Fuel filter

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a "Fuel filter" for a motorcycle and more
particularly to a flexible fuel filter to be used in motorcycle fuel tanks.

Description of the prior art

Depending upon various operational environment of a particular fuel system, certain requirements are imposed on the vehicle fuel system design thereof for ensuring, inter alia, that fuel is supplied continuously and a predetermined rate, particulate matter such as dust, rust, iron particles, and other contaminants, is filtered prior to ingestion by the engine. For filtering these particulate matters, the design is made such that these are filtered to avoid blockage of fuel supply line or engine flow path. One prior art system for satisfying this requirement is use of filtering apparatus viz. pencil filter or inline fuel filter. The pencil filters are used at fuel outlet of the fuel tank and inline fuel filters are used outside the fuel tank and placed before the carburettor.

However, as a result of the above said filtering apparatus, most of the times, minute particulate matters escape them and enter into the carburettor bowl and over a time, accumulate and block the pilot jet of the carburettor. As a result, fuel doesn't flow to the engine causing sudden vehicle stoppage. Moreover, if the mesh size of the filtering apparatus is reduced for stopping the minute particulates, the said filtering apparatus clogs often. As a result, fuel doesn't flow into the carburettor, and thus affecting the vehicle start ability and causing sudden vehicle stoppage.

As a result of the above said problems, there is a trade-off between the filtering apparatus mesh and pore size, such that the particulate matter doesn't block the carburettor pilot jet and clogging should not occur too quickly.

Therefore the main objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible fuel filtering apparatus that over come the lacunae in the prior art.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel filtering apparatus such that has a universal design and can be accommodated in to any design of the fuel tank.

Brief description of the invention

Accordingly, a flexible filter cloth integrated with the fuel tank inlet is provided inside the fuel tank. The filter mesh size is reduced to the minimum most available size. As a result of this, there is good and effective filtration. Moreover, the particulates settle at the bottom of the fuel tanks. Since the filter is flexible and filtration area is more, irrespective of the clogging, fuel is fed to the carburetor. However, in extreme conditions, when the fuel filter clogs, it can be easily replaced.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described herein under with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be seen in the direction of reference numerals.

Figure 1 illustrates the side view of a scooter type motorcycle Figure 2 illustrates isometric view of the fuel tank apparatus; Figure 3 illustrates frontal view of the fuel tank apparatus; Figure 4 illustrates side view of the fuel tank apparatus; Figure 5 illustrates the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention describes a hinge mounted fuel tank cap over the fuel tank cap holder. Figure 1 illustrates the side view of a concerned scooter type motorcycle wherein all the embodiments including a fuel tank.

Scooter-type vehicles, or scooters, include a frame assembly, which usually supports the body of a scooter, along with front and rear wheels. A frame assembly for a scooter-type vehicle comprises of at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel and a vehicle body.

Typically, a frame structure 501 for a scooter type motorcycle comprises a main frame and may also have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the mainframe using appropriate fastening members. All the other components such as the body panels 509, the engine 502, and the electrical units are mounted on the main frame and the sub frame either directly or by means of brackets and fastening members.

The frame assembly includes a head tube, which supports a front wheel suspension assembly 503 of the vehicle. An upper frame extends from the head tube to a rearward end of the vehicle body. A swing arm 504 is pivotally supported by the upper frame and supports a rear wheel of the vehicle. The frame assembly may include a lower frame removeably coupled to the upper frame and defining a space 507 there between.

The sub-frame preferably supports at least one component of the scooter-type vehicle in the space, such as a fuel tank 101, for example.

Typically, front 503 and rear 504 suspension assemblies are operatively positioned between the front and rear wheels and the frame assembly. The front suspension assembly commonly is a telescopic fork arrangement, while the rear suspension assembly is a swing type arrangement. In a scooter, the rear suspension swing arm typically supports a power unit 502, which is configured to drive the rear wheel of the scooter.

The power unit/ engine 502, is coupled along with a transmission assembly 508, such as a drive shaft, drive belt, or chain and sprocket assembly.

The frame assembly/ structure 501 of a scooter-type vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the scooter. A scooter frame assembly generally is convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevational view. A handlebar assembly 505 and a seat assembly 506 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between.

Accordingly, the open area between the handlebar assembly and the seat assembly allows the scooter to be easily straddled, or mounted, as opposed to a typical motorcycle, wherein a motorcycle fuel tank occupies the space between the handlebar assembly and the seat assembly. Such an arrangement may be referred to as a "step-through" frame assembly.

Generally, a scooter frame assembly is constructed of a welded-up assembly of individual tubular members.

Typically, a central portion of the frame assembly includes a pair of upper tubes, and a pair of lower tubes. The individual pairs of upper and lower rails usually are aligned with one another in a vertical direction and spaced from one another in a lateral direction, with the pair of upper rails being spaced above the pair of lower rails.

Figure 2 illustrates the isometric view of the fuel tank apparatus. Fuel tank apparatus in the present example is a blow mounted fuel tank base 101 mounted on the rear of a scooter type vehicle. From the isometric view it could be observed that there are two openings on the fuel tank apparatus: one is fuel inlet 111 and the other is opening for fuel level gauge 110. Opening for fuel level gauge has provision of plastic 102 for facilitating mounting of inserts. There are two lugs or projection 103, 107 for supporting the fuel tank on to the frame having in them locations for front top mounting 104 and location for rear top mounting 105. The fuel tank inlet 111 has a fuel tank sealing 106 for facilitating firm mounting of the fuel tank cap holder. The fuel tank opening is moulded on the fuel tank structure wherein a poka-yoke 108 is provided which ensures correct assembly of the fuel tank cap holder over the fuel tank cap sealing surface 106. The fuel tank cap sealing surface 106 has threaded inserts 109, which facilitates firm mounting of the fuel tank cap holder over it through screws. A flange is en molded over the blow molded fuel tank inlet. The said flange is provided with at least threaded inserts to facilitate direct mounting of the fuel tank cap assembly over the fuel tank.

Figure 3 illustrates the frontal view of the fuel tank apparatus showing various embodiments. In addition to the embodiments explained earlier, it has a lug/ projection for front middle mounting 201 on the frame of the vehicle.

Figure 4 illustrates the side view of the fuel tank apparatus showing its embodiments.

Accordingly, a flexible filter cloth 400 integrated with the fuel tank inlet 111 is provided inside the fuel tank 101 as illustrated in figure 5. The filter mesh size of the cloth 400 is reduced to" the minimum most available size. As a result of this, there is good and effective filtration. Moreover, the particulates settle at the bottom of the fuel tank 101.

Since the filter 400 is flexible and filtration area is more, irrespective of the clogging, fuel is fed to the carburetor.

However, in extreme conditions, when the fuel filter clogs, it can be easily replaced.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is that of a preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Further any shape and configuration of the extended surface is possible within the ambit of appended claims.

Claims: We claim:

1. A flexible filter for use in a fuel tank wherein the said filter comprises a flexible filtering medium connected to the fuel inlet extending axially thereof for establishing fluid communication between said fuel inlet and fuel storage.

2. A flexible filter as claimed in wherein the said filter is integrated with the inlet of the said fuel storage unit.

3. A fuel tank with the flexible filter as claimed in claim 1.

4. A motorcycle with a fuel tank as claimed in claim 3.

5. A flexible filter for use in a fuel tank substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.