DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a two wheeled vehicle and particularly but not exclusively relates to a locking mechanism for a fuel tank cap device of said two wheeled vehicle.
Background
[0002] Typically, two wheeled vehicles such as scooter type motorcycles include a fuel tank, the access for which is provided via a seat thereof. Particularly, access to the fuel tank is provided by opening said seat, followed by manually opening a fuel tank cap device. Generally, a locking mechanism is employed for opening and closing of the seat which covers the fuel tank, and the fuel tank cap device is manually screwed thereto. A manual means of operation for the opening and closing of the fuel tank cap device ensures that the same left inadvertently unscrewed or left off of the fuel tank, by a service attendant during fuel refilling, can be economically replaced. However, with a growing necessity to control pollution due to evaporative emissions, the need for eliminating manual opening and closing of fuel tank cap devices has increased manifold.
[0003] There is therefore a need to employ a separate locking mechanism for a fuel tank cap device which will enable elimination of manual opening and closing thereof. In a known art, a fuel tank cap device is employed with a locking mechanism for opening and closing of said cap device. Particularly, said locking mechanism includes a slider lever connected to a cable extending from a key cylinder of the two wheeled vehicle, wherein said opening and closing of said fuel tank cap device is actuated by said slider lever through said cable, said slider lever being enclosed in a lever housing. The locking mechanism is provided in a manner such that it extends substantially rearwardly, away from the fuel tank, and towards a tail lamp unit of said two wheeled vehicle. As a result of its elongated structure, the lever housing of said locking mechanism abuts against said tail lamp unit, or against a wall surrounding said tail lamp unit, causing damage thereto. Moreover, owing to the elongated structure of the parts of said locking mechanism, a need arises for increasing length of the cable connected to said slider lever, thereby leading to increased cumbersomeness involved in routing said cable up to the key cylinder. Additionally, number of parts used in said locking mechanism is also high.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention is directed to overcome all or any of the problems set forth in the background.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank cap device including a locking mechanism which is at least partially integrally provided therein.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank cap device including a locking mechanism which is compact and which does not interfere/ collide with any surrounding parts thereof.
[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank cap device including a locking mechanism with a low part count.
[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank cap device including a locking mechanism which enables ease of cable routing and enables reduction of cable length.
[0009] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank cap device including a locking mechanism which ensures proper sealing of a fuel inlet of a fuel tank.
[0010] To this end, the present subject matter described herein discloses a fuel tank cap device for a fuel tank of a two wheeled vehicle. The fuel tank cap device as per the present invention is provided, to cover a fuel inlet formed in said fuel tank. The fuel tank cap device as per the present embodiment includes a cap housing to encompass said fuel inlet at least partially, a cap stator hinged to a portion of said cap housing, and adapted to be lockable and unlockable by actuation of a locking mechanism. As per an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of said locking mechanism is integrally provided in said cap housing. Particularly, the locking mechanism includes a pair of support flanges substantially separated from one other and extending substantially laterally outwards in a motorcycle width direction from an outer circumference of said cap housing, a lock lever pivotally supported between said pair of support flanges, and an actuation cable connected to said lock lever and extending up to a key cylinder disposed in said vehicle. Actuation of the actuation cable causes the lock lever to be pulled, thereby releasing its engagement with the cap stator, and causing the cap stator to be opened. For closing, the cap stator is press fitted onto the fuel tank inlet. Pressing, the cap stator onto the fuel inlet, causes the lock lever to be pushed slightly outwards, before the lock lever gets engaged with a slot provided in the cap stator. Thus, closing and opening of said cap stator does not involve any manual screwing or unscrewing of the same, thereby enabling to prevent fuel loss due to evaporation. Also, since the cap stator is hinged, the need to hold the same during fuel refill is eliminated, and thereby chances of missing the same during refilling is avoided.
[0011] Further, since at least a portion of the locking mechanism is integrally provided in the fuel tank cap device, it is compact and does not cause interference with surrounding body parts including a tail cover. Particularly, it is ensured that even the movement of the lock lever is maintained compact so as not to interfere with the surrounding body parts. More particularly, the lock lever moves pivotally about an axis tangential to the outer circumference of the cap housing. Additionally, compactness of the locking mechanism, also ensures that length of the actuation cable is less, thereby aiding routing of said actuation cable up to the key cylinder. Besides being compact, the locking mechanism also has a low part count.
[0012] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings
[0013] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0014] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a two wheeled vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of a body frame of said vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of a fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of a fuel tank cap device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.5 illustrates an exploded view depicting a locking mechanism of said fuel tank cap device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.6a illustrates a top view of the fuel tank cap device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.6b illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line A-A shown in FIG.6a.
[0021] FIG.7 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line C-C shown in FIG.6b.
[0022] FIG.8 illustrates the fuel tank cap device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0023] The present subject matter described herein relates to a fuel tank of a two wheeled vehicle, and particularly relates to a construction of a fuel tank cap device for said fuel tank.
[0024] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the fuel tank cap device, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the two wheeled vehicle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a vehicle length direction refers to a direction along a longitudinal axis or a front to rear axis relative to said two wheeled vehicle, while a vehicle lateral direction refers to a direction along lateral axis or to a side to side axis, or a left to right axis relative to said vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, it is to be noted that although the present invention is exemplified for a two wheeled vehicle such as a scooter type motorcycle, it is applicable for any two wheeled vehicle having an external fuel fill provision. Particularly, the present invention is applicable to any vehicle including three wheeled or four wheeled vehicles in which at least a portion of a fuel tank cap device is exposed to the outside.
[0025] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a two wheeled vehicle 100, such as a scooter type motorcycle with reference to FIG.1.
[0026] FIG.1 is a side view of said two wheeled vehicle, hereinafter ‘vehicle’ 100. As shown in FIG.1, said vehicle 100 includes a body frame 111 (shown in FIG.2), for example an underbone body frame, made of steel or aluminium alloy and covered by various covers. The body frame 111 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar 125 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 130 is rotatably supported to the steering shaft. The handle bar 125 provided above the front fork 130 allows steering of a front wheel 135. A headlight assembly 140 is supported on the handle bar 125 by means of a cowl assembly.
[0027] Further, a front cover 145 is provided to cover a forward facing side of the body frame 111. A front fender 150 is provided to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 135.
[0028] A pair of side panels 136 is disposed to cover left and right sides of a rear portion of the body frame 111. A seat 155 is disposed above the pair of side panels 136. A fuel tank 122 (shown in FIG.3) is arranged in the rear portion of the body frame 111 with its sides covered by the pair of side panels 136. Particularly, the fuel tank 122 is disposed in a manner such that at least a portion of a fuel tank cap device 124 (shown in FIG.2) thereof is exposed to the outside.
[0029] Further, a utility box (not shown) is disposed in front of the fuel tank 122 and above an engine 160. The engine 160 is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by a throttle body (not shown) to a combustion chamber of the engine 160. In the present embodiment the throttle body is a carburettor. However, in another embodiment, the throttle body can be an electronic fuel injection device.
[0030] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 160 are let out as exhaust from a muffler (not shown) extending along a right hand side of said vehicle 100.
[0031] A toggle link (not shown) is supported swingably on a lower side of the pair of side panels 136. A rear wheel 165 is connected to the toggle link via the engine 160, wherein said toggle link is directly connected to the body frame 111.
[0032] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of the body frame 111 to which the fuel tank 122 is mounted. The body frame 111 includes a head tube 112, a main tube 113 extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube 112, a first cross member (not shown) extending sidewardly from either sides of said main tube 113, a pair of floor board support tubes 114 extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the first cross member, and a second cross bridge (not shown) bridging the pair of floor board support tubes 114 at a rear end thereof, and a pair of side tubes 115 extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from the second cross bridge. Further, the fuel tank 122 is disposed in a rear portion of the body frame 111. Particularly, the fuel tank 122 is held between the pair of side tubes 115 at a rear section thereof. More particularly, the fuel tank 122 is disposed in a manner such that at least a portion of the same extends beyond a rear end of the pair of side tubes 115. In the present embodiment, the fuel tank 122 is provided with a fuel tank cap device 124 which is adapted to be locked and unlocked by actuation of a locking mechanism including an actuation cable 124cc, which at its one end is connected to a key cylinder 121.In the present embodiment, said fuel tank cap device 124 is exposed to the outside.
[0033] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel tank 122. In the present embodiment, the fuel tank 122 includes a fuel inlet 123 formed integrally therein through a method of moulding, at a rear extremity of a top surface of the fuel tank 122. Further, the fuel inlet 123 is at least partially enclosed by the fuel tank cap device 124. The fuel tank cap device 124 serves to provide access to the fuel inlet 123. As per the present embodiment, the fuel inlet 123 is configured to be accessed through the fuel tank cap device 124, which in turn is adapted to be operable, from an external side of said vehicle 100, without having to open the seat 155 (shown in FIG.1) for the same. Thus, the present embodiment serves to provide an external fuel filling provision for said vehicle 100. In the present embodiment, a customer may open the fuel tank cap device 124 using a key which is to be inserted in the key cylinder 121.
[0034] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel tank cap device 124 as per a first embodiment of the present invention. According to the present embodiment, the fuel tank cap device 124 includes a cap housing 124a, and a cap stator 124b hinged to a portion of the cap housing 124a. Whereas the cap housing 124a encompasses the fuel inlet 123, the cap stator 124b adapted to be openable and closable, covers the fuel inlet 123. Further, the fuel tank cap device 124 includes a locking mechanism 124c, with at least a portion of said locking mechanism 124c being integrally provided in the cap housing 124a so as to enable locking and unlocking of said fuel tank cap device 124. According to an aspect of the present invention, actuation of the locking mechanism 124c causes the cap stator 124b to be locked and unlocked. Further, in the present embodiment, the cap stator 124b is adapted to open towards a vehicle front side by said locking mechanism 124c. However, in another embodiment, the cap stator 124b may be adapted to open towards a vehicle rear side, vehicle LH side or vehicle RH side by said locking mechanism 124c based on a hinge point of said cap stator 124b provided in the cap housing 124a.
[0035] FIG.5 illustrates an exploded view depicting the locking mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The locking mechanism 124c as per the first embodiment includes a pair support flanges 124ca protruding outwards from an outer circumference of the cap housing 124a, a lock lever 124cb pivotally supported between said pair of support flanges 124ca, and an actuation cable 124cc connected to the lock lever 124cb at one end thereof. Actuation of the actuation cable 124cc through a key causes pivotal motion of the lock lever 124cb, which in turn enables locking and unlocking of the cap stator 124b hinged to a portion of the cap housing 124a. A first spring member 124cd is used to hold the lock lever 124cb between the pair of support flanges 124ca and enables pivotal motion of said lock lever 124cb. In the present embodiment, the first spring member 124cd is a torsion spring. Further, a second spring member 124ce is provided to hold the lock lever 124cb, together with the torsion spring 124cd at a fulcrum point 125. In the present embodiment, the second spring member 124ce is a dowel spring. Furthermore, a portion of the actuation cable 124cc is inserted in an abutment hole 124cbh provided in the lock lever 124cb.
[0036] In the present embodiment, the pair of support flanges 124ca is integrally formed with the cap housing 124a. Thus, since the locking mechanism 124c is at least integrally provided in the cap housing 124a, it is compact and does not collide with any vehicle body parts surrounding said fuel tank cap device 124. More particularly, in the present embodiment, since the pair of support flanges 124ca protrude substantially laterally outwards in a vehicle lateral direction from the outer circumference of the cap housing 124a, and do not protrude substantially longitudinally outwards and rearwards, the possibility of interference with vehicle body parts such as the tail lamp is avoided. Whereas in one embodiment, the pair of support flanges 124ca may extend towards a left hand side, in another embodiment, the pair of support flanges 124ca may extend towards a right hand side of said vehicle. Therefore, routing of the actuation cable 124cc may take place either from the left hand side or the right hand side of said vehicle.
[0037] Further, the fuel tank cap device 124 includes an abutment member 124ab protruding laterally outwards in the vehicle lateral direction from the outer circumference of the cap housing 124a for supporting the actuation cable 124cc. Particularly, the abutment member includes 124ab includes a slot 124abc for accommodating the actuation cable 124cc. In the present embodiment, the abutment member 124ab is formed integrally with the cap housing 124a and is located substantially away from the pair of support flanges 124ca, in a manner such that it extends substantially parallely to the lock lever 124cb pivoted between the pair of support flanges 124ca. Thus, the actuation cable 124cc is positioned perpendicularly to said lock lever 124cb in an assembled condition thereof. Other end of the actuation cable 124cc is connected to the key cylinder 121 provided to initiate locking and unlocking of the fuel tank cap device 124, and a seat lock device based on direction of rotation of the key to be inserted therein. Thus, since at least a portion of the locking mechanism including the pair of support flanges 124ca is integrally formed with the cap housing 124a, overall compactness of the fuel tank cap device is achieved.
[0038] Details of the locking mechanism 124c are further elaborated with reference to FIGs 6a-8.
[0039] FIG.6a illustrates a top view of the fuel tank cap device 124. As elaborated earlier, the fuel tank cap device 124 includes a cap housing 124a adapted to encompass the fuel inlet 123 at least partially and a cap stator 124b hinged to a portion of the cap housing 124a, and adapted to cover said fuel inlet 123 from a top side thereof. As per the present embodiment, the cap stator 124b includes a sealant member 124bc for sealing said fuel inlet 123 and prevents fuel from vaporising. The locking mechanism 124c provided integrally in the cap housing 124a aids in ensuring locking and unlocking of said cap stator 124b to provide access to the fuel inlet 123. In the present embodiment, the lock lever 124cb includes a lock bar 124cba integrally formed therein for engagement with the cap stator 124b. Particularly, a lock slot 124bd is provided in the cap stator 124b for receiving the lock bar 124cba.
[0040] FIG.6b is a cross sectional view taken along a line A-A shown in FIG.6a. As may be seen, the lock bar 124cba passes through the outer circumference of the cap housing 124a for engagement with the lock slot 124bd. As per the present embodiment, the actuation of the actuation cable 124cc causes the lock lever 124cb to be pulled, which in turn causes pivotal motion of the lock lever 124cb about the fulcrum point 125 (shown in FIG.6a). In other words, actuation of the actuation cable 124cc causes the lock lever 124cb to pivotally move about an axis tangential to the outer circumference of the cap housing 124a, thereby causing the lock bar 124cba to be released from the lock slot 124bd. Particularly, the lock lever 124cb moves rearward against spring load and releases the cap stator 124b. Thus, the cap stator 124b is unlocked and opened on actuation of the actuation cable 124cc at the key cylinder 121. The support flanges 124ca aid in withstanding excess torsional load applied to the lock lever 124cb by the first spring member 124cd, and aids in ensuring smooth movement of the lock lever 124cb and that it does not give way. To ensure locking, the cap stator 124b is pressed to the cap housing 124a.
[0041] Particularly, when a first slanted face FS (shown in FIG.6b) of the lock slot 124bd slides over a second slanted face SF of the lock bar 124cba, the lock lever 124cb gets pushed away against spring load, and the lock bar 124cba moves into the lock slot 124bd. The lock bar 124cba thus enters and holds the cap stator 124b in a locked condition. The cap stator 124b hinged at a hinge point 126 rotates about said hinge point 126 during operation of opening and closing. In the present embodiment, the pair of support flanges 124ca also aid in receiving a vertical load acting on the lock lever 124cb through said lock bar 124cba, by a plurality of seal springs (not shown) disposed above the sealant member 124bc, during a locked condition.
[0042] FIG.7 is a cross sectional view taken along a line C-C shown in FIG.6b. With respect to FIG.7, details with regard to torsional force acting on the lock lever 124cb are elaborated. At the time of locking the cap stator 124b, it is essential to ensure that torsional force acting on the lock lever 124cb and the lock bar 124cba does not exceed a threshold limit, so that the cap stator 124b does not get lifted due to excess torsional force. The same is ensured by securing the torsion spring at least partially to the cap housing 124a. Particularly, one end of the first spring member 124cd is engaged in an engagement slot 124cf (shown in FIG.5) provided in the lock lever 124cb, and another end of the first spring member 124cd is engaged in a groove detail 124ac in the cap housing 124a. As a result, of the engagement of the torsion spring in the groove detail 124ac, only the requisite amount of force is provided to the lock lever 124cb, and it is brought back to its original position.
[0043] FIG.8 is a top view of the fuel tank cap device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As per the present embodiment, the actuation cable 124cc at its one end is connected to a bell crank lever 124cbl, which in turn is connected to the lock lever 124cb through a string 124cs. Actuation of the actuation cable pulls the bell crank lever, which in turn pulls the lock lever. Working of the locking mechanism remains same as that elaborated in the first embodiment. Use of the bell crank lever enables to further reduce length of the actuation cable compared to the length used in the first embodiment.
[0044] As is apparent from the above teaching, the configuration of the locking mechanism ensures that the entire structure of the fuel tank cap device is maintained compact with a low part count, thereby enabling to improve productivity at a low manufacturing cost.
[0045] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A fuel tank cap device (124) for a fuel tank (122) of a vehicle, wherein said fuel tank cap device (124) comprises a cap housing (124a) to encompass at least a portion of a fuel inlet (123) integrally formed in said fuel tank (122), a cap stator (124b) hinged to a portion of said cap housing (124a) for covering said fuel inlet (123) , and adapted to be lockable and unlockable by actuation of a locking mechanism (124c);
characterized in that,
said locking mechanism (124c) being at least partially integrally provided in said cap housing (124a) includes at least a pair of support flanges (124ca) protruding substantially laterally outwards in a vehicle width direction from an outer circumference of said cap housing (124a), and adapted to receive a lock lever (124cb) pivotally therebetween, said lock lever (124cb) adapted to pivotally rotate about an axis tangential to the outer circumference of said cap housing (124a) and being connected to an actuation cable (124cc) at one end, and wherein actuation of said actuation cable (124cc) causes engagement and disengagement of said lock lever (124cb) with said cap stator (124b) for locking and unlocking said cap stator (124b).

2. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuation cable (124cc) has its other end connected to a key cylinder (121), and wherein the actuation cable (124cc) is actuated by rotation of a key to be inserted in said key cylinder (121).

3. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism (124c) includes a first spring member (124cd) engaged to the lock lever (124cb) at one end for enabling pivotal motion of said lock lever (124cb) about the axis tangential to the outer circumference of said cap housing (124a).

4. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 3, wherein one end of said first spring member (124cd) is engaged in an engagement slot (124cf) formed in said lock lever (124cb).

5. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first spring member (124cd) has its other end engaged in a groove (124ac) provided in the cap housing (124a).

6. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism (124c) includes a second spring member (124ce) for holding the lock lever (124cb) between said at least a pair of support flanges (124ca) together with the first spring member (124cd).

7. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap housing (124a) includes an abutment member (124ab) protruding substantially laterally outwards from said outer circumference of the cap housing (124a), and substantially parallely to the lock lever (124cb) for accommodating said actuation cable (124cc).

8. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock lever (124cb) integrally includes a lock bar (124cba) for engagement with a lock slot (124bd) provided in said cap stator (124b).

9. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuation cable (124cc) is connected at its one end to said lock lever (124cb) for actuation of said lock lever (124cb).

10. The fuel tank cap device (124) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said actuation cable (124cc) is connected at its one end to said lock lever (124cb) through a bell crank lever (124cbl).