DESC:Field of the invention

The present invention relates to automobiles and more particularly, to a fuel lid apparatus having a lid that is capable of moving between a close condition and an open condition with a four-bar linkage assembly.

Background of the invention

Generally, vehicles have a fuel tank that stores a fuel used to operate the engine. Typically, a fuel filling pipe extends from the fuel tank up to an opening formed in a side of the vehicle's body. In order to access the top of the fuel filling pipe to fill the fuel tank with the fuel, a fuel lid is moved from a closed condition where access to the fuel filling pipe through the opening is prevented whereas in an open condition access to the fuel filling pipe can be achieved through the opening. Once the fuel lid is opened, a cap is removed from an outer end of the fuel filling pipe and the fuel is filled thereto and thus, to the fuel tank. Once the fuel tank is filled, the cap is replaced and the fuel lid is moved back to the closed condition.

Normally, the fuel lid is moved between the open and the closed conditions by pivoting or rotating the fuel lid about a hinge axis. However, such hinged fuel lids generally have drawbacks. One such drawback is that the fuel lid requires some clearance with body side outer panel for opening and closing that reduces aesthetics and also, causes water entry into the fuel box. Furthermore, to avoid fouling problems in future greater clearance has to be provided in the hinge side compared to other sides.

Another type of fuel lid opening uses a swan neck which rotates about an axis outside the fuel lid. In this type of arrangement, a bigger opening envelope compared to a simple hinge axis type is available hence, fouling issues can be answered but it is also having problems like greater time for assembly, space requirements for the swan neck profile, complexity in fuel box design and the like.
Also, the prior art mentions the use of fuel lids that move side to side when opened.

Drawbacks of the prior art
1) Partial aperture blocking in the open condition.
2) Difficulty in opening/closing.
3) Difficulty in incorporating a locking mechanism.
4) Opening the fuel lid inside the fuel box requires a large size fuel box to accommodate the lid inside in the open condition.

Accordingly, there is a need of a fuel lid apparatus that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Object of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel lid that gives uniform gap with reduced clearance, improves aesthetics and also, increases the reliability in opening and closing the lid.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fuel lid apparatus for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a fuel tank, a fuel box, a fuel filling pipe and an outer panel. The outer panel includes an opening. The fuel lid apparatus is mounted on the outer panel of the vehicle. The fuel lid apparatus comprises a lid, a fixed part, a pair of connecting links and a spring.

The fixed part is coupled to the fuel box. The fixed part includes a projection, a slot and a pair of stoppers configured on an end thereof for preventing clashing with the fuel box. The lid is connected to the fixed part and moves about pivots with a four bar linkage mechanism to define an open position and a closed position thereof. The four bar linkage mechanism is formed by a part attached to the fuel box that works as a fixed link, the pair of connecting links working as a rocking links and the lid working as a fourth link. The lid coincides with the outer panel when the fuel lid apparatus is in the closed condition and is positioned outside with respect to the outer panel when the fuel lid apparatus is in the open condition.

The pair of connecting links connects the fixed part to the fuel box. Each connecting link of the pair of connecting links includes a first part pivotally attached to the fuel box and a second part pivotally attached to the lid. The pair of connecting links is I-sectional links incorporated to maximize an aperture clearance for a particular opening angle. The spring is coiled around the fuel box such that one end thereof rests on the fixed part.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a fuel lid apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fuel lid apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a top sectional view of the fuel lid apparatus showing a lid in an open position;

Figure 4 is a top sectional view of the fuel lid apparatus showing the lid in a closed position;

Figure 5 is a side view of a fixed part of the fuel lid apparatus;

Figure 6 is a side view of the fuel lid apparatus showing attachment of the fixed part to the lid through a pair of connecting links, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 illustrates an attachment of components to the fixed part;

Figure 8 is a top view of the pair of connecting links; and

Figure 9 is a top sectional view of the fuel lid apparatus showing rotation of the lid, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a fuel lid apparatus for automobiles. The fuel lid apparatus comprises a lid that is capable of moving between a closed condition and an open condition with a four-bar linkage assembly. The fuel lid apparatus provides uniform gap with reduced clearance that improves aesthetics and also, increases the reliability in opening and closing the lid.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figure 1, a side view of a vehicle (100) equipped with a fuel lid apparatus (30), in accordance with the present invention is shown. The vehicle (100) comprises a fuel tank (not shown), the fuel lid apparatus (30), a fuel box (40), a fuel filling pipe (50) (Refer figure 3) and an outer panel (60) having an opening (70) (Refer figure 2). The fuel lid apparatus (30) is mounted on the outer panel (60) of the vehicle (100).

Referring to figures 2-9, the fuel lid apparatus (30) comprises a lid (5), a pair of connecting links (10), a spring (15) and a fixed part (20).

The fixed part (20) is connected to the fuel box (40). The fixed part (20) includes a projection (not numbered), a slot (16) and a pair of stoppers (18). The slot (16) is configured on the projection to confine an open position and a closed position of the lid (5). The pair of stoppers (18) is configured on an end (not numbered) of the fixed part (20) to prevent clashing with the fuel box (40).

The pair of connecting links (10) is I-sectional links and incorporated for increasing stiffness. In an embodiment, the connecting links (10) are bent instead of keeping straight so as to maximize an aperture clearance for a particular opening angle (Refer figure 8). The bending angles are optimized through the result of an iterative process. The pair of connecting links (10) is adapted to support the lid (5) on the vehicle (100). Each connecting link of the pair of connecting links (10) includes a first part (10A) and a second part (10B). The first part (10A) is pivotally attached to the fuel box (40) and the second part (10B) is pivotally attached to the lid (5). In an embodiment, the linkage section contains dual bead like feature and the stiffness to weight ratio is higher by approximately 25 %. The ratio of the locus of path length traced by the pair of connecting links (10) is almost equal to unity which maximizes opening.
The lid (5) is connected to the fixed part (20) that is coupled to the fuel box (40) through the connecting links (10). This linkage mechanism forms four joints that work on a principle of four bar chain. In an embodiment, the linkage mechanism works on a four bar chain double rocker mechanism. The four bar linkage mechanism is formed by a part (not numbered) attached to the fuel box (40) works as a fixed link, the pair of connecting links (10) work as a rocking links and the lid (5) works as a fourth link. The four bar chain mechanism is a four bar link type that makes the lid (5) to rotate about an instantaneous center that change in space with time thereby moving the lid (5) parallel out while rotating.

The lid (5) is capable of moving about the pivots with the four bar linkage mechanism to define the open position and the closed position. In the open position, the lid (5) provides access to the fuel filling pipe (50) through the opening (70) whereas in the closed position, the lid (5) closes the opening (70) thereby preventing access to the fuel filling pipe (50). The lid (5) coincides with the outer panel (60) when the fuel lid apparatus (30) is in the closed condition. The lid (5) is positioned outside with respect to the outer panel (60) when the fuel lid apparatus (30) is in the open condition.

The spring (15) is coiled around the fuel box (40) such that one end (not numbered) of the spring (15) rests on the fixed part (20). The spring (15) facilitates an automatic opening of the lid (5) whenever a lock (not shown) is opened. The spring (15) is made up of a material for example, steel.

In an embodiment, the fuel lid apparatus (30) and all components are made up of plastic for example, polypropylene or nylon, resulting in prospective weight saving as well as process ease. However, it is, understood that the fuel lid apparatus (30) and all components can be made of any metal or any other suitable material. The plastic components are commonized for different vehicles with the pair of connecting links (10) attached to the fuel box (40) through bolting or made integral if the fuel box (40) is also made of plastic. Further, more complex shapes can be incorporated in plastic because of the ease of manufacturing that further reduces weight and simplifies product design. If necessary a metal insert (not shown) is used in between rotating members. Also, steel bushes are used at the joints for rotation.

The following table describes the specification of the fuel lid apparatus (30) in accordance with the present invention:
Parameter Polypropylene
Yield Strength 33 MPa
Melting point 121 deg
Thermal Expansion 11x10-5 cm/cm oc

However, it is understood that the above mentioned parameters of the fuel lid apparatus (30) may vary as per the material of construction and use in other alternative embodiments.

Advantages of the invention

1. The fuel lid apparatus (30) is made up of plastic hence reduces weight when compared to the existing fuel lids [approximately 33 %] and also, eliminates the problem of corrosion.
2. The lid (5) does not rotate about a single axis which leads to the requirement of higher clearance at axis side.
3. With the fuel lid apparatus (30) uniform gaps with reduced clearance is achieved that improves aesthetics and also, increases the reliability in opening and closing the lid (5).
4. With only slight modification such as changing the lid (5), the fuel lid apparatus (30) is usable with different vehicles.
5. The fuel lid apparatus (30) requires the small fuel filling box (40) as the lid (5) opens outside.
6. The fuel lid apparatus (30) provides more aperture clearance for the given space.
7. The fuel lid apparatus (30) can be packaged in the same space as of conventional fuel box with efficient linkage geometry.
8. As the lid (5) being accessed from the outside of the vehicle (100) allows manual closing thereof.
9. The pair of stoppers (18) is provided on the linkages to arrest the angle of rotation as per engineering intent to avoid fouling with the outer panel (60).
10. With the fuel lid apparatus (30) probability of contact between a fuel filler gun (not shown) and the lid (5) is very less.
11. The pair of connecting links (10) are optimized by bending resulting in maximized opening for the given box size.
12. The linkage section contains dual bead like feature. The stiffness to weight ratio is higher by approximately 25 %.
13. The ratio of the locus of path length traced by the pair of connecting links (10) is almost equal to unity which maximizes opening.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A fuel lid apparatus (30) for a vehicle (100) having a fuel tank, a fuel box (40), a fuel filling pipe (50) and an outer panel (60) having an opening (70), the fuel lid apparatus (30) being mounted on the outer panel (60) of the vehicle (100), the fuel lid apparatus (30) comprising:
a fixed part (20) being coupled to the fuel box (40), the fixed part (20) having a projection, a slot (16) and a pair of stoppers (18) configured on an end thereof for preventing clashing with the fuel box (40);
a lid (5) being connected to the fixed part (20), the lid being capable of moving about pivots with a four bar linkage mechanism to define an open position and a closed position thereof;
a pair of connecting links (10) being capable of connecting the fixed part (20) to the fuel box (40), each connecting link of the pair of connecting links (10) having a first part (10A) pivotally attached to the fuel box (40) and a second part (10B) pivotally attached to the lid (5); and
a spring (15) being coiled around the fuel box (40) such that one end thereof rests on the fixed part (20),
wherein, the four bar linkage mechanism is formed by a part attached to the fuel box (40) that works as a fixed link, the pair of connecting links (10) working as a rocking links and the lid (5) working as a fourth link.

2. The fuel lid apparatus (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (5) coincides with the outer panel (60) when the fuel lid apparatus (30) is in the closed condition.

3. The fuel lid apparatus (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (5) is positioned outside with respect to the outer panel (60) when the fuel lid apparatus (30) is in the open condition.
4. The fuel lid apparatus (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of connecting links (10) is I-sectional links being incorporated to maximize an aperture clearance for a particular opening angle.