Patent ID: 9221333
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
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 outside end of the fueling nozzle; and an opening-closing activation mechanism that can switch between a locked position in which opening operation of the opening-closing member is locked, and an unlocked position in which opening operation of the opening-closing member is permitted when the opening-closing member is pushed by the fueling nozzle; wherein the opening-closing activation mechanism includes: a nozzle detection mechanism having introductory push parts mounted on the opening-closing member and disposed in the insertion path, and adapted to receive force of motion in an insertion direction of the fueling nozzle though being pressed by the outside end of the fueling nozzle; and a locking mechanism having (i) a lock member that is mounted on the tank opening forming member near the inlet, wherein the lock member has a lock engaging part to be movably supported to the tank opening forming member in a radial direction of the insertion path, and (ii) a locked part that is disposed on the opening-closing, member and selectively shifts to the locked position and the unlocked position by engaging and disengaging with the opening-closing member, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that the introductory push part presses the lock member outward in the radial direction and then the lock member shifts from the locked position to the unlocked position to disengaging with the locked part when the introductory push parts are pushed by the outside end of the fueling nozzles, and wherein the opening-closing member includes an upper face part that receives pressing force of the fueling nozzle, wherein a part of the introductory push part initially receiving the pressing force by the outside end of the fueling nozzle is disposed above the upper face part.