Wheel nut caps

Abstract

This wheel nut cap offers a simple structure that allows for easy confirmation of the tightening status of wheel nuts, improving inspection efficiency while also enhancing decorative appeal, design, and workability. [Solution] The wheel nut cap comprises a first member 11 having a main body 110 that surrounds the side of the nut around its axis and is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and is fitted onto the nut so as to rotate integrally with the nut, and a locking portion 111B that protrudes outward from one end of the main body; a second member 121 that is attached to one end of the first member and has an opening and a notch 120B formed from the opening edge of the opening, and has a cover portion that covers one end; a third member 13 that is filled with a liquid and a visual indicator portion 131A with a specific gravity different from the liquid, and is fixed in contact with the cover portion of the second member so as to close the opening and the notch; and a fourth member 14 that is formed in an annular shape and fixed so as to be rotatable integrally with the second member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a wheel nut cap.

Background Art

[0002] Each wheel of a vehicle is attached to the vehicle body by fitting the wheel of the wheel onto hub bolts and tightening wheel nuts onto the hub bolts. At this time, the wheel nuts need to be tightened to an appropriate torque value, and it is important to manage the tightening torque value (tightening torque management).

[0003] Tightening torque management is carried out not only during regular maintenance but also during daily inspections such as pre-operation inspections and in-operation inspections. In daily inspections, as a check of the tightening state of the wheel nuts, visual inspection of the appearance (visual inspection) such as the presence or absence of looseness and confirmation by tapping sound (tapping sound confirmation) are performed. In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique capable of detecting abnormalities such as loosening of wheel nuts by a sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, visual inspection and tapping sound confirmation may depend on the inspector's rules of thumb and knowledge, etc., and there may be variations in inspection accuracy. In addition, visual inspection and tapping sound confirmation need to be performed for each wheel nut, which also has the problem of taking time and effort. Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a sensor and a device that communicates with the sensor are required, so the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases.

[0006] Incidentally, commercial vehicles such as trucks, especially large commercial vehicles, have more wheels than passenger cars, and consequently, the number of wheel nuts also increases. Wheel nuts are sometimes fitted with wheel nut caps to protect them. In addition to protecting the wheel nuts, there is a growing need for decorative and design-oriented wheel nut caps.

[0007] Some large commercial vehicles have four wheels on each side, and each of these wheels is fastened with, for example, 10 wheel nuts. Wheel nut caps are also attached to each wheel nut, and the task of aligning the design of these wheel nut caps is not easy.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a wheel nut cap that has a simple structure, allows for easy confirmation of the tightening status of wheel nuts, improves inspection efficiency, enhances decorative appeal and design, and improves workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This disclosure is made to solve at least some of the aforementioned problems and can be implemented in the following embodiments or applications.

[0010] The wheel nut cap according to this application example is a wheel nut cap that is detachably attached to a wheel nut fastened to a hub bolt for fixing a wheel to a vehicle body, and comprises a main body that surrounds the side surface of the wheel nut around its axis and is formed in a cylindrical shape with open ends, and is fitted onto the wheel nut so as to rotate integrally with the wheel nut when rotated in the loosening direction, which is the rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the hub bolt and the wheel nut are fastened, and a locking portion that protrudes outward from one end of the main body that is located on the side opposite to the wheel. The invention is characterized by comprising: one member; a second member attached to the one end of the first member and having an opening formed at a position opposite to the tip of the hub bolt and a notch formed from the opening edge of the opening, and having a cover portion that covers the one end; a third member filled with a liquid and a visual indicator portion with a specific gravity different from the liquid, which serves as an indicator of the position of the notch, and fixed in contact with the cover portion of the second member to close the opening and the notch; and a fourth member formed in an annular shape and having an engaging portion on its inner circumferential surface that engages with the locking portion, and fixed integrally with the second member so as to be rotatable.

[0011] According to this application example, after attaching the wheel nut cap to the wheel nut, rotating the second member causes the third member, which is fixed to the second member, to rotate integrally, adjusting it so that the visual indicator portion of the third member is positioned in the notch of the second member. In other words, by positioning (rotating) the notch using the visual indicator portion as a guide, the third member is adjusted to the optimal position. Furthermore, when multiple wheel nut caps are attached to each wheel nut, if the multiple wheel nuts are tightened to the hub bolts with the correct torque, the orientation of the third member is uniform overall. However, if some wheel nuts rotate in the loosening direction and become loose, the first and second members rotate integrally with the wheel nuts, resulting in variations in the orientation of the third member. Therefore, inspection accuracy can be kept constant without relying on the inspector's experience or knowledge, and it is possible to visually determine whether or not a wheel nut is loose with a simple structure. Furthermore, by positioning the notch using the visual indicator as a guide, the design portion of the third member can be adjusted, thereby enhancing the overall decorative and aesthetic appeal. This allows for easy confirmation of the tightening status of the wheel nuts with a simple structure, improving inspection efficiency while also enhancing decorative and aesthetic appeal and workability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a partial side view showing the area around the wheel of a vehicle having a wheel equipped with a wheel nut cap according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the wheel nut cap according to this embodiment, as seen from arrow A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the wheel nut cap according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram (1) illustrating the configuration of the wheel nut cap according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram (2) illustrating the configuration of the wheel nut cap according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to what is described below, and can be modified and implemented as such without altering its essence. Hereinafter, "vehicle height direction" refers to the vertical direction of the vehicle, and "vehicle width direction" refers to the left-right direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, in this embodiment, "rotation" means turning by human power, and "rotation" means turning by means other than human power.

[0014] Figure 1 is a partial side view showing the area around the wheel 3 of a vehicle 1 having a wheel 4 equipped with a wheel nut cap 10 according to this embodiment. The vehicle 1 equipped with the wheel nut cap 10 in this embodiment is a large commercial vehicle such as a truck having a cabin 2. Note that the vehicle 1 is not limited to a truck, but may also be a bus, passenger car, or other type of vehicle. Note that a part of the vehicle 1 is omitted in Figure 1.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the wheel nut cap 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "cap 10") is attached to the wheel 4 of the wheel 3 of the vehicle 1. More specifically, the cap 10 is detachably attached to the wheel nut 6 (shown by the dashed line in Figure 1; hereinafter also referred to as "nut 6") which is fastened to the hub bolt 5 (shown by the dashed line in Figure 1; hereinafter also referred to as "bolt 5"). The bolt 5 and nut 6 are provided for attaching the wheel 4 to the vehicle body frame (body) 7 of the vehicle 1.

[0016] In this embodiment, the wheel 3 of the vehicle 1 is attached to the vehicle frame 7 using eight (or more) bolts 5 and nuts 6 per wheel 4 of the wheel 3. A cap 10 is detachably attached to each of these bolts 5 and nuts 6. That is, eight caps 10 are provided on the wheel 4 in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view seen from arrow A in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cap 10. As shown in Figure 3, the cap 10 is composed of four members: a first member 11, a second member 12, a third member 13, and a fourth member 14.

[0018] Note that the "tip side (one end side)" is the position on the side opposite to the wheel 4 when the cap 10 is attached, and the "base end side (the other end side)" is the position on the side of the wheel 4 when the cap 10 is attached. Also, the direction along the axis R direction is defined as the full height direction D of the cap 10. In Figure 2, when the nut 6 rotates in the fastening direction, it moves toward the base end side along the axis R, and the nut 6 is fastened to the bolt 5. On the other hand, when the nut 6 rotates in the direction opposite to the fastening direction, it moves toward the tip side along the axis R, and the nut 6 loosens. The direction in which the nut 6 rotates in the direction opposite to the fastening direction is referred to as the "loosening direction". In this embodiment, the fastening direction is the clockwise direction, and the loosening direction is the counterclockwise direction.

[0019] Next, the structure of the cap 10 will be described using Figures 2 and 3.

[0020] The first member 11 is composed of a cylindrical main body portion 110 with both ends open, a mounting portion 111 provided on the tip side of the main body portion 110, and a shoulder portion 112 connecting the main body portion 110 and the mounting portion 111.

[0021] The main body portion 110 is formed so as to surround the side surface of the nut 6 around the axis R. The main body portion 110 has a size and shape that can surround the side surface of the nut 6 around the axis R. Specifically, the size of the main body portion 110 is formed such that the inner diameter of the main body portion 110 is larger than the outer diameter of the nut 6 so that it can be fitted to the side surface around the axis R of the nut 6. Also, the shape along the circumferential direction around the axis R of the main body portion 110 is a shape corresponding to the circumferential shape around the axis R of the nut 6, which is a hexagonal shape in this embodiment.

[0022] The main body part 110 has a narrow part 110A formed at the end on the proximal end side. The narrow part 110A is a part where the inner diameter of the main body part 110 is formed smaller (narrower) than other parts, and is formed, for example, over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis R. The narrow part 110A is in contact with the side surface on the proximal end side of the nut 6.

[0023] The mounting part 111 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends open and is arranged coaxially with the bolt 5 and the nut 6. The mounting part 111 is formed with a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the main body part 110.

[0024] On the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 111, a protruding part 111A that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface is provided at a substantially central position in the entire height direction D of the mounting part 111. The protruding part 111A is formed in an annular shape and has a function of preventing the second member 12 from coming off the first member 11 by engaging with the narrow part 121A of the second member 12 described later.

[0025] On the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 111 on the tip side from the protruding part 111A, a locking part 111B that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface is provided. The locking part 111B of the present embodiment is formed of an elastic member such as a spring, for example, and is arranged to face and engage with the engaging part 14A of the fourth member 14 described later. The locking part 111B has a function of restricting the rotation of the fourth member 14 in the circumferential direction around the axis R of the fourth member 14 and locking the fourth member 14 at the rotated position.

[0026] The shoulder part 112 is inclined so as to rise from the upper edge on the tip side of the main body part 110 and is connected to the lower edge on the proximal end side of the mounting part 111. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the inner peripheral surface of the shoulder part 112 is the upper surface of the nut 6 on the upper side in the entire height direction D, and is in contact with the outer peripheral end of the upper surface.

[0027] The first member 11 is designed so that the narrow portion 110A of the main body 110 abuts against the side surface of the nut 6, and the shoulder portion 112 abuts against the upper surface of the nut 6, making it less likely to shift relative to the nut 6 and allowing it to rotate integrally with the nut 6. The inner circumferential surface of the first member 11 is separated from the nut 6 except for the parts of contact between the narrow portion 110A and the shoulder portion 112.

[0028] The second member 12 is a member that covers the tip-side opening of the mounting portion 111 of the first member 11. As shown in Figure 2, the second member 12 is a lid whose cross-section along the axis R is formed in a substantially inverted U shape. The second member 12 is cylindrical in shape with a plate-shaped cover portion 120, and its base end is open.

[0029] The second member 12 consists of a disc-shaped cover portion 120 and a cylindrical skirt portion 121 extending downward (towards the base end) in the overall height direction D from the outer circumference of the cover portion 120.

[0030] The cover portion 120 has an opening 120A that penetrates in the axial direction R at a position opposite to the tip of the bolt 5, and a notch portion 120B formed radially outward from the opening edge of the opening 120A.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the opening 120A is substantially circular in shape and is formed to have a smaller diameter than the cover portion 120. The notches 120B are substantially rectangular in shape and are formed in multiple locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis R. In this embodiment, four notches are formed at 90-degree intervals. The opening edge of the opening 120A and the edges of the notches 120B are chamfered on the upper side in the overall height direction D.

[0032] The skirt portion 121 is formed to be slightly larger than the overhang length of the protruding portion 111A of the first member 11 and is positioned outward relative to the mounting portion 111. The skirt portion 121 has a narrowed portion 121A formed at its base end. The narrowed portion 121A is a part of the skirt portion 121 whose inner diameter is smaller (narrowed) than other parts, and is formed, for example, around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction about the axis R. The narrowed portion 121A engages with the overhang portion 111A of the first member 11 to prevent the second member 12 from coming off the first member 11.

[0033] The third member 13 is interposed between the first member 11 and the second member 12 in the overall height direction D, and is a member that closes the opening 120A and the notch 120B of the second member 12. The third member 13 is a cylindrical transparent member and is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the skirt portion 121 of the second member 12. As shown in Figure 2, the third member 13 is fixed with an adhesive or the like in surface contact with the inner surface (base end side surface) of the cover portion 120 of the second member 12. In this embodiment, it is formed to be about the same size as the inner diameter of the first member 11 and to fit inside the first member 11. The third member 13 has a sealed space 131 inside.

[0034] The space 131 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is sized to close the opening 120A and the notch 120B of the second member 12. The space 131 is filled with a liquid, such as alcohol or water, and is in a state where the space 131 is filled with liquid. The liquid contains a visual indicator 131A. The visual indicator 131A is an indicator that has a lower specific gravity (different specific gravity) than the liquid filling the space 131, such as a bubble (air) or a float. Because the visual indicator 131A has a lower specific gravity than the liquid, it floats in the opposite direction to gravity. The liquid filling the space 131 may be a colored liquid. In this embodiment, the space 131 is filled with colored water, and a bubble is used as the visual indicator 131A.

[0035] The tip surface of the third member 13 is configured to be exposed to the outside through the opening 120A and notch 120B of the second member 12 while the third member 13 is fixed to the first member 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the tip surface of the third member 13 is provided with a design section 13A, which is visually decorated, such as letters or a logo. The arrangement of the design section 13A will be described later.

[0036] The fourth member 14 is interposed radially between the mounting portion 111 of the first member 11 and the skirt portion 121 of the second member 12, and is formed in an annular shape. As shown in Figure 2, the fourth member 14 is fixed in a state where its outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the skirt portion 121 are in surface contact. As shown in Figure 3, the inner circumferential surface of the fourth member 14 has a ratchet-shaped (sawtooth-shaped) engaging portion 14A that extends continuously around its entire circumference.

[0037] Here, by engaging the engaging portion 14A of the fourth member 14 with the locking portion 111B of the first member 11, the rotation of the second member 12, to which the fourth member 14 is fixed, in the circumferential direction around the axis R can be appropriately restricted, and the second member 12 can be locked in the rotated position. Furthermore, since the engaging portion 14A is formed in a ratchet shape, it can rotate in one direction around the axis R, and the locking portion 111B can lock the second member 12 in a predetermined position. Moreover, a click sensation can be obtained when it is rotated. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 14A can rotate clockwise, which is the same as the fastening direction of the nut 6.

[0038] Next, the adjustment of the cap 10 will be explained using Figures 4 and 5.

[0039] Figure 4 shows the cap 10 immediately after being attached to the nut 6, which has been tightened to the correct torque, as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Figure 5 shows the cap 10 in Figure 4 after it has been adjusted. Note that the direction of gravity in Figures 4 and 5 is the direction of vehicle height.

[0040] Here, the reference axis P0 is a straight line passing through the center of the visual indicator section 131A and the center of the second member 12. Since the visual indicator section 131A has a lower specific gravity than a liquid, it is floating in the opposite direction to gravity, that is, in this embodiment, at the upper end in the height direction of the third member 13. The notch axis P1 is a straight line passing through the approximate center in the circumferential direction of the notch section 120Ba (120B), which is located on the upper end side with respect to the vehicle height direction, and the center of the second member 12, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, the design section 13A of the third member 13 is visually decorated so that it is optimally positioned (for example, horizontally) when the notch axis P1 and the reference axis P0 coincide.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, immediately after attaching the cap 10 to the nut 6, the notch axis P1 is tilted clockwise in a plan view relative to the reference axis P0. At this time, the design portion 13A of the third member 13 is tilted clockwise in a plan view, similar to the notch axis P1.

[0042] Furthermore, when the notch axis P1 is tilted, as shown in the enlarged view of section X in Figure 4, the visual indicator section 131A of the third member 13 is almost invisible from the notch 120Ba of the second member 12. Therefore, as shown in the enlarged view of section Y in Figure 5, the second member 12 is rotated in one direction using the visual indicator section 131A as an indicator to adjust it so that the visual indicator section 131A is positioned in the notch 120Ba (the notch axis P1 coincides with the reference axis P0). This also adjusts the design section 13A of the third member 13 to its optimal position.

[0043] Similarly, each cap 10 attached to each bolt 5 and nut 6 that secures the wheel 4 can be adjusted.

[0044] Here, when the second member 12 is rotated in one direction, the first member 11 is configured not to rotate integrally with the second member 12. On the other hand, when the nut 6 rotates in the loosening direction, the first member 11 and the second member 12 rotate integrally with the nut 6 in the loosening direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment). The third member 13 and the fourth member 14 are fixed to the second member 12, so they rotate integrally with the second member 12. In other words, when the nut 6 rotates in the loosening direction, the orientation of the design portion 13A of the third member 13 also shifts.

[0045] Therefore, after the caps 10 attached to each nut 6 are adjusted, the orientation of the design portion 13A becomes uniform throughout, enhancing the overall aesthetic appearance of the wheel 4. In this state, if some of the nuts 6 rotate in the loosening direction, the notch axis P1 will be tilted in the loosening direction from the reference axis P0, and the design portion 13A will also be tilted in the loosening direction. As a result, by checking the orientation of the design portion 13A of each cap 10 on each wheel 4, it becomes possible to visually confirm that the nuts 6 are loose.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the wheel nut cap 10 is attached to the nut 6 and the second member 12 is rotated, the third member 13 fixed to the second member 12 also rotates integrally, adjusting the visual indicator portion 131A of the third member 13 to be positioned in the notch portion 120B of the second member 12. In other words, by positioning (rotating) the notch portion 120B using the visual indicator portion 131A as an indicator, the design portion 13A of the third member 13 is adjusted to the optimal position. Furthermore, when the cap 10 is attached to multiple nuts 6, when the multiple nuts 6 are fastened with the appropriate torque, the orientation of the design portion 13A of the third member 13 is uniform overall. However, when some of the nuts 6 rotate in the loosening direction and become loose, the first member 11 and the second member 12 rotate integrally with the nuts 6, resulting in variations in the orientation of the design portion 13A of the third member 13. Therefore, inspection accuracy can be maintained at a consistent level without relying on the inspector's experience or knowledge, and it is possible to visually determine whether the nut 6 is loose or not with a simple structure. Furthermore, by positioning the notch 120B using the visual indicator section 131A as an indicator, the design section 13A of the third member 13 can be adjusted, thereby enhancing the overall decorative and design aspects. As a result, the tightening status of the wheel nuts can be easily checked with a simple structure, improving inspection efficiency, enhancing decorative and design aspects, and improving workability.

[0047] This concludes the description of embodiments of the present invention. However, the specific configurations shown in these embodiments are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those shown in these embodiments.

[0048] In this embodiment, each wheel 4 is attached to the vehicle frame 7 using eight bolts 5 and nuts 6, but each wheel may be attached to the vehicle frame using ten bolts and nuts. For example, in the case of a passenger car, each wheel may be attached to the vehicle frame using four or five bolts and nuts.

[0049] In this embodiment, multiple notches 120B are formed, but it is sufficient to have at least one. For example, when the design portion of the third member is adjusted to the optimal position with the hole cap attached to the wheel, the notch may be provided at the upper or lower end in the vehicle height direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, the visual indicator portion 131A is an indicator with a specific gravity lower than the liquid in which it is filled, but for example, an indicator with a specific gravity higher than the liquid may also be used. If the visual indicator portion is an indicator with a specific gravity higher than the liquid, the visual indicator portion will sink in the direction of gravity. Therefore, it is preferable that the position of the notch portion of the second member be located below the point where the straight line passing through the notch portion and the center of the second member is vertical.

[0051] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the fourth member 14 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the skirt portion 121 of the second member 12. However, it may also be fixed to the outer circumferential edge of the base end surface of the third member with an adhesive or the like.

[0052] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 14A of the fourth member 14 is ratchet-shaped, but for example, the engaging portion may be made into an uneven surface with alternating peaks and valleys. If it is made into an uneven surface, the second member to which the fourth member is fixed can rotate in both directions around the axis R, and a clicking sensation can be obtained when it rotates. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1 vehicle 2 cabins 3 wheels 4 wheels 5. Hub bolts (bolts) 6. Wheel nuts (nuts) 7. Body frame 10 Wheel nut caps (caps) 11 First component 110 Main body 110A narrow part 111 Mounting part 111A Overhang 111B Locking part 112 Shoulder 12 Second Member 120 Cover section 120A opening 120B Notch 121 Skirt section 121A Narrow area 13 Third Member 13A Design Department 131 Space section 131A Visual indicator section 14 Fourth member 14A Engagement part D Overall height direction P0 Reference axis P1 Notch axis R axis

Claims

[Claim 1] A wheel nut cap that is detachably attached to a wheel nut fastened to a hub bolt for securing a wheel to a vehicle body, A first member having a main body that surrounds the side surface of the wheel nut around its axis and is formed in a cylindrical shape with open ends, and is fitted onto the wheel nut so as to rotate integrally with the wheel nut when rotated in a loosening direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the hub bolt and the wheel nut are fastened, and a locking portion that protrudes outward from one end of the main body that is located opposite the wheel, A second member is attached to the one end of the first member and has an opening formed at a position opposite to the tip of the hub bolt, and a notch formed from the opening edge of the opening, and has a cover portion that covers the one end. A liquid and a visual indicator portion with a specific gravity different from the liquid, which is used as an indicator for the position of the notch, are filled in, and a third member is fixed in contact with the cover portion of the second member so as to close the opening and the notch, A fourth member is formed in an annular shape, has an engaging portion on its inner circumferential surface that engages with the locking portion, and is fixed integrally with the second member so as to be rotatable. Equipped with, A wheel nut cap characterized by the following features.

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