FUEL FILLER DOOR ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL KICK-OUT SPRING

摘要

A release mechanism for use with fuel filler door latch systems thatprovides superior control of door movement during the entire service life of the motorvehicle. The biasing mechanism of the present invention includes a kick-out springthat acts directly against the striker bar. As such, the kick-out spring is not exposedto overstressing and does not cause undue wear of the automobile body. The kick-out spring is a leaf spring having a first end that is secured to the housing, anintermediate section routed between posts extending outwardly from the housing,and a cantilevered second end that is oriented to be engaged and resilientlydeflected by the striker bar when the fuel filler door is moved toward its closedposition. In the closed position, the striker bar forcibly biases the second end of thekick-out spring to a defected position. Upon release of the striker bar, the kick-outspring acts on the striker bar for urging the fuel filler door to its open position,thereby permitting the kick-out spring to return to its non-deflected position.