阅读说明：本技术 油箱盖结构及跨骑型车辆 (Fuel tank cap structure and straddle type vehicle ) 是由 神山刚 于 2019-05-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：抑制油箱盖的大型化、配置浮力充分的浮子的油箱盖结构及跨骑型车辆。油箱盖结构(41)具备盖主体(42)、把持部(45)、阀装置(47)及棘轮机构(55),阀装置具备呈以螺合轴(C1)为中心的筒状且收容浮子(49)的阀壳体(48)和呈比阀壳体细的前端变细的锥形状且朝向开口(47a)延伸的阀芯(49a),盖主体(42)具备呈以螺合轴为中心的筒状的筒状承接部(44a),在筒状承接部的外周面设有对保持于盖主体(42)与供油口部(37)之间的密封构件(70)进行承接的密封件承接部(78),在筒状承接部(44a)的内周面设有对插入筒状承接部(44a)的内周的阀装置(47)进行承接的阀承接部(77)。(A fuel tank cap structure and a straddle-type vehicle are provided in which a float having sufficient buoyancy is disposed while suppressing an increase in size of the fuel tank cap. The fuel tank cap structure (41) is provided with a cap main body (42), a holding portion (45), a valve device (47) and a ratchet mechanism (55), wherein the valve device is provided with a cylindrical valve housing (48) which takes a screw shaft (C1) as a center and accommodates a float (49), and a valve core (49a) which takes a tapered shape with a tip smaller than the valve housing and extends toward an opening (47a), the cap main body (42) is provided with a cylindrical receiving portion (44a) which takes a screw shaft as a center, a seal receiving portion (78) which receives a seal member (70) held between the cap main body (42) and an oil supply port portion (37) is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion, and a valve receiving portion (77) which receives the valve device (47) inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical receiving portion (44a) is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion (44 a).)

1. A structure of a fuel tank cap, wherein,

the fuel tank cap structure includes:

a cap body (42) that is screwed to the fuel filler opening (37) of the fuel tank (31) to close the fuel filler opening (38 a);

a grip portion (45) provided so as to be rotatable relative to the cover body (42) about a screw axis (C1);

a valve device (47) which opens and closes an opening (47a) that restricts the outflow of fuel by operating a float (49) in accordance with the fuel level position; and

a ratchet mechanism (55) provided between the grip part (45) and the cap body (42) and managing a screwing torque of the cap body (42),

the valve device (47) is provided with:

a valve housing (48) having a cylindrical shape centered on the screw shaft (C1) and accommodating the float (49); and

a valve body (49a) having a tapered shape with a tip thinner than the valve housing (48) and extending toward the opening (47a),

the cap main body (42) is provided with a cylindrical receiving part (44a) having a cylindrical shape with the screw shaft (C1) as the center,

a seal receiving portion (78) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion (44a), the seal receiving portion (78) receiving a seal member (70) held between the cap main body (42) and the oil supply port portion (37),

a valve receiving portion (77) is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion (44a), and the valve receiving portion (77) receives the valve device (47) inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical receiving portion (44 a).

2. The tank cap structure according to claim 1, wherein,

the valve device (47) is provided with a biasing member (52) that biases the float (49) in the direction in which the float (49) operates.

3. The tank cap structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the lid main body (42) is provided with a cylindrical main body extension part (44e), the main body extension part (44e) extends downwards along the screw shaft (C1) from the cylindrical receiving part (44a),

the valve housing (48) is provided with a cylindrical housing extension part (48k), the housing extension part (48k) extends upward along the screw shaft (C1) so as to overlap the main body extension part (44e) in the radial direction,

the fuel tank cap structure is further provided with a fastening member (90) that fastens a radially overlapping portion (89) of the main body extension portion (44e) and the housing extension portion (48k) from the radially outer side by the fastening member (90).

4. The tank cap structure according to claim 3,

the cap main body (42) includes two members, namely, a first member (81) having the cylindrical receiving portion (44a) and a second member (82) having the main body extension portion (44 e).

5. The tank cap structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the cap body (42) is provided with a screw cylinder (43), the screw cylinder (43) is positioned at the radial outer side of the cylindrical receiving part (44a), and a screw thread screwed with the oil supply opening part (37) is formed at the inner circumference of the screw cylinder (43),

the cylindrical receiving portion (44a) is located inside the fuel supply port (38a) beyond the upper end of the fuel supply port portion (37).

6. The tank cap structure according to claim 5, wherein,

the oil supply port portion (37) is a resin product,

the thread ridge is formed by a trapezoidal thread portion (43j) having a trapezoidal shape.

7. A saddle-ride type vehicle in which, in a saddle-ride type vehicle,

the straddle-type vehicle is provided with the tank cap structure (41) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a fuel tank cap structure and a straddle-type vehicle.

Background

Japanese Utility model application laid-open No. Hei 3-40977 discloses the following structure: an air hole is formed in a cap that closes a fuel supply port of the fuel tank, a float is disposed in the fuel tank, and a valve that closes the air hole of the cap at the rising position of the float is connected to the float (cap with float valve).

Japanese patent application laid-open No. Hei 6-40462 discloses the following structure: as a fuel tank cap (a cap for a resin tank) of a resin fuel tank, a ratchet mechanism that allows rotation in one direction is provided between an outer cap and an inner cap.

Disclosure of Invention

When the cap with the float valve and the cap for the resin tank are integrated, there is a problem that the tank cap is easily increased in size.

In the fuel tank cap structure including the float and the ratchet mechanism according to the aspect of the present invention, the float having sufficient buoyancy is disposed while suppressing an increase in size of the fuel tank cap.

(1) One aspect of the present invention provides a fuel tank cap structure including: a cap body 42 screwed to the filler opening 37 of the fuel tank 31 to close the filler opening 38 a; a grip portion 45 provided to be rotatable relative to the cap body 42 about a screw axis C1; a valve device 47 that opens and closes an opening 47a that restricts the outflow of fuel by operating a float 49 in accordance with the fuel level position; and a ratchet mechanism 55 provided between the grip portion 45 and the cap body 42 and managing a screwing torque of the cap body 42, the valve device 47 including: a valve housing 48 having a cylindrical shape centered on the screw axis C1 and accommodating the float 49; and a valve body 49a having a tapered shape whose tip is narrower than the valve housing 48 and extending toward the opening 47a, wherein the cap main body 42 includes a cylindrical receiving portion 44a having a cylindrical shape with the screw axis C1 as a center, a seal receiving portion 78 is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, the seal receiving portion 78 receives the seal member 70 held between the cap main body 42 and the fuel filler port 37, and a valve receiving portion 77 is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, and the valve receiving portion 77 receives the valve device 47 inserted into an inner periphery of the cylindrical receiving portion 44 a.

(2) In the tank cap structure, the valve device 47 may include a biasing member 52 that biases the float 49 in an operating direction of the float 49.

(3) In the above-described tank cap structure, the cap main body 42 may include a cylindrical main body extension portion 44e extending downward from the cylindrical receiving portion 44a along the screw axis C1, the valve housing 48 may include a cylindrical housing extension portion 48k extending upward along the screw axis C1 so as to overlap with the main body extension portion 44e in the radial direction, and the tank cap structure may further include a fastening member 90 fastening an overlapping portion 89 of the main body extension portion 44e and the housing extension portion 48k in the radial direction from the outside in the radial direction.

(4) In the above-described tank cap structure, the cap body 42 may include two members, i.e., a first member 81 having the cylindrical receiving portion 44a and a second member 82 having the body extension portion 44 e.

(5) In the above-described tank cap structure, the cap body 42 may include a screw tube 43, the screw tube 43 may be positioned radially outside the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, a thread formed on an inner periphery of the screw tube 43 may be screwed to the fuel filler port 37, and the cylindrical receiving portion 44a may be positioned inside the fuel filler port 38a beyond an upper end of the fuel filler port 37.

(6) In the above-described tank cap structure, the filler port portion 37 may be made of a resin material, and the thread may be formed by a trapezoidal thread portion 43j having a trapezoidal shape.

(7) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes the tank cap structure 41.

According to the structure of the above (1), the seal receiving portion that receives the seal member held between the cap body and the oil supply port portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion, whereby the seal member can be ensured in airtightness by the seal receiving portion, and the increase in the height direction of the tank cap can be suppressed. Further, by providing the valve receiving portion on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion, which receives the valve device inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical receiving portion, the advantage that the valve device can be positioned by the valve receiving portion can be obtained, and the increase in the height direction of the tank cap can be suppressed. That is, the airtightness of the seal member and the positioning of the valve device can be ensured by the inner and outer peripheries of the cylindrical receiving portion, and the increase in the height direction of the tank cap can be suppressed. Therefore, the float having sufficient buoyancy can be disposed while suppressing an increase in size of the tank cap.

According to the configuration of the above (2), since the valve device includes the biasing member that biases the float in the operating direction of the float, it is possible to prevent the fuel from leaking from the opening when the fuel tank is tilted.

According to the structure of the above (3), the tank cap structure further includes the fastening member that fastens the radially overlapping portion of the main body extension portion and the case extension portion from the radially outer side, thereby improving the vibration durability of the tank cap.

According to the structure of the above (4), the cap main body includes two members, i.e., the first member having the cylindrical receiving portion and the second member having the main body extending portion, thereby providing the following effects. The manufacturing easiness of the fuel tank cap and the improvement of the dimensional precision (the shrinkage of the resin thick wall part is prevented) are both achieved, and the productivity is improved.

According to the structure of the above (5), the cap main body includes the threaded cylinder which is located radially outside the cylindrical receiving portion and in which the thread to be screwed to the fuel filler opening is formed on the inner periphery, and the cylindrical receiving portion is located inside the fuel filler opening beyond the upper end of the fuel filler opening, thereby providing the following effects. The cylindrical receiving portion of the cap main body is configured to be inserted into the back side of the fuel filler opening, so that the fastening force of the screwing portion of the cap main body and the fuel filler opening portion can be increased, and the width of the seal receiving portion can be ensured. Therefore, both the attachment strength and the sealing property of the cap body can be achieved.

According to the structure of the above (6), since the fuel filler is a resin product and the thread is formed by the trapezoidal thread portion having the trapezoidal shape, the following effects are obtained. Sufficient mounting strength and sealing performance can be obtained for a resin fuel supply port portion having a large dimensional change due to a temperature change.

According to the structure of the above (7), since the saddle-ride type vehicle is provided with the tank cap structure, the float having sufficient buoyancy can be disposed while suppressing an increase in size of the tank cap.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the periphery of a fuel filler opening of a fuel tank according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fuel tank of the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the ratchet mechanism of the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of an evaporated fuel treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the tank cap structure of the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a main part sectional view of the tank cap structure of the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a cap body of the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a top view of an embodiment sealing member.

Fig. 10 is an X-X sectional view of fig. 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cinch member.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the periphery of the fuel fill inlet of the fuel tank according to the modified example of the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a fuel tank according to a modification of the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the directions such as front, rear, left, and right in the following description are the same as those for the vehicle described below. In the drawings used in the following description, arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, arrow LH indicating the left of the vehicle, and arrow UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle are shown at appropriate positions.

< vehicle entirety >

Fig. 1 shows an off-road motorcycle 1 as an example of a saddle-ride type vehicle. The front wheel 2 of the motorcycle 1 is pivotally supported at the lower end portions of the left and right front forks 3. The upper portions of the left and right front forks 3 are rotatably supported by a head pipe 6 of a vehicle frame 5 via a steering column 4. A lever type handle 7 is attached to an upper portion of the steering column 4.

The body frame 5 includes a head pipe 6, a pair of left and right main pipes 8, a pair of left and right pivot frames 9, a single down frame 11, a pair of left and right bottom frames 12, and a seat frame 13.

In a side view, the head pipe 6 extends obliquely so as to be positioned more upward toward the rear side.

The left and right main tubes 8 extend rearward and downward from the rear upper portion of the head pipe 6.

The rear end portion of the right main pipe 8 is connected to the upper end portion of the right pivot frame 9 at the vehicle body front-rear intermediate portion. The rear end portion of the left main pipe 8 is connected to the upper end portion of the left pivot frame 9 at the vehicle body front-rear intermediate portion.

The single down frame 11 extends obliquely rearward and downward from the rear lower portion of the head pipe 6 at a steeper angle than the left and right main pipes 8.

The right bottom frame 12 branches rightward from the lower end of the down frame 11 and extends diagonally downward and rearward. The left bottom frame 12 branches leftward from the lower end of the down frame 11 and extends diagonally downward and rearward. The lower portions of the left and right bottom frames 12 are bent rearward. The rear portion of the right bottom frame 12 is connected to the lower end portion of the right pivot frame 9. The rear portion of the left bottom frame 12 is connected to the lower end portion of the left pivot frame 9.

The seat frame 13 is connected to rear portions of the left and right main tubes 8.

The frame 5 constitutes a cradle-type frame of a double beam type. An engine 21, which is a prime mover of the motorcycle 1, is mounted on an inner side portion of the frame 5.

The term "intermediate" as used in the present embodiment means a range including not only the center between both ends of the object but also the inner side between both ends of the object.

The front end (base end) of the swing arm 15 is supported by the lower portion of the left and right pivot frames 9 so as to be swingable up and down. The rear wheel 17 of the motorcycle 1 is pivotally supported at the rear end of the swing arm 15. A lower end portion of a rear cushion (not shown) is coupled to a front lower portion of the swing arm 15 via a link mechanism 18. The upper end portion of the rear cushion is connected to a cross member (not shown) that spans between the vicinities of the rear end portions of the left and right main tubes 8.

The engine 21 is a single-cylinder engine having a crankshaft parallel to the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). The lower portion of the engine 21 constitutes a crankcase 22. The cylinder 23 is provided to stand substantially vertically on the front upper portion of the crankcase 22.

A throttle area (not shown) of an engine intake system is connected to a rear portion of the cylinder 23. An exhaust pipe (not shown) of an engine exhaust system is connected to a front portion of the cylinder 23.

The rear portion of the crankcase 22 also serves as a transmission case for housing the clutch and the transmission. An output shaft of the transmission projects from a left side portion of a rear portion of the crankcase 22. The output shaft and the rear wheel 17 are connected via a chain transmission 19.

A fuel tank 31 is provided above the cylinder 23 and between the left and right main pipes 8. A seat 24 is provided on the seat frame 13 behind the left and right main tubes 8. The seat 24 extends forward and rearward. The front portion of the seat 24 is supported on the rear upper surface of the fuel tank 31.

The front fender 25 is supported on the bottom bridge of the steering column 4. The rear fender 26 extends rearward of the seat 24. The pair of right and left radiators 27 is disposed on both sides of the down frame 11. The pair of left and right shrouds 28 cover a range from the side surface of the fuel tank 31 to the front of the side surfaces of the left and right radiators 27.

< Fuel tank >

The fuel tank 31 is disposed inward of the left and right main pipes 8 in the vehicle width direction. The upper half of the fuel tank 31 is located above the upper surfaces of the left and right main pipes 8. The front portion of the fuel tank 31 bulges upward. A filler cap 41 (a tank cap structure) for opening and closing a filler opening is provided at an upper end portion of a front portion of the fuel tank 31.

As shown in fig. 3, the fuel tank 31 includes a tank main body 32 having a hollow structure. The box main body 32 is, for example, a resin product. The tank main body 32 includes an upper half 33 forming an upper portion of the tank main body 32 and a lower half 34 forming a lower portion of the tank main body 32. The tank main body 32 is formed into an integral hollow structure by blow molding the upper and lower half bodies 33, 34 into one body.

The box body 32 has a split surface between the upper half 33 and the lower half 34 inclined rearward and downward along the upper surface of the main pipe 8 (see fig. 1). The upper half body 33 and the lower half body 34 are provided with mounting flanges 35 along the dividing surfaces.

A front mounting portion 35m for mounting the front portion of the fuel tank 31 to the frame 5 with rubber is provided at the front portion of the mounting flange 35.

A rear mounting portion (not shown) for mounting the rear portion of the fuel tank 31 to the vehicle body frame 5 (see fig. 1) through rubber is provided at the rear portion of the mounting flange 35.

In a state (frame mounting state) in which the fuel tank 31 is mounted on the vehicle body frame 5 (see fig. 1), the upper half body 33 above the mounting flange 35 is disposed above the upper surface of the main pipe 8.

As shown in fig. 2, a circular insertion hole 36 opened upward is formed at the upper end of the upper half 33. The insertion opening 36 is located at the center in the vehicle width direction of the upper end portion of the upper half 33. A cylindrical fuel filler opening cylinder 37 (fuel filler opening portion) is integrally formed in the insertion opening 36. The fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is a resin product. Hereinafter, the central axis C1 of the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is also referred to as a screw axis C1.

The fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 integrally has: a cylindrical cover fitting portion 38 that protrudes above the box main body 32; and a lower extension portion 39 which is cylindrical and has a smaller diameter than the lid attachment portion 38, extends downward from the inside of the lid attachment portion 38, and faces the inside of the box main body 32. The upper end opening of the filler neck cylinder 37 constitutes a filler neck 38 a. A fuel fill nozzle regulating member 39a for regulating the insertion amount of the fuel fill nozzle is provided at the lower end opening of the fuel fill port cylinder 37.

A screw thread 38b to which the oil feed cap 41 is screwed is formed on the outer periphery of the cap fitting portion 38. The lower extension portion 39 includes: a first cylindrical portion 39b having a cylindrical shape and an outer peripheral surface along the inner peripheral surface of the cap fitting portion 38; and a second cylindrical portion 39c which is cylindrical and has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 39b, extends downward from the inside of the lid fitting portion 38, and faces the inside of the box main body 32. A convex portion engageable with a concave portion of the inner peripheral surface of the cap fitting portion 38 is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first tube portion 39 b. The lower extension portion 39 functions as a fuel supply nozzle guide member that guides the fuel supply nozzle. The lower extension portion 39 is inserted from the insertion hole 36 into the case.

For example, the front upper portion of the fuel tank 31 (the periphery of the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37) is covered with the upper shield 29 made of resin. The filler cap 41 of the fuel tank 31 is exposed from the upper shield 29. The left and right side portions of the fuel tank 31 are covered with the rear portion of a resin-made shroud 28 (see fig. 1).

As shown in fig. 3, a bulging portion 32a having a bulging shape bulging upward is provided at a front upper portion of the upper half body 33 of the fuel tank 31 (around the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37). The bulging portion 32a is formed so that the horizontal cross-sectional area decreases toward the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 toward the upper side. A seat matching portion 32b that inclines downward toward the rear to allow the front of the seat 24 to climb is formed at the rear of the bulging shape portion 32 a.

< evaporated fuel treatment apparatus >

As shown in fig. 5, the evaporated fuel treatment device 61 includes a fuel tank 31, a refueling pipe 62, an adsorption tank 63 (evaporated fuel tank), a purge pipe 64, and a purge control valve 65.

The filler pipe 62 is, for example, a rubber tube. A first end of the filler pipe 62 is connected to the filler cap 41 of the fuel tank 31.

The canister 63 is connected to a second end of the filler pipe 62 outside the fuel tank 31.

A first end of the purge pipe 64 is connected to the canister 63. A second end of the purge pipe 64 is connected to the choke area 66. The purge pipe 64 communicates the canister 63 with the throttle area 66.

The purge control valve 65 is provided in the purge pipe 64. The purge control valve 65 opens and closes the flow path of the purge pipe 64 under the control of the engine control unit.

The fuel pump 67 is provided in the fuel tank 31.

The fuel feed cap 41 includes a vent passage portion 46 (see fig. 2) that communicates the inside and the outside of the fuel tank 31. The evaporated fuel generated inside the fuel tank 31 is guided to the outside of the fuel tank 31 through the vent passage portion 46.

An adsorbent (not shown) such as activated carbon is accommodated in the adsorption tank 63. The canister 63 adsorbs and stores the evaporated fuel sent from the refueling pipe 62.

< oil feeding cover >

As shown in fig. 2, the fuel lid 41 (fuel lid) includes a lid main body 42, a grip portion 45, a vent passage portion 46, a valve device 47, a ratchet mechanism 55, and a fastening member 90 (see fig. 11).

< cover body >

As shown in fig. 6, the cap main body 42 is screwed to the fuel fill inlet cylindrical body 37 to close the fuel fill inlet 38 a. The cap main body 42 includes a threaded cylinder 43, a disk portion 44, a lower collar portion 44a (hereinafter also referred to as "cylindrical receiving portion 44 a"), an upper collar portion 44c, and a main body extension portion 44 e. In fig. 6, the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is shown by an imaginary line.

The cap body 42 includes two members, a first member 81 and a second member 82, the first member 81 having the threaded cylinder 43, the disk portion 44 and the lower collar portion 44a, and the second member 82 having the body extension portion 44 e. The threaded cylinder 43, the disk portion 44, and the lower collar portion 44a are integrally formed of the same member. The second member 82 is formed independently of the first member 81.

The cover main body 42 is manufactured by combining the first member 81 and the second member 82.

As shown in fig. 2, the screw cylinder 43 is cylindrical and coaxial with the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37. A thread corresponding to the thread 38b of the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is formed on the inner periphery of the thread cylinder 43.

The thread ridge is formed by a trapezoidal thread portion 43j (hereinafter also simply referred to as "thread portion 43 j") (see fig. 8) having a trapezoidal shape.

The disk portion 44 has a disk shape closing an upper end opening of the screw cylinder 43.

The screw tube 43 of the cap main body 42 is screwed to the outer periphery of the screw thread 38b of the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37, whereby the diameter of the screw tube 43 is increased and the layout of the ratchet mechanism 55 is improved. By increasing the diameter of the ratchet mechanism 55, the degree of freedom of torque setting can be improved.

As shown in fig. 6, the lower collar portion 44a has a double-walled structure (double-cylindrical structure) protruding downward from the lower surface of the disk portion 44. The upper end of the valve device 47 is attached to the lower collar portion 44 a. A valve receiving portion 77 is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the lower collar portion 44a, and the valve receiving portion 77 receives the valve device 47 inserted into the inner periphery of the lower collar portion 44 a. A seal receiving portion 78 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower collar portion 44a, and the seal receiving portion 78 receives the seal member 70 held between the cap main body 42 and the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 (see fig. 2). A gap 44h is provided between the double walls of the lower collar portion 44 a.

The upper collar portion 44c is cylindrical and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the disk portion 44.

The upper collar portion 44c is smaller in profile than the lower collar portion 44 a. The upper collar portion 44c is lower than the lower collar portion 44a in projection height. A ratchet mechanism 55 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper collar portion 44 c.

As shown in fig. 8, the main body extension portion 44e includes an annular portion 44f, an upper standing portion 44g, and a lower extension portion 44 j.

The annular portion 44f is annular and coaxial with the lower collar portion 44 a. The annular portion 44f has an outer shape smaller than the outer diameter of the lower collar portion 44 a.

The upper rising portion 44g rises upward from the annular portion 44 f. The upper rising portion 44g is cylindrical and coaxial with the lower collar portion 44 a. The upper rising portion 44g has a size that can fit into the gap 44h of the lower collar portion 44 a.

The downward extending portion 44j extends downward from the annular portion 44 f. The plurality of lower extending portions 44j are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 44 f. The lower end of the lower extension 44j is located below the lower end of the threaded cylinder 43. In fig. 8, two lower extensions 44j are shown. The locking hole 44h opens the lower extending portion 44j in the thickness direction.

< sealing Member >

The sealing member 70 has an annular shape in a plan view of fig. 9. In the cross-section of fig. 10, the seal member 70 has a V-shape that opens radially inward. The seal member 70 includes an annular ring portion 71, an upper seal portion 72 extending obliquely upward from the ring portion 71, and a lower seal portion 73 extending obliquely downward from the ring portion 71. In the cross-section of fig. 10, a notch 74 is formed along the inner surface (the surface facing the lower seal portion 73) of the upper seal portion 72 in the upper seal portion 72. In the plan view of fig. 9, a plurality of notches 74 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the upper seal portion 72.

As shown in fig. 6, the seal member 70 is fitted across the upper and lower widths of the outer periphery of the lower collar portion 44 a. The upper seal portion 72 is fitted to the base end (upper end) outer periphery of the lower collar portion 44 a. The lower seal portion 73 is fitted to the outer periphery of the front end (lower end) of the lower collar portion 44 a. As shown in fig. 2, when the fuel fill cap 41 is fitted to the fuel fill port cylinder 37, the seal member 70 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the disk portion 44 and the upper end surface of the fuel fill port cylinder 37 (cap fitting portion 38). At the time of assembly of the seal member 70 shown in fig. 2, the seal member 70 is crushed in the direction along the screw axis C1. The lower portion (lower seal portion 73, see fig. 10) of the seal member 70 forms a seal surface 70a of the oil feed cover 41.

As shown in fig. 6, the cover main body 42 is provided with a groove 44m recessed downward from the upper surface of the disk portion 44. The groove 44m is provided along the outer periphery of the upper collar portion 44 c. The groove 44m functions as a thickness adjusting portion for preventing deformation of the seal surface 70a (see fig. 2). In fig. 6, reference numeral 59a denotes a collar member, and reference numeral 59b denotes a seal member.

< grip part >

As shown in fig. 2, the grip 45 is attached to the cover body 42. The grip 45 functions as a handle for rotating the oil feed cover 41. The grip 45 is provided to be rotatable relative to the cap body 42 about the screw axis C1. A locking claw 45a is provided on an inner portion of the outer periphery of the grip portion 45, and the locking claw 45a is relatively rotatably engaged with the outer periphery of the cover main body 42. A ratchet mechanism 55 for releasing a predetermined or more screwing torque is provided between the grip 45 and the cap body 42. The dust seal 58 is provided inside and outside the arrangement space of the ratchet mechanism 55.

< air flow passage section >

The ventilation passage portion 46 is cylindrical and coaxial with the screw axis C1. The ventilation passage 46 passes through the lid main body 42 and the grip 45 along the screw axis C1. The vent passage 46 can communicate the inside and the outside of the fuel tank 31.

The vent passage 46 includes a supported portion 46a supported by the cap main body 42 and a nozzle portion 46b to which the filler pipe 62 is connected.

The supported portion 46a is relatively rotatably supported by the central through portion 44d of the disk portion 44 via two upper and lower seal members 46 c. The seal member 46C has a cross-sectional X shape and extends in the circumferential direction along the center of the screw axis C1. The seal cap 46d prevents mud and sand from entering between the central opening of the grip portion 45 and the ventilation passage portion 46.

The mouth 46b protrudes above the cover main body 42 and the grip 45. A first end of the filler pipe 62 is connected to the projecting portion of the nozzle 46 b. A second end of the filler pipe 62 is connected to an adsorption tank 63 (see fig. 5) supported by the vehicle body.

< valve device >

The valve device 47 operates the float 49 in accordance with the fuel liquid surface position to open and close the communication port 47a (opening) communicating with the ventilation passage portion 46.

The valve device 47 includes a valve housing 48, a float 49, a bottom cover 51, and a spring 52 (urging member).

As shown in fig. 6, the valve housing 48 has a cylindrical shape centered on the screw axis C1. The valve housing 48 includes a housing main body 48f, a reduced diameter portion 48a, and a collar portion 48 b.

The case body 48f is cylindrical with the screw axis C1 as the center. The case main body 48f includes a cylindrical case extending portion 48k, and the case extending portion 48k extends upward along the screw axis C1 so as to overlap the main body extending portion 44e in the radial direction. The housing extension portion 48k has an outer shape that the body extension portion 44e can be locked. A locking claw 48j is formed at the housing extension portion 48 k.

The reduced diameter portion 48a and the collar portion 48b protrude upward from the upper end portion of the case main body 48 f. The reduced diameter portion 48a is cylindrical and has a smaller diameter than the case main body 48 f. The collar portion 48b is located radially outward of the reduced diameter portion 48 a. The collar portion 48b is lower than the protruding height of the reduced diameter portion 48 a.

The valve housing 48 is attached to the cover main body 42 by the following method. As shown in fig. 6, the reduced diameter portion 48a is fitted (inserted) into the inner periphery of the lower collar portion 44a, and the collar portion 48b is inserted into the gap of the lower collar portion 44a together with the O-ring 48 c. Next, the anchor member 90 is attached to the radially overlapping portion 89 of the main body extension portion 44e and the housing extension portion 48k (see fig. 7).

The float 49 is housed in the valve housing 48 so as to be movable up and down. The diameter of the float 49 decreases stepwise toward the upper side. A tapered valve body 49a with a tapered tip is formed at the upper end of the float 49.

As shown in fig. 2, a communication port 47a that communicates the inside of the valve housing 48 with the outside is formed at the upper end portion of the valve housing 48. The outflow of the fuel is restricted by the valve element 49a closing the communication port 47 a. The valve body 49a extends toward the communication port 47a at an upper portion of the float 49.

A valve seat 48d for allowing the valve body 49a of the float 49 to approach and separate is formed at the upper end of the valve housing 48 and immediately below the communication port 47 a. The valve body 49a and the valve seat 48d constitute a valve portion 49B of the valve device 47.

The bottom cover 51 closes the lower end opening of the valve housing 48. The bottom cover 51 has a disk-like outer shape coaxial with the valve housing 48. An opening 51a through which the evaporated fuel and the like can flow into the valve housing 48 is formed in the bottom cover 51.

The spring 52 is, for example, a coil spring. The spring 52 is contractively provided between a central upper surface of the bottom cover 51 and a stepped surface of a lower inner side portion of the float 49. The spring 52 urges the float 49 upward (the operating direction of the float 49).

The biasing force of the spring 52 is set to such a degree that the float 49 descends due to its own weight in a state where the fuel level is low and almost no buoyancy is applied to the float 49.

The biasing force of the spring 52 is set to such a degree that the float 49 rises when the sum of the biasing force of the spring 52 and the buoyancy of the float 49 exceeds the weight of the float 49 in a state where the predetermined or more buoyancy is exerted on the float 49.

With the above setting, even if the fuel is supplied to such an extent that the lower end portion of the valve device 47 is immersed in the fuel, the buoyancy acting on the float 49 is small, and the float 49 lowers by its own weight to open the communication port 47 a. Thereby, the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank 31 is sent from the communication port 47a to the canister 63 through the filler pipe 62 (see fig. 5).

On the other hand, when most of the valve device 47 is immersed in the fuel due to the inclination of the vehicle body or the like, a large buoyancy is applied to the float 49 by the fuel immersed in the valve housing 48. When the sum of the buoyancy and the urging force of the spring 52 exceeds the self weight of the float 49, the float 49 rises to close the communication port 47 a. That is, the valve device 47 constitutes a rollover valve that is closed when the vehicle body of the motorcycle 1 is tilted to a predetermined level or more. This prevents the fuel in the fuel tank 31 from flowing out from the communication port 47a toward the canister 63 (see fig. 5) when the motorcycle 1 falls over.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the ratchet mechanism 55 according to the embodiment as viewed from below along the screw axis C1.

As shown in fig. 4, the ratchet mechanism 55 includes an outer ring 56 and an inner ring 57.

The outer ring 56 includes a plurality of pawls 56b arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

The inner ring 57 is disposed radially inward of the outer ring 56. The inner ring 57 includes a plurality of ratchet teeth 57b that are fitted with the plurality of pawls 56 b.

As shown in fig. 2, the outer ring 56 is integrally rotatably attached to the inner peripheral portion of the grip portion 45. The inner ring 57 is integrally rotatably attached to an upper portion of the cover main body 42.

As shown in fig. 4, a plurality of elastic arms 56a are provided on the inner peripheral portion of the outer ring 56. The plurality of elastic arms 56a extend obliquely so as to be positioned counterclockwise as viewed from below (below along the screw axis C1) of the oil feed cover 41 (see fig. 2) toward the inner peripheral side.

A pawl 56b protruding toward the inner peripheral side is formed at the tip end of each elastic arm 56 a. Each pawl 56b engages with a corresponding portion of the ratchet teeth 57b of the inner ring 57.

The screw of the oil feed cap 41 is a so-called positive screw that is screwed in by rotating the screw to the right when viewed from the head. The thread of the oil feed cap 41 is screwed by clockwise (counterclockwise in fig. 4) rotation and loosened by counterclockwise (clockwise in fig. 4) rotation. When the oil feed cap 41 is screwed in, the pawl 56b of the plurality of elastic arms 56a engages with the ratchet tooth 57b, whereby the grip portion 45 and the cap main body 42 are rotated integrally. Thus, the oil feed cap 41 can be screwed in by gripping the grip portion 45 and rotating it clockwise (counterclockwise in fig. 4).

When the fuel filler cap 41 is screwed, the seal member 70 (see fig. 2) is compressed to seal the fuel filler port 38 a. When the grip 45 is further rotated clockwise from this point, the rotation of the cap body 42 is suppressed by the elastic reaction force of the seal member 70, and a relative torque acts between the cap body 42 and the grip 45. When the relative torque becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the ratchet mechanism 55 elastically deforms the elastic arms 56a and changes the engagement position of the pawls 56b with respect to the ratchet teeth 57 b. Thereby, the grip 45 is relatively rotated with respect to the cap body 42, and the screwing torque is released.

When the screwed fuel lid 41 is unscrewed, the ratchet mechanism 55 can transmit torque without elastically deforming each elastic arm 56a even if relative torque acts between the lid main body 42 and the grip portion 45.

< fastening Member >

As shown in fig. 7, the anchor member 90 anchors the overlapping portion 89 of the main body extension 44e and the housing extension 48k in the radial direction from the radially outer side. As shown in fig. 11, the cinch member 90 is in the form of an open loop. For example, the fastening member 90 is a metal product. The fastening member 90 is biased radially inward when attached to the overlapping portion 89 (see fig. 7).

The fastening member 90 includes a pressing portion 92 and an inner projection 91.

The pressing portion 92 constitutes the outermost shell portion of the fastening member 90. The plurality of pressing portions 92 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the anchor member 90. The pressing portion 92 presses the overlapping portion 89 from the radially outer side. The pressing portion 92 is formed with a through hole 93 that opens in the pressing direction (thickness direction of the pressing portion 92).

The inner protrusion 91 protrudes radially inward from the pressing portion 92. The plurality of inner protrusions 91 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the fastening member 90. The inner protrusion 91 connects two circumferentially adjacent pressing portions 92. The pressing portions 92 and the inner protrusions 91 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the fastening member 90. The inner protrusion 91 is disposed at a portion of the case extending portion 48k where the locking claw 48j is not provided (a portion where the lower extending portion 44j is not provided) (see fig. 7). The gap 94 is provided at a part of the circumferential direction of the fastening member 90.

The fastening member 90 is attached to the overlapping portion 89 by the following method. First, the anchor member 90 is opened radially outward. Next, the opened fastening member 90 is disposed at the overlapping portion 89.

At this time, the through hole 93 of the pressing portion 92 is made to correspond to the locking portion of the body extending portion 44e and the case extending portion 48k (the locking portion of the locking claw 48j locked to the locking hole 44 h) (see fig. 7). An insertion jig that can move along the valve housing 48, a pressing jig that can move the anchor member 90 along the valve housing 48, and the like may be prepared, and are not shown.

As described above, the tank cap structure of the above embodiment includes: a cap body 42 screwed to the filler neck cylinder 37 of the fuel tank 31 to close the filler neck 38 a; a grip portion 45 provided to be rotatable relative to the cap body 42 about a screw axis C1; a valve device 47 that opens and closes a communication port 47a that restricts the outflow of fuel by operating a float 49 in accordance with the fuel level position; and a ratchet mechanism 55 provided between the grip portion 45 and the cap body 42 and managing a screwing torque of the cap body 42, the valve device 47 including: a valve housing 48 having a cylindrical shape with a screw axis C1 as a center and accommodating the float 49; and a valve body 49a having a tapered shape whose tip is narrower than the valve housing 48 and extending toward the opening 47a, wherein the cap main body 42 includes a cylindrical receiving portion 44a having a cylindrical shape with the screw axis C1 as a center, a seal receiving portion 78 is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, the seal receiving portion 78 receives the seal member 70 held between the cap main body 42 and the fuel fill port cylinder 37, and a valve receiving portion 77 is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, and the valve receiving portion 77 receives the valve device 47 inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical receiving portion 44 a.

According to this configuration, since the seal receiving portion 78 that receives the seal member 70 held between the cap main body 42 and the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, the seal receiving portion 78 can ensure airtightness of the seal member 70 and suppress an increase in the height direction of the fuel fill cap 41. Further, by providing the valve receiving portion 77 that receives the valve device 47 inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, the valve device 47 can be positioned by the valve receiving portion 77, and the increase in the height direction of the oil feed cap 41 can be suppressed. That is, the airtightness of the seal member 70 and the positioning of the valve device 47 can be ensured by the inner and outer peripheries of the cylindrical receiving portion 44a, and the increase in the height direction of the oil feed cap 41 can be suppressed. Therefore, the float 49 having sufficient buoyancy can be disposed while suppressing an increase in size of the oil feed cover 41.

In the above embodiment, since the valve device 47 includes the spring 52 that biases the float 49 in the operating direction of the float 49, the fuel can be prevented from leaking from the communication port 47a when the fuel tank 31 is tilted.

In the above embodiment, by further providing the fastening member 90 that fastens the overlapping portion 89 of the main body extension portion 44e and the case extension portion 48k in the radial direction from the radial outside, the vibration durability of the oil feed cover 41 can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained by providing the cap main body 42 with two members, i.e., the first member 81 having the cylindrical receiving portion 44a and the second member 82 having the main body extending portion 44 e. The oil feed cap 41 is easily manufactured and the dimensional accuracy is improved (the resin thick portion is prevented from shrinking) at the same time, and the productivity is improved.

In the above embodiment, the cap main body 42 includes the screw tube 43 located radially outward of the tubular receiving portion 44a and having the screw thread formed on the inner periphery thereof to be screwed to the fuel fill inlet cylindrical body 37, and the tubular receiving portion 44a is located inside the fuel fill inlet 38a beyond the upper end of the fuel fill inlet cylindrical body 37, thereby providing the following effects. Since the cylindrical receiving portion 44a of the cap main body 42 is configured to be inserted into the back side of the fuel fill inlet 38a, the fastening force of the screwing portion of the cap main body 42 and the fuel fill inlet cylindrical body 37 can be increased, and the width of the seal receiving portion 78 can be secured. Therefore, both the attachment strength and the sealing property of the cover main body 42 can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, since the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is made of a resin product and the thread is formed by the trapezoidal thread portion 43j having a trapezoidal shape, the following effects are obtained. Sufficient mounting strength and sealing performance can be obtained for the resin fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 that undergoes a large dimensional change due to a temperature change.

In the above embodiment, the motorcycle 1 is provided with the tank cap structure, and the float 49 having sufficient buoyancy can be disposed while suppressing an increase in size of the fuel feed cap 41.

In the above embodiment, the valve portion 49B of the valve device 47 is disposed in the vertical range H1 (within the vertical width of the threaded cylinder 43) between the lower end 43d of the threaded portion 43j screwed into the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 in the cap main body 42 (also, the lower end of the threaded cylinder 43) and the sealing surface 70a of the sealing member 70 located above the threaded portion 43 j. This reduces the amount of downward projection of the valve device 47, and prevents the fuel lid 41 from becoming larger in the height direction.

Further, since the ratchet mechanism 55 for managing the screwing torque is provided between the grip portion 45 and the cap body 42, the interference of the screw portion 43j of the oil feed cap 41 can be secured to a certain amount. This makes it possible to achieve both easy attachment and detachment of the fuel fill cap 41 and reliable closure of the fuel fill port 38 a.

Further, since the ratchet mechanism 55 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the vent passage portion 46 connected to the upper side of the valve portion 49B, the advantage of providing the ratchet mechanism 55 can be obtained, and the increase in the height direction of the oil feed cover 41 can also be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the ventilation passage portion 46 penetrates the cover main body 42 along the screw axis C1, and is relatively rotatably supported by the through portion 44d of the cover main body 42 via the seal member 46C, and therefore, the following effects are exhibited.

Even with the configuration in which the pipe is connected to the vent passage portion 46, the vent passage portion 46 rotates when the oil feed cap 41 is screwed in. This prevents the pipe from rotating, and therefore, the workability can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the vent passage portion 46 is connected to the canister 63 supported on the vehicle body side via the filler pipe 62, and therefore the following effects are obtained.

Since the ventilation passage portion 46 can rotate, the filler pipe 62 can be prevented from twisting or the like, and the durability and the arrangement state of the filler pipe 62 can be maintained well. Further, the screwing operation of the oil feed cap 41 can be performed satisfactorily.

In the above embodiment, the fuel feed cap 41 is disposed at the upper and right-left center portions of the fuel tank 31, thereby providing the following effects.

Since the valve device 47 is positioned above the fuel tank 31, the float 49 can be disposed above the fuel liquid surface to open the vent passage portion 46 in a normal state where the inclination of the fuel liquid surface is small.

On the other hand, when the vehicle body is tilted, the float 49 can be made to react to the tilt of the fuel liquid surface, and the ventilation passage portion 46 can be closed with good sensitivity.

The valve device 47 is positioned at the left and right center portions of the fuel tank 31, and therefore, the float 49 can be uniformly reacted even when the vehicle body is inclined to either the left or the right.

In the above embodiment, the fuel tank 31 has the bulge-shaped portion 32a having a horizontal cross-sectional area that is smaller toward the filler neck cylinder 37 around the filler neck cylinder 37, thereby providing the following effects.

By narrowing the space in the tank immediately below the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37, the change in the fuel level when the vehicle body tilts or the like becomes large, and the response sensitivity of the float 49 can be improved.

< modification example >

In the above embodiment, the example in which the cap main body 42 includes the two members of the first member 81 having the cylindrical receiving portion 44a and the second member 82 having the main body extending portion 44e has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cover main body 42 may be formed of only one member.

In the above embodiment, the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 is described as an example of a resin product, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37 may be made of metal.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the thread of the cap body 42 is formed by the trapezoidal thread portion 43j having the trapezoidal shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the screw thread of the cap body 42 may have a shape other than a trapezoid. The thread of the cap main body 42 may have a shape corresponding to the thread of the fuel fill inlet cylinder 37.

In the above embodiment, the fuel tank 31 (tank main body 32) is a resin product, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tank main body may be a pure titanium product.

Fig. 12 and 13 show an example of a pure titanium tank main body 132.

As shown in fig. 12, the tank main body 132 includes an upper half 133 forming an upper portion of the tank main body 132 and a lower half 134 forming a lower portion of the tank main body 132. The tank main body 132 is formed into an integral hollow structure by joining an upper half 133 and a lower half 134. The upper half 133 and the lower half 134 are provided with a joining flange 135 along a dividing surface of the upper half 133 and the lower half 134.

As shown in fig. 13, mounting portions 135a for mounting the rear portion of the fuel tank 131 to the vehicle body frame 5 (see fig. 1) by rubber are provided on both rear side portions of the joining flange 135. The mounting portion 135a is formed with a through hole that opens in the thickness direction of the joining flange 135.

A mounting bracket 135b for rubber-mounting the front portion of the fuel tank 131 to the frame 5 is provided at the front portion of the upper half 133. The mounting bracket 135b is fastened and coupled to the front portion of the upper half 133 by a pair of left and right bolts.

As shown in fig. 12, a circular insertion hole 136 opened upward is formed in the upper end portion of the upper half 133. The insertion hole 136 is located at the center in the vehicle width direction of the upper end portion of the upper half 133. A cylindrical fuel filler opening cylinder 137 (fuel filler opening portion) is joined to the insertion opening 136.

The fuel fill inlet cylinder 137 is a resin product.

The filler inlet cylinder 137 integrally includes a cap mounting portion 138 protruding upward of the tank main body 132 and a lower extension portion 139 facing the inside of the tank main body 132. The upper end opening of the filler neck cylinder 137 constitutes a filler neck 138 a.

A screw thread 138b to be screwed with the oil feed cap 41 is formed on the outer periphery of the cap fitting portion 138.

The lower extension 139 has a cylindrical shape with a flat outer peripheral surface. The lower extension 139 is inserted into the case from the insertion hole 136. For example, the fuel fill inlet cylinder 137 is joined to the peripheral flange 136a of the insertion hole 136 by seam welding or the like.

A bulging portion 132a having an upward bulging shape is provided at an upper front portion of the upper half 133 of the fuel tank 131 (around the filler opening cylinder 137). The bulge-shaped portion 132a is formed so that the horizontal cross-sectional area decreases toward the fuel fill inlet cylindrical body 137 toward the upper side. At the rear of the bulging shape portion 132a, a seat matching portion 132b that inclines downward rearward and allows the front of the seat 24 to climb is formed.

A top-hat-shaped locking stay 132c (see fig. 13) is joined to the upper surface of the seat matching portion 132b by welding or the like. The locking stay 132c has an insertion opening (not shown) opened rearward. The front portion of the seat 24 is locked to the locking stay 132c by inserting a locking claw (not shown) on the lower surface of the front portion of the seat 24 into the insertion port of the locking stay 132 c.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are conceivable within the technical scope thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example of the application to a motorcycle for traveling on an off-road surface has been described, but the application of the vehicle is not limited at all.

For example, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes all vehicles in which a driver rides over a vehicle body, including vehicles including not only motorcycles (including bicycles with prime movers and scooter-type vehicles) but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles including front two wheels and rear one wheel in addition to vehicles including front two wheels and rear two wheels). The present invention is applicable not only to motorcycles but also to four-wheeled vehicles such as automobiles.

The configuration in the above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the components of the embodiment may be replaced with known components, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.