Lid opening and closing device

Abstract

To improve assemblability.SOLUTION: A lid opening / closing device includes: an actuator that generates the first power to open a lid; an external force actuation mechanism that converts the external force into the second power to open the lid; and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the first and second power to the lid. The power transmission mechanism includes: a first shaft which is arranged on one side in the axial direction with respect to the actuator and may rotate by the first power and rotate by the second power; and a second shaft which is connected to the first shaft and the lid and rotates with the rotation of the first shaft to open / close the lid. The external force actuation mechanism includes a rotating member which is arranged coaxially with the first shaft. The power transmission mechanism has an engagement switching part that does not engage the first shaft with the rotating member when the second power is not generated but engages the first shaft with the rotating member when the second power is generated. The rotating member is integrated into the power transmission mechanism and is arranged on the same side as the side where the first shaft is arranged with respect to the actuator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid opening and closing device that is capable of opening and closing a lid that opens and closes an opening in a base material attached to, for example, a vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a lid opening / closing device for opening and closing a lid is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The lid is a covering material that is attached to a vehicle body, for example, and opens and closes an opening in a base material that exposes the vehicle's charging port, fuel filler port, etc. The lid opening / closing device described in Patent Document 1 above includes an actuator for generating power and an external force actuation mechanism for emergency use. The actuator is actuated by a supply of electric power to generate power for opening and closing the lid. The external force actuation mechanism is a mechanism that is actuated by manual operation by an operator in an emergency such as a malfunction of the actuator, and converts the external force associated with the manual operation into power for opening the lid from a closed position to an open position.

[0003] In the above-described lid opening / closing device, power generated by the actuator and power resulting from the operation of the external force actuation mechanism are transmitted to the lid via a rotating shaft. The output shaft of the actuator is directly connected to the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is disposed on one axial side of the actuator, extends in one axial direction from the actuator, and is connected at one axial end to the lid.

[0004] The external force actuation mechanism has a rotating member located on the other axial side of the actuator. This rotating member can be connected to the output shaft of the actuator, and therefore to the other axial end of the rotating shaft. Specifically, the rotating member is in a disengaged state where it is not connected to the rotating shaft when an external force associated with manual operation is not applied, and is connected to and engaged with the rotating shaft when the external force is applied. Therefore, when the external force actuation mechanism is operated by manual operation by an operator, the external force associated with the manual operation is transmitted as power to the rotating shaft. Therefore, in the above-mentioned lid opening / closing device, in an emergency, the lid can be opened manually in the same way as when the actuator is normally operated, without relying on the actuator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-110989 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-described lid opening / closing device, the rotating member of the external force actuation mechanism is disposed on the other axial side of the actuator, opposite the one axial side on which the rotating shaft is disposed. With this structure, assembling the rotating shaft and the rotating member of the external force actuation mechanism to the actuator requires assembly work from both axial sides of the actuator, which reduces the ease of assembly of the lid opening / closing device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a lid opening and closing device with improved assembly ease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a device comprising: a lid that opens and closes between a closed position and an open position relative to a substrate; an actuator that generates a first power that causes at least an opening operation of the lid; an external force operating mechanism that operates to convert an external force associated with a manual operation into a second power that causes the lid to open; and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the first power and the second power to the lid, wherein the power transmission mechanism comprises a first shaft that is disposed on one axial side of the actuator and that rotates due to the first power generated by the actuator and that can also rotate due to the second power generated by the operation of the external force operating mechanism; and a second shaft that is connected to the first shaft and to the lid and that rotates due to the rotation of the first shaft. and a second shaft which operates to open and close the lid by rotating the external force actuating mechanism coaxially with the first shaft and which is rotatable about the axis; the power transmission mechanism has an engagement switching part which disengages the first shaft and the rotating member from each other when the second power is not generated, and which engages the first shaft and the rotating member from each other when the second power is generated so that the second power is transmitted to the second shaft via the first shaft and causes the second shaft to rotate; and the rotating member is integrally incorporated into the power transmission mechanism and is arranged on the same side of the actuator as the first shaft.

[0009] This configuration can improve the ease of assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid closed position. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view (partially see-through) of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front side with the lid in an open position; [Figure 3] 1 is a front view of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the lid opening and closing device of the embodiment in the lid open position. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid open position. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded view of a main part of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a rotating member of an external force actuation mechanism included in a power transmission mechanism of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a first shaft of a power transmission mechanism of a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an inter-shaft transmission mechanism of a power transmission mechanism provided in a lid opening and closing device of an embodiment (specifically, a diagram of the inter-shaft transmission mechanism as viewed from the side); FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the inter-shaft transmission mechanism shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of members included in a lid opening and closing device according to an embodiment (specifically, a diagram showing the arrangement of members as viewed from the rear side); [Figure 12] 4 is a diagram (specifically, a diagram seen from the axial direction) illustrating the positional relationship between a first shaft and an external force actuation mechanism during a lid opening / closing operation of the lid opening / closing device according to one embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Specific embodiments of a lid opening and closing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG.

[0012] A lid opening and closing device 1 according to one embodiment is a device that opens and closes a lid relative to a base material. The lid opening and closing device 1 is mounted on vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, and is installed in a mounting hole 2a provided on a vehicle surface 2, such as a side or front part of the vehicle. A supply port 3 (specifically, a charging port, a fuel filler port, etc.; see FIG. 3 ) for supplying energy to the vehicle is disposed in the mounting hole 2a.

[0013] 1 and 2, the lid opening / closing device 1 includes a base material 10, a lid 20, an actuator 30, an external force operating mechanism 40, and a power transmission mechanism 50. The lid opening / closing device 1 normally transmits power generated by the actuator 30 to the lid 20 via the power transmission mechanism 50, and in an emergency such as when the actuator 30 fails, transmits power generated by the operation of the external force operating mechanism 40 to the lid 20 via the power transmission mechanism 50, thereby opening and closing the lid 20 relative to the base material 10 between a closed position and an open position.

[0014] The substrate 10 is a container- or box-shaped box member that houses the supply port 3. The substrate 10 is attached and fixed to the vehicle body surface 2 so as to fit into the mounting hole 2a. The substrate 10 has a bottom wall portion 11, a side wall portion 12, a storage space 13, and an opening portion 14. The substrate 10 is a cylindrical, bottomed member in which the bottom wall portion 11 is formed at the back side, the side wall portion 12 is formed to surround the periphery of the bottom wall portion 11 to form the storage space 13, and the opening portion 14 is formed at the front side. The substrate 10 is an injection-molded body molded from resin or the like.

[0015] The supply port 3 is provided at one end of a pipe or cable that is connected at the other end to a fuel tank, a battery, or the like. The fuel tank or battery is located further back than a first through-hole 11a provided in the bottom wall portion 11. The supply port 3 is accommodated in the accommodation space 13 via the first through-hole 11a. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the supply port 3 is hidden behind the lid 20, but when the lid 20 is in the open position, the supply port 3 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through an opening 14 so that fuel supply and charging are possible.

[0016] The base material 10 has a frame portion 15. The frame portion 15 is formed in an annular shape along the periphery of the opening 14, and is formed in a flange shape so as to extend from the periphery of the opening 14 toward the outside of the frame. The base material 10 is positioned on the vehicle body surface 2 by the back surface of the frame portion 15 abutting against a flange surface around the mounting hole 2a on the vehicle body surface 2.

[0017] The lid 20 is a cover member that opens and closes the opening 14 of the base material 10. The lid 20 is formed in a plate shape. The lid 20 has a size that matches the opening 14 and the frame portion 15 around the periphery of the opening 14. The lid 20 closes the opening 14 so that it is flush with the vehicle body surface 2 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The surface of the lid 20 may be curved to match the vehicle body surface 2. The lid 20 is, for example, an injection-molded body made of resin.

[0018] The lid 20 can perform opening and closing operations by moving between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is a position where the lid 20 closes the opening 14. The open position is a predetermined position where the lid 20 opens the opening 14. The lid 20 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base material 10. The lid 20 normally opens and closes using power from the actuator 30 without manual operation by an operator such as a vehicle user, but in an emergency such as a malfunction of the actuator 30, the lid 20 opens and closes using power from an external force operating mechanism 40 that is manually operated by an operator.

[0019] The actuator 30 is capable of generating power (hereinafter referred to as first power) for at least opening the lid 20. The actuator 30 is capable of generating not only the first power for opening the lid 20 but also the first power for closing the lid 20. The actuator 30 is an electric motor or the like that generates the first power when supplied with electric power. The actuator 30 is capable of rotating in both the forward and reverse directions.

[0020] The forward direction may refer to the direction in which the lid 20 is opened from the closed position to the open position, and the reverse direction may refer to the direction in which the lid 20 is closed from the open position to the closed position. In the following, the forward direction and reverse direction are not limited to the operation of the actuator 30, but also apply to the operation of each component of the external force actuation mechanism 40 and the power transmission mechanism 50, which will be described in detail later.

[0021] The actuator 30 can be driven to rotate in a selected direction from the forward direction and the reverse direction. When the operator performs a predetermined switch open operation (for example, pressing the switch 90 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3) with the lid 20 in the closed position, the actuator 30 is driven to rotate in the forward direction in accordance with an open command from the control device. In this case, the lid 20 performs an opening operation. On the other hand, when the operator performs a predetermined switch close operation (for example, pressing the switch 90) with the lid 20 in the open position, the actuator 30 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction in accordance with a close command from the control device. In this case, the lid 20 performs a closing operation.

[0022] The actuator 30 is rotatably housed in a space surrounded by an upper box 31 and a lower box 32 (see FIG. 6). The actuator 30 is housed in the space by fastening the upper box 31 and the lower box 32 together. The actuator 30 is attached and fixed to the base material 10 while housed in the space.

[0023] The external force actuation mechanism 40 is a mechanism that operates to convert an external force generated by a manual operation into power (hereinafter referred to as second power) that opens the lid 20. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the external force actuation mechanism 40 has a rotating member 41 and a wire 43.

[0024] The rotating member 41 is a rotatable member. The rotating member 41 may have any shape that allows it to rotate due to a force acting in the circumferential direction, and is formed in a fan shape as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The rotating member 41 may also be formed in a disk or cylindrical shape, for example. The rotating member 41 is incorporated integrally into the power transmission mechanism 50.

[0025] The rotating member 41 is disposed outside the space surrounded by the upper box 31 and the lower box 32. The rotating member 41 is disposed exposed to the outside of the lower box 32 (specifically, the outside of the lower box 32 on the opposite side from the upper box 31 side). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11 , the rotating member 41 is disposed on the same side of the actuator 30 as the side on which a first shaft 51 (described below) is disposed, and is disposed inside the base 10 and the lid 20, i.e., closer to the center, of the actuator 30. The rotating member 41 is rotatably supported by the lower box 32, and is rotatable coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator 30. The rotation axis of the rotating member 41 coincides with the rotation axis of the actuator 30 and is coaxial with the rotation axis of the actuator 30.

[0026] The rotating member 41 has a groove 42 formed on its outer edge. The groove 42 opens radially outward. The wire 43 is an external force applying portion that applies an external force to the rotating member 41. One end of the wire 43 is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating member 41. The wire 43 is configured so that a portion of the wire 43 fits along the groove 42 of the rotating member 41. The other end of the wire 43 is provided with an operating portion 43a that can be pulled by an operator. When the operating portion 43a is pulled in an emergency, the wire 43 is pulled in the tangential direction with a fixed point on the outer periphery of the rotating member 41 as a fulcrum, thereby applying an external force associated with the manual operation to the rotating member 41. When an external force is applied from the wire 43, the rotating member 41 rotates in the forward direction so as to convert the external force into a second power.

[0027] The power transmission mechanism 50 is a mechanism that transmits the first power generated by the actuator 30 and the second power generated by the operation of the external force actuation mechanism 40 to the lid 20. The power transmission mechanism 50 has a first shaft 51, a second shaft 52, an inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60, an engagement switching portion 70, a first arm 53, and a second arm 54.

[0028] The first shaft 51 is a shaft member that can rotate by a first power generated by the actuator 30 and by a second power generated by the operation of the external force actuation mechanism 40. The first shaft 51 extends coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator 30. One axial end of the first shaft 51 is axially fitted to the output shaft of the actuator 30. When the actuator 30 rotates, the first power is transmitted from the actuator 30 to one axial end of the first shaft 51. In this case, the first shaft 51 rotates integrally with the output shaft of the actuator 30 around the axial center Z1 as the output shaft rotates. Note that the first shaft 51 may be the output shaft of the actuator 30 itself. Alternatively, the first shaft 51 may not be coaxial with the output shaft of the actuator 30 but may be connected to the output shaft via a reducer or a link.

[0029] 6 and 11, the first shaft 51 is disposed on one axial side of the actuator 30, specifically, disposed inside the base material 10 and the lid 20, i.e., closer to the center, of the actuator 30. The first shaft 51 protrudes in the axial direction from the inside to the outside of the lower box 32 (i.e., the side opposite the upper box 31). That is, the first shaft 51 is disposed such that one axial end is connected to the output shaft of the actuator 30 and the other axial end is located outside the lower box 32. The first shaft 51 is rotatably supported by the lower box 32. The rotating member 41 is rotatable about the axial center Z1 coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator 30, and therefore with the first shaft 51.

[0030] When the second power is not generated in the external force operation mechanism 40, an engaging portion 71 and an engaged portion 72 (described later) of the engagement switching unit 70 do not engage with each other, and therefore no power is transmitted from the external force operation mechanism 40 to the first shaft 51. On the other hand, when the second power is generated in the external force operation mechanism 40, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 engage with each other, and therefore the second power is transmitted from the external force operation mechanism 40 to the first shaft 51. In this case, as the rotating member 41 of the external force operation mechanism 40 rotates, the first shaft 51 rotates integrally with the rotating member 41 in the forward direction about the axial center Z1.

[0031] The second shaft 52 is an axial member that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft 51 to open and close the lid 20. The second shaft 52 is connected to the first shaft 51. Specifically, the second shaft 52 is connected to the first shaft 51 via an inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60. An axial center Z1 of the first shaft 51 and an axial center Z2 of the second shaft 52 extend parallel to each other. The first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52 are disposed radially spaced apart from each other. That is, the axial center Z2 of the second shaft 52 extends parallel to the axial center Z1 of the first shaft 51 at a position different from the axial center Z1 of the first shaft 51. The second shaft 52 is rotatably supported by the lower box 32.

[0032] The inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60 is a link mechanism that transmits power between the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52. The inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60 transmits a first power or a second power from the first shaft 51 to the second shaft 52. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60 has a first link 61, a second link 62, and a third link 63. The first link 61, the second link 62, and the third link 63 are each formed in an arm plate shape. The first link 61, the second link 62, and the third link 63 are connected in series in that order between the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52. The first link 61, the second link 62, and the third link 63 are housed in a space surrounded by the upper box 31 and the lower box 32.

[0033] The first link 61 is configured such that one end is connected to and integrated with the first shaft 51 (specifically, on its axis) so as to be rotatable about the axis center Z1, and the other end is supported relatively rotatably by one end of the second link 62. The second link 62 is configured such that one end is supported relatively rotatably by the other end of the first link 61, and the other end is supported relatively rotatably by one end of the third link 63. The third link 63 is configured such that one end is supported relatively rotatably by the other end of the second link 62, and the other end is connected to and integrated with the second shaft 52 (specifically, one end in the axial direction) so as to be rotatable about the axis center Z2.

[0034] The first link 61 rotates integrally with the first shaft 51 around the axial center Z1 as the first shaft 51 rotates. The first link 61 may be formed integrally with the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft 51, or may be attached and fixed to be integrated with the outer circumferential surface. The second link 62 moves (changes its posture) in conjunction with the rotation of the first link 61. The third link 63 rotates integrally with the second shaft 52 around the axial center Z2 in conjunction with the movement of the second link 62. The second shaft 52 rotates around the axial center Z2 in conjunction with the rotation of the third link 63. The third link 63 may be formed integrally with the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft 52, or may be attached and fixed to be integrated with the outer circumferential surface.

[0035] 10, the second link 62 has a cutout portion 62a. The cutout portion 62a is provided so that the second link 62 does not interfere with the first shaft 51 on the axis center Z1 near the lid closed position when the lid 20 is closing, or does not interfere with the second shaft 52 on the axis center Z2 near the lid open position when the lid 20 is opening, thereby widening the rotation range of the second link 62 compared to a structure without the cutout portion 62a. Note that instead of having the cutout portion 62a, the second link 62 may be formed in the shape of a strip having a certain width.

[0036] The engagement switching unit 70 is a component that switches between engagement and disengagement between the rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51. When a second power is generated by the operation of the external force actuation mechanism 40, the engagement switching unit 70 engages the rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51 with each other so that the second power is transmitted to the second shaft 52 via the first shaft 51, causing the second shaft 52 to rotate. Furthermore, when the second power is not generated, the engagement switching unit 70 disengages the rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51 from each other. Note that when a first power is generated by the actuator 30, the engagement switching unit 70 disengages the rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51 from each other so that the first power is transmitted to the second shaft 52 via the first shaft 51, causing the second shaft 52 to rotate, unless the second power is generated.

[0037] The engagement switching unit 70 has an engaging portion 71 and an engaged portion 72 that can engage with the engaging portion 71. The engaging portion 71 is provided on the rotating member 41. The engaged portion 72 is provided on the first shaft 51. The engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 are disengaged from each other when a first power is generated, and are engaged with each other when a second power is generated.

[0038] That is, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 do not engage with each other when the first shaft 51 is rotated by the first power from the actuator 30, i.e., when the lid 20 is opened or closed between the closed position and the open position by the first power. On the other hand, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 engage with each other when the second power is generated by the external force actuating mechanism 40 in conjunction with the operation of the wire 43, i.e., when the lid 20 is opened from the closed position to the open position by the second power.

[0039] The engaging portion 71 is formed integrally with the rotating member 41 of the external force actuation mechanism 40, or is attached and fixed to the rotating member 41 as a separate body. The rotating member 41 has an axial hole 41a into which the axial tip of the first shaft 51 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 7, the engaging portion 71 is formed in a convex shape so as to protrude from the inner wall near the axial hole 41a toward the axial center Z1. The engaging portion 71 is provided only in a partial angular range (for example, 90°) of the entire circumferential area of ​​the axial hole 41a. The engaging portion 71 is formed in a fan shape.

[0040] The engaged portion 72 is formed integrally with the first shaft 51 or is attached and fixed to the first shaft 51 as a separate body. As shown in Fig. 8, the engaged portion 72 is formed in a convex shape so as to protrude radially outward from the outer surface of the shaft body of the first shaft 51. The engaged portion 72 is provided only in a partial angular range (for example, 90°) of the entire circumferential area of ​​the first shaft 51. The engaged portion 72 is formed in a fan shape.

[0041] The engaging portion 71 may protrude over the entire partial angular range of the entire circumferential area of ​​the shaft hole 41a, but it is sufficient that it protrudes at least at both ends of that partial angular range. The engaged portion 72 may protrude over the entire partial angular range of the entire circumferential area of ​​the first shaft 51, but it is sufficient that it protrudes at least at both ends of that partial angular range.

[0042] The sum of the angle range of the engaging portion 71 and the angle range of the engaged portion 72 is less than 360°. The angle range of the engaging portion 71 and the angle range of the engaged portion 72 are set so that the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 remain disengaged from each other when the lid 20 is opened and closed between the closed position and the open position by the first power, and the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 remain engaged with each other when the lid 20 is opened and closed by the second power.

[0043] The engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 are each formed so that the side surfaces of the convex portions face in the circumferential direction. The engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 engage with each other when their side surfaces abut against each other, and disengage from each other when their side surfaces move away from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51 are arranged so that the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 are disengaged from each other when the first power is not generated by the actuator 30, the wire 43 is not manually operated, and no external force is applied to the rotating member 41. When the first power is generated by the actuator 30, the rotating member 41 is located in an idling range where the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 are not engaged with each other relative to the first shaft 51. Furthermore, when a second power is generated by the operation of the external force operation mechanism 40, the rotating member 41 rotates integrally with the first shaft 51 with the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 engaged with each other.

[0045] When a first power is generated by the actuator 30, the first power causes the first shaft 51 to rotate about the axial center Z1, but the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 are disengaged from each other. This disengaged state is constantly maintained during the process of the lid 20 opening and closing between the closed position and the open position. At this time, the first power is transmitted to the second shaft 52 via the first shaft 51, and the second shaft 52 is rotated by the first power.

[0046] On the other hand, when an external force due to manual operation is applied to the wire 43 without generating the first power by the actuator 30, the external force is transmitted to the rotating member 41 and becomes a force that rotates the rotating member 41 around the axis center Z1. In this case, the external force on the wire 43 is converted into a second power that performs an opening operation on the lid 20. When the rotating member 41 rotates, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 engage with each other, and the second power is transmitted to the first shaft 51. This engaged state is maintained until the lid 20 reaches the open position from the closed position. At this time, the rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51 rotate integrally with the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 engaged with each other, and therefore the second shaft 52 rotates by the second power.

[0047] The rotation of the second shaft 52 by the second power may be performed within a narrower angle range than the rotation of the second shaft 52 by the first power. In other words, the rotation of the second shaft 52 by the first power may be performed to open and close the lid 20 between a closed position and a fully open position, and the rotation of the second shaft 52 by the second power may be performed to open the lid 20 from the closed position to a predetermined open position just before the fully open position (for example, an open position where an operator can manually move the lid 20 to the fully open open position).

[0048] The first arm 53 and the second arm 54 are arm members that rotate in synchronization with each other due to rotation of the second shaft 52, thereby opening and closing the lid 20 while maintaining it parallel to the vehicle body surface 2 and the opening 14. The first arm 53 and the second arm 54 are each interposed between the base material 10 side and the lid 20 side. The first arm 53 and the second arm 54 are each arranged parallel to each other between the base material 10 side and the lid 20 side. The first arm 53 and the second arm 54 are each arranged on the same side of the actuator 30 as the first shaft 51, and are each arranged closer to the center of the base material 10 relative to the actuator 30.

[0049] The first arms 53 are provided as a pair spaced apart in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side of the lid 20. The second arms 54 are provided as a pair spaced apart in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side of the lid 20. Hereinafter, the right-side first arm 53 will be referred to as the first arm 53R, the left-side first arm 53 as the first arm 53L, the right-side second arm 54 as the second arm 54R, and the left-side second arm 54 as the second arm 54L, as appropriate. The second arms 54R and 54L are connected to each other via a connecting bar 55 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The first arms 53R and 53L may be connected to each other via a connecting bar or the like, but they do not have to be connected to each other.

[0050] The second shaft 52 is configured such that one axial end is connected to the first shaft 51 (specifically, the other end of the third link 63 of the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60) and the other axial end is connected to the lid 20 (specifically, the second arm 54 (e.g., the left second arm 54L)). One axial end of the second shaft 52 is integrated with the third link 63. The other axial end of the second shaft 52 is inserted into a fitting hole 54a provided in the second arm 54 and is integrated with the second arm 54. The second arm 54 rotates about the axis center Z2 as the second shaft 52 rotates.

[0051] The first arm 53 and the second arm 54 are each an extending arm-like member, with one end in the arm longitudinal direction rotatably supported by the base material 10 and the other end in the arm longitudinal direction rotatably supported by the lid 20. For example, the first arm 53 is formed thick so that the thickness in the axial direction of each fulcrum perpendicular to the arm longitudinal direction has a predetermined width. Furthermore, the second arm 54 is formed thin plate-like so that the thickness in the axial direction of each fulcrum is smaller than that of the first arm 53. The axial directions of the first arm 53 and the second arm 54 are the left-right direction described above.

[0052] The pair of left and right first arms 53R, 53L have a symmetrical shape and rotate synchronously with each other on the same axis at both ends of the arms in the longitudinal direction. The pair of left and right second arms 54R, 54L have a symmetrical shape and rotate synchronously with each other on the same axis at both ends of the arms in the longitudinal direction. The first arm 53 and the second arm 54 rotate synchronously and cooperatively with each other to open and close the lid 20.

[0053] One end of the first arm 53 is supported by a base material first fulcrum of the base material 10. The other end of the first arm 53 is supported by a lid first fulcrum of the lid 20. The first arm 53 extends in a curved manner between the base material first fulcrum and the lid first fulcrum. One end of the second arm 54 is supported by a base material second fulcrum of the base material 10 and is integrated with the second shaft 52. The other end of the second arm 54 is supported by a lid second fulcrum of the lid 20. The second arm 54 extends in a curved manner between the base material second fulcrum and the lid second fulcrum.

[0054] The above-mentioned substrate first fulcrum and substrate second fulcrum are each provided on the back surface side of the bottom wall portion 11 of the substrate 10. The substrate first fulcrum is provided higher than the substrate second fulcrum. The lid first fulcrum and lid second fulcrum are each provided on the back surface side of the lid 20. The lid first fulcrum is provided higher than the lid second fulcrum and at a different position from the substrate first fulcrum. The lid second fulcrum is provided at a different position from the substrate second fulcrum. The first arm 53 is located higher than the second arm 54. Each first arm 53 rotates around the substrate first fulcrum relative to the substrate 10 and rotates around the lid first fulcrum relative to the lid 20. Each second arm 54 rotates around the substrate second fulcrum relative to the substrate 10 and rotates around the lid second fulcrum relative to the lid 20.

[0055] The bottom wall portion 11 of the base material 10 has a second through hole 11b and a third through hole 11c. The second through hole 11b is a hole through which the right-side first arm 53R and second arm 54R pass. The third through hole 11c is a hole through which the left-side first arm 53L and second arm 54L pass. The second through hole 11b is provided to the right of the first through hole 11a. The third through hole 11c is provided to the left of the first through hole 11a. The second through hole 11b and the third through hole 11c are each formed as elongated holes extending in the vertical direction to allow the first arm 53 and the second arm 54 to rotate when the lid 20 is opened or closed. The second through hole 11b and the third through hole 11c may each be connected to the first through hole 11a and formed integrally.

[0056] The first arms 53 and the second arms 54 rotate about their respective fulcrums in cooperation with each other, with the pair of first arms 53 maintaining a substantially parallel state to each other and the pair of second arms 54 maintaining a substantially parallel state to each other. In this case, the lid 20 opens and closes while maintaining a parallel state to the vehicle body surface 2 and the opening 14 due to the synchronized rotation of the first arms 53 and the second arms 54.

[0057] Next, the operation of the lid opening and closing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the lid opening and closing device 1, when no operation is performed, the actuator 30 is not rotationally driven, and the wire 43 is not pulled, the first power is not generated by the actuator 30 and the second power is not generated by the operation of the external force actuation mechanism 40, so the lid 20 is locked in the closed position by frictional force, etc. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the engaging portion 71 of the rotating member 41 and the engaged portion 72 of the first shaft 51 are maintained in the positional relationship shown in the upper part of Figure 12.

[0058] When an operator performs a predetermined switch-opening operation with the lid 20 in the closed position, the actuator 30 generates a first power that causes the lid 20 to open. When the first power is generated by the actuator 30, the first shaft 51 rotates in the forward direction around the axial center Z1 as the actuator 30 rotates in the forward direction. When the first shaft 51 rotates in the forward direction, the first power is transmitted to the second shaft 52 via the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60. When this transmission is performed, the second shaft 52 rotates in the forward direction around the axial center Z2 in conjunction with the rotation of the third link 63 of the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60.

[0059] When the second shaft 52 rotates in the forward direction due to the first power as described above, the rotation of the second shaft 52 causes the second arm 54 to rotate in the forward direction, and the first arm 53 rotates in the forward direction in synchronization with the rotation of the second arm 54. When the first arm 53 and the second arm 54 rotate in the forward direction, the lid 20 opens from the closed position toward the open position while maintaining a state parallel to the vehicle body surface 2 and the opening 14. This opening operation of the lid 20 continues until it reaches the fully open position.

[0060] Furthermore, when a predetermined switch closing operation is performed with the lid 20 in the open position, the actuator 30 generates a first power that closes the lid 20. When this first power is generated by the actuator 30, the first shaft 51 rotates in the reverse direction around the axial center Z1 as the actuator 30 rotates in the reverse direction. When the first shaft 51 rotates in the reverse direction, the first power is transmitted to the second shaft 52 via the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60. When this transmission is performed, the second shaft 52 rotates in the reverse direction around the axial center Z2 in conjunction with the rotation of the third link 63 of the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60.

[0061] When the second shaft 52 rotates in the reverse direction due to the first power as described above, the rotation of the second shaft 52 causes the second arm 54 to rotate in the reverse direction, and the first arm 53 rotates in the reverse direction in synchronization with the rotation of the second arm 54. When the first arm 53 and the second arm 54 rotate in the reverse direction, the lid 20 performs a closing operation from the open position toward the closed position while maintaining a state parallel to the vehicle body surface 2 and the opening 14. This closing operation of the lid 20 continues until it reaches the closed position.

[0062] Therefore, in the lid opening and closing device 1, when an operator performs a specified switch operation, a first power is generated in the actuator 30, and the first power is transmitted to the first shaft 51 of the power transmission mechanism 50 → inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60 → second shaft 52 → second arm 54 and first arm 53 → lid 20, thereby causing the lid 20 to open and close between a closed position and an open position.

[0063] When the lid 20 opens and closes between the closed position and the open position due to the first power from the actuator 30, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 of the engagement switching portion 70 remain disengaged from each other. Therefore, when the lid 20 automatically opens and closes between the closed position and the open position due to the first power from the actuator 30, the engaging portion 71 of the rotating member 41 and the engaged portion 72 of the first shaft 51 do not engage with each other, and therefore, no force that rotates the rotating member 41 is applied to the rotating member 41 due to the rotation of the first shaft 51.

[0064] On the other hand, when the wire 43 is pulled by an external force exerted by an operator while the lid 20 is in the fully closed position, the external force is applied to the rotating member 41, causing the rotating member 41 to rotate in the forward direction so as to convert the external force into a second power. When the rotating member 41 rotates in the forward direction, the side surface of the engaging portion 71 of the rotating member 41 abuts against the side surface of the engaged portion 72 of the first shaft 51, causing the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 to engage with each other, thereby causing the first shaft 51 to rotate in the forward direction together with the rotation of the rotating member 41. When the first shaft 51 rotates in the forward direction due to the second power, the second power is transmitted to the second shaft 52 via the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60, causing the second shaft 52 to rotate in the forward direction about the axis center Z2 in conjunction with the rotation of the third link 63 of the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60.

[0065] When the second shaft 52 rotates in the forward direction due to the second power as described above, the second arm 54 rotates in the forward direction due to the rotation of the second shaft 52, and the first arm 53 rotates in the forward direction in synchronization with the rotation of the second arm 54. When the first arm 53 and the second arm 54 rotate in the forward direction, the lid 20 opens from the closed position toward the open position while maintaining a state parallel to the vehicle body surface 2 and the opening 14. This opening operation of the lid 20 due to the second power continues up to the fully open position or to a predetermined open position that is closer to the fully open position.

[0066] Therefore, in the lid opening / closing device 1, when the operator pulls the wire 43 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, the rotating member 41 converts the external force caused by the operator's manual operation into a second power, causing the engaging portion 71 of the rotating member 41 and the engaged portion 72 of the first shaft 51 to engage with each other, and the second power is transmitted to the first shaft 51 of the power transmission mechanism 50 → inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60 → second shaft 52 → second arm 54 and first arm 53 → lid 20, thereby causing the lid 20 to open from the closed position.

[0067] According to this configuration, under normal circumstances when there is no malfunction in the actuator 30, the lid 20 can be opened and closed by the first power generated by the actuator 30. Furthermore, in an emergency when the actuator 30 malfunctions, the wire 43 is pulled, and the lid 20 can be opened by the second power that is generated by converting the external force associated with manual operation by the rotating member 41. Therefore, even in an emergency when the actuator 30 malfunctions, the opening operation of the lid 20 can be ensured and the lid 20 can be prevented from being locked in the closed position, thereby ensuring the opportunity to supply fuel to and charge the vehicle in an emergency.

[0068] Furthermore, in the automatic opening / closing process in which the lid 20 is opened and closed between the fully closed position and the fully open position by the first power when there is no malfunction in the actuator 30, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 72 do not engage with each other, so the first power is not transmitted from the first shaft 51 to the rotating member 41, and the first power does not rotate the rotating member 41 or unexpectedly operate the wire 43. This makes it possible to prevent the wire 43 from becoming loose during the automatic opening and closing of the lid, thereby suppressing deterioration of the wire 43 and eliminating the need to provide space to prevent interference with other components due to loosening of the wire 43, thereby enabling the external force actuation mechanism 40 and, ultimately, the lid opening / closing device 1 to be made smaller.

[0069] Furthermore, the power transmission path through which the first power generated by the actuator 30 is transmitted to the lid 20 and the power transmission path through which the second power resulting from the operation of the external force actuating mechanism 40 is transmitted to the lid 20 are shared in that they use the first shaft 51, the inter-shaft transmission mechanism 60, the second shaft 52, the first arm 53, and the second arm 54. This reduces the number of parts required to configure the lid opening and closing device 1.

[0070] Furthermore, in the lid opening / closing device 1, the rotating member 41 of the external force actuated mechanism 40 is integrally incorporated into the power transmission mechanism 50. The rotating member 41 is disposed on the same side of the actuator 30 as the first shaft 51 of the power transmission mechanism 50. In this structure, when assembling the rotating member 41 and the first shaft 51 to the actuator 30, the assembling work can be performed from one axial side of the actuator 30, and it is not necessary to perform the assembling work from both axial sides of the actuator 30. Therefore, the lid opening / closing device 1 can improve the ease of assembly.

[0071] The first shaft 51 is disposed closer to the center of the substrate 10 than the actuator 30. The rotating member 41 is disposed on the same side as the first shaft 51 with respect to the actuator 30 as described above, and is disposed closer to the center of the substrate 10 than the actuator 30.

[0072] In the above structure, compared to a comparative structure in which the rotating member 41 is positioned closer to the outside of the substrate 10 relative to the actuator 30, the rotational fulcrum position of the rotating member 41 on the axial center Z1 can be brought closer to the point of action of the first shaft 51 (specifically, the connection position with the shaft-to-shaft transmission mechanism 60), and the distance between the rotational fulcrum position of the rotating member 41 on the axial center Z1 and the point of action of the first shaft 51 can be shortened.

[0073] Therefore, compared to the above-described comparative structure, the structure of the lid opening and closing device 1 makes it less likely that distortion or deformation will occur in the rotating member 41 or the first shaft 51 when the wire 43 of the external force actuation mechanism 40 is pulled, and it is possible to reduce the loss that occurs when the external force associated with the operator's manual operation is transmitted as second power to the first shaft 51 via the rotating member 41. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the operating load on the wire 43 for opening the lid 20 to the desired open position, and it is possible to reduce the operating burden on the operator.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the actuator 30 is capable of generating not only the first power for opening the lid 20 but also the first power for closing the lid 20. That is, the lid 20 is automatically opened and closed by the first power generated by the actuator 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the actuator 30 may be configured to generate only the first power for opening the lid 20, or the lid 20 may be automatically opened by the first power generated by the actuator 30, or the lid 20 may be manually closed.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lid 20 is applied to a structure in which the lid 20 opens and closes while maintaining a state parallel to the vehicle body surface 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a structure in which the lid 20 opens and closes in the vertical or horizontal direction around an axis that is approximately parallel to the vehicle body surface 2.

[0076] 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]

[0077] 1: lid opening / closing device, 20: lid, 30: actuator, 31: upper box, 32: lower box, 40: external force actuation mechanism, 50: power transmission mechanism, 51: first shaft, 52: second shaft, 53: first arm, 54: second arm, 60: inter-shaft transmission mechanism, 70: engagement switching portion, 71: engaging portion, 72: engaged portion.

Claims

1. a lid that opens and closes between a closed position and an open position relative to the substrate; an actuator that generates a first force that causes at least the lid to open; an external force actuating mechanism that operates to convert an external force associated with a manual operation into a second power that causes the lid to open; a power transmission mechanism that transmits the first power and the second power to the lid; Equipped with The power transmission mechanism includes: a first shaft which is an output shaft of the actuator or is connected to the output shaft, which rotates by the first power generated by the actuator and also rotates by the second power resulting from operation of the external force operation mechanism, and which has a flange portion formed on one surface thereof that protrudes radially outward like a brim and has a support portion for the shaft-to-shaft transmission mechanism; a second shaft connected to the first shaft via the inter-shaft transmission mechanism and connected to the lid, the second shaft rotating by power transmitted from the inter-shaft transmission mechanism in association with rotation of the first shaft to open and close the lid; and the external force actuation mechanism has a rotating member that is arranged coaxially with the first shaft and is rotatable about the axis by the external force; the power transmission mechanism has an engagement switching unit that disengages the first shaft and the rotating member from each other when the second power is not generated, and that engages the first shaft and the rotating member from each other when the second power is generated so that the second power is transmitted to the second shaft via the first shaft to rotate the second shaft, the rotating member is integrally incorporated into the power transmission mechanism and is disposed on the other surface side of the flange portion, The engagement switching portion is an engaging portion provided on the rotating member; an engaged portion provided on the other surface of the flange portion and capable of engaging with the engaging portion in the circumferential direction; and The engaging portion and the engaged portion do not engage with each other when the second power is not generated, and engage with each other when the second power is generated.

2. the first shaft is positioned closer to the center of the substrate than the actuator; The lid opening and closing device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary member is disposed closer to the center of the base member than the actuator.

3. 2. A lid opening and closing device as described in claim 1, wherein the rotating member is located in an idling range in which the engaging portion and the engaged portion do not engage with each other relative to the first shaft when the second power is not generated, and when the second power is generated, the rotating member rotates integrally with the first shaft in a state in which the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other.

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