| 摘要 |
A fuel cap has an anti-splash attachment which includes an outer splash-back baffle, an inner foam plug element and a retainer post which supports the outer baffle and inner plug element and tethers them by a releasable snap-on connection to an inner baffle-supporting stem of the fuel cap. The inner plug element when substantially dry is in a contracted state wherein it is smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the fuel tank filler neck to which the fuel cap is applied. An annular gap is then present between the exterior side surface of the plug element and the interior surface of the filler neck, making it easy to insert and withdraw the fuel cap with the anti-splash attachment thereon into and from the filler neck. However, once the inner plug element becomes wetted and soaked by splashing liquid fuel, it expands to completely fill a cross-sectional region of the filler neck, closing the annular gap and blocking passage of any liquid fuel past the inner plug element while still allowing passage of vapors due to the porous open-cell nature of its material. The anti-splash attachment can be provided as a separate subassembly allowing retrofitting to pre-existing fuel caps or replacement should the inner plug element wear out over time. |
