A charging port cover

Abstract

The application provides a charging port cover with an emergency unlocking function, which can be conveniently opened in an emergency, and can also be opened through gesture sensing and touch sensing, and is convenient to use. The structure comprises a driving motor, a transmission self-locking mechanism, a clutch mechanism and an outer cover plate. The transmission self-locking mechanism has transmission and self-locking functions, and the clutch mechanism is used for disconnecting the outer cover plate from the transmission self-locking mechanism. The clutch mechanism comprises clutch gears one and two and an elastic member. The charging port cover further comprises an emergency unlocking mechanism, which comprises a pressing disc and an emergency release structure. One end of the emergency release structure extends out of the charging port cover, and the other end is connected with the pressing disc, so as to provide a force for overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member for the pressing disc in emergency unlocking, and to make the pressing force provided by the pressing disc insufficient to keep the clutch gear one and the clutch gear two engaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, specifically to a charging port cover. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive industry, consumers have higher and higher requirements for the electrification of cars. However, the traditional manually opened charging port cover requires getting out of the car to operate it manually every time you charge (some models require unlocking the car door or pressing the charging port cover first), which is more cumbersome than electric opening.

[0003] Electric opening of the charging port cover typically involves a motor driving the components connected to the cover via a transmission assembly. This allows the cover to be opened remotely via motor control. To prevent the cover from being opened arbitrarily, in addition to ensuring that the surface of the cover is flush with the surface of the vehicle body when closed, preventing any effective leverage point on its outer surface from prying it open, a self-locking mechanism is also used to prevent the cover from rotating properly when subjected to force.

[0004] In practical use, some users are accustomed to manually closing the charging port cover. To meet user needs, an additional clutch mechanism is often provided. This allows the operator to apply a certain force to the charging port cover, causing the clutch mechanism to open and disengage the transmission mechanism from the self-locking mechanism. However, the presence of the clutch mechanism also means that the charging port cover can be opened with a certain amount of external force. Since it is difficult to apply enough force to overcome the clutch mechanism when closing the charging port cover, there is no need to worry about the charging port cover being opened easily with sufficient force. However, this also makes the charging port cover inconvenient to open in emergency situations, or even lacking an emergency opening function. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problem that existing charging port covers are inconvenient to open in emergency situations, this invention provides a charging port cover with an emergency unlocking function, which makes it easy to open the charging port cover in emergency situations.

[0006] The technical solution is as follows: a charging port cover, comprising a drive motor, a transmission self-locking mechanism, a clutch mechanism, and an outer cover plate. The transmission self-locking mechanism has a transmission function and a self-locking function. The drive motor is used to output power and transmit power in the forward direction through the transmission function of the transmission self-locking mechanism to open or close the outer cover plate. The self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism is used to prevent the reverse transmission of power output from the outer cover plate. The clutch mechanism is used to disengage the outer cover plate from the transmission self-locking mechanism.

[0007] The clutch mechanism includes a first clutch gear, a second clutch gear, and an elastic element. When the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear are engaged, the self-locking function is effective on the outer cover plate. When the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear are disengaged, the self-locking function is ineffective on the outer cover plate. The first clutch gear and the second clutch gear will separate from each other during rotation. The elastic element is used to provide pressure to prevent them from separating. The charging port cover also includes an emergency unlocking mechanism. The emergency unlocking mechanism includes a pressure plate and an emergency release structure. The elastic element presses against the pressure plate and provides pressure through the pressure plate to prevent the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear from separating from each other. One end of the emergency release structure extends out of the charging port cover, and the other end is connected to the pressure plate. It is used to provide the pressure plate with a force to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element during emergency unlocking, and to ensure that the pressure provided by the pressure plate is insufficient to keep the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear engaged.

[0008] Furthermore, the emergency release structure also includes an emergency release cable and an emergency release lever. One end of the emergency release cable extends out of the charging port cover, and the other end is connected to the emergency release lever mounted on the actuator cover. Pulling the emergency release cable can drive the emergency release lever to rotate. The clamping plate has an upwardly extending connecting rod in the middle. The emergency release lever is connected to the connecting rod and can drive the connecting rod to rotate. The actuator cover also has a spiral surface extending in the vertical direction. The side of the connecting rod protrudes to form a flange. The flange engages with the spiral surface. During the rotation of the connecting rod, the engagement of the flange and the spiral surface can cause the connecting rod to rise or fall. When the connecting rod drives the clamping plate to rise, the clamping plate can rise a sufficient distance to disengage the clutch gear two from the clutch gear one.

[0009] Furthermore, the upper end of the first clutch gear and the lower end of the second clutch gear are respectively provided with clutch meshing teeth. The clutch meshing teeth of the first clutch gear and the clutch meshing teeth of the second clutch gear mesh with each other through a helical surface. When the first clutch gear or the second clutch gear rotates, the meshing clutch meshing teeth can generate a circumferential force that drives the other gear to rotate and an axial force that causes the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear to move away from each other.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmission self-locking mechanism includes a worm gear connected to the drive motor, and the second clutch gear is a worm wheel. The worm gear meshes with the circumference of the second clutch gear, and the self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism is achieved by the mutual meshing of the worm gear and the second clutch gear.

[0011] Furthermore, the transmission self-locking mechanism also includes a transmission gear, which meshes with the circumference of the clutch gear, and the transmission gear is connected to the outer cover plate to drive the outer cover plate to rotate.

[0012] Furthermore, the transmission gear is connected to a connecting shaft in the middle, and a key block is provided on the side of the connecting shaft. The key block is connected to the keyway in the middle of the transmission gear. A limiting protrusion is also provided on the connecting shaft. The upper end of the transmission gear contacts the limiting protrusion. The connecting shaft is connected to a hinge rod, and the hinge rod is connected to the outer cover plate through a hinge arm.

[0013] Furthermore, a gesture sensing module is installed in the outer cover plate. The gesture sensing module can recognize the direction of a person's wave and the person's touch. When the person waves from direction one, the gesture sensing module sends signal one to the MCU. When the person waves from direction two, the gesture sensing module sends signal two to the MCU. When the person touches the cover plate, the gesture sensing module sends signal three to the MCU. When the MCU receives signal one and signal three, the MCU sends an open signal to the motor drive module and drives the motor to open the outer cover plate. When the MCU receives signal two, the MCU sends a close signal to the motor drive module and drives the motor to close the outer cover plate.

[0014] Beneficial effects: When an emergency opening of the charging port cover is required, simply pulling the emergency release structure extending from the charging port cover provides the clamping plate with the force to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element. This reduces the pressure on the clutch gears to the point that clutch gears one and two are not engaged. Thus, opening the outer cover no longer requires overcoming the elastic force of the elastic element, making it easier for users to open the charging port cover, which is normally difficult to open directly, in an emergency. At the same time, since clutch gears one and two will separate during rotation, manually opening the charging port cover disables the self-locking function of the outer cover. The outer cover can be opened freely in an emergency. In addition, the charging port cover with this structure can not only be automatically opened or closed by the motor, but also increases the difficulty of opening in non-emergency situations. It can also be manually closed, making it convenient to use. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the actuator;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the actuator.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the outer cover plate installation structure;

[0019] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the transmission gear mounting structure;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping disc structure;

[0021] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the emergency release lever structure;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator cover structure;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the clutch gear one.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the second clutch gear. Detailed Implementation

[0025] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The charging port cover shown includes a drive motor 1, a transmission self-locking mechanism, a clutch mechanism, and an outer cover plate 2. The transmission self-locking mechanism has a transmission function and a self-locking function. The drive motor 1 is used to output power and transmit power in the forward direction through the transmission function of the transmission self-locking mechanism to open or close the outer cover plate 2. The self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism is used to prevent the reverse transmission of power output from the outer cover plate 2. The clutch mechanism is used to disengage the outer cover plate 2 from the transmission self-locking mechanism.

[0026] The clutch mechanism includes clutch gear 3, clutch gear 4, and elastic element 5. When clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 are engaged, the self-locking function is activated on the outer cover 2. When clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 are disengaged, the self-locking function is deactivated on the outer cover 2. Clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 will separate during rotation. The elastic element 5 provides pressure to prevent them from separating. The charging port cover also includes an emergency unlocking mechanism, which includes... Figure 6 The clamping plate 6 and emergency release structure shown are provided by the pressure plate 6 and the elastic element 5 pressing on the clamping plate 6 and providing pressure to prevent the clutch gear 1 3 and the clutch gear 2 4 from separating from each other. One end of the emergency release structure extends out of the charging port cover and the other end is connected to the clamping plate 6. It is used to provide the clamping plate 6 with a force to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element 5 during emergency unlocking and to make the pressure provided by the clamping plate 6 insufficient to keep the clutch gear 1 3 and the clutch gear 2 4 engaged.

[0027] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 Regarding the emergency release structure, the emergency release structure also includes emergency release cable 7, such as... Figure 7 The emergency release lever 8 shown has an emergency release cable 7 extending from one end of the charging port cover, and the other end is connected to the charging port cover as shown. Figure 8 The actuator cover 9 shown is connected to the emergency release lever 8, which can be rotated by pulling the emergency release cable 7; combined with Figure 6 The clamping plate 6 has an upwardly extending connecting rod 6-1 in the middle. The emergency release lever 8 is connected to the connecting rod 6-1 and can drive the connecting rod 6-1 to rotate. For example, the emergency release lever 8 can have a slot at the bottom and a bar at the top of the connecting rod 6-1. The two cooperate to transmit torque. The actuator cover 9 also has a spiral surface 9-1 extending in the vertical direction. The side of the connecting rod 6-1 protrudes to form a flange 6-2. The flange 6-2 is in contact with the spiral surface 9-1. During the rotation of the connecting rod 6-1, the flange 6-2 and the spiral surface 9-1 can make the connecting rod 6-1 rise or fall (in order to make the connecting rod 6-1 rise or fall without pulling the emergency release cable). At 7 o'clock, it automatically descends. The helix angle of the spiral surface must be much greater than the friction angle of the two materials in contact. Otherwise, the spiral surface will self-lock, and the pressure plate 6 will not return to its original position under the action of the spring force. At this time, the mechanism will always be in the clutch state, causing the entire mechanism to fail. When the connecting rod 6-1 drives the pressure plate 6 to rise, the pressure plate 6 can rise a sufficient distance for the clutch gear 2 4 to disengage from the clutch gear 1 3 (the rising distance will not exceed the lower section of the inner hole of the pressure plate 6 and the actuator cover 9. The pressure plate 6 can be limited by the lower section of the inner hole of the actuator cover 9 to prevent the emergency release cable 7 from being pulled over the stroke. It can also reduce the compression of the elastic element 5 and extend its service life).

[0028] In practical use, pulling the emergency release cable 7 acts on the emergency release lever 8, causing it to rotate. The lever is connected to the pressure plate 6 via a keyway, causing both to rotate together. Since the bottom of the flange 6-2 of the pressure plate 6 is a helical surface, it mates with the helical surface 9-1 inside the hole of the actuator cover 9. The number of helical heads is n, the pitch is d, and the lead is n*d. The rotation angle range of the emergency release lever 8 is 0-α, where α is the maximum rotation angle of the emergency release lever 8. Let the maximum distance the pressure plate 6 rises be e, where e = α / 2 / Π*n*d. When e ≥ a, the two clutch gears disengage. This method is the emergency unlocking method using the emergency release cable.

[0029] The specific structure of the clutch mechanism is as follows: (Combination) Figure 3 , Figure 9 , Figure 10Clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 are concentrically mounted via shaft 10. The upper end of clutch gear 3 and the lower end of clutch gear 4 are respectively provided with sawtooth-shaped engagement teeth 3-1. The engagement teeth 3-1 of clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 mesh with each other through a helical surface. When clutch gear 3 or clutch gear 4 rotates, the meshing engagement teeth 3-1 can generate a circumferential force F1 that drives the other gear to rotate and an axial force that causes clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 to move away from each other. If the travel of the clamping disc 6 along the direction of F2 is b, and if b ≤ the height a of the clutch meshing teeth 3-1, then clutch gear 3 and clutch gear 4 remain meshed; if b > a, then they disengage. During normal operation, the magnitude of F2 is required to always be less than the spring force Fs of the elastic element 5, so that b always ≤ a, that is, the two clutch gears always remain meshed. When the motor is in an abnormal operating state, that is, when it is stalled, overloaded or abnormally jammed, F2 will be greater than Fs, at which time b > a, that is, the two clutch gears disengage.

[0030] For example: the height of the serrated contact surface is a, a = 3mm, the number of spiral heads is n, n = 1, the pitch is d, d = 8mm, the lead is n*d = 8, the maximum rotation angle of the emergency release lever is α = 90° = Π / 4, the maximum distance the pressure plate rises is e = α / 2Π*n*d = (Π / 4) / 2 / Π*8 = 4mm, at this time e > a, the two clutch gears disengage.

[0031] Regarding the structure used to realize the self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism, combined with Figure 2 The specific structure of the transmission self-locking mechanism includes a worm 11, which is connected to the drive motor 1. The clutch gear 4 is a worm wheel. The worm 11 and the clutch gear 4 mesh around each other. The self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism is achieved by the meshing of the worm and the clutch gear 4. The worm wheel can only be driven to rotate by the worm 11, and the worm 11 cannot be driven to rotate by the worm wheel.

[0032] Regarding the structure used to realize the transmission function of the transmission self-locking mechanism, combined with Figure 2 The transmission self-locking mechanism also includes a transmission gear 12, which meshes with the circumferentially distributed meshing teeth on the lower part of the clutch gear 3. The transmission gear 12 is connected to the outer cover plate 2 to drive the outer cover plate 2 to rotate. Specifically, in conjunction with... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5A connecting shaft 13 is connected to the transmission gear 12. A key block is provided on the side of the connecting shaft 13, which engages with the keyway in the middle of the transmission gear 12. A limiting protrusion 13-1 is also provided on the connecting shaft 13. The upper end of the transmission gear 12 contacts the limiting protrusion 13-1. The lower part of the connecting shaft 13 is connected to a hinge rod 14, which is connected to the outer cover plate 2 via a hinge arm 15. Furthermore, the connecting shaft 13 also engages with the D-groove of an angle sensor via a D-shaped structure, driving the rotation of the resistive angle sensor when the shaft rotates to obtain the real-time angle of the current output shaft.

[0033] The charging port described in this solution also applies to the opening and closing structure of the fuel tank cap; the two can be used interchangeably. During normal use, the drive motor 1 outputs power sequentially through the worm gear 11, clutch gear 2 4, clutch gear 3 3, and transmission gear 12, and then through the hinge rod 14 and hinge arm 15 to open the outer cover 2. To close, the drive motor 1 rotates in the reverse direction to close the outer cover 2. If the user prefers manual closing, pushing the outer cover 2 reverses the power transmission, which is then transmitted sequentially through the hinge arm 15, hinge rod 14, transmission gear 12, and clutch gear 3 3 to the meshing point of clutch gear 2 4 and worm gear 11. Due to the self-locking function of the worm gear, torque transmission is prevented. The user can further increase the applied torque by... The force causes the axial force F2 to gradually increase until it exceeds the elastic force of the elastic element 5, thereby causing the clutch gear 2 4 to gradually push up the pressure plate 6 and move away from the clutch gear 1 3, and finally disengage. At this time, the self-locking mechanism no longer restricts the transmission of torque, and the clutch gear 1 3 can rotate freely, so the user can manually close the outer cover 2. Although manually closing the outer cover 2 is convenient, if you want to manually open the outer cover 2, since the outer cover 2 is attached to the vehicle body, it is difficult to find a point of force to apply force to the outer cover 2 to generate enough force to separate the two clutch gears. Therefore, it is difficult to directly manually open the outer cover 2. This also prevents the outer cover 2 from being opened casually. At the same time, if an emergency opening is needed, the above emergency opening method can be used to open the outer cover 2 very conveniently.

[0034] In addition, for further ease of use, a gesture sensing module is installed in the outer cover 2, which can use Microchip's 3D capacitive sensor. Figure 4In the gesture sensing PCBA shown in Figure 16, the gesture sensing module can recognize the direction of a person's wave and the person's touch. When a person waves from direction one, the gesture sensing module sends signal one to the MCU; when a person waves from direction two, the gesture sensing module sends signal two to the MCU; when a person touches the MCU, the gesture sensing module sends signal three to the MCU. When the MCU receives signal one and signal three, the MCU sends an open signal to the motor drive module and drives motor 1 to open the outer cover 2. When the MCU receives signal two, the MCU sends a close signal to the motor drive module and drives motor 1 to close the outer cover 2. This makes controlling the motor through gestures or touch more practical.

[0035] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A charging port cover, comprising a drive motor, a transmission self-locking mechanism, a clutch mechanism, and an outer cover plate, wherein the transmission self-locking mechanism has a transmission function and a self-locking function, the drive motor is used to output power and transmit power in the forward direction through the transmission function of the transmission self-locking mechanism to open or close the outer cover plate, the self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism is used to prevent the reverse transmission of power output by the outer cover plate, and the clutch mechanism is used to disengage the outer cover plate from the transmission self-locking mechanism; The clutch mechanism includes a first clutch gear, a second clutch gear, and an elastic element. When the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear are engaged, the self-locking function is activated on the outer cover plate. When the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear are disengaged, the self-locking function is deactivated on the outer cover plate. The first clutch gear and the second clutch gear will separate from each other during rotation. The elastic element is used to provide pressure to prevent them from separating. The mechanism is characterized by: The charging port cover also includes an emergency unlocking mechanism, which includes a clamping plate and an emergency release structure. The elastic element presses against the clamping plate and provides pressure through the clamping plate to prevent the clutch gear one and the clutch gear two from separating from each other. One end of the emergency release structure extends out of the charging port cover, and the other end is connected to the clamping plate. It is used to provide the clamping plate with a force to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element during emergency unlocking, and to make the pressure provided by the clamping plate insufficient to keep the clutch gear one and the clutch gear two engaged.

2. The charging port cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The emergency release structure also includes an emergency release cable and an emergency release lever. One end of the emergency release cable extends out of the charging port cover, and the other end is connected to the emergency release lever mounted on the actuator cover. Pulling the emergency release cable can drive the emergency release lever to rotate. The clamping plate has an upwardly extending connecting rod in the middle. The emergency release lever is connected to the connecting rod and can drive the connecting rod to rotate. The actuator cover also has a spiral surface extending in the vertical direction. The side of the connecting rod protrudes to form a flange. The flange engages with the spiral surface. During the rotation of the connecting rod, the engagement of the flange and the spiral surface can cause the connecting rod to rise or fall. When the connecting rod drives the clamping plate to rise, the clamping plate can rise a sufficient distance to disengage the clutch gear two from the clutch gear one.

3. A charging port cover according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper end of the clutch gear one and the lower end of the clutch gear two are respectively provided with clutch meshing teeth. The clutch meshing teeth of the clutch gear one and the clutch meshing teeth of the clutch gear two mesh with each other through a helical surface. When the clutch gear one or the clutch gear two rotates, the meshing clutch meshing teeth can generate a circumferential force that drives the other gear to rotate and an axial force that causes the clutch gear one and the clutch gear two to move away from each other.

4. A charging port cover according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission self-locking mechanism includes a worm gear connected to the drive motor, and a second clutch gear that is a worm wheel. The worm gear meshes with the circumference of the second clutch gear, and the self-locking function of the transmission self-locking mechanism is achieved by the mutual meshing of the worm gear and the second clutch gear.

5. A charging port cover according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transmission self-locking mechanism also includes a transmission gear, which meshes with the periphery of the clutch gear and is connected to the outer cover plate to drive the outer cover plate to rotate.

6. A charging port cover according to claim 5, characterized in that: The transmission gear is connected to a connecting shaft in the middle. A key block is provided on the side of the connecting shaft. The key block is connected to the keyway in the middle of the transmission gear. A limiting protrusion is also provided on the connecting shaft. The upper end of the transmission gear contacts the limiting protrusion. The connecting shaft is connected to a hinge rod. The hinge rod is connected to the outer cover plate through a hinge arm.

7. A charging port cover according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: A gesture sensing module is installed in the outer cover plate. The gesture sensing module can recognize the direction of a person's wave and the person's touch. When the person waves from direction one, the gesture sensing module sends signal one to the MCU. When the person waves from direction two, the gesture sensing module sends signal two to the MCU. When the person touches the cover plate, the gesture sensing module sends signal three to the MCU. When the MCU receives signal one and signal three, the MCU sends an open signal to the motor drive module and drives the drive motor to open the outer cover plate. When the MCU receives signal two, the MCU sends a close signal to the motor drive module and drives the drive motor to close the outer cover plate.

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