Abstract:
A simple, multifunction structure is provided for opening fuel filler door and for detecting the open position of the fuel filler door. Further, an elastic member furnishes a force for opening the fuel filler door and is protected from the external environment. Accordingly, the manufacturing process is simplified.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fuel filler door assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel filler door assembly that notifies the driver of the position of the door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, a fuel filler door is located toward the rear of a vehicle. Typically, the driver manipulates a lever, or the like near the driver&#39;s seat to open the fuel door. Thereafter a door catch is actuated, releasing the fuel filler door. After filling the fuel the fuel filler door is manually pushed closed until the door is reconnected to the door catch. Furthermore, some conventional vehicle models have an electric switch for sensing whether the fuel door is closed, and if not, alerting the driver that the door is open. 
     A drawback of the conventional system is the number of separate component parts associated with the system. This requires additional work to install the separate components, which increases the cost of manufacturing and the finished product, while decreasing productivity. Furthermore, the conventional door spring is susceptible to the external weather conditions and traditionally fails due to corrosion and wear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a fuel filler door assembly with a more efficient and less expensive means of indicating whether it is closed or not to the driver. Also, the present invention discloses an assembly that is potentially more resistant to the weather and elements as to produce a longer life span. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel filler door assembly includes a straight rod installed on a vehicle body. The straight rod linearly slides and pushes the inside of the fuel filler door. Also, an elastic member for elastically supporting the straight rod while it pushes the inside of the fuel filler door. Furthermore, two electric conductors are included for performing shiftable contacts that depend on the position of the straight rod in relative to the vehicle body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the fuel filler door according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the fuel filler door of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 shows the fuel filler door of FIG. 1 in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the fuel filler door of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel filler door of FIGS. 1 to  4 ; and 
     FIG. 6 shows a switch assembly of the fuel filler door according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the fuel filler door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. A hinge bracket attaches the fuel filler door  1  to the vehicle body. Referring to FIG. 2, the fuel filler door  1  is shown in cross-section in a closed position. 
     According to FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6 , a vehicle fuel filler door  1  has a hinge pin  3  and a hinge bracket for attaching the fuel filler door  1  to the vehicle body. A straight rod  7  is installed on the vehicle body B that linearly and slidably pushes the inside of the fuel filler door  1 . Also included is an elastic member for elastically supporting the straight rod  7  when the straight rod  7  pushes the inside of the fuel filler door  1 . 
     In a preferred embodiment the straight rod  7  passes through the hinge bracket and the vehicle body B (FIG.  4 ). Further, the guide bolt  9  passes through the hinge bracket and the vehicle body B. The straight rod  7  slides through the guide bolt  9 . The guide bolt  9  is secured to the vehicle body B by a fastening nut  11  and a washer  13  (FIGS.  4  and  5 ). A boss  1 — 1  is formed on the inside of the fuel filler door  1  for receiving the force of the straight rod  7 . 
     It is preferable that a switch bracket  15  is located on the inside of the vehicle body B near the position where the straight rod  7  is installed. An elastic member is installed on the switch bracket  15 . The elastic member consists of a torsion spring  19 , with one end being pivotally connected to the straight rod  7 . The other end of the torsion spring  19  is secured to the switch bracket  15 . Furthermore, the torsion spring  19  center coil portion is rotatably fitted to the switch bracket  15 . 
     Two electric conductors are included on the fuel filler door assembly. The electric conductors shift their contacts in accordance with the linear sliding of the straight rod  7  in relation to the vehicle body B. Thus, the open position of the fuel filler door  1  is detected through the opening of the door by the straight rod  7 . The electric conductors also include a pair of terminal pins  21  and the terminal plate  23  (FIG.  6 ). The stroke of the straight rod  7  is limited between the pair of the terminal pins  21 . In a preferred embodiment, the pair of terminal pins  21  consists of nonconductive part  21 - 1  secured to the switch bracket  15  for electrical insulation and a conductive part  21 - 2  for contacting the terminal plate  23 . A first electric wire  31  is connected to the conductive part  21 - 2 . A second electric wire  32  is connected to the terminal plate  23  of the straight rod  7 . 
     A circuit is completed between the first electric wire  31  and the second electric wire  32  by the straight rod  7 , the conductive part  21 - 2 , and the terminal plate  23 . Thus, a display is illuminated in the driver&#39;s compartment indicating the fuel filler door  1  in the open position. In an alternative embodiment, a packaged switch or an electric contact structure can be used to turn on or off the sliding state of the straight rod  7 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, a door catch C holds the fuel filler door  1  against the force of the torsion spring  19 . Upon manipulating a release lever, the catch is removed and the force of the torsion spring  19  and straight rod  7  open the fuel filler door  1 . The straight rod  7  slidably pushes upon the boss  1 — 1  until the terminal plate  23  contacts the conductive part  21 - 2  of the terminal pin. When the terminal plate  23  contacts the conductive part  21 - 2 , a circuit is formed between the first and second electric wires  31  and  32 . Thereafter, a display lamp will be lit near the driver&#39;s compartment indicating the open state of the door. Therefore, the driver will know the position of the fuel filler door  1 . 
     To close the fuel filler door  1 , the fuel filler door  1  is manually pushed toward the vehicle body B. The pushing force must push the straight rod  7  against the force of the torsion spring  19 . The door then remains closed when the door catches the door catch C. When the fuel filler door  1  is closed, the terminal plate  23  is removed from the conductive part  21 - 2  of the terminal pin. Therefore, the first and second electric wires  31  and  32  become disconnected, and the display lamp near the driver&#39;s seat is extinguished. 
     It is preferred that the torsion spring  19  is positioned within the vehicle body B, such that the torsion spring  19  is housed away from the external weather conditions, thereby extending the fuel filler door&#39;s  1  useful life. 
     The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.