Fuel filler cap

Abstract

A can closure comprising a first can closure member (1) and a second can closure member (2), wherein the second can closure member (2) is flexibly mounted in axial direction relative to the first can closure member (1) and leans against the first can closure member (1) by means of a spring (3), wherein the first can closure member (1) has a first stop geometry (4) and the second can closure member (2) has a second stop geometry (5), wherein in the closed position of the can closure the second stop geometry (5) forms a mechanical stop relative to the first stop geometry (4) so that the second can closure member (2) is prevented from moving axially relative to the first can closure member (1) against the spring force of the spring (3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank closure, in particular for a tank of a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tank closures are generally used to close the tank filler neck of a tank which has been opened for refueling outside of refueling times. Various locking mechanisms for tank closures are known. In particular, mechanisms have been used in which a tank closure part in a loosened state is pressed against another tank closure part by a spring. In such mechanisms, a defined ramp / gradient, such as in the case of a bayonet or screw closure, is not required. The advantage of this technology is that the outer seal of the tank closure is always pressed with the same strength against the tank filler neck, regardless of its temperature, stiffness and signs of wear.

[0003] However, in the case of overpressure in the tank, the behavior of such a tank closure with spring tensioning is disadvantageous: it cannot be ensured that the axially movable tank closure does not lift off the tank filler neck in the case of overpressure in the tank, as is the case when using a bayonet or screw geometry. From the point at which the pressure in the tank is greater than the spring force, the axially movable tank closure is forced out of its position and loses its sealing effect. This mechanism is therefore not suitable for greater pressures in tank applications, in particular for pressurized tank applications, since the movable tank closure part is also forcibly opened by the mechanism in the case of overpressure. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to specify a tank closure in which the axially movable (second) tank closure member, in particular the tank closure member with a seal on the axially movable tank closure member, is pressed with a uniform force onto the other, axially immovable (first) tank closure member, wherein the tank closure is also intended to be suitable for greater pressures, in particular for pressurized tank applications.

[0005] This object is achieved by a tank closure comprising a first tank closure member 1 and a second tank closure member 2, wherein the second tank closure member 2 is flexibly mounted in the axial direction relative to the first tank closure member 1 and leans against the first tank closure member 1 by means of a spring 3, wherein the first tank closure member 1 has a first stop geometry 4 and the second tank closure member 2 has a second stop geometry 5, wherein in the closed position of the tank closure, the second stop geometry 5 forms a mechanical stop relative to the first stop geometry 4, thereby preventing the second tank closure member 2 from moving axially relative to the first tank closure member 1 against the spring force of the spring 3.

[0006] According to the invention, the tank closure uses a spring to pre-tension the second tank closure member relative to the first tank closure member. In the closed position of the tank closure, the second tank closure member, in particular the seal of the second tank closure member, is pushed against the first tank closure member with a uniform force by the spring force. In order to prevent the second tank closure member from being lifted in the event of high pressure inside the tank, a stop is designed between the second tank closure member and the first tank closure member, which mechanically prevents the second tank closure member from being lifted in the closed position. To this end, the first tank closure member has a first stop geometry and the second tank closure member has a second stop geometry, so that in the closed position the second stop geometry abuts against the first stop geometry and thus prevents the second tank closure member from being lifted axially away from the first tank closure member against the spring force.

[0007] Thus, in a spring-preloaded mechanism with an axially movable second tank closure member, the invention uses an additional mechanical locking via a stop. The locking is preferably only active when the closure is screwed onto the first tank closure member until the end position. Thus, the invention uses a geometry which blocks the spring mechanism in the closed state. As a result, in the event of a pressure increase inside the tank, the second tank closure member can no longer be pushed out of the sealing position.

[0008] The invention can solve the problem of the second tank closure member becoming unsealed in the event of high tank internal pressure or of having a pressure relief valve even when it is not required. In addition, the collision behavior of the tank closure is improved by this solution, since in the event of a collision the closure can be lifted off the closure base by the compressed stop member, in particular the metal member.

[0009] Preferably, the second tank closure member and the first tank closure member are configured such that the second tank closure member can be brought into the closed position by rotating relative to the first tank closure member until an end position, wherein in the end position and thus outside the closed position, the second stop geometry does not abut against the first stop geometry.

[0010] Preferably, in the closed position, the seal, in particular the outer seal, of the second tank closure member is pressed axially by the spring against the first tank closure member.

[0011] Preferably, the second stop geometry is formed by at least one locking lever and the first stop geometry is formed by at least one bearing surface, i.e. a stop surface, for the locking lever.

[0012] The first tank closure member preferably comprises a rotatable tank closure part and a non-rotatable tank closure part, the rotatable tank closure part being rotatable together with the second tank closure part and the non-rotatable tank closure part remaining stationary, thus not rotating, during the rotation of the second tank closure member.

[0013] The non-rotatable can closure component is preferably configured to attach to the neck of the can filling port, such that the position of the non-rotatable can closure component is fixed in the circumferential direction by the neck of the can filling port. For this purpose, the non-rotatable can closure component particularly preferably has a non-rotationally symmetrical shape portion that can engage with a corresponding non-rotationally symmetrical mating shape portion of the neck of the can filling port, i.e., it can form a non-rotationally symmetrical positive connection with the neck of the can filling port.

[0014] The supporting surface of the first stop geometry is preferably disposed on a non-rotatable, stationary tank closure component.

[0015] Preferably, the ramp geometry is configured on the non-rotatable can closure component, wherein in the closed position, the extension of the rotatable can closure component is located at the end of the ramp geometry to employ an end position.

[0016] The rotatable can sealing component is driven by the locking rod of the second can sealing component as the second can sealing component rotates, so that the rotatable can sealing component rotates together with the second can sealing component. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the can closure according to the invention in the open position.

[0019] Figure 2 It is in the closed position according to Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the tank closure.

[0020] Figure 3 It is in the open position according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the tank closure.

[0021] Figure 4 It is in the closed position according to Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the tank closure. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The can closure according to the invention is in Figures 1-4 As shown in the figure, Figure 1 and 3 The can closure is in a closed, locked state, while Figure 2 and 4 It is in an open state, meaning it is not closed.

[0023] The tank closure comprises a first tank closure member 1 and a second tank closure member 2, wherein the second tank closure member 2 is axially movable relative to the first tank closure member 1. The first tank closure member 1 is positionable on a tank filler neck such that at least one component of the first tank closure member 1, a non-rotatable tank closure subcomponent 9, is secured against rotation on the tank filler neck in order to close the tank filler neck by rotating the second tank closure member 2.

[0024] At least in Figure 2 and 4 the closed position, the second tank closure member 2 is axially leaned against the first tank closure member 1 by a spring 3 (see Figure 4 ).

[0025] The first tank closure member 1 comprises a rotatable tank closure component 8, which is rotatable together with the second tank closure member 2, and a non-rotatable tank closure component 9, which does not rotate with the second tank closure member 2 during a rotation thereof.

[0026] The first tank closure member 1 has a first stop geometry 4 and the second tank closure member 2 has a second stop geometry 5, wherein in the closed position Figure 2 , 4 the second stop geometry 5 abuts against the first stop geometry 4 such that the second tank closure member 2 is prevented from being axially lifted off the first tank closure member 1 against the spring force of the spring 3 even in the case of a significant overpressure inside the tank, i.e. from the upper part of Figures 1 to 4 .

[0027] In the closed position, an annular seal 7, i.e. an outer seal, of the second tank closure member 2 is axially pressed against the first tank closure member 1 and thus against the tank filler neck on which the first tank closure component 1 is located Figure 4 ) by the spring 3.

[0028] The second stop geometry 5 is formed by at least one locking lever, preferably by at least two locking levers which are offset by 180 degrees from each other, i.e. opposite each other, and the first stop geometry 4 is formed by at least one bearing surface for the locking levers, preferably by at least two bearing surfaces which are assigned to each locking lever such that the bearing surfaces are also offset by 180 degrees from each other, i.e. arranged opposite each other.

[0029] The first stop geometry 4 is configured on the non-rotatable tank closure component 9.

[0030] Furthermore, at least one ramp geometry 10 is configured on the non-rotatable tank closure component 9, which ramp geometry preferably extends only over a small portion of the circumference of the first tank closure member 1. In the closed position, an extension 11 of the rotatable tank closure component 8 is located at the end of the ramp geometry 10 in order to assume an end position 6 there.

[0031] Preferably, the first and second stop geometries 4, 5, the ramp geometry 10 and the extension 11 are equal in number.

[0032] The second tank closure member 2 can be brought into the closed position by rotating it relative to the first tank closure member 1 until its end position 6. The second tank closure member 2 has an outer shape, in particular outer longitudinal ribs, which facilitate manual rotation of the second tank closure member 2. Before the end position 6 and thus outside the closed position of the tank closure, the second stop geometry 5 does not abut the first stop geometry 4 and thus does not form a stop.

[0033] With the rotation of the second tank closure member 2, the rotatable tank closure part 8 is entrained by the locking lever of the second tank closure member 2, so that the rotatable tank closure part 8 rotates with the second tank closure member 2.

[0034] List of reference signs

[0035] 1 first tank closure member

[0036] 2 second tank closure member

[0037] 3 spring

[0038] 4 first stop geometry

[0039] 5 second stop geometry

[0040] 6 end position

[0041] 7 seal

[0042] 8 rotatable tank closure part

[0043] 9 non-rotatable tank closure part

[0044] 10 ramp geometry

[0045] 11 extension

Claims

1. A tank closure comprising a first tank closure member (1) and a second tank closure member (2), wherein the second tank closure member (2) is flexibly mounted in axial direction relative to the first tank closure member (1) and leans against the first tank closure member (1) by means of a spring (3), characterized in that the first tank closure member (1) has a first stop geometry (4) and the second tank closure member (2) has a second stop geometry (5), wherein in a closed position of the tank closure the second stop geometry (5) forms a mechanical stop relative to the first stop geometry (4) so that the second tank closure member (2) is prevented from moving axially relative to the first tank closure member (1) against the spring force of the spring (3), the second tank closure member (2) and the first tank closure member (1) are configured such that the second tank closure member (2) can be brought into the closed position by rotating relative to the first tank closure member (1) up to an end position (6), wherein before the end position (6) and thus outside the closed position the second stop geometry (5) does not form a stop relative to the first stop geometry (4); the first tank closure member (1) comprises a rotatable tank closure part (8) which rotates together with the second tank closure member (2), and the first tank closure member (1) comprises a non-rotatable tank closure part (9) which remains stationary during the rotation of the second tank closure member (2).

2. The tank closure according to claim 1, characterized in that in the closed position a seal (7) of the second tank closure member (2) is axially pressed by the spring (3) against the first tank closure member (1).

3. The tank closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second stop geometry (5) is formed by at least one locking lever and the first stop geometry (4) is formed by at least one bearing surface for the locking lever.

4. The tank closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-rotatable tank closure part (9) is configured to be attached to a tank filler neck such that the position of the non-rotatable tank closure part (9) is fixed in peripheral direction by the tank filler neck, a non-rotationally symmetrical configuration engages in a shaped portion of the tank filler neck.

5. The tank closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing surface of the first stop geometry (4) is configured on the non-rotatable tank closure part (9).

6. The tank closure according to claim 1, characterized in that a ramp geometry (10) is configured on the non-rotatable tank closure part (9), wherein in the closed position an extension (11) of the rotatable tank closure part (8) is located at an end of the ramp geometry (10) to assume the end position (6).

7. The tank closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotatable tank closure part (8) is entrained with the rotation of the second tank closure member (2) by means of the locking lever of the second tank closure member (2) such that the rotatable tank closure part (8) rotates together with the second tank closure member (2).

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