Fuel door assembly

Abstract

There is disclosed an improved fuel door assembly and methods for assembling same. In one preferred embodiment the fuel door assembly comprises a housing that defines an axis of rotation and has a moveable retaining surface that is biased toward the axis of rotation, and a fuel door received in the housing and rotatable about the axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position. The fuel door has a first cam surface and a second cam surface. The retaining surface contacts the first cam surface and urges the fuel door toward the closed position when the fuel door is at the closed position, and contacts the second cam surface and urges the fuel door toward the open position when the fuel door is at the open position.

1 . A fuel door assembly for covering an opening in a vehicle body, the fuel door assembly comprising: 
 an annular housing having a plurality of hinge surfaces that are axially aligned so as to define an axis of rotation, the housing further comprising a plurality of openings for permitting the housing to be attached to a vehicle;    an axle portion being configured to be received by and extend between the plurality of hinge surfaces, the axle portion further being configured to be aligned with the axis of rotation;    a fuel door being configured to be received by the housing, the fuel door being configured for rotatable coupling with the housing between an open and closed position about the axis of rotation defined by said hinge surfaces and along which the axle portion is aligned; and    a movable retaining surface that is configured to be biased toward the axis of rotation and to contact a first surface when the door is in a closed position and is configured to be biased toward the axis of rotation and to contact a second surface when the door is in an open position;    wherein when the retaining surface is in contact with the first surface, the fuel door resists movement from the closed position and when the retaining surface is in contact with the second surface, the fuel door resists movement from the open position.    
   
   
       2 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the movable retaining surface is biased toward the axis of rotation by a spring.  
   
   
       3 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical stop that limits the range of travel of said fuel door at the open position.  
   
   
       4 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the closed position and the open position is between about 80° and about 100°.  
   
   
       5 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the distance between the closed position and the open position is about 90°.  
   
   
       6 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the fuel door is near the closed position, the retaining surface urges the fuel door toward the closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the fuel door is near the open position, the retaining surface urges the fuel door toward the open position.  
   
   
       8 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of hinge surfaces have an inward-facing open end.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to the vehicle with screws.