EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MOTORCYCLE FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to an evaporative emission control system for a motorcycle and more particularly to the mounting mechanism of said evaporative emission control system for the motorcycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Generally in motorcycle, carbon vapour canister is an essential part of the evaporative emission control system. In evaporative emission control (EVAP) system, the fuel vapours generated in the fuel tank is tapped and passed to the carbon vapour canister through a discharge tube. The vapours get adsorbed in the carbon layer inside the canister. The adsorbed vapours are in turn sent to the throttle body of the induction system by purging action.

[003] Said carbon vapour canister should be positioned in such a manner that it is protected from environmental disturbances and its location should not affect the functionality and serviceability of adjacent/ interfacing parts/systems. [004] The vehicle layout constraints and space limitations make the packaging of the canister in two- wheelers, a challenging task. Thus there is a requirement of a new feasible way of mounting evaporative emission control (EVAP) system such that it remains protected from the environmental disturbances and functionality and serviceability of neighbouring parts is also not affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] Main objective of present invention is to provide an evaporative emission control (hereinafter EVAP) system. In EVAP system canister is mounted in the space available between fuel tank and head tube such that multiple mounting brackets are supporting canister with front frame member.

[006] Further, a rollover valve is mounted between the canister and the fuel tank
such that a first tube is facilitating flow of fuel from fuel tank to canister through said rollover valve. A purge valve is mounted between the canister and a carburettor unit or throttle body of an engine such that a second tube is connecting the canister and the purge valve and a third tube is connecting the purge valve and the carburettor. Said rollover valve and the purge valve are mounted on the front frame member.

[007] This system has minimum hose/tube length, as the canister is located near to fuel tank and as well as the throttle body. Minimising hose length results in reducing the evaporative emissions through permeation and also improves the cost effectiveness of the system.

[008] In this system or mechanism canister is protected from external disturbances viz. water entry from rainfall, heat from sunlight, physical damage by stones in the irregular road surfaces etc.

[009] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. Additional detailed information related to the enablement of the invention will be provided in the detailed description and accompanying claims. Scope of the invention shall be based on the claims provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[010] The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawing(s). Provided drawings are incorporated in and constitute embodiments of the invention and illustrates several aspects of the invention and together with a description of the embodiments serve to explain the principles of the invention. Drawings given below are provided to support the description of the invention and are not limiting the scope of the presentinvention. A brief description of the drawing is as

follows:

Figure 1 shows side view of a motorcycle in order to depict the vehicle capable to incorporate disclosed invention.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 depict side view of the essential embodiments of the invention describing enabling arrangement for the same.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 show top view of the vehicle depicting essential embodiments and their mounting arrangements with respect to different embodiments of the motorcycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[Oil] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that best

enabling arrangements of the invention can be explained through all possible embodiments and examples of it. The invention may have application to all kind of two wheeled vehicles.

[012] Figure 1 show a side view of concerned two wheeled vehicle in the form of a motorcycle M capable to incorporate the present invention. The motorcycle M comprises a body frame assembly made up of a number of frame members welded together i.e. front frame member 113 and a rear frame member (not shown in figures).

[013] The motorcycle M has a steerable front wheel 105 and a driven rear wheel 109. The body frame primarily includes a head pipe 103 disposed at a front end of the body frame, a front frame member 113 running across the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle and enclosed by several motorcycle components, and a rear frame member (not shown in figures).

[014] A front fork 104 may be connected to the head pipe 103 by any known type of suspension system 104 and rotatably carries the front wheel 105. The head pipe 103 supports a steering shaft 102 disposed inside the head pipe 103.

[015] A fuel tank 114 is disposed above the front frame member 113 for storing
the fuel for propelling the motorcycle M such that a space S is available between the head tube 103 and the fuel tank 114 in the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle M. Said space S is covered with the side panels 100 and top panel 115 of the motorcycle M.

[016] Further, a seat 112 for a driver and a pillion is further provided, with the said seat 112 being placed behind the fuel tank 114 and above the rear frame member.

[017] The rear wheel 109 revolves about a sprocket splined shaft 002 (or central axle). The axle 002 is supported at each end by a swing arm 001, the swing arm 001 in turn pivotally connected to the body frame of the motorcycle M by a rear suspension 110.

[018] The anterior portion of the motorcycle M placed forward to the fuel tank 114 comprises of a headlamp assembly, the headlamp assembly further comprising a headlamp 101 and a visor placed forward to a handlebar assembly 116. The handle bar assembly 117 further comprises of a handle bar extending transversely to the vehicle and several control switches for various motorcycle operations.

[019] The said motorcycle M is powered by an internal combustion engine 107 (hereinafter "engine") disposed below the front frame member 113 and supported by the rear frame member. Drive force output from the engine 107 is transmitted to the rear wheel 109 through a transmission system.

[020] Further, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, side view of the essential embodiments of the claimed EVAP system are shown describing enabling arrangement of the same. A canister 118 is mounted in the space S between fuel tank 114 and head tube 103 such that one or more mounting brackets 124A, 124B are supporting canister 118 with front frame member 113. Said canister 118 is mounted between the parallel tubes of the front frame member 113 in a vertical orientation as a best way of enabling the invention. However, it can be mounted in horizontal or inclined orientations based on the packaging requirement of the motorcycle M.

[021] A rollover valve 119 is mounted between the canister 118 and the fuel tank 114. A first tube 121 is facilitating flow of fuel from fuel tank 114 to canister 118 through said rollover valve 119. A purge valve 120 is mounted between the canister 118 and a carburettor unit 003 of the engine 107 such that a second tube 122 is connecting the canister 118 and the purge valve 120. A third tube 123 is connecting the purge valve 120 and the carburettor 003. Said rollover valve 119 and the purge valve 120 are mounted on the front frame member 113. [022] Figure 4 and Figure 5 further shows mounting details for the embodiments of the claimed EVAP system. Canister 118 is located between parallel tubes of front frame member 113 and is held in position through multiple canister mounting brackets 124A, 124B. Canister 118 is located between said parallel tubes of front frame member 113 in the space S available between the fuel tank 114 and the head tube 103. Said canister 118 is mounted at above described location such that it is covered with the upper panel 115 from the upper side and with the side panels 100 from its sides.

[023] Mentioned rollover valve 119 of the claimed system is mounted over the fuel tank 114 or between the tubes of the front frame member 113 through a connecting bracket 004. Said connecting bracket 004 can be fixed with the fuel tank 114 or between the tubes of front frame member 113 based on the requirement for rollover valve 119 mounting. As another embodiment of the invention this rollover valve 119 can be mounted on either of the tubes of the front frame member 113.

[024] Purge valve 120 of the EVAP system is placed between the canister 118 and the carburettor 003 on one of the tubes of the front frame member 113 such that the length of the second 122 and third 123 tube can be kept small. However, said purge valve 120 can be mounted on the canister 118 or the carburettor 003 or the frame tube 113 based upon the mounting requirement of the motorcycle M. [025] This system enables to have minimum tube/hose (121,122,123) length, as the canister 118 is located in the proximity of the fuel tank 114 and as well as throttle body/ carburettor 003. Reduction in tube or hose (121, 122, 123) length results in considerable decrease in evaporative emissions through permeation and also improves the cost effectiveness of the system.

[025] In this system, canister 118 is also protected from external disturbances like water entry from rainfall, heat from sunlight, physical damage by stones in the irregular road surfaces etc. thus life of the system increases.

Numeral References 109 Rear Wheel
M Motorcycle 110 Rear Fork
S Space between Fuel Tank an20 111 Rear Panel
Head Tube 112 Seat

1 Swing arm 113 Front Frame Member

2 Axle 114 Fuel Tank

3 Carburettor 115 Upper Panel

4 Connecting Bracket 25 116 Handle Bar Assembly

100 Side Panel 117 Rear Fender
101 Head Lamp 118 Canister
102 Steering Tube 119 Rollover Valve
103 Head Tube 120 Check Valve
104 Front Fork 30 121 First Tube
105 Front Wheel 122 Second Tube
106 Exhaust Pipe 123 Third Tube
107 Engine 124A Canister Mounting Bracket
108 Muffler 124B Canister Mounting Bracket

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1) An evaporative emission control system for a motorcycle characterized by its mounting location comprising a canister mounted in a space between a fuel tank and a head tube such that a plurality of mounting brackets are supporting the canister with a front frame member; wherein, a rollover valve is mounted between the canister and the fuel tank and a purge valve is mounted between the canister and a carburettor unit of an engine.

2) The evaporative emission control system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canister comprising a first tube, a second tube and a third tube capable to route fuel flow through the fuel tank, the canister, the rollover valve, the purge valve and the carburettor.

3) The evaporative emission control system, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first tube is connecting fuel tank to canister through the rollover valve.

4) The evaporative emission control system, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second tube is connecting the canister and the purge valve.

5) The evaporative emission control system, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third tube is connecting the purge valve and the carburettor.

6) The evaporative emission control system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein front frame member is defining the front part of a frame of the motorcycle.

7) The evaporative emission control system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rollover valve and the purge valve are mounted on the front frame member.