Lid device for vehicle

Abstract

To lock a lid sliding and moving along a vehicle body surface when performing a lid opening / closing operation to a closed position by a propeller type lock operation.SOLUTION: A vehicular lid device includes: a base body which stores a replenishment port; a lid which opens / closes an opening of the base body; and an opening / closing mechanism which slides the lid along a vehicle body surface. In a lock mechanism for locking the lid at a closed position, a first engaging section on the base body side has a lock section which projects outward in a radial direction from a rotary shaft section and transfers between an engageable position and a non-engagement position by rotation of the rotary shaft section. A second engaging section on the lid side has an opening hole section which has an opening width which is a short hand direction length or more and less than a longitudinal direction length of the first engaging section and an opening length exceeding the longitudinal direction length of the first engaging section and in which the lock section at the non-engagement position can advance and retreat, and an engagement wall section hooked by the lock section at the engageable position. The longitudinal direction of the opening hole section coincides with a lid slide direction. The opening length has a size that the first engaging section does not interfere with a peripheral edge section of the opening hole section when sliding the lid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lid device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle lid device that opens and closes a refill port such as a fuel filler port or a charging port that is arranged exposed in an opening on the vehicle body side (for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle lid device includes a base body that is attached to the vehicle body to house the refill port, and a lid that is movable between a closed position that closes the front opening of the base to block the refill port, and an open position that opens the front opening to expose the refill port.

[0003] The vehicle lid device also includes an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the lid between a closed position and an open position, and a locking mechanism that locks the lid in the closed position. The vehicle lid device described in Patent Document 1 uses a hinge-type opening / closing mechanism that rotates the lid about an axis to move it between a closed position and an open position. The locking mechanism is a propeller-type locking mechanism that has a protruding engagement protrusion on the base and a hole-shaped engagement hole on the lid, and locks the lid in the closed position by inserting the engagement protrusion into the engagement hole to engage the two engagement parts.

[0004] In a vehicle lid device employing a hinge-type opening / closing mechanism and a propeller-type locking mechanism as described above, when the lid is closed from the open position to the closed position, the engaging protrusion is inserted vertically into the engaging hole near the lid closed position, and when the lid is opened from the closed position to the open position, the engaging protrusion is removed vertically from the engaging hole near the lid closed position. To achieve this insertion and removal, it is sufficient that the outer shape of the engaging protrusion and the hole shape of the engaging hole match each other. For example, if the outer shape of the engaging protrusion is elliptical, the hole shape of the engaging hole may be an ellipse slightly larger than the outer shape of the engaging protrusion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-199237 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Meanwhile, to ensure the design of the lid opening / closing mechanism, there is a growing need for a sliding type opening / closing mechanism that slides the lid along the surface of the vehicle body. When this sliding type opening / closing mechanism is combined with the propeller-type locking mechanism described above, during the lid closing operation, the lid moves in a direction along the surface of the vehicle body relative to the base while moving from the front side of the vehicle body to the rear side of the vehicle body just before the lid is closed. As a result, just before the lid is closed, the engagement protrusion of the locking mechanism passes through the engagement hole at an angle to be inserted or removed. Therefore, when the engagement protrusion starts to pass through the engagement hole and when it completes its passage, the positional relationship between the two engagement portions is shifted laterally. Therefore, if the outer shape of the engagement protrusion and the hole shape of the engagement hole approximately match, as in the propeller-type locking mechanism described above, the engagement protrusion will interfere with the periphery of the engagement hole, making it impossible to insert or remove the lid.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a vehicle lid device that can lock the lid, which slides along the vehicle body surface when the lid is opened or closed, in the closed position using a propeller-type locking action. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention includes a base body attached to a vehicle body to accommodate a supply port for supplying energy to a vehicle; a lid movable between a closed position in which a front opening of the base body is closed to block the supply port and an open position in which the front opening is opened to expose the supply port; an opening / closing mechanism that slides the lid along a surface of the vehicle body between the closed position and the open position; and a locking mechanism that locks the lid in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism has a first engagement portion provided on one side of either the base body or the lid, and a second engagement portion provided on the other side of either the base body or the lid, and capable of locking the lid in the closed position by engaging with the first engagement portion, and the first engagement portion is integrated with a rotary shaft portion that is rotatable about an axis, and is integral with the rotary shaft portion, protruding radially outward from a portion of the entire circumference of the rotary shaft portion, and is movable to an engageable position in which it can engage with the second engagement portion by rotation of the rotary shaft portion. and a locking portion that moves between a first engagement position and a non-engagement position in which it does not engage with the second engagement portion, wherein the second engagement portion is formed in an elongated hole shape to have an opening width that is greater than or equal to the short-side length of the first engagement portion and less than the long-side length of the first engagement portion, and an opening length that exceeds the long-side length of the first engagement portion, and has an opening hole that opens toward the first engagement portion when the lid is in the closed position, and through which the locking portion can advance and retreat when in the non-engagement position, and an engagement wall portion on which the locking portion hooks when the locking portion is in the engageable position at the closed position of the lid where the locking portion has advanced to the back side of the opening hole, wherein the opening hole is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the opening hole coincides with the sliding direction of the lid by the opening / closing mechanism, and the opening length is set to a size such that the first engagement portion does not interfere with the peripheral portion of the opening hole when the lid is slid by the opening / closing mechanism.

[0009] According to this configuration, the lid, which slides along the surface of the vehicle body when the lid is opened or closed, can be locked in the closed position by a propeller-type locking action. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a view showing a vehicle lid device according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a vehicle body in a state where the lid is in a closed position, as viewed from outside the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the vehicle lid device removed from the vehicle body as viewed from outside the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle lid device in a state where the lid is in an open position. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle lid device. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a locking mechanism provided in a vehicle lid device, in which a locking portion is in an engageable position and a locking portion is in a non-engageable position. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the vehicle lid device. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a lock mechanism and its surroundings provided in the vehicle lid device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a vehicle lid device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] The vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment is a device that uses a lid to open and close a fuel supply port mounted on a vehicle. Vehicles on which the vehicle lid device 1 is mounted include, for example, gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. The fuel supply port that is the target for opening and closing by the vehicle lid device 1 is provided on the side or front of a vehicle body 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and is arranged in a vehicle body opening 2a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that penetrates the vehicle body 2 in an inward-outward direction (i.e., in a front-to-rear direction). The vehicle body opening 2a may be open facing the side of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be open facing upward or diagonally upward from the vehicle.

[0013] The above-mentioned refill port is a fuel fill port or a charging port provided for replenishing energy, such as refueling a vehicle or charging a battery. The refill port is provided at one end of a pipe or an electric wire. The other end of this pipe or electric wire is connected to a fuel tank or a battery located at the rear of the vehicle body (i.e., inside the vehicle body). The refill port may be covered with a cap that can be opened and closed by an operator. With the cap open, a fuel gun or a charging gun for replenishing energy can be connected to this refill port.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the vehicle lid device 1 includes a base body 10, a lid 20, an opening / closing mechanism 30, and a locking mechanism 40. As shown in FIGS.

[0015] The base body 10 is a box-shaped box body that houses the replenishing port. The base body 10 is attached to the vehicle body 2 so as to fit into a vehicle body opening 2a provided in the vehicle body 2. The base body 10 is arranged inside the vehicle body in accordance with the vehicle body opening 2a of the vehicle body 2. The base body 10 has a bottom wall portion 11, a side wall portion 12, and a box opening 13.

[0016] The bottom wall 11 and the side wall 12 form a storage space 14 that houses the replenishing port. The bottom wall 11 is, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped portion. The bottom wall 11 has a through hole 11a for accommodating the replenishing port into the storage space 14 from the vehicle body 2 side. The through hole 11a is provided in approximately the center of the bottom wall 11 of the base 10. The side wall 12 is a wall portion that stands from the edge of the bottom wall 11 so as to surround the periphery of the bottom wall 11.

[0017] The box opening 13 is an opening provided in the base 10 on the side facing the bottom wall portion 11 with the storage space 14 in between. The box opening 13 is closed when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and is open when the lid 20 is not in the closed position. When the box opening 13 is open, the supply port in the storage space 14 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the box opening 13. The base 10 is attached to the vehicle body 2 so that the box opening 13 faces, for example, horizontally or tilts upward from the horizontal direction from the inside to the outside of the vehicle body.

[0018] The base body 10 has a frame portion 15. The frame portion 15 is formed in an annular shape along the peripheral edge of the box opening 13. The frame portion 15 is formed in a flange shape so as to extend from the peripheral edge of the box opening 13 toward the outside of the frame. The base body 10 is positioned on the vehicle body 2 by the back surface of the frame portion 15 abutting against the surface of the peripheral edge of the vehicle body opening 2a of the vehicle body 2, for example.

[0019] The lid 20 is a cover member that opens and closes the box opening 13. The lid 20 is movable between a closed position where it closes the box opening 13 and blocks the supply port, and an open position (specifically, referred to as a fully open position) where it opens the box opening 13 and exposes the supply port. The lid 20 can be moved relative to the base 10 by the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 30 based on a pressing operation by an operator.

[0020] The lid 20 reaches and is held in the fully open position when the biasing force of the biasing member 35, which will be described later, becomes zero or when the lid 20 comes into contact with a full-open stopper and is restricted in movement. The lid 20 has a lid lower portion 21 and a lid upper portion 22. The lid lower portion 21 and the lid upper portion 22 are assembled together and integrated.

[0021] The lid lower portion 21 is a plate-shaped member that closes the box opening 13 of the base 10. The lid lower portion 21 is formed in a shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape) and size that matches the box opening 13. The lid upper portion 22 is a panel-shaped member that corresponds to the lid lower portion 21. The lid upper portion 22 is disposed on the front surface side of the lid lower portion 21 and assembled to the lid lower portion 21. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the lid upper portion 22 is positioned so as to be flush with the frame portion 15 on the periphery of the box opening 13 and the vehicle body surface 2b, thereby closing the box opening 13. The surface of the lid upper portion 22 may be curved to match the vehicle body surface 2b.

[0022] The opening / closing mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the lid 20 between a closed position and an open position (i.e., performs an opening / closing operation), specifically, a mechanism that slides the lid 20 in a sliding direction X along the vehicle body surface 2b, which is the surface of the vehicle body 2, between the closed position and the open position. The opening / closing mechanism 30 has a shaft 31, a shaft cover 32, a main arm 33, an auxiliary arm 34, a biasing member 35, and a damper 36.

[0023] The shaft 31 is a rotating shaft that rotates in synchronization with the opening and closing of the lid 20. The shaft 31 is rotatably supported by a shaft cover 32. The shaft cover 32 is formed in a shape that can support the shaft 31. The shaft cover 32 has a cylindrical support portion 32a that rotatably supports the shaft 31. The shaft cover 32 is attached and fixed to the back side of the base 10 with the shaft 31 supported by the support portion 32a.

[0024] The shaft 31 is formed to extend in a direction Y perpendicular to the sliding direction X of the lid 20. The shaft 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is rotatably inserted into a support portion 32a of the shaft cover 32. The shaft 31 also has a portion having a polygonal cross section, and this portion is fixed to and integrated with one end of the main arm 33.

[0025] The main arm 33 is an arm-shaped member that connects the base body 10 and the lid 20. One end of the main arm 33 is connected to the base body 10 side (specifically, the shaft cover 32). The other end of the main arm 33 is connected to the lid lower part 21. The main arm 33 is inserted into an arm hole 11b that penetrates the bottom wall part 11 of the base body 10 in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] One end of the main arm 33 is rotatably supported by the shaft cover 32 and therefore the base body 10 on the back side of the bottom wall portion 11, around the axis of the shaft 31. The other end of the main arm 33 is rotatably supported by the lid lower portion 21 on the front side of the bottom wall portion 11. Both of the two rotation axes of the main arm 33 extend horizontally, and for example, extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle when the box opening 13 is provided on the side of the vehicle body 2. One arm hole 11b is provided on each of the left and right sides of the bottom wall portion 11 of the base body 10.

[0027] A pair of main arms 33 are provided spaced apart in the direction in which the rotation axis extends. One end of one of the main arms 33 is provided with a fitting hole 33a into which the shaft 31 is inserted. The pair of main arms 33 are connected to each other via a connecting rod 33b. The connecting rod 33b is arranged to connect the other ends of the pair of main arms 33 to each other. The pair of main arms 33 rotate in synchronization with each other.

[0028] Similar to the main arm 33, the auxiliary arm 34 is an arm-shaped member that connects the base 10 and the lid 20. The auxiliary arm 34 cooperates with the main arm 33 to open and close the lid 20. The lid 20 slides along the vehicle body surface 2b between the closed position and the open position due to the cooperative operation of the main arm 33 and the auxiliary arm 34.

[0029] One end of the auxiliary arm 34 is connected to the base body 10 (specifically, the base body 10 itself or the shaft cover 32). The other end of the auxiliary arm 34 is connected to the lid lower portion 21. The auxiliary arm 34 is inserted into an arm hole 11b that penetrates the bottom wall portion 11 of the base body 10 in the front-to-back direction. The arm hole 11b into which the main arm 33 is inserted and the arm hole 11b into which the auxiliary arm 34 is inserted may be connected to one another as shown in FIG. 5, or may be separated from each other.

[0030] One end of the auxiliary arm 34 is rotatably supported by the base body 10 on the back side of the bottom wall portion 11. The other end of the auxiliary arm 34 is rotatably supported by the lid lower portion 21 on the front side of the bottom wall portion 11. The two rotation shafts of the auxiliary arm 34 both extend horizontally, and for example, when the box opening 13 is provided on the side of the vehicle body 2, they extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. A pair of auxiliary arms 34 are provided spaced apart in the direction in which the rotation shafts extend. The pair of auxiliary arms 34 rotate synchronously with each other. Unlike the pair of main arms 33, the pair of auxiliary arms do not need to be connected to each other.

[0031] The rotation axis on which one end of the main arm 33 in the base 10 is supported and the rotation axis on which one end of the auxiliary arm 34 is supported do not coincide with each other, but are arranged offset from each other. Furthermore, the rotation axis on which the other end of the main arm 33 in the lid lower section 21 is supported and the rotation axis on which the other end of the auxiliary arm 34 is supported do not coincide with each other, but are arranged offset from each other.

[0032] The rotation of the main arm 33 and the rotation of the auxiliary arm 34 are performed in conjunction with each other. When both arms 33, 34 rotate in conjunction with each other, the lid 20 opens and closes while maintaining a state parallel to the box opening 13 relative to the base 10. In other words, the lid 20 opens and closes while maintaining a state parallel to the box opening 13 relative to the base 10 due to the rotation of the shaft 31 causing the main arm 33 and auxiliary arm 34 to rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0033] The biasing member 35 is a member that generates a biasing force that biases the lid 20 from the closed position toward the open position. The biasing member 35 is, for example, a torsion coil spring. The biasing member 35 is mounted on the shaft 31. One end of the biasing member 35 engages with the base 10 side (specifically, the base 10 itself or the shaft cover 32). The other end of the biasing member 35 engages with the lid 20 side (specifically, the shaft 31 or the lid 20 itself). When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the biasing member 35 biases the lid 20 toward the open position with the maximum biasing force.

[0034] The damper 36 is a reducer for reducing the speed at which the lid 20 is biased by the biasing force of the biasing member 35. When the lid 20 is biased toward the open position by the biasing force of the biasing member 35, the damper 36 causes the lid 20 to open at a constant speed.

[0035] The locking mechanism 40 is a mechanism that locks the lid 20 in the closed position. The locking mechanism 40 locks the lid 20 in the closed position by engaging engaging portions provided on the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. Specifically, the locking mechanism 40 locks the lid 20 in the closed position by inserting the axial tip of the lock shaft into the opening hole when the lid 20 is closed, and then rotating the lock shaft to engage the engaging portion of the lock shaft at the back side of the opening hole. The locking mechanism 40 has a first engaging portion 41 and a second engaging portion 42.

[0036] The first engagement portion 41 is a portion that forms the lock shaft. The first engagement portion 41 is provided on the base body 10 side. The first engagement portion 41 is assembled to a box-shaped case 50. The case 50 is attached and fixed to the back side of the base body 10 with the first engagement portion 41 assembled thereto. The first engagement portion 41 has a rotation shaft portion 41a and a lock portion 41b.

[0037] The rotating shaft 41a is a lock shaft that can rotate around its axis. The rotating shaft 41a is rotatably supported by the case 50. The rotating shaft 41a is formed in a substantially columnar or cylindrical shape. The rotating shaft 41a rotates in response to the operation of a push lifter 60, which will be described later. The rotating shaft 41a may rotate back and forth by a predetermined angle (e.g., 90°) each time the lid 20 is pressed, or may rotate in one direction by a predetermined angle (e.g., 90°) each time the lid 20 is pressed. When the rotating shaft 41a rotates back and forth by a predetermined angle, it can rotate in both the forward and reverse directions around its axis. When the rotating shaft 41a rotates in one direction by a predetermined angle, it can rotate only in one direction around its axis.

[0038] The rotating shaft 41a is inserted into a through-hole 11c that penetrates the bottom wall 11 of the base 10 in the front-to-back direction. The through-hole 11c is provided, for example, in the lower part of the bottom wall 11 of the base 10. The rotating shaft 41a is arranged so that one end is supported on the case 50 side and the other end is exposed to the accommodation space 14.

[0039] The locking portion 41b is a propeller portion that moves between an engageable position where it can engage with the second engaging portion 42, which will be described in detail later, and a disengaged position where it does not engage with the second engaging portion 42, as a result of rotation of the rotating shaft portion 41a. The locking portion 41b is provided at the axial tip portion, which is the other end of the rotating shaft portion 41a, and is integrated with the rotating shaft portion 41a. Note that the locking portion 41b may be formed integrally with the rotating shaft portion 41a, or may be formed separately from the rotating shaft portion 41a and attached and fixed to the rotating shaft portion 41a by fitting and fixing, for example.

[0040] The locking portion 41b protrudes radially outward from a portion of the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion 41a. The locking portion 41b is provided at one or more locations around the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion 41a. For example, if the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates back and forth by a predetermined angle with each lid pressing operation, the locking portion 41b may be provided at only one location. Alternatively, if the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates in one direction by 90° with each lid pressing operation, the locking portion 41b may be provided at two circumferential positions that face each other across the rotation center C of the rotating shaft portion 41a. Note that FIG. 5 shows a locking mechanism 40 in which the locking portions 41b protrude from two circumferential positions that face each other across the rotation center C of the rotating shaft portion 41a.

[0041] The first engaging portion 41 has an outer shape in which the length from the rotation center C to the outer surface (hereinafter referred to as the radial length) changes depending on the circumferential position at the axial position where the locking portion 41b is provided on the rotating shaft portion 41a. That is, the first engaging portion 41 is made up of a short diameter portion with a short radial length and a long diameter portion with a long radial length at the axial position where the locking portion 41b is provided, and is formed, for example, with a rectangular or elliptical cross section.

[0042] The second engagement portion 42 is a portion forming an opening hole through which the lock portion 41b advances and retreats, and is a portion that engages with the first engagement portion 41. The second engagement portion 42 is provided on the lid 20 side (specifically, the lid lower portion 21). The second engagement portion 42 has an opening hole portion 42a and an engagement wall portion 42b.

[0043] The opening hole 42a is an opening that opens the lid lower portion 21 in the front-to-back direction. The opening hole 42a opens toward the base 10, i.e., toward the first engagement portion 41, when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The locking portion 41b, which is in the disengaged position, can move forward and backward through the opening hole 42a. When the lid 20 is closed from the open position to the closed position, the locking portion 41b advances from the front side of the opening hole 42a, which is the back side of the lid lower portion 21, to the rear side of the opening hole 42a, which is the front side of the lid lower portion 21. When the lid 20 is opened from the closed position to the open position, the locking portion 41b retreats from the rear side of the opening hole 42a to the front side of the opening hole 42a.

[0044] The opening hole 42a is formed to a size that encompasses the cross section of the axial tip end of the first engagement portion 41 (specifically, the lock portion 41b). The opening hole 42a is formed in an elongated hole shape to have an opening width W and an opening length L. The opening hole 42a is formed in a rectangular shape so that the opening width W and the opening length L are both constant. The opening width W is the length of the opening hole 42a in the short direction. The opening length L is the length of the opening hole 42a in the long direction. In other words, the opening width W is smaller than the opening length L.

[0045] The opening width W is set to be equal to or greater than the short-side length Rmin of the first engagement portion 41 (specifically, the outer diameter of the rotation shaft portion 41a) and less than the longitudinal length Rmax of the first engagement portion 41 (specifically, the outer diameter of the lock portion 41b). The opening length L is set to be greater than the longitudinal length Rmax of the first engagement portion 41.

[0046] The opening hole 42a is disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the opening hole 42a coincides with the sliding direction X of the lid 20 along the vehicle body surface 2b by the opening / closing mechanism 30. The opening length L of the opening hole 42a is set to a size such that the first engagement portion 41 (specifically, the locking portion 41b) does not interfere with the peripheral edge of the opening hole 42a (specifically, the lid lower portion 21) during the opening / closing operation, i.e., during the sliding movement of the lid 20. The opening length L is set so that the movement trajectory of the locking portion 41b when passing through the opening hole 42a of the lid lower portion 21 does not enter the opening hole 42a. For example, the opening length L is set to be relatively short when the movement trajectory forms an obtuse angle with respect to the opening hole 42a, and is set to be relatively long when the movement trajectory forms an acute angle with respect to the opening hole 42a.

[0047] The engagement wall portion 42b is a wall portion on which the lock portion 41b can be caught when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The engagement wall portion 42b is provided on the periphery of the opening hole 42a in the lid lower portion 21. A space capable of accommodating the lock portion 41b is formed on the inner side of the opening hole 42a in the lid lower portion 21. The engagement wall portion 42b has an engagement surface facing toward the outside of the vehicle (i.e., the front side) on the inner side of the opening hole 42a on the periphery of the opening hole 42a.

[0048] When the lid 20 is in the closed position and attempts to open, but the locking portion 41b is in the engageable position, the back surface of the locking portion 41b abuts against the engagement surface on the front side of the lid lower portion 21, thereby hooking the locking portion 41b. In a structure in which the locking portions 41b protrude from two circumferential positions that face each other across the rotation center C of the rotating shaft portion 41a, the engaging wall portions 42b are provided on both sides of the opening hole 42a.

[0049] The locking portion 41b is in a disengagement position when the lid 20 is in the open position (specifically, when the locking portion 41b is located behind the opening hole 42a, i.e., closer to the opening), and can move between the disengagement position and the engageable position when the lid 20 is in the closed position (specifically, when the locking portion 41b is located on the front side of the opening hole 42a, i.e., closer to the opening). The locking portion 41b is hooked onto and engages with the engaging wall portion 42b when the lid 20 is in the engageable position in the closed position where the locking portion 41b has entered the opening rear side of the opening hole 42a. As a result, even if the biasing force of the biasing member 35 is generated, the locking mechanism 40 locks the lid 20 in the closed position.

[0050] The locking mechanism 40 also has a push lifter 60. The push lifter 60 is a device that rotates a rotation shaft portion 41a of the first engagement portion 41 while moving a push rod 61 (described below) in the axial direction by pressing the lid 20 from the outside (front side) of the vehicle to the inside (back side). The push lifter 60 is provided on the base 10 side (specifically, the case 50). The push lifter 60 has the push rod 61. Each time the lid 20 is pressed from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the push lifter 60 alternately repeats a state in which the push rod 61 is retracted in the axial direction to a retracted position and a state in which the push rod 61 is protruded in the axial direction to a protruding position.

[0051] The push rod 61 is a cylindrical member extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body surface 2b of the vehicle body 2. The push rod 61 is supported by the case 50 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The push rod 61 extends and protrudes from the case 50 toward the front side of the vehicle body surface 2b. The push rod 61 is biased toward the front side of the vehicle body surface 2b by a biasing portion (not shown) of the push lifter 60. The push rod 61 is restricted in position at a predetermined axial protruding position against this biasing force.

[0052] The push rod 61 is arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft portion 41a. The push rod 61 is also arranged concentrically with the rotating shaft portion 41a. The first engagement portion 41 (i.e., the rotating shaft portion 41a and the locking portion 41b) is arranged to protrude from the axial tip of the push rod 61 to the front side. The rotating shaft portion 41a is inserted inside the push rod 61 and is supported rotatably relative to the push rod 61. A seal is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft portion 41a and the inner peripheral surface of the push rod 61. The rotating shaft portion 41a may be restricted from moving axially relative to the push rod 61, or may be allowed to move axially.

[0053] The lid 20 has a pressing portion 23 that presses the push rod 61 in the axial direction to contract it. The pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotation shaft portion 41a during the closing operation of the lid 20 from the open position to the closed position (specifically, at the end of the closing operation), applying a force to the push rod 61 to contract it in the axial direction. The pressing portion 23 is provided on the lid lower portion 21. The pressing portion 23 has a surface facing the back side of the lid lower portion 21. The pressing portion 23 is positioned closer to the opening (i.e., on the front side) than the opening hole 42a. The above-mentioned surface of the pressing portion 23 is exposed to the outside of the lid lower portion 21 through the opening hole 42a, and is formed to a size corresponding to the rectangular shape of the opening hole 42a.

[0054] The pressing portion 23 can come into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a when the locking portion 41b passes through the opening hole 42a from the front side of the opening to the rear side of the opening hole 42a during the closing operation of the lid 20. As shown in Fig. 6, the position within the plane of the pressing portion 23 at which the pressing portion 23 comes into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a changes in the sliding direction of the lid 20 as the lid 20 moves toward the base 10, i.e., as the push rod 61 pushes, after the pressing portion 23 starts to come into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a.

[0055] The pressing portion 23 and the first engagement portion 41 are configured so that the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates when the in-plane position of the pressing portion 23 abutting against the axial tip of the rotating shaft portion 41a changes in the sliding direction of the lid 20 as the push rod 61 continues to press.

[0056] After the pressing portion 23 starts to come into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft portion 41a, it presses the rotating shaft portion 41a in the axial direction so that the push rod 61 contracts in the axial direction as the lid 20 moves toward the base 10. When the rotating shaft portion 41a is pressed in the axial direction, the push rod 61 is pressed in the axial direction together with the rotating shaft portion 41a and contracts. The contraction of the push rod 61 progresses as the lid 20 moves toward the base 10 after the pressing portion 23 starts to come into contact with the rotating shaft portion 41a.

[0057] The push lifter 60 alternately positions the push rod 61 between an axially retracted position and an axially protruding position each time the lid 20 is pressed in the axial direction with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The push lifter 60 may be configured, for example, with a known knock-type cam mechanism. The push lifter 60 includes a biasing portion that biases the push rod 61 toward the front side of the vehicle body surface 2b, and a rotor that rotates while moving in the axial direction. The push rod 61 alternately repeats a state of being retracted to the axially retracted position and a state of being protruded to the axially protruding position each time the lid 20 is pressed from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0058] The axial retracted position of the push rod 61 is a position where most of the push rod 61 is retracted toward the case 50. The axially protruding position of the push rod 61 is a position where the push rod 61 protrudes furthest from the case 50 than the axially retracted position. The push lifter 60 can hold the push rod 61 in the axially retracted position against the biasing force generated by the biasing unit, and can also hold the push rod 61 in the axially protruding position by positional restriction such as abutting against a stopper. The push rod 61 can be retracted further in the axial direction to an axial end position closer to the case 50 than the axially retracted position.

[0059] When the lid 20 is pressed to close it from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion 23 abuts against the rotating shaft portion 41a, and the push rod 61 is pressed axially from the axially protruding position to retreat (retreat) to the axially retracted position. During this process, the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates so that the locking portion 41b moves from the non-engagement position to the engageable position.

[0060] The rotation of the rotating shaft portion 41a from the disengagement position to the engageable position begins when the push rod 61 begins to retract from the axially protruding position, passes the axial retracted position, and reaches the axial end position, and is completed after the start of the rotation by the time the push rod 61 passes the axial retracted position and reaches the axial end position. Note that this rotation may also begin before the push rod 61 begins to return from the axial end position and reaches the axial retracted position. Alternatively, this rotation may also be completed after the start of the rotation by the time the push rod 61 begins to return from the axial end position and reaches the axial retracted position.

[0061] During the retraction of the push rod 61 described above, after the pressing portion 23 and the rotating shaft portion 41a come into contact with each other, the push rod 61 moves from the axially protruding position (FIGS. 7(A) and 8(A)), passes through the axially retracted position, and reaches the axial end position (FIGS. 7(B) and 8(B)). After the lid pressing operation is released, the push rod 61 moves back to the axially retracted position (FIGS. 7(C) and 8(C)). During this retraction of the push rod 61, the locking portion 41b moves from the non-engagement position to the engageable position. This locks the lid 20 in the closed position. Note that, during this lid locking, the pressing portion 23 and the rotating shaft portion 41a may or may not come into contact with each other.

[0062] Furthermore, when the lid 20 is pressed to open it from the closed position to the open position, the pressing portion 23 abuts against the rotating shaft portion 41a, and the push rod 61 is pressed axially from the axial retracted position to advance (protrude) to the axial retracted position, during which the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates so that the locking portion 41b moves from the engageable position to the disengageable position.

[0063] The rotation of the rotating shaft portion 41a from the engageable position to the disengaged position is initiated by the time the push rod 61 begins to retreat from the axial retracted position and reaches the axial end position, and is completed by the time the push rod 61 reaches the axial end position after starting the rotation. Note that this rotation may also be initiated by the time the push rod 61 begins to return from the axial end position and reaches the axial retracted position. Alternatively, this rotation may also be initiated and completed by the time the push rod 61 begins to return from the axial end position and reaches the axial retracted position after starting the rotation.

[0064] During the forward movement of the push rod 61 described above, after the pressing portion 23 and the rotating shaft portion 41a come into contact with each other, the push rod 61 moves from the axial retracted position (FIGS. 7(C) and 8(C)) to the axial end position (FIGS. 7(B) and 8(B)), and after the lid pressing operation is released, it moves back to the axial retracted position and further protrudes to the axial protruding position (FIGS. 7(A) and 8(A)). During this forward movement of the push rod 61, the locking portion 41b moves from the engageable position to the disengageable position.

[0065] In this way, the locking portion 41b transitions from the non-engageable position to the engageable position when the push rod 61 is pressed axially from the axially protruding position to the axially retracted position, and from the engageable position to the non-engageable position when the push rod 61 is pressed axially from the axially retracted position to the axially protruding position.

[0066] Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle lid device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the lid 20 is locked in the closed position, the box opening 13 of the base 10 is closed and the refill port in the storage space 14 of the base 10 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle, making it impossible to connect the gun 3 to the refill port. Also, when the lid 20 is locked in the closed position against the biasing force of the biasing member 35, the push rod 61 is in the axially retracted position and the locking portion 41b is in the engageable position.

[0067] When the operator desires to refuel the vehicle or charge the battery while the lid 20 is in the closed position, he or she presses the lid 20 from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When this pressing operation is performed, the lid 20 moves from the front side to the back side against the biasing force of the biasing member 35, and after the pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotation shaft portion 41a, the push rod 61 further moves from the axial retracted position to the axial end position against the biasing force of the biasing portion of the push lifter 60.

[0068] When the pressing operation on the lid 20 is released, the lid 20 is urged toward the open position by the urging force of the urging member 35, and the push rod 61 moves back from the axial end position and forward to the axially protruding position. The rotating shaft 41a rotates such that the locking portion 41b moves from the engageable position to the disengaged position before the push rod 61 moves from the axially retracted position to the axial end position. Therefore, when the lid 20 is urged toward the open position as described above, the locking portion 41b passes through the opening hole 42a from the rear side to the front side of the opening while in the disengaged position, and the lid 20 opens without being restricted in its movement to the open position.

[0069] Furthermore, when the operator desires to close the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the open position, for example, after refueling the vehicle, the operator presses the lid 20 from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When this pressing operation is performed, the lid 20 moves from the front side to the back side against the biasing force of the biasing member 35, passes through the opening hole 42a from the front side to the back side with the locking portion 41b in the disengaged position, and then, after the pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a, the push rod 61 continues to move against the biasing force of the biasing portion of the push lifter 60 from the axially protruding position until it reaches the axial end position. The rotating shaft 41a rotates so that the locking portion 41b moves from the disengaged position to the engageable position by the time the push rod 61 moves from the axially protruding position to the axial end position.

[0070] When the pressing operation on the lid 20 is released, the lid 20 is urged toward the closed position by the urging force of the urging member 35, and the push rod 61 returns from the axial end position and moves forward to the axial retracted position. Therefore, when the lid 20 is urged toward the closed position as described above, the locking portion 41b is in the engageable position, and therefore the movement of the lid 20 is restricted by the locking portion 41b at the closed position, thereby locking the lid 20 in the closed position.

[0071] In this way, in the vehicle lid device 1, pressing the lid 20 in the closed and open positions causes the rotating shaft portion 41a of the first engagement portion 41 to rotate and the locking portion 41b to move between an engageable position and a non-engageable position, thereby switching between locked and unlocked states in the closed position of the lid 20.

[0072] In the vehicle lid device 1, the lid 20 slides along the vehicle body surface 2b between a closed position and an open position by the opening / closing mechanism 30. The lid 20 moves in a direction along the vehicle body surface 2b relative to the base 10 immediately before the lid closed position, from the vehicle body front side of the base 10 to the vehicle body rear side during the opening operation, and from the vehicle body rear side of the base 10 to the vehicle body front side during the closing operation, so that the locking portion 41b of the locking mechanism 40 passes obliquely through the opening hole 42a immediately before the lid closed position.

[0073] The opening hole 42a of the second engagement portion 42 is formed in an elongated hole shape to have an opening width W that is equal to or greater than the short-side length Rmin of the first engagement portion 41 (specifically, the outer diameter of the rotation shaft portion 41a) and less than the longitudinal length Rmax of the first engagement portion 41 (specifically, the outer diameter of the lock portion 41b), and an opening length L that exceeds the longitudinal length Rmax of the first engagement portion 41. The opening hole 42a opens toward the first engagement portion 41 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, allowing the lock portion 41b, which is in the disengaged position, to advance and retreat. The opening hole 42a is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the opening hole 42a coincides with the sliding direction X of the lid 20 along the vehicle body surface 2b by the opening / closing mechanism 30. The opening length L of the opening hole 42a is set to a size that prevents the first engagement portion 41 from interfering with the peripheral edge of the opening hole 42a during the opening / closing operation, i.e., during the sliding movement, of the lid 20.

[0074] This configuration prevents the first engagement portion 41 from interfering with the peripheral edge of the opening 42a when the locking portion 41b of the locking mechanism 40 passes obliquely through the opening 42a just before the lid is closed during opening or closing of the lid 20. Therefore, according to the vehicle lid device 1, the lid 20, which slides along the vehicle body surface 2b during opening or closing of the lid, can be locked in the closed position by the propeller-type locking action of the locking mechanism 40.

[0075] Furthermore, in the vehicle lid device 1, the locking mechanism 40 includes a push lifter 60 that alternately repeats a state in which the push rod 61 is retracted to an axially retracted position and a state in which the push rod 61 is extended to an axially protruding position each time the lid 20 is pushed. The rotating shaft 41a rotates as the push rod 61 moves between the axially retracted position and the axially protruding position. Specifically, the rotating shaft 41a rotates such that the locking portion 41b moves from the non-engageable position to the engageable position when the push rod 61 is pushed axially from the axially retracted position to the axially protruding position. Furthermore, the rotating shaft 41a rotates such that the locking portion 41b moves from the engageable position to the non-engageable position when the push rod 61 is pushed axially from the axially retracted position to the axially protruding position.

[0076] That is, during the opening and closing operation of the lid 20, the locking mechanism 40 moves the push rod 61 between the axially retracted position and the axially protruding position, thereby rotating the rotation shaft 41a so that the rotation shaft 41a passes through the opening hole 42a between the front side and the back side of the opening with the locking portion 41b in the disengagement position. Then, with the push rod 61 in the axially retracted position, the locking mechanism 40 positions the locking portion 41b in the engageable position, thereby locking the lid 20 in the closed position.

[0077] According to this configuration, the rotation of the rotating shaft portion 41a, i.e., the transition of the locking portion 41b between the engageable position and the disengaged position, can be achieved by using the above-mentioned push lifter 60, which is activated by the operator pressing the lid 20, so there is no need to use a driving force generating device such as a motor.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the first engagement portion 41 having the rotation shaft portion 41a and the lock portion 41b is provided on the base body 10 side (specifically, the case 50 assembled to the base body 10), and the second engagement portion 42 having the opening hole portion 42a and the engagement wall portion 42b is provided on the lid 20 side (specifically, the lid lower portion 21). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first engagement portion 41 may be provided on the lid 20 side, and the second engagement portion 42 may be provided on the base body 10 side.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the rotation of the rotation shaft 41a of the locking mechanism 40, i.e., the transition of the locking portion 41b between the engageable position and the disengaged position, is performed by the pressing force applied when the lid 20 is pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation and transition may be performed by a driving force generated by an actuator such as a motor.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the push rod 61 of the push lifter 60 is disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft portion 41a of the first engagement portion 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the push rod 61 of the push lifter 60 may be disposed with its axis shifted from that of the rotation shaft portion 41a of the first engagement portion 41.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, this specification not only discloses the technical ideas indicated by the citation relationships set forth in the claims at the time of filing, but also discloses technical ideas obtained by appropriately combining the matters set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: vehicle lid device, 2: vehicle body, 2b: vehicle body surface, 10: base, 13: box opening, 14: storage space, 20: lid, 21: lid lower portion, 23: pressing portion, 30: opening / closing mechanism, 31: shaft, 33: main arm, 34: auxiliary arm, 35: biasing member, 40: locking mechanism, 41: first engagement portion, 41a: rotating shaft portion, 41b: locking portion, 42: second engagement portion, 42a: opening hole portion, 42b: engagement wall portion, 50: case, 60: push lifter, 61: push rod.

Claims

1. a base body attached to a vehicle body to accommodate a supply port for supplying energy to the vehicle; a lid that is movable between a closed position where the lid closes the front opening of the base to block the supply port and an open position where the lid opens the front opening to expose the supply port; an opening / closing mechanism that slides the lid along a surface of the vehicle body between the closed position and the open position; a locking mechanism for locking the lid in the closed position; Equipped with The locking mechanism is a first engagement portion provided on one side of the base body or the lid; a second engagement portion provided on the other of the base and the lid, the second engagement portion being capable of locking the lid in the closed position by engaging with the first engagement portion; and The first engagement portion is a rotating shaft portion that is rotatable around an axis; a locking portion that is integrated with the rotating shaft portion, that protrudes radially outward from a portion of the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion, and that moves between an engageable position where it can engage with the second engaging portion and a disengaged position where it does not engage with the second engaging portion as the rotating shaft portion rotates; and The second engagement portion is an opening hole portion formed in an elongated hole shape to have an opening width that is equal to or greater than the short-side length of the first engagement portion and less than the long-side length of the first engagement portion, and an opening length that exceeds the long-side length of the first engagement portion, the opening hole portion being open toward the first engagement portion when the lid is in the closed position, and through which the lock portion when in the non-engagement position can advance and retreat; an engagement wall portion on which the locking portion is caught when the locking portion is in the engageable position at the closed position of the lid where the locking portion has entered the inner side of the opening hole; and the opening hole is disposed so that a longitudinal direction of the opening hole coincides with a sliding direction of the lid by the opening / closing mechanism, The opening length is set to a size that prevents the first engagement portion from interfering with a peripheral edge of the opening hole when the lid is slid by the opening / closing mechanism.

2. A vehicle lid device as described in claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other by transitioning from the non-engagement position to the engageable position after the locking portion enters from the front side of the opening of the opening hole portion to the rear side of the opening in the non-engagement position.

3. the locking mechanism is provided on the base body side and has a push lifter that alternately repeats a state in which the push rod is retracted to an axial retracted position and a state in which the push rod is extended to an axially extended position each time the lid is pressed from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and when the push rod is in the axial retracted position, the locking portion is positioned at the engageable position to lock the lid at the closed position, The vehicle lid device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation shaft portion rotates in association with movement of the push rod between the axially retracted position and the axially protruding position.

4. the first engagement portion is provided on the base body side, The second engagement portion is provided on the lid side, The vehicle lid device according to claim 3 , wherein the rotary shaft portion and the push rod are arranged coaxially.

5. 5. A vehicle lid device as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotating shaft portion rotates so that the locking portion moves from the disengaged position to the engageable position as the push rod is pushed axially from the axially protruding position to the axially retracted position.

6. 5. A vehicle lid device as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotating shaft portion rotates so that the locking portion moves from the engageable position to the disengaged position as the push rod is pushed axially from the axial retracted position to the axially protruding position.

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