APPARATUS FOR HOLDING EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to evaporative emtsston control system, more
particularly, to apparatus for holding evaporative emission control system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Apart from control of exhaustive emissions from two wheeled vehicles, there have
been considerable efforts in controlling evaporated emissions from fuel tanks of the two wheeled
vehicles. For such purposes, evaporative emission control system is employed in the two
wheeled vehicles. Typically, an evaporative emission control system includes one or more
controlling valves (e.g., a roll-over valve~ a one-way valve, etc.), an evaporated fuel retaining
device (e.g., a canister), one or more connecting tubes, holders, etc.
[0003] In two wheeled vehicle, a roll-over valve is provided between the fuel tank and the
evaporated fuel retaining device to prevent any unwanted flooding of the evaporated fuel
retaining device due to roll-over of the vehicle. One such arrangement having roll-over valve is
disclosed in a Japanese patent application 06-255554. The Japanese patent application 06-255554
discloses roll-over valve mounting device of the fuel tank for motor bicycles forming a cavity in
one side of an inverted-L-shaped dent of the center of a fuel tank inner plate, attaching a roll-over
valve to this cavity, and having connected recovery pipe and a recovery hose. For example, a
cavity is formed in one side of the shell of the fuel tank and the roll-over valve is fitted in the
cavity so as to connect the recovery pipe to the recovery hose.
[0004] However, the mechanism disclosed in the Japanese patent application 06-255554
requires forming a pocket for attaching the roll-over valve by modifying fuel tank which may not
be always desirable. Further, mounting of other components of the evaporative emission control
system, for example, the roll-over valve, the one-way valve connecting pipes, etc., to the two
wheeled vehicle increase the assembly time.
SUMMARY
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38 •.•.·.· .,
100051 In an embodiment, an apparatus for holding an evaporative emission control system
in two wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plate like member at least
partial.ly encompassing a top surface of a fuel tank of the two wheeled vehicle. The plate like
member comprises one or more ann portions, where each arm portion comprises one or more
mounting provisions configured to be detachably coupled to the fuel tank. The apparatus also
comprises a plurality of holding provisions integrally formed on the plate like member for
holding a plurality of components of the evaporative emission control system.
[0006] !11 an t:lllbuuirnt:nl, Lht: fuel tank compri_~es a peripheral flange mounted to a pair of
rear seat sub-frames of the two wheeled vehicle and a cross frame member. The cross frame
member is connected between the pair of: rear seat sub-frames in a cross direction of the two·
wheeled vehicle, where the peripheral flange is bolted to each of the pair of rear seat sub-frames
and the cross frame member.
. [0007] In an embodiment, each .of the one or more mounting provisions is a leg structure,
where the leg structure comprises a rib structure formed on underside of a distal end portion of
the leg structure from respective arm portion. The rib structure forms a channel on the underside
of the leg structure to snappily receive a portion of the peripheral flange.
[0008] In an embodiment, the plurality of components of the evaporative emission control
system further comprises at least one-of a fuel retaining device for collecting evaporated fuel gas
channelled from the fuel tank, a gas-liquid separator, a three-way connector, a one-way valve, a
roll-over va:Jve, and one or more connecting tubes. In an embodiment, the fuel retaining device is
a canister.
[0009] In an embodiment, the gas-liquid separator is mounted to underside ofthe plate like
member. and.is communicably connected to the fuel tank to collect evaporated fuel gas generated
from inside the fuel tank .. The plate like member comprises an opening to receive the gas--liquid
separator upon the plate like member being at .least partially encompassing the top surface of the
fuel tank.
[0010] In an embodiment, the three-way connector is configured to connect the gas-liquid
separator with the roll-over valve and the one-way valve. A first connecting tube of the one or
more connecting tubes connects the gas-liquid separator to the three-way connector, a second
connecting tube of the one or more connecting tubes connects the three-way connector to the
3
16 ',,.. ·~· -~~
one-way valve and a third connecting tube of the one or more connecting tubes connects the rollover
valve to the three-'.vay ~onnector. The collected evaporated fuel gas in the gas-liquid
.separator is discharged to the fuel retaining device through the three-way connector and the rollover
valve.
[0011) In an embodiment, the plurality of holding provisions comprises a plurality of hooks,
where each of the first connecting tube, the second connecting tube and the third connecting tube
is adapted to be slidably inserted: in at least one hook of the plurality of hooks for being
supported therein .
. [0012] In an embodiment, the plate like member further compnses a skirt structure
extending downwardly and positioned between two mounting provisions, where one end of the
one-way valve is connected to the second connecting tube and other end of the one-way valve is
configured to be opened into atmosphere and surrounded by wall ofthe skirt structure.
[0013] In an embodiment, the plurality of holding provisions comprises a first mounting
bracke~ configured to facilitate mounting of the one-way valve to a first arm portion of the one or
more arm portions ofthe plate like member,'a second mounting bracket configured to facilitate
mounting ofroll-over valve to a second arm portion of the one or more arm portions of the plate
like member, and a third mounting bracket configured to support to a fourth connecting tube of
the one or more connecting tubes, the fourth connecting tube connected between the roll-over
valve and the fuel retaining device.
[0014] In an embodiment, the fuel retaining device is a canister, and the plurality of holding
provisions .further comprises a substantially· 'L' shaped bracket, where the canister is removably
mounted to the plate like member by the substantially 'L' shaped bracket.
[0015] In an embodiment, a bottom surface of the plate like member complements a profile ·
of the top surface of the fuel tank. In an embodiment, the plate like member is slidably mounted
to the fuel tank. In an embodiment, wherein the plate like member comprises a profile such that
one or more components mounted to the fuel tank are accessible without removing the plate like
member, wherein the one or more components comprises a fuel gauge.
[0016] In another embodiment, an apparatus for holding an evaporative emission control
system in two wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plate like member at least
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partially encompassing a top surface of a fuel tank of the two wheeled vehicle. The plate like
member comprises one or more arm portions, where each arm portion comprises one or more
mounting provisions configured to be detachably coupled to a body frame of the two wheeled
vehicle. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of holding provisions integrally formed on the
plate like member for holding a plurality· of components of the evaporative emission control
system.
[0017] In an embodiment, the body frame comprises a pair of rear seat sub-frames, and
wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of bracket. Each bracket of the plurality of
brackets connects a mounting provision of the one or more mounting provisions to a rear seat
sub-frame of the pair of rear seat sub-frames, and where one end of each bracket is fixed to the
mounting provision and other end of the each bracket is fixed to the rear seat sub-frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMP ANYJNG DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will
become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.· One or more embodiments of the present invention are now
described, by way of example only wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and
in which:
[0019] Figure I illustrates side view of a scooter type vehicle, according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 2 illustrates perspective view of a vehicle body frame of the scooter type
vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 3 illustrates top view of the vehicle body frame, according to an embodiment
. of the present invention; ·
[0022] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for holding the evaporative
emission control system of the scooter type vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[00231 Figure 5 illustrates enlarged view ofthe portion 'A' of the body frame as illustrated
in Figure 2;
[0024] Figure 6 illustrates enlarged view ofthe portion 'B' as shown in Figure 5;
[0025] Figure 7 illustrates exploded view of the body frame of the scooter type vehicle
having apparatus for the holding evaporative emission control system of the scooter type vehicle
and the fuel tank, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for holding the evaporative
em.ission control system having plurality of components of the evaporative emission control
system mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0027] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective ,view of a rear portion of the body frame of the
I .
scooter type vehicle wherein an apparatus for holding the evaporative emission control system is
mounted on the body frame ofthe scooter type vehicle, according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0028] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn
to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, an
embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described
here below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the
particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0030] The terms "comprises", "comprising:', or any other variations thereof, are intended to
cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of
components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other
components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other
words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises ... a" does not,
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I:.PQ:
without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the
system or apparatus.
[0031] The terms "vehicle", "scooter type vehicle", "two wheeled vehicle" and
"motorcycle" have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term "two
wheeled vehicle" includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type
vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.
[0032] The terms "front/forward",· "rear/rearward", "up/upper/upward/top",
"down/downward/lower", "left/leftward", "right/rightward" used therein represents the directions
as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U,
Lr, L, R in the Figures.
[0033] For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures and description here below, further, in the
following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in
various views.
[0034] Figure I illustrates a side view of a two wheeled vehicle (e.g., a scooter.type vehicle)
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The two wheeled vehicle (hereinafter
referred to as 'vehicle') is shown as a 'scooter type vehicle', but it should not be considered as
limiting to the scope of embodiments of the present invention. The vehicle (I 00) comprises,
inter-a! ia, a front fork ( 121 ), a head tube ( 11 0), a main frame ( 112), a front fender (I 09), a front
wheel (I 08), a steering handlebar (1 07), a fuel tank ( 1 05) provided below a seat (I 06), a storage
box (not visible in figure 1), an engine unit (126), evaporated fuel retaining device (not visible),
an air cleaner assembly (not shown), a muffler (not shown), a rear suspension (not shown) and a
rear wheel ( 127). It may be noted that the vehicle (I 00) is shown to have include above stated
parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle includes other parts
which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and
described.
[0035] As illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the vehicle body frame (200) includes the
head tube ( 11 0) and the main frame (112), where the main frame ( 112) extends downward and
rearward from the head tube ( 11 0) and then extends in a substantially horizontal airection. The
main frame (112) is provided with a cross member (124), which is connected to a rear end of the
7
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main frame (112). The cross member (124) extends in the cross direction of the vehicle (100) .
. The vehicle body frame (200) includes a pair of rear seat sub-frames (I 14a), (I 14b) and one or
more cross frame members (see, (I 16), ( 120)). The rear seat sub-frames ( 114a) and (I 14b) forms
a left rear seat sub-frame (I 14a) anda right rear seat sub-frame (I 14b ). The rear seat sub-frames
(114a) and (114b) extend rearwardly and upwardly from the ends of the cross member (124) and
then extends in a substantially horizontal direction. In an embodiment, the rear portion of the rear
· seat sub-frames ( 114a) and ( 114b) curves at the rear end and connected by a bracket ( 123 ). A 'U'
character-like front side cross frame member ( 120) is constructed over the front portion of the
·rear sent sub-frames (114a) and(114b). The rear side cross frau1t:: IIIt::lllbt::r (116) is wnslructed
. over the. front part of the rear side approximately horizontal part of the rear seat sub-frames
(114a) and (114b).
[0036] ·In an embodiment, a. floor. structure ( 125) having two or more frame member is
provided by the upper surface of the front part of the approximately horizontal part of the main
frame ( 112), along the longitudinal and cross direction of the vehicle ( 1 00). The floor structure
(125) is welded: to the main frame (112). Further, a first U-shaped frame tube (118a) extends
obliquely downward and rearward, and front end of the first U-shaped frame- tube ( 118a) is
.! welded to the left rear seat sub-frames (114a) at a position near the front side cross frame
. -~ member ('120). Similarly,:a second U-shaped frame tube (118b) extends obliquely downward and
rearward, and front end· of the second U-shaped frame tube ( 118b) is welded to the right subframes
(114b) at a position hear the front side cross frame member (120). The U-shaped frame
tubes ( 118a) and (118b) are used for mounting a foot peg (not shown in any figures).
[0037] . The front fork ( 121). is steerably supported by the head tube (II 0) and the front
wheel ( 1 08) is attached to a lower end of the front fork (121 ). The steering handlebar ( 1 07) is
attached to an upper end of the head tube (110). A head light (Not shown) is arranged in front of
the steering handlebar ( 1 07). The front fender ( 1 09) is provided so as to cover an upper portion
of the front wheel (1 08).
[0038] The seat (106) on which the rider straddles is supported by the rear seat sub-frames
· ( 114a) and ( ll4b): The footboard is disposed between the front portion of the seat ( 130) and the
head tube ( 11 0).
[0039] A leg shield (I 02) that protects legs of a rider is provided on the front side. A centre
frame cover (103) is provided behind the leg shield (102). A centre cover (104) is provided
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,,
below the front portion of the seat (I 06). A side frame cover (I 0 I) that covers a vehicle side
surface is provided behind the centre cover (I 04). A tail light (not shown) and a rear fender (Ill)
are provided at a rear portion of the side frame cover (I 0 I). A fuel tank is arranged under the seat
(I 06) inside the side frame cover (I 0 I), where the seat (I 06) covers the fuel tank (I 05).
[0040] The fuel tank (I 05) is arranged near the rear end portion of the rear seat sub-frames
(I 14a) and (I 14b) and has a front end provided behind the rear side cross frame member (116)
(shown in Figure 2). The rear side eros~ frame member (116) has one or more mounting means
such as bracket, and the like, for mounting the fuel tank (I 05). Further, a cross plate is provided
between and connected to the rear seat sub-frames (I 14a) and (114b) and passes over the fuel
tank (I 05). The cross plate (not shown in Figure I) provides the latching means for locking the
seat (I 06) to the body frame (200). The cross plate is preferably an inverted 'U' character like
structure having the two ends connected to the rear seat sub-frames (I 14a) and (114b). The fuel
tank (I 05) is preferably a tWo part fuel. tank joined by welding having peripheral flange (204) of
uneven length. A portion of the peripheral flange (204) that is connected to the cross frame
member (I 16) is longer than a portion on the other sides of the peripheral flange (204). The
length of the left and right side flanges (of the peripheral flange (204)) is configured such as it
partially overlaps with the left rear seat sub-frames ( 114a) and the right rear seat sub-frames
(114b), respectively, when seen in the top view of the body frame (200) as shown in Figure 3.
The fuel tank (I 05) is mounted to the cross frame member ( 116) and the rear seat sub-frames
( 114a) and ( 114b) by bolting the overlapped portion of the peripheral flange (204) to the cross
frame member (116) and the rear seat sub-frames (I 14a) and (114b). The fuel tank (105) includes
a gas-liquid separator (203) which seats over the fuel tank (105) and is communicatively
connected to the fuel tank·( !OS) for receiving the fuel gas (vapour) generated inside the fuel tank
(I 05).
[0041] An engine unit ( 126) is arranged downwardly in front of the fuel tank (I 05) and
mounted to the· cross member ( 124 ). Discharge from the engine unit ( 126) after combustion is
removed as exhaust gas from a muffler (not shown). The muffler is provided backwardly on a
right side surface ofthe engine unit (126).
[0042] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for holding the evaporative·
emission control system ofthevehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the portion 'A' of the body frame•as illustrated in Figure
9
16 38 -:-
2 wherein apparatus for holding evaporative emission control system of the vehicle is mounted
on the fuel tank, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
·[0043) Referring both to Figures 4 and 5, the apparatus for holding evaporative emission
control system includes a plate like member (202) having one or more mounting provisions and
one or more holding provisions. In an· embodiment, the plate like meinber (202) is a detachable
plate like member (202) and is adapted to be mounted to the fuel tank (I 05). In an embodiment,
the plate like member (202) is adapted to. be· mounted on the fuel tank (I 05) so as to at least
partially encompass a top portion of the fuel tank (I 05). ror instance, in an t:lllbudimt:lll, profile
of a bottom surface of the plate like merriber(202) is such that it complements the profile of
corresponding top surface .of the fuel t;:mk.(I05) over which the plate like member (202) is
positioned. In another embodiment, the plate like member (202) may be mounted to the body
frame (200) of the vehicle (I 00) instead of the fuel tank (I 05). In an embodiment, the plate like·
member (202) 'is a resin made plate. In ·another embodiment, the plate like member (202) is a
metallic plate.
[0044) The structure of the plate like member (202) is such that when the plate like member
(202) is mounted on the fuel tank (I 05), the other essential components mounted to the fuel tank
(I 05) are accessible without removing the plate like member (202) from the fuel tank (I 05). For
example, the fuel gauge (219) is accessible to the user without removing the plate like member
·. (202).
[0045) The plate like member (202) comprises one or more arm portions (e.g., arm portions
(216a) and (216b )), where each arm· portion· comprises one or more mounting provisions
configured to be detachably coupled to the fuel·tank (I 05). For example, in an embodiment, the
plate like member (202) is substantially a 'W' character shaped plate having two arm portions
(216a) and (216b ). The arm portion (216a) has one or more mounting provisions (206) and (208)
·for mounting the 'W' character shaped plate like member (202) to the fuel t~mk (105). The arm
portion (216b) also has similar provisions. In an embodiment, there is a total of four mounting
provisions similar to the mounting provisions (206) and (208), provided on the two arm portions
(216a) and (216b) in form ofintegrally moulded structure. The mounting provisions (206) and
(208) are configured such that it snap-fits onto the peripheral flange (204) of the fuel tank (I 05).
In an embodiment, each of the mounting provisions (206) and (208) is preferably a leg structure
extending downward from the periphery of the arm portions (216a) or (216b ). Hereinafter, the
mounting provisions (206) and (208) are also interchangeably referred to as 'leg structures (206)
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and (208)'. As illustrated in Figure 6, a rib structure (214) is provided on the underside of the
distal end portion of the each of the leg structures (206) and (208) such as a channel is formed on
the underside of the distal end portion of the leg structures (206) and (208) along the peripheral
flange (204) ofthe fuel tank (105). The channel is formed such that it snappily receives a portion
of the peripheral flange (204) of the fuel tank ( 1 05). Further, a skirt structure (21 0) is provided
on the plate like member (202), where the skirt structure (21 0) extends downwardly between and
along the leg structures (206) and (208) such that the skirt structure (2 I 0) forms a partially close
enclosure having opening from one side.
[0046] Further, plurality of holding provisions (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d, 212e, 212f, 212g),
which are collectively referred as 'holding. provisions 212', is integrally formed on the plate like
member (202) for holding plurality of components of the evaporative emission control system, is
provided. The plurality of holding provisions (212) includes a clip, a hook, a set of cantilever
projections such that end of each projection has a curved protrusion such that both the
protrusions face each other and enclose a gap to hold a component or a connecting tube. In an
embodiment, the holding provisions are in the form of integrally moulded hooks on the plate like
member (202). The size and shape of each of the clips hooks are based on the shape and size of
the components of the evaporative emission control system it holds. Further, an opening (226) is
provided on the plate like member (202) · and the shape and size of the opening (226)
.complements the shape and size of a component (203) mounted on the fuel tank. The opening
(226) receives the component (203) when .the plate like member (202) is mounted on the fuel
tank ( 1 05). In an embodiment, one or more flanges can be provided on the peripheral edge of the
opening extending vertically upward such that the plate like member (202) provides support to
the component (203). In an embodiment, the component (203) is a gas-liquid separator
(hereinafter also referred to as 'gas-liquid separator (203)') mounted to the top wall of the fuel
tank (105) to collect fuel vapour generated from inside the fuel tank (105). In an embodiment, the
gas-liquid separator (203) is mounted to the underside of the plate like member (202) and
communicatively connects to the fuel tank (I 05) such that the fuel vapour generated from inside
the fuel tank ( 1 05) is collected in the gas-liquid separator (203).
[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figure (09), the
plate like member (202) is directly mounted to the body frame (200) using one or more brackets
welded to the body frame (200) of the vehicle (100). The other end of the one or more brackets is
fixed to each of the respective leg structures (206) and (208). In this embodiment, the plate like
member (202) is directly mounted to the left and right rear seat sub-frames ( 114a) and (114b) by
II
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brackets (222) and (224). It should be noted that only two brackets on the left side of the vehicle
(I 00) are visible in the Figure 9, but similar brackets are provided on the right rear seat subframe
( 114b) of the vehicle for mounting the plate like member (202) .
. (0048] In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, the components of the evaporative
emission control systems mounted on the holding plate are a one-way valve (207), ·a roll-over
valve (205), a three-way connector (209) and one or more connecting tubes (see, (211 ), (213),
(215) and (217)).
[0049] In the upper part of the fuel tank (I 05), generate evaporated fuel gas is led in an
evaporated fuel retaining device, for example, a canister (221) (see, Figure 8) through one or
more components and one or more connecting tubes from where the evaporated fuel gas is
channeled to accumulate into the canister (221 ). In an embodiment, the components of the
evaporative emission control systems mounted to the plate like member (202) may be the gasliquid
separator (203), the three-way connector (209), the one-way valve (207), the roll-over
valve (205), the connecting tubes (211 ), (213), (215) (217) and the canister (221 ). These
components are mounted at suitable locations in the vehicle ( 1 00) outside the plate like member
(202). lri an embodiment, the evaporated fuel gas is collected in the gas-liquid separator (203)
-. mounted on the top of the fuel tank 105 and channeled to the canister (221) after passing through
the three-way connector (209) and the roll-over valve (205).
[0050] The three-way connector (209) is configured to connect the gas-liquid separator
(203) with the roll-over valve (205) and the one-way valve (207) by using connecting tubes
(211 ), (213) and (215). The collected evaporated fuel gas in the gas-liquid separator (203) is
discharged to the canister (221) through the three-way connector (209) and the roll-over valve
(205). The roll-over valve (205) is provided to prevent any accidental passage of fuel from the
fuel tank (105) to the canister (221). More specifically, the connecting tubes (211) (e.g., a first
connecting tube) connects the gas-liquid separator (203) to the three-way connector (209), the
connecting tubes (213) (e.g., a second connecting tube) connects the three-way connector (209)
to the one-way valve (207), and the connecting tubes (215) (e.g., a third connecting tube)
connects the roll-over valve (205) to the three-way connector (209). The three-way connector
(209) is connected to the one-way valve (207) through the third connecting tube (213) so that the
fuel tank ( 1 05) breaths from the atmosphere through the one-way valve (207). The functionality
of components of the evaporative emission control system is known to a person skilled in the art
therefore, the description of the same is omitted herein. In an embodiment, the one-way valve
16 .;~·. ;"
(207) is connected between the roll-over valve (205) and the canister (221) and hence, the threeway
connector (209) is not required.
[0051] Referring to Figures 4 and 5; plurality of auxiliary components of the evaporative
emission control system is removably mounted to the plate I ike member (202) by one or more
holding provisions· (212) of the plate like member (202). In an embodiment, the first, second and
third connecting tubes (211), (213) and (215) are removably mounted on the plate like member
(202) through the holding provisions (212b), (212c) and (212d). The holding provisions (212b),
(212c) and (212d) are preferably of a structure ·of a hook extending in the vehicle width direction.
The second connecting tube (213) is in~erted so as to be slid to the holding provisions (e.g.,
hooks) (212b and 212c) from the rear side or front side of the vehicle (I 00) depending on the
orientation of the holding· provisions (212b and 212c) on the plate like member (202), and is
supported· by being urged upward by using the elasticity of the holding provisions (212b and
. 212c). Further, the third connecting tube (215) is mounted on the plate like member (202) by the
holding provision '(212d) (e.g., a hook). The three-way connector (209) is located in the plate like
member (202) at a location which is the lower most portion of the plate like member (202).
[0052] In an embodiment, the holding, provisions (212a), (212e) and (212f) are mounting
brackets, and are 1.1sed for mounting of components outside the plate like member (202). For
instance, the one-way valve (207) is mounted to the left arm (216a) (e.g., a first arm) of the plate
like member (202) by the holding provision .(2l2a) (e.g., a first mounting bracket as shown in
Figure 4). Further, the roll-over valve (205) is mounted to the right arm (216b) (e.g., a second
arm) of the plate like member (202) by the holding provision (212e) (e.g., a second mounting
bracket as shown in Figure .4 ). The one end of the one-way valve (207) is connected to the threeway
connector (209) by the second connecting· tube (213). The other end of the one-way valve
(207) is located in the skirt structure (21 0) such as the other end is opened into the atmosphere
and surrounded by the wall of the skirt structure (21 0). The wall of the skirt structure (21 0)
provides a dust free location for the. one-way valve (207) such as the dust and other foreign
material do not enter into the open end of the one-way valve (207). The roll-over valve (205) is
. connected to· the canister (221) located outside the plate like member (202) by the fourth
.connecting tube (217). The fourth connecting tube (217) is supported by the holding provision
(212f) (e.g., a third mounting bracket as shown in Figures 4 and 5) of the plate like member
(202). In an embodiment, the first, second and third mounting bracket (212a), (212e) and (212f)
are integral part of the plate like member (202).
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13
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100531 In an embodiment the holding provisions (212) are provided on the top surface of
the plate like (202), preferably, at different height levels relative to each other. In an
embodiment, the one-way valve.(207) is arranged on the plate like member (202) at a location
upper than the location where the three-way connector (209) is mounted and the roll-over valve
(205) is mounted at lower level than the three-way connector (209).
[0054] Further, the profi Ie of the bottom surface of the plate I ike member (202) is such that
it complements the profile of corresponding top surface of the fuel tank (I 05) over which the
plate like member (202) is pusitiunt::d. ·[n an embodiment, the plate like member (20:2) is snapfitted
on the fuel tank ( 105). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the plate like member (202)
is sl i_dably mounted to the fuel tank (I 05).
[0055] [n an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 8, the components of the evaporative
emission control systems mounted to the. plate like member (202) are the gas-liquid separator
(203), the three-way connector (209), the· one-way valve (207), the roll-over valve (205), the
connecting tubes (211 ); (213), (215), (217), and the canister (221 ). The mounting of all the
components are same as described above except the canister (221 ). The canister (221) is
removably mounted on the 'plate like .member (202) by an 'L' character shaped bracket (223)
which is integrally formed with the plate like member (202).
[0056] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of the body frame of the vehicle having
apparatus for holding evaporative emission control system of the vehicle and the fuel tank. For
assembly of the evaporative emission control system, each of the plurality of components of the
evaporative emission control system is mounted to the plate like member (202). In an
embodiment, the roll-over valve (205), the one~way valve (207), the three-way connector (209)
are mounted to the plate like-member (202) and then connected by one or more connecting tubes
(211), (213) and (215) (as shown in Figure 5). ln an embodiment, each of the roll-over valve
(205), the one-way valve (207), the three-way connector (209) and the canister (221) is first
mounted to the plate like member (202) (as shown in Figure 8), and is then connected by
corresponding connecting tubes from among the connecting tubes (211), (213) and (215). The
plate like member (202) having all the components of the evaporative emission control system
are then mounted on the fuel tank ( 1 05). In an embodiment, the plate like member (202) is snapfitted
onto the fuel tank (105). In an embodiment, the plate like member (202) having all the
components of the evaporative emission control system are then mounted to the body frame
(200) ofthe vehicle (100).
14
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[0057] According to various embodiments of the present invention, all components of the
evaporative emission control system are motinted to the plate like member, where the plate like
member is removably mounted ·.to . the fuel tank or the body frame. Accordingly, such
embodiments provide easy to assemble and with reduced assembly time of the vehicle. The
length of the connecting tube between the fuel tank or the gas-liquid separator and the roll-over
valve is less thereby very less amount of.fuel enters into the canister when the vehicle rolls over
and regains the original position. The components of the evaporative emission control system are
mounted to the plate like member which is very close to the fuel tank, then:by shortening the
length of the connecting tubes intercor)necting all the components of the evaporative emission
control system. Further, as the components of the evaporative emission control system are
mounted to the plate like member which .is removably mounted on and above the fuel tank and is
within the space surrounded by the body frame, particularly, rear seat sub-frames, thereby
providing a safe location away from any damage prone location of the vehicle caused due to roll
over of the vehicle in an accident.
[0058] Various embodiments of the apparatus for holding evaporative emission control
system may be used in any other vehicle having a fuel tank similar to the fuel tank (I 05) as
described in the present invention.
[0059] In various embodiments, the one-way valve (207) in the plate like member (202) is
mounted at higher level relative to the three-way connector (209) thereby preventing fuel from
the fuel tank (I 05) to entering the tube connecting the three-way connector (209) and the oneway
valve (207). Further, the other end ofthe one-way valve (207) is located in a dust free zone
provided by the skirt structure (210) ofthe plate like member (202) itself, thereby preventing the
blockage of the open end ofthe one-way valve (207) due to dust and other foreign material.
[0060] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this
invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications 'can be made, and that many changes
can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the
invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferrt:d
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is
to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as
illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
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15
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CLAIMS
We claim:
I.· An apparatus for holding an evaporative emission control system 1n two wheeled
vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a plate I ike member at least partially eneompassing a top surface of a fuel tank of the two
wheeled vehicle, the plate; like member comprising one or more arm portions, cnch arm portion
comprising one or more mounting provisions configured to be detachably coupled to the fuel
tank; and
a plurality of holding provisions integrally formed on the plate like member for holding a
·plurality of components ofthe evaporative emission control system.
2. . The apparatus as claimed in claim l, wherein the fuel tank comprises a peripheral flange
mounted to a pair of rear seat sub-frames of the two wheeled vehicle and a cross frame member,
the cross frame member connected between the pair of rear seat sub-frames in a cross direction
of the two wheeled vehicle, and wherein the peripheral flange is bolted to each of the pair of
rear seat sub-frames and the cross frame member.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein each of the one or more mounting
provisions is a leg structure, the leg structure comprising a rib structure formed on underside of
a distal end portion of the leg structure from respective arm portion, the rib structure forming a
channel on the underside of the leg structure. to snappily receive a portion of the peripheral
flange.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim l, wherein the plurality of components of the
evaporative emission control system further comprises at least one of a fuel retaining device for
collecting evaporated fuel gas channelled from the fuel tank, a gas-liquid separator, a three-way
connector, a one-way valve, a roll-over valve, and one or more connecting tubes.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the gas-liquid separator is communicably
connected to the fuel tank to collect evaporated fuel gas generated from inside the fuel tank, and
wherein the plate like member comprises an opening to receive the gas-liquid separator upon the
plate like member being at least partially encompassing the top surface of the fuel t~mk.
16
JP9 Pe~HJ ~~-97-2015 lG ~8
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the three-way connector is configured to
connect the gas-liquid separator with the roll-over valve and the one-way valve, a first
connecting tube of the one or more connecting tubes connecting the gas-liquid separator to the
three-way connector, a second connecting tube of the one or more connecting tubes connecting
the three-way coni1ector to the one-way valve and a third connecting tube of the one or more
connecting tubes connecting the roll-over valve to the three-way connector, wherein the
collected evaporated fuel gas in the gas-liquid separator is discharged to the fuel retaining
device through the three-way connector and the roll-over valve.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of holding proviSions
comprises a plurality. of hooks, wherein each of the first connecting tube, the second connecting
tube and the third connecting tube is adapted to be slidably inserted in at least one hook of the
plurality of hooks for being supported therein.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plate like member further comprises a
skirt structure extending downwardly and positioned between two mounting provisions of the
one or more mounting provisions, wherein one end of the one-way valve is connected to the
second connecting tube and other end of the one-way valve is configured to be opened into
atmosphere and surrounded by wall of the skirt structure.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 6, wherein the plurality of holding provisions
comprises:
a first mounting bracket configured to facilitate mounting of the one-way valve to a first
arm portion of the one or more arm portions of the plate like member;
a second mounting bracket configured to facilitate mounting of roll-over valve to a second
arm portion of the one or more arm portions of the plate like member; and
a third mounting bracket configured to support to a fourth connecting tube of the one or
more connecting tubes, the fourth connecting tube connected between the roll-over valve and
the fuel retaining device.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fuel retaining device is a canister, and
wherein the plurality of holding provisions further comprises a substantially 'L' shaped bracket,
wherein the canister is removably mounted to the plate like member by the substantially 'L'
shaped bracket.
17
~PQ PELH~ ~~-97-?01~ 1~ ~3
II. The apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein a bottom surface of the plate like member
complements a profile of the top surface of the fuel tank.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the plate like member is slidably mounted
to the fuel tank.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim· I, wherein the plate like member comprises a profile
such that one or more components mounted to the fuel tank are accessible without removing the
plate like member, wherein the one or more components comprise a fuel gauge.
14. ·An· apparatus for· holding· an evaporative emtsston control system 111 two wheeled
vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a plate· like member at least partially encompassing a top surface of a fuel tank of the two
wheeled vehicle, the plate like member· comprising one or more arm portions, each arm portion
comprising one or more mounting provisions configured to be detachably coupled to a body
frame of the two wheeled vehicle; and
a. plurality of holding provisions integrally formed on the plate like member for holding a
plurality of components of the evaporative emission control system.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14; wherein the body frame comprises a pair of rear
·seat sub-frames, and wherein the .apparatus further comprises a plurality of brackets, each
bracket connecting a mounting provision of the one or more mounting provisions to a rear seat
sub-frame of the pair of rear seat sub-frames, and wherein one end of the each bracket is fixed
to the mounting provision and other end of the each bracket is fixed to the rear seat sub-frame.
16. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the plurality of components of the
evaporative ·emission control system. further comprises at least one of a fuel retaining device for
collecting evaporated fuel gas channelled from the fuel tank, a gas-liquid separator, a three-way
connector, a one-way valve, a roll-over valve, and one or more connecting tubes.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim. 16, wherein the gas-liquid separator is mounted to
underside of the plate like member and is communicably connected to the fuel tank to collect
evaporated fuel gas generated from inside the fuel tank, and wherein the plate like member
comprises an opening to receive the gas-liquid separator upon mounting of the plate like
member to the fuel tank.
18
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18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the three-way connector is configured to
connect the gas-liquid separator with the roll-over valve and the one-way valve, a first
connecting tube of the one or more connecting tubes connecting the gas-liquid separator to the
three-way connector, a second connecting tube of the one or more connecting tubes connecting
the three-way connector to the one-way valve and a third connecting tube of the one or more
connecting tubes connecting the roll-over valve to the three-way connector, wherein the
collected evaporated fuel gas in. the gas-liquid separator is discharged to the fuel retaining
device through the three-way connector and the roll-over valve.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plurality of holding provisions
comprises a plurality of hooks, wherein each of the first connecting tube, the second connecting
tube and the ·third connecting tube is adapted to be slidably inserted in at least one hook of the
plurality of hooks for being supported therein.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plate like meniber further comprises a
skirt structure extending downwardly.and positioned between two mounting provisions of the
one or more mounting provisions, wherein one end of the one-way valve is connected to the
second connecting tube and other end of the one-way valve is configured to be opened into
; atmosphere and surrounded by wall of the skirt structure.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claims 14 or 18, wherein the plurality of holding provisions
. comprises:
a first mounting bracket configured to facilitate mounting of the one-way valve to a first
arm portion of the one or more arm portions of the plate like member;
a second mounting bracket configured: to facilitate mounting of roll-over valve to a second
arm portion of the one or more arm portions of the plate like member; and
a third mounting bracket configured to support to a fourth connecting tube of the one or
more connecting tubes, the fourth connecting tube connected between the roll-over valve and
the fuel retaining device.
Dated this 31 51 day of July 2015.
To
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at New Delhi
~
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT
SATYA PAL ARORA (IN/PA-389)
C/o LUTHRA & LUTHRA, LAW OFFICES
103 ASHOKA ESTATE, BARAK.HAMBA ROAD