Closure device for a vehicle tank filler neck

• US 5,988,238 A
• Filed: 01/27/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BLAU International GmbH
• Original Assignee: BLAU International GmbH
• Inventors: Palvolgyi, Sandor
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US08/875,169
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 141/312, 220/86.1-86.3, 280/834, 280/835, 296/97.22
• US Class Current: 141/312
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/33 Gasoline tank cap

Abstract

A closure device for a vehicle tank filler neck, which has a shut-off valve (21) provided with an actuating device (22) and which terminates in a recessed area (8) of the vehicle body (9), which can be covered by means of a body flap (10), wherein the body flap (10) has a drive device (23) which is controlled by the actuating device (22) via a unidirectional control path.

Claims

1. A closure device for a vehicle tank filler neck, which has a shut-off valve provided with an actuating device and which terminates in a recessed area of the vehicle body, which can be covered by means of a body flap, wherein the body flap has a drive device which is controlled by the actuating device, wherein when the drive device for the body flap is locked in the closed position of the shut-off valve, the drive device can be unlocked by the actuating device of the shut-off valve, wherein the drive device is a gear which is mechanically coupled with the actuating device, wherein the actuating device is locked in the closed position of the shut-off valve, and

wherein the gear has one of a predetermined breaking point and a connection which is released under excessive stress.

2. The closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the actuating device is controlled by means of a switch disposed within the reach of the driver'"'"'s seat.

3. The closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drive device is a servo motor, which is triggered by the actuating device over one of an electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic control path.

4. The closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the connection comprises a thrust guide on the one hand and a sliding head guided therein on the other hand, wherein at least one of the components consisting of the thrust guide and sliding head is provided with teeth, which the other part engages with a corresponding projection, wherein at least one of the teeth and the projection are flexibly seated.

5. The closure device in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that a deflecting guide is attached to at least one end of the thrust guide, which deflects the sliding head out of the thrust axis direction.

6. The closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that for closing the shut-off valve, the actuating device can be controlled from the ignition circuit of the vehicle, wherein the switching on of the ignition circuit causes the closing of the shut-off valve and therefore also of the body flap.

7. The closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the actuating device has a pneumatic piston.

8. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device is controlled by a remote control.

9. A closure device for a vehicle tank filter neck, comprising:

a shut-off valve constructed and arranged to be disposed in the filler neck;

an outer body flap movable between an opened position permitting access to the filler neck; and

a closed position preventing access to the filler neck,

a drive device operatively coupled with the outer body flap and being actuatable to move said outer body flap between said opened and closed positions,

an actuating device operatively coupled with said shut-off valve to control opening and closing of said shut-off valve,

said actuating device undirectionally coupled to said drive device so as to

     1) enable said actuating device to actuate said drive device, and

     2) prevent opening of the shut-off valve in response to opening of the outer body flap.

10. The closure device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the actuating device is controlled by means of a switch disposed within the reach of the driver'"'"'s seat.

11. The closure device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the drive device is a servo motor, which is triggered by the actuating device over one of an electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic control path.

12. The closure device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the drive device is a gear which is mechanically coupled with the actuating device, wherein the actuating device is locked in the closed position of the shut-off valve.

13. The closure device in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the gear has one of a predetermined breaking point and a connection which is released under excessive stress.

14. The closure device in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the connection comprises a thrust guide on the one hand and a sliding head guided therein on the other hand, wherein at least one of the components consisting of the thrust guide and sliding head is provided with teeth, which the other part engages with a corresponding projection, wherein the teeth and/or the projection are flexibly seated.

15. The closure device in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that a deflecting guide is attached to at least one end of the thrust guide, which deflects the sliding head out of the thrust axis direction.

16. The closure device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that for closing the shut-off valve, the actuating device can be controlled from the ignition circuit of the vehicle, wherein the switching on of the ignition circuit causes the closing of the shut-off valve and therefore also of the body flap.

17. The closure device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the actuating device has a pneumatic piston.

18. The closure device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the actuating device is controlled by a remote control.