Doorless Fuel Cap Locking Mechanism for Keyless Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles without a fuel door require manual operation of the fuel cap using a starting key during refueling, causing inconvenience if the key is left inside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A doorless fuel cap system with a solenoid-actuated mechanism that allows the fuel cap to be opened and closed without a key, using a sliding rod, plunger, and coupling rod system controlled by a controller and solenoid, allowing operation based on vehicle stationary state detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a key groove is provided in the fuel cap for vehicles without a fuel door, then the fuel cap can be opened or closed with the vehicle's starting key, but the user experiences inconvenience if the starting key is accidentally left inside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key groove feature from the fuel cap design, eliminating the dependency on the starting key for fuel cap operation. Instead, a dedicated button on the fuel cap triggers an electric motor to rotate the cap, completely removing the need for key insertion and thus preventing the problem of leaving the key inside the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical key-turning system with an electric motor-driven system. A button press activates an electric motor that automatically rotates the fuel cap, substituting the mechanical key-groove interaction with an electromechanical system that eliminates the need for physical key manipulation.
2Ease of operation
If a fuel door is provided to protect the fuel cap, then the fuel cap is protected from foreign materials, but the refueling process requires multiple steps of opening both the fuel door and fuel cap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fuel door component entirely from the vehicle structure. By eliminating the fuel door, the system reduces the number of components and steps required for refueling, allowing direct access to the fuel cap without the need to open a separate door first.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fuel access function into the fuel cap itself, making the cap the sole interface for both protection and access. The fuel cap integrates the sealing, protection, and access control functions that were previously distributed between the fuel door and fuel cap, simplifying the overall system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient and secure refueling without a starting key, enhancing user experience and safety by preventing accidental key loss and ensuring the cap remains locked during vehicle movement.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid that separates the coupling rod from the catching groove by applying a force to the plunger in response to application of a current inside the fuel cap
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member disposed to surround the exterior circumference of the sliding rod, and the elastic member may provide an elastic force for the coupling rod to be caught on the catching groove
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment fuel cap system includes a filler neck connected to a fuel pipe, a fuel cap having a cylindrical shape and able to be coupled to the filler neck by rotation, a sliding rod extending from an upper surface of the fuel cap in a shaft direction at an inside of the fuel cap and rotatable together with the fuel cap, a plunger including an upper end slidably coupled to the sliding rod in the shaft direction and a lower end including a coupling rod, and an inner ring on the filler neck and including a catching groove having an interior circumference on which the coupling rod is selectively engaged, wherein a rotation of the fuel cap is prevented when the coupling rod is engaged on the catching groove and the rotation of the fuel cap is possible when the coupling rod is disengaged from the catching groove.