# US 12,760,574 B2 · Actuating mechanism for actuating covers for vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,574 B2 - Document ID: US12760574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/228,977 - Filed: 2023-08-01 - Published: 2024-02-22 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-17 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Tobias Göpfert; Matthias Hegwein; Thomas Lechner-Watzlik; Joachim Oberst; Roland Och - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760574B2 ## CPC - E05D 15/582: {with horizontal swinging axis (E05D15/581 takes precedence)} - E05B 83/34: for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface - E05F 15/603: using rotary electromotors - B60K 15/05: Inlet covers - B60K 2015/053: {with hinged connection to the vehicle body} - E05Y 2201/626: Levers - E05Y 2201/722: Racks - E05Y 2900/534: Fuel lids, charger lids - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism (100) for actuating covers (102) for vehicles. The actuation mechanism (110) includes: a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm (101), which is connectable to the cover (102) and is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement of the cover (102). The lever arm (101) includes a drive surface (111), which communicates with the drive shaft such that a rotation of the drive shaft via the drive surface (111) is transferred to the lever arm (101). The drive surface (111) includes a first region (112) where a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a first direction when the lever arm is in communication with the drive shaft via the first region (112), and wherein the drive surface (111) includes a second region (114) configured such that a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a second direction when the lever arm communicates with the drive shaft via the second region (114). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuating mechanism for actuating a cover of a vehicle, wherein the cover is reversibly movable between a closed position in which the cover is arranged so as to be flush with a vehicle outer skin and an open position in which the cover is arranged behind the outer skin, the actuating mechanism comprising: a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm, which is configured to connect to a cover and is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement of the cover, wherein the lever arm comprises a drive surface on an outer surface of the lever arm, which communicates with the drive shaft such that a rotation of the drive shaft via the drive surface is transferred to the lever arm, wherein the drive surface comprises a first region configured such that a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a first direction when the lever arm is in communication with the drive shaft via the first region, wherein the drive surface comprises a second region configured such that a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a second direction when the lever arm communicates with the drive shaft via the second region, and wherein the first region is substantially linear and wherein the second region is curvilinear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first region is arranged adjacently to the second region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the drive surface is configured as a rack, which communicates with a gear wheel driven by the drive shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The actuating mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the gear wheel remains stationary and the rack moves relative to the gear wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The actuating mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the gear wheel is in contact with the drive surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm comprises a guide groove, which is configured so as to guide movement of the lever arm in the first direction and the second direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The actuating mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the guide groove is configured as an elongated hole extending parallel to the first region of the drive surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The actuating mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a pivot axis, about which the lever arm is pivotally supported, and wherein the pivot axis extends into the guide groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm comprises a limit stop, which is arranged adjacently to a curvilinear region on a side of the lever arm opposite a linear region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm is formed as a single piece. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm is connectable to the cover via a hinge in such a way that the cover is movable relative to the lever arm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The actuating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is in communication with the first region when the cover is in a closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The actuating mechanism of claim 12, wherein the drive shaft is in communication with the second region when the cover is in an open position. ### Claim 14 A charging, servicing, or tank assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a cavity; a cover for covering the cavity, wherein the cover is reversibly movable between a closed position in which the cover is arranged so as to be flush with a vehicle outer skin and an open position in which the cover is arranged behind the outer skin; and an actuating mechanism comprising, a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm, which is connectable to the cover and is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement of the cover, the lever arm further comprising a drive surface, which is in contact with a gear wheel such that a rotation of the drive shaft is transferred to the lever arm via the drive surface, wherein the drive surface comprises a first region configured such that a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a first direction when the lever arm is in communication with the drive shaft via the first region, wherein the drive surface comprises a second region configured such that a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a second direction when the lever arm communicates with the drive shaft via the second region, wherein the drive shaft or the drive surface is arranged behind the cavity, and wherein the lever arm comprises a guide groove for guiding a pivoting movement of the lever arm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A motor vehicle having a charging, servicing, or tank arrangement according to claim 14. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the drive surface of the actuating mechanism is configured as a rack that engages a gear wheel driven by the drive shaft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the guide groove comprises an elongated slot extending parallel to the first region of the drive surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the guide groove is spaced apart from the drive surface. ### Claim 19 An assembly for a vehicle having a cavity and a cover movable between a closed position in which the cover is flush with a vehicle outer skin and an open position in which the cover is arranged behind the vehicle outer skin, the assembly comprising: an actuating mechanism configured to move the cover between the closed position and the open position, the actuating mechanism including: a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm operatively coupled to the cover and configured to convert rotational movement of the drive shaft into movement of the cover, wherein the lever arm comprises a drive surface in contact with a gear wheel driven by the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft is transferred to the lever arm via the drive surface, wherein the drive surface includes a first region configured to move the lever arm in a first direction upon rotation of the drive shaft and a second region configured to move the lever arm in a second direction upon rotation of the drive shaft, and wherein the lever arm comprises a guide groove configured to guide a pivoting movement of the lever arm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The assembly of claim 19, further comprising a pivot axis about which the lever arm is pivotable, wherein the guide groove receives the pivot axis and constrains movement of the lever arm during the pivoting movement.