DEVICE FOR THE CONNECTION AND CLOSURE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL FILLER

Abstract: A device substantially comprising a hollow body (5) fitted to a vehicle body panel (2) and having a bottom wall (6) in which is formed an opening housing the end of the filler; a supporting frame (13) also connected to the body panel and to which is hinged a lid (14); and at least one spring (16) designed to secure the lid in both the open and closed position.

Description: The present invention relates to a device for the connection and closure of a motor vehicle fuel filler, which device is designed to prevent oxidation of the bodywork in the vicinity of the filler, and to enable fast, troublefree assembly to the vehicle body. Fillers of the aforementioned type are known from FR-A-2 435 367 to comprise an end flange which is connected, usually welded, to the vehicle body with a tubular fitting inbetween. The body panel is also fitted with a lid for closing the cavity inside the said fitting, and which is also usually assembled by welding a hinge to the body panel, between this and the lid itself. Fillers of the aforementioned type present a number of major drawbacks: rapid oxidation due to welding of the aforementioned parts; assembly difficulties due to limited access to the body parts involved; and, finally, the formation of a cumbersome assembly inside the vehicle bodywork. The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for the connection and closure of a motor vehicle fuel filler, designed to overcome the aforementioned draw-backs, i.e. a device designed to prevent oxidation of the bodywork in the vicinity of the filler, and which is both compact and quick and easy to assemble. With this aim in view, according to the present invention, there is provided a device for the connection and closure of a motor vehicle fuel filler as defined in Claim 1. One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 shows a vertical section of the device according to the present invention; Fig.2 shows a section of the Fig.1 device in the closed position, and perpendicular to the Fig.1 section; Fig.3 shows a section of the Fig.2 device in the open position. The device according to the present invention provides for connecting a fuel filler 1 to the body panel 2 of a motor vehicle, said filler substantially comprising an end flange 3 and a cap 4. The device according to the present invention comprises a hollow body 5 having a bottom wall 6 in which is formed an opening housing the end of filler 1. Said end flange conveniently presents an annular groove 7 into which the edge of wall 6 is fitted. Hollow body 5 comprises a side wall 8, the end edge 9 of which is conveniently flange-shaped and connected to body panel 2. The device according to the present invention also comprises a supporting frame 13 connected to body panel 2 and to which is hinged a lid 14. As shown clearly in the accompanying drawings, flange 9 and frame 13 conveniently rest on the inner and outer surfaces respectively of panel 2, to which both are fitted by means of screws 15 (Fig.3). The device according to the present invention comprises at least one spring 16 for securing lid 14 in both the closed position shown in Fig.s 1 and 2 and the open position shown in Fig.3. Lid 14 conveniently presents a substantially C-shaped supporting shank 17 (Fig.s 2 and 3) projecting from the inner surface of lid 14. The end of said shank 17 presents a hole fitted through with a pin 18 inserted inside a respective seat formed, for example, inside an enlargement 19 (Fig.1) on frame 13. Spring 16 conveniently comprises one or more coils 22 from which project a pair of arms 23 and 24. Arm 23 is connected in a first location 25 close to the end of shank 17, and arm 24 in a second location 26 close to the end of a projection 27 on frame 13. Said spring 16 is assembled slightly preloaded, and locations 25 and 26 selected to ensure said lid 14 is secured in both the closed and open positions shown respectively in Fig.s 2 and 3. Pin 18 is conveniently housed inside an appendix 28 projecting laterally in relation to frame 13, as shown clearly in Fig.s 2 and 3, and therefore located behind and fully concealed by a portion 29 of body panel 2. Hollow body 5, frame 13 and lid 14 are preferably formed from plastic. The device according to the present invention is assembled quickly and easily by first mounting the assembly comprising frame 13, lid 14 and spring 16. As this is done on the workbench, said parts may be assembled quickly and accurately. Filler 1, to which hollow body 5 has already been fitted by inserting edge 6 inside annular groove 7, is then fitted to body panel 2 by simply placing edge 9 on the inner surface of panel 2 and securing it to the same, together with frame 13, by means of screws 15. Frame 13 is positioned as shown in the accompanying drawings by first inserting appendix 28 underneath portion 29 of body panel 2, by which said appendix 28 is fully concealed when assembled. Spring 16 normally secures lid 14 in the closed position shown in Fig.s 1 and 2. By virtue of the preload on spring 16 and the assembly locations 25 and 26 of arms 23 and 24, spring 16 provides for securing lid 14 in both the closed position against body panel 2, and in the fully-open position shown in Fig.3. Clearly, the material from which the component parts of the device are formed, and the manner in which the same are fitted to body panel 2, prevent any possibility of oxidation, rusting, or local damage to the vehicle body. Also, the design of the component parts of the device, and the manner in which they are assembled, provide for a compact assembly, particularly on the inside of the vehicle body. To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes may be made to both the design and arrangement of the component parts of the device as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: A device for the connection and closure of a motor vehicle fuel filler (1) comprising an end flange (3) connected to a vehicle body panel (2); a cap (4); a hollow body (5) having a bottom wall connected to said flange (3) and provided with an opening housing the end of said filler, and a side wall (8) the end edge (9) of which is connected to said body panel inner surface; a supporting framed (13) also connected to said body panel (2) and carrying a lid (14) hinged thereto; and at least one spring (16) designed for securing said lid (14) in a first, closed, position wherein the lid substantially rests on said frame and in a second, open, position wherein the opening defined inside the frame is left exposed; characterized in that said hollow body (5), said frame (13) and said lid (14) are made of synthetic plastic material, and that said frame (13) rests on the outer surface of said body panel (2). A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said flange (3) of said filler presents an annular groove (7) in which the edge of said opening in the bottom wall (6) of said hollow body (5) is inserted. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said lid (14) presents a substantially C-shaped supporting shank (17) projecting from the inner surface of the lid inside said frame (13); the end of said shank (17) having a hole fitted through with, a hinge pin (18) inserted inside a respective seat (19) on said frame (13). A device as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said spring (16) comprises a pair of arms (23,24), a first of which (23) is connected in a first location (25) close to the end of said shank (17) and a second of which is connected in a second location (26) close to the end of a projection, (27) on said frame (13); said spring (16) being assembled slightly pre-loaded, and said locations (25,26) being selected to ensure said spring (16) secures said lid (14) in both the open and closed positions. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said hinge pin (18) of said shank (17) is supported by an appendix (28) projecting laterally from said frame (13); said appendix (28) being concealed by a portion (29) of said body panel (2).

Inventors: COMOLI, ELIO
Applicants: FIAT AUTO S.P.A.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B60K15
IPC codes: B60K15