JP3867479B2 - Cap device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND 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]
Conventionally, as this type of cap device, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-173321 is known. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a fuel filler opening of an automobile. In FIG. 18, a recess 102 that is opened and closed by an oil filler lid 101 is provided at the rear part of a vehicle body panel 100 of an automobile, and an oil filler port 104a of a filler pipe 104 is disposed on the bottom wall 102a. The fuel filler port 104 a is sealed with a fuel cap 110. A connecting string 114 is attached to the fuel cap 110 via a ring 112 slidably supported in the annular groove 111a. The other end of the connecting string 114 is detachably disposed in a tube-shaped cover 116 that penetrates the vehicle body panel 100.
[0003]
In the conventional cap device, when the fuel cap 101 is opened and the fuel cap 110 is removed from the filler pipe 104 at the time of fueling, the connecting string 114 is drawn out from the cover 116 and the fuel cap 110 is suspended. On the other hand, when the fuel cap 110 is closed, the connecting string 114 is accommodated in the cover 116. In this way, the fuel cap 110 is prevented from dropping or losing during refueling, and problems such as the connection string 114 being pinched by the refueling lid 101 when the refueling lid 101 is tightened are prevented.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional cap device, when rainwater or snow enters between the annular groove 111a of the fuel cap 110 and the ring 112 and freezes in a cold region or the like, the ring 112 is difficult to rotate with ice blocks. . When the ring 112 is difficult to rotate, the rotation of the fuel cap 110 itself is also restrained via the connecting string 114, and thus there is a problem that the fuel cap 110 cannot be easily removed from the fuel filler port 104a.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and to provide a cap device that does not cause a problem in detaching a cap due to freezing even in a cold region.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
The present invention made to solve the above problems
In a cap device in which one end of a long connecting member is connected to a cap that opens and closes an oil filler port, and the other end of the connecting member is attached around the oil filler port.
An annular groove provided on the outer periphery of the cap;
A rotating ring that is rotatably mounted in the annular groove and has one end of the connecting member connected and fixed;
The annular groove includes a groove side surface formed along the outer periphery of the cap, a groove upper surface provided in an outer diameter direction from an upper portion of the groove side surface, and a groove surface provided in an outer diameter direction from a lower portion of the groove side surface. It is surrounded by a groove lower surface facing the upper surface,
The rotating ring includes an annular ring body formed along the annular groove, and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the ring body,
Each of the protrusions is formed so as to slide while contacting the groove lower surface when the rotating ring and the outer periphery of the cap rotate relative to each other, so that the ring body does not contact the groove lower surface. It is characterized by that.
[0007]
In the cap device according to the present invention , when the cap is removed from the fuel filler port, the cap is supported around the fuel filler port via the connecting member, so that the cap can be prevented from being lost or forgotten to tighten. One end of the connecting member is connected and fixed to a rotating ring that is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the cap, and the rotating ring and the cap relatively rotate when the rotating operation is performed when the cap is removed. Therefore, even if the cap is connected and fixed to the connecting member, there is no hindrance to the opening and closing operation of the cap.
[0008]
In addition, a protrusion is formed on the surface where there is a sliding portion that slides by rotating the rotating ring and the outer periphery of the cap relatively, and this protrusion reduces the contact area between the rotating ring and the cap. It is possible to reduce the icing force of the sliding part. Further, the protrusion secures a space between the rotating ring and the outer peripheral surface of the cap. This space functions as a discharge groove, so that freezing at the sliding portion can be reduced. Here, as a preferred aspect of the position of the protrusion, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which at least the lower surface of the rotating ring among the sliding portions can be provided, thereby reducing the contact area of the lower surface of the rotating ring that is most easily contacted. Moreover, the drainage function of the groove can be increased. Furthermore, as another preferred mode of the position of the protrusion, it can be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring and / or the side surface of the cap, and thereby the above-described functions and effects can be further increased. As described above, the protrusions can provide the above-described functions and effects by being formed on at least one of the lower surface and inner peripheral surface of the sliding portion of the rotating ring and the side surface of the cap.
[0009]
Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that a sharp protrusion for removing ice blocks is provided at a sliding portion where the rotating ring and the cap slide relative to each other. According to this aspect , when the rotating ring and the cap are relatively rotated, ice blocks and the like entering the sliding portion between the rotating ring and the cap are quickly removed. Therefore, the rotation ring does not hinder the rotation of the cap by an ice block or the like, so that there is no problem in the opening and closing operation of the cap even in a situation where it is easily frozen.
[0010]
In addition, as a preferable aspect of the sharp protrusion, a configuration in which the sharp protrusion is formed to be inclined toward the rotation direction of the rotating ring can be taken, whereby the function of removing the ice block can be further enhanced.
[0011]
Moreover, as a suitable aspect of the rotating ring, a drainage groove connected from the upper end to the lower end can be provided at a position close to the sharp protrusion on the inner peripheral side of the rotating ring. According to this aspect, the sharp protrusion can be quickly removed through the drainage groove after peeling off the ice block attached to the sliding portion. Thereby, smooth rotation of the rotating ring can be further obtained.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[0013]
1 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before refueling, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state during refueling. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a recess 11 for refueling is formed at the rear portion of the vehicle body panel 10, and the opening of the recess 11 is covered with a refueling lid 12. The oiling lid 12 is attached so as to be openable and closable via a hinge 13 (FIG. 2). The bottom wall 11a of the recess 11 is provided with a filler port 16a of a filler pipe 16 connected to a fuel tank (not shown). The fuel filler opening 16a is sealed with a fuel cap 20 so as to be opened and closed.
[0014]
FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway view of the fuel cap 20 attached to the filler pipe 16. In FIG. 4, the fuel cap 20 includes a casing 21 attached to the filler pipe 16, a lid 22 attached to a flange 21 b on the upper portion of the casing 21, and a gasket GS attached to the upper portion of the casing 21. Yes. A screw 21 a is formed on the outer periphery of the casing 21. The screw 21 a is screwed to the screw 16 b of the filler pipe 16 to press the gasket GS against the inner wall of the filler pipe 16 and seal the space therebetween.
[0015]
Further, the lid body 22 is formed in a cup shape by an upper wall 23 having an operation portion 23a for rotating by pinching with a finger, and a side wall 24 formed in a cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the upper wall 23. . A rotating ring 25 and a locking ring 26 are attached to the side wall 24. That is, an annular groove 24a is formed in the side wall 24 over the entire circumference, and a rotating ring 25 is attached to the annular groove 24a. The rotating ring 25 is secured by a locking ring 26 disposed below the rotating ring 25. That is, the engaging claw 26a of the locking ring 26 engages with the engaging claw 24b formed at the lower end of the side wall 24, so that the rotating ring 25 is rotatably attached to the side wall 24 in a state where it is prevented from being removed. ing.
[0016]
6 is a plan view showing the rotating ring 25, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a perspective view seen from the diagonally upward direction D1 in FIG. 6, and FIG. It is an arrow view seen from the direction. In these drawings, the rotating ring 25 includes an annular ring body 25a, and inclined blocks 25c (projections according to the present invention) of the ring body 25a are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The inclined block 25c is formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle of 10 to 80 ° in the clockwise direction, and a space between the inclined blocks 25c is a drainage groove 25d. The inclined block 25c has an upper sharpened protrusion 25e formed in a sharp mountain shape at the upper portion thereof, and a lower sharpened end 25f having a lower end plane at the lower portion and having a sharp corner at the end portion. Accordingly, the upper sharpened protrusion 25e has a sawtooth shape arranged in an annular shape by a plurality of arrangements, while the lower sharpened end 25f has a flat surface so as to slide smoothly on the annular groove 24a. A sharp corner is turned counterclockwise when the lower end is viewed from above.
[0017]
In addition, a mounting portion 25b is formed at one end of the outer periphery of the rotating ring 25 shown in FIG. 6, and one end of the connecting member 28 is fixed to the mounting portion 25b.
[0018]
The connecting member 28 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a long member formed of a string made of gasoline-resistant resin fiber, a metal chain, or the like, and the fuel cap 20 is fastened to the fuel filler port 16a. In the state of FIG. 2, the length is slightly slack. FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the fuel filler lid 12. The connecting member 28 is slidably supported by the guide member 30 on the back surface side of the fuel filler lid 12. That is, the guide member 30 is attached to the back surface of the fuel filler lid 12 in the horizontal direction, that is, along the direction away from the vehicle body panel 10 when the fuel filler lid 12 is opened. A slit 30a is formed in the guide member 30 along the longitudinal direction. A slide support member 29 fixed to the other end of the connecting member 28 is slidably supported by the slit 30a. The slide support material 29 is formed integrally with the connecting member 28. A reinforcing panel 12a and an engaging portion 12b for fastening the oil filler lid 12 are fixed to the back surface of the oil filler lid 12 by spot welding.
[0019]
According to the present embodiment, when refueling, as shown in FIG. 2, when the refueling lid 12 is opened and the fuel cap 20 is removed and moved away from the vehicle body panel 10, as shown in FIG. The slide support member 29 is pulled toward the outside of the vehicle body panel 10 via 28, and moves along the slit 30 a of the guide member 30. Then, when the fuel cap 20 is released from the hand, the fuel cap 20 hangs down at a position away from the vehicle body panel 10, and refueling can be performed in this state. That is, since the fuel cap 20 can be disposed at a position away from the vehicle body panel 10 during refueling, the fuel cap 20 and the vehicle body panel 10 do not interfere with each other without interfering with the fuel gun FG.
[0020]
Further, when the fuel supply is finished and the fuel cap 20 is held and the fuel supply port 16 a is closed, the slide support member 29 is pulled through the connecting member 28 attached to the fuel cap 20 and is hinged along the guide member 30. Move to the side. Therefore, when the fueling lid 12 is tightened, the connecting member 28 is not sandwiched by the fueling lid 12.
[0021]
In addition, the cap device according to the present embodiment is provided with the guide member 30 on the fuel supply lid 12 and slidably supports the other end of the connecting member 28 attached to the fuel cap 20 on the guide member 30. Well, the configuration is simple.
[0022]
Further, in the cap device, one end of the connecting member 28 is connected and fixed to the rotating ring 25 that is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the fuel cap 20, and is connected to the rotating ring 25 when the fuel cap 20 is rotated. Rotate relatively. Therefore, even if the fuel cap 20 is connected to the connecting member 28, the fuel cap 20 is not restrained by the connecting member 28, and the opening / closing operation is not hindered.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the upper sharp protrusion 25e and the lower sharp end 25f provided on the rotating ring 25 are sharpened when the fuel cap 20 rotates relative to the rotating ring 25. The ice block or the like entering the sliding portion between the rotating ring 25 and the annular groove 24a at a portion is peeled off and quickly removed from the drain groove 25d. Therefore, even if there is an ice block near the rotating ring 25, the rotation of the fuel cap 20 is not hindered, and there is no problem in the opening and closing operation of the fuel cap 20 even in an environment where icing is likely to occur.
[0024]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, when rotating counterclockwise to remove the fuel cap 20, the upper sharp protrusion 25e and the lower sharp end 25f of the rotating ring 25 are directed toward the ice block, so that the ice block can be easily removed. In addition, since it is quickly discharged to the outside through the drainage groove 25d, the relative and smooth rotation between the fuel cap 20 and the rotating ring 25 can be further maintained.
[0025]
Further, since the inclined block 25c reduces the contact area between the rotating ring 25 and the annular groove 24a, the rotating ring 25 can be smoothly rotated to reduce the freezing force at the sliding portion, and the rotating ring 25 can be reduced. The space between the annular groove 24a and the annular groove 24a is secured, and this space functions as a discharge groove. In particular, since the lower surface of the inclined block 25c is the place most easily in contact with the annular groove 24a, the effect can be further enhanced.
[0026]
11 to 13 are explanatory views for explaining a second embodiment of the rotating ring. These embodiments are characterized by the shape of the inclined block of the rotating ring. That is, the inclined blocks 25Bc of the rotating ring 25B in FIG. 11 are arranged in a mushroom shape by sequentially rotating 180 ° in the vertical direction. The inclined blocks 25Cc of the rotating ring 25C in FIG. 12 are sequentially arranged in a Z shape. The inclined blocks 25Dc of the rotating ring 25D in FIG. 13 are arranged in a Y shape by sequentially rotating 180 °. Sharp projections are formed on the upper and lower ends of these inclined blocks in order to enhance the function of removing ice blocks.
[0027]
14 to 17 are cross-sectional views showing the upper part of the fuel cap according to four modified examples of the third embodiment. These embodiments are characterized by the shape of the locking ring and its mounting structure. In FIG. 14, an engagement hole 24 c for attaching the locking ring 26 </ b> B is formed in the side wall 24 of the lid body 22. That is, the locking ring 26 </ b> B includes an engaging claw 26 </ b> Ba on the inner peripheral side and a support end 26 </ b> Bb that contacts the lower surface of the side wall 24. The engagement claw 26Ba is engaged with the engagement hole 24c, and the support end 26Bb is in contact with the lower end of the side wall 24. As a result, the locking ring 26 </ b> B is attached to the side wall 24. In this configuration, since the protrusions (engagement claws 24b in FIG. 4) are not formed from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 24, when the lid body 22 is formed by resin injection molding, only the upper and lower punching dies are required. Since a slide mold for pulling out to the side is not required, the mold can be easily manufactured and the cost can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 15, as another configuration of the locking ring, an engaging claw 26Ca is formed on the inner side of the locking ring 26C, and a receiving portion 26Cb that receives the rotating ring 25 at the upper portion and smoothly rotates. Alternatively, a receiving portion 26 </ b> Cc that contacts the lower end of the side wall 24 and increases the mounting strength with respect to the side wall 24 may be formed. As shown in FIG. 16, as another configuration of the locking ring, a receiving portion 26Dc surrounding the lower portion of the side wall 24 is formed at the lower portion of the locking ring 26D, and a locking claw 26Da is formed at the receiving portion 26Dc. May be. The locking claw 26Da is engaged with the engagement hole 24c from the inner peripheral side of the side wall 24. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, the structure for stopping the locking ring 26E may be a recess 24d formed in the side wall 24 in addition to the engagement hole as described above.
[0028]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0029]
(1) The protrusions in the above embodiment are inclined blocks protruding from the inner peripheral surface and the lower surface of the rotating ring, but are not limited to this, and are formed to protrude from either the inner peripheral surface or the lower surface. May be.
[0030]
(2) In the above embodiment, the protrusion protruding from the inclined block is a sharp protrusion, but its tip may be chamfered, thereby rotating the rotating ring and the cap relatively smoothly. And freezing force in the meantime can be reduced.
[0031]
(3) Although the fuel cap has been described in the above embodiment, the type of the cap is not particularly limited as long as the cap is used in a place where icing is likely to occur. For example, the cap of a radiator of an automobile, etc. Can be applied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before refueling with the refueling lid opened.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state during refueling by a refueling gun.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a fuel cap attached to a filler pipe 16 with a part broken away.
FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an oil filler lid 12;
6 is a plan view showing a rotating ring 25. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view as seen from the direction D1 obliquely upward in FIG. 6;
9 is a view as seen from the direction of the arrow D2 in FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a rotating ring.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a rotating ring 25B as a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a rotating ring 25C according to another modification.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a rotating ring 25D according to another modified example.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a fuel cap according to a second embodiment.
15 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a fuel cap according to a modification of FIG.
16 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a fuel cap according to another modification of FIG.
17 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a fuel cap according to another modification of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a fuel filler opening of an automobile according to a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Car body panel 11 ... Recessed part 11a ... Bottom wall 12 ... Filling lid 12a ... Reinforcement panel 12b ... Engagement part 13 ... Hinge 16 ... Filler pipe 16a ... Filling port 16b ... Screw 20 ... Fuel cap 21 ... Casing 21a ... Screw 21b ... Flange 22 ... Lid 23 ... Upper wall 23a ... Operation part 24 ... Side wall 24a ... Ring groove 24b ... Engagement claw 24c ... Engagement hole 24d ... Recess 25 ... Rotation ring 25B ... Rotation ring 25C ... Rotation ring 25D ... Rotation ring 25a ... Ring body 25b ... Mounting portion 25c ... Inclination block 25d ... Drainage groove 25e ... Upper sharp projection 25f ... Lower sharp end 25Bc ... Inclination block 25Dc ... Inclination block 25Dc ... Inclination block 26 ... Locking ring 26B ... Locking ring 26C ... Lock ring 26D ... Lock ring 26E ... Lock ring 26a ... Engagement claw 26Ba ... Engagement claw 26Bb ... Support End 26Ca ... engaging claw 26Cb ... receiving portion 26da ... locking claw 26cc ... receiving portion 26Dc ... receiving portion 28 ... connecting member 29 ... slide support member 30 ... guide member 30a ... slit FG ... fuel gun GS ... Gasket

Claims (4)

In a cap device in which one end of a long connecting member (28) is connected to a cap that opens and closes the oil filler port (16a) , and the other end of the connecting member (28) is attached to the periphery of the oil filler port (16a) .
An annular groove (24a) provided on the outer periphery of the cap;
A rotary ring (25) rotatably mounted in the annular groove (24a) and having one end of the connecting member (28) connected and fixed;
The annular groove (24a) includes a groove side surface formed along the outer periphery of the cap, a groove upper surface provided in the outer diameter direction from the upper portion of the groove side surface, and a lower surface of the groove side surface in the outer diameter direction. And surrounded by a groove lower surface facing the groove upper surface,
The rotating ring (25) includes an annular ring body (25a) formed along the annular groove (24a), and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the ring body (25a),
Each of the protrusions slides in contact with the groove lower surface when the rotating ring (25) and the outer periphery of the cap rotate relative to each other, and the ring body (25a) contacts the groove lower surface. A cap device characterized in that the cap device is formed so as not to be allowed . The cap device of claim 1 ,
The protrusion includes a protrusion that slides from the ring body (25a) while contacting the groove side surface. The cap device according to claim 2 ,
A cap device in which a drainage groove (25d) connected from the upper surface of the groove to the lower surface of the groove is provided between the adjacent protrusions of the plurality of protrusions and the side surface of the groove . The cap device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The said protrusion part is a cap apparatus provided with the lower sharp end (25f) toward the rotation direction of the said rotation ring in the site | part which contacts the said groove | channel lower surface .

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