Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:-

1. An automatically operated car fuel flap whose whole assembly opens and also closes automatically by using a mechanism of nut & bolt, by converting rotating motion of the nut into sliding motion which is obtained by constraining the motion of rotating nut and another mechanism used is the coil spring for its automatic rotation which will help to open the fuel cap automatically.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 and as shown in Figure 1 of sheet 1 shows the line diagram of the proposed invention showing flap assembly (1) which consist of an internal & external flap of which the internal flap is made of MS plate and is joined to the external flap with help of hinge and the nut and bolt assembly having polypoplyn Nut & Bolt of which nut is having the grove at the circumference of nut and two holes 3 mm are also provided on the nut at these two holes are provided to mount one end of the SS rod as well as the wire rope.

3. The nut as claimed in claim 2 is mounted on square threaded shaft which having pitch of 4mm & depth of 2mm and in the groves of nut the nylon rod of 6mm are inserted, this whole assembly is inserted inside the PVC pipe wherein the nylon rods act as the key between pipe and the nut thus the rotating motion of the nut is restricted & the nut will only reciprocate inside the pipe.

4. This internal flap as claimed in claim 2 is having a drill of 10 mm and on this internal flap the coil spring mechanism is mounted with help of nut & bolt arrangement which is mounted in such a way that the mechanism is free to give spring effect and between the top of internal & external flap there is a plate welded to fix the angle of the fuel cap and this whole assembly is mounted on the base with the help of hinge of which one end of linkage is attached to the external assembly & other end is connected to the nut & bolt assembly with help SS rod and the one end of the wire rope is connected to the nut & other end to the coil spring mechanism.

5. The nut and bolt assembly as claimed in claim 2 consists of Polypoplyn Nut & Bolt in which the nut is having the grove at the circumference of nut and two holes 3 mm are also provided on the nut at these two holes are provided to mount one end of the SS rod as well as the wire rope and this nut is mounted on square threaded shaft which having pitch of 4mm & depth of 2mm and in the groves of nut the nylon rod of 6mm are inserted, this whole assembly is inserted inside the PVC pipe wherein the nylon rods act as the key between pipe and the nut thus the rotating motion of the nut is restricted & the nut will only reciprocate inside the pipe.
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
The patent rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10: rule 13)

1. TITLE OF INVENTION
Automatically Operated Car Fuel Flap

2 APPLICANTS
Name Nationality Address
Sandip Foundation's, Sandip Institute of Polytechnic Indian Sandip Foundation's, Sandip Institute Polytechnic, Mahiravani, Trimbak Road, Nasik 422213, (M.S)

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

COMPLETE
Following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

4. DESCRIPTION.

Technical field of invention:

Present invention in general relates to design and implement an automatically operated car fuel flap using nut and bolt mechanism and in particular to design an assembly facilitates automatic opening and closing of the lid.

Prior art:

Since 1920s, the automobile were using the various types of mechanisms for the opening and closing of the fuel cap of the car. This gives the car body a plain continuous surface. This does not allow the streamlines of the air flowing against the car to obstruct anywhere. The fuel cap with the flap provides the safety to the fuel stored in the tank. While performing all this functions we also have to consider the aesthetics of the same.

In the ancient cars of 60’s uses the fuel door of the key locked mechanism. They use to have either same or different keys, one for the car and other for the fuel flap. This type of fuel flap was fully manually operated. At the time fuel refilling the user has to come outside of the car and by using key he has to open the flap and pull it with the hand, remove the lid and then the worker fills the fuel in the tank. And the same process for the closing of the flap.

WO 2001040109 A1 discloses fuel door opening assembly for use with automatic robotic refueling system. An assembly for utilization with an automatic robotic refueling system for vehicles which includes a moveable arm having a vacuum cup mounted thereon. The arm is capable of being moved in both yaw and in pitch and may be extended so that the vacuum cup becomes attached to the fuel door on the vehicle and is then retracted to open the fuel door to provide access for a fuel nozzle which may be inserted into the vehicle fuel tank for refueling of the vehicle. Subsequent to the refueling, the fuel nozzle is extracted and the vacuum cup is then again extended to close the fuel door after which the vacuum is disconnected and the assembly is retracted and stowed awaiting a subsequent refueling operation.

WO 2001053192 A1 discloses method and apparatus for automatic opening and closing of a vehicle fuel door during robotic vehicle refueling. A method and apparatus for automatic opening and closing a hinged vehicle fuel door during robotic vehicle refueling is disclosed. The robotic refueling system comprises a manipulator assembly with an end effector having two adjacent arms, one for opening/closing the fuel door (door arm) and another for refueling the vehicle fuel tank (refueling arm). The door arm holds the fuel door during the refueling operation via a vacuum cup located at the tip of the arm by suction with vacuum cup movement controlled by a linear vacuum cup actuator. After securing the fuel door via the vacuum cup, so as to avoid side loads on the door, the door arm swings the fuel door open from its initial door open angle to a pre-defined maximum door open angle in a series of incremental steps using precisely coordinated movements of the four actuators (yaw axis, door arm rotate, door arm swing and vacuum cup actuator). After filling the vehicle tank, the refueling nozzle is fully retracted and the door arm closes the fuel door in a series of incremental steps being the reverse of the door opening steps with software commands to the same four active joints.

US 6702357 B2 describes a petrol-tank flap arrangement for a motor vehicle. A petrol-tank flap arrangement for a motor vehicle has a pivotably mounted petrol-tank flap which is retained in its closed position by a locking device. The petrol-tank flap is assigned a driving device which enables the petrol-tank flap to automatically swing open into its refueling position after the locking device is released.

US 8382188 B2 discloses self-adjusting and self-aligning access door. The connection of a vehicle fuel fill system access door to an access door hinge includes exposed guide members on the access door and the hinge to assist an installer in properly positioning and moving the access door relative to the hinge. Spacing structures between the access door and the access door hinge have a variable relationship for accommodating part variations. An audible sound is generated as the door is connected to indicate final positioning of the door on the hinge.

US 20100045049 A1 discloses opening and closing device for lids. The invention relates to an opening and closing device of push-push type for lids, with particular reference to the lids of fuel tanks in cars and motorcycles, which uses a mechanism comprising a heart-shaped cam and a roto-translating pin, in which the cam is positioned in detached and parallel position with respect to the roto-translating pin and in which the heart-shaped cam and the pin are connected by means of a rocker.

US 7618078 B2 discloses a fuel flap for automobiles. In a fuel flap, a first fastening element is attached to a hinge arm. The hinge arm has second fastening element co-acting with the first fastening element in order to attach the fuel flap to the hinge arm at a predetermined position. The first fastening element includes at least two approximately parallel fastening ribs, at least one of the ribs having two spaced holes and the other has at least one hole, with the axes of the holes being parallel. The second fastening element includes at least three projections having a cross-section complementary to that of the holes. A resilient portion is formed to the hinge arm which upon engagement of the projection in holes is temporarily deformed and after the engagement of the projections in the holes is deformed back and cooperates with a locking portion of the fuel flap so that the fuel flap is secured.

EP 1574381 A2 discloses a fuel tank filler cap module. Vehicle fuel tank filler cap module, comprising a base member that is fitted into the bodywork of the vehicle, a cap that comprises a tilting arm that pivots with respect to said base member, and a cover plate that is fitted onto the cap. The purpose of the cap module is to be easily adaptable to the bodywork of different types of vehicles, and to achieve this, the cover plate is fixed to the cap by fastening means and comprises, on its inner face, at least one support rib situated on a support surface comprised in the cap. The support ribs compensate for the differences between the shape of the profile of the cover plate and the shape of the top part of the cap.

US 6739633 B2 describes Fuel door lock actuator. A fuel filler door actuator including a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and to a latch arm, and a locking cam coupled to the gear train. The locking cam resists movement of the latch arm from an unlocked condition to a locked condition. A manual override cable is disclosed for manually moving the latch arm from the locked condition to an unlocked condition. A push—push mechanism is disclosed for allowing facile opening of a fuel filler door, and a quick connect/disconnect feature is disclosed for allowing facile assembly of the actuator to fuel filler door housing.

Consequently the conventional system suffers various drawbacks and discomfort while filling fuel in the car therefore to overcome the limitations of the existing system and technology there is need to develop an improved and efficient system for the fuel tank door of the car. Hence the present invention designs a system for automatically operated car fuel flap.

Object:

1. Primary object of the present invention is to provide design and implementation of automatically operated car fuel flap.

2. Another object of the present invention is to use a mechanism of nut and bolt by converting rotating motion of the nut into sliding motion.

3. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism which saves the time at fuel stations.

4. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide innovation in an older type of fuel flaps which includes the automatic operations of fuel flap including its cap.

5. Yet another object of the present invention is to give the luxurious effect to the cars.

6. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide working of project in easier and in simplified way.

7. Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the function of the worker such as opening and closing lid again and again.

8. Yet another object of the present invention is to make a mechanism such that the whole assembly opens and also closes automatically.

9. Yet another object of the present invention is to facilitate the opening and closing of the lid automatically.

10. Yet another object of the present invention is to convert the rotary motion of the motor in to reciprocating motion of the nut.

11. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide cost effective, easy for replacement and compact size device.

12. Yet another object of the present invention is to indirectly increases the fuel efficiency.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from detail description and appended claims to those skilled in art.

STATEMENT:

Accordingly following invention provides an automatically operated car fuel flap. The mechanism is made such that the whole assembly opens and also closes automatically. The worker has to perform only the work of filling the fuel in the tank. This facilitates you also the opening and closing of the lid automatically. For this we are using a mechanism of nut & bolt, by converting rotating motion of the nut into sliding motion. This motion is obtained by constraining the motion of rotating nut. Another mechanism used in the project is the coil spring for its automatic rotation which will help to open the fuel cap automatically. The coil spring mechanism will be mounted on the flap and will be operated with help of nut & bolt mechanism. The combination of these two mechanisms will lead to the working of project in easier and in simplified way. The preferred embodiment mainly comprises of nut, bolt, DC motor, PVC pipe, polypoplyn rods, nylon rod, MS sheet, external flap, MS pipe, SS rod, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING:
This invention is described by way of example with reference to the following drawing where,

Figure 1 of sheet 1 shows the line diagram of the proposed invention.
Where,
1 denotes Flap Assembly
2 denotes Connecting Links
3 denotes Nut and Bolt Assembly.

Figure 2 of sheet 1 shows 3D diagram.
Figure 3 of sheet 2 shows the schematic diagram of the assembly.

In order that the manner in which the above-cited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be referred, which are illustrated in the appended drawing. Understanding that these drawing depict only typical embodiment of the invention and therefore not to be considered limiting on its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and details through the use of the accompanying drawing.

Detailed description:

Now days, there is the improvement in the design of the fuel flap assembly. They had eliminated the function of car user. And the function of the user is performed by the electric motor. The worker is supposed to close the lid as well as the push the flap to close it. Our modification in the existing fuel flap is help to eliminate the function of the worker also. The mechanism is made such that the whole assembly opens and also closes automatically. The worker has to perform only the work of filling the fuel in the tank. In the existing fuel flaps the worker has to open and close the internal lid manually. This facilitates you also the opening and closing of the lid automatically.

Assembly:-
The assembly of the project is divided into two parts-
1. Flap Assembly
2. Nut & Bolt Assembly

1. Flap Assembly:-
In this assembly there consist of an internal & external flap. The internal flap is made of MS plate and it joined to the external flap with help of hinge. This internal flap is having a drill of 10 mm at. On this internal flap the coil spring mechanism is mounted with help of nut & bolt arrangement. This arrangement is mounted in such a way that the mechanism is free to give spring effect. Between the top of internal & external flap there is a plate welded to fix the angle of the fuel cap. This whole assembly is mounted on the base with the help of hinge. One end of linkage is attached to the external assembly & other end is connected to the nut & bolt assembly with help SS rod. The one end of the wire rope is connected to the nut & other end to the coil spring mechanism.

2. Nut & Bolt Assembly:-
In this assembly it consists of Polypoplyn Nut & Bolt. In this the nut is having the grove at the circumference of nut. Two holes 3 mm are also provided on the nut at these two holes are provided to mount one end of the SS rod as well as the wire rope. These nut is mounted on square threaded shaft which having pitch of 4mm & depth of 2mm. In the groves of nut the nylon rod of 6mm are inserted, this whole assembly is inserted inside the PVC pipe. The nylon rods act as the key between pipe and the nut thus the rotating motion of the nut is restricted & the nut will only reciprocate inside the pipe. The main aim of this assembly is to convert the rotary motion of the motor in to reciprocating motion of the nut. This whole assembly is mounted on the base.

Working:-
Condition-I:-
In this condition the flap is closed. Thus the fuel cap is also attached to the threaded part of the fuel tank pipe. During this the nut is at the end of the bolt where the motor is attached to the bolt. The coil spring mechanism is in tension in this condition. When the current is given to the motor, it rotates the bolt. As the stopper is provided at the other end of the bolt, the centre of the bolt is maintained. The nut reciprocates inside the casing as the rotating motion of the nut is restricted. As the nut moves forward the tension in the coil spring mechanism gets released. Due to this the fuel cap opens as the rotation of the threaded cap completes, at the end of last rotation the stopper provided on the SS rod due to this the rod is pushed forward. This pushes the external flap outwards in the time span of 8 seconds this whole process is carried out.

Condition-II:-
In this condition, the flap initially opened and the coil spring mechanism is in released condition. The position of the nut is at the other end of the bolt. When the current is given to the motor, it will drive the motor exactly to the opposite direction. Thus the nut will slide to other end of the bolt. Due to this, the rope will travel back; this also leads to pushing back of the rod. When the flap closes, at the same time the fuel cap enters into the threaded part of the fuel tank pipe. The nut has travelled the half length of the bolt and the further half length of the bolt closes the fuel cap. The nut will stop at the end of the bolt. Thus in this condition the flap closes & also closes the fuel tank. This operation also takes 8 seconds.

Sr No Part Name Dimensions
1 PVC Pipe Material:- PVC
Length of pipe:- 31mm
ID of pipe:- 49mm
OD of pipe:- 50mm
2 DC Motor Type :- Side shaft
Dia of motor shaft:- 6mm
Length of motor shaft:- 25mm
3 Polypoplyn Rods Nut :- Material:- polypoplyn
Length:- 30 mm
ID of nut:- 20 mm
OD of nut:- 45 mm
Pitch:-8 mm
Depth:-4 mm
Bolt:- Material:- polypoplyn
Length:- 300 mm
OD of nut:- 20 mm
Pitch:- 8 mm
Depth:- 4 mm
4 Nylon rods Material:- nylon
Length :- 300 mm
Diameter:- 6 mm
5 SS Rods Material:- Stainless Steel
Length :- 450 mm
Diameter:- 3mm
6 MS Sheet Material:- Mild steel
Length :- 265 mm
Breadth:- 235 mm
Thickness:- 0.15 mm
7 MS Nut & Bolt Nut:- Material:- Mild steel
Length:- 10 mm
ID of nut:- 12 mm
OD if nut:- 15 mm
Bolt:-Material:- Mild Steel
Length:-60 mm
OD if bolt:-12 mm
8 External Flap Material:- Mild Steel (sheet)
Length :- 170 mm
Breadth:- 135 mm
Thickness:- 0.1 mm
9 MS Pipe Material:- mild Steel
Length of pipe:- 30 mm
ID of pipe:- 6.5 mm
OD of pipe:- 10 mm

Implication (Social Impact):-
? Cost is less
? Time saving mechanism
? Easy for replacement
? Indirectly increases the fuel efficiency.
? Compact in size

The operations for making the conceptual models of Automatic Operated Fuel Flap is as follows
? Welding ( spot, arc )
? Brazing
? Soldering
? Drilling
? Tightening of nut & bolt
? Filing
? Pasting
? Cutting
? Grinding

Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspect is not limited to specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general invention concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Adv. Swapnil Gawande (IN/PA/1587)

CLAIMS
We claim:-

1. An automatically operated car fuel flap whose whole assembly opens and also closes automatically by using a mechanism of nut & bolt, by converting rotating motion of the nut into sliding motion which is obtained by constraining the motion of rotating nut and another mechanism used is the coil spring for its automatic rotation which will help to open the fuel cap automatically.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 and as shown in Figure 1 of sheet 1 shows the line diagram of the proposed invention showing flap assembly (1) which consist of an internal & external flap of which the internal flap is made of MS plate and is joined to the external flap with help of hinge and the nut and bolt assembly having polypoplyn Nut & Bolt of which nut is having the grove at the circumference of nut and two holes 3 mm are also provided on the nut at these two holes are provided to mount one end of the SS rod as well as the wire rope.

3. The nut as claimed in claim 2 is mounted on square threaded shaft which having pitch of 4mm & depth of 2mm and in the groves of nut the nylon rod of 6mm are inserted, this whole assembly is inserted inside the PVC pipe wherein the nylon rods act as the key between pipe and the nut thus the rotating motion of the nut is restricted & the nut will only reciprocate inside the pipe.

4. This internal flap as claimed in claim 2 is having a drill of 10 mm and on this internal flap the coil spring mechanism is mounted with help of nut & bolt arrangement which is mounted in such a way that the mechanism is free to give spring effect and between the top of internal & external flap there is a plate welded to fix the angle of the fuel cap and this whole assembly is mounted on the base with the help of hinge of which one end of linkage is attached to the external assembly & other end is connected to the nut & bolt assembly with help SS rod and the one end of the wire rope is connected to the nut & other end to the coil spring mechanism.

5. The nut and bolt assembly as claimed in claim 2 consists of Polypoplyn Nut & Bolt in which the nut is having the grove at the circumference of nut and two holes 3 mm are also provided on the nut at these two holes are provided to mount one end of the SS rod as well as the wire rope and this nut is mounted on square threaded shaft which having pitch of 4mm & depth of 2mm and in the groves of nut the nylon rod of 6mm are inserted, this whole assembly is inserted inside the PVC pipe wherein the nylon rods act as the key between pipe and the nut thus the rotating motion of the nut is restricted & the nut will only reciprocate inside the pipe.

Adv. Swapnil Gawande (IN/PA/1587)

Sandip Institute of Polytechnic Sheet 2/1

Figure 1

Figure 2

Adv. Swapnil Gawande (IN/PA/1587)

Sandip Institute of Polytechnic Sheet 2/2

Figure 3

Adv. Swapnil Gawande (IN/PA/1587)

ABSTRACT

In our day today busy life time is the main factor on which our schedule is dependent. In our busy schedule there is lots of time is which indirectly affects the work, for example, the wastage of time in the queue at fuel stations. By taking the same problem into consideration, present invention provides an automatic car fuel flap which saves the time at fuel stations and also gives the luxurious effect to the cars. The mechanism is made such that the whole assembly opens and also closes automatically. The worker has to perform only the work of filling the fuel in the tank. This is a type of innovation in an older type of fuel flaps which includes the automatic operations of fuel flap including its cap. This will also leads to fulfillment of the customer satisfaction. Following invention is described in detail with the help of Figure 1 of sheet 1 showing the line diagram, Figure 2 of sheet 1 showing the 3D diagram and Figure 3 of sheet 2 showing the schematic diagram of the mechanism.