Filler cap for tank

The invention relates to a lid, in particular gas cap, with a handle part for handling the lid when screwing in and out in and out of a nozzle as well as with an engagement part for engagement of the cover in the neck, said handle portion and engaging portion about a locking device are connected, the configured such is that they in screwing the handle part after overcoming a detent resistance of a detent position relative to the engagement part with a reduced can continue to turn rotational resistance.

For closing a tank filler neck, the prior Technology Tankdeckel known that a handle part to Handling the filler cap when screwing in and out in or have from the filler neck and an engaging member, the to screw the fuel cap in the filler neck is inserted and expanded by screwing with the filler neck a positive connection is received. This can in the form of a threaded fastener or a bayonet closure happen.

When closing the filler neck using the Tankdekkels it is important that the tank cover the intended reaches end position, so that the tank against fuel loss is sealed. For this purpose, it is required that the Operator receives a signal from which they close can that the end position is actually reached.

In the prior art it is known for this purpose, handle portion and engaging part of a locking device to another Connect, which is designed such that it in the unscrewing blocked in the screw but the Handle part after overcoming a detent resistance from further rotation of the locking position relative to the engagement part leaves. The locking resistance is adjusted so that the engaging member when the lid is screwed to the end position is taken, the resistance feels so much is lower. can When reaching the end position the handle part, by overcoming the detent resistance be rotated further. Here are several, closely spaced run over locking recesses so that a rattling Noise is produced which show the user acoustically is intended that the end position is reached. also haptic learns the user thanks to rapid change of itself erhöhendem and humiliating rotational resistance information about the fact that the end position reached is.

In this type of latching device, a high abrasion arises the catch members, of the one in the function such cover is usually present pressure and vacuum relief valve can affect. Therefore, different made suggestions, reaching the end position by a single optical or acoustic display signal (see DE 203 08 736 U1;. DE 203 08 737 U1). Apart from the fact that the mechanism for generating the Signals is relatively complicated, is the use of a such lid requires a certain attention.

The invention has the object of providing a cover to make the aforementioned type so that it constructively is easily formed and the user nevertheless upon reaching the end position a secure feeling it indicates that it provided the union with the lid in the Way has closed.

This object is achieved in that the locking device only a single locking position and in that a stop for limiting the angle of rotation of the handle part, after overcoming the latching resistance is provided. This design gets the User information for reaching the end position, by the fact that initially the resistance in order Overcoming the detent resistance increases, but then again drops and the handle part against a stop starts and is thereby prevented from further rotation. This combination of resistance increase, drag reduction and blocking gives the user a clear, haptic signal acting testifying that he end position the has reached. This signal is independent of the audible and visual environment, so it can not covered by noise, or under unfavorable be overlooked lighting conditions. In addition, a Such latching connection between the handle part and engagement part be produced in a mechanically simple manner and low wear subject.

The angle of rotation between the locking position and stop position should be so large that the reduction in rotational resistance after overcoming the detent resistance palpable becomes. He should therefore expediently least 10 °, better at least be 15 °. Excessive rotation angle however, should be avoided in order not to the impression awaken, the lid was broken.

The locking device should on the one hand at least one Catch recess and the other hand at least one in or from or to the latching depression (s) movable run Catch member, said the or the detent member (s) in Toward the associated (n) latching depression (s) with a Spring is acted upon or are. It is fundamentally engagement part side of no importance whether the catch depression (s) or handle part side provided or are and, accordingly, the locking member or the (E) to the respective another part is performed or are. As constructively expedient has been found that the or the locking organ (s) is guided at least substantially radially or are. However, this does axial mobility of Catch member and thus maintain a given direction the associated latching depression (s) are not enough.

In a further embodiment of the invention, that the detent depression (s) at least substantially radially Inside is open and are and that and the locking member (s) applied radially outwards with the spring is or are. This allows a particularly compact Construction to. There is the possibility, the latching recess (es) einzuformen in a locking ring, in which a Guide member with the or the guided therein detent member (s) borders. The stop may be of the locking ring protrude inward.

According to the invention is also proposed that a further Stop is provided, the rotational movement of the Handle part in the unscrewing direction relative to the engagement part blocked. Although such a blockage can also of a combination of locking organ (s) and catch depression (s) be made. relieves An additional stop However, the locking device and can be formed robust , so that damage to the latching device avoided out of the socket during the unscrewing of the cap becomes.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention proposed that a resetting device for automatically Turning back the handle portion from an unlatched Position is provided in the locking position. A Such resetting device ensures that the handle part after overcoming the detent resistance in the Detent position is automatically reset when the User releases the handle part, in particular when the handle portion has further rotated up to the stop. In this way it is avoided that the handle portion after leaving the locking position in a non-fixed State. In addition, a possibly irritating idle avoided when the lid to be rotated out of the socket.

The reset means may expediently a spring have that during further rotation of the handle portion relative to the engagement part, preferably progressively applied, ie is stretched, whereby a voltage is sufficient which the handle portion reliably again in the Detent position returns. It can be a by the locking means act separate spring, against the the handle part when leaving the locking position starts. It is particularly advantageous for this purpose, the spring zoom pull that for already acting upon the or the locking member (s) toward the latching depression (s) is provided. This can be done by the fact that the Detent member or at least one of the catch members after leaving the latching depression (s) runs onto a ramp, which upon further rotation of the handle portion, such movement of or the detent member (s) against the action of Spring generates in that the handle part under the action of the Spring is automatically moved back into the locking position. The ramp so the spring on the locking member increasingly tense. If the handle part is released, slide the locking member due to the stress which then increasingly relaxing spring in the ramp Toward the latched position back.

In the drawing, the invention is by way of example illustrated in more detail. Show it:<dl tsize="7"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>the lid according to the invention in vertical section;</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>the lid of Figure 1 with an engaged Handle part in the horizontal section and</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>the lid in the representation of Figure 2 in entrasteter position of the handle portion.</dd></dl>

The illustrated in Figures 1 tank lid has a hat-shaped Handle part 2, whose outer shape designed so is that a protruding upward web is formed, can be gripped on which the fuel cap. 1 The handle portion 2 is fitted over an engaging part 3, which has a Engaging portion 4 has. The engagement portion 4 is shown on the outside with here in detail Engaging elements, such as a thread, provided, via the filler cap 1 in engagement with a corresponding Threads are placed in a tank neck can. The engaging portion 4 goes up in a horizontal radially outwardly bent collar 5, of the of the handle portion 2 by means of snap protrusions 6, 7 below summarizes. A seal ring 8 surrounds the transition between engaging portion 4 and collar 5 and is used to Sealing the back neck.

On the inside, the engaging portion 4 a tray 9, which forms a valve seat ring 10th The Tray 9 has openings in more detail here illustrated, via which a connection is made to the tank. On the valve seat ring 10 is a disk-shaped valve ring 11 on the top side. He is from the top through a first Valve plate 12 acted upon by a pressure stressed first valve spring 13 in the direction of the Valve seat insert is pressed 11th is from the bottom the valve ring 10 is acted upon by a second valve plate 14, which supported by a shell on the support 9, pressure claimed second valve spring 15 is pressed toward the valve ring 14th there is it so on the valve ring 14 to that it by him surrounded opening surrounded sealing. The second Valve spring 15 has a lower spring force than the first Valve spring. 13

At an overpressure of sides of the tank valve lift ring 10 and the valve plates 12, 14 against the action of the first Valve spring 13 from. In this manner, gas from the sealed with the lid 1 tank to the outside atmosphere drain, wherein in the engaging part 3 and the Handle portion corresponding channels and ports 2 available are. In the case of a negative pressure lifts the second valve disc 14 of the valve ring 11 against the Effect from the second valve spring 15, so that via the Opening in the valve ring 10 and a central opening in the first valve plate 12 can flow air into the tank.

In the engaging member 3 is inside a lower shell 16 rotatably clipped. based on this lower shell 16 the first valve spring 13 on the lower side from. The lower shell 16 has one of its upstanding locking ring 17. In the locking ring 17 protrudes from above a guide housing 18 in which the top side via upstanding coupling flags 19, 20 rotatably connected to the handle portion 2 connected is.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 2 and 3, , the guide housing 18 has a radially extending Guide channel 21 in which a locking member 22 radially is displaceably guided. The locking member 22 is subjected to a force by a compression spring 23rd The compression spring 23 is supported at one end on the locking member 22 and the other end on the guide housing 18 from. The locking member 22 has at its projecting out of the guide channel 21 end two detents 24, 25, in the direction of rotation of the guide housing 18 lie behind each other. The detents 24, 25 correspond with complementary shaped locking recesses 26, 27, on the inside of the locking ring 17 are formed. In addition, the locking ring 17 from the Inside radially inwardly projecting first and second stops 28, 29, the rotational mobility of the the guide housing 18 against the locking ring 17 limit.

Rast organ located in Figure 2 22 and locking recesses 26, 27 in the locking position, that the locking lugs 24, 25 snap into the locking recesses 26, 27th Handle portion 2 and engaging part 3 are then the catch of Locking member 22 and locking ring 17 as far rotatably together , in that the fuel cap 1 in a designated Tankstutzen be screwed up to its end position can. The insertion resistance to the end position is thereby substantially less than the locking resistance between Locking lugs 24 and 25 and locking recesses 26, 27. The screwing- is shown in Figures 2 and 3, a rotation of clockwise.

Achieved the fuel cap 1 its end position, is a further rotation of the engagement part 3 blocked. The user but try to continue rotating the handle part 3, because he is not sure if in fact the end position is reached. He overcomes the locking resistance the oblique surfaces of the latching lugs 24, 25 and the Locking recesses 26, 27. The locking member 22 is against the Action of the compression spring 23 inserted into the guide housing 18, so that the locking lug in the rotationally leading 24 runs onto a ramp 30 of the locking ring 17th These Ramp 30 has in relation to the rotational axis of the guide housing 18 is a smaller and smaller radius so that the locking member 22 with further rotation of the handle portion 2 correspondingly further into the guide housing 18 inserted and the compression spring 23 braced always higher becomes. Overall, however, the case is building up resistance to rotation substantially less than the detent resistance, to it during the extension of the locking lugs 24, 25 of the Locking recesses 26, had to be overcome 27th This is for the user clearly noticeable.

The lost motion of the handle part 2 relative to the engagement part is only up to the position shown in Figure 3 possible. In this position, a first projection strikes 31 of the guide housing 18 at the first stop 28 at. The combination of high locking resistance, low Idle resistance and blocking by the first stop 28 gives the user a clear, perceptible signal ensure that the disfigurement reliably achieved and a Further rotation is no longer necessary. He can then the handle part 2 los. The action of the pressure spring 23 is so strong that the detent 24 on the ramp 23 again slides in the direction of the detent recesses 26, 27 and so that the handle portion 2 to the locking position shown in Figure 2 is reset. Grasp the locking lugs 24, 25 then again in the locking recesses 26, 27 a. there proposes a second projection 32 at the second stop 29 at. Now, if the handle portion 2 in the unscrewing rotated (counterclockwise), the rotary motion is on the guide housing 18, the second projection 32 and the second stop 29 on the locking ring 17 and thus on the engagement part 3 and the engagement portion 4 transmitted. The detents 24, 25 are in this Way relieved of a torque transmission.