Claims:I/We claim:
1. 1. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure (101);
a fuel tank assembly (109) disposed on said frame structure (101),
said fuel tank assembly (109) comprising a fuel filter sub-assembly (201), being disposed inside the fuel tank assembly (109),
wherein said fuel filter assembly (201) beiing detachably attached substantially at a lowermost surface of said fuel tank assembly (109), and
wherein said fuel filter assembly (201) comprises a filter holder (403) and a filter body (402), said filter body (402) being detachably attached to said filter holder (403).
2. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure (101);
a fuel tank assembly (109) disposed on said frame structure (101),
said fuel tank assembly (109) comprising a fuel filter sub-assembly (201) and an in-line fuel pump assembly (204) disposed externally to said fuel tank assembly (109), said in-line fuel pump assembly (204) receiving filtered fuel from said fuel filter assembly (201),
wherein said fuel filter assembly (201) being detachably attached substantially at a lowermost surface of said fuel tank assembly (109), and wherein said fuel filter assembly (201) comprises a filter holder (403) and a filter body (402), said filter body (402) being detachably attached to said filter holder (403).
3. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the in-line fuel pump assembly (204) is mounted to an outer surface (109bo) of said fuel tank assembly (109).
4. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the in-line fuel pump assembly (204) is mounted to a portion of said frame structure (101).
5. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said filter holder (403) comprises a projected portion (403p) for receiving said filter body (402).
6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said projected portion (403p) comprises a first wall (503a) and a second wall (503b).
7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said filter holder (403) comprises one or more second holes (403h) for detachably mounting said filter holder (403) to the outer surface (109bo) of said fuel tank assembly (109).
8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said filter holder (403) comprises at least one spout (508) for receiving a first fuel hose for connecting said filter holder (403) to said in-line fuel pump assembly (204).
9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said in-line fuel pump assembly (204) is configured to receive a return hose (301) for connecting said in-line fuel pump assembly (204) to a throttle body of said vehicle (100).
10. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said fuel filter assembly (201) comprises a first sealing member (504) disposed between said filter body (402) and a stepped profile (403s) of said filter holder (403).
11. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said fuel filter assembly (201) comprises a second sealing member (505) disposed between said filter holder (403) and said outer surface (109bo) of said fuel tank assembly (109).
12. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second sealing member (505) is disposed in a groove portion (507) provided on said filter holder (403).
13. The saddle-type vehicle (204) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said filter body (402) comprises a base structure (402b), a body frame (402f) comprising one or more columns (501) extending along a filter element (400) from said base structure (402b).
14. A fuel filter assembly (201) for a fuel tank assembly (109), said fuel filter assembly comprising:
a filter body (402), and
a filter holder (403),
wherein said filter body (402) is detachably attached to said filter holder (403).
15. The fuel filter assembly (201) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said filter body (402) includes a base portion (402b), a head portion (402t) and one or more column portions (501) axially joining said head portion (402t) and said base portion (402b).
16. The fuel filter assembly (201) as claimed in claim 15, wherein said base portion (402b) is configured with a chamfer profile (402c).
17. The fuel filter assembly (201) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said filter holder (403) includes a projected portion (403p), a groove portion (507), a stepped profile (403s), and said filter holder (403) is elliptical in shape when viewed from a top view. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a saddled two-wheeled vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fuel filter assembly for the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle, a storage structure assembly is provided to store fuel there within. The storage structure assembly is usually disposed at a rear end of the vehicle or at a front end of the vehicle. In a scooter type of vehicle, the storage structure assembly is disposed below the seat assembly and at the rear end of the vehicle. Whereas, in a motorcycle and other types of light motor vehicle, the storage structure assembly is disposed along a main frame of a vehicle frame assembly or below the main frame respectively. The storage structure assembly is used to store fuel of required capacity and facilitate smooth and uninterrupted fuel flow to an engine assembly whenever required. In motorcycles, fuel tank is made of sheet metal and consists of fuel tank outer body and fuel tank inner body. The storage structure assembly includes a fuel filter assembly to filter the fuel before sending the fuel to the engine assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddled vehicle, for example a motorcycle.
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the vehicle.
[0006] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the fuel tank assembly.
[0007] Figure 4a illustrates a top perspective view of a partially exposed fuel tank assembly.
[0008] Figure 4b illustrates a bottom perspective view of the fuel tank assembly.
[0009] Figure 5a illustrates a front perspective view of the fuel filter assembly.
[00010] Figure 5b illustrates a sectional view of the fuel filter assembly as taken along MN axis as shown in the Figure 5a.
[00011] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the fuel filter assembly.
[00012] Figure 7a illustrates a top perspective view of a filter body.
[00013] Figure 7b illustrates a sectional view of the filter body 402 taken along longitudinal axis of the filter body.
[00014] Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the filter holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00015] In general, a storage structure of the storage structure assembly is made of sheet metal and includes fuel tank outer body and fuel tank inner body. The fuel tank outer body and the fuel tank inner body are joined by seam welding process. The storage structure, in particular, is mounted to the frame assembly at one or more locations. One of the mounting is to arrest the movement of the storage structure at a rear portion of the storage structure. Other mountings are to locate the storage member on a portion of a frame assembly of the vehicle.
[00016] Generally, the storage structure assembly is mounted on the main frame of the vehicle ahead of the seat assembly in a straddle type two wheeled vehicle. With increasing demand for addition of features to reduce vehicular emission, there is a need to accommodate many systems such as fuel filter assembly, fuel injection system working in conjunction with a fuel pump unit, an evaporative emission control device, a fuel sender unit etc. within the storage member, and its surrounding areas.
[00017] The storage structure assembly, in particular, the fuel storage structure assembly consists of three major parts, such as, right side part, left side part, and the inner part. The right-side part and the left side part together form the outer cover. The inner part is an inner cover. The inner cover is shaped in a complex way to accommodate space for being supported on a frame component in addition to accommodate and support various systems as mentioned above.
[00018] The length and width of the vehicle are configured to be within a limited range for easier handling of the vehicle. Accordingly, the storage structure assembly is also designed to fit within the maximum width of the vehicle. Such a storage structure assembly should be configured to support and/or accommodate all the systems as mentioned above.
[00019] Further, the shape of the storage structure assembly tends to become complicated, if the parts such as the fuel filter assembly, fuel pump unit and the fuel sender unit are to be accommodated on the inner cover of the fuel tank. In addition the storage structure needs to accommodate critical components like, the evaporative emission control device within the space between the outer cover and the inner cover. Along with being able to accommodate all the above said components, the fuel tank should also be configured to be mounted to a portion of the frame assembly.
[00020] The above said storage structure assembly results in lack of space particularly for the fuel pump unit and the fuel filter assembly, due to its shape and operating conditions. In order to accommodate the fuel filter assembly, along with other components inside/on the inner cover of the storage structure assembly, the shape of the inner cover becomes complex. The inner cover with complex shape is difficult to be accommodated on a frame portion of the frame assembly. Further, the packaging of such a complex storage structure assembly within the width of the vehicle is also challenging.
[00021] In particular, for the type of vehicles, in which the fuel pump unit can be installed inside the fuel tank assembly, the fuel filter assembly integrated with the fuel pump unit is sufficient to filter the foreign particles before allowing the fuel to enter the fuel injector. However, in case of compact vehicles with a small fuel tank assembly, the available fuel volume would be lesser and hence packaging the fuel pump unit inside the fuel tank assembly becomes unviable. In such cases, there is a need to package the fuel pump unit outside the fuel tank assembly as an inline fuel pump unit. Thus, in such cases, if the fuel has to be filtered out before supplying to the fuel pump unit, another fuel filter is required before the fuel is passed on to the fuel pump unit. Moreover, usage of fuel filter outside the fuel tank assembly would increase the complexity of the layout of the fuel tank assembly. The same leads to a complicated assembly procedure in addition to potential chances of fire hazards. Incidentally, external fuel filter not only increases the cost of the fuel supply system but also increases the service cost included in the frequent replacement of filter due to the above said reason.
[00022] In the known fuel systems, for example, the type of fuel filter that is placed externally, the external fuel filter is configured to receive fuel from the fuel pump unit and send the filtered fuel to the fuel injector. Further, the fuel is also sent back to the fuel pump unit by means of a return circuit. Moreover, the fuel pump unit is provided with an integral fuel filter upstream on its intake side, which is configured to perform first level filtering that is sufficient for the functioning of the fuel pump unit. Thus, to provide an external fuel filter downstream of the fuel pump, space is a constraint due to the need to accommodate the fuel filter externally as well as space occupied for a separate return circuit. Further, an additional fuel filter, increases the cost of the fuel tank assembly. The external fuel filter also suffers from drop in pressure over a period of time due to accumulation of dirt necessitating frequent service. This pressure drop leads to choking of the fuel injector. In particular, the above said problem occurs predominantly when the fuel flow is occurring due to gravity. Thus, if the external fuel filter is not placed beyond the fuel pump unit, a pressure drop is experienced. Therefore, incorporating an external fuel filter requires the fuel filter to be placed beyond the fuel pump, which in turn requires a return circuit as well. Thus, the overall space and the cost requirement of the fuel system increases.
[00023] In another known art of existing fuel tank assembly, the fuel filter is provided internally to the fuel tank assembly and is integrated with a fuel cock. However, such internal fuel filter has a coarse filter layer with low filtering area. Such coarse filter layer causes choking of fuel injector as the fuel entry passage to the injector is clogged with foreign particles. Therefore, the known internal fuel filter suffers from poor filtering performance. Further, the low filtering area also contributes to the clogging of the filter itself.
[00024] Further, integration of the fuel filter to the fuel cock restricts the flow of fuel to the fuel pump unit. Thus, there is a need to overcome the problem associated with the restriction of the fuel flow to the fuel pump unit.
[00025] In another known art, the fuel filter is configured in the form of a bent shape to be accommodated within an available compact space. However, bending of the filter results in limited space for flow channel. The fuel filter device is provided in the fuel flow path to an engine. The fuel filter is provided with a bag like filter element being supported by an elastically deforming frame inside the filter area. The fuel filter has a return port, an intake port & an outlet port. The filter element is arranged inside a case & is fixed to the connecting portion of the case.
[00026] The solution as provided in the above said known art is not implemented. This is because the known art provides a fuel filter device with three different ports, viz., an inlet port, an outlet port and a return port. In addition, the filter device of the fuel tank assembly also includes a fuel cock. Thus, the filter device taught by the known art is not preferred for implementation due to space constraint as accommodating a bag like filter element supported by elastically deforming frame inside the filter area occupies large space. Moreover, providing a fuel return port with return line makes the fuel filter more complex as the return line carries air bubbles or fuel vapours, which should be prevented from re-entering the fuel filter which otherwise can cause serious stalling of the engine.
[00027] In another known art, raising the fuel injection accuracy and providing smooth fuel flow from fuel tank to a fuel filter is involved. This is done by preventing the evaporative gas from stagnating in the fuel line from fuel tap to fuel filter. The evaporative gases are sent back to the fuel tank through the circulation pipe from fuel injection pump.
[00028] Similarly, the solution of the above said known art teaches accommodating fuel filter external to the fuel tank. The problems associated with providing an external fuel filter is already described in the preceding paragraphs. Further, know art discloses smooth flow due to gravity from the fuel tank to the fuel filter. The problems associated with such gravitational flow of fuel are also described in the preceding paragraphs. Known art also teaches providing a return circuit from the fuel injector to the fuel filter which is undesirable. The present invention is aimed at eliminating such a return circuit.
[00029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an internal fuel filter is provided inside the storage structure, prior to a fuel pump unit. In order to increase the efficiency of such known internal fuel filters, additional fine filter layer is provided beneath a coarse filter layer. Further, in order to enhance the filtering area, the filter is configured to be in elliptical shape. Moreover, since the filter is placed inside the fuel tank assembly, the sloshing of the fuel enables cleaning of the fuel filter thereby eliminating need for frequent service.
[00030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel filter assembly is capable of being mounted to a fuel tank assembly. The fuel filter assembly is comprising a separable filter body carrying one or more filter layers, a separable filter holder holding a filter body detachably, a first seal being engaged between the filter holder and the filter body and a second seal being engaged in a groove portion of the filter holder, and plurality of supporting screws.
[00031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel filter assembly is configured to deliver the filtered fuel through an outlet port in the base of the filter holder, while being detachably attached to the fuel tank assembly.
[00032] The filter body and the filter holder are made separable wherein the filter body is constructed with more than one layer of filter, such that a mesh opening size of outer layer is at least same as that of the inner layer. In an embodiment, two holes are made in each of the filter holder and the filter body to detachably attach the filter body. The filter layers are firmly stretched along the sides by one or more columns of a frame of the fuel filter assembly to form an effective filtration area inside. The one or more columns in the frame ensures the elimination of bending of filter layers by its vertical stand. The first seal serves the sealing of the filter holder with the filter body while the second seal is configured to provide the sealing of the filter holder with the fuel tank. The filter body primarily filters the fuel and allow the filtered fuel to occupy the effective filtration area, whereas the filter holder that is configured to structurally hold the filter body carries the filtered fuel from the filter body to its outlet port.
[00033] In the present embodiment, the fuel pump unit is provided as inline fuel pump (external) and not as internal fuel pump integrated with the fuel filter assembly, which is the case with most motorcycles. Construction as per the present subject matter enables enhanced serviceability of the fuel filter assembly, which is achieved without disturbing the fuel pump unit. Moreover, the known in line fuel pumps are provided with fuel filter that are either integrated with the fuel cock body or provided as rigid components within the fuel tank assembly. In both these cases, the fuel filter is not serviceable. Moreover, the fuel filter integrated with the fuel cock is provided with a separate sediment bowl, which is not the case with the construction of the present invention.
[00034] Additionally, existing fuel filters in scooters are of pencil type, which are serviceable. But to accommodate such filters, the surface of the fuel tank has to be made with a mating surface that has similar profile to receive the fuel filter, which is press-fitted. Such a construction faces the problems with respect to permitting passage of unfiltered fuel to fuel pump, affecting the surface of the fuel tank during replacement of the fuel filter and dedicated mating structure to be created on the surface of the fuel tank.
[00035] Thus, the present invention overcomes the above-stated problems of the existing fuel filters known in scooter type vehicles as it provides a fuel filter assembly with a fuel filter body detachably attached to a fuel filter holder. The fuel filter holder is mounted externally on the surface of the fuel tank with a separate seal between the fuel filter holder and the fuel tank outer surface. The fuel filter body is detachably mounted on the stepped portion of the fuel filter holder using fasteners. The fuel filter body is disposed inside the fuel tank and a separate seal is provided between the fuel filter body bottom surface and the fuel tank inner surface. Therefore, the present construction provides enhanced serviceability of the fuel filter without affecting the fuel tank or the fuel pump. Moreover, the present construction also provides double and effective sealing, which ensures that there is no passage of unfiltered fuel to the fuel pump.
[00036] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00037] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddled vehicle, for example a motorcycle. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly 101 (shown schematically with dotted lines) including a main frame 101a extending obliquely rearwardly from a head pipe 102, a front fork assembly 103 mounted to the front of the frame assembly 101 and connected to a front wheel 104, an engine assembly 105 is supported by the frame assembly 101 and a rear wheel 106 supported by the rear portion of the frame assembly 101.
[00038] In the illustrated motorcycle, a head pipe 102 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. The front fork assembly 103 is supported pivotally by the head pipe 102. In an upper portion of the head pipe 102, a handlebar assembly 107 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft (not shown). A front wheel 104 is journaled to a lower end of the front fork assembly 103 and the front wheel 104 is rotated in a certain range by steering the handlebar assembly 107.
[00039] A front fender 108 is arranged on the front fork assembly 103 to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 104. In a front portion of the frame assembly 101, a fuel tank assembly 109 is arranged immediately behind the handle bar assembly 107. A seat assembly 110 is placed behind the fuel tank assembly 109. The seat assembly 110 includes a rider seat and a pillion seat. The seat assembly 110 is placed immediately behind the storage structure assembly 109.
[00040] The engine assembly 105 is supported to the frame assembly 101 by being suspended in a front lower portion of the frame assembly 101. The engine assembly 105 is equipped with an exhaust system (not shown) and includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine assembly and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 106.
[00041] Furthermore, a swing arm 113 is swingably connected to a rear lower portion of the frame assembly 101 and the swing arm 113 extends rearwards. The rear wheel 106 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 113. At least one shock absorber 114 is supported by the swing arm 113 at one end. Power from the engine assembly 105 being suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 101 is transmitted to the rear wheel 106 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain (not shown), so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 106.
[00042] Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the vehicle with few parts omitted for clarity. The storage structure assembly comprises of a fuel tank assembly 109, a fuel pump unit 204, a fuel filter assembly (not shown) and one or more fuel hoses connecting the fuel pump unit 204, the fuel filter assembly and the fuel tank assembly 109 therebetween. The fuel tank assembly 109 comprises of a fuel tank upper cover 109a, a fuel tank inner cover 109b. The fuel tank upper cover 109a is on an upper side of the fuel tank assembly 109 towards the rider, the fuel tank lower cover 109b is on a bottom side of the fuel tank assembly 109 towards the front wheel. A return hose 301 is connected between the fuel pump unit 204 and the fuel filter assembly (not shown).
[00043] In an embodiment, an air filter assembly 202 is accommodated substantially forwardly and downward of the fuel tank assembly 109. The fuel tank assembly 109 and the air filter assembly 202 are disposed above a cylinder head of the engine assembly 105 when viewed from a front view of the vehicle. The fuel pump unit 204 is detachably attached to the fuel tank assembly 109.
[00044] In another embodiment, the fuel pump unit 204 is attached to a portion of the frame assembly 101.
[00045] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the fuel tank assembly. The fuel tank assembly 109 comprises a fuel pump unit 204. The fuel pump unit is configured to be communicably connected to the fuel tank assembly 109 through an inlet hose 302, and a return hose 301. The inlet hose 302 are connected to the fuel filter assembly 201 which is disposed inside the fuel tank assembly 109, whereas and the return hose 301 is connected directly to the storage volume inside the fuel tank assembly 109. Further, an injector hose 303 is configured to communicably connect between the fuel tank assembly 109 and a fuel injector (not shown).
[00046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel filter assembly 201 is connected to the inlet port of the fuel pump unit 204 through the inlet hose 302 to supply the filtered fuel to the fuel pump unit 204. From the fuel pump unit 204, the pressurised fuel reaches the engine assembly (not shown) and gets combusted. The return hose 301 is connected to a return tube (not shown) present inside the fuel tank 109 from a return port 301p of the fuel pump unit 204. As per an aspect of the present invention, the return tube (not shown) is open to the storage volume inside the fuel tank.
[00047] An external fuel filter assembly requires hose connections from the fuel tank assembly to the fuel filter assembly and from the fuel filter assembly to the fuel pump unit. The addition of hose connections always increases the risk of potential fire hazards, as the fuel delivery system layout is close to the hot engine. The simpler configuration of the fuel filter assembly 201 as provided in the proposed invention eliminates the need of additional hose connections and thus eliminating potential chances of fire hazards.
[00048] According to this layout design, the fuel pump unit 204 is gravity feed by being configured under the fuel tank 109. The position of the fuel filter assembly 201 is configured to be at substantially the same horizontal level or above the horizontal level of the fuel pump unit 204 at least to deliver the filtered fuel under gravity. By doing so, the layout design eliminates any chance of foreign objects hitting the fuel filter assembly 201 is existing even though covered by a cover member or the frame portion. This is completely eliminated by attaching the compact fuel filter assembly 201 to the fuel tank 109 safely while serving the purpose of fuel feed by gravity.
[00049] According to the present subject matter, any adverse heat impacts from the engine assembly is eliminated by not exposing any portion of fuel filter assembly 201 to engine heat. Heat impacts on fuel filter assembly 201 would evaporate the fuel and reduce the flow rate to the fuel pump unit 204. The present invention achieves an uninterrupted flow of the fuel to the fuel pump unit 204 without affecting the performance of the fuel pump unit 204.
[00050] In an embodiment the fuel pump unit 204 is attached to an outer surface 109bo of the fuel tank assembly 109 as shown in figure 4b.
[00051] Figure 4a illustrates a top perspective view of a partially exposed fuel tank assembly. Figure 4b illustrates a bottom perspective view of the fuel tank assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank bottom cover 109b is provided with one or more holes 401h and at least one opening 401o. The opening 401o is configured to allow passage of the return hose 301 therethrough.
[00052] In an embodiment, the fuel tank inner cover 109b is configured to include a mounting plate 401. The mounting plate 401 is provided with the opening 401o in between the one or more holes 401h. The mounting plate 401 is fixedly attached to an inner surface of a lower left side portion of the fuel tank inner cover 109b. The return hose 301 is attached to the fuel tank inner cover 109b slightly above the mounting plate 401. A portion of the return hose 301 is outside the fuel tank assembly 109 while the remaining portion is inside.
[00053] As depicted in the Figure 4b, the fuel filter assembly 201 is detachably attached to the mounting plate 401. The detachable attachment is enabled by one or more mounting members 201m. The fuel filter assembly 201 is attached such that most of the portion of the fuel filter assembly is disposed inside the fuel tank assembly 109.
[00054] In an embodiment, a filter holder 403 of the fuel filter assembly is configured to include at least one spout, in particular an outlet 508 configured to communicate with the fuel pump unit (204 shown in figure 3) through one or more hoses.
[00055] An external fuel filter requires separate mounting provisions in the frame or fuel tank assembly and the hose connections from the fuel tank assembly and to the fuel pump unit. This would add to the part count as well as result in delay in the assembly time. Thus, according to the present invention, the number of part is reduced to a greater extent by configuring the proposed simpler design fuel filter assembly 201 in the fuel tank assembly 109. The hose from the fuel filter assembly 201 to the fuel pump unit 204 is made as short as possible by configuring the fuel filter assembly 201 close to the fuel pump unit 204. This further enhances the fuel feed rate to fuel pump unit 204.
[00056] According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the obstruction to the flow of atmospheric air towards the engine assembly in the vehicle, during vehicle running condition is eliminated by attaching the fuel filter assembly 201 closer to the fuel tank assembly 109. Further, the aesthetics of the vehicle is not impacted as the fuel filter assembly 201 is completely disposed inside the fuel tank assembly 109.
[00057] Further, the layout of the fuel tank assembly 109 is made flexible configuring a compact internally disposed fuel filter assembly and achieving a simple structure for mounting the fuel filter assembly 109. An effective compact configuration of the fuel filter assembly is made under the fuel tank assembly 109 which enables additional space to be created beneath the fuel tank assembly which can be additionally utilized for packaging any other critical parts like IG coil, ECU, etc. Further, there is no impact in the configuration or accommodation of the neighbouring parts in the layout. Modifications are made only in the fuel tank assembly 109.
[00058] Figure 5a illustrates a front perspective view of the fuel filter assembly. Figure 5b illustrates a sectional view of the fuel filter assembly as taken along MN axis as shown in the Figure 5a. The fuel filter assembly 201 includes a filter body 402, a filter holder 403, and an outlet 508. The filter body 402 is attachable to the filter holder 403. The attachment is enabled by one or more attaching members 402m. In the sectional view as shown in Figure 5b, the filter body 402 is an elongated member extending away from the filter holder 403. The fuel filter assembly 201 includes a first seal 504 and a second seal 505. The filter body 402 comprises of a structural member, called as a body frame 402f and two layers of filter element 400 including a first filter and a second filter, the two layers of filter are closely concentrically placed and cannot be differentiated through these illustrations. The first filter is the outer layer and the second filter is the inner layer. The first filter has a mesh opening size more than that of the second filter. These two layers are attached to the body frame 402f in the filter body 402.
[00059] The filter body 402 comprises of a base portion 402b, a head portion 402t and middle one or more column portions 501. The filter layers are held together by the column portions 501 of the filter body 402 in the sides of the filter body while its head 402t portion is fully covered and the base portion 402b is left open.
[00060] The filter holder 403 comprises of a base portion and a wall portion. The filter holder 403 can be made of metal or plastic material. The base portion is provided with a groove 507 on its top face in which the second seal 505 is accommodated and two mounting holes 403h are formed on the base portion. The outlet port 508 is formed immediately below the base portion. The outlet port 508 is hollow throughout its length.
[00061] Fuel along with dust/foreign particles inside the fuel tank 109 reach the filter layers of a filter body in the fuel tank 109. Filtration happens through the layers of filter and the filtered fuel reaches the inside hollow portion of a filter body (not shown) of the fuel filter assembly. The filtered fuel flows without any leak to the central hollow region of the filter holder 403 to reach the outlet spout 508. The leakage at the interface of the filter body 402 and the filter holder 403 is eliminated by the use of a first seal 503b. Thus, the hollow portion of the entire fuel filter assembly 201 is filled with the filtered fuel. The separated particles are settled down as sediments in the lowermost portion of the fuel tank lower plate (401- as illustrated in the figure 4a). The filtered fuel is supplied to the intake port of the fuel pump unit (204- as shown in the figure 3) through the hose intake (302 as shown in the figure 3). Inside the fuel pump unit 204, the fuel is pressurised to a certain threshold value and supplied to the injector portion of the engine assembly (not shown) through an injector hose (303 as shown in figure 3). The fuel with excess pressure inside the fuel pump unit 204 is returned to the fuel tank 109 through return hose 301 and the return tube inside the fuel tank 109.
[00062] Similarly, due to temperature difference, minimal amount of moisture or water droplets are formed inside the fuel tank assembly 109 and gets mixed with the fuel. The water molecules due to its higher density penetrate the fuel and reach in the lowermost portion of the fuel tank. The base portion 402b of the body frame 402f prevents the suspended water molecules to reach the inside of the fuel filter. This base portion is configured to be solid such that it limits the above phenomenon and also defines a dead volume level of the fuel tank assembly 109, below which the fuel remains inside the fuel tank assembly 109 and cannot be supplied to the fuel pump unit 204.
[00063] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the fuel filter assembly 201. The filter holder 403 includes one or more orthogonally protruding wall portions including a first wall 503a and a second wall 503b being raised with an elliptical profile to maintain a solid hollow space inside them. The wall portions 503a, 503b being formed above the base portion of the filter holder 403 are formed immediately above the base portion. The second wall 503b is formed above the first wall 503a such that the first wall 503a and the second wall 503b together forms a step profile configured to accommodate the first seal 504. The step profile is further extended by a projected portion 403p configured to receive a portion of the filter body 402. The first wall 503a is provided with two holes and threads exactly opposite to each other. The thickness of the first wall 503a is more than that of the second wall 503b and hence the holes are made in the first wall 503a. These holes are formed with threads on their internal diameter. Thus, the inside of the entire filter holder 403 is hollow and is open to its bottom portion.
[00064] The first seal 504 is accommodated between the stepped portions of the filter holder 403 and the filter body 402 respectively such that the second holes 402h of both the filter holder 403 and the one or more first holes 402h of the filter body 402 respectively together get aligned. The first seal 504 is accommodated in a stepped profile 403s of the filter holder 403. The first seal 504 is tightly held between the filter body 402 and the filter holder 403 by engaging the screws in the holes. The chamfer portion of the filter body 402 comes in contact with the face of the base portion in the filter holder 403. The second seal 505 while sitting in the groove portion 507, seals the entire fuel filter assembly 201 with the fuel tank assembly 109 as shown in figure above.
[00065] The second seal 505 is accommodated to the groove portion 507 in the filter holder 403. The groove portion 507 is provided with a laterally raised portion. This laterally raised portion tightly holds the second seal 505 in the groove portion 507. It seals the filter holder 403 with the fuel tank mounting plate while the fuel filter assembly 201 is detachably attached to the fuel tank assembly 109.
[00066] The filter frame 501 is formed solid on its top portion and filters are supported by the columns in the sides to eliminate the adverse impact of fuel on the filter while filling. During vehicle movement, slosh movement inside the fuel tank allows the fuel to flow through the filter layers naturally. The bottom most portion of filter frame 501 is made chamfered to enhance ease of entry over the wall portion of the filter holder.
[00067] The groove portion 507 in the filter holder 403 is provided with locally non-uniform profile only to maintain interference fit at the seal interface. This eliminates the second seal 505 from falling off even when the fuel filter assembly 201 is tilted upside down. The cross section of the second seal 505 is derived either as elliptical or circular such that adequate compression of min 30% is ensured between the fuel filter assembly 201 and fuel tank mounting plate.
[00068] The filter body 402 and the filter holder 403 are made separable wherein the filter body 402 is constructed with more than one layer of filter, such that the mesh opening size of outer layer is at least same as that of the inner layer. One or more holes 403h are made on the filter holder 403 and one or more second holes 402h are provided on the filter body 402 to detachably attach the filter body 402 to the filter body 403. The layers of the filter element 400 are firmly stretched along the sides by the columns of the filter frame to form an effective filtration area inside. The one or more columns 501 in the body frame 402f ensures the elimination of bending of filter layers by its vertical stand. The first seal 504 serves the sealing of filter holder 403 with filter body 402 while the second seal 505 serves the sealing of filter holder 403 with fuel tank. The filter body 402 primarily filters the fuel and allow fuel to occupy the effective filtration area. The filter holder 403 while structurally holding the filter body 402 carries the filtered fuel from filter body 402 to its outlet port 508.
[00069] The proposed compact fuel filter assembly 201 can be directly mounted to the fuel tank assembly 109 using one or more mounting members like fasteners. This is similar to the simpler mounting the of fuel cock assembly. This makes the assembly and serviceability of fuel filter assembly 201 as simple as possible and does not demand any changes in the existing operating procedures.
[00070] Figure 7a illustrates a top perspective view of a filter body. The Figure 7b illustrates a sectional view of the filter body 402 taken along longitudinal axis of the filter body. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base portion 402b of the filter body 402 has second holes 402h opposite to each other and a step portion 402s. The bottom most portion is provided with a chamfer profile 402c. The chamfer profile 402c is configured for ease of insertion of the filter body 402 into the filter holder (not shown). The inside of the filter body 402 is complete hollow and is open to its bottom portion.
[00071] Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the filter holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. The filter holder 403 is configured to be of an elliptical shape when viewed from a top view as illustrated in the figure. The filter holder is more elongated along the first axis D-D as compared to the elongation along the second axis E-E. This way, the elliptical shape of the filter holder 403 and further followed by the elliptical shape of the entire filter body (402 not shown) is obtained. Further, the wall portion (503a and 503b) in the filter holder 403 is raised in an elliptical manner to maintain a hollow space inside them. The elliptical shape configuration of the filter body 402 is designed in order to enhance the filtering area. Further, the cross section of the second seal 505 (not shown) is derived either as elliptical or circular such that adequate compression of min 30% is ensured between the fuel filter assembly 201 and the mounting plate (401 shown in figure 4a) in the fuel tank assembly 109.
[00072] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.

Reference numerals:

100 Vehicle
101 frame assembly
101a main frame
102 head pipe
103 front fork
104 front wheel
105 engine assembly
106 rear wheel
107 handlebar assembly
108 front fender
109 fuel tank assembly
109a fuel tank upper cover
109b a fuel tank inner cover
110 seat assembly
113 swing arm
114 shock absorber
201m one or more mounting members
202 air filter assembly
204 fuel pump unit
301 return hose
301p return port
302 inlet hose
303 injector hose
401 mounting plate
401h one or more first holes
401o opening
402 filter body
402b base portion
402t head portion
402f body frame
403 filter holder
403h one or more second holes
403p projected portion
403s stepped profile
501 one or more column portions
503a first wall
503b second wall
504 first seal
505 second seal
507 groove
508 outlet spout