Abstract:
A fuel door housing for the fueling of an automobile including a tub-like body, a flap which is hingely linked to the body, a thrust spring biasing the flap toward an opened position, a locking element having a locking and an unlocking position, and an actuating element for placing the locking element into the unlocking position. The locking element is moved towards the unlocking position through a one-way transmission of the actuating element upon a movement of the flap into its closed position or beyond thereof, respectively, and the locking element completely engages the catching element upon arrival of the flap at its closed position. A casing is formed at the inner side of the body. The locking element and parts of the actuating elements are accommodated by the casing, and a locking portion of the locking element is sealingly extended through a wall portion of the casing facing the catching element.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is based on, and claims priority from, German Application Number 10 2004 010 294.5, filed Mar. 3, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a fuel door housing for automobiles according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is known to terminate the conduit leading to a fuel tank of an automobile in a fuel door housing and to close the conduit leading to the tank by means of a rotating closure. Located on the fuel door housing is a pivot bearing for a flap which can be secured by means of a locking- or lock system. If the lock is deactivated, for example a transverse bolt pulled out of a locking projection, the flap can be opened. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is further known to move the flap by means of a spring into a small opening from which it can then be easily opened by hand. It is further known to use a so-called push-push system in which the flap is either completely or slightly pivoted open, if the flap is firstly pressed inwardly by hand and a locking means, which normally locks the flap, is in the unlocking position. The unlocking position is, for example, achieved by the actuation of the central locking of the automobile. Alternatively, the locking means can also be unlocked by separate manual actuation, for example with the aid of a cable means, which is actuated via an actuation element in the interior of the automobile. 
   It is further known to use a tub-like body for the flap which is inserted in a correspondingly formed opening in the automobile body, for example via a latching connection. The flap is attached to the body via a suitable hinge. The locking device is generally attached to the exterior of the body and a suitable locking element, for example a locking bolt or the like, passes into its interior via an opening in the side wall of the body, in order to cooperate with a catch means on the back side of the flap. So that the flap can be pivoted open, it is necessary to move the locking element into the unlocking position. Nowadays, there is often insufficient space in automobiles to attach the locking device to a suitable point outside the body. At the very least the design of the assembly is very awkward and costly. A further disadvantage is that an interface is formed between the locking means for the fuel door housing, which means is generally accommodated in a suitable casing, and the flap. When assembling the locking element, it is difficult to align the flap sufficiently precisely with the catch means. 
   The object of the invention is to produce a fuel door housing in which the assembly costs are lower and the assembly, including the locking means, can take place externally. Moreover, the size of the components used is to be reduced. 
   This object is achieved by the features of claim  1 . 
   According to the invention, the casing for the locking means is formed on the inner face by means of wall portions formed integrally on the body, and inside of which the locking element and components of the actuation device are supported. A locking portion of the locking element is sealingly extended through a wall portion facing the catch means. 
   In the invention, the flap lock is incorporated in the fuel door housing. The locking means is accommodated in a space which is separated off from the interior of the fuel door housing and which includes a wall portion through which the locking element is sealingly extended. The locking element can, for example, be a slider or a linearly moveable pin or even a locking hook. Preferably such a lock is arranged on the face of the body lying opposite the hinge. By arranging the locking means within the fuel door housing, assembly costs are lower, not least because external assembly is possible. Furthermore, the size of the components is reduced relative to conventional solutions. Regarding the assembly, it is also advantageous that the locking means and the fuel door housing do not have to be subsequently aligned as the locking means is already prefitted in the fuel door housing. Consequently, the locking means is a component of the prefabricated hybrid component. It is therefore not necessary to assemble the locking means and the fuel door housing when it is fitted in the automobile. 
   It is conceivable to extend the locking element sealingly through an opening in the wall portion. This design can cause wear and in addition, to dampness and dirt nevertheless penetrating the casing of the locking means. As a result, an embodiment of the invention provides that the locking element and the wall portion are interconnected and the wall portion is designed such that it follows the movement of the locking element. Thus the wall portion can be of membrane- or bellows-shaped construction and can therefore follow the movement of the locking element. Nevertheless, the interior of the casing is sealed at all times. A further embodiment of the invention provides that the wall portion itself is formed of elastomeric material or is connected to an adjacent wall portion of elastomeric material. The locking element can also therefore be moved together with the wall portion. This embodiment requires, however, that the wall portion is manufactured in a two-component injection moulding process which, however, with current injection moulding technology, does not pose any problems. 
   According to a further embodiment of the invention the wall portion is part of a lid-shaped portion, separately formed, being adapted to sealingly close an opening of the casing facing upwardly or laterally. The casing, which receives components of the locking means within the fuel door housing body must naturally allow the fitting of these parts which, for example, can take place through the disclosed opening. However, the opening has to be subsequently closed. This takes place via the separate lid-shaped portion which, for example, can be latched into the opening. 
   The wall portion, according to a further embodiment of the invention can have a depression directed toward the bottom of the body, the catch portion engaging the depression and the catch portion having a catch opening which is engaged by the locking portion of the locking element. 
   As already mentioned, the locking element can be formed from a linearly movable locking pin and from a pivotable locking hook which is pivotally supported between the ends, one end including the locking portion and the other being connected to the actuation means. 
   The actuation means can, for example, include a cable means which, through a one-way transmission, engages the locking element. The cable means is, for example, actuated via an actuating element within the automobile and moves the locking element out of engagement with the catch means. A thrust spring which engages the flap, can then pivot it about a smaller angle in the direction of the open position, so that the user can grasp the flap and completely open it. By spring preload the locking element returns again to the locking position. If the flap is then pressed shut by hand, the locking element can be pivoted partially into the unlocking position by ramped surfaces sliding over one another, a one-way transmission between the locking element and the cable means ensuring that this movement is possible. In principle, however, such a principle is known. 
   Alternatively, the actuation means can be formed from an electromotoric or electric magnetic drive, on the inner face of the wall portion a switching element being arranged for a switch activating the drive which is actuable by a projection on the back side of the flap through the movable wall portion. The projection can, for example be formed from the catch means of the flap. If the flap is firstly pressed inwardly by the user according to the push-push principle beyond the closed position, the switch is actuated. This switches on the drive motor or an electric magnet if, for example, at the same time the central locking is locked. After this, the motor or the electric magnet then displaces the locking element into the unlocking position, whereby the flap is pivoted at this point by spring preload into a partially or completely opened open position. The locking element is subsequently displaced again into the locking position, whereby closing the flap for a time produces a pivoting or moving of the locking element in the direction of the unlocking position, as already disclosed above. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Finally, it is also conceivable to provide a possibility of mechanical/electrical actuation by a linearly movable rejection element, which can be displaced by the flap when pushed in, if a locking magnet is unlocked. As a result, a curve element which can be actuated by the rejection element is coupled to the locking element so that the thrust spring impinging on the rejection element produces a movement of the locking element into the unlocking position. 
     The invention is to be described further hereinafter with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective, diagrammatic view of a fuel door housing according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a section through the fuel door housing according to  FIG. 1  in the region of a locking means with a motorised actuation of the locking element. 
       FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment, similar to  FIG. 2 , but with a substantially mechanical actuation of the locking element. 
       FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of an actuation of the locking element. 
       FIG. 5  shows a fourth embodiment of an actuation of the locking element. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A fuel door housing  10  is illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG. 1  which includes a bottom  12  and side walls  14 . The bottom has an opening  16  for connecting a conduit leading to a tank, not shown, to the tank of the automobile, not shown. A flap  18  is hinged to the fuel door housing  10  via a hinge  20 . The flap  18  and fuel door housing  10  can be of conventional design. 
   In  FIG. 1  three casings  22 ,  24 ,  26  are illustrated which, on the inner face of the side wall  14  of the body  10 , are substantially integrally formed therewith from a suitable plastics material. The casings  22  to  26  can be optionally provided. Naturally, a single lock is sufficient. Preferably the casing  24  is used, which lies opposite the hinge  20 . In the casings  22  to  26  a locking element, not shown, is supported which cooperates with a catch means  28 ,  30  and  32  on the back side of the flap  18  when the flap is closed. 
     FIGS. 2 to 4  illustrate what can be supported within the casings  22  to  26  to lock the flap  18  in the closed position. Where similar components are used in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , they are provided with the same reference numerals. 
   In  FIGS. 2 to 5  a component of the body panel  34  of an automobile, not shown, can be seen with an opening  36  into which the body  10  is inserted and to which it is attached. The attachment is not shown here for reasons of simplicity. Furthermore,  FIGS. 2 to 5  show what is visible when viewed for example from the left side of the casing  24  in  FIG. 1 , when the side wall of the body  10  facing it is imagined. 
   In  FIG. 2  a space  40  is formed in the casing which, from the drawing plane, is defined by the side wall  14  and on the opposing side below the drawing plane is defined by a wall, not shown. Above, the space  40  is defined by a lid-shaped portion  42 . In this manner the space  40  is almost sealingly closed off from the interior of the body  10 . The lid-shaped portion  42  is, for example, formed separately from plastics whilst the remaining wall portions of the casing  24  are manufactured integrally with the body  10 . The fastening of the lid-shaped portion  42  is not shown in detail. For this, a latching connection can, for example, be used. It is also conceivable to form the portion  42  integrally with the other components and to hinge it via a film hinge. 
   The lid-shaped portion  42  made from plastics is formed from two different materials. The portion  44 , in solid lines, is formed from a relatively hard material, whilst the portion  46  shown in two parallel lines is formed from an elastomer. On the back side of the flap  18  a catch portion  48 , which is approximately V-shaped in side view, is formed which includes a catch opening  50  in a portion extending approximately perpendicular to the flap  18 . A hairpin-like spring  52  supports itself with one arm on a base  54  of the lid-shaped wall portion  42  and with the other arm on the underside of the flap  18  and biases it in the open position. 
   In the space  40  a locking hook  56  is pivotally supported about a bearing pin  58 . A locking portion  60  of the locking hook  56  extends through the elastomeric portion  46  of the lid-shaped portion  42  into the catch opening  50 . The connection between the locking portion  60  and the wall portion  46  is such that the locking hook  56  can pivot, the wall portion  46  following this movement. In the space  40  an electric motor  62  is furthermore arranged which, for example, is connected to a suitable DC power source. Its shaft includes a threaded spindle portion  64 , which cooperates with a threaded nut  66 , whose lateral extension is also rotatably supported on the bearing pin  58 . Between a further lateral extension  68  of the threaded nut  66  and a counter bearing face of the locking hook  56  facing it, a thrust spring  70  is arranged. A switch  72  for the motor  62  has a switch element  74  which faces the elastomeric wall portion  46 . A lower portion of the catch portion  58  bears approximately against the wall portion  46  above the switch element  74 . If the flap  18  is pressed in the direction of the space  40 , the switch element  74  is actuated, the switch closed and the motor  62  set in motion, provided that a control device, not shown, indicates that the actuation is desired, for example when unlocking the locks of the automobile via central locking. When actuating the motor  62  the nut  66  is pivoted anticlockwise, a positive engagement between the locking hook  56  and the part of the nut  66  facing it ensuring that the locking hook  56  is also pivoted anticlockwise against the spring  70  and, as a result, comes out of engagement with the catch opening  50 . Consequently, the spring  52  can pivot the flap  18  by a specific amount in the direction of the open position, whereby the user can grasp the flap and completely pivot it into the open position. A short time later the motor is actuated in the opposite direction, whereby the locking hook  56  is again pivoted into the locking position. If the flap  18  is again manually pivoted into the closed position by the user, a ramped portion  76  of the catch portion  58  slides on the ramped portion  78  on the upper face of the locking hook  56  and pivots it against the spring  70  in the direction of the unlocking position, until the locking portion  60  of the locking hook  56  can engage in the catch opening  50 . 
   In the embodiment according to  FIG. 4 , the locking hook  56   a  is designed to be double-armed and the lower arm in  FIG. 4  is connected via a one-way transmission  80  to a cable  82  of a cable means shown at  84 . The locking portion  60  of the locking hook  56   a , similar to  FIG. 2 , is connected to the elastomeric wall portion  46   a , whereby the latter follows the movement of the hook  56   a.    
   If, by means of the cable  82  the locking hook  56   a  pivots anticlockwise, the locking portion  60  frees the catch opening  50  and the spring  52  can lift the flap  18  a little, so that the user can grasp it and pivot it up. By a suitable spring bias, not shown, the locking hook  56   a  is again moved into the locking position shown in  FIG. 4 . When closing the flap  18  the ramped surfaces  76 ,  78  slide over one another, so that the hook  56   a  can pivot a little anticlockwise relative to the cable  82  due to the one-way transmission  80 , until the locking portion  60  can snap into the catch opening  50 . 
   In the embodiment according to  FIG. 5 , the locking hook  56   b  is again of double-arm construction and pivotally supported on the bearing pin  58 . A pin  86  of an electric magnet is positively engaged on the lower arm. The pin  86  is biased by a thrust spring  90 , so that the locking hook  56   b  is also biased in the locking position. An electric magnet  88  is excited by the switch  72 , whose switch element  74  is similarly actuated, as is disclosed in connection with the embodiment according to  FIG. 2 . In the switching path between the switch  72  and the electric magnet  88  a small energy store  92  is arranged. This causes the electric magnet  88  to be deactivated again after a certain storage time, whereby the spring  90  displaces the locking hook  56   b  into the locking position shown in  FIG. 5 . When closing the flap  18  the locking hook  56   b  is, in the already disclosed mode of operation, temporarily deflected until the locking portion  60  can snap into the catch opening  50 . The actuation of the electric magnet  88  takes place however, only when a further signal is given for unlocking, for example by unlocking the central locking of the automobile. 
   In the embodiment according to  FIG. 3  a rejection element  94  is linearly movably arranged in the space  40 , which includes a thrust spring  96  in a hollow portion, which biases the rejection element  94  upwardly. A pin-shaped projection  98  of the rejection element  94  cooperates with a bellows portion  100  of the elastomeric wall portion  46   c  and rests it against the associated lower face of the catch portion  48   c.  A locking magnet  102  which is actuated by a switch, not shown further, locks the rejection element  94  in a lower biased position. 
   On the outer face the rejection element  94  has a tooth rack portion  104  which meshes with a pinion  106  and which is rotatably supported on an axle  108 . To the pinion a curved element  110  is fixedly attached and includes a cam curve  112  which cooperates with a cam  114  of a control lever  118  pivotally supported at  116 . On the axle  108  a locking hook  56   d  is further pivotally supported, which with a locking portion  60   d  cooperates with the catch opening  50  of the catch portion  48   c  of the flap  18 . A pawl  120  is pivotally supported on the curved element  110  and a thrust spring  122  biases the locking hook  56   d  in the closed position. Thus the cam  114  on the control lever  118  holds the rejection element in the lower biased position by engaging the curved element  110 . 
   If the locking magnet  102  is unlocked, for example by central locking, at first nothing occurs, as the locking hook  56   d  continues to lock the flap  18 . By pressing on the outside of the flap  18  the rejection element  54  is pressed slightly downwards against the pressure of the spring  96 , and by the engagement of the tooth rack portion  104  and pinion  112  the pawl  120  is slightly pivoted clockwise. As a result the cam  114  of the control lever  118  is pivoted anticlockwise by the cam curve  112  and for its part pivots the pawl  120  anticlockwise. In this manner the pinion  112  and the locking hook  56   d  are coupled together and the rejection element  94  can on its return upwards, pivot the locking hook  56   d  anticlockwise, whereby the catch opening  50  is freed. As a result, the rejection element  94  is able to lift the flap  18  a little, whereby the user can grip it and completely open it.