TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a three-wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly for the three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In many countries of the world, motor vehicle specially a three-wheeled
automotive vehicle is a significant mode of public transportation. It is vastly used
as a point to point mode of transport in rural and urban areas. The three-wheeled
automotive vehicle has a rear compartment at a lower posterior portion of the
vehicle to accommodate an internal combustion engine, which powers the vehicle.
The rear compartment also houses several other vehicular components like a
muffler, a fuel tank assembly, air filter device etc. The fuel tank assembly, in
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particular, is mounted within a compact area of the rear compartment and takes support on a long member of the vehicle frame. It is disposed at a location to enable ease of access to a concerned person for filling fuel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment.
[0005] Fig. 2 shows a rear right side view of the three-wheeled vehicle.

[0006] Fig. 3(a) shows a front view of a fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment.
[0007] Fig. 3(b) shows a front perspective view of a fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment.
[0008] Fig. 4(a) shows an exploded view of a second integrated member in accordance with an embodiment.
[0009] Fig. 4(b) shows a left side perspective view of a second integrated member.
[00010] Fig. 5 shows a front perspective view of a fuel tank in accordance with a second embodiment.
[00011] Fig. 6 shows a front perspective view of a fuel tank in accordance with a third embodiment
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00012] Generally, a conventional three-wheeled vehicle comprises a fuel tank made up of sheet metal. The sheet metal fuel tank comprises of a fuel tank body, first passage, second passage, and one or more mounting provisions, for example, one or more mounting lugs for the fuel tank. The conventional sheet metal fuel tank comprises of the first passage/outlet and the mounting lug as two different parts welded on the surface of the sheet metal fuel tank. The separate mounting of the mounting lug and the first passage/outlet leads to more number of welded joints creating more number of weak points on the surface of the sheet metal fuel tank. Hence, a conventional sheet metal fuel tank is more susceptible to leakage of

the fuel from the fuel tank. Further, the sheet metal fuel tank is heavy and substantially adds up to the weight of the vehicle. Conventionally, the plastic second passage has tubes with single or multiple bulges. The conventional plastic second passage design is not suitable for fuel hoses with Banjo end connections. Moreover, a typical metal insert type of second passage in plastic fuel tank does not withstand the high torque requirement for fuel hose assembly. Further, in the conventional fuel tank, the fuel tank mounting lug is open-ended and the mounting lugs are subjected to deflections/distortions due to the open ends.
[00013] Hence, there is a requirement to make the fuel tank leak proof and provide increased strength for mounting lugs. Further, reduce the weight of the fuel tank. Furthermore, the second passage on the plastic fuel tank shall be able to be fitted with a fuel hose with Banjo end connection.
[00014] The present invention proposes a fuel tank for a three-wheeled vehicle. The fuel tank made up of plastic or the like material is capable of being assembled in a rear compartment of the three-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment. The fuel tank is a plastic fuel tank comprising of diesel as fuel in one of the embodiments.
[00015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank assembly comprises of a fuel tank body, a first passage, a second passage, and a plurality of mounting provisions. The first passage is disposed on an outer surface of the fuel tank body and the second passage is disposed on another outer surface of the fuel tank body.

[00016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a support structure is substantially supported by the first passage. The support structure is disposed in between the first passage and the outer surface. The support structure is supported structurally by the first passage. Hence, deflection of the support structure during assembly of the fuel tank assembly is prevented. Further, the support structure according to the present invention is more durable. Furthermore, the outer surface of the fuel tank body is not affected by external factors like, deflection of the mounting provision. The second mounting provision is substantially supported by the second passage. The second mounting provision is disposed adjacently to and around the second passage. The deflection of the second mounting provision is prevented by the present invention. Hence, a more stable mounting of the fuel tank assembly is achieved.
[00017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the outiet passage comprises of an adapter member supported by a holding structure, and an intermediate member sandwiched between the holding structure and the other outer surface of the fuel tank body. The adapter member is configured to be connected with one end of the fuel hose. Further, the intermediate member is used to avoid any forces acting upon the outer surface of the fuel tank body during assembling of the fuel tank assembly. The proposed invention according to another embodiment is suitable for free flow of fuel by virtue of gravitational force.
[00018] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, According to another embodiment of the present invention, the outlet passage comprises of an adapter member supported by a holding structure, and an intermediate member

sandwiched between the holding structure and the other outer surface of the fuel tank body. The adapter member is configured to be connected with one end of the fuel hosei Further, the intermediate member is used to avoid any forces acting upon the outer surface of the fuel tank body during assembling of the fuel tank assembly. The outer surface and another outer surface are same according to yet another embodiment. Hence, both the first passage and the second passage are present on the same surface.
[00019] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a concerned three-wheeled vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine in accordance with an embodiment. The three-wheeled vehicle is represented by a reference numeral 1. The vehicle can be used as a passenger carrier vehicle or a load carrier vehicle. It has a front cowl 101 supporting a windscreen 102. The lower portion of the front cowl 101 is connected to a front wheel 104 with a wheel cover 103 disposed in between. A ' handle bar assembly 109 is present behind the front cowl 101, which is used to operate the said three-wheeled vehicle 1. The vehicle is having a.driver's seat 107 situated rearwardly to the handle bar assembly 109. The rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle 1 is having a passenger seat 108 with a seating capacity of minimum three passengers. A rear panel 106 along with the rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle 1 containing the passenger seat 108 is supported on a pair of rear wheels 105 located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1.
[00020] FIG. 2 shows a rear left side view of the three-wheeled vehicle 1 in accordance with a first embodiment. The rear compartment 203 houses an internal combustion engine (not shown) and other vehicular components like fuel tank

assembly 2, induction system, exhaust system, transmission system etc. mounted on the posterior side of the vehicle frame within the rear compartment 203. The fuel tank assembly 201 comprises of a fuel tank body 201a including a top surface 204 and a bottom surface 205. The fuel tank 201 is assembled in the rear compartment of the three-wheeled vehicle 1 through mounting provisions for example, mounting lugs provided on the fuel tank 201 surface. The mounting provisions are provided on the upper surface as well as on the lower surface of the fuel tank. In accordance to an embodiment, one or more mounting provisions are provided in integration with a first passage/outlet.
[00021] Fig. 3(a) illustrates a front view of a fuel tank assembly of the three-wheeled vehicle in accordance with the first embodiment. The fuel tank 201 comprises of a first integrated member 303. The first integrated member 303 includes a first passage 303a and a support structure 303b. In the present invention, the support structure 303b is provided on a top surface 204 of the fuel tank body 201a. The first passage 303a comprises of a first end 303 c and. a second end 303d. The first end is disposed on the top surface 204. Further, the first passage 303a comprises of a top portion 303e and a bottom portion 303f disposed on either side of a passage axis ab. The support structure 303b substantially supports the lower portion 303f of the first passage 303a. The first . passage 303a comprises of variable diameter along the length of the first passage 303a.
[00022] Hence, unlike the conventional fuel tank, the mounting provision, which forms the integrated part of the first passage, has more life comparatively. Further,

according to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 303b and the first passage 303a are mounted as a single first integrated member 303 and the number of welded joints is reduced in the present invention. Furthermore, unlike in the conventional fuel tank, in the present invention, the diameter of the first passage 303a is variable. The construction of the first passage according to the present invention provides better rigidity to the first passage 303a. The better rigidity of the first passage 303a provides better support to the support structure 303b. Furthermore, in the present invention, the first passage is not welded onto the top surface of the fuel tank, the contact areas of the first passage on the fuel tank need not be maintained thin, thereby weak areas not created according to the present invention, and the fuel tank becomes more leak proof.
[00023] Fig. 3(b) illustrates a front perspective view of a fuel tank assembly of the three-wheeled vehicle in accordance with the first embodiment. The fuel tank 201 is made up of plastic material. In the present invention, the second mounting provision 301b is present as an integrated part of the second passage 301a forming a second integrated member 301. The second passage 301a and the second mounting provision 301b are attached as a second integrated member 301 on the surface of the fuel tank 201 by suitable joining operation. The number of welded joints is reduced in this particular invention and the second passage and the mounting lug are a single integrated part that is blow molded onto the plastic fuel tank surface. Hence, leakage of fuel is prevented. Further, the leakage of fuel . occurring due to irregular surface created by the flashes is also overcome by the present invention. The mounting surface on the fuel tank for mounting of the

second integrated member 301 is maintained flat without having a need for joining of two surfaces, hence, flashes are prevented, and leakage of fuel is avoided.
[00024] Fig. 4(a) illustrates the second integrated member 301 including the second passage 301a and the second mounting provision 301b in accordance with . the first embodiment. The second passage 301a is configured to have a provision for insertion of a joining member 302. The joining member 302 inserted into the second passage 301a is capable of receiving a fuel hose for flow of fuel from the fuel tank 201 into the internal combustion engine. The second integrated member 301 comprises of the second mounting provision 301b and the second passage 301a is a single integrated member. The second mounting provision 301b according to the present invention does not deform or undergo deflection because of the presence of adjoining second passage 301a. The second passage 301a provides structural support to the second mounting provision 301b thereby reducing early wear and tear of the second mounting provision 301b.
[00025] Fig. 4(b) illustrates the joining member 302 assembled into the second passage 301a. The second integrated member 301 according to the present invention is able to withstand the torque applied during fastening of the banjo bolt. The present construction is able to overcome the disadvantages present in the conventional fuel tank.
[00026] Fig.5 illustrates a second passage arrangement for a plastic fuel tank in accordance with a second embodiment. The second passage arrangement is suitable for gravity flow and forced flow of fuel from the fuel tank 201. The

second passage arrangement is provided on the bottom surface 506 of the fuel tank. The second passage arrangement includes an adapter member 504 attached to an holding structure 503. The fuel hose is fastened to the adapter member 504. The holding structure 503 along with the adapter member 504 is mounted onto the bottom surface 506 of the fuel tank 201. There may be a gap formed in between the holding structure 503 and the bottom surface 506 of the fuel tank 201 after assembly. The gap formed may lead to leakage of the fuel from the fuel tank 201. In order to prevent the leakage of the fuel.from the fuel tank 201, a seal 502 is disposed in between the holding structure 503 and the bottom surface 506 of the fuel tank 201. The seal 502 is made up of an elastic material, for example, rubber material or a plastic material. The other functions of the seal apart from preventing leakage of the fuel from the fuel tank 201 includes absorbing of the pressure applied on the holding structure 503 while assembling onto the bottom surface 506. The seal 502 prevents any vibrations or pressure from reaching the bottom surface 506 of the fuel tank 201.
[00027] In the present embodiment, since the second passage arrangement is provided on the bottom portion of the fuel tank, the flow of fuel through the fuel hose occurs due to gravitational force and any other external force is not required to pump the fuel.out of the fuel tank. Further, in the present construction, the
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leakage of fuel from the fuel tank that may occur due to irregular surfaces is avoided. The mounting surface for mounting of the second passage is generally maintained flat without having any irregular surfaces created by flashes. Hence, the fuel tank is leak proof and the fuel is utilized more efficiently.

[00028] Fig. 6 illustrates a second passage arrangement in accordance with a third embodiment. The second passage arrangement is suitable for the forced fuel flow system. The second passage arrangement is mounted on the top surface 604 of the fuel tank 201. The second passage arrangement includes an adapter member 601 attached to a holding structure 602. The adapter member 601 has an elongated structure for the fuel to be sucked out of the fuel tank 201. The fuel hose is fastened to the adapter member 601. The holding structure 602 along with the adapter member 601 is mounted onto the top surface 604 of the fuel tank 201. There may be a gap formed in between the holding structure 602 and the top surface 604 of the fuel tank 201 after assembly. The gap formed may lead to leakage of the fuel from the fuel tank 201. In order to prevent the leakage of the fuel from the fuel tank 201, a seal 603 is disposed in between the holding structure 602 and the top surface 604 of the fuel tank 201. The seal 603 is made up of an elastic material, for example, a rubber material or a plastic material. The other functions of the seal apart from preventing leakage of the fuel from the fuel tank 201 includes absorbing of the pressure applied on the holding structure 503 while assembling onto the top surface 604. The seal 603 prevents any vibrations or pressure from reaching the top surface 604 of the fuel tank 201.
[00029] In the present embodiment, the second passage arrangements provided on the top surface of the fuel tank allows the flow of fuel only through forced flow system. The fuel leakage that may occur due to gravity is prevented according to the present invention. Further, the forced fuel system ensures optimum utilization of the fuel from the fuel tank. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the

leakage of fuel from the fuel tank that may occur due to irregular surfaces created by the flashes occurring during joining of two surfaces to form fuel tank surface is prevented. The second passage arrangement is mounted on a flat surface without including any irregular surface. Hence, the fuel tank is leak proof and the fuel is utilized more efficiently.
[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 appended claims are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Rather, the features are disclosed as embodiments of the fuel tank assembly 201 for a three-wheeled vehicle 1.

I/We claim:
1. A fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1), said fuel tank
assembly (201) comprising:
a fuel tank body (201a) including a top surface (204) and a bottom surface
(205);
a first passage (303a) protruding from a top surface (204) of said fuel tank
body (201a), said first passage (303a) includes a first end (303c), a second
end (303d), an upper portion (303e), and a lower portion (303f) disposed
on either side of a passage longitudinal axis (xy); and
a second passage (301a) disposed on any one of the top surface (204) and
bottom surface (205) of said fuel tank body (201a),
wherein,
said lower portion (303f) of said first passage (303a) is substantially supported by a support structure (303b) extending from said first end (303c) to said second end (303d).
2. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second passage (301a) substantially supports second mounting provision (301b) disposed adjacently to and circumferentially covering at least a portion around said second passage (301a).
3. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second passage (506) comprises an adapter member (504) supported on a holding structure (503), and an intermediate member (502) disposed in between said holding structure (503) and said bottom surface (205).
4. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second passage (604) comprises an adapter member (601) supported on a holding structure (602), and an intermediate member (603) disposed in between said holding structure (602), and said top surface (204).

5. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said adapter member (601) is an elongated structure extending from said top surface (204) to a bottom surface (205) of said fuel tank body (201a), said adapter member (601) enables easy suction of fuel from said fuel tank body (201a).
6. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first passage is an inlet opening and said second passage is an outiet opening.
7.. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fuel tank assembly (201) is made of a synthetic material like plastic.
8. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second passage (301a) includes a joining member (302).
9. The fuel tank assembly (201) for a three-wheeled vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first passage has a variable diameter.
10. A vehicle comprising a fuel tank assembly (201) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.