LOCKING DEVICE FOR FUELLING OR CHARGING RECESS, AND FUELLING OR CHARGING RECESS

Abstract

The invention describes a locking device for a fuelling or charging recess, and a fuelling or charging recess, wherein the locking device has a locking pin (12) that has a locking section (14) on one end and can be translationally and rotationally moved for locking. The locking pin (12) has, on the locking section (14), a first holder (16) in which a pressure piece (20) is received that provides a tolerance compensation over the long term. A fuelling or charging recess having a locking device (10) of this kind further has a recess body, a lever arm and a tank filling pipe or charging module, wherein in an opening of the recess body, a tank filling pipe or charging module is inserted and the lever arm is pivotally mounted. The locking device (10) is arranged such that in the closed state of the fuelling or charging recess, a ball (26) or pressure pin of the pressure piece (20) is at least partially pressed by means of the lever arm into the second holder (22) of the pressure piece (20) against the force of a spring (24).

Claims

1. A locking device for fueling or charging recesses, having a locking pin which has a locking section at one end and can be moved translationally and rotationally for locking purposes, the locking pin having a pressure piece on the locking section, the pressure piece having a second receptacle, in which a spring and a ball or a pressure pin are arranged, and the ball or the pressure pin are pressed via the spring against an opening of the second receptacle of the pressure piece.

2. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, the locking pin having a first receptacle on the locking section, in which first receptacle the pressure piece is received.

3. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, the pressure piece being of cylindrical configuration and having an adjusting ring or an adjusting sleeve which has the opening and can be moved in order to set the spacing between the opening and a bottom which lies opposite it.

4. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, the diameter of the opening being smaller than the diameter of the ball or of the pressure pin.

5. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, the pressure piece being an integral constituent part of the locking pin or being received exchangeably in the first receptacle.

6. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, the locking pin having a guide groove, into which a guide element engages.

7. The locking device as claimed in claim 6, the locking pin being mounted counter to the force of a second spring in a third receptacle.

8. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, the ball or the pressure pin consisting of stainless steel, a stainless steel alloy or ceramic.

9. A fueling or charging recess having at least one locking device as claimed in claim 1, a recess body, a lever arm and a fuel filler tube or a charging module, the fuel filler tube or the charging module being inserted into an opening of the recess body, and the lever arm being mounted pivotably, and the locking device being arranged in such a way that, in the closed state of the fueling or charging recess, the ball or the pressure pin of the pressure piece is pressed at least partially via the lever arm into the second receptacle of the pressure piece counter to the force of the spring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a central locking unit of a fueling or charging recess,

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a locking device of the central locking unit from FIG. 1,

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the locking device from FIG. 2, and

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a pressure piece of the locking device from FIG. 2.

[0035] Components which are provided with identical designations in the drawings correspond substantially to one another, unless specified otherwise. Moreover, describing constituent parts and showing which are not essential for understanding the technical teaching disclosed herein are dispensed with.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a central locking unit 50 of a fueling or charging recess. The central locking unit 50 which is shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a constituent part of a fueling or charging recess. The central locking unit 50 is preferably situated on a section of the fueling or charging recess, which section lies opposite the section, via which a lever arm with a filler cap is mounted pivotably. The lever arm is stressed via a spring device and is held via the central locking unit 50 in the closed state of the fueling or charging recess. The fueling or charging recess has a filler tube and/or a charging module with a charging socket which are/is inserted into an opening of a recess body of the fueling or charging recess. Charging of an energy store with electric current can take place via the charging socket. Liquid or gaseous fuel can be conducted to a vehicle tank via a filler tube.

[0037] The fueling devices and the fueling or charging recess with the central locking unit 50 are a constituent part of a vehicle with a corresponding drive. The drive comprises, for example, an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. Furthermore, what are known as hybrid drives can also be provided which have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Hybrid drives comprise serial or parallel hybrid drives.

[0038] The central locking unit 50 has a housing 54. A spring and a guide element, via which unlocking and locking of the locking pin 12 takes place, are received in the housing 54. The releasing of the locking pin 12 can take place electrically, for example, a connector 52 being provided for this purpose. The central locking unit 50 is situated on a wall section of the recess body.

[0039] The configuration of a central locking unit 50 is known in various embodiments from the prior art. An essential feature of a central locking unit 50 is locking of a lever arm and filler cap in the closed state of the fueling or charging recess and releasing the lever arm and the filler cap by way of rotating the locking pin 12 which has a locking section 14 at its front end. The locking pin 12 is part of a locking device 10 which is in turn a constituent part of the central locking unit 50.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment which is shown in FIG. 1, the locking device 10 has a pressure piece 20. The pressure piece 20 is arranged in the locking section 14 and has a ball 26. The ball 26 is pressed out of a second receptacle 22 via a spring 24, the ball 26 being secured against falling out via an opening 28.

[0041] The pressure piece 20 serves as a tolerance compensation element, as a result of which no rattling of a lever arm or a filler flap occurs in the closed state of the fueling or charging recess. Conventional systems from the prior art have a resilient end piece on a locking pin for the compensation of tolerances, which end piece consists of a soft component. Abrasion of the soft component occurs on account of the rotational and translational movement of the locking pin. This no longer ensures the tolerance compensation, and rattling of the filler flap and the lever arm occurs.

[0042] The locking device 10 which is described herein is subject to substantially no wear, and therefore provides a tolerance compensation even in the case of frequent actuation, which tolerance compensation prevents, for example, rattling of a filler flap or a lever arm.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a locking device 10 of the central locking unit 50 from FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the locking pin 12 with a pressure piece 20 received therein, in a side view. The locking pin 12 has two projecting wings 18 in the locking section 14. In the case of a movement of the locking pin 12, the wings 18 are moved together with the locking pin 12 along its longitudinal axis, and are also rotated about the longitudinal axis. Releasing and locking of the lever arm of a filler flap occur via this.

[0044] In the state which is shown in FIG. 2, the ball 26 protrudes by a defined amount out of a second receptacle 22. The state which is shown in FIG. 2 shows the unlocked state.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the locking device 10 from FIG. 2. FIG. 3 likewise shows the unlocked state.

[0046] In the locked state, the ball 26 is pressed into the second receptacle 22 counter to the force of a spring 24 via the lever arm of a filler flap. Since the spring 24 strives as a compression spring to press the ball 26 back again into the starting position which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a play of the lever arm which is in contact with the ball 26 is prevented. The lever arm therefore cannot rattle. The lever arm of the filler flap is held securely via the wings 28. A slight play despite the locking via the wings 18 is compensated for via the pressure piece 20 in the above-described way. The pressure piece 20 therefore serves as a tolerance compensation and prevents, for example, rattling noises occurring during driving.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a pressure piece 20 of the locking device 10 from FIG. 2. The pressure piece 20 has a housing 36 which is inserted into a first receptacle 16 in the locking section 14. The housing 36 of the pressure piece 20 can be held securely in the first receptacle 16 by way of a press fit. In addition, the pressure piece 20 can have a fastening ring on the outer circumferential face of the housing 36, which fastening ring additionally holds the housing 36 securely within the first receptacle and prevents it slipping out. In further embodiments, the housing 36 has a thread in sections on its outer circumference, which thread, with a corresponding thread of the first receptacle 16, makes it possible for the pressure piece 20 to be screwed into the first receptacle 16.

[0048] The spring 24 is supported against the bottom 30 in the second receptacle 22. The opposite end of the spring 24 is supported on the ball 26. The ball 26 has a greater diameter 34 than the diameter 32 of the opening 28 in a ring 38 of the pressure piece 20. In addition, a groove 40 is situated in the region of the opening 28, the lower diameter of which groove 40 is greater than the diameter 32 of the opening 28. The ball 26 can therefore protrude out of the opening 28, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows an unlocked state. In the locked state, the ball 26 is pressed via the lever arm into the receptacle 22. The configuration of the pressure piece 20 with a ball 26 allows it to be possible, in particular, for the ball 26 to be rotated on account of the translational and rotational movement of the locking pin 12, without abrasion occurring. To this end, the ball 26 consists of a metal, in particular stainless steel or a stainless steel alloy. In further embodiments, the ball 26 can also consist of a ceramic.

[0050] In addition, the ring 38 is situated on the housing 36, which ring 38 can be configured in further embodiments as an adjusting ring with an internal thread. In the upper region, the housing 36 has a corresponding thread. It is possible via the adjusting ring 38 for the spacing of the ball 26 from the bottom 30 of the housing 36 to be changed. Via this, a changed prestress of the ball 26 can be achieved. In addition, it is possible via this for the pressure piece 20 to be adapted to various tolerances in the case of a fueling or charging recess. Furthermore, the configuration of the ring 38 as an adjusting ring in further embodiments allows removal of the ring 38, with the result that both the ball 26 and the spring 30 can be exchanged or the second receptacle 22 can be cleaned.

[0051] Conventional systems from the prior art have damping members for the compensation of tolerances, which damping members are subject to high wear on account of the rotational and translational movement. A ball 26 made from ceramic or a metal is not subject to any wear of this type, and even permits a rotation. Via this, a tolerance compensation is provided which is configured with a long service life and is subject to substantially no wear. In addition, melting of soft components does not occur even at high temperatures, as can occur in the prior art, for example. Furthermore, a ball 26 made from a ceramic or a metal is resistant to fuels and fuel vapors. Therefore, the ball 26 cannot be corroded by way of fuels or vapors.

[0052] In further embodiments, the central locking unit 50 can have an emergency unlocking means which makes a rotation of the locking pin 12 via a cable pull possible. This ensures that unlocking occurs if, for example, the electric components fail.

[0053] The actuation of a locking pin 12 with a slotted guide for the rotational and translational movement, a rotation of the locking section 14 occurring, is known in various embodiments from the prior art. Reference is accordingly made thereto with respect to triggering of an unlocking action and with respect to locking.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0054] 10 Locking device [0055] 12 Locking pin [0056] 14 Locking section [0057] 16 First receptacle [0058] 18 Wing [0059] 20 Pressure piece [0060] 22 Second receptacle [0061] 24 Spring [0062] 26 Ball [0063] 28 Opening [0064] 30 Bottom [0065] 32 Diameter [0066] 34 Diameter [0067] 36 Housing [0068] 38 Ring [0069] 40 Groove [0070] 50 Central locking unit [0071] 52 Connector [0072] 54 Housing