Cover assembly for a vehicle's filler neck

Abstract

Cover assembly (20) for a filling port (24) of a vehicle (22), wherein the cover assembly (20) comprises: a hinge structure (28) which has a connecting section (32) that defines a central axis (36); wherein the connecting section (32) has several retaining attachments (38), wherein each of the several retaining attachments (38) has an internal surface (44) and wherein the internal surface (44) of each of the retaining attachments (38) cooperate to define a reference surface (34); a cover section (30) arranged adjacent to the connecting section (32) and having several cover projections (62) arranged to correspond to the reference surface (34), each of the several cover projections (62) having an outer surface (68); and wherein each of the multiple retaining prongs (38) engages in a locking engagement with one of the multiple cover prongs (62) to define pairs of locking prongs (72), wherein the inner surface (44) of the retaining prong (38) is positioned against the outer surface (68) of the cover prong (62) of each corresponding pair of locking prongs (72); wherein the central axis (36) bisects the hinge structure (28) and the cover section (30) such that a first group of pairs of locking projections (72) is arranged on a first side of the central axis (36) and a second group of pairs of locking projections (72) is arranged on the second side of the central axis (36); wherein the connecting section (32) has several hinge walls (40) extending outwards from the connecting section (32) and connecting the several retaining projections (38) and the connecting section (32); and wherein the multiple hinge walls (40) comprise an end wall (48) which is arranged transversely to the central axis (36) and defines at least one cutout (60A, 60B); characterized by the fact that the cover section (30) has an inner surface (70) and a termination feature (74A, 74B) extending outwards from the inner surface (44) of the cover section (30) in the direction of the connecting section (32) of the hinge structure (28), the termination feature (74A, 74B) being located adjacent to the cutout (60A, 60B) of the end wall (48) to conceal the cutout (60A, 60B).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a cover assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 for covering a filling port of a vehicle, as is known in essence from DE 11 2010 002 984 B4. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles often have one or more filler ports, such as a fuel filler neck, but not limited to these, accessible through an opening in a body panel. Such vehicles generally have a cover assembly attached to the body that covers the filler port. A hinge is used to attach the cover assembly to the body in such a way that the assembly can be rotated between an open position, providing access to the filler port, and a closed position, covering the filler port, creating an outer surface that is substantially flush with the body panel adjacent to the filler port.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of ensuring a better hold of the cover section to the connecting section in a generic cover assembly. A further objective is to ensure that no dirt can penetrate between the cover section and the connecting section in a generic cover assembly. SUMMARY

[0004] According to the invention, a cover assembly is therefore presented which is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0005] Furthermore, according to the invention, a cover assembly is presented which is characterized by the features of claim 6.

[0006] The foregoing characteristics and advantages, as well as other characteristics and advantages of the present teachings, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best ways of carrying out the teachings, when the description is combined with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle showing a cover assembly. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cover assembly from an inside side of the cover assembly. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic top view of an outer surface of a hinge structure of the cover assembly. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the hinge structure from an outside of the hinge structure. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a cover section of the cover assembly from an inside of the cover section. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic, fragmentary cross-sectional view of the cover assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Experts will recognize that terms such as "above," "below," "upwards," "downwards," "on the top," "on the bottom," etc., are used to describe the figures and do not constitute limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Furthermore, the invention may be described herein by reference to functional and / or logical block components and / or various process steps. It should be understood that such block components can be implemented by any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specific functions.

[0008] Referring to the figures, in which the same reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the different views, a cover assembly is generally shown at 20. Fig. 1. The cover assembly 20 is provided for a vehicle 22 and is used to cover a filling port 24 of the vehicle 22. The filling port 24 can include, but is not limited to, a fuel filler neck 24 or an electrical charging port or connection. Additionally, it can be seen that the cover assembly 20 can be used to cover any small feature of the vehicle 22 that must be accessible from the outside of the vehicle 22.

[0009] The cover assembly 20 is attached to a body 26 of the vehicle 22 and is movable between an open and a closed position. When in the closed position, the cover assembly 20 creates an outer surface that is substantially flush with the outside of the body 26 to cover and conceal the filler port 24. When in the open position, the cover assembly 20 is positioned away from the outside of the body 26, thus exposing an opening in the body 26 that provides access to the filler port 24.

[0010] With reference to Fig. 2 The cover assembly 20 includes a hinge structure 28 (also in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 shown) and a cover section 30 (also in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. (Figure 6 shown). The hinge structure 28 is attached to the body 26 of the vehicle 22 and is rotatably movable relative to the body 26 of the vehicle 22 to allow movement of the cover assembly 20 between the open and closed positions. A hinge-like connection can be used to attach the hinge structure 28 to the body 26 of the vehicle 22. The hinge-like connection can be configured in any suitable manner. The specific configuration of the hinge connection between the hinge structure 28 and the body 26 of the vehicle 22 is not relevant to the teachings of this invention and is therefore not described in detail herein.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The hinge structure 28 has a connecting section 32. The connecting section 32 defines a central axis 36 and extends along it. The connecting section has several retaining projections 38. Specifically, the connecting section 32 has several hinge walls 40 that extend outwards from the connecting section 32. The hinge walls 40 connect the several retaining projections 38 and the connecting section 32. When used herein, the term "outside" is used to define a feature or surface that is located farther away from or facing away from a center of the vehicle 22. When used herein, the term "inside" is used to define a feature or surface that is located closer to or facing the center of the vehicle 22.Therefore, a described feature or surface located inside a reference feature or surface is closer to the center of the vehicle 22 than the reference feature or surface, and a described feature located outside a reference feature or surface is located farther from the center of the vehicle 22 than the reference feature or surface. It should be noted that the terms inside and outside are used only descriptively to aid in defining the orientation of the various components of the cover assembly 20.

[0012] As noted above, the connecting section 32 comprises the hinge walls 40, which extend outward from the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28 to a distal edge 42. Each of the retaining projections 38 is attached to the distal edge 42 of one of the hinge walls 40. Each of the retaining projections 38 has an internal surface 44. The internal surfaces 44 of the retaining projections 38 interact to define a common reference surface 34. In certain embodiments, such as the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining projections 38 on the connecting section 32 may be arranged in a substantially planar relationship to one another, such that the common reference surface 34 is planar. Accordingly, the description of the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures may below refer to the reference plane 34 as the reference surface 34.However, it is understandable that the common reference surface 34 may not be flat in other embodiments and may exhibit a certain degree of curvature.

[0013] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, each of the retaining projections 38 extends from the distal edge 42 of its respective hinge wall 40 in a substantially parallel relationship to the reference plane 34. The inner surface 44 of each of the retaining projections 38 is spaced apart from an outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32. It can be seen that the connecting section 32 may generally have a curvature in one or more directions and / or with respect to one or more axes. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, each of the retaining projections 38 is substantially parallel to the reference plane 34. Accordingly, the specific distance between the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32 and the inner surface 44 varies for each of the retaining projections 38.When used herein, the term “essentially parallel” should be interpreted as parallel with only minor deviations resulting from conventional manufacturing tolerances and / or manufacturing changes. Alternatively, other embodiments may include the common reference surface 34 such that it has a general degree of curvature parallel to the connecting section 32 such that the distance between the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32 and the inner surface 44 of the retaining lugs 38 is approximately equal.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 3. The multiple hinge walls 40 can be arranged in any desired manner. As shown, the multiple walls comprise a perimeter wall, which includes a first end wall 48, a second end wall 50, a wall 52 at the top, and a wall 54 at the bottom, all arranged around a perimeter 84 of the connecting section 32. The first end wall 48 and the second end wall 50 extend substantially transversely to the central axis 36, while the wall 52 at the top and the wall 54 at the bottom extend substantially parallel to and along the central axis 36. Additionally, the multiple walls comprise a first rib wall 56 and a second rib wall 58, which extend substantially parallel to the central axis 36 and are spaced transversely inward from the wall 52 at the top and the wall 54 at the bottom, respectively, relative to the central axis 36.It can be understood that the hinge walls 40 of the hinge structure 28 may be designed differently than shown and described herein.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 4 The first end wall 48 has at least one cutout 60. Specifically, the first end wall 48 has a pair of cutouts 60, wherein a first cutout 60A is arranged adjacent to the first rib wall 56 and a second cutout 60B is arranged adjacent to the second rib wall 58. The purpose of the cutouts 60 is described in greater detail below.

[0016] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the cover section 30 is attached to the hinge structure 28. Referring to Fig. The cover section 30 has several cover attachments 62 connected to it. Specifically, the cover section 30 has several cover walls 64 extending inwards from the cover section 30 to a distal edge 66. The cover walls 64 connect the multiple cover attachments 62 to the cover section 30. Each of the cover attachments 62 is attached to the distal edge 66 of one of the cover walls 64. Each of the cover attachments 62 has an outer surface 68. Each of the outer surfaces 68 of the cover attachments 62 corresponds to the common reference surface 34, e.g., the reference plane 34, which is defined by the inner surfaces 44 of the retaining attachments 38.In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, each of the cover projections 62 extends from the distal edge 66 of its respective cover wall 64 in a substantially parallel relationship to each other and substantially parallel to the reference plane 34 and the retaining projections 38.

[0017] The outer surface 68 of each of the cover attachments 62 is spaced apart from an inner surface 70 of the cover section 30. It can be seen that the cover section 30 may have a general curvature in one or more directions and / or along one or more axes. The cover section 30 may or may not be parallel to the connecting section 32. However, each of the cover attachments 62 is substantially parallel to the common reference plane 34, which is defined by the inner surfaces 44 of the retaining attachments 38, e.g., parallel to the reference plane 34 of the exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the specific distance between the inner surface 70 of the cover section 30 and the outer surface 68 of the cover attachments 62 can vary for each of the cover attachments 62.As noted above, the term “essentially parallel” should be interpreted as parallel with only minor deviations resulting from conventional manufacturing tolerances and / or manufacturing changes.

[0018] As noted above, each of the cover walls 64 extends inwards from the inner surface 70 of the cover section 30 towards the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28 to a respective distal edge 66. With reference to Fig. However, the distal edges 66 of the cover walls 64 are spaced away from the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28. Thus, the distal edges 66 of the cover walls 64 do not touch the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28. Similarly, the distal edges 42 of the hinge walls 40 do not touch the inner surface 70 of the cover section 30.

[0019] How best to Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the cover section 30 is arranged adjacent to the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28. Each of the retaining projections 38 engages with one of the cover projections 62 in a locking engagement to define pairs of locking projections 72. Thus, each of the cover projections 62 is arranged between one of the retaining projections 38 and the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28, and each of the retaining projections 38 is arranged between one of the cover projections 62 and the cover section 30. This arrangement positions the inner surface 44 of the retaining projection 38 of each respective pair of locking projections 72 against the outer surface 68 of the cover projection 62 of each respective pair of locking projections 72. Accordingly, the inner surface 44 of the retaining projections 38 and the outer surface 68 of the cover projections 62 each engage with each other at the reference surface 34.The exemplary embodiment shows the reference surface as a plane, and thus the inner surface 44 of the retaining projections 38 and the outer surface 68 of the cover projections 62 of each respective pair of locking projections 72 engage with each other on the same common reference plane 34. However, it can be seen that if the common reference surface 34 is not planar, the inner surface 44 of the retaining projections 38 and the outer surface 68 of the cover projections 62 of each respective pair of locking projections 72 engage with each other along the common reference surface 34, but do not lie in the same plane.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. In section 5, all cover projections 62 and all retaining projections 38 are positioned such that they extend axially along the central axis 36. By positioning the cover projections 62 and the retaining projections 38 in this way, the cover assembly 20 can be assembled by positioning the cover section 30 adjacent to the hinge structure 28 and then sliding the cover section 30 along the central axis 36 such that the cover projections 62 slide under the retaining projections 38 into a locking engagement. Thus, the cover section 30 can slide into position relative to the hinge structure 28 along the central axis 36.

[0021] As noted above, and best explained in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the first end wall 48 has the first cutout 60A, which is adjacent to the first rib wall 56, and the second cutout 60B, which is adjacent to the second rib wall 58. The first cutout 60A and the second cutout 60B allow the cover projections 62, which are adjacent to the first cutout 60A and the second cutout 60B, to slide through the first end wall 48 when the cover section 30 slides into position relative to the hinge structure 28. Therefore, the cutouts 60A are designed to allow at least one cover projection 62 to slide through the cutout 60 and into a locking engagement with one of the respective retaining projections 38.

[0022] With reference to Fig. 5 The cover section 30 has at least one termination feature 74 that extends inwards away from the inner surface 70 of the cover section 30 and towards the connecting section 32 of the hinge structure 28. Also on Fig. Referring to Figure 2, the end feature 74 is arranged adjacent to the cutout 60 of the end wall to conceal or cover the cutout 60, thereby creating an aesthetically pleasing surface for the cover assembly 20 and limiting the ingress of dirt and contaminants into the space between the cover section 30 and the hinge structure 28. As shown, the cover section 30 has a first end feature 74A, which is arranged adjacent to the first cutout 60A, and a second end feature 74B, which is arranged adjacent to the second cutout 60B.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 and as noted above, the connecting section 32 extends along the central axis 36. More specifically, the central axis 36 bisects the hinge structure 28 and the cover section 30 to define a first side 76 of the central axis 36 and a second side 78 of the central axis 36. A first group of pairs of locking projections 72 is arranged on the first side 76 of the central axis 36, and a second group of pairs of locking projections 72 is arranged on the second side 78 of the central axis 36. Preferably, the first group of pairs of connecting projections 72 comprises half of the total number of pairs of locking projections 72, and the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 comprises the other half of the total number of pairs of locking projections 72.Accordingly, the pairs of locking lugs 72 are evenly distributed between the first side 76 of the central axis 36 and the second side 78 of the central axis 36. However, it is conceivable that at least one of the pairs of locking lugs 72 is arranged directly on the central axis 36.

[0024] At least one of the pairs of connecting projections 72 of the first group of pairs of locking projections 72 comprises the corresponding cover projection 62 of this pair, which extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 away from the central axis 36 in a first transverse direction 80, and the corresponding retaining projection 38 of this pair extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 in the direction of the central axis 36 in a second transverse direction 82. The first transverse direction 80 is opposite to the second transverse direction. The first transverse direction 80 and the second transverse direction 82 are substantially perpendicular to the central axis 36 and parallel to the reference plane 34.Additionally, at least one of the pairs of locking projections 72 of the first group of pairs of locking projections 72 comprises the corresponding cover projection 62 of this pair, which extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 in the direction of the central axis 36 in the second transverse direction 82, and the corresponding retaining projection 38 of this pair, which extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 away from the central axis 36 in the first transverse direction 80.

[0025] As shown in the figures, one half of the cover projections 62 of the first group of pairs of locking projections 72 extends from their corresponding cover wall 64 in the first direction, and the other half of the cover projections 62 of the first group of pairs of locking projections 72 extends from their corresponding cover wall 64 in the second direction. Similarly, one half of the retaining projections 38 of the first group of pairs of locking projections 72 extends from their corresponding hinge wall 40 in the first direction, and the other half of the retaining projections 38 of the first group of pairs of locking projections 72 extend from their corresponding hinge wall 40 in the second direction.

[0026] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 is arranged in a similar manner, wherein at least one of the pairs of locking projections 72 of the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 has the corresponding cover projection 62 of this pair, which extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 away from the central axis 36 in the second transverse direction 82, and the corresponding retaining projection 38 of this pair, which extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 in the direction of the central axis 36 in the first transverse direction 80.Additionally, at least one of the pairs of locking projections 72 of the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 includes the corresponding cover projection 62 of this pair, which extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 in the direction of the central axis 36 in the first transverse direction 80, and the corresponding retaining projection 38 of this pair extends from one of the multiple hinge walls 40 away from the central axis 36 in the second transverse direction 82.

[0027] As shown in the figures, one half of the cover projections 62 of the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 extends from their corresponding cover wall 64 in the first direction, and the other half of the cover projections 62 of the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 extends from their corresponding cover wall 64 in the second direction. Similarly, one half of the retaining projections 38 of the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 extends from their corresponding hinge wall 40 in the first direction, and the other half of the retaining projections 38 of the second group of pairs of locking projections 72 extend from their corresponding hinge wall 40 in the second direction.

[0028] By arranging the pairs of locking lugs 72 according to the configuration described above, a force exerted on the cover section 30 parallel to the reference plane 34 and transverse to the central axis 36 acts such that half of the pairs of locking lugs 72 are released from each of the first and second groups of locking lugs, while simultaneously tightening the other half of the pairs of locking lugs 72 from each of the first and second groups of locking lugs. Accordingly, the arrangement of the pairs of locking lugs 72 described above prevents the cover section 30 from being released from the hinge structure 28 by a force exerted on the cover section 30 parallel to the reference plane 34 and transverse to the central axis 36.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 3. The pairs of locking lugs 72 are preferably positioned adjacent to the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32. Preferably, the pairs of locking lugs 72 are spaced apart from each other by approximately equal distances 88 around the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32. When used herein, the term "approximately equal distance" between adjacent pairs of locking lugs 72 is defined as a relative distance between adjacent pairs of locking lugs that varies by no more than 20% with respect to the relative distance of the other adjacent pairs of locking lugs 72. The uniform positioning of the pairs of locking lugs 72 around the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32 distributes the load between them evenly between the cover section 30 and the hinge structure 28, thereby helping to limit undesired deformation and / or bending.

[0030] Preferably, each pair of locking lugs 72 is spaced from a circumference 86 of the cover section 30 by a distance 90 that is equal to or less than 30 mm. By arranging the pairs of locking lugs 72 on the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32 and as close as possible to the circumference 86 of the cover section 30, any possible deformation of the cover section 30 extending beyond the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32 is also limited, which helps to maintain a flush fit between the cover section 30 and the outer surface of the body 26.

[0031] Preferably, the distance 88 between adjacent pairs of locking lugs, measured around the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32, is equal to or less than twice the distance 90 between the pairs of locking lugs 72 and the circumference 86 of the cover section 30. For example, if each pair of locking lugs 72 is spaced from the circumference 86 of the cover section 30 by a distance 90 of approximately 30 mm, then the distance 88 between adjacent pairs of locking lugs 72, measured around the circumference 84 of the connecting section 32, is equal to or less than 60 mm.

[0032] With reference to Fig.6 Each of the retaining attachments 38 has a cushion surface 92 that is spaced apart from the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32. The cushion surface 92 is spaced apart from the inner surface 44 of the retaining attachment 38 by a first distance 94. The outer surface 68 of each of the cover attachments 62 is spaced apart from the inner surface 70 of the cover section 30 by a second distance 96. The second distance 96 is equal to or shorter than the first distance 94, such that the locking engagement between the corresponding pairs of retaining attachments 38 and the cover attachments 62 biases the cover section 30 against the cushion surface 92 of the retaining attachment 38. As described above, the distal edges 66 of the cover walls 64 do not contact the outer surface 46 of the connecting section 32. This configuration creates data control over the vehicle 22 and provides a uniform, tight fit between the cover section 30 and the hinge structure 28.

Claims

[1] Cover assembly (20) for a filling port (24) of a vehicle (22), wherein the cover assembly (20) comprises: a hinge structure (28) which has a connecting section (32) that defines a central axis (36); wherein the connecting section (32) has several retaining attachments (38), wherein each of the several retaining attachments (38) has an internal surface (44) and wherein the internal surface (44) of each of the retaining attachments (38) cooperate to define a reference surface (34); a cover section (30) arranged adjacent to the connecting section (32) and having several cover projections (62) arranged to correspond to the reference surface (34), each of the several cover projections (62) having an outer surface (68); and wherein each of the multiple retaining prongs (38) engages in a locking engagement with one of the multiple cover prongs (62) to define pairs of locking prongs (72), wherein the inner surface (44) of the retaining prong (38) is positioned against the outer surface (68) of the cover prong (62) of each corresponding pair of locking prongs (72); wherein the central axis (36) bisects the hinge structure (28) and the cover section (30) such that a first group of pairs of locking projections (72) is arranged on a first side of the central axis (36) and a second group of pairs of locking projections (72) is arranged on the second side of the central axis (36); wherein the connecting section (32) has several hinge walls (40) extending outwards from the connecting section (32) and connecting the several retaining projections (38) and the connecting section (32); and wherein the multiple hinge walls (40) comprise an end wall (48) which is arranged transversely to the central axis (36) and defines at least one cutout (60A, 60B); characterized by , that the cover section (30) has an inner surface (70) and a termination feature (74A, 74B) extending outwards from the inner surface (44) of the cover section (30) in the direction of the connecting section (32) of the hinge structure (28), the termination feature (74A, 74B) being located adjacent to the cutout (60A, 60B) of the end wall (48) to conceal the cutout (60A, 60B). [2] Cover assembly (20) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pairs of locking projections (72) of the first group of pairs of locking projections (72) comprises the corresponding cover projection (62) extending away from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) from the central axis (36) in a first transverse direction (80), and the corresponding retaining projection (38) extending away from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) in the direction of the central axis (36) in a second transverse direction (82), wherein the first transverse direction (80) is opposite to the second transverse direction (82) and wherein the first transverse direction (80) and the second transverse direction (82) are perpendicular to the central axis (36). [3] Cover assembly (20) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pairs of locking projections (72) of the first group of pairs of locking projections (72) comprises the corresponding cover projection (62) extending from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) in the direction of the central axis (36) in the second transverse direction (82), and the corresponding retaining projection (38) extending from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) away from the central axis (36) in the first transverse direction (80). [4] Cover assembly (20) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the pairs of locking projections (72) of the second group of pairs of locking projections (72) comprises the corresponding cover projection (62) extending away from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) from the central axis (36) in the second transverse direction (82), and the corresponding retaining projection (38) extending from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) towards the central axis (36) in the first transverse direction (82). [5] Cover assembly (20) according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the pairs of locking projections of the second group of pairs of locking projections (72) comprises the corresponding cover projection (62) extending from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) in the direction of the central axis (36) in the first transverse direction (80), and the corresponding retaining projection (38) extending from one of the multiple hinge walls (40) away from the central axis (36) in the second transverse direction (82). [6] Cover assembly (20) for a filling port (24) of a vehicle (22), the cover assembly (20) comprising: a hinge structure (28) which has a connecting section (32) that defines a central axis (36); wherein the connecting section (32) has several retaining attachments (38), wherein each of the several retaining attachments (38) has an internal surface (44) and wherein the internal surface (44) of each of the retaining attachments (38) cooperate to define a reference surface (34); a cover section (30) arranged adjacent to the connecting section (32) and having several cover projections (62) arranged to correspond to the reference surface (34), each of the several cover projections (62) having an outer surface (68); and wherein each of the multiple retaining prongs (38) engages in a locking engagement with one of the multiple cover prongs (62) to define pairs of locking prongs (72), wherein the inner surface (44) of the retaining prong (38) is positioned against the outer surface (68) of the cover prong (62) of each corresponding pair of locking prongs (72); characterized by , that Each of the multiple retaining attachments (38) has a cushion surface which is spaced apart from the outer surface (46) of the connecting section (32) and wherein the cushion surface is spaced apart from the inner surface (44) of the retaining attachment (38) by a first distance, wherein the outer surface (68) of each of the cover attachments (62) is spaced from the inner surface (70) of the cover section (30) by a second distance, the second distance being equal to or shorter than the first distance in order to prestress the cover section (30) against the cushion surface of the retaining attachments (38).

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