JP2004189252A - Cap device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cap device having a coupling member free from a hindrance in opening/closing a fuel cap even in a small space. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cap 20 has a tether mechanism 30 rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of a lid 22. The tether mechanism 30 includes a rotary ring 32 and the coupling member 34. The rotary ring 32 is formed of a first material made of a rigid resin, and the coupling member 34 is formed of a second material made of a resin or a thermoplastic elastomer more flexible than the first material. In addition, the coupling member 34 is at one of ends of the rotary ring 32 and mounted on the ring 32 so that it is oriented in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the ring 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cap device in which one end of a long connecting member is connected to a cap.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a fuel tank of an automobile, in order to prevent the fuel cap from being lost at the time of refueling, there is a configuration in which the fuel cap is connected to the vicinity of a filler port of the fuel tank by a long connecting member such as a tether. As a fuel cap having such a tether, a technique disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 19820544 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-507192 (Patent Document 2) is known. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a conventional fuel cap 100. A tether 104 is attached to the outer periphery of the lid 102 of the fuel cap 100. That is, the attachment portion 102a projects from the outer peripheral portion of the lid 102, and the tether 104 is attached to the lid 102 by fixing the support end 104a provided at one end of the tether 104 to the attachment portion 102a with the pin 106.
[Patent Document 1]
German Patent Application Publication No. 19820544 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-507192 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The fuel cap 100 of the vehicle is housed in a narrow recess which can be opened and closed by a fuel cover on the vehicle body panel. For this reason, there is a problem that the tether 104 extending radially outward from the side of the lid 102 interferes with other members in the concave portion and impairs the opening / closing operation of the fuel cap 100.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cap device having a connecting member that does not hinder opening and closing operations of a fuel cap even in a narrow space.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
In a cap device having a cap that opens and closes a tank opening,
A rotating ring rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the cap,
A flexible elongated member having a first connection end and a second connection end, wherein the first connection end is connected to a rotating ring, and the second connection end is connected to a mounting member near the tank opening. When,
With
The rotating ring is formed from a first material made of a hard resin,
The connecting member is formed of a second material made of a resin or a thermoplastic elastomer that is softer than the first material,
The connection member is one end of the outer periphery of the rotating ring, and is attached to the rotating ring on the same plane including a tangent to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating ring.
[0006]
Here, the same surface including the tangent line may be an inclined surface as long as the rotation of the rotating ring, the opening / closing operation, and the mounting structure are not hindered.
[0007]
In the cap device according to the present invention, when the cap is removed from the tank opening, the cap is supported around the tank opening via the connecting member, so that the cap can be prevented from being lost or forgotten to be closed. One end of the connection member is connected and fixed to a rotation ring slidably provided on the outer periphery of the cap, and the rotation ring and the cap rotate relatively when a rotation operation is performed to remove the cap. Therefore, even if the cap is connected and fixed to the connecting member, there is no problem in opening and closing the cap.
[0008]
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the rotating ring is formed of a hard resin material having good slip, even if a force for deforming the rotating ring is applied by the tension from the connecting member, the rotating ring maintains a substantially circular shape without significant deformation. The lid rotates smoothly with respect to the lid without increasing the frictional resistance with the annular groove of the lid. Therefore, there is no problem in rotating the fuel cap.
[0009]
(2) Since the connecting member is made of a soft resin material or a thermoplastic elastomer, it is easy to close the fuel cap or in a state where the fuel cap is closed in a narrow space around the fuel filler port in the concave portion. It does not hinder the opening and closing operation of the fuel cap and the operation of closing the refueling lid.
[0010]
(3) Since the connecting member is arranged in the tangential direction of the lid and does not protrude outward in the radial direction of the lid, it is possible to make the recess a narrow space without impairing the opening / closing operation of the fuel filler lid or the fuel cap. it can.
[0011]
Further, as another aspect of the present invention, a mounting groove is provided along an outer peripheral portion of the rotating ring, and the connecting member is formed integrally with a connecting member main body, and an annular mounting portion fitted in the mounting groove. And the annular mounting portion can be fitted in the mounting groove and mounted on the rotating ring. With this configuration, the connecting member rotates with the rotating ring at the annular mounting portion.
[0012]
Further, the attachment member may be a member around the tank opening to which the second connection end of the connection member can be connected. For example, in the case of an automobile, a fuel filler lid can be applied, and the connection member is opened and closed by opening and closing the fuel filler lid. It can be configured to rotate the rotating ring via.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of an automobile equipped with a cap device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refueling lid 12 is opened. At the rear of the vehicle body panel 10 shown in FIG. 1, a refueling recess 11 is formed, and the opening of the recess 11 is covered with a refueling lid 12. The refueling lid 12 is attached via a hinge 13 so as to be openable and closable. A fuel supply port 16a of a filler pipe 16 connected to a fuel tank (not shown) is disposed on a bottom wall 11a of the concave portion 11. The fuel supply port 16a is closed by a fuel cap 20 so as to be openable and closable.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a part of the fuel cap 20 attached to the filler pipe 16. The fuel cap 20 includes a casing 21 mounted on the filler pipe 16, a lid 22 mounted on a flange 21b on the upper part of the casing 21, and a gasket GS mounted on the upper part of the casing 21. An engagement protrusion 21a is formed on the outer periphery of the casing 21. The engagement protrusion 21a is engaged with the engagement protrusion 16b of the filler pipe 16. Therefore, when the fuel cap 20 is mounted on the filler port 16a and rotated two or three times, the gasket GS is pressed against the inner wall of the filler pipe 16, and the space between the inner wall and the fuel cap 20 is sealed.
[0016]
The lid 22 is formed in a cup shape by an upper wall 23 having an operation portion 23 a for being rotated by being sandwiched between fingers, and a side wall 24 formed in a cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the upper wall 23. A tether mechanism 30 is mounted on the lid 22. The tether mechanism 30 includes a rotating ring 32, a connecting member 34 connected to the rotating ring 32, and a locking ring 38 for locking the rotating ring 32 to the side wall 24.
[0017]
The rotating ring 32 is rotatably mounted in an annular groove 24 a formed over the entire circumference of the side wall 24, and is prevented from being removed by a locking ring 38 disposed below the rotating ring 32. That is, the engagement of the engagement claw 38a of the locking ring 38 with the engagement hole 24b formed in the side wall 24 prevents the rotation ring 32 from being pulled out.
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the connecting member 34 is assembled to the rotating ring 32. The rotating ring 32 includes an annular ring main body 32a. A projection 33 for attaching the connecting member 34 is provided on the outer surface of the ring main body 32a. The projection 33 has a rod-shaped base 33a and a locking part 33b whose diameter is enlarged from the tip of the base 33a. The rotating ring 32 is formed of a hard resin material (first material), for example, polyacetal (POM), polyamide with glass filler (PA), or the like.
[0019]
The connection member 34 is a member for connecting the fuel cap 20 to the fuel filler lid 12 (see FIG. 1), and is made of a soft material such as polyurethane (PUR) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPEE), and is flexible. Have the property. The connecting member 34 includes a string-shaped connecting member main body 34a, and first and second support ends 35 and 36 formed at both ends of the connecting member main body 34a. The first support end 35 is formed in a ring shape having a support hole 35a. The support hole 35a is formed with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the locking portion 33b of the projection 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the support hole 35a is pressed into the projection 33 of the rotating ring 32, the first support end 35 is formed of a soft material. 35 is attached to the projection 33. In this mounting state, the connecting member 34 is supported by the rotating ring 32 so as to be disposed on the same plane including the tangent of the rotating ring 32, that is, tangentially upward of the rotating ring 32.
[0020]
The second support end 36, which is the other end of the connecting member 34, has substantially the same shape as the first support end 35, and has a support hole 36a. As shown in FIG. 2, the support hole 36 a is rotatably supported by the fixing portion 12 a by being press-fitted into the fixing portion 12 a formed on the back surface side of the fuel filler lid 12. Thus, when the fuel cap 20 shown in FIG. 1 is opened and removed from the filler pipe 16, the fuel cap 20 is hung via the connecting member 34 fixed to the fixing portion 12a.
[0021]
Next, the opening / closing operation of the fuel cap 20 will be described. From the state where the fuel cap 20 shown in FIG. 1 is removed, the fuel cap 20 is inserted into the filler port 16a of the filler pipe 16, and the filler port 16a is closed by rotating a few times. At this time, the rotating ring 32 shown in FIG. 3 is rotatable with respect to the lid 22, and the connecting member 34 does not receive a large force from the fuel filler lid 12 or the fuel cap 20 and is formed of a soft resin or the like. In addition, since the fuel cap 20 has flexibility, there is no problem in opening and closing the fuel cap 20. At this time, the connecting member 34 is bent and stored in the recess 11.
[0022]
Next, an operation of removing the fuel cap 20 will be described. When the fuel filler lid 12 is opened, the connecting member 34 is extended with the opening operation of the fuel filler lid 12. When the connecting member 34 is extended, it rotates the rotating ring 32 according to the tension. Although the fuel filler lid 12 is connected to the fuel cap 20 via the connecting member 34, the opening / closing operation can be smoothly performed without receiving a large force from the connecting member 34 that would hinder opening and closing. Then, when the fuel cap 20 is separated from the hand, the lid 22 of the fuel cap 20 hangs down at a position away from the vehicle body panel 10 toward the outer plate of the vehicle, and refueling can be performed in this state. That is, since the fuel cap 20 can be arranged at a position away from the vehicle body panel 10 at the time of refueling, the fuel cap 20 does not interfere with the refueling gun and the fuel attached to the casing 21 does not stain the vehicle body panel 10.
[0023]
Further, according to the above embodiment, the following operation and effect can be further obtained.
(1) Since the rotating ring 32 is formed of a hard and slippery resin material, even if a force for deforming the rotating ring 32 by the tension from the connecting member 34 is applied, the rotating ring 32 does not substantially deform and has a substantially circular shape. By keeping the friction, the frictional resistance between the lid 22 and the annular groove 24a does not increase, and the lid 22 rotates smoothly with respect to the lid 22. Therefore, there is no problem in rotating the fuel cap 20.
[0024]
(2) Since the connecting member 34 is formed of a soft resin material or a thermoplastic elastomer, when the fuel cap 20 is closed or in a state where the fuel cap 20 is closed, the connecting member 34 is formed in the concave portion 11 around the fuel supply port 16a. There is no hindrance to the operation of opening and closing the fuel cap 20 and closing the refueling lid 12 by easily bending in a narrow space.
[0025]
(3) Since the connecting member 34 is arranged in the tangential direction of the lid 22 and does not protrude outward in the radial direction of the lid 22, the concave portion 11 can be formed without impairing the opening / closing operation of the fuel filler lid 12 and the fuel cap 20. It can be a narrow space.
[0026]
(4) Since the support hole 35 a of the connecting member 34 is rotatably fitted into the protrusion 33 of the rotating ring 32, the connecting member 34 rotates about the protrusion 33 when the fuel filler lid 12 is opened and closed. As a result, no extra force that hinders the opening / closing operation is received.
[0027]
(4) The connecting member 34 is a separate member from the rotating ring 32, but since the first support end 35 is formed of a soft material, it is easy to press-fit the supporting hole 35 a into the projection 33 of the rotating ring 32. And it can be firmly attached to the rotating ring 32.
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuel cap 20B according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the rotary ring of FIG. The tether mechanism 30B includes a rotating ring 32B formed of a hard resin, and a connecting member 34B mounted on the rotating ring 32B. A mounting groove 32Bc is formed along the outer periphery of the rotating ring 32B. On the other hand, the connecting member 34B is provided integrally with the connecting member main body 34Ba and has an annular mounting portion 34Bc fitted into the mounting groove 32Bc. The annular mounting portion 34Bc is mounted on the rotating ring 32B so as to fit into the mounting groove 32Bc and rotate integrally with the rotating ring 32B. As shown in FIG. 8, in order to attach the connecting member 34B to the rotating ring 32B, the annular mounting portion 34Bc of the connecting member 34B is elastically enlarged in diameter and fitted into the mounting groove 32Bc. Thereby, the annular mounting portion 34Bc is elastically reduced in diameter and is firmly mounted on the rotating ring 32B.
[0029]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0030]
(1) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the second support end of the connecting member is attached to the fuel filler lid 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle body side member (mounting member) around the fuel filler opening 16a, for example, The member is not particularly limited as long as it is a member such as the bottom wall 11a which does not hinder the opening / closing operation of the fuel cap 20 and the like.
[0031]
(2) In the above embodiment, the fuel cap is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the type of the cap is not particularly limited as long as the cap is used. For example, the present invention can be applied to a radiator cap of an automobile.
[0032]
(3) The mounting means for mounting the connecting member 34 to the rotating ring 32 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be various methods such as press-fitting of pins, protrusions and engagement holes, insert molding, and two-color molding. Means can be taken.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rear part of an automobile equipped with a cap device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fuel supply lid 12 is opened.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a part of a fuel cap 20 mounted on a filler pipe 16;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the connecting member is assembled to the rotating ring 32.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of attaching the connecting member to the rotating ring.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuel cap 20B according to another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view near a rotary ring.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of attaching a connecting member to a rotating ring.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a conventional fuel cap 100.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. . . Body panel 11. . . Recesses 11a. . . Bottom wall 12. . . Refueling lid 12a. . . Fixing part 13. . . Hinge 16. . . Filler pipe 16a. . . Refueling port 16b. . . Engagement ridge 20. . . Fuel cap 20B. . . Fuel cap 21. . . Casing 21a. . . Engagement projection 21b. . . Flange 22. . . Lid 23. . . Upper wall 23a. . . Operation unit 24. . . Side walls 24a. . . Annular groove 24b. . . Engagement hole 30. . . Tether mechanism 30B. . . Tether mechanism 32. . . Rotating ring 32B. . . Rotating ring 32a. . . Ring body 32b. . . Step 32Bc. . . Mounting groove 33. . . Projections 33a. . . Base 33b. . . Locking portion 34. . . Connecting member 34B. . . Connecting members 34a. . . Connecting member body 34Ba. . . Connecting member body 34Bc. . . Annular mounting portion 35. . . The first support ends 35a. . . Support hole 36. . . The second support ends 36a. . . Support hole 38. . . Locking ring 38a. . . The engagement claw GS. . . gasket

Claims (2)

In a cap device having a cap that opens and closes a tank opening,
A rotating ring rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the cap,
A flexible elongated member having a first connection end and a second connection end, wherein the first connection end is connected to a rotating ring, and the second connection end is connected to a mounting member near the tank opening. When,
With
The rotating ring is formed from a first material made of a hard resin,
The connecting member is formed of a second material made of a resin or thermoplastic elastomer that is softer than the first material,
The cap device, wherein the connecting member is one end of the outer periphery of the rotating ring, and is attached to the rotating ring on the same surface including a tangent to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating ring. The cap device according to claim 1,
The rotating ring includes a mounting groove formed along an outer peripheral portion thereof,
The connecting member is integrally formed with the connecting member main body and includes an annular mounting portion that fits in the mounting groove, and the annular mounting portion fits in the mounting groove and rotates integrally with the rotating ring. So that the cap device is attached to the rotating ring.

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