Closure System for a Pressurized Container System for a Motor Vehicle

Abstract

A closure system for a pressurized container system for a motor vehicle includes a fuel filler flap and at least one refueling connection. The refueling connection has a non-return valve and a protective cap. The protective cap is designed to be pluggable onto an end of the refueling connection. The fuel filler flap covers a refueling compartment which is set back from the vehicle body. On the side facing the refueling compartment, the fuel filler flap has such a contour that the fuel filler flap can be closed only if the protective cap is fitted on the refueling connection.

Claims

1. A closure system for a pressurized container system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fuel filler flap; and a refueling connection, wherein the refueling connection has a non-return valve and a protective cap and wherein the protective cap is pluggable onto the refueling connection; wherein the fuel filler flap covers a refueling compartment which is set back from an outer skin of a vehicle body of the motor vehicle; wherein the fuel filler flap, on a side facing the refueling compartment, has a contour such that the fuel filler flap can be closed only if the protective cap is plugged onto the refueling connection; wherein, in a closed state of the fuel filler flap, the contour projects into the refueling compartment to an extent such that, in the closed state of the fuel filler flap, a clearance in the refueling compartment is filled by the contour such that the protective cap and/or a loss-preventing device of the protective cap cannot be disposed in the clearance; wherein the protective cap and/or the loss-preventing device are/is disposable in a destruction-free manner in the clearance if the protective cap is not plugged onto the refueling connection.

2. The closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loss-preventing device is configured such that the protective cap is not disposable in a destruction-free manner outside the refueling compartment in such a manner that the fuel filler flap is also closeable, without the protective cap being disposed in the refueling compartment.

3. The closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loss-preventing device restricts a spatial positioning of the protective cap in such a manner that, in the closed state of the fuel filler flap, the protective cap is not disposable outside the refueling compartment next to the fuel filler flap.

4. The closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loss-preventing device has a thickness which is greater than a gap between the fuel filler flap and regions of the vehicle body that are directly adjacent to the fuel filler flap such that the fuel filler flap cannot close if the loss-preventing device runs through the gap.

5. The closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contour and the protective cap are configured such that the contour cannot grip behind the protective cap.

6. The closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refueling connection is radially sealable by the protective cap.

7. A pressurized container system for storing fuel, comprising the closure system as claimed in claim 1.

8. A motor vehicle, comprising the closure system as claimed in claim 1 and a pressurized container system, wherein natural gas or hydrogen is storable in the pressurized container system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a first closure system.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a second closure system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross section of a refinement of the closure system disclosed here. The motor vehicle body 300 is illustrated here only in a small cutout around the fuel filler flap 100. In the closed state, the fuel filler flap 100 ends flush with the directly adjacent regions 301, 302 of the motor vehicle geometry 300 if the protective cap 220 is correctly fitted. The fuel filler cover 100 is fastened rotatably or pivotably to the body 300 via a joint (not shown specifically). The fuel filler cover 100 is formed here toward the outer side by a metal sheet or a plastics plate. The interior contour or inner contour K of the fuel filler flap 100 is illustrated by dashed lines here. It is formed by the inner side of the metal sheet or of the plastics plate and by further contour bodies 112, 114 which project into the refueling compartment B. The contour bodies 112, 114 can be produced from a very wide variety of materials. Dimensionally stable plastics elements which are fixedly connected to the fuel filler flap 100, for example are adhesively bonded or injection molded thereon, are advantageous.

[0020] The refueling compartment B here is the compartment which is formed by the metal sheet or the plastics plate of the fuel filler flap and the walls 310, 320, 330 of the body 300 that restrict the interface elements for the refueling. Only the refueling connection 200 is shown here as an interface element. Furthermore, further communication interfaces can also be provided. The refueling compartment B is arranged set back from those regions 301, 302 of the motor vehicle body 300 that are arranged outward toward the surroundings and are arranged directly adjacent to the fuel filler flap 100. As in the case of conventional motor vehicles, the refueling compartment B is accessible from the outside and can be seen into when the fuel filler flap is open. The dashed contour K and the outer surfaces of the walls 310, 320, 330 of the body 300 are designed and arranged in the closed state of the fuel filler flap 100 in such a manner that a gap only arises between the contour K and the outer surfaces, in which the protective cap 220 cannot be arranged. If the protective cap 220 is therefore not correctly fitted on the refueling connection 200, the fuel filler flap 100 cannot be correctly closed. This is recognized by the vehicle driver and the latter will correctly position the protective cap 220. The annular side wall of the protective cap 220 seals the refueling connection 200 in the radial direction by the annular side wall lying in a sealing manner against the circumferential wall of the refueling connection 200.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be provided that a protective cap 220 which is not completely pushed on is pushed on further onto the refueling connection 200 by means of the closure movement of the fuel filler flap 100.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of a further refinement of the closure system disclosed here. Only the differences over FIG. 1 will be explained below. In the embodiment illustrated here, the protective cap 220 is adhesively bonded directly onto the fuel filler flap 100. The protective cap 220 is manufactured from an elastic rubber material and is designed to taper in a slightly conical manner on its inner side toward the fuel filler flap 100. The protective cap 220 is provided and mounted in such a manner that, by closing of the fuel filler flap 100, the protective cap 220 is plugged onto the refueling connection 200. The contour bodies 112, 114 and the loss-preventing means 210 can advantageously be dispensed with here.

[0023] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which are illustrated here, the non-return value 230 is in each case arranged in the same housing as the refueling connection. The non-return valve 230 which acts as a fuel filler cover can also be provided as a separate component downstream of and adjacent to the connection end.

[0024] The previous description of the present invention serves merely for illustrative purposes and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. Within the scope of the invention, various amendments and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention and the equivalents thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0025] Fuel filler flap 100 [0026] Contour bodies 112, 114 [0027] Refueling connection 200 [0028] Loss-preventing means 210 [0029] Protective cap 220 [0030] Non-return valve 230 [0031] Vehicle body 300 [0032] Adjacent regions of the outer skin 301, 302 [0033] Walls 310, 320, 330 [0034] Refueling compartment B [0035] Gap S

[0036] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.