EVAPORATED FUEL COLLECTING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to evaporated fuel collecting device and, more particularly, relates to evaporated fuel collecting device for two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Two-wheeled vehicles emit two kinds of emissions such as exhaustive emissions and evaporative emissions into the atmosphere. As per the automotive standards, the evaporative emissions need to be curbed down to avoid accumulation of raw hydrocarbons (evaporated fuel) within the atmosphere. The emission of evaporated hydrocarbons from the fuel tank of the two-wheeled vehicle is kept in check by installing evaporated fuel collecting device. The said evaporated fuel collecting device entraps the fuel vapours generated within the fuel tank and supplies them to the carburettor.
[003] The charging and purging efficiency depend on physical factors such as temperature, exposure to sunlight, dust, exposure to wind etc. Typically, the charging efficiency has an inverse relationship with temperature while the purging efficiency has a direct relationship with temperature.
[004] In two-wheeled vehicles like scooter or scooter like vehicles, there is not enough space to accommodate the evaporated fuel collecting device. For instance, the accommodation of the evaporated fuel collecting device within a scooter or scooter type vehicle raises concerns such as reduction in size of a fuel tank, reduction in size of a storage box, or reduction in size of an air cleaner, etc of the scooter or scooter type vehicle. A Japanese Patent application with Publication no. JP2010229840 titled “Motorcycle” describes the mounting arrangement of a canister for collecting vaporised fuel within the two-wheeled vehicle wherein the canister is disposed downward of a rear cross frame of the motorcycle between the storage box and the fuel tank. However, such mounting of canister tends to cause reduction in the size of the storage box. Further, the aforementioned technique poses the disadvantage of mounting of the canister during assembly sequence of the two-wheeled vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[005] In an embodiment, an evaporated fuel collecting device of a two-wheeled vehicle is provided. The evaporated fuel collecting device of the two-wheeled vehicle comprises a fuel collector for collecting evaporated fuel from a fuel tank of the two-wheeled vehicle. The evaporated fuel collecting device further comprises a support stay configured to be mounted to a first rear seat sub-frame of the two-wheeled vehicle. The support stay comprises a U-shaped bracket comprising a base unit and leg units and extending from the base unit for supporting the fuel collector in space defined between the base unit and the leg units. The evaporated fuel collecting device further comprises at least one rubber mount, each rubber mount configured to at least partially warp a peripheral portion of a body of the fuel collector. The rubber mount comprises at least one accommodating provision for engaging with the at least one of the leg units and to secure the fuel collector between the base unit and the leg units.
[006] In an embodiment, the support stay further comprises one or more flanges for mounting the support stay to the first rear seat sub-frame. The first rear seat sub-frame is in left side of a vehicle driver sitting astride on the two-wheeled vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment, the rubber mount comprises at least one accommodating provision, each accommodating provision is configured to engage with one of a free end of the leg unit and a free end of the leg unit to secure the fuel collector between the base unit and the leg units.
[008] In an embodiment, the support stay further comprises one or more holding provisions, each of the one or more holding provisions are configured to hold at least one auxiliary component of the evaporated fuel collecting device. The at least one auxiliary component of the fuel collector is at least one of a one-way valve, a roll-over valve, a three-way connector, and a plurality of connecting pipes.
[009] In an embodiment, the body of the fuel collector is of a cylindrical configuration comprises a first end face and a second end face, The first end face comprises connecting provisions for connecting first end of each of a charge pipe and a purge pipe of the evaporated fuel collecting device. The second end face comprises connecting provisions for connecting first end of each of an air intake pipe and a drain pipe of the evaporated fuel collecting device.
[0010] In an embodiment, second end of the purge pipe is connected with an engine unit of the two-wheeled vehicle and a second end of the charge pipe is connected with the fuel tank. Second end of the air intake pipe is exposed to atmosphere and a second end of the drain pipe is disposed away from the engine unit.
[0011] In an embodiment, the second face of the fuel collector faces ground and the first face of the fuel collector faces a rear side of the two-wheeled vehicle in a slanted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention itself, together with further features and 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:
[0013] Figure 1A illustrates a side view of a scooter type vehicle showing body frame of the scooter type vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 1B illustrates a body frame of the scooter type vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates another side view of the scooter type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a view of a support stay, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the evaporated fuel collecting device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] Figure 5 illustrates a view of the evaporated fuel collecting device mounted to the support stay including the connecting pipes/tubes connected to the fuel collector, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] 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. The coloured drawings, if provided along with this description are only meant to make the details of invention clear and have no effect whatsoever on the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[0022] 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.
[0023] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / upward”, “down / downward / lower / lowerward” that may be used therein represent the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr in the drawing figures. Further, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” that may be used herein represent the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride.
[0024] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a saddle riding type vehicle, however, arrangement of the evaporated fuel collecting device and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. It is to be noted that terms such as “two-wheeled vehicle”, " saddle riding type vehicle" and “vehicle” may be 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.
[0025] Figure 1A illustrates a side view of a two-wheeled vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (100) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (121), a head tube (110), a front fender (109), a front wheel (108), a steering handle bar (107), a fuel tank (105) provided below a seat (106), an engine unit (126), an evaporated fuel collecting device (160), 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 (100) is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0026] As illustrated in Figure 1B, a vehicle body frame (200) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) includes the head tube (110), a main frame (112) and a pair of rear seat sub-frame for example a first rear seat sub-frame (e.g., a left rear seat sub-frame (114a)) and a second rear seat sub-frame (e.g., a right rear seat sub-frame (114b)) and one or more cross frame members. The main frame (112) extends downward and rearward from the head tube (110) and then extends in substantially horizontal direction. The main frame (112) is provided with a cross frame member (124) that is connected to the rear end of the main frame (112). The cross frame member (124) extends in the cross direction of the vehicle (100). A pair of left and right rear seat sub-frames (114a), (114b) extend rearwardly and upwardly from ends of the cross frame member (124) and then extend substantially horizontal. A rear part of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) curves at the rear end and is connected by a bracket.
[0027] A floor structure (125) having two or more frame members provided by an upper surface of a front part of an approximately horizontal part of the main frame (112), along a longitudinal and cross direction. The floor structure (125) is welded to the main frame (112). Further, a first U-shaped frame tube (118a) extends obliquely downward and rearward, the front ends of which is welded to the left rear seat sub-frame (114a) at a position near a front side cross frame (120). Similarly, a second U-shaped frame tube (118b) extends obliquely downward and rearward, front ends of which are welded to the right rear seat sub-frame (114b) at a position near the front side of the cross frame (120). The first and second U-shaped frame tubes (118a) and (118b) are used for mounting a foot peg (not shown in any figures).
[0028] The front fork (121) is steerably supported by the head tube (110) and the front wheel (108) is attached to a lower end of the front fork (121). The handlebar (107) is attached to an upper end of the head tube (110). A head light (123) is arranged in front of the handlebar (107). The front fender (109) is provided so as to cover an upper portion of the front wheel (108).
[0029] The seat (106) on which a rider straddles is supported by rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b). The floor structure (125) is disposed between a front portion of the seat (106) and the head tube (110).
[0030] A leg shield (102) that protects legs of the rider is provided on a front side. A centre cover (104) is provided below a front portion of the seat (106). A side cover (101) that covers the vehicle (100) side surface is provided behind the centre cover (104). A tail light (116) is provided at a rear portion of the side cover (101). The fuel tank (105) is arranged under the seat (106) inside the side cover (101).
[0031] The fuel tank (105) is arranged on rear end portion of the rear seat sub-frames (114a, 114b). The engine unit (126) is arranged downwardly of the fuel tank (105) and mounted to the cross frame member (124). Discharge from the engine unit (126) after combustion is removed as exhaust gas from a muffler (not shown).
[0032] As illustrated in Figure 1A, the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is mounted to the left rear seat sub-frame (114a), towards the left side of the left rear seat sub-frame (114a) in the width direction of the vehicle (100). The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) includes a fuel collector (113) and a support stay (132) configured to mount the fuel collector (113) to the left rear seat sub-frame (114a). The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is disposed on the left rear seat sub-frame (114a) such that length of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) extends in a substantially longitudinal direction of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support stay (132) is provided as a constituting member facilitating the mounting of the fuel collector (113) and other auxiliary components of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160. The support stay (132) according to an embodiment of the present invention is in form of an extruded bracket comprising a portion having U-shaped bracket (133) integrally formed with the support stay (132). The support stay (132) includes one or more flanges (133a, 133b) for mounting the support stay (132) to the left rear seat sub-frame (114a). The support stay (132) further includes one or more holding provisions (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) for holding one or more auxiliary components of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) such as, connecting pipes/tubes, valve etc. In an embodiment, the one or more auxiliary components of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) mounted on the support stay (132) are a one-way valve (not shown), a roll-over valve (not shown), a three-way connector (not shown), and a plurality of connecting pipes (147, 148, 149, 150 as shown in Figure 4). In another embodiment, the at least one auxiliary component of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) mounted on the support stay (132) are a plurality of connecting pipes (147, 148, 149, 150).
[0034] The U-shaped bracket (133) of the support stay (132) comprises a base unit (136) and two leg units (137), (138). The leg units (137), (138) are integrated to the base unit (136). The leg units (137), (138) act as anchor members supporting the fuel collector (113). Further, each of the leg units (137), (138) is of L-shaped configuration, one end of which is attached to the base unit (136) and the other end (137a, 138a) extend towards a rear side of the vehicle (100), thereby forming an L-shape.
[0035] In an embodiment, the fuel collector (113) is cylindrical in shape for example as shown by a cylindrical body (145) comprising a first end face (143) and a second end face (144). Alternatively, the fuel collector (113) may have other shapes for example a rectangular in shape comprising a rectangular body, a first end face (143) and a second end face (144). It is understood that the fuel collector (113) of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) can be of any suitable shape adapted to be supported by the U-shaped bracket (133). At at least one peripheral location, the body (145) of the fuel collector (113) is wrapped with at least one rubber mount (151). The rubber mount (151) is provided with at least one accommodating provision (152). In an embodiment, the rubber mount (151) can be cylindrical in shape. In a preferred embodiment, the body (145) of the fuel collector (113) is wrapped with the at least one rubber mount (151) provided with two accommodating provisions (152). The accommodating provisions (152) are configured to engage ends (137a, 138a) of the leg units (137) and (138) of the U-shaped bracket (133) so as to support the fuel collector (113). In an embodiment, at least one accommodating provision (152) can be provided on a top and bottom surface of the rubber mount (151) wrapped around the body (145) of the fuel collector(113) such that the at least one accommodating provision (152) is provided on the top and bottom end of the fuel collector (113) as seen in Figures 4 and 5.
[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first end face (143) of the fuel collector (113) is provided with connecting provisions for connecting one end (147a) of a charge pipe (147) and one end (148a) of a purge pipe (148). The other end of the purge pipe (148) is connected with the engine unit (126). Further, the other end of the charge pipe (147) is connected with the fuel tank (105). The charge pipe (147) facilitates collecting of evaporated fuel into the fuel collector (113). The second end face (144) of the fuel collector (113) is provided with connecting provisions for connecting one end of each of an air intake pipe (149) and a drain pipe (150). The other end of the air intake pipe (149) is exposed to atmosphere and disposed in a suitable location free from dust. Further, the other end of the drain pipe (150) is disposed in a location away from the engine unit (126). The support stay (132) is mounted to the left rear seat sub-frame (114a) on the same side as the engine unit (126) of the vehicle (100). The support stay (132) is positioned such that the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is positioned substantially in slanted position with respect to the ground. In such slanted position, the second end face (144) of the fuel collector (113) faces ground and the first end face (143) of the fuel collector (113) faces the rear side of the vehicle (100).
[0037] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) of the vehicle (100) comprising a system for mounting the at least one auxiliary component of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) of the vehicle (100) and the fuel tank (105). For assembling the support stay (132) and the at least one auxiliary component of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160), each auxiliary component of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is mounted to the support stay (132). In an embodiment, the roll-over valve (not shown) and the one-way valve (not shown), are mounted to the support stay (132) and then connected by one or more connecting pipes (147), (148), (149), (150) through the one or more holding provisions (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) of the support stay (132). The support stay (132) comprising all of the auxiliary components of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is then mounted onto the left rear seat sub-frame (114a) using one or more fastening members (220a, 220b). The functionality of auxiliary components of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is known to a person skilled in the art, and therefore its description is herein not provided.
[0038] As stated in the forgoing description, the present invention provides a compact arrangement of all the connecting pipes/tubes and the fuel collector (113) of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) which can be assembled in one place and then mounted to the vehicle (100) thereby saving time in the assembly line of the vehicle (100).
[0039] The present invention provides an arrangement for accommodating the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) in a manner that would provide a favourable vibration insulation capability.
[0040] The present invention provides an arrangement for accommodating the fuel collector (113) causing the reduction in number of parts/components needed to mount the fuel collector (113), thereby reducing the cost involved in mounting the evaporated fuel collecting device (160).
[0041] The present invention provides an arrangement for accommodating the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) under the side cover (101) which protects the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) from external factors affecting its mounting arrangement and operational efficiency.
[0042] The present invention provides an arrangement for accommodating the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) which provides a dust free zone for the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) improving its performance.
[0043] The present invention provides an arrangement for accommodating the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) which does not compromise aesthetics of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) for mounting the evaporated fuel collecting device (160), as the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) is hidden by the side cover (101) of the vehicle (100).
[0044] The present invention provides an arrangement for accommodating the evaporated fuel collecting device (160) which does not cause any hindrance to the streamline construction of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
[0045] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0046] 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. For example, the support stay can be mounted on the right seat frame or any other suitable portion of the body frame. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the invention 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.

CLAIMS

We claim:
1. An evaporated fuel collecting device (160) of a two-wheeled vehicle (100), comprising:
a fuel collector (113) for collecting evaporated fuel from a fuel tank (105) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100);
a support stay (132) configured to be mounted to a first rear seat sub-frame (114a) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100), the support stay (132) comprising a U-shaped bracket (133) comprising a base unit (136) and leg units (137) and (138) extending from the base unit (136) for supporting the fuel collector (113) in space defined between the base unit (136) and the leg units (137) and (138); and
at least one rubber mount (151), each rubber mount (151) configured to at least partially warp a peripheral portion of a body (145) of the fuel collector (113), the rubber mount (151) comprising at least one accommodating provision (152) for engaging with the at least one of the leg units (137) and (138) to secure the fuel collector (113) between the base unit (136) and the leg units (137) and (138).

2. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support stay (132) further comprises one or more flanges (133a, 133b) for mounting the support stay (132) to the first rear seat sub-frame (114a).

3. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rear seat sub-frame (114a) is in left side of a vehicle driver sitting astride on the two-wheeled vehicle (100).

4. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber mount (151) comprises at least one accommodating provision (152), each accommodating provision (152) configured to engage with one of a free end (137a) of the leg unit (137) and a free end (138a) of the leg unit (138) to secure the fuel collector (113) between the base unit (136) and the leg units (137) and (138).

5. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support stay (132) further comprises one or more holding provisions (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d), each of the one or more holding provisions (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) configured to hold at least one auxiliary component of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160).

6. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one auxiliary component of the fuel collector (113) is at least one of a one-way valve, a roll-over valve, a three-way connector, and a plurality of connecting pipes (147), (148), (149) and (150).

7. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (145) of the fuel collector (113) is of a cylindrical configuration comprising a first end face (143) and a second end face (144),
wherein the first end face (143) comprises connecting provisions for connecting first end of each of a charge pipe (147) and a purge pipe (148) of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160); and
wherein the second end face (144) comprises connecting provisions for connecting first end of each of an air intake pipe (149) and a drain pipe (150) of the evaporated fuel collecting device (160).

8. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 7, wherein second end of the purge pipe (148) is connected with an engine unit (126) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) and a second end of the charge pipe (147) is connected with the fuel tank (105).

9. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 7, wherein second end of the air intake pipe (149) is exposed to atmosphere and a second end of the drain pipe (150) is disposed away from the engine unit (126).

10. The evaporated fuel collecting device (160) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second end face (144) of the fuel collector (113) faces ground and the first end face (143) of the fuel collector (113) faces a rear side of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) in a slanted position.