Charging cover arrangement for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Relates to a charging cover plate arrangement for a motor vehicle. A charging cover arrangement of this type is known, having a charging cover which can be displaced between a closed position and an open position relative to a charging cavity fixed to a vehicle by means of a multi-joint movement structure, and having a drive system for actuating the multi-joint movement structure. According to the invention, a mechanical additional locking part is arranged between the charging cover plate and the charging cavity, and the additional locking part is mechanically and forcibly coupled with the multi-joint movement structure in such a way that the additional locking part is forcibly guided into the locking position shortly before the closed position of the charging cover plate is reached, in the locking position, the charging cover plate is locked in a shape-locking manner relative to an adjacent edge region of the charging cavity on at least one edge section of the charging cover plate. Relates to a use scheme for an electric motor-operated passenger vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging cover arrangement structure for a motor vehicle, which has a charging cover that can be displaced between a closed position and an open position relative to a charging cavity fixed to the vehicle by means of a multi-articulated motion structure, and has a drive system for operating the multi-articulated motion structure. Background Art

[0002] Charging flap arrangements of this type for motor vehicles operated by an electric motor are generally known. The known charging flap arrangements have a charging flap that is movably supported on the vehicle side by means of a multi-jointed kinematic structure. In the closed position, the charging flap closes a charging cavity on the vehicle side, in which at least one electrical charging connector for charging a vehicle-side battery is arranged. In the open position, the charging flap is displaced outwards relative to the vehicle body, releasing the charging cavity and the charging connector. A drive system is provided for displacing the charging flap between its closed position and its open position, which drive system includes an electric motor. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a charging flap arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset which allows for reliable use in fast-moving passenger vehicles.

[0004] This object is achieved by providing a mechanical additional closure between the charging flap and the charging cavity. The additional closure is mechanically positively coupled to the multi-joint kinematic structure such that, shortly before the charging flap reaches its closed position, it is forced into a locked position in which the charging flap, at at least one edge section of the charging flap, positively locks against an adjacent edge region of the charging cavity. This provides additional securing of the charging flap in its closed position relative to the charging cavity and, therefore, the vehicle body. The solution according to the present invention ensures that the charging flap cannot be inadvertently pulled out of its closed position by traffic airflow, even at high speeds of a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car. The invention reliably prevents the charging flap from unintentionally opening or even tearing off while the motor vehicle is in motion. Because the closure according to the present invention is a purely mechanical solution, the charging flap remains in its closed position even in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical system. The additional closure can be implemented by a single locking pin, by multiple synchronously coupled locking elements, or by a rotationally movable locking element. The drive system preferably has an electric motor fastened on the vehicle side, which acts on the multi-articulated kinematic structure by means of a suitable transmission mechanism, in particular a gear transmission. A four-articulated kinematic structure is preferably provided as the multi-articulated kinematic structure. Particularly advantageously, the multi-articulated kinematic structure is designed so that the charging cover is not permanently guided parallel to the vehicle skin between its open position and its closed position, but rather approaches the edge area of the charging cavity at an angle with a first edge section, so that the charging cover is then ensured to be pulled into the closed position with its distal edge section by means of the over-dead-center kinematic structure. The over-dead-center kinematic structure ensures that the charging cover is particularly reliably fixed in its closed position relative to the charging cavity on the vehicle side. Advantageously, a circumferential, elastically curved seal is provided between the charging cover and the charging cavity, which seal ensures additional fixing and support of the charging cover in its closed position.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-joint kinematic structure includes a lever arm drivable by a drive system. For forced coupling with the additional closure, the lever arm includes a rotationally fixed forced coupling mechanism in the region of a pivot joint attached to the charging flap. This forced coupling mechanism can establish a force-transmitting operative connection with the additional closure, depending on the pivot position of the lever arm. The lever arm is rotationally supported on the charging flap by means of the pivot joint. Alternatively, the lever arm is rotationally supported on the vehicle side in the region of the drive system. Due to the rotationally fixed assignment of the forced coupling mechanism to the lever arm, twisting of the lever arm relative to the charging flap also forces the forced coupling mechanism to twist. However, because the additional closure is not intended to be transferred to the locked position until the closing movement of the charging flap is complete, the rotational movement of the forced coupling mechanism has no effect on the additional closure during a portion of the lever arm's pivotal movement. The forced coupling mechanism performs a largely idle motion for this portion of the pivotal movement.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, a pressure piece, an eccentric, a gear segment, or a similar force transmission mechanism is provided as a positive coupling mechanism. A threaded spindle nut can also be provided as a force transmission mechanism. In such a variant, the additional locking portion is preferably formed by at least one threaded spindle, which is displaced axially by a screwing motion during the rotational movement of the spindle nut.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, an additional closure is arranged on the charging cover. Below the additional closure, a unit is arranged on the charging cover so that it can move between a locked position and a released position. A suitable counterpart is provided at the edge of the charging compartment, which is fixed to the vehicle, and ensures a positive-locking closure.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotational movement of the lever arm and the force transmission of the positive coupling mechanism to the additional closure are synchronized so that the additional closure is not transferred to the closed position until the edge section of the charging flap adjacent to the additional closure bears against the edge area of the charging compartment during the closing movement of the charging flap. This embodiment is used in multi-joint kinematic arrangements in which the circumferential edge of the charging flap does not simultaneously strike the edge of the charging compartment. Instead, during the closing process, the charging flap, in an inclined orientation, first comes into contact with the edge section of the charging flap against the charging compartment, and then the remaining portion of the charging flap is pulled inward toward the charging compartment. This advantageously activates the additional closure during the closing movement, but it must be ensured that the additional closure is not in its closed position as long as the edge section of the charging flap adjacent to the additional closure does not bear against the charging compartment.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the additional closure has at least one locking pin mounted linearly on the charging cover. The locking pin can be moved between a locked position and a released position by a simple axial displacement. Alternatively, the locking pin can be guided linearly on the charging cover by a screwing motion.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking pin is permanently spring-loaded toward its unlocked position by a return spring. This embodiment is advantageous in terms of purely axial displacement of the locking pin. The permanent spring load toward the unlocked position ensures that, when the drive system is activated, the locking pin is forcibly displaced into the unlocked position in order to move the charging door from the closed position to the open position.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the edge region of the charging cavity has a locking receptacle complementary to the locking pin, in which the locking pin is recessed into the locked position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view shows an embodiment of the charging flap arrangement according to the invention in a still partially open intermediate position of the charging flap.

[0014] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 The charging cover arrangement structure, however, in the closed position,

[0015] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The charging cover is provided with an additional latching portion in the form of a locking pin, and

[0016] Figure 4 Schematically shows a similar embodiment for a further embodiment of the charging cover arrangement according to the invention. Figure 3 Additional locking pin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The passenger car is equipped, in a manner not shown in greater detail, with an electric drive system which is supplied with current via a vehicle-side battery system. To charge the battery system, an electrical charging connection is provided in the area outside the vehicle, which is accommodated in a charging cavity 1 fixed to the vehicle, in a manner not shown in greater detail. The charging cavity 1 is arranged as a recessed structure in the area of the vehicle outer contour F and surrounds the electrical charging connection, in a manner not shown. To cover the electrical charging connection, a charging cover 2 is provided which can be opened in the closed position ( Figure 2 ) and a released position (not shown) relative to the charging compartment 1. In the closed position, the charging compartment 1 is closed. Preferably, the charging compartment 2 is flush with the exterior of the vehicle body F in its closed position. The charging compartment 2 is movably supported relative to the vehicle-side charging compartment 1 between the closed position and the released position by means of a multi-joint kinematic structure, in the present case a four-joint kinematic structure. The four-joint kinematic structure can be driven by a drive system A to displace the charging compartment 2. The four-joint kinematic structure includes a first lever arm 5, which forms the drive-side lever arm 5 and is driven directly by the drive system A. The drive system A, not shown in greater detail, includes an electric motor and an associated transmission mechanism that acts on the lever arm 5. The lever arm 5 is supported in an articulated manner in the area of the drive system, firstly around a rotary joint 7 fixed to the vehicle, and secondly around a rotary joint 8 arranged on the charging compartment 2. The hinged structure on the charging compartment side is provided on the carrier 3 of the charging compartment 2. The corresponding rotary joint 8 is arranged in a stationary manner on the carrier part 3 .

[0018] The charging cover 2 further comprises a cover panel 4 which is fastened on the outside to the carrier part 3. The cover panel 4 can be adapted to the vehicle body in terms of structure and color.

[0019] The other, non-driven lever arm 6 has a rotary joint 9 fixed to the vehicle in the region of the charging compartment 1 and a rotary joint 10 on the charging flap side, which is arranged in the carrier part 3 of the charging flap 2. The driven lever arm 5 and the non-driven lever arm 6 are associated with each other with their joint points defined by the rotary joints 7 to 10 so that in the closed position of the charging flap 2 an over-dead-center position is generated, which forms a reliable support for the charging flap 2 in the closed position.

[0020] As according to Figure 1 As can be seen, the charging cover 2 is displaced discontinuously parallel to the vehicle body between the release position and the closed position by means of a four-joint kinematic structure. More precisely, before the opposite edge sections of the charging cover 4 are placed on the opposite edge areas of the charging cavity 1, the charging cover 2 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 The left-hand edge section of the charging compartment 1 is brought into an end position at the associated edge region of the charging compartment 1 by means of a corresponding tilted position of the charging cover 2 .

[0021] In order to form an additional fixing portion for the charging cover 2 in its closed position relative to the charging cavity 1, an additional locking portion is provided, which is formed by a locking pin 11 supported so as to be linearly movable in the charging cover 2, and to which a locking receptacle 12 as a counterpart is assigned, which is arranged at the edge area on the left side of the charging cavity 1. The locking pin 11 has a locking tip, which in the closed position of the additional locking portion sinks into the locking receptacle 12 of the charging cavity 1. The locking pin 11 represents a locking mechanism in the sense of the present invention, which moves towards its release position ( Figure 1 ) direction is permanently spring-loaded by a return spring 14, which is also arranged at the charging cover 2. In the locked position, the locking pin 11 is displaced to the left ( Figure 2 ) and forms the charging cover 2 with its locking tip sunk into the locking receiving portion 12 Figure 1 and Figure 2 The positive locking portion of the left edge section of the charging cover 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The edge section on the left in FIG is the edge section that is remote from the drive system A and from the driven lever arm 5 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that the driven lever arm 5 extends approximately from the center of the carrier part 3, that is, from the rotary joint 8, toward the right edge region of the rotary joint 7 fixed to the vehicle, facing the charging compartment 1. Because the hinge point of the other lever arm 6, formed by the rotary joint 10, is also offset from the left edge section of the charging flap 2 toward the center, forces acting on the left edge section of the charging flap 2 could pull it outward without the aforementioned additional closure, thereby opening the charging flap 2 and allowing it to be released from the vehicle. Such forces can arise during driving due to air currents caused by the wind flowing along the vehicle body. The additional closure eliminates this weakness by providing an additional closure between the charging flap 2 and the charging compartment 1 for this region.

[0022] In order to achieve a particularly simple and synchronous actuation of the additional closure, that is to say the locking pin 11, the lever arm 5 has a rotationally fixed projection 13 in the region of the pivot joint 8, which comes into contact with the rear end face of the locking pin 11. Figure 1Only in the position shown in , does this lever projection 13, which forms a positive coupling mechanism in the sense of the invention, come into contact at the front end of the locking pin 11 in order to exert a compressive load on the locking pin 11. Figure 1 The middle position shown in Figure 2 Between the closed positions shown in the figure, the lever arm 5 is also slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction at the rotating hinge 8 on the charging cover side, whereby a pressure load is applied outward to the front end of the locking pin 11 opposite to the restoring force of the restoring spring 14. The locking pin 11 is thereby displaced into the locked position. The pressure load of the lever protrusion 13 is maintained in the closed position until the drive system A is manipulated in the corresponding opposite direction to transfer the charging cover 2 from the closed position back to the released position. The pressure load of the lever arm 13 on the front end of the locking pin 11 causes an axial displacement of the locking pin 11 in the direction of the locking receptacle 12 and into this locking receptacle 12. Because when the charging cover 4 is in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The locking tip is not displaced toward the locking receptacle 12 until the left edge section has reached its end position, in which it contacts the edge region of the charging compartment 1. As a result, the locking tip of the locking pin 11 is aligned with the locking receptacle 12, enabling the desired locking process. In the closed position of the charging cover 2, the four-joint kinematic structure is displaced into the dead center position. This position, combined with the dead center position, provides sufficient fixation of the charging cover 12 relative to the charging compartment 1, which remains stable even at high vehicle speeds.

[0023] In accordance with Figure 4 In the embodiment, the charging cover arrangement structure is Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiments are designed essentially identically, so that in order to avoid repetitions reference is made to the embodiments according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Description and drawings of the charging cover layout structure. Figure 4 The only difference in the arrangement of the charging cover is that there is no forced coupling mechanism as in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the lever projection 13 is provided, but rather a gear section 13a is provided. Figure 4 In this embodiment, functionally identical components and sections are provided with the same reference numerals, but with the addition of the letter a.

[0024] In order to compare the differences, according to Figure 3 The locking pin 11 is again schematically shown, which has a Figure 1 and Figure 2 The return spring 14 of the charging cover arrangement structure. Figure 4It can be seen that the driven lever arm 5a has a gear section 13a coaxially with the axis of rotation of the rotary joint 8a, which meshes with a rack section of the locking pin 11a, which is fixedly arranged on the locking pin 11a. The rack section is not shown in more detail. The carrier part 3a of the charging cover 2 is also shown only schematically in order to illustrate the support of the rotary joint 8a on the carrier part 3a of the charging cover. The gear section 13a is held on the rotary joint 8a in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the lever arm 5a. According to Figure 4 The design does not require a return spring, because the gear section 13a in conjunction with the rack section on the locking pin 11a acts not only in the direction of the locked position but also in the direction of the unlocked position. The shape of the gear section 13a and the rack section is only shown schematically. For this embodiment, it also applies that when the lever arm 5a has brought the charging cover 2 to the position according to Figure 1 The gear section 13a only allows force-transmitting contact with the rack section of the locking pin 11a when it is in an inclined intermediate position in which the left edge section of the charging cover 2 has reached its end position relative to the adjacent edge area of the charging cavity 1.

Claims

1. A charging cover arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a charging cover (2) which can be displaced between a closed position and an open position relative to a charging cavity (1) fixed to the vehicle by means of a multi-articulated kinematic structure, and comprising a drive system (A) for operating the multi-articulated kinematic structure, characterized in that: A mechanical additional locking portion (11, 11a) is arranged between the charging cover (2) and the charging cavity (1), and the additional locking portion is mechanically forced to be coupled to the multi-articulated motion structure in such a way that the additional locking portion (11, 11a) is forced to be guided into a locking position shortly before the closed position of the charging cover (2) is reached, in which the charging cover (2) is locked in a form-locked manner relative to an adjacent edge area of the charging cavity (1) at at least one edge section of the charging cover (2).

2. The charging cover arrangement structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-articulated motion structure has a lever arm (5, 5a) that can be driven by the drive system (A). The lever arm has a forced coupling mechanism that is anti-rotational with the lever arm (5, 5a) in the area of the rotating hinge (8, 8a) fixed to the charging cover for forced coupling with the additional locking part (11, 11a). The forced coupling mechanism can generate an operative connection with the additional locking part (11, 11a) in a force-transmitting manner depending on the pivot position of the lever arm (5, 5a).

3. The charging cover arrangement structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A pressure piece, an eccentric piece, a gear section (13a) or a similar force transmission mechanism is provided as a positive coupling mechanism.

4. The charging cover arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The additional locking portion (11, 11a) is arranged on the charging cover (2).

5. The charging cover arrangement structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The rotational movement of the lever arm (5, 5a) and the force transmission of the positive coupling mechanism to the additional locking part (11, 11a) are synchronized with each other so that the additional locking part (11, 11a) is only transferred to the locked position when the edge section of the charging cover (2) adjacent to the additional locking part (11, 11a) bears on the edge area of the charging cavity (1) during the closing movement of the charging cover (2).

6. The charging cover arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The additional locking portion has at least one locking pin (11, 11a) supported on the charging cover (2) in a linearly movable manner.

7. The charging cover arrangement structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The locking pin (11) is permanently spring-loaded in the direction of its unlocked position by a return spring (14).

8. The charging cover arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The edge region of the charging cavity (1) has a locking receptacle (12) which is complementary to the locking pin (11, 11a).

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