JP6697940B2 - Locking device for fuel tank cap - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel tank cap locking device for locking or unlocking the opening and closing of a cap for closing a fuel filler opening leading to a fuel tank.

  Usually, a fuel filler is provided in the upper portion of the fuel tank in a large motorcycle, and a cap that can be opened and closed by moving the fuel filler between a closed position in which the fuel filler is closed and an open position, There is proposed a lock device for locking or unlocking the opening and closing of the cap. For example, as a conventional fuel tank cap locking device, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operation knob that allows the cap to be opened and closed by an operator, and an operation knob that restricts the operation of the operation knob, An example of the device includes a lock unit that prohibits the opening operation.

JP, 2005-75308, A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, when the operation of the operation knob is restricted by the lock means, if the operation knob is erroneously and strongly operated, an overload occurs and the operation knob or the lock means is damaged. There was a risk that it would end up. If the operation knob is damaged, it becomes difficult to open the refueling port, and there is a problem that refueling cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and prevents an overload from damaging the operating means even if the operating means is operated while the operation of the operating means is restricted by the locking means. It is to provide a lock device for a fuel tank cap that can be used.

The invention according to claim 1 is a cap that can be opened and closed by moving an oil filler port that opens and closes a fuel filler port that communicates with a fuel tank of a vehicle by opening and closing the fuel filler port. An operating unit, a locking position that can be interlocked with the operation of the operating unit, and that holds the state in which the cap closes the oil supply port, and a permission that releases the locking and allows the opening operation of the cap. Locking means operating between the locking position and the locking position of the locking means from the locking position to the allowable position, or releasing the lock to lock the locking means from the locking position to the allowable position. A locking device for a fuel tank cap, comprising: locking means capable of allowing operation, comprising a damper spring interposed between the operating means and the locking means, the locking means being the locking means. In the locked state, a damper means is provided which can absorb the operating force of the operating means without transmitting it to the locking means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the locking device for a fuel tank cap according to claim 1, which has a return spring for urging the locking means into locking position from said allowable position, the return spring, the damper The spring constant is smaller than the spring constant of the spring.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the locking device for a fuel tank cap according to claim 2, wherein the return spring and the damper spring is characterized in that it is arranged to extend in the same axial direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank cap locking device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a transmitting means that can be carried by a driver and that transmits a vehicle-specific ID code, and a vehicle side And receiving means for receiving the ID code from the transmitting means, and determining means for determining whether or not the ID code received by the receiving means is authentic in the vehicle, Only when the determination means determines that the regular ID code is received, the lock can be released by the lock means.

  According to the invention of claim 1, when the locking means locks the locking means, the damper means is provided which can absorb the operating force of the operating means without transmitting the operating force to the locking means. Even if the operation means is operated in a state where the operation of the means is restricted, it is possible to prevent damage due to overload.

Further , since the damper means is composed of a damper spring interposed between the operating means and the locking means, even when the operation of the operating means is restricted by the locking means, the operating force of the operating means is applied by the damper spring. Can be surely absorbed.

According to the invention of claim 2 , the return spring for urging the locking means from the allowable position to the locking position is provided, and the return spring is set to have a spring constant smaller than the spring constant of the damper spring. Even when the operation of the operating means is restricted by the locking means while improving the operability of the operating means, the operating force of the operating means can be reliably absorbed. In other words, the return spring can be operated to improve the operability in a state where the operation of the operating means by the locking means is not restricted, and the damper spring can be operated in the state where the operation of the operating means is restricted by the locking means. Is operated to reliably absorb the operating force of the operating means and prevent overload.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the return spring and the damper spring are arranged so as to extend in the same axial direction. Therefore, when the operation of the operating means by the locking means is not restricted, the operating means is the return spring. The operating force of the operating means can be surely received and actuated, and when the operation of the operating means is restricted by the locking means, the damper spring can surely receive the operating force of the operating means to operate.

According to the invention of claim 4 , a transmitting means which can be carried by the driver and transmits an ID code unique to the vehicle, a receiving means which is arranged on the vehicle side and can receive the ID code from the transmitting means, The lock means is provided with a determining means for determining whether or not the ID code received by the receiving means is authentic in the vehicle, and only when the determining means determines that the authentic ID code is received. Since it is possible to perform the lock release by the third party, it is possible to prevent a third party from unlocking by the lock means illegally, and it is possible to improve the crime prevention property.

The top view and side view which show the locking device of the fuel tank cap which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a lock device for the fuel tank cap (a non-operating state of the operating means). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lock device of the fuel tank cap (operating state of operating means). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the lock device for the fuel tank cap (operating state of operating means). The perspective view which shows the attachment structure of the lock means in the lock device of the same fuel tank cap. Sectional drawing which shows the locking means in the locking device of the same fuel tank cap. A perspective view showing a lock bar and a holding member in the lock means. Sectional drawing which shows the locking device of the same fuel tank cap (it is a VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 1, a locking means is a lock, an operating means is a non-operating state, a cap is a closed position) Sectional drawing which shows the locking device of the same fuel tank cap (locking means is unlocking, operating means is in operating state, cap is in closed position) Sectional drawing which shows the lock device of the same fuel tank cap (locking means is unlocking, operating means is in operating state, cap is in open position) Sectional drawing which shows the locking device of the same fuel tank cap (locking means is locked, operating means is in operating state, cap is in closed position) Block diagram showing the wiring state of the lock device of the fuel tank cap

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
The fuel tank cap locking device according to the present embodiment locks or unlocks the opening and closing of the cap for closing the fuel filler opening leading to the fuel tank in a large motorcycle, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, It has a cap 1, an operation knob 2 (operation means), a locking means 3, a locking means 4, a return spring 8 and a damper spring 9 (damper means). The above-mentioned components are arranged in the main body R and are accommodated in the accommodating member T in which the oil supply port Ta is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an annular cover portion H is fixed to the upper portion of the main body portion R with a plurality of bolts B.

  The cap 1 can move between a closed position (see FIG. 8) that closes the fuel filler port Ta that communicates with the fuel tank of the vehicle and an open position (see FIG. 10) that opens and closes the fuel filler port Ta. Thus, it is composed of the upper cap portion 1a and the lower cap portion 1b. In the present embodiment, when the operator such as a driver picks up the operation knob 2 by hand and pulls it upward, the cap 1 swings around the swing shaft La and moves from the closed position to the open position. The refueling port Ta can be exposed to the outside.

  A retaining space for accommodating the locking means 3, the operating piece 10, the return spring 8 and the damper spring 9 is formed between the upper cap portion 1a and the lower cap portion 1b, and the locking means 3 is also formed. Can slide between the locking position and the allowing position in the accommodation space. A cushion member 11 is attached to the upper cap portion 1a at a position corresponding to the operation knob 2, so that interference with the operation knob 2 with respect to the upper cap portion 1a can be alleviated.

  The operation knob 2 (operation means) is formed on the upper surface of the cap 1 (upper cap portion 1a), and can be rocked about the rocking axis Lb by being operated by the operator. That is, the operation knob 2 according to the present embodiment is in the closed state (see FIG. 2) in the non-operation state, and when the operator pulls it upward by hand, it swings about the swing axis Lb, It is configured so that it can be moved to the open position (see FIG. 3) from the closed position to the open position.

  In particular, the present embodiment has an operating piece 10 that is operated by operating the operating knob 2, and a damper spring 9, which will be described in detail later, is attached between the operating piece 10 and the locking means 3. ing. Further, a return spring 8 composed of a coil spring for urging the locking means 3 from the allowable position to the locking position is attached between the locking means 3 and the lower cap portion 1b. It is configured to resist the biasing force of the return spring 8 when the means 3 moves from the locked position to the allowed position. As shown in FIG. 4, the return spring 8 and the damper spring 9 are arranged so as to extend in the same axial direction A. When the operating knob 2 is operated, the damper spring 9 receives the operating force. Is transmitted to the locking means 3, and the return spring 8 can receive the moving force when the locking means 3 slides.

  Further, the return spring 8 is set to have a spring constant smaller than that of the damper spring 9, and the return spring 8 is a softer spring than the damper spring 9. As a result, when the operating knob 2 is operated in the unlocked state in which the locking means 3 is not locked by the locking means 4, the operating force is transmitted to the locking means 3 via the operating piece 10 and the damper spring 9. Therefore, the locking means 3 moves against the biasing force of the return spring 8 and moves from the locking position to the allowable position.

  The locking means 3 is capable of being interlocked with the operation of the operation knob 2, and is in a locking position (see FIGS. 8 and 11) in which the cap 1 holds the state where the cap 1 blocks the oil supply port Ta, and releases the locking. The cap 1 is moved between the cap 1 and an allowable position (see FIGS. 9 and 10) that allows the cap 1 to open. More specifically, the locking means 3 according to the present embodiment is slidable in a substantially straight line in the working space formed between the upper cap portion 1a and the lower cap portion 1b, When in the position, the locking portion 3a at the tip is locked to the locked portion Ha formed on the cover H to restrict the movement of the cap 1 from the closed position to the open position, and the operation knob 2 is operated. When it is in the allowed position, the locking portion 3a is separated from the locked portion Ha to be unlocked, and the cap 1 is allowed to move from the closed position to the open position.

  The locking means 4 can lock the operation of the locking means 3 from the locking position to the allowable position, or release the lock to allow the operation of the locking means 3 from the locking position to the allowable position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the solenoid 5, the lock bar 6, and the holding member 7 are included. The solenoid 5 has a plunger 5a that can be displaced by energization and a spring 5b that urges the plunger 5a in the protruding direction. In the present embodiment, the unlocking means 17 including a switch or the like attached to the vehicle is used. (Refer to FIG. 12) and is electrically connected by turning on the lock releasing means 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to 11, the lock bar 6 includes a fitting recess 6a into which the convex connecting portion 3b formed in the locking means 3 can be fitted, and a substantially central position of the fitting recess 6a. It is configured to have an insertion hole 6b formed penetrating downward and a concave groove portion 6c extending in the axial direction in the lower portion. A support pin 12 biased upward by a spring or the like (not shown) is attached to the main body portion R, and when the locking means 3 is in the allowable position by operating the operation knob 2, as shown in FIG. In addition, the support pin 12 supports the connecting portion 3b to prevent the locking means 3 from moving downward.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the holding member 7 is made of a component in which the lock bar 6 is fitted and held, is slidable in the axial direction of the lock bar 6, and has a solenoid at a predetermined position. An insertion hole 7a is formed so that the No. 5 plunger 5a can be inserted therethrough. Then, when the solenoid 5 is in a non-operated state (a state in which it is not energized), as shown in FIG. It is fitted, and as shown in FIG. 8, the movement of the holding member 7 and the lock bar 6 is restricted so that the locking means 3 is locked at the locking position.

  When the solenoid 5 is energized by turning on the unlocking means 17, the plunger 5a moves against the urging force of the spring 5b, and the projecting end of the plunger 5a is separated from the insertion hole 7a to release the fitting. As shown in FIG. 6B, the locking of the locking means 3 is released, and the holding member 7 and the lock bar 6 are allowed to move. When the operation knob 2 is operated in this state (unlocked state), as shown in FIG. 9, the locking means 3 interlocks and slides from the locked position to the allowable position against the biasing force of the return spring 8. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the cap 1 can be rocked from the closed position to the open position for oil supply.

  Further, when the cap 1 is swung from the open position to the closed position and the hand is released from the operation knob 2, the locking means 3 slides from the allowable position to the locking position by the urging force of the return spring 8, and the locking portion 3a is locked to the locked portion Ha, and swinging of the cap 1 from the closed position to the open position is restricted. At this time, since the energization of the solenoid 5 is stopped, when the holding member 7 returns to the locked position together with the lock bar 6, the projecting end of the plunger 5a is inserted into the insertion hole 7a and held by the biasing force of the spring 5b. The movement of the member 7 is restricted. As a result, the movement of the lock bar 6 together with the holding member 7 is restricted, and the locking means 4 is locked by the locking means 4.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the locking means 4 locks the locking means 3, the damper spring 9 (damper means) that can absorb the operating force of the operation knob 2 without transmitting it to the locking means 3. Are arranged. The damper spring 9 is composed of a coil spring interposed between the operation knob 2 (actuation piece 10) and the locking means 3, and when the operation knob 2 is operated, the operation force is applied to the operation piece 10 and the damper. It is adapted to be transmitted to the locking means 3 via the spring 9.

  As described above, the return spring 8 is set to have a spring constant smaller than that of the damper spring 9. Therefore, when the operating knob 2 is operated while the locking means 4 is in the unlocked state, the locking means 3 is provided. Moves from the locking position to the permissible position, and the return spring 8 is actuated and compressed so that the locking means 3 is naturally returned to the locking position when the operation knob 2 is released. ing.

  Further, when the operation knob 2 is operated while the locking means 4 is in the locked state, the operation of the locking means 3 from the locked position to the allowable position is restricted, so that the damper spring 9 is compressed as shown in FIG. Thus, the damper spring 9 can absorb the movement of the operating piece 10 due to the operating force. That is, when the operating knob 2 is operated while the locking means 4 is in the locked state, the damper spring 9 is operated and compressed while holding the locking means 3 in the locking position, so that the operating force of the operating knob 2 is reduced. It can be absorbed at 9.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle applied to the present embodiment is provided on the vehicle side with a transmitting means 13 that can be carried by a driver and that transmits an ID code specific to the vehicle by transmitting it on a radio wave. The receiving means 14 is capable of receiving the ID code from the transmitting means 13, and the determining means 15 for determining whether or not the ID code received by the receiving means 14 is authentic in the vehicle. The control signal is transmitted to the ECU 16 to permit the engine start under the condition that the determination unit 15 determines that the regular ID code is received.

  The determining means 15 according to the present embodiment is electrically connected to the unlocking means 17, and the unlocking by the locking means 4 is performed only when the determining means 15 determines that the regular ID code is received. It is configured to be performed. That is, when the determination unit 15 determines that the regular ID code is received, the lock release unit 17 is turned on to unlock the lock unit 4 and allow the lock unit 3 from the locked position. When the determination means 15 does not determine that the regular ID code is received while permitting the movement to the position, even if the lock release means 17 is turned on, the lock release operation by the lock means 4 is not performed. It has become.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when the locking means 4 locks the locking means 3, the damper spring 9 (damper means) that can absorb the operating force of the operation knob 2 without transmitting it to the locking means 3 is provided. Therefore, the operation of the operation knob 2 is restricted by the locking means 4 (specifically, the movement of the locking means 3 from the locking position to the allowable position is restricted by the locking means 4 so that the operation knob 2 is controlled). Even if the operation knob 2 is operated in a state where the operation of (1) is restricted), it is possible to prevent damage due to overload. Particularly, since the damper means according to the present embodiment is composed of the damper spring 9 interposed between the operation knob 2 and the locking means 3, even when the operation of the operation knob 2 is restricted by the locking means 4. The operating force of the operating knob 2 can be reliably absorbed by the damper spring 9.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the return spring 8 for urging the locking means 3 from the allowable position to the locking position is provided, and the return spring 8 is set to have a spring constant smaller than the spring constant of the damper spring 9. Therefore, the operability of the operation knob 2 can be improved and the operation force of the operation knob 2 can be reliably absorbed even when the operation of the operation knob 2 is restricted by the lock means 4. That is, in a state where the operation of the operation knob 2 by the lock means 4 is not restricted (the lock means 4 is in the unlocked state), the return spring 8 can be operated to improve the operability, and the operation by the lock means 4 can be performed. In a state where the operation of the knob 2 is restricted (the locking means 4 is in the locked state), the damper spring 9 can be operated to reliably absorb the operating force of the operating knob 2 to prevent overload.

  Furthermore, since the return spring 8 and the damper spring 9 according to the present embodiment are arranged so as to extend in the same axial direction A, the return spring 8 is provided in a state where the operation of the operation knob 2 by the locking means 4 is not restricted. The operation force of the operation knob 2 can be reliably received and operated by, and when the operation of the operation knob 2 by the locking means 4 is restricted, the operation force of the operation knob 2 is surely made by the damper spring 9. It can be operated by receiving it.

  Furthermore, a transmitting means 13 that can be carried by the driver and transmits an ID code unique to the vehicle, a receiving means 14 that is arranged on the vehicle side and can receive the ID code from the transmitting means 13, and the receiving means 14 The determining means 15 for determining whether or not the ID code received in step 1 is a legitimate one in the vehicle, and the locking means is provided only when the determining means 15 determines that the legitimate ID code is received. Since the lock can be unlocked by the third party 4, it is possible to prevent a third party from unlawfully unlocking by the lock means 4, and it is possible to improve the crime prevention property.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the operation knob 2, the driver or the like operates the locking means 3 to operate between the locking position and the allowance position. Other types of operating means capable of being performed (for example, a swinging type, a sliding type or a rotating type, etc.) may be used. Further, instead of the damper spring 9, when the locking means 4 locks the locking means 3, another mode in which the operating force of the operating means such as the operating knob 2 can be absorbed without being transmitted to the locking means 3. It may be used as a damper means. Note that the vehicle to be applied may be a buggy, a snow vehicle, etc., as well as an automobile or a two-wheeled vehicle.

A damper comprising a damper spring interposed between the operating means and the locking means, and capable of absorbing the operating force of the operating means without transmitting it to the locking means when the locking means locks the locking means. The lock device of the fuel tank cap provided with the means can be applied to those having different external shapes or those having other functions.

1 Cap 1a Upper cap part 1b Lower cap part 2 Operation knob (operation means)
3 Locking means 3a Locking part 3b Connecting part 4 Locking means 5 Solenoid 5a Plunger 5b Spring 6 Lock bar 6a Fitting recess 6b Insertion hole 6c Groove 7 Holding member 7a Insertion hole 8 Return spring 9 Damper spring (damper means)
10 Actuating Piece 11 Cushion Member 12 Support Pin 13 Transmitting Means 14 Receiving Means 15 Judging Means 16 ECU
17 Lock Release Means T Storage Member Ta Filling Port H Cover Part Ha Locked Part R Main Body Part

Claims (4)

A cap that can be opened and closed by moving between a closed position where the fuel filler opening leading to the fuel tank of the vehicle is closed and an open position where the fuel filler opening is opened,
An operation means that can be operated by the operator,
Between a locking position that is capable of interlocking with the operation of the operating means and that holds the state in which the cap closes the oil supply port, and an allowable position that releases the locking and allows the opening operation of the cap. Locking means that operates with
Locking means that locks the operation of the locking means from the locking position to the allowable position, or releases the lock to allow the operation of the locking means from the locking position to the allowable position,
A lock device for a fuel tank cap, comprising:
The damper spring is interposed between the operating means and the locking means, and when the locking means locks the locking means, the operating force of the operating means is transmitted to the locking means. A lock device for a fuel tank cap, which is provided with a damper means that can absorb the fuel without being absorbed. And has a return spring for urging the locking means into locking position from said allowable position, the return spring, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is set to a small spring constant than the spring constant of the damper spring Lock device for fuel tank cap. The lock device for a fuel tank cap according to claim 2, wherein the return spring and the damper spring are arranged so as to extend in the same axial direction. A transmitting means that can be carried by the driver and transmits an ID code unique to the vehicle,
Receiving means arranged on the vehicle side and capable of receiving the ID code from the transmitting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the ID code received by the receiving means is authentic in the vehicle;
Provided with a, only when the determination means has determined that it has received the ID code of the normal, in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it can perform unlocking by the locking means Locking device for the described fuel tank cap.

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