FUEL LID OPENER ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a fuel lid opener assembly, and, in particular, to a fuel lid opener assembly with an over-molded seal around flange portion of the fuel lid opener. More particularly, the present 5 subject matter relates to a fuel lid opener has double channel over molded seal to prevent entering of water or any fluid to vehicle cabin from the fuel lid.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Vehicles has fuel filler box from where fuel is filled in the vehicle. There are two types of fuel filler boxes, one plastic fuel filler boxes and other integrated 10 metal fuel filler boxes. The plastic fuel filler boxes are made separately and assembled in the fuel box opening in the vehicle body. Where the integrated metal fuel filler boxes are integrated in the vehicle body. The integrated metal fuel filler box is made of the sheet metal.
[003] Generally, fuel filler box has a lid which can be opened and closed to 15 access fuel filling pipe. The lid of the fuel filler box has locking and unlocking mechanism. The locking and unlocking mechanism is achieved by various types of plunger assemblies. The lid is connected with hinge arm from one end and with the plungers from other end. The plunger moves inside and outside in the plunger assembly to lock and unlock the lid. The plunger assembly or fuel lid opener 20 assembly can be integrated with the fuel filler box and/or can be mounted separately.
[004] Major technical problem with the fuel lid opener assembly is the mounting of fuel lid opener assembly on to the fuel filler box. The problem associated with the mounting of the fuel lid opener assembly onto the fuel filler box is water 25 leakage. The water enters in the vehicle cabin from the mounting of the fuel lid opener assembly. In order to overcome the present technical problem several solutions were suggested, such as applying seal on the fuel filler box housing at opening area for fuel lid opener assembly. This solution suffers from a
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disadvantage that if seal of the fuel filler box housing got damage, the complete fuel filler box housing has to be replaced which is costly and time consuming. In the integrated fuel filler boxes, the seal cannot be provided on the metal body of the fuel filler box. In another solution, a rubber seal is provided in between the fuel lid opener assembly and the fuel filler box housing. This solution is not 5 robust due to configuration of the seal and after some time seal got damage. This seal does not provide efficient water proofing for the fuel lid opener assembly.
[005] In order to prevent entering of water in the vehicle cabin from the fuel lid opener assembly of the fuel filler box an efficient sealing is required on fuel lid opener assembly. There is a need in the art to provide a seal in the fuel lid opener 10 assembly which makes the fuel lid opener assembly water proof. Further, there is a need in the art to provide a fuel lid opener assembly that is more simple and inexpensive, and which restrict entering of water in vehicle cabin.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[006] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel lid 15 opener assembly with an over molded seal.
[007] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a fuel lid opener assembly with double channel over molded seal to restrict entering of water, water vapor, dust in the vehicle cabin.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide an integrated seal 20 over the fuel lid opener for water proof sealing of the fuel lid opener assembly with the vehicle.
[009] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide an O-ring seal at plunger rod in the fuel lid opener assembly to restrict entering of water from the plunger rod. 25
[0010] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a communized fuel lid opener assembly with the double channel over molded seal and the O ring seal which can be fitted on any vehicle with same design relations and free from fuel filler box sealing.
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[0011] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple and cost efficient fuel lid opener assembly which restricts entering of water in the vehicle cabin efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a fuel lid opener assembly to 5 prevent leakage of water in vehicle cabin. The fuel lid opener assembly has a plunger rod, a plunger body, a flange portion, and an over molded seal over the flange portion. The plunger body has an aperture for allowing sliding movement of the plunger rod from the plunger body. The plunger body has a flange portion which extends around perimeter of plunger body. The plunger body can be any 10 shape, such as rectangular, square, circular, triangular and n-sided rectangular. The flange portion is used to rest the plunger body on the opening of the fuel lid opener assembly in the vehicle or fuel filler box. The flange portion has an over molded seal at inner surface of the flange portion of the plunger body. The over molded seal seals the plunger body onto wall of the fuel lid opener opening in the 15 vehicle or in the fuel filler box. The over molded seal is double channel over molded seal. Due to the double channel over mold seal, the plunger body mounted with the opening having no water leakage. Further, an O-ring seal is also provided at the back of the plunger rod to prevent entering of water through aperture of the plunger rod. Further, the stiffness of the seal can be optimized as per the 20 requirements by changing the chemical properties of the material and by changing processing parameters during over mold processing.
[0013] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative 25 only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be
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considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and 5 components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates assembly of fuel lid opener, in accordance in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; 10
[0016] Fig. 2 illustrates front view of the fuel lid opener assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 3 illustrates cross section view along AA of the fuel lid opener assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 4 illustrates front view in horizontal direction of the fuel lid opener 15 assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0019] Fig. 5 illustrates cross section view along BB to show position of O ring in the fuel lid opener assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0020] Fig. 6 illustrates cross section view with O ring of the fuel lid opener 20 assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles 25 of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
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[0022] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a fuel lid opener assembly to prevent leakage of water in vehicle cabin. The fuel lid opener assembly has a plunger rod, a plunger body, a flange portion, and an over molded seal over the flange portion. The plunger body has an aperture for allowing sliding movement of the plunger rod from the plunger body. The plunger body has a flange portion 5 which extends around perimeter of plunger body. The plunger body can be any shape, such as rectangular, square, circular, triangular and n-sided rectangular. The flange portion is used to rest the plunger body on the opening of the fuel lid opener assembly in the vehicle or fuel filler box. The flange portion has an over molded seal at inner surface of the flange portion of the plunger body. The over 10 molded seal seals the plunger body onto wall of the fuel lid opener opening in the vehicle or in the fuel filler box. The over molded seal is double channel over molded seal. Due to the double channel over mold seal, the plunger body mounted with the opening having no water leakage. Further, an O-ring seal is also provided at the back of the plunger rod to prevent entering of water through aperture of the 15 plunger rod. Further, the stiffness of the seal can be optimized as per the requirements by changing the chemical properties of the material and by changing processing parameters during over mold processing.
[0023] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled 20 in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject 25 matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and 30 conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
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present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0024] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be 5 described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. 10
[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates assembly of fuel lid opener, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The fuel lid opener assembly 100 has a plunger rod 101, a plunger body 102, a flange portion 103, and an over molded seal 104 over the flange portion 103. The fuel lid opener assembly 100 is made of plastic material. The plunger body 102 has an aperture 102a for allowing sliding 15 movement of the plunger rod 101 from the plunger body 102. The plunger rod 101 can be any shape, such as cylindrical, rectangular cylinder, triangular cylinder, and tapered with from end. The plunger body 102 has bell crank 106 connected with the plunger rod 101 for actuating sliding movement of the plunger rod 101. The bell crank 106 rests on inner side of the plunger body 102. The 20 plunger body 102 has a hook 105 which is capable of housing an end of the cable used for actuating the plunger rod 101. The cable is attached with the bell crank 106. Other end of the cable is attached with a lever which is used to open the fuel lid opener. The cable functions in tandem to open the fuel lid. When a user/driver pulls the lever connected with the cable, the cable pulls the bell crank 106 and 25 pulls the plunger rod 101. When the plunger rod 101 disengages from the fuel lid, the fuel lid is opened. To close the fuel lid of the fuel filler box, the fuel lid is pushed on the plunger rod 101 and the plunger rod 101 moves back side and receives lock present in the fuel lid, and engages with the lock to lock the fuel lid.
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[0026] The plunger body 102 has housing at back side to house bell crank 106 and the hook 105. The plunger body 102 has a flange portion 103 which extends around perimeter of plunger body 102. The plunger body 102 can be of any shape, such as rectangular, square, circular, triangular and n-sided rectangular. The flange portion 103 is used to rest/seal the plunger body 102 on to an opening 5 present in the vehicle or fuel filler box to receive the fuel lid opener assembly 100. An over molded seal 104 at inner surface of the flange portion 103 of the plunger body 102. The over molded seal 104 seals the plunger body 102 onto inner wall of the opening present in the vehicle or fuel filler box to receive the fuel lid opener assembly 100. The over molded seal 104 can be double channel seal or single 10 channel seal. Due to the double channel over molded seal 104, the plunger body 102 is mounted on the inner wall of the vehicle body or fuel filler box housing to provide water proof seal. Further, the stiffness of the seal can be optimized as per the requirements by changing the chemical properties of the material and by changing processing parameters during over mold processing. The number of 15 channels on the flange portion can be optimized as per requirement to make a combination of single and double channel seal based on required performance.
[0027] Figure 2 shows the front view of the fuel lid opener assembly 100 with cross section along line AA. Fig. 3 illustrates the cross section view along line AA in detail. The cross section clearly shows the double channel over molded seal 104 20 and it’s sealing with the inner wall 108 of the vehicle or fuel filler box. The double channel over molded seal 104 seals the opening by sealing the plunger body 102 with the wall of the housing 107.
[0028] Figure 4 shows the horizontal side front view of the fuel lid opener assembly 100 with cross section line BB. Figure 5 shows the cross section view of 25 the fuel lid opener assembly along BB line. The present cross section illustrates location of an O ring seal 108 in the present fuel lid opener assembly 100. The O-ring seal 108 is also provided at back of the plunger rod 101 to prevent entering of water through aperture of the plunger rod 101. The O-ring seal 108 seals the gap between the plunger rod 104 and the aperture in the plunger body 102. Therefore, 30
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the O ring seal 108 seals gap between the plunger rod 101 and the aperture during open and close condition of the fuel box lid. Further, the stiffness of the seal can be optimized as per the requirements by changing the chemical properties of the material and by changing processing parameters during over mold processing. Figure 6 shows the cross section view with O ring. 5
[0029] The present fuel lid opener assembly is tested in several tests. One of the test being water proof test, the water proof test of the fuel lid opener assembly is tested by spraying water all around the opener and plunger, in the fuel lid open and closed condition. In all these water tests, no water leakage was observed inside the vehicle cabin. 10
[0030] It is easy to manufacture the present fuel lid opener assembly with double channel over molded seal. The present fuel lid opener assembly can be fitted in any vehicle with opening and with same design relations in the vehicle. The present fuel lid opener assembly can be mounted in the integrated fuel box of the vehicle or plastic fuel box. The present fuel lid opener assembly can be mounted 15 in any existing vehicle with same design relations. The present fuel lid opener assembly provides efficient water proofing in the mounting.
[0031] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor 20 vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0032] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps 25 or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated 30
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embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the 5 practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0033] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present 10 subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations 15 which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A fuel lid opener assembly (100) comprising:
a plunger rod (101);
a plunger body (102) having an aperture (102a) for sliding movement of the plunger rod (101); 5
a flange portion (103) extends along perimeter of the plunger body (102);
an over molded seal (104) is provided at inner surface of the flange portion (103) of the plunger body (102) which seals/rests the fuel lid opener assembly (100) with inner wall of opening in vehicle. 10
2. The fuel lid opener assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the over molded seal (104) is double channel over molded seal.
3. The fuel lid opener assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel 15 lid opener assembly (100) further comprises an O-ring seal (108) is provided at back end of the plunger rod (101).
4. The fuel lid opener assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger body (102) has torsion spring (106) connected with the plunger rod 20 (101) for actuating sliding movement of the plunger rod (101).
5. The fuel lid opener assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel lid opener assembly (100) is mounted on integrated fuel filler box with vehicle. 25
6. The fuel lid opener assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel lid opener assembly (100) is mounted on plastic fuel filler box which is mounted separately on the vehicle.
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7. The fuel lid opener assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the double channel over molded seal (104) may be a combination of single and double channel seal based on required performance.