IP Library Granted Patent US 9,033,391
Granted Patent B2
US 9,033,391 · App. 14/091,358 · Granted May 19, 2015

Flap assembly for a motor vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,033,391
App. No.
14/091,358
Granted
May 19, 2015
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (19)

1. A flap assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a base;

a pre-stressed flap that is movably mounted relative to the base in a closing direction, the pre-stressed flap having a latching element with a stop, which in a closing position engages a counter-stop of the base from a back, so as to counteract an opening of the pre-stressed flap opposite the closing direction; and

a unlocking element that in an unlocking position counteracts an engagement of the counter-stop by the stop from the back.

2. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a pre-stressed adjusting device that is configured to move the unlocking element into the unlocking position, wand mechanically activated by a movement of the pre-stressed flap in the closing direction.

3. The flap assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the pre-stressed adjusting device is positively locked by a locking element, so as to counteract a movement by the unlocking element into the unlocking position.

4. The flap assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the pre-stressed adjusting device comprises a rotatably mounted rocker coupled to the unlocking element.

5. The flap assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the latching element is configured to move transverse to the closing direction.

6. The flap assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the latching element is elastically deformable.

7. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the unlocking element comprises a gearing, which in the unlocking position interacts with a counter-gearing of the base so as to counteract a movement by the unlocking element out of the unlocking position.

8. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide that is configured to guide the unlocking element with clearance transverse to the gearing.

9. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the latching element frictionally fixes the unlocking element in a position inserted beyond the closing position in the closing direction.

10. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the unlocking element covers the counter-stop in the unlocking position.

11. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the stop is inclined opposite the closing direction forming an angle that is less than or equal to about 90°.

12. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the unlocking element comprises a run-up contour that is configured to contact the latching element.

13. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the counter-stop is complementarily configured to the stop.

14. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the pre-stressed flap is a fuel filler flap.

15. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the latching element is pre-stressed transverse to the closing direction toward the counter-stop in a position upstream from the closing position in the closing direction.

16. The flap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the stop is inclined opposite the closing direction forming an angle is at most about 60°.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034189/0065 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0440 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2014
From: FROMMANN, MARKUS; BETZEN, HEIKO
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 032483/0168 →