US 12,392,174 B2
Device for switching and actuating multiple functions of a charging and/or filler-neck compartment system of a vehicle, and charging and/or filler-neck compartment system having such a device
Roland Och, Rottendorf (DE); Matthias Hegwein, Ippesheim (DE); and Andreas Rudolf, Eibelstadt (DE)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/674,368.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 104 304.2 (DE), filed on Feb. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0268066 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. E05B 83/34 (2014.01); B60K 15/05 (2006.01); E05B 79/20 (2014.01); E05B 81/12 (2014.01); E05B 81/36 (2014.01); E05B 81/44 (2014.01)
CPC E05B 83/34 (2013.01) [B60K 15/05 (2013.01); E05B 79/20 (2013.01); E05B 81/13 (2013.01); B60K 2015/0515 (2013.01); B60K 2015/0561 (2013.01); E05B 81/36 (2013.01); E05B 81/44 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/534 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for switching and actuating multiple functions of a charging and/or filler-neck compartment system of a vehicle, wherein the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system has a charging and/or filler-neck compartment and a cover which is movable relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment, and wherein the device comprises:
a drive element with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the cover such that, when the drive shaft rotates, the cover is movable relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment; and
a mechanical control or switching mechanism, wherein the mechanical control or switching mechanism is designed such that, when the drive shaft rotates, a rotational movement of the drive shaft can be picked off by the mechanical control or switching mechanism for the purposes of manipulating at least one functional component of the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system;
wherein:
the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system has a flap unlocking/flap locking mechanism for locking and/or blocking the cover in its closed state, wherein the mechanical control or switching mechanism is designed to, when the drive shaft of the drive element rotates, convert a torque generated by the drive element into a translational force so as to manipulate the flap unlocking/flap locking mechanism; or
the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system has a charging connection, charging plug connector and/or filler neck accommodated in a passage opening of the charging and/or filler-neck compartment and has a correspondingly associated locking/unlocking mechanism for locking/blocking or unlocking/releasing the charging connection, charging plug connector and/or filler neck, wherein the mechanical control or switching mechanism is designed to, when the drive shaft of the drive element rotates, convert a torque generated by the drive element into a translational force so as to manipulate the locking/unlocking mechanism; or
the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system has an illumination device with a correspondingly associated switch for activating and deactivating the illumination device, wherein the mechanical control or switching mechanism is designed to, when the drive shaft of the drive element rotates, convert a torque generated by the drive element into a translational force so as to manipulate the switch;
wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the cover, and the mechanical control or switching mechanism is configured such that:
proceeding from an initial position of the drive shaft, during a first number of rotations or through a first rotational angle of the drive shaft, the mechanical control or switching mechanism generates a force required for manipulating the flap unlocking/flap locking mechanism, and
only after the first number of rotations or after the first rotational angle of the drive shaft and only during an immediately subsequent second number of rotations or through a second rotational angle of the drive shaft, the cover is moved relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment, and
only after the second number of rotations or only after the second rotational angle of the drive shaft and during an immediately subsequent third number of rotations or through a third rotational angle of the drive shaft, the mechanical control or switching mechanism generates a force required for manipulating the locking/unlocking mechanism.