Oil tank cap and oil inlet device

Abstract

An oil inlet device includes an oil pipe joint and an oil tank cover. The oil pipe joint includes two clamping members protruding from an inner circumferential surface. Each of the clamping members has a clamping block protruding downward. The oil tank cover is detachably mounted on the oil pipe joint and includes a first protruding portion and two second protruding portions protruding outward from opposite sides of the first protruding portion. Each of the second protruding portions has a first clamping groove and a second clamping groove spaced apart in a circumferential direction. The second protruding portions are configured to allow the oil tank cover to be clamped by the first clamping grooves and the clamping blocks, respectively. When the first clamping grooves of the oil tank cover are displaced relative to the oil pipe joint due to vehicle vibration and are disengaged from the clamping blocks, the second clamping grooves of the oil tank cover are engaged with the clamping blocks, respectively, thereby providing an additional layer of protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an oil inlet device, and more particularly to an oil inlet device for a vehicle fuel tank. Background Technology

[0002] A known oil inlet device includes an oil pipe connector connected to an oil pipe and an oil tank cap that can be screwed onto the oil pipe connector.

[0003] The oil pipe connector includes a cylindrical wall and two radially spaced abutment bars protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall. The abutment bars define two inlet grooves, each located between adjacent sides of the inner circumferential space of the cylindrical wall. The fuel tank cap includes a grip, a first protrusion extending downward from the grip, and two radially protruding blocks on the outer circumferential surface of the first protrusion. The first protrusion of the fuel tank cap can be inserted into the cylindrical wall of the oil pipe connector by aligning the protrusions of the fuel tank cap with the inlet grooves of the oil pipe connector, causing the protrusions to move downward past the abutment bars. Then, rotating the fuel tank cap relative to the oil pipe connector causes the protrusions to rotate and displace, respectively locking against the abutment bars below.

[0004] Vibrations are easily generated during vehicle operation. If the existing fuel tank cap is not properly tightened when it is put on, it may fall off during vehicle operation. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the existing fuel tank cap. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an oil inlet device that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0006] The oil inlet device of the present invention is suitable for connection to an oil pipe and includes an oil pipe joint and an oil tank cover installed on the oil pipe joint.

[0007] The oil pipe connector is fixed to the oil pipe and includes a cylindrical wall extending vertically through the pipe, and two radially spaced locking members protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall. The locking members cooperate with the inner circumferential space of the cylindrical wall to define two inlet slots located between adjacent sides. Each locking member has a guide strip extending from one inlet slot to the other, and a locking block protruding downward from the extended end of the guide strip. Each guide strip has a guide surface extending upward at an angle from one end adjacent to its corresponding locking block to the other end.

[0008] The fuel tank cap is detachably inserted downwards into the fuel line connector and includes a grip for sealing the opening above the cylinder wall, a first protrusion extending downwards from the bottom of the grip and penetrating the cylinder wall, and two second protrusions protruding outwards from opposite sides of the outer periphery of the first protrusion and respectively abutting upwards against the locking member. The second protrusions are movable vertically through the inlet groove by linkage with the first protrusions. Each second protrusion has a pressing surface for abutting upwards against the guide surface and has a first and a second locking groove spaced apart from the pressing surface along the periphery of the first protrusion. The fuel tank cap is positioned by the locking block by either the first or second locking groove. The fuel tank cap is rotatable relative to the fuel line connector, changing between an open and closed position. When the fuel tank cap is in the open position, the second protrusions are located below the inlet groove. When the fuel tank cap moves to the closed position, the gripper will cause the first protrusion to rotate, and the second protrusion will move along the guide surface of the guide bar with the pressing surface, forcing the locking blocks to disengage from the second slot and be locked into the first slot.

[0009] In the oil inlet device of the present invention, each of the first slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

[0010] In the oil inlet device of the present invention, each of the second slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

[0011] In the oil inlet device of the present invention, each of the locking members further has a stop block connected to one end of the corresponding guide bar adjacent to the locking block. Each stop block has a first stop surface facing the corresponding locking block and a second stop surface opposite to the first stop surface. When the oil tank cap is in the open position, the second protruding part abuts against the second stop surface. When the oil tank cap is in the closed position, the second protruding part abuts against the first stop surface.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank cap that overcomes at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0013] The present invention provides a fuel tank cap suitable for installation on a fuel line connector, the fuel line connector comprising a vertically extending cylindrical wall and two radially spaced abutting members protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall. The abutting members cooperate with the inner circumferential space of the cylindrical wall to define two inlet slots located between adjacent sides. Each abutting member has a guide strip extending from one inlet slot to the other inlet slot, and a locking block protruding downward from the extended end of the guide strip. The fuel tank cap is detachably installed on the fuel line connector and includes a grip for sealing an opening above the cylindrical wall, a first protrusion extending downward from the bottom of the grip for passing through the cylindrical wall, and two second protrusions protruding outwardly from the outer circumferential side of the first protrusion.

[0014] Each of the second protrusions has an upward pressing surface and a first groove and a second groove that extend downward from the pressing surface and are spaced apart along the periphery of the first protrusion.

[0015] The fuel tank cap can be rotated relative to the fuel line connector, changing between an open and closed position. When the fuel tank cap is in the open position, the second protrusions are located below the inlet groove. When the fuel tank cap moves to the closed position, the gripper rotates the first protrusion, causing the second protrusions to move along the guide strip and forcing the second slots to disengage from the locking blocks, allowing the first slots to be engaged with the locking blocks.

[0016] In the fuel tank cap of the present invention, each of the first slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

[0017] In the fuel tank cap of the present invention, each of the second slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface and penetrates to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

[0018] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that, by means of the structural design of the second protrusion, the fuel tank cap can be respectively locked against the locking block by the first locking groove. When the first locking groove is displaced from the locking block due to the rotational displacement of the oil pipe joint caused by vehicle vibration, it will be locked against the locking block by the second locking groove again, thus providing an additional layer of protection. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Other features and beneficial effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is an incomplete exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the oil inlet device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2This is an incomplete perspective view illustrating the oil pipe fitting of the described embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view illustrating the fuel tank cover of the described embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an incomplete sectional view, illustrating that the fuel tank cover of the embodiment is in the open position;

[0024] Figure 5 It is similar Figure 4 The view illustrates that the fuel tank cap of the embodiment is in the closed position;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a top sectional view illustrating that the fuel tank cap of the embodiment is in the open position;

[0026] Figure 7 It is similar Figure 3 The view illustrates another embodiment of the described example. Detailed Implementation

[0027] See Figure 1 , 2 3. An embodiment of the oil inlet device of the present invention is suitable for connection to oil pipe 1 and for installation on a vehicle. The oil inlet device includes an oil pipe connector 2 for connecting to and fixed to the oil pipe 1, and an oil tank cap 3 removably installed on the oil pipe connector 2.

[0028] In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the oil pipe joint 2 is shown as extending vertically. However, in practice, the oil pipe joint 2 can also be inclined, and the setting angle can be changed according to actual implementation needs.

[0029] The oil pipe joint 2 includes a body 20 for connecting and fixing to the oil pipe 1, a cylinder wall 21 that runs vertically through the top of the body 20, and two locking members 22 that protrude radially from the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder wall 21.

[0030] The cylindrical wall 21 has an upward-opening inlet section 210. The locking member 22 cooperates with the inner peripheral space of the inlet section 210 to define two inlet slots 23 located between adjacent sides.

[0031] Each of the latching members 22 has a stop block 221 adjacent to one of the inlet slots 23, a guide strip 222 extending from the stop block 221 in a counterclockwise direction to the other inlet slot 23, and a latching block 223 extending downward from the end of the guide strip 222 adjacent to the stop block 221 and spaced apart from the stop block 221.

[0032] Each of the stop blocks 221 has a first stop surface 221a facing the corresponding latch block 223, and a second stop surface 221b opposite to the first stop surface 221a and located below the corresponding inlet slot 23. Each of the guide bars 222 has a downwardly facing guide surface 222a extending upwardly from one end adjacent to the corresponding latch block 223 to the other end. Each latch block 223 protrudes from the corresponding guide surface 222a.

[0033] The fuel tank cap 3 includes a grip 31, a first protrusion 32 extending downward from the bottom of the grip 31, and two second protrusions 33 protruding outward from opposite sides of the outer periphery of the first protrusion 32.

[0034] The second protrusions 33 are spaced below the gripper 31. Each of the second protrusions 33 has an upward pressing surface 331 and a first groove 332 and a second groove 333 that are recessed into the pressing surface 331 and arranged sequentially in a clockwise direction.

[0035] See Figure 1 , 4 5. When the oil inlet device is in use, the oil tank cover 3 can be operated in the open position relative to the oil pipe connector 2 (e.g., Figure 4 (as shown) and the closed position (as shown) Figure 5 The rotational displacement changes between the two sides (as shown). When the fuel tank cover 3 is in the open position, the fuel tank cover 3 can be detached from the fuel pipe connector 2, thus exposing the inlet section 210.

[0036] When assembling the fuel tank cap 3 onto the oil pipe connector 2, align the second protrusion 33 of the fuel tank cap 3 with the inlet groove 23, so that the second protrusion 33 passes downward through the inlet groove 23, and the first protrusion 32 of the fuel tank cap 3 is inserted into the cylinder wall 21 of the oil pipe connector 2. At this time, the fuel tank cap 3 is in the open position.

[0037] Next, the gripper 31 of the fuel tank cap 3 is rotated clockwise relative to the oil pipe connector 2, causing the first protrusion 32 to rotate and displace the second protrusion 33 relative to the guide strip 222. The clamping surfaces 331 then abut against the guide surfaces 222a, forcing the second slots 333 of the second protrusion 33 to disengage from the locking blocks 223, while the first slots 332 are used by the locking blocks 223 for positioning. At this time, the second protrusions 33 abut against the first stop surface 221a, and the fuel tank cap 3 is moved to the closed position. When the fuel tank cap 3 is in the closed position, it is secured to the oil pipe connector 2, and the gripper 31 seals the opening above the inlet section 210 of the cylinder wall 21.

[0038] When the fuel tank cap 3 is to be opened, the grip 31 of the fuel tank cap 3 is rotated counterclockwise relative to the fuel pipe connector 2, causing the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 33 to rotate relative to the guide strip 222 and disengage from the locking block 223. When the second protrusion 33 abuts against the second stop surface 221b, the second protrusion 33 is located below the inlet groove 23, and the fuel tank cap 3 has changed to the open position. At this time, lifting the fuel tank cap 3 upwards allows the second protrusion 33 to pass upwards through the inlet groove 23, thus disengaging the fuel tank cap 3 from the fuel pipe connector 2.

[0039] See Figure 1 , 2 6. In this embodiment, the inlet groove 23 is arc-shaped so that the second protrusion 33 can pass through. In other embodiments, the inlet groove 23 can also be angular, as long as its size allows the second protrusion 33 to pass through.

[0040] In this embodiment, the fuel tank cap 3 is tightened in a clockwise direction, but in other implementation variations, it can also be tightened counterclockwise, as long as each of the latching parts 22 is horizontally mirrored.

[0041] See Figure 7 Another embodiment of this example differs in that each first slot 332 is a groove extending downward from and through the corresponding clamping surface 331. Each second slot 333 is a groove extending downward from and through the corresponding clamping surface 331.

[0042] In summary, the oil inlet device of the present invention, through the structural design of the second protrusion 33, enables the oil tank cap 3 to be respectively engaged with the block 223 by the first slot 332. When the first slot 332 is displaced from the block 223 due to the rotational displacement relative to the oil pipe connector 2 caused by vehicle vibration, it will be engaged with the block 223 again by the second slot 333, thus providing an additional layer of protection. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention can indeed be achieved.

[0043] 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. An oil inlet device, suitable for connection to an oil pipe, characterized in that: The oil inlet device includes an oil pipe connector fixed to the oil pipe and an oil tank cap for detachably inserting downwards into the oil pipe connector. The oil pipe connector includes a cylindrical wall extending vertically through the cylinder and two radially spaced locking members protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall. The locking members cooperate with the inner circumferential space of the cylindrical wall to define two inlet slots located between adjacent sides. Each locking member has a guide strip extending from one inlet slot to the other inlet slot and a locking block protruding downwards from the extended end of the guide strip. Each guide strip has a guide surface extending upwards at an angle from one end adjacent to its corresponding locking block to the other end. The oil tank cap includes a grip for sealing the opening above the cylindrical wall and a bottom of the grip. A first protrusion extends downward through the cylinder wall, and two second protrusions protrude outward from opposite sides of the outer periphery of the first protrusion. The second protrusions can be moved up and down through the inlet groove by being linked with the first protrusions. Each second protrusion has an upward pressing surface and a first and a second slot recessed on the pressing surface and spaced apart along the periphery of the first protrusion. The tank cap can be rotated relative to the oil pipe joint to an open position in which the second protrusions are respectively located below the inlet groove, and a closed position in which the second protrusions abut against the guide surface with the pressing surface and the first or second slots are used to engage the locking block downward.

2. The oil inlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

3. The oil inlet device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each of the second slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

4. The oil inlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the aforementioned latching members also has a stop block connected to one end of the corresponding guide bar adjacent to the latching block. Each of the aforementioned stop blocks has a first stop surface facing the corresponding latching block and a second stop surface opposite to the first stop surface. When the fuel tank cap is in the open position, the second protrusion abuts against the second stop surface. When the fuel tank cap is in the closed position, the second protrusion abuts against the first stop surface.

5. A fuel tank cap, suitable for installation on a fuel line connector, the fuel line connector comprising a vertically penetrating cylindrical wall and two radially spaced abutting members protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall, the abutting members cooperating with the inner circumferential space of the cylindrical wall to define two inlet grooves respectively located between adjacent sides, each of the abutting members having a guide strip extending from one of the inlet grooves to the other inlet groove, and a locking block protruding downward from the extended end of the guide strip, the fuel tank cap being detachably installed on the fuel line connector, characterized in that: The fuel tank cap includes a grip for sealing the opening above the cylinder wall, a first protrusion extending downward from the bottom of the grip and for passing through the cylinder wall, and two second protrusions protruding outward from opposite sides of the outer periphery of the first protrusion. The second protrusions can be moved vertically through the inlet groove by being linked to the first protrusions. Each second protrusion has a pressing surface for abutting upward against the guide strip, and has a first slot and a second slot extending downward from the pressing surface and spaced apart along the periphery of the first protrusion. The fuel tank cap can be rotated relative to the oil pipe connector to an open position in which the second protrusions are respectively located below the inlet groove, and a closed position in which the second protrusions abut upward against the guide strip with the pressing surface and the first slot or the second slot allows the locking block to be engaged downward.

6. The fuel tank cap according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the first slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

7. The fuel tank cap according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: Each of the second slots extends downward from the corresponding clamping surface to the lower surface of the second protrusion.

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