Device for generating an opening signal

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for generating a signal, said device comprising: a signal module having a housing (112) with a switching region (121); at least one switch (120) which is connected to the switching region of the housing; a sealing element (132) configured to protect the housing from environmental effects, where the switch (120) has an actuation member (122), and where at least a portion of the actuation member (122) extends through the sealing element (132).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for generating a signal, in particular for opening a vehicle door or a vehicle flap. On the other hand, it relates to a charging, refueling or servicing assembly for a vehicle having such a device for generating a signal.

[0002] Vehicles having a hybrid drive or an electric drive mostly 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 port which can be accessed from outside the vehicle body (which is usually a charging socket) by connecting, for example, to a charging station or to a conventional external power port.

[0003] The charging port is usually arranged in a charging chamber of the vehicle body, and the charging chamber is covered or enclosed by a charging flap or a charging closure element. A mechanism cooperating with the charging flap or the charging closure element selectively allows opening and closing of the charging chamber, or flipping open and shutting of the charging flap or the charging closure element relative to the charging chamber, and thus allows access to the charging port.

[0004] In a vehicle having a combustion drive, fuel is supplied to a fuel tank via a refueling neck which can be accessed from outside, for example by connecting to a fuel pump or a fuel nozzle. Corresponding to the charging port, the refueling neck is usually arranged in a refueling chamber assigned to the vehicle body, and the refueling chamber is covered or enclosed by a refueling flap or a refueling closure element. A mechanism cooperating with the refueling flap or the refueling closure element also selectively allows opening and closing of the refueling chamber, or flipping open and shutting of the refueling flap or the refueling closure element relative to the refueling chamber, and thus allows access to the refueling neck.

[0005] The terms "refueling flap" or "refueling chamber" used herein should not be understood only as components associated with a fuel tank or components required for filling a fuel tank. In fact, these terms also include components of a tank for receiving other resources (such as AdBlue or urea) or additives (such as water). Thus, the present invention also relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating inspection flaps which are associated with a filling system for resources or additive fuels, in particular a fuel tank, an AdBlue tank or a water tank.

[0006] There is a basic need in the prior art for charging, refueling or inspection flaps which can be actuated intuitively and reliably. The impact of the charging, refueling or inspection flaps on the vehicle appearance should also be minimal.

[0007] Starting from this, the basic object of the present invention is to provide a charging, refueling or inspection flap that is easy to actuated and has an outer surface substantially the same as the vehicle outer skin.

[0008] The object on which the present invention is based is achieved in particular by the subject matter of claim 1, and advantageous refinements of the charging, refueling or inspection flap according to the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device for generating a signal, in particular for opening a vehicle door or a vehicle flap, wherein the device has:

[0010] - a signal module, which has a housing with a switching area;

[0011] - at least one switch, in particular a microswitch, which is connected to the switching area of the housing, in particular in a detachable manner;

[0012] - a sealing element, which is designed to protect the housing from environmental influences,

[0013] wherein the switch has an actuating member, and wherein at least a part of the actuating member extends through the sealing element.

[0014] The device according to the invention for generating a signal is a module that can be partly installed in the dry area of the vehicle body and partly installed in the wet area of the vehicle body. Here, the part of the signal module located in the dry area is protected from environmental influences by the sealing element. The actuating member extends through the sealing element and can therefore be used to detect movements in the wet area and generate corresponding signals.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the device has an actuating flap, which is pivotally arranged relative to the housing and is designed to transmit the movement of the operating element 116 to the actuating member of the switch, such that the at least one switch is activated by the movement of the operating element. In other words, in the installed state of the device, the actuating flap is arranged between the operating element and the actuating member of the switch. The actuating flap can be supported, for example, by a certain sub-region of the housing of the signal module, such that the movement of the actuating flap relative to the housing and thus relative to the actuating member of the switch can be precisely defined. This means that the movement of the actuating flap can be repeatedly used to activate the switch. At the same time, the actuating flap provides a relatively large actuating surface for the operating element, which means that tolerances can be easily compensated for when installing the module compared to the operating element.

[0016] Finally, as will be explained in more detail later, a small movement of the actuating flap can be amplified by pivoting the actuating flap, such that this results in a larger pivoting movement of the actuating flap, which pivoting movement is sufficient to actuate, for example, depress the actuating member of the switch. Finally, the movement of the actuating flap can be used to introduce a substantially vertical force into the actuating member of the switch. This has the advantage that possible shear forces or lateral friction of the actuating member, and associated wear, can be prevented, regardless of the direction of movement of the corresponding actuating element.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the housing has at least one extension, in particular a pin, which extends from the switch region of the housing in the direction of the sealing element, wherein the extension is designed to define a pivot bearing for the actuating flap. According to this embodiment, not only does the actuating member extend into the wet region of the vehicle body. The extension described here also extends through the sealing element into the wet region and serves to precisely define the position of the actuating flap relative to the actuating member of the switch. The extension thus serves on the one hand for positioning and on the other hand as a pivot bearing for the actuating flap.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the device has electrical contacts which are connected to the at least one switch, in particular in a releasable manner, and extend at least partially from the switch region into the plugging region of the housing, wherein the electrical contacts are designed to establish electrical contact with a vehicle-side plug for transmitting electrical signals. The integral plugging region of the housing thus serves to receive the vehicle-side plug, and the device can be connected to the corresponding control device of the vehicle simply by inserting the plug into the plugging region. The electrical contacts connect the contact parts of the switch to the plugging region and can simultaneously be used as terminals of the plugging region.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the plugging region has a socket for receiving a vehicle-side plug, in particular a plug of a control unit or an electric actuator. That is, the plugging region of this embodiment is designed as a socket, into which the ends of the electrical contacts extend. The device thus serves not only to receive the switch but also to establish a reliable connection with the electrical contacts. In fact, the device simultaneously has a socket for receiving the corresponding electrical contact plug of the electric drive device. After installing the device, the plug of the electric drive device can thus simply be inserted into the socket of the module in order to create a reliable electrical connection between the switch and the drive device / the control device of the drive device.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the electrical contact part has a first elastic end portion that is in contact with the at least one switch, wherein the first elastic end portions of the electrical contact part are respectively preloaded onto one of the contact parts of the at least one switch. In this way, a reliable connection between the electrical contact part and the contact part of the switch is ensured because the electrical contact part is preloaded onto the contact part of the switch. However, it is not necessary to preload the contact part onto the microswitch during the manufacture of the module. In fact, the electrical contact part can be quickly and easily anchored to the module housing, and this preloading is automatically generated by connecting the housing of the signal module to the vehicle body.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a charging, refueling or maintenance assembly for a vehicle, having:

[0022] - a charging, refueling or maintenance chamber that is received or receivable on the housing of the vehicle, in particular on a body member of the vehicle;

[0023] - a charging, refueling or maintenance flap that can be reversibly moved between a closed position and an open position relative to the charging, refueling or maintenance chamber by an actuator; and

[0024] - the device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device is arranged in the charging, refueling or maintenance chamber in such a way that pressing the charging, refueling or maintenance flap in the closed position causes the actuating member of the switch to be actuated.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the charging chamber has a wall that separates a wet area of the vehicle from a dry area, wherein at least a part of the actuating member extends through the wall. In particular, the sealing element of the device can be arranged in such a way that the sealing element seals the gap / crevice between the wall and the actuating member, so that no foreign matter or water can penetrate into the housing of the device between the wall and the actuating member.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the at least one extension of the housing extends through the wall. As described above, the extension is particularly used to position the actuating flap relative to the signal module. A second sealing element can be provided to seal any gap between the extension and the wall of the charging chamber, so that foreign matter or water cannot enter the dry area here either.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the charging, refueling or servicing chamber has an actuating housing which is connected to the wall in a moist area and is designed to receive the actuating member of the switch. The actuating housing can for example be designed as a two-piece unit. For example, a first area of the actuating housing which is designed as a pocket can be integrally formed with the wall, wherein a second sub-area of the actuating housing is designed as a cover which covers the open part of the pocket when the signal module or the actuating flap is completely arranged within the pocket. The actuating housing further improves the protection of the dry area behind the wall against possible environmental influences, in particular against the ingress of water. In addition, the actuating housing substantially protects the actuating flap against environmental influences.

[0028] The actuating flap can be pivotally received in the actuating housing, wherein the pivot axis of the actuating flap is supported between the at least one extension of the housing and the inner wall of the actuating housing. Thus, the pivoting movement of the actuating flap can be precisely defined by the actuating housing and the at least one extension. At the same time, the actuating housing effectively protects the pivot axis against contamination.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the charging, refueling or servicing flap is connected to the charging, refueling or servicing chamber via at least one joint for movement, wherein the joint is connected to the actuating member such that movement of the joint in at least one direction causes the actuating member to be actuated.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the at least one joint is designed such that the charging, refueling or servicing flap can be pressed against the charging, refueling or servicing chamber in the closed position in order to move the joint in the at least one direction.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having the above-described charging, refueling or servicing assembly.

[0032] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention on a corresponding charging chamber is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 A sectional view of the device according to Figure 1 in the rest position is shown;

[0035] Figure 3 A sectional view of the device according to Figure 1 in the actuated position is shown;

[0036] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the device according to Figure 1 of the invention during installation in a charging chamber, during a first assembly step, is shown; and

[0037] Figure 5 Shows a schematic perspective view of the device during the second assembly step according to Figure 1 .

[0038] Figure 1 Shows a schematic perspective view of a device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is mounted at a charging, refueling or maintenance chamber 102. Hereinafter, particular reference should be made to the charging chamber 102, although this does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention, since the device can basically be mounted at any part of the vehicle body that separates a wet area from a dry area. For example, the device can also be used to be mounted at the rear side of a door handle in order to detect an actuation of the door handle by means of an actuating member of a switch. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to assembling the device for generating a signal in a specific area of the vehicle body.

[0039] Figure 1 The charging chamber 102 schematically shown in has a chamber body 104, which is designed to receive a charging port and to enable connection to a corresponding charging plug of a charging station. For the sake of simplicity, such a charging port is not visible in the figures shown here. However, it should be noted that the area of the charging socket 104 shown here is classified as a wet area, since this area is not protected from the environment at least during the charging process (i.e., when the charging flap is open). The wall of the charging chamber 104 is designed such that in particular moisture cannot enter the interior space of the vehicle body.

[0040] An adapter frame 106 is provided at the upper end region of the chamber body 104. The adapter frame 106 is in particular used to adapt the general chamber body 104 to the shape and dimensions of a required charging flap (not shown here). In other words, the adapter frame 106 covers the chamber body 104 in the edge region and seals the chamber body together with the charging flap when the charging flap is closed.

[0041] As will be explained in more detail later, the adapter frame 106 can simultaneously be used to cover an actuating housing 108, which is part of the chamber body 104.

[0042] The device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted at the rear side, i.e., attached to the rear wall of the chamber body 104. In particular, it can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 3 that the device 100 is attached to the rear wall of the chamber body 104. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Show Figure 1 a sectional view of the embodiment of the device 100 shown. Here, Figure 2 and Figure 3The cross-sectional views are shown in two different planes in order to show on the one hand the actuation member 122 passing through the wall of the chamber body 104 and on the other hand the passage of the extensions 134, 135.

[0043] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the housing 112 of the device 100 is substantially connected to the rear wall of the chamber body 104. Here, the housing 112 can be adhesively bonded, welded or snapped to the rear wall, for example. Thus, the housing 112 is mostly located in the dry area of the vehicle body and extends behind the rear wall of the chamber body 104.

[0044] The device 100 has a housing 112 which has a switch area 121 and a plug-in area 131. The housing can be designed as an injection-molded plastic body, for example.

[0045] The switch 120, in particular a microswitch, is detachably connected to the switch area 121. For this purpose, the housing 112 can have one or more receiving openings for aligning the switch 120 relative to the housing 112. The switch 120 can be introduced into such an opening, for example by means of a snap joint, in order to be detachably connected to the housing. As will be described in more detail below, the switch 108 is in particular designed as a button with an actuation member 122. The switch is arranged in the housing 112 in such a way that at least the actuation member 122 extends out of the housing 112. In other words, the actuation member 122 projects from the housing 112.

[0046] The device 100 can also have a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact 128, 130. The electrical contacts 128, 130 each have a first end and an opposite second end. At the first end, the electrical contacts 128, 130 are connected to the corresponding contact parts of the switch 104, such as contact pins 124, 126. In particular, the first electrical contact 128 is connected to the first contact pin 126 of the switch 120 at its first end. The second electrical contact 130 is connected to the second electrical contact pin 126 of the switch 120 via its first end.

[0047] The second ends of the electrical contacts 128, 130 extend into the plug-in area 131 of the housing 112. The plug-in area 131 is in particular used to receive a corresponding plug in order to supply power to an electric drive device or to any other electrical consumer. For example, such a plug can be inserted into the plug-in area 131 and pushed onto the second ends of the electrical contacts 128, 130. In other words, the electrical contacts 128, 130 serve as an adapter between the terminals / contact pins 124, 126 of the switch 120 and the vehicle-side plug.

[0048] In the embodiment shown here, the socket 130 is arranged in the plug area 131 of the housing 112. The electrical contacts 128, 130 of the device 100 extend into the socket 130, and the socket is adapted in shape and size to the plug to be connected. Thus, the device 100 enables the quick and simple installation of the electrical switch at any part of the vehicle body. By simply pushing the plug into the socket 130, the switch can be electrically connected to the control device of the vehicle. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to weld the switch to the control device in a narrow space.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the device does not have the electrical contacts 128, 130. Instead of the electrical contacts, it is also conceivable to connect the contact pins 124, 126 of the switch 120 to the control device / actuator via a cable. The cable can lead directly to the control device or be connected to a suitable connection plug / terminal in order to transmit the signal to the control device / actuator.

[0050] Returning to the switch 120, it should be noted that the switch is a button designed as a microswitch, and the button has an actuating member 122 for activating the switch. The actuating member 122 can be pre-loaded, for example, to Figure 2 the position shown. For this purpose, a reset element (not shown), such as a leaf spring, is provided within the switch 120.

[0051] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 the rest position or the actuated position shown, at least the actuating member 122 of the switch 120 extends through the wall of the chamber body 104 into the humid area of the charging chamber. For this purpose, a first sealing element 132 is provided, and the first sealing element seals the corresponding opening in the wall of the chamber body 104 relative to the switch 120, that is, in particular relative to the actuating member 122. The sealing element 132 can be any elastic seal. Thus, only the actuating member of the switch 120 is located in the humid area, while the rest of the switch 120 and the device 100 are arranged in a dry area and are thus protected from environmental influences such as water vapor.

[0052] In the embodiment shown herein, the actuating member 122 extends into the actuating housing 108, which is arranged in the moist area of the chamber body 104. According to the embodiment shown herein, the actuating housing 108 is designed as a two-part housing, wherein the first part is integrally formed with the wall of the chamber body 104. The second part is formed by the adapter frame 106. The first area is in particular designed as a pocket for receiving the actuating member 122 and the actuating flap 114. The actuating housing 108 serves to protect the actuating member 122 and the actuating flap 114 from moisture and other environmental influences. However, it should be mentioned here that moisture or dirt may still enter the actuating housing 108 via the actuating opening 110. In other words, the interior of the actuating housing is not completely protected from environmental influences.

[0053] The actuating flap 114 is pivotally supported within the actuating housing 108. In particular, the actuating flap 114 is capable of pivoting between Figure 2 the rest position shown and Figure 3 the actuating position shown. The actuating flap 114 is preloaded into Figure 2 the rest position shown.

[0054] In the rest position, the actuating flap 114 is not in contact with the actuating member 122 of the switch 120. Thus, in the rest position of the actuating flap 114, the switch 120 is not activated. When the actuating flap 114 is switched from Figure 2 the rest position shown to Figure 3 the actuating position shown, the actuating flap 114 pivots about the pivot axis 138 (here in the clockwise direction) towards the actuating member 122. The switch 120 is activated by pressing down the actuating member 122, thereby generating an electrical signal which can be transmitted via the electrical contacts 128, 130 to a corresponding control device or actuator to control the charging flap (not shown).

[0055] The pivoting movement of the actuating flap 114 is in particular caused by the operating element 116, which is only schematically shown in the embodiment shown herein. The operating element 116 is arranged on the side of the actuating flap 114 opposite to the actuating member 122 of the switch 120. The actuating member 116 can be a member with numerous designs. In the example shown here, the operating element 116 can be, for example, part of the kinematic system of the charging flap.

[0056] For example, the kinematic system can be a joint that connects the charging flap to the charging chamber 102. The joint can be designed such that in the closed state of the charging flap, the joint allows a certain kinematic tolerance when the flap is pressed towards the charging chamber. In other words, even in the closed state, the joint allows the vehicle user to press the charging flap down by a certain distance, thereby achieving relative movement of the operating element 116 (e.g., a part of the flap joint) relative to the actuating flap 114. For example, this relative movement can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 the translational movement of the operating element 116 relative to the actuating flap 114, as schematically shown. Here, the operating element 116 is arranged relative to the actuating flap such that the relative movement caused by pressing down the flap causes the operating element 116 to contact the actuating flap 114 and pivot it towards the actuating member 122.

[0057] It should be mentioned again in this regard that the operating element 116 can be any element arranged in a wet area of the vehicle body and movable from the outside. Other embodiments not shown can be, for example, a part of a door handle that can be pressed down, for example, to generate a locking signal for a door lock.

[0058] As described above, the actuating flap 114 is arranged to pivot within the actuating housing 108 of the charging chamber 102. In order to be able to precisely define the pivoting movement of the actuating flap 114 relative to the actuating member 122, the device 100 has extensions 134, 135 that also extend from the dry area into the wet area. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The extensions 134, 135 shown are designed as pins that extend into the interior space of the actuating housing 108. In the embodiment shown here, a second opening is provided in the wall of the chamber body 104 for this purpose. A second sealing element 136 is used to seal the opening of the chamber body 104 relative to the extensions in order to effectively prevent moisture from entering via the second opening.

[0059] The extensions 134, 135 in particular, together with the actuating housing 108, define the position of the pivot axis 138 of the actuating flap 114 within the actuating housing 108. Thus, the extensions 134, 135 also define the position of the actuating flap 114 relative to the switch or actuating member 122. Thus, sliding of the actuating flap within the actuating housing 118 is prevented.

[0060] Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows the installation of the device according to the invention on an exemplary charging assembly according to Figure 1 Here, Figure 4Particularly shown is a chamber body 104 with an actuating housing 108 arranged in a moist area. The actuating housing 108 is in particular designed as a pocket which has an opening on the top side shown here, into which an actuating flap 114 can first be pushed. After the actuating flap 118 is introduced, the housing 112 of the device 100 is attached to the rear wall of the chamber body 104. Here, Figure 2 and Figure 3 the actuating members 122 and the extensions 134, 135 shown extend into the interior of the actuating housing 108 and fix the actuating flap 114 in the required position.

[0061] Figure 5 Another assembly step is shown, in which an adapter frame 106 is attached to the edge area of the chamber body 104. The adapter element 106 of the invention has a shoulder for covering the above-mentioned opening for introducing the actuating flap 114 in order to protect the actuating flap from the environment as much as possible.

[0062] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from an overview of all features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A device (100) for generating a signal, in particular a signal for opening a vehicle door or a vehicle flap, wherein the device (100) comprises: - a signal module having a housing (112) with a switching region (121); at least one switch (120), in particular a microswitch (120), which is connected to the switch region (121) of the housing, in particular is releasably connected; and a sealing element (132) designed to protect the housing (112) from environmental influences, The switch (120) has an actuation member (122), and at least a portion of the actuation member (122) extends through the sealing element (132).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, The module (100) has an actuating flap (114) which is pivotally arranged relative to the housing (112) and is designed to transmit the movement of an operating element to the at least one switch (120), so that the at least one switch (120) is activated by the movement of the operating element.

3. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, The housing (112) has at least one extension (134, 135), in particular a pin, which extends from the switch region of the housing substantially parallel to the actuating member (122), and wherein the extension (134, 135) is designed to define a pivot bearing for the actuating flap (114).

4. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The device comprises electrical contacts (128, 130), which are connected to the at least one switch (120) in a releasable manner and extend at least partially from the switch area (121) into a plug-in area (131) of the housing (112), wherein the electrical contacts are designed to establish electrical contact with a vehicle-side plug in order to transmit electrical signals.

5. The device (100) according to claim 4, The plug-in area (131) has a socket for receiving a plug on the vehicle side, in particular a plug of a control unit or an electric actuator.

6. The device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, The electrical contact portion has a first elastic end portion, the first elastic end portion is in contact with the at least one switch (120), and the first elastic end portion of the electrical contact portion is respectively preloaded onto one of the contact portions of the at least one switch (120).

7. A charging, refueling or servicing assembly for a vehicle, the charging, refueling or servicing assembly comprising: a charging, refueling or service chamber received or receivable on the housing of the vehicle, in particular on a body component of the vehicle; a charging, refueling or service flap which can be reversibly moved relative to the charging, refueling or service chamber between a closed position and an open position by means of an actuator; and - A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the device is arranged in the charging, refueling or service chamber so that pressing the charging, refueling or service flap in the closed position causes the actuating member (122) of the switch (120) to be actuated.

8. The charging, refueling or servicing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the charging, refueling or service chamber has a wall separating a wet area from a dry area of ​​the vehicle, and wherein at least a portion of the actuating member (122) extends through the wall.

9. The charging, refueling or repairing assembly according to claim 8 in combination with claim 3, The at least one extension (134, 135) of the housing (112) extends through the wall.

10. A charging, refueling or servicing assembly according to claim 8 or 9, The charging, refueling or service chamber has an actuation housing (108) which is connected to the wall in the wet area and is designed to receive the actuation member (122) of the switch (120).

11. The charging, refueling or servicing assembly according to claim 10 in combination with claim 2, The actuation flap (114) is pivotally received in the actuation housing (108).

12. A charging, refueling or servicing assembly according to claim 11, The pivot axis of the actuating flap (114) is supported between the at least one extension (134, 135) of the housing and the inner wall of the actuating housing (108).

13. A charging, refuelling or servicing assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, The actuating housing (108) comprises a pocket and a cover member connected to the pocket in a releasable manner.

14. A charging, refuelling or servicing assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 13, The charging, refueling or maintenance flap is movably connected to the charging, refueling or maintenance chamber via at least one joint, wherein the joint is connected to the actuating member (122) so that movement of the joint in at least one direction causes the actuating member (122) to be actuated.

15. A charging, refuelling or servicing assembly according to claim 14, The at least one connector is designed such that the charging, refueling or maintenance flap can be pressed toward the charging, refueling or maintenance chamber in the closed position to move the connector in the at least one direction.

16. A vehicle having a charging, refuelling or servicing assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 15.

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