JP2011235420A - Cap driver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cap driver capable of attaching/detaching valve caps of various kinds of shapes by one cap driver.SOLUTION: The cap driver can impart the rotational torque to a valve cap by housing the cap driver over the valve cap as an object for engagement, and engaging the cap driver with an outer circumferential part of the valve cap. The cap driver includes a cylindrical member having an inner circumferential surface of a tapered shape in which the inside diameter is gradually narrowed from the fore end side to the rear end side in the housing direction over the valve cap, and a supporting member which extends from a rear end part in the housing direction of the cylindrical member over the valve cap and supports the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member has a first engagement part to be engaged with the outer circumferential part of the first valve cap as a first object for engagement, and a second engagement part which is located closer to a rear end of the cylindrical member from the first engagement part, and engaged with the outer circumferential part of the second valve cap as a second object for engagement having the outside diameter smaller than that of the first valve cap, on the inner circumferential surface of the tapered shape.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cap driver used for detaching a valve cap such as an air valve.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cap driver used for an operation of tightening or loosening a valve cap such as an air valve has been provided.

  A valve cap such as an air valve is constituted by a cap nut made of metal or resin, for example. The shape of the valve cap used in the market is various, and there are those having a large outer diameter with respect to the valve and those having a relatively elongated shape with respect to the valve. Also, the outer shape is diverse, such as a hexagonal nut and a 12-corner nut.

  However, in the above prior art, it is usual that there are at most two types of valve caps that can be handled by one cap driver, and so many types of cap drivers must be handled as in vehicle maintenance work. In such a situation, it was necessary to prepare as many cap drivers as the type of valve caps to handle.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cap driver that can realize attachment / detachment of valve caps of various shapes with a single cap driver.

In order to solve the above-described problems, one aspect of the present invention is a cap driver capable of applying a rotational torque to a valve cap by covering the valve cap to be engaged and engaging the outer periphery of the valve cap. A cylindrical member having an inner peripheral surface having a tapered shape in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the front end side to the rear end side in the covering direction to the valve cap;
A support member that extends from a rear end portion of the cylindrical member in the direction of covering the valve cap and supports the cylindrical member, and the cylindrical member has a tapered shape on the inner peripheral surface. A first engagement portion that can be engaged with an outer peripheral portion of a first valve cap that is a first engagement target, and a position closer to the rear end of the cylindrical member than the first engagement portion. And a second engagement portion that is engageable with an outer peripheral portion of a second valve cap that is a second engagement target having a smaller outer diameter than the first valve cap. About.

  Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a cap driver in which the cylindrical member is formed with a slit extending in the covering direction.

  Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a cap driver in which the slit is formed on the wall surface of the cylindrical member so as to be line-symmetric with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the cover end of the valve cap in a state in which the end surface on the rear end side of the cover is engaged with a valve cap having a minimum outer diameter that can be engaged by the cylindrical member. It is related with the cap driver located in the said covering direction rear end side rather than the direction rear end side end surface.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged with a plurality of corner portions of the outer peripheral surface of a valve cap having a polygonal outer peripheral surface. It is composed of a V-groove, and at least any one of a plurality of V-grooves constituting the valley line of at least one of the plurality of V-grooves constituting the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The valley line at the bottom of the groove relates to a cap driver whose angular position with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member is coincident.

  Moreover, 1 aspect of this invention is related with the cap driver with which the said 1st engaging part and the said 2nd engaging part are adjacent in the said covering direction.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cap driver that can realize attachment / detachment of valve caps of various shapes with a single cap driver.

1 is an overall overview diagram showing an overall configuration of a cap driver according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the XZ plane of the cylindrical member 1 which comprises a cap driver. It is a perspective view of the cut surface in the XY plane of the cylindrical member 1 which comprises a cap driver. It is a perspective view of the cut surface in the XZ plane of the cylindrical member 1 which comprises a cap driver. It is an A direction arrow directional view of the cylindrical member 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a B-B ′ sectional view of the cylindrical member 1 shown in FIG. 2.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall overview showing the overall configuration of the cap driver according to the present embodiment. The cap driver according to the present embodiment can apply rotational torque to the valve cap by covering the valve cap to be engaged with a cylindrical member and engaging (or fitting) the outer periphery of the valve cap. It is what.

  The cap driver according to the present embodiment includes a cylindrical member 1, a support member 2, and a grip 3.

  The cylindrical member 1 can be formed from, for example, an elastically deformable resin material. The so-called “double tire” air valve employed in large vehicles such as trucks is often in a recessed place that is difficult for the user to reach when mounted on the axle. According to the cap driver according to the present embodiment, in which the cylindrical member 1 is formed of an elastically deformable material, the valve cap removed from the air valve is held in an elastically sandwiched state inside the cylindrical member 1 and dropped. It can be carried to the user without any trouble.

  Further, by allowing the cylindrical member 1 to be elastically deformed, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 is engaged with the outer shape of the valve cap without strictly considering processing errors during molding of the cylindrical member 1. (Fit). That is, it is not necessary to set dimensional tolerances strictly, which can contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

  The support member 2 is a rod-shaped member having a strength capable of stably supporting the cylindrical member 1 when the user grasps the grip 3 and attaches / detaches the valve cap. For example, the support member 2 is made of iron, stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. Can be formed.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, a configuration in which the cylindrical member 1 is provided at one end of the support member 2 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cylindrical member is provided at both ends of the support member 2 or a cylinder is provided. Needless to say, it may be configured only by the shape member.

  The user grasps the grip 3 or the support portion 2 and covers the cylindrical member 1 on the valve cap to be engaged from the covering direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2 etc.), whereby the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 is covered. Is engaged with or fitted to the valve cap so that the valve cap can be detached from the air valve.

  Next, the configuration of the cylindrical member 1 in the cap driver according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the XZ plane of the cylindrical member 1 constituting the cap driver. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cut surface in the XY plane of the cylindrical member 1 constituting the cap driver. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cut surface in the XZ plane of the cylindrical member 1 constituting the cap driver. FIG. 5 is a view in the A direction of the cylindrical member 1 shown in FIG. 6 is a B-B ′ cross-sectional view of the cylindrical member 1 shown in FIG. 2. 2 to 6, illustration of the support portion 2 and the grip 3 is omitted for convenience of explanation. Actually, the support member 2 is embedded in the rear end side of the cylindrical member 1 by a depth of 20 mm.

  The cylindrical member 1 has an inner peripheral surface 180. At least a part of the inner peripheral surface 180 has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the front end side to the rear end side in the direction of covering the valve cap.

  Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1 is divided into sections T1 to T5 having different gradients from the front end side to the rear end side in the covering direction (see FIG. 2). In addition, the section T5 is a straight inner peripheral surface with no inclination with respect to the central axis. Further, a logo L is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 in a relief shape (see FIG. 3).

  The support member 2 extends from the rear end portion in the covering direction of the cylindrical member 1 to the valve cap, and supports the cylindrical member 1.

  The cylindrical member 1 includes a first engagement portion that can be engaged with an outer peripheral portion of a first valve cap that is a first engagement target, and a first valve on an inner peripheral surface 180 having a tapered shape. A second engagement portion engageable with the outer peripheral portion of the second valve cap, which is a second engagement target having a smaller outer diameter than the cap, and a third engagement portion having a smaller outer diameter than the second valve cap. And a third engagement portion that is engageable with an outer peripheral portion of a third valve cap that is an engagement target.

  The first engaging portion is formed in the section T1 of the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1. The second engaging portion is formed in the section T <b> 2 of the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1. The third engaging portion is formed across the section T4 and the section T5 of the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first to third engaging portions are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 is described as an example, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, four or more engaging portions may be provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 1.

  The second engaging portion is located closer to the rear end of the cylindrical member 1 than the first engaging portion, and the third engaging portion is located behind the cylindrical member 1 rather than the second engaging portion. Located near the edge.

  The first engaging portion is composed of a plurality of V grooves 111 to 116 that engage with the six corners of the outer peripheral surface of the valve cap having a hexagonal outer peripheral surface. The second engaging portion is composed of a plurality of V grooves 121 to 126 that engage with the six corners of the outer peripheral surface of the valve cap having a hexagonal outer peripheral surface. The third engaging portion is composed of a plurality of V grooves 1301 to 1312 that engage with 12 corner portions of the outer peripheral surface of the valve cap having a dodecagonal outer peripheral surface.

  Specifically, the inner diameter R1 of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 at the position where the plurality of V grooves 111 to 116 are formed is, for example, about 11 mm, and the position at which the plurality of V grooves 121 to 126 are formed. The inner diameter R2 of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 is, for example, about 10.4 mm, and the inner diameter R3 of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1 at the position where the plurality of V grooves 1301 to 1312 are formed is, for example, about 8. 4 mm (see, for example, FIG. 5).

  In this way, by enabling engagement with valve caps having different outer diameters at a plurality of positions in the covering direction on the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1, a plurality of types of valve caps having different outer diameters by one cap driver can be used. Desorption can be performed.

  In addition, by combining the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1 with four types of tapered surfaces (corresponding to the sections T1 to T4) having different gradients, a valve cap having an outer shape suitable for the gradient of each tapered surface. Can be desorbed. In particular, the tapered surface having a gradient as in the sections T1 to T4 has its inner diameter continuously changing in the covering direction. That is, the inner peripheral surfaces of the sections T1 to T4 can be fitted with valve caps corresponding to all the inner diameters existing between the position where the inner diameter is the largest in the section T1 and the position where the inner diameter is the smallest in the section T4. Means that.

  Of course, when the torque applied to the valve cap and the holding performance of the valve cap are taken into consideration, when fitting any portion of each tapered surface in the range of the section T1 to the section T4 with the valve cap, the tapered surface and the valve cap It is desirable that the contact area with the outer peripheral surface of the is as large as possible. Accordingly, when determining the gradient of each of the sections T1 to T5, the inner diameter, the outer shape, the size in the covering direction, and the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of types of valve caps that are assumed to be engaged (or fitted) are formed. In consideration of the unevenness and the like, values that can realize the optimum holding force in each of the sections T1 to T5 (the inner diameter of each section T1 to T5, the taper angle of each section T1 to T5, the length of each section T1 to T5) , The shape of the grooves formed in each of the sections T1 to T5) is determined.

  Further, not all valve caps have a polygonal outer shape like a nut, and some valve caps have a circular outer shape that is simply provided with a non-slip groove. In the case of the cap driver according to the present embodiment, the tapered surface portion (the position where the engaging portion is formed) on the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member, even for a valve cap that does not have a polygonal outer shape. (Including a taper surface in FIG. 5).

  Further, the cylindrical member 1 is formed with a slit 190 extending in the “covering direction (X-axis direction)”.

  Thus, by forming the slit 190 on the side wall of the cylindrical portion of the cylindrical member 1, even when the valve cap removed from the valve is clogged inside the cylindrical member 1, a driver or the like is inserted into the slit 190. Can be easily taken out.

  Further, since the slit 190 is formed, the cylindrical member 1 is easily deformed. Therefore, the cylindrical member 1 can be flexibly deformed according to the outer shape of the valve cap to be engaged, and it is good between the cap driver and the valve cap even when the valve cap is covered with any shape. It is possible to realize a proper engagement (or fitting) state. Moreover, it can also contribute to the improvement of the holding function for carrying the valve cap removed from the air valve without dropping it.

  The slit 190 is formed on the wall surface of the cylindrical member 1 so as to be symmetric with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member 1 (see, for example, a one-dot chain line parallel to the X axis shown in FIG. 2). (See, for example, FIGS. 2 and 6).

  Thus, by forming the slit 190 formed in the cylindrical member 1 to be line-symmetric with respect to the center of the cylindrical member, the slit 190 can be easily formed in the cylindrical member 1. Further, when a rod or driver is inserted into the slit 190 and the valve cap clogged in the cylindrical member 1 is taken out, the driver is inserted through the two slit holes so as to penetrate the cylindrical member 1. Since force can be applied to the valve cap, the valve cap can be taken out more reliably.

  An end surface (slit end surface) 190t on the rear end side in the covering direction of the slit 190 is an end surface on the rear end side in the covering direction of the valve cap when engaged with the valve cap having the smallest outer diameter that can be engaged with the cylindrical member 1. Rather than the rear end side in the covering direction (see FIG. 3).

According to this, even when the valve cap is clogged in the cylindrical member 1 in a state where it is engaged with the valve cap having the smallest applicable outer diameter, the slit 190 has a cover direction behind the valve cap. A driver or the like can be securely inserted at a position near the end. Therefore, it does not occur that the small valve cap is clogged in the cylindrical member 1 and cannot be taken out.

  Valley lines at the bottom of the plurality of V grooves 111 to 116 constituting the first engagement portion (for example, valley lines 111V at the bottom of the groove of the V groove 111) and a plurality of V grooves constituting the second engagement portion The trough lines at the groove bottoms 121-126 (for example, the trough line 121V at the groove bottom of the V-groove 121) coincide with the angular position with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 5). .

  In this way, by matching the angular positions of the V-groove valley line of the first engagement portion and the V-groove valley line of the second engagement portion, it is desirable to engage the second engagement portion. Any V-groove that forms the second engagement portion by guiding the corner portion of the valve cap by the first engagement portion when the corner portion of the rectangular valve cap enters from the tip end side of the cylindrical member 1 Can be matched. As a result, the corner of the valve cap can be easily aligned with the engaging portion located on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and the valve cap and the engaging portion can be easily engaged. Can be made.

  In the present embodiment, the trough line at the bottom of all the plurality of V grooves 111 to 116 constituting the first engaging portion (for example, the trough line 111V at the bottom of the V groove 111) and the second engagement. The valley lines at the bottom of all the plurality of V grooves 121 to 126 constituting the joint (for example, the valley line 121V at the groove bottom of the V groove 121) coincide with the angular position with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member. Although the configuration is illustrated, for example, when the outer shapes of the valve caps engaged at the respective engaging portions are different, such as hexagonal and dodecagonal, the angular positions of at least one of the valley lines are the same. Just do it.

  In addition, it is preferable that the 1st engaging part and the 2nd engaging part are adjacent in the covering direction. Thereby, the corner | angular part of the valve cap which guides by the 1st engaging part and approachs into the back | inner side inside the cylindrical member 1 can be handed over to the 2nd engaging part as it is, and the 2nd of a valve cap Can be smoothly engaged with the engaging portion.

In the above-described embodiment, the taper angle of the inner peripheral surface 180 of the cylindrical member 1 gradually decreases from the front end side to the rear end side in the covering direction.

Taper angle of section T1> Taper angle of section T2> Taper angle of section T3> Taper angle of section T4> Taper angle of section T5

However, it is not necessarily limited to this, for example, the section T1 has a gradient with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member, and the section T2 has a straight shape with no gradient with respect to the central axis, The section T3 to the section T5 may have a gradient with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member.

  There is a certain limit to the amount of protrusion that a tire air valve protrudes from a wheel or the like, and if the engagement (fitting) position with the valve cap on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is too deep, the valve cap is engaged. There may be a situation where it does not reach the matching position. On the other hand, according to the cap driver according to the present embodiment, the tapered surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 1, and therefore, within the relatively short section in the covering direction, from the position where the inner diameter of the section T1 is the largest in the section T5. Engagement (fitting) with valve caps corresponding to all inner diameters existing up to a position where the inner diameter is the smallest can be realized.

  The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications, various improvements, alternatives and modifications belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

111-116 1st engaging part 121-126 2nd engaging part 1301-1313 3rd engaging part 1 Cylindrical member 2 Support shaft 3 Grip.

Claims (7)

A cap driver capable of applying a rotational torque to the valve cap by covering the valve cap to be engaged and engaging the outer periphery of the valve cap,
It has an inner peripheral surface having a tapered shape in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the front end side to the rear end side in the direction of covering the valve cap, and the first engagement target is on the inner peripheral surface. A first engagement portion that can be engaged with an outer peripheral portion of the valve cap; and a position closer to a rear end of the cylindrical member than the first engagement portion, and an outer diameter that is larger than that of the first valve cap. A cap driver comprising a cylindrical member formed with a second engagement portion engageable with an outer peripheral portion of a second valve cap, which is a second engagement target having a small size. The cap driver according to claim 1,
The cylindrical member is a cap driver in which a slit extending in the covering direction is formed. The cap driver according to claim 2,
The said slit is a cap driver currently formed in the wall surface of the said cylindrical member so that it may become line symmetrical about the central axis of the said cylindrical member. The cap driver according to claim 2,
The end surface on the rear end side in the covering direction of the slit is more than the end surface on the rear end side in the covering direction of the valve cap in a state of being engaged with the valve cap having the smallest outer diameter that can be engaged by the cylindrical member. Cap driver located on the rear end side. The cap driver according to claim 1,
The cap driver, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is divided into a plurality of tapered surfaces having different gradients in the covering direction. The cap driver according to claim 1,
The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are composed of a plurality of V grooves that engage with a plurality of corners of the outer peripheral surface of a valve cap having a polygonal outer peripheral surface,
A trough line at the bottom of at least one of the plurality of V grooves constituting the first engaging portion and a trough line at the bottom of at least one of the plurality of V grooves constituting the second engaging portion are A cap driver in which the angular position with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical member coincides. The cap driver according to claim 1,
The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are cap drivers that are adjacent to each other in the covering direction.

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