Fuel filler flap or electrical charging port with a rib at the plastic injection point

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel or electrical charging port cover (1) comprising a support mounted on a body panel and a flap (2) movable relative to the support between a closed and an open position. The flap (2) is connected to the support by a hinged arm (3) and includes a rim (8) projecting from an external face (4) of the flap (2). The cover (1) includes a trim piece (5) mounted on the rim (8) and having a protrusion (6) projecting from a plastic injection point formed on an internal face (11) of the trim piece (5) after a plastic injection molding operation. The rim (8) includes a side wall (10) connected to the hinged arm (3) and in which an opening (7) is formed. The protrusion (6) is positioned at the edge of a peripheral edge (12) of the trim piece (5) and is housed within the opening (7). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fuel filler flap or electrical charging port with a rib at the plastic injection point

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fuel filler flaps or electric charging ports for internal combustion, electric and hybrid vehicles.

[0002] These hatches are intended to be mounted on a bodywork element of a vehicle and to conceal an electrical charging socket in the case of a vehicle including an electric motor or a fuel filler neck connected to a fuel tank in the case of a vehicle including a thermal engine.

[0003] Each hatch includes a support intended to be mounted on the bodywork element and having a cavity housing the electrical charging socket or the fuel filler opening.

[0004] The hatch also includes a flap that is movable relative to the support between a closed position in which the flap conceals the fuel inlet or filler neck and an open position in which the fuel inlet or filler neck is accessible. The flap is connected to the support by a hinged arm (or gooseneck).

[0005] The flap includes a border projecting from an external face of the flap. The hatch includes a trim piece mounted on the border.

[0006] The hubcap is obtained by a plastic injection operation in an injection mold comprising two mold parts that must be separated after injection to release the hubcap. The first mold part includes an injection channel through which the plastic is injected to the hubcap. When the plastic injection operation is complete, the hubcap is ejected. A plastic bead formed in the injection channel detaches from the hubcap, forming an injection point on the hubcap. During ejection, the plastic bead is released from the injection channel by sliding inside the injection channel.

[0007] To avoid having too large an ejection stroke between the two parts of the mold to clear the plastic bead, it is necessary to design the mold so that the injection point is positioned as close as possible to the edge of the trim.

[0008] An injection point too far from the edge results in a larger injection mold and a larger molding machine, which impacts the manufacturing cost and the price of the part.

[0009] It is also preferable to position the injection point near the edge of the trim positioned opposite the hinge of the flap for aesthetic reasons.

[0010] So that the plastic injection point in the hubcap does not leave a mark Visibly, a rib must be added during the injection molding process to accommodate the injection point. The rib thus conceals the plastic injection point and protrudes from an inner face of the trim piece.

[0011] However, this rib is usually removed after the plastic injection operation so as not to interfere with the subsequent step of assembling the trim onto the shutter. Indeed, during assembly, the trim slides along the outer face of the shutter, towards the hinge arm, until the first shutter fastening means engage with the second trim fastening means.

[0012] The problem is that towards the end of the sliding step, the rib comes up against a wall of the edge of the shutter positioned opposite the hinge, preventing the complete sliding of the trim relative to the shutter and the fixing of the first means of fixing the shutter with the second means of fixing the trim.

[0013] It is therefore necessary to remove the rib from the plastic injection point of the hubcap, which results in an additional operation in the manufacturing process and increases manufacturing costs.

[0014] Moreover, it may happen that this removal step is not carried out due to forgetfulness, for example.

[0015] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a fuel or electrical charging hatch designed to simplify the manufacturing process of the hatch and a manufacturing process of the hatch comprising fewer manufacturing steps.

[0016] To this end, the invention relates, in its broadest sense, to a fuel filler flap or electrical charging port for a vehicle. The flap comprises a bracket for mounting on a vehicle body panel and a flap movable relative to the bracket between a closed position in which the flap conceals the charging port or fuel filler opening and an open position in which the charging port or fuel filler opening is accessible. The flap is connected to the bracket by a hinged arm and includes a rim projecting from an external face of the flap. The flap includes a trim piece mounted on the rim and has a protrusion projecting from a plastic injection point formed on an internal face of the trim piece after a plastic injection molding operation.

[0017] According to the invention, the rim comprises a side wall connected to the hinge arm and in which an opening is formed. The protrusion is positioned at the edge of a peripheral edge of the trim and is housed in the opening.

[0018] The invention thus provides a fuel or electrical charging port flap designed to simplify the flap manufacturing process and a method of manufacturing the hatch involving fewer manufacturing steps.

[0019] Indeed, during assembly, the trim slides along the outer face of the shutter, towards the hinge arm, until the first shutter fastening means engage with the second trim fastening means. Towards the end of the sliding step, the rib no longer abuts against the side wall of the shutter edge but inserts itself into the shutter opening, allowing the trim to slide completely relative to the shutter and the first shutter fastening means to engage with the second trim fastening means.

[0020] The additional step of removing the rib is eliminated and the aesthetic appearance is improved.

[0021] It is possible to keep the protrusion or rib as close as possible to the peripheral edge of the trim to avoid having too great an ejection distance during the molding operation.

[0022] According to one variant, the opening has a shape complementary to that of the protuberance.

[0023] This ensures correct insertion of the protrusion into the opening and improves the aesthetic appearance.

[0024] According to one variant, the protuberance and the opening have a parallelepiped shape.

[0025] This shape simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the hinge arm extends from the side wall, forming a curve connected to one end. The side wall, the opening, and the protrusion are positioned opposite the end.

[0027] This position makes it possible to conceal the opening and the protrusion and to keep the protrusion or rib as close as possible to the peripheral edge of the trim.

[0028] According to one variant, the protrusion has a thickness identical or almost identical to the depth of the opening.

[0029] This improves the aesthetic appearance of the hatch.

[0030] According to one variant, the edge of the shutter delimits a housing comprising first fixing means cooperating with second fixing means provided on the inner face of the trim to fix the trim to the shutter.

[0031] According to one variant, the protrusion is positioned between the second means of attachment and the peripheral edge of the trim.

[0032] This arrangement simplifies the design.

[0033] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a hatch as defined above.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a hatch as defined above and comprising: - a first manufacturing step of a wheel trim comprising a plastic injection operation during which a protrusion is formed on an inner face of the wheel trim from an injection point formed during the plastic injection operation, the protrusion being positioned at the edge of a peripheral edge of the wheel trim, - a second stage in the manufacture of a shutter during which an opening is formed in a side wall of a border extending from an external face of the shutter, the side wall being connected to a hinge arm of the shutter, and - a third step of mounting the trim on the edge of the shutter during which the protrusion of the trim is inserted into the opening of the shutter to at least partially close the opening.

[0035] According to one variant, during the third assembly step, the trim slides along the edge of the shutter, towards the hinge arm, until the second fastening means are held by the first fastening means and the protrusion of the trim inserts into the opening of the shutter.

[0036] The following are non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0037] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a view of a vehicle hatch, according to a mode of realization of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a view of a flap of the hatch;

[0039] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a view of a trim piece for the hatch.

[0040] In the following description, elements having an identical structure and / or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0041] Figure 1 illustrates a cover 1 intended to be mounted on a vehicle body panel to conceal a fuel filler neck of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or an electrical charging port of a vehicle with an electric motor. The cover 1 is commonly referred to as a fuel filler neck or electrical charging port cover.

[0042] The hatch 1 includes a support (not shown) intended to be mounted on the bodywork element and a flap 2 movable relative to the support between a closed position in which the flap 2 masks the fuel inlet or the fuel filler opening and an open position in which the fuel inlet or the fuel filler opening is accessible.

[0043] The support is fixed to the bodywork element and includes a cavity receiving the fuel filler mouth or the electrical charging socket.

[0044] The flap 2 is connected to the support by a hinge arm 3 (or gooseneck), as illustrated in [Fig. 2], and includes a border 8 projecting from one face external 4 of the flap 2. The border 8 delimits entirely or partially a housing 9 formed on the side of the external face 4.

[0045] The hatch 1 includes a trim piece 5, as illustrated in [Fig.3], mounted on the rim 8. The rim 8 includes a bearing face 17 on which rests a portion of the inner face 11 of the trim piece 5.

[0046] The trim piece 5 is obtained by a plastic injection operation in an injection mold comprising two mold parts which are separated after the plastic injection to release the trim piece 5 from the mold.

[0047] A first mold part includes an injection channel through which the plastic is injected up to the trim piece 5. When the plastic injection operation is complete, the trim piece 5 is ejected. A bead of plastic formed in the injection channel detaches from the trim piece 5, forming an injection point on the trim piece 5. During ejection, the plastic bead is freed from the injection channel by sliding inside the injection channel.

[0048] To avoid having too large an ejection stroke between the two parts of the mold to clear the plastic bead, it is necessary to design the mold so that the injection point is positioned as close as possible to a peripheral edge 12 of the trim 5.

[0049] An injection point too far from the peripheral edge 12 results in a larger injection mold and molding machine, which impacts the manufacturing cost and the price of the part.

[0050] It is also preferable to position the injection point near the peripheral edge 12 of the trim piece 5 which is positioned opposite the hinge arm 3 of the flap 2 for aesthetic reasons.

[0051] In order that the plastic injection point in the trim 5 does not leave a visible mark, it is necessary to add a protrusion 6, during the injection operation, at the location of the plastic injection point, to mask it.

[0052] The protrusion 6 protrudes from the inner face 11 of the trim piece 5 and from the plastic injection point.

[0053] Preferably, the protrusion 6 is perpendicular to the inner face 11 of the trim 5.

[0054] Preferably, the distance d between the peripheral edge 12 of the trim 5 and the protrusion 6 is between 0.3 tenth and 1.5 tenth of the length 1 of the trim 5.

[0055] Preferably, the distance d between the peripheral edge 12 of the trim 5 and the protrusion 6 is about 0.77 tenths of the length 1 of the trim 5.

[0056] According to the invention, the rim 8 comprises a side wall 10 connected to the hinge arm 3. An opening 7 or a notch is formed in the side wall 10. The protuberance 6 is inserted into opening 7.

[0057] The hinge arm 3 extends from the side wall 10, forming a curve 16 connected to an end 15 of the hinge arm 3.

[0058] The side wall 10, the opening 7 and the protrusion 6 are positioned opposite the end 15 of the hinge arm 3.

[0059] The opening 7 leads to the outside of the border 8.

[0060] The opening 7 has a shape complementary to that of the protrusion 6. The dimensions of the opening 7 are adapted to fit the shape of the protrusion 6 and so that the protrusion 6 completely or almost completely closes the opening 7. In other words, the width of the protrusion 6 is slightly less, by 1 / 100 for example, than that of the opening 7. The height of the protrusion 6 is slightly less, by 1 / 100 for example, than that of the opening 7.

[0061] The protrusion 6 and the opening 7 have a parallelepiped shape, for example. The protrusion 6 has a rib or tongue shape.

[0062] The protrusion 6 may have a cylindrical lug shape, for example.

[0063] Alternatively, the opening 7 may have a dimension much larger than that of the protrusion 6. The dimension of the opening 7 may be at least 1 tenth of a time larger than that of the protrusion 6.

[0064] Preferably, the protrusion 6 and the lateral wall 10 of the edge 8 of the flap 2 have the same or nearly the same thickness. The protrusion 6 then has the same or nearly the same thickness as the depth of the opening 7.

[0065] The housing 9 of the flap 2 includes first fixing means 13 cooperating with second fixing means 14 provided on the inner face 11 of the trim 5.

[0066] The protrusion 6 is positioned between the second fixing means 14 of the trim 5 and the peripheral edge 12 of the trim 5.

[0067] The first fastening means 13 include locking elements adapted to allow a fastening element of the second fastening means 14 of the trim 5 to slide inside the trim and then be locked, for example. Other types of first fastening means 13 and second fastening means 14 are possible.

[0068] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a hatch 1 as defined above and comprising: - a first manufacturing step of a wheel trim 5 comprising a plastic injection operation during which a protrusion 6 is formed, the protrusion 6 protruding from an internal face 11 of the wheel trim 5 and being positioned opposite a peripheral edge 12 of the wheel trim 5, - a second manufacturing stage of a shutter 2 during which an opening 7 is formed in an internal wall 10 of a border 8 positioned opposite a hinge arm 3 of the flap 2, and - a third mounting step of the trim piece 5 on an external face 4 of the flap 2 during which the protrusion 6 of the trim piece 5 is inserted into the opening 7 of the flap 2 to at least partially close the opening 7.

[0069] According to one embodiment, during the third mounting step, the trim piece 5 slides along the external face 4 of the flap 2, towards the hinge arm 3, until the first fastening means 13 are secured with the second fastening means 14 and the protrusion 6 of the trim piece 5 is inserted into the opening 7 of the flap 2. In [Fig. 1], an arrow shows the direction of sliding of the trim piece 5 relative to the flap 2.

[0070] According to another embodiment, during the third assembly step, the trim piece 5 translates in a direction perpendicular to the outer face 4 of the flap 2 and towards the outer face 4 of the flap 2 so as to rest against the edge 8 of the flap 2, without sliding. The trim piece 5 then fits into the flap 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Fuel or electrical charging port flap (1) of a vehicle comprising a support intended to be mounted on a bodywork element of the vehicle and a flap (2) mounted to move relative to the support between a closed position in which the flap (2) conceals a charging port or a fuel filler opening and an open position in which the charging port or the filler opening is accessible, the flap (2) being connected to the support by a hinge arm (3) and comprising a border (8) projecting from an external face (4) of the flap (2), the flap (1) comprising a trim (5) mounted on the border (8) and comprising a protuberance (6) projecting from a plastic injection point formed on an internal face (11) of the trim (5) after a plastic injection operation,characterized in that the border (8) comprises a side wall (10) connected to the hinge arm (3) and in which an opening (7) is formed, the protrusion (6) being positioned at the edge of a peripheral edge (12) of the trim (5) and being housed in the opening (7).,

2. Trapdoor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (7) has a shape complementary to that of the protuberance (6).

3. Trapdoor (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the protuberance (6) and the opening (7) have a parallelepiped shape.

4. A hatch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hinge arm (3) extends from the side wall (10) forming a bend (16) connected to one end (15), the side wall (10), the opening (7) and the protrusion (6) being positioned opposite the end (15).

5. Trapdoor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protrusion (6) has a thickness identical or almost identical to the depth of the opening (7).

6. Hatch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the edge (8) of the flap (2) delimits a housing (9) comprising first fixing means (13) cooperating with second fixing means (14) provided on the internal face (11) of the trim (5) to fix the trim (5) to the flap (2).

7. Trapdoor (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the protuberance (6) is positioned between the second fixing means (14) and the peripheral edge (12) of the trim (5).

8. Vehicle characterized in that it comprises a hatch (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method of manufacturing a hatch (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising: - a first step of manufacturing a trim (5) comprising a plastic injection operation during which a protrusion (6) is formed on an internal face (11) of the trim (5) from an injection point formed during the plastic injection operation, the protrusion (6) being positioned at the edge of a peripheral edge (12) of the trim (5), - a second step of manufacturing a flap (2) during which an opening (7) is formed in a side wall (10) of a border (8) extending from an external face (4) of the flap (2), the side wall (10) being connected to a hinge arm (3) of the flap (2),and - a third step of mounting the trim (5) on the edge (8) of the shutter (2) during which the protuberance (6) of the trim (5) is inserted into the opening (7) of the shutter (2) to at least partially close the opening (7).,

10. A method of manufacturing a hatch (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that during the third assembly step, the trim (5) slides along the edge (8) of the flap (2), towards the hinge arm (3), until the second fixing means (14) are held by the first fixing means (13) and the protrusion (6) of the trim (5) is inserted into the opening (7) of the flap (2).

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