DESCRIPTION

LID STRUCTURE FOR FUEL FILLER TUBE OPENING OF VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lid structure for a filler tube opening through which fuel is fed to a fuel tank of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

A vehicle has a fuel lid for opening and closing a cup-shaped adapter that is fitted in an opening formed in a vehicle body panel. The fuel lid is opened when fuel is fed into the fuel tank of the vehicle. A cap for opening and closing a filler tube opening formed in the bottom part of the adapter is removed and fuel is fed into the tank from the filler tube opening.

A fuel filler Hd structure in which the fuel lid is provided to the adapter via a hinge is disclosed in JP 2005-319960 A. When a specific lever at the driver seat is operated, a lock that is locked so that the fuel lid does not open by itself can be released, and the fuel lid is opened. When the fuel lid is being closed, the fuel lid is automatically pulled shut by an S-shaped hinge spring when a certain angle is reached, and the fuel lid closes. One end of the hinge spring is connected to a hinge, and the other end is fastened to the adapter.

The fuel Hd described above is thus automatically opened and closed from a certain angle by the S-shaped hinge spring.

In the fuel filler Hd structure described above, however, a housing must be formed in the adapter to accommodate the S-shaped hinge spring and the special

hinge, and the adapter increases in size. The abovementioned fuel filler lid structure has a further drawback of increased production cost due to the complex structure thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lid structure for a fuel filler tube opening of a vehicle whereby the fuel adapter can be reduced in size and the production cost reduced, and whereby the fuel lid is prevented from opening against the intention of the vehicle occupant.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid structure for a fuel filler tube opening of a vehicle, which lid structure comprises^ a fuel adapter having a fuel filler tube opening, the fuel adapter being provided to a filler tube opening formed in a vehicle body; a fuel lid for opening and closing the filler tube opening by rotating on a hinge provided to a first end part of the fuel adapter, ^' an engaging protrusion provided to at least any one of the fuel adapter and the fuel Hd; a striker part for engaging with the engaging protrusion and locking the fuel lid in a closed state, the striker part being provided to the other of the fuel adapter and the fuel lid; and an urging member for urging the fuel lid in a closing direction, the urging member being provided to at least any one of the striker part and the engaging protrusion. Since the urging member is provided to the striker part or the engaging protrusion, the fuel adapter can be reduced in size.

Preferably, the urging member is provided to the striker part, and generates an urging force for urging the fuel lid in the closing direction by engaging with the engaging protrusion. Consequently, the fuel lid can be retained in the closed state

by the striker part, and the size and production cost of the fuel adapter can be reduced in comparison to a structure in which the urging member is provided to the hinge.

Preferably, the striker part has an engaging opening for engaging with the urging member via the engaging protrusion, the engaging opening being formed at a distal end of the striker part; and an urging member attaching part for attaching the urging member to a center portion of the striker part. The engaging protrusion can be directly engaged by the urging member provided to the striker part, and the size and production cost of the fuel adapter can be reduced. Furthermore, the urging member engaged with the engaging protrusion is protected by the striker part.

Preferably, the urging member has a fixed part attached to the urging member attaching part, a pair of extending parts continuous with the fixed part that face each other at a distance apart from each other, and a pair of pinching parts continuous with each of the pair of extending parts and approaching each other to form a predetermined gap; at least one of the pair of extending parts and the pair of pinching parts is formed of a material capable of elastic deformation and is elastically deformed by the engaging protrusion that passes through a space between the pair of pinching parts each time the fuel Hd is opened and closed; and an urging force is generated and an engagement occurs so that the fuel lid is pulled in toward the fuel adapter when the engaging protrusion passes between the pinching parts, and the engagement is released when engagement with the engaging protrusion is removed. Consequently, when the fuel lid is closed, the fuel lid is retained in the closing direction by the pinching parts at the engaging protrusion.

- A - The urging member is preferably a leaf spring shaped from a thin plate. The structure of the urging member is therefore simplified.

Preferably, the striker part and the engaging protrusion are provided to a second end part that is opposite the first end part to which the hinge is provided. Consequently, an urging force for retaining the fuel lid in the closed state on the side opposite from the hinge can be imparted to the engaging protrusion, and the size and production cost of the hinge side can be reduced in comparison to a structure in which the urging member is provided to the hinge side.

The fuel adapter is provided with a push lifter for alternately repeating a protrusion-maintaining state of generating an opening releasing force as a pressure for opening the fuel lid against the urging force of the urging member, and a retraction-maintaining state of generating a closing-retaining force as a pressure that is smaller than the opening releasing force each time the fuel lid is pressed; and the urging member is set so as to generate an urging force smaller than the opening releasing force in the protrusion-maintaining state of the push lifter, and generate an urging force greater than the closing-retaining force in the retraction-maintaining state.

Consequently, in the closed position of the fuel lid, the fuel lid is pulled in the closing direction by the urging force and pushed by the push lifter. As a result, it is possible to continue retaining the fuel lid integrally with the vehicle body, slight movements of the fuel lid in the opening and closing direction can be prevented, and the fuel lid is prevented from vibrating (rattling). Furthermore, since the urging force is set so as to be smaller than the opening force of the push lifter, when the fuel lid has been pushed in, it is possible for the urging member to be separated from the

engaging protrusion by the opening force in opposition to the urging force, and the fuel lid can be automatically opened.

Preferably, the engaging protrusion is provided with the urging member for urging the fuel lid in the closing direction by being movably urged toward the striker part. The fuel lid is thereby urged in the closing direction by the component force generated by the striker part when the engaging protrusion is pushed against the striker part by the urging member. As a result, there is no need for a spring to be provided to the hinge side to urge the fuel lid in the closing direction, the lid structure for the fuel filler tube opening can be simplified, and the structure can also be reduced in size.

Preferably, the engaging protrusion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the direction toward or away from the striker part, and has a tilted surface in which a contacting part for mutually contacting and engaging any one of the engaging protrusion and the striker part is tilted in a direction that intersects the advancing and retreating direction of the engaging protrusion; the tilted surface and another contacting part are slid together and engaged by movement of the engaging protrusion toward the striker part, whereby the fuel lid is urged in the closing direction; and the tilted surface and the contacting part are slid together and disengaged by movement of the engaging protrusion away from the striker part in opposition to the urging member, whereby the urging is released. Consequently, the urging force can be made into a component force for urging the fuel lid in the closing direction by the contacting part of the engaging protrusion, or by the tilted surface provided to the contacting part of the striker part.

Preferably, the other engaging contacting part has a tilted surface for forming an angle that substantially coincides with the other tilted surface. Consequently, the tilted surface of the engaging protrusion and the tilted surface of the striker part can move while contacting each other at substantially the same angle, and the urging force of the urging member can be more reliably made into a component force for urging the fuel lid in the closing direction.

Preferably, the engaging protrusion is provided concentrically with a lock pin for locking and unlocking the fuel lid in coordination with a vehicle lock device, and has a pin hole through which the lock pin is inserted, the pin hole being continuous with the other tilted surface; and the striker part has a locking hole part with which the lock pin can engage, and has the first tilted surface formed continuously with the locking hole part. Consequently, the lock pin and the engaging protrusion can be positioned together, and the space for providing the engaging protrusion can be utilized with enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, the contacting part (tilted surface) and the locking hole part can be formed in the striker part, and the component size can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lid structure for a fuel filler tube opening of a vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the fuel lid of FIG. 1 in a closed state;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a striker part provided on the fuel lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an engaging member and an urging member shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mechanism for closing the fuel lid according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is a side view showing a rear part of a vehicle employing a lid structure for a fuel feed opening, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing the lid structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of part 11 of FIG. 10, showing a lid engaging mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the lid engaging mechanism shown in FIG. 11; and FIGS. 14A through 14C are views showing the locking state of the fuel lid of the Hd structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel filler tube opening lid structure 10 of the first embodiment is provided with a cup -shaped fuel adapter 16 provided so as to fit in an opening 14 formed in a vehicle body panel 13; a fuel lid 15 for opening and closing an opening part of the fuel adapter 16; a hinge 22 provided to one end part 21

of the fuel adapter 16; and a fuel lid locking mechanism 23 for locking the fuel lid 15 to the fuel adapter 16.

The fuel lid locking mechanism 23 is provided with a striker part 26 provided to the fuel lid 15; an urging member 27 attached to the striker part 26; an engaging member 28 for engaging with the urging member 27, the engaging member 28 being attached to the fuel adapter 16; a lock mechanism 32 that includes a lock pin 31 provided to the engaging member 28; and a push lifter 33 provided to the fuel adapter 16, for urging the fuel lid 15 in the opening direction (the direction of the arrow al). The fuel adapter 16 is provided with a side wall part 35; a bottom part 36 that is continuous with the side wall part 35; and a filler tube opening 37 of a fuel tube that is communicated with a fuel tank not shown in the drawing, the filler tube opening 37 being connected to the bottom part 36. The side wall part 35 comprises a first wall part 41 positioned on the side of the first end part 21 of the fuel adapter 16; a second wall part 42; a third wall part 44 positioned on the side of a second end part 43 of the fuel adapter 16; and a fourth wall part 45. The hinge 22 is attached on the side of the first wall part 41, a first hole part (not shown) used for the engaging member 28 is formed on the side of the third wall part 44, and a second hole part (not shown) used for the push lifter 33 is formed. The hinge 22 comprises a lid-side member 47 fixed to one side 46 of the fuel lid

15; a rotational support 48 connected to the lid-side member 47; and a wall-side member 51 that is connected to the rotational support 48 and fixed to the vehicle body panel 13.

The push lifter 33 has an existing structure, and has a compression coil spring (push spring) 53 and maintains the protruding state of maximum extension shown in FIG. 1, and a pushed-in state (see FIG. 4) in which the compression coil spring 53 is compressed by being pressed by the fuel lid 15 (in the direction of the arrow a2). When the push lifter is furthermore pushed by the fuel lid 15 from the pushed-in state (see FIG. 4), the locking is released, the compression coil spring 53 that had been compressed and contracted begins to extend, the fuel Hd 15 is pushed in the opening direction (direction of the arrow al), and the fuel Hd 15 is pushed out from the surface of the vehicle body panel 13 enough that the fuel lid can be opened by hand.

When the fuel lid 15 in the fuel lid open position K is closed against the elastic force of the push lifter 33, the striker part 26 engages with the engaging member 28, the push lifter 33 is retained in the pushed-in state, and the fuel lid 15 is closed in the fuel lid closed position E. As shown in FIG. 4, when the fuel lid 15 is opened, the door lock (not shown) of the driver seat is opened, whereupon the lock pin 31 withdraws from the striker part 26 as indicated by the double-dashed line, and the fuel lid 15 is in an unlocked state, but the fuel lid 15 does not open. When the fuel lid 15 is lightly pushed in by hand, the push lifter 33 operates to open the fuel lid 15 (in the direction of the arrow al). The lock pin 31 advances from the lock released position H indicated by the double dashed line in FIG. 4 in coordination with the closing operation of the door lock device, and passes through the striker part 26 and locks the striker part 26.

As shown in FIG. 5, the striker part 26 has a striker body 54 integrally formed with the back surface of the fuel Hd 15. A retaining hole 56 is formed in the vicinity

of the fixed-end part 55 of the striker body 54. The striker part 26 has an urging member attachment part 57 in the center part of the striker body 54. An opening 61 is formed at the distal end part 58 of the striker body 54. As shown in FIG. 4, an engaging protrusion 63 of the engaging member 28 fits into the opening 61. The urging member attachment part 57 comprises a mounting part 65, a hole

66 formed in the mounting part 65, a nut 67 fixed by welding or the like to the back surface of the mounting part 65 so as to correspond to the hole 66, and a lock opening 68 formed in the striker body 54 in the vicinity of the hole 66. The urging member 27 is fixed to the striker body 54 by inserting a male screw member 71 into the hole 66 and screwing the male screw member into the nut 67, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, the urging member 27 has a fixed part 74 attached over the mounting part 65 of the urging member attachment part 57; a pair of extending parts 75, 75 continuous with one side of the fixed part 74 that face each other at a distance B apart from each other; pinching parts 76, 76 continuous with the extending parts 75, 75 and approaching each other to form a predetermined gap S (FIG. 3); and distal-end guide parts 77, 77 continuous with the pinching parts 76, 76 and open toward the engaging protrusion 63. The fuel lid 15 is urged in the closing direction (direction of the arrow a2 in FIG. 4).

The urging member 27 also has a first tab part 81 formed between the extending parts 75, 75. The first tab part 81 engages with the lock opening 68 of the striker part 26. The urging member 27 furthermore has a second tab part 82 formed at the proximal end on the opposite side from the first tab part 81. The second tab part 82 fits in the retaining hole 56 of the striker part 26 shown in FIG. 5.

The urging member 27 is made of a metal, e.g., spring steel. The use of spring steel or another metal (thin plate) is preferred because the extending parts 75, 75 and the pinching parts 76, 76 both elastically deform when engaging with the engaging protrusion 63 of the engaging member 28. The force exerted when closing the fuel lid 15 shown in FIG. 1 is set so as not to be too large for manual operation. Specifically, in the fuel filler tube opening Hd structure 11, the sum of the urging force (pinching force (in the direction of the arrow b2)) of the urging member 27 imparted to the engaging member 28, and the force of the compression coil spring 53 of the push lifter 33 is set so that an excessive burden is not placed on the person filling the fuel, and the fuel lid 15 is therefore easy to use. The engaging member 28 has a cylindrical base part 84 attached to the second end part 43 of the fuel adapter 16; a disk-shaped base plate 85 formed continuously with the base part 84; an escape mechanism 86 formed so as to protrude from the front surface of the base plate 85; the engaging protrusion 63 formed at the distal end of the escape mechanism 86; and a guide hole 87 formed so as to run in the longitudinal direction (direction of the arrow a5) of the base part 84. The lock pin 31 of the lock mechanism 32 is inserted so as to be able to slide (in the direction of the arrow a5) in the guide hole 87.

The lock mechanism 32 comprises the lock pin 31, a lock opening part 68 formed in the center of the striker part 26 so as to engage when the lock pin 31 is advanced, and a driver seat door lock (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the position in which the lock pin 31 is advanced is the lock position J, and the position in which the lock pin 31 is retracted is the lock release position H. In the lock release position H, the fuel lid 15 can be opened by the push lifter 33.

The procedure for filling fuel will next be briefly described.

In FIG. 2, when fuel is filled, the locking of the fuel Hd 15 and the lock pin 31 is released when the drive seat door lock (not shown) is opened after the vehicle is stopped at a gas station. However, the fuel lid 15 does not open. When the fuel Hd 15 is subsequently pushed by hand, the fuel Hd 15 is pushed by the push lifter 33 and automatically opened, and then further opened by hand (see FIG. l). When it is time to close the fuel Hd 15, the open fuel Hd 15 is closed against the elastic force of the push lifter 33. Then, when the driver seat door lock is closed, the lock pin 31 fits in the lock opening part 68 of the striker part 26, and the fuel Hd 15 is locked. The operation of the Hd structure for a fuel filler tube opening of the first embodiment will next be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the urging member 27 provided to the opening and closing fuel Hd 15 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 63 provided on the side of the fuel adapter 16, the urging member 27 imparts an urging force in the direction of closing the fuel Hd 15, and the fuel Hd 15 therefore does not open, and is maintained in a closed state. As a result, as described in the prior art section, there is no need to use a member, e.g., an S-shaped spring, for imparting an urging force to the hinge 22 that supports the fuel Hd 15 so that the fuel Hd can open and close, and there is also no need to form a space in which the place an S-shaped spring. Consequently, the fuel adapter 16 can be reduced in size, and the production cost can also be reduced.

When the striker part 26 and the urging member 27 provided to the fuel Hd 15 engage with the engaging protrusion 63 provided on the side of the vehicle body panel 13 (fuel adapter 16), the fuel Hd 15 is urged in the closing direction by the

urging force of the urging member 27 when the locking of the door lock has been released, and the fuel lid 15 can be prevented from opening against the intention of the vehicle occupant.

As shown in FIG. 7, as the fuel lid 15 closes, the urging member 27 comes in contact with the engaging protrusion 63 on the side of the vehicle body panel 13, as indicated by the solid line. As the fuel Hd 15 closes further, the extending parts 75 or pinching parts 76 of the urging member 27 elastically deform and begin to open as indicated by the arrows bl. When the pinching parts 76 pass over the engaging protrusion 63, since the pinching parts apply pinching pressure (in the direction of the arrows b2) by elastic force (urging force), the fuel lid 15 continues to rotate in the closing direction (the direction of the arrow a2) by the continuing hand pressure and the component force of the urging force. When the pressed push lifter 33 reaches the pushed in state (see FIG. 4), since the compression coil spring 53 of the push lifter 33 does not extend, the fuel lid 15 is in the closed state even when the hand is separated from the fuel lid 15 in the fuel lid closed position E shown in FIG. 1. When the fuel lid 15 is in the closed state (fuel Md closed position E), the pinching parts 76 or the extending parts 75 are engaged with the engaging protrusion 63, and the urging member 27 therefore imparts urging force to the fuel Hd 15. The urging member 27 therefore does not automatically close the fuel lid 15 in the process of closing the fuel lid 15. Objects can therefore be prevented from being caught between the fuel Hd 15 and the fuel adapter 16.

Furthermore, when the fuel Hd 15 is in the closed state, the urging member 27 pulls the fuel lid 15 in the closing direction, and the fuel lid 15 is pressed against the push lifter 33 by this inward pulling force (urging force). As a result, when locking

of the fuel lid 15 has been released by releasing the locking of the door lock, the fuel lid 15 does not open when subjected to the centrifugal force G (in the direction of the arrow b3) of a right turn of the vehicle, for example. Furthermore, slight movements of the fuel lid 15 in the opening and closing direction can be prevented, and the fuel lid 15 can be prevented from vibrating (rattling).

When the fuel lid 15 is unlocked, the fuel lid 15 does not open even when the fuel lid 15 is sprayed with water during washing.

Since the urging force of the urging member 27 is set so as to be smaller than the opening force of the push lifter 33, it is possible for the engaging protrusion 63 to move through the pinching parts 76 of the urging member 27 as indicated by the arrow bl against the urging force by the opening force that occurs when the push lifter 33 protrudes, and the fuel lid 15 can be automatically opened.

In the fuel adapter 16, there is no need to form a concave housing part for accommodating a hinge or spring in the first wall part 41 on one end of the side wall part 35. Consequently, the fuel adapter 16 can be reduced in size, and the production cost can also be reduced.

Since the urging member 27 is primarily composed of the fixed part 74, the extending parts 75, and the pinching parts 76, the structure thereof is simplified.

When the opening between the pinching parts 76 of the urging member 27 is large, the extending parts 75 come in contact with the lock opening part 68 and prevent the pinching parts 76 from opening, and the urging force can therefore be maintained.

In the fuel lid locking mechanism 23, since the urging member attachment part 57 is formed in the striker part 26, and the first tab part 81 and second tab part

82 are formed in the urging member 27, the urging member 27 can be engaged before being fixed, merely by hooking the first tab part 81 and second tab part 82 on the urging member attachment part 57, and the urging member 27 is easily assembled.

Since the lock opening part 68 prevents rotation when attaching the urging member 27 to the striker part 26, the urging member 27 can be prevented from rotating even when subjected to a force in the rotation direction by screw fastening using the male screw member 71, and the urging member 27 is easily assembled with the striker part 26.

An example was described in which the lid structure for a fuel filler tube opening according to the first embodiment was applied to a fuel lid for covering a fuel filler tube opening, but the lid structure may also be applied to a lid or cover for opening and closing an opening other than a fuel filler tube opening.

A lid structure for a fuel feed opening according to a second embodiment will next be described based on FIGS. 8 through 14. As shown in FIG. 8, the fuel feed opening lid structure 100 of the second embodiment is provided with a cup -shaped fuel adapter 116 provided so as to fit in a filler tube opening 114 formed in a vehicle body panel 113; a fuel lid 115 for opening and closing an opening part of the fuel adapter 116; a push lifter 118; a lid latching device 12 L ^' and a lid lock device 122. The vehicle is provided with a fuel feeding device 134. The fuel feeding device 134 is provided with a fuel tank (not shown); a fuel feeding pipe 137 for guiding the fuel that is connected to the fuel tank; and a fuel feed opening lid structure 100 connected to an upper end 138 of the fuel feeding pipe 137 and attached to the filler tube opening 114.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when a switch (not shown) provided near the driver seat is operated, the lid lock device 122 operates, and locking is released. When the fuel lid 115 is subsequently pushed in by hand (in the direction of the arrow cl), the Hd latching device 121 is released by the push lifter 118 provided to the fuel adapter 116, the inside (pushing-open position 141) of the fuel lid 115 is pushed, a hinge 143 is rotated about a rotational support, and the fuel lid 115 is pushed out (see FIG. 14C) enough to be caught by a finger Hf (see FIG. 14B). The fuel lid 115 is opened when the fuel Hd 115 is pulled (in the direction of the arrow c2) by hooking the finger Hf on the edge of the fuel Hd 115, and fuel can therefore be fed. During fuel filling, a fuel filler gun is inserted into a fuel filler opening 146 that forms the end of the fuel feeding pipe 137 connected to the inside (bottom part 145) of the fuel feed opening Hd structure 100.

The fuel Hd 115 of the fuel feed opening Hd structure 100 is closed and locked by the reverse operation and mechanism. Specifically, when the fuel Hd 115 is closed, the Hd latching device 121 engages and the fuel Hd 115 is locked by the Hd lock device 122 in the closed position.

The Hd latching device 121 is composed of a Hd engaging mechanism 148 fitted in the side wall part 147 of the fuel adapter 116, and a striker part 151 for engaging with the Hd engaging mechanism 148, and the Hd latching device 121 has the functions of latching the fuel Hd 115 to the vehicle body 113 by elastic force and locking the fuel Hd 115.

The Hd engaging mechanism 148 and the striker part 151 are parts of the structure of the Hd lock device 122.

The fuel feed opening lid structure 100 is provided with the fuel adapter 116 having the fuel filler opening 146 provided to a filler tube opening 136 at the bottom part 145; the fuel lid 115 for opening and closing with respect to the filler tube opening 114, one end part 152 of the fuel lid 115 being attached to the fuel adapter 116 so as to be able to rotate Gn the direction of the arrow cl and the arrow c2) via a hinge 143; an engaging protrusion 155 provided to the fuel adapter 116; the striker part 151 for engaging with the engaging protrusion 155 and latching the fuel lid 115 in the closed state, the striker part 151 being provided to the fuel lid 115; and an urging means 156 for urging the fuel Hd 115 in the closing direction (direction of the arrow cl) by movably urging the engaging protrusion 155 toward the striker part 151 (in the direction of the arrow c3).

The engaging protrusion 155 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat toward (in the direction of the arrow c3) or away (in the direction of the arrow c4) from the striker part 151. A contacting part 157 of the striker part 151 has a first tilted surface 158 that is tilted an angle θ in the direction that intersects the advancing and retreating direction of the engaging protrusion 155. A contacting part 161 of the distal end of the engaging protrusion 155 has a second tilted surface 162 for forming an angle θ\ that is substantially the same as that of the first tilted surface 158. The first tilted surface 158 and the second tilted surface 162 are brought into contact with and engaged with each other by the movement of the engaging protrusion 155 in the forward direction (direction of the arrow c3) thereof, and the fuel lid 115 is thereby urged in the closing direction (direction of the arrow cl). The engaging of the first tilted surface 158 and the second tilted surface 162 is released by movement of the engaging protrusion 155 in the retraction direction

(direction of the arrow c4) against the elastic force of the urging means 156, and the urging force on the fuel lid 115 in the closing direction is released.

In the engaging protrusion 155, the contacting part 161 is the second tilted surface 162, but the tilted surface 162 may also have a small beveled shape (including an arc shape) or a shape that is not beveled.

The lid lock device 122 is provided with a lock driving unit 164 attached to the vehicle body panel 113; a lock pin 165 that is advanced (in the direction of the arrow c3) or retracted (in the direction of the arrow c4) a stroke S by an electric motor housed in the lock driving unit 164; a Hd engaging mechanism 148 that supports the lock pin 165 so as to enable the lock pin 165 to advance and retreat, and that is fitted in an entry opening 166 of the fuel adapter 116; and the striker part 151 provided to the fuel Hd 115.

The striker part 151 has a locking hole part 172 whereby locking of the striker part 151 is opened and closed by insertion or removal of the lock pin 165, the locking hole part 172 being formed in the center of a panel 171. The reference numeral 159 refers to an escape mechanism for preventing interference with the engaging protrusion 155.

The fuel Hd 115 has a pushing part 174 on the back surface thereof for pushing against the push lifter 118, and the striker part 151 is provided in the vicinity of the pushing part 174. The reference numeral 75 refers to the other end of the fuel Hd 115, E refers to the closing position of the fuel Hd 115, and Ka refers to the position of opening by the push lifter 118, and is the smallest opening position of the fuel Hd 115.

As shown in FIG. 10, the side wall part 147 of the fuel adapter 116 is formed by a first side wall 177, a second side wall 178, a third side wall 181, and a fourth side wall 182. The fuel adapter 116 has the bottom part 145 continuous with the side wall part 147. The entry opening 166 for attaching the lid engaging mechanism 148 of the lid lock device 122 is formed on the first side wall 177.

The push lifter 118 having an existing structure generates an opening releasing force for releasing the engagement of the striker part 151 and the engaging protrusion 155 against the elastic force of the urging means 156 to push open, and generates a closing-retaining force that is smaller than the opening releasing force when the open fuel lid 115 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 55 by being closed against the opening releasing force.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the lid engaging mechanism 148 is composed of a cylindrical base cap 185 attached to the fuel adapter 116; a rod- receiving cylinder member 186 fitted in the base cap 185; the urging means 156 and the engaging protrusion 155 housed in a tube main body 187 of the rod-receiving cylinder member 186; and a lock pin 165 inserted in the engaging protrusion 55.

The rod-receiving cylinder member 186 has a lock pin receiving part 188 and a first tab 191 formed integrally and concentrically with the tube main body 187.

The base cap 185 has a flange 192 for engaging with the entry opening 166 formed in the fuel adapter 116; a second tab 193; and a first hole part 194 for engaging with the first tab 191 of the rod-receiving cylinder member 186. The second tab 193 is elastic, and the base cap 185 is attached to the fuel adapter 116 by the fuel adapter 116 being pinched by the flange 192 and the second tab 193. A second hole part 195 through which the engaging protrusion 155 can advance and

retreat is formed in the center of the flange 192 concentrically with the rod-receiving cylinder member 186.

Describing the detailed structure of the engaging protrusion 155, the contacting part 161 is formed at the front end of an engaging body 197 that faces the striker part 151, a pin hole 201 that enables the lock pin 165 to slide is formed concentrically with the axis line 198 of the engaging part 197, a stopper shoulder 202 for acting as a retainer by engaging with the edge of the second hole part 195 of the base cap 185 is formed in the center in the longitudinal direction, a pin insertion tapered part 204 continuous with the pin hole 201 is formed at the rear end, and an elastic body receiving end 205 continuous with the pin insertion tapered part 204 is formed so as to latch one end of the urging means 156. The elastic body receiving end 205 receives the urging force of the urging means 156. The urging means 156 is a compression spring, for example.

The urging force (spring force) of the urging means 156 generates a component force that is smaller than the opening releasing force of the push lifter 118 when the lid lock device 122 is unlocked, and is set so as to generate a component force that is larger than the closing-retaining force of the push lifter 118.

A component force that is larger than the closing-retaining force is a load sufficient to prevent the fuel lid 115 from being opened by centrifugal force G that occurs during turning of the vehicle, or by the water pressure of a high -pressure car wash, for example.

A component force that is smaller than the opening releasing force is a load that enables the fuel lid 115 to be opened by the push lifter 118.

The operation of the lid structure for a fuel feed opening according to the second embodiment will next be described based on FIGS. 14A through 14C.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the fuel lid 115 is fixed to the vehicle body panel 113 by being locked by the lid lock device 122. When the switch near the driver seat is switched to "lock on" after the fuel lid 115 has been closed, the lock pin 165 is advanced (in the direction of the arrow dl) by the lock driving unit 164 (FIG. 3), and the lock pin 165 passes through the locking hole part 172 of the striker part 151 and engages with the locking hole part 72, and the fuel lid 115 can thereby be locked. In the case of opening the fuel Hd 115, when the aforementioned switch is switched to "lock off," locking with the lock pin 165 is released (FIG. 14B).

Since the fuel lid 115 is latched to the vehicle body panel 113 by pushing the contacting part 161 (second tilted surface 162) of the engaging protrusion 155 against the contacting part 157 (first tilted surface 158) of the striker part 151, a structure that uses an urging spring in order to latch the fuel lid 16 to the vehicle body panel 113 is provided in a single lid lock device 122. Consequently, the fuel feed opening lid structure 100 can be simplified, and the fuel feed opening lid structure 100 can also be reduced in size.

Specifically, when the engaging protrusion 155 pushes the striker part 151 provided to the fuel lid 115 as indicated by the arrow d2 by the urging force of the urging means 156, a component force is exerted on the first tilted surface 158 of the striker part 151 as indicated by the arrow d4 toward the inside (in the direction of the arrow d3) of the vehicle body panel 113, and the fuel lid 115 is therefore pulled Cn the direction of the arrow d3) to the inside of the vehicle body panel 113. Since the push lifter 118 generates a closing-retaining force (in the direction of the arrow

d5) in the pushed-in and retracted state, the fuel lid 115 is pushed to the outside (in the direction of the arrow d6) of the vehicle body panel 113. At this time, the fuel lid 115 is held closed in the closed position E because both pre-set forces (the component force and the closing-retaining force) are balanced. In the fuel feed opening lid structure 100 as shown in FIG. 14B, since the distal end part of the engaging protrusion 155 is kept engaged with the striker part 151 by the equilibrium offerees described above even when the locking of the fuel Hd 115 is released, the fuel lid 115 does not open. Consequently, interference with objects near the fuel lid 16 on the outside of the vehicle body panel 113 can be prevented even when locking of the fuel lid 115 is released.

When the fuel Hd 115 is subsequently pressed (in the direction of the arrow d7) by a hand H after locking is released, the fuel Hd 115 moves inward (the state indicated by the double dashed line) into the vehicle body panel 113 (in the direction of the arrow d3), and the striker part 151 moves inward while being prevented from interfering with the engaging protrusion 155 by the escape mechanism 159.

As shown in FIG. 14C, when the fuel Hd 115 then begins to be pushed open by the opening releasing force (in the direction of the arrow d8) of the push lifter 118, the first tilted surface 158 of the striker part 151 moves while making contact with the contacting part 161 of the engaging protrusion 155, and the striker part 151 causes the engaging protrusion 155 to retract (in the direction of the arrow d9) against the elastic force of the urging means 156. The fuel Hd 115 therefore opens to the smallest opening position Ka.

When the fuel Hd 115 begins to be closed after fueHng, the reverse movement occurs; i.e., a transition occurs from the state of FIG. 14C to that of FIG. 14B, and the

contacting part 157 (first tilted surface 158) of the striker part 151 begins to reach. the contacting part 161 (second tilted surface 162) of the engaging protrusion 155. Since the first tilted surface 158 of the striker part 151 and the contacting part 161 of the engaging protrusion 155 slide against and engage with each other due to the movement of the engaging protrusion 155 in the advancing direction, the fuel lid 115 can be urged in the closing direction, and the fuel lid 115 can be automatically closed.

In the fuel feed opening lid structure 100 thus configured, since the urging means 156 is provided for urging the fuel lid 115 in the closing direction (direction of the arrow d3) by urging the engaging protrusion 155 so as to enable the engaging protrusion 155 to move toward the striker part 151 (in the direction of the arrow d2), there is no need to provide a spring on the side of the hinge 143 (FIG. 8) to urge the fuel lid 115 in the closing direction, the fuel feed opening lid structure 100 can be simplified, and the fuel feed opening Hd structure 100 can also be reduced in size.

An example was described in which the lid structure for a fuel feed opening of the present invention was used in a vehicle, but the Hd structure may also have non- vehicular uses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The lid structure for a fuel feed opening according to the present invention is suitable for a fuel filler tube opening provided to a vehicle body panel.