Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a scooter type
vehicle, and particularly relates to an evaporative emission control device for said scooter type motorcycle. Background
[0002] In recent times there has been an increasing demand to
control evaporative emissions from automobiles, for example, from two wheeled motorcycles including scooter type motorcycles, in view of the stringent environmental norms. Therefore, in order to control evaporative emissions, an evaporative emission control device, popularly referred to as canister is being increasingly used. Use of a canister aids in controlling evaporative emissions. The canister also enables reuse of the evaporated fuel without releasing it to the atmosphere.
[0003] Activated carbon, a major constituent of the canister plays an
important role in controlling evaporative emissions. Activated carbon has a tendency to adsorb and store more amount of evaporated fuel when cooled, and desorbs the evaporated fuel easily when warmed up. Thus, temperature at which the canister is maintained is important from the point of view of efficient performance of the canister. Also, it is important to ensure that hoses emerging from the canister are securely routed so that probability of snapping of the hoses is minimised. Further, it is also important to ensure that the canister is located at a level substantially higher than that of the fuel tank so that flow of liquid fuel from the fuel tank

into the canister is prevented when the scooter type vehicle falls or experiences a jerk in bumpy conditions or when sudden brakes are applied, or to prevent a sudden slosh of fuel into the canister from the fuel tank when the vehicle is banking or when the vehicle is crossing a gradient.
[0004] Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the arrangement
of the canister does not affect serviceability of frequently serviceable parts such as battery, air filter etc.
[0005] In a known art, as described in 3899/DEL/2012, the canister
is arranged in the fuel tank and directly above the engine of a scooter type motorcycle. Since the canister is disposed above the engine, heat from the engine reaches the canister, thereby affecting adsorbing capacity of the canister. Further, in said arrangement, a charge hose from fuel tank to canister has to be bent/pre-formed at multiple locations before being connected to the canister so as to prevent flow of liquid fuel back into the canister, thereby making the routing of the charge hose difficult and the overall arrangement of the canister cumbersome.
[0006] In another known art, as described in WO2014158103, the
canister is disposed in a first compartment formed integrally in a storage box of a motorcycle, wherein the first compartment opens downwards and .is closed at an upper end. However, provision of the first compartment leads to reduction of utility space in the storage box, which is undesirable.

Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances.
[0008] It is, therefore one of the objects of the present invention to
provide a scooter type motorcycle that includes a canister whose
arrangement does not lead to reduction in utility space of a utility box.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
scooter type motorcycle that includes a canister that is arranged to be
protected from heat of an engine.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
scooter type motorcycle that includes a canister that is arranged
substantially close to a fuel tank so as to reduce length of the charge hose
and reap associated benefits such as permeation loss, lower volume of
tapped fuel etc.
[00.11] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
scooter type motorcycle that includes a canister that is arranged to have a
charge hose and a purge hose securely and conveniently routed.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
scooter type motorcycle that includes a canister that is arranged to be
secured from damage due to sunlight, water entry, and accidental hit by
foreign bodies.
[0013] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a
scooter type motorcycle including a canister that is arranged in a manner

such that the location of the canister does not affect the functionality and serviceability of adjacent/ interfacing parts.
[0014] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a
scooter type motorcycle including a canister that is arranged in a manner such that the canister is theft proof.
[0015] The above and other objects can be achieved according to
the present invention, by providing a scooter type motorcycle comprising a body frame assembly, a fuel tank mounted to said body frame assembly, a utility box mounted to said body frame assembly and disposed adjoining said fuel tank, a seat pivotally attached to said utility box and disposed above said utility box, an engine mounted to said body frame assembly and disposed below said utility box, a throttle body disposed in proximity of the engine and operatively connected to the engine, and a canister mounted in a space integrally formed in an upper portion of the utility box. As per an aspect of the present invention, said space is capable of being enclosed by a recess provided in a base portion of a seat of said scooter type motorcycle.
[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, the canister
is accommodated to be mounted in said space integrally formed in the upper portion of the utility box, said space being formed adjoining, a seat supporting, portion of said utility box. Further, the canister is mounted in a manner such that in a seat closed condition, the canister is enclosed by the recess formed in the seat. Since, the canister is accommodated in the

upper portion of the utility box, which is typically an unused dead space; the problem of reduction in utility space of the utility box does not arise. Further, since the canister is located in the space formed under the seat, and away from the engine, it is therefore secured from heat radiated by the engine. Moreover, as per the present embodiment, it is ensured that the canister is disposed at a level substantially higher than that of the fuel tank in a vehicle upright condition. Therefore, entry of liquid fuel from the fuel tank into the canister is prevented, thereby eliminating the need for a roll over valve.
[0017] Further, since the seat covers the canister accommodated
thereunder, the canister is secured from damage due to sunlight, water
entry, and accidental hit by foreign bodies. Moreover, the disclosed
arrangement of the canister ensures that the canister is theft proof.
[0018] Furthermore, location of the canister as per the present
invention ensures that a charge hose and a purge hose emerging from the canister can be guided towards the fuel tank and the throttle body respectively by taking support of a pair of side tubes of the body frame assembly. Support of the pair of side tubes not only eases routing of the charge hose and purge hose, but also eases clamping of the charge hose and purge hose, thereby securing the charge hose and purge hose of the canister securely and conveniently. Moreover, since the canister is accommodated in the upper portion of the utility box, which is disposed

adjoining the fuel tank, length of the charge hose extending from the fuel
tank is also reduced.
[0019] 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 the Drawings
[0020] 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:
[0021] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a scooter type motorcycle in
accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of the scooter type
motorcycle depicting canister arrangement in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of body frame assembly
of the scooter type motorcycle, depicting the canister arrangement in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG-4 illustrates a cross section of a seat as mounted to
utility box, depicting arrangement of the canister in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG.5 illustrates an enlarged perspective view depicting the
canister arrangement in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG.6 illustrates a perspective view of a utility box depicting a
mounting location for the canister in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0027] FIG.7 illustrates an exploded view depicting the mounting of
the canister in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG.8 illustrates a perspective view of the scooter type
vehicle depicting canister arrangement in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0029] Although the following description exemplifies an example of
canister arrangement in a scooter type motorcycle, the present invention is
not limited thereto. For example, canister arrangement according to the
present invention may be applied to any other motorcycle having a utility
box disposed below a seat. 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 said scooter type motorcycle with a driver
riding thereon. 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.
[0030] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure
of a scooter type motorcycle 10 with reference to FIG.1 FIG.2 & FIG.3.
[0031] FIG.1 is a side view of the scooter type motorcycle 10. As
shown in FIG.1," the scooter type motorcycle 10 includes a body frame assembly 11 (shown in FIG.3), for example an underbone body frame assembly, made of steel or aluminium alloy and covered by various covers. The body frame assembly 11 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar assembly i ip a front portion of said scooter type motorcycle 10. A front fork 2 is rotatably supported to the steering shaft through a upper bracket and a lower bracket (not shown). The handle bar assembly 1 provided above the front fork 2 allows steering of a front wheel 3. A headlight assembly 4 is supported to the handle bar assembly 1.
[0032] Further, a front covers is provided to cover a forward facing
side of the body frame assembly 11. A front fender 6 is provided to coyer an upper portion of the front wheel 3.
[0033] Left and right side covers 7 are disposed to cover left and
right side surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame assembly 11. A seat 22 is disposed above the left and right side covers 7. A fuel tank 23 (shown in FIG.3) is arranged in the rear portion of the body frame assembly 11 with its sides covered by the left and right side covers 7.

Further, a utility box 24 supported between a pair of side tubes 15 (shown in FIG-3) of the body frame assembly 11, is disposed in front of the fuel tank 23 and above an engine 25. The engine 25 is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by a throttle body 26 to a combustion chamber of the engine 25. In the present embodiment, the throttle body 26 is a carburettor. However, in another embodiment, the throttle body 26 can be an electronic fuel injection device.
[0034] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 25 is let
out as exhaust from a muffler (not shown) extending along a right hand side of the scooter type motorcycle 10.
[0035] A toggle link (not shown) is supported swingably on a lower
side of the left and right side covers 7. A rear suspension (not shown) is
mounted between a portion of the body frame assembly 11 and the engine
25. A rear wheel 30 is connected to the toggle link via the engine 25.
[0036] Canister arrangement according to the present embodiment
will be described hereunder with reference to FIG.2 - FIG.5.
[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the scooter type
motorcycle 10. As may be seen in the figure, a canister 40 is accommodated in a space 24a formed under the seat 22. Particularly, said canister 40 accommodated in said space 24a gets sandwiched between a portion of the seat 22 and a portion of the utility box 24, in a closed seat condition. Thus, the canister 40 is accommodated at a location that can be secured by the seat 22. Moreover, as the canister 40 is arranged under

the seat 22, the canister 40 remains pilferage proof, and also aesthetics of the scooter type motorcycle 10 remains unaffected since the canister 40 cannot be viewed from the outside.
[0038] FIG-3 depicts a perspective view of the body frame assembly
11 of the scooter type motorcycle 10. As may be seen, the body frame assembly 11 includes a head tube 12, a down tube 13 extending downwardly and rearwardly from the head tube 12, a pair of floor board support tubes 14 extending parallely to at least a portion of the down tube 13, a pair of side tubes 15 extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from the pair of floor board support tubes 14. The fuel tank 23 and the utility box 24 are supported between said pair of side tubes 15. While the fuel tank 23 is disposed at a rear end of the body frame assembly 11, the utility box 24 is disposed adjoining the fuel tank 23 and in front of said fuel tank 23.
[0039] According to the present embodiment, and as seen in FIG.4,
the canister 40 is accommodated in the space 24a formed under the seat 22. In a first embodiment, the space 24a is integrally formed in an upper portion of the utility box 24, and adjoins a seat supporting portion 24b of the utility box 24. In the present embodiment, said seat supporting portion 24b is provided in a front portion of the utility box 24. However, in a different embodiment, said seat supporting portion 24b may be provided at a rear portion of said utility box 24, so that said seat 22 is hinged to the

utility box 24 at its rear portion. The canister 40 may then be
• accommodated in a rear upper portion of the utility box 24.
[0040] As per an aspect of the present embodiment, in a seat
closed condition, the canister 40 thus accommodated, is enclosed by a
recess 22a formed in a base portion of the seat 22. Thus, the canister 40
is secured under the seat 22. Furthermore, the disposition of the canister
40 in said space 24a ensures that it is disposed at a substantially higher
level than that of the fuel tank'23. As a result, the possibility of flow of
liquid fuel from the fuel tank 23 into the canister 40 becomes remote.
Moreover, liquid fuel flowing into the canister 40 when the scooter type
motorcycle 10 topples over, also flows back into the fuel tank 23 when
said scooter type motorcycle 10 is brought back to an upright condition,
thus, eliminating the need for a roll over valve. A body of the utility box 24
acts as an insulating material for the canister 40, thereby preventing
engine heat from reaching the canister. The disclosed arrangement, thus
secures the canister 40 away from the engine 25. Therefore, performance
of the canister 40 due to heat of the engine 25 remains unaffected.
[0041] FIG-5 is an enlarged view depicting routing of hoses
emerging from the canister 40. In the present embodiment, a charge hose 40a and a purge hose 40b emerging from the canister 40 are routed to the fuel tank 23 and a throttle body 26 respectively by passing the charge hose 40a and the purge hose 40b through an opening 24c provided in the space 24a, and along one side of the pair of side tubes 15. For example,

in the present embodiment, while the purge hose 40b. is directly routed to
the throttle body 26 through the opening 24c, the charge hose 40a is
routed to the fuel tank 23 along a left hand side of the pair of side tubes
15. Support of the side tubes 15 aids in convenient routing of the charge
hose 40a and the purge hose 40b. As a result, the two hoses need not be
bent at multiple locations. Further, the charge hose 40a and the purge
hose 40b can be securely held without any overhang by using a plurality
of clamps 50 that may be affixed to the pair of side tubes 15. Thus, the
charge hose 40a and the purge hose 40b can be protected from damage
due to overhang, while ensuring convenience of routing. Moreover, the
current routing arrangement of the charge hose 40a and the purge hose
40b also aids in ensuring that the hoses do not get damaged due to
torsional/fatigue stress experienced during bumpy rides.
[0042] FIG.6 depicts an arrangement for mounting the canister 40
(shown in FIG.5) in accordance with the present invention. According to the present embodiment, the canister 40 is accommodated by mounting to a mounting bracket 45 provided in said space 24a of the utility box 24. The opening 24c, used for hose routing is provided adjoining the mounting bracket 45.
[0043] In the present embodiment, as may be seen in FIG.7, the
canister 40 held in a holder 41 is mounted to the mounting bracket 45. The holder 41 is a cylindrical member used to cover the canister 40 at least partially. In the present embodiment, the holder 41 is made of rubber.

However, in another embodiment the holder 41 may be made of plastic or the like. Further, the holder 41 has an insertion hole 41a, which is fittingly inserted into the mounting bracket 41. Thus, the canister 40 is mounted in the space 24a formed in the utility box 24.
[0044] FIG-8 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention, depicting mounting of the canister. As per the second
embodiment, the canister 40 is mounted in the recess 22a by providing a
mounting lug therein, wherein said recess 22a is formed in a base portion
of the seat 22. Further, hoses emerging from the canister are routed
through the opening 24c formed in the space 24a of the utility box 24.
[0045] Thus, the present disclosure aids in securing the canister 40
without involving the use of large number of additional parts including
fasteners. Moreover, the present .disclosure also ensures performance of
the canister ,40 by ensuring that the canister is located away from the
engine and close to the fuel tank. Further, location of the canister away
from parts such as air filter and battery as per the present disclosure
ensures that serviceability of above mentioned parts remains unaffected.
[0046] 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.

I/We Claim:
1. A scooter type motorcycle (10) comprising:
a body frame assembly (11) including a head tube (12), a down
(13) tube extending downwardly and rearwrardly from the head
tube (12), a pair of floor board support tubes (14) extending
substantially parallel to at least a portion of the down tube (13), and
a pair of side tubes (15) extending rearwardly and inclinedly
upwards from a portion connecting the pair of floor board support
tubes (14);
a fuel tank (23) supported between the pair of side tubes (15);
a utility box (24) mounted to the pair of side tubes (15) and
disposed adjoining to and in front of the fuel tank (23);
a seat (22) provided to be attached to a seat supporting portion
(24b) of said utility box (24), and to cover said utility box (24);
an engine (25) mounted to a portion,of the body frame assembly
(11) and disposed below the utility box (24) ; .
a throttle body (26) operatively connected to the engine (25); and
a canister (40) including a charge hose (40a) and a purge hose
(40b) connected to the fuel tank (23), and to the throttle body (26)
respectively, to suppress vapours generated by the evaporation of
fuel in the fuel tank (23) from being emitted to atmosphere,
wherein the canister (40) is accommodated in a space (24a)
integrally formed in an upper portion of the utility box (24), said

space (24a) being formed adjoining a seat supporting portion (24b) of the utility box (24).
2. The scooter type motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said canister (40) is enclosed by a recess (22a) formed in a base portion of said seat (22), in a seat closed condition.
3. The scooter type motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canister (40) is accommodated in said space (24a) by mounting to a mounting bracket (45) provided in said space (24a).
4. The scooter type motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said space (24a) includes at least an opening (24c) for passage of the charge hose (40a) and the purge hose (40b) of said canister (40).
5. The scooter type motorcycle (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the charge hose (40a) passing through said at least an opening (24c) is routed to the fuel tank (23) along one of said pair of side tubes (15).