Automatic Fuel Inlet Cap Mechanism for Vehicle Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cap opening mechanisms require excessive force, are time-consuming, and pose a risk of cap loss, especially in vehicles with SCR systems where refueling spaces are narrow, compromising user convenience and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
An automatic opening and closing device for the fuel inlet that integrates a cap cover with a pivotable fuel cap, where the cap is automatically opened and closed by the fuel door's operation, eliminating the need for manual cap operation and ensuring the cap remains connected to the inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fuel cap is manually rotated by applying force to open the fuel inlet, then the fuel inlet can be opened, but it requires excessive force and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cap automatically opens when the fuel door is opened, and automatically closes when the fuel door is closed. The system serves itself without requiring manual rotation or application of force by the user, eliminating the need for hand-cranking or forceful manipulation of the fuel cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cap is pre-positioned and pre-aligned with the fuel inlet through the coupling structure. When the fuel door opens, the cap is already in position to be automatically pushed into the open state by the door's movement, eliminating the need for subsequent manual rotation or adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If the fuel cap is manually rotated to open the fuel inlet, then the fuel inlet can be opened, but it is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cap automatically opens when the fuel door is opened, and automatically closes when the fuel door is closed. The system serves itself without requiring manual rotation or application of force by the user, eliminating the need for hand-cranking or forceful manipulation of the fuel cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cap is pre-positioned and pre-aligned with the fuel inlet through the coupling structure. When the fuel door opens, the cap is already in position to be automatically pushed into the open state by the door's movement, eliminating the need for subsequent manual rotation or adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If the fuel cap is completely separated from the fuel inlet, then the fuel inlet can be accessed, but the cap may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cap is nested within or coupled to the fuel inlet structure through a coupling mechanism. The cap remains physically connected to the inlet assembly, similar to a nested doll structure where one component is contained within or attached to another, preventing separation and loss while still allowing access to the fuel inlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cap automatically opens when the fuel door is opened, and automatically closes when the fuel door is closed. The system serves itself without requiring manual rotation or application of force by the user, eliminating the need for hand-cranking or forceful manipulation of the fuel cap.
4Ease of operation
If a large refueling space is provided to allow manual cap operation, then the cap can be easily opened, but the vehicle's aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cap automatically opens when the fuel door is opened, and automatically closes when the fuel door is closed. The system serves itself without requiring manual rotation or application of force by the user, eliminating the need for hand-cranking or forceful manipulation of the fuel cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling system is segmented into independent functional components: the fuel door handles the outer access, while the fuel cap handles the inner seal. This segmentation allows the fuel door to be smaller and more aesthetically pleasing while the automated cap mechanism handles the opening/closing function that previously required large manual operating space.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic opening and closing device for a fuel inlet of a vehicle may include a cap cover mounted at the fuel inlet of the vehicle, a fuel cap pivotably mounted at the cap cover and configured to selectively open or close the fuel inlet by being pivoted inside the fuel inlet, and a fuel cap operating mechanism mounted in the fuel inlet and configured, when the fuel door is closed, to pivot the fuel cap by being pressed by the fuel door to close the fuel inlet, and, when the fuel door is opened, pivot the fuel cap to open the fuel inlet according to release of pressing by the fuel door.