JP2011037312A - Filler cap holding structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filler cap holding structure which has high versatility and easily attaches/detaches a filler cap in a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The filler cap holding structure includes a bar-like body 25 provided with a fore end having an expanded head 26 and a base end connected to a filler cap 17, a reception hole 31 formed on an outer surface of a structural member 19 as part of a vehicle body, and a long hole 32 formed continuous to the reception hole so as to extend downward thereof. The reception hole has an inlet 34 and an inside part 35 having the dimension receiving the expanded head. The long hole has an inlet 38 having the dimension prohibiting the passage of the expanded head while permitting the passage of a body of the bar-like body, and an inside part 37 having the dimension receiving the expanded head. A shoulder face 39A formed between the inlet and the inside part of the long hole is inclined so as to advance to the outer surface side of the structural member as advancing upwardly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a filler cap holding structure for holding a filler cap that opens and closes a fuel filler opening of a fuel tank provided in a vehicle body, when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler opening.

  In order to prevent the filler cap removed from the fuel filler opening from being lost during refueling of an automobile, there is one in which a holder for holding the filler cap is provided on the inner surface of the fuel lid (filler lid) (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-104184

  However, some trucks or the like do not have a fuel lid, and the filler cap holding structure according to Patent Document 1 is not applicable to all automobiles.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a filler cap holding structure having a simple configuration, high versatility, and easy attachment / detachment of the filler cap.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first invention of the present invention is such that when the filler cap (17) for opening and closing the fuel filler opening (15) of the fuel tank provided on the vehicle body is removed from the fuel filler opening, A structure for holding a filler cap for holding in a vehicle body, which is a part of the vehicle body, and a rod-like body (25) having a distal end having an enlarged head (26) and a proximal end connected to the filler cap. A receiving hole (31) formed in the outer surface of the member (19 or 12), and a long hole (32) formed continuously in the outer surface so as to extend below the receiving hole. The receiving hole has an inlet portion (34) and an inner portion (35) each having a size capable of receiving the enlarged head portion, and the elongated hole can pass through the main body portion of the rod-shaped body. Has dimensions that prohibit the passage of the enlarged head A shoulder surface (39A) formed between the mouth portion and the interior of the slot has an opening (38) and an interior portion (37) having a size capable of receiving the enlarged head, and proceeds upward. It is inclined so that it may go to the outer surface side of the structural member.

  According to this configuration, when the user removes the filler cap from the fuel filler port, the user holds the filler cap, inserts the enlarged head into the receiving hole, and releases the filler cap. It can be hooked and held. When the user inserts the enlarged head into the receiving hole and releases the filler cap, as the filler cap moves vertically downward due to gravity, the enlarged head moves into the inside of the lower slot and the rod-shaped body Enters the entrance portion of the long hole and moves downward, the head expansion portion engages with a shoulder surface formed between the inside of the long hole and the entrance portion, and the filler cap is held by the structural member. Further, when removing the filler cap from the structural member, the user simply pulls the filler cap away from the structural member (for example, the horizontal direction), and the enlarged head slides on the inclined shoulder surface. Removal is easy because it is led to the inlet of the hole.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the resin cover member is provided around the fuel filler opening.

  According to this configuration, the receiving hole and the long hole can be formed simultaneously when the cover member is formed by injection molding or the like. Moreover, damage to the head extension and the rod-like body due to contact (friction) between the shoulder surface of the long hole and the head extension and the rod-like body can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the cable includes a rope (18) having one end connected to the vehicle body and the other end connected to the filler cap, and the base end of the rod-shaped body is It is connected to the cable body.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the filler cap from being accidentally dropped. Moreover, it becomes easy to provide a rod-shaped body in a filler cap by providing a rod-shaped body and an enlarged head in a cable body.

  According to the above configuration, a filler cap having a simple configuration, high versatility, and easy attachment / detachment of the filler cap can be obtained.

The perspective view which shows the motor vehicle which applied the fuel filler unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Side view showing the filler port unit A perspective view showing the filler unit with the side panel removed. Top view showing tether VV sectional view of FIG. 2 and FIG. (A) VIA-VIA sectional view of FIG. 5, (B) VIB-VIB sectional view of FIG. Side view showing the state where the filler cap is hooked on the cover VIII-VIII sectional view of FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the hook part at the time of removing a filler cap from a cover. Side view showing a filler port unit according to the second embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the filler opening unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a filler cap holding structure according to the present invention is applied to a fuel filler unit of a light truck (light truck) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, it is assumed that the forward direction of the vehicle is the front, the left and right directions when facing the front are left and right, respectively, and the vertical direction is the up and down direction.

<Configuration of First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the automobile 10 is a light freight car and includes a loading platform 11 at the rear. A plate-like side panel 12 forming the outer surface of the vehicle body is attached to the right side portion below the loading platform 11 so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction and a front-rear direction of the vehicle body. A through hole 13 is formed in a front portion of the side panel 12, and an oil filler port unit 14 provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the side panel 12 is exposed to the side of the vehicle body through the through hole 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filler port unit 14 includes a filler port 15 (see FIG. 7), a filler port base 16, a filler cap 17, a tether 18, and a mudguard cover 19. The oil filler port 15 has a cylindrical shape with both ends opened, and is connected to the oil filler base 16 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The fuel filler base 16 is connected to a vehicle body frame (not shown) and supports the fuel filler port 15 with respect to the vehicle body frame. An end of the fuel filler opening 15 on the vehicle body inner side is connected to a front end of a fuel pipe extending from a fuel tank (not shown) provided below the loading platform 11. As a result, the fuel injected from the opening end of the fuel filler port 15 passes through the fuel pipe and is stored in the fuel tank.

  The filler cap 17 has a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 17B having a bottom surface 17A at one end, and a columnar core (not shown) that projects from the bottom surface 17A concentrically with the outer cylinder portion 17B. . Screw portions that are screwed to each other are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core portion and the inner peripheral surface of the fuel filler port 15, and the filler cap 17 is attached to the fuel filler port 15 by screwing the core portion into the fuel filler port 15. It is concluded. At this time, the outer cylinder portion 17B covers the outer peripheral portion of the fuel filler port 15 and closes the fuel filler port 15. As shown in FIG. 3, an endless concave groove 21 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the outer cylindrical portion 17B in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tether 18 is formed of a flexible resin material, and includes a cord-shaped main body portion 23, an annular connecting portion 24 connected to one end of the main body portion 23, and the connecting portion 24. A cylindrical rod-like body 25 is provided on the outer peripheral portion so as to project outward in the radial direction of the connecting portion 24. The connecting portion 24 is fitted in the concave groove 21 of the filler cap 17 and is connected to the filler cap 17 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the filler cap 17. The other end of the main body 23 is connected to a tether base 27 attached to the fuel filler base 16. As a result, the filler cap 17 is connected to the fuel filler base 16 via the tether 18 to prevent accidental dropping.

  By attaching the connecting portion 24 of the tether 18 to the concave groove 21 of the filler cap 17, the rod-like body 25 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the filler cap 17. At the tip of the rod-like body 25, a spherically-shaped enlarged head 26 formed with a diameter larger than the diameter of the main body portion 25A of the rod-like body 25 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mudguard cover 19 includes a rear wall 28 that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, a side wall 29 that extends forward from the right end of the rear wall 28, and a rear wall 28 and a side wall 29. The bottom wall 30 which connects lower ends is provided. The mudguard cover 19 is integrally formed with a rear wall 28, a side wall 29, and a bottom wall 30 by injection molding of a resin material. The mudguard cover 19 is arranged between the vehicle body frame and the side panel 12 so that the rear wall 28, the side wall 29, and the bottom wall 30 cover the rear end portion of the filler base 16, and is bolted to the vehicle body frame. . The mudguard cover 19 functions as a mudguard and prevents mud, water, and the like splashed from the road surface during travel of the automobile 10 from reaching the fuel filler opening 15 between the body frame and the side panel 12. In addition, the mudguard cover 19 covers the snow when the snow bounces forward with the rear wheels when traveling on a snowy road and prevents snow from accumulating around the cap. It can also be prevented from disappearing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side wall 29 includes an upper side wall 29A extending in a substantially vertical direction, and a lower side wall 29B extending from the lower end of the upper side wall 29A downward and inclined inward in the vehicle width direction. ing. A ridge line 29C is formed at the boundary between the upper side wall 29A and the lower side wall 29B.

  A circular receiving hole 31 is recessed in the lower end portion of the upper side wall 29A, and a long hole 32 is provided in the upper end portion of the lower side wall 29B that is continuous with the lower portion of the receiving hole 31 and extends downward. Yes. The connection portion between the receiving hole 31 and the long hole 32 is disposed on the ridgeline 29C.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A, the receiving hole 31 includes an inlet portion 34 that is a portion opened to the side surface of the upper side wall 29A, and an inner portion 35 that is a portion proceeding inward from the side surface of the upper side wall 29A. The diameters of the holes are substantially equal and both are formed larger than the diameter of the enlarged head 26. As a result, the enlarged head 26 can enter the interior 35 through the inlet 34 of the receiving hole 31.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6B, the long hole 32 is a portion where the inside 37, which is a part extending inward from the side surface of the lower side wall 29 </ b> B, has a distance in the short direction of the long hole 32 and a depth of the long hole 32. The distance in the direction is larger than the diameter of the enlarged head 26. Thereby, the inside 37 of the long hole 32 can receive the head expansion 26.

  On the other hand, in the inlet portion 38 which is a portion opened to the side surface of the lower side wall 29B, the shoulder portion 39 along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 32 protrudes from both sides of the long hole 32 into the hole, and the width ( That is, the distance in the short direction of the long hole 32 is narrower than the width in the inside 37. The width of the inlet portion 38 is formed smaller than the diameter of the enlarged head portion 26 and larger than the diameter of the main body portion 25A of the rod-like body 25. Thereby, the entrance portion 38 of the long hole 32 allows passage of the main body portion 25A of the rod-like body 25, but prohibits passage of the enlarged head portion 26.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the shoulder surface 39 </ b> A facing the inside 37 side of the shoulder portion 39 of the elongated hole 32 is directed toward the outer surface side of the side wall 29 as it goes upward (that is, toward the outside of the side wall 29). To be inclined).

<Operational effects of the first embodiment>
Next, a procedure for holding the filler cap 17 removed from the fuel filler port 15 on the mudguard cover 19 and a holding structure at the time of holding will be described. First, the user holds the filler cap 17 removed from the fuel filler opening 15 and moves it to the front of the receiving hole 31 of the mudguard cover 19. At this time, since the filler cap 17 is connected to the filler base 16 via the tether 18, even if the user unintentionally releases the filler cap 17, the filler cap is prevented from falling. Further, depending on the position of the filler cap 17, the body portion 23 of the tether 18 is deformed and the connecting portion 24 rotates with respect to the filler cap 17, so that the user can smoothly move the filler cap 17 to the front of the receiving hole 31. Can be moved to.

  Next, the user moves the filler cap 17 and inserts the enlarged head portion 26 through the inlet portion 34 of the receiving hole 31 to the inside 35. Thereby, the main body portion 25 </ b> A of the rod-like body 25 extends to the inlet portion 34 and the inside 35 of the receiving hole 31. Subsequently, when the user releases the filler cap 17, the filler cap 17 moves vertically downward due to gravity, and along with this, the enlarged head 26 moves downward to move from the inside 35 of the receiving hole 31 to the inside of the long hole 32. The main body portion 25A of the rod-shaped body 25 enters the inlet portion 38 of the elongated hole 32 from the inside of the receiving hole 31. At this time, the enlarged head 26 is pulled downward by the filler cap 17 through the main body portion 25 </ b> A, but the enlarged head 26 cannot pass through the inlet portion 38 of the long hole 32, and the shoulder surface of the shoulder portion 39. It slides on 39A and moves the inside 37 of the long hole 32 to the lower end. In addition, the inside 37 of the long hole 32 has a sufficiently large dimension with respect to the enlarged head 26 so that the enlarged head 26 can contact the shoulder surface 39A.

  Finally, the main body portion 25A and the filler cap 17 rotate around the contact portion between the enlarged head portion 26 and the shoulder surface 39A, the main body portion 25A and the filler cap 17 are disposed below the enlarged head portion 26, and the filler cap 17 is It becomes a structure suspended by the long hole 32 through the rod-shaped body 25 (refer FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a procedure for removing the head expansion 26 from the long hole 32 and the receiving hole 31 will be described. The user holds the filler cap 17, moves the filler cap 17 upward and to the outer surface side (right side) of the side wall 29, thereby moving the enlarged head 26 upward in the inside 37 of the long hole 32, It is extracted outside the side wall 29 through the receiving hole 31. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, even when a substantially horizontal force F1 is applied to the rod-like body 25, the shoulder surface 39A is inclined, so that the head expansion 26 is moved over the shoulder surface 39A. In response to the upward component F2, it slides on the shoulder surface 39A and moves to the inlet 34 of the receiving hole 31.

  As described above, when the filler cap 17 is held by the mudguard cover 19, the user only needs to insert the enlarged head 26 into the receiving hole 31 and thus the operation of the filler port unit 14 according to the present embodiment is simple. is there. Further, when removing the filler cap 17 from the mudguard cover 19, the user can easily pull out the enlarged head 26 from the long hole 32 and the receiving hole 31 by simply pulling the filler cap 17 toward the outer surface of the side wall 29. Easy to operate. At this time, since the shoulder surface 39A is inclined, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the enlarged head portion 26 and the main body portion 25A of the rod-like body 25, and thus the cutting and deformation of the enlarged head portion 26 and the main body portion 25A are prevented. Is done. Further, since the mudguard cover 19 is prevented from receiving a large load from the enlarged head 26, the mudguard cover 19 is prevented from being broken, cut or deformed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the mudguard cover 19 is not provided and the receiving hole 31 and the long hole 32 are formed in the side panel 12.

<Configuration of Second Embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the side panel 12 is formed of a steel plate, is continuous with the upper portion 12A extending in the substantially vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the lower end of the upper portion 12A, and proceeds downward. An intermediate portion 12B that is inclined so as to proceed inward of the vehicle body and a lower portion 12C that is continuous with the lower end of the intermediate portion 12B and extends inwardly in the vehicle body are provided. A ridge line 12D is formed at the boundary between the upper portion 12A and the intermediate portion 12B.

  A receiving hole 51, which is a circular through hole, is formed in the lower end portion of the upper portion 12A, and a through hole that extends downward from the upper end portion of the intermediate portion 12B is continuous with the lower portion of the receiving hole 51. A long hole 32 is formed. A connection portion between the receiving hole 51 and the long hole 52 is disposed on the ridgeline 12D.

  The receiving hole 51 is formed to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the enlarged head 26 so that the enlarged head 26 can pass therethrough. The long hole 52 is formed such that the width in the short direction is smaller than the diameter of the enlarged head 26 and larger than the diameter of the main body portion 25A of the rod-shaped body 25, and allows passage of the main body portion 25A of the rod-shaped body 25. The passage of the enlarged head 26 is prohibited. The receiving hole 51 and the long hole 52 are both continuous with a space 55 formed on the left side of the side panel 12. The space 55 corresponds to the inside 35 of the receiving hole 31 and the inside 37 of the long hole 32 in the first embodiment. Moreover, the peripheral part 53 of the long hole 52 respond | corresponds to the shoulder part 39 in 1st Embodiment.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
When holding the filler cap 17 removed from the fuel filler opening 15 on the side panel 12, the user simply holds the filler cap 17, passes the enlarged head 26 through the receiving hole 51, and releases the filler cap 17. Good. As a result, the filler cap 17 moves vertically downward due to gravity, so that the enlarged head 26 slides downward on the surface 53A facing the space 55 side of the peripheral edge 53 and is hooked on the shoulder 39. The procedure for removing the filler cap 17 from the side panel 12 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, when a plate-like member such as the side panel 12 is used as a member for holding the filler cap 17, the receiving hole 51 and the long hole 52 can be formed as through-holes, and the processing is easy. .

  Although the description of the specific embodiment is finished as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified. For example, in the embodiment, the receiving holes 31 and 51 are provided on a plane extending in a substantially vertical direction, but the portions where the receiving holes 31 and 51 are provided may be inclined. In the first embodiment, the receiving hole 31 and the long hole 32 are formed as bottomed holes. However, as shown in the second embodiment, they may be through holes. Similarly, the receiving holes 31 and the long holes 32 which are bottomed holes as in the first embodiment may be formed in the side panel 12.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Side panel (structural member), 14 ... Filling port unit, 15 ... Filling port, 17 ... Filler cap, 18 ... Tether (cord), 19 ... Mudguard cover (structural member), 25 ... Rod-shaped body, 25A ... Main body , 26 ... head expansion, 29 ... side wall, 31 ... receiving hole, 32 ... long hole, 34 ... inlet part of receiving hole, 35 ... inside of receiving hole, 37 ... inside of long hole, 38 ... inlet part of long hole 39 ... shoulder portion, 39A ... shoulder surface, 51 ... receiving hole, 52 ... long hole, 53 ... peripheral edge portion (shoulder portion), 53A ... surface (shoulder surface), 55 ... space

Claims (3)

A filler cap holding structure for holding a filler cap that opens and closes a fuel filler opening of a fuel tank provided in a vehicle body when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler port,
A rod-like body having a distal end having an enlarged head and a proximal end connected to the filler cap;
A receiving hole formed in the outer surface of the structural member forming a part of the vehicle body;
An elongated hole formed in the outer surface continuously so as to extend downward to the receiving hole,
The receiving hole has an inlet portion and an interior both of which have dimensions capable of receiving the enlarged head;
The elongated hole has an inlet portion having a size that allows passage of the main body portion of the rod-shaped body but prohibits passage of the enlarged head portion and an interior having a size capable of receiving the enlarged head portion;
A holding structure for a filler cap, wherein a shoulder surface formed between the inlet portion and the inside of the elongated hole is inclined so as to advance toward the outer surface side of the structural member as it advances upward.   The filler cap holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the structural member is a resin cover member provided around the fuel filler opening. A cable body having one end connected to the vehicle body and the other end connected to the filler cap;
3. The filler cap holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the base end of the rod-like body is connected to the rope body. 4.

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