Push-Type Fuel Door Opener Assembly With Integrated Catch Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel door opener systems for push type fuel doors have a complex structure due to separate configurations of the opener and catch, increasing the number of parts, weight, and assembly labor.
Innovation Solution
A simplified fuel door opener assembly that integrates parts, featuring a pop-up part and locking mechanism within a housing, including a plunger, door catch, cam, and drive motor, allowing for unlocking and popping up the fuel door through a push operation without a separate switch, and interlocking with the vehicle's door lock for automatic locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opener and catch are configured separately, then the fuel door can be opened, but the number of parts increases and assembly labor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the opener and catch into a single integrated component called a 'pop-up part'. The pop-up part includes a plunger that interacts with a cam mechanism, where the cam acts as both the opener element and the catch element. This merging eliminates the need for separate opener and catch components, reducing part count and assembly complexity while maintaining the fuel door opening function.
2Ease of operation
If the opener and catch are configured separately, then the fuel door can be opened, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the opener and catch into a single pop-up part assembly, the patent reduces the total weight of the moving components. The integrated design eliminates redundant materials and fasteners that would be required for separate components, achieving weight reduction while preserving the fuel door opening capability.
3Ease of operation
If the cam is always free to rotate, then the fuel door can be popped up, but the pop-up part cannot be restrained when locked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic locking mechanism where the cam's rotational freedom is conditionally controlled. A locking part can restrain the cam in a locked state to prevent unwanted pop-up, while releasing the cam in an unlocked state to allow fuel door opening. This dynamic control of the cam's degrees of freedom enables both secure locking and reliable popping up functions.
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
The integrated design reduces the complexity and weight of the fuel door opener assembly while enabling efficient operation through a push mechanism and automatic locking/unlocking, enhancing user convenience and reducing assembly labor.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger spring configured to elastically support the plunger toward the door catch inside the housing
Implementation Method 2
a cam selectively restrained by the locking part and configured to restrain sliding of the door catch when restrained by the locking part
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel door opener assembly for a push type fuel door includes a pop-up part installed inside a housing and a locking part installed inside the housing. The pop-up part includes a plunger installed to be slidable inside the housing in a state of being elastically supported, a door catch connected to the fuel door, installed to pass through the housing, disposed coaxially with the plunger, brought into contact with an end portion of the plunger, and configured to pop up the fuel door, a cam being selectively restrained by the locking part and configured to restrain sliding of the door catch when restrained by the locking part, and a plunger spring configured to elastically support the plunger toward the door catch inside the housing.