DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fuel cylinder mounting arrangement in an automotive vehicle and more particularly relates to gaseous fuel cylinder mounting arrangement for a three wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Three wheel vehicles are commonly used for carrying goods and passengers. Three wheel vehicles are preferred due to their lower cost of ownership and maintenance, and ease of use and operation.
Most commonly used three wheeled vehicles include an enclosed/ semi enclosed operator cabin located at the front side of the vehicle, which houses the steering arrangement, instrument console and the operator seat and an open pickup tray or an enclosed storage compartment or passenger compartment is provided over the rear portion of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle is powered using a two stroke or a four stroke engine working on a liquid fuel (such as petrol or diesel). The engine is mounted at the rear or front end of the vehicle.
Over the years, environmental concerns have increased due to which it is necessary to reduce the emissions from the vehicles. To achieve this, in many parts of the world stringent emission norms have been adopted.
By switching to gaseous fuel such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) from the conventional liquid fuels such as petrol and diesel, emissions can be lowered. Further, as the gaseous fuels are currently available at lower cost than liquid fuels such as petrol, they are economically beneficial.
The vehicles driven by gaseous fuel includes a refillable gas cylinder that stores the gaseous fuel, mounted on a suitable structure on the chassis of the vehicle. The re-filling of the cylinder takes place at refilling stations. A suitable filling nozzle provided on the gas cylinder through which the gaseous fuel is filled into the cylinder at the filling stations.
In comparison with liquid fuel powered vehicles, time taken for refilling the gaseous fuel takes much higher time. Further, the number of gaseous fuel filling stations are lesser compared liquid fuel refilling stations. As gaseous fuel operated three wheeled vehicles mostly used for commercial purposes, precious time is lost during fuel refilling. Further, due to less number of filing stations, vehicle operators often have to drive long distances to get the fuel. The situation is undesirable especially while operating commercial vehicles where the loads or passengers must be transported to far off areas and in a timely manner.
The above cited issues primarily occur due to low fuel filling capacity of existing three wheeled vehicles. Due to low fuel filling capacity, range of distance travelled by the vehicle is low and fuel filing frequency is high. Thus, three wheel vehicles with higher fuel carrying capacity are desired.
In some conventional gaseous fuel operated three wheeled vehicles, the gaseous fuel cylinder is mounted below the operator seat inside the operator cabin. However, if the fuel filing capacity of the gaseous fuel cylinder is to be increased, diameter or length of the fuel cylinder needs to be increased. Increase in diameter of the gaseous cylinder will disturb the operator seat position and hamper operator ergonomics undesirably.
If the length of the tank is increased beyond the existing tank length, the tank mounted across the vehicle under the operator seat may go beyond width of the vehicle. This will expose the filing nozzle out of the vehicle width and may create unsafe condition. Further, to accommodate increased length of the fuel cylinder, significant changes in the chassis frame structure design and operator cabin floorboard need to be done. Otherwise it may create problem in entry and exit of operator as well. Positioning of the fuel cylinder under the operator seat also create problem in packaging other vehicle components such as spare wheel, battery, parking brake lever, reverse lever, etc.
Further, three wheeled vehicles being more compact compared to four wheeled vehicle, limited space is available in the vehicle to accommodate higher capacity fuel cylinders without affecting the layout of other vehicle components.
In light of points discussed above, there is a need to provide a gaseous fuel operated three wheeled vehicle which has increased fuel tank capacity to eliminate the aforementioned shortcomings.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaseous fuel operated three wheeled vehicle having higher fuel storage capacity.
Another object of the present invention to provide a gaseous fuel operated three wheeled vehicle having higher traveling distance range and reduced fuel filing frequency.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an optimum position for higher fuel storage capacity arrangement in three wheeled vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a higher capacity gaseous fuel storage arrangement for three wheeled vehicle which does not affect the vehicle ground clearance and operator seat position or cause any inconvenience to the operator.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a safe, robust and cost effective higher capacity gaseous fuel storage arrangement for three wheeled vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With above objectives in view, the present invention provides a three wheeled vehicle comprising
a front end comprising an operator cabin comprising an operator seat; and
a rear end comprising a passenger or a storage compartment;
wherein a plurality of gaseous fuel containers are accommodated under the operator seat inside the operator cabin.
The long axis of the plurality of gaseous fuel containers substantially along the width of the three wheeled vehicle.
According to one of the embodiment of the invention, the three wheeled vehicle includes a chassis frame comprising a plurality of long members which are connected by at least one cross member. A floorboard of the operator cabin is attached to the chassis frame at a first end of the chassis frame. A passenger/luggage compartment is mounted above the chassis frame. In case of a passenger three wheel vehicles, the passenger compartment includes seating arrangement, foot board for passengers and luggage space on rear side of passenger seat. In the cargo configuration of three wheel vehicle, the luggage compartment may be in the form of a pickup tray or an enclosed compartment. The engine is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle under the passenger seat or luggage compartment.
In conventional three wheel vehicles, a spare wheel and a battery are usually accommodated under the operator seat. In order to accommodate the multiple fuel cylinders under the operator seat, new packaging arrangement of the spare wheel under the passenger/luggage compartment is proposed. A cradle structure supported by brackets provided on long members is provided for supporting and accommodating spare wheel under passenger/luggage compartment. The cradle structure includes a base structure hingedly and slidably connected to a top frame and forming space in-between for accommodating spare wheel. The arrangement facilitates easy storage and removal of the spare wheel.
The battery is also repackaged to the rear side of the vehicle. A battery support structure attached to external side of the long member of the chassis frame through suitable attaching means such as welding is provided. The battery is fixed mounted on this structure. Wiring harnesses are suitably rerouted as per new position of the battery.
In one of the embodiments of the invention, two gaseous fuel containers provided in the vehicle. The gas containers are preferably in cylindrical shape. The two containers can be of the same filing capacity or of the different capacity. The filing capacity combinations of the two cylinders can vary based on requirement and standard cylinder sizes available in the market for e.g. in one of the embodiments of the invention both cylinders have filing capacity of 30 liters. Further, more than two gaseous fuel cylinders may also be used according to the present invention.
In order to accommodate cylinders of desired filing capacity under the operator seat, the cylinder with length more than conventionally used cylinders may also be used. In order to accommodate higher length cylinder within vehicle width, the floorboard of the operator cabin may also be provided with floorboard extensions on both left and right sides of the floorboard. Further, to accommodate fuel cylinders under the operator seat within the seat width, a hump is provided on the partition wall between the operator cabin and the passenger compartment.
Mounting of multiple fuel cylinders with increased length than conventionally used fuel cylinders possess problem in packaging of parking brake and reverse gear lever which are conventionally provided adjacent to the operator seat. Component layout within operator cabin is changed such that parking brake and reverse gear are mounted on chassis reinforcement upper part which lies in front of the operator. The brake cables are suitably rerouted.
The gaseous fuel cylinders positioned under the operator seat are supported over support members provided on the chassis reinforcement lower part and front cross member of chassis. Support members of the gaseous fuel cylinders are arranged such that, a clearance is created between the floorboard of the operator cabin and the gaseous fuel cylinder. Brake cables and wiring harness from front of the vehicle carried towards the rear of the vehicle through the clearance between the floorboard and the gaseous fuel cylinder. Further, the equalizer of the parking brake is also positioned in this clearance so that it remains protected.
For filing of fuel, two cylinders may be provided with a common gas filing valves and have a common gas filling arrangement. The gas filing valve position is such that it is conveniently accessible during fuel filing. A protective cover fixedly connected to floorboard on the side of the filing valve is provided to protect filing valve from external direct impacts, dust, dirt, etc. The protective cover can be in the form of hingedly connected door which may be opened and closed as per filling requirements. In another aspect of the invention, the two fuel cylinders may be provided with independent fuel filling arrangement.
In a one of the embodiment, two gas cylinders positioned under the operator seat are supported over a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a two cylinder support grooves. The cylinder support grooves have support surfaces having profile which correspond to outer periphery of the gas cylinders. The supporting surfaces may be provided with a rubber cushioning on their surface to absorb the shocks due to road induced vibrations.

As very limited space is available for mounting of the gas cylinders under operator seat, very narrow gap has to be maintained between the cylinders. This may lead to collision of the cylinders during braking and acceleration of the vehicle. To avoid such situation, the gas cylinders are secured within the respective supporting grooves using belt and spacer arrangement. In one such arrangement, a pair of belts and spacers is provided to keep the gas cylinders in position during braking and acceleration of the vehicle. Additionally, a separator may also be provided between the gas cylinders. One end of the belts is fixed to the first end of the cylinder mounting bracket and other end of the belts connected to other end of the cylinder mounting bracket through adjustable screw arrangement. The adjustable screw arrangement facilitates in adjusting the belt tension. A pair of spacers is provided between the two cylinders which keeps the two cylinders apart and avoids collision between the cylinders during braking or acceleration of the vehicle or road induced vibrations to the vehicle. The spacers are positioned under the belts such that they remain in contact with both cylinders under belt tension. Further, the spacers also helps to keep the belt in tension. The belt and spacer arrangement helps to retain cylinders into supporting surfaces provided on the cylinder support grooves without colliding with each other.

During assembly, the mounting bracket of the fuel cylinders, fuel cylinders and belt and spacer arrangement can be assembled individually under the operator seat. Alternately, arrangement of the mounting bracket, fuel cylinders and belt and spacer arrangement can be formed as separate subassembly and mounted under the operator seat directly. This reduces the assembly time. In yet another embodiment, the fuel cylinders are manufactured integrally with mounting bracket which can be mounted under the operator seat directly.
The gaseous fuel cylinder mounting arrangement for three wheeled vehicle described above facilities increased fuel filing capacity which in turn helps to increase vehicle driving range and reduces fuel filing frequency. Further, proposed gaseous fuel storage arrangement provides optimum position for higher fuel storage capacity. The gaseous fuel storage arrangement according to the invention is safe, robust and cost effective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is an orthogonal view of a three wheeled passenger vehicle with fuel cylinder mounting arrangement according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1A is a first side view of a three wheeled passenger vehicle with fuel cylinder mounting arrangement according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1B is a second side view of a three wheeled passenger vehicle with fuel cylinder mounting arrangement according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 2 is an orthogonal view of a three wheeled cargo vehicle with fuel cylinder mounting arrangement according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 3A is a top view of the fuel cylinder arrangement under the operator seat of the three wheeled vehicle of figure 1.
Figure 3B is an orthogonal view of the fuel cylinder arrangement under the operator seat of the three wheeled vehicle of figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top view of the floorboard of the three wheeled vehicle of figure 1.
Figure 5A and 5B are orthogonal views of arrangement of the parking brake lever and the reverse gear lever according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 6A and 6B are orthogonal views of the fuel cylinders along with the mounting arrangement of the fuel cylinders according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 6C is an orthogonal view of the mounting arrangement shown in figure 6A and 6B for the fuel cylinders.
Figure 7A is a top view of the mounting arrangement of spare wheel on chassis frame according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 7B is an orthogonal view of the mounting arrangement of spare wheel along with spare wheel.
Figure 7C is a side view of the mounting of spare wheel on chassis frame as per arrangement shown in figure 7A and 7B.

Figure 8A is an orthogonal view of the mounting arrangement of a battery on the chassis frame according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
Figure 8B is an orthogonal view of the battery mounted on the chassis frame according to arrangement shown in figure 8A.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now follow with reference to the above drawings. The fuel cylinder arrangement in reference to a passenger vehicle is explained though the figures and following detailed description however one skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that the arrangement can be adopted for cargo/goods carrier three wheel vehicles as well.
Referring to figure 1 to 1B and 3A to 4, a three wheeled vehicle 100 is shown. The three wheeled vehicle comprises a chassis frame 50 having long members 55L and 55R connected together by multiple cross members like 59, 60. An operator cabin 5 is provided at one end of the chassis frame 50 and a passenger compartment 10 is provided behind the operator cabin 5 supported over long members 55L and 55R. Operator cabin 5 is a space formed by a floor board 35, a front panel 6 and windshield 2. A wiper 7 is provided to clean the windshield 2. The floorboard 35 of the operator cabin 5 is connected to the chassis frame 50 at front cross member 59 through a suitable fastening arrangement. Operator cabin 5 and the passenger compartment 10 are covered by a top cover 8 from the top.
The operator cabin 5 accommodates steering handle 20, dashboard 21 and operator seat 25. The operator cabin 5 is provided with a front wheel 1 which connected to steering handle 20 in conventional manner. The front wheel 1 is provided with a suspension arrangement 3 and covered with mudguard 4. The passenger compartment 10 is supported over long members 55L and 55R of chassis frame 50. The passenger compartment 10 includes a body cover 12 inside which passenger seating arrangement 15, passenger leg space 16, foot board for passengers 17 and luggage space on rear side of passenger seat are provided.
On the rear side of the chassis frame 50, other vehicle components such as engine 120, air cleaner 125, etc. are mounted on the chassis frame 50 by taking support of the cross member of the chassis frame 50. An air intake pipe 127 is supported by the rear wall of the passenger compartment 10 and connected to the air cleaner 125. Placements of the vehicle components such as engine 120 under the passenger compartment 10 are such that the suitable ground clearance and passenger boarding height is maintained. Rear wheels 2L and 2R are provided and connected to frame with the help of training arm assembly 52. Trailing arm assembly 52 provide suspension to the rear wheels of the vehicle. An auxiliary liquid fuel tank 130 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle mounted on long member 55L of the chassis frame 50. A cut-out 13 is provided on body cover 12 of the vehicle to provide access to the auxiliary liquid fuel tank 130 for refilling. The auxiliary liquid fuel tank 130 provides fuel to engine in case of emergency when gaseous fuel is over or not available.
In one aspect of the invention, two fuel cylinders 200a and 200b are mounted under the operator seat 25, with the long axis of the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b situated substantially along the width of the vehicle. To accommodate two fuel cylinders 200a and 200b under the operator seat 25 within the seat width, a hump 40 is provided on the partition wall 14 between the operator cabin 5 and the passenger compartment 10. Use of higher capacity fuel cylinders 200a and 200b may result in increased length of the cylinders. In such situation, in order to accommodate increased length of cylinder 200a and 200b within vehicle width, the floorboard 35 of the operator cabin 5 may is provided with floorboard extensions 36L and 36R on both left and right sides of the floorboard 35.
The two cylinders 200a and 200b may be provided with common fuel filing valve 205. The common fuel filing valve 205 is easily accessible from vehicle right side for fuel filing. The common fuel filing valve 205 is protected from dust, dirt or external direct impacts by providing a protective cover 202. The protective cover 202 may be attached to the floor board extension 36R by suitable attaching means such as bolting, welding, etc. The protective cover 202 can also be in the form of a detachable cover or may be provided with hinge arrangement so as to open and close as and when required. The gaseous fuel cylinders 200a and 200b positioned under the operator seat 25 are supported over a support member 190 provided on the chassis reinforcement lower part 150 and support members 191R and 191L provided on the front cross member 59 of chassis frame 50. Support members 190, 191R and 191L are arranged such that, a clearance is created between the floorboard 35 and the gaseous fuel cylinders 200a and 200b. Similar gaseous fuel cylinder arrangement can be provided in the cargo vehicle 110 having a pickup tray 115 instead of passenger compartment 10 as shown in figure 2.
As the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b has more length than conventionally used fuel cylinders, parking brake 140 and reverse gear lever 145 which are conventionally provided adjacent to the operator seat 25 needs to be repackaged. Referring figure 5A and 5B, layout of operator cabin 5 is redesigned so that parking brake 140 and reverse gear lever 145 can be mounted on chassis reinforcement upper part 155 which lies in front of the operator. The clearance between the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b are mounted over the support member 190, 191R and 191L and the floorboard 35 allows passage for carrying various control cables 80 such as engine decompression cable, forward and reverse gear cables, engine stop cables, etc., wiring harness 85 such as wiring harness for rear lights, starter motor, etc. and brake cables 90 pass from front of the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle. Further, the equalizer 91 of the parking brake is also positioned within this clearance under the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b so that it remains protected.
Referring to figures 6A to 6C, according to one of the embodiments of the invention, two same sized gas cylinders 200a and 200b are supported over a mounting bracket 300 for e.g. both cylinders 200a and 200b has a filing capacity of 30 liters each. Fuel tank sizes may be chosen based on the standard fuel cylinder sizes available and space available. Further, different sized fuel cylinders may also be used.
The mounting bracket 300 has a two cylinder support grooves 300a and 300b. The cylinder support groves 300a and 300b have support surfaces having profile which correspond to outer periphery of the gas cylinders 200a and 200b. The groves supporting surfaces may be provided with a rubber cushioning 304 on their surface to absorb the shocks due to road induced vibrations.
As the space available for mounting of the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b is limited, very narrow gap has to be maintained between the cylinders 200a and 200b. This may cause collision of the cylinders 200a and 200b during braking and acceleration of the vehicle. To avoid such situation, the gas cylinders are secured within the respective grooves 300a and 300b of support member 300 using belt and spacer arrangement. In one such arrangement, a pair of belts 310 and spacers 305 is provided to keep the gas cylinders 200a and 200b in position. First end 301b of the belts 310 is fixed to outer end of the cylinder support groove 300b and second end 301a of the belts 310 is connected to outer end of the cylinder support groove 300a through adjustable screw arrangement. Adjustable screw arrangement comprises a bolt 307, whose one end is fixedly connected to belt 310 and other end is connected to the cylinder mounting bracket 300 using adjustable bolt 308. The adjustable screw arrangement facilitates in tightening or loosening belts around the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b. The belts 310 is in the form of the flat strip which are made of the metal strip 310a covered with cushioning material 310b on the surface which is in contact with the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b.
A pair of spacers 305 is provided between the two cylinders 200a and 200b which keeps the two cylinders apart and avoids collision between the cylinders during braking or acceleration of the vehicle or road induced vibrations of to the vehicle. Additionally, a separator (not shown) may also be provided between the gas cylinders. In one such configuration, the spacer 305 is in the form of a triangular metallic frame 305a with rubber cautioning cushioning 305b on its outer surface. The spacers 305 are positioned under the belts such that they remain in contact with both cylinders 200a and 200b under tension exerted by belts 310. The arrangement of the belts 310 and the spacers 305 helps to retain cylinders 200a and 200b in groves 300a and 300b provided on the cylinder mounting bracket 300 without colliding with each other. The cylinder mounting bracket 300 has flat bottom surface for facilitating its mounting on support members 190, 191R and 191L.
During assembly, the mounting bracket 300, fuel cylinders 200a, 200b, belts 310 and spacers 305 can be assembled directly on mounting support members 190, 191R and 191L. Alternately, arrangement of the mounting bracket 300, fuel cylinders 200a, 200b, belts 310 and spacers 305 can be formed as separate subassembly and then mounting on the mounting support members 190, 191R and 191L. This reduces the assembly time. In yet another embodiment, the fuel cylinders 200a, 200b can be manufactured integrally with mounting bracket 300 which can be mounted on mounting support members 190, 191R and 191L directly.
For fuel filing into the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b, a common fuel filing valve 205 is provided. Fuel filed through valve 205 is carried into both the cylinders 200a and 200b through a tube 215. While using the fuel, the fuel is carried to engine through a common tube 220. The fuel supply to engine 120 can be done selectively by stopping the fuel supply from one of the cylinders using control arrangement 210. In an alternate arrangement both cylinders 200a and 200b may be provided with separate filing arrangement.
In conventional three wheel vehicles, a spare wheel and a battery are usually accommodated under the operator seat. Since as the fuel cylinders 200a and 200b are mounted under the operator seat, design modification needs to be made for packaging of the spare wheel and the battery.
Now referring to the figure 7A to 7C, according to present embodiment of the invention, the spare wheel 30 is packaged under the passenger compartment 10. The spare wheel 30 is placed behind the operator cabin 5 and ahead of the engine 120. According to one aspect on the invention, a cradle structure 400 is provided for mounting of the spare wheel 30 under the passenger compartment 10.
The cradle structure 400 for mounting of spare wheel includes a top frame 410 and base structure 420. The top frame 410 has two parallel support members 410a and 410b which are supported over the long member 55L and 55R. The long member 55L and 55R are provided with support brackets 408 to which support members 410a and 410b are connected through a suitable attaching means such as bolts 402.
Sliding member 415 is provided on each of the support members 410a and 410b. A base structure 420 in the form of L-shaped frame with a profile to accommodate the spare wheel 30 is hingedly connected to the sliding member 415 at its one end and other end remains open. The base structure is provided with cranks towards its open end to create a profile that limit the movement of the spare wheel. Further, the base structure 420 is also provided with a restricting member 430 which extends across the base structure 420. The restricting member 430 is U shaped and provided to restrict the movement of the spare wheel when the vehicle is in the accelerated or brake is applied.
The spare wheel 30 is placed between the top frame 410 and the base structure 420 through the open end of the base structure 420. A stud 425 inserted through the passenger area floor is connected to open end of the base structure 420 by screw arrangement so that the stud 425 can be loosed and screwed back as and when required.
While mounting of the spare wheel 30, the stud 425 is loosed so that the base structure 420 gets released. By holding a hook 426 the base structure can be pulled out as it is hingedly and slidably connected to the top frame 410. The spare wheel 30 then can be placed inside the base structure 420 and restricting member 430. The base structure 420 is raised and pushed back and the stud 425 can be screwed back into the base structure 420. While removing the spare wheel same process is followed. Such arrangement for mounting of spare wheel helps in easy storage and removal of the spare wheel.
Referring to figure 8A and 8B now, the battery 27 position is moved to rear side of the vehicle. A battery support structure 445 attached on external side of the long member 55R of the chassis frame 50 through suitable attaching means such as welding is provided. The battery support structure 445 includes support members 450 obliquely extending from long member 55R and connected to the support base 455. The battery 27 is placed on the support base 455 and fixed to battery support structure 445 through suitably attaching arrangement such as bolting. Wiring harnesses 460 of the battery 27 is suitably rerouted along the long member 55R. The battery 27 along with battery support structure 445 remains covered under body cover 12. This protects battery from external impacts, dust, dirt, etc. Further, it also eliminates chances of battery theft.
As described above the invention in the first aspect relate to a three wheeled vehicle (100) comprising; a front end having provision for operator seat (25); and a rear end comprising a passenger or a storage compartment (10); wherein more than one of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are accommodated under the operator seat (25).
The long axis of each of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are substantially arranged along the width of the three wheeled vehicle (100) in one type of arrangement.
In this arrangement, the three wheeled vehicle (100) described above has a chassis frame (50); wherein the containers are mounted on the chassis frame (50) which comprises of more than one long members (55L, 55R). These long members are connected by at least one cross member (59) and a floorboard (35) of the operator cabin (5) is attached to the chassis frame (50) at a first end of the chassis frame (50) and a passenger or luggage compartment (10) is mounted above the chassis frame (50).
In another aspect the referred more than one i.e., plurality of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are preferably in cylindrical shape and the containers (200a, 200b) are of the same filing capacity or may be of different capacity.
In another aspect the above mentioned plurality of gaseous fuel containers are provided with a common gas filing valves and have a common gas filling arrangement.
In another aspect the plurality of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are provided with independent gas filling arrangement including gas filling valve (205).
The three wheeled vehicle (100) as described above has an arrangement as described above with the gas filing valve/s (205) positioned on the gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) at left of right side of vehicle (100) such that it is easily accessible during fuel filing.
The above three wheeled vehicle (100) described may include a protective cover (202) connected to floorboard (35) on the side of the filing valve (205) protecting the filing valve (205) from external direct impacts, dust, dirt, etc
The three wheeled vehicle (100) described above may further include the described protective cover (202) which is a hingedly connected door and which is openable and closable as per filling requirements.
The three wheeled vehicle (100) as described above will have an engine (120), a spare wheel (30), a battery (27), a parking brake (140) and a reverse gear (145); wherein all these elements are positioned away from the gas containers (200a. 200b) located under the operator’s seat (25) and the engine (120) is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle (100) under the passenger seat (15) or luggage compartment. In this arrangement it can also include having the spare wheel (30) positioned under the passenger or luggage compartment and mounted on a cradle structure (400) supported by brackets provided on long members (55L, 55R) of the chassis frame (50). The said cradle structure (400) is so arranged to include a base structure (420) hingedly and slidably connected to a top frame (410) and forming space in-between for accommodating the spare wheel (30).
The said vehicle arrangement as described above will have the battery (27) positioned to the rear side of the vehicle (100) and it is mounted on support structure (445) which is attached to external side of the long member (55R) of the chassis frame (50) through suitable attaching means such as welding.
In the above arrangement of the three wheeled vehicle (100) described above, the parking brake (140) and reverse gear (145) are mounted on chassis reinforcement upper part (155) in front area of the operator.
The three wheeled vehicle (100) as described above will have the passenger compartment (10) including seating arrangement (15), foot board for passengers (17) and luggage space on rear side of passenger seat and the luggage compartment may be in the form of a pickup tray or an enclosed compartment.
The invention in another aspect as described above will have the floorboard (35) under the operator seat (25) provided with floorboard extensions (36L, 36R) on both left and right sides of the floorboard (35) and a hump (40) is provided on the partition wall (14) between the operator cabin (5) and the passenger compartment (10) to accommodate gas containers (200a, 200b).
In another aspect of the invention which is a three wheeled vehicle (100) as described above with the gaseous fuel cylinders (200a, 200b) positioned under the operator seat (25) and supported on support members (191L, 191R) provided on chassis reinforcement lower part (150) and front cross member (59) of chassis frame (50). The said support members (190, 191R and 191L) are arranged to create a clearance between the floorboard (35) under the operator seat (25) and the gaseous fuel cylinders (200a, 200b). The arrangement also includes an equalizer (91) of the parking brake (140) is positioned in the clearance to protect it.
In another aspect of the invention, the three wheeled vehicle (100) will comprise of mounting brackets (300) supporting plurality of gas cylinders (200a, 200b) positioned under the operator seat (25); wherein the mounting bracket (300) has plurality of cylinder support grooves (300a, 300b) having profile of support surfaces corresponding to outer periphery of the gas cylinders (200a, 200b).

In another aspect of the above arrangement will include a rubber cushioning (304) is provided between surfaces of support groves (300a, 300b) of mounting bracket (300) and gas cylinders (200a, 200b) to absorb the shocks due to road induced vibrations. This arrangement will include having a belt (310) and spacer (305) arrangement securing the gas cylinders (200a, 200b) within its position in respective supporting grooves (300a, 300b) during braking and acceleration of the vehicle (100); wherein belt and spacer arrangement comprises plurality of belts (310) having its one end (301b) fixed to the first end of the cylinder mounting bracket (300b) and other end of the belts (301a) connected to other end of the cylinder mounting bracket (300a) through adjustable screw (307, 308) for adjusting the belt tension.

The above arrangement will further include belt and spacer arrangement comprising plurality of spacers (305) between the adjacent two cylinders (200a, 200b) for keeping the two cylinders apart and avoiding collision between the cylinders during braking or acceleration of the vehicle (100) or road induced vibrations to the vehicle (100). The spacers (305) will be attached to the belts (310) and positioned under the belts (310) for keeping both cylinders (200a, 200b) in contact and under belt tension. The referred plurality of separators are provided between adjacent gas cylinders to avoid collision between the cylinders; wherein the separators are not attached to the belt. In the above arrangement, the mounting bracket of the fuel cylinders, belt (310) and spacer (305) arrangement are assembled individually under the operator seat (25). The mounting bracket (300), fuel cylinders (200a, 200b), belt (310) and spacer (305) arrangement are formed as separate sub-assembly and mounted under the operator seat (25) directly. The fuel cylinders (200a, 200b) are manufactured integrally with mounting bracket (300) and mounted under the operator seat (25) directly.

In another aspect the invention of the three wheeled vehicle (100) as described above may have one, some or all of the features described above, wherein the gaseous fuel cylinder storage arrangement facilities increased fuel filing capacity and helps to increase vehicle driving range and reduces fuel filing frequency and provides optimum position for higher fuel storage capacity and is safe, robust and cost effective.

Proposed gaseous fuel cylinder mounting arrangement for three wheeled carrier vehicle described above helps to increase vehicle driving range and reduces fuel filing frequency by increasing fuel filing capacity. The gaseous fuel storage arrangement according to the invention is safe, robust and cost effective. Further, the arrangement does not affect the vehicle ground clearance and boarding/ loading height of the passenger compartment or pickup tray. Proposed gaseous fuel storage arrangement provides optimum position for higher fuel storage capacity. The gaseous fuel cylinder mounting arrangement according to the invention can be adopted for various configurations of three wheeled vehicle such as passenger three wheeled vehicle, cargo/goods carrier three wheeled vehicle, etc. Further, more than two gaseous fuel cylinders can also be used using gaseous fuel cylinder mounting arrangement according to the invention.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, modifications and variations to the invention described herein may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present invention. The applicant also intends to rely on provisional specification and drawings filed previously
,CLAIMS:A three wheeled vehicle (100) comprising; a front end having provision for operator seat (25); and a rear end comprising a passenger or a storage compartment (10); wherein a plurality of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are accommodated under the operator seat (25).
2. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1; wherein the long axis of the plurality of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) substantially along the width of the three wheeled vehicle (100).
3. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2 comprising a chassis frame (50); wherein the containers are mounted on the chassis frame (50) which comprises a plurality of long members (55L, 55R) which are connected by at least one cross member (59) and a floorboard (35) of the operator cabin (5) is attached to the chassis frame (50) at a first end of the chassis frame (50) and a passenger or luggage compartment (10) is mounted above the chassis frame (50).
4. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3; wherein plurality of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are preferably in cylindrical shape.
5. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4; wherein the plurality of containers (200a, 200b) are of the same filing capacity or of the different capacity.
6. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3; wherein plurality of gaseous fuel containers are provided with a common gas filing valves and have a common gas filling arrangement.
7. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3; wherein the plurality of gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) are provided with independent gas filling arrangement including gas filling valve (205).
8. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6 or 7; wherein the gas filing valve/s (205) positioned on the gaseous fuel containers (200a, 200b) at left of right side of vehicle (100) such that it is easily accessible during fuel filing.
9. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8; wherein a protective cover (202) is connected to floorboard (35) on the side of the filing valve (205) protecting the filing valve (205) from external direct impacts, dust, dirt, etc
10. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9; wherein the protective cover (202) is in the form of hingedly connected door, openable and closable as per filling requirements.
11. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising an engine (120), a spare wheel (30), a battery (27), a parking brake (140) and a reverse gear (145); wherein all these elements are positioned away from the gas containers (200a. 200b) located under the operator’s seat (25).
12. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11; wherein an engine (120) is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle (100) under the passenger seat (15) or luggage compartment.
13. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11; wherein the spare wheel (30) is positioned under the passenger or luggage compartment and mounted on a cradle structure (400) supported by brackets provided on long members (55L, 55R) of the chassis frame (50).
14. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 13; wherein the cradle structure (400) includes a base structure (420) hingedly and slidably connected to a top frame (410) and forming space in-between for accommodating the spare wheel (30).
15. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11; wherein a battery (27) is positioned to the rear side of the vehicle (100) and it is mounted on support structure (445) which is attached to external side of the long member (55R) of the chassis frame (50) through suitable attaching means such as welding.
16. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11; wherein a parking brake (140) and reverse gear (145) are mounted on chassis reinforcement upper part (155) in front area of the operator.
17. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3; wherein the passenger compartment (10) includes seating arrangement (15), foot board for passengers (17) and luggage space on rear side of passenger seat.
18. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3; wherein the luggage compartment is in the form of a pickup tray or an enclosed compartment.
19. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3; wherein the floorboard (35) under the operator seat (25) is provided with floorboard extensions (36L, 36R) on both left and right sides of the floorboard (35) and a hump (40) is provided on the partition wall (14) between the operator cabin (5) and the passenger compartment (10) to accommodate gas containers (200a, 200b).
20. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4; wherein the gaseous fuel cylinders (200a, 200b) positioned under the operator seat (25) are supported on support members (191L, 191R) provided on chassis reinforcement lower part (150) and front cross member (59) of chassis frame (50).
21. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 20; wherein the support members (190, 191R and 191L) are arranged to create a clearance between the floorboard (35) under the operator seat (25) and the gaseous fuel cylinders (200a, 200b).
22. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 21; wherein equalizer (91) of the parking brake (140) is positioned in the clearance to protect it.
23. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 20; comprising mounting brackets (300) supporting plurality of gas cylinders (200a, 200b) positioned under the operator seat (25); wherein the mounting bracket (300) has plurality of cylinder support grooves (300a, 300b) having profile of support surfaces corresponding to outer periphery of the gas cylinders (200a, 200b).

24. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 23; wherein a rubber cushioning (304) is provided between surfaces of support groves (300a, 300b) of mounting bracket (300) and gas cylinders (200a, 200b) to absorb the shocks due to road induced vibrations.

25. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 24; comprising belt (310) and spacer (305) arrangement securing the gas cylinders (200a, 200b) within its position in respective supporting grooves (300a, 300b) during braking and acceleration of the vehicle (100); wherein belt and spacer arrangement comprises plurality of belts (310) having its one end (301b) fixed to the first end of the cylinder mounting bracket (300b) and other end of the belts (301a) connected to other end of the cylinder mounting bracket (300a) through adjustable screw (307, 308) for adjusting the belt tension.

26. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 25; wherein belt and spacer arrangement comprises plurality of spacers (305) between the adjacent two cylinders (200a, 200b) for keeping the two cylinders apart and avoiding collision between the cylinders during braking or acceleration of the vehicle (100) or road induced vibrations to the vehicle (100).

27. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 26; wherein the spacers (305) are attached to the belts (310) and positioned under the belts (310) for keeping both cylinders (200a, 200b) in contact and under belt tension.

28. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 26; comprising plurality of separators provided between adjacent gas cylinders to avoid collision between the cylinders; wherein the separators are not attached to the belt.

29. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 27; wherein the mounting bracket of the fuel cylinders, belt (310) and spacer (305) arrangement are assembled individually under the operator seat (25).

30. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 27; wherein the mounting bracket (300), fuel cylinders (200a, 200b), belt (310) and spacer (305) arrangement are formed as separate sub-assembly and mounted under the operator seat (25) directly.

31. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 27; wherein the fuel cylinders (200a, 200b) are manufactured integrally with mounting bracket (300) and mounted under the operator seat (25) directly.

32. The three wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in any one of above claims; wherein the gaseous fuel cylinder storage arrangement facilities increased fuel filing capacity and helps to increase vehicle driving range and reduces fuel filing frequency and provides optimum position for higher fuel storage capacity and is safe, robust and cost effective.