Spring-operated loading and / or fuel filler flap system with damping for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

Abstract

A charging and / or refueling flap system (10) for a motor vehicle comprises a base body (14) that includes a connection area (16) for charging the motor vehicle and / or refueling it, a cover flap (18) that is movable between a closed position (S) and an open position (O) to cover and uncover the connection area (16) outwards, and a spring element (22) to move the cover flap (18) into the open position (O) by spring force. A sequential damping system (19) is provided for damping the movement of the cover flap (18). It comprises at least two damping elements (20, 21) arranged such that they sequentially decelerate the cover flap (18) with increasing effect as it moves into the open position (O).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-operated loading flap system and / or a fuel filler flap system with damping for a motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle equipped with the loading and / or fuel filler flap system.

[0002] The invention is particularly suitable for use in electrically powered motor vehicles, in which an external electrical energy source, such as a charging station, is connected to the motor vehicle in order to charge it with electricity as an energy carrier, which is stored in an electrical storage device of the motor vehicle.

[0003] The invention can also be applied to motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine, for example, where a connecting piece or a filling pipe is attached to the vehicle at a filling station to fill it with fuel as an energy carrier, which is then poured into a tank of the vehicle. The invention can also be used for hybrid motor vehicles that have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell for powering the vehicle.

[0004] Such charging or refueling flap systems typically feature a hinged cover, also known as a charging flap or refueling flap, which is opened to charge the vehicle with electricity or another energy source to power the vehicle's engine and closed again after charging. Often, these flap systems have a cover that is moved into the open position by a spring element after manual external pressure is applied to the cover, for example, using a push-push mechanism.

[0005] Most known charging and / or fuel filler flap systems have a cover flap or fuel filler flap that opens to the side. These systems may include, for example, soft component stops or rotating silicone bodies to dissipate residual energy during the opening movement of the charging flap before it reaches its final position.

[0006] However, charging and / or fuel filler flap systems that open upwards are also known. Opening upwards offers advantages, such as providing cover for the vehicle's charging port when the flap is open. It can also be very advantageous from a design perspective for the flap to open upwards.

[0007] However, a fuel or cargo flap that opens mechanically upwards on the vehicle requires a significantly higher spring force due to gravity than a side- or horizontally opening fuel or cargo flap. Furthermore, the linear spring characteristic of the spring that drives the flap means that when the flap is closed, the spring system stores more energy than is needed to open and hold the flap in the open position. This residual energy in the spring leads to very strong rebounding or oscillation in the open position, resulting in an unsightly appearance.

[0008] The generic publication DE10 2020 112 178 A1 discloses a charging or fuel filler flap arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body accommodating a charging socket or a fuel filler neck, a flap body pivotable about a rotary axis, and a push-push mechanism for locking and releasing the flap body. A rubber seal, which engages the base body and seals the flap body against the base body when closed, provides a damping function for the flap body.

[0009] German patent application DE10 2019 100 787 A1 describes a device for opening and closing a tank and / or loading flap, comprising at least one flap and a lever arrangement, wherein the lever arrangement has at least two levers which are pivotably arranged one above the other on the side of the flap and on a tank and / or loading recess in the opening direction, wherein one of the levers is also radially displaceable relative to the pivot axis in addition to being pivotably mounted. A bearing arrangement includes a guide for a section of one of the levers and a damping device with a gear.

[0010] All, or at least most, of the fuel filler and charging flaps currently on the market that use a mechanical spring system with a pivot point open to the side, i.e., horizontally. Due to the aforementioned disadvantages, a fuel filler or charging flap that opens mechanically upwards towards the vehicle with a pivot joint is not yet available on the market.

[0011] However, an electric motor that is controlled accordingly to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of a purely mechanical drive or a spring-driven upward-opening cover flap is associated with high costs.

[0012] The object of the invention is to create a mechanically or spring-driven loading and / or fuel filler flap system that overcomes the described disadvantages in a cost-effective manner and enables an upward-opening cover flap that opens reliably and remains securely in the open position without snapping back.

[0013] The problem is solved by a charging and / or refueling flap system for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body that includes a connection area for charging the motor vehicle and / or for filling it with fuel, a cover flap that is movable between a closed position and an open position in order to cover and release the connection area to the outside, a spring element to move the cover flap into the open position by spring force, and a sequential damping system for damping the movement of the cover flap, comprising at least two damping elements arranged in such a way that they sequentially decelerate the cover flap with increasing effect as it moves into the open position.

[0014] The invention reliably prevents any after-oscillation or rebounding.

[0015] By using a sequential damping system with at least two damping elements, the damping effect is sufficiently large, but not too strong, which would act like a hard stop and lead to reverberation.

[0016] Preferably, the first damping element is made of an elastic material.

[0017] Advantageously, the second damping element includes a linear damper.

[0018] Preferably, the first damping element is made of an absorber foam.

[0019] Advantageously, the loading and / or fuel filler flap system includes a stop element that is arranged in such a way that it moves together with the cover flap when it is opened and first compresses the first damping element and then the second damping element when the cover flap reaches the open position.

[0020] Preferably, the stop element and the damping elements are arranged such that when the second damping element is compressed, the stop element also compresses the first damping element.

[0021] Advantageously, the stop element is attached to a pivot axis of the cover flap.

[0022] Preferably, the stop element is arranged tangentially to the axis of rotation of the cover flap.

[0023] Advantageously, the stop element comprises a first and a second section, which together form an angle.

[0024] In particular, the angle includes a pressure surface that presses sequentially against the damping elements when the open position is reached.

[0025] Preferably, the loading and / or fuel filler flap system or the cover flap is designed to open upwards.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is created which includes a charging and / or fuel filler flap system according to the invention.

[0027] The invention effectively prevents rebounding or snapping back of the cover flap when it reaches the open position. This is achieved through the use of a sequential damping system.

[0028] In the first step, an absorber foam acts to slightly slow the opening movement, preventing any springback upon contact with the stop element, i.e., between the two components. As the opening progresses, the absorber foam's effect increases until, in the final part of the cover flap's opening movement, the linear damper engages and brings the opening movement to a complete stop.

[0029] The term "charging and / or refueling flap system" is generally understood to encompass both a flap system for charging the vehicle with electricity and a flap system for loading or filling the vehicle's fuel tank with liquid or gaseous fuel. Furthermore, the charging and / or refueling flap system can be designed for both charging with electricity and loading or filling with fuel, for example, in the case of a hybrid vehicle.

[0030] The invention is described below with reference to a loading flap system, which represents a preferred embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments, the loading and / or fuel flap system according to the invention is designed as a fuel flap system. The figures show: Fig. 1 a loading flap system for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the cover flap closed, in a sectional view; Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1 Charging flap system shown with the cover flap closed in a top view; Fig. 3 that in Fig. 1 Loading flap system shown in a similar view, but with the cover flap partially open; Fig. 4. A view of the charging flap system similar to that of Fig. 3, however, with the cover flap fully open; and Fig. 5 a top view of the in Fig. 4 fully opened loading flap systems shown.

[0031] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are designated with the same reference numerals and are therefore not described again unless it appears expedient. The disclosures contained in the entire description are transferable analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional references chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated and, in the event of a change in position, are to be applied analogously to the new position.

[0032] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a loading flap system 10 as a particularly preferred embodiment of the loading and / or fuel flap system according to the invention in a sectional view ( Fig. 1) or in a top view ( Fig. 2) The term above refers here to the state of the charging and / or fuel filler flap system when installed in a motor vehicle.

[0033] The charging flap system 10 comprises a base body 14, which is designed as a trough body. The charging flap system 10 is designed for installation in a motor vehicle, for example, by being attachable to its side frame. A connection area 16 for charging the motor vehicle is provided in the charging flap system 10.

[0034] In the embodiment shown here, the connection area 16 is formed by an electrical plug element in the form of a charging socket or charging port 17, which can be mounted in the base body 14. In the embodiment described here, the base body 14 is designed as a charging pot.

[0035] The loading flap system 10 further comprises a cover flap 18, which in the example shown here forms a loading flap. The cover flap 18 is positioned between a closed position S and an open position O (see figure). Fig. 4) movable to cover the connection area 16 in the closed state, i.e., in the closed position S, and to expose it by opening the cover flap 18. After the cover flap 18 is fully opened, it is in the open position O.

[0036] A spring element 22 in the form of a torsion spring is provided for opening the cover flap 18 (see Fig. 2) which is designed to move the cover flap 18 from the closed position S to the open position O by means of spring force. A push-push mechanism, which can be actuated by manually pressing against the cover flap 18 from the outside, unlocks the cover flap 18 so that it opens due to the spring force of the spring element 22. In doing so, the cover flap 18 pivots upwards; that is, the loading flap system is designed to open upwards. The cover flap is designed so that it can be closed manually. An electric motor for opening and / or closing the cover flap 18 is not necessary.

[0037] In the open position O of the cover flap 18, in particular an external charging plug can be connected to the connection area 16 of the charging flap system 10, wherein the external charging plug is connected, for example, to an electric charging station in order to charge an electric energy storage device for powering the motor vehicle.

[0038] The loading flap system 10 further comprises a sequential damping system 19, which includes at least a first damping element 20 and a second damping element 21. The damping elements 20, 21 are arranged such that they sequentially decelerate the cover flap 18 with increasing effect as it moves into the open position (O).

[0039] The first damping element 20 is made of an elastic material, in particular a foam or absorber foam. It can be made, for example, of rubber, an elastomer or a similar material with elastic properties.

[0040] The second damping element 21 is designed as a linear damper, which is attached to the base body 14 by means of a bracket 23.

[0041] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the cover flap 18 is attached to a hinge arm 38, which is pivotally mounted in the base body 14 about a pivot axis 43. This allows the cover flap 18 to be opened from its closed position S (see Figure 3). Fig. 1) into the open position O (see Fig. 4) and return.

[0042] The movable hinge arm 38 is arranged in a hinge box 42, which forms part of the base body 14. The above with reference to Fig. The spring element 22 described in section 2 is arranged on the axis of rotation 43. The spring force exerted by the spring element 22 pre-tensions the cover flap 18 in the direction of the open position O.

[0043] A stop element 25, forming a stop rib, is arranged on the pivot axis 43. The stop element 25 is arranged on or connected to the pivot axis 43 in such a way that it moves together with the pivot axis 43 and thus together with the cover flap 18 when the cover flap 18 is opened.

[0044] The stop element 25 forms an angle. It comprises two sections 26 and 27, designed as flat legs, which form an angle of approximately 90 degrees. One section 26 of the stop element 25 is tangentially attached to the axis of rotation 43 of the hinge arm 38. The other section 27 extends outwards from the axis of rotation 43 with a radial component. By rotating the axis of rotation 43, the stop element 25 approaches the sequential damping system 19, which is mounted in the base body 14.

[0045] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the two damping elements 20, 21 of the sequential damping system 19 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the axis of rotation 43. The stop element 25 has a width B in the axial direction of the axis of rotation 43, which is dimensioned such that when the axis of rotation 43 rotates, it contacts the two adjacent damping elements 20, 21 and is pressed against them.

[0046] The first damping element 20, designed as absorber foam, extends further forward towards the approaching stop element 25 than the second damping element 21, designed as a linear damper, so that after a certain rotation angle of the axis of rotation 43, the stop element 25 first hits the first damping element 20 and compresses it, and then additionally hits the second damping element 21 and also compresses it.

[0047] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the opening movement of the cover flap 18, wherein Fig. 3 a partial opening and Fig. 4 shows the complete opening of the cover flap 18.

[0048] When the cover flap 18 is opened, the stop element 25, which is attached to the pivot axis 43, rotates and moves towards the sequential damping system 19 (compare Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) When the cover flap 18 reaches the partially open position, the stop element 25 with its second section 27 meets the first damping element 20 of the sequential damping system 19, which is fixed in the base body 14 (see Fig. 3).

[0049] During the further course of the opening process, it presses against the first damping element 20 and progressively compresses it. Due to the right-angled shape of the stop element 25, its second section 27 forms a pressure surface on the inside of the angle, which presses across the entire surface against the damping system 19 when the stop element 25 reaches the first damping element 20 through the rotational movement of the pivot axis 43 and compresses it. That is to say, in the partially opened state, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first damping element 20, which is made of an absorber foam, initially slightly slows down the opening movement of the hinge arm 38.

[0050] As the opening movement of the cover flap 18 continues, the stop element 25 rotates further together with the axis of rotation 43 and now also meets the second damping element 21 with its radially outwardly projecting second section 27 (see Fig. 4).

[0051] Since, as described above, the two damping elements 20, 21 are arranged next to each other and the stop element 25 has a sufficient width B to press against both damping elements 20, 21, in the last phase of the opening movement both damping elements 20, 21 are now pressed together until the rotation of the axis of rotation 43 and thus the opening movement of the cover flap 18 comes to a standstill.

[0052] That is, between the partially open state, which is in Fig. 3 is shown, and the fully or completely open state, which is shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the first damping element 20, which is formed by the absorber foam, the second damping element 21, which is formed by the linear damper, acts to slow the opening speed to zero, so that no rebound or kickback of the cover flap 18 occurs.

[0053] Fig. Figure 5 shows the charging flap system 10 with the cover flap 18 fully open in a top view, similar to that of Fig. 2. For reasons of space, only a portion of the cover flap 18 is shown. In the open position O of the cover flap 18, the stop element 25 presses against the two damping elements 20, 21 of the sequential damping system 19, so that they are compressed together. The two damping elements 20, 21 are not visible in the figure because they are covered by the stop element 25.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, the loading and / or refueling flap system is designed as a loading flap system. In other embodiments, not shown in the figures, the loading and / or refueling flap system is designed as a refueling flap system. In these cases, the connection area 16 is designed for filling the vehicle with fuel and includes, for example, a filler neck. Accordingly, in these cases, the cover flap 18 forms a refueling flap, and the base body 14 forms, for example, a refueling recess. The remaining features are designed, for example, as described above.

[0055] The invention prevents rebounding or kickback due to excess energy in the open flap position, which is present, particularly in the case of upward-opening loading or cover flaps, due to the very strong spring force of the spring element designed as a torsion spring for opening the flap, and which leads to a very rapid opening of the loading or cover flap. Reference symbol list: 10 Charging flap system 14 basic shapes 16 Connection area 17 charging socket 18 Cover flap 19 sequential damping system 20 first damping element 21 second damping element 22 Spring element 23 bracket 25 Stop element 26 first section 27 second section 38 hinge arm 42 hinge boxes 43 axis of rotation B Width of the stop element S Closed position O disclosure

Claims

Charging and / or refueling flap system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body (14) which includes a connection area (16) for charging the motor vehicle and / or for filling it with fuel, a cover flap (18) which is movable between a closed position (S) and an open position (O) in order to cover and release the connection area (16) outwards, and a spring element (22) for moving the cover flap (18) into the open position (O) by spring force, characterized by a sequential damping system (19) for damping the movement of the cover flap (18), which includes at least two damping elements (20, 21) which are arranged such that they sequentially decelerate the cover flap (18) with increasing effect as it moves into the open position (O). Charging and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first damping element (20) is made of an elastic material, and the second damping element (21) comprises a linear damper. Charging and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first damping element (20) is made of an absorber foam. Charging and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a stop element (25) which is arranged such that it moves together with the cover flap (18) when it is opened and first compresses the first damping element (20) and then the second damping element (21) when the cover flap reaches the open position. Charging and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop element (25) and the damping elements (20, 21) are arranged such that when the second damping element (21) is compressed, the stop element (25) also compresses the first damping element (20). Loading and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the stop element (25) is attached to a pivot axis (43) of the cover flap (18). Loading and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop element (25) is arranged tangentially to the axis of rotation (43). Charging and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the stop element (25) comprises a first section (26) and a second section (27) which together form an angle which includes a pressure surface which, when the open position (O) is reached, presses sequentially against the damping elements (20, 21). Charging and / or fuel filler flap system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover flap (18) is designed to open upwards. Motor vehicle characterized by a loading and / or refueling flap system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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