Access Cover For Gas Tank Filler Pipe Patents (Class 296/97.22)
  • Patent number: 9139085
    Abstract: A flap arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle, with a movably mounted flap that is in particular preloaded, in particular a tank flap, a holder for fixing the flap, an actuator for actuating the holder, and an actuator for actuating the actuator. The actuator is equipped in order to actuate the holder for fixing and for releasing the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
  • Patent number: 9080354
    Abstract: A fuel door and a sliding door are on the same side of a vehicle. The sliding door has power locking and power child locking. To prevent the sliding door from interfering with the fuel door during refueling, a lock controller responds to the fuel door moving to the open position by 1) preserving a current outside locked or unlocked state and a current inside locked or unlocked state of the sliding door, 2) initiating or maintaining the outside locked state and inside locked state, and 3) after the fuel door moving to the closed position, restoring or maintaining the preserved current outside locked or unlocked state and the preserved current inside locked or unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 9067489
    Abstract: A system for preventing the illumination of a vehicle check engine light by notifying the driver that the fuel door is not closed. The system includes an interference member, a sensor for detecting the position of a fuel door, and a processor to communicate a detectable signal to the driver. The interference member prevents the fuel door from closing if the fuel cap is not properly seated in the fuel injection port, and the sensor detects the position of the door. The sensor can communicate the position of the door to the processor which in turn can send a detectable signal to the driver that the fuel door is ajar and the fuel cap is loose. Furthermore, in vehicles equipped with power slide doors, the processor can also disable the operation of the power slide door to prevent the power slide door from colliding with the fuel door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Lee Rovik
  • Patent number: 9067487
    Abstract: A collapsible fuel-door housing is provided and may include a first housing and a second housing slidably attached to the first housing and moveable from a first state overlapping the first housing to a second state adjacent to the first housing. The fuel-door housing may also include a locking mechanism moveable between an unlocked state permitting movement of the second housing into the second state and a locked state restricting relative movement between the first housing and the second housing to maintain the second housing in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Asif Zia
  • Patent number: 9067669
    Abstract: A hold open rod system is provided. The system may include, a cylindrical bracket having a first portion with a first bore for coupling to an elongate tensile member and a second portion remote from the first portion, having a second bore for coupling to a fastener; and a tubular jacket surrounding the at least a portion of the bracket, the elongate tensile member and at least a portion of the fastener. A method of constructing a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: attaching a bracket to an end of a composite tube; attaching the composite material to an elongate tension member; operatively connecting a fastener to the elongate tension member; and extending the elongate tension member through at least part of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: MarathonNorco Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Wheeler, Julio Palma
  • Patent number: 9039063
    Abstract: A tank recess for motor vehicles comprising a recess body having a device for fastening to a vehicle body opening from outside and having a tank feed line sealing portion, characterized in that the recess body has a fold-over sealing edge on the base portion, such that a flange on an inner metal plate of the vehicle body opening is encompassed by the fold-over sealing edge, such that in the installed position the sealing edge is able to be placed sealingly around the flange of the vehicle body opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Werner Jakobs, Rafal Pulczynski, Allen Brandt
  • Patent number: 9033391
    Abstract: A flap assembly is provided for a motor vehicle, with a base, in particular a prestressed flap, in particular a fuel filler flap, which is movably mounted relative to the base in a closing direction, and exhibits a latching element with a stop, which in a closing position engages a counter-stop of the base from the back, so as to counteract an opening of the flap opposite the closing direction, and a movable unlocking element, which in an unlocking position counteracts an engagement of the counter-stop by the stop from the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
  • Patent number: 9010836
    Abstract: A coil spring of a push-up device for pushing out a fuel lid in an open direction includes a large pitch portion and small pitch portion, which have different pitches. Therefore, when the fuel lid is being closed, the coil spring, which pushes a rod into a case, has an increase rate of an urging force at an initial stroke less than an increase rate of the urging force at a later stroke following the initial stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Kiyoshi Hokazono, Kosei Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20150102627
    Abstract: A radiator guard for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, which is arranged on the front end of the vehicle and covers one or a plurality of units and/or devices arranged in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The radiator guard is formed advantageously in multiple parts, wherein to avoid an opening in the visible region thereof at least one part of the radiator guard is designed so as to be adjustable relative to the other part(s), thus allowing access to at least one of said units and/or devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas PICKARTZ, Hergen GRIMM
  • Patent number: 8985668
    Abstract: Provided is a sealing structure of a fuel inlet box exhibiting good sealing characteristics without deforming a mounting surface of a vehicle body side panel. The fuel inlet box comprises a main body member and a sealing member. The main body member has a box portion, and a storage wall bulging from a side wall of the box portion and having space for storing an arm portion of a lid body. The mounting surface is interposed between a base portion of the storage wall and a flange portion, and faces the flange portion through a gap extending in a planar direction. A seal lip of the sealing member is fixed on the flange portion, extending toward the mounting surface and inclined toward an outer peripheral side of an opening. An outer basing point of a root portion of the seal lip is located in the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ogata, Hitoshi Kino
  • Publication number: 20150061314
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device for a flap mounted moveably on a component between a closed position and an opened position, in particular for a flap mounted moveably on a housing of an automobile, comprising: a first actuation part and a second actuation part which are designed to engage with one another in a movement direction, locking means with a locking reception provided on the first or second actuation part and a locking element provided on the other of the first or second actuation part, wherein the locking element engages in the locking reception during engagement of the actuation parts and thus holds the actuation parts together in a locking position, wherein the locking reception has sufficient size so that in the locking position a relative movement between the locking element and the locking reception in the movement direction of the actuation parts and thereby a corresponding relative movement of the actuation parts in their movement direction with regard to one another is possible,
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 8967696
    Abstract: The present application discloses a fuel port and methods of installing a fuel port. In certain embodiments, the fuel port comprises a fuel receptacle, a body portion that forms a cavity for the fuel receptacle, and one or more securing portions movably coupled to the body portion. The body portion comprises a first end, a second end, at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and at least one flange extending from the sidewall. The one or more securing portions are configured to hold a portion of a device between the flange of the body portion and the one or more securing portions to secure the fuel port to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Adam Davis
  • Publication number: 20150048644
    Abstract: An access system for a vehicle energy storage device includes a housing and an access port in the housing configured for operative communication with the energy storage device. An access door is operatively connected to the housing and is movable between a closed position in which the access door closes the housing, and an open position in which the access door opens the housing. The access door prevents access to the access port in the closed position and permits access to the access port in the open position. A magnet is operatively connected to one of the housing and the access door. A magnetic sensor is operatively connected to the other one of the housing and the access door and detects the proximity of the magnet relative to the sensor. The sensor is operable to provide a signal indicative of whether the access door is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Georgi, Robert Dallos, JR.
  • Patent number: 8955899
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle fuel system includes a rigid housing and, an inner seal assembly flexible body for sealing engagement with a fuel pipe and with a body panel of the vehicle. A rigid snap ring for attachment to the body panel is held by the flexible body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Simon J. Lorenc, Christopher D. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20150028619
    Abstract: A cable slack prevention device may include: a cable to both ends of which a first operation part and a second operation part are connected, respectively, and which is pulled by an operation of the first operation part to link with the second operation part; a fixing body which is fixed to the cable with surrounding it and is formed as a cylinder shape, and on an outer peripheral surface of which outer screws are formed; and a guide bracket which is fixed to a vehicle body and surrounds the fixing body, and on an inner peripheral surface of which inner screws are formed and the inner screws are meshed with the outer screws of the fixing body, allowing the cable to be rotated and twisted when the cable is pulled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jang ho Kim, Won Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20150015020
    Abstract: In a joining structure of a lid box according to an embodiment of the invention, a joining area where a joining surface of a joining portion of a side outer panel faces a joining surface of a joining portion of the lid box includes a first area where the joining surfaces come into contact with each other and are supposed to be subjected to spot-welding and a second area where the joining surfaces are separated from each other by a predetermined gap and are supposed to be subjected to laser-welding, and the spot-welding is performed on the first area or the laser-welding is performed on the second area. For that reason, since the joining states respectively suitable for the spot-welding and the laser-welding are realized, sufficient welding quality is ensured in both the spot-welding and the laser-welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Akihisa Okada, Nobukazu Kato, Yasuhiro Hatta, Hirofumi Arima, Kenji Chiba
  • Patent number: 8905458
    Abstract: An access port cover is described. The access sport cover may seal an aperture located in a vehicle body whereby the access port cover may also provide access to a terminal located within the body. The access port cover may include a cover, a hinge mechanism and a linkage mechanism. The cover may include an outer portion and an inner portion, wherein the inner portion may include a first and a second end. The hinge mechanism may be located on each end of the inner portion. The linkage mechanism may be connected to the hinge mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism may the said cover towards and away from the aperture. The cover and the linkage mechanism may be rotated into and stored within the body when the cover is not sealing the aperture in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Walter Pipp, Todd Hemingway, Joe Ponteri, Todd Murray
  • Patent number: 8870241
    Abstract: An opening and closing device for a fuel door of a vehicle including a push type latch device for locking or unlocking the fuel door that may be rotatably mounted to a side of a housing by a hinge unit, may include a locking rod movable by an actuator and selectively locked to a locking slot provided in the hinge unit to which the fuel door may be attached, thereby controlling rotation of the hinge unit, and an anti-thrust lever operated in conjunction with the locking rod actuated by the actuator to selectively support the fuel door so as to prevent the fuel door from being thrust backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Lee, Jae Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 8845001
    Abstract: A push lifter is provided with a push-push mechanism. When a charger lid is positioned in a closed position to close a battery charging opening, the push-push mechanism holds a push rod in a standby state. When the charger lid, which is positioned in the closed position, is pressed so that the standby state of the push rod is cancelled, the push-push mechanism pushes the push rod with the urging force of a coil spring so that the charger lid opens. An illumination lamp turns off when a switch portion turns off due to the standby state of the push rod, and the lamp turns on when the switch portion turns on due to the standby state of the push rod being cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Riki Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takeshi Kotama, Shinsuke Nakashima, Reiji Mikami, Yasuhiko Yamamoto, Masahiro Kato, Takashi Yamagami
  • Patent number: 8807369
    Abstract: A fuel-filling aperture open-closing device provided in a filler pipe communicated with a fuel tank includes a tube member forming a pathway and connected to one end of the filler pipe, and a valve body rotatably provided inside the pathway, blocking the pathway by an urging member, and opening the pathway when rotating to an inner end side of the pathway by being pressed by a fuel-filling nozzle inserted into the pathway. The tube member includes a discharge hole communicating an outer surface with an inner surface of the tube member in a portion in which an outer surface of a lateral circumferential portion thereof faces downward, and corresponding to a portion on the outer end side in a closed position of the valve body. The valve body includes a plurality of discharge grooves extending toward the discharge hole in a portion on the outer end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8794689
    Abstract: In a method for activating a motor vehicle closure and in a closure device for motor vehicles a sensor device is activated by switching on an activation device and comprises a proximity sensor arranged in the vicinity of the closure part. The activated sensor device transmits an opening signal to the drive device to open the closure part when an approaching person and/or an approaching object comes within a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor, whereupon the drive device opens the motor vehicle closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Temtec Fahrzeugtechnik Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Angelika Barbara Maria Bauer
  • Patent number: 8794467
    Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle having a basin, which in the region of an elastically deformable floor section has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck. The floor section adjoining the passage opening on a side facing the fuel filler neck has a surface structure provided for reducing the adhesive and/or sliding friction properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Christian Zentner
  • Patent number: 8770648
    Abstract: A charging socket for a hybrid or electric vehicle is arranged in a container which is held in an opening in a body sheet of the vehicle body. A frame surrounds the opening on the inside of the body sheet. The frame is fixed to the body sheet and retains the container in a supported manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Eberle, Ruediger Jahn
  • Publication number: 20140183898
    Abstract: A trough module is provided for attachment to the body of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, which can be sealed by a cover that can be locked by a bolt. The trough module exhibits a wall with a passage opening through which the bolt can pass. The passage opening incorporates a seal, which is molded, in particular injection molded, with the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Heiko BETZEN, Markus FROMMANN
  • Publication number: 20140183899
    Abstract: A flap assembly is provided for a motor vehicle, with a base, in particular a prestressed flap, in particular a fuel filler flap, which is movably mounted relative to the base in a closing direction, and exhibits a latching element with a stop, which in a closing position engages a counter-stop of the base from the back, so as to counteract an opening of the flap opposite the closing direction, and a movable unlocking element, which in an unlocking position counteracts an engagement of the counter-stop by the stop from the back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Markus FROMMANN, Heiko BETZEN
  • Patent number: 8740283
    Abstract: An arrangement structure for a charging port cover includes a charging port (15) having a charging inlet (21) in a charging port opening portion (17) provided on a vehicle body, and a lid (7) that covers the charging port opening portion and is openable and closable on the vehicle body. The arrangement structure further includes a charging port cover (35) attached to the lid in an opened state to cover open sections (16, 18) between the charging port opening portion and the lid. The lid is fixed to the vehicle body by hinges (5) in an openable and closable manner. The open sections are located in side portions of the lid and the charging port opening portion in an axis direction (X) of the hinges and in a front portion in a direction (Y) orthogonal to the axis direction of the hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Yamamaru, Daisuke Takashima, Masaaki Takagi, Masato Inoue, Tooru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8720968
    Abstract: A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the electromagnet is not energized and releases the door when the electromagnet is energized. The latching assembly may include a magnetic flux sensor that monitors when the port door is open or closed. The magnetic flux sensor may be coupled to a system controller that performs a preset response when the magnetic flux sensor determines that the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl Zalan, Joshua Willard Ferguson, Troy Adam Nergaard, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
  • Patent number: 8684443
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicular bezel mounting structure in which an annular bezel 114 is mounted to a hole 106 formed in a vehicle body, the edge of the hole includes: an arcuate part 108 provided along a base circle; a concave part 110 cut off to the outside in the radial direction with respect to the base circle; and a projecting part 112a formed with a projecting piece 112 projecting to the inside in the radial direction within the range of the concave part, the bezel 114 comprising: a body part 114b inserted into the hole; an annular flange part which covers the edge of the hole from the outside; and a plurality of claw parts (116, 112) which are projectingly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body part, wherein one claw part 116 of the plurality of claw parts can hold the projecting piece 112 of the hole between the one claw part 116 and the back surface of the flange part 114a; and when the bezel 114 is mounted to the hole 106, the projecting piece 112 can be elastically deforme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Hara
  • Publication number: 20140084620
    Abstract: A flap arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle, with a movably mounted flap that is in particular preloaded, in particular a tank flap, a holder for fixing the flap, an actuator for actuating the holder, and an actuator for actuating the actuator. The actuator is equipped in order to actuate the holder for fixing and for releasing the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Markus FROMMANN, Heiko BETZEN
  • Patent number: 8677690
    Abstract: A fuel door opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle is configured to lock and release a fuel door for opening and closing an oil filling opening of the vehicle. The fuel door opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing mounted to a hinge of a fuel door rotatably mounted to a fuel door housing, a motor installed within the housing, a locking rod configured to be moved between a locking position for locking the fuel door and a releasing position for releasing a locked state of the fuel door, and a power transmission configured to receive power of the motor, convert rotation of the motor to linear movement, and transmit the linear movement to the locking rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Lee, In Chan Kim, Won Seok Oh
  • Publication number: 20140070561
    Abstract: A tank recess for motor vehicles comprising a recess body having a device for fastening to a vehicle body opening from outside and having a tank feed line sealing portion, characterized in that the recess body has a fold-over sealing edge on the base portion, such that a flange on an inner metal plate of the vehicle body opening is encompassed by the fold-over sealing edge, such that in the installed position the sealing edge is able to be placed sealingly around the flange of the vehicle body opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Werner Jakobs, Rafal Pulczynski, Allen Brandt
  • Patent number: 8651553
    Abstract: A tank closure system intended for closing a filling opening of a tank includes a tank cap, which closes the filling opening, and a tank flap, which covers the tank cap. The sides of the tank cap and the tank flap that face each other are designed to engage with one another in a positive locking manner by way of a defined shape, when the tank cap is situated in a predetermined position, in which the filling opening is closed, relative to the tank flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Aulinger, Hauke Voges, Ulrich Schablitzki, Rainer Blottko, Hans-Ulrich Stahl
  • Publication number: 20140042768
    Abstract: A coil spring of a push-up device for pushing out a fuel lid in an open direction includes a large pitch portion and small pitch portion, which have different pitches. Therefore, when the fuel lid is being closed, the coil spring, which pushes a rod into a case, has an increase rate of an urging force at an initial stroke less than an increase rate of the urging force at a later stroke following the initial stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Kiyoshi Hokazono, Kosei Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8627860
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method of use are provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Willard Ferguson, Daryl Zalan, Andrew Dai, Troy Adam Nergaard, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 8616609
    Abstract: The present invention prevents a lock pin from coming out of a lock hole even if a fuel lid locked in a bolted manner by intrusion of the lock pin into the lock hole is pushed toward a vehicle body. A second lock hole is formed in an inner peripheral wall of the lock hole and a protruding portion formed on the lock pin is engaged in the second lock hole when the fuel lid is pushed toward the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Ogata, Shinjiro Tomida, Tomohiro Shirai, Masayuki Suzuki, Masayuki Noda, Masahiro Nakazato
  • Patent number: 8608222
    Abstract: A tank inlet cover module is provided, which is installable in a motor vehicle, and a tank inlet cover mounted so it is pivotable thereon. The tank inlet cover module has a groove body having an end stop for limiting a pivot movement of the tank inlet cover. The tank inlet cover itself has a tank inlet cover body and a counter stop element, which interacts with the stop of the tank groove via a counter stop surface, furthermore, means being provided for damping a structure-borne noise propagation between counter stop element and the tank inlet cover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Kiefer
  • Patent number: 8585119
    Abstract: An actuation device including, a housing, a pusher supported in the housing, a spring in the housing, which biases the pusher out of the housing, a ring surrounding the pusher over a part of its axial moving range, at least one groove extending on the outside of the pusher at least in sections helically about the longitudinal axis of the pusher, a first diverting surface on the pusher between the groove and the inner actuation end, at least one locking recess on the pusher in circumferential distance to the at least one first diverting surface and being opened towards the outer actuation end, at least one second diverting surface between the locking recess and the groove, which extends obliquely with regard to the axis of the pusher, and which second diverting surface engages with the at least one projection of the ring under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 8556326
    Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle, having a recess body insertable into an opening of the vehicle body, which has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck in the area of a base section, and which has a flange-like fastening edge protruding radially outward facing away from the base section. A flexibly deformable and peripheral axial sealing tab is provided extending along the fastening edge, which extends axially outward in relation to the passage opening and comes into contact on an interior of a tank flap, which is located in the closed position and is mounted so it is pivotable on the recess body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Christian Zentner
  • Patent number: 8556327
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel housing having sidewalls and an interior wall defining a fuel nozzle receiving volume for receiving a fuel nozzle. A sealing retainer assembly includes a retainer base integrally formed with the fuel housing and a seal member that engages a locking shaft of a fuel door lock system in both unlocked and locked configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Higgins
  • Publication number: 20130257089
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel door. A primary fuel door lock system includes a locking shaft having a locked configuration where a locking end of the locking shaft engages a locking member of the fuel door to inhibit opening of the fuel door and an unlocked configuration where the locking end of the locking shaft is removed from the locking member to allow opening of the fuel door. A secondary fuel door lock system is connected to the locking shaft by a decoupling structure that allows movement of the locking shaft between the locked and unlocked configurations relative to the secondary fuel door lock system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lafayette Minock
  • Patent number: 8544932
    Abstract: An automobile fuel-tank tube comprising a tube body made of a first plastic and fitted at one end with means for its affixation to an automobile body opening, further comprising a base integrally shaped with said tube body and made of a second plastic softer than the first and including an aperture to receive in sealing manner a comparatively hard filling pipe, a reinforcing section being integrated into the base and also consists of the first plastic and counteracts radial and/or circumferential deformation of said base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Herzig
  • Publication number: 20130249235
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle fuel system includes a rigid housing and, an inner seal assembly flexible body for sealing engagement with a fuel pipe and with a body panel of the vehicle. A rigid snap ring for attachment to the body panel is held by the flexible body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Simon J. Lorenc, Christopher D. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130249234
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel housing having sidewalls and an interior wall defining a fuel nozzle receiving volume for receiving a fuel nozzle. A sealing retainer assembly includes a retainer base integrally formed with the fuel housing and a seal member that engages a locking shaft of a fuel door lock system in both unlocked and locked configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Higgins
  • Patent number: 8539990
    Abstract: A port door unlatching system is provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel delivery subsystem with a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Willard Ferguson, Daryl Zalan, Andrew Dai, Troy Adam Nergaard, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 8528959
    Abstract: Provided is a fitting adjustment structure for a lid in which, before a frame and a lid are incorporated into an opening portion, a height of a stopper can be adjusted with the lid being closed, to thereby eliminate the need for adjustment after the incorporation. The fitting adjustment structure for the lid includes: the opening portion formed on a panel; the lid which turns to open and close the opening portion; and the frame which is placed along a periphery of the opening portion, and supports the lid, in which: a screw hole is pierced in the frame; a stopper having an upper surface which abuts against a rear surface of the lid in a closed state is screwed with the screw hole; and a turning operation portion engageable with a rotating tool is provided at a lower end of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Baba, Junichi Yamamaru
  • Patent number: 8528966
    Abstract: A shock absorber mounting portion structure of a vehicle may include a quarter panel, a wheel housing inner panel coupled to the top of the quarter panel to form a wheel house, an inner support member coupled to an upper surface of the wheel housing inner panel and a portion of the quarter panel to form a closed space together with the wheel housing inner panel and the quarter panel, wherein the portion of the quarter panel may be disposed above the top of the quarter panel, an outer support member coupled to the quarter panel to form a closed space together with the quarter panel to correspond to the inner support member around the quarter panel, and a mounting bracket of which the top may be coupled to the wheel housing inner panel through a horizontal bonding surface so as to support the top of a shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Joo Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 8485585
    Abstract: A lock device includes a cam portion including a stationary-side cam; a rotor including a movable-side cam; a slide groove; a slide projection; an engagement projection; and a lock groove, in which the movable-side cam is disengaged from the stationary-side cam, so that the rotor rotates so as to allow the engagement projection that has been fitted in the lock portion to disengage from the lock portion. The urging device includes a spring, and a sleeve inserted to pass through a lower-side rod portion, positioned between the rotor and the spring, and also restricting a movement of the rod in a sliding direction in a lock position of the lock device (for example, a lock groove and an engagement projection, and the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Taniguchi, Katsuhito Kurachi
  • Publication number: 20130134737
    Abstract: The present invention prevents a lock pin from coming out of a lock hole even if a fuel lid locked in a bolted manner by intrusion of the lock pin into the lock hole is pushed toward a vehicle body. A second lock hole is formed in an inner peripheral wall of the lock hole and a protruding portion formed on the lock pin is engaged in the second lock hole when the fuel lid is pushed toward the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD
    Inventors: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8439421
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel lid apparatus may include a lid and a linkage assembly that pivotally attaches the lid to the vehicle. The lid may be movable about the pivotal attachments between closed and open conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ovidiu Cristian Mihai
  • Patent number: 8430140
    Abstract: A capless fuel filling system for a vehicle including a closure assembly that forms an iris arrangement that is rotatable to form a seal for a fuel filling tube or provide access to the fuel filling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Flobal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Ognjanovski, David Ballheim