Actuator for refueling or charging port cover, and system comprising actuator
The actuator system for fuel or charging port covers in vehicles ensures controlled and stable movement by using a lift shaft with guide and limit protrusions, addressing the issue of unwanted contact and ensuring smooth operation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024194206
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-08
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-20
AI Technical Summary
Fuel or charging port covers in vehicles are often touched by operators during operations, necessitating a solution to prevent unwanted contact and ensure smooth, controlled movement.
An actuator system with a lift shaft, guide and limit protrusions, and a housing that guides and limits the lift shaft's movement, using a drive device to control the port cover's opening and closing, ensuring precise linear and helical movements while preventing rotation and swing.
The actuator system effectively prevents the port cover from swinging or rotating undesirably, maintaining stability and control during operation, enhancing user safety and operational reliability.
Smart Images
Figure 2025078612000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to actuators, and in particular to actuators for automotive fuel or charging port covers. [Background technology]
[0002] A fuel or charging port cover of an automobile can close the fuel or charging port after a fuel or charging operation is completed, and can open the fuel or charging port when a fuel or charging operation is required. Some fuel or charging port covers are lifted by a lift shaft and moved away from the fuel or charging port when in an open position. The lifting and lowering operation of this type of fuel or charging port cover is generally controlled by an actuator.
[0003] With this type of fuel fill or charging port cover, since the fuel fill or charging port cover is located within the work area where the operator performs the fuel fill or charging operation, it is unavoidable that the fuel fill or charging port cover will be touched by the operator. Summary of the Invention
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present disclosure provides an actuator for a fuel or charging port cover, comprising a housing, a lift shaft, a guide protrusion, and a limit protrusion. The housing defines a cavity. The lift shaft is at least partially disposed within the cavity and configured to lift and lower relative to the housing to open and close the fuel or charging port cover. The lift shaft comprises a guide portion, and the guide portion is provided with a guide groove and a limit groove. The guide groove has a distal portion corresponding to an end of an upward stroke of the lift shaft. The guide protrusion is provided on the housing and configured to cooperate with the guide groove to guide the lift shaft to move linearly along an axis or to move helically around the axis, the movements being driven by a drive device. When the lift shaft moves helically along a first rotational direction, the lift shaft moves downward. When the lift shaft moves helically in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the lift shaft moves upward. The limiting protrusion is provided on the housing, and the limiting protrusion enters at least partially into the limiting groove when the guiding protrusion moves in the guiding groove to the distal portion. The guiding groove is provided with a limiting surface for a first rotation direction at the distal portion, the limiting groove comprising an additional limiting surface for the first rotation direction and a limiting surface for a second rotation direction. When the guiding protrusion moves in the guiding groove to the distal portion, at least one of the limiting surface for the first rotation direction and the additional limiting surface for the first rotation direction together with the limiting surface for the second rotation direction limits the rotation of the lift shaft relative to the housing.
[0005] In the actuator according to the first aspect above, when the guide protrusion moves within the guide groove to the distal portion, the limiting surface for the first rotational direction contacts the guide protrusion and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction contacts the limiting protrusion, or the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction contact the limiting protrusion, or the limiting surface for the first rotational direction contacts the guide protrusion and the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction contact the limiting protrusion.
[0006] In the actuator according to the first aspect above, the guide portion is also provided with a clearance area which communicates with the limiting groove and can receive the limiting protrusion as the lifting shaft rises to enable the limiting protrusion to enter the limiting groove.
[0007] In the actuator according to the first aspect, the guide groove includes a straight groove extending along the axial direction and a helical groove extending around the axial direction. The straight groove communicates with the helical groove. The helical groove forms a distal portion.
[0008] In the actuator according to the first aspect described above, the spiral groove has a first spiral groove wall and a second spiral groove wall facing each other, the first spiral groove wall is located upstream of the second spiral groove wall in the first rotation direction, and the first spiral groove wall has a guide wall portion and a limiting surface with respect to the first rotation direction.
[0009] In the actuator according to the first aspect above, the limiting surface for the first rotational direction, the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction extend generally in the axial direction, or the limiting surface for the first rotational direction, the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction extend at an inclination angle smaller than the guide wall portion, and the inclination angle of the limiting surface for the second rotational direction is different from the inclination angle of the limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the inclination angle of the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction.
[0010] In the actuator according to the first aspect above, the clearance area has an upstream boundary and a downstream boundary facing each other, the upstream boundary being upstream of the downstream boundary in the first rotational direction, and the downstream boundary extending axially continuous with the limiting surface relative to the second rotational direction or at the same inclination angle.
[0011] In the actuator according to the first aspect above, the guide projection and the limit projection are spaced apart by a distance in the axial direction and a distance in the circumferential direction.
[0012] In the actuator according to the first aspect above, the housing comprises an outer housing part and an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is removably mounted within and immovable relative to the outer housing part, the inner sleeve defining a portion of the cavity. A guide projection and a limit projection are provided on the inner sleeve.
[0013] In the actuator according to the first aspect, the lift shaft further includes a transmission, the transmission being configured to helically engage with the drive device extending into the cavity to drive the lift shaft to lift and lower. The distal portion of the guide groove is configured to be remote from the transmission.
[0014] In the actuator according to the above first aspect, the guide portion is integrally molded on the transmission portion from a plastic material.
[0015] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an actuator for a fuel or charging port cover, the actuator comprising a housing, a lift shaft, and a guide protrusion. The housing defines a cavity. The lift shaft is at least partially disposed within the cavity and configured to lift and lower relative to the housing to open and close the fuel or charging port cover. The lift shaft comprises a guide portion, and the guide portion is provided with at least one guide groove. The at least one guide groove has a distal portion corresponding to an end of an upward stroke of the lift shaft. The guide protrusion is provided on the housing and is configured to engage with the guide groove to guide the lift shaft to move linearly along an axis or to move helically around the axis, the movements being driven by a drive device. When the lift shaft moves helically along a first rotation direction, the lift shaft moves downward. When the lift shaft moves helically in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the lift shaft moves upward. A distal portion of the at least one guide groove forms a limiting groove, which limits rotation of the lift shaft relative to the housing when the guide protrusion moves into the limiting groove.
[0016] In the actuator according to the second aspect, the limiting groove includes a limiting surface for a first rotation direction and a limiting surface for a second rotation direction, and when the guide protrusion moves into the limiting groove, the limiting surface for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface for the second rotation direction contact the guide protrusion.
[0017] In the actuator according to the second aspect above, the limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction extend axially or gradually towards each other in the downward direction of the lift shaft.
[0018] In the actuator according to the second aspect above, the housing comprises an outer housing and an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is removably mounted within the outer housing and is immovable relative to the outer housing, the inner sleeve defining a portion of the cavity. A guide projection is provided on the inner sleeve.
[0019] In the actuator according to the second aspect, the lift shaft further includes a transmission configured to helically engage with a drive device extending into the cavity to drive the lift shaft to lift and lower, and a distal portion of the at least one guide groove is configured to be remote from the transmission.
[0020] In the actuator according to the second aspect described above, the at least one guide groove includes three guide grooves evenly spaced along the circumferential direction.
[0021] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a fuel fill or charging port cover system for a vehicle, the fuel fill or charging port cover system comprising a fuel fill or charging port cover and an actuator according to the first or second aspect above. The fuel fill or charging port cover is connected to a lift shaft of the actuator, and is opened and closed by lifting and lowering the lift shaft relative to a housing. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0022] [Figure 1A]FIG. 2 illustrates a first state of a fuel or charging port cover system using an actuator according to the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] A figure showing a second state of the fuel or charging port cover system using an actuator according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A with the housing removed. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the housing of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a top-down perspective view of the outer housing portion of the housing shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of the housing shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A] 2B is a perspective view of a guide portion for a lift shaft of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A as viewed from a first viewpoint. [Figure 4B] 2B is a perspective view of the guide portion of the lift shaft of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A as viewed from a second viewpoint. [Figure 4C] 2B is a perspective view of the guide portion of the lift shaft of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A as viewed from a third viewpoint. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A when the fuel or charging port cover is fully closed, with the housing not shown but with the guide and limiting protrusions provided on the housing. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A, in which a guide protrusion is in the straight groove of the guide groove during opening and closing of the fuel or charging port cover, and the housing is not shown, but the guide protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing are shown. [Figure 5C-1]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A from a first viewpoint, in which the guide protrusion is in the spiral groove of the guide groove during opening and closing of the refueling or charging port cover, and the housing is not shown, but the guide protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing are shown. [Figure 5C-2] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A from a second perspective, in which the guide protrusion is in the spiral groove of the guide groove during opening and closing of the refueling or charging port cover, and the housing is not shown, but the guide protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing are shown. [Figure 5D-1] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A from a first viewpoint, in which the limiting protrusion is at the entrance of the limiting groove during opening and closing of the refueling or charging port cover, and the housing is not shown, but the guiding protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing are shown. [Figure 5D-2] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A from a second perspective, in which the limiting protrusion is at the entrance of the limiting groove during opening and closing of the refueling or charging port cover, and the housing is not shown, but the guiding protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing are shown. [Figure 5E-1] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A from a first viewpoint with the fuel or charging port cover in a fully open position, with the housing not shown but with the guide protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing. [Figure 5E-2] 2B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A from a second perspective with the fuel or charging port cover in a fully open position, with the housing not shown but with the guide protrusion and limiting protrusion provided on the housing. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an actuator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A with the housing removed. [Figure 7A] FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the housing of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A. [Figure 7B]FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of the housing shown in FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] 6B is a perspective view of a guide portion for a lift shaft of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from a first viewpoint. [Figure 8B] 6B is a perspective view of the guide portion of the lift shaft of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from a second viewpoint. [Figure 9A] 6B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A when the fuel or charging port cover is fully closed, with the housing not shown but with the guide protrusions provided on the housing. [Figure 9B] 6B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A during opening and closing of the fuel or charging port cover, with the housing not shown but with the guide protrusions provided on the housing shown. FIG. [Figure 9C] 6B is a perspective view of the actuator shown in FIG. 6A with the fuel or charging port cover in a fully open position, with the housing not shown but with the guide protrusions provided on the housing shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Various specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings, which form a part of this specification. Although directional terms such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left" and "right" are used in this disclosure to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present disclosure, it should be understood that these terms are used herein merely for ease of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientation shown in the drawings. Since the arrangements in the embodiments disclosed in this disclosure may be in various orientations, these directional terms are merely exemplary and should not be considered limiting.
[0024] 1A and 1B show two different states of use of a fuel or charging port cover system 100 using an actuator according to the present disclosure: Fig. 1A shows the fuel or charging port cover of the fuel or charging port cover system 100 in a closed state, and Fig. 1B shows the fuel or charging port cover of the fuel or charging port cover system 100 in a fully open state.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fuel or charging port cover system 100 includes a base 190, a fuel or charging port cover 110, and an actuator 120. The fuel or charging port cover system 100 is attached to a vehicle body, and a fuel or charging port (not shown) is provided on the base 190. The fuel or charging port is connected to a fuel tank or a charging device in the vehicle, and an operator can refuel or charge the vehicle through the fuel or charging port. The fuel or charging port cover 110 can cover the base 190 to close the fuel or charging port (see FIG. 1A), or can move away from the base 190 to open the fuel or charging port (see FIG. 1B). From the closed position to the open position, the fuel or charging port cover 110 first rises linearly, then rises spirally and rotates away from the position directly above the fuel or charging port. Conversely, from the open position to the closed position, fuel or charging port cover 110 first spirals down and rotates to a position directly above the fuel or charging port, and then linearly descends to precisely cover base 190. Movement of fuel or charging port cover 110 between the open and closed positions is effected by actuator 120.
[0026] 2A-5E-2 show one embodiment of the actuator of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 6A-9C show another embodiment of the actuator of the present disclosure.
[0027] 2A to 2C show the overall structure of the actuator 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the actuator 120, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the actuator 120 with the housing removed, and FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the actuator 120. As shown in FIG. 2A to 2C, the actuator 120 includes a driving device 210, a transmission device 220, a lifting shaft 240, and a housing 233 for accommodating the driving device 210, the transmission device 220, and the lifting shaft 240. The housing 233 is closed by a cover 231, and the upper end of the lifting shaft 240 extends outside the housing 233 through the cover 231. A support 250 is provided at the upper end of the lifting shaft 240 for connecting the fuel supply or charging port cover 110 to the lifting shaft 240. The support 250 is connected to the upper end of the lifting shaft 240 via a screw 251.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2C, the lift shaft 240 includes a transmission part 241 and a guide part 242. The transmission part 241 and the guide part 242 are connected to each other and arranged in the direction of the axis line X (axial direction) of the lift shaft 240. In the figure, the transmission part 241 is located above the guide part 242. The transmission part 241 is provided with external helical teeth for engaging with the transmission device 220 so that the lift shaft 240 can be driven to move by the driving device 210. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, the transmission part 241 is made of a metal material, and the guide part 242 is integrally molded on the transmission part 241 with a plastic material.
[0029] The guide unit 242 is configured to cooperate with the housing 233 to guide the lift shaft 240 so as to move linearly along an axis relative to the housing 233 or to move spirally around the axis, and these movements are driven by the drive device 210. That is, the lift shaft 240 can move linearly or spirally. When the lift shaft 240 moves linearly along an axis relative to the housing 233 (linearly moves linearly), the lift shaft 240 drives the fuel or charging port cover 110 to move linearly. When the lift shaft 240 moves spirally around an axis relative to the housing 233 (spirally moves spirally), the lift shaft 240 drives the fuel or charging port cover 110 to move spirally, that is, it can rotate while moving linearly.
[0030] The driving device 210 is, for example, a driving motor, and includes a driving shaft 215. The transmission device 220 includes a worm 222 and a worm gear 223. The worm 222 is attached to the driving shaft 215 in a sleeve-like manner and is fixedly connected to the driving shaft 215 via a fastener 224, so that the worm 222 can rotate together with the driving shaft 215. The worm gear 223 is formed in a sleeve-like manner and has helical teeth on both its outer and inner circumferences. The worm gear 223 is attached to the transmission part 241 of the lifting shaft 240 in a sleeve-like manner, and the helical teeth on the inner surface of the worm gear engage with the transmission part 241, and the helical teeth on the outer circumference of the worm gear engage with the worm 222. In this way, the driving device 210 can drive the lifting shaft 240 to move by the transmission device 220 composed of the worm 222 and the worm gear 223.
[0031] 3A to 3C show a specific structure of housing 233. Fig. 3A is an exploded view of housing 233, Fig. 3B is a perspective view of an outer housing portion of housing 233 viewed from above and below, and Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of housing 233.
[0032] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the housing 233 includes an outer housing part 310 and an inner sleeve 350. The outer housing part 310 includes two accommodation spaces, i.e., a first accommodation space 311 and a second accommodation space 312, which are in communication with each other. The driving device 210 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 311, the lift shaft 240 is accommodated in the second accommodation space 213, and the transmission device 220 is disposed in the two accommodation spaces. The inner sleeve 350 is removably mounted in the second accommodation space 312 of the outer housing part 310. For this purpose, a plurality of receiving grooves 357 (see Figure 3A) extending in the axial direction of the lift shaft 240 is provided on the outer surface of the inner sleeve 350, and a plurality of ribs 317 (see Figure 3B) extending in the axial direction of the lift shaft 240 is provided on the inner wall of the outer housing part 310. The receiving groove 357 cooperates with the rib 317 to limit rotation of the inner sleeve 350 relative to the outer housing part 310. In addition, the inner wall of the outer housing part 310 is further provided with a step 313 for limiting downward movement of the inner sleeve 350 relative to the outer housing part 310 along the axial direction of the lift shaft 240. The cover 231 limits upward movement of the inner sleeve 350 relative to the outer housing part 310 along the axial direction of the lift shaft 240. In this manner, the inner sleeve 350 is retained within the outer housing part 310 and remains stationary relative to the outer housing part 310.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3C, the housing 233 defines a cavity 315 in the second receiving space 312, and the lift shaft 240 is at least partially disposed in the cavity 315. A portion of the cavity 315 is defined by the inner sleeve 350, and another portion is defined by the outer housing part 310. The inner surface of the inner sleeve 350 is provided with a guide protrusion 352 and a limit protrusion 355. The guide protrusion 352 and the limit protrusion 355 protrude from the inner surface of the inner sleeve 350 and extend into the cavity 315. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide protrusion 352 and the limit protrusion 355 are spaced apart in the axial direction by a distance, the guide protrusion 352 is disposed at an upper portion of the inner sleeve 350, and the limit protrusion 355 is disposed at a lower portion of the inner sleeve 350. In addition, the guide protrusion 352 and the limit protrusion 355 are also spaced apart in the circumferential direction by a distance. The guide projection 352 has a generally circular outer contour, and the limit projection 355 has a generally square outer contour.
[0034] 4A to 4C respectively show the specific structure of the guide portion 242 of the lift shaft 240 seen from three different viewpoints around the lift shaft 240. As shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the guide portion 242 is substantially cylindrical and has a guide groove 420 on its outer surface. The guide groove 420 is configured to guide the lift shaft 240 to move linearly or spirally in cooperation with the guide protrusion 352 on the housing 233, and these movements are driven by the driving device 210 to guide the fuel supply or charging port cover 110 to move up and down, or to rotate while moving up and down. The guide groove 420 includes a straight groove 421 extending along the axial direction of the lift shaft 240 and a spiral groove 422 extending around the axis of the lift shaft 240. The straight groove 421 is located in the upper part of the guide groove 420, and the spiral groove 422 is located in the lower part of the guide groove 420. The straight groove communicates with the spiral groove. The guide protrusion 352 on the housing 233 is inserted into the guide groove 420 and can slide or move along the guide groove 420. The width of the guide groove 420 is set to be larger than the maximum width of the guide protrusion 352 on the housing 233, so that there is a gap between the guide protrusion 352 and the wall of the guide groove 420, reducing the resistance or interference that the guide protrusion 352 experiences when sliding or moving within the guide groove 420.
[0035] When the guide projection 352 of the housing 233 moves within the linear groove 421 of the guide groove 420, the lift shaft 240 has a tendency to move while rotating under the influence of the meshing of the transmission part 241 with the worm gear 223, but since the housing 233 is fixed and the guide projection 352 on the housing 233 cooperates with the linear groove 421 of the lift shaft 240, the lift shaft 240 can only move linearly in the axial direction relative to the housing 233 (linearly move up and down). When the guide projection 352 of the housing 233 moves within the helical groove 422 of the guide groove 420, the lift shaft 240 moves spirally (spirally moves up and down) relative to the housing 233, and the helical groove 422 defines the trajectory of the helical movement of the lift shaft 240. When the lift shaft 240 moves spirally in the first rotation direction R1 shown in the figure, the lift shaft 240 descends spirally, and when the lift shaft 240 moves spirally in the second rotation direction R2 shown in the figure, the lift shaft 240 ascends spirally. The guide groove 420 has a distal portion 440 corresponding to the end of the lift shaft 240's upward stroke, which is also the starting point of the downward stroke. In the figure, the distal portion 440 is located at the bottom end of the guide groove 420 and is formed by the spiral groove 422. When the guide protrusion 352 enters the distal portion 440 of the guide groove 420, the lift shaft 240 reaches the end of its upward stroke and cannot continue to ascend.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4B, the spiral groove 422 of the guide groove 420 includes a first spiral groove wall 460 and a second spiral groove wall 470 that face each other. The first spiral groove wall 460 is located upstream of the second spiral groove wall 470 in the first rotation direction R1. The first spiral groove wall 460 includes a guide wall portion 462 and a limiting surface 461 with respect to the first rotation direction. The limiting surface 461 with respect to the first rotation direction is provided in the distal portion 440 of the guide groove 420. The limiting surface 461 with respect to the first rotation direction can be configured to extend along the axial direction of the lift shaft 240. Alternatively, the limiting surface 461 with respect to the first rotation direction may be configured to extend at an angle smaller than the inclination angle (spiral angle) of the guide wall portion 462. In other words, the included angle between the tangent to the limiting surface 461 with respect to the first rotation direction and the axis of the lifting shaft 240 is smaller than the included angle between the tangent to the guide wall portion 462 and the axis of the lifting shaft 240, thereby making the limiting surface 461 with respect to the first rotation direction more inclined than the guide wall portion 462.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 4C, the outer surface of the guide 242 is also provided with a limiting groove 450. The limiting groove 450 is positioned on the guide 242 such that the limiting protrusion 355 on the housing 233 at least partially enters the limiting groove 450 when the guide protrusion 352 on the housing 233 moves into the distal portion 440 in the guide groove 420. The limiting groove 450 comprises an additional limiting surface 451 for a first rotation direction and a limiting surface 452 for a second rotation direction. The additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction face each other and form two walls of the limiting groove 450. The additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction can be configured to extend along the axial direction of the lift shaft 240. The additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction may alternatively be configured to extend at an angle smaller than the inclination angle (helical angle) of the guide wall portion 462, but the inclination angles of the additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction are different. In addition, the limiting groove 450 may have a certain length in the axial direction of the lifting shaft 240 so that the limiting protrusion 355 can move a certain distance within the limiting groove 450 after entering the limiting groove 450.
[0038] When the guide projection 352 moves into the distal portion 440 in the guide groove 420, at least one of the limit surface 461 for the first rotation direction and the additional limit surface 451 for the first rotation direction, together with the limit surface 452 for the second rotation direction, limit the rotational movement of the lift shaft 240 relative to the housing 233. That is, when the guide projection 352 moves into the distal portion 440 in the guide groove 420, the rotation of the lift shaft 240 in the first rotation direction R1 relative to the housing 233 is limited by at least one of the limit surface 461 for the first rotation direction and the additional limit surface 451 for the first rotation direction, and the rotation of the lift shaft 240 in the second rotation direction R2 relative to the housing 233 is limited by the limit surface 452 for the second rotation direction. The rotation of the lift shaft 240 in a first rotation direction R1 relative to the housing 233 is limited by contacting the limiting surface 461 for the first rotation direction with the guiding protrusion 352 and / or the additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction with the limiting protrusion 355. The rotation of the lift shaft 240 in a second rotation direction R2 relative to the housing 233 is limited by contacting the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction with the limiting protrusion 355. In some embodiments, the rotational movement of the lift shaft 240 relative to the housing 233 is limited by the limiting surface 461 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction without the additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction being involved in the operation.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C, the guide portion 242 is also provided with a clearance area 430. The clearance area 430 communicates with the limiting groove 450 and can receive the limiting protrusion 355 as the lift shaft 240 rises, allowing the limiting protrusion 355 to enter the limiting groove 450. The clearance area 430 prevents the limiting protrusion 355 from interfering with the guide portion 242 of the lift shaft 240. The clearance area is formed by cutting out a part of the guide portion 242 that would otherwise be located on the movement path of the limiting protrusion 355. In the illustrated embodiment, the clearance area 430 is configured to surround the movement path of the limiting protrusion 355 on the guide portion 242. The clearance area 430 includes an upstream boundary 431 and a downstream boundary 432 that face each other. The upstream boundary 431 is upstream of the downstream boundary 432 in the first rotation direction R1. The downstream boundary 432 extends contiguously with the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction at the same inclination angle with respect to the axis of the lift shaft 240. Thus, the downstream boundary 432 can function as a limiting guide surface for guiding the limiting protrusion 355 into the limiting groove 450. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the downstream boundary 432 extends contiguously with the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction along the axial direction.
[0040] 5A to 5E-2 show the positional relationship of the guide protrusion 352 and the limiting protrusion 355 on the housing 233 of the actuator 120 relative to the guide groove 420 and the limiting groove 450 of the guide portion 242 of the lift shaft 240 while the fuel or charging port cover 110 moves from the closed state to the open state.
[0041] 5A is a perspective view of actuator 120 when fuel filler or charging port cover 110 is closed, and illustrates guide protrusion 352 and limiting protrusion 355 provided on housing 233, without illustrating housing 233. As shown in FIG. 5A, when fuel filler or charging port cover 110 is closed, guide protrusion 352 on housing 233 is located at the upper end of linear groove 421 of guide groove 420, and limiting protrusion 355 has not yet entered guide portion 242 of lift shaft 240.
[0042] Driven by the driving device 210, the lifting shaft 240 starts to rise and opens the fuel or charging port cover 110. Since the guide protrusion 352 is located in the linear groove 421 of the guide groove 420 and the housing 233 on which the guide protrusion 352 is provided remains stationary, the lifting shaft 240 rises linearly until it reaches the state shown in Fig. 5B. In the state shown in Fig. 5B, the guide protrusion 352 has reached the lower end of the linear groove 421 and is about to enter the spiral groove 422, and the limiting protrusion 355 starts to enter the clearance area 430 on the guide portion 242.
[0043] 5C-1 and 5C-2 (FIGS. 5C-1 and 5C-2 show two different perspectives around the lift shaft 240 in the same state), the guide protrusion 352 starts to slide along the spiral groove 422, and the limit protrusion 355 moves within the clearance area 430 toward the limit groove 450. As the guide protrusion 352 slides along the spiral groove 422, the lift shaft 240 rises in a spiral manner. During this process, the fuel or charging port cover 110 rotates away from the position directly above the fuel or charging port.
[0044] As shown in Figures 5D-1 and 5D-2 (Figures 5D-1 and 5D-2 show two different perspectives around the axis of the lift shaft 240 in the same state), the lift shaft 240 continues to rise under further driving of the drive device 210, and the guide protrusion 352 begins to enter the distal portion 440 of the guide groove 420 under the guidance of the downstream boundary 432 of the clearance area 430, and slides within the guide groove 420 until the lift shaft 240 cannot continue to rise, reaching the state shown by Figures 5E-1 and 5E-2 (Figures 5E-1 and 5E-2 show two different perspectives around the axis of the lift shaft 240 in the same state), in which the fuel or charging port cover 110 is fully open. Since the inclination angle of a portion of the first spiral groove wall 460 of the spiral groove 422 in the distal portion 400 (i.e., the limiting surface 461 relative to the first rotation direction) is smaller than the inclination angle of the other portion (i.e., the guide wall portion 462), the spiral groove 422 does not prevent the limiting protrusion 355 from entering the limiting groove 450.
[0045] 5D-1 and 5D-2 and 5E-1 and 5E-2, when the guide protrusion 352 enters the distal portion 440 of the guide groove 420, the guide protrusion 352 contacts the limiting surface 461 for the first rotation direction, and the limiting protrusion 355 contacts the limiting surface 452 for the second rotation direction and the additional limiting surface 451 for the first rotation direction. In this way, the lift shaft 240 cannot rotate relative to the housing 233, and cannot swing relative to the housing 233.
[0046] 6A and 6B show the overall structure of an actuator 600 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the actuator 600, and Fig. 6B is a perspective view of the actuator 120 with the housing removed. The actuator 600 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6A and 6B is substantially similar to the actuator 120 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A to Fig. 2C, except that the arrangement of the limiting structure on the lift shaft and the housing is different.
[0047] Specifically, the actuator 600 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B includes a driving device 610, a transmission device 620, a lifting shaft 640, and a housing 633 for accommodating the driving device 610, the transmission device 620, and the lifting shaft 640. The housing 633 is closed by a cover 631, and the upper end of the lifting shaft 640 extends outside the housing 633 through the cover 631, and a support 650 configured to be connected to the fuel supply or charging port cover 110 is provided at the upper end of the lifting shaft 640. The lifting shaft 640 includes a transmission part 641 and a guide part 642. The driving device 610, the transmission device 620, the cover 631, and the support 650 of the actuator 600 have the same structures as the driving device 210, the transmission device 220, the cover 231, and the support 250 of the actuator 120 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. The lift shaft 640 and housing 633 of the actuator 600 are similar to the lift shaft 240 and housing 233, respectively, of the actuator 120 in the embodiment shown in Figures 2A-2C, except for the placement of the limiting structures thereon.
[0048] 7A and 7B show a specific structure of the housing 633. FIG. 7A is an exploded view of the housing 633, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the housing 633 along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the housing 633 includes an outer housing part 710 and an inner sleeve 750. The housing 633 defines a cavity 715, and the lift shaft 640 is at least partially disposed in the cavity 715. A part of the cavity 715 is defined by the inner sleeve 750, and another part is defined by the outer housing part 710. The inner surface of the inner sleeve 750 is provided with a guide protrusion 752. The guide protrusion 752 protrudes from the inner surface of the inner sleeve 750 and extends into the cavity 715. The guide protrusion 352 has a substantially circular outer contour. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are three guide protrusions 752. The three guide protrusions 752 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and are at the same height in the axial direction of the lift shaft 640.
[0049] 8A and 8B respectively show a specific structure of the guide portion 642 of the lift shaft 640 seen from two different viewpoints around the lift shaft 640. As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the guide portion 642 is substantially cylindrical and has a guide groove 820 on its outer circumferential surface. The guide groove 820 is configured to cooperate with the guide protrusion 752 on the housing 633 to guide the lift shaft 640 to move linearly or spirally under the action of the driving device 610. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are three guide grooves 820. The three guide grooves 820 are evenly arranged around the axial direction of the lift shaft 640.
[0050] The guide groove 820 includes a straight groove 821 extending along the axial direction of the lift shaft 640 and a helical groove 822 extending around the axis of the lift shaft 640. The straight groove 821 is located in the upper part of the guide groove 820, and the helical groove 822 is located in the lower part of the guide groove 820. The straight groove communicates with the helical groove. The guide protrusion 752 on the housing 633 is inserted into the guide groove 820 and can slide or move along the guide groove 820. The guide groove 820 has a distal portion 840 that corresponds to the end of the upward stroke of the lift shaft 640, i.e., the beginning of the downward stroke. In the figure, the distal portion 840 is located at the bottom end of the guide groove 820 and is formed by the helical groove 822. When the guide protrusion 752 enters the distal portion 440 of the guide groove 820, the lift shaft 640 reaches the end of its upward stroke and cannot continue to rise.
[0051] As further shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the distal portion 840 of the guide groove 820 forms a limiting groove 850. The limiting groove 850 includes a limiting surface 851 for a first rotation direction and a limiting surface 852 for a second rotation direction that are opposite to each other. The limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction form two walls of the limiting groove 850. When the guide protrusion 352 moves into the limiting groove 850, the limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction contact the guide protrusion 752, thereby limiting the rotational movement of the lift shaft 640 relative to the housing 633. In addition, in one embodiment, the limiting groove 850 can have a certain extended length in the axial direction of the lift shaft 640, so that the guide protrusion 752 can move a certain distance in the limiting groove 850 after entering the limiting groove 850.
[0052] The spiral groove 822 of the guide groove 820 includes a first spiral groove wall 860 and a second spiral groove wall 870 that face each other. The first spiral groove wall 860 is located upstream of the second spiral groove wall 870 in the first rotation direction R1. The first spiral groove wall 860 includes a guide wall portion 862 and a limiting surface 851 with respect to the first rotation direction.
[0053] The limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction can be configured to extend along the axial direction of the lift shaft 640. The limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction may alternatively be configured to gradually extend toward each other in the downward direction of the lift shaft 640, so that the limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction form a passage having a width that gradually decreases in the downward direction of the lift shaft 640, and the width of the lowest end of the passage is smaller than the maximum width of the guide protrusion 752, preventing the guide protrusion 752 from coming off the lower end of the guide groove 820. In the illustrated embodiment, the limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction are configured to gradually extend toward each other in the downward direction of the lift shaft 640, and the limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction is configured to extend at an angle smaller than the inclination angle (spiral angle) of the guide wall portion 862.
[0054] 9A to 9C show the positional relationship of guide protrusion 752 on housing 633 of actuator 600 with respect to guide groove 820 and limiting groove 850 of guide portion 642 of lift shaft 640 while fuel or charging port cover 110 moves from the closed state to the open state.
[0055] 9A is a perspective view of actuator 600 when fuel filler or charging port cover 110 is closed, and illustrates guide protrusions 752 provided on housing 633, although housing 633 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 9A, when fuel filler or charging port cover 110 is closed, three guide protrusions 752 on housing 633 are respectively positioned at the upper ends of linear grooves 821 of three guide grooves 820 of lift shaft 640.
[0056] Driven by driving device 610, lifting shaft 640 starts to move and opens fuel or charging port cover 110. Guide protrusion 752 is located within linear groove 821 of guide groove 820, and housing 633 on which guide protrusion 752 is provided remains stationary, so lifting shaft 640 moves up linearly.
[0057] 9B, guide protrusion 752 enters spiral groove 822 and moves along spiral groove 822 toward limiting groove 850. As guide protrusion 352 slides along spiral groove 422, lift shaft 640 ascends in a spiral manner. During this process, fuel or charging port cover 110 rotates away from the position directly above the fuel or charging port.
[0058] 9C, the guide protrusion 752 enters the distal portion 840 of the guide groove 820 (i.e., the limiting groove 850), and both sides of the guide protrusion 752 contact the limiting surface 851 for the first rotation direction and the limiting surface 852 for the second rotation direction, respectively. Therefore, the lift shaft 640 cannot rotate or swing relative to the housing 633.
[0059] When the fuel fill or charging port cover of the vehicle is in the open position, the fuel fill or charging port cover is subjected to an external force unintended by the operator when the operator performs a fuel fill or charging operation near the fuel fill or charging port cover. Since the actuator of the present disclosure is provided with a limiting structure that limits the rotation and swing of the lift shaft relative to the housing after the lift shaft enters the end of the lift stroke, when the fuel fill or charging port cover is in the open position, the limiting structure can provide a holding force to the fuel fill or charging port cover, making the fuel fill or charging port cover less susceptible to swinging.
[0060] In addition, the actuator of the present disclosure is provided with a limiting structure that limits the rotation and swing of the lifting shaft relative to the housing after the lifting shaft reaches the end of the lifting stroke, so that when the fuel fill or charging port cover is opened to its maximum position, the actuator of the present disclosure can prevent the fuel fill or charging port cover from swinging due to the impact caused by a sudden stop of the drive unit, and when the drive unit performs the operation of closing the fuel fill or charging port cover, the actuator of the present disclosure can prevent the fuel fill or charging port cover from swinging due to changes in speed of the drive unit and the transmission unit.
[0061] The embodiment shown in Figures 2A-5E-2 of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for use in applications where the transmission part of the lift shaft is molded from a plastic material, since there is no blockage of the sprue at the lower end of the guide groove and demolding can be easily performed. The embodiment shown in Figures 6A-9C of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for use in applications where the transmission part of the lift shaft is formed by machining a metal material.
[0062] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in the figures the housing consists of two parts, an outer housing part and an inner sleeve, but in other embodiments the housing may not have an inner sleeve and the guiding and limiting protrusions are provided directly on the outer housing part, which is also within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.
[0063] Although the present disclosure is described in connection with the example embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents, known or currently existing or soon to be expected, may be apparent to at least one of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the technical effects and / or technical problems described herein are illustrative rather than limiting, and thus the disclosure herein may be used to solve other technical problems and may have other technical effects. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure described above are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is intended to include all known or previously developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or fundamental equivalents.
Claims
1. An actuator for a fuel or charging port cover, comprising: a housing defining a cavity; an elevator shaft disposed at least partially within the cavity and configured to be raised and lowered relative to the housing to open and close the fuel or charging port cover, the elevator shaft including a guide portion, the guide portion being provided with a guide groove and a limit groove, the guide groove having a distal portion corresponding to an end of an elevation stroke of the elevator shaft; a guide protrusion provided on the housing and configured to cooperate with the guide groove to guide the lift shaft to move linearly along an axis or to move helically around the axis, the movements being driven by a drive device, the lift shaft descending when the lift shaft moves helically along a first rotation direction, and the lift shaft ascending when the lift shaft moves helically in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; and a limiting protrusion on the housing, the limiting protrusion at least partially entering the limiting groove when the guide protrusion moves within the guide groove toward the distal portion; and Equipped with The guide groove is provided with a limiting surface for a first rotation direction at the distal portion, the limiting groove comprising an additional limiting surface for the first rotation direction and a limiting surface for a second rotation direction, An actuator, wherein when the guide protrusion moves within the guide groove to the distal portion, at least one of the limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction, together with the limiting surface for the second rotational direction, limits rotation of the lift shaft relative to the housing.
2. When the guide projection moves within the guide groove toward the distal portion, The limiting surface for the first rotation direction contacts the guide protrusion and the limiting surface for the second rotation direction contacts the limiting protrusion, or an additional limiting surface for the first direction of rotation and a limiting surface for the second direction of rotation contact the limiting protrusion, or The actuator of claim 1 , wherein a limiting surface for the first rotational direction contacts the guide protrusion, and an additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction and a limiting surface for the second rotational direction contact the limiting protrusion.
3. 2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the guide portion is also provided with a clearance area, the clearance area being in communication with the limiting groove and capable of receiving the limiting protrusion as the lift shaft rises to allow the limiting protrusion to enter the limiting groove.
4. 4. The actuator of claim 3, wherein the guide groove includes a linear groove extending along the axial direction and a helical groove extending around the axial direction, the linear groove communicating with the helical groove, and the helical groove forming the distal portion.
5. 5. The actuator according to claim 4, wherein the spiral groove comprises a first spiral groove wall and a second spiral groove wall opposed to each other, the first spiral groove wall being located upstream of the second spiral groove wall in the first rotation direction, and the first spiral groove wall comprises a guide wall portion and a limiting surface with respect to the first rotation direction.
6. the limiting surface for the first rotational direction, the additional limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction extend generally in the axial direction, or 6. The actuator of claim 5, wherein the limiting surfaces for the first rotation direction, the additional limiting surfaces for the first rotation direction and the limiting surfaces for the second rotation direction extend at an inclination angle smaller than the guide wall portion, and the inclination angle of the limiting surfaces for the second rotation direction is different from the inclination angle of the limiting surfaces for the first rotation direction and the inclination angle of the additional limiting surfaces for the first rotation direction.
7. 7. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the clearance area has an upstream boundary and a downstream boundary facing each other, the upstream boundary being located upstream of the downstream boundary in the first rotation direction, and the downstream boundary extending along the axial direction or at the same inclination angle as a limiting surface with respect to the second rotation direction.
8. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the guide projection and the limit projection are spaced apart a distance in the axial direction and a distance in the circumferential direction.
9. the housing comprises an outer housing portion and an inner sleeve, the inner sleeve being removably mounted within and immovable relative to the outer housing portion, the inner sleeve defining a portion of the cavity; The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the guide projection and the limit projection are provided on the inner sleeve.
10. The lift shaft further includes a transmission part, the transmission part being configured to helically engage with the drive device extending into the cavity and drive the lift shaft to lift and lower; The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the guide groove is configured to be remote from the transmission portion.
11. The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the guide portion is integrally molded on the transmission portion from a plastic material.
12. An actuator for a fuel or charging port cover, comprising: a housing defining a cavity; an elevator shaft disposed at least partially within the cavity and configured to lift and lower relative to the housing to open and close the fuel or charging port cover, the elevator shaft including a guide portion having at least one guide groove, the at least one guide groove having a distal portion corresponding to an end of an elevator stroke of the elevator shaft; a guide protrusion provided on the housing and configured to engage with the guide groove to guide the lift shaft to move linearly along an axis or helically around the axis, the movements being driven by a drive device, the lift shaft descending when the lift shaft helically moves along a first rotation direction, and the lift shaft ascending when the lift shaft helically moves in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; and Equipped with The distal portion of the at least one guide groove forms a limiting groove, the limiting groove limiting rotation of the lift shaft relative to the housing when the guide protrusion moves into the limiting groove.
13. 13. The actuator of claim 12, wherein the limiting groove comprises a limiting surface for a first rotational direction and a limiting surface for a second rotational direction, and when the guide protrusion moves into the limiting groove, the limiting surface for the first rotational direction and the limiting surface for the second rotational direction contact the guide protrusion.
14. 14. The actuator of claim 13, wherein the limiting surfaces for the first rotational direction and the limiting surfaces for the second rotational direction extend axially or gradually towards each other in a downward direction of the lift shaft.
15. the housing comprises an outer housing and an inner sleeve, the inner sleeve being removably mounted within and immovable relative to the outer housing, the inner sleeve defining a portion of the cavity; The actuator of claim 12 , wherein the guide projection is provided on the inner sleeve.
16. The lift shaft further includes a transmission portion, the transmission portion being configured to helically engage with a drive device extending into the cavity to drive the lift shaft to lift and lower; The actuator of claim 12 , wherein the distal portion of the at least one guide groove is configured to be remote relative to the transmission.
17. The actuator according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one guide groove includes three guide grooves evenly spaced along the circumferential direction.
18. A fuel or charging port cover; An actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 17; Equipped with A fuel or charging port cover system for a vehicle, wherein the fuel or charging port cover is connected to the lift shaft of the actuator and is opened and closed by the lift shaft lifting and lowering relative to the housing.