DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a canister arrangement for a motorcycle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There has been a demand to control emission of fuel vapour (evaporation gas) from a fuel tank of, for example, a motorcycle, in consideration of environmental impacts. To control the emission of fuel vapour, a canister filled with activated carbon for adsorbing fuel vapour is mounted to a motorcycle. The canister stores fuel vapour. The fuel vapour in the canister is redirected to the engine at appropriate time so that emission of fuel vapour from tank to atmosphere is prevented. The engine’s emissions and the motorcycle’s driveability remain largely unaffected.

The canister is connected to a fuel tank via an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe is also known as a charge hose. The inlet pipe provides path for gaseous fuel from fuel tank to canister. The canister thereby adsorbs fuel vapour discharged from the fuel tank breather. The fuel vapour adsorbed by the canister is supplied to engine intake through an outlet pipe (a purge hose), and is burned therein.

When locating a canister on a motorcycle, a few considerations need to be made. Firstly, the canister needs to be away from heat sources such as the engine or the exhaust pipe in order to prevent damage to the canister. Secondly, the canister should not be directly visible so that it does not adversely affect the aesthetics of the motorcycle. Thirdly, it is desirable that the length of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe connecting to canister is optimised for proper functioning, convenience during assembly and service of the motorcycle.

With these considerations in mind, it is important to identify and locate the canister at a suitable location on a specific motorcycle having a particular type of: (a) frame structure, (b) engine positioning and orientation, and (c) positioning of other motorcycle components such as air filter, fuel intake components, shape and structure of fuel tank etc. Furthermore, it is also important that the location of the canister arrangement does not adversely affect or compromise other layouts and systems of the motorcycle

Therefore, it is always challenging for a motorcycle designer to identify a suitable location for a canister when faced with the aforementioned considerations for mounting the canister and limitations of a specific motorcycle.

The challenge is intensified if the canister is to be located on an existing motorcycle design. Locating a canister on an existing motorcycle design without adversely affecting the aesthetics of the motorcycle and without redesigning of other components is particularly problematic. Redesigning of the motorcycle and repositioning of the components to accommodate a canister is costly.

There are various prior art documents describing the location of the canister on a specific motorcycle. These prior art documents disclose solving problems related to specific type of motorcycle frame, and specific design and layout of engine and other components of motorcycle.

The present invention addresses the problem of locating a canister position for a motorcycle having a frame structure, engine orientation, and layout of other systems of the motorcycle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a canister arrangement for motorcycle such that the canister is located away from heat sources.

It is a further object of the present invention to locate a canister on a motorcycle such that the canister is at least partially hidden that is the canister is not visible directly. Ideally, the arrangement is such that the aesthetic appearance of vehicle is unaffected as well as the canister is adequately protected.
It is a further object of the present invention to locate a canister without compromising the placement or positioning and space requirements of other sub systems or systems of the motorcycle.

It is also an object of the present invention to mount a canister arrangement over the frame structure of a motorcycle considering the above objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the aforementioned in mind, an aspect of the present invention provides a motorcycle including:
a frame structure,
an engine mounted on the lower frame portion of the frame structure,
a seat mounted on the upper frame portion of the frame structure, and
a canister for adsorbing fuel vapours generated in a fuel tank and delivering the adsorbed fuel vapours to the engine,
wherein the canister is positioned under the seat and substantially directly above a rear wheel.

A canister mounted at this location is not visible from the outside. Therefore, it does not adversely affect the styling and design of the motorcycle. It does not disturb other systems and subs-systems of the motorcycle which are mainly located in the front portion and central portion of the motorcycle.

Preferably, the seat includes a rider seat and a passenger seat, and the canister is positioned under the passenger seat. The seat structure may be split type or may be a single seat.

Preferably, the frame structure includes a lower frame portion and upper frame portion. The upper frame portion comprising at least a pair of left and right frame member, the canister is positioned between the left frame member and the right frame member of the upper frame portion of frame structure. The left frame member and right frame member and right frame connected by atleast one cross member.

Preferably, the canister is located ahead of the rearmost portion of the frame structure.

Preferably, the canister is located above lower portion of seat cowl. Preferably the canister is positioned below passenger seat and within the seat cowl.

Preferably, the canister is mounted on the frame structure by a mounting means.

Preferably, the mounting means includes a bracket attached to the frame structure and a resilient strap mounted on the bracket, the resilient strap secures the canister to the bracket.

Preferably, the bracket is attached to left frame member and right frame member. The attachment may be direct or through a cross member or another sub-structure or component. The attachment may be permanent e.g. by welding or detachable e.g. by fasteners.

Preferably, the bracket includes a protruding lip portion around which the resilient strap is mounted.

This mounting design does not disturb other systems and subs-systems of the motorcycle. Further, this mounting design also enables mounting the canister on existing parts of the motorcycle, in this case the frame structure. No substantive modifications to the motorcycle are required to mount the canister at said location. Therefore, this design is suitable for existing motorcycle designs.

Preferably, in use, inlet and outlet of the canister are oriented towards the front of the motorcycle.

Preferably, inlet and outlet of the canister are in-line with frame members.

Preferably, an inlet conduit is attached to canister inlet and an outlet conduit is attached to canister outlet, and the two conduits are positioned on one side of the motorcycle.

Other features, elements, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention made with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

REFERENCE NUMBER TABLE
No. Feature
10 Canister
12 Canister inlet
14 Canister outlet
20 Frame structure
20A Lower frame portion
20B Upper frame portion
22 Left upper frame member
24 Right upper frame member
30 Seat
32 Rider seat
34 Passenger seat
36 Seat cowl
40 Mounting means
42 Bracket
44 Lip
46 Resilient strap
50 Rear wheel
52 Rear fender
62 Inlet conduit
64 Outlet conduit
70 Engine
72 Fuel tank
73 Head Pipe
74 Engine mounting bracket front right
75 Engine mounting bracket front left
76 Perimeter Stamp right
77 Perimeter Stamp left
78 Engine mounting bracket rear right
79 Engine mounting bracket rear left
80 Swing arm mounting bush right
81 Swing arm mounting bush left
82 Left lower frame member
83 Right lower frame member
84 Cross members
100 Motorcycle

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures below.

Figure 1 is a top view of a motorcycle without a seat according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1A is a side view of the motorcycle of figure 1 highlighting the canister and its conduits.
Figure 2 is a top view of the motorcycle of figure 1 with a seat.
Figure 3 is a 3-dimensional view of the motorcycle of figure 1.
Figure 3A is an enlarged partial top view of the motorcycle of figure 1.
Figure 4 is a 3-dimensional view of the frame of the motorcycle of figure 1 with the canister mounted on the frame.
Figure 4A is an enlarged partial view of the frame of figure 5.
Figure 4B is an enlarged partial view of the frame of figure 5 without the canister.
Figure 4C is an enlarged partial top view of the frame of figure 5.
Figure 5A is a partial sectional side view of the rear portion of a motorcycle in full bump condition without the canister.
Figure 5B is a partial sectional side view of the rear portion of a motorcycle in full bump condition with the canister mounted on the motorcycle frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6A and 6B are enlarged views of figure 6A and 6B respectively.
Figure 7 is a 3-dimensional view of the rear part of motorcycle with another embodiment of canister mounting.
Figure 7A is an enlarged partial top view of the motorcycle of figure 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to figures 1 and 1A, a motorcycle 100 according to one embodiment has a frame structure 20, an engine 70 mounted on the lower portion of the frame structure 20, a seat 30 mounted on the rear upper portion of the frame structure 20, and a fuel tank 72 mounted on the forward upper portion of the frame structure 20. A canister 10 is provided for adsorbing fuel vapours generated in the fuel tank 72 and delivering the adsorbed fuel vapours to the engine 70. The canister inlet 12 is connected to the fuel tank 72 by means of an inlet conduit 62. The canister outlet 14 is connected to the engine 70 by means of an outlet conduit 64. The outlet conduit 64 is connected to a purge valve. There is a further conduit connecting the purge valve to the engine 70 intake system.

The seat has a rider seat 32 adjacent the fuel tank 72 and a passenger seat 34 behind the rider seat 32. The canister 10 is positioned under the seat 30. Particularly, the canister 10 is positioned under the passenger seat 34. The term ‘under’ in the context of this specification means directly below. Further, the canister 10 is positioned directly above the rear wheel 50. The term ‘directly’ is used to specify the exact space where the canister 10 can be positioned. Directly above an object refers to the space vertically above the object. Directly below an object refers to the space vertically below the object. Therefore, as seen in the side view of the motorcycle (figure 1A), the canister 10 is positioned between the rear seat 34 and the rear wheel 50 i.e. the canister is directly below the rear seat 34 and substantially directly above the rear wheel 50.

Referring to figure 2, once the seat 30 is installed, the canister 10 remains hidden from direct view so that it does not adversely affect aesthetics of the motorcycle 100. The seat cowls 36 mounted on either side of the seat 30 which are originally designed to hide and shield the rear upper portion of the frame structure 20, hide the canister 10 from side viewing. In some motorcycles, the seat cowl is plastic cover that is installed in place of the passenger seat. In the context of the present specification, a seat cowl can be such a cover or simply component that covers the side of the frame (as per the preferred embodiment). The design of a seat cowl is not prohibitive to the application of the present invention.

Referring to figures 3 and 3A, the canister 10 is positioned rear to the motorcycle’s 100 existing systems/sub-systems such as the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). The canister 10 is located between the left upper frame member 22 and the right upper frame member 24. The left upper frame member 22 and the right upper frame member 24 converge at the rearmost portion of the frame structure 20 to form a U-shaped end portion. The canister 10 is positioned ahead of the rearmost portion of the frame structure 20. This space is generally vacant in most motorcycles having similar frame structure. Therefore, the present invention provides a solution which can be adapted for many other motorcycle models which have similar frame structure.

Referring to figure 4, the frame structure 20 consists of lower frame portion 20A and upper frame portion 20B. The upper frame portion 20B further comprises a left lower frame member ( 82) and right lower frame member (83 ) located below the left upper frame member 22 and the right upper frame member 24. The cross members 84 connect the upper left frame member 22 to the upper right frame member 24. The cross members 84 connect the lower left frame member 82 to the lower right frame member 83.The canister is located substantially near the space where left & right upper frame members (22, 24) join with left & right lower frame members(82, 83) respectively.

The lower frame portion 20A further consist of head pipe 73, Engine mounting bracket front right 74, Engine mounting bracket front left 75,Perimeter stamp right 76, Perimeter stamp left 77, Engine mounting bracket rear right 78, Engine mounting bracket rear left 79, Swing arm mounting bush right 80 and Swing arm mounting bush left 81.

Referring to figures 4, 4A to 4C , the canister 10 is mounted on the frame structure 20 by a mounting means 40. The mounting means 40 includes a bracket 42 and a resilient strap 46. Bracket 42 is mounted on one of the cross members 84.

The bracket 42 has apertures on its top portion and is shaped so that it facilitates mounting of the seat 30. The bracket 42 is made of rigid material such as steel. One end of the bracket 42 is welded to the left frame member 22. Other end of the bracket 42 is welded to the right frame member 24. The bracket 42 has a lip 44 which extends rearward from the bracket 42. The lip 44 is positioned as high as possible (without restricting mounting of seat 30) so that the canister 10 can be positioned below the lip 44 without restricting full bump condition of the rear wheel 50. The lip 44 is located substantially at the center of the left frame member 22 and the right frame member 24.

The resilient strap 46 is made of suitable non-slippery elastic material. The resilient strap 46 has a main loop which is elastically secured around the canister 10. In order to engage with the lip 44, the resilient strap 46 has a cross-loop which runs perpendicular to the main loop. The cross-loop is elastically secured on the lip 44. The lip 44 has transverse extensions at its free end which restrict the strap 46 releasing from the lip 44. The bracket 42 is made of steel and the strap 46 is made of suitable rubber.

The canister inlet 12 and the canister outlet 14 are oriented towards the front of the motorcycle 100 so that the inlet conduit 62 and outlet conduit 64 can be directly connected to the canister 10. The canister inlet 12 and outlet 14 are also in line with the frame members 22, 24. This arrangement prevents unnecessary looping of the inlet conduit 62 and the outlet conduit 64.

Also, installing the canister is more direct. The two conduits 62, 64 are passed around the same side of the motorcycle 100. In this instance, the conduits 62, 64 are passed on the right hand side of the motorcycle. The canister inlet 12 and the canister outlet 14 are located on the right hand side of the motorcycle to facilitate installing the conduits. Therefore, installation and maintenance of the two conduits 62, 64 can be carried out from one side of the motorcycle.

Referring to figures 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, when the present motorcycle 100 is in its full bump condition, the seat cowl 36 is the most proximate component to the rear fender 52. In order to accommodate the canister 10 the seat cowls 36 would need to be re-shaped to embrace the canister 10 mounted on the frame structure 20. The lower profile of the re-shaped seat cowls 36 is shown in figures 5B and 6B. The canister 10 is protected from underneath by the seat cowl 36. Therefore, the canister is in a way protected from all sides – seat 30 from top, frame 20 and seat cowls 36 from either side, and the seat cowls 36 from underneath.

Without the canister 10 mounted (figure 5A, 6A), the clearance D between the rear fender 52 and the seat cowl 36 is about 18.3mm. With the canister 10 mounted (figure 5B, 6B), the clearance D’ between the rear fender 52 and the seat cowl 36 us reduced to 11.2mm. This reduced clearance D’ does not adversely affect the performance of the motorcycle 100.

Such reduction to the clearance in full bump condition and modification of the seat cowl may not be necessary in other motorcycle models.

In the present embodiment, the rear fender 52 is actually is hugger chain cover. The type of rear fender does not prohibit the application of the present invention.

Referring to figures 7 and 7A, which illustrate another embodiment. The cross members 84 connect the upper left frame member 22 to the upper right frame member 24. The cross members 84 connect the lower left frame member 82 to the lower right frame member 83.The canister 10 is mounted on the frame structure 20 by a mounting means 40 slightly ahead compared to first embodiment. The mounting means 40 includes a bracket 42 and a resilient strap 46. Bracket 42 is mounted on one of the cross members 84.

In one aspect the invention claims a motorcycle including a frame structure, an engine mounted on the lower frame portion of the frame structure, a seat mounted on the upper frame portion of the frame structure, and a canister for adsorbing fuel vapours generated in a fuel tank and delivering the adsorbed fuel vapours to the engine. The novelty lies in the canister being positioned under the seat and substantially directly above rear wheel of the motorcycle.

In another aspect of the invention, the seat of the motorcycle includes a rider seat and a passenger seat. The canister is positioned under the passenger seat.

In another aspect of the invention, wherein the upper frame portion of the motorcycle includes plurality of upper left frame members and plurality of upper right frame members each corresponding member on two sides connected through atleast a cross member. The canister is positioned between one of the upper left frame member and the upper right frame member.

In another aspect of the invention, wherein the upper frame portion of the motorcycle includes plurality of lower left frame members and plurality of lower right frame members, each corresponding member on two sides connected through atleast a cross member. The canister is positioned between one of lower left frame member and the lower right frame members.
In another aspect of the invention, the canister is mounted on the upper frame portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the canister is mounted on upper frame portion by a mounting means. The mounting means including a bracket connected to the upper frame portion and a resilient strap mounted on the bracket. The resilient strap secures the canister to the bracket. The said bracket preferably including a protruding lip portion around which the resilient strap is mounted

In another aspect of the invention, the said bracket is connected to upper frame portion through sub-structure of the vehicle or through one of the said plurality of cross members connecting corresponding upper left frame members and the upper right frame members or through one of the said plurality of cross members connecting corresponding lower left and right frame members of the upper frame portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the canister is located ahead of the rearmost portion of the frame structure.

In another aspect of the invention, the canister is located substantially near the space where upper left and right frame members (22, 24) join with lower left and right frame members(82, 83) respectively of the upper frame portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the canister is located above lower portion of seat cowl.

In another aspect of the invention, the canister is located within seat cowl.

In another aspect of the invention, the inlet of canister is connected to fuel tank of the motorcycle, outlet of the canister is connected to fuel intake system of motorcycle and is oriented towards the front of the motorcycle.
In another aspect of the invention, the inlet and outlet of the canister are substantially in-line orientation with upper left and right frame members of the upper frame portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the inlet and outlet of canister are substantially in-line orientation with lower left and right frame members of the upper frame portion.
In another aspect of the invention, an inlet conduit is attached to the canister inlet and an outlet conduit is attached to the canister outlet, and the two conduits are positioned on one side of the motorcycle.

All of the above embodiments and illustrations are given for the purpose of understanding the invention and are not limitating on the scope of the invention. All variations and modifications as obvious to the skilled persons is well within the scope of the invention. ,CLAIMS:1. A motorcycle including:
a frame structure,
an engine mounted on the lower frame portion of the frame structure,
a seat mounted on the upper frame portion of the frame structure, and
a canister for adsorbing fuel vapours generated in a fuel tank and delivering the adsorbed fuel vapours to the engine,
wherein the canister is positioned under the seat and substantially directly above rear wheel of the motorcycle.

2. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat includes a rider seat and a passenger seat, and the canister is positioned under the passenger seat.

3. The motorcycle as claimed claim 1 wherein the upper frame portion includes plurality of upper left frame members and plurality of upper right frame members each corresponding member on two sides connected through atleast a cross member, the canister is positioned between one of the upper left frame member and the upper right frame member.

4. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper frame portion includes plurality of lower left frame members and plurality of lower right frame members, each corresponding member on two sides connected through atleast a cross member, the canister is positioned between one of lower left frame member and the lower right frame members.

5. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1 - 4 wherein the canister is mounted on the upper frame portion.

6. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said canister is mounted on upper frame portion by a mounting means, the said mounting means including a bracket connected to the upper frame portion and a resilient strap mounted on the bracket, the resilient strap secures the canister to the bracket, the said bracket preferably including a protruding lip portion around which the resilient strap is mounted

7. The motorcycle as claim in claim 6 wherein the said bracket is connected to upper frame portion through sub-structure of the motorcycle or through one of the said plurality of cross members connecting corresponding upper left and right frame members or through one of the said plurality of cross members connecting corresponding lower left and right frame members of the upper frame portion.

8. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1-5, wherein the canister is located ahead of the rearmost portion of the frame structure.

9. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1- 5 where in the canister is located substantially near the space where upper left and right frame members (22, 24) join with lower left and right frame members(82, 83) respectively of the upper frame portion.

10. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1-5, wherein the canister is located above lower portion of seat cowl.

11. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1- 5, wherein the canister is located within seat cowl.

12. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein inlet of canister is connected to fuel tank of the motorcycle, outlet of the canister is connected to fuel intake system of motorcycle and is oriented towards the front of the motorcycle.

13. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 3, 4 & 12 wherein inlet and outlet of the canister are substantially in-line orientation with upper left and right frame members of the upper frame portion.
14. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 3, 4 & 12 wherein the inlet and outlet of canister are substantially in-line orientation with lower left and right frame members of the upper frame portion.

15. The motorcycle as claimed in claim 12 - 14, wherein an inlet conduit is attached to the canister inlet and an outlet conduit is attached to the canister outlet, and the two conduits are positioned on one side of the motorcycle.