System and method for controlling refueling of a motor vehicle

• US 6,011,484 A
• Filed: 05/23/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Gruenberger, Werner, Dietl, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): JEANGLAUDE, JEAN BRUNER
• Application Number:
  US08/862,474
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/426, 340/542, 340/430, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.5, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 123/399, 123/179.3, 123/325, 123/339.17, 123/339.23, 123/418, 123/479, 123/179.2, 180/65.4, 180/197, 180/287, 180/289, 180/271, 701/114, 701/36, 701/45, 318/563, 318/565
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/48 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/34 for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface

Abstract

A system and method for controlling refuelling of a motor vehicle having an internal-combustion engine and having a control unit for a central locking system and several locking/unlocking devices (VEEs) for doors and covers which are controlled by the control unit. The locking and unlocking device of the filler inlet compartment cover can be switched by the control unit independently of the other locking and unlocking devices. When the filler neck cap and/or the filler inlet compartment cover is open, the internal-combustion engine cannot be started. When the internal-combustion engine is running, the filler inlet compartment cover cannot be unlocked.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a central locking system and a refueling system of a motor vehicle having an internal-combustion engine, comprising:

a filler inlet compartment cover which is movable between a closed position and an open position;

a central locking system including at least two locking units, at least one of said locking units being a vehicle door locking unit, and one of said locking units being a locking mechanism to lock and unlock the filler inlet compartment cover;

a control unit which controls said central locking system;

a cover sensor which outputs signals to said control unit corresponding to whether said filler inlet compartment cover is in said closed or open position;

said control unit controlling an on/off state of operation of said internal-combustion engine such that said engine cannot be turned to said on state of operation when said filler inlet compartment cover is in said open position.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a filler neck cap which is movable between a closed position and an open position;

a cap sensor which outputs signals corresponding to whether said filler neck cap is in said closed position or said open position;

said control unit receiving signals from said cap sensor, and controlling an on/off state of operation of said internal-combustion engine such that said engine cannot be turned to said on state of operation when said filler neck cap is in said open position.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control unit controls said locking mechanism such that said filler inlet compartment cover cannot be unlocked when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein said control unit controls said locking mechanism such that said filler inlet compartment cover cannot be unlocked when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein said control unit automatically locks said locking mechanism of the filler inlet compartment cover when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein said control unit automatically locks said locking mechanism of the filler inlet compartment cover when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

7. A method of controlling a central locking system and a refueling system of a motor vehicle having an internal-combustion engine and a filler inlet compartment cover which is movable between a closed position and an open position, said central locking system including at least two locking units, at least one of said locking units being a vehicle door locking unit, and one of said locking units being a locking mechanism to lock and unlock the filler inlet compartment cover, comprising:

sensing whether said filler inlet compartment cover is in said closed position or said open position and providing a corresponding signal to a control unit of the central locking system; and

controlling an on/off state of operation of said internal-combustion engine via the central locking system such that said engine cannot be turned to said on state of operation when said filler inlet compartment cover is in said open position.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said motor vehicle has a filler neck cap which is movable between a closed position and an open position, further comprising:

sensing whether said filler neck cap is in said closed position or said open position; and

controlling an on/off state of operation of said internal-combustion engine such that said engine cannot be turned to said on state of operation when said filler neck cap is in said open position.

9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising:

controlling said locking mechanism such that said filler inlet compartment cover cannot be unlocked when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

controlling said locking mechanism such that said filler inlet compartment cover cannot be unlocked when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising automatically locking said locking mechanism of the filler inlet compartment cover when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.

12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising automatically locking said locking mechanism of the filler inlet compartment cover when said internal-combustion engine is in said on state of operation.