Electrical charging flap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12523079-B2
Application number	US-202217710089-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2022
Priority date	Nov 18, 2021
Publication date	Jan 13, 2026
Grant date	Jan 13, 2026

Abstract

A hinge arm assembly for a charge flap arrangement of a motor vehicle includes a housing cap having at least one flexible hinge arm support, a charge flap housing coupled partially with the flexible hinge arm support, a hinge arm with a built-in drive shaft clipped into the housing cap and hold in place with clamping force, an actuator coupled to the built-in drive shaft, and at least one sealing component arranged between the actuator and the housing cap.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A hinge arm assembly for a charge flap arrangement of a motor vehicle, the hinge arm assembly comprises:
a housing cap having at least one flexible hinge arm support; a charge flap housing coupled with the flexible hinge arm support; a hinge arm with a built-in drive shaft clipped into the housing cap and held in place with clamping force; an actuator coupled to the built-in drive shaft; and at least one sealing component arranged between the actuator and the housing cap.

2 . The hinge arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing cap is made from a polymeric material.

3 . The hinge arm assembly of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric material is a self-lubricating material.

4 . The hinge arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge arm is made of a material selected from polymeric materials, glass-filled polymeric materials, metal materials or metal-alloy materials.

5 . The hinge arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge arm assembly further comprises a locking mechanism controlled by an electric actuator comprising at least one micro-switch.

6 . The hinge arm assembly of claim 5 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a hook.

7 . A method for assembling a hinge arm assembly for a charge flap arrangement of a motor vehicle, comprising:
providing a housing cap having at least one flexible hinge arm support; rotating, pushing, or clipping a hinge arm with built-in drive shaft into the housing cap, wherein the at least one flexible hinge arm support provides an assembly space by being molded out of position; and pushing the at least one flexible hinge arm support into final assembled condition, by coupling a part of a charge flap housing to the at least one flexible hinge arm support.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
attaching an actuator by pushing the same over the drive shaft; wherein at least one sealing unit is arranged between the actuator and the housing cap.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein pushing the at least one flexible hinge arm support into final assembled condition is achieved by engaging the part of the charge flap housing into a pocket or recess of the hinge arm assembly, wherein the part of the charge flap housing and the pocket or recess form an interference fit.

10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the housing cap is made from a polymeric material.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the polymeric material is a self-lubricating material.

Assignees

• Motherson Innovations Co Ltd

Inventors

• Scott-Collins Callum
• Horne Steve
• Lettis Andrew
• Malicki Oscar
• Connor Kane
• Mckay Matthew

Classifications

• E05D5/0207

  for attachment to vehicles (E05D5/043, E05D5/062 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01R13/5202

  Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings · CPC title

• H01R13/5213

  Covers · CPC title

• F16J15/022

  characterised by structure or material · CPC title

• E05Y2900/534

  Fuel lids, charger lids · CPC title