Patent ID: 6568553
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: B60K,Y10S

Abstract:
A tank cap apparatus, comprising:a tank opening member having an opening engagement element and a sealing surface; a cap constructed and arranged to close the tank opening member through rotation about a rotation axis, the cap including a cap engagement element for engaging the opening engagement element; and a gasket interposed between the cap and the sealing surface of the tank opening member to seal a gap therebetween; wherein the opening engagement element is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cap, the predetermined angle being an angle at which the gasket is compressed according to a closing operation of the cap; wherein the cap engagement element has a guide surface that engages with the opening engagement element by a rotation of the cap in a closing direction while the cap is inserted into the tank opening member, an angle of the guide surface for contacting with the opening engagement element being constructed and arranged to decrease with a rotation of the cap during the closing operation; wherein the guide surface has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface inclined respectively at an angle of a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cap, an angle of the first inclined surface being greater than the predetermined angle of the opening engaging element, an angle of the second inclined surface substantially equal to the predetermined angle.