JP2010125864A - Fuel tank cap locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel tank cap locking device making it easy to unlock the cap and improving crime prevention effect and preventing engine start with the cap incompletely locked. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel tank cap locking device includes the cap 1 for opening and closing a fueling port; a lock means 2 locking the cap 1; a transmission means 3 transmitting an ID code; a receiving means 4 receiving the ID code; and a determination means 5 determining whether or not the received ID code is normal. The locking by the lock means 2 is released on receiving a regular ID code. The fuel tank cap locking device includes a detection means 7 detecting that the cap 1 is in a closed position, and starts a vehicle engine when the cap 1 is detected to be in the closed position by the detection means 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank cap locking device for locking or unlocking the opening and closing of a cap for closing a fuel filler port communicating with a fuel tank.

  Usually, a fuel filler is provided at the upper part of a fuel tank in a large two-wheeled vehicle, and a cap for closing the fuel filler is formed to be openable and closable. Such a cap is locked when closed, and an insertion port (key hole) for a mechanical key is used. The mechanical key is inserted into the key hole, the lock is released, and the cap can be opened. Such a lock device using a mechanical key prevents a third party who does not have the mechanical key from opening and closing the cap, and prevents the fuel inside the tank from being stolen or tampered with. In addition, since this prior art does not relate to the literature known invention, there is no prior art document information to be described.

  However, in the above conventional fuel tank cap locking device, it is necessary to open and close the cap with a mechanical key, and it is necessary to prepare a key and insert it into the key hole each time. There was a problem that there was. In addition, a third party who does not have a regular mechanical key inserts a special jig into the key hole for picking, or inserts a screwdriver or the like into the key hole to forcibly rotate the rotor on which the key hole is formed. There is a possibility that the lock is forcibly released, and there is a problem that the crime prevention effect is low.

  However, recently, a transmission means that can be carried by the driver and that transmits a vehicle-specific ID code, a reception means that is disposed on the vehicle side and that can receive the ID code from the transmission means, and the reception A determination means for determining whether or not the ID code received by the means is legitimate in the vehicle, and a motorcycle that does not allow the engine to start unless the legitimate ID code is received has been proposed. .

  In such a two-wheeled vehicle, the mechanical key is eliminated and a fuel tank cap locking device having a separate locking means for locking the fuel tank cap is provided. By releasing the lock of the means, it is possible to avoid deterioration of operability due to the mechanical key. However, in this case, although the operability of the fuel tank cap can be improved, there is a possibility that the cap lock is incomplete, and the engine is started without the driver grasping the state. Therefore, safety measures are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an engine in which the cap is unlocked easily and the crime prevention effect can be improved and the cap is not fully locked. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank cap locking device that can prevent starting.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a cap capable of moving between a closed position in which a fuel filler port leading to a fuel tank of a vehicle is closed and an opened open position to open and close the fuel filler port, and the cap in the closed position. A locking means that can slide between a locking position that engages and locks the cap and an unlocking position that releases the locking by releasing the engagement with the cap, and can be carried by the driver and specific to the vehicle Transmitting means for transmitting the ID code; receiving means disposed on the vehicle side for receiving the ID code from the transmitting means; and whether the ID code received by the receiving means is legitimate in the vehicle And determining means for determining whether or not the lock means can be unlocked by sliding from the locked position to the unlocked position on condition that the determining means determines that a proper ID code has been received. And a fuel tank cap locking device in which the cap is openable and closable in a state in which the lock is released, comprising a detecting means capable of detecting that the cap is in a closed position. And

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank cap locking device according to the first aspect, the engine of the vehicle can be started on condition that the detection means detects that the cap is in the closed position. Features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank cap locking device according to the second aspect, when the detecting means does not detect that the cap is in the closed position and the engine is started. The engine is started after the detection means detects that the cap is in the closed position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank cap locking device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detection means includes a contact position that contacts the cap in the closed position; A detection lever member slidable between a forward position advanced from the contact position, a magnet formed at a predetermined position of the detection lever member, and the detection lever member at the contact position And magnetic detection means for detecting magnetism from the magnet.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank cap locking device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the locking means is for locking that can slide between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking lever member is composed of a lever member and is driven by a solenoid.

  According to the first and second aspects of the invention, on the condition that it has been determined that the regular ID code has been received, the locking means can slide from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the cap can be unlocked. The cap unlocking operation is easy and the crime prevention effect can be improved, and the vehicle engine can be started on the condition that the detection means detects that the cap is in the closed position. It is possible to prevent the engine from starting when the cap lock is incomplete.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the detection means does not detect that the cap is in the closed position, and the detection means detects that the cap is in the closed position when the engine is started. Since the engine is started after waiting to be performed, safety can be improved while improving operability.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the detection means comprises a detection lever member slidable between a contact position contacting the cap in the closed position and a forward position advanced from the contact position; It has a magnet formed at a predetermined position of the detection lever member and a magnetic detection means for detecting the magnetism from the magnet when the detection lever member is at the contact position. Since it can be detected that the cap is in the closed position based on the above, the state of the cap can be grasped more accurately and reliably.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the locking means comprises the locking lever member slidable between the locked position and the non-locked position, and the locking lever member is driven by the solenoid. The cap can be reliably locked and unlocked.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
The fuel tank cap locking device according to the present embodiment is for closing a fuel filler opening (an opening formed in the upper portion of the fuel tank T) leading to a fuel tank (see fuel tank T shown in FIG. 10) in a large two-wheeled vehicle. The cap opening / closing is locked or unlocked. As shown in FIG. 6, the cap 1, the lock unit 2, the transmission unit 3, the reception unit 4, the determination unit 5, and the detection unit 7 It is configured. The determination means 5 is electrically connected to an ECU 6 that controls the engine of the motorcycle (vehicle).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cap 1 is for closing the fuel filler A formed in the upper part of the fuel tank, and has a seal member 1 a that can be brought into a sealed state by firmly abutting with the periphery of the fuel filler A. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 9, it can swing around the central axis L1. Thus, when the cap 1 swings, the fuel filler opening A is opened and faces the outside, and the fuel can be refueled. That is, the cap 1 is rotated with respect to the fuel tank so that the cap 1 is located between a closed position (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 7) that closes the fuel filler port A and an open position (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Thus, the fuel filler opening A can be opened and closed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cap 1 is formed with an engaging portion 1b composed of a wall-like portion hanging downward, and the engaging portion 1b has an engaging hole 1ba and a tapered surface 1bb. Is formed.

  The lock means 2 engages and locks the cap 1 in the closed position (see FIG. 2), and the unlocking position releases the lock by releasing the engagement with the cap 1 (see FIG. 9). And a locking lever member 9 that can be slid between the solenoid 11 and the solenoid 11 as a drive source. Specifically, the locking lever member 9 is urged to the lock position side (left side in FIGS. 2 and 9) by the spring S1, and the tapered surface 9b is formed at the tip and is formed to protrude upward. It consists of a substantially plate-like member having the projected portion 9a. As shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid 11 includes a coil 11a and a plunger 11b that is slidably disposed in the coil 11a. By energizing the coil 11a, the plunger 11b is energized. Is configured to be slidable.

  On the other hand, the locking lever member 9 is assembled with its convex portion 9 a fitted into a long hole 10 a formed in the swing member 10. The swing member 10 is swingable about the swing axis L2, and its tip is connected to the plunger 11b of the solenoid 11 via a pin-shaped member P (see FIG. 3). The coil 11a is energized and the plunger 11b is slid to swing about the swing axis L2. Thus, when the swinging member 10 swings, the locking lever member 9 slides in the longitudinal direction and moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

  When the cap 1 is in the closed position (the sealing member 1a is in a sealed state by tightly abutting the periphery of the fuel filler port A), the engagement hole 1ba faces the tip of the locking lever member 9; The engagement with the cap 1 is achieved when the distal end portion of the locking lever member 9 enters the engagement hole 1ba. As a result, the cap 1 is locked at the closed position. Further, on the condition that the determination means 5 determines that a proper ID code has been received by operating the operation means 8 (see FIG. 6) disposed at any position of the motorcycle, the locking lever member 9 (locking means) slides from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the lock is released.

  When the lock is released, the cap 1 can be freely opened and closed. When the operator lifts the cap 1 and swings it about the central axis L1, the fuel filler A is opened. That is, in the present embodiment, when the locking means 2 (locking lever member 9) is in the unlocked position, the cap 1 is not engaged at all, so that the oil filler port A can be opened simply by lifting the cap 1. It can be opened. The operation means 8 is a separately provided switch such as a handle switch (not shown) or an operation button provided on a meter panel or the like.

  The transmission means 3 transmits a vehicle-specific ID code by radio waves or the like that can be carried by the driver, and comprises, for example, a card-type electronic key that can be carried by the driver. That is, the transmission means 3 is configured to continuously transmit the ID code by radio waves or the like at predetermined intervals by the power source. When the driver approaches the motorcycle while carrying the transmission means 3, the transmission means 3 is disposed on the vehicle side. The receiving antenna of the receiving means 4 can receive the ID code.

  The determination means 5 determines whether or not the ID code received by the reception means 4 is genuine for the vehicle, and is electrically connected to the ECU 6 provided in the vehicle. Then, on the condition that the determination unit 5 determines that a regular ID code has been received, the engine start of the vehicle is permitted and the lock by the lock unit 2 can be released. That is, when the determination unit 5 determines that a regular ID code has been received and an operation is performed by the operation unit 8, the solenoid 11 is driven and the swing member 10 swings. The member 9 slides from the locked position to the unlocked position. Accordingly, since the lock by the lock unit 2 can be released on condition that the determination unit 5 determines that a regular ID code has been received, the unlocking operation of the cap 1 is simple and the crime prevention effect is improved. And operability can be improved.

  The detecting means 7 can detect that the cap 1 is in a closed position (a state in which the seal member 1a is in a sealed state by being firmly in contact with the periphery of the fuel filler port A), and its tip is in the closed position. A detection lever member 12 slidable between a contact position (see FIG. 7) in contact with the engaging portion 1b of the cap 1 and a forward position advanced from the contact position (see FIG. 8), and the detection A Hall IC element 13 that detects magnetism from the magnet M formed at a predetermined position (rear end in the present embodiment) of the lever member 12 and the magnet M when the detection lever member 12 is in the contact position (FIG. 4) (magnetic detection means).

  The detection lever member 12 is composed of a substantially plate-like member extending substantially parallel to the locking lever member 9 (arranged in parallel with the locking lever member 9), and is moved forward by the spring S2 (right side in FIG. 8). The cap 1 is in the closed position (the seal member 1a is firmly in contact with the periphery of the oil filler A and is in a sealed state), and the locking lever member 9 enters the engagement hole 1bb. In the engaged state, the contact portion abuts on a portion of the engagement portion 1b adjacent to the engagement hole 1ba (a portion indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5).

  At this time, the magnet M is located at a position facing (close to) the Hall IC element 13, and the Hall IC element 13 is turned on to detect that the cap 1 is in the closed position. The Hall IC element 13 is electrically turned on by the magnetic force generated by the magnet M. As shown in FIG. 4, the Hall IC element 13 is formed on the substrate 14 accommodated in the cover K constituting the casing of the detection means 7. It is fixed.

  When the cap 1 is swung to the open position, the detection lever member 12 reaches the forward position by the biasing force of the spring S2, and the magnet M moves away from the Hall IC element 13. As a result, the Hall IC element 13 does not detect the magnetism from the magnet M, is turned off, and it is understood that the cap 1 is not in the closed position. Thus, since it can be detected that the cap 1 is in the closed position based on the detection of the Hall IC element 13 (magnetic detecting means), the state of the cap 1 can be grasped more accurately and reliably.

  Further, when the leading end of the locking lever member 9 is in a position below the engaging hole 1ba in the engaging portion 1b and is in contact with the tapered surface 1bb (incompletely locked state), The tip of the lever member 12 is also in contact with the tapered surface 1bb, and in this state, the magnet M is set at a position away from the Hall IC element 13 so that the Hall IC element 13 is turned off. Thereby, it is avoided that the cap 1 is in the closed position even though the cap 1 is near the closed position and the lock by the locking means 2 is incomplete.

  However, in this embodiment, the lock means 2 configured with the lock lever member 9 and the detection means 7 configured with the detection lever member 12 are arranged in parallel, and wiring is provided from each of them. H1 and H2 are extended. These wirings H1 and H2 are electrically connected to the vehicle-side determination means 5 and ECU 6 so that various signals can be transmitted and received.

  Here, in this embodiment, the engine of the vehicle can be started on the condition that the detection means 7 detects that the cap 1 is in the closed position (in other words, the cap 1 is brought into the closed position by the detection means 7. If it is not detected, the vehicle engine is prohibited from starting). That is, even if the determination means 5 determines that a regular ID code has been received and an engine start operation (for example, a starter switch pressing operation) is performed, the detection means 7 indicates that the cap 1 is in the closed position. If not detected, the engine is not started. Thereby, when the lock | rock means 2 with respect to the cap 1 is incompletely locked, it can prevent reliably that an engine drives, and can improve safety | security.

  In this embodiment, even if the determination means 5 determines that a legitimate ID code has been received and the engine start operation is performed, the operation is invalidated, but the operation is validated. However, after the detection means 7 detects that the cap 1 is in the closed position, the operation may be executed to start the engine. That is, when the engine starting operation is performed in a state in which the locking operation by the locking unit 2 is not completed (for example, a process in which the locking lever member 10 moves from the non-locking position to the locking position), the locking unit 2 The engine is started after the lock operation is completed and the detection means 7 detects it. Thereby, after the locking operation by the locking means 2 is completed and the detection by the detection means 7 is performed, it is not necessary to perform the engine start operation again, and the safety can be improved while improving the operability.

  According to this embodiment, on the condition that it has been determined that a legitimate ID code has been received, the locking means 2 (the locking lever member 9) slides from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the cap 1 is unlocked. Since the unlocking operation of the cap 1 is simple and the crime prevention effect can be improved, the detection means 7 detects that the cap 1 is in the closed position, so that the vehicle Since the engine can be started, the engine can be prevented from starting when the cap 1 is not fully locked.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the locking means 2 (locking lever member 9) is in the non-locking position, the cap 1 is not engaged at all, so the cap 1 is simply lifted. Only the fuel filler opening A is opened. Although the operability with respect to opening and closing of the cap 1 can be improved by such a form, it is highly necessary to avoid engine starting and running when the cap 1 is not locked. According to this embodiment, safety can be further improved while improving the opening / closing operability of the cap 1.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the locking means 2 is composed of the locking lever member 10 slidable between the locked position and the unlocked position, and the locking lever member 10 is driven by the solenoid 11. Thus, the cap 1 can be locked and unlocked more smoothly and reliably.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lock unit 2 or the detection unit 7 may have substantially the same function with another configuration. Further, instead of the Hall IC element 13 in the present embodiment, other forms of magnetic detection means for detecting magnetism from the magnet M when the detection lever member 12 is in the contact position may be used. Of course, instead of detecting magnetism and detecting that the detection lever member 12 is in the contact position, a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor or a contact sensor such as a microswitch may be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the solenoid 11 is used as a drive source for driving the locking lever member 9 constituting the locking means 2, but it may be replaced with another general-purpose drive source (motor, cylinder, etc.). Good. However, when a motor is used, a brushless motor is preferable from the viewpoint of safety. In addition to the fuel tank cap locking device of a two-wheeled vehicle, the present invention can be applied to a fuel tank locking device in other vehicles such as a four-wheeled vehicle, a buggy, and a snow vehicle.

  On the condition that the determination means determines that a regular ID code has been received, the lock by the lock means can be released, and the fuel tank cap having detection means capable of detecting that the cap is in the closed position is provided. As long as it is a lock device, the present invention can be applied to a device having a different external shape or a device to which another function is added.

The top view, front view, and side view which show the locking device of the fuel tank cap which concerns on embodiment of this invention II-II sectional view in FIG. III-III line sectional view in FIG. IV-IV line sectional view in FIG. Side view showing a cap in the fuel tank cap locking device Block diagram showing the entire components of the fuel tank cap locking device The perspective view which shows the case where the cap of the locking device of the fuel tank cap is in a closed state The perspective view which shows the case where the cap of the locking device of the fuel tank cap is in an open state Longitudinal sectional view when the cap of the fuel tank cap locking device is open Schematic diagram showing a motorcycle (vehicle) to which the fuel tank cap locking device is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cap 2 Locking means 3 Transmission means 4 Receiving means 5 Judging means 6 ECU
7 Detection means 8 Operation means 9 Locking lever member 10 Oscillating member 11 Solenoid 12 Detection lever member 13 Hall IC element (magnetic detection means)
14 Substrate T Fuel tank A Refueling port M Magnet

Claims (5)

A cap capable of moving between a closed position where a fuel filler port leading to a fuel tank of the vehicle is closed and an open position where the fuel filler opening is opened to open and close the fuel filler port;
Locking means that can slide between a locked position that engages and locks the cap in the closed position and an unlocked position that releases the lock by releasing the engagement with the cap;
A transmission means for transmitting a vehicle-specific ID code that can be carried by the driver;
Receiving means arranged on the vehicle side and capable of receiving an ID code from the transmitting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the ID code received by the receiving means is legitimate in the vehicle;
Provided that the lock means can be unlocked by sliding from the lock position to the non-lock position on the condition that the determination means determines that a proper ID code has been received, and the lock is released. A fuel tank cap locking device in which the cap can be freely opened and closed in a state where
A fuel tank cap locking device comprising a detecting means capable of detecting that the cap is in a closed position.   2. The fuel tank cap locking device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle engine can be started on condition that the detecting means detects that the cap is in the closed position.   When the detection means does not detect that the cap is in the closed position and the engine is started, the engine is started after the detection means detects that the cap is in the closed position. The fuel tank cap locking device according to claim 2, wherein: The detection means includes
A detection lever member that is slidable between a contact position that is in contact with the cap in the closed position and a forward position that is advanced from the contact position;
A magnet formed at a predetermined position of the detection lever member;
Magnetic detection means for detecting magnetism from the magnet when the detection lever member is in the contact position;
The fuel tank cap locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   5. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a locking lever member slidable between the locked position and the unlocked position, and the locking lever member is driven by a solenoid. The fuel tank cap locking device according to claim 1.

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