Closure for a filling tube of the tank of a motor vehicle and operation method

US6102234A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Daimlerchrysler AG · US

Inventors

• Adolf Kremer · Waiblingen, DE
• Dieter Scheurenbrand · Wolfschlugen, DE
• Reinhard Steinkamper · Winnenden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 9, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 15, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 9, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/5762
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A closure for a filling tube of a motor vehicle with a swivel closure cover is arranged outside of a center opening of the filling tube in the tank and pivots around a swivel axis positioned in a plane perpendicular to the center axis of the opening. The closure is pre-stressed by a spring in a direction counter to the insertion movement of a filling pipe of a fuel supply nozzle. The closure is supported on a lower surrounding opening edge of the opening in the closed position to form a seal. An upstanding swivel facilitating element that can be contacted by the filling pipe is arranged on the closure. The closure cover is swiveled in a force-saving manner as a result of this swivel facilitating element. To achieve a safe and reliable closure operation of the closure cover for refuelling, and to reduce, as much as possible, an amount of force along the total insertion path of the filing tube, it is proposed to attach the swivel facilitating element to the upper side of the closure cover and to shape the element like a curved disc. The element has a guidance plane that faces the swivel axis. The highest geodetic position of the guidance plane, in the closed position, forms an end re…