Patent ID: 8899285
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
1. A fuel tank opening-closing device for opening and closing a path for supplying fuel to a fuel tank, the fuel tank opening-closing device comprising: a tank opening forming member that includes (i) a fuel path connected to the fuel tank, (ii) an insertion path for inserting a fueling nozzle, and (iii) an inlet disposed between the fuel path and the insertion path; a flap valve mechanism that is disposed inside the tank opening forming member, and has an opening-closing member for opening and closing the inlet by being pressed by an end of the fueling nozzle; and an opening-closing activation mechanism that switches (i) a locked position in which the opening operation of the opening-closing member is locked, and (ii) an unlocked position in which the opening operation of the opening-closing member is permitted by pressing operation of the fueling nozzle; wherein the opening-closing activation mechanism includes: a nozzle detection mechanism mounted on the tank opening forming member and disposed facing the insertion path, having first detection parts and second detection parts for receiving movement force in an insertion direction by the fueling nozzle, wherein the first detection parts are respectively positioned further to an insertion side of the insertion path than the second detection parts and have a greater inner diameter than the second detection parts; and a locking mechanism having (i) a locking member which has lock engaging parts disposed at a periphery of the inlet and (ii) a locked part having locked engagement parts that engage and disengage respectively with the lock engaging parts with an overlap width within a preset range, the locking mechanism being configured to selectively switch between the unlocked position and the locked position by engaging and disengaging with the lock engaging parts and the locked engagement parts, wherein the first detection parts are linked with the locking member and the locked part so as to move the lock engaging part and the locked engagement part while maintaining each of the overlap widths within the preset range, by being pressed by the end of the fueling nozzle, and the second detection parts are linked to the locking member so as to move from the locked position to the unlocked position by releasing the overlap width by being pressed by the end of the fueling nozzle.