Adjustable assembly of a first structural part to a second structural part, in particular for automobiles

256 809 T3

DESCRIPTION

Adjustable mounting of a first structural part and a second structural part, in particular for automobiles.

The invention relates to an adjustable mounting of a first structural part in a second structural part, in particular for automobiles, having a door and a pivotable arm for the door according to claim 1. An assembly according to the pre-part -characterizer of claim 1, is known from document US-A5 165 749.

A body-mounted fuel filler door that hides the opening leading to the car's tank filler tube, is in most cases hinged to an arm, or is attached to a pivotable arm. which, in turn, is pivotally hinged to the bodywork. The mounting of the pivoting arm and that of the door on the pivoting arm, naturally presents tolerances. However, it is ensured that the mounting is such that the door seats centrally in the bodywork opening, that is, for both functional and visual reasons. However, an adjustment of the fuel filler flap and pivot arm assembly takes time. In addition, the door requires a new adjustment after disassembly.

The object of the invention is to provide an adjustable mounting of a first structural part in a second structural part, in particular a door having a pivotable arm, in the body of an automobile, in which such adjustment can be made with simple means, and the new adjustment after disassembly is unnecessary.

The object has been achieved by means of the features of claim 1.

In the assembly of the invention, the first structural part is movably supported along two orthogonal axes with respect to the second structural part with travel paths adapted so that they are relatively short. Relative to the third axis, which extends perpendicular to the first two axes, the first structural part is designed so that it is substantially immobile with respect to the second structural part. A second adjustable member is movably supported on the second frame, and actuation of the latter can move the first adjustment member along the first axis. A second adjustment member is movably supported on the second frame, and actuation of the former can move the first adjustment member along the second axis. Means have been associated with the first and second adjustment elements for releasable fixing thereof, to allow maintaining the position that has been reached by the first structural part.

A constructive solution of the invention consists in that a sliding member is located between the first and second structural parts, and that it is immobile along the first axis with respect to the first structural part and is mobile with respect to the second part. structural, and which is mobile along the second axis with respect to the first structural part and is immobile with respect to the second structural part. The first adjusting member engages with the sliding member, and the second adjusting member engages with the first structural member. In this way it is ensured that if the first structural part is adjusted in relation to the second structural part, it will always be displaced along orthogonal axes, each of which is not subjected to any rotation in the plane that is included between the axes. Such a possibility of rotation would make it considerably more difficult, and time consuming, to fit the first structural member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment elements may be defined by rotary knobs that are each provided with an adjustable eccentric bolt, which interact with respective openings of the first structural part and of the second structural part and of the sliding member. Since the bolts of the rotary knobs of the second structural part allow a restricted arc of a larger or smaller size when the rotary knobs are made to rotate, and a displacement of the first structural part by means of the first adjustment element or first rotary knob, for example, will not be impeded by the second rotary knob, which has not been actuated, the openings in the frame and slide member have been configured to allow the bolts to apply a direct force to the associated frame part only along one axis each, while relative movement perpendicular thereto is possible .

According to another aspect of the invention, it is provided that the rotary knobs are held in support openings of the second structural part, and are adapted to reach a first and a second axial position. In the first axial position, which corresponds to a pre-mounting position, for example, the rotary knobs can be turned and take on the described adjustment function. Once the adjustment is complete, the rotary knobs are moved axially to the second positions where they will not be rotatable in order to set the adjusted position for the first frame relative to the second frame. To this end, the interlocking teeth may act between a portion of the support opening and a portion of the rotary knob, for example, to prevent rotation of the rotary knob.

The axial positions of the rotary knobs in the support openings can be predetermined by means of quick connections, for example by providing the rotary knobs with at least one rib on the circumference, and the support opening with at least one ring groove, or vice versa, which receives the nerve in an engagable way, but allows rotation.

An embodiment of the invention will be described in greater detail in the following, with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1: shows a side view of a door with a pivotable arm for an automobile, as seen from the inside.

Figure 2: shows a view similar to Figure 1, but in which the pivotable arm has been omitted.

Figure 3: shows a section through the assembly of Figure 1, taken along line 3-3.

Figure 4: shows a larger view of component 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5: shows a section through the assembly of Figure 1, taken along line 5-5.

ES 2 256 809 T3

Figure 6: shows a section through the assembly of Figure 1, taken along line 6-6.

In Figures 1 to 6, an oval-shaped fuel filler hatch has been designated by 10, and has been provided to close an opening in the body of an automobile that has not been shown, through which it can be access a fuel filler tube. The fuel filler door 10 is shown from the inside in Figures 1 and 2. A pivotable arm 12 is fixedly connected to the fuel filler door 10 on the inside. The pivotable arm is comprised of a fixing portion 14 and an arm portion 16 that is pivotally supported about an axis 18 on a bracket that is not shown. The axis 18 extends in this case in an approximately vertical direction. Two rotary knobs 20, 22 are mounted on the fixing portion 14. These serve to adjust the relative position of the pivoting arm 12 and the door 10, the button 20 serving for an adjustment in the horizontal direction, and the button 22 for an adjustment in the horizontal direction as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. Furthermore, the rotary knobs carry an arrow on them that interacts with a scale 17 and 19 made on the fixing portion.

A receiver plate 24 has been mounted on the inside of the door 10. The three mounting points have been designated 27 in Figure 2. They need not be referenced in further detail. As is specifically apparent from Figures 5 and 6, the receiving plate 24, which is disposed spaced from the door 10, is again at a parallel spacing from the fixing portion 14 of the pivoting arm 12 which is It has been formed approximately in a U-shaped configuration. The legs of the U face the door 10, and grip through the receiving plate 24 at the top and bottom, with a vertical separation. A slide member 26 is disposed between the receiving plate 24 and the fixing portion 14. It has a horizontal portion 28 and a vertical portion 30. The lower edge of the slide member 26 is guided by a horizontal guide band 32 of the fixing portion 14. On the side facing the fixing portion 14, the receiving plate 24 has two spaced parallel ribs 36, 38 that vertically guide the vertical portion 30 of the sliding member 26. For the rest, the fixing portion 14 is attached. to receiver plate 24 at points 38 such that relative movement can be performed in the plane of receiver plate 24, but fixation portion 14 is prevented from detaching from receiver plate 24.

As is evident, specifically from Figure 4, the rotary knobs 20, 22 have a cylindrical portion 40 and 42 each, and an adjustable bolt 44 and 46 each, with an orientation in the direction of the door. 10. Each cylindrical portion 40, 42 has circumferentially two axially spaced annular ribs 48, which are adapted to be engageably received in complementary annular grooves 50 by appropriate support openings made in the fixing portion 14. The rotary knobs 20, 22 are not rotary in the position shown in Figure 4 because a portion (not shown in detail) is serrated, and interacts with a respective set of teeth of the support opening. Only one annular rib is in engagement relationship with a groove in the position shown in broken lines in Figure 4. When in this position, the rotary knobs 20, 22 can be turned. For this purpose, they have been provided with slots 52, 54 for their rotation by means of a screwdriver.

The bolt 44 of the rotary knob 22 fits into an opening 56 in the receiving plate 24, the bolt 44 being roughly seated in the opening in the vertical direction, but such that it has freedom of movement in the horizontal direction as can be seen when Figures 4 and 5 are viewed in combination. Bolt 46 fits into an opening 60 of portion 30 of slide member 26, with the result that the bolt sits approximately tightly in aperture 60 in the horizontal direction while having freedom in the vertical, as seen when Figures 4 and 6 are viewed in combination (Figure 6).

While the door 10 is being mounted on the pivoting arm 12, the rotary knobs 20, 22 are in the position shown in broken lines (Figure 4). If an adjustment is to be made in the vertical direction, the rotary knob 20 is rotated. Since the bolt 44 is disposed concentrically in the rotary knob 20, it will move the receiving plate 24 and thus the door 20 in the vertical direction. Horizontal displacement is impossible because the receiving plate 24 is guided by the slide member 30. If a horizontal adjustment is desired alternatively or additionally, the rotary knob 20 will be actuated. This causes the slide member 30 to move horizontally. and thereby also causing the receiving plate 24 and the door 10 to move horizontally. It can be appreciated that it is possible to adjust the door 10 along two horizontal axes by means of the rotary knobs 20, 22, without the door 10 being twisted or inclined in its plane.

When adjustment is complete, the rotary knobs 20, 22 are arranged in the second position shown with solid lines, causing the two ribs 48 to engage in the annular grooves 50. Any rotation of the rotary knobs 20, 22 will then be excluded. This fixes the relative position of the door 10 and the pivoting arm 12.

The depicted assembly can be disassembled without the need to establish a new relative position of the door 10 and the pivoting arm 12 when assembly is performed again.