EP4680474A1

EP4680474A1 - A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4680474A1
Application number: EP24770157.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arulkarthick Ganesan; Mukesh VINAYAG KUMAR; Gayathri GUNASEKARAN; Datta RAJARAM SAGARE
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-12
Filing date: 2024-02-29
Publication date: 2026-01-21
Also published as: CN120826325A; WO2024189641A1

Abstract

A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle which comprises a fuel tank having an upper top end and a lower bottom end, a front end and a rear end. An imaginary centreline divides the fuel tank into a right end and a left end. A fuel inlet which is positioned on the upper top end of the fuel tank. It also has one or more fuel sensors being installed at the lower bottom end of the fuel tank and a sensing float which is located either on the right end or on the left end of the fuel tank. The fuel tank assembly offers several advantages such as it enhances performance, prevents overfuelling. It also increases durability of the fuel tank. It also results in weight reduction, cost reduction and part reduction.

Description

TITLE

A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a fuel tank assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly and the location of fuel sensors in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle generally consists of a chassis fixed on two or more rolling wheels, where at least one wheel is driven by a engine. The engine can be an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor. An internal combustion engine consists of a carbon-based fuel being burned in a combustion chamber under high pressure. The force being generated by the combustion drives a piston, which in turn drives a crankshaft, which is then transferred to the driven wheel. A lot of heat is generated in this process, and while some of it is converted into rotational motion of the crankshaft, a lot of the energy generated escapes from the combustion chamber, increasing the temperature of the engine, and especially the combustion chamber. An engine therefore has to be efficiently cooled in order to prevent the heat from affecting other parts of the vehicle, or even the users of the vehicle.

[0003] The common carbon-based fuels used in road vehicles are petrol and diesel. Other vehicles, such as aircrafts or sea vessels, may use other kind of carbon based fuels as well. Since the fuel is in liquid form, the fuel has to be stored in a sealed container so that the fuel is not lost, or evaporated during the motion of the vehicle. Also, since the fuel is highly combustible, it needs to be protected from any source of heat in close proximity. One such source of heat is the engine. In order to prevent any incidents, the engines have inbuilt cooling mechanisms. The engines may be air cooled or liquid cooled.

[0004] Fuel is stored in fuel tank. The fuel tank is generally disposed above the engine. This is because fuel can either be pumped into the engine from the fuel tank using a fuel pump, or it can be fed into the engine by using gravity. The riders’ seat is usually disposed directly behind the fuel tank. This gives better ergonomics for the rider.

[0005] Sometimes, overfuelling can be dangerous. Thus, amount of fuel present in the fuel tank needs to be displayed to the rider. In some conventional designs, fuel level detector mechanisms are present. However, these mechanisms have their own drawbacks such as it gives inaccurate value while uphill and downhill riding of the vehicle.

[0006] Another drawback can be if the sensor is positioned in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the body, space for the other components is reduced, requiring volumes of the other components to be smaller or have intricate shapes. Generally, tilting of the vehicle occurs infrequently, and therefore the tilting sensor is activated infrequently. For these reasons, it is undesirable for the tilting sensor to occupy the space in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the body. In addition, brackets and electric wire are needed to mount the tilting sensor in the vehicle, increasing structural members, the number of components, and the overall manufacturing cost of the vehicle.

[0007] Thus, it is important to have a fuel tank assembly which can overcome the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to measure the entire volume of the fuel tank accurately.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to make customer aware of the amount of critical fuel level.

[00010] It is an object of the present invention to avoid over fuelling in the vehicle.

[00011] It is an object of the present invention to avoid noise and vibration due to mechanical parts.

[00012] It is an object of the present invention to reduce the overall weight and cost of the vehicle.

[00013] It is an object of the present invention to measure the fuel in the bottom of the tank. SUMMARY

[00014] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

[00015] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a fuel tank assembly comprising a fuel tank having an upper top end and a lower bottom end, a front end and a rear end. An imaginary centreline divides the fuel tank into a right end and a left end. A fuel inlet which is positioned on the upper top end of the fuel tank. It also has one or more fuel sensors being installed at the lower bottom end of the fuel tank and a sensing float which is located either on the right end or on the left end of the fuel tank.

[00016] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a vehicle comprising a fuel tank which stores fuel supplied to the vehicle, being configured to support the fuel tank. The fuel tank having an upper top end and a lower bottom end, a front end and a rear end. An imaginary centreline divides the fuel tank into a right end and a left end. A fuel inlet being positioned on the upper top end of the fuel tank. It also has one or more fuel sensors which are installed at the lower bottom end of the fuel tank and a sensing float being located either on the right end or on the left end of the fuel tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00017] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein

[00018] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a vehicle depicting fuel tank assembly.

[00019] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective zoom in version of fuel tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00020] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.

[00021] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[00022] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[00023] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[00024] The present invention is illustrated as a vehicle comprising a fuel tank which stores fuel supplied to the vehicle, being configured to support the fuel tank. The fuel tank having an upper top end and a lower bottom end, a front end and a rear end. An imaginary centreline divides the fuel tank into a right end and a left end. A fuel inlet being positioned on the upper top end of the fuel tank. It also has one or more fuel sensors which are installed at the lower bottom end of the fuel tank and a sensing float being located either on the right end or on the left end of the fuel tank.

[00025] It is an object of the present invention to measure the entire volume of the fuel tank accurately.

[00026] It is an object of the present invention to make customer aware of the amount of critical fuel level.

[00027] It is an object of the present invention to avoid over fuelling in the vehicle.

[00028] It is an object of the present invention to avoid noise and vibration due to mechanical parts.

[00029] It is an object of the present invention to reduce the overall weight and cost of the vehicle.

[00030] It is an object of the present invention to measure the fuel in the bottom of the tank.

[00031] There are certain drawbacks of the known systems such as it gives inaccurate value while uphill and downhill riding of the vehicle.

[00032] Another drawback can be if the sensor is positioned in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the body, space for the other components is reduced, requiring volumes of the other components to be smaller or have intricate shapes. Generally, tilting of the vehicle occurs infrequently, and therefore the tilting sensor is activated infrequently. For these reasons, it is undesirable for the tilting sensor to occupy the space in the vicinity of the center of gravity of the body. In addition, brackets and electric wire are needed to mount the tilting sensor in the vehicle, increasing structural members, the number of components, and the overall manufacturing cost of the vehicle.

[00033] Thus, the present subject matter ensures to overcome the above mentioned problems.

[00034] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a two wheeled saddle type vehicle depicting fuel tank assembly. It illustrates vehicle having a fuel tank (101) which is supported on the frame (110) of the vehicle (100). The fuel tank is disposed above the engine. Seat is disposed rearwards of the fuel tank. The fuel tank stores the fuel which is supplied to the vehicle. Amount of fuel present in fuel tank is displayed on the speedometer of the vehicle. Fuel sensors are present to detect the amount of fuel left. A sensing float is also present inside the fuel tank.

[00035] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective zoom in version of fuel tank (101). It depicts a front end (104) and a rear end (105) of the fuel tank (101). It also illustrates the upper top end (102) and lower bottom end (103) of the fuel tank (101). Further, it illustrates a centerline (XX’) which divides the fuel tank (101) into right end (106) and a left end (107). Centerline (XX’) runs along the length of the vehicle (100). It also depicts the sensing float which can be either located on the right end or can be disposed on the left end. Sensing float is attached at the front end by a connector, but it is floated towards the rear end of the fuel tank. Fuel sensors can be either located at the front end or one can be located at front end and other can be located at rear end.

[00036] In an embodiment, the sensing float being attached at the front end of the fuel tank by a connector. The connector is connecting the sensing float at the front end of the fuel tank. However, the sensing floats towards the rear end of the fuel tank. It facilitates the accurate fuel level measurements when the vehicle is running in uphill or downhill. [00037] In an embodiment, the sensing float being floated towards the rear end of the fuel tank. The sensing float is located in such a way that it will be floating towards rear end of the fuel tank. However, sensing float is connected to the front end via connector.

[00038] In other embodiment, the one or more fuel sensors being connected to speedometer through wires. Fuel sensors will sense the amount of fuel level in the fuel tank and provides the readings which is displayed on the speedometer. These sensors are connected to speedometer through wires. Speedometer display the readings and help the user to be aware of the amount of fuel level in the fuel tank and thus prevents overfuelling as well.

[00039] In other embodiment, the speedometer being configured to receive fuel level readings from the one or more fuel sensors. Fuel sensors present in the fuel tank facilitate the detection of amount of fuel level in the fuel tank. Single sensor can offer several advantages such as less expensive, cost reduction and weight reduction. However, multiple sensors have their own advantages such as accurate readings during uphill or downhill. It also offer an advantage or correct reading even if one sensor fail, other can work and provide amount of fuel level in fuel tank. It also helps in sensing the fuel at the bottom level of the fuel tank.

[00040] In one embodiment, the speedometer being configured to display fuel level. Speedometer helps to display the fuel level readings detected by the fuel sensors to the user.

[00041] In one embodiment, one or more fuel sensors being located at front end of the fuel tank. Fuel sensors can either be located at front end or at rear end. It can be located at the bottom end to provide amount of fuel at bottom level.

[00042] In one embodiment, the sensing float can either be a half float or a full float. Sensing float are of different types. In the present subject matter, it can either be half float or full float.

[00043] In one embodiment, out of the one or more sensors, one sensor being located at the front end of the fuel tank and other sensor being located at the rear end of the fuel tank. This facilitate the accurate readings when the vehicle is running in uphill or downhill. For example, if the vehicle is running in downhill, the entire fuel come towards the front end of the fuel tank which provides false zero value as the rear end does not have any fuel. Thus, to avoid this false zero reading, it is important to have fuel sensor at the rear bottom end of the fuel tank.

[00044] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a vehicle comprising a fuel tank which stores fuel supplied to the vehicle, being configured to support the fuel tank. The fuel tank having an upper top end and a lower bottom end, a front end and a rear end. An imaginary centreline divides the fuel tank into a right end and a left end. A fuel inlet being positioned on the upper top end of the fuel tank. It also has one or more fuel sensors which are installed at the lower bottom end of the fuel tank and a sensing float being located either on the right end or on the left end of the fuel tank.

[00045] In one embodiment, the sensing float being attached at the front end of the fuel tank by a connector. The connector is connecting the sensing float at the front end of the fuel tank. However, the sensing floats towards the rear end of the fuel tank. It facilitates the accurate fuel level measurements when the vehicle is running in uphill or downhill.

[00046] In one embodiment, the sensing float being floated towards the rear end of the fuel tank. The sensing float is located in such a way that it will be floating towards rear end of the fuel tank. However, sensing float is connected to the front end via connector.

[00047] In one embodiment, the one or more fuel sensors being connected to speedometer of the vehicle through wires. Fuel sensors will sense the amount of fuel level in the fuel tank and provides the readings which is displayed on the speedometer. These sensors are connected to speedometer through wires. Speedometer display the readings and help the user to be aware of the amount of fuel level in the fuel tank and thus prevents overfuelling as well. [00048] In one embodiment, the one or more fuel sensors being located at front end of the fuel tank. Fuel sensors can either be located at front end or at rear end. It can be located at the bottom end to provide amount of fuel at bottom level.

[00049] In one embodiment, out of one or more sensors, one sensor being located at the front end of the fuel tank and other sensor being located at the rear end of the fuel tank of the vehicle. This facilitate the accurate readings when the vehicle is running in uphill or downhill. For example, if the vehicle is running in downhill, the entire fuel come towards the front end of the fuel tank which provides false zero value as the rear end does not have any fuel. Thus, to avoid this false zero reading, it is important to have fuel sensor at the rear bottom end of the fuel tank.

[00050] Thus, the present invention offers several advantages such as it enhances performance of the vehicle as the rider is aware of the accurate fuel values in the fuel tank and can avoid overfuelling. It also increases durability of the fuel tank. Since, less number of parts are used, results in weight reduction, cost reduction and part reduction. It also helps in elimination of unwanted noise due to vibrations. It also offers accurate values even when vehicle is in uphill and downhill riding condition.

[00051] Another advantage is it measures the entire volume of the fuel tank accurately. It also makes customer aware of the amount of critical fuel level. It also measures the fuel in the bottom of the tank.

[00052] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate the components, method, structure and its arrangement that have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed subject matter, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.

[00053] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[00054] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A fuel tank assembly comprising: a fuel tank (101), the fuel tank (101) having an upper top end (102) and a lower bottom end (103); the fuel tank (101) having a front end (104) and a rear end (105); wherein, a centreline (XX’) divide the fuel tank (101) into a right end (106) and a left end (107); a fuel inlet, the fuel inlet being positioned on the upper top end of the fuel tank;

One or more fuel sensors; wherein, the one or more fuel sensors being installed at the lower bottom end (103) of the fuel tank (101); and a sensing float (108), the sensing float (108) being located either on the right end (106) or on the left end (107) of the fuel tank (101).

2. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the sensing float (108) being attached at the front end (104) of the fuel tank (101) by a connector (109).

3. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the sensing float (108) being floated towards the rear end (105) of the fuel tank (101).

4. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the one or more fuel sensors being connected to speedometer through wires.

5. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the speedometer being configured to receive fuel level readings from the one or more fuel sensors.

6. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the speedometer being configured to display fuel level.

7. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the one or more fuel sensors being located at front end (104) of the fuel tank. 8. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the sensing float

(108) can either be a half float or a full float.

9. The fuel tank assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, out of the one or more sensors, one sensor being located at the front end (104) of the fuel tank and other sensor being located at the rear end (105) of the fuel tank (101).

10. A vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising: a fuel tank (101), the fuel tank (101) being configured to store fuel supplied to the vehicle (100), a frame (110), the frame (110) being configured to support the fuel tank (101); wherein, the fuel tank (101) having an upper top end (102) and a lower bottom end (103); the fuel tank (101) having a front end (104) and a rear end (105); wherein, a centreline(XX’) divide the fuel tank (101) into a right end (106) and a left end (107); a fuel inlet, the fuel inlet being positioned on the upper top end (102) of the fuel tank (101);

11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the sensing float (108) being attached at the front end (104) of the fuel tank (101) by a connector

(109). 12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the sensing float (108) being floated towards the rear end (105) of the fuel tank (101).

13. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the one or more fuel sensors being connected to speedometer of the vehicle (100) through wires.

14. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the one or more fuel sensors being located at front end (104) of the fuel tank.

15. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein, out of one or more sensors, one sensor being located at the front end (104) of the fuel tank (101) and other sensor being located at the rear end (105) of the fuel tank (101) of the vehicle (100).