also relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating inspection flaps which are assigned to filling systems for motive fuel or additives, in particular fuel tanks, diesel exhaust fluid tanks or water tanks.

[0007] There is a basic need in the prior art for charging, refueling or inspection flaps that can be actuated intuitively and reliably. In addition, the charging, refueling or inspection flap should have a minimal impact on the vehicle appearance.

[0008] Starting from this, the basic object of the present invention is to provide a charging, refueling or maintenance flap that is easy to actuated and has an outer surface that is substantially the same as the outer skin of the vehicle.

[0009] The object on which the present invention is based is achieved in particular by the subject matter of independent claim 1, and advantageous refinements of the charging, refueling or maintenance flap according to the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a charging, refueling or maintenance flap for covering a charging, refueling or maintenance recess that is received or can be received in a housing of a vehicle, in particular a body member, or therein, wherein the charging, refueling or maintenance flap can be reversibly moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the charging, refueling or maintenance recess between a closed position and an open position by an actuator, and wherein the charging, refueling or maintenance flap comprises the following:

[0011] - a carrier that can be pivotally attached to the charging, refueling or maintenance recess;

[0012] - an actuating device having an actuating mechanism that is arranged on a side of the carrier facing away from the charging, refueling or maintenance recess in the installed state and at least partially, in particular covers the entire surface of the carrier,

[0013] wherein the actuating mechanism can be moved relative to the carrier between a rest position and an actuating position in order to generate an actuating signal for opening or closing the charging, refueling or maintenance flap when the actuating mechanism is moved to the actuating position.

[0014] The relative movement of the actuating mechanism relative to the carrier between the rest position and the actuating position can be detected by a sensor or a switch in order to generate an actuating signal for controlling the actuator. For this purpose, according to the invention, the carrier itself does not have to be movable when it is in the rest position. More precisely, the carrier of the charging, refueling or maintenance flap according to the invention can only be moved by the actuator and not manually. Thereby, a complex kinematic system for connecting the carrier to the actuator can be dispensed with.

[0015] The actuating mechanism can in particular be designed as a cover of the carrier. The cover can have an outer surface that substantially corresponds to the outer skin of the vehicle, such that the charging, refueling or maintenance flap according to the invention does not significantly change the appearance of the vehicle. Therefore, the actuating mechanism cannot particularly be recognized on the outer side of the vehicle. More precisely, the actuating mechanism is designed as a cover that can be pressed onto the carrier.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the actuating device includes a first extension extending from the surface of the actuating mechanism facing the carrier. The first extension can be used to actuate the sensors or switches mentioned above. Since the extension extends inwardly, the switches or sensors can be spaced far from the outer skin of the vehicle (i.e., the outer surface of the actuating mechanism) to protect the switches or sensors from environmental influences.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the carrier includes an opening extending between the surface facing the actuating mechanism and the surface facing away from the actuating mechanism, wherein the first extension of the actuating device extends into the opening, especially through the opening, at least when the actuating mechanism is in the actuating position. According to this variant of the embodiment, the switches or sensors can be arranged within the carrier or even within the corresponding charging, refueling or maintenance recesses, such that they can be better protected from environmental influences.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the charging, refueling or maintenance flap includes a biasing element, especially a spring element, which is designed to bias the actuating mechanism to the rest position. After the actuating mechanism is activated, the actuating mechanism is accordingly automatically transferred back to its initial position again, such that the actuating mechanism is preferably arranged flush with the outer skin of the vehicle again.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the biasing element includes at least one elastic section, which is arranged in the carrier and is configured to elastically deform when the actuating mechanism is transferred to the actuating position. For example, the elastic section can be one or more cantilevers arranged in the carrier. As will be explained in more detail later, these cantilevers can be produced, for example, by parallel or U-shaped cuts.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the biasing element includes a second extension, which extends from the surface of the actuating mechanism facing the carrier and is designed to deform the elastic section of the carrier when the actuating mechanism is transferred to the actuating position.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the actuating mechanism is snap-connected to the carrier. The actuating mechanism can in particular be detachably snap-connected to the carrier. Correspondingly, the actuating mechanism and the carrier can be manufactured separately. According to this embodiment, if the actuating mechanism is damaged, for example, the actuating mechanism can also be replaced very easily. This is also particularly advantageous when the actuating mechanism is configured as a cover element of the carrier, because in this case, it can be provided that the actuating mechanism is designed as a metal cover element while the carrier is made of plastic.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to a charging, refueling or maintenance assembly for a vehicle, which includes the following:

[0023] - a charging, refueling or maintenance recess, which is received or can be received on the housing of the vehicle, especially on a body component of the vehicle;

[0024] - A charging, refueling or maintenance flap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the charging, refueling or maintenance flap is reversibly movable, in particular pivotable, relative to a charging, refueling or maintenance recess between a closed position and an open position by means of an actuator; and

[0025] - A switch or sensor configured to detect a relative movement of an actuating mechanism relative to a carrier and to generate an actuating signal for opening or closing the charging, refueling or maintenance flap when the actuating mechanism is transferred to its actuating position.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the switch or sensor is arranged in the charging, refueling or maintenance recess. As described above, the switch or sensor can thereby be protected particularly effectively against environmental influences.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a charging, refueling or maintenance flap as described above, wherein the exterior of the actuating mechanism is arranged flush with the outer skin of the vehicle when the actuating mechanism is in its rest position.

[0028] The invention will now be explained on the basis of the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a charging flap 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 shows a longitudinal and cross-sectional view of a charging flap according to Figure 1 ; and

[0031] Figure 4 shows a magnified view of a first extension of an actuating device of a charging flap according to Figure 1 .

[0032] Figures 1 to 4 Views of a charging flap 100 according to an embodiment of the invention are shown. Although the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4 relates to a charging flap 100, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to a charging flap. Rather, the carrier and the actuating device shown herein can also be used for maintenance or refueling flaps.

[0033] The charging flap 100 is in Figure 1is shown in a rear perspective view. The charging flap 100 includes a carrier 102 which can be pivotally attached to a corresponding charging recess. For this purpose, a pivot arm 106 attached to the rear side 110 of the carrier 102 is pivotally connected to the charging recess. The carrier 102 can pivot relative to the charging recess, in particular by means of an actuator (not shown herein). The actuator can pivot the carrier so as to move the charging flap 100 relative to the charging recess between a closed position and an open position. The present invention is also not limited to pivoting the charging flap 100. Instead, any automatically (i.e., by means of an actuator) performed movement for opening or closing the charging flap can be activated by the present invention. Thus, in an embodiment not shown, the carrier can also slide relative to the charging recess.

[0034] The charging flap 100 further includes actuation means 104. The actuation means 104 includes an actuation mechanism 108 which is arranged on the side of the carrier facing away from the charging recess (132, Figure 3 ). According to the drawings shown herein, the actuation mechanism 108 covers the entire surface of the carrier 102. In other words, the actuation mechanism 108 is designed as a cover piece extending beyond the outer periphery of the carrier. The surface facing away from the carrier (124, Figure 2 ) is visible on the outside of the vehicle. The carrier 102 itself is covered by the actuation mechanism 108 such that the carrier 102 is not visible from the outside when the charging flap 100 is in the closed position.

[0035] The actuation mechanism 108 of the actuation means 104 can move relative to the carrier 102. In particular, reference is made to the view according to Figure 3 . The actuation mechanism 108 can move from the Figure 3 rest position shown in towards the carrier element 102. This can be achieved in particular by pushing the surface 124 of the actuation mechanism 108 facing away from the carrier 102. This can cause the actuation mechanism 108 to pivot, in particular about a pivot axis 136, such that the distance H ( Figure 4 ) between the actuation mechanism 108 and the carrier 102 is reduced.

[0036] As will be explained in more detail later, this relative movement of the actuation mechanism 108 relative to the carrier is used to generate an actuation signal for actuating an actuator (not shown). In the embodiment shown in the figures, a first extension 120 attached to the actuation mechanism 108 is used to detect the relative movement of the actuation mechanism 108 relative to the carrier 102. Here, the first extension 120 is configured as a tappet, but can of course have any other shape. In the case of relative movement, the first extension 120 is guided in an opening 122 of the carrier 102. In Figure 4In the exemplary embodiment variant shown, the first extension 120 is particularly used to actuate the switch 140 when the actuating mechanism 108 is transferred from its rest position shown in the figure to the actuated position. Primarily, the first extension 120 is pushed through the opening 122 of the carrier 102 here and can operate the switch 140 with its distal end. Thus, the switch 140 can generate an actuation signal for opening the charging flap, and this actuation signal is transmitted to the actuator.

[0037] In an alternative design, the switch 140 can also be arranged in other ways. For example, the switch can be received in the carrier 102. As an alternative or supplement to the switch, a sensor can also be provided, which senses the relative movement of the actuating mechanism, here in particular the first extension 120, relative to the carrier 102. Such a sensor can also be arranged within the carrier 102, for example in the cavity 137 of the carrier, or in the charging recess (not shown).

[0038] The actuating mechanism 108 is biased to the rest position shown in the figure. For this purpose, the charging flap 100 includes biasing elements, which are configured to automatically return the actuating mechanism 108 to the rest position after an actuation signal has been generated. In the embodiment shown herein, the biasing elements are configured as spring elements, which have two elastic sections 112, 114 on the carrier 102. The elastic sections 112, 114 are, for example, Figure 1 shown. They are cantilevers realized by U-shaped cutouts in the carrier 102. On the side of the actuating device 104, the biasing element can include a second extension 128, which extends from the surface 126 of the actuating mechanism 108 facing the carrier and is configured to deform the elastic sections 112, 114 of the carrier 102 when the actuating mechanism 108 is transferred to the actuated position.

[0039] Figure 1 and Figure 3 It is also shown in that the actuating device 104 is detachably snap-connected to the carrier 102. For this purpose, the carrier includes snap connectors 116, 118, which cooperate with the snap hooks 130 of the actuating device 104 in order to fasten the actuating device 104 to the carrier 102.

[0040] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from an overview of all the features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A charging, refueling or service flap (100) for covering a charging, refueling or service recess which is received or can be received on or in a housing, in particular a body component, of a vehicle, wherein the charging, refueling or service flap (100) can be reversibly moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the charging, refueling or service recess between a closed position and an open position by an actuator, and wherein the charging, refueling or service flap (100) comprises the following: - a carrier (102) which can be pivotably attached to a charging, refueling or maintenance bay; an actuating device (104) having an actuating mechanism (108), which, in the installed state, is arranged on a side of the carrier (102) facing away from the charging, refueling or maintenance recess and at least partially, in particular, covers the entire surface of the carrier (102), The actuating mechanism (108) is movable between a rest position and an actuating position relative to the carrier (102), so as to generate an actuating signal for opening or closing the charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) when the actuating mechanism (108) moves to the actuating position.

2. The charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to claim 1, The actuating device (104) has a first extension (120) extending from a surface of the actuating mechanism (108) facing the carrier (102).

3. The charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to claim 2, The carrier (102) comprises an opening (122) extending between a surface facing the actuating mechanism (108) and a surface facing away from the actuating mechanism (108), and the first extension (120) of the actuating device (104) extends into the opening (122), in particular through the opening, at least when the actuating mechanism (108) is in the actuating position.

4. A charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) comprises a biasing element, in particular a spring element, which is configured to bias the actuating mechanism (108) into the rest position.

5. The charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to claim 4, The biasing element comprises at least one elastic section (116, 118) disposed in the carrier (102) and configured to elastically deform when the actuating mechanism (108) is transferred to the actuating position.

6. The charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to claim 5, The biasing element comprises a second extension (128) extending from a surface (126) of the actuating mechanism (108) facing the carrier (102) and configured to deform the elastic section of the carrier (102) when the actuating mechanism (108) is transferred to the actuating position.

7. A charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The actuating device (104) is connected to the carrier (102) by a clamp, and is preferably detachably connected to the carrier (102) by a clamp.

8. A charging, refueling or servicing assembly for a vehicle, the charging, refueling or servicing assembly comprising the following: a charging, refueling or maintenance recess which is received or can be received on the housing of the vehicle, in particular on a body component of the vehicle; - A charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) can be reversibly moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the charging, refueling or maintenance recess between the closed position and the open position by an actuator; as well as - a switch (140) or a sensor configured to sense relative movement of the actuating mechanism (108) relative to the carrier (102) and to generate an actuating signal for opening or closing the charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) when the actuating mechanism (108) is transferred to its actuating position.

9. The charging, refueling or servicing assembly according to claim 8, The switch (140) or sensor is arranged in the charging, refueling or maintenance recess or in the carrier (102).

10. A vehicle having a charging, refueling or maintenance flap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The outer portion (124) of the actuating mechanism (108) is arranged flush with an outer skin of the vehicle when the actuating mechanism (108) is in the rest position.

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