Locking cap for a fluid reservoir

1. A vehicle comprising:

a body component;

a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS);

an electric traction motor that is electrically connected to the RESS, and that is configured to provide an output torque for propelling the vehicle using electrical energy from the RESS;

a coolant reservoir configured to retain a fluid therein;

wherein the coolant reservoir includes a fill neck having threads;

wherein the coolant reservoir is in fluid communication with the RESS;

a cap threadingly engageable with the fill neck of the coolant reservoir, wherein the cap includes:

an annular barrel portion axially disposable in the fill neck of the coolant reservoir;

an annular engagement portion radially surrounding the annular barrel portion;

wherein the annular engagement portion presents engagement threads threadingly engageable with the threads of the fill neck;

an annular cover portion radially surrounding the annular engagement portion;

wherein the annular cover portion is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction and cause rotation of the engagement portion in the first rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly engage with the threads;

wherein the annular cover portion is configured to rotate relative to the annular engagement portion in a second rotational direction to cause rotation of the engagement portion in the second rotational direction such that the engagement threads remain threadingly engaged with the threads when a release mechanism is detached from the cap; and

wherein the annular cover portion is configured to rotate in the second rotational direction and cause rotation of the engagement portion in the second rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly disengage from the threads in response to attachment of the release mechanism to the locking cap.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion includes a tab extending radially outwardly;

wherein the cover portion includes a flexible arm extending radially inward;

wherein the arm is configured to engage the tab when the annular cover portion is rotated in the first rotational direction to cause rotation of the engagement portion in the first rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly engage with the threads;

wherein the arm is configured to be biased by the tab and radially flexed away from the engagement portion when the annular cover is rotated in the second rotational direction such that the annular cover portion rotates relative to the annular engagement portion and the engagement threads remain threadingly engaged with the threads when the release mechanism is not attached to the cap; and

wherein the arm is configured to be engaged by the tab when the annular cover portion is rotated in the second rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly disengage from the threads when the release mechanism is attached to the cap.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the cover portion defines a hole proximate the arm and selectively alignable with the tab in response to rotation of the cap portion in the second rotational direction;

wherein the hole of the cover portion is configured to receive a pin of the release mechanism therethrough; and

wherein the pin is configured to be engaged by the tab when the pin is inserted in the cover portion.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the cover portion includes:

a top portion covering the engagement portion and defining the hole, proximate the arm;

a skirt portion extending generally perpendicularly from the cover portion and radially surrounding the engagement portion; and

an outer retaining ring extending radially inward from the skirt portion such that the engagement portion is axially retained between the outer retaining ring and the top portion.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the engagement portion includes:

an upper portion covered by the cover portion; and

a rim portion extending generally perpendicularly from the upper portion and configured to radially surround the fill neck;

wherein the rim portion presents the engagement threads which are threadingly engageable with the threads of the fill neck; and

wherein the tab extends radially outwardly from the rim portion.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the barrel portion includes a radially extending first rim and the engagement portion includes a radially extending second rim;

wherein the first rim and the second rim engage one another to axially retain the barrel portion to the engagement portion;

wherein the engagement of the first rim with the second rim allows the engagement mechanism to be rotated relative to the barrel portion.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the cap further includes a seal radially surrounding the barrel portion.

8. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the threads are external threads and the engagement threads are internal threads.

9. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the fill neck includes a radially extending ledge portion defining a recess; and

wherein the cover portion includes a protrusion configured for being received in the recess of the ledge portion when the engagement threads are threadingly engaged with the threads such that axial biasing of the top portion of the cover portion against the upper portion of the engagement portion is prevented.

10. A locking assembly for engaging and disengaging threads of a fill neck of a reservoir, the locking assembly comprising:

a release mechanism including a pin; and

a cap threadingly engageable with the fill neck of the coolant reservoir, wherein the cap includes:

an annular barrel portion axially disposable in the fill neck of the coolant reservoir;

an annular engagement portion radially surrounding the annular barrel portion;

wherein the annular engagement portion presents engagement threads threadingly engageable with the threads of the fill neck; and

an annular cover portion radially surrounding the annular engagement portion;

wherein the annular cover portion is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction and cause rotation of the engagement portion in the first rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly engage with the threads;

wherein the annular cover portion is configured to rotate relative to the annular engagement portion in a second rotational direction to cause rotation of the engagement portion in the second rotational direction such that the engagement threads remain threadingly engaged with the threads when the pin of the release mechanism is detached from the cap; and

wherein the annular cover portion is configured to rotate in the second rotational direction and cause rotation of the engagement portion in the second rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly disengage from the threads in response to attachment of the pin of the release mechanism to the locking cap.

11. The locking assembly of claim 10 , wherein the engagement portion includes a tab extending radially outwardly;

wherein the cover portion includes a flexible arm extending radially inwardly;

wherein the arm is configured to engage the tab when the annular cover portion is rotated in the first rotational direction to cause rotation of the engagement portion in the first rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly engage with the threads;

wherein the arm is configured to be biased by the tab and radially flexed away from the engagement portion when the annular cover is rotated in the second rotational direction such that the annular cover portion rotates relative to the annular engagement portion and the engagement threads remain threadingly engaged with the threads when the pin of the release mechanism is not attached to the cap; and

wherein the arm is configured to be engaged by the tab when the annular cover portion is rotated in the second rotational direction such that the engagement threads threadingly disengage from the threads when the pin of the release mechanism is attached to the cap.

12. The locking assembly of claim 11 , wherein the cover portion defines a hole proximate the arm and selectively alignable with the tab in response to rotation of the cap portion in the second rotational direction;

wherein the hole of the cover portion is configured to receive a pin of a release mechanism therethrough and

wherein the pin is configured to be engaged by the tab when the pin is inserted in the cover portion.

13. The locking assembly of claim 12 , wherein the cover portion includes:

a top portion covering the engagement portion and defining the hole, proximate the arm;

a skirt portion extending generally perpendicularly from the cover portion and radially surrounding the engagement portion; and

an outer retaining ring extending radially inward from the skirt portion such that the engagement portion is axially retained between the outer retaining ring and the top portion.

14. The locking assembly of claim 13 , wherein the engagement portion includes:

an upper portion covered by the cover portion; and

a rim portion extending generally perpendicularly from the upper portion and configured to radially surround the fill neck;

wherein the rim portion presents the engagement threads which are threadingly engageable with the threads of the fill neck; and

wherein the tab extends radially outwardly from the rim portion.

15. The locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein the barrel portion includes a radially extending first rim and the engagement portion includes a radially extending second rim;

wherein the first rim and the second rim engage one another to axially retain the barrel portion to the engagement portion;

wherein the engagement of the first rim with the second rim allows the engagement mechanism to be rotated relative to the barrel portion.

16. The locking assembly of claim 15 , wherein the cap further includes a seal radially surrounding the barrel portion.

17. The locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein the threads are external threads and the engagement threads are internal threads.

18. The locking assembly of claim 14 , wherein the fill neck includes a radially extending ledge portion;

wherein the ledge portion defines a recess; and

wherein the cover portion includes a protrusion configured for being received in the recess of the ledge portion when the engagement threads are threadingly engaged with the threads to limit axial biasing of the top portion of the cover portion against the upper portion of the engagement portion.