Method and arrangement for automatically refueling automotive vehicles

• US 5,393,195 A
• Filed: 10/30/1992
• Issued: 02/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autofill Patent AB
• Original Assignee: Sten Corfitsen
• Inventors: Corfitsen, Sten
• Primary Examiner(s): Underwood, Donald W.
• Application Number:
  US07/940,862
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 414/684.3, 414/749, 414/736, 414/751, 414/753, 414/786, 414/737, 901/7, 901/39, 901/40, 296/97.22, 141/98, 141/DIG. 1, 294/2, 294/3, 294/64.1, 294/65.5
• US Class Current: 141/98
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0411 using grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0436 according to a spatial coordinate system
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0469 by interrogating a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0401 arrangements for automatically fuelling vehicles, i.e. without human intervention
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 141/01 Magnetic

Abstract

A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle, wherein the plate lies in line with the vehicle outer body panel and can be swung between an open and a closed position about a vertical or horizontal hinge axis and covers the space in which the mouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe is located. The cover-plate is opened in two stages, wherein the plate is opened slightly to a limited open position by a first opening device in a first opening stage, thereby enabling a second opening device to be inserted between the cover-plate and the outer body panel, and wherein the plate is opened completely by the second opening device in a second opening stage. The cover plate is swung from its open to its closed position by the second opening device.

Claims

1. An arrangement having first and second opening devices for opening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle having an outer body panel and a refuelling pipe including a mouth, said plate lying in the line of the vehicle outer body panel and capable of being swung between an open and a closed position about a generally vertical or a generally horizontal hinge axis and covering the space in which the mouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe is located, comprising:

a first opening means positioned to abut and to releasably engage an outer surface of the cover-plate for opening the cover-plate slightly to a limited open position in a first opening stage;

a second opening means for insertion between the cover-plate and the outer body panel with the cover-plate in its limited open position, wherein said second opening means opens the cover-plate completely in a second opening stage by effecting a lateral movement of the cover-plate about its hinge axis with said second opening device in abutment with a rear side of said cover-plate;

positioning means for positioning the first and second opening means adjacent to the cover-plate; and

wherein the second opening means swings the cover-plate from its open to its closed position, by moving said second opening means laterally while in abutment with an outer surface of the cover-plate.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first opening means includes at least one suction cup which communicates with a subpressure source, said suction cup being operable for abutment with the outer surface of the cover-plate in a region thereon spaced from the hinge axis;

and wherein the first opening means is operable to execute an outwardly directed, limited movement and thereby open the cover-plate to said limited open position.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first opening means includes a magnet to abut the outer surface of the cover-plate in a region spaced from the hinge axis;

and wherein the magnet coacts with a magnetic material forming part of the cover-plate; and

wherein the first opening means executes an outwardly directed, limited movement, to open the cover-plate to said limited open position.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second opening means includes a mechanical member for insertion behind the cover-plate while said plate is in its limited open position.

5. A method for opening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle having an outer body panel and a refuelling pipe including a mouth, said plate lying in the line of the vehicle outer body panel and capable of being swung between an open and a closed position about a generally vertical or a generally horizontal hinge axis and covering the space in which the mouth of the vehicle refueling pipe is located, wherein a first opening device is positioned relative to the cover-plate and wherein a second opening device is positioned to be inserted between the cover-plate and the outer body panel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first opening means that is arranged to abut and to releasably engage an outer surface of the cover-plate, and a second opening means that is arranged to be inserted between the cover-plate and an adjacent outer body panel of the vehicle;

b) positioning the first and second opening means externally of and adjacent to the cover-plate;

c) opening the cover-plate a limited distance to a first, limited open position with the first opening means to enable the second opening means to be inserted between the cover-plate and the adjacent portion of the vehicle outer body panel; and

d) opening the cover-plate from the first, limited open position to a second, fully-open position with the second opening means.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, including the step of providing at least one suction cup on the first opening means, wherein the at least one suction cup communicates with a subpressure source;

bringing the at least one suction cup into abutment with the outer surface of the cover-plate in a region of the cover-plate spaced from the hinge axis; and

effecting an outwardly directed, limited movement of the first opening means to open the cover-plate to said first, limited open position.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5, including the steps of:

providing a magnet on the first opening means;

bringing the magnet into abutment with the cover-plate in a region of the cover-plate spaced from the hinge axis to coact with a magnetic material carried by the cover-plate; and

effecting an outwardly directed, limited movement of the first opening means to open the cover-plate to said first, limited open position.

8. A method in accordance with claim 5, including the steps of:

providing an arm member on the second opening means;

inserting the arm member behind the cover-plate at an edge spaced opposite from the hinge axis;

causing the second opening means to engage a rear side of the cover-plate; and

moving the second opening device laterally relative to the cover-plate hinge axis to fully open the cover-plate.

9. A method in accordance with claim 5, including the step of:

closing the cover-plate by laterally moving the second opening means to swing the cover-plate from its fully open position to its closed position.