Fuel filler flap locking device and arrangement of a fuel filler flap locking device in a fuel tank recess of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Fuel filler flap locking device (1), comprising - a housing that can be installed in a tank recess (7) of a motor vehicle and has a first housing part (2) and at least a second housing part (3) which, in the installed position, extends at least partially into the interior of the tank recess (7), - an electromechanical actuator housed in a casing and comprising motor and transmission means as well as a locking unit coupled to the motor means via the transmission means with a shaft (17) and a locking element (4), by means of which a fuel filler flap (12) of a motor vehicle, which has a locking tab (13) with a guide channel (24), can be selectively locked and unlocked, characterized in that at least one guide means (14a, 14b) is formed on the second casing part (3), which engages in the guide channel (24) of the locking tab (13) in use and is suitable for guiding the locking tab (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank flap locking device comprising a housing that can be mounted in a tank recess of a motor vehicle and has a first housing part and at least one second housing part that, in the installed position, extends at least partially into the interior of the tank recess, an electromotive actuator that is accommodated in the housing and has motor and transmission means, as well as a locking unit coupled to the motor means via the transmission means, having a shaft and a locking element, by means of which a tank flap of a motor vehicle, which has a locking tab with a guide channel, can be selectively locked and unlocked. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an arrangement of a tank flap locking device in a tank recess of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Fuel filler flap locking devices of the type mentioned above are already known in various embodiments from the prior art. For example, DE 102 48 420 A1 discloses a fuel filler flap locking device for a fuel filler flap with a locking bolt, in which a switch for opening the fuel filler flap is mounted on the outside of the motor vehicle. A pressure switch is arranged on a spring-loaded ejector for a locking tab of the fuel filler flap, which is connected to the actuator and can be actuated from the outside.

[0003] German patent application DE 103 30 503 A1 discloses a fuel tank flap locking device, suitable for example for a fuel tank flap, a glove compartment, or a door lock, comprising a housing and an electromotive actuator. The actuator comprises a motor, a gear, and a locking unit connected to the motor via the gear. The locking unit comprises a locking element designed as a rotary latch, a shaft on which the locking element is arranged, and a return spring. The locking element can be moved into a locking position by the return spring and into an unlocking position by the motor. Furthermore, a pressure switch is provided, which is arranged on the locking unit and connected to the motor.The pressure switch is actuated by applying pressure to a point within the fuel filler flap locking mechanism (e.g., from the outside on a closed fuel filler flap). The external pressure is transmitted to the rotary latch and causes a certain rotation of the shaft. This is ultimately used to actuate the pressure switch, which can be located on the locking element or on an additional element located on the shaft or on the return spring.

[0004] DE 43 07 454 C1 discloses a tank flap locking device with a housing to which a guide sleeve is attached, in which a rod for locking a tab formed on the tank cap is slidably guided. A tank flap locking device of similar design is also known from DE 35 04 466 C1.

[0005] A disadvantage of the fuel filler flap locking devices known from the prior art is that the fuel filler flap is inadequately guided when actuated by external pressure. Furthermore, the prior art arrangements of a fuel filler flap locking device in a fuel tank recess of a motor vehicle often result in problems with sealing the fuel filler flap locking device in the mounting opening, as the sealing element is molded directly onto the housing of the fuel filler flap locking device. For example, it has been shown that the sealing element can lose its sealing effect when the conventional arrangement is subjected to a high-pressure jet.

[0006] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of providing a fuel tank flap locking device of the type mentioned above, which simply enables improved guidance of the fuel tank flap when actuated by pressure from the outside. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the object of creating an arrangement of the type mentioned above in a fuel tank recess of a motor vehicle that is more effectively sealed than the solutions known from the prior art.

[0008] This object is achieved with regard to the tank flap locking device by a tank flap locking device of the type mentioned above with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. With regard to the arrangement, the object underlying the present invention is achieved by an arrangement of a tank flap locking device in a receiving opening of a tank recess with the features of the characterizing part of claim 12. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0009] According to claim 1, a fuel filler flap locking device is characterized in that at least one guide means is formed on the second housing part, which, during use, engages in the guide channel of the locking tab and is suitable for guiding the locking tab. This measure can improve the guidance of the fuel filler flap during external pressure actuation compared to the solutions known from the prior art. To further improve the guidance of the fuel filler flap, a particularly advantageous embodiment can provide two spaced-apart guide means on the second housing part. Both guide means engage in the guide channel of the locking tab during use.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, it is possible for at least one of the guide means to be substantially cylindrical. In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that at least one of the guide means extends substantially orthogonally away from the second housing part.

[0011] In order to simplify the manufacture of the tank flap locking device, in a particularly advantageous embodiment there is the possibility that the guide means are formed integrally with the second housing part.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one of the guide means can form a stop for the fuel filler flap of the motor vehicle. This effectively limits the lifting movement of the fuel filler flap when a pressure force acting on the fuel filler flap from the outside is directed inward. This measure, in particular, provides improved protection against misuse.

[0013] To simplify the installation of the tank flap locking device, a particularly advantageous embodiment provides for the tank flap locking device to comprise at least one locking means, by means of which the tank flap locking device can be locked in the tank recess. The at least one locking means, which is preferably located internally in the tank recess when the tank flap locking device is installed, particularly advantageously enables simplified installation and non-destructive disassembly of the tank flap locking device. The at least one locking means can be designed, for example, as a locking hook, locking projection, locking eyelet, or the like, which engages during installation with a corresponding locking means formed in the tank recess.

[0014] In order to enable emergency release of the fuel tank flap, for example in the event of a failure of the motor means of the actuator, it is possible in a particularly preferred embodiment for the fuel tank flap locking device to comprise emergency release means suitable for transferring the locking unit into its unlocking position without a motor. The emergency release means can, for example, comprise an emergency release lever connected to the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the emergency release means comprise an emergency release cord that is connected to the emergency release lever and is suitable for actuating the emergency release lever by a pulling movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In other words, the pulling movement of the emergency release cord is converted into a rotational movement of the emergency release lever.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the emergency release cord is injection-molded.

[0015] In some installation situations, a continuous pulling movement of the emergency release cord perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is structurally impossible. Therefore, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the fuel filler flap locking device comprise a deflection means capable of redirecting the pulling movement of the emergency release cord into a movement directed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This makes it possible to install the fuel filler flap locking device even in installation locations where only a movement of the emergency release cord directed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is possible.

[0016] According to claim 12, an inventive arrangement of a tank flap locking device, which is suitable and configured for selectively locking and unlocking a pivotably mounted tank flap, in a receiving opening of a tank recess is characterized in that the tank flap locking device is a tank flap locking device according to one of claims 1 to 11. Because the sealing element is not provided on the tank flap locking device, but rather on the receiving opening of the tank recess, an improved ("floating") mounting of the tank flap locking device can be achieved. Surprisingly, it has been shown that attaching the sealing element to the receiving opening can significantly improve the sealing of the tank flap locking device.To further improve the sealing effect of the sealing element, a particularly advantageous embodiment proposes that the sealing element extend over the entire circumference of the receiving opening. The sealing element is preferably formed integrally with the receiving opening of the tank recess. The sealing element can, in particular, consist of a soft component that is used in a two-component injection molding process to produce the tank recess.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the tank flap locking device can comprise a sealing edge that interacts with the sealing element after assembly. The sealing edge can advantageously extend over the entire circumference of a housing or a housing part of the tank flap locking device.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tank flap locking device for a tank flap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a further perspective view of the tank flap locking device according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3a to 3c show the individual steps of assembling the tank flap locking device in a tank recess of a motor vehicle; Fig. 4 a perspective, partially sectioned view of the tank flap locking device according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in cooperation with a locking tab of a fuel tank flap; Fig. 5 is an enlarged, partially sectioned view illustrating the interaction of the locking unit of the tank flap locking device with the locking tab of a tank flap.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a tank flap locking device 1, which is designed according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, has a housing which comprises a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3. The first housing part 2 defines a receiving space which can be closed by the second housing part 3, which in this exemplary embodiment forms a housing cover, and within which an electromotive actuator with motor and gear means is accommodated. The first housing part 2 and the second housing part 3 are preferably produced using an injection molding process. The second housing part 3 has, on its side facing the first housing part 2, a sealing edge 30 which is designed to be closed and extends in the circumferential direction of the second housing part 3.

[0020] The fuel filler flap locking device 1 further comprises a locking unit by means of which, in the installed state, a fuel filler flap 12 of a fuel tank system of a motor vehicle can be selectively locked and, if necessary, unlocked again. The locking unit, which is coupled to the motor means via the gear means, has a locking element by means of which the fuel filler flap 12 can be locked in its locked position and selectively unlocked again. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the locking element is designed as a rotary latch 4 arranged on a shaft 17. The shaft 17 is arranged within the housing and extends with one end through the second housing part 3 and has a plurality of locking elements 5 for receiving the rotary latch 4.The locking unit further comprises a return means, which is preferably designed as a return spring, and an output element, which is advantageously manufactured in one piece with the shaft 17.

[0021] As in Fig. 1, the other end of the shaft 17 extends through the bottom of the first housing part 2. An emergency release lever 18 is arranged at this end of the shaft 17 outside the housing, by means of which the shaft 17 can be rotated if necessary, even without motor assistance. Furthermore, the locking unit has a pressure switch, which is preferably arranged inside the housing of the tank flap locking device 1 and whose function will be explained in more detail below. Alternatively, the pressure switch can also be arranged outside the housing.

[0022] For example in Fig. 2, the rotary latch 4 has a cylindrical part 40 and a hook means 41, which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 17 and is formed on the circumference of the cylindrical part 40. The cylindrical part 40 is hollow-cylindrical, so that the locking elements 5 of the shaft 17 are engaged in its central opening. The hook means 41 is designed such that it can lock a locking tab 13, which extends away from the fuel tank flap 12 and is movable with the fuel tank flap 12 approximately perpendicular to the shaft 17, in a locking position and can release it again upon rotation of the shaft 17 into an unlocking position.

[0023] A hinge 6 is formed on an outer boundary edge of the second housing part 3, extending substantially over the entire length of the boundary edge. With the aid of the hinge 6, the tank flap locking device 1 can be rotatably inserted into a corresponding hinge receptacle 8 of the tank recess 7. The rotatable mounting of the tank flap locking device 1 via the hinge 6 particularly advantageously enables automatic centering of the tank flap locking device 1 in the tank recess 7 during the assembly process.

[0024] In this exemplary embodiment, two locking means 9a, 9b are arranged on a side of the second housing part 3 opposite the hinge means 6 described above, by means of which the tank flap locking device 1 can be locked in the tank recess 7 of the motor vehicle during assembly. The two locking means 9a, 9b, which extend into the interior of the tank recess 7 in the installed position, are designed in this exemplary embodiment as essentially U-shaped locking eyes and are formed integrally with the second housing part 3. It is also possible to use differently shaped (possibly also separate) locking means 9a, 9b, such as locking hooks or the like. As in Fig. 3b, the two locking means 9a, 9b in the embodiment shown here protrude from the second housing part 3 at an angle > 90° and parallel to each other.

[0025] The tank recess 7 of the motor vehicle has, as shown in particular in Fig. 3a, a mounting opening 70 into which the tank flap locking device 1 is inserted during assembly. In order to suitably seal the mounting opening 70 of the tank recess 7, a sealing element 11 is provided, which is arranged on the outer edge of the mounting opening 70 and extends in its circumferential direction. The sealing element 11 is preferably formed integrally with the mounting opening 70. The tank recess 7 is usually produced by a two-component injection molding process from a hard and a soft component. Preferably, the sealing element 11 also consists of this soft component. Because the sealing element 11 in the solution presented here is not injection-molded onto the tank flap locking device 1, as in the prior art, but rather onto the outer edge of the mounting opening 70, an improved ("floating") mounting of the tank flap locking device 1 in the mounting opening 70 of the tank recess 7 can be achieved.After assembly, the sealing edge 30 rests against the sealing element 11 from the inside, so that the entire arrangement is effectively sealed.

[0026] With reference to Fig. 3a to 3c, the individual assembly steps of the tank flap locking device 1 in the tank recess 7 of a motor vehicle will be explained in more detail below. First, the sealing element 11, unless it is formed integrally with the assembly opening 70 of the tank recess 7, is arranged at the edge of the assembly opening 70. Subsequently, the hinge means 6 of the tank flap locking device 1 is inserted into the hinge means receptacle 8 of the tank recess 7 formed adjacent to the assembly opening 70. This ensures that the tank flap locking device 1, starting from the Fig. 3b shown position in the direction of the arrow relative to the tank recess 7 into the Fig. 3c shown installation position can be swiveled.

[0027] In the installed position, the two locking elements 9a, 9b engage in a locking recess 71 of the tank recess 7 and engage behind a locking edge 19, so that the tank flap locking device 1 can be secured in the tank recess 7. The sealing edge 30 of the second housing part 3 compresses the sealing element 11 in the installed position, effectively sealing the entire assembly. If necessary, the tank flap locking device 1 can be disassembled again without causing damage by releasing the locking connection.

[0028] In a final assembly step, the fuel filler flap 12 is operatively connected to the locking unit of the fuel filler flap locking device 1 by means of the locking tab 13. Via a connector plug 20, the fuel filler flap locking device 1 can be connected to an external processing unit in which control information is stored, so that the individual functions of the fuel filler flap locking device 1 can be controlled externally.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, in which the locking position of the fuel filler flap 12 is shown, which is achieved with the aid of the locking unit, the interaction of the above-described locking unit of the fuel filler flap locking device 1 with the locking tab 13 of the fuel filler flap 12 will be explained in more detail below. The fuel filler flap 12 is pivotally mounted in a known manner via a bearing hinge. In the locking position, the hook means 41 of the rotary latch 4 engages with a locking section 23 of the locking tab 13, which has an axial guide channel 24, and thereby prevents the fuel filler flap 12 from being pivoted. If a user now exerts pressure on the fuel filler flap 12 from the outside, the locking tab 13 in turn exerts pressure on the rotary latch 4. As a result, the hook means 41 is then released from the Fig. 5 by a specific angle in the direction of the arrow. This actuates the pressure switch, which is preferably arranged within the housing of the tank flap locking device 1. If the predetermined switching conditions stored in the external processing unit are met, the motor is controlled by the processing unit and the rotary latch 4 is rotated by a specific angle into its unlocked position. The tank flap 12 is subjected to a force, for example, by a return means in its bearing hinge, and is thus pivoted into its open position. Subsequently, the control of the motor by the processing unit is terminated, and the rotary latch 4 is moved back into its locked position by the return means arranged in the housing of the tank flap locking device 1.

[0030] When the fuel tank flap 12 is closed again, the locking tab 13 engages with its locking section 23 into the hook means 41 of the rotary latch 4. The pressure switch can then be briefly actuated again, although this does not trigger the motor because a corresponding switching condition stored in the external processing unit is not met. However, the pressure switch signal can be evaluated by the external processing unit and, if necessary, displayed visually and / or acoustically via appropriate display means.

[0031] In order to improve the guidance of the locking tab 13, - as for example in Fig. 2 - two spaced-apart guide means 14a, 14b are formed on the second housing part 3, both of which are substantially cylindrical and extend from the top of the second housing part 3 in an orthogonal direction. As shown in Fig. 5, the diameters of the guide means 14a, 14b are the same (or at least almost the same) and smaller than the width of the axial guide channel 24 of the locking tab 13, so that the latter can be guided relative to the two guide means 14a, 14b. Guiding the locking tab 13 with the aid of the two guide means 14a, 14b advantageously enables the lifting movement of the fuel filler flap 12 to be limited when a pressure force is directed inward from the outside onto the fuel filler flap 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first guide means 14a thus also serves as a stop for the fuel filler flap 12. This measure also results in improved protection against misuse and increased tolerance insensitivity.

[0032] To enable emergency release of the fuel filler flap 12 if necessary, the fuel filler flap locking device 1, as already briefly mentioned above, has an emergency release lever 18, which is connected to the shaft 17 and can be actuated as needed to release the locking unit. To perform the emergency release, the emergency release lever 17 is moved into the position shown in Fig.1 (clockwise). The emergency release lever 18 has a retaining eyelet 21 at one end, through which an emergency release cord (not explicitly shown here) can be passed and fastened. The emergency release cord is preferably injection-molded. The emergency release cord threaded through the retaining eyelet 21 is pulled downwards in a vertical direction (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 17) during emergency release in order to actuate the emergency release lever 18. In order to redirect this pulling direction into a (horizontal) pulling movement of the emergency release cord that is directed essentially parallel to the shaft 17, the housing of the locking device 1 has a deflection means 15. This deflection means 15 comprises a threading opening 16 through which the emergency release cord can be threaded.Furthermore, the deflection means 15 has at its front end a projection 22 over which the emergency release line is guided and thus guided in the horizontal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 17 and thus substantially orthogonal to the direction of rotation of the emergency release lever 18. List of reference symbols 1 tank flap locking device 2 first housing part 3 second housing part 4 rotary latch 5 locking element 6 hinge means 7 tank recess 8 Hinge center mount 9a, 9b Resting means 11 Sealing element 12 Fuel filler flap 13 Locking tab 14a, 14b Guide means 15 deflection devices 16 threading opening 17 Wave 18 Emergency release lever 19 locking edge 20 plugs 21 Holding eyelet 22 Approach 23 Locking section 24 guide channel 30 Sealing edge 40 cylindrical part 41 Hook means 70 mounting opening 71 Recess

Claims

[1] Tank flap locking device (1), comprising - a housing which can be mounted in a tank recess (7) of a motor vehicle and has a first housing part (2) and at least one second housing part (3) which, in the installed position, extends at least partially into the interior of the tank recess (7), - an electromotive actuator which is accommodated in the housing and has motor and transmission means as well as a locking unit coupled to the motor means via the transmission means, with a shaft (17) and a locking element (4), by means of which a fuel filler flap (12) of a motor vehicle, which has a locking tab (13) with a guide channel (24), can be selectively locked and unlocked, characterized bythat at least one guide means (14a, 14b) is formed on the second housing part (3), which, during use, engages in the guide channel (24) of the locking tab (13) and is suitable for guiding the locking tab (13). [2] Tank flap locking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that two spaced-apart guide means (14a, 14b) are formed on the second housing part (3). [3] Tank flap locking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one of the guide means (14a, 14b) is substantially cylindrical. [4] Tank flap locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that at least one of the guide means (14a, 14b) extends substantially orthogonally away from the second housing part (3). [5] Tank flap locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the guide means (14a, 14b) are formed integrally with the second housing part (3). [6] Tank flap locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that at least one of the guide means (14a, 14b) forms a stop for the fuel filler flap (12) of the motor vehicle. [7] Tank flap locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the tank flap locking device (1) comprises at least one latching means (9a, 9b) by means of which the tank flap locking device (1) can be fixed in the tank recess (7) in a latching manner. [8] Tank flap locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the tank flap locking device (1) comprises emergency unlocking means suitable for moving the locking unit into its unlocking position without a motor. [9] Tank flap locking device (1) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the emergency release means comprise an emergency release lever (18) which is connected to the shaft (17). [10] Tank flap locking device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the emergency release means comprise an emergency release cord which is connected to the emergency release lever (18) and is suitable for actuating the emergency release lever (18) by a pulling movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft (17). [11] Tank flap locking device (1) according to claim 10, characterized by that the tank flap locking device (1) comprises a deflection means (16) suitable for deflecting the pulling movement of the emergency release line into a movement directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft (17). [12] Arrangement of a tank flap locking device (1) which is suitable and arranged for the selective locking and unlocking of a pivotably mounted tank flap (12) in a receiving opening (70) of a tank recess (7), characterized by that a sealing element (11) is arranged in the receiving opening (70), suitable for sealing the receiving opening (70) and the tank flap locking device (1) inserted therein after assembly, characterized by that the tank flap locking device (1) is a tank flap locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11. [13] Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized by that the sealing element (11) extends over the entire circumference of the receiving opening (70). [14] Arrangement according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized by that the tank flap locking device (1) comprises a sealing edge (30) which cooperates with the sealing element (11) after assembly.

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