DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a step-through vehicle, and particularly, but not exclusively to a fuel supply system for said step-through vehicle.
Background
[0002] A fuel supply system for a two-wheeled step-through vehicle typically includes a fuel tank which stores fuel, and a fuel cock device which is attached to said fuel tank and delivers fuel from said fuel tank into an intermediate fuel receiving member, say for example a carburettor, which in turn is connected to an internal combustion engine. Particularly, fuel delivered from the fuel tank passes through the fuel cock device which has either a manual or an auto control for stopping and allowing fuel supply from said fuel tank to said fuel receiving member. Fuel flows into said fuel receiving member through an outlet hose emerging from said fuel cock device, said outlet hose being typically made of rubber. Generally a length of the outlet hose connecting the fuel tank to said fuel receiving member is maintained long, owing to the large distance between the fuel tank which is typically disposed at a rear portion of the step-through-vehicle, and the carburettor which is located in the vicinity of the engine, the engine being disposed at a substantially front portion of said vehicle. When said vehicle is in running condition, engine being swingable in a vertical direction with respect to a body frame/toggle link of said vehicle, at least a portion of the fuel supply system including said fuel receiving member swings together with the engine. As a result, position of said fuel receiving member shifts back and forth, causing the outlet hose to flex. Specifically, the outlet hose having an increased length may vibrate in the vertical direction and interfere with peripheral components, thereby resulting in damage to said outlet hose, and further resulting in spillage of fuel. Thus, not only is the safety of said vehicle affected but also safety of a rider is affected.
Summary of the Invention
[0003] The present invention has been devised in view of the above mentioned circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a step-through vehicle with a fuel supply system including one or more hoses which are reliably supported and which are safeguarded from damage.
[0004] Accordingly, the step-through vehicle as per the present invention includes a body frame which forms a skeletal framework of said vehicle, an engine unit swingably supported to a portion of said body frame, and a fuel supply system to supply fuel to at least a portion of the engine unit. Particularly, fuel from a fuel tank of said fuel supply system, said fuel tank being supported by the body frame and located at a rear portion of said vehicle; flows into a fuel receiving member operatively connected to at least a portion of the engine unit. More particularly, one or more hoses, including an outlet hose connecting a fuel cock device of said fuel tank with at least a portion of said fuel receiving member, carries fuel for said engine unit. In order to prevent spillage of fuel due to damage to said outlet hose, there is a need to ensure reliable routing/guiding of said outlet hose.
[0005] As per an aspect of the present invention, the engine unit includes an engine and a transmission, the engine including a cylinder assembly extending forwardly of a crankcase unit. Particularly, the cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder block of the engine is detachably attached to the crankcase unit. Further, an electrical component which serves to aid in the cranking of the engine is detachably attached to a portion of the crankcase unit, and is preferably disposed towards a rear end of the crankcase unit. As per an aspect of the present invention, the electrical component is disposed substantially centrally between the fuel tank located at the rear portion of said vehicle, and said fuel receiving member located at the front portion of said vehicle and in the vicinity of at least a portion of the engine unit. Therefore, as per an aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the electrical component is employed to support the outlet hose to be routed from the fuel tank to said fuel receiving member. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical component includes a support bracket extending away from a central body thereof to support the outlet hose. Presence of the support bracket aids in ensuring that the outlet hose does not loosely hang and interfere with peripheral or surrounding components, thereby preventing damage thereto. Moreover, since said electrical component is disposed centrally between said fuel tank and said fuel receiving member, it aids in supporting a mid-portion of said one or more hoses, including said outlet hose, thereby minimising flexion of said one or more hoses.
[0006] Thus, the present invention aids in ensuring a reliable routing of one or more hoses emerging from said fuel tank.
[0007] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] 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:
[0009] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a step-through vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG.2 illustrates a right side perspective view depicting a body frame of said step-through vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG.3 illustrates a right side perspective view depicting at least a portion of a fuel supply system supported on said body frame of said step-through vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG.4 illustrates a front view of an electrical component of said step-through vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG.5a illustrates a detailed rear perspective view of said electrical component in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG.5b illustrates a detailed rear perspective view of said electrical component in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG.6 illustrates a detailed view depicting routing of an outlet hose to a carburettor through said electrical component.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0016] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the step-through vehicle in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the step-through vehicle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0001] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a step-through vehicle 10 such as a scooter type motorcycle with reference to FIG.1 in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of said step-through vehicle 10. As shown in FIG.1, said vehicle 10 includes a body frame 11 (shown in FIG.2), for example an underbone body frame, made of a metal alloy and covered by various body covers. The body frame 11 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar 1 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 2 is pivotally supported to the steering shaft. The handlebar 1 provided above the front fork 2 allows steering of a front wheel 3. A headlamp unit 4 housed in a headlamp housing 4a is disposed in front of the handle bar 1.
[0018] Further, a front panel 5 is provided to cover a forward facing side of the body frame 11. A front fender 6 is provided to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 3 to prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 3 from striking parts lying behind the front wheel 3. A rear panel 7 is provided to cover a rearward facing side of the body frame 11. The rear panel 7 acts as a leg shield and protects a rider’s legs from a running wind blowing in a direction opposite to that of motorcycle running direction. Further, a floor board 8 is also provided for a rider to place his legs and is disposed below the rear panel 7.
[0019] Left and right side covers 9 are disposed to cover left and right side surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame 11. A seat 22 is disposed above the left and right side covers 9. A utility box (not shown) is disposed below the seat 22.
[0020] A fuel tank 23 (shown in FIG.2) is arranged at a rear portion of the body frame 11. The fuel tank 23 forms a part of a fuel supply system FS (shown in FIG.3) which also includes a fuel pump unit (not shown). The fuel pump unit may be either top mounted or bottom mounted to the fuel tank 23. Further, while the fuel tank 23 stores fuel, said fuel pump unit supplies fuel for powering an engine unit 30. The engine unit 30 includes an engine 30a and a transmission 30b. Particularly, the engine 30a is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by a carburettor 31(shown in FIG.2) to a combustion chamber thereof.
[0021] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 30a is let out as exhaust from a muffler (not shown) extending along a right hand side of said step-through vehicle 10.
[0022] A toggle link (not shown) supports the engine unit 30 swingably on a lower side of the left and right side covers 9. A rear wheel 35 is connected to the toggle link via the engine 30a. Power from the engine 30a is transmitted to the rear wheel 35 for driving said step-through vehicle 10 by means of the transmission 30b.
[0023] FIG.2 and FIG.3 illustrate a right side perspective view of a body frame 11 of said step-through vehicle 10. As may be seen, the body frame 11 includes a head tube 11a, a main tube 11b extending rearwardly and downwardly from said head tube 11a, a pair of first cross bridge members 11c extending sidewardly from said main tube 11b, a pair of floor board support tubes 11d extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to said pair of first cross bridge members 11c, a second cross bridge 11e connecting said pair of floor board support tubes 11d at a rear end of the same, a pair of side tubes 11f extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwardly from the second cross bridge 11e. As may be seen, the body frame 11 supports the fuel tank 23 which forms a part of the fuel supply system FS, between the pair of side tubes 11f. Particularly, the fuel tank 23 is disposed in the rear portion of said vehicle 10 and between the pair of side tubes 11f. The fuel tank 23 stores fuel to be supplied to the engine 30a through an intermediate fuel receiving member 31. In the present embodiment, said fuel receiving member 31 is a carburettor. However, in another embodiment, said fuel receiving member 31 may be a throttle body including a fuel intake member. As may be seen in FIG.3, said fuel receiving member 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the engine 30a. Particularly said fuel receiving member 31 is disposed above the engine 30a and serves to supply a mixture of fuel and air in a proper ratio to the engine 30a. One hose of one or more fuel hoses emerging from at least a portion of the fuel tank serve to carry fuel from the fuel tank 23 to said fuel receiving member 31.In the present embodiment, fuel stored in the fuel tank 23 is supplied to said fuel receiving member 31 through an outlet hose 24. Specifically, said outlet hose 24 extends from a portion of the fuel tank 23 including a fuel cock device 23c (shown in FIG.6) provided downstream of the fuel tank 23. More specifically, the outlet hose 24 extends from an outlet nozzle of the fuel cock device 23c to said fuel receiving member 31. Whereas in one embodiment, said fuel cock device 23c can be provided with a manual control for allowing or shutting fuel supply from said fuel tank 23 to said fuel receiving member 31, in another embodiment, said fuel cock device 23c can be provided with an auto control for allowing or shutting fuel supply from said fuel tank 23 to carburettor 31. For example, in the present embodiment, the fuel cock device 23c is automatically controlled based on a vacuum input that it receives from an inlet hose 25 emerging from an intake pipe 30aa (shown in FIG.6) of said engine 30a. Thus, fuel supply to the engine 30a is controlled based on the vacuum input that the fuel cock device 23c receives from the intake pipe 30aa. Thus, both the outlet hose 24 and the inlet hose 25 have to be routed about the engine 30a before they are connected to said fuel receiving member 31 and the intake pipe 30aa respectively. In order to ensure that there is no interference of either the outlet hose 24 or the inlet hose 25 with the engine 30a and the surrounding parts, it is imperative to hold the outlet hose 24 and the inlet hose 25 above the engine 30a so that they do not come in contact with the engine 30a. Particularly, it is essential to hold the outlet hose 24 at a substantial height above the engine 30a and the surrounding parts so as to avoid damage to said outlet hose 24 and to thereby prevent fuel spillage. Moreover, holding the outlet hose 24 substantially above the engine 30a also aids in ensuring that the outlet hose 24 is safeguarded from the heat of the engine 30a. In the present embodiment, the outlet hose 24 is a fuel hose and the inlet hose 25 is a vacuum hose.
[0024] As per an aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of an electrical component 33 serves to support said one or more hoses including the outlet hose 24 and the inlet hose 25 above the engine 30a. In the present embodiment, said electrical component 33 is supported on at least a portion of a crankcase unit 30ac including a LH crankcase member and a RH crankcase member. In the present embodiment, the crankcase unit 30ac is attached to at least a portion of the engine 30a. Specifically, the electrical component 33 is supported at a rear portion of the crankcase unit 30ac between the LH crankcase member and the RH crankcase member. More particularly, the electrical component 33 is disposed in a manner such that it is substantially centrally placed between the fuel tank 23 supported at the rear portion of the body frame 11, and the engine 30a. Therefore, the electrical component 33 is effectively used to support the outlet hose 24 and the inlet hose 25 at their respective mid portions. Moreover, since the outlet hose 24 and the inlet hose 25 are supported at their mid portions, free play of said hoses also gets distributed.
[0025] In the present embodiment, the electrical component 33 is a starter motor which serves to crank the engine 30a.
[0026] FIG.4 illustrates a front view of the electrical component 33. The electrical component 33 includes a central body 33a covered by an outer shell 33b. A plurality of mounting arms including a pair of LH mounting arms 33L and a pair of RH mounting arms 33R is provided which protrude outwards from said central body 33a. Both the pair of LH mounting arms 33L and the pair of RH mounting arms 33R include one or more mounting holes for being mounted to the crankcase unit 30ac. For example, each LH mounting arm of said pair of LH mounting arms 33L includes one or more mounting holes 33Lm for fastening said pair of LH mounting arms 33L to the LH crankcase member. Further, each RH mounting arm of said pair of RH mounting arms 33R is also provided with one or more mounting holes 33Rm for fastening said pair of RH mounting arms 33R to the RH crankcase member.
[0027] As per an aspect of the present invention and as may be seen in FIG.5a and FIG.5b, the electrical component 33 is provided with a support bracket 35 which is adapted to be attached to any one mounting arm of said pair of LH mounting arms 33L or said pair of RH mounting arms 33R. While FIG.5a illustrates a rear perspective view depicting attachment of the support bracket 35 as per a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.5b illustrates a rear perspective view depicting attachment of the support bracket 35 as per a second embodiment of the present invention. As per the first embodiment of the present invention, the support bracket 35 is attached to one RH mounting arm of the pair of RH mounting arms 33R, at an upper mounting hole 33Rmu (shown in FIG.4) of said one or more mounting holes 33Rm. As per the second embodiment of the present invention and as may be seen in FIG.5b, the support bracket 35 is attached to one RH mounting arm of the pair of RH mounting arms 33R, at a lower mounting hole 33Rml of said one or more mounting holes 33Rm. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the support bracket 35 is sandwich mounted to the RH crankcase member together with one RH mounting arm of the pair of RH mounting arms 33R. It is however preferable to attach the support bracket 35 as per the first embodiment of the present invention. As per another embodiment of the present invention, the support bracket 35 may also be attached to one LH mounting arm of said pair of LH mounting arms 33L. As per yet another embodiment of the present invention, the support bracket 35 may be integrally formed either with one RH mounting arm of said pair of RH mounting arms 33R or with one LH mounting arm of said pair of LH mounting arms 33L.
[0028] Further, as may be seen in FIG.5a and FIG.5b, the support bracket 35 is arranged in a manner such that it extends upwards from said one RH mounting arm of the pair of RH mounting arms 33R. Particularly, the support bracket 35 is fastened to one RH mounting arm of the pair of RH mounting arms 33R together with a weld nut 34 (shown in FIG.5a) by means of a fastener. Further, the support bracket 35 is provided with a hose guide 36. Particularly, in the present embodiment said hose guide 36 is affixed to said support bracket 35. In the present embodiment, said hose guide 36 includes at least two slots 36a, 36b (shown in FIG.6) to receive the outlet hose 24 and the inlet hose 25 and to enable routing of said outlet hose 24 and said inlet hose 25. However, in another embodiment, the hose guide 36 may be integrally formed with the support bracket 35, in order to achieve reduced part count.
[0029] For example, as may be seen in FIG.6 which depicts hose routing to a carburettor, the inlet hose 25 emerging from an intake spout 30ap of the intake pipe 30aa and to be connected to an inlet nozzle (not shown) of said fuel cock device 23c, is inserted into one slot 36a of said at least two slots 36a, 36b, and the outlet hose 24 emerging from the outlet nozzle (not shown) of said fuel cock device 23c and to be connected to the carburettor 31 is inserted into a second slot 36b of said at least two slots 36a, 36b provided in the hose guide 36. Thus, said hose guide 36 aids in holding and guiding one or more hoses (24,25) of said fuel supply system FS.
[0030] Thus, routing of an outlet hose supplying fuel to the carburettor as contemplated in the present invention involves providing a support bracket adapted to be attached to a portion of an electrical component supported on the crankcase. Routing of the outlet hose as per the present invention can be achieved by using less number of parts involving reduced assembly time, thereby enhancing overall productivity of manufacturing. Moreover, since the routing is achieved through the electrical component which is used in all vehicles, commonization of parts for hose routing can be achieved across all vehicles. Also, since an existing part in the vehicle is used for hose routing, any change in vehicle layout or modification of parts is also not warranted.
[0031] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A step-through vehicle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11);
an engine unit (30) swingably supported to said body frame (11), said engine unit (30) including an engine (30a) and a transmission (30b), wherein at least a portion of said engine (30a) is detachably attached to a crankcase unit (30ac); and
a fuel supply system (FS) including a fuel tank (23), an intermediate fuel receiving member (31) operatively connected to said engine (30a) for supplying fuel to said engine (30a), and wherein said intermediate fuel receiving member (31) is disposed in vicinity of at least a portion of said engine unit (30);
characterized in that, said fuel supply system (FS) includes one or more hoses (24,25) connected to said fuel tank (23), wherein said one or more hoses (24,25) is supported by at least a portion of an electrical component (33) of said step-through vehicle (10).
2. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical component (33) is supported on at least a portion of said crankcase unit (30ac), and is disposed substantially centrally between said fuel tank (23) located at a rear portion of said vehicle (10), and an intermediate fuel receiving member (31) located at a front portion of said vehicle (10) and in the vicinity of said engine unit (30).
3. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical component (33) includes a support bracket (35) for supporting said one or more hoses (24, 25).
4. The step-through vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrical component (33) includes a hose guide (36) having at least two slots (36a,36b) for holding and guiding said one or more hoses (24,25).
5. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said hose guide (36) is attached to said support bracket (35), and wherein said hose guide (36) includes at least two slots (36a,36b) to hold and guide said one or more hoses (24,25).
6. The step–through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support bracket (35) extends away from a central body (33a) of said electrical component (33).
7. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical component (33) includes a pair of LH mounting arms (33L) and a pair of RH mounting arms (33R) for supporting said electrical component (33) to said crankcase unit (30ac).
8. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 7, wherein said support bracket (35) is detachably attached to one mounting arm chosen from said pair of LH mounting arms (33L) and said pair of RH mounting arms (33R).
9. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 7, wherein said support bracket (35) is integrally formed with one mounting arm chosen from said pair of LH mounting arms (33L) and said pair of RH mounting arms (33R).
10. The step-through vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical component (33) is a starter motor.