Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle having an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, in internal combustion engines, for combustion, the air fuel mixture enters the combustion chamber and after the combustion, exhaust gases are formed within the combustion chamber which are let out through an exhaust valve during an exhaust stroke of a piston.
[003] It is desirable that the combustion chamber on a top side of the piston is completely sealed from the bottom side of the piston, so that none of the gases from the combustion chamber can leak into the crankcase. Even though several arrangements like piston rings are provided within the internal combustion engine to ensure that the combustion gases do not leak from the combustion chamber to the crankcase, generally, some residual quantity of combustion gases move past the piston rings and remain within the crankcase of the internal combustion engine. These gases are known as blowby gases.
[004] To remove the blowby gases from the engine, the concept of positive crankcase ventilation is employed in internal combustion engines. The positive crankcase ventilation system is implemented by providing an outlet for the blowby gases on the internal combustion engine. The outlet for the blowby gases is commonly disposed on a cylinder head of the engine. The blowby gases are the outlet from the internal combustion engine by virtue of negative pressure difference.
[005] However, the blowby gases removed from the internal combustion engine cannot be directly exhausted out of the engine into the atmosphere, as the blowby gases will have fluid particles such as oil particles picked up from an oil sump contained within a crankcase. These fluid particles can act as environmental pollutants and have to be removed from the blowby gases before they can be exhausted or reused in the combustion process.
[006] Conventionally, metal meshes and zig-zag pathways have been provided in the path of the blowby gases to remove fluid particles. But in such arrangements the filtered fluid particles are often collected in a small tube which requires to be emptied after a predetermined distance, for example every 200-250 kilometres of travel of a vehicle. Further, such filtration arrangements are not able to completely filter out fluid particles from the blowby gases and when the filtered blowby gases are to be reused in the internal combustion engine, the residual fluid particles in the blowby gases clog an air filter of the internal combustion engine. The clogging of the air filter reduces the useful life of the air filter.
[007] In three-wheel and four-wheel vehicles, where packaging space is not a concern, coalescent filters are used in the path of the blowby gases upstream of the air filter to completely remove the fluid particles from the blowby gases. However, the use of coalescent filters is a challenge in saddle type vehicles due to the limited packaging space available. The use of coalescent filters requires special brackets and mounting arrangements which further exacerbate the difficulty in the use of coalescent filters in saddle type vehicles.
[008] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[009] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine has a cylinder portion and a cylinder head. The cylinder portion extends from a crankcase and the cylinder head is disposed on the cylinder portion. A breather tube is provided on the cylinder head. Further, the breather tube is configured for allowing blowby gases to be outlet from the internal combustion engine. An air filter is fluidly connected to the breather tube. Further, the air filter is configured to filter intake air for combustion in the internal combustion engine. One or more fluid filters are disposed downstream of the breather tube and upstream of the air filter. Further, the one or more fluid filters are configured to remove fluid contaminants from the internal combustion engine.
[010] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters include coalescent filters.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters are disposed upwardly of the cylinder head in a vehicle side-view.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters are disposed ahead of the air filter in a vehicle front-rear direction.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a connecting tube is provided. The connecting tube fluidly connects the one or more fluid filters to the air filter.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters are integrated with the air filter.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters are integrated with the cylinder head.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters have a fluid filter inlet, a fluid filter outlet and a fluid filter inner space, wherein the breather tube is fluidly connected to the fluid filter inlet.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more filter elements are contained in the fluid filter inner space.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more fluid filters include a fluid filter cap removably mounted on the fluid filter.

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 perspective view of an internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view the internal combustion engine, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrate a perspective view of the internal combustion engine with a cross sectional view of a fluid filter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of the fluid filter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a side view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle having an internal combustion engine. More particularly the present invention relates to provision of one or more fluid filters within an exhaust path for blowby gases in the saddle type vehicle.
[021] As illustrated in Figure 1, the saddle type vehicle 10 of the present invention has the internal combustion engine 100. The internal combustion engine 100 has a crankcase 110 (as shown in figure 5), a cylinder portion 102 and a cylinder head 104. The cylinder head 104 is mounted at the top of the cylinder portion 102 and the cylinder portion 102 is in turn mounted on the crankcase 110.
[022] The combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the internal combustion engine 100 occurs within the cylinder portion 102. The air-fuel mixture gets transmitted to the cylinder portion 102 of the internal combustion engine 100 for combustion as combustion gases. Thereafter, post combustion of the combustion gases, exhaust gases are let out of the internal combustion engine 100 during the exhaust stroke of a piston (not shown).
[023] However, due to high pressure in the combustion chamber during compression, a part of the air fuel mixture leaks through the piston rings into the crankcase 110. This residual quantity of combustion gases is known as blowby gases. The blowby gases result from the leakage of gases from the cylinder portion 102 to the crankcase 110.
[024] As illustrated in Figure 1, to let out the blowby gases from the internal combustion engine 100, a breather tube 108 is provided.. The breather tube 108 is fluidly connected to the inside of the internal combustion engine 100 to remove the blowby gases. In the present invention, the breather tube 108 is provided at the cylinder head 104 portion of the internal combustion engine 100. In an embodiment of the invention, a negative pressure or vacuum may be provided at the open end of the breather tube 108 to actively draw out the blowby gases from the internal combustion engine 100, and is configured for allowing blowby gases to be outlet from the internal combustion engine 100.
[025] In the present invention, an air filter 106 is provided for filtering intake air for combustion in the internal combustion engine 100. The air filter 106 is fluidly connected to the breather tube 108. In an embodiment, drawing of air into the internal combustion engine 100 causes a negative pressure to be produced in the air filter 106 and this negative pressure can be used to draw out the blowby gases through the breather tube 108. Accordingly, the blowby gases are let out from the crankcase 110 of the internal combustion engine 100 and fed back into the cylinder portion 102 for combustion. Accordingly, the blowby gases drawn out of the internal combustion engine 100 can be reintroduced into the internal combustion engine 100 after filtration or can be exhausted out to the atmosphere.
[026] However, the blowby gases in the internal combustion engine 100 contain fluid particles such as unburnt fuel particles or oil particles taken up from the oil sump or the cylinder portion 102 or the piston. Due to the presence of these fluid contaminants, the blowby gases must be filtered before the reintroduction into the internal combustion engine 100 or exhausting to the atmosphere.
[027] In the present invention as further illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3, the saddle type vehicle 10 has one or more fluid filters 202. The one or more fluid filters 202 are provided downstream of the breather tube 108 and upstream of the air filter 106. The one or more fluid filters 202 are configured to remove fluid contaminants from the blowby gases of the internal combustion engine 100. Provision of the one or more fluid filters 202 downstream of the breather tube 108 provides for filtering out the fluid particles from the blowby gases exiting the internal combustion engine 100 from the breather tube 108 for further supply to the air filter 106. Accordingly, the one or more fluid filters 202 is capable of fully removing the fluid contaminants from the blowby gases before they are reused in the internal combustion engine 100 or let out into the atmosphere.
[028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more fluid filters 202 comprises of coalescent filters. As illustrated in Figure 7, and referenced in Figure 4 and 5, the one or more fluid filters 202 comprises of a fluid filter inlet 202a, a fluid filter cap 202b, a fluid filter outlet 202c and a fluid filter inner space (S). In an embodiment, the breather tube 108 is fluidly connected to the fluid filter inlet 202a. One or more filter elements (not shown) is contained in the fluid filter inner space (S). The fluid filter cap 202b is removably mounted on the fluid filter 202. The fluid filter cap 202b can be removed and replaced to remove and reintroduce the filter element. In an embodiment, the filter element has multiple screens on which the particles of the fluid contaminants are trapped as the blowby gases pass through the fluid filter 202. The trapped fluid particles coalesce to form bigger particles and settle down to the bottom of the fluid filter inner space (S) under the effect of gravity. The filtered blowby gases move out of the fluid filter 202 through the fluid filter outlet 202c.
[029] In an embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4, a connecting tube 204 is fluidly connected to the fluid filter outlet 202c. The connecting tube 204 is disposed upstream of the air filter 106 and is fluidly connected to the air filter 106.
[030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more fluid filters 202 are disposed upwardly of the cylinder head 104 in a vehicle side-view. The disposition of the one or more fluid filters 202 upwardly of the cylinder head 104 ensures that the fluid filter 202 is not affected by the hot air coming off the cylinder portion 102 of the internal combustion engine 100. Further, this disposition of the one or more fluid filters 202 also ensures that the blowby gases that rise in the crankcase 110, travel to the one or more air filters 202 through the breather tube 108.
[031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more fluid filters 202 are disposed ahead of the air filter 106 in a vehicle front-rear direction. The disposition of the one or more fluid filters 202 ahead of the air filter 106 ensures that the length of the connecting tube 204 is kept minimum and reduces the space required for mounting the one or more fluid filters 202 in the saddle type vehicle 10.
[032] In an embodiment as depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 5, the one or more fluid filters 202 are mounted adjacent to the air filter 106. This disposition ensures that the one or more fluid filters 202 are accommodated in the limited packaging space in the saddle type vehicle 10.
[033] In a further embodiment as depicted in Figures 3 and Figure 4, the one or more fluid filters 202 are mounted adjacent to the cylinder head 104. This disposition ensures that the one or more fluid filters 202 are accommodated in the limited packaging space in the saddle type vehicle 10.
[034] In yet another embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 8, the one or more fluid filters 202 are integrated with the air filter 106. The integration of the one or more fluid filters 202 with the air filter 106 aids in the compact packaging of components in the saddle type vehicle 10. Furthermore, the integration of the one or more fluid filters 202 with the air filter 106 protects the one or more fluid filters 202 from being exposed to heat, moisture, dust etc.
[035] In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 9, the one or more fluid filter 202 is integrated with the cylinder head 104. The integration of the one or more fluid filter 202 with the cylinder head 104 aid in the compactpackaging of components in the saddle type vehicle 10. Furthermore, the integration of the one or more fluid filters 202 with the cylinder head 104 protects the one or more fluid filters 202 from being exposed to moisture, dust etc.
[036] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle wherein the one or more fluid filters are provided downstream of the breather tube and upstream of the air filter. The provision of the one or more fluid filters ensure that the fluid contaminants in the blowby gases are filtered out, and thus the fluid contaminants do not enter the air filter, or are not exhausted in the atmosphere. Due to the provision of the one or more fluid filters, the present invention ensures that the useful life of the air filter in the saddle type vehicle is not compromised by the clogging of the air filter with fluid particles. The use of one or more fluid filters in the present invention ensures that the fluid particles are completely removed from the blowby gases before the blowby gases enters the air filter. Thus, the present invention eliminates the requirement of frequent replacement of air filters in saddle type vehicles.
[037] Further, the present invention provides for mounting of the one or more fluid filters without the requirement of additional mounting brackets or fittings. Thus, in the present invention the provision for the one or more fluid filters does not give rise to additional packaging constraints and thereby does not result in an increased part count.
[038] Furthermore, the mounting the one or more fluid filters adjacent to the air filter or the cylinder head, or being integrated with the air filter or the cylinder head also aids in compact packaging of the components in the saddle type vehicle. In addition, the integration of the one or more fluid filters with the air filter or the cylinder head also results in protecting the one or more fluid filters from the effect of heat, moisture, dust etc.
[039] 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.

List of Reference Numerals
10: Saddle Type Vehicle
100: Internal combustion engine
102: Cylinder portion
104: Cylinder head
106: Air filter
108: Breather tube
110: Crankcase
202: Fluid filter
202a: Fluid filter inlet
202b: Fluid filter cap
202c: Fluid filter outlet
S: Fluid filter inner space
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (10), comprising:
an internal combustion engine (100) having a cylinder portion (102) and a cylinder head (104), the cylinder portion (102) extending from a crankcase (110), the cylinder head (104) being disposed on the cylinder portion (102);
a breather tube (108), the breather tube (108) provided on the cylinder head (104), the breather tube (108) being configured for allowing blowby gases to be outlet from the internal combustion engine (100);
an air filter (106), the air filter (106) fluidly connected to the breather tube (108) and being configured to filter intake air for combustion in the internal combustion engine (100); and
one or more fluid filters (202), the one or more fluid filters (202) being disposed downstream of the breather tube (108) and upstream of the air filter (106), the one or more fluid filters (202) being configured to remove fluid contaminants from the blowby gases of the internal combustion engine (100).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) comprise coalescent filters.

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) are disposed upwardly of the cylinder head (104) in a vehicle side-view.

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) are disposed ahead of the air filter (106) in a vehicle front-rear direction.

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a connecting tube (204), wherein the connecting tube (204) fluidly connects the one or more fluid filters (202) to the air filter (106).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) being integrated with the air filter (106).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) being integrated with the cylinder head (104).

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) comprises a fluid filter inlet (202a), a fluid filter outlet (202c) and a fluid filter inner space (S), wherein the breather tube (108) is fluidly connected to the fluid filter inlet (202a).
9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein one or more filter elements are contained in the fluid filter inner space (S).

10. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid filters (202) comprise a fluid filter cap (202b) removably mounted on the fluid filter (202).

Dated this 12th day of January 2024

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471