Fuel filler door catch for vehicles

#The present invention relates generally to a fuel filler door catch for vehicles, and more particularly, to a fuel filler door catch for vehicles, which can be manipulated without applying a great force, thereby improving a durability of parts included in the fuel filler door catch.

#The fuel filler door is opened when filling fuel in a fuel tank, and a door catch is used for opening and closing the fuel filler door. The door catch is operated by a release handle, that is, a switch lever disposed within reach of a driver's seat.

#FIG. 1 shows a conventional fuel filler door catch as well as a general fuel filler door. The fuel filler door 2 is hinged to a fuel filler housing 1 by means of a hinge 3 and a spring 4. A hook plate 5 is installed to an opposite side portion of the fuel filler door 2 and locked to the catch mounted to the fuel filler housing 1.

#The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional fuel filler door catch for vehicles;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel filler door catch according to the present invention; and

#Reference is now made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fuel filler door catch for vehicles according to the present invention. The fuel filler door catch includes a catch body 20, a rotary unit 30 and a catch slide 40. The catch body 20 is mounted to a support plate 28 of the fuel filler housing. The rotary unit 30 is mounted on the catch body 20 and rotates by a movement of the cable 7 connected to a release handle manipulated by a driver. The catch slide 40 performs a rectilinear sliding movement as the rotary unit 30 is operated, and is released from a hook plate 5 provided on a fuel filler door 2 to open the fuel filler door 2.

#The catch body 20 includes a base 21, a seat part 21′, a support part 22 and a slide reception part 23. The base 21 has a flat shape in order not to interfere with a movement of the rotary unit 30. The seat part 21′ is formed on the front portion of the base 21 and provided on its end wall with a circular seat opening 21″ for receiving the locking tip 7′ of the cable 7. The support part 22 is formed on the side portion of the base 21 and has a hollow interior for receiving and supporting the rotary unit 30 connected to the locking pin 7″ of the cable 7. The slide reception part 23 is formed on the rear portion of the base 21 and receives the catch slide 40 within a channel 23′ having a length L. This catch slide 40 moves rectilinearly to be released from the hook plate 5 by a rotation of the rotary unit 30.