Fuel Filler Flap Remote Drive Layout for Tight Tank Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filler flap systems for motor vehicles require significant installation space on the tank recess, limiting design flexibility and necessitating a dedicated space for the movement mechanism, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fuel filler flap system with a motorized drive element arranged at a distance from the support, using a pulling device and a rotatable disc element to transmit forces to the flap, allowing for flexible installation and reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the movement mechanism is mounted on the support at the tank recess, then the fuel filler flap can be moved between closed and open positions, but the installation space required at the tank recess increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor drive element is extracted from the support structure and relocated to a separate mounting location. The patent describes that the motor drive element is arranged at a predetermined distance from the support, connected via a pulling device that transmits force through a cable or rod mechanism, thereby removing the space-consuming component from the constrained tank recess area while preserving the movement function
Solution Approach 2:
A pulling device acts as an intermediary between the motor drive element and the fuel filler flap. This intermediate mechanism transmits the driving force from the remotely mounted motor through a cable or rod system, enabling force transmission across distance without requiring the motor to be physically attached to the support at the tank recess
2Area of stationary object
If the motor drive element is arranged at a distance from the support, then the installation space at the tank recess is reduced, but the complexity of the connection mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling device serves as a simple intermediary consisting of a cable or rod that directly transmits force from the motor drive element to the fuel filler flap through the disc element. This straightforward mechanical connection minimizes complexity while enabling remote actuation, avoiding the need for complex linkages or multiple transmission stages
3Device complexity
If the motor drive element is mounted on the support, then the structure is compact, but the installation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The motor drive element is extracted from the fixed support location, enabling it to be mounted in various alternative positions around the vehicle body. The patent specifies that the motor can be arranged at a predetermined distance from the support, allowing installation in locations that are more accessible or better suited to specific vehicle platforms, thereby enhancing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the motor drive element and the fuel filler flap is made dynamic through the pulling device, which allows for adjustable positioning and flexible routing. This dynamic connection enables the system to adapt to different installation scenarios and vehicle configurations while maintaining functional integrity
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 system minimizes the installation space needed on the tank recess, enhances design flexibility, and ensures smooth, controlled movement of the flap between positions while maintaining structural simplicity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanical deployment element is designed to exert a deployment force on the fuel filler flap, acting in the open position
Implementation Method 2
the motor drive element is designed to exert a guiding force that counteracts the deployment force when the fuel filler flap moves from the closed position to the open position
Implementation Method 3
the motor drive element is designed to exert a return force on the fuel filler flap that overcomes the deployment force and moves the fuel filler flap into the closed position
Implementation Method 4
the motor drive element is arranged at a predetermined distance from the support and/or the flap and is connected for movement to the fuel filler flap via a pulling device
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~12
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel filler flap system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a support (4), a pivotably mounted fuel filler flap (3) which is designed to be movable between a closed position and an open position, and a movement mechanism (6) which is designed for moving the fuel filler flap (3) out of the closed position into the open position and which has a motorised drive element (7) and a mechanical deployment element (8). The mechanical deployment element (8) is designed to exert a deployment force (14) on the fuel filler flap (3), which force acts in the direction of the open position. The motorised drive element (7) is designed, in the event of a movement of the fuel filler flap (3) out of the closed position into the open position, to exert a guide force (15) directed oppositely to the deployment force (14), and, in the event of a movement of the fuel filler flap (3) out of the open position into the closed position, to exert on the fuel filler flap (3) a return force (16) overcoming the deployment force (14). The motorised drive element (7) is arranged at a predetermined distance (17) from the support (4) and/or from the fuel filler flap (3) and is moveably connected to the fuel filler flap (3) by means of a traction device (18).