Fuel lid opener

Abstract

When a fuel lid returns from an open state to a closed state via a closed state and a pressed state, a contact / non-contact switching mechanism (40) performs a first operation and a signal output from a micro switch (28) is switched from an ON signal to an OFF signal. When the fuel lid returns from a closed state to a closed state via a pressed state, the contact / non-contact switching mechanism (40) performs a second operation different from the first operation, and the signal output from the micro switch (28) is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal, and then an OFF signal in that order. A control unit (80) operates a driving unit (70) so that a lifter (30) rotates to another side (arrow B direction) around an axis line AX at least under a condition that the signal output from the micro switch (28) is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal, and then an OFF signal in that order within a prescribed time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel lid opener that pushes open a fuel lid of a vehicle by a pressing operation.

Background Art

[0002] Mechanisms for opening, closing, locking, and unlocking a fuel lid (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as "lid") are known. For example, in the mechanism disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 102011012699A1, in locking and unlocking the lid, a locking component is movable to a lid locking position by a return means, and the locking component is rotated by using a motor and gears inside a housing to unlock the lid. Then, the unlocked lid is automatically released by a torsion spring incorporated in a hinge arm.

[0003] Further, the locking device in the above prior art includes switch means whose switching signal is switched by pushing in the lid, and the control device processes based on the switching of the switching signal by pushing in the lid, so that the motor connected to the switch means can be selectively operated and stopped. The operating means for operating the switch means can be connected to the lid, and when an external pressing force acts on the lid, the switch means can be operated, and when the pressing force disappears, the switch means can be stopped again.

[0004] The above control device compares a measured value of the time when an external force is applied to the operating means with a first reference time stored in the control device, and operates the motor to release the lid when the switch means has been operated for at least the first reference time. Further, after the lid is closed, the control device compares a measured value of the closing time with a second reference time that is the minimum time for which the lid must be closed before it can be opened again, and can release the lid only when the measured value of the closing time is equal to or greater than the second reference time.

[0005] More specifically, in the above prior art, when the lid is pushed in from the open state to the end stopper, the switching signal first changes from active to inactive, and the actual closing time is measured. If the switching signal changes from inactive to active again before this time is less than the second reference time, the closing measurement time is reset by the control device. Then, when the hand is released from the lid, the switching signal changes from active to inactive again, and the actual time is measured again from the reset state. If this time elapses the second reference time, the lid can be opened again. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in the above prior art, when the lid is slowly pushed in, there is a possibility that the time elapsed since the first switching signal changed from active to inactive may exceed the second reference time. In this case, the closing measurement time is not reset. In that case, if the lid is further pushed in to the end stopper, the switching signal changes from inactive to active. After this state continues for the first reference time or more, when the hand is slowly released from the lid, the motor operates under the control of the control device, and the lid cannot be closed.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a fuel lid opener that can prevent malfunction when the fuel lid is slowly pressed from the open state. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The fuel lid opener according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a case attached to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of a lid box in which a fuel lid is rotatably supported for opening and closing, and a lid that is rotatably supported by the case about an axis along the plate surface direction of the fuel lid in the closed state. A lifter having an arm portion that extends in the radial direction of rotation and receives a force to rotate in one direction about the axis when the surface side of the fuel lid is pressed, and provided in the case, the lifter is biased in the other direction about the axis, and when the fuel lid is in a pushed-in state where it is pushed in more than the closed state, it is biased to return to the position in the closed state. A push-lifter mechanism having a biasing member and configured to push open the fuel lid by rotating the lifter in the other direction about the axis when the drive unit operates, and provided in the push-lifter mechanism and operated by the rotation of the lifter to contact and separate from the operation unit of the switch unit. When the fuel lid returns from the open state to the closed state through the closed state and the pushed-in state, a signal output from the switch unit is switched from a first signal to a second signal by performing a predetermined first operation. When the fuel lid returns from the closed state to the closed state through the pushed-in state, a contact-separation switching mechanism configured to switch the signal output from the switch unit from the second signal to the first signal and the second signal in this order by performing a predetermined second operation different from the first operation, and a control unit configured to operate the drive unit to rotate the lifter in the other direction about the axis at least on the condition that the signal output from the switch unit is switched from the second signal to the first signal and the second signal in this order within a predetermined time. Note that the "predetermined time" is appropriately set based on the time when the fuel lid returns from the closed state to the closed state through the pushed-in state.

[0009] According to the above configuration, a fuel lid is rotatably supported on the lid box for opening and closing, and a case is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of the lid box. In the case, a lifter is rotatably supported about an axis along the plate surface direction of the fuel lid in the closed state. The arm portion of the lifter extends in the radial direction of the rotation radius within the lid box and receives a force to rotate in one direction about the axis when the surface side of the fuel lid is pressed. Further, a push-lifter mechanism is provided in the case, and the biasing member of the push-lifter mechanism biases the lifter in the other direction about the axis and biases it to return to the closed state position when the fuel lid is in a pushed-in state where it is pushed in more than the closed state. Further, the push-lifter mechanism rotates the lifter in the other direction about the axis by the operation of the drive unit to push open the fuel lid.

[0010] Furthermore, the push-lifter mechanism is provided with a contact-separation switching mechanism, and this contact-separation switching mechanism operates by the rotation of the lifter to contact and separate from the operation portion of the switch portion. Here, the contact-separation switching mechanism is configured such that when the fuel lid returns from the open state to the closed state and the pushed-in state and then to the closed state, a signal output from the switch portion is switched from the first signal to the second signal by performing a predetermined first operation, and when the fuel lid returns from the closed state to the pushed-in state and then to the closed state, a signal output from the switch portion is switched from the second signal to the first signal and then to the second signal in this order by performing a predetermined second operation different from the first operation. The control unit operates the drive unit to rotate the lifter in the other direction about the axis at least on the condition that the signal output from the switch portion is switched from the second signal to the first signal and then to the second signal within a predetermined time. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented even if the fuel lid is slowly pressed from the open state.

[0011] The fuel lid opener according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of the first aspect, the switch unit is constituted by one microswitch arranged in a fixed state within the case, and the relative movement path of the operation unit of the microswitch with respect to the contact separation switching mechanism is different when the contact separation switching mechanism performs the first operation and when the contact separation switching mechanism performs the second operation.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the switch unit is constituted by one microswitch arranged in a fixed state within the case. The relative movement path of the operation unit of the microswitch with respect to the contact separation switching mechanism is different when the contact separation switching mechanism performs the first operation and when the contact separation switching mechanism performs the second operation. Therefore, signals can be appropriately output without providing a plurality of switches.

[0013] The fuel lid opener according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect, the push lifter mechanism includes a cam groove provided in the case and having a depth direction along the direction of the axis, a first link attached to the lifter, and a planar operation pressing portion that is pivotally connected to the first link about an axis parallel to the axis and presses the operation portion of the switch unit when the fuel lid is in the closed state, and a second link having a guided portion inserted into the cam groove and movable along the cam groove.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the push lifter mechanism has a cam groove, a first link, and a second link. The cam groove is provided in the case with the direction along the axis as the depth direction. The first link is attached to the lifter. Further, the second link is rotatably connected to the first link about an axis parallel to the axis and includes an operation pressing portion and a guided portion. Here, the operation pressing portion is planar and presses the operation portion of the switch portion when the fuel lid is in the closed state. The guided portion is inserted into the cam groove and is movable along the cam groove. Thereby, the pressing of the operation portion of the switch portion is controlled by the second link that is guided by the cam groove and moves.

[0015] In the fuel lid opener according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of the third aspect, when the push lifter mechanism pushes open the fuel lid, the guided portion that is in a position where it cannot move by the biasing force of the biasing member is moved out of that position by the driving force of the driving portion, so that the lifter is rotated in the other direction around the axis by the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when the push lifter mechanism pushes open the fuel lid, the guided portion that is in a position where it cannot move by the biasing force of the biasing member is moved out of that position by the driving force of the driving portion, so that the lifter is rotated in the other direction around the axis by the biasing force of the biasing member. In this way, the driving force of the driving portion and the biasing force of the biasing member can be used to open the fuel lid.

[0017] The fuel lid opener according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure has, in the configuration described in the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the second link formed to be inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion continuously with the operation pressing portion, and a first inclined surface set to gradually press the operation portion of the switch portion at the end of the first operation of the contact separation switching mechanism; and a second inclined surface provided separately from the first inclined surface and formed to be inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion continuously with the operation pressing portion, and set to gradually press the operation portion of the switch portion at the end of the second operation of the contact separation switching mechanism.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the first inclined surface of the second link is formed to be inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion continuously with the operation pressing portion, and gradually presses the operation portion of the switch portion at the end of the first operation of the contact separation switching mechanism. Therefore, although the configuration is relatively simple, the signal output from the switch portion is stably switched at the end of the first operation of the contact separation switching mechanism. Further, the second inclined surface of the second link is provided separately from the first inclined surface and formed to be inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion continuously with the operation pressing portion, and gradually presses the operation portion of the switch portion at the end of the second operation of the contact separation switching mechanism. Therefore, although the configuration is relatively simple, the signal output from the switch portion is stably switched at the end of the second operation of the contact separation switching mechanism.

[0019] The fuel lid opener according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure has, in the configuration according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, a non-concave receiving surface in the cam groove that contacts the guided portion on one side in a direction orthogonal to the axis when the operating portion of the switch portion is pressed by the operating pressing portion. The driving portion includes a driving source and a moving body that is movable between a restricting position that is a position for restricting the operation of the second link when the operating portion of the switch portion is pressed by the operating pressing portion and a restricting release position for releasing the restriction, and is moved from the restricting position to the restricting release position by the operation of the driving source. The moving body includes a stopper portion that is disposed on one side in a direction orthogonal to the side where the receiving surface is disposed with respect to the guided portion when viewed in the direction along the axis when the moving body is disposed at the restricting position and restricts the movement of the guided portion, and is disposed at a position where it cannot contact the guided portion when the moving body is disposed at the restricting release position, and a pushing portion that pushes out the second link so as to move the guided portion out of the receiving surface of the cam groove when the moving body moves from the restricting position to the restricting release position.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the non-concave receiving surface of the cam groove contacts the guided portion on one side in a direction orthogonal to the axis when the operating portion of the switch portion is pressed by the operating pressing portion. Further, the moving body of the driving portion is movable between a restricting position that is a position for restricting the operation of the second link when the operating portion of the switch portion is pressed by the operating pressing portion and a restricting release position for releasing the restriction, and is moved from the restricting position to the restricting release position by the operation of the driving source. The stopper portion of the moving body is disposed on one side in a direction orthogonal to the side where the receiving surface is disposed with respect to the guided portion when viewed in the direction along the axis when the moving body is disposed at the restricting position and restricts the movement of the guided portion, and is disposed at a position where it cannot contact the guided portion when the moving body is disposed at the restricting release position. The pushing portion of the moving body pushes out the second link so as to move the guided portion out of the receiving surface of the cam groove when the moving body moves from the restricting position to the restricting release position.

[0021] That is, when the fuel lid is in the closed state and the operation part of the switch part is pressed by the operation pressing part, the movement of the guided part is stably restricted by the receiving surface and the stopper part, and when the moving body moves from the restricted position to the restriction release position by the driving force of the driving source, the guided part can be easily removed from the receiving surface of the cam groove.

[0022] In the fuel lid opener according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration described in any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, when the signal output from the switch part switches from the second signal to the first signal and then to the second signal within a predetermined time, and when it is determined that the first second signal has been continuously output for a preset reference time or more, the drive part is operated so as to rotate the lifter in the other direction around the axis.

[0023] In the fuel lid opener of the present disclosure, when the fuel lid returns from the closed state to the closed state through the pushed-in state and the signal output from the switch part becomes the second signal, the operation of the drive part is executed. After the operation of the drive part, the signal output from the switch part immediately switches from the second signal to the first signal. Therefore, even if the control is based on the output duration of the second signal, malfunction can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] The fuel lid opener 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. For convenience of explanation, the arrows FR, UP, and LH appropriately shown in the drawings indicate the front, upper, and left (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the vehicle on which the fuel lid opener 20 is provided, respectively. Hereinafter, when simply explaining using the directions of front, rear, left, right, up, and down, unless otherwise specified, it shall indicate the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the left and right in the vehicle lateral direction, and the up and down in the vehicle vertical direction. Also, in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted for ease of viewing the drawing.

[0026] (Configuration of the embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel lid opener 20 according to the present embodiment is a component of the fuel lid assembly 10. The fuel lid assembly 10 is attached to the right side portion (for example, quarter panel) of a vehicle such as an automobile and constitutes a part of the fuel supply section. This fuel lid assembly 10 includes a lid box 12, a fuel lid 14 rotatably supported by the lid box 12 for opening and closing, and a fuel lid opener 20 attached to the lid box 12. When the fuel lid assembly 10 is attached to the left side portion of the vehicle, the configuration is symmetric with the present embodiment about the left and right.

[0027] The lid box 12 is formed, for example, by sheet metal and has a box shape with an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (here, the right side of the vehicle). This lid box 12 has a side wall 12A and a bottom wall 12B, and the side wall 12A is composed of an upper wall 12A1, a lower wall 12A2, a rear wall 12A3, and a front wall 12A4. A fuel supply port 12H is formed in the bottom wall 12B. A fuel supply pipe (not shown) is connected to this fuel supply port 12H. The vehicle according to the present embodiment is a gasoline vehicle or a diesel vehicle. However, when this vehicle is a fuel cell vehicle, a hydrogen filling port is connected to the lid box 12, and when this vehicle is an electric vehicle, a charging port is connected to the lid box 12.

[0028] The fuel lid 14 is formed in a disc shape by, for example, sheet metal. A hinge portion 16 extends from a part of the outer periphery of the fuel lid 14. The hinge portion 16 is rotatably attached to the front end portion of the lid box 12 via a hinge shaft (not shown) having the vehicle up-and-down direction as the axial direction. The fuel lid 14 is rotatable with respect to the lid box 12 between an open position (the position shown in FIG. 1) for opening the opening 12K of the lid box 12 and a closed position 14Y (shown by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line) in the figure) for closing the opening 12K of the lid box 12. In a state where the fuel lid 14 is located at the closed position 14Y (closed state), the hinge portion 16 is arranged at the front end portion of the fuel lid 14.

[0029] A lifter engaging portion 18 is provided at a portion near the end of the fuel lid 14 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 16, that is, at a portion near the rear end of the fuel lid 14 in the closed state. The lifter engaging portion 18 is formed by, for example, sheet metal and is fixed to the back surface 14A of the fuel lid 14 by means such as welding. The lifter engaging portion 18 protrudes along the plate thickness direction of the fuel lid 14 from the back surface 14A of the fuel lid 14. The lifter engaging portion 18 integrally includes a pressing portion 18A extending in a substantially rectangular shape from its base end portion, and an engaged portion 18B having an L shape that extends from the lower end portion on the tip side of the pressing portion 18A and is bent upward. The lifter engaging portion 18 is provided so as to correspond to a lifter 30 (details will be described later) of the fuel lid opener 20.

[0030] The fuel lid opener 20 includes a case 22 and a cover 24 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and has a lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2 and a push-lifter mechanism 38 shown in FIG. 3. For easy viewing of the figures, only the outer contour of the cover 24 is shown by a two-dot chain line, and in FIG. 3, the case 22 and the push-lifter mechanism 38 are shown in a state where the cover 24 is seen through. The case 22 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin and has a shallow-bottom box shape. The case 22 is attached to the outer peripheral surface (here, the rear surface of the rear wall 12A3) of the side wall 12A of the lid box 12 shown in FIG. 1 by fixing means such as screwing. The case 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is open toward the rear side of the vehicle. The opening of this case 22 is closed by the cover 24. This cover 24 is formed in a plate shape of, for example, a synthetic resin and is attached to the case 22 by means such as claw fitting.

[0031] On the cover 24 shown in FIG. 3, one microswitch 28 as a switch portion is fixed to the middle portion in the vertical direction on the inner surface thereof. That is, the microswitch 28 is arranged in a fixed state within the case 22. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 protrudes toward the bottom wall 22A side of the case 22 and is movable in the protruding direction and the opposite direction. The operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 is sometimes referred to as an actuator portion. The microswitch 28 is configured as a normally closed switch as an example, and outputs an ON signal when the operation portion 28A is not pressed, and outputs an OFF signal when the operation portion 28A is pressed. As shown in FIG. 3, the microswitch 28 is connected to a wiring 29 fixed to the cover 24.

[0032] The front surface of the bottom wall 22A of the case 22 shown in FIG. 2 is superposed on the rear surface (not shown) of the rear wall 12A3 of the lid box 12 shown in FIG. 1. A rectangular through-hole (not shown) is formed in the rear wall 12A3 at a position overlapping a part of the bottom wall 22A of the case 22 (both are shown in FIG. 2). A seal member 26 formed in a rectangular frame shape by, for example, rubber is sandwiched between the edge of this through-hole and the bottom wall 22A of the case 22 shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the case 22. As shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical bearing portion 22B is formed on the upper portion of the bottom wall 22A of the case 22. This bearing portion 22B is arranged with the substantially vehicle front-rear direction as the axial direction. In the closed state of the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1), the axis AX of the bearing portion 22B is configured to be along the plate surface direction of the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1) (that is, the direction along the plate surface). The inside of this bearing portion 22B is a bearing hole (reference numeral omitted) penetrating the bottom wall 22A of the case 22. This bearing portion 22B corresponds to the shaft portion 32 at the upper portion of the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2.

[0034] The lifter 30 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and includes a columnar shaft portion 32 and an arm portion 36 extending in the radial direction of the shaft portion 32 from one end portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion 32. The portion on one end side in the axial direction of the shaft portion 32 is a large-diameter portion (reference numeral omitted), and the portion on the other end side in the axial direction of the shaft portion 32 is a small-diameter portion (not shown) smaller in diameter than the portion on one end side in the axial direction of the shaft portion 32. The small-diameter portion is inserted into the inside of the bearing portion 22B of the case 22 (see FIG. 4) from the side opposite to the cover 24 (the vehicle front side), and is supported coaxially and rotatably relative to the bearing portion 22B. Thereby, the lifter 30 is supported rotatably about the axis AX of the bearing portion 22B (see FIG. 4) with respect to the case 22. Further, the stepped surface (not shown) between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion of the shaft portion 32 abuts against the abutting surface 22C formed on the front surface side of the case 22 from the vehicle front side, and the displacement of the lifter 30 with respect to the case 22 toward the vehicle rear side is restricted.

[0035] At the other end of the shaft portion 32 in the axial direction, a link attachment portion 32C shown in FIG. 3 is formed. The link attachment portion 32C includes upper and lower paired block portions 32C1 and 32C2 when viewed from the direction along the axis AX of the shaft portion 32, and has a structure in which the proximal ends thereof are connected. Further, a substantially circular insertion portion 32H is formed at the center of the link attachment portion 32C when viewed from the direction along the axis AX of the shaft portion 32. The insertion portion 32H extends along the axis AX of the shaft portion 32. A columnar protrusion 24T formed on the cover 24 is inserted into and rotatably fitted to the insertion portion 32H. Thereby, the shaft portion 32 of the lifter 30 is also supported by the cover 24.

[0036] The arm portion 36 of the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 1 extends in the radial direction of rotation of the lifter 30 (here, the lower side of the vehicle) within the lid box 12, and is arranged to face the back surface 14A of the fuel lid 14 in the closed state from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, when the lifter 30 rotates in one direction (arrow A direction) around the axis AX, the tip end portion (lower end portion) of the arm portion 36 is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, and when the lifter 30 rotates in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX, it is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] At the tip of the arm portion 36 of the lifter 30, a pressed portion 36A protruding outward in the vehicle width direction (here, the right side of the vehicle) is provided. The front end surface (outer surface in the vehicle width direction) of this pressed portion 36A is an arc surface that is curved in an arc shape when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction. Further, on the front side of this pressed portion 36A, a columnar engaging portion 36B is protruding and formed. This engaging portion 36B is arranged with the direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30 as the axis direction, and protrudes from the pressed portion 36A (the tip of the arm portion 36) to one side (here, the vehicle front side) in the direction along the axis AX. The engaging portion 36B and the pressed portion 36A are arranged side by side in the direction along the axis AX. And when the surface side of the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1) is pressed, the engaging portion 36B of the lifter 30 receives a pressing force from the pressing portion 18A of the fuel lid 14 (both see FIG. 1), so that the arm portion 36 of the lifter 30 receives a force to rotate in one direction (arrow A direction) around the axis AX (see FIGS. 8B and 11A). The lifter 30 with the above configuration is provided corresponding to the push-lifter mechanism 38 provided in the case 22 shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the push-lifter mechanism 38 includes a first link 42, a first link pin 46, a second link 44 having a second link pin 48, a torsion spring 50 as a biasing member, and a cam groove 52 (see FIG. 4) formed in the bottom wall 22A of the case 22. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first link 42 is formed, for example, by press-forming a sheet metal, and has a substantially U-shaped (substantially U-shaped) bent plate shape including a pair of flat plate portions 42A and 42B facing each other in the direction of the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30. When viewed from the direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30, through holes 42H (the through hole in the flat plate portion 42B is not shown) are formed at one end side of this pair of flat plate portions 42A and 42B. The link attachment portion 32C of the lifter 30 is fitted into the through hole 42H. Thereby, the first link 42 is attached to the lifter 30, and the displacement of the lifter 30 toward the vehicle front side with respect to the case 22 is restricted by the first link 42.

[0039] Between a pair of flat plate portions 42A and 42B, a torsion spring 50 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the link attachment portion 32C of the lifter 30. This torsion spring 50 is disposed coaxially with the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30. One end portion 50A of the torsion spring 50 shown in FIG. 6A is locked to a spring locking portion 42C continuously formed on the flat plate portion 42A of the first link 42. The other end portion 50B of the torsion spring 50 shown in FIG. 6B is attached to the case 22. This torsion spring 50 biases the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 6A in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX and biases it to return to the closed position when the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1) is in the pushed-in state where it is pushed in more than the closed state. Note that instead of the torsion spring 50, a spiral spring or a coil spring may be applied.

[0040] The second link 44 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. The second link 44 includes a second link main body 44H having one end connected to the first link 42, and an extension portion 44E extending from the other end of the second link main body 44H. The second link main body 44H has an elongated shape when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30, and has a thickness with a length slightly shorter than the distance between the pair of flat plate portions 42A and 42B in the direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30. One end of the second link main body 44H and the other end of the first link 42 are relatively rotatably connected by a first link pin 46, and the first link pin 46 is disposed with the direction parallel to the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30 as the axis direction. Thereby, the second link 44 is rotatably connected to the first link 42 about an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX.

[0041] A second link pin (an element that can also be understood as a "cam pin") 48 is fixed to the other end of the second link main body 44H. The second link pin 48 is disposed with the direction parallel to the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30 as the axis direction. A guided portion 48A (see FIGS. 13B, 14, and 15) protruding toward the bottom wall 22A side of the case 22 at the second link pin 48 is inserted into a cam groove 52 (see FIG. 4) formed in the bottom wall 22A of the case 22 and is movable along the cam groove 52.

[0042] The extension part 44E of the second link 44 extends in an arm shape from a part on the bottom wall 22A side (front side of the vehicle) at the other end of the second link main body 44H. The extension part 44E of the second link 44 is substantially arc-shaped when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30, and includes a planar operation pressing part 44A that presses the operation part 28A (both are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the microswitch 28 when the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1) is in the closed state. The operation pressing part 44A is formed at a part on the tip side in the extension direction of the extension part 44E of the second link 44 and is arranged with a plane including the vehicle up-and-down direction and the vehicle width direction as the plane direction.

[0043] Further, the extension part 44E of the second link 44 includes a first inclined surface 44B that is formed to be upwardly inclined toward the operation pressing part 44A continuously from the end inside the vehicle width direction of the operation pressing part 44A, and a second inclined surface 44C that is provided separately from the first inclined surface 44B and is formed to be upwardly inclined toward the operation pressing part 44A continuously from the end above the vehicle of the operation pressing part 44A. Further, at the end of the second inclined surface 44C on the side opposite to the operation pressing part 44A side, a recessed bottom part 44D that is recessed by one step with respect to the operation pressing part 44A is continuously formed. The recessed bottom part 44D is configured not to press the operation part 28A even when the microswitch 28 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is arranged at the opposing position.

[0044] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam groove 52 has a direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30 as the depth direction, and has a shape in which a heart shape (here, an inverted heart shape) is partially cut out when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis AX of the lifter 30, and is open toward the rear side of the vehicle. As shown in the partial enlarged view of FIG. 4, the cam groove 52 includes a first groove portion 52A extending substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a second groove portion 52B extending from the upper end portion of the first groove portion 52A to the outside in the vehicle width direction and then extending downward in the vehicle to form a substantially R-shaped corner portion, and a third groove portion 52C extending downward in the vehicle from the lower end portion of the second groove portion 52B. An island portion 62 protruding toward the rear side of the vehicle is formed between the first groove portion 52A and the portion of the second groove portion 52B on the outside in the vehicle width direction. The lower surface of the island portion 62 has a non-concave receiving surface 62A. Further, the portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction at the upper part of the third groove portion 52C is cut out so as to communicate with the space below the island portion 62. Further, a base portion 52D slightly protruding toward the rear side of the vehicle from the bottom wall 22A of the case 22 is formed below the island portion 62.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 14, the guided portion 48A described above is inserted into the cam groove 52. The tip of the guided portion 48A is pressed against the bottom surface of the cam groove 52. Further, the receiving surface 62A of the island portion 62 described above is set to contact the guided portion 48A on one side (here, the upper side) in the direction orthogonal to the axis AX when the operating portion 28A of the microswitch 28 (both are shown in FIG. 7B) is pressed by the operating pressing portion 44A. As shown in the partial enlarged view of FIG. 4, the cam groove 52 has inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surface of the first groove portion 52A and the bottom surface of the second groove portion 52B, and between the bottom surface of the first groove portion 52A and the bottom surface of the second groove portion 52B, between the bottom surface of the second groove portion 52B and the bottom surface of the third groove portion 52C, and between the bottom surface of the third groove portion 52C and the surface of the base portion 52D. Steps are respectively formed. Thereby, the displacement of the guided portion 48A (see FIG. 14) along the cam groove 52 is restricted in the direction of the path in the order of the first groove portion 52A, the second groove portion 52B, the third groove portion 52C, and the base portion 52D. The drive portion 70 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed in the region below and outside the cam groove 52 in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] The drive unit 70 includes a moving body 72 disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction within the case 22, and a motor 74 as a drive source disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the lower portion of the moving body 72. The motor 74 is fixed to the lower portion of the case 22. A rotating gear 76A is attached to the output shaft of this motor 74. And a rotating gear group 76 including the rotating gear 76A is provided for transmitting the driving force of the motor 74, and the final rotating gear in the rotating gear group 76 is a pinion gear 76P.

[0047] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the structure in which the moving body 72 is disposed in the case 22. The moving body 72 shown in FIG. 5A is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin and is supported by the case 22 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. More specifically, the moving body 72 is at a regulation position 72X shown in FIG. 5A where the operation of the second link 44 is regulated when the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 shown in FIG. 7A is pressed by the operation pressing portion 44A, and is movable between the regulation release position 72Y shown in FIG. 5B where the regulation is released.

[0048] Rack teeth 72A are formed vertically side by side on the rear surface of the lower portion of the moving body 72. The pinion gear 76P (see FIG. 3) is meshed with the rack teeth 72A. And the moving body 72 is moved from the regulation position 72X shown in FIG. 5A to the regulation release position 72Y shown in FIG. 5B by the operation of the motor 74 (see FIG. 3). The motor 74 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to a control unit 80 (only the outer contour is schematically shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure) and is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the moving body 72 includes a long extending portion 72H that extends in a long shape from the lower part thereof to the upper side of the vehicle, and an L-shaped branched portion 72L that branches from the lower side of the long extending portion 72H, extends inward in the vehicle width direction, and then extends upward of the vehicle. The lower portion 72B of the long extending portion 72H extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Further, the upper portion 72C of the long extending portion 72H is slightly inclined inward in the vehicle width direction toward the upper side of the vehicle. Furthermore, a protruding wall portion 72D protruding toward the rear side of the vehicle is formed at the upper portion 72C of the long extending portion 72H and at a portion outside the vehicle width direction in the vicinity thereof.

[0050] A long piece 72E extends in a cantilever state from a portion on the rear side of the vehicle of the lower end portion of the protruding wall portion 72D toward the lower side of the vehicle, and a locking convex portion 72K protruding outward in the vehicle width direction is integrally formed at the lower end portion of the long piece 72E. As shown in FIG. 5A, in a state where the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulation position 72X, the locking convex portion 72K is locked to a first locking concave portion 22X formed on the inner surface of the side wall outside the vehicle width direction of the case 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, in a state where the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulation release position 72Y, the locking convex portion 72K is locked to a second locking concave portion 22Y formed on the inner surface of the side wall outside the vehicle width direction of the case 22.

[0051] On the other hand, an extrusion portion 72P protruding toward the second link 44 (see FIG. 3) is formed at the upper end portion of the protruding wall portion 72D. When the moving body 72 moves from the regulation position 72X shown in FIG. 5A to the regulation release position 72Y shown in FIG. 5B, the extrusion portion 72P pushes out the second link 44 so as to move the guided portion 48A from the receiving surface 62A of the cam groove 52 to the inside of the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG. 15.

[0052] Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the upper part of the branch portion 72L of the moving body 72 is provided with a stopper portion 72S protruding toward the rear side of the vehicle. The stopper portion 72S is configured to be adjacently disposed at a portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (left side in the figure) of the lower surface of the island portion 62 when the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulated position 72X. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulated position 72X and the operation of the second link 44 is regulated, the stopper portion 72S is disposed on one side (here, the inner side in the vehicle width direction) in a direction orthogonal to the side where the receiving surface 62A is disposed with respect to the guided portion 48A when viewed from the direction along the axis AX, and is configured to regulate the movement of the guided portion 48A. Further, the stopper portion 72S is disposed at a position where it cannot contact the guided portion 48A when the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulation release position 72Y (see FIG. 5B).

[0053] The push-lifter mechanism 38 shown in FIG. 3 is configured such that when the drive unit 70 operates, the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2 rotates in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX to push open the fuel lid 14 shown in FIG. 1. This will be specifically described below.

[0054] The push-lifter mechanism 38 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with an engagement and disengagement switching mechanism 40 that operates by the rotation of the lifter 30 and engages with and disengages from the operation portion 28A (see FIGS. 7A, etc.) of the microswitch 28. This engagement and disengagement switching mechanism 40 is a mechanism portion that uses the first link 42, the first link pin 46, the second link 44 provided with the second link pin 48, the torsion spring 50, the cam groove 52 (see FIG. 4), and the drive unit 70 to exhibit the function of engaging with and disengaging from the operation portion 28A (see FIGS. 7A, etc.) of the microswitch 28.

[0055] When the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1) of the contact - separation switching mechanism 40 returns from the open state to the closed state via the pushed - in state (a state pushed in more than the closed state) and then returns to the closed state (when the state transitions in the order of FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C), a predetermined first operation is performed so that the signal output from the microswitch 28 (see FIG. 3) is switched from the ON signal as the first signal to the OFF signal as the second signal (see FIG. 16). In the present embodiment, the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is configured such that when the contact - separation switching mechanism 40 performs the first operation, the relative positional relationship of the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 with respect to the contact - separation switching mechanism 40 transitions in the order of FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C (when the viewing direction is changed, in the order of FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C), and the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 moves relative to the contact - separation switching mechanism 40. Note that the first inclined surface 44B of the second link 44 described above is set to gradually press the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 at the end stage of the first operation of the contact - separation switching mechanism 40.

[0056] Also, when the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1) of the contact - separation switching mechanism 40 returns from the closed state to the closed state via the pushed - in state (when the lifter 30 in FIG. 11A returns from the position of the two - dot chain line to the position of the solid line via the position of the two - dot chain line), a predetermined second operation different from the first operation is performed so that the signal output from the microswitch 28 (see FIG. 3) is switched in the order of OFF signal, ON signal, OFF signal (see FIG. 16). In the present embodiment, the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is configured such that when the contact - separation switching mechanism 40 performs the second operation, the relative positional relationship of the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 with respect to the contact - separation switching mechanism 40 transitions in the order of FIGS. 9C, 12A, 9C (when the viewing direction is changed, in the order of FIGS. 10C, 13A, 10C), and the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 moves relative to the contact - separation switching mechanism 40. Note that the second inclined surface 44C of the second link 44 described above is set to gradually press the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 at the end stage of the second operation of the contact - separation switching mechanism 40.

[0057] The control unit 80 shown in FIG. 3 operates the drive unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 (moves the moving body 72 from the restricted position 72X shown in FIGS. 9C and 10C to the restriction release position 72Y shown in FIGS. 12B and 13B) so as to rotate the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2 in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX by operating the motor 74 on at least the condition that the signal output from the microswitch 28 has switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal and then to an OFF signal within a predetermined time. More specifically described, in the present embodiment, the control unit 80 shown in FIG. 3 rotates the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2 in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX when the signal output from the microswitch 28 has switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal and then to an OFF signal within a predetermined time and it is determined that the first OFF signal has been continuously output for a preset reference time (for example, 1 second) or more, and operates the drive unit 70 shown in FIG. 3.

[0058] More specifically describing the operation of the above drive unit 70, when the push-lifter mechanism 38 pushes open the fuel lid 14 (see FIG. 1), the guided portion 48A shown in FIG. 14, which is in a position where it cannot move by the biasing force of the torsion spring 50, is disengaged from this position (a position where it cannot move by the biasing force of the torsion spring 50) by the driving force of the drive unit 70 (that is, when the pushing portion 72P of the moving body 72 pushes the second link 44), so that the torsion spring 50 (see FIG. 3) biases the lifter 30 via the first link 42 as shown in FIG. 12C to rotate it in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX. Note that FIG. 11B is a view of the state of FIG. 12C seen from the opposite side of the case 22, and FIG. 13C is a perspective view showing the state of FIG. 12C with the viewing direction changed. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 12C, an ON signal is output from the microswitch 28.

[0059] Next, the operation and effects of the above embodiment will be described.

[0060] In the fuel lid opener 20 configured as described above, in the lid box 12 shown in FIG. 1, a fuel lid 14 is rotatably supported for opening and closing, and a case 22 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the outer peripheral surface (the rear surface of the rear wall 12A3) of the side wall 12A of the lid box 12. In the case 22, a lifter 30 is rotatably supported about an axis AX along the plate surface direction of the fuel lid 14 in the closed state (see FIG. 1). The arm portion 36 of the lifter 30 extends in the radial direction of the rotation radius within the lid box 12 (see FIG. 1) and receives a force to rotate in one direction (arrow A direction) about the axis AX when the surface side of the fuel lid 14 is pressed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a push-lifter mechanism 38 is provided in the case 22, and the torsion spring 50 of the push-lifter mechanism 38 biases the lifter 30 in the other direction (arrow B direction) about the axis AX and biases it to return to the closed state position when the fuel lid 14 is in a pushed-in state where it is pushed in more than the closed state. Further, the push-lifter mechanism 38 rotates the lifter 30 in the other direction (arrow B direction) about the axis AX by the operation of the drive unit 70 to push open the fuel lid 14.

[0061] Furthermore, the push lifter mechanism 38 is provided with an engagement / disengagement switching mechanism 40. This engagement / disengagement switching mechanism 40 operates by the rotation of the lifter 30 and engages with and disengages from the operation portion 28A (see FIG. 7A etc.) of the microswitch 28. Here, the engagement / disengagement switching mechanism 40 is configured such that when the fuel lid 14 returns from the open state to the closed state via the closed state and the pushed-in state, a signal output from the microswitch 28 is switched from an ON signal to an OFF signal by performing a predetermined first operation (see FIG. 16). Also, the engagement / disengagement switching mechanism 40 is configured such that when the fuel lid 14 returns from the closed state to the closed state via the pushed-in state, a signal output from the microswitch 28 is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal and then to an OFF signal in this order by performing a predetermined second operation different from the first operation (see FIG. 16). And the control unit 80 operates the drive unit 70 so as to rotate the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2 in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX at least on the condition that a signal output from the microswitch 28 is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal and then to an OFF signal within a predetermined time. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented even if the fuel lid (see FIG. 1) is slowly pressed from the open state.

[0062] More specifically, the control unit 80 shown in FIG. 3 operates the drive unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 so as to rotate the lifter 30 shown in FIG. 2 in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX when it is determined that a signal output from the microswitch 28 is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal and then to an OFF signal within a predetermined time and the first OFF signal has been continuously output for a preset reference time or more. Here, in the fuel lid opener 20 of the present embodiment, the operation of the motor 74 is executed at the moment when the fuel lid 14 returns from the closed state to the closed state via the pushed-in state and the signal output from the microswitch 28 becomes an OFF signal. After the operation of the motor 74, the signal output from the microswitch 28 is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal immediately (in less than 1 second) (see FIG. 16). Therefore, malfunction can be prevented even if control is performed based on the duration of the OFF signal output.

[0063] In addition, in the present embodiment, the switch unit is composed of one microswitch 28 fixedly arranged in the case 22, and the relative movement path of the operation unit 28A (see FIG. 7A, etc.) of the microswitch 28 with respect to the contact separation switching mechanism 40 is different when the contact separation switching mechanism 40 performs the first operation and when the contact separation switching mechanism 40 performs the second operation. Therefore, signals can be appropriately output without providing a plurality of switches.

[0064] In addition, in the present embodiment, the push lifter mechanism 38 has a cam groove 52 (see FIG. 4), a first link 42, and a second link 44. The cam groove 52 shown in FIG. 4 is provided in the case 22 with the direction along the axis AX as the depth direction, and the first link 42 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the lifter 30. Further, the second link 44 is rotatably connected to the first link 42 around an axis parallel to the axis AX, and includes an operation pressing portion 44A (see FIG. 6A) and a guided portion 48A (see FIG. 14). Here, the operation pressing portion 44A shown in FIG. 7A is planar and presses the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 when the fuel lid 14 is in the closed state, and the guided portion 48A shown in FIG. 14 is inserted into the cam groove 52 and is movable along the cam groove 52. Thereby, the pressing of the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 shown in FIG. 7A is controlled by the second link 44 that moves guided by the cam groove 52.

[0065] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the push lifter mechanism 38 shown in FIG. 3 pushes open the fuel lid 14, the guided portion 48A shown in FIG. 14, which is in a position where it cannot move by the biasing force of the torsion spring 50, is moved out of this position by the driving force of the driving unit 70 (that is, when the pushing portion 72P of the moving body 72 pushes the second link 44) as shown in FIG. 15, so that the lifter 30 is rotated in the other direction (arrow B direction) around the axis AX via the first link 42 as shown in FIG. 12C by the biasing force of the torsion spring 50 (see FIG. 3). In this way, the fuel lid 14 can be opened using the driving force of the driving unit 70 and the biasing force of the torsion spring 50.

[0066] Further, in the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 44B of the second link 44 shown in FIG. 7A is formed to be continuously inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion 44A from the operation pressing portion 44A, and gradually presses the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 at the end stage of the first operation of the contact separation switching mechanism 40. Therefore, although the configuration is relatively simple, the signal output from the microswitch 28 is stably switched at the end stage of the first operation of the contact separation switching mechanism 40. Further, the second inclined surface 44C of the second link 44 shown in FIG. 7B is provided separately from the first inclined surface 44B and is formed to be continuously inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion 44A from the operation pressing portion 44A, and gradually presses the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 at the end stage of the second operation of the contact separation switching mechanism 40. Therefore, although the configuration is relatively simple, the signal output from the microswitch 28 is stably switched at the end stage of the second operation of the contact separation switching mechanism 40.

[0067] Further, in the present embodiment, when the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 shown in FIG. 9C is pressed by the operation pressing portion 44A, as shown in FIG. 14, the non-concave receiving surface 62A of the cam groove 52 contacts the upper end side of the guided portion 48A. Further, the moving body 72 of the driving portion 70 shown in FIG. 7A etc. is movable between a regulation position 72X shown in FIG. 5A, which is a position for regulating the operation of the second link 44 when the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 is pressed by the operation pressing portion 44A, and a regulation release position 72Y shown in FIG. 5B for releasing the regulation, and is moved from the regulation position 72X to the regulation release position 72Y by the operation of the motor 74 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 14, the stopper portion 72S of the moving body 72 is disposed inside the vehicle width direction with respect to the guided portion 48A when viewed from the direction along the axis AX when the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulation position 72X and regulates the operation of the second link 44, and regulates the movement of the guided portion 48A. Further, the stopper portion 72S of the moving body 72 is disposed at a position where it cannot contact the guided portion 48A when the moving body 72 is disposed at the regulation release position 72Y (see FIG. 5B). Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the pushing portion 72P of the moving body 72 pushes out the second link 44 so as to move the guided portion 48A inward in the vehicle width direction from the receiving surface 62A of the cam groove 52 when the moving body 72 moves from the regulation position 72X (see FIG. 14) to the regulation release position 72Y.

[0068] That is, when the fuel lid 14 is in the closed state and the operation portion 28A of the microswitch 28 shown in FIG. 9C is pressed by the operation pressing portion 44A, as shown in FIG. 14, the movement of the guided portion 48A is stably regulated by the receiving surface 62A and the stopper portion 72S, and when the moving body 72 moves from the regulation position 72X to the regulation release position 72Y (see FIG. 12B) by the driving force of the motor 74 (see FIG. 3), the guided portion 48A shown in FIG. 15 can be easily removed from the receiving surface 62A of the cam groove 52.

[0069] As described above, according to the fuel lid opener 20 of the present embodiment, malfunction can be prevented when the fuel lid 14 is slowly pressed and operated from the open state.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the switch unit is constituted by one microswitch 28 shown in FIG. 3 or the like, but a configuration in which the switch unit is constituted by a plurality of switch elements may also be adopted.

[0071] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the push lifter mechanism 38 has a cam groove 52, a first link 42, and a second link 44, but the configuration of the push lifter mechanism is not limited to such a configuration.

[0072] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the drive unit 70 operates, after the guided portion 48A shown in FIG. 15 is removed from the receiving surface 62A by the driving force of the drive unit 70, the lifter 30 is rotated by the biasing force of the torsion spring 50 as the biasing member, but the configuration of the push lifter mechanism is not limited to such a configuration.

[0073] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the cam groove 52 has a non-concave receiving surface 62A and the moving body 72 has a stopper portion 72S, but a configuration in which a concave receiving surface is set instead of the non-concave receiving surface 62A and the stopper portion 72S is not provided may also be adopted.

[0074] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A or the like, the second link 44 has a first inclined surface 44B and a second inclined surface 44C, but the configuration of the second link is not limited to such a configuration.

[0075] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 shown in FIG. 3 operates the drive unit 70 when the signal output from the microswitch 28 is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal and then to an OFF signal within a predetermined time, and when it is determined that the first OFF signal has been continuously output for a preset reference time or more. However, a configuration in which "when it is determined that the first OFF signal has been continuously output for a preset reference time or more" is excluded from the conditions may also be adopted.

[0076] Note that the above-described embodiment and the above-described modification examples can be implemented in appropriate combination.

[0077] Although an example of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made and implemented within the scope not departing from the gist thereof other than the above.

[0078] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-202902 filed on December 7, 2020 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A case attached to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of a lid box in which a fuel lid is rotatably supported for opening and closing, A lifter that is rotatably supported by the case around an axis along the plate surface direction of the fuel lid in the closed state, and has an arm portion that extends in the radial direction of the rotation radius in the lid box and receives a force to rotate in one direction around the axis when the surface side of the fuel lid is pressed. An urging member provided in the case, which urges the lifter in the other direction around the axis and urges the fuel lid to return to the position in the closed state when the fuel lid is in a pushed-in state where it is pushed in more than the closed state, and a push-lifter mechanism that rotates the lifter in the other direction around the axis by the operation of a drive unit to push open the fuel lid. An approach / separation switching mechanism provided in the push-lifter mechanism, which operates by the rotation of the lifter to contact and separate from the operation portion of the switch portion, and is configured such that when the fuel lid returns from the open state to the closed state through the closed state and the pushed-in state, a signal output from the switch portion is switched from a first signal to a second signal by performing a predetermined first operation, and when the fuel lid returns from the closed state to the closed state through the pushed-in state, a signal output from the switch portion is switched from the second signal to the first signal and then to the second signal by performing a predetermined second operation different from the first operation. A control unit that operates the drive unit to rotate the lifter in the other direction around the axis on the condition that the signal output from the switch portion is switched from the second signal to the first signal and then to the second signal within a predetermined time. A fuel lid opener comprising the above.

2. The switch portion is constituted by one microswitch arranged in a fixed state within the case. The fuel lid opener according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement path of the operation portion of the microswitch with respect to the contact separation switching mechanism is different between the case where the contact separation switching mechanism performs the first operation and the case where the contact separation switching mechanism performs the second operation.

3. The push lifter mechanism a cam groove provided in the case and having a depth direction along the direction of the axis, a first link attached to the lifter, a second link that is rotatably connected to the first link about an axis parallel to the axis and that has a flat operation pressing portion that presses the operation portion of the switch portion when the fuel lid is in the closed state, and a guided portion that is inserted into the cam groove and is movable along the cam groove. The fuel lid opener according to claim 1 or claim 2, having the above.

4. The push lifter mechanism of the fuel lid opener according to claim 3, wherein when the fuel lid is pushed open, the guided portion, which is in a position where it cannot move by the biasing force of the biasing member, is disengaged from that position by the driving force of the driving portion, and the lifter is rotated in the other direction about the axis by the biasing force of the biasing member.

5. The second link is formed to be continuously inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion side with respect to the operation pressing portion, and has a first inclined surface set to gradually press the operation portion of the switch portion at the end stage of the first operation of the contact separation switching mechanism. a second inclined surface that is provided separately from the first inclined surface and is formed to be continuously inclined upward toward the operation pressing portion side with respect to the operation pressing portion, and is set to gradually press the operation portion of the switch portion at the end stage of the second operation of the contact separation switching mechanism. The fuel lid opener according to claim 3 or claim 4, having the above.

6. The cam groove has a non-concave receiving surface that contacts the guided portion on one side in a direction orthogonal to the axis when the operating portion of the switch portion is pressed by the operating pressing portion. The driving portion includes a driving source, and a moving body that is movable between a restricting position that restricts the operation of the second link when the operating portion of the switch portion is pressed by the operating pressing portion and a restricting release position that releases the restriction, and is moved from the restricting position to the restricting release position by the operation of the driving source. The moving body When the moving body is disposed at the restricting position and restricts the operation of the second link, a stopper portion is disposed on one side in a direction orthogonal to the side where the receiving surface is disposed with respect to the guided portion when viewed from a direction along the axis, and restricts the movement of the guided portion. When the moving body is disposed at the restricting release position, it is disposed at a position where it cannot contact the guided portion. An extrusion portion that extrudes the second link so as to remove the guided portion from the receiving surface of the cam groove when the moving body moves from the restricting position to the restricting release position. The fuel lid opener according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising:

7. When the control unit determines that the signal output from the switch unit has switched from the second signal to the first signal and then to the second signal within a predetermined time, and the first second signal has been continuously output for a preset reference time or more, the control unit operates the driving unit so as to rotate the lifter in the other direction around the axis. The fuel lid opener according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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