Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

APPLICANT:

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian Company at: “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

 
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a fuel tank assembly of a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to a fuel pump module of the fuel tank assembly of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, for vehicles having a fuel tank assembly, a fuel pump module is disposed along the central axis of the fuel tank and below the fuel inlet opening of the tank. This increases the chances of the fuel pump module being displaced and/or damages by the force exerted by the fuel during fuel filling. Thus, the displacement of the fuel pump module and the damage caused, hampers the proper functioning of the fuel pump module.
[0003] Further, the fuel pump is usually mounted from below the fuel tank and its outlet being connected to a fuel injector. There are chances of lesser clearance and more interference between the fuel pump and fuel injector when the former is disposed along the central plane of the fuel tank assembly. Thus, a better compact packaging of the components of the fuel tank assembly is desired that avoids such interference. Further, there is also the problem of increased hose/ wiring length for fuel travel that is encountered in the conventional design because the fuel pump module is located along the central axis.
[0004] Furthermore, conventional fuel tank assemblies are also unable to use the residual volume of fuel in the form of dead fuel that is left unused each time in the lower part of the fuel tank after the tank is emptied. Thus, usage of leftover dead fuel or least or zero dead fuel is desirable for better riding experience and reduced waste of valuable fuel due to dead fuel volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a fuel tank assembly along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a fuel tank assembly of a vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[0009] Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[00010] Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the lower portion of the fuel tank assembly without the upper portion of the fuel tank along with a central plane AA with the fuel inlet in one embodiment of the invention.
[00011] Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a cut section view of the lower portion of the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle from the right-hand side of the tank cut across plane AA’ and without the upper portion in one embodiment of the invention.
[00012] Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the lower portion of the tank in the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle from the left-hand side of the tank and without the upper portion in one embodiment of the invention.
[00013] Figure 8 illustrates a side perspective view of a lower portion of the tank along with a fuel pump module in the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[00014] Figure 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the lower portion of the fuel tank without the fuel pump module showing the opening for mounting the fuel pump module of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[00015] Figure 10 illustrates a side view of the lower portion of the fuel tank assembly without the fuel pump module of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00016] In order to achieve one or more of the above-mentioned objectives and overcome the related problems, the present invention provides a fuel tank assembly having a fuel pump module being disposed offset from the fuel tank opening of a two-wheeled vehicle. The fuel pump module is disposed at a lowermost portion of the fuel tank.
[00017] As per one embodiment of the invention, a fuel tank assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The fuel tank assembly comprises of a fuel tank which is configured to store a fuel. The fuel tank includes at least one inlet opening. The fuel tank assembly comprises of a fuel pump module which is configured to dispense the fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel pump module is disposed offset from the inlet opening of the fuel tank. The fuel pump module is being disposed at a lowermost portion of the fuel tank.
[00018] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the fuel tank assembly, the fuel pump module is disposed offset from a longitudinal centre plane of the fuel tank. The longitudinal centre plane of the fuel tank is an imaginative central plane of symmetry of the fuel tank which extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
[00019] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the fuel tank assembly, the longitudinal centre plane divides the fuel tank into a left portion and a right portion when seen in a top view of the vehicle.
[00020] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the fuel tank assembly, the fuel pump module is connected to a fuel injector via a fuel outlet and one or more hoses. The fuel pump module is configured to pump the fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel injector for injection of the fuel to an engine of the vehicle.
[00021] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the fuel tank assembly, the fuel pump module is installed at a predetermined distance with respect to the fuel injector to avoid interference.
[00022] As per one embodiment of the invention, in the fuel tank assembly, a substantial portion of the fuel pump module being disposed inside the fuel tank (200).
[00023] As per one embodiment of the invention, in fuel tank assembly, the fuel tank includes an upper portion and lower portion. The fuel pump module is installed in the lower portion of the fuel tank in a fuel pump opening and at least a portion of the fuel pump module is inside the fuel tank.
[00024] As per one embodiment of the invention, in fuel tank assembly, the lowermost portion is formed in the form of a reservoir on an inner surface of the lower portion of the fuel tank. The reservoir is configured to hold any minimum remaining fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel pump module is being configured to dispense the minimum remaining fuel. This eliminates or substantially reduces any dead fuel in the fuel tank assembly.
[00025] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a vehicle is disposed. The vehicle comprising a frame assembly for providing skeletal support to the vehicle. The frame assembly is configured to mount a fuel tank assembly. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank which is configured to store a fuel. The fuel tank includes at least one inlet opening. The fuel pump module is configured to dispense the fuel from the fuel tank wherein the fuel pump module is being disposed offset from the inlet opening. The fuel pump module is being disposed at a lowermost portion of the fuel tank.
[00026] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment in a fuel tank assembly along with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the present embodiments.
[00027] The embodiments shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate side perspective view and top view respectively of a fuel tank assembly 100 of a vehicle. The fuel tank assembly 100 is mounted on a frame assembly of the vehicle with the help of various mounting means like fasteners, nuts, bolts, screws and other attaching mechanism involving use of joint and welding. The fuel tank assembly 100 comprises of a fuel tank 200 which is configured to store required quantity of fuel for vehicle operation which is dispensed for being injected into an engine assembly to propel the vehicle. The fuel tank 200 has an inlet opening 200io which is used to allow filling of the fuel tank 200 at the filling station.
[00028] Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 have been taken together for discussion. The embodiments of Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate the bottom and rear views respectively of the fuel tank assembly 100 of the vehicle. Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the lower portion of the fuel tank assembly 100 along with a central plane AA with the fuel inlet opening 200io. The inlet opening 200io is provided in an upper portion 200UP of the fuel tank 200. A lid is being used to close the inlet opening 200io of the fuel tank 200. A longitudinal central plane AA is a central plane of symmetry that extends in from front (F) to rear (R) direction of the vehicle. A fuel pump module 200fpm is disposed offset from the inlet opening 200io. This achieves the technical advance that when fuel is filled inside the tank through the fuel inlet opening 200io, the same is poured with a pressure from a pump at the fuel station. The offset configuration of the fuel pump 200UP ensures that the fuel being poured with a pressure does not displace or damage the fuel pump module 200fpm during the filling process. This avoids any damage or wear and tear to the fuel pump 200UP due to fuel filling and adds longevity to the life of the pump 200fpm. Figure 5 particularly also shows that the fuel pump module 200fpm is not only offset from the fuel inlet opening 200io but is also offset from the central plane AA when seen in a top view. The fuel pump module 200fpm is mounted into the fuel tank 200 from below as seen in Figure 3 and 4. The fuel pump module 200fpm includes a fuel outlet 200fo which protrudes below the tank. The fuel outlet 200fo is connected to a fuel injector (not shown) through a hose (not shown). The offset configuration of the fuel pump module 200fpm from the central plane ensures that the fuel pump module 200fpm is kept at an optimum distance from a fuel injector (not shown). This not only avoids any unwanted interference between the fuel pump module 200fpm and the fuel injector but also ensures that the length of the hose (not shown) connecting the fuel outlet 200fo and the fuel injector is kept at optimum length to avoid any efficiencies in fuel dispensation. The longitudinal centre plane AA divides the fuel tank 200 into a left portion LH and a right portion RH when seen in top view of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the fuel pump module 200fpm is installed on the left portion LH of the fuel tank.
[00029] Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a cut section view of the lower portion of the fuel tank assembly of the vehicle from the right-hand side of the tank cut across plane AA and without the upper portion. Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate the side and perspective view respectively, of the fuel tank assembly 100 of the vehicle. Figure 6, Figure 7 and 8 have been taken together for discussion. The fuel pump module 200fpm is disposed at a lowermost portion of the fuel tank 200. A portion of the fuel pump module 200fpm remains outside the fuel tank 200 in the lower portion 200LP. In this embodiment a substantial portion of the fuel pump module 200fpm is disposed inside the fuel tank 200 while the fuel outlet 200fo protrudes outside the lower portion 200LP of the fuel tank 200. The fuel pump module 200fpm is installed in a fuel pump opening 200fop provided in the lower portion 200LP of the fuel tank 200 as shown in Figure 8. The fuel pump opening 200fop is provided in the lower most part of the lower portion 200LP wherein a fuel reservoir 200r (as shown in Figure 9 and 10). This configuration ensures that the fuel pump module 200fpm is able to collect and pump even the least amount of fuel or dead fuel left in the tank 200 after the majority of the fuel is used up. The said configuration also enhances better compact packaging of the fuel pump module 200fpm.
[00030] Figure 9 and Figure 10 have been taken together for discussion. 200LPFigure 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the lower portion 200LP of the fuel tank assembly 100 without the fuel pump module 200fpm of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 illustrates a side view of the lower portion 200LP of the fuel tank assembly 100 without the fuel pump module 200fpm of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention. The fuel tank 200 includes an upper portion 200UP (shown in Fig. 3) and the lower portion 200LP. The fuel pump module 200fpm is installed in the lower portion 200LP. The lowermost portion is formed in the form of a reservoir 200r on an inner surface 200sf of the lower portion 200LP of the fuel tank 200. The fuel reservoir 200r is formed as an integral part of the lower portion 200LP of the fuel tank 200. In one aspect, the upper portion 200UP and the lower portion 200LP are formed separately in a forgery. The reservoir 200r is being configured by moulding or other suitable means to shape the metal forming the lower portion 200LP in such a manner as to place the at the lower most portion so that any remaining minimal fuel in the fuel tank 200 gravitates and is collected into the reservoir 200r. Since the fuel pump opening 200fop is disposed in said reservoir 200r, the fuel pump module 200fpm is able to collect and pump any such remaining minimal fuel from the reservoir 200r. This ensures that there is no fuel that remains unpumpable or unusable by the vehicle. This eliminates or substantially reduces the chances of any dead fuel remaining in the fuel tank 200. Thus, no fuel is wasted thereby facilitating better rider experience for the rider even at low fuel conditions and saves the user from wasted money on valuable but dead fuel. The fuel pump module 200fpm is able to provide uninterrupted fuel supply to the fuel injector during all the riding conditions. In addition, the fuel pump module 200fpm is installed at a predetermined distance of optimum magnitude with respect to the fuel injector. This helps in avoiding the interference with the fuel injector. Also, by positioning the fuel pump module 200fpm at the bottom of the inner surface of the fuel tank 200 and with the predetermined distance, a minimal fuel travel path is achieved which enhances efficiency of fuel dispensation. This is because a shortened hose length would be required to connect the fuel outlet 200fo and the injector.
[00031] The embodiments of this invention are not limited to particularly two-wheeled vehicle and can cover any type of multi wheeled vehicle involving the fuel tank assembly. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and ““they”” can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Further, when introducing elements/components/etc. of the assembly/system described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there is one or more of the element(s)/component(s)/etc. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s)/component(s)/etc. other than the listed element(s)/component(s)/etc.
[00032] This written description uses examples to provide details on the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
[00033] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure.
 
List of Reference numerals:
100 Fuel tank assembly
200 Fuel tank
200UP Upper portion of fuel tank
200LP
200sf Lower portion of fuel tank
Inner surface of lower portion
200io
200fo Inlet opening
Fuel outlet
200fpm
200fop Fuel pump module
Fuel pump opening
200r Reservoir
AA Longitudinal centre plane
LH Left portion of AA
RH
Right portion of AA

, Claims:We Claim:
1. A fuel tank assembly (100) for a vehicle, the fuel tank assembly (100) comprising:
a fuel tank (200), the fuel tank (200) being configured to store a fuel, the fuel tank (200) including at least one inlet opening (200io);
a fuel pump module (200fpm), the fuel pump module (200fpm) being configured to dispense the fuel from the fuel tank (200);
wherein
the fuel pump module (200fpm) being disposed offset from the inlet opening (200io); and
the fuel pump module (2000fpm) being disposed at a lowermost portion of the fuel tank (200).
2. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel pump module (200fpm) being disposed offset from a longitudinal centre plane AA of the fuel tank (200), the longitudinal centre plane AA of the fuel tank (200) being a central plane of symmetry of the fuel tank (200) extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
3. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal centre plane AA divides the fuel tank (200) into a left portion (LH) and a right portion (RH) when seen in a top view of the vehicle.
4. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel pump module (200fpm) being connected to a fuel injector via a fuel outlet (200fo) and one or more hoses and the fuel pump module (200fpm) being configured to pump the fuel from the fuel tank (200) to the fuel injector for injection of the fuel to an engine of the vehicle.
5. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fuel pump module (200fpm) being installed at a predetermined distance with respect to the fuel injector to avoid interference.
6. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of the fuel pump module (200fpm) being disposed inside the fuel tank (200).
7. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank (200) including an upper portion (200UP) and lower portion (200LP), the fuel pump module (200fpm) being installed in the lower portion (200LP) of the fuel tank (200) in a fuel pump opening (200fop) and at least a portion of the fuel pump module (200fpm) being inside the fuel tank (200).
8. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lowermost portion being formed in the form of a reservoir (200r) on an inner surface (200sf) of the lower portion (200LP) of the fuel tank (200), and the reservoir (200r) being configured to hold any minimum remaining fuel in the fuel tank (200), and the fuel pump module (200fpm) being configured to dispense the minimum remaining fuel.
9. A vehicle comprising:
a frame assembly for providing skeletal support to the vehicle, the frame assembly being configured to mount a fuel tank assembly (100);
the fuel tank assembly (100) including:
a fuel tank (200), the fuel tank (200) being configured to store a fuel, the fuel tank (200) including at least one inlet opening (200io);
a fuel pump module (200fpm), the fuel pump module (200fpm) being configured to dispense the fuel from the fuel tank (200);
wherein
the fuel pump module (200fpm) being disposed offset from the inlet opening (200io); and
the fuel pump module (200fpm) being disposed at a lowermost portion of the fuel tank (200).

Dated this the 20th day of March 2023
(Digitally Signed)
Sudarshan Singh Shekhawat
IN/PA-1611
Agent for the Applicant