Fuel Door Actuator Control Plate Contour Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle fuel tank cap or tailboard mechanisms lack an efficient and compact solution for automatic opening and closing, requiring manual operation and lacking in reliability and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system with a latch and electric drive that utilizes a rotatable control plate with a control contour to transmit force and motion, enabling automatic opening and closing of the fuel tank cap or tailboard using a single electric drive, minimizing parts and ensuring high energy efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a manual opening and closing mechanism is used, then the construction is simple, but automatic operation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking mechanism and opening/closing mechanism into a single integrated actuator unit. The control plate with control contours merges multiple functional elements (locking bolt actuation, cap opening/closing leverage) into one component that performs multiple operations through its rotation, reducing the total number of parts while achieving automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plate serves multiple functions: it transmits force to unlock the locking bolt, provides leverage to open the fuel tank cap, and enables closing through reversible rotation. This multi-functional design allows a single electric drive to accomplish what would traditionally require separate mechanisms for locking, opening, and closing operations.
2Device complexity
If multiple separate mechanisms are used for locking and opening/closing, then reliable function can be achieved, but the construction becomes complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator employs a nested arrangement where the locking bolt is positioned within or adjacent to the fuel tank cap structure, and the control plate rotates within a confined space to actuate both the locking bolt and cap. This nesting allows multiple components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial volumes, achieving compact construction without compromising the reliability of each function.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a simple manual mechanism is used, then few parts are required, but energy efficiency and wearing characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control plate incorporates curved control contours that provide mechanical advantage through optimized force transmission paths. The curved geometry allows the electric drive to apply torque efficiently, converting rotational motion into the linear and rotational movements needed for locking and opening/closing operations, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining compact component dimensions.
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 fully automatic operation of the fuel tank cap or tailboard with a compact design, reducing wear and improving user comfort through efficient energy use and reliable function.
Implementation Method 1
an electric drive (3) which can rotate a control plate (4) with a control contour around an axis (7)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an Actuator for a fuel tank cap (1) or tailboard in a vehicle comprising a latch (2) for locking the fuel tank cap (1) or tailboard as well as an electric drive (3) to enable an automatic opening and closing cycle of the fuel tank cap or tailboard, wherein a rotatable control plate (4) with a control contour for transmitting a force and/or motion by means of a preferably direct contact to at least one adjacent member is designed such that the transmission of force and/or motion depends on the rotation position of the control plate (4). A compact actuator can be obtained. The invention further concerns a method for actuation the fuel tank cap (1) or tailboard, wherein firstly, a latch release cable (10) is pulled in order to unlock the latch (2), secondly, a rotation motion is transmitted in order to open the fuel tank cap (1) or tailboard, thirdly, the latch release cable (10) is released until the closing step is initiated, and/or fourthly, the cycle comprising the first, second, third, and/or forth sequence runs in reverse order and direction for automatically closing the fuel tank cap (1) or tailboard. A very easy automatic opening and closing cycle can be obtained.