JP7579290B2 - Switchgear - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an opening and closing device used for automobile fuel lids, power supply port lids, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art Opening and closing devices used for a lid (fuel lid) that is a cover for a fuel filler opening of an automobile are known. Such opening and closing devices are provided on the inside of the vehicle body in correspondence with the lid.
The opening and closing device is equipped with a push rod that moves forward and backward, and the push rod is configured to alternate between a pushed-in position in which the lid is closed and a protruding position in which the lid is open each time the lid is pressed from the outside. A locking portion is provided at the tip of the push rod of the opening and closing device, and in the pushed-in position, the lid is locked by the locking portion of the push rod. In the protruding position, the lid is released from the locking portion of the push rod and is pushed up by the push rod to the open state.
The push rod pushes up the wall surface of the lid facing the inside of the vehicle body, so a buffer member for absorbing impact is provided at the tip of the push rod where it comes into contact with the wall surface of the lid.

JP 2021-42527 A

The buffer member is made of a material that is more flexible than the main body of the push rod because it needs to absorb the shock that occurs when the lid is opened and closed. In Patent Document 1, the buffer member is integrated with the push rod body by two-color molding and fixed liquid-tightly to prevent the buffer member from falling off the push rod body.
However, two-color molding involves two successive molding steps, and therefore requires expensive manufacturing equipment and special molds, making it difficult to manufacture.

The present invention aims to provide an opening and closing device that is easy to manufacture.

The opening and closing device according to the present invention comprises:
An opening and closing device 100 used in a lid 1,
The device includes a push rod 5, a buffer member 15, and a housing portion 11 that supports the push rod 5.
The push rod 5 has a housing portion 16 for housing the buffer member 15,
The cushioning member 15 has a main body portion 151 and a flange portion 152.
A portion of the main body portion 151 protrudes from the storage portion 16,
The flange 152 has at least one notch 153.
A tip of the flange portion 152 is characterized in that it contacts the inner wall surface of the storage portion 16 .

The opening and closing device 100 configured in this way prevents water from entering the push rod 5 and makes it easier to incorporate the cushioning material 15 into the housing portion 16 of the push rod 5, thereby contributing to easier manufacturing of the opening and closing device.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the opening and closing device according to the present invention comprises:
The container portion 16 may be a recess having a bottom BT and a circular cross section.

By configuring the opening and closing device 100 in this way, it is possible to further prevent water from entering the push rod 5.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the opening and closing device according to the present invention comprises:
The flange portion 152 may be disposed at the center of the main body portion 151 in the longitudinal direction.

By configuring the opening and closing device 100 in this way, it is possible to fit the push rod 5 into the housing portion 16 without distinguishing between the top and bottom of the cushioning material 15, which helps reduce the workload during manufacturing.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the opening and closing device according to the present invention comprises:
The cross section of the flange 152 may be triangular.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the opening and closing device according to the present invention comprises:
The diameter of the main body portion 151 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the storage portion 16 , and the diameter of a circle circumscribing the flange portion 152 may be larger than the inner diameter of the storage portion 16 .

By configuring the opening and closing device 100 in this way, the liquid-tightness of the buffer material 15 inside the storage section 16 is improved. In addition, it becomes easier to fit the buffer material 15 into the storage section 16.

The present invention provides an opening and closing device that is easy to manufacture.

Figure 1(A) is an oblique view of a fuel lid 1 applied to a fuel filler opening, viewed from the outside of the vehicle, Figure 1(B) is an oblique view of the fuel lid 1 incorporated into the vehicle body, viewed from the rear side (inside the vehicle), Figure 1(C) is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the fuel lid 1 in a closed state, Figure 1(D) is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the fuel lid 1 in an open state, and Figure 1(E) is a plan view showing the relationship between the locking portion 6 and the locked portion 7 of the push rod 5. FIG. 2(A) is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of a push rod 5, which is a main component of the opening and closing device 100, FIG. 2(B) is an enlarged perspective view of the tip of the push rod 5, and FIG. 2(C) is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing device 100 in the vicinity of the tip of the push rod. FIG. 3(A) is a perspective view of the cushion 15, FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of the cushion 15, FIG. 3(C) is a top view of the cushion 15, and FIG. 3(D) is a cross-sectional view showing the cushion 15 fitted into the accommodating portion 16 of the engagement portion 6. Figure 4(A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a cushion 15 without a flange portion 152, Figure 4(B) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a cushion 15 with a flange portion 152 without a cutout portion 153, Figure 4(C) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a cushion 15 with a flange portion 152 having a cutout portion 153, and Figure 4(D) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of a cushion 15 with a flange portion 152 having a cutout portion 153.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, none of the following embodiments should be interpreted in a restrictive manner in determining the gist of the present invention. In addition, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, and descriptions may be omitted.

Furthermore, terms used in this specification that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and the degree thereof, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," and "same," as well as values of length and angle, are to be interpreted without being bound by strict meanings, but rather to include the range within which similar functions can be expected.

(Embodiment 1)
Below, an example of application of the opening and closing device 100 to a fuel lid 1 (a cover for a fuel refill port) of a fuel filler port will be described, but application to a lid for a power source supply port such as a power supply port is also possible.
Figure 1(A) is an oblique view of a fuel lid 1 applied to a fuel filler opening, viewed from the outside of the vehicle, Figure 1(B) is an oblique view of the fuel lid 1 incorporated into the vehicle body, viewed from the rear (inside the vehicle) side, Figure 1(C) is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the fuel lid 1 in a closed state, Figure 1(D) is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the fuel lid 1 in an open state, and Figure 1(E) is a plan view showing the relationship between the locking portion 6 and the locked portion 7 of the push rod 5.

As shown in FIG. 1(A), the fuel lid 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the lid 1) is rotatably supported by a hinge 2, and when closed, covers a panel opening 4 (power supply port) provided in a vehicle body 3 (panel) to prevent liquid from entering. A gasket made of, for example, resin is provided on the edge of the panel opening 4 to provide a liquid-tight seal.

The opening and closing device 100 is provided on the opposite side to the hinge 2 .
The opening and closing device 100 includes a push rod 5 that can be extended and retracted, and the push rod 5 can be alternately switched between a protruding position and a pushed-in position. A locking portion 6 having a T-shaped cross section that can be locked with the lid 1 is provided at the tip of the push rod 5 on the lid 1 side, and the lid 1 is provided with a locked portion 7 that cooperates with the locking portion 6. The locked portion 7 includes a locking hole 8 (engagement hole 8).
The push rod 5 fixes the lid 1, enabling it to be maintained in a closed state, and also releases the fixation of the lid 1, enabling it to be opened. Thus, the push rod 5 has a locking mechanism for the lid 1.
FIG. 1C shows a state in which the push rod 5 is retracted and located in a pressed-in position, and FIG. 1D shows a state in which the push rod 5 is extended and located in a protruding position.

When the push rod 5 is in the pushed-in position as shown in Fig. 1(C), the longitudinal direction of the head 6H of the locking portion 6 and the longitudinal direction of the locking hole 8 are perpendicular to each other as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 1(E). The head 6H of the locking portion 6 cannot pass through the locking hole 8, and the locking portion 6 locks the lid 1. Therefore, the lid 1 remains in the closed state.
When the push rod 5 is in the protruding position as shown in Fig. 1(D), the push rod 5 rotates 90°. As shown by the solid line in Fig. 1(E), the longitudinal direction of the head 6H of the locking portion 6 and the longitudinal direction of the locking hole 8 become parallel. The longitudinal length and the vertical length of the head 6H of the locking portion 6 are shorter than the longitudinal length and the vertical length of the locking hole 8, respectively, so that the head 6H of the locking portion 6 can pass through the locking hole 8. Therefore, the lid 1 is in an openable state (open state).

FIG. 2(A) is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of a push rod 5, which is a main component of the opening and closing device 100, FIG. 2(B) is an enlarged perspective view of the tip of the push rod 5, and FIG. 2(C) is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing device 100 in the vicinity of an engagement portion 6 at the tip of the push rod.
The opening and closing device 100 comprises a push rod 5, a rotating slider 9 rotatably connected to the end of the push rod 5, a spring 10 that applies a biasing force to extend the push rod 5 and position it in the protruding position, a main body 11 (housing portion 11) that houses and supports the push rod 5 so that it can be extended and retracted, and a bottom support portion 12 that is fixed to the main body 11 and supports the end of the spring 10.
The push rod 5 has a cylindrical portion that houses a spring 10 therein.
The main body 11 has a support portion 13 having a circular cross section that houses the push rod 5. The support portion 13 is sealed by a seal member 14 for fixing it liquid-tight.
The seal member 14 is composed of, for example, a resin packing and a cylindrical plug having a screw thread, and is fixed to the main body 11 by screws.
The push rod 5 and the rotary slider 9 are rotatable within the support portion 13 and are movable back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the support portion 13 .
The bottom support part 12 is disposed at the bottom of the support part 13 and is fixed to the main body 11. The bottom support part 12 supports the push rod 5 so that the push rod 5 is rotatable.

When the lid 1 is in the open state and is pressed down from outside the vehicle, the interior wall surface of the lid 1 presses against the tip of the push rod 5 (locking portion 6), causing the push rod 5 to rotate 90 degrees while retracting, and the locking portion 6 engages with the locking hole 8.
When the lid 1 is in the closed state, the tip of the push rod 5 is pressed from outside the vehicle through the lid 1, and when the pressure is then released, the push rod 5 rotates 90 degrees while extending, the engagement between the locking portion 6 and the locking hole 8 is released, and the force of the spring 10 causes the tip of the push rod 5 to press against the wall surface of the lid 1 on the inside of the vehicle, pushing up the lid 1.
In addition, by utilizing a cam mechanism formed by the rotary slider 9 and the support portion 12, the push rod 5 can repeatedly alternately expand and contract and extend while rotating within the support portion 13.

The push rod 5 has a pressing portion that comes into contact with the wall surface of the lid 1 on the vehicle interior side when the lid 1 is opened or closed. In the following, an example will be described in which the locking portion 6 of the push rod 5 constitutes the pressing portion as shown in Fig. 2, but the locking portion 6 and the pressing portion may be provided separately. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the lid 1 side of the locking portion 6, and the protrusion may be used as the pressing portion.
The push rod 5 has a cushion 15 (buffer member 15) at the tip of the locking portion 6 (pressing portion). The cushion 15 is made of elastic rubber, resin, or the like, and prevents direct collision between the locking portion 6 of the push rod 5 itself and the inner wall surface of the lid 1, thereby preventing damage to the lid 1 and the push rod 5.

As shown in Figures 2(B) and (C), the locking portion 6 (pressing portion) has a circular hollow storage portion 16 that stores the cushion 15. The storage portion 16 has a bottom (BT) and is provided in the center of the locking portion 6 as a recess with a circular cross section.

Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of the cushion 15, Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of the cushion 15, Fig. 3(C) is a top view of the cushion 15, and Fig. 3(D) is a cross-sectional view showing the cushion 15 fitted into the storage portion 16 of the locking portion 6. Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 3(A). Fig. 3(C) shows the positional relationship between the cushion 15 and the storage portion 16.
As shown in Fig. 3, the cushion 15 has a main body 151 and a flange 152 (stopper 152). The main body 151 is cylindrical. A tapered surface is provided around the bottom of both ends of the main body 151, and a taper may also be provided around the end of the storage section 16. This makes it possible to guide the insertion of the cushion 15 into the storage section 16.
3B, the flange 152 has a triangular cross section and is located in the center of the longitudinal direction of the main body 151. That is, the length from one end face to the other end face of the main body 151 is 2H, and the flange 152 is located at a distance H from both ends of the main body 151. Therefore, the cushion 15 has a vertically symmetrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 3(C), the flange 152 has at least one notch 153 (flat portion 153) that is cut linearly into a portion of the circle when viewed from above. In the example shown in FIG. 3(C), two notches 153 are provided facing each other so that the straight lines defined by the notches 153 are parallel.

The diameter d1 of the main body 151 is smaller than the inner diameter D of the housing 16, and the diameter d2 of the circle circumscribing the flange 152 (or the diameter d2 of the circle constituting the portion other than the notch 153) is larger than the inner diameter D of the housing 16. (d1<D<d2)
As a result, the cushion 15 fitted in the housing portion 16 has a gap G between the inner wall surface of the housing portion 16 and the notch portion 153 of the flange portion 152 .
As a non-limiting example, the diameter d1 is 0.3 to 1.0 mm smaller than the inner diameter D, and the diameter d2 is 0.3 to 1.0 mm larger than the inner diameter D. As a non-limiting example, the inner diameter D is 3 to 5 mm.

3(D), the cushion 15 is fitted into the storage section 16. With the cushion 15 stored, the flange 152 is fitted into the storage section 16, and the tip of the flange 152 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the storage section 16. Furthermore, the tip of the flange 152 is crushed by the inner wall surface of the storage section 16. As a result, friction between the flange 152 and the inner wall surface of the storage section 16 increases, preventing the cushion 15 from falling out of the storage section 16.
In addition, because the cross section of flange 152 is triangular, it can be easily crushed by the inner wall surface, and is configured so that the longer the crushed length, the wider the cross-sectional width of flange 152 (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 3(D)) becomes. Therefore, as flange 152 is crushed, the force pressing against the inner wall surface of storage section 16 increases, and cushion 15 can be effectively prevented from falling off.

The length (height) 2H of the cushion 15 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the depth L of the storage section 16 (L<2H), and a part of the cushion 15 protrudes from the storage section 16. Specifically, the tip 154 (protrusion 154) of the push rod 5 protrudes from the storage section 16 and protrudes toward the lid 1 side beyond the surface of the locking portion 6. Therefore, the tip of the cushion 15 abuts against the inner wall surface of the lid 1, and can mitigate the impact caused by the abutment (collision) between the tip of the push rod 5 and the inner wall surface of the lid 1. Since H>L/2, the flange 152 is located higher than the center of the storage section 16 of depth L.
The length in the longitudinal direction is defined as the distance from one bottom of the cushion 15 to the other bottom.

A space is formed between the entire periphery of the outer wall surface of the main body 151 below the flange 152 and the inner wall surface (side wall surface and bottom surface) of the storage section 16. As described below, since the storage section 16 has a shape with a bottom BT, the air in this space is pressurized when the cushion 15 is fitted into the storage section 16, but the pressurized air is released to the outside through the gap G.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a process of inserting the cushion 15 into the housing portion 16, for explaining the function of the notch portion 153 of the flange portion 152.
Fig. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the cushion 15 without a flange 152, Fig. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the cushion 15 with a flange 152 without a notch 153, Fig. 4(C) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the cushion 15 with a flange 152 with a notch 153, and Fig. 4(D) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the cushion 15 with a flange 152 with a notch 153. Fig. 4(C) shows a cross-section along line B-B in the diameter direction perpendicular to the notch 153, and Fig. 4(D) shows a cross-section along line A-A in the direction perpendicular to line B-B (see Fig. 3(C)).
4B, 4C, and 4D, as described above, the diameter d1 of the main body 151 is smaller than the inner diameter D of the storage portion 16, and the diameter d2 of the circle circumscribing the flange 152 is set to be larger than the inner diameter D of the storage portion 16. (d1<D<d2)
On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 4A, in order to prevent the intrusion of water, the diameter d1 of the main body 151 is set to be equal to the inner diameter D of the storage portion 16. (d1 = D)

Since the cushion 15 is made of elastic rubber, resin, or the like, the area where the cushion 15 contacts the inner wall surface of the storage section 16 is airtight.
4A and 4B, when the cushion 15 is inserted into the storage section 16 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, a space S formed between the cushion 15 and the bottom BT in the storage section 16 becomes airtight. Therefore, when the cushion 15 is pushed into the storage section 16, the pressure in the space S increases. Due to the increased air pressure in the space S, it becomes difficult to push the cushion 15 in until the bottom surface of the cushion 15 comes into contact with the bottom BT of the storage section 16.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4(C) and 3(C), in the case of a flange portion 152 having a notch portion 153, a gap G exists between the outer wall surface of the notch portion 153 and the inner wall surface of the storage portion 16. Therefore, a flow path F is formed through which the air in the space S flows out of the storage portion 16. As a result, an increase in pressure in the space S is prevented, and it becomes easy to push the cushion 15 in until the bottom surface of the cushion 15 contacts the bottom BT of the storage portion 16.

Furthermore, the flange 152 of the cushion 15 is located in the center of the cushion 15 in the longitudinal direction, and the cushion 15 has a vertically symmetrical shape. Therefore, the worker can easily fit the cushion 15 into the storage section 16 without having to check the top and bottom of the cushion 15, reducing the workload.

FIG. 4D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cushion 15 and the housing portion 16 in the vicinity of the flange portion 152 .
4D , a first region R1 and a second region R2 are formed between an outer wall surface of the main body 151 of the cushion 15 and an inner wall surface of the storage portion 16. The first region R1 is formed above the flange 152, and the second region R2 is formed below the flange 152.
Because the gap between the outer wall surface of the main body 151 of the cushion 15 and the inner wall surface of the storage portion 16 is narrow, the surface tension of the water makes it difficult for water to penetrate into the first region R1. Furthermore, because the gap G between the cutout portion 153 and the inner wall surface of the storage portion 16 is small, it makes it difficult for water to penetrate into the second region R2.

Furthermore, even if water infiltrates into the first region R1, the water filling the first region R1 prevents the air in the second region R2 from escaping, thereby further preventing water from infiltrating into the second region R2.
If there is only one cutout portion 153, it is difficult to simultaneously discharge air and allow water to flow in through one gap G, so that water is further prevented from entering the second region R2.

In addition, even if water penetrates into the second region R2 through the first region R1, the housing portion 16 has a bottom BT, so water will not penetrate into the inside of the push rod 5 or the main body 11.

This opening and closing device 100 can prevent water from entering the main body 11, and even if the cushion 15 deteriorates or is damaged due to some unforeseen cause, it is possible to easily replace only the cushion 15, unlike the device disclosed in Patent Document 1.
If a plurality of cushions 15 are stored and managed in advance, fitting and replacing the cushions 15 is easy, and since the cushions 15 are symmetrical from top to bottom, fitting work by an operator is easy.

The present invention prevents water from entering the push rod of the opening/closing device, and makes it easy to fit a cushion that absorbs the impact between the push rod and the lid into the housing 16, which contributes to making the opening/closing device easier to manufacture. Furthermore, this opening/closing device can be applied not only to fuel filler ports, but also to power source supply ports such as charging ports. Therefore, the present invention has high industrial applicability.

100 Opening and closing device 1 Fuel lid (lid)
2 Hinge 3 Car body 4 Panel opening (power supply port)
5 Push rod 6 Engagement portion 6H Head 7 Engaged portion 8 Engaged hole (engagement hole)
9 Rotating slider 10 Spring 11 Main body (housing part)
12 Bottom support portion 13 Support portion 14 Sealing member 15 Cushion (buffer member)
151 Main body portion 152 Flange portion (stopper portion)
153 Cutout portion (flat portion)
154 Tip (projection)
16 Storage portion BT Bottom portion G Gap R1 First region R2 Second region

Claims (5)

An opening and closing device (100) used for a lid (1),
The device includes a push rod (5), a buffer member (15), and a housing portion (11) that supports the push rod (5),
The push rod (5) has a housing portion (16) for housing the buffer member (15),
The buffer member (15) has a cylindrical main body (151) and a flange (152) provided on a wall surface of the main body (151) ,
A portion of the main body portion (151) protrudes from the storage portion (16),
The flange portion (152) has at least one notch portion (153),
An opening and closing device characterized in that a tip of the flange portion (152) is in contact with an inner wall surface of the storage portion (16). The opening and closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage portion (16) has a bottom (BT) and is a recess having a circular cross section. The opening and closing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flange portion (152) is disposed in the center of the longitudinal direction of the main body portion (151). The opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cross section of the flange (152) is triangular. The opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diameter of the main body (151) is smaller than the inner diameter of the storage section (16), and the diameter of a circle circumscribing the flange (152) is larger than the inner diameter of the storage section (16).

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