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

fuel tank into the canister is prevented when the scooter type vehicle falls or . experiences a jerk in bumpy conditions or when sudden brakes are applied, or to prevent a sudden slosh of fuel into the canister from the fuel tank when the vehicle is banking or when the vehicle is crossing a gradient. Further, it is important that the canister is mounted in such a manner that it is not subjected to external vibrations and shocks, which will have a negative impact on the functioning of the canister. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the arrangement of the canister does not affect serviceability of frequently serviceable1 parts such as battery, air filter etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a two-wheeled vehicle 100.
[0006] Fig. 2 (a) shows a side view of a fuel tank assembly 200 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 2 (b) shows a sectional view of the fuel tank assembly 200 when viewed from a front side of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0008] Fig. 3 (a) shows a canister mounting assembly 300-1 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 3 (b) shows another view of the canister mounting assembly300-2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 4 (a) shows a canister 400rl of the.canister mounting assembly 300-1 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Fig. 4 (b) shows a canister receptacle unit 400-2 of the canister mounting assembly 300-1 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00012] Typically,- in two-and three-wheeled vehicles, the carbon vapor canister acts as an essential part in the evaporative emission control system. For instance, the layout constraint in case of such two-wheeled vehicles, particularly due to space limitations, makes the packaging of the canister a challenging task. Generally, the fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank of the two-wheeled vehicle is tapped and passed to the carbon vapor canister through a discharge tube. Such vapors tend to be adsorbed in the carbon inside the canister. The adsorbed vapors are in turn sent to a throttle body of the induction system of an IC engine of the two-wheeled vehicle, by a purging action. Typically, the carbon vapor canister is positioned in such a manner that it is protected from environmental disturbances and that its core functionality is not affected under any circumstances. Further, the

canister should be mounted in such a location that optimal serviceability of adjacent/ interfacing parts/systems are always ensured.
[00013] Moreover, providing an optimal mounting arrangement of the evaporative emission control device, for example, canister in a two-wheeler layout becomes critical due to the densely packed layout and the functional constraints associated with the canister.
[00014] Hence, it has always been a challenge to provide an optimal mounting location for the evaporative emission control system in a two-wheeled vehicle. More importantly, one or more factors affect the optimal functioning^of the evaporative emission control system. For example, when the canister is subjected to excess vibration levels, the activated carbon granules disintegrate further in size by rubbing against each other. Moreover, such a phenomenon often causes fine particles of carbon to bye-pass through a filter element disposed inside the canister and enter an induction system of an internal combustion engine of the two-wheeled vehicle during purging action.
[00015] Furthermore, such carbon particles that may enter the induction system, may deposit on the inner wall surfaces of the induction system of the internal combustion engine causing functional deterioration of the induction system.
[00016] Typically, in case of canisters having an axisymmetric shape, there is a need to arrest the position and orientation to avoid difficulty in assembling the hoses in their respective ports. Enabling optimal orientation and position of the canister ensures that the canister and associated components establish adequate

gaps with adjoining components of the two-wheeled vehicle, without need for special fixtures or inspection through special gauges.
[00017] The present subject matter provides a canister mounting assembly that overcomes the above stated problems of the conventional mounting. In an embodiment, the canister mounting assembly of the present subject matter includes a canister removably attached to at least one bracket fixed to a rigid structure of the two-wheeled vehicle. For example, the at least one.bracket is welded to a bottom surface of a fuel tank assembly of the two-wheeled vehicle. In one embodiment, the at least one bracket is mounted on the bottom surface of the fuel tank at a location that is offset along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such that the canister is safely secured adjoining the centrally disposed main tube of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[00018] In an embodiment, the canister is disposed within a canister receptacle also referred to as a canister holder, which ensures that canister is held firmly both in terms of orientation and position in all possible degrees of freedom in X, Y, & Z direction. In an embodiment, the canister receptacle includes at least one slot to receive the bracket. This ensures that the canister is secured firmly to the bracket that is welded on the bottom surface of the fuel tank assembly. In an embodiment, the bracket is disposed towards a LH side of the centrally running main tube. In another embodiment, the bracket for mounting the canister is disposed towards a RH side of the centrally running main tube. Further, in one embodiment, the canister receptacle includes a centrally disposed main body that assumes a similar shape as that of the canister so as to firmly hold the canister. In one embodiment,

when the canister has an axisymmetric cylindrical body, the main body of the canister receptacle is circular and is circumferentially disposed around the cylindrical body of the canister. In an embodiment, the canister receptacle is made of an elastic material that enables achieving desired resilient characteristics, thereby eliminating or reducing any kind of vibrational impact on the canister body. In an embodiment, the elastic material can be rubber, while in other embodiments the canister receptacle is made of any other known material that has similar elastic characteristics as that of rubber.
[00019] In an embodiment, the centrally provided main body of the canister receptacle includes the slot that ensures that the canister is firmly held on to the bracket. The main body of the canister receptacle also ensures that the linear movement of the canister body is arrested. However, the main body of the canister receptacle may not be sufficient for arresting axial rotation of the canister body, which may occur due to excessive vibrations transferred from the fuel tank body of the two-wheeled vehicle. In an embodiment, the canister receptacle of the present subject matter includes an auxiliary strap disposed transversely to the main body of the canister receptacle towards a front end of the canister body and transversely to the central longitudinal axis of the canister body. In an embodiment, the auxiliary strap has a U-shaped profile with a first end connecting a top portion of the main body of the canister receptacle adjoining the slot and a second end connecting a bottom portion of the main body of the canister receptacle. In one embodiment, the U-shaped auxiliary strap has at least one or more holes to receive one or more corresponding ports of the canister body.

Further, in one embodiment, the one or more holes have different diameters thereby ensuring poka-yoke indicating different port sizes, thereby eliminating possibility of wrong assembly. Further, in one embodiment, the one or more holes provided on the auxiliary strap of the canister receptacle ensures optimal orientation of the canister body during assembly.
[00020] Further, in one embodiment, the auxiliary strap of the canister receptacle entraps the canister ports to arrest the orientation of the canister, thereby eliminating wrong assembly or routing process of hoses to the canister ports. Further, the elastic canister receptacle surrounds the canister body and establishes a resilient canister mounting assembly that is disposed on the bottom surface of the fuel tank assembly. This resilient mounting reduces the vibrations, which otherwise would get transmitted to the canister and thereby avoiding deterioration in the overall performance of the evaporative emission control device.
[00021] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00022] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a two-wheeled vehicle i00. The two-wheeled vehicle 100 according to an embodiment includes a front wheel 101 steered by a handlebar 102, and includes a rear wheel 103 supported by a swing arm 104. Steering system parts including the handlebar 102 and the front wheel 101 are supported for pivotal steering operation on a head pipe 105 at the front end of the vehicle body frame 106. A seat 110 for a driver and a pillion is placed rearward to a fuel tank 114. An engine assembly 113 is disposed below the fuel

tank 114. A front fender HI is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the said vehicle and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear . fender 112 is placed above the rear wheel 103, and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel 103. Rear fender 112 inhibits rainwater or the like from being thrown up by the rear wheel 103,
[00023] The swing arm 104 along with a shock absorber 109 is supported at a rear portion thereof for pivotal motion and upward and downward rocking motion on the rear side of a lower portion of the vehicle body frame 106. A suspension system including a pair of front forks 108 and the shock absorber 109 is provided in the two-wheeled vehicle 100 for providing better ride comfort to the rider. In general terms, the shock absorbers help cushion vehicles on uneven roads. In the two-wheeled vehicle, shock absorbers reduce the effect of traveling over rough ground, leading to improved ride quality and vehicle handling.
[00024] The vehicle body frame 106 includes the head pipe 105, a pair of left and right main tubes 107. The head pipe 105 is positioned at a front-end portion of the vehicle body frame 106. The main tube 107 extends in a leftwardly and rightwardly branching state obliquely downwardly rearwardly from a lower portion of the head pipe 105.
[00025] Fig. 2 (a) shows a side view of a fuel tank assembly 200 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the fuel tank assembly 200 includes a fuel tank 202 having a fuel tank outer 206 and a fuel tank inner 204. In an embodiment, the fuel tank 202 is capable of receiving fuel in the space formed between the fuel

tank outer 206 and the fuel tank inner 204. In an embodiment, the fuel tank assembly 200 includes a canister body 208 mounted inwardly on a bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204. In an embodiment, at least one bracket 214 is attached to the bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204. For example, in one embodiment, the bracket 214 is welded on to the bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204 that enables firm holding of the canister body 208. In an embodiment, the bracket 214 is welded to the RH side of the bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204, while in another embodiment, the bracket 214 is capable of being welded to the LH side of the bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204. A canister receptacle 212 that is made of an elastic material, for example, rubber is circumferentially disposed around the canister body 208. The canister receptacle 212 includes at least one slot (not shown) to receive the bracket 214.
[00026] Fig. 2 (b) shows a sectional view of the fuel tank assembly 200 when viewed from a front side of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the canister body 208 is mounted on the bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204, in such a manner that the central cylindrical axis of the canister body .208 is offset to the longitudinal axis of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 when viewed from a vehicle front side. Further, in one embodiment, the canister body 208 is mounted at a position adjacent to the centrally running main tube (not shown). In an embodiment, the canister receptacle 212 is disposed circumferentially around the canister body 208, such that the receptacle 212 entirely envelopes the canister

body 208. In an embodiment, the optimal position of the canister 208 ensures achieving proper orientation of the canister 208 during assembly.
[00027] Fig. 3 (a) shows a canister mounting assembly 300-1 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 3 (b) shows another view of the canister mounting assembly300-2, in accordance - with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the canister receptacle 212 includes at least one slot 302 disposed along a top surface of the canister body 208 for receiving the bracket 214, which is welded on to the bottom surface of the fuel tank inner 204. Further, the bracket 214 has a formed portion 304 for receiving the at least one slot 302 disposed on the canister receptacle 212 made of elastic material, during assembly of the canister mounting assembly 300-1, 300-2. Further, in one embodiment, the canister receptacle 212 includes a U-shaped auxiliary strap 306 axially connecting a top portion and a bottom portion of the canister receptacle 212. In an embodiment, the auxiliary strap 306 includes one or more holes 310 disposed along its surface so as to receive one or more ports of the canister body 208. In an embodiment, at least a first slot 310-3 is disposed along a cylindrical axis 308 of the canister body 208 for receiving a first port, while at least a second slot 310-1 is disposed along an imaginary line 310-2 offset to the cylindrical axis 308 for receiving a second port. In one embodiment, the first slot 310-3 is any one of circular, square or rectangular shaped based at least on the shape of the canister 140. In an embodiment, the offset nature of the second slot 310-1 with respect to the first slot 310-3 ensures that the auxiliary strap 306 arrests the rotation of the canister body 208 about the cylindrical axis

308 of the canister body 208. In an embodiment, the auxiliary,trap 306 also ensures arresting longitudinal and lateral movement of the canister 140.
[00028] Fig. 4 (a) shows a canister 400-1 of the canister mounting assembly 300-1 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 4 (b) shows a canister receptacle unit 400-2 of the canister mounting assembly 300-1 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the canister body 208 includes one or more ports 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, and 402-4 disposed on either side of the canister body 208. In an embodiment, the one or more ports 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, and 402-4 are provided of different sizes, and the corresponding slots provided on the auxiliary strap 306 of the canister receptacle 212 are of similar sizes as that of the one or more ports 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, and 402-4. The slots with different sizes ensure that poka-yoke is maintained during assembly of the canister receptacle 212 on the canister mounting assembly 300-1, 300-2, thereby eliminating any possibility of wrong assembly. In another embodiment, the port 402-2 is provided along the cylindrical axis 308, on one side of the canister body 208, while the port 402-3 is provided on along the cylindrical axis 308, on the other side of the canister body 208. Similarly, the port 402-1 and the port 402-4 are disposed offset to the cylindrical axis 308. In an embodiment, the ports 402-1 and 402-2 that are disposed on one side of the canister body 208 are of different sizes, while the ports 402-3 and 402-4 that are disposed on the other side of the canister body 208 are of different sizes.

[00029] Further, in one embodiment, one or more ribs 406-1 and 406-2 are circumferentially disposed on the canister body 208. The one or more ribs 406-1 and 406-2 ensure that a main body 408 of the canister receptacle 212 is seated properly in the recess formed between the ribs 406-1 and 406-2. The one or more ribs 406-1 and 406-2 eliminates any sort of play between the main body 408 of the canister receptacle 212 and the canister body 208, which may occur due to one or more reasons, for example, wear of the canister receptacle 212 made of elastic material, or excessive vibrations acting on the canister body 208. Further, in one embodiment, the play between the main body 408 of the canister receptacle 212 and the canister body 208 is capable of being eliminated by achieving a tight fit between an outer surface of the canister body 208 and the corresponding inner surface of the main body 408 of the canister receptacle 212.
[00030] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Rather, the features are disclosed as embodiments of the fuel tank assembly 200 and the canister mounting assembly 300-1, 300-2 of the two-wheeled vehicle 100.

I/We claim:
1. A canister receptacle (212) to firmly hold a canister body (208) and
to prevent movement of said canister body (208) in axial and radial
directions, said canister receptacle (212) comprising:
a main body (408);
at least one slot (302) disposed along a top surface of said
main body (408);
an auxiliary strap (306) axially connecting a top portion and
a bottom portion of said main body (408); and
at least one hole (310-1 and 310-3) disposed along a surface
of said auxiliary strap (306).
2. A two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:
a fuel tank assembly (200) including a fuel tank (202) capable of receiving fuel in a space formed there within; a canister body (208) including at least one port (402-1, 402-2,402-3,402-4) functionally connected to said fuel tank (202);
wherein,
a canister receptacle (212) circumferentially disposed around said canister body (208) enables mounting of said canister body (208) to said fuel tank (202), said canister receptacle (212) includes a main body (408), at least one slot (302) disposed along a top surface of said main body

(408), an auxiliary strap (306) axially connecting a top portion and a bottom portion of said main body (408), and at least one hole (310-1 and 310-3) disposed along a surface of said auxiliary strap (306).
3. The canister receptacle (212) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary strap (306) is a U-shaped structure and said at least one hole (310-1 and 310-3) are of different sizes.
4. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said canister receptacle (212) enables mounting of said canister body (208) to at least one bracket (214) attached to a bottom surface of a fuel tank inner (204) of said fuel tank (202).
5. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one hole (310-1,310-3) includes a first hole (310-3) capable of receiving a first port of the at least one port (402-1,402-2, 402-3, 402-4), said first hole (310-3) is disposed along a cylindrical axis (308) of the canister body (208) to ensure poka-yoke.
6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 5, wherein said at least one hole (310-1,310-3) includes a second hole (310-1) capable of receiving a second port of the at least one port (402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4), said second hole (310-1) is disposed along an imaginary line (310-2) offset to said cylindrical axis (308) to ensure poke-yoke.

7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ports (402-1, 402-2, 402-3, and 402-4) are selectively disposed on either side the canister body (208), wherein one or more ports (402-2 and 402-3) disposed on one side are of different sizes and one or more ports(402-l and 402-4) disposed on another side are of different sizes.
8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5 or claim 7, wherein said one or more ports (402-2 and 402-3) are disposed on said cylindrical axis (308) on one side of the canister body (208) and said one or more ports (402-1 and 402-4) are disposed offset to said cylindrical axis (308).
9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said -canister receptacle (212) is made of known material having elastic characteristics like rubber.
10. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said main body (408) is capable of being seated on one or more ribs (406-1 and 406-2) circumferentially disposed on the canister body (208).