DE102023131832A1 - Device for closing and releasing an energy charging connection of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Device for closing and releasing an energy charging connection of a motor vehicle2.1 Such a device comprising a cover which can be moved between a closed position in which the energy charging connection is covered by the cover and an open position in which the energy charging connection is released, a guide device which is arranged fixedly to the vehicle in a ready-to-use assembled state and on which the cover is guided in a linearly movable manner between the open position and the closed position in a guide plane extending along a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis, and a drive device which is operatively connected to the cover and is designed to drive the displacement movement of the cover, is known.2.2 According to the invention, the drive device has two racks which are spaced apart from one another along a transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the guide plane and are each longitudinally extended parallel to the guide plane and are each firmly connected to the cover, two drive gears which are each toothed with one of the two racks, a rotatably mounted drive shaft which is longitudinally extended perpendicular to the guide plane and on in which the two drive gears are arranged in a torque-resistant manner, and a drive motor which is operatively connected to the drive shaft to drive the same.2.3 Use in a passenger car

Description

The invention relates to a device for closing and releasing an energy charging connection of a motor vehicle, comprising a cover which is displaceable between a closed position in which the energy charging connection is covered by means of the cover and an open position in which the energy charging connection is released, a guide device which is arranged fixedly to the vehicle in a ready-to-use assembled state and on which the cover is guided in a linearly movable manner between the open position and the closed position in a guide plane extending along a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis, and a drive device which is operatively connected to the cover and is designed to drive the displacement movement of the cover.

Such a device is known from EN 10 2020 209 607 A1 known and provided in the form of a closure arrangement for closing a charging socket recess of an electrically powered passenger car. In the known device, the drive device has a drive rod element which acts at least indirectly on the cover along an axial direction, transmitting tensile and compressive forces, wherein the cover can be displaced behind the body of the passenger car in a lifting and longitudinally movable manner between the closed and the open position by means of an axial drive movement of the drive rod element.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned above which offers advantages over the prior art.

This object is achieved in that the drive device has two racks which are spaced apart from one another along a transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the guide plane and each extend longitudinally parallel to the guide plane and are each firmly connected to the cover, two drive gears which are each toothed with one of the two racks, a rotatably mounted drive shaft which extends longitudinally perpendicular to the guide plane and on which the two drive gears are arranged in a torque-fixed manner, and a drive motor which is operatively connected to the drive shaft to drive the same. The solution according to the invention achieves a particularly advantageous drive of the cover. In particular, tilting of the cover on the guide device is avoided. For this purpose, the drive device has racks which are spaced apart from one another along the transverse axis and extend longitudinally parallel to the guide plane. The distance between the two racks counteracts the introduction of drive forces into the cover on one side and/or not parallel to the guide plane and the associated tilting moments, which can lead to tilting, jamming and/or other impairment of the displacement movement of the cover. Since the two drive gears are driven via the common drive shaft, a constantly synchronous drive movement of the two racks is also ensured. The movement of the racks synchronized in this way additionally counteracts tilting or jamming of the cover and an even better drive of the cover is achieved. The longitudinal axis, the vertical axis and the transverse axis form a Cartesian axis system and are preferably assigned to the guide device. Alternatively, the said axes can be assigned to the cover. In one embodiment, the cover is displaced under a body of the motor vehicle along the vertical axis and the longitudinal axis in the open position relative to the closed position. The cover is guided at least indirectly on the guide device. The two racks are at least indirectly connected to the cover. The two racks are immovably connected to the cover relative to the latter. In one embodiment, the racks are each longitudinally straight. In another embodiment, the racks are longitudinally straight in sections and curved in sections. The cover is preferably moved between the closed and open positions along a guide track located in the guide plane. In a preferred embodiment, the guide track is curved at least in sections, for example to enable the cover to be moved behind the body of the motor vehicle. In this case, the section-wise curvature of the racks is preferably coordinated with the curvature of the guide track and/or vice versa.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drive motor is arranged along the transverse axis between the racks. This results in a compact and space-saving design. The drive motor is preferably arranged along the transverse axis in the middle between the racks. Alternatively or additionally, the drive motor is preferably arranged in the middle between the drive gears.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft extends through the drive motor and the drive motor is arranged along the transverse axis centrally on the drive shaft and/or between the drive gears. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly compact and space-saving construction. In this embodiment, the drive motor has a drive shaft arranged along the transverse axis. axis continuous shaft mount for the drive shaft. In this embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft can also be referred to as a through shaft. In this embodiment of the invention, the drive motor acts directly on the drive shaft, so that intermediate gears, intermediate shafts or other components for force and/or motion transmission and corresponding bearing devices can be dispensed with. This results in a particularly simple structure of the device. The central arrangement of the drive motor on the drive shaft achieves a symmetrical introduction of force and/or torque, so that the drive gears and thus also the two racks can be driven with even better synchronicity. Preferably, the drive shaft is cantilevered in this embodiment. In other words, the drive shaft is preferably mounted exclusively on the drive motor, in particular in its shaft mount, so that additional bearing devices for rotatably mounting the drive shaft can be dispensed with. Preferably, the two drive gears are arranged at opposite ends of the drive shaft.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide device has guide slots that are opposite one another along the transverse axis and that are each longitudinally extended parallel to the guide plane, and the racks are arranged along the transverse axis between the opposite guide slots. This makes it possible to achieve an even more compact structure. In addition, tilting of the cover on the guide device is additionally counteracted. The guide slots are arranged on both sides of a central plane of the device that extends along the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis in relation to the transverse axis, so that one or more left guide slots and one or more right guide slots can also be referred to. The same applies analogously to the two racks and/or the drive gears. The said central plane is parallel to the guide plane. The central plane and the guide plane preferably coincide. The imaginary guide plane is located in the middle between the opposing guide slots in relation to the transverse axis.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide slots and the racks are each arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a central plane of the device extending along the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis. This counteracts the tilting of the cover on the guide device in a particularly simple and effective manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there are several guide elements firmly connected to the cover, each of which engages in a sliding manner in one of the guide slots, the guide elements being arranged on one of the racks. The guide elements are therefore firmly connected to the cover, at least indirectly. By arranging the guide elements on the racks, improved guidance of the cover can be achieved. In addition, the structure of the device is simplified, since the racks also act as a type of support for the guide elements. The racks therefore have a particularly advantageous multiple function. This functional integration leads to the aforementioned simplification of the structure of the device. The guide elements preferably protrude outwards from the racks along the transverse axis. Preferably, several guide elements are arranged on one of the racks and spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent of the racks. Preferably, each guide element is assigned a guide slot and vice versa. However, it is also possible for several guide elements to engage in one and the same guide slot. In addition, in one embodiment, additional guide elements are present, which, however, are not arranged on one of the racks.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are each formed in one piece with the respective rack. This means that separate joints and/or fastening elements for fastening the guide elements to the racks are not required. This further simplifies the structure of the device. In addition, particularly tight dimensional, shape and/or position tolerances can be achieved. In this embodiment of the invention, the racks each have a one-piece structure, with the guide elements each forming a section of the respective rack. In other words, the racks are each constructed in one piece and each have at least one of the guide elements.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide device has opposite side parts along the transverse axis, on which the guide slots are arranged and between which the cover is held, and the drive shaft is rotatably mounted on a base housing, on which the side parts are each mounted. This embodiment results in an even simpler structure of the device. In addition, the factory assembly of the device is significantly simplified. The two opposite side parts are provided for this purpose. For assembly, the cover is preferably connected to together with the two racks and the guide elements possibly arranged and/or formed on them, are placed between the side parts. The arrangement formed in this way is placed on the base housing and the two side parts are connected to the base housing. The drive shaft can be mounted on the base housing beforehand, preferably together with the drive motor. The drive shaft is at least indirectly rotatably mounted on the base housing, in particular if a floating mount of the drive shaft on the drive motor is provided. The side parts extend along the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis. The base housing is preferably designed in the form of a trough that is open at the top along the vertical axis, with the two side parts being mounted and/or fastened to walls of the base housing that are opposite one another along the transverse axis.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover has an outer cover part which, in the closed position, forms a section of a body of the motor vehicle, and a cover carrier which carries the outer cover part, wherein the toothed racks are each arranged on the cover carrier and firmly connected to it. The outer cover part is guided indirectly on the guide device via the cover carrier in a linearly movable manner. The toothed racks are connected to the cover carrier in an immovable manner relative to the cover carrier.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the racks are each formed in one piece with the cover carrier. In other words, the two racks each form an integral section of the cover carrier. This results in an even simpler structure. In addition, particularly tight dimensional, shape and/or position tolerances can be achieved. This embodiment of the invention offers particular advantages if the guide elements are also formed in one piece with the respective rack according to the embodiment already described.

• 1 zeigt in schematischer Perspektivansicht eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem Deckel, einer Führungseinrichtung und einer Antriebseinrichtung,
• 2 in schematischer Perspektivansicht die Antriebseinrichtung und Teile des Deckels der Vorrichtung nach 1,
• 3 in schematischer Perspektivansicht die Führungseinrichtung und Teile des Deckels der Vorrichtung nach 1 und
• 4 eine weitere schematische Perspektivdarstellung der Vorrichtung nach 1.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated with reference to the drawings.

• 1 shows in a schematic perspective view an exploded view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a cover, a guide device and a drive device,
• 2 in schematic perspective view the drive device and parts of the cover of the device according to 1 ,
• 3 in schematic perspective view the guide device and parts of the cover of the device according to 1 and
• 4 another schematic perspective view of the device according to 1 .

According to the 1 to 4 a device 1 for closing and releasing an energy charging connection of an electrically powered passenger vehicle is provided and has a cover 100, a guide device 200 and a drive device 300.

The energy charging connection in this case is a charging socket of the passenger car, not shown in detail in the figures, whose body K is in 1 is only shown in sections in the area of the said energy charging connection.

The cover 100 can be moved between a closed position and an open position. In the open position (not shown in detail in the figures), the cover 100 exposes an opening A in the body K, through which the charging socket is accessible for connecting a charging cable. In the closed position (see 1 , 3 , 4 ), the energy charging connection is covered by the cover 100. The cover is guided and driven in a manner described in more detail below and can be moved between the closed and the open position.

The guide device 200 is arranged in a ready-to-use state and is fixed to the vehicle. The cover 100 is attached to the guide device 200 between the open and closed positions in a guide plane F (see 3 ) linearly movable. The guide plane F is along a longitudinal axis L and a vertical axis H (see 1 , 3 ). The guide plane F is an imaginary plane in which a movement path of the displacement movement of the cover 100 runs, not shown in detail in the figures.

The drive device 300 is operatively connected to the cover 100 and is designed to drive the displacement movement of the cover 100 between the closed and the open position.

The drive device 300 has two racks 301, 302, two drive gears 303, 304, a drive shaft 305 and a drive motor 306.

The two racks 301, 302 can also be referred to as first rack 301 and second rack 302. The two racks 301, 302 are spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis Q and each extend longitudinally parallel to the guide plane F. The transverse axis Q is oriented orthogonally to the vertical axis H and the longitudinal axis L. The axes L, H, Q form a Cartesian axis system, which can be assigned to the guide device 200, for example. The two racks 301, 302 are also each firmly connected to the cover 100 and immobile relative to it.

The two drive gears 303, 304 can also be referred to as the first drive gear 303 and the second drive gear 304. The first drive gear 303 is toothed with the first rack 301. The second drive gear 304 is toothed with the second rack 302. Both racks 301, 302 each have a toothing Z in the present case. The drive gears 303, 304 have a toothing Z` that is complementary to this. In the present case, the toothing Z, Z` is a straight toothing. However, a helical toothing of the racks and the drive gears is also conceivable and possible.

The drive shaft 305 is perpendicular to the guide plane F and thus extends along, or more precisely parallel to, the transverse axis Q and carries both drive gears 303, 304. The two drive gears 303, 304 are each torque-fixedly connected to the drive shaft 305 and/or arranged on the same.

The drive motor 306 is operatively connected to the drive shaft 305 and is designed to drive the same.

To move the cover 100 from the closed position shown in the figures to the open position, the drive motor 306 is activated to rotate the drive shaft 305 in an anti-clockwise direction. As a result, the racks 301, 302 - together with the cover 100 firmly connected to the racks 301, 302 - are moved along the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis H, guided by the guide device 200. The displacement movement takes place in relation to the plane of the drawing of the 4 along the longitudinal axis L to the left and along the vertical axis H downwards. In the open position, the cover 100 is therefore lowered under the body K and displaced longitudinally behind it so that the opening A is exposed.

In the embodiment shown, the cover 100 has an outer cover part 101 and a cover carrier 102. In the closed position, the outer cover part 101 forms a section K` of the body K. The cover carrier 102 acts as a support structure for the outer cover part 101. The outer cover part 101 is attached to the cover carrier 102 in a manner not shown in detail in the figures. In the embodiment shown, the racks 301, 302 are each arranged on the cover carrier 102 and firmly connected to it.

In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the lid does not have a multi-part design. Rather, the outer part of the lid is formed by a section of the lid carrier and vice versa.

In the embodiment shown, the cover carrier 102 has a one-piece design. The racks 301, 302 are each designed as a section of the cover carrier 102. The cover carrier 102 is therefore a one-piece and/or integral component B (see 2 ). Component B is an injection-molded component made of plastic.

In the embodiment shown, the lid carrier 102 has a receiving section 1021 for the outer lid part 101. The receiving section 1021 is shaped like a pocket. In the present case, the two racks 301, 302 are each longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis L essentially over the entire length of the receiving section 1021. In addition, both racks 301, 302 each protrude at one end along the longitudinal axis L beyond the receiving section 1021. The sections of the two racks 301, 302 that protrude or protrude in this respect each form an extension F of the lid carrier 102.

In the present case, the two racks 301, 302 are each longitudinally extended in sections in different directions within the guide plane F. The second rack 302 has a first longitudinal section 3024 and a second longitudinal section 3025. The first longitudinal section 3024 is essentially longitudinally extended along the vertical axis H. The second longitudinal section 3025 is essentially longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis L. It is understood that such a design is merely a specific property of the embodiment shown. In other embodiments, the racks can deviate from this and be longitudinally extended within the guide plane or parallel to it. What has been said about the second rack 302 also applies, mutatis mutandis, to the first rack 301.

The drive motor 306 is arranged along the transverse axis Q between the racks 301, 302.

In the present case, the drive shaft 305 extends through the drive motor 306, wherein the drive motor 306 is arranged along the transverse axis Q essentially centrally on the drive shaft 305. The term “essentially” refers to any manufacturing tolerances that are subject to theoretical The drive motor 306 is therefore also arranged essentially centrally between the drive gears 303, 304. The drive motor 306 has a shaft holder 307 (see 2 ) through which the drive shaft 305 extends along the transverse axis Q. The drive motor 306 is mounted fixedly to the vehicle in a manner described in more detail below.

In the embodiment shown, the drive motor 306 also functions as a bearing device for the drive shaft 305. This is therefore "floating" mounted on the drive motor 306. No further bearing devices are provided for the drive shaft 305. This is only held in the shaft holder 307 and fixed in the shaft holder 307 so as to transmit torque about its axis of rotation. The two drive gears 303, 304 are arranged on opposite ends (without reference numerals) of the drive shaft 305.

The guide device 200 has guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023. In the present case, a total of six guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023 are present, which is to be understood as purely exemplary. In an embodiment not shown in the figures, at least two guide slots are present, which are opposite one another along the transverse axis Q.

In the embodiment shown, the guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013 can also be referred to as first guide slots. The guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023 can also be referred to as second guide slots. The first guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013 and the second guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023 are opposite each other along the transverse axis Q and are each longitudinally extended parallel to the guide plane F. In the embodiment shown, the imaginary guide plane F is located in the middle between the first guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013 and the second guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023 with respect to the transverse axis Q.

The two racks 301, 302 are each arranged with respect to the transverse axis Q between the first guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013 and the second guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023.

In the embodiment shown, the first guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013 and the second guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023 are arranged in relation to a center plane M (see 3 ) of the device 1 is mirror-symmetrical. The center plane M is parallel to the longitudinal axis L and parallel to the vertical axis H. In the embodiment shown, the center plane M and the guide plane F coincide.

In the present case, the racks 301, 302 are also mirror-symmetrical to one another with respect to the center plane M and/or the guide plane F. This therefore also applies to the drive gears 303, 304.

In the embodiment shown, the cover 100 is guided on the guide device 200 by means of several guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023. The guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 each engage in a sliding manner in one of the guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023. The guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 are each firmly connected to the cover 100 in a manner described in more detail below.

In the present case, the guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 are each arranged on one of the racks. The guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 each protrude outwards from the respective rack 301, 302 along the transverse axis Q.

The guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013 can also be referred to as first guide elements. The guide elements 3021, 3022, 3023 can also be referred to as second guide elements. The first guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013 are arranged on the first rack 301 and firmly connected to it. The second guide elements 3021, 3022, 3023 are arranged on the second rack 302 and firmly connected to it. Each of the first guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013 engages slidably in one of the first guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013. Each of the second guide elements 3021, 3022, 3023 engages slidably in one of the second guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023.

The guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 are distributed along the longitudinal extension of the respective rack 301, 302 and/or arranged at a distance from one another. In relation to the longitudinal axis L, one can therefore also speak of front guide elements 3011, 3021, middle guide elements 3012, 3022 and rear guide elements 3013, 3023.

The guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 are each formed in one piece with the respective rack 301, 302. Consequently, the one-piece component B (see 2 ) the receiving section 1021, the two rack gen 301, 302 and the guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023.

In the embodiment shown, the guide device 200 has side parts 201, 202 that are opposite one another along the transverse axis Q and can also be referred to as the first side part 201 and the second side part 202. The guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023 are each formed on the side parts 201, 202. In the suitable embodiment, the guide slots 2011, 2012, 2012, 2021, 2022, 2023 are slotted slots that are continuously introduced into the respective side part 201, 202 along the transverse axis Q. The first guide slots 2011, 2012, 2013 are formed on the first side part 201. The second guide slots 2021, 2022, 2023 are formed on the second side part 202. The cover 100 is held along the transverse axis Q between the side parts 201, 202 and guided by means of the guide elements 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 3022, 3023 in the guide plane F on the side parts 201, 202.

In the embodiment shown, the device 1 also has a base housing 400. The drive motor 306 is mounted on the base housing 400 in a manner not shown in detail. In particular, the drive motor 306 can be screwed to the base housing 400. In the embodiment shown, the drive shaft 305 is therefore rotatably mounted indirectly on the base housing 400 via the drive motor 306.

In the embodiment shown, the base housing 400 is open at the top along the vertical axis H and has housing walls 401, 402 that are opposite one another along the transverse axis Q, which can also be referred to as the first housing wall 401 and the second housing wall 402. The side parts 201, 202 are inserted into the base housing 400 from top to bottom for assembly along the vertical axis H and are attached to the housing walls 401, 402. The first side part 201 is attached to the first housing wall 401. The second side part 202 is attached to the second housing wall 402.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• DE 102020209607 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Device (1) for closing and releasing an energy charging connection of a motor vehicle, comprising a cover (100) which can be moved between a closed position in which the energy charging connection is covered by the cover (100) and an open position in which the energy charging connection is released, a guide device (200) which is arranged fixedly to the vehicle in a ready-to-use assembled state and on which the cover (100) is guided in a linearly movable manner between the open position and the closed position in a guide plane (F) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and a vertical axis (H), and a drive device (300) which is operatively connected to the cover (100) and is designed to drive the displacement movement of the cover (100), characterized in that the drive device (300) has two toothed racks (301, 302) which are spaced apart from one another along a transverse axis (Q) oriented perpendicular to the guide plane (F) and each parallel to the guide plane (F). are longitudinally extended and are each firmly connected to the cover (100), two drive gears (303, 304), each of which is toothed with one of the two racks (301, 302), a rotatably mounted drive shaft (305) which is longitudinally extended perpendicular to the guide plane (F) and on which the two drive gears (303, 304) are arranged in a torque-fixed manner, and a drive motor (306) which is operatively connected to the drive shaft (305) for driving the same. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the drive motor (306) is arranged along the transverse axis (Q) between the racks (301, 302). Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the drive shaft (305) extends through the drive motor (306), and that the drive motor (306) is arranged along the transverse axis (Q) centrally on the drive shaft (305) and/or between the drive gears (303, 304). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (200) has guide slots (2011, 2012, 2013; 2021, 2022, 2023) lying opposite one another along the transverse axis (Q), which are each longitudinally extended parallel to the guide plane (F), and that the racks (301, 302) are arranged along the transverse axis (Q) between the opposing guide slots (2011, 2012, 2013; 2021, 2022, 2023). Device (1) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the guide slots (2011, 2012, 2013; 2021, 2022, 2023) and the racks (301, 302) are each arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a center plane (M) of the device (1) extending along the longitudinal axis (L) and the vertical axis (H). Device (1) according to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that there are several guide elements (3011, 3012, 3013; 3021, 3022, 3023), each firmly connected to the cover (100), which each engage in a slidable manner in one of the guide slots (2011, 2012, 2013; 2021, 2022, 2023), wherein the guide elements (3011, 3012, 3013; 3021, 3022, 3023) are each arranged on one of the racks (301, 302). Device (1) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the guide elements (3011, 3012, 3013; 3021, 3022, 3023) are each formed integrally with the respective rack (301, 302). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 4 until 7 , characterized in that the guide device (200) has side parts (201, 202) opposite one another along the transverse axis (Q), on which the guide slots (2011, 2012, 2013; 2021, 2022, 2023) are arranged and between which the cover (100) is held, and that the drive shaft (305) is rotatably mounted on a base housing (400) on which the side parts (201, 202) are each mounted. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover has an outer cover part (101) which, in the closed position, forms a section (K`) of a body (K) of the motor vehicle, and a cover carrier (102) carrying the outer cover part (101), wherein the toothed racks (301, 302) are each arranged on the cover carrier (102) and firmly connected to the same. Device (1) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the racks (301, 302) are each formed integrally with the cover carrier (102).

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