CN113944578A

CN113944578A - Fuel sender assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN113944578A
Application number: CN202110723874.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·钱德拉塞卡; R·拉维桑卡尔; V·拉梅什; R·D·库马尔; K·C·坦尼森; R·马亨德兰
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-18
Filing date: 2021-06-29
Publication date: 2022-01-18
Also published as: CO2021008269A1

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to a fuel sender assembly (425) for a vehicle (100), the fuel sender assembly (425) being low cost and low maintenance, located in an optimal position, providing immediate accurate results, and not affected by tilting of the vehicle (100) or fuel sloshing while the vehicle (100) is in motion. The fuel sender assembly (425) includes a fuel sender (500), a float arm (510), and a float (505). A float (505) of the fuel sender (500) is capable of angular rotation between an uppermost position (520) and a lowermost position (525) of the float (505).

Description

Fuel sender assembly for a vehicle

Technical Field

The subject matter described herein relates generally to a vehicle and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a fuel transmitter assembly of a vehicle.

Background

The fuel tank is part of a vehicle fuel system that stores fuel. The fuel is then propelled by a fuel pump into the engine of the vehicle. The fuel tank of a vehicle is made of metal (steel or aluminum) or plastic such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Generally, a fuel tank of a motorcycle type saddle riding type vehicle is mounted on a frame assembly of the vehicle while being placed in front of a seat in most cases. Since the outer portion of the fuel tank is visible, its design takes into account the stylistic elements to give the rider an aesthetic appeal. The inner part of the fuel tank is generally shaped in a complex manner, in most cases in order to accommodate the many necessary inner or surrounding parts, and in correspondence with the amount of fuel it has to store. At the same time, an evaporative emission control system for containing fuel vapors is placed within the interior space of the fuel tank between the frame tube and the inner sidewall of the interior portion of the fuel tank.

In most such vehicles, the fuel tank of the vehicle is designed such that, when the rider is in the riding position, the fuel tank is wider at a front portion and narrower at a rear portion as viewed from the front of the vehicle. The inner portion of the fuel tank is generally shaped as an inverted U with a variable longitudinal cross-sectional width.

With the ever-increasing demand for increased features to reduce vehicle emissions, many systems, such as fuel injection systems, evaporative emission control systems, fuel gauge systems, and the like, are also housed within the fuel tank and its surrounding areas. Efficient and compact design of such components becomes necessary because systems such as fuel pumps and fuel gauge systems will be installed in the interior portions of the fuel tank along with the evaporative emission control system.

Drawings

The embodiments will be described with reference to a saddle-riding two-wheeled scooter and the accompanying drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a fuel tank assembly mounted to a frame assembly of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded subassembly of the fuel tank assembly mounted on a frame assembly of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded subassembly of a fuel tank assembly having the necessary components of the fuel tank assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fuel sender assembly of the fuel tank assembly with the necessary components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fuel tank interior profile of a fuel tank assembly (shown in FIG. 3) having the necessary components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the internal profile of the fuel tank assembly (shown in FIG. 3) with the necessary components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the internal profile of the fuel tank assembly (shown in FIG. 3) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fuel gauge systems are measuring instruments used to determine and indicate the amount of fuel present in a vehicle fuel tank. Typically, fuel gauge systems are either analog or digital. Digital fuel gauge systems have many advantages over analog fuel gauge systems. These advantages include providing an accurate measure of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank, helping to eliminate fuel theft when refueling, and in some cases also helping to accurately determine the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. In addition to these advantages, digital fuel gauge systems suffer from certain disadvantages including relatively higher cost, higher maintenance requirements, and the need for robust structures than analog fuel gauge systems. Analog fuel gauge systems are more commonly used in vehicles, such as two-wheeled vehicles, primarily due to the high cost and maintenance factors associated with digital fuel gauge systems.

Conventionally, in a vehicle, a simulated fuel gauge system, referred to herein as a fuel gauge system, includes two parts, such as a fuel sender assembly and a fuel indicator. The fuel sender assembly is placed in a fuel tank of a vehicle. Fuel indicators are typically placed in the front of the vehicle, on the dashboard or instrument cluster, which is easily visible to the rider while riding. Fuel sender assemblies typically use a float connected to the fuel sender by a float arm. As the fuel level in the tank decreases, the float drops and slides the movable contact along the resistor, increasing its resistance. Similarly, the float rises as the fuel level of the tank increases, while reducing its resistance. The resistance is calibrated to indicate the amount of fuel in the fuel reservoir.

The fuel indicator measures and displays the amount of current flowing through the fuel sender. Therefore, when the fuel tank is full, the resistance value decreases and the current value increases; and when the fuel tank is empty, the resistance value increases and the current value decreases. Thus, when the fuel tank level is high and maximum current is flowing, the fuel indicator indicates full tank. In many vehicles, a full tank on the fuel indicator is indicated by a pointer to the symbol "F" or "1" on the fuel indicator. Likewise, when the fuel tank is empty and a minimum current is flowing, the fuel indicator indicates the empty tank by means of a pointer to the symbol "E" or "0" or "R" on the fuel indicator. In a few vehicles, extremely low fuel lamps are present that automatically turn on to attract the attention of the rider to low fuel levels.

Fuel level indication is critical in vehicles because it helps the rider to estimate the distance that the available fuel can cover and avoid getting into distress. Inaccurate fuel level indications can lead to erroneous estimates and cause inconvenience, such as becoming stranded, to the rider. Moreover, such inaccurate fuel level indications tend to have an overall adverse effect on the overall fuel system of the vehicle. For example, fuel accumulation at the bottom of the fuel tank over a period of time (which typically occurs when fuel level indications are inaccurate) can result in the formation of debris-like matter. Such formations, which are initiated when the vehicle is traveling at low fuel levels, can negatively impact the operation of fuel system components such as fuel pumps and fuel filters. In addition, this may also have a negative impact on evaporative emission control devices. In addition, inaccurate fuel level indication may also cause the vehicle to stop running empty of fuel. In the case of engines with fuel injection systems (which typically use fuel pumps), such a fuel-free condition would damage the fuel pump and the fuel injectors.

Further, since the fuel sender of most vehicle fuel gauge systems is primarily based on variable resistance, in these fuel gauge systems, the resistance varies with the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. In fuel gauge systems of this type, since the fuel sender of these fuel gauge systems only measures the height of the fuel level relative to a reference plane, there is always the possibility of inaccurate or inconsistent indication of the measured fuel level. This problem of inaccurate or inconsistent indication occurs when the fuel level in the fuel tank does not stabilize at a certain level during use of the vehicle, particularly on uneven roads, due to the phenomenon that the fuel in the storage area frequently sloshes. Furthermore, the non-linear calibration that the fuel level height needs to perform in order to compensate for the complex internal profile of the fuel tank and the piece-to-piece variations in production compromises the accuracy of the measurement, since conventional fuel gauge systems are calibrated to measure only the height of the fuel level relative to a reference plane.

Conventionally, in many vehicles, the fuel gauge of the fuel tank has an arm and a float at the top of the fuel pump. One end of the arm is pivotally attached to the body of the fuel gauge, and the other end of the arm is arranged such that it acts as a free end of the arm, which is free to move within a predetermined plane. The free end of the arm has a float pivotally attached thereto. The pivot range of the float at the free end of the arm does not reach the bottom of the main chamber, so that the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank cannot be accurately measured. Thus, the float of the fuel sender of a conventional vehicle has limited angular movement and can have limited access to the minimum and maximum levels of the volume of fuel present in the fuel tank, which seriously impairs the accuracy of the fuel estimation by the fuel sender assembly.

This limitation is also due to the space limitations of the location where the fuel sender assembly is normally placed, as this position determines the amount of float contact with the maximum and minimum fuel volumes present in the fuel tank. Thus, even the position of the fuel sender assembly of the fuel gauge system determines the accuracy of the result indicated by the indicator. Therefore, the fuel sender assembly needs to be placed in an optimal position so that it can accurately measure the minimum and maximum levels of the volume of fuel present in the fuel tank. Generally, known techniques end up compromising either the minimum level or the maximum level or both, in order to obtain a reasonably accurate measurement over a major range of the capacity of the fuel tank. This means that readings near full tank capacity or near empty tank conditions of the fuel tank may be undesirably poor in accuracy. It seems counterintuitive to achieve a measurement method that is consistent across the entire range.

Also, for a given amount of fuel, the fuel level height may vary as the fuel tank is tilted. Conventional fuel gauge systems do not account for tank lean nor vehicle lean angle. Thus, when the vehicle is leaning during riding, a false fuel indication may be generated as a result. When the vehicle is tilted, all of the fuel will accumulate on one side of the tank due to gravity. Thus, the fuel level increases on one side of the vehicle inclination and decreases on the opposite side. When the vehicle is tilted, the fuel sender of the fuel gauge system gives an output corresponding to an increased or decreased fuel level. The fuel indicator of the fuel gauge in turn estimates and indicates an incorrect fuel level based on the output of the fuel sender assembly. As a result of this incorrect indication, the rider incorrectly estimates the distance that can be covered based on the available fuel, which further inconveniences the rider.

In many vehicles, the float of the fuel sender is placed in the front or rear portion of the internal fuel tank of the vehicle. In such vehicles, when the vehicle is in motion, during acceleration, deceleration, braking, speed braking, when potholes and bumps in the road are encountered, undesirable impacts are experienced. These impacts tend to cause unstable movements of the fuel level present in the fuel tank (also called fuel sloshing). Fuel sloshing results in false fuel indications because conventionally the proximity of the float to the maximum and minimum fuel levels in the fuel tank is limited. The limited proximity of the float to the fuel volume results in an incorrect fuel estimate, which further inconveniences the rider.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved design for a low cost and low maintenance fuel sender assembly for a fuel gauge system that overcomes all of the above-referenced problems and others of the known art. There is a need for a non-compromised solution that provides for instantaneous, accurate fuel level measurement regardless of factors such as vehicle tilt, and large fuel sloshing amplitude when the vehicle is in dynamic conditions.

The present subject matter has been devised in view of the above circumstances and to solve other problems of the known art.

In embodiments of the present subject matter, the present subject matter relates to a fuel sender assembly of a fuel tank assembly.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the fuel tank assembly is arranged such that the uppermost portion of the upper surface of the fuel tank assembly is disposed higher than the front and rear portions of the fuel tank assembly. The fuel sender is mounted on a mounting profile of the fuel tank assembly such that the float follows a three-dimensional linkage curve (coupler curve) to rise and fall in the direction of the angle of inclination.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the fuel sender assembly includes a fuel sender, a float arm, and a float. The float arm is an arm-like structure extending in a direction away from the fuel sender, and the float arm is attached to at least one end of the fuel sender. The float arm is mounted on the fuel sender by float arm mounting equipment. The float is a small cylindrical structure attached to at least one end of a float arm.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the float arm together with the float is capable of angular rotation from an uppermost position to a lowermost position of the float substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank.

In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the range between the uppermost position and the lowermost position of the float is such that the angle between the uppermost position and the lowermost position of the float arm is an angle θ₁。

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the fuel sender assembly is positioned such that the mounting plane of the fuel sender is at an angle θ relative to the plane P₂Wherein the plane P is substantially orthogonal to the direction of gravity G.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the distance between the float upper limit position and the float lower limit position when projected in the plane S orthogonal to the direction of gravity G is a distance D1.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the angular distance between the upper float limit position and the lower float limit position when projected onto plane P is distance D2.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the distance between the float upper limit position and the float lower limit position when projected in a plane orthogonal to the plane S and parallel to the length direction L is a distance D3.

In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the fuel sender assembly is placed in proximity to the vapor trap.

In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the fuel sender assembly is placed in proximity to the fuel pump module.

In efficacy of the present subject matter, the fuel sender assembly described in the present subject matter ensures a low cost fuel sender assembly.

In another efficacy of the present subject matter, the fuel sender assembly described in the present subject matter ensures a low maintenance fuel sender assembly.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail that characterize the foregoing advantages and other advantages of the present subject matter, with reference to two-wheeled motorcycle type saddle-ride type vehicles and the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of the different embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Rather, the following description provides convenient illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that the description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements that incorporate the principles of the present subject matter may be devised, although not explicitly described or shown herein. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, it is noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "forward", "rearward", "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom", "outward", "inward", and the like are used herein based on the illustrated state or standing state of the two-wheeled vehicle on which the driver rides. Further, various arrows provided at the upper right corner of the drawing in the drawing depict directions relative to the vehicle, where arrow F represents a forward direction, arrow R represents a backward direction, arrow "Up" represents an upward direction, arrow "Dw" represents a downward direction, arrow "R" represents a rear side, and arrow "F" represents a front side. 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.

The nature and further characteristic features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly 200 (shown in fig. 2) to support various portions of the vehicle 100. At an upper portion of frame assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 3), handlebar assembly 115 is rotatably integrally connected to a steering shaft (not shown). Handlebar assembly 115 is used to steer vehicle 100 and is connected to front wheel 185 via a steering shaft (not shown) and a front fork assembly (not shown). An upper portion of the front wheel 185 is covered by a front fender 190, and the front fender 190 prevents mud and water from deflecting toward a steering shaft (not shown). Further, a front fork assembly (not numbered) is supported on the front fender 190 through a stay fender (not shown).

In a forward portion of frame assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2), fuel tank assembly 120 is disposed immediately rearward of handlebar assembly 115 and above a first power source (e.g., engine assembly 180). The seat assembly 125 is placed behind the fuel tank assembly 120. The seat assembly 125 includes a front rider seat portion and a rear rider seat portion. The rear rider seat portion is placed at the rear of the frame assembly 200 (as shown in FIG. 2), wherein the rear of the frame assembly 200 (as shown in FIG. 2) is covered by a tail cap assembly (not labeled).

A headlamp assembly 105 including a headlamp 110 and a front indicator light 140a is provided at a front portion of the vehicle 100 for the safety of the rider and to comply with traffic regulations. In a rear portion of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, a tail lamp (not numbered) and a rear indicator lamp 140b are provided in a rear portion of a tail cover assembly (not shown). Above the tailcap assembly 130 and behind the seat assembly 125, a rear seat handle 135 is provided for grasping by a rear seat rider.

A suspension system is provided for comfortable steering of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 on a road. As with the frame assembly 200, the front suspension assembly 195 serves as a rigid component of the front portion of the vehicle 100. The front suspension assembly 195 clamped to the head pipe (not shown) by the upper bracket (not shown) and the lower bracket (not shown) can move leftward and rightward. Further, a rear suspension system 160, which is a hydraulic damping device, is connected to the frame assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2). Rear suspension system 160 includes at least one rear suspension 160, with rear suspension 160 preferably centered on a longitudinal mid-plane of vehicle 100. However, in the vehicle 100 having two rear suspensions, the rear suspensions may be disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100, respectively.

The first power source (e.g., engine assembly 180) is mounted to a lower front portion of frame assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2) by an engine mounting bracket (not shown). The engine assembly 180 is partially covered on the underside of the engine assembly 180 by an engine cover 175. The engine assembly 180 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not labeled) connected to the engine assembly 180 and a muffler assembly 155 connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler assembly 155 extends rearward along the right side of the rear wheel 150.

Further, a swing arm (not shown) extending rearward is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the vehicle 100. The rear wheel 150 is rotatably supported at the rear end of a swing arm (not labeled). Power from the motor assembly 180 is transmitted to the rear wheels 150 through a power drive mechanism (e.g., a drive train) to drive and rotate the rear wheels 150. The center stand 165 is provided between the front wheel 185 and the rear wheel 150 for parking the vehicle 100.

A rear fender 145 for covering the upper side of the rear wheel 150 is mounted to the rear portion of the vehicle 100 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 150 from entering the muffler assembly 155, the engine assembly 180, and other parts disposed nearby. To enhance the overall aesthetics of the vehicle 100 and to prevent unwanted exterior particles from entering various parts of the vehicle 100, a plurality of rear covers (not labeled) are attached to a rear portion of the frame assembly 200 (shown in fig. 2).

The area under the seat assembly 125 and the fuel tank assembly 120 of the vehicle 100 is covered on both sides by the cover frame assembly 170. The cover frame assembly 170 includes one or more side covers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel tank assembly 120 mounted on a frame assembly 200 of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The lower portion 120a of the fuel tank assembly 120 is mounted on the front portion of the frame assembly 200. The rear portion 120d of the fuel tank assembly 120 is fastened to the frame assembly 200 by means of a plurality of visible fasteners 205 (referred to herein as fastener fuel tank rear mounts 205). The front portion 120c of the fuel tank assembly 120 is disposed slightly rearward of the head pipe 300 (shown in FIG. 3) on the main pipe 305 (shown in FIG. 3) of the frame assembly 200. The upper portion 120b of the fuel tank assembly 120 has an opening that serves as an inlet into which a fuel dispenser is inserted for filling the fuel tank assembly 120 with fuel. This opening is covered by a cap, referred to herein as the fuel cap assembly 210. The fuel cap assembly 210 is designed to be locked by a locking mechanism to prevent fuel spillage when fuel is stolen or the vehicle is tilted.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective subassembly of fuel tank assembly 120 mounted on a frame assembly 200 of vehicle 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The frame assembly 200 of the vehicle 100 includes a head pipe 300, a main pipe 305, a pair of intermediate pipes 310, the pair of intermediate pipes 310 extending at a rear portion of the vehicle 100 as a pair of rear pipes 315. The main tube 305 extends downward from the head tube 300 rearward. A pair of intermediate tubes 310 extend rearwardly from a rear portion of the main tube 305 along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100. A pair of rear tubes 315 extend rearwardly from the pair of intermediate tubes 310 toward the rear portion of the vehicle 100.

The fuel tank assembly 120 of the vehicle 100 is mounted on the frame assembly 200 such that a front portion 120c (shown in fig. 2) of the fuel tank assembly 120 is mounted on the main tube 305 slightly rearward of the head tube 300 of the frame assembly 200. The rear portion 120d (shown in fig. 2) of the fuel tank assembly 120 is fastened to the front portions of a pair of intermediate tubes 310 of the frame assembly 200 by means of a plurality of visible fasteners 205 (referred to herein as fastener fuel tank rear mounts 205). The upper portion of the fuel tank assembly 120 has an opening covered by a fuel cap assembly 210 that serves as an inlet for inserting a fuel dispenser to fill the fuel tank assembly 120 with fuel.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded subassembly of fuel tank assembly 200 with the necessary components of fuel tank assembly 120 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fuel-tank assembly 120 may be broadly subdivided into an outer unit 440 (referred to herein as fuel-tank outer portion 440) and an inner unit 445 (referred to herein as fuel-tank inner portion 445). Tank outer section 440 covers tank inner section 445 from the outside.

The fuel tank outer contour 440 includes a fuel tank outer cover 410, which fuel tank outer cover 410 serves as an outer cover for the entire fuel tank assembly 120 and protects the internal systems from contamination and damage by external elements. The upper portion of the outer fuel tank cover 410 has a fuel cap assembly 405, and the fuel cap assembly 210 is attached to the fuel cap assembly 405. The fuel cap assembly 210 is fastened to the fuel cap assembly 405 by a plurality of fasteners (referred to herein as fuel cap fasteners 400).

The fuel tank interior portion 445 includes the fuel tank interior 420, and the fuel tank interior 420 further includes the necessary components of the fuel tank assembly 200, such as the fuel pump module 415 and the fuel sender assembly 425 (referred to herein as the FSA assembly 425). Fuel pump module 415 facilitates supplying fuel from the fuel tank to engine assembly 180 (shown in FIG. 1) by generating a positive pressure. The fuel pump module 415 is positioned downward toward a front portion of the fuel tank interior 420. The FSA assembly 425 facilitates estimating a fuel level available in the fuel tank assembly 120. The FSA assembly 425 is disposed in an upper rear portion of the fuel tank interior 420 of the fuel tank assembly 120. The fuel tank interior 420 has a profile that forms a substantially inverted U-shaped cross-section (shown in fig. 6) in a laterally intermediate region of the fuel tank interior 420 in the length direction L (shown in fig. 6). The rear portion of the fuel tank interior 420 includes a downwardly sloped profile in a plane P (shown in FIG. 6) followed by a substantially horizontal profile in a plane S (shown in FIG. 6) that is orthogonal to the force of gravity G (shown in FIG. 6) and orthogonal to the length direction L (shown in FIG. 6) of the fuel tank interior 420. The FSA mounting portion 430 is disposed in the plane P. The FSA assembly 425 is mounted on the fuel tank interior 420 on the FSA mounting portion 430 of the fuel tank interior section 445.

Fuel tank outer contour portion 440 is coupled to fuel tank inner contour portion 445 by a suitable attachment means (e.g., welding, etc.), and fuel tank assembly 120 is attached to the frame of the vehicle by a suitable attachment means (e.g., a plurality of fasteners at fuel tank rear mount 205). According to an embodiment, the fasteners are inserted on special equipment, herein referred to as equipment rear mount 435, present at the rear end of the fuel tank interior contour portion 445.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fuel sender assembly 425 of the fuel tank assembly 120 having the necessary components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel sender assembly 425 of the fuel tank assembly 120 (shown in fig. 3), referred to herein as the FSA assembly 425, includes a fuel sender 500, a float arm 510, and a float 505. A fuel sender, referred to herein as FSU 500, is mounted on the FSA mounting portion 430. An extending arm-like structure, referred to herein as a float arm 510, is attached to at least one end of the FSU 500, extending away from the FSU 500.

A small cylindrical structure, referred to herein as a float 505, is attached to at least one end of the float arm 510 in a direction away from the FSU 500. Float arm 510 is mounted on FSU 500 by float arm mounting apparatus 515, float arm mounting apparatus 515 having an axis C orthogonal to mounting apparatus 515. In addition, the FSU 500 is mounted on the FSA mounting portion 430. According to the present configuration and layout, the float arm 510, along with the float 505, is capable of angular rotation to travel along a three-dimensional linkage curved path. The swivel arc motion of the float arm is about axis C and follows a three-dimensional profile CC (as shown in fig. 6 and 7) from a maximum upward position 520 to a minimum downward position 525.

The angle between the uppermost position 520 and the lowermost position 525 is a predetermined angle θ₁。θ₁Referred to herein as the three-dimensional sweep angle θ₁. The position of the float 505 that is at the highest position herein is referred to as the float upper limit position 520. The position of the float at the lowest position is referred to herein as the float lower limit position 525.

As the fuel level in the fuel tank assembly 120 decreases, the float 505 moves in a downward tilting direction. As a result, the float 505 slides the movable electrical contact away from the FSU 500 along a resistor (not shown) present on the float arm 510, thereby increasing its resistance. Similarly, as the fuel level of the fuel tank assembly 120 increases, the float 505 moves in an obliquely upward direction. As a result, the float 505 slides the movable electrical contact along a resistor (not shown) present on the float arm 510 towards the FSU 500, thereby reducing its resistance.

Thus, when the fuel in the fuel tank assembly 120 is at its maximum level, the resistance decreases and the current increases. When the fuel in the fuel tank assembly 120 is at its lowest level or the fuel tank assembly 120 is empty, the resistance increases and the current decreases.

The fuel level information is processed and indicated to a user by a fuel indicator (not shown) calibrated to display the amount of fuel based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the FSU assembly 425. Thus, when the fuel level is high and the float 505 is at the float upper limit position 520, a fuel indicator (not shown) indicates full tank. When the fuel level is low and the float 505 is in the float lower limit position 520, a fuel indicator (not shown) indicates that the tank is empty.

In this embodiment, the sweep angle θ between the uppermost position 520 and the lowermost position 525 of the float 505₁Indicating the maximum tilt angle rotation of float 505. Such a configuration in which the float performs a three-dimensional linkage curve makes it possible to increase the overall rotation range of the float in a compact space. Thus, by increasing the range, i.e., the sweep angle θ 1, the sensitivity and accuracy of the float measurement is significantly improved. Maximum possible sweep angle θ₁Ensuring maximum possible contact of float 505 with the upper and lower limits of fuel in fuel tank assembly 120. Maximum sweep angle θ for this embodiment₁For example up to 80. The maximum proximity to the minimum and maximum levels of the volume of fuel present in the fuel tank assembly 120 is within the compact vertical and lateral dimensions of the fuel tank, which facilitates more accurate measurement of the minimum and maximum levels of the volume of fuel by the FSU assembly 425. In some cases, particularly when the vehicle is leaning or fuel sloshing occurs, the maximum possible sweep angle θ₁Helping the float 505 to come into contact with the largest surface of the fuel present in the tank. Thus, the FSU assembly 425 enables accurate estimation of the fuel present in the fuel tank within a compact fuel tank and a compact vehicle layout.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel tank inner profile 445 of the fuel tank assembly 120 (shown in FIG. 3) with the necessary components according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel tank interior contoured portion 445 includes a fuel tank interior 420, and the fuel tank interior 420 further includes some of the necessary components of the fuel tank assembly 120, such as the fuel pump module 415, the vapor trap 600, and the FSU 500. The fuel pump module 415 is disposed laterally downward at a front portion of the fuel tank interior 420, at either the left or right vertical wall of the inverted U-shaped profile. According to an embodiment, the vapor trap 600 is disposed in an upper portion of the fuel tank interior 420 on a bridging wall of the inverted U-shaped profile. A fuel sender assembly 425 is disposed in an upper rear portion of the fuel tank interior 420 below and rearward of the vapor trap 600. The FSU 500 of the fuel sender assembly 425 is mounted on the fuel tank interior 420 on the FSA mounting portion 430 of the fuel tank interior profile section 445 such that the FSA mounting portion is disposed in the plane P.

Float 505 is attached to FSA 425 by float arm 510, and float 505 is capable of angular rotation from its lowermost position 525 to the uppermost position 520. The lowest position 525 of the float 505 is a float lower limit position 525, and the highest position 520 of the float 505 is a float upper limit position 520. The float upper limit position 520 ensures maximum surface contact with the upper fuel limit present in the fuel tank assembly 120. The float lower limit position 525 ensures maximum surface contact with the lower limit of fuel present in the fuel tank assembly 120, thereby enhancing the buoyancy force acting on the float and thus improving the measurement accuracy.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a fuel tank interior profile 445 of a fuel tank assembly 120 (shown in FIG. 3) having the necessary components according to an embodiment of the present invention. The FSA assembly 425 of the vehicle 100 extends in a rearwardly inclined manner from the front side to the rear side along a central longitudinal axis Y-Y' disposed in a plane P (shown in fig. 6). The FSA assembly 425 is placed upwardly in the sloped region of the fuel tank interior 420Slightly below the vapor trap 600 and near the fuel pump module 415. The FSA assembly 425 is positioned such that it is at an angle θ relative to a horizontal axis X-X' disposed in the plane P (shown in fig. 6)₂The angle theta₂Referred to herein as the second angle θ₂. Second angle theta₂For example in the range of 0 deg. to 130 deg.. Second angle theta₂So that a more accurate fuel indication can be achieved even when the vehicle is inclined or when the vehicle 100 encounters fuel sloshing during acceleration, deceleration, braking, speed braking, pothole and road bumps.

Fig. 8 illustrates a side view of fuel tank assembly 120 (shown in fig. 3) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel tank interior profile 445 includes a float 505 of a fuel sender assembly (not shown). The illustrated drawing in this embodiment shows the distance covered by float 505 from its uppermost position to its lowermost position within the fuel tank interior profile 445 of fuel tank assembly 120 (shown in FIG. 3).

The FSA assembly 425 is positioned such that it is at a second angle θ relative to the horizontal axis X-X₂. The distance between the float upper limit position 520 and the float lower limit position 525 when projected in said plane S is D1. According to an embodiment, the distance D1 is in the range of 50mm to 150 mm. The angular distance (angular distance) between the float upper limit position 520 and the float lower limit position 525 is D2 when projected in the plane P. For example, according to an embodiment, the distance D2 is in the range of 150mm to 200 mm. The distance between the float upper limit position 520 and the float lower limit position 525, when projected in a plane orthogonal to the plane S, is D3. According to an embodiment, the distance D3 is in the range of 100mm to 170 mm.

Sweep angle theta₁A second angle theta₂And the distances D1, D2, and D3 between the upper float position 520 and the lower float position 525 enable greater accuracy and precision in fuel level estimation of the fuel sender. According to an alternative embodiment, the sweeping motion of the float may be configured as a two-dimensional curve to enhance the range and accuracy of the fuel level measurement.

Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in light of the above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of the claims of the present subject matter, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of reference numerals

100: vehicle with a steering wheel

105: headlamp assembly

110: front shining lamp

115: handlebar assembly

120: fuel tank assembly

120 a: lower portion of fuel tank assembly

120 b: upper portion of fuel tank assembly

120 c: front part of fuel tank assembly

120 d: rear portion of fuel tank assembly

125: seat assembly

130: tail cover assembly

135: backseat handle

140 a: front indicator lamp

140 b: rear indicator lamp

145: rear mudguard

150: rear wheel

155: muffler assembly

160: rear suspension system

165: central station foot

170: cover frame assembly

175: engine cover

180: engine assembly

185: front wheel

190: front mudguard

195: front suspension assembly

200: frame assembly

205: fastener fuel tank rear mount

210: fuel cap assembly

300: head tube

305: main pipe

310: lower pipe

315: rear tube

400: fuel cap fastener

405: fuel cap device

410: fuel tank outer cover

415: fuel pump module

420: inside the fuel tank

425: fuel sender assembly

430: FSU mounting profile

435: equip rear mount

440: outside the fuel tank

445: inside the fuel tank

500: fuel sender

505: float for angling

510: float arm

515: float arm mounting equipment

520: upper limit position of float

525: lower limit position of float

600: steam trap

θ₁: sweep angle

θ₂: second angle

D1: horizontal distance

D2: angular distance

D3: vertical distance

Claims

1. A fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100), the fuel sender assembly (425) extending from a front side to a rear side along a central longitudinal axis (Y-Y'), the fuel sender assembly (425) comprising:

a fuel sender (500);

a float arm (510), the float arm (510) attached to at least one end of the fuel sender (500);

a float (505), the float (505) attached to at least one end of the float arm (510);

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the float (505) together with the float arm (510) is configured to move obliquely relative to the central longitudinal axis (Y-Y') of the vehicle (100) between an uppermost position (520) and a lowermost position (525) of the float arm (510).

2. The fuel sender assembly (425) of the vehicle (100) of claim 2, wherein the float arm (510) sweeps between the uppermost position (520) and the lowermost position (525) of the float (505) to form a sweep angle (Θ)₁)。

3. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the fuel sender (500) is mounted on a mounting portion (430), wherein the mounting portion (430) is a rearwardly and downwardly inclined sloped region of a fuel tank assembly (120) disposed toward an end of an inverted U-shaped channel, and wherein the U-shaped channel is formed at a middle portion of a fuel tank interior (445) of the fuel tank assembly (120).

4. The fuel sender assembly (425) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the float arm (510) extends away from the fuel sender (500).

5. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the float (505) is a small cylindrical structure attached to at least one end of the float arm (510) and configured to swivel in a direction away from the fuel sender (500) traveling along one of a two-dimensional curve or a three-dimensional curve.

6. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the float arm (510) is mounted on the fuel sender (500) by a float arm mounting arrangement (515), the float arm mounting arrangement (515) being formed at a mounting end region and having a swivel axis (C).

7. A fuel sender assembly (425) for a fuel tank assembly (120),

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the fuel tank assembly (120) includes an outer portion (440) and an inner portion (445); the inner portion (445) of the fuel tank assembly (120) is configured with a rearwardly and downwardly inclined portion (430) constituting a plane P,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the inclined portion (430) is disposed substantially along a transverse mid-plane of the fuel tank assembly (120), and the inclined portion (430) is formed such that the fuel sender assembly (425) is mountable;

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the float arm (510) of the fuel sender assembly (425) is configured to travel along at least one of a two-dimensional curve or a three-dimensional curve from an empty-fuel condition to a full-fuel condition of the fuel tank assembly (120).

8. The fuel sender assembly (425) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the fuel sender assembly (425) is at a second angle (Θ) relative to a horizontal axis (X-X'), (theta [ ])₂) Wherein the horizontal axis (X-X') is arranged in a plane S substantially orthogonal to a direction of gravity (G) and parallel to a length direction (L) of the fuel tank assembly (120).

9. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the highest position (520) and the lowest position (525) is a predetermined distance (D1) when projected on a plane S.

10. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined distance (D1) is in the range of 50mm to 150 mm.

11. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angular distance between said highest position (520) and said lowest position (525) is a predetermined distance (D2) when projected in a plane P.

12. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined distance (D2) is in the range of 150mm to 200 mm.

13. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vertical distance between the uppermost position (520) and the lowermost position (525) is a predetermined distance (D3) when projected on an imaginary plane substantially parallel to the direction of gravity (G).

14. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined distance (D3) is in the range of 100mm to 170 mm.

15. The fuel sender assembly (425) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the fuel sender assembly (425) is placed in close proximity to a vapor trap (600), and the fuel sender assembly (425) is disposed toward a rear side of the fuel tank assembly (120) to enable a compact fuel tank assembly (120) layout.

16. The fuel sender assembly (425) of the vehicle (100) of claim 11, wherein the fuel sender assembly (425) is placed in close proximity to a fuel pump module (415), and wherein the fuel pump module (415) is disposed on the plane P to achieve a compact fuel tank assembly (120) layout.

17. The fuel sender assembly (425) of a vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the fuel sender assembly (425) is placed upward on a rear portion of a sloped region of a fuel tank interior (420), slightly below a vapor trap (600) and proximate to a fuel pump module (415).

18. A vehicle (100) comprising:

a fuel tank assembly (120), the fuel tank assembly (120) mounted on a frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), the fuel tank assembly (120) including a fuel tank outer portion (440) and a fuel inner contour portion (445), the fuel tank inner portion (445) including a fuel sender assembly (425), the fuel sender assembly (425) of the vehicle (100) extending along a central longitudinal axis (Y-Y') from a front side to a rear side, the fuel sender assembly (425) comprising:

a fuel sender (500);

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the float (505) together with the float arm (510) moves obliquely relative to the fuel tank assembly (120) axis (Y-Y') of the vehicle (100) between an uppermost position (520) and a lowermost position (525) of the float (505),

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the float arm (510) sweeps a sweep angle (θ) between the uppermost position (520) and the lowermost position (525) of the float (505)₁)。

19. The vehicle (100) of claim 18, wherein the sweep angle (Θ)₁) Up to 80 deg..

20. The vehicle (100) of claim 18, wherein placement of the fuel sender assembly (425) in the fuel tank assembly (120) is at a second angle (Θ) relative to a horizontal axis (X-X')₂)。