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DE-102023127784-B4 - Spring-operated loading and/or fuel filler flap system with damping for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

DE102023127784B4DE 102023127784 B4DE102023127784 B4DE 102023127784B4DE-102023127784-B4

Abstract

A charging and/or refueling flap system (10) for a motor vehicle comprises a base body (14) that includes a connection area (16) for charging the motor vehicle and/or refueling it, a cover flap (18) that is movable between a closed position (S) and an open position (O) to cover and uncover the connection area (16) outwards, and a spring element (22) to move the cover flap (18) into the open position (O) by spring force. A sequential damping system (19) is provided for damping the movement of the cover flap (18). It comprises at least two damping elements (20, 21) arranged such that they sequentially decelerate the cover flap (18) with increasing effect as it moves into the open position (O).

Inventors

  • Thomas Roth

Assignees

  • BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20231011

Claims (10)

  1. Charging and/or refueling flap system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body (14) which includes a connection area (16) for charging the motor vehicle and/or for filling it with fuel, a cover flap (18) which is movable between a closed position (S) and an open position (O) in order to cover and release the connection area (16) outwards, and a spring element (22) for moving the cover flap (18) into the open position (O) by spring force, characterized by a sequential damping system (19) for damping the movement of the cover flap (18), which includes at least two damping elements (20, 21) which are arranged such that they sequentially decelerate the cover flap (18) with increasing effect as it moves into the open position (O).
  2. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according Claim 1 , characterized in that the first damping element (20) is made of an elastic material, and the second damping element (21) comprises a linear damper.
  3. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first damping element (20) is made of an absorber foam.
  4. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a stop element (25) which is arranged such that it moves together with the cover flap (18) when it is opened and first compresses the first damping element (20) and then the second damping element (21) when the cover flap reaches the open position.
  5. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according Claim 4 , characterized in that the stop element (25) and the damping elements (20, 21) are arranged such that when the second damping element (21) is compressed, the stop element (25) also compresses the first damping element (20).
  6. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the stop element (25) is attached to a pivot axis (43) of the cover flap (18).
  7. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according Claim 6 , characterized in that the stop element (25) is arranged tangentially to the axis of rotation (43).
  8. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according to one of the Claims 4 until 7 , characterized in that the stop element (25) comprises a first section (26) and a second section (27) which together form an angle which forms an And The pressure surface comprises a surface which, when the open position (O) is reached, presses sequentially against the damping elements (20, 21).
  9. Charging and/or fuel filler flap system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover flap (18) is designed to open upwards.
  10. Motor vehicle characterized by a loading and/or refueling flap system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

Description

The invention relates to a spring-operated loading flap system and/or a fuel filler flap system with damping for a motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle equipped with the loading and/or fuel filler flap system. The invention is particularly suitable for use in electrically powered motor vehicles, in which an external electrical energy source, such as a charging station, is connected to the motor vehicle in order to charge it with electricity as an energy carrier, which is stored in an electrical storage device of the motor vehicle. The invention can also be applied to motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine, for example, where a connecting piece or a filling pipe is attached to the vehicle at a filling station to fill it with fuel as an energy carrier, which is then poured into a tank of the vehicle. The invention can also be used for hybrid motor vehicles that have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell for powering the vehicle. Such charging or refueling flap systems typically feature a hinged cover, also known as a charging flap or refueling flap, which is opened to charge the vehicle with electricity or another energy source to power the vehicle's engine and closed again after charging. Often, these flap systems have a cover that is moved into the open position by a spring element after manual external pressure is applied to the cover, for example, using a push-push mechanism. Most known charging and/or fuel filler flap systems have a cover flap or fuel filler flap that opens to the side. These systems may include, for example, soft component stops or rotating silicone bodies to dissipate residual energy during the opening movement of the charging flap before it reaches its final position. However, charging and/or fuel filler flap systems that open upwards are also known. Opening upwards offers advantages, such as providing cover for the vehicle's charging port when the flap is open. It can also be very advantageous from a design perspective for the flap to open upwards. However, a fuel or cargo flap that opens mechanically upwards on the vehicle requires a significantly higher spring force due to gravity than a side- or horizontally opening fuel or cargo flap. Furthermore, the linear spring characteristic of the spring that drives the flap means that when the flap is closed, the spring system stores more energy than is needed to open and hold the flap in the open position. This residual energy in the spring leads to very strong rebounding or oscillation in the open position, resulting in an unsightly appearance. The genre-defining printed publication DE10 2020 112 178 A1 Figure 1 shows a charging or fuel filler flap assembly of a motor vehicle, comprising a base body accommodating a charging socket or fuel filler neck, a flap body pivoting about a rotary axis, and a push-push mechanism for locking and releasing the flap body. A rubber seal, which engages the base body and seals the flap body against the base body when closed, provides a damping function for the flap body. The printed matter DE10 2019 100 787 A1 Describes a device for opening and closing a tank and/or loading flap, comprising at least one flap and a lever arrangement, wherein the lever arrangement has at least two levers which are pivotably arranged one above the other laterally on the flap and on a tank and/or loading recess in the opening direction, wherein one of the levers is also radially displaceable relative to the pivot axis in addition to being pivotably mounted. A bearing arrangement comprises a guide for a section of one of the levers and a damping device with a gear. All, or at least most, of the fuel filler and charging flaps currently on the market that use a mechanical spring system with a pivot point open to the side, i.e., horizontally. Due to the aforementioned disadvantages, a fuel filler or charging flap that opens mechanically upwards towards the vehicle with a pivot joint is not yet available on the market. However, an electric motor that is controlled accordingly to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of a purely mechanical drive or a spring-driven upward-opening cover flap is associated with high costs. The object of the invention is to provide a mechanically or spring-driven charging device. and/or to create a fuel filler flap system that overcomes the described disadvantages in a cost-effective manner and enables an upward-opening cover flap that opens reliably and remains securely in the open position without kicking back. The problem is solved by a charging and/or refueling flap system for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body that includes a connection area for charging the motor vehicle and/or for filling it with fuel, a cover flap that is movable between a closed position and an open position in order to cover and release the connection area to the outside, a spring element to move the cover flap into the open position by spring force, and a sequential