TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging or refuelling recess for inserting into a bodywork opening of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is, in particular, a vehicle with a hybrid drive or with an electric drive.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles with a hybrid drive or electric drive exhibit at least one battery - or rather, a traction battery - which, for instance in the case of PHEV vehicles (PHEV = Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or in the case of BEV vehicles (BEV = Battery Electric Vehicle), can be charged via an electrical charging terminal - which is accessible from outside on the vehicle bodywork and which, as a rule, is a charging socket - by connection for instance to an electrical charging station or to a conventional domestic electric terminal.

[0003] The charging terminal is usually arranged in a charging recess of the vehicle bodywork, which, as a rule, is covered or locked by a locking element such as a locking flap, for instance. A mechanism interacting with the locking element permits optionally the opening and closing of the charging recess or the swinging open and clicking shut of the locking element of the locking flap relative to the charging recess, and consequently the access to the charging terminal.

[0004] The mechanism may include, for instance, a so-called push-push kinematic element such as already comes into operation in conventional tank caps. Since in the case where use is made of a mechanism of such a type a seal between the locking element and the refuelling hollow is, as a rule in practice, missing which, however, would be necessary in order to protect the electrical charging terminal exhibiting metallic contacts against the ingress of dirt, dust and liquids, in particular water, and consequently to guarantee the durable operational capability thereof, at present an additional charging-terminal flap is required which is plugged or screwed onto the charging terminal for the protection of the charging terminal.

[0005] As an alternative to this, an annular sealing lip has been arranged around the charging recess. If the locking element is clicked shut for the purpose of locking the charging recess, the locking element presses on the sealing lip in the axial direction or exerts a force on the sealing lip in the axial direction, in order to protect the charging recess and consequently the charging terminal against the ingress of dirt, dust and liquids. In addition, a second seal, arranged on the inside of the locking element, a so-called “umbrella”, is frequently employed here which surrounds the charging terminal when the locking element is closed.

[0006] In automobile engineering there is an increasing demand and trend to configure the motor vehicle to be as autonomous as possible, with the aim of ultimately enabling autonomous or automatic driving. This also includes the capability that the vehicle heads for charging or refuelling stations independently - that is to say, without human intervention - and implements the charging or refuelling operation. This requires the use of microprocessor systems, sensors and actuators which interact appropriately. With regard to the possibility of being able to implement a charging or refuelling operation autonomously, this means, in particular, that the charging or refuelling recess has to perform a plurality of functionalities or must have been designed to provide corresponding functionalities.

SUMMARY

[0007] It is consequently an object of the present invention to specify a charging device, to be managed reliably, for a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. Over and above this, a corresponding refuelling device, to be managed reliably, for a vehicle with an internal- combustion engine is to be specified.

[0008] In particular, it is an object of the invention to specify a charging or refuelling recess, for inserting into a bodywork opening of a motor vehicle, that is not only of simple construction and therefore capable of being produced inexpensively but that, at the same time, also simplifies the operation of a charging or refuelling device having such a charging or refuelling recess and, in particular, also realizes, at least partially, an autonomous charging or refuelling operation.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claim, claim 1, advantageous further developments of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention being specified in the respective dependent claims. [0010] Accordingly, the present invention relates, in particular, to a charging or refuelling recess for inserting into a bodywork opening of a motor vehicle, said charging or refuelling recess exhibiting a recess body with an inner recess region which surrounds a passage opening into which a charging plug connector or a refuelling nozzle or a refuelling filling pipe is capable of being inserted.

[0011] In accordance with the invention there is, in particular, provision that a first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement, in particular assigned to an opening and/or locking mechanism, for detecting an opening state or a position of a locking flap covering the charging or refuelling recess as necessary has been provided - and, in particular, integrated - in the recess body, preferably in the inner recess region or particularly preferably in a recess flange region.

[0012] Furthermore, at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement for controlling at least one function relating to a charging or refuelling operation, or a light- source, preferably an LED, has been provided - and, in particular, integrated - in the recess body, preferably in the inner recess region.

[0013] Over and above this, a cover is provided which has been set up to cover the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and/or the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement or the light-source toward the outside in dustproof and watertight manner.

[0014] By the term “in dustproof and watertight manner” used herein, generally a cover is to be understood that satisfies at least the requirements of Protection Class IP44 and preferentially at least the requirements of Protection Class IP54 according to ISO 20653 or DIN EN 60529 (version of ISO 20653 or DIN EN 60529 = version on the date of filing).

[0015] Furthermore, by the term “integrated” used herein, generally the combining of individual units or structural elements, such as, in particular, the first and second switch arrangements and/or sensor arrangements, in the inner recess region of the recess body is to be understood, in order in this way to form the entire charging or refuelling recess. In other words, discrete structural elements (for instance, the first and second switch arrangements and/or sensor arrangements) are combined to form a more complex object on the material of the inner recess region. [0016] Inasmuch as, in particular, the first and second switch arrangements and/or sensor arrangements have been provided or integrated in the recess body and preferentially in the inner recess region of the recess body or in the recess flange region of the recess body, a miniaturization of the entire system is possible, with the result that a plurality of functions relating to a charging or refuelling operation can be performed from the charging or refuelling recess.

[0017] The provision or the integration of the first and second switch arrangements and/or sensor arrangements in the recess body and preferentially in the inner recess region of the recess body or in the recess flange region of the recess body enables not only a concentration of functional structural parts in the charging or refuelling recess but also the accommodation of the structural elements in the recess body and preferentially in the inner recess region of the recess body or in the recess flange region of the recess body, in a manner protected against dirt, dust and liquid.

[0018] For instance, it is conceivable that the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and/or the light-source have been encapsulated in watertight manner toward the outside with the aid of a, in particular, common cover. In particular, the (preferentially common) cover has been designed to cover the inner recess region in dustproof and watertight manner and, in particular, to cover the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement provided or integrated in the inner recess region and/or the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement provided or integrated in the inner recess region, or the light-source, in dustproof and watertight manner.

[0019] In an advantageous realization of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention there is provision that the cover has been attached to the recess body as a soft component by injection molding. For instance, in this connection it is conceivable that the recess body has been formed, at least in some regions, from a hard synthetic component, in which case in particular on an edge region of the recess body the cover consisting of a soft synthetic component has been attached to the recess body by injection molding or connected thereto in a different way by material closure. [0020] As an alternative to this, it is of course also conceivable that the cover is connected to the recess body with the aid of a force-closed and/or positive connection, for instance by the cover being clipped onto an edge region of the recess body or pushed over a peripheral double lip of the cover on the edge of the cover.

[0021] In particular, in embodiments in which the cover has been attached to the recess body by injection molding or connected thereto in a different way, in particular by material closure, a possibility that presents itself is that the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement have been mounted on a common carrier part, such as, for instance, a flat bar or such like, which then at the rear - that is to say, from the side situated opposite the cover or from the side of the recess facing toward the interior of the vehicle in the installed state of the recess - is placed or mounted on the recess body, preferably on the inner recess region, particularly preferably on the recess flange region.

[0022] According to advantageous realizations of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention, a cover formed from an elastomer material is provided which, at least in some regions, covers the inner recess region and is dome-shaped at least in the region of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and/or in the region of the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and has such an intrinsic spring tension that after an indenting of the dome-shaped region, serving, for instance, for the purpose of establishing a contact with the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement or with the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement, the cover shapes itself back into an initial position and, in particular, springs back.

[0023] In order to simplify further the operation of a charging or refuelling device having the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention, according to embodiments of the invention there is provision that at least one light-source is arranged or integrated in the inner recess region of the recess body of the charging or refuelling recess.

[0024] Preferentially, this at least one light-source is likewise covered by the aforementioned cover in dustproof and watertight manner. Therefore a possibility that presents itself is that the cover consists of a transparent or translucent material at least in some regions and, in particular, in the region of the light-source integrated in the inner recess region.

[0025] By virtue of the fact that the cover consists of a transparent or translucent material at least in some regions, it is possible to back-light this region of the charging or refuelling recess as necessary. In particular, in this way a full illumination is possible of the passage opening provided in the inner recess region, or of a charging terminal received where appropriate in the passage opening, of a refuelling filling pipe received where appropriate in the passage opening, or of a refuelling nozzle received where appropriate in the passage opening, so that the necessary region of the charging or refuelling hollow is clearly visible also at night or in darkness and an orderly insertion is possible of a charging plug connector into the passage opening of the recess body, or into a charging terminal received in the passage opening, or into a refuelling nozzle received where appropriate in the passage opening.

[0026] In particular, the construction of the cover from a transparent or translucent material permits a full illumination of the charging or refuelling recess or of the necessary regions of the charging or refuelling recess, without construction space for a lighting device being necessary in the charging or refuelling recess itself.

[0027] In order to configure the charging or refuelling recess as far as possible to be “intelligent”, according to embodiments of the invention there is provision to arrange or to integrate, in particular in a miniaturized manner, a plurality of switches, sensors and/or push-buttons in the recess body, preferably in the inner recess region or particularly preferably in the recess flange region. In this connection, microswitches present themselves, in particular in the form of membrane switches or diaphragm switches. Switches of such a type can be arranged particularly efficiently and in an extremely small construction space in or on the material of the recess body, preferably in or on the material of the inner recess region or, particularly preferably, in or on the material of the recess flange region, and can be combined with the recess body, with the inner recess region or with the recess flange region so as to form a structural part. But, in principle, other embodiments for switches/push-buttons and/or sensors pertaining to the first and/or second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement also enter into consideration of course. [0028] In advantageous manner, the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and/or the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement exhibit(s) at least one microswitch, in particular in the form of a membrane switch or diaphragm switch, and/or at least one capacitive switch and/or at least one inductive switch and/or at least one touch-panel.

[0029] In preferred realizations of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention there is provision that the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement exhibits at least one long-stroke push-button, and the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement exhibits at least one short-stroke push-button. The at least one long-stroke push-button of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement preferentially has a stroke of at least 5 mm. The at least one short-stroke push-button, on the other hand, should have a stroke that is shorter than the stroke of the at least one long-stroke push-button of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement. For instance, the at least one short-stroke push-button of the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement may have a stroke of max. 3 mm.

[0030] Through the provision of appropriate long-stroke and short-stroke push-buttons, it is possible to adjust suitably the response characteristics of the combined switch arrangement or sensor arrangement constituted overall by the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement. Inasmuch as, for instance, the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement exhibits a long-stroke push-button, and inasmuch as the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement exhibits a short-stroke push-button, it is ensured that upon the closing of the charging or refuelling recess by the locking flap the long-stroke push-button of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement is activated but the correspondingly set back short-stroke push-button of the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement is not triggered.

[0031] In this connection it is, for instance, conceivable in principle that the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement exhibits a switching tappet which has been designed and resiliently biased in the direction of the locking flap of the charging or refuelling recess in such a manner that an end face of the switching tappet pointing in the direction of the locking flap defines a previously determined or determinable point of support for the locking flap or for a hinge assigned to the locking flap. In this case there may, in particular, be provision that the end face of the switching tappet pointing in the direction of the locking flap lies in a plane (extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the charging recess) that is spaced further from the inner recess region than an end face of a microswitch of the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement pointing in the direction of the locking flap.

[0032] According to embodiments of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention, the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement and/or the at least one second switch arrangement arranged or integrated in the recess body or in the inner recess region or in the recess flange region of the recess body exhibit(s) a printed circuit board or conductor foil, connected to the recess body, with applied conductor tracks with contact end faces. For the purpose of forming a switching contact, the contact end faces have, for instance, been arranged at least pairwise in such a manner that they are capable of being bridged by at least one contact element on the underside of a switching foil.

[0033] According to a further development of this aspect, the switching foil itself may form, at least in some regions, the cover for the first and second switch arrangements and/or sensor arrangements or for the inner recess region of the recess body.

[0034] With regard to an - as far as possible - autonomous charging or refuelling operation, a further possibility that presents itself is that at least one sensorics module integrated in the recess body or in the inner recess region or in the recess flange region of the recess body has been assigned to an opening and/or locking mechanism of the charging or refuelling recess for the purpose of detecting an opening and/or locking state of the locking element. For instance, the sensorics module may have been formed, at least in some regions, on a printed circuit board or conductor foil connected to the recess body.

[0035] With regard to the opening and/or locking mechanism provided or integrated in the recess body or in the inner recess region or in the recess flange region of the recess body, there may be provision that said mechanism exhibits a push-push mechanical system acting in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the charging recess. This push-push mechanical system may, in particular, exhibit an electromotive drive or actuator, though the present invention is not restricted to electromotively operated opening and/or locking mechanisms. [0036] The at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement provided or integrated in the recess body or in the inner recess region or in the recess flange region of the recess body has preferentially been designed to initiate or to perform at least one of the following functions upon actuation of at least one switch pertaining to the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement:

- to interrupt and/or to terminate a charging or refuelling operation; and/or

- to output a locking-flap opening signal preferentially to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of an opening and/or locking mechanism; and/or

- to output a locking-flap closing signal preferentially to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of an opening and/or locking mechanism; and/or

- to switch on or off at least one light-source provided or integrated in the inner recess region.

[0037] In particular, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement has been designed to detect a manual user input that:

- induces an interruption or a termination or a start of a charging or refuelling operation; or

- induces an output of a locking-flap opening signal or locking-flap closing signal preferentially to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of the locking flap; or

- induces a switching of the light-source on or off.

[0038] In order to be able to realize these switching functions, according to embodiments of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention an electronics module arranged or integrated preferentially in the recess body or in the inner recess region or in the recess flange region of the recess body has been assigned to the first and to at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement, said electronics module having been designed to control the resulting switching function upon actuation of a switch pertaining to the first or second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement. [0039] As an alternative or in addition to this, it is conceivable that at least one electrical terminal has been provided or integrated directly or indirectly on the inner recess region for the purpose of connecting, for instance, the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement to a controller which is external with regard to the charging or refuelling recess, such as, for instance, the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle, and/or for the purpose of connecting the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of an opening and/or locking mechanism.

[0040] For instance, at least one electrical terminal, preferably a plug socket, may have been arranged or integrated directly or indirectly on the inner recess region, preferably at the rear, and particularly preferably may have been arranged or integrated on a preferably common carrier part of the first and/or of the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement, in order to connect the first and/or at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement to the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle and/or to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of the locking flap by signaling technology or galvanically.

[0041] For the purpose of realizing a - as far as possible - compact structural shape of the charging or refuelling recess, the recess body preferentially exhibits in the inner recess region a depression in which, at least in some regions, a resiliently supported switching tappet of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement is capable of being received.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, there may be provision that the recess body exhibits in the inner recess region at least one base region or similar plateau-like region for receiving a printed circuit board pertaining to the first and/or second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement or for receiving a printed circuit board pertaining to a light- source provided in the inner recess region.

[0043] With regard to the production costs, a possibility that presents itself is that the recess body has preferentially been formed in one piece, in particular from a hard synthetic material, for instance in an injection-molding process.

[0044] According to embodiments of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention there is provision that the recess body exhibits, preferentially in the inner recess region, at least one latching mechanism, for instance in the form of a latching lip, in order to arrest a charging plug connector, a refuelling nozzle or a refuelling filling pipe in the passage opening as necessary.

[0045] The invention further relates to a charging or refuelling recess of the type previously described, this charging or refuelling recess further exhibiting a locking flap interacting with the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement. The locking flap has been articulated to and formed on the recess body to release or to cover, as necessary, at least the passage opening for the charging plug connector or for the refuelling nozzle or for the refuelling filling pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] In the following, an embodiment example of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.

[0047] Shown are:

[0048] FIG. 1 schematically and in a top view, an exemplary embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention in a state in which a locking flap of the charging or refuelling recess is in its open state; and

[0049] FIG. 2 schematically and in a sectional view, the exemplary embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess according to the invention according to FIG. 1 along line A-A indicated in FIG. 1.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

[0050] FIG. 1 shows schematically and in a top view an exemplary embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention in a state in which a locking flap 17 of the charging or refuelling recess 1 is in its open state.

[0051] The charging or refuelling recess 1 has been designed overall to be inserted into a bodywork opening of a motor vehicle. The charging or refuelling recess 1 exhibits substantially a recess body 2 with an inner recess region 3 which surrounds a passage opening 18 into which a charging plug connector or a refuelling nozzle or a refuelling filling pipe is capable of being inserted.

[0052] As indicated in FIG. 1, a first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 is arranged or integrated in the recess body 2 and, in particular, in the inner recess region 3.

As an alternative to this, in principle it would also be conceivable to arrange or to integrate the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 in a recess flange region 16 of the recess body 2.

[0053] In the embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 represented schematically in FIG. 1, the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 has been assigned to an opening and/or locking mechanism, not shown in any detail in FIG. 1, of the charging or refuelling recess 1, and serves to detect an opening state or a position of the locking flap 17 covering the charging or refuelling recess 1 as necessary.

[0054] As further indicated in FIG. 1, at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 is arranged or integrated in the recess body 2 and preferably in the inner recess region 3 of the recess body 2. The at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 preferentially serves for controlling at least one function relating to a charging or refuelling operation.

[0055] As an alternative or in addition to this, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 serves for controlling at least one light-source 14, in particular a light-source 14 in the form of an LED, which has preferably likewise been provided - and, in particular, integrated - in the recess body 2 and preferably in the inner recess region 3 of the recess body 2.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 1, over and above this a cover 6 is provided which has been set up to cover the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 and the light-source 14 toward the outside in dustproof and watertight manner in accordance with the requirements of Protection Class IP44 and preferentially in accordance with the requirements of Protection Class IP54. [0057] Preferentially in this case, the cover 6 has been attached to the recess body 2 as a soft component by injection molding.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 1 there is, in particular, provision that the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 and the light-source 14 have been mounted directly or indirectly at the rear in the recess body 2 and - as shown in FIG. 1 - preferably in the inner recess region 3.

[0059] In this regard it is conceivable that the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 and the light-source 14 have been mounted on a common carrier part (cf. printed circuit board 7 in FIG. 2), said carrier part (printed circuit board 7) having been mounted on the recess body 2, preferably on the inner recess region 3.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention shown schematically in FIG. 1, furthermore at least one electrical terminal 11, preferably a plug socket, is arranged or integrated directly or indirectly on the inner recess region 3, preferably at the rear. The at least one electrical terminal 11 in the embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings is arranged or integrated on a preferably common carrier part (printed circuit board 7 in FIG. 2) of the first and of the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4, 5 and serves to connect the first and/or at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4, 5 to the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle and/or to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of the locking flap 17 by signaling technology.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows schematically the embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 in a longitudinal section along line A-A in FIG. 1.

[0062] The charging or refuelling recess 1 preferentially consists of synthetic material and exhibits a recess body 2, in particular formed in one piece overall, consisting of a relatively solid synthetic material. The recess body 2 - as indicated in FIG. 2 - has been designed overall in the shape of a pot and exhibits an outer edge predetermined by the outer region of the recess body 2, with which the charging or refuelling recess 1 can be inserted - for instance, clipped - into a bodywork opening of a motor vehicle.

[0063] Appropriate latching elements (clips) may therefore have been integrally formed on the outer region of the recess body 2 for the purpose of fastening the charging or refuelling recess 1 to the bodywork opening, in particular to a deep-drawn part of the bodywork.

[0064] Furthermore, on the outer edge of the recess body 2 a sealing region has preferentially been provided which, for instance, includes a peripheral sealing lip formed on the outer edge. But, instead of such a sealing lip, it is also conceivable to configure several sealing slats on the outer edge, which in each instance are separated from one another at regular peripheral intervals by a slit.

[0065] In the embodiment example shown in the drawings, the sealing region on the outer edge of the recess body 2 (that is to say, the sealing lip) may have been integrally formed with the material of the recess body 2. In particular, in comparison with the synthetic material of the recess body 2 the sealing region may have been formed from a softer synthetic material which has been appropriately attached to the outer edge of the recess body 2 by injection molding or has been formed in the course of a multi-component injection-molding process, in particular a two-component injection-molding process.

[0066] As already stated in connection with the representation in FIG. 1, the recess body 2 of the charging or refuelling recess 1 exhibits an inner recess region 3 which has preferentially been shaped by material closure with the outer region of the recess body 2. The inner recess region 3 surrounds the passage opening 18, not shown in FIG. 2, into which a charging plug connector for charging a battery of the motor vehicle or a refuelling nozzle or a refuelling filling pipe for refuelling a fuel tank is capable of being inserted.

[0067] The passage opening 18 not shown explicitly in FIG. 2 is preferentially bounded by a further sealing region which is preferentially an integral part of the inner recess region 3. In this connection it is conceivable that this further sealing region is constituted by at least one sealing lip encircling the passage opening and consisting of a relatively soft synthetic material. [0068] The locking flap 17 not shown in FIG. 2, which takes the form of a locking element and serves to lock or to release, optionally, the charging or refuelling recess 1, may have been articulated on the outer region of the recess body 2. The locking flap 17 is, for instance, a charging flap or tank flap which with a hinge arm has been arranged on the outer region of the recess body 2 in such a manner that the charging flap or tank flap is capable of being swung open and clicked shut relative to the charging or refuelling recess 1

[0069] On the side of the charging flap or tank flap situated opposite the hinge arm, an opening and/or locking mechanism may have been arranged which may exhibit a kinematic element acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the charging or refuelling recess 1 - that is to say, the actuation of the kinematic element occurs in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the charging or refuelling recess 1.

[0070] For instance, by a force exerted on the opening and/or locking mechanism in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the charging or refuelling recess 1 the mechanism can be unlatched and the charging flap or tank flap can be opened or swung open, or the clicked-shut charging flap or tank flap can be latched.

[0071] The embodiment of the charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention shown schematically in FIG. 2 in a sectional view is distinguished, in particular, in that a combined switch/sensor arrangement is arranged - and, in particular, integrated - in the inner recess region 3 of the recess body 2. This combined switch/sensor arrangement comprises a first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 arranged or integrated in the inner recess region 3 and also at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 likewise arranged or integrated in the inner recess region 3. An opening and/or locking mechanism for the locking flap covering the charging or refuelling recess 1 as necessary has been assigned to the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4. On the other hand, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 serves for controlling at least one function relating to a charging or refuelling operation.

[0072] As indicated in FIG. 2, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 exhibits at least one microswitch which, for instance, has been constructed in the form of a membrane switch or diaphragm switch. But it would, of course, also be conceivable to provide a capacitive and/or inductive switch for the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5. In this connection, the term “switch” used herein should not be interpreted narrowly but is to encompass any electrical or electronic or mechanical component with which an electric circuit can be opened or closed.

[0073] The term “switch” also encompasses, in particular, touch-panels or similar displays which have been provided with a, in particular, manually operable input interface function.

[0074] As represented schematically in FIG. 2, the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement includes, in particular, exclusively short-stroke push-buttons which each preferentially have a stroke of max. 3 mm. In contrast to this, the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 may include at least one long-stroke push-button which has a stroke of at least 5 mm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, however, the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 does not exhibit a long-stroke push-button but likewise exhibits a short-stroke push-button 4 (shown schematically in FIG. 2) which is capable of being activated via a switching tappet 10.

[0075] The switching tappet 10 has been designed and resiliently biased in the direction of the locking flap 17 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the charging or refuelling recess 1 in such a manner that an end face of the switching tappet 10 pointing in the direction of the locking flap 17 defines a previously determined or determinable point of support for the locking flap or for a hinge assigned to the locking flap 17.

[0076] From the schematic representation in FIG. 2 it can further be gathered that the end face of the switching tappet of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 pointing in the direction of the locking flap 17 lies in a plane perpendicular to the charging or refuelling recess 1, which is spaced further from the inner recess region 3 than an end face of a microswitch (short-stroke push-button) of the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 pointing in the direction of the locking flap.

[0077] The at least one microswitch of the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 includes a printed circuit board 7 or conductor foil which is connected to the recess body 2, appropriate conductor tracks with contact end faces having been applied on this printed circuit board 7 or conductor foil. The contact end faces have preferentially been arranged at least pairwise in such a manner that - for the purpose of forming a switching contact - they are capable of being bridged by at least one contact element on the underside of a switching foil.

[0078] In the embodiment example represented schematically in FIG. 2, furthermore a sensorics module 8 assigned to an opening and/or locking mechanism, which, for instance, may be part of the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement, is integrated in the inner recess region 3 of the charging or refuelling recess 1. This sensorics module 8 may, for instance, have been designed to detect an opening state and/or locking state of a locking element (for instance, the locking flap 17).

[0079] Moreover, in the embodiment example shown schematically in FIG. 2 the light- source 14 in the form of an LED is integrated in the inner recess region 3 of the recess body 2. In this connection, an appropriate printed circuit board 15 on which the LED serving as light-source 14 has been formed is connected to the inner recess region 3.

[0080] Furthermore, the electrical terminal 11 already mentioned in connection with the description of FIG. 1 is integrated in the inner recess region 3, said terminal serving to connect the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 integrated or provided in the inner recess region 3 for instance to the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle or to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of an opening and/or locking mechanism for the locking flap.

[0081] The recess body 2 has preferentially been formed in one piece, in particular from a synthetic material.

[0082] As represented in FIG. 2, the recess body 2 may exhibit in the inner recess region 3 a suitable depression 12 in which at least one switching tappet 10 of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 is received.

[0083] Furthermore, in the inner recess region 3 a base region 13 is provided for receiving a printed circuit board 7, 15 pertaining to the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 or pertaining to the light-source 14.

[0084] The charging or refuelling recess 1 according to the invention, as represented schematically in the drawings, is also distinguished, in particular, by the cover 6 formed from an elastomer material, which, at least in some regions, covers the inner recess region 3 and at least in the region of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 or in the region of the switching tappet 10 of the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 and in the region of the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 is dome-shaped and has such an intrinsic spring tension that after an indenting or after establishment of a contact the cover 6 springs back into the initial position.

[0085] The cover 6 serves, in particular, to integrate the first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 4 and also the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 in the inner recess region 3 in dustproof and watertight manner.

[0086] The second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 integrated in the inner recess region 3 has preferentially been designed to interrupt and/or to terminate a charging or refuelling operation upon actuation of at least one switch pertaining to the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5.

[0087] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 has been designed to output a locking-flap opening signal or a locking-flap closing signal, preferentially to an, in particular, electromotive actuator of an opening and/or locking mechanism upon actuation of at least one switch pertaining to the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5.

[0088] In principle it is also conceivable that the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 has been designed to switch on or off at least one light-source 14 integrated or arranged in the inner recess region 3 upon actuation of the at least one switch pertaining to the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5.

[0089] For this purpose, an electronics module preferentially integrated in the inner recess region 3 may have been assigned to the at least one second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5 for the purpose of controlling the switching function resulting upon actuation of the at least one switch pertaining to the second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement 5. [0090] The invention is not restricted to the embodiment example shown in the drawing but results from an overall view of all the features disclosed herein.

List of Reference Symbols charging or refuelling recess recess body inner recess region first switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement second switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement cover printed circuit board pertaining to the switch arrangement and/or sensor arrangement sensorics module printed circuit board pertaining to the sensorics module switching tappet electrical terminal depression in the inner recess region base region of the inner recess region light-source printed circuit board pertaining to the light-source recess flange region locking flap passage opening