DESC:SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING AUXILIARY COMPONENTS OF EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The present invention relates to evaporative emission control system and, more particularly, to mounting system for mounting auxiliary components of evaporative emission control system of a saddle-type vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[002] Apart from exhaustive emissions from saddle-type vehicle such as two wheeled vehicles, evaporative emissions need to be controlled and the same can be achieved by employing the evaporative emission control system. Typically, the evaporative emission control system includes an evaporated fuel collecting device, one or more controlling valves for example roll-over valve, one-way valve, an evaporated fuel retaining device (e.g., canister) and one or more connecting tubes. The evaporated fuel collecting device collects the gaseous fuel vapours generated inside the fuel tank and supplies it to the carburettor through the one or more valves and the evaporated fuel retaining device (canister). In a two-wheeled vehicle, a roll-over valve is provided between the fuel tank and the evaporated fuel retaining device to prevent any unwanted flooding of the evaporated retaining device caused due to roll-over of the vehicle. One such arrangement having roll-over valve is disclosed in a Japanese patent application 06-255554. The Japanese patent application 06-255554 discloses a roll-over valve mounting device of the fuel tank for motor bicycles forming a cavity in the one side of the inverted-L-shaped dent of center of a fuel tank inner plate, attaching a roll-over valve to this cavity, and having connected recovery pipes and a recovery hose. A cavity is formed in the one side of the shell of a fuel tank, a rollover valve is attached in this cavity, recovery pipes and a recovery hose are connected, and it is in having laminated covering on the outside of the cavity.
[003] However, the invention disclosed by the Japanese patent application 06-255554 requires forming a pocket for attaching the roll-over valve by modifying the fuel tank which may not be always desirable for a fuel tank of any other vehicle. Further, mounting of other components of the evaporative emission control system for example the roll-over valve, the controlling valve and/or the connecting pipes to the vehicle increase the assembly time of the vehicle. Hence, there is a need for a system for advantageously enabling mounting of various auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system without making costly changes in the design of the fuel tank of the saddle-type vehicle.
SUMMARY

[004] In an embodiment, a system for mounting auxiliary components of an evaporative emission control system in a two-wheeled vehicle is provided. The system comprises a holder comprising one or more holding provisions where each of the one or more holding provisions comprises an opening for holding at least one auxiliary component of the evaporative emission control system in the two-wheeled vehicle. The system comprises a mounting provision comprising one or more mount openings. Further, the system comprises a mounting means for detachably mounting the holder to a fuel tank of the two-wheeled vehicle, wherein the mounting means is disposed at the fuel tank and is adapted to be engaged with the one or more mount openings of the mounting provision of the holder.
[005] In an embodiment, the mounting means comprises a U-shaped bracket integrally formed with a mounting bracket, where the mounting bracket is configured to mount a fuel gauge onto the fuel tank. In an embodiment, the mounting means comprises a base portion and a pair of leg portions extending from the base portion, where the base portion is attached to the mounting bracket. In another embodiment, the mounting means comprises a base portion and at least one leg portion extending from the base portion, where the base portion is attached to the mounting bracket. In another embodiment, the mounting means comprises a base portion and at least one leg portion extending from the base portion, where the base portion is attached to an upper surface of the fuel tank.
[006] In an embodiment, the holder is made up of an elastomeric material. The one or more holding provisions comprise holding provisions for mounting corresponding auxiliary components, wherein the opening of each of the holding provisions is configured in one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
[007] In an embodiment, the at least one auxiliary component comprises a one-way valve, a roll-over valve, a three-way connector and at least one connecting tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[009] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a scooter type vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a view of a vehicle body frame of the scooter type vehicle including a system for mounting auxiliary components of evaporative emission control system of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘A’ of the body frame as illustrated in Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] Figure 4 illustrates a portion of the system for mounting the auxiliary components, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 5 illustrates a portion of the system including the auxiliary components such as one way valve, roll-over valve mounted thereto, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 6 illustrates a view of the system for mounting auxiliary components such as one way valve, roll-over valve and connecting tubes interconnecting the auxiliary components, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of portion of body frame of the vehicle having a fuel tank and the system for mounting auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system of the vehicle having roll-over valve and one-way valve mounted thereto, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0018] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[0019] The terms ‘saddle-type vehicle’, “vehicle”, “two-wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “two wheeled vehicle” includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.
[0020] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / upward”, “down / downward / lower / lowerward” that may be used therein represent the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr in the drawing figures. Further, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” that may be used herein represent the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride.
[0021] Various embodiments of system for mounting auxiliary components of evaporative emission control system of the vehicle are described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 7. For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiments in the accompanying figures and description below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a two wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (100) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (121), head tube (110), a front fender (109), a seat (106), a front wheel (108), a steering handle bar (107), a fuel tank (105) provided below the seat (106), an engine unit (126), evaporated fuel collecting device (not shown), an air cleaner assembly (not shown), a muffler (not shown), rear suspension (not shown) and a rear wheel (127). It may be noted that the vehicle (100) is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0023] As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a vehicle body frame (200) includes a head tube (110), a main frame (112) and a pair of rear seat sub-frame (114a), (114b) and one or more cross frame members (116), (120). The main frame (112) extends downward and rearward from the head tube (110) and then extends in substantially horizontal direction. The main frame (112) is provided with a cross member (124) which is connected to the rear end of the main frame (112). The cross member (124) extends in the cross direction of the vehicle (100). A pair of right and left seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) extends rearwardly and upwardly from the ends of the cross member (124) and then extends in substatially horizontal direction. The rear part of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) curves at the rear end and is connected by a bracket (123). A ‘U’ character-like front side crossing frame (120) is constructed over the front part of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b). The rear side cross frame member (116) is constructed over the front part of the rear side approximately horizontal part of the rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b).
[0024] A floor structure (125) having two or more frame members provided by the upper surface of the front part of the approximately horizontal part of the main frame (112), along the longitudinal and cross direction. The floor structure (125) is welded to the main frame (112). Further, a first U-shaped frame tube (118a) extends obliquely downward and rearward, the front end of which is welded to the left rear seat sub-frames (114a) at a position near the front side cross frame (120). Similarly, a second U-shaped frame tube (118b) extends obliquely downward and rearward, the front end of which is welded to the right sub-frames (114b) at a position near the front side cross frame (120). The first and second U-shaped frame tubes (118a) and (118b) are used for mounting a foot peg (not shown in any figures).
[0025] The front fork (121) is steerably supported by the head tube (110) and the front wheel (108) is attached to a lower end of the front fork (121). The steering handle bar (107) is attached to an upper end of the head tube (110). A head light (not shown) is arranged in front of the handle bar (107). The front fender (109) is provided so as to cover an upper portion of the front wheel (108).
[0026] The seat (106) on which the rider straddles is supported by the rear seat sub frames (114a) and (114b). A footboard (128) is disposed between the front portion of the seat (106) and the head tube (110).
[0027] A leg shield (102) that protects legs of a rider is provided on the front side. A centre frame cover (103) is provided behind the leg shield (102). A centre cover (104) is provided below the front portion of the seat (106). A side frame cover (101) that covers a vehicle side surface is provided behind the centre cover (104). A tail light (not shown) and a rear fender (111) are provided at a rear portion of the side frame cover (101). The fuel tank (105) is arranged under the seat (106) inside the side frame cover (101).
[0028] The fuel tank (105) is arranged on rear end portion of the rear seat sub-frames (114a, 114b) and has a front end provided behind the cross frame member (116) (shown in Figure 2). The rear side cross frame member (116) has one or more mounting means such as bracket and the like, for mounting the fuel tank (105). The peripheral flanges (204) of the fuel tank (105) connected to the cross frame member (116) are longer than the other side flange portion. The length of the left and right side flanges is such as it partially overlaps with the left and right rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) of the vehicle body frame (200) as shown in Figure 3. The fuel tank (105) is mounted to the cross frame member (116) and the left and right seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b) by bolting and/or welding the overlapped portion of the flange (204) to the cross frame member (116) and the left and right seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b). The fuel tank (105) includes a gas-liquid separator (203) which seats over the fuel tank (105) and is communicatively connected to the fuel tank (105) for receiving the fuel vapour generated inside the fuel tank (105). The engine unit (126) is arranged downwardly of the fuel tank (105) and is mounted to the cross member (124). Discharge from the engine unit (126) after combustion is removed as exhaust gas from a muffler (not shown). The muffler is provided backwardly on a right side surface of the engine unit (126).
[0029] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, a system (250) for mounting auxiliary components of evaporative emission control system includes a holder (202) and a mounting means (220). The holder (202) includes one or more holding provisions (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d and 212e), collectively referred to as one or more holding provisions (212), and a mounting provision (508) comprising one or more mount openings (508a, 508b) integrally formed therewith. Each of the holding provisions (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d and 212e) has an opening for holding at least auxiliary component of the evaporative emission control system in the two-wheeled vehicle (100), described later. In an embodiment, each of mount openings (508a, 508b) is inform of a slot opening. In an embodiment, the holder (202) is adapted to be mounted onto the fuel tank (105) using the mounting means (220) and is detachable. In an embodiment, the holder (202) is mounted to the vehicle body frame (200) of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the holder (202) is made of elastomeric material such as rubber. In an embodiment, the holder (202) is a metallic plate. In an embodiment, the mounting means (220) is a U-shaped bracket integrally formed with the mounting bracket (218) used for mounting the fuel gauge (219) onto the fuel tank (105).
[0030] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the mounting means (220) includes two leg portions (220l, 220r) and a base portion (220B) connecting the two legs. Orientation of the mounting means (220) is such that the two leg portions (220l, 220r) face in upward direction with the base portion (220b) attached to the mounting bracket (218) of the fuel gauge (219). In an embodiment, the mounting means (220) is directly mounted to the upper surface (206) of the fuel tank (105) such that the leg portions (220l, 220r) face in upward direction with the base portion (220b) attached to the surface (206) of the fuel tank (105).
[0031] In alternate embodiments, the mounting means (220) comprises a base portion similar to the base portion (220b) and only one leg portion in ‘L’ or ‘inverted T’ configurations, wherein the base portion (220b) is attached to the mounting bracket (218) or directly mounted to the surface (206), and where the leg portion is engaged with the one or more mount openings (508a or 508b).
[0032] Figure 4 illustrates a view of mounting system for auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system for the vehicle (100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The holder (202) is a body that defines one or more holding provisions (212) having opening in the vertical and in the horizontal direction of the body. The holder (202) includes a first end portion (216a) and a second end portion (216b), with at least one mounting provision. In an embodiment, the holder (202) is a body that defines one holding provision (212b) having opening in the vertical direction and one holding provision (212a) having opening in the horizontal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder (202) includes at least two mounting provisions in the form of slot shaped openings (508a) and (508b) adapted to engage with the two leg portions of the mounting means (220).
[0033] Further, two holding provisions (212c) and (212d) in the form of openings are provided at the two end portions (216a) and (216b), respectively for holding the second connecting tube (215) and a fourth connecting tube (217). In addition, one holding provision (212e) is provided on the side of the holder (202) for supporting the wire harness (not shown in any figure) of the fuel gauge (219) and other device of the fuel tank. The two mounting provisions, e.g., the mount openings (508a) and (508b) are provided in the holder (202) to engage the leg units of the U-shaped bracket so as to mount the holder (202) to the fuel tank (105). The structure of the holder (202) is such that when the holder (202) is mounted onto the fuel tank (105), the other essential components mounted to the fuel tank (105) is accessible without removing the holder (202) from the fuel tank (105). For example, the fuel gauge (219) is accessible to the user without removing the holder (202).
[0034] In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the components of the evaporative emission control systems mounted on the holder are a one-way valve (207), a roll-over valve (205), a three-way connector (209) and five connecting tubes (211), (213), (215), (217) and (223).
[0035] In the gas-liquid separator (203) on upper part of the fuel tank (105), it is easy to generate evaporated fuel gas in the gas-liquid separator (203), and it is led in the canister (not shown in Figure 3) through one or more components and plurality of connecting tubes (211), (213), (215), (217), (223), and activated carbon in the canister absorbs the evaporated fuel gas and accumulates it into the canister. In an embodiment, the components of the evaporative emission control systems mounted to the holder (202) may be the one-way valve (207), the roll-over valve (205), the plurality of connecting tubes (211), (213), (215), (217), (223), and the canister (not shown in Figure). These components of the evaporative emission control systems are mounted at a suitable location in the vehicle (100) outside the holder (202). In an embodiment, the evaporated fuel gas is collected in the gas-liquid separator (203) mounted on the top of the fuel tank (105) and sent to the canister after passing through the three-way connector (209) and the roll over valve (205). The three-way connector (209) connects the gas-liquid separator (203) and the roll-over valve (205) by the first and the second connecting tubes (211) and (215) such that the collected evaporated fuel gas in the gas-liquid separator (203) is discharged to the canister through the three-way connector (209) and the roll-over valve (205). The roll-over valve (205) is provided to prevent any accidental passage of fuel from the fuel tank (105) to the canister. Further, the three-way connector (209) is also connected to the one-way valve (207) through the third connecting tube (213) such as the fuel tank (105) breaths from the atmosphere through the fifth connecting tube (223). The functionality of components of the evaporative emission control system is known to a person skilled in the art, and therefore such description is avoided here for the sake of brevity. In an embodiment, the one-way valve (207) is connected between the roll-over valve (205).
[0036] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, plurality of auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system is removably mounted to the holder (202) by one or more holding provisions (212) of the holder (202). The holding provisions (212c), (212b) and (212d) are preferably through holes having dimensions complementary to the size of the respective auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system such that the body of the auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system is wrapped at least partially within the holding provision (212) of the holder (202). Since the holder (202) is made of elastomeric material, therefore, the holding provisions (212) can stretch when the auxiliary components of evaporative control system is inserted, and then return to its original size, to form a tight fit around the auxiliary components. The second connecting tube (215) is inserted to the holding provision in the form of a through hole (212d) from the rear side of the vehicle (100). The three-way connector (209) is located outside the holder (202) at a location on the fuel tank (105). The one-way valve (207) is mounted to the holding provision (212a) of the holder (202) and the roll-over valve (205) is mounted to the holding provision (212b) of the holder (202). The one end of the one-way valve (207) is connected to the three-way connector (209) by a third connecting tube (213). The other end of the one-way valve (207) is connected to the one end of the fifth connecting tube (223) and the other end of the fifth connecting tube (223) is disposed at a enclosed dust free location of the vehicle and communicate with the atmosphere such that the fuel tank (105) breaths from the atmosphere through the fifth connecting tube (223). The roll-over valve (205) is connected to the canister (not shown) located outside the holder (202) by the fourth connecting tube (217).
[0037] In an embodiment, the auxiliary component holding provisions (212) are provided on the top surface of the holder (202), preferably, at different height labels relative to each other. In an embodiment, the orientation or the shape of holder (202) is such that the one way valve (207) is arranged on the holder (202) at a location upper than the location where the three-way connector (209) is mounted and the roll-over valve (205) is mounted at lower label than the three-way connector (209).
[0038] In an embodiment, the auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control systems mounted to the holder (202) are the three-way connector (209), the one-way valve (207), the roll-over valve (205), the one or more connecting tubes (211), (213), (215), (217), (223) and the canister (not shown in figures). The mounting of all the auxiliary components are same as described above except the canister. The canister is removably mounted on the holder (202) by an ‘L’ character shaped bracket (not shown in figures) which may be integrally formed with the holder (202).
[0039] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of the system (250) for mounting auxiliary components of evaporative emission control system of the vehicle (100) and the fuel tank (105). For assembly of the holder (202) and the auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system, each of the plurality of auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system is mounted to the holder (202). In an embodiment, the roll-over valve (205) and the one-way valve (207) are mounted to the holder (202) and then connected by one or more connecting tubes (211), (213), (215), (217) and (223) (as shown in Figure 6 and 7). In an embodiment, the roll-over valve (205), the one-way valve (207) and the three way connector (209) are mounted to the holder (202) and then connected by one or more connecting tubes (211), (213), (215), (217) and (223). The holder (202) having all the components of the evaporative emission control system, is then mounted onto the fuel tank (105) using the mounting means (220) in the form of the U-shaped bracket or any other shape bracket for example, L-shaped bracket or inverted T shaped bracket.
[0040] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the embodiments of the present invention, an effect of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide techniques for easy mounting of auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system. As the auxiliary components are mounted to the holder (202) which is removably mounted to the fuel tank (105) or the vehicle body frame (200), such arrangement makes components easy to assemble and reduces the assembly time of the vehicle.
[0041] The length of the connecting pipe between the fuel tank (105) or the gas-liquid separator (203) and the roll-over valve (205) is less, thereby very less amount of fuel enters into the canister when the vehicle (100) roll over and regains the original position. The system (250) for mounting auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system may be used in any other vehicle having a fuel tank similar to the fuel tank (105) as described in the present invention.
[0042] The one-way valve (207) in the holder (202) is mounted at higher label relative to the three-way connector (209) thereby preventing fuel from the fuel tank (105) from entering into the pipe connecting the three-way connector (209) and the one-way valve (207). The other end of the one-way valve (207) is located in a dust free zone provided by the connecting tube thereby preventing the blockage of the open end of the one-way valve (207) due to dust and other foreign material.
[0043] As the auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system is all mounted to the holder which is very close to the fuel tank (105) thereby shortening the length of the connecting tubes interconnecting all the components of the evaporative emission control system. Further, as the auxiliary components of the evaporative emission control system is all mounted to the holder (202) which is removably mounted on fuel tank (105) and within the space surrounded by the vehicle body frame (200), particularly, rear seat sub-frames (114a) and (114b), thereby providing a safe location away from any damage prone location of the vehicle (100) caused due to roll over of the vehicle (100) in an accident.
[0044] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

CLAIMS:
We claim:

1. A system (250) for mounting auxiliary components of an evaporative emission control system in a two-wheeled vehicle (100), the system (250) comprising:
a holder (202) comprising:
one or more holding provisions (212), each of the one or more holding provisions (212) comprising an opening for holding at least one auxiliary component of the evaporative emission control system in the two-wheeled vehicle (100); and
a mounting provision (508) comprising one or more mount openings (508a, 508b); and
a mounting means (220) for detachably mounting the holder (202) to a fuel tank (105) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100), wherein the mounting means (220) is disposed at the fuel tank (105) and is adapted to be engaged with the one or more mount openings (508a, 508b) of the mounting provision (508) of the holder (202).

2. The system (250) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (220) comprises a U-shaped bracket integrally formed with a mounting bracket (218), wherein the mounting bracket (218) is configured to mount a fuel gauge (219) onto the fuel tank (105).

3. The system (250) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting means (220) comprises a base portion (220b) and a pair of leg portions (220l, 220r) extending from the base portion (220b), the base portion (220b) attached to the mounting bracket (218) and the pair of leg portions (220l, 220r) adapted to be engaged with corresponding mount openings (508a, 508b).

4. The system (250) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting means (220) comprises a base portion (220b) and at least one leg portion extending from the base portion (220b), the base portion (220b) attached to the mounting bracket (218) and the at least one leg portion adapted to be engaged with corresponding mount openings (508a, 508b).

5. The system (250) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (220) comprise a base portion (220b) and at least one leg portion extending from the base portion (220b), the base portion (220b) attached to an upper surface (206) of the fuel tank (105) and the at least one leg portion adapted to be engaged with corresponding mount openings (508a, 508b).

6. The system (250) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (202) is made up of an elastomeric material.

7. The system (250) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more holding provisions (212) comprise holding provisions (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d and 212e) for mounting corresponding auxiliary components, wherein the opening of each of the holding provisions (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d and 212e) is configured in one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

8. The system (250) as claimed in claims 1 or 7, wherein the at least one auxiliary component comprises a one-way valve (207).

9. The system (250) as claimed in claims 1 or 7, wherein the at least one auxiliary component comprises a roll-over valve (205).

10. The system (250) as claimed in claims 1 or 7, wherein the at least one auxiliary component comprises a three-way connector (209).

11. The system (250) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary component comprises at least one connecting tube (211, 213, 215, 217, 223).