EP0918701B1 - Closure cap with temperature-dependent unscrewing protection - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fixed For example, a motor vehicle radiator, one Expansion tank of cooling or heating systems or The like to be attached, preferably screwed or clip-on and rotatable cover with a Screw or plug and twist cap and a twistable Engagement part, within which a preferably in Overpressure / underpressure combination made valve is arranged concentrically to the cap, the valve being a Has sealing element that when the closure cover is applied comes into sealing connection with the fixed nozzle, whereby the cap in on the fixed nozzle applied state by means of a temperature-dependent Control against removal, preferably unscrewing or Turning can be secured by using the temperature-dependent Control element a non-rotatable coupling at normal temperature of cap and engaging part and in case of overtemperature one Decoupling of the cap and the engaging part can be achieved.

Such caps are, for example, at Automotive cooling systems are used, either immediately Radiator cap or as a closure of the expansion tank. The cover is either by means of a thread screwable or it is by means of a bayonet element attachable and rotatable. In automotive cooling systems a problem with the cap, that usually due to the high temperature in the cooling system the pressure is also very high. Even if at the time of Stopping the engine does not overheat the temperature in the cooling system is high, can be switched off by stopping the engine certain post-heating effect a temperature and thus a Pressure increase in the cooling system. Meanwhile the Removed the cap, there is an acute risk of scalding for the user in question. To counteract this Cap with a temperature dependent Unscrew protection, as described at the beginning, developed that it does not in the cooling system at overtemperature allow a user to operate the The cap can be removed because the cap is overheated hollow rotated relative to the engaging part.

Such a cover is for example from WO 95/32 904 known. With the caps according to this Documentation is in a relatively voluminous cavity according to the cap and above the engaging part a variant formed by a bimetallic element temperature-dependent control provided, and after a Another variant is a U-shaped coupling part in the axial Can be raised and lowered in the direction. Although both embodiments working satisfactorily is what is required for this Space required between the engaging part and the lid.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to create a closure cover of the type mentioned at the outset, where the temperature-dependent unscrew protection is housed in a space-saving manner, so that the cap is compact Design can be awarded. The unscrew protection should Furthermore, be insensitive to interference and in simple and can be assembled economically.

This task is the beginning of a cover mentioned type by the features specified in claim 1 solved.

The rocker-like coupling part can be space-saving Place way between the engagement part and the cap. It can be operated reliably by using the temperature-dependent control one leg of the rocker-like coupling part from the top of the Engagement part is pushed away, so that its other leg comes out of the coupling position with the cap.

The temperature-dependent control element is preferably from a memory spring formed. This preferably works with one axially movable control pin together, the against the underside of the rocker-like component. This allows the memory spring within the engagement part in particular be arranged near the surface of the liquid, and the temperature dependent control is thus in good condition thermal contact to the interior of the cooling system.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in the Claims 2 to 17 described.

According to a further embodiment according to claim 18 are on the inside of the substantially cylindrical jacket Wall of the cap essentially in the axial direction extended and slightly compliant in the radial direction Tabs, lamellae or projections are provided which when Insert the engagement part into the cap slightly after are bent outside and so cap and engagement part play and Hold each other vibration-free. That way is a Rattling of the engagement part in the cap prevented. there can be useful according to the characteristics Claim 19 and / or 20 to provide.

Figur 1

einen Längsschnitt entlang der Längsachse eines erfindungsgemäßen Verschlußdeckels;

Figur 2

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Figur 1 mit einem wippenartigen Kopplungsteil und

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf den Verschlußdeckel nach Figur 1.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the protective claims as well as the drawing and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the closure cover. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis of a closure cover according to the invention;

Figure 2

an enlarged section of Figure 1 with a rocker-like coupling part and

Figure 3

a plan view of the closure lid of Figure 1.

The figures show an overall reference number 1 designated cap, a cap 2, one opposite the cap rotatable engagement part 4 with a Internal thread section 6 and one in a valve housing 8 housed valve unit 10 and a has temperature-dependent unscrew protection 12, with the a rotatable coupling or decoupling of cap 2 and Engagement part 4 is accessible.

The cap 2 has a substantially flat and transverse to Extensive wall area 14 and a flange facing downwards to form Support surfaces 16 (Figure 3) slightly from the cylindrical shape deviating wall area 18. When assembled by Cap 2 and engaging part 4 overlaps the cap 2 Engagement part 4 almost completely, so that only one relatively smaller in the axial direction Space 20 between cap 2 and engagement part 4 is located.

The engagement part 4 is cup-shaped according to the cap 2 formed, being on the inside of the flange-like Sheath section 22 of the threaded section 6 as an internal thread is provided. The cover 1 is with this Threaded section 6 on a stationary nozzle Motor vehicle radiator or expansion tank screwed on. in the screwed onto the fixed socket the nozzle not shown in the drawing between the valve housing 8 and the jacket portion 22 of the Engagement part 4. On the underside 24 of a cover section 26 of the cup-shaped engagement part 4 is the valve housing 8 kept locked. From the bottom 24 are in Circumferential direction offset by 90 degrees to each other projecting holding parts 28 provided below, in radial Direction are slightly deflectable and reach behind Have nose 30 with which an upper ring flange 32 of Valve housing 8 can be locked or clipped.

Within the valve unit 10, which as Pressure / vacuum valve is basically known and therefore is not described in detail, is a temperature dependent Control element 34 is provided in the form of a memory spring 36. The Memory spring 36 is supported against a bottom 38 of a Pot-shaped component 40, which in turn in the Valve housing 8 is held. With its other end presses the memory spring 36 against a control pin 42 which on a hollow pin 44 in through the bottom 38 Axial longitudinal direction is guided. The memory pen 36 is arranged around this pin 44. With his from the End 46 facing away from memory spring 36 engages control pin 42 through a central opening 48 in the lid portion 26 of the Engagement part 4 and lies against the bottom of a rocker-shaped coupling part 50. The seesaw-shaped Coupling part 50 is a bent sheet metal part and essentially stripe-shaped; it has a pivot axis 52 forming bead-like bend 54 with which the Coupling part 50 in a recess 56 on the top 58 of the engaging part 4 rests. On that leg 60 of the Coupling part 50, on the underside of which the control pin 42 rests, is a resilient element 62 in the form of a Leaf spring 64 and tries the leg 60 down in To press direction on the top 58 of the engagement part 4, whereby the leg 66 located beyond the pivot axis 52 of the coupling part 50 is pivoted upwards and with its End 67 against the bottom 68 of a ring collar or Ring flange 70 (Figure 1) on the inside of the cap 2nd suppressed. The ring collar or flange 70 has at least one Recess 72 in which with appropriate positioning the cap 2 opposite the engagement part 4, the end 67 of the Leg 66 of the rocker-like coupling part 50 engage can and so a rotatable coupling of cap 2 and Engagement part 4 can cause. The just described and in Figures 1 and 2 shown state of Unscrew protection is at normal temperature if the Leaf spring 64 the radially inner leg 60 of the Coupling part 50 presses down. In case of overtemperature in Inside the cooler housing, the memory spring 36 is heated and expands longitudinally. She presses the control pin 42 up against the action of the leaf spring 64, whereby the rocker-like coupling part 40 about the pivot axis 52 is slightly tilted or pivoted. This pivots the end 67 of the radially outer leg 66 of the coupling part 50 down and comes out of the recess 72 in the Ring flange 50 free, so that the cap 2 relative to the Engagement part 4 rotates hollow. The unscrew protection 12 is effective; the cover 1 can not be of the fixed Stubs are removed.

The rocker-shaped coupling part 50 is in the assembled state of cap 2 and engaging part 4 about pivot axis 4 tiltable but captive in the space 20 between the top 58 of the engaging part 4 and the cap 2 arranged. For this, the top 58 is already mentioned recess 56 provided, against the bottom 74 of the Bead-shaped area 54 abuts. The recess 56 in the axial Opposite direction is an annular on the cap 2 Projection 76 arranged to the axial longitudinal direction 78 of the Sealing cover runs concentrically. This ring-shaped Projection 76 engages from above in the rear curvature 80 of the beaded portion 54, and prevents the coupling part 50 detaches itself from the recess 56 or slides out if e.g. the cap 1 on the head is provided.

Finally, one with a thin one is in the longitudinal direction Degree or the like penetrable opening 82 in the cap 2 provided to the 12 in the event of a fault in the unscrewing protection Leg 60 of the coupling part 50 press down can, so as a rotationally fixed coupling between cap 2 and To reach engagement part 4.

The reference numeral 82 denotes the coupling part 50 on both sides from the top 58 of the engaging part 4 upwards projecting wall sections referred to in radial Direction are extended and that introduced from the outside Torque from the coupling part 50 to the engaging part 4 transfer.

Furthermore jumps from the top 58 of the engaging part 4 a pin 84 in front through an opening 86 in the leaf spring 64 reaches through and thus positioned.

Finally, FIG. 3 shows a top view of the Closure cover, on the basis of which the support surfaces 16 of the cap 2 can be seen.

Claims (20)

1. Sealing lid which is to be fastened, preferably screwed on or placed on and twisted, on to a fixed nozzle, for example of a vehicle radiator, a compensator reservoir of cooling or heating systems or the like, and a twistable engaging part, within which a valve - preferably designed in an overpressure / low pressure combination - is arranged concentrically to the cap, wherein the valve has a sealing element which effects a tight connection with the fixed nozzle when the sealing lid is applied,
   wherein the sealing lid - in the state in which it is fitted to the fixed nozzle - can be secured against removal, preferably unscrewing or twisting off, by means of a temperature-dependent control element,
   in which by means of the temperature-dependent control element (34), a rotation-proof coupling of cap (2) and engaging part (4) can be achieved at normal temperature and decoupling can be achieved at excess temperature,
   characterised in that
   in the area between the engaging part (4) and the cap (2), provided on the upper side of the engaging part (4) is a rocker-like coupling part (50) which runs essentially in the radial direction of the engaging part (4) and which can be pivoted to a limited extent around an axis (52) running parallel to the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4) and which in the circumferential direction of the engaging part (4) is connected to the engaging part (4) in a rotation-proof manner, through positive locking,
   that at normal temperature, the coupling part (50) is pressed down at one end in the direction against the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4) by a sprung element (62),
   and that in the case of excess temperature, the coupling part (50) is pushed upwards against the force of the sprung element (62) by means of the temperature-dependent control element (34), and is thus pivoted around the pivot axis (52), so that its radially outer end is released from a coupling position with the cap (2).
2. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that on its inner side, the cap (2) has a concentric ring collar or ring flange (70), against which the radially outer end (67) of the rocker-like coupling part (50) slides in the circumferential direction when - in the case of excess temperature - the cap (2) turns hollow in relation to the engaging part (4), and which for rotation-proof coupling with the rocker-like coupling part (50) has at least one recess (72) or break, into which the radially outer end (67) of the coupling part (50) can be engaged at normal temperature.
3. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the temperature-dependent control element (34) is formed by a memory spring (36).
4. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the temperature-dependent control element (34) acts together with a control bolt (42) which can be moved in an axial direction and which supports itself against the underside of the rocker-like coupling part (50).
5. Sealing lid in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature-dependent control element (34) and the control bolt (42) are arranged within the engaging part (4), and the control bolt (42) penetrates through an axial opening (48) in the engaging part (4).
6. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the temperature-dependent control element (34) and the control bolt (42) are arranged centrally within the engaging part (4).
7. Sealing lid in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sprung element (62) is a leaf spring (64).
8. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 7, characterised in that the leaf spring (64) is held essentially parallel to the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4), against it.
9. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the leaf spring (64) is held on the engaging part (4) in a rotation-proof manner.
10. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that the leaf spring (64) is held on the engaging part (4) in a rotation-proof manner, by means of positive locking.
11. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 10, characterised in that the leaf spring (64) has a opening (86) through which a pin-like projection (84) on the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4) protrudes, which positions the leaf spring (64) in a radial direction.
12. Sealing lid in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rocker-like coupling part (50) is formed by a metal strip or flexible sheet metal part which has a crimp-shaped section (54) to form a pivot axis (52).
13. Sealing lid in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that provided on the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4) is a recess (56) in which the rocker-like coupling part (50) is deployed.
14. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 13, characterised in that provided on the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4), in an axial direction, are ribs (82) which project in the direction against the cap (2), between which the rocker-like coupling part (50) is deployed and is thus connected to the engaging part (4) in a rotation-proof manner.
15. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 14, characterised in that the ribs (82) rest at least almost against the underside of the cap (2).
16. Sealing lid in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that provided on the underside of the cap (2) is a ring-shaped projection (76) which can be put at least almost against the upper side (58) of the engaging part (4).
17. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 16, characterised in that the ring-shaped projection (76) acts together with the rocker-like coupling part (50) in the area of its pivot axis (52), so that this [coupling part] is held captive in the recess (56).
18. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that provided on the inner side of the flange-like wall (18) of the cap (2) are tabs, lamellae or projections which extend essentially in an axial direction and are slightly yielding in the radial direction, and which are bent outwards slightly when the engaging part (4) is placed into the cap (2), and thus hold the cap (2) and engaging part (4) against one another in a manner free of play and vibrations.
19. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 18, characterised in that the tabs, lamellae or projections are moulded onto an inner ring flange of the cap (2).
20. Sealing lid in accordance with claim 18 or 19, characterised in that the tabs, lamellae or projections have an insertion slope at their lower or front end in the direction of fitting with the engaging part (4), on which the engaging part (4) slide on joining.

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