LOCKING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Closure assembly (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) comprising: a cap (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) comprising an inner surface (22A) and an outer surface (24A) opposite the inner surface (22A), wherein the inner surface (22A) has an interface (30A) configured to interact with one end of a fluid expansion tank to seal the fluid expansion tank, and the outer surface (24A) has a symbol; and a plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D) which is mounted on the cap (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) above the outer surface (24A) with a retaining element (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D), wherein an opening (72A, 72B, 72C, 72D) is defined in the plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D) through which the symbol is visible, wherein the plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D) can be removed by detaching or separating the retaining element (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D) from the cap (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), and wherein the plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D) further has a predetermined breaking point (90A, 90B, 90C, 90D) near the retaining element (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D) to facilitate decoupling of the plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D) from the retaining element (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D), wherein the predetermined breaking point (90A, 90B, 90C, 90D) of the plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D) is relatively thinner than an adjacent area of ​​the plate (70A, 70B, 70C, 70D).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section serves the purpose of providing a general overview of the context of the disclosure. Neither the work of the inventors currently named, to the extent described in this section, nor those aspects of the description that could not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are expressly or implicitly recognized as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cap of a brake fluid expansion tank configured to interact with one end of the brake fluid expansion tank for a motor vehicle.

[0003] Vehicles contain a brake fluid reservoir that stores brake fluid. This reservoir is sealed with a cap. Regulatory authorities require that various pieces of information be included on the cap. The required information varies across different jurisdictions. Therefore, depending on where the vehicle is to be sold, different brake fluid reservoir caps with varying information must be used.

[0004] KR 10 1 455 171 B1 discloses a tamper-evident double cap for a container, the double cap comprising an outer cap and an inner cap. The outer cap serves an aesthetic purpose and facilitates handling, while the inner cap seals the container. Part of the outer cap is designed as a transparent window. Through this transparent window, information, such as text, located on the underlying inner cap is visible from the outside. SUMMARY

[0005] A closure assembly comprises a cap having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the inner surface having an interface configured to interact with one end of a fluid reservoir to seal the fluid reservoir, and the outer surface having a symbol. The closure assembly further comprises a plate mounted above the outer surface on the cap by a retaining element, the plate having an opening through which the symbol is visible. The plate can be removed by detaching or separating the retaining element from the cap. The plate further has a predetermined breaking point near the retaining element to facilitate decoupling the plate from the retaining element, the predetermined breaking point of the plate being relatively thinner than an adjacent area of ​​the plate.

[0006] According to further characteristics, the symbol on the outer surface of the cap is a brake fluid symbol.

[0007] According to further features, the closure arrangement is that of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cap further comprises a “Check Operator’s Manual” symbol and a “DOT-4” text.

[0008] According to further characteristics, the plate contains a warning text on an outer surface of the plate.

[0009] According to further features, the retaining element is a first retaining element, wherein the closure arrangement further includes a second retaining element opposite the first retaining element, the second retaining element mounting the plate on the cap.

[0010] According to further features, the cap also includes a knob projecting from the outer surface of the cap, the knob being configured to interact with an inner surface of the plate to restrict the rotation of the plate relative to the cap.

[0011] According to further features, the cap also includes a pin protruding from the outer surface of the cap, and defines on its outer circumference a receptacle configured to couple with the pin to restrict the rotation of the plate relative to the cap.

[0012] According to further characteristics, the retaining element is a fastening element that extends through a plate opening in the plate and is inserted into a cap opening in the cap.

[0013] According to further characteristics, the retaining element is a bolt that protrudes from the outer surface of the cap, the bolt being formed integrally with the cap.

[0014] According to further features, the bolt contains a head and a pin, with the plate being rotatable around the pin.

[0015] The present disclosure also includes, according to various features, a closure arrangement comprising: a cap having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the inner surface having an interface configured to interact with one end of a motor vehicle brake fluid reservoir to close the reservoir, and the outer surface having a brake fluid symbol; and a plate mounted on the cap above the outer surface by means of a retaining element that is in contact with both the plate and the cap, the plate being rotatable about the retaining element, the plate having a warning text on an outer surface, and the plate defining an opening through which the brake fluid symbol is visible. The plate can be removed by removing or detaching the retaining element from the cap.

[0016] According to further characteristics, the retaining element is formed in one piece with the cap.

[0017] According to further features, the retaining element is a first retaining element, wherein the closure arrangement further includes a second retaining element opposite the first retaining element, the second retaining element mounting the plate on the cap.

[0018] According to further characteristics, the retaining element is a first fastening element that extends through a plate opening defined by the plate and into a cap opening defined by the cap.

[0019] According to further features, a second fastening element extends through the plate and works together with the cap.

[0020] Further features include a knob protruding from the outer surface of the cap, the knob being configured to interact with an inner surface of the plate to restrict the rotation of the plate relative to the cap.

[0021] According to further features, the cap also includes a pin protruding from the outer surface of the cap, and defines on its outer circumference a receptacle configured to couple with the pin to restrict the rotation of the plate relative to the cap.

[0022] The present disclosure further includes, according to various features, a closure arrangement comprising: a cap having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, wherein the inner surface includes an interface configured to interact with an end of a motor vehicle brake fluid reservoir to close the brake fluid reservoir, and wherein the outer surface has a brake fluid symbol; a plate mounted on the cap above the outer surface with a retaining element that is in contact with both the plate and the cap, wherein the plate can be rotated about the retaining element and the plate has a warning text on an outer surface of the plate, and wherein the plate defines an opening through which the brake fluid symbol is visible;A predetermined breaking point in the plate near the retaining element to facilitate decoupling of the plate from the retaining element, wherein the predetermined breaking point of the plate is relatively thinner than an adjacent area of ​​the plate; and an anti-rotation surface projecting from the outer surface of the cap, wherein the anti-rotation surface is configured to interact with the plate to restrict rotation of the plate relative to the cap. The plate can be removed by removing or detaching the retaining element from the cap.

[0023] According to further characteristics, the retaining element is formed in one piece with the cap.

[0024] Further applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings. The detailed description and the specific examples serve only for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present revelation is more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings; they show: Fig. 1A a perspective view of a first closure arrangement according to the present disclosure, wherein the first closure arrangement comprises a cap and a plate mounted on the cap; Fig. 1B a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1A, which runs along line 1B-1B from Fig. 1A is shown; Fig. 1C a perspective view of the cap of Fig. 1A, where the plate was removed from there; Fig. 2A a perspective view of a second closure arrangement according to the present disclosure, wherein the second closure arrangement comprises a cap and a plate mounted on the cap; Fig. 2B a cross-sectional view along line 2B-2B of Fig. 2A; Fig. 2C a top view of the second closure assembly, with the plate rotated relative to the cap; Fig. 3A a perspective view of a third closure arrangement according to the present disclosure, wherein the third closure arrangement comprises a cap and a plate mounted on the cap; Fig. 3B a cross-sectional view along line 3B-3B of Fig. 3A; Fig. 3C a top view of the third closure assembly, with the plate rotated relative to the cap; Fig. 4A a perspective view of a fourth closure arrangement according to the present disclosure, wherein the fourth closure arrangement comprises a cap and a plate mounted on the cap; and Fig. 4B a perspective view of the cap of the fourth closure assembly, with the plate not interacting with the cap.

[0026] Reference symbols can be used multiple times in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present disclosure relates to a closure arrangement, such as a fluid reservoir. The closure arrangement can be configured to interact with one end of any suitable fluid reservoir, such as a brake fluid reservoir of a motor vehicle. The closure arrangement can also be configured for non-automotive uses.

[0028] Regulatory authorities require that various pieces of information be printed on the cap of a brake fluid reservoir. The required information varies by jurisdiction. For example, the required information to be printed on a brake fluid reservoir for a vehicle to be sold in the United States may differ from the required information to be printed on a brake fluid reservoir for a vehicle to be sold in the United Kingdom or elsewhere outside the United States. Traditionally, selecting the correct cap for use on a vehicle has been a complicated process.The present disclosure provides a locking arrangement that incorporates information from several different jurisdictions, thereby enabling the locking arrangement of the present disclosure to be installed in a vehicle regardless of the jurisdiction in which the vehicle is to be sold. The locking arrangement of the present disclosure thus simplifies assembly and reduces assembly time.

[0029] The Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. Figure 1C shows a first closure arrangement 10A according to the present disclosure. The closure arrangement 10A is configured to close an expansion tank of any suitable fluid, such as brake fluid. The closure arrangement 10A is configured for use in both automotive and non-automotive applications.

[0030] The first locking assembly 10A generally comprises a cap 20A and a plate 70A, which is detachably mounted to the cap 20A by any suitable retaining elements, such as the retaining elements 60A. As described herein, both the cap 20A and the plate 70A contain various pieces of information printed on them in the form of text and / or symbols. The plate 70A may contain text relevant to a first jurisdiction, such as that of the United States, and the cap 20A may contain text relevant to a second jurisdiction, such as that of the United Kingdom. In situations where the first locking assembly 10A is fitted to a vehicle intended for sale in the second jurisdiction, the plate 70A is removed from the cap 20A to expose the information on the cap 20A.

[0031] The cap 20A generally contains an inner surface 22A ( Fig. 1B), an outer surface 24A opposite the inner surface 22A, and a side surface 26A. The inner surface 22A includes an interface 30A configured to interact with one end of a motor vehicle brake fluid reservoir to seal the reservoir. The side surface 26A may include various concave and convex faces to facilitate gripping the cap 20A.

[0032] The outer surface 24A of the cap 20A contains information and / or warnings relevant to a specific jurisdiction. For example, outer surface 24A specifically refers to Fig. 1C includes a brake fluid symbol 40A, located approximately in the center of the outer surface 24A. The symbol shown is an internationally recognized symbol. Alternatively, any other suitable symbol may be included. The outer surface 24A also includes a text field 42A, which may contain any text, such as "DOT4," relevant to a particular jurisdiction. It may also include any other suitable symbols, such as a "Check Operator's Manual" symbol 44A, which is generally understood as an instruction for an operator to check the operator's manual for additional information. The symbols and texts shown in the figures on the outer surface 24A are examples only. The outer surface 24A may be configured with any other suitable symbols and texts relevant to a particular jurisdiction.The cap 20A further includes cap openings 50A, which are defined by the cap 20A and extend from the outer surface 24A into the cap 20 and are configured to accommodate retaining elements 60A for attaching the plate 70A to the cap 20A, as further described herein.

[0033] Plate 70A defines an opening 72A and includes an outer surface 74A and an inner surface 76A opposite outer surface 74A. When plate 70A is mounted on cap 20A, opening 72A is aligned with the brake fluid symbol 40A, such that the brake fluid symbol is visible through opening 72A. Printed information and / or warnings relevant to a specific jurisdiction in which the vehicle may be sold are located on outer surface 74A. For example, outer surface 74A may contain two areas 80A of text. In one of the areas 80A, the text may be printed in a primary language, such as English, and in the other area 80A, the text may be printed in a secondary language, such as French. An example of wording in English might include the following: “WARNING: CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE REMOVING. ONLY USE DOT4 FLUID FROM A SEALED CONTAINER.” This wording could, for example,It will also be printed in French.

[0034] Plate 70A defines plate openings 82A, which are aligned with the cap openings 50A. Plate 70A is mounted on cap 20A such that the inner surface 76A faces the outer surface 24A of cap 20A. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1A-1C, the plate 70A is mounted to the cap 20A by the retaining elements 60A. The plate 70A can be mounted to the cap 20A in any other suitable manner, such as as described here with respect to the closure arrangements 10B, 10C, and 10D. The retaining elements 60A each comprise a head 62A and a body 64A. Retaining tabs 66A project from the body 64A. The retaining tabs 66A extend from the body 64A to the head 62A at an angle to facilitate holding the body 64A within the cap opening 50A. In the example shown, two of the retaining elements 60A are included, which prevent the plate 70A from rotating relative to the cap 20A. Adjacent to the plate openings 82A, plate 70A defines predetermined breaking points 90A, which are areas of plate 70 that are relatively thinner than the surrounding areas of plate 70A. As will be explained later, the predetermined breaking points 90A facilitate the removal of plate 70A.In addition to the predetermined breaking points, which are in . Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, additional predetermined breaking points may be included on the sides of the retaining elements 60A opposite the predetermined breaking points 90A, and the additional predetermined breaking points may generally run perpendicular to the predetermined breaking points 90A and to the plate openings 82A.

[0035] In jurisdictions where the text contained in area 80A is required, the locking assembly 10A is installed on a vehicle, with plate 70A mounted to cap 20A. When plate 70A is mounted to cap 20A, the brake fluid symbol 40A is visible through opening 72A in plate 70A, but text box 42A and symbol 44A are obscured by plate 70A. In jurisdictions where the text in text box 42A and symbol 44A are required instead of the text in area 80A, plate 70A is detached from cap 20A before installing the locking assembly 10A. Plate 70A can be detached from cap 20A in any suitable manner. For example, retaining elements 60A can be removed. One or both of the retaining elements 60A can be cut in any suitable manner, such as with any suitable cutting device.If only one of the retaining elements 60A is cut, the plate 70A can be separated from the predetermined breaking point 90A, which is opposite the cut retaining element 60A, in order to completely remove the plate 70A. The plate 70A can also be cut at the predetermined breaking points 90A without cutting the retaining elements 60A.

[0036] The Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. Figure 2C shows another closure arrangement 10B according to the present disclosure. The closure arrangement 10B is similar to the closure arrangement 10A, and therefore features of the closure arrangement 10B that are identical to or similar to the features of the closure arrangement 10A are designated in the drawings with the same reference numerals, but with the suffix "B" instead of "A". Unless otherwise specified, the description of the closure arrangement 10A with respect to identical or similar features also applies to the closure arrangement 10B.

[0037] Unlike the closure assembly 10A, the closure assembly 10B contains only a single retaining element 60B. The retaining element 60B can be identical to the retaining element 60A or any other suitable retaining or fastening element. In the example shown, the retaining element 60B comprises a head 62B and a body 64B. The body 64B includes a tab suitable for holding the body 64B within the cap opening 50B. In some applications, the body 64B may include retaining tabs 66A. The retaining element 60B extends through the plate opening 82B, and the plate 70B is able to rotate around the body 64B. The rotation of the plate 70B is restricted by a retaining knob 92B. The retaining knob 92B projects from the outer surface 24B of the cap 20B. The retaining knob 92B is dimensioned and shaped to interact with a receptacle 94B on the inner surface 76B of the plate 70B in order to restrict the rotation of the plate 70B.

[0038] In jurisdictions where the text contained in area 80B is required, the locking assembly 10B is fitted to a vehicle with plate 70B mounted to cap 20A, which covers the outer surface 24B. When plate 70B is mounted to cap 20B, the brake fluid symbol 40B is visible through opening 72B in plate 70B, but text box 42B and symbol 44B are obscured by plate 70B. In jurisdictions where the text in text box 42B and symbol 44B are required instead of the text in area 80B, plate 70B is detached from cap 20B before the locking assembly 10B is installed. Plate 70B may be detached from cap 20B in any suitable manner. For example, plate 70B may be, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2C, the retaining element 60B can be rotated, and the plate 70B can be broken off at the predetermined breaking point 90B by applying force to the plate 70B. An additional predetermined breaking point 90B', extending to the plate opening 82B, facilitates the removal of the plate 70B in its entirety. The retaining element 60B can also be cut using any suitable cutting device, or the retaining element 60B can be removed in any other suitable manner.

[0039] The Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. Figure 3C shows another closure arrangement 10C according to the present disclosure. The closure arrangement 10C is similar to the closure arrangement 10A and the closure arrangement 10B, and thus features of the closure arrangement 10C that are identical to the features of the closure arrangement 10A and the closure arrangement 10B are indicated in the drawings with the same reference numerals, but with the suffix “C” instead of “A” or “B”. With respect to identical or similar features, unless otherwise specified, the descriptions of the closure arrangement 10A and the closure arrangement 10B also apply to the closure arrangement 10C.

[0040] The cap 20C contains a pin 92C instead of the retaining knob 92B. The pin 92C is dimensioned, shaped, and arranged to interact with a receptacle 94C defined on an outer circumference of the plate 70C. The interaction between the pin 92C and the receptacle 94C restricts the rotation of the plate 70C relative to the cap 20C.

[0041] In jurisdictions where the text contained in area 80C is required, the locking assembly 10C is installed on a vehicle with plate 70C mounted to cap 20C, which covers the outer surface 24C. When plate 70C is mounted to cap 20C, the brake fluid symbol 40C is visible through opening 72C in plate 70C, but text box 42C and symbol 44C are obscured by plate 70C. In jurisdictions where the text in text box 42C and symbol 44C are required instead of the text in area 80C, plate 70C is detached from cap 20C before installation of the locking assembly 10C. Plate 70C may be detached from cap 20C in any suitable manner. For example, plate 70C may be, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3C, the retaining element 60C can be rotated, which involves releasing the pin 92C from the receptacle 94C, whereby the plate 70C can be broken off by applying force to the plate 70C at the predetermined breaking point 90C. An additional predetermined breaking point 90C', extending to the plate opening through which the retaining element 60C extends, facilitates the removal of the plate 70C as a whole. The retaining element 60C can also be cut using any suitable cutting device, or the retaining element 60C can be removed in any other suitable manner.

[0042] The Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows a further closure arrangement 10D according to the present disclosure. The closure arrangement 10D is similar to the closure arrangement 10A, the closure arrangement 10B, and the closure arrangement 10C. Therefore, features of the closure arrangement 10C that are identical or similar to the features of the closure arrangements 10A, 10B, and 10C are indicated in the drawings with the same reference numerals, but with the suffix "D" instead of "A," "B," or "C." With respect to identical or similar features, unless otherwise specified, the descriptions of the closure arrangements 10A, 10B, and 10C also apply to the closure arrangement 10D.

[0043] With particular reference to Fig.4B The retaining elements 60D are formed in one piece with the cap 20D. More precisely, the retaining elements 60D are first formed so that they contain the bodies 64D (which are bolts in this example) but not the heads 62D. To attach the plate 70D to the retaining elements 60D, the plate 70D is inserted over the bodies 64D (or bolts) so that the bodies 64D (or bolts) extend through the plate openings 82C defined by the plate 70D. Subsequently, the bodies 64D (or bolts) are flattened using any suitable process to form the heads 62D over the plate 70D. The heads 62D fasten the plate 70D to the cap 20D. The heads 62D can be formed in any suitable manner. For example, the heads 62D can be formed by any suitable welding process, such as sonic welding.To remove plate 70D, the retaining elements 60D can be cut in any suitable manner, for example with any suitable cutting tool. Plate 70D can also be released at the predetermined breaking points 90D.

[0044] In jurisdictions where the text contained in area 80D is required, the locking assembly 10D is installed on a vehicle with plate 70D mounted to cap 20D, which covers the outer surface 24D. When plate 70D is mounted to cap 20D, the brake fluid symbol 40D is visible through opening 72D in plate 70D, but text box 42D and symbol 44D are obscured by plate 70D. In jurisdictions where the text in text box 42D and symbol 44D are required instead of the text in area 80D, plate 70D is detached from cap 20D before the locking assembly 10C is installed. Plate 70D may be detached from cap 20D in any suitable manner, such as by separating the retaining elements 60D with any suitable cutting device.

[0045] The preceding description is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The comprehensive teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in various forms. While this disclosure contains specific examples, the true scope of protection of the disclosure should therefore not be so limited as to reveal other modifications upon study of the drawings, the description, and the following claims. It is to be understood that one or more steps within a process may be carried out in a different order (or overlapping in time) without altering the principles of the present disclosure.Although each of the embodiments described above has been described with specific features, one or more of these features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure may also be implemented in any of the further embodiments and / or combined with its features, even if this combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with each other remain within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0046] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, such as "connected," "interlocking," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "arranged." Unless explicitly described as "direct," when a relationship between a first and a second element is described in the disclosure above, this relationship can be a direct relationship in which no further intervening elements exist between the first and the second element, or it can be an indirect relationship in which one or more intervening elements (either spatial or functional) exist between the first and the second element.As the expression "at least one of A, B and C" is used here, it should be interpreted as meaning a logical (A OR B OR C) using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be interpreted as meaning "at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C".

[0047] In the diagrams, the direction of an arrow, indicated by its tip, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such as data or commands) that is relevant for illustration. For example, if element A and element B exchange various pieces of information, but the information transferred from element A to element B is relevant for the illustration, the arrow may point from element A to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no further information is sent from element B to element A. Furthermore, element B may send requests or acknowledgments of the information sent from element A to element B to element A.

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