DE102021104401A1 - Sensor-controlled loading flap or tank flap - Google Patents

Abstract

Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) of a motor vehicle, the loading flap (1) or the tank flap (1) consisting of a flap (2) which is moved along two guide rails (8), the flap (2) in a first position closes a filling opening (3) and/or a charging connection (3) and in a second position allows access to the filling opening (3) and/or the charging connection (3), being in the immediate vicinity of the flap (2) at least a sensor (14) is arranged, which can detect a pressure on the flap (2).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a loading flap or a fuel tank flap of a motor vehicle, the loading flap or the fuel tank flap consisting of a flap which is moved along two guide rails, the flap closing a filling opening and/or a charging connection in a first position and closing one in a second position Allows access to the filler opening and/or the charging port.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Loading flap or tank flap, which are moved by an electric motor, as well as loading flap or tank flap, which are mechanically unlocked by pressing a flap and release a filling opening and/or a charging connection, are known. For example, the DE 10 2017 101 247 A1 an appropriate charging station.

DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a loading flap or a fuel filler flap which makes it possible to open a fuel filler flap electronically and, in doing so, enables integration that is neutral in terms of installation space.

Accordingly, a loading flap or a tank flap is provided, with at least one sensor being arranged in the immediate vicinity of the flap, which can detect a pressure on the flap. The charging flap or tank flap is used to open or close a filling opening of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine or the charging connection of a motor vehicle which is driven by an electric motor. The filler opening or charging port is used to fill up a fuel tank or to recharge a battery. The loading flap or tank flap is referred to below as loading flap.

Because of the sensor, a reliable and robust charging flap with a high level of user comfort and low mechanical and electrical outlay is provided. For example, the sensor can be coupled to a locking system of a motor vehicle and as soon as the motor vehicle is locked, the loading flap can be closed automatically. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the loading flap is closed as soon as the motor vehicle exceeds a defined speed. This protects the charging port and/or the filler opening.

In a further embodiment, the guide rails are arranged on an inside of an outer panel of the motor vehicle. The guide rails for the loading flap thus run invisibly in the motor vehicle from the outside. This protects the guide rails from external influences.

In a further embodiment, the flap closes flush with an outside of the outer panel in the first position. Furthermore, the flap is preferably moved at least partially, in particular completely, behind the outer panel in the second position. Thus, in the second position, the outside of the flap and the inside of the outer panel face each other. This prevents the lid from hitting the motor vehicle and causing damage such as scratches or dents when a person hits the lid. Furthermore, a breaking of the flap is excluded.

In a further refinement, the flap moves perpendicular to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The loading flap is preferably arranged behind the B-pillar or in front of the A-pillar of the motor vehicle.

In a further refinement, the flap is moved by an actuator, in particular an electric motor, and the signal from the at least one sensor is sent to the controller of the actuator, with the controller of the actuator evaluating the signal from the at least one sensor and carrying out a corresponding action. As a result, no additional control is required for the at least one sensor. The term action is understood to mean the opening or closing of the filling opening and/or the charging connection.

In a further embodiment, the guide rails have grooves which are arranged parallel to one another, with the open sides of the grooves being arranged opposite one another. In particular, pins are arranged on the flap, which engage in the grooves of the guide rails. The pins are preferably connected to the flap in one piece and protrude laterally beyond the flap. The flap preferably has at least two pins. In particular, the flap has exactly three pins.

In a further embodiment, the at least one sensor is arranged on at least one guide rail. At least one sensor is preferably arranged on each of the two guide rails. Furthermore, the at least one sensor can be arranged in the closed position of the loading flap in the vicinity of the pivots of the flap. In addition, the guide rails have a flat surface in the area of the at least one sensor.

In order to open the loading flap, the pressure on the flap must exceed a defined threshold value so that the flap is moved from a first position to a second position. Furthermore, filters can be implemented in the controller to prevent the loading flap from being opened unintentionally. Intentional actuation means active actuation or pressing by the user on the loading flap, and unintentional actuation means actuation recognized by the controller, which occurs due to shocks or vibrations that can occur, for example, when washing the vehicle.

The sensor is particularly preferably a strain gauge sensor.

Furthermore, a seal can be arranged between the flap and the outer panel, so that the filling opening and/or the charging connection is protected from external environmental influences.

character list

• 1 zeigt eine Ladeklappe in einer geschlossenen Stellung von der Kraftfahrzeugaußenseite
• 2 zeigt eine Ladeklappe in einer geschlossenen Stellung von der Kraftfahrzeuginnenseite
• 3 zeigt eine Ladeklappe in einer geöffneten Stellung

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following descriptions and from the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings show:

• 1 shows a tailgate in a closed position from the outside of the motor vehicle
• 2 shows a tailgate in a closed position from the inside of the motor vehicle
• 3 shows a tailgate in an open position

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1 shows the charging flap 1 in a closed position or in a first position from the outside of the motor vehicle, in which the flap 2 closes a filling opening 3 and/or a charging connection 3 . In the 1 the outer panel 6 is hidden. In the first position, the outer side 4 of the flap 2 is flush with an outer side 5 of an outer panel 6 of the motor vehicle. Two guide rails 8 run on the inside 7 of the outer panel 6. The guide rails 8 have grooves 9 which are arranged parallel to one another, with the open sides 10 of the grooves 9 being arranged opposite one another. Pins 11 which are connected to the flap 2 run in the grooves 9 . An actuator 12, in particular an electric motor 12, is arranged on the guide rails 8, which moves the flap by a linear movement from the first position into the second position or into the open position, with access to the filling opening in the second position 3 and/or the charging connection 3 is possible. The flap 2 is preferably moved by at least one cable 16 which is connected to an actuator 12 . Thus, a first end of the at least one cable pull is connected to the motor and a second end of the at least one cable pull is preferably connected to at least one pin 11 .

The guide rails 8 or the grooves 9 have a step-like course, with at least one step being arranged within the course of the guide rails 8 or the grooves 9 . The at least one step is preferably arranged in the area or in the immediate vicinity before the first position is reached, so that the flap 2 pivots backwards when moving from the first position to the second position, in the direction of an interior of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, this results in the flap pivoting outwards when the flap is moved from the second position into the first position. This allows the flap to sit flush with the outside of the outer panel. The at least one step preferably has a ramp-shaped profile. Thus, the stepped course of the guide rails 8 or the grooves 9 is arranged in the area or in the immediate vicinity of the end positions of the pins 11 before the first position is reached.

Furthermore, at least one seal can be arranged in the opening 13 or on the flap 2 .

2 shows the charging flap 1 in a closed position or in a first position from the inside of the motor vehicle, in which the flap 2 closes a filling opening 3 and/or a charging connection 3 . Two sensors 14, in particular strain gauge sensors 14, are arranged on the guide rails. The sensors 14 are arranged in the area or in the immediate vicinity of the end positions of the pins 11 in the first position. The sensors 14 preferably consist of at least one Wheatstone measuring bridge, with the Wheatstone measuring bridge being able to be constructed from two half-bridges and one half-bridge being arranged on each guide rail 8 . The two half bridges are then connected to each other in such a way that they form a full bridge. Alternatively, a full bridge can be arranged on each guide rail 8 or a Wheatstone measuring bridge can be arranged on each guide rail 8 . Furthermore, the guide rails 8 have a flat surface 15 in the area of the sensors 14 , the sensors 14 preferably being arranged on the flat surface 15 .

The flap 2 is moved by the actuator 12 and the signal from the at least one sensor 14 is sent to the controller of the actuator 12, the controller of the actuator 12 evaluating the signal from the at least one sensor 14 and carrying out a corresponding action. A threshold value can be defined in the control of the actuator, which must be exceeded in order for the flap 2 to be opened or closed. Furthermore, the flap 2 can also be closed in that a controller detects that a charging plug or a tap is pulled out and, after a defined time, closes the flap 2 or moves it to the first position.

3 shows the charging flap 1 in an open position or in a second position in which the flap 2 releases a filling opening 3 and/or a charging connection 3 or allows access to the filling opening 3 and/or the charging connection 3 . The flap 2 is moved completely behind the outer panel 6 so that the flap 2 is no longer visible.

Reference List

1

Loading flap / fuel filler flap

2

flap

3

Filling opening / charging connection

4

outside flap

5

Outside outer sheet

6

outer panel

7

Inside outer sheet

8th

guide rails

9

Grooved guide rails

10

Open side grooves

11

cones

12

actuator

13

opening

14

sensor

15

level surface

16

cable pull

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102017101247 A1 [0002]

Claims (13)

Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) of a motor vehicle, the loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) consisting of a flap (2) which is moved along two guide rails (8), the flap (2) being in a first position closes a filling opening (3) and/or a charging connection (3) and in a second position allows access to the filling opening (3) and/or the charging connection (3), characterized in that in the immediate vicinity of the flap (2 ) at least one sensor (14) is arranged, which can detect a pressure on the flap (2). loading flap (1) or tank flap (1). claim 1 , characterized in that the guide rails (8) are arranged on an inner side (7) of an outer panel (6) of the motor vehicle. loading flap (1) or tank flap (1). claim 2 , characterized in that the flap (2) in the first position is flush with an outer side (5) of the outer panel (6). loading flap (1) or tank flap (1). claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the flap (2) is at least partially moved behind the outer panel (6) in the second position. Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (2) moves perpendicular to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle. Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (2) is moved by an actuator (12) and the signal from the at least one sensor (14) is sent to the controller of the actuator (12) is sent, the controller of the actuator (12) evaluating the signal of the at least one sensor (14) and carrying out a corresponding action. Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rails (8) have grooves (9) which are arranged parallel to one another, the open sides (10) of the grooves (9) being arranged opposite one another are. loading flap (1) or tank flap (1). claim 7 , characterized in that on the flap (2) pins (11) are arranged, which engage in the grooves (9) of the guide rails (8). Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor (14) is arranged on at least one guide rail (8). Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor (14) in the first position of the loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) in the vicinity of the pins (11) of the flap (2) is arranged. Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure on the flap (2) must exceed a defined threshold value so that the flap (2) is moved from the first position to the second position. Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rails (8) have a flat surface (15) in the region of the at least one sensor (14). Loading flap (1) or tank flap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (14) is a strain gauge sensor.

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