CN113490611A

CN113490611A - Steam pipe of fuel tank assembly

Info

Publication number: CN113490611A
Application number: CN202080017380.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迪潘·T; V·拉梅什; K·文卡塔曼加拉朱
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-13
Filing date: 2020-02-22
Publication date: 2021-10-08
Also published as: WO2020183487A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a saddle type vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle (100) comprises a fuel tank assembly (109) mounted on at least a portion of the vehicle (100), the fuel tank assembly (109) comprising a canister (304), a hose (305), a fuel level sensor (301), a hose (303) discharging the canister, a steam pipe (204), a fuel tank inner portion (202), a fuel tank outer portion (203), a steam pipe bracket (402), and a steam chamber assembly (401), wherein a portion of the steam pipe (204) has two extreme portions arranged in a zigzag manner within the fuel tank assembly (109), which helps to eliminate a roll-over valve and its supporting components.

Description

Steam pipe of fuel tank assembly

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to the installation of a steam tube in a fuel tank assembly.

Background

In evaporative emission control systems, fuel vapors generated within a fuel storage unit or fuel tank assembly are diverted through a vapor line and directed to a carbon canister. The steam is adsorbed on the activated carbon in the canister.

In the present era, when a vehicle is turned over or during an accident, fuel leakage occurs through a tank, and fuel sloshing occurs. Furthermore, if liquid fuel is continuously introduced into the tank, it can have a significant effect on the performance of the tank. To avoid these problems, it is very common practice to use a roll-over valve (ROV) placed in the conduit from the fuel tank assembly to the vapor control system. The roll-over valve (ROV) operates to close a conduit between the fuel tank assembly and the canister to prevent fuel leakage when the vehicle is in a roll-over condition. A major drawback of the existing systems is the need to implement the roll-over valve (ROV) as an additional component, which increases the cost of the vehicle. This is not a very economical option for any low cost vehicle, and also requires additional packaging space in the fuel tank assembly to install the Roll Over Valve (ROV) components. This takes up valuable fuel storage space and reduces the range of the vehicle.

In another known technique, an ROV (roll-over valve) is removed, but two (or more) polymers (floats) are used to partially function as the ROV (roll-over valve), i.e., to limit fuel leakage when the vehicle is in a roll-over state. Basically, therefore, this solution also requires a greater number of new components, rendering it costly. In addition, the number of parts and the time required for assembly/disassembly are also high.

Therefore, there is a need for a simple and cost-effective solution to achieve avoidance of fuel leakage from the fuel tank assembly when a rollover/accident occurs, as well as avoidance of any undesired fuel ingress to the canister and sloshing, while achieving good fuel storage volume and easy assembly and maintenance of the fuel system components.

Drawings

The detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel tank assembly having a steam pipe disposed therein according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a reverse view of a fuel tank assembly having a canister in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3a is a reverse view of a fuel tank assembly having a canister bracket according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal axial view of a fuel tank assembly having a vapor trap assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4a is an exploded view of a steam chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4b is a front view of a steam pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a midplane axis (XX') view of a fuel tank assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a steam trap assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the installation of a steam pipe inside the fuel tank assembly.

Fig. 7 is a method of performing the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7a is a top view of a fuel tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of the fuel tank assembly showing the vehicle in a flipped state at the RHS of the midplane axis.

FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view of the fuel tank assembly showing the vehicle in a flipped state at the LHS of the midplane axis.

Detailed Description

Typically, a vent line is attached to the fuel tank assembly for directing fuel vapors to the canister to minimize evaporative loss of fuel to the atmosphere. Further, when the vehicle is inclined at a predetermined angle or more, or in the case of a vehicle rollover, the exhaust line is susceptible to fuel leakage from the fuel tank assembly. A roll-over valve (ROV) is mounted inside the fuel tank assembly to prevent fuel leakage to the canister and simultaneously to collect boil-off gas in the fuel tank assembly into the canister through the roll-over valve (ROV). The main disadvantage of the existing systems is that the roll-over valve (ROV) needs to be implemented as an additional component, which increases the cost of the vehicle and is not an economical option for low cost vehicles. Furthermore, additional packaging space is required in the fuel tank assembly for installing ROV components. The main disadvantage of existing vehicle systems is the need for a roll-over valve (ROV), which is not economically feasible for any low cost vehicle, and also increases the space limitations of the fuel tank assembly due to the installation of new components.

Further, space is required for mounting components in the fuel tank assembly, and therefore, it is desirable to provide a structure in which a sufficient space can be formed for easy installation of the steam pipe, and which is easy for a rider to access and easy for maintenance. According to the known conventional structure of the vehicle body frame and the fuel tank assembly, it is difficult to install the steam pipe inside the fuel tank assembly because in such installation, the presence of the ROV or the like reduces the installation space in the fuel tank assembly, and may also coincide with or affect at least a portion of the vehicle body.

In order to overcome the above problems, it has become important to improve the mounting of components of a saddle type vehicle in order to simply and easily mount a steam pipe in a fuel tank assembly. Such changes often compromise the available space for fuel storage, which is undesirable. Alternatively, the size of the fuel tank assembly needs to be enlarged, which can result in many adverse effects, such as poor ergonomics, packaging, increased vehicle size, increased weight and cost, and the like. The present subject matter provides a solution to the above-mentioned problems while meeting the requirements of a minimum compromise in vehicle layout, packaging, space, etc. at low cost and easy to manufacture, maintain, etc.

In view of the foregoing, the present subject matter relates to a fuel tank assembly that separates fuel vapors from liquid fuel inside the fuel tank assembly, and more particularly to the installation of a vapor tube with rollover protection within the fuel tank assembly, increasing cost and part count reduction by completely removing the ROV and its support components. The removal of the ROV and associated parts allows for greater installation space, thereby simplifying the construction of the fuel tank assembly and vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, this design reduces the number of plumbing connections that are potential vapor leak paths in an evaporative emission control system, and thus serves as a precautionary design control for leaks in the system. Because the roll-over valve is eliminated, the mechanism does not use any external tubing to carry vapor from the fuel tank assembly to the roll-over valve and then to the canister. Thus, the number of parts and time required for assembly are reduced. In the current invention, a simple and low cost alternative design solution for replacing the roll-over valve and its related parts is described, which would require a smaller number of parts and would take less assembly time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel supply system for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a tank, a hose, a fuel level sensor, and a drain hose for draining the tank. Further, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank outer portion, a fuel tank inner portion, a vapor tube support, and a vapor chamber assembly, wherein the vapor tube support retains the vapor tube according to a layout of the fuel tank assembly to avoid deformation of a vapor trap assembly inside the fuel tank assembly.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam pipe is mounted in a zigzag manner with respect to a midplane axis of the fuel tank assembly. According to one embodiment of the invention, a portion of a steam pipe mounted inside the fuel tank assembly originates from the steam chamber assembly and extends along the midplane axis of the fuel tank assembly toward the top or bottom of the fuel tank assembly and away from the midplane axis toward a left-hand side of the midplane axis and a right-hand side of the midplane axis. The remainder of the vapor tube protrudes outside the fuel tank assembly and is then connected to the canister by a rubber hose.

Further, the present invention relates to the mounting of the steam tube in the fuel tank assembly, wherein the steam tube holder, the steam tube and the steam chamber assembly together are referred to as a steam trap assembly. Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam chamber assembly has a steam chamber and a cover covering the steam chamber at an end of the steam chamber. In addition, the steam chamber has at least two steam inlet holes and one steam pipe inlet hole; the steam tube bracket retains the steam tube to avoid deformation of the steam trap assembly within the fuel tank assembly. Further, according to an embodiment of the invention, the steam tube holder is positioned substantially below the steam entry apertures of the steam chamber, which restricts fuel from entering the steam chamber through the steam entry apertures during sloshing. Furthermore, since the steam tends to move upward, the steam will easily flow into the steam chamber.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a saddle-type vehicle includes a fuel tank assembly operatively mounted on a vehicle body and provided with an EVAP (evaporative emission control) system to safely deliver fuel vapors from the fuel tank assembly to an engine via a canister and a hose. The fuel vapor is then removed (purge) from the canister to the engine by means of a hose.

Various other features of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments in the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. Reference is made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar elements throughout the several views.

Further, "front" and "rear" and "left" and "right" mentioned in the description of the securement of the illustrated embodiment refer to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction as viewed in a state of being seated on the saddle type vehicle seat. Further, the longitudinal axis refers to the front-to-rear axis relative to the vehicle, while the lateral axis refers to the side-to-side or left-to-right axis relative to the vehicle. 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.

Fig. 1 is a left side of a motorcycle type vehicle (100) (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle"), showing a fuel tank assembly (109). According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle (100) includes a main body frame (not shown) that is schematically configured to mount a fuel tank assembly (109) for disposing a steam pipe in the fuel tank assembly (109). In the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), a steering shaft (not shown) is supported to be rotatable within a certain range. Further, a handlebar (105) is rotatably integrally connected to a steering shaft for steering the vehicle (100), and is connected to the front wheel (108) through the steering shaft. The steering handle (118) is rotatably supported on a steering rod provided on a head pipe (not shown) independently of the front fork assembly (106), and the upper portion of the front wheel is covered with a front fender (107) to prevent mud and water from deflecting toward the steering shaft. The front wheel (108) is rotatably mounted on its front part (F) and the rear wheel (117) is rotatably mounted on its rear part (R). Further, a front fork assembly (106) is mounted above the front fender (107). In a portion located in front of the front fork assembly (106), an illumination device such as a headlamp (103), a pair of signaling devices such as turn signal lights (not shown), a display device such as a speedometer (not shown) are accommodated by a holding structure mounted to the portion. The portion located on the rear side of the vehicle (100) includes a tail lamp (115), a rear fender (116) that prevents mud and water from being deflected into. An adjustable windscreen (102) is mounted in the front of the vehicle (100). A pair of rear view mirrors (104) includes a housing having a front mirror for reflecting traffic images approaching from behind. At least one of the right side shock absorber and the left side shock absorber (112) is positioned to provide a better riding experience for the rider. A two-legged support (not shown) is used to support and hold the vehicle (100). The carriage (not shown) moves on a pivot (not shown) to occupy two positions, one being a folded position and the other being a position on the ground.

Further in fig. 1, in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), a fuel tank assembly (109) is arranged immediately behind a head pipe (not shown) and is disposed above the internal combustion engine (114). The seat assembly (111) is disposed immediately behind the fuel tank assembly (109). A rear seat (113) is disposed rearward of the seat assembly. A suspension system is provided to comfortably drive a vehicle on a road. A front fork assembly (106) forms a front suspension system and serves as a rigid component. An internal combustion engine (114) is mounted to a front lower portion of the vehicle body frame via an engine mounting bracket (not shown). An internal combustion engine (114) is equipped with an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel tank assembly (109) showing an opening (201) in the fuel tank assembly (109) and further divided into two portions, a fuel tank inner portion (202) and a fuel tank outer portion (203), with a vapor tube (204) routed inside the fuel tank assembly (109), according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an inverted view of a fuel tank assembly (109) according to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank assembly (109) including a tank (304), a hose (305), and a drain hose (303) for draining the tank. Wherein the canister (304) is mounted to the fuel tank assembly (109) (fig. 3a) by a rubber boot and a canister bracket (307). Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the installation position of the canister (304) can reduce the length of the fuel hose because the other end of the steam pipe (204) is connected to the canister (304) through the hose (305). Therefore, when the vehicle (100) is in the rollover state, a minimum amount of fuel remains in the steam pipe (204), and further, when the vehicle (100) enters the actual position after the rollover state, the remaining fuel in the steam pipe (204) is guided to the tank (304) through the hose (305), the tank (304) absorbs the remaining fuel, eventually resulting in reducing fuel leakage in the system, and also avoiding interference with surrounding components.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal axis view of a fuel tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank assembly (109) comprising a vapor tube (204), a vapor chamber assembly (401), a vapor tube bracket (402), a fuel tank inner portion (202), and a fuel tank outer portion (203), wherein the vapor tube (204) is routed within the fuel tank assembly (109) to ensure sufficient space for mounting components such as a fuel pump, a float assembly, and the like. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam pipe (204) is wired to ensure that the fuel level sensor (301) has sufficient space to be inserted/assembled within the fuel tank assembly (109) and function within the fuel tank assembly (109). Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam pipe (204), the steam chamber assembly (401), and the steam pipe holder (402) are collectively referred to as a steam trap assembly (403).

Fig. 4a is an exploded view of a steam chamber assembly (401) according to one embodiment of the invention, the steam chamber assembly (401) comprising a steam chamber (401a), a steam inlet hole (401b), a lid (401c) and a steam pipe inlet hole (401d), wherein steam generated inside the fuel tank assembly (109) will flow through at least the steam inlet hole (401b) and then reach the steam chamber (401 a).

Fig. 4b is a front view of a steam tube (204) according to one embodiment of the invention, the steam tube (204) having a chamfered opening portion (404) at one end thereof where the steam tube is connected to the steam chamber (401a) (fig. 4a) to ensure structural tightness and rigidity. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, steam generated in the fuel tank assembly (109) will flow through at least one of the steam inlet holes (401b) to the steam chamber (401a), and the steam will reach the steam pipe (204) from the steam chamber (401a) through the chamfered opening portion (404) of the steam pipe (204), to ensure shortening of the fuel hose and maintenance of the fuel level and to improve the convenience of maintenance for the rider. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the steam pipe bracket (401) is mounted to the fuel tank outer portion (203), which eliminates any overhang (overhang) of the steam pipe bracket in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a midplane axis diagram (XX ') of the fuel tank assembly (109) according to one embodiment of the invention, the steam pipes (204) are mounted in a zigzag manner and routed within the fuel tank assembly (109) away from the midplane axis (XX') and orthogonal to the midplane axis (XX ') towards the LHS (501) and RHS (502) of the midplane axis (XX'). Furthermore, the steam pipe (204) is routed to the RHS (502) and LHS (501) inside the fuel tank assembly (109), ensuring that the fuel level within the fuel tank assembly (109) does not reach the steam pipe (204) in the event of a vehicle rollover/crash. Further, at least one curl (curl) of the steam pipe (204) is disposed in a head space of the fuel tank assembly (109). Further, this embodiment ensures a reduction in fuel leakage since fuel does not pass through the curled portion of the steam pipe, and no new parts are required to guide steam and reduce fuel leakage, thereby ultimately reducing vehicle weight, reducing cost, and providing sufficient space for installing new parts.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the vapor trap assembly (403) of the fuel tank assembly (109). Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the steam pipe supporter (402) is located substantially below the steam inlet hole (401b) of the steam chamber (401a), which prevents fuel from entering the inside of the steam chamber (401a) during sloshing. Further, the steam pipe holder (402) holds the steam pipe (204) to avoid deformation of the steam trap assembly (403).

Fig. 7 is a method to be performed according to an embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, according to the method of carrying out the invention, a steam pipe (701) is provided in a zigzag manner, the steam pipe having two extreme portions (a left-hand portion and a left-hand portion) with respect to the midplane axis, the steam pipe originating from the steam chamber and being mounted in the fuel tank. Further, the orientation of the vehicle in the overturned state is checked with reference to the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the midplane axis (702). Further, when the vehicle is in a rollover state, fuel is restricted from flowing through at least a portion of the steam pipe (703) to ensure a reduction in fuel leakage in the vehicle.

FIG. 7a is a top view of a fuel tank assembly with a steam pipe (204) routed inside the fuel tank assembly (109) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the steam pipe (204) has two extreme portions, namely a right extreme portion (705) at the RHS (502) of the midplane axis (XX ') and a left extreme portion (704) at the LHS (501) of the midplane axis (XX'). Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, when the vehicle (100) is in a rolled over state in the RHS (502) of the midplane axis (XX ') (fig. 7b), the fuel level (BB ') will be lower than the left extremity (704) of the vapor pipe (204) and, therefore, if the fuel tank assembly (109) is completely filled to the inlet bottom (AA ') of the fuel tank assembly (109), liquid fuel within the fuel tank assembly (109) will not reach the vapor pipe (204).

Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention (fig. 7c), when the vehicle (100) is in a rolled over state in the LHS (501) of the midplane axis (XX '), the fuel level (BB ') will be lower than the right extremity (705) of the vapor pipe (204), and therefore, even if the fuel tank assembly is completely filled to the inlet bottom (AA ') of the fuel tank assembly (109), liquid fuel within the fuel tank assembly will not reach the vapor pipe (204). Furthermore, wiring is done to ensure that the liquid fuel crosses the right (705) and left (704) extremes of the steam pipe only beyond a ratio Z, where the ratio Z is in the range of 1.25 to 1.30 (relative to the distance to the steam volume (YY ')), where the distance is calculated based on the midplane axis (XX') of the fuel tank assembly (109). Thus, fuel leakage is limited during the tumble state.

The embodiments illustrated in fig. 5, 7b, 7c of the present invention help overcome the problem of space limitations, minimize the use of new components, maintain fuel levels in the fuel tank assembly (109), reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, and make it cost effective.

Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention describe possible modifications to mount the steam pipe in a zigzag manner with respect to the midplane axis of the fuel tank assembly of a saddle-type vehicle. This facilitates easy installation of the vapor pipe, and can effectively restrict leakage of fuel from the fuel tank.

Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

List of reference numerals:

FIG. 1:

100: vehicle with a steering wheel

102: wind screen

103: front shining lamp

104: rear-view mirror

105: handlebar

106: front fork assembly

107: front mudguard

108: front wheel

109: fuel tank assembly

111: seat assembly

112: shock absorber

113: rear seat

114: internal combustion engine

115: tail lamp

116: rear mudguard

117: rear wheel

118: steering handle

F: front part

R: rear part

FIG. 2:

201: opening of the container

202: inner part of fuel tank

203: outer part of fuel tank

204: steam pipe

FIG. 3:

301: fuel level sensor

303: discharge hose

304: pot for storing food

305: flexible pipe

307: tank support

FIG. 4:

401: steam chamber assembly

402: steam pipe support

403: vapor trap assembly

FIG. 4 a:

401 a: steam chamber

401 b: steam inlet hole

401 c: cover

401 d: steam pipe inlet hole

FIG. 4 b:

404: a beveled opening part

FIG. 5:

XX' -midplane axis

501: LHS of the midplane axis

502: RHS of the midplane axis

FIG. 7 a:

704: left extreme part of steam pipe

705: right extreme part of steam pipe

FIG. 7 b:

BB' — fuel level

AA' -bottom of inlet bottom

FIG. 7 c:

z-distance relative to vapor volume, wherein distance is calculated based on the midplane axis of the fuel tank assembly

YY' -steam volume

Claims

1. A saddle type vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising:

a fuel tank assembly (109) operably mounted on at least a portion of the vehicle (100), the fuel tank assembly (109) including a vapor tube (204), a fuel tank outer portion (203), a fuel tank inner portion (202), a vapor tube bracket (402), a vapor chamber assembly (401), a canister (304), a hose (305), a fuel level sensor (301), and a drain hose (303);

the steam chamber assembly (401) comprises a steam chamber (401a), a steam inlet hole (401b), a cover (401c), a steam pipe inlet hole (401 d);

wherein at least a portion of the steam pipe (204) has two extreme portions (704, 705), the two extreme portions (704, 705) being mounted in a zigzag manner with respect to a midplane axis (XX ') of the fuel tank assembly (109), the at least a portion of the steam pipe (204) originating from the steam chamber (401a) and being along the midplane axis (XX') inside the fuel tank assembly (109).

2. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein said steam pipe is installed to provide a space for assembly of said fuel level sensor (301).

3. The saddle type vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the steam pipe (204) has the two extreme portions being a right extreme portion (705) at RHS (502) of the midplane axis (XX ') and a left extreme portion (704) at LHS (501) of the midplane axis (XX').

4. A method of preventing fuel leakage from a fuel tank in a rollover state of a saddle-type vehicle (100), the method comprising the steps of:

providing a steam pipe in a zigzag manner, the steam pipe having at least two extreme portions, wherein the extreme portions are located on a left-hand side and a right-hand side, the steam pipe originating from the steam chamber and being installed in the fuel tank;

checking an orientation of the vehicle with reference to a midplane axis of the vehicle, wherein the midplane axis has a left-hand side (LHS) and a right-hand side (RHS); and

restricting fuel flow through the steam tube to a canister by at least one of the extreme portions of the steam tube.

5. The method of preventing fuel leakage from a fuel tank in a flipped state of a saddle type vehicle (100) according to claim 4, wherein said checking the orientation of the vehicle (100) at the RHS (502) of the midplane axis (XX '), a fuel level (BB') is filled to an inlet bottom (AA ') of a fuel tank assembly (109), said fuel level (BB') being lower than the left extreme portion (704) of the steam pipe (204), and when the vehicle (100) is flipped at the LHS (501) of the midplane axis (XX '), the fuel level (BB') is filled to an inlet bottom (AA ') of a fuel tank assembly (109), said fuel level (BB') being lower than the right extreme portion (705) of the steam pipe (204).

6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein said steam pipe bracket (402) holds said steam pipe (204) so as to be configured to avoid deformation of said steam trap assembly (403).

7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 6, wherein the steam pipe bracket (402) is positioned substantially below at least the steam inlet hole (401b) of the steam chamber (401 a).

8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 6, wherein the steam pipe bracket (402) is mounted to the fuel tank outer portion (203).

9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the steam pipe (204) has a chamfered opening portion (404) connected to the steam chamber (401a) at one end thereof.

10. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least the steam inlet hole (401b) is configured to enable steam to flow to the steam chamber (401 a).

11. The saddle-type vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the steam chamber (401a) is configured to enable steam to flow to the steam pipe through the chamfered opening portion (404) of the steam pipe (204).

12. The saddle type vehicle (100) according to claim 3, wherein a distance (Z) of each of the extreme portions of the steam pipe (204) is at least 1.25 to 1.30 times a steam volume (YY') of the fuel tank assembly (109), and the distance (Z) is calculated based on the midplane axis of the fuel tank assembly (109).