DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a straddle-type motorcycle, especially with an engine unit mounted swingably to a body frame of said straddle-type vehicle.

Background
[0002] Straddle-type motorcycles which are typically compact two-wheeled motorcycles are provided with an engine unit or a swinging engine unit, in which an engine is integrated with a transmission unit. Particularly, in such kind of straddle-type motorcycles, a swinging member such as a toggle link member is provided to swingably support said engine unit or swinging engine unit. The toggle link member serves to not only support said engine, but also supports a rear wheel through a rear end of the transmission unit. Fuel for said engine unit is typically introduced by an intake system disposed above said engine unit and supported by at least a portion of a rear frame of said straddle-type motorcycle. Due to jerks caused due to a swinging movement of the engine unit, often the intake system is subjected to jumping and is pushed upwards of said engine unit, especially in full bump conditions. Particularly, the intake system comes in contact with a utility box disposed above said intake system during its swinging motion and is subjected to damage as result of said contact or interference with said utility box. Especially, a fuel hose carrying fuel to the intake system is most prone to damage due to interference with said utility box. Besides, interference with utility box, the fuel hose is also prone to rubbing against frame parts, especially during a swinging motion of said engine unit.
[0003] Raising a height of the utility box in order to avoid interference with said fuel intake system affects a storage capacity of the utility box, leaving little room for accommodating articles including a full faced helmet.
[0004] In a known art, a hose guide is provided to route the fuel hose emerging from a fuel tank of said straddle-type motorcycle to a fuel injection valve of said intake system. Particularly, said hose guide is provided in the proximity of the fuel tank, in order to guide said fuel hose and to prevent formation of kinks in the fuel hose. However, due to swinging movement of the engine unit, a portion of the fuel hose in the proximity of said engine unit is subjected to rubbing against an outer surface of said engine unit and against frame parts. Moreover, the fuel hose also comes in contact with the utility box, especially during full bump conditions. Constant friction of the fuel hose ultimately results in breakage of the fuel hose leading to danger of serious fire accidents.
[0005] There is therefore a need to support and route a fuel hose carrying fuel to the intake system more reliably.
[0006] Besides a fuel hose, there is also a need to reliably support a muffler body of said straddle-type motorcycle while protecting said muffler body from vibrations.

Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a straddle-type motorcycle including a fuel supply system and an intake system disposed in a manner so that at least a portion of either the intake system or that of the fuel supply system does not come in contact with a utility box of said straddle-type motorcycle.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a straddle-type motorcycle in which utility area of a utility box of said straddle-type motorcycle is not compromised in order to prevent interference with at least a portion of either an intake system or a fuel supply system.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a straddle-type motorcycle including a fuel supply system having a fuel hose which is swingably supported to at least a portion of an engine unit or a swinging engine unit.
[0011] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a straddle-type motorcycle having a fuel hose which is routed reliably in proximity of a swinging engine unit thereof.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a straddle-type motorcycle including an exhaust system, with at least a portion thereof being reliably supported close to a swinging engine unit of said motorcycle.
[0013] Accordingly, there is provided a straddle-type motorcycle having a swinging engine unit. The swinging engine unit as per the present invention comprises an engine and a transmission unit, held at least partially by a crankcase of said swinging engine unit. The straddle-type motorcycle further includes a fuel supply system for supplying fuel, and an intake system for introducing fuel to said engine of the swinging engine unit. Particularly, a fuel hose of said fuel supply system is provided to carry fuel to at least a portion of said intake system. As per an aspect of the present invention, both the fuel supply system and said intake system are disposed in a manner so as not to come in contact with a utility box of said motorcycle. In an embodiment, at least a portion of said fuel supply system and said intake system are disposed above said swinging engine unit and below the utility box.
[0014] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel hose is routed in close proximity to the swinging engine unit. Particularly, as per an aspect of the present invention, in order to prevent damage to the fuel hose arising due to constant friction with the utility box, especially during full bump conditions, the fuel hose is swingably supported to at least a portion of said swinging engine unit. In one implementation, the fuel hose is swingably supported to a first cowl member attached to the crankcase. Particularly, said fuel hose is secured to said first cowl member through a first support member, which is adapted to be detachably attached to said first cowl member. Thus, the fuel hose is swingably secured to at least a portion of the swinging engine unit. Since, the fuel hose is secured to at least a portion of the swinging engine unit; it is ensured that the fuel hose also swings along with said engine unit. As a result, significant vertical movement of the fuel hose is restricted; especially in full bump conditions and adverse effects due to damage to the fuel hose is prevented. Moreover, since the support member is disposed proximal to a downstream end of fuel hose, it is ensured that breakage of a portion of the fuel hose proximal to the engine is avoided, thereby mitigating chances of fire accidents caused due to fuel leakage.
[0015] As per an embodiment of the present invention, a second support member is also detachably attached to the crankcase for supporting a muffler body of an exhaust system of said straddle-type motorcycle in order to prevent damage to said muffler body due to constant friction and wear out. Particularly, said second support member aids in absorbing vibrations generated during vehicle running conditions, and thereby aids in preventing damage to said muffler body.
[0016] The present invention therefore uses at least a portion of the swinging engine unit for not only reliably supporting a fuel hose of a fuel supply system but also for reliably supporting a muffler body of said straddle-type motorcycle.
[0017] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings
[0018] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0019] FIG.1 illustrates a left side view of a straddle-type motorcycle including a swinging engine unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.2 illustrates a right side view of said straddle-type motorcycle depicting a fuel supply system and an intake system as connected to a portion of said swinging engine unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG.3 illustrates a top view of said straddle-type motorcycle depicting the fuel supply system and intake system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG.4 illustrates a detailed view depicting routing of a fuel hose in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG.5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of said swinging engine unit and at least a portion of an exhaust system taken along a line A-A shown in FIG.2
[0024] FIG.6 illustrates a detailed view of said straddle-type motorcycle depicting a position of said fuel hose and the intake system during a full bump condition of said straddle-type motorcycle.
[0025] FIG.7a illustrates a detailed right side view of said straddle-type motorcycle depicting mounting of a muffler body thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG.7b illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B shown in FIG.3, depicting mounting of a muffler body in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG.7c illustrates a perspective view of a second support member adapted to mount the muffler body in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description
[0028] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the straddle-type motorcycle including a fuel supply system and an intake system, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of said motorcycle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said motorcycle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said motorcycle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0029] In the following description, a preferred embodiment is described in which a swinging engine unit is deployed. However, it is understood that the swinging engine unit implies both an engine unit or a swinging engine unit, the swinging engine unit being the preferred embodiment.
[0030] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a straddle-type motorcycle 10 such as a scooter type motorcycle with reference to FIG.1 in accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG.1 illustrates a left side view of the straddle-type motorcycle 10. As shown in FIG.1, said motorcycle 10 includes a body frame assembly including a pair of rear tubes 11 (shown in FIG.2), made of a metal or alloy and covered by various body covers. The body frame assembly supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar assembly 1 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 2 is pivotally supported to the steering shaft. The handlebar assembly 1 provided above the front fork 2 allows steering of a front wheel 3. A headlamp unit 4 housed in a headlamp housing 4a is disposed in front of the handle bar assembly 1.
[0032] Further, a front panel 5 is provided to cover a forward facing side of the body frame assembly. A front fender 6 is provided to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 3 to prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 3 from striking parts lying behind the front wheel 3. A rear panel 7 is provided to cover a rearward facing side of a front portion of the body frame assembly. The rear panel 7 acts as a leg shield and protects a rider’s legs from a running wind blowing in a direction opposite to that of motorcycle running direction. Further, a floor board 8 is also provided for a rider to place his legs and is disposed below the rear panel 7.
[0033] Left and right side covers 9 are disposed to cover left and right side surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame assembly. A seat 15 is disposed above the left and right side covers 9. A utility box 16 (shown in FIG.6) is disposed below the seat 15.
[0034] A fuel tank 21 (shown in FIG.2) is arranged at a rear portion of the body frame assembly. The fuel tank 21 forms a part of a fuel supply system 20 which also includes a fuel pump unit 22 (shown in FIG.2) and a fuel sensor unit (not shown). While the fuel tank 21 stores fuel, said fuel pump unit 22 supplies fuel for powering an engine 31 (shown in FIG.5) of a swinging engine unit 30, and said fuel sensor unit enables to detect fuel level in the fuel tank 21. Said engine 31 is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by an intake pipe 43 (shown in FIG.3) of an intake system 40 (shown in FIG.2) to a combustion chamber of said engine unit 30. Further, power generated by said engine 31 is transmitted by a transmission unit 32 (shown in FIG.5) of said swinging engine unit 30 to a rear wheel 70.
[0035] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 31 is let out as exhaust from a muffler body 51 (shown in FIG.5) of an exhaust system 50 extending along a right hand side of the straddle-type motorcycle 10.
[0036] Particularly, the swinging engine unit 30 is swingably supported by a swinging member such as a toggle link member (not shown) of the body frame assembly, on a lower side of the left and right side covers 9. Further, the rear wheel 70 is also connected to the toggle link member via the transmission unit 32.
[0037] As may be seen in FIG.2, the fuel supply system 20 and the intake system 40 connected to a cylinder head 31a (shown in FIG.4) of the engine 31 are disposed above the swinging engine unit 30. Particularly, a fuel hose 23 emerging from the fuel pump unit 22 is connected to the engine via at least a portion of the intake system 40. More particularly, the fuel hose 23 carries fuel pumped by the fuel pump unit 22 to an injector member 42 of the intake system 40 which injects/sprays fuel into the intake pipe 43 (shown in FIG.4) connected to the cylinder head 31a of the engine 31. Thus, while fuel to the engine 31 is carried by the fuel hose 23 of the fuel supply system 20, air for combustion of the fuel is supplied by an air cleaner member 44 (shown in FIG.4) of the intake system 40 to a throttle body 41 (shown in FIG.3), and from the throttle body 41 to the intake pipe 43, where air mixes with fuel injected/sprayed by the injector member 42 to be finally supplied into an intake port of the cylinder head 31a. As shown in FIG.2, while the fuel supply system 20 including the fuel tank 21 and the fuel pump unit 22 is supported between the pair of rear tubes 11 and at least partially by the utility box 16, the fuel hose 23 emerging from the fuel pump unit 22 is routed on one side of the intake system 40 and above the swinging engine unit 30. Preferably, said fuel hose 23 is routed on a right hand side of the intake system 40.
[0038] Particularly, the fuel hose 23 being a flexible member is supported at least at two different locations for ensuring reliable routing of the same. For example, as may be seen in FIG.3, while a support guide 61 in the form of a rubber boot is provided in the proximity of the fuel tank 21, a first support member 62 is provided in the proximity of at least a portion of the swinging engine unit 30. Providing said support guide 61 and the first support member 62 as per the present embodiment enables in ensuring that said fuel hose 23 is guided substantially horizontally and parallely to the transmission unit 32 of said swinging engine unit 30. Thus, formation of kinks in the fuel hose 23 is prevented and smooth flow of fuel to the injector member 42 is ensured. Moreover, since a cap portion 42a of the injector member 42 is oriented towards a sideward direction rather than in an upward direction, it is ensured that fuel hose 23 is smoothly guided to be fixed at the cap portion 42a of the injector member 42.
[0039] As per an aspect of the present invention and as may be seen in FIG.4, the first support member 62 is provided to extend above the swinging engine unit 30 and proximal to a downstream end 23a of the fuel hose 23, said downstream end being attached to the cap portion 42a of said injector member 42. In one implementation, said first support member 62 includes an elongated bracket member 62a which is swingably supported to at least a portion of the swinging engine unit 30. Particularly, said first support member 62 is detachably attached to a first cowl member 34 of the crankcase 33 used to accommodate at least a portion of the swinging engine unit 30.
[0040] In the present embodiment and as illustrated in FIG.4 and FIG.5, said first cowl member 34 is detachably attached to the crankcase 33, for example a right crankcase of the swinging engine unit 30. The first cowl member 34 is used to cover at least a portion of a cylinder block, and extends up to a top surface of the cylinder head 31a of the engine. Further, a second cowl member 35 is provided to cover a cooling fan 36 disposed to cool the engine 31. In the present embodiment, said second cowl member 35 is detachably attached to the first cowl member 34. Attachment and arrangement of the second cowl member 35 over the first cowl member 34 ensures that cooling air is diverted towards the first cowl member 34 for cooling a spark plug 65 located in the vicinity of said first cowl member 34.
[0041] Detachably attaching said first support member 62 to the first cowl member 34 which in turn is attached to the crankcase 33 of the swinging engine unit 30 allows the swinging of the first support member 62 along with the swinging engine unit 30, thereby preventing significant vertical movement of the fuel hose 23 above the swinging engine unit 30. As a result, contact/interference of the fuel hose 23 with adjoining frame parts or with parts lying above the intake system, for example with the utility box 16 is avoided. For example, FIG.6 denotes a position of the intake system 40 and that of the fuel hose 23 in a full bump condition of the straddle-type motorcycle 10. As may be seen, the location and arrangement of the first support member 62 ensures that there is no contact of the intake system 40 and that of the fuel hose 23 with the utility box 16. Therefore, problem of breakage of the fuel hose 23 as result of friction with frame parts or with the utility box 16 due to unrestricted movement of the fuel hose 23 caused due to swinging motion of said engine unit 30 is eliminated. In the present embodiment, said first support member 62 includes the elongated bracket 62a (shown in FIG.4) which at its lower end is detachably attached to the first cowl member 34, and its upper end is detachably attached to an elastic boot member 62b which holds the fuel hose 23. In the present embodiment, said elastic boot member 62b is a cylindrical member which is held substantially horizontally to the swinging engine unit 30, thereby allowing the fuel hose 23 to be held substantially horizontally and parallely to the swinging engine unit 30.
[0042] The present invention also provides a means for reliably supporting the muffler body 51 of the exhaust system 50 of the straddle-type motorcycle 10. FIG.7a and FIG.7b illustrates mounting of the muffler body 51 to a right side of the crankcase 33 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen in FIG.7a & FIG.7b, said muffler body 51 is mounted to the crankcase 33 through a second support member 64, and adjoining the second cowl member 35, using fasteners. Particularly, said second support member 64 is rigidly attached to said muffler body 51 and is adapted to be detachably attached to said crankcase 33. For example, as may be seen in FIG.7c, the second support member 64 includes two mounting arms 64a integrally formed with a central body 64b and extending forwards from said central body 64a for attachment to said crankcase 33. In the present embodiment, said second support member 64 is made of cast iron which aids in absorbing vibrations generated during vehicle running conditions, thereby protecting the muffler body 51 from damage caused due to vibrations.
[0043] As is apparent from the above teaching, the crankcase and cowl members attached to the crankcase may be effectively used for supporting various parts of the straddle-type motorcycle including a fuel hose and a muffler body.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A straddle type motorcycle (10) comprising:
a body frame assembly to provide skeletal support to the straddle type motorcycle (10);
an engine unit (30) swingably supported by a toggle link member of the body frame assembly, said engine unit (30) including an engine (31) and a transmission unit (32), said transmission unit (32) including a crankcase (33);
an intake system (40) to introduce fuel to the engine of the engine unit (30);
a fuel supply system (20) including a fuel tank (21), an injector member (42) and a fuel hose (23) to supply fuel to the intake system (40);
a utility box (16) supported by the body frame assembly;
characterized in that, the fuel supply system (20) and at least a portion of the intake system (40) is disposed above said engine unit (30) and below the utility box (16).

2. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fuel hose (23) is disposed in close proximity to at least a portion of the engine unit (30), said engine unit (30) being adapted to swingably support the fuel hose (23).

3. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fuel hose (23) is disposed on one side of the intake system (40) and above the engine unit (30).

4. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fuel hose (23) is mounted through one or more of a support guide (61) provided close to the fuel tank (21) and a first support member (62), including an elongated bracket member (62a), disposed close to said at least a portion of the engine unit (30), the fuel hose (23) being mounted horizontal and parallel to the transmission unit (32), and the elongated bracket member (62a) being swingably supported to said at least a portion of the engine unit (30).

5. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein a cap portion (42a) of the injector member (42) is oriented substantially in one of a left sideward direction and a right sideward direction.

6. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said first support member (62) extends above the engine unit (30) and is disposed close to a downstream end (23a) of the fuel hose (23), said downstream end (23a) being attached to the cap portion (42a) of the injector member (42).

7. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fuel hose (23) is swingably supported by a first cowl member (34), said first cowl member (34) being mounted on the crankcase (33).

8. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the fuel hose (23) is swingably supported by the first cowl member (34) through the first support member (62), said first support member (62) being detachably attached to said first cowl member (34).

9. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 8, wherein said first support member (62) is disposed close to the downstream end (23a) of the fuel hose (23).

10. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 4 or claim 7, wherein said first support member (62) includes the elongated bracket member (62a), said elongated bracket member (62a) being detachably attached to the first cowl member (34) at a lower end, said elongated bracket member (62a) being detachably attached to an elastic boot member (62b) at an upper end, said elastic boot member (62b) being adapted to hold the fuel hose (23).

11. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 10, wherein said elastic boot member (62b) is a cylindrical member held substantially horizontal to the engine unit (30).

12. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 7, wherein the first cowl member (34) is adapted to cover at least a portion of a cylinder block and adapted to extend up to a top surface of a cylinder head (31a) of the engine (31).

13. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein a second cowl member (35) covers a cooling fan (36) disposed near the engine (31).

14. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 7 or claim 13, wherein the second cowl member (35) is detachably attached to the first cowl member (34).

15. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein a second support member (64) is detachably attached to the crankcase (33), said second support member (64) being adapted to support a muffler body (51) of an exhaust system.

16. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 15, wherein the muffler body (51) is mounted adjacent to the second cowl member (35).

17. The straddle type motorcycle (10) according to claim 15, wherein the second support member (64) includes two mounting arms (64a) and a central body (64b), said two mounting arms being integrally formed with the central body, said two mounting arms (64a) extending forward from the central body (64b) to attach to said crankcase (33).