Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A fuel tank assembly (100) for a saddle-type vehicle (10), comprising:
a fuel tank (120) disposed between a pair of seat rails (32) and mounted thereon; and
a fuel filling hose (140) having a first end (140a) connected to a bottom wall (124) of the fuel tank (120), and a second end (140b) coupled with a fuel inlet port (180), the fuel inlet port (180) spaced away from the fuel tank (120).

2. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel inlet port (180) is disposed over a body of the vehicle (10) allowing a direct access to a user.

3. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel inlet port (180) comprises: a fuel cap (182) covering the fuel inlet port (180); and a fuel inlet flange (160) extending from the fuel inlet port (180) into a flange end (162), whereby the second end (140b) of the fuel filling hose (140) is coupled with the flange end (162).

4. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an air passage tube (190) connected to the fuel tank (120) for expelling trapped air inside the fuel tank (120).

5. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the air passage tube (190) extends from an inlet end (190a) to an outlet end (190b), the inlet end (190a) being connected to a top wall (122) of the fuel tank (120) and the outlet end (190b) being connected to the fuel inlet flange (160), the air passage tube (190) being routed along the fuel filling hose (140).

6. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of seat rails (32) comprise a bridge member (60) being attached therebetween.

7. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fuel tank (120) is disposed anterior to the bridge member in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).

8. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1 or 6, wherein the fuel inlet port (180) is disposed posterior to the bridge member (60) in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).

9. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel inlet port (180) is disposed rearwardly to a seat (28) disposed on the pair of seat rails (32) in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).

10. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fuel inlet port (180) is disposed adjacent to a rear lamp assembly (50) of the vehicle (10).

11. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank (120) is disposed below the seat (28) disposed on the pair of seat rails (32).

12. A saddle-type motor vehicle (10), comprising:
a head pipe for receiving a steering shaft;
a main tube extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R);
a pair of seat rails (32) extending rearwardly and upwardly from a rear end of the main tube; and a fuel tank assembly (100) comprising:
a fuel tank (120) disposed between the pair of seat rails (32); and
a fuel filling hose (140) having a first end (140a) connected to a bottom wall of the fuel tank (120), and a second end (140b) coupled with a fuel inlet port (180), the fuel inlet port (180) spaced away from the fuel tank (120).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly for a saddle-type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, saddle-type vehicles have a utility box and a fuel tank disposed between a pair of seat rails. The fuel tank is disposed rearwards from the utility box in a vehicle front-rear direction. For fuel filling, the fuel tank has a fuel inlet port adjacent to the utility box. As such, the fuel inlet port is on a top surface of the fuel tank. Further, the vehicles have a hingedly openable seat attached to the seat rails. In order to access either the utility box or the fuel inlet port, a user can accordingly open the seat.
[003] Since frequency of fuel filling in saddle-type vehicles is higher, it generally gets inconvenient for a user to frequently disembark from the vehicle, open the seat, remove a fuel cap on the fuel inlet port and get the fuel filled. Hence, automobile manufacturers developed various types of fuel tanks to address the inconvenience of frequently opening the seat.
[004] In an attempt, the fuel tank described hereinbefore was designed to have a fuel inlet port that can be accessed from a rear region of the vehicle. The user shall not have to open the seat anymore to access the fuel inlet port. In these vehicles, the fuel inlet port is disposed adjacent to, more particularly, above a tail lamp assembly. However, to have such a configuration of the fuel tank, the capacity of the fuel tank is greatly affected. Although this obviates the inconvenience of frequently opening the seat, however, frequency of filling the fuel in the vehicle increases drastically due to lesser fuel tank capacity.
[005] In another attempt, the fuel tank itself is shifted slightly more towards the rear side of the vehicle. By doing this, the fuel inlet port is shifted on the rear side of the seat, in the vehicle front-rear direction. However, in doing this, firstly, the fuel tank has to be shifted outside main frame of the vehicle, i.e. outside the seat rails. Due to this, safety of the fuel tank in events of mishaps and crashes, is greatly compromised which may prove to be fatal. Further, not only the fuel tank capacity in this case is compromised, but in this type of layout, there is no scope to increase the fuel tank capacity as well.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a fuel tank assembly for a motor vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention, in one aspect, is directed to a fuel tank assembly for a saddle-type vehicle. The fuel tank assembly has a fuel tank disposed between a pair of seat rails and mounted thereon; and a fuel filling hose having a first end connected to a bottom wall of the fuel tank, and a second end coupled with a fuel inlet port, the fuel inlet port spaced away from the fuel tank.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the fuel inlet port is disposed over a body of the vehicle allowing a direct access to a user. In another embodiment, the fuel inlet port has: a fuel cap covering the fuel inlet port; and a fuel inlet flange extending from the fuel inlet port into a flange end, whereby the second end of the fuel filling hose is coupled with the flange end.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, the fuel tank assembly has an air passage tube connected to the fuel tank for expelling trapped air inside the fuel tank. In yet another embodiment, the air passage tube extends from an inlet end to an outlet end, the inlet end being connected to a top wall of the fuel tank and the outlet end being connected to the fuel inlet flange, the air passage tube being routed along the fuel filling hose.
[010] In a further embodiment, the pair of seat rails have a bridge member being attached therebetween.
[011] In another embodiment, the fuel tank is disposed anterior to the bridge member in a vehicle front-rear direction. In a further embodiment of the invention, the fuel inlet port is disposed posterior to the bridge member in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[012] In yet another embodiment, the fuel inlet port is disposed rearwardly to a seat disposed on the pair of seat rails in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[013] In a further embodiment, the fuel inlet port is disposed adjacent to a rear lamp assembly of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the fuel tank is disposed below the seat disposed on the pair of seat rails.
[014] Another aspect of the present invention discloses, a saddle-type motor vehicle, having a head pipe for receiving a steering shaft; a main tube extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe in a vehicle front-rear direction; a pair of seat rails extending rearwardly and upwardly from a rear end of the main tube. The saddle-type vehicle has a fuel tank disposed between the pair of seat rails; and a fuel filling hose having a first end connected to a bottom wall of the fuel tank, and a second end coupled with a fuel inlet port, the fuel inlet port spaced away from the fuel tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a left side view of a saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows rear region of the saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows left-side view of the rear region of the saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a bottom perspective view of the rear region of the saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the fuel tank assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a left side view of the fuel tank assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] The present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly in a saddle-type vehicle.
[017] Figure 1 illustrates a left-side view of an exemplary motor vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 10 has a main frame (not shown). Towards front side, the motor vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 12 connected to a front wheel 14 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 16, which forms a steering assembly of the motor vehicle 10. The steering assembly has a pair of rearview mirrors 18a, 18b. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about a head tube. In addition, the vehicle 10 has a front fender 38 covering at least a portion of the front wheel 14 and is positioned upwardly of the front wheel 14.
[018] The motor vehicle 10 further has an internal combustion (IC) engine 20. In the present embodiment, the IC engine 20 is either swingably or non-swingably connected to the main frame. Towards rear side, the motor vehicle 10 has a rear wheel 22 connected to one or more rear suspensions 24. The motor vehicle 10 also has an exhaust system (not shown) extending rearwards from the IC engine 20. In addition, the vehicle 10 has a rear fender 26 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 22 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 22. The vehicle 10 further has a rear lamp assembly 50 on the rear side.
[019] The motor vehicle 10 has one or more front foot pegs 30 (only one shown) wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting feet on the foot pegs 30. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight assembly 36, a taillight assembly 50, a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). Further, the motor vehicle 10 is thus made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 40.
[020] The motor vehicle 10 has a seat 28 supported by a pair of seat rails 32 (shown in Figure 4) extending rearwardly from the main frame. The seat 28 is hingedly openable to provide access to a utility box (not shown) disposed beneath the seat 28. Further, the seat 28 has a pair of grab rails 34. As seen in Figure 2, in an embodiment, the main frame of the vehicle 10 has a bridge member 60. The bridge member 60 is attached between the seat rails 32 (shown in Figure 4) on a rear end in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R.
[021] Referring to Figure 2, according to the present invention, the vehicle 10 has a fuel tank assembly 100 (shown in Figure 5). The fuel tank assembly 100 (shown in Figure 5) has a fuel tank 120 disposed adjacent and rearwards from the utility box (not shown). The fuel tank 120 of the present invention is disposed between the pair of seat rails 32 and is mounted thereon. As seen in Figure 3, the fuel tank 120 has a top wall 122 and a bottom wall 124 (shown in Figure 3). The top wall 122 and the bottom wall 124 extend between a front end 120a and a rear end 120b in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R, forming a space therebetween. In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in Figure 2, the fuel tank 120 is disposed anterior to the bridge member 60 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R.
[022] According to the present invention, the fuel tank assembly 100 (shown in Figure 5) has a fuel filling hose 140. The fuel filling hose 140 is a tubular structure having a first end 140a and a second end 140b. As seen in Figures 3 and 4, the first end 140a of the fuel filling hose 140 is connected to the bottom wall 124 of the fuel tank 120.
[023] As seen in the Figures 3 and 4, the fuel tank assembly 100 (shown in Figure 5) of the present invention has a fuel inlet port 180. The fuel inlet port 180 is essentially an opening for receiving fuel into the fuel tank 120. According to the invention, second end 140b of the fuel filling hose 140 is connected to the fuel inlet port 140. In essence, the fuel inlet port 180 of the present invention is spaced away from the fuel tank 120 with the fuel filling hose 140 disposed therebetween.
[024] In an embodiment of the invention, the fuel inlet port 180 is disposed over a body of the vehicle 10 thereby allowing a direct access to the user without requiring to the user to disembark from the vehicle 10. In another embodiment of the invention, and as seen in the Figures 3 and 4, the fuel inlet port 180 is disposed posterior to the bridge member 60 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. In yet another embodiment, as seen in Figure 1, the fuel inlet port 180 is disposed rearwardly to the seat 28 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the fuel inlet port 180 is disposed adjacent to the rear lamp assembly 50.
[025] As seen in the Figures 3 and 4, in an embodiment, the fuel inlet port 180 has a fuel cap 182. The fuel cap 182 is hingedly attached to the fuel inlet port 180 and is used to close the fuel inlet port 180 to prevent spillage and evaporation of the fuel. Referring to Figure 5, in an embodiment, the fuel tank assembly 100 has a fuel inlet flange 160. The fuel inlet flange 160 extends from the fuel inlet port 180 into a flange end 162. In an embodiment, the fuel inlet flange 160 is elbow shaped. In the present embodiment, the second end 140b of the fuel filling hose 140 is coupled with the flange end 162.
[026] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, in another embodiment of the invention, the fuel tank assembly 100 has an air passage tube 190 extending from an inlet end 190a to an outlet end 190b. It must be noted, that in the present invention, the first end 140a of the fuel filling hose 140 is connected to the bottom wall 124 of the fuel tank 120. Thus, the fuel is received inside the fuel tank 120 from the bottom. In this case, air trapped inside the fuel tank 120 would require a provision to escape. Without such a provision, the fuel filling process would take a longer time which may further hamper fuel efficiency of the vehicle 10. Hence, the air passage tube 190 is used to expel the trapped air inside the fuel tank 120. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the inlet end 190a of the fuel filling hose 140 is connected to the top wall 122 of the fuel tank. Further, the outlet end 190b of the fuel filling hose 140 is connected to the fuel inlet flange 160. As seen in the Figures 5 and 6, the air passage tube 190 is routed along the fuel filling hose 140. In this way, as the fuel is received from the fuel inlet port 180 inside the fuel tank 120, the trapped air inside the fuel tank 120 simultaneously escapes in atmosphere from the outlet end 190b disposed on the fuel inlet flange 160.
[027] Advantageously, the problem of frequently disembarking from the vehicle for opening the seat and accessing the fuel inlet port is obviated by the present invention. The placement of the fuel inlet port on the vehicle body, makes it simple for the user to merely open the fuel cap in order to fill fuel, without disembarking from the vehicle. Further, although the fuel inlet port is located outside the seat, the fuel capacity of the fuel tank is not compromised. Furthermore, since the fuel tank is disposed between the seat rails and anterior to the bridge member, the fuel tank stays entirely protected, especially during accidents and mishaps.
[028] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.