FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a Saddle-type Vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] In conventional saddle-type vehicles, especially scooter-type vehicles with a floorboard, the fuel tank is provided in various positions such as at the rear portion of the vehicle beyond the seat, or under the seat, or under the floorboard of the scooter-type vehicle or near the power unit of the saddle-type vehicle.

[003] It is known that evaporative emission control system is placed in the saddle type vehicle so that the fuel vapours generated in a fuel tank are tapped and passed to a carbon containing canister through a discharge tube. The vapours get adsorbed in the carbon layer inside the canister. The adsorbed vapours are then sent to the engine for combustion. It is desirable for the canister to be placed as close to the fuel tank as possible so as to avoid unnecessary increase in the length of the vent hose or pipe connecting the fuel tank and the canister.

[004] In conventional saddle type vehicles, wherein the fuel tank is disposed below the floorboard, the canister is also disposed below the floorboard. Such disposition of the canister results in the reduction of the ground clearance of vehicle at the floorboard portion, making the components packaged under the floorboard susceptible to bumps on the road. This also affects packaging of other surrounding systems. In addition, in modem hybrid type vehicles, the space below the floorboard is generally utilised for storing auxiliary power sources such as a battery. The resulting space constraint means that the canister cannot be packaged under the floorboard.

[005] Further, the canister, when placed under the floorboard is prone to theft and tampering as it can be accessed without any authorisation. Furthermore, such location of the canister also increases the risk of dust, water and mud entry into the canister, thereby affecting the overall functioning of the canister, and resultantly the performance and the fuel economy of the vehicle.

[006] In other conventional vehicles, the canister is packaged towards the rear of the vehicle when the fuel tank is packaged at the rear of the vehicle. The canister is disposed either below the utility area or behind the utility area. Such packaging of the canister means that space inside the utility area has to be compromised to accommodate the canister.

[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle-type vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has a frame having a head tube and a portion of a main tube extending between the head tube and a floorboard. A fuel tank is disposed substantially forwardly of the frame in a vehicle front rear direction. An evaporative emission control device is provided for adsorbing fuel vapour from the fuel tank. The evaporative emission control device is disposed adjoining the frame and substantially below the fuel tank.

[009] In an embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a front panel disposed on the frame. The front panel has a front face and a rear face. Herein, the evaporative emission control device is disposed in a space defined between the front face and the rear face of the front panel.

[010] In another embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a Purge Control Valve to release adsorbed fuel vapour back into the engine. The Purge Control Valve is disposed adjoining the frame and substantially below the fuel tank. In an embodiment, the Purge Control Valve is disposed adjoining the evaporative emission control device.

[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a purge pipe connected to the Purge Control Valve for supplying the purged fuel vapour to the engine.

[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a charge pipe for supplying fuel vapours from the fuel tank to the evaporative emission control device. The charge pipe is disposed in line with the evaporative emission control device in a vehicle side view.

[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a drain pipe for draining excess fuel from an inlet of the fuel tank.

[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the evaporative emission control device, the Purge Control Valve, the purge pipe, the charge pipe and the drain pipe are disposed on a left hand side of the main tube in a vehicle rear front direction. In an alternative embodiment, the evaporative emission control device, the Purge Control Valve, the purge pipe, the charge pipe and the drain pipe are disposed on a right hand side of the main tube in the vehicle rear front direction.

[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the evaporative emission control device, the Purge Control Valve, the purge pipe, the charge pipe and the drain pipe are disposed such that a main wiring harness of the saddle type vehicle is routed on a side opposite to the evaporative emission control device, the Purge Control Valve, the purge pipe, the charge pipe and the drain pipe.

[016] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a bracket configured to receive the evaporative emission control device and the Purge Control Valve. [017] In another embodiment of the invention, the bracket is mounted on a bottom face of the fuel tank. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket is mounted on the rear face of the front panel. In another alternative embodiment, the bracket is mounted on the main tube.

[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the evaporative emission control device and the Purge Control Valve are separately mounted on the fuel tank or the rear face of the front panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[019] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates a right side view of an exemplary saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a frame of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the frame of the saddle type vehicle with the fuel tank, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a left side view of the fuel tank with an evaporative emission control device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the fuel tank with the evaporative emission control device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel tank with the evaporative emission control device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[020] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel tank and an evaporative emission control device of a saddle-type vehicle.

[021] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddle-type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 10 comprises a frame 105. The frame 105 comprises a head tube 105A (shown in Figure 2), and a main tube 105B extending rearwardly downward from the head tube 105A to a floorboard 155. One or more front suspensions 110 connect a front wheel 115 to a handlebar 190, which forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 10. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about the head tube 105A. The main tube 105B further includes a portion extending horizontally and rearwardly from the frame 105. Further, the frame 105 includes one or more rear tubes 105C extending inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main tube 105B towards a rear portion of the vehicle 10.

[022] The vehicle 10 includes a power unit comprising at least one of an internal combustion (IC) engine 125. The power unit is coupled to the rear wheel 145. In one embodiment, the engine 125 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105. In one embodiment, the engine 125 is mounted to the swing arm (not shown) and the swing arm is swingably connected to the frame 105. Further, the vehicle 10 includes a transmission means (not shown) coupling the rear wheel 145 to the power unit. The transmission means includes a continuously variable transmission, an automatic transmission, or a fixed ratio transmission. A seat assembly 151 is disposed above the power unit and is supported by the rear tubes 105C of the 105. The seat assembly 151 is hingedly openable. The frame 105 defines a step-through portion ahead of the seat assembly 151. The floorboard 155 is disposed at the step-through portion, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 155. Further, the floorboard 155 is capable of carrying loads.

[023] Further, the frame 105 is covered by plurality of body panels including a front panel 160 having a front face 160A and a rear face 160B, an under-seat cover 162, and a left and a right-side panel 163 disposed on the frame 105 and covering the frame 105 and parts mounted thereof.

[024] In addition, a front fender 165 is covering at least a portion of the front wheel 115. A utility box is disposed below the seat assembly 151 and is supported by the frame 105. A rear fender 175 is covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 145 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 145. One or more suspension(s) (not shown) are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle 10 for connecting the swing arm and the rear wheel 145 to the frame 105 for damping the forces from the rear wheel 145 and the power unit from reaching the frame 105.

[025] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight 185A, a taillight 185B, a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), and an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown).

[026] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the saddle-type vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle-type vehicle 10 has the frame 105 having the head tube 105A and the main tube 105B, extending from the head tube 105A towards the floorboard 155.

[027] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a fuel tank 200 mounted on the frame 105. The fuel tank 200 is made up of sheet metal or resin material based on the requirement of the saddle-type vehicle 10. As illustrated in Figure 3 and further illustrated in Figure 4, the fuel tank 200 is mounted on the frame 105 in a manner that the fuel tank 200 is disposed substantially forwardly from the frame 105 in a vehicle front-rear direction. In an embodiment of the invention, the fuel tank 200 is mounted on the head tube 105A of the frame 105. In another embodiment of the invention, the fuel tank 200 is disposed between the handlebar 190 supported on the head tube 105A and the front wheel 115 connected to the handlebar 190, in a vehicle up-down direction. The saddle-type vehicle 10 further has a fuel inlet 202 (shown in Figure 5) for providing an inlet for fuel from an external source to the fuel tank 200.

[028] Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the saddle type vehicle 10 with the fuel tank 200 mounted on the frame. As illustrated in Figure 5 and referenced in Figure 3, the saddle type vehicle 10 has an evaporative emission control device 210 for adsorbing fuel vapour from the fuel tank 200. The evaporative emission control device 210 is connected to the fuel tank 200 via a charge pipe 224. The charge pipe 224 supplies fuel vapours from the fuel tank 200 to the evaporative emission control device 210. In this manner, the excess pressure inside the fuel tank 200 is also relieved. The adsorbed fuel vapours in the evaporative emission control device 210 are then purged and sent to the engine 125 for combustion. In an embodiment, the evaporative emission control device 210 comprises a carbon containing canister. The canister comprises particles of activated carbon, which are capable of adsorbing fuel vapours and then releasing the fuel vapours back by deadsorption when required.

[029] As illustrated in Figure 5, the evaporative emission control device 210 is disposed adjoining the frame 105 and substantially below the fuel tank 200. In an embodiment, the evaporative emission control device 210 is disposed in a space defined between the front face 160A and the rear face 160B of the front panel 160. Such disposition of the evaporative emission control device 210 ensures that the evaporative emission control device 210 is disposed in the vicinity of the fuel tank 200, which results in reduction in length of at least the charge pipe 224.

[030] The saddle type vehicle 10 further comprises a Purge Control Valve 220 (shown in Figure 7). The Purge Control Valve 220 aids in purging the adsorbed fuel vapours in the evaporative emission control device 210. The adsorbed fuel vapours, once purged through the Purge Control Valve 220 are released back into the engine 125 for combustion through a purge pipe 222. Similar to the evaporative emission control device 210, the Purge Control Valve 220 is also disposed adjoining the frame 10 and substantially below the fuel tank 200. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the Purge Control Valve 220 is disposed adjoining the evaporative emission control device 210. [031] Figure 6 illustrates a left side view of the fuel tank 200 along with the evaporative emission control device 210 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 6, the charge pipe 224 is disposed in line with the evaporative emission control device 210 in a vehicle side view. As further illustrated in Figure 6, the saddle type vehicle 10 further has a drain pipe 226 connected at the inlet 202 of the fuel tank, for draining excess fuel from the inlet 202 of the fuel tank 200.

[032] Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the fuel tank 200 with the evaporative emission control device 210 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 7 and referenced in Figure 5, the evaporative emission control device 210, the Purge Control Valve 220, the purge pipe 222, the charge pipe 224 and the drain pipe 226 are disposed on a left hand side of the main tube 105B in a vehicle rear front direction. This disposition on same side of the main tube 105B allows for an efficient packaging of the evaporative emission control device 210 in the space defined between the front face 160A of the front panel 160 and the rear face 160B of the front panel 160. In an alternative embodiment, the evaporative emission control device 210, the Purge Control Valve 220, the purge pipe 222, the charge pipe 224 and the drain pipe 226 are disposed on a left hand side of the main tube 105B in a vehicle rear front direction.

[033] In a further embodiment, the evaporative emission control device 210, the Purge Control Valve 220, the purge pipe 222, the charge pipe 224 and the drain pipe 226 are disposed such that a main wiring harness of the saddle type vehicle 10 is routed on a side opposite to the evaporative emission control device 210, the Purge Control Valve 220, the purge pipe 222, the charge pipe 224 and the drain pipe 226. This ensures that there is minimum interference between the pipes and the main wiring harness. [034] As further illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a bracket 230 that is configured to receive the evaporative emission control device 210 and the Purge Control Valve 220. The bracket 230 is configured such that the bracket 230 can receive and hold the evaporative emission control device 210 and the Purge Control Valve 220, thereby securely holding the evaporative emission control device 210 and the Purge Control Valve 220 in place under all operating conditions. In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the bracket 230 is mounted on a bottom face of the fuel tank 200. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket 230 is mounted on the rear face 160B of the front panel 160, thereby mounting the evaporative emission control device 210 and the Purge Control Valve 220 on the front panel 160. In another alternative embodiment, the bracket 230 is mounted on the main tube 105B, thereby mounting the evaporative emission control device 210 and the Purge Control Valve 220 on the main tube 105B. In another alternative embodiment, the evaporative emission control device 210 and the Purge Control Valve 220 are separately mounted on the fuel tank 200 or the rear face 160B of the front panel 160.

[035] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle wherein the fuel tank is mounted in front of the frame and the evaporative emission control device such as a canister, is disposed in the vicinity of the fuel tank. This reduces the required length of the charge pipe and the drain pipe, thereby reducing cost associated with the vehicle.

[036] Further, the mounting of the evaporative emission control device between the rear face of the front panel and the front face of the front panel also significantly reduces the risk of theft or tampering of the evaporative emission control device, while being easily serviceable.

[037] Furthermore, the disposition of the evaporative emission control device between the rear face of the front panel and the front face of the front panel also negates the risk of dust, mud and water entry into the evaporative emission control device, thereby reducing the risk of fuel economy and performance of the vehicle being hampered.

[038] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.