초록 ▼

A fuel cap10maintains high sealing even when subjected to external force; is easy to operate; and requires minimal space for accommodation. The cap device comprises a casing body20for closing the filler opening FNb in a sealed condition, a cover40, a handle45, a clutch mechanism60and a torque transm

A fuel cap10maintains high sealing even when subjected to external force; is easy to operate; and requires minimal space for accommodation. The cap device comprises a casing body20for closing the filler opening FNb in a sealed condition, a cover40, a handle45, a clutch mechanism60and a torque transmission mechanism80. By upraising the handle to the handling position and applying rotational torque, rotational torque is transmitted to the casing body20via the clutch mechanism60and the torque transmission mechanism80, closing the filler opening FNb. The handle45lowers back to the retracted position when released, whereupon the clutch mechanism60assumes non-transmission mode wherein the cover40and the handle45rotate freely if subjected to external force such as in a collision.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cap device comprising a cap configured to open and close a tank opening, the cap comprising: a closer for closing the tank opening with air-tight sealing at a closing position; a handle mechanism having a handle, the handle being switchable between a handling position and a retracted posit

1. A cap device comprising a cap configured to open and close a tank opening, the cap comprising: a closer for closing the tank opening with air-tight sealing at a closing position; a handle mechanism having a handle, the handle being switchable between a handling position and a retracted position, the handling position being a position allowing a user to operate the handle to open and close the closer, the retracted position being a position in which the tank opening is closed, the handle in the handling position being configured to project outwardly from an upper portion of the closer a greater distance than the handle is in the retracted position; and an interconnecting mechanism, provided between the handle mechanism and the closer, for transmitting to the closer rotational torque in a closing direction and opening direction when the rotational torque is applied to the handle mechanism, wherein the interconnecting mechanism comprises a clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism setting the interconnecting mechanism in a transmission mode and a non-transmission mode, the transmission mode being a mode wherein the rotational torque in the closing direction and the opening direction is transmitted from the handle to the closer when the handle is placed in the handling position, the non-transmission mode being mode wherein the rotational torque in the opening direction is prevented from transmitting from the handle to the closer and the handle mechanism rotates freely in the opening direction when the handle is placed in the retracted position. 2. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to set the interconnecting mechanism in the transmission mode in the closing direction when the handle is placed in the retracted position.3. The cap device according to claim 2, wherein the clutch mechanism comprises a first clutch unit for transmitting the rotational torque to the closer to close the tank opening in both the handling position and the retracted position; and a second clutch unit for transmitting the rotational torque to the closer to open the tank opening when the handle is placed in the handling position.4. The cap device according to claim 3, wherein the handle mechanism comprises a cover covering the interconnecting mechanism; and an axial support mechanism for pivotably supporting the handle, the support mechanism being configured to allow pivotal operation of the handle between the handling position and the retracted position relative to the cover.5. The cap device according to claim 4, wherein the axial support mechanism comprises an urging mechanism for urging the handle towards the retracted position.6. The cap device according to claim 5, wherein the urging mechanism comprises a cam having a cam face; and a resilient cam support piece for producing urging force towards the retracted position by pressing the cam face as the handle is rotated.7. The cap device according to claim 6, wherein the urging mechanism is configured such that the urging force is greater at proximity to the retracted position than at handling position.8. The cap device according to claim 7, wherein the clutch mechanism comprises a clutch member, a clutch urging mechanism including a cam face formed on the handle and a clutch spring that presses the clutch member, the clutch urging mechanism being configured such that when the handle is moved from the retracted position to the handling position, the clutch member is pushed via the cam face and switched to the transmission mode; and when the handle is moved from the handling position to the retracted position, the clutch member is switched to be urged by the clutch spring to the non-transmission mode. 9. The cap device according to claim 8, wherein the interconnecting mechanism comprises a torque transmission mechanism having a torque member for transmitting the rotational torque to the closer, the torque member being configured such that the rot ational torque in the closing direction transmitted from the clutch mechanism is maintained less than a predetermined level.10. The cap device according to claim 9, wherein the clutch spring is a resin spring integrally formed with the torque member.11. The cap device according to claim 9, wherein the clutch spring comprises a resin spring integrally formed with the clutch member.12. The cap device according to claim 11, wherein the clutch springs is configured to generate a pressing force greater at proximity to the handling position than at proximity to the retracted position.13. The cap device according to claim 12, wherein the clutch spring is configured to press the torque member while the torque member is kept at a predetermined position relative to the closer.14. The cap device according to claim 13, wherein the clutch spring comprises an arm formed as a cantilever piece having a first and second ends arranged coplanar with the torque member, the first end of the arm being supported on the torque member; and a pushing protrusion that extends from the second end of the arm, the clutch spring being configured to produce pressing force when the pushing protrusion is pressed by the clutch member.15. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the handle mechanism comprises a spring for pressing the handle to move to the retracted position when the handle is released from the handling position.16. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the closer comprises a casing body for sealing the tank opening, the casing body having a casing interlocking portion for interlocking with an opening interlocking portion formed on a filer neck via rotation of the casing body by a predetermined angle; and the handle mechanism having a cover, the cover rotatably mounted on the casing body and pivotally supporting the handle. 17. The cap device according to claim 16, wherein the interconnecting mechanism comprises (i) a torque plate with a torque plate interlocking portion; and a casing interlocking portion formed on an upper portion of the casing body and engaging and disengaging with the torque plate interlocking portion, and the handle comprises a cam, wherein the interconnecting mechanism is configured such that movement of the cam shifts the torque plate to change the interconnecting mechanism between the transmission mode and the non-transmission mode. 18. The cap device according to claim 17, further comprising a spring disposed between the torque plate and the casing body, the spring being configured to press the torque plate and the casing body towards the non-transmission mode.19. The cap device according to claim 18, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever piece extending integrally from the torque plate, the cantilever piece having an end for pressing the casing body.20. The cap device according to claim 19, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever piece extending integrally from an upper portion of the casing body, the cantilever piece having an end for pressing the torque plate.