Water tank cover

Abstract

A water tank cover comprises a top cover unit, a middle seat unit, a valve outlet unit and a valve inlet unit. The top cover unit comprises a cover body, a middle column arranged in the center of the cover body, two protruding claws arranged on the periphery of the cover body and a gasket surrounding the periphery of the middle column. The middle base unit comprises a column pipe combined with the middle column and a ring base arranged on the column pipe and provided with a plurality of guide groove parts. The valve outlet unit comprises a valve seat arranged below the ring seat in a sleeving mode, a valve block arranged below the valve seat and a first elastic piece connected between the ring seat and the valve seat. The valve seat is provided with a plurality of protruding hook parts which protrude out of the guide groove parts and can move vertically and straightly. The valve entering unit comprises a pin rod penetrating through the valve seat and a second elastic piece installed between the pin rod and the valve seat. Through the design of the guide groove part and the protruding hook part, the valve outlet unit is stable and smooth during movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water tank cap, and more particularly to a water tank cap suitable for installation on the water tank opening of an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] The existing water tank cap is suitable for installation on the main water tank of a vehicle. The main water tank has a water tank opening formed at the top. The existing water tank cap includes a top cover for locking onto the water tank opening, a valve seat disposed below the top cover for sealing the water tank opening, a large spring connecting the top cover and the valve seat, a pin extending through the center of the valve seat, and a small spring connecting the pin and the valve seat.

[0003] In operation, when the liquid temperature in the main water tank rises and the pressure increases beyond the elastic force of the large spring, the liquid pushes open the valve seat and flows into the auxiliary water tank, causing the large spring to accumulate restoring elastic force. This continues until the liquid pressure drops, at which point the large spring releases pressure, resetting the valve seat. Conversely, when the liquid temperature in the main water tank decreases or a negative pressure is created due to insufficient liquid, the pin is pulled open, allowing the liquid in the auxiliary water tank to flow back into the main water tank, causing the small spring to accumulate restoring elastic force. This continues until the suction force is less than the restoring elastic force of the small spring, at which point the small spring releases pressure, resetting the pin.

[0004] If the water tank cap cannot securely seal the water tank opening, liquid leakage or overflow will occur, potentially affecting the vehicle's driving safety. As mentioned above, the valve seat and the top cover are only connected by a large spring, allowing the valve seat to move freely relative to the top cover. Consequently, during installation or operation, the valve seat is prone to tilting or wobbling, making it impossible to properly seal the water tank opening, resulting in poor sealing. Furthermore, the top cover is made of metal and requires surface treatment, which can easily cause environmental pollution. Therefore, the existing water tank cap design still needs improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water tank cover that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] The water tank cover of the present invention can be installed on the water tank opening along the vertical direction of the axis, and includes a top cover unit, a middle seat unit, an outlet valve unit, and an inlet valve unit.

[0007] The top cover unit includes a cover body for rotatably covering the water tank opening, a central post extending downward from the center of the cover body along the axis, two opposing claws extending radially from the periphery of the cover body toward the axis to be positioned at the water tank opening, and a washer disposed in the cover body and surrounding the central post.

[0008] The middle seat unit is connected below the top cover unit and includes a column tube that is coupled to the middle column and extends downward along the axis, and an annular seat disposed on the column tube and surrounding the axis, the annular seat having several guide grooves spaced at equal angles.

[0009] The valve unit is movably mounted below the middle seat unit and includes a valve seat fitted below the ring seat and cooperating with the ring seat to define the telescopic space, a valve plate disposed below the valve seat and connected to the valve seat, and a first elastic member disposed in the telescopic space and having a spring force that causes the valve seat to return to its original position after movement. The valve seat has several protruding hook portions that protrude from the guide groove and can move vertically along the guide groove, and a valve hole portion that communicates downward from the telescopic space to the bottom side.

[0010] The inlet valve unit is movably mounted on the outlet valve unit and includes a pin that passes through the valve hole from below the outlet valve unit and extends into the telescopic space, and a second elastic member installed between the top of the pin and the valve seat. The second elastic member has a spring force that causes the bottom of the pin to abut against the valve plate to close the valve hole.

[0011] The water tank cover of the present invention comprises a top cover unit in which the cover body, central column, and protruding claw are integrally made of plastic material; a central seat unit in which the column tube and the ring seat are integrally made of plastic material; a valve seat of an outlet valve unit integrally formed of plastic material; and a pin of an inlet valve unit integrally formed of plastic material.

[0012] The water tank cover of the present invention includes a ring seat of the middle seat unit having an upper ring portion extending radially outward from the column tube, a lower ring portion spaced below the upper ring portion, and an outer wall portion connecting the upper ring portion and the lower ring portion and surrounding the axis. Each guide groove portion is recessed inside the lower ring portion and the outer wall portion, axially penetrating the upper ring portion and radially exiting the outer wall portion. The valve seat of the valve unit also has a bottom wall portion forming the valve hole portion in the center, and an inner wall portion extending upward from the bottom wall portion around the axis and extending into the lower ring portion. The hook portion protrudes from the outer side of the inner wall portion.

[0013] The water tank cover of the present invention further includes several outer ribs connected between the outer side of the column tube and the top surface of the ring seat, and several inner ribs connected between the top surface of the bottom wall and the inner side of the inner wall.

[0014] The water tank cover of the present invention has a central column of the top cover unit having several protrusions spaced at equal angles and an annular groove that surrounds the axis and is radially recessed outside the protrusions. The column tube of the central seat unit has a protruding ring that is correspondingly fastened into the annular groove and can rotate around the axis.

[0015] The water tank cover of the present invention has a top cover unit having a top wall portion for the central column to be disposed in the center of the bottom surface, a surrounding wall portion extending downward from the periphery of the top wall portion and connected to the protruding claw at the bottom edge, a partition wall portion spaced between the central column and the surrounding wall portion, and two opening portions penetrating the top wall portion and correspondingly located above the protruding claw.

[0016] The water tank cover of the present invention further includes a number of equally spaced lugs that extend radially outward from the periphery of the cover body.

[0017] The water tank cover of the present invention further includes a number of ribs disposed within two lugs located outside the claw.

[0018] The water tank cover of the present invention has a wide side area with two downwardly arc-shaped protrusions at the bottom edge, which are connected to the protruding claws.

[0019] The water tank cover of the present invention has a gasket fitted between the enclosure portion and the partition portion, and has a flange portion that protrudes upward from the top surface and surrounds the axis. The cross-section of the flange portion is triangular and the top edge abuts against the top wall portion.

[0020] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the straight guiding design of the guide groove and the hook makes the valve unit move more smoothly and steadily. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the water tank cover of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a bottom-view exploded perspective view of the embodiment described above;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment described;

[0024] Figure 4 It is similar to Figure 3 The view illustrates the state in which the valve unit is pushed upwards; and

[0025] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 3 The view shows the inlet valve unit being pulled down. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 An embodiment of the water tank cover of the present invention is applicable to a main water tank 9 installed in a vehicle (not shown). The main water tank 9 has a water tank opening 91 formed at the top. The water tank opening 91 has an annular lower opening 911, a peripheral wall portion 912 extending upward from the periphery of the lower opening 911, an upper opening 913 extending radially outward from the top edge of the peripheral wall portion 912, and a branch pipe portion 914 disposed beside the peripheral wall portion 912 and communicating with a secondary water tank (not shown). The upper opening 913 has two spaced-apart notches (not shown).

[0028] The water tank cover can be installed on the water tank opening 91 along the vertical direction of axis 6, and includes a top cover unit 1, a middle seat unit 2, an outlet valve unit 3, and an inlet valve unit 4.

[0029] The top cover unit 1 includes a cover 11 for rotatably covering the upper opening 913 of the water tank opening 91, a central column 12 extending downward from the center of the cover 11 along the axis 6, two opposing claws 13 extending radially from the periphery of the cover 11 toward the axis 6, several equally spaced lugs 14 extending radially outward from the periphery of the cover 11, several ribs 15 disposed in the two lugs 14 located outside the claws 13, and a washer 16 disposed inside the cover 11 and surrounding the central column 12.

[0030] The cover 11 has a top wall portion 111 at the center of its bottom surface for mounting the central column 12, a surrounding wall portion 112 extending downward from the periphery of the top wall portion 111 and connected to the claw 13 at its bottom edge, a partition wall portion 113 extending downward from the top wall portion 111 and spaced between the central column 12 and the surrounding wall portion 112, and two opening portions 114 penetrating the top wall portion 111 and correspondingly located above the claw 13. The surrounding wall portion 112 has two wide side areas 115 with downwardly arc-shaped widening at its bottom edge and connecting to the claw 13, which can increase structural strength to prevent the claw 13 from breaking. The design of the opening portions 114 facilitates demolding. The central column 12 has several protrusion portions 116 spaced at equal angles and with inclined bottom surfaces, and an annular groove portion 117 surrounding the axis 6 and radially recessed on the outer side of the protrusion portions 116. The lugs 14 facilitate manual rotation. Two of the lugs 14 are located on the outer side of the claw 13. Each rib 15 connects to the corresponding lug 14 and the enclosure portion 112, increasing structural strength. The washer 16 is fitted between the enclosure portion 112 and the partition portion 113, and pressed between the top wall portion 111 and the upper opening portion 913 to seal the tank opening 91 and prevent liquid (not shown) leakage. The washer 16 has a flange portion 161 protruding upwards from the top surface and surrounding the axis 6; the flange portion 161 increases elasticity and improves sealing. In this embodiment, the flange portion 161 has a triangular cross-section, with its top edge tightly abutting against the top wall portion 111. However, the shape of the flange portion 161 is not limited to this; for example, it can also be arc-shaped.

[0031] The middle seat unit 2 is rotatably connected below the top cover unit 1 and includes a column tube 21 that is coupled to the central column 12 and extends downward along the axis 6, an annular seat 22 disposed on the column tube 21 and surrounding the axis 6, and several outer ribs 23 connected between the outer side of the column tube 21 and the top surface of the annular seat 22 to reinforce the structural strength. The column tube 21 has a protruding ring portion 211 that corresponds to snapping into the annular groove portion 117 and can rotate around the axis 6. The annular seat 22 has an upper ring portion 221 extending radially outward from the column tube 21, a lower ring portion 222 spaced below the upper ring portion 221, an outer wall portion 223 connecting the upper ring portion 221 and the lower ring portion 222 and surrounding the axis 6, and several guide groove portions 224 spaced at equal angles. Each of the guide groove portions 224 is recessed inside the lower ring portion 222 and the outer wall portion 223, and extends axially upward through the upper ring portion 221. Furthermore, the guide groove portion 224 also extends radially out of the outer wall portion 223.

[0032] The valve unit 3 is movably mounted below the middle seat unit 2 and includes a valve seat 31 fitted below the ring seat 22 and cooperating with the ring seat 22 to define the telescopic space 5; several inner ribs 32 disposed on the inner side of the valve seat 31; a valve plate 33 disposed below the valve seat 31; a retaining ring 34 that fastens the valve seat 31 and the valve plate 33 together at their center; and a first elastic element 35 (e.g., a spring) disposed within the telescopic space 5 and connecting the valve seat 31 and the ring seat 22. The valve seat 31 has a bottom wall portion 311 resting above the valve plate 33; an inner wall portion 312 extending upward from the bottom wall portion 311 around the axis 6 and extending into the inner side of the lower ring portion 222; several hook portions 313 protruding at equal angular intervals from the outer side of the inner wall portion 312; and a valve hole portion 314 formed in the center of the bottom wall portion 311 and communicating downward from the telescopic space 5 to the bottom side. The hook portions 313 extend and hook into the guide groove portion 224 and can move vertically along the guide groove portion 224. Each inner rib 32 connects between the top surface of the bottom wall portion 311 and the inner side of the inner wall portion 312 to reinforce the structural strength. The valve plate 33 is used to press and seal above the lower opening portion 911 to prevent the liquid from entering or exiting. The first elastic member 35 has a spring force that allows the valve seat 31 to return to its original position after movement.

[0033] The inlet valve unit 4 is movably mounted in the center of the outlet valve unit 3 and includes a pin 41 for controlling whether the liquid can pass through the valve orifice 314, and a second elastic element 42 (e.g., a spring) mounted between the top of the pin 41 and the valve seat 31. The pin 41 has a valve disc portion 411 with its periphery curved upward to abut against the bottom of the valve plate 33, and a central shaft portion 412 that protrudes upward from the center of the valve disc portion 411, passes through the valve orifice 314, and extends into the telescopic space 5. The second elastic element 42 has a mechanism to drive the valve disc portion 411 to the top.

[0034] The elastic force that abuts the valve plate 33 to close the valve orifice 314.

[0035] It is worth mentioning that, in this embodiment, the cover body 11, the central column 12, the protruding claw 13, the protruding lug 14, and the rib 15 of the top cover unit 1 are made of plastic material as a single unit. The column tube 21, the ring seat 22, and the outer rib 23 of the middle seat unit 2 are made of plastic material as a single unit. The valve seat 31 and the inner rib 32 of the outlet valve unit 3 are integrally formed of plastic material. The pin 41 of the inlet valve unit 4 is integrally formed of plastic material. Since all the above components are integrally formed of plastic material, they are easier to manufacture and assemble, and can reduce costs and weight. On the other hand, since no metal surface processing is required, environmental pollution can be reduced.

[0036] During installation of the water tank cover, the inlet valve unit 4, the outlet valve unit 3, and the middle seat unit 2 extend downwards along the axis 6 into the water tank opening 91. After the protrusion 13 of the top cover unit 1 passes through the notch (not shown) of the upper opening 913, the top cover unit 1 is then rotated by an angle, causing the protrusion 13 to move horizontally below the upper opening 913 for locking and fixing. Simultaneously, the washer 16 is pressed on top of the upper opening 913, and the valve plate 33 is pressed on top of the lower opening 911, thus tightly sealing the water tank opening 91.

[0037] See Figure 4 In use, when the liquid temperature in the main water tank 9 rises and the pressure increases beyond the elastic force of the first elastic element 35, the high-pressure liquid will push the valve plate 33 upwards, allowing it to flow into the auxiliary water tank (not shown) via the branch pipe 914. At this time, the valve seat 31 will also move upwards along with the valve plate 33, and through the design of the guide groove 224, the hook portion 313 will move steadily up and down, while the first elastic element 35 will accumulate restoring elastic force. Until the liquid pressure drops, the elastic force can be released through the first elastic element 35, allowing the valve seat 31 and the valve plate 33 to return to their original positions. Figure 3 As shown.

[0038] See Figure 5 When the liquid temperature in the main water tank 9 decreases or the liquid in the main water tank 9 is insufficient, creating a negative pressure, it will attract the pin 41 downwards away from the valve plate 33, allowing the liquid in the auxiliary water tank (not shown) to flow downwards back to the main water tank 9 through the branch pipe 914 and the valve hole 314, and causing the second elastic element 42 to accumulate restoring elasticity. Once the pressure is balanced, the second elastic element 42 immediately releases its elasticity, causing the pin 41 to return to its original position. Figure 3 As shown.

[0039] In summary, the water tank cover of the present invention, through the straight guiding design of the guide groove 224 of the ring seat 22 and the hook portion 313 of the valve seat 31, allows the outlet valve unit 3 to move smoothly. (BCPI-240248, page 7 / 7)

[0040] The flow is relatively smooth and stable, effectively sealing the water tank opening 91, thus achieving the purpose of this invention.

[0041] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims of the present invention. Equivalent variations made in accordance with the contents of the claims and specification of the present invention should also be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water tank cover, installable vertically along an axis on a water tank opening, comprising a top cover unit, the top cover unit including a cover body for rotatably covering the water tank opening, and two opposing claws extending radially from the periphery of the cover body toward the axis for positioning on the water tank opening, characterized in that: The top cover unit also includes a central post extending downward from the center of the cover body along the axis, and a gasket disposed within the cover body and surrounding the central post. The water tank cover also includes a middle seat unit, an outlet valve unit, and an inlet valve unit. The middle seat unit is connected below the top cover unit and includes a column tube that is coupled to the central column and extends downward along the axis, and an annular seat disposed on the column tube and surrounding the axis, the annular seat having several guide grooves spaced at equal angles. The valve unit is movably mounted below the middle seat unit and includes a valve seat fitted under the ring seat and cooperating with the ring seat to define a telescopic space; a valve plate disposed below the valve seat and connected to the valve seat; and a first elastic element disposed in the telescopic space and having a spring force to return the valve seat to its original position after movement. The valve seat has several hook portions that protrude from the guide groove and can move vertically along the guide groove, and a valve hole portion that communicates downward from the telescopic space to the bottom side. The inlet valve unit is movably mounted on the outlet valve unit and includes a pin that passes through the valve hole from below the outlet valve unit and extends into the telescopic space, and a second elastic member installed between the top of the pin and the valve seat. The second elastic member has a spring force that causes the bottom of the pin to abut against the valve plate to close the valve hole.

2. The water tank cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover, central column, and protruding claw of the top cover unit are made of plastic material in one piece; the column tube and the ring seat of the central seat unit are made of plastic material in one piece; the valve seat of the outlet valve unit is integrally formed of plastic material; and the pin of the inlet valve unit is integrally formed of plastic material.

3. The water tank cover according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ring seat of the middle seat unit also has an upper ring portion extending radially outward from the column tube, a lower ring portion spaced below the upper ring portion, and an outer wall portion connecting the upper ring portion and the lower ring portion and surrounding the axis. Each guide groove portion is recessed inside the lower ring portion and the outer wall portion, and axially penetrates the upper ring portion and radially exits the outer wall portion. The valve seat of the valve unit also has a bottom wall portion forming the valve hole portion in the center, and an inner wall portion extending upward from the bottom wall portion around the axis and extending into the lower ring portion. The hook portion protrudes from the outer side of the inner wall portion.

4. The water tank cover according to claim 3, characterized in that: The middle seat unit also includes several external ribs connected between the outer side of the column tube and the top surface of the ring seat, and the outlet valve unit also includes several internal ribs connected between the top surface of the bottom wall and the inner side of the inner wall.

5. The water tank cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central column of the top cover unit has several protrusions spaced at equal angles, and an annular groove that surrounds the axis and is radially recessed outside the protrusions. The column tube of the central seat unit has a protruding ring that is correspondingly fastened into the annular groove and can rotate around the axis.

6. The water tank cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover of the top cover unit has a top wall portion at the center of the bottom surface for the central column to be installed, a surrounding wall portion extending downward from the periphery of the top wall portion and connected to the protruding claw at the bottom edge, a partition wall portion spaced between the central column and the surrounding wall portion, and two opening portions penetrating the top wall portion and correspondingly located above the protruding claw.

7. The water tank cover according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top cover unit also includes several equally spaced lugs that extend radially outward from the periphery of the cover.

8. The water tank cover according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top cover unit also includes several ribs disposed within the two lugs located outside the claw.

9. The water tank cover according to claim 8, characterized in that: The enclosure of the cover has two wide side areas with downward arcing at the bottom edge that connect to the claws.

10. The water tank cover according to claim 6, characterized in that: The washer is fitted between the enclosure portion and the partition portion, and has a flange portion that protrudes upward from the top surface and surrounds the axis. The cross-section of the flange portion is triangular and the top edge abuts against the top wall portion.

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