EP4680517A1

EP4680517A1 - A vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4680517A1
Application number: EP24711288.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ajith Vadakeveetil; Solomon Duraisamy MATHAN KUMAR JEBARAJ; Hyrane Byrasetty BASAVARAJA; Thirumal Manivannan; Veeranna MAHADEVAPPA NAVALLI; Ravisankar Rajamani
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-14
Filing date: 2024-02-16
Publication date: 2026-01-21
Also published as: WO2024189640A1

Abstract

A vehicle The present subject matter provides a vehicle (100) which comprises a frame assembly having head tube (201) and a main frame along with other parts of frame. The vehicle also comprises a fuel (12) which has a front portion and a rear portion. A structural cover (203) is also present which is mounted to the fuel tank (12). The structural cover (203) comprises a first portion (902), a second portion (904) and a third portion (906), wherein, the second portion (904) bridges the first portion (902) and the third portion (906), and the second portion (904) being configured to have one or more protruding portions (407) which are hooked on to load carrying member (410). The structural cover (203) enables to cover the exposed wire routings and other parts of frame in order to provide an aesthetic appeal to the vehicle (100).

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

A vehicle

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly and the location of structural cover on a fuel tank 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 an 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.

[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.

[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] In conventional designs, the fuel tanks are assembled to the frame such that huge gap remains between the fuel tank and the engine which went unutilized. In known designs, the assembling is also difficult as it required the fuel tank mounting in a particular angular direction which further requires a sliding movement to mount the fuel tank on the frame.

[0006] Another drawback is the rolling, shaking of the fuel tank when the vehicle is in running condition because of loose mounting of the fuel tank. Another drawback in conventional designs is that the fuel tank mounting cannot prevent the exposure of parts of main frame at the front side and also exposed the wire routings in the front side, behind the head tube of the vehicle which also spoils the aesthetic look 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 utilise the unnecessary gaps and spaces in the vehicle.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to ease the assembling and mounting of the fuel tank on the vehicle.

[00010] It is an object of the present invention to prevent the sliding movement of fuel tank while mounting.

[00011] It is an object of the present invention to prevent the shaking, rolling of the fuel tank when the vehicle is in running condition.

[00012] It is an object of the present invention to cover the exposed wire routings and other parts of frame in order to provide an aesthetic appeal to the vehicle.

[00013] It is an object of the present invention to avoid noise and vibration due to loosen mounting and fastening of mechanical parts.

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 vehicle which comprises a frame assembly where the frame assembly has a head tube and a main frame along with other parts of frame. The vehicle also comprises a fuel tank which has a front portion and a rear portion. Fuel tank is covered by a fuel tank cover which is disposed over the fuel tank. A structural cover is also present which is disposed between the head tube and the front portion of the fuel tank cover. The structural cover is mounted to the fuel tank with the help of one or more fuel tank mounting brackets.

[00016] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure also provides a structural cover for a fuel tank of a vehicle where the structural cover comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein, the second portion bridges the first portion and the second portion, and the second portion being configured to have one or more protruding portions.

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 level drawing showing frame, fuel tank, wheels and other components of a vehicle.

[00019] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a front view of the fuel tank being located behind the head tube of the vehicle.

[00020] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the fuel tank showing the structural cover.

[00021] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a side inner view of the front portion of the fuel tank showing structural cover and its fastening on the fuel tank fastening means. [00022] Fig. 5 exemplarily illustrates an inner view of the front portion of the fuel tank showing the shape and construction of the structural cover.

[00023] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates a front part of main frame of the vehicle.

[00024] Fig. 7 exemplarily illustrates a left perspective view of the front inner portion of the fuel tank.

[00025] Fig. 8 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the fuel tank cover.

[00026] Fig. 9 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the structural cover.

[00027] Fig. 10 exemplarily illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural cover.

[00028] Fig. 11 exemplarily illustrates a front portion of the fuel tank.

[00029] Fig. 12 exemplarily illustrates a left sectional view of the structural cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00030] 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.

[00031] 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.

[00032] 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.

[00033] 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.

[00034] The present invention is illustrated as a vehicle which comprises a frame assembly where the frame assembly has a head tube and a main frame along with other parts of frame. The vehicle also comprises a fuel tank which has a front portion and a rear portion. Fuel tank is covered by a fuel tank cover which is disposed over the fuel tank. A structural cover is also present which is disposed between the head tube and the front portion of the fuel tank cover. The structural cover is mounted to the fuel tank with the help of one or more fuel tank mounting brackets. It also provides a structural cover for a fuel tank of a vehicle where the structural cover comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein, the second portion bridges the first portion and the second portion, and the second portion being configured to have one or more protruding portions.

[00035] It is an object of the present invention to utilise the unnecessary gaps and spaces in the vehicle. [00036] It is an object of the present invention to ease the assembling and mounting of the fuel tank on the vehicle.

[00037] It is an object of the present invention to prevent the sliding movement of fuel tank while mounting.

[00038] It is an object of the present invention to prevent the shaking, rolling of the fuel tank when the vehicle is in running condition.

[00039] It is an object of the present invention to cover the exposed wire routings and other parts of frame in order to provide an aesthetic appeal to the vehicle.

[00040] It is an object of the present invention to avoid noise and vibration due to loosen mounting and fastening of mechanical parts.

[00041] There are certain drawbacks of the known systems such as huge gap remains between the fuel tank and the engine which went unutilized. In known designs, the assembling is also difficult as it required the fuel tank mounting in a particular angular direction which further requires a sliding movement to mount the fuel tank on the frame.

[00042] Another drawback is the rolling, shaking of the fuel tank when the vehicle is in running condition because of loose mounting of the fuel tank. Another drawback in conventional designs is that the fuel tank mounting cannot prevent the exposure of parts of main frame at the front side and also exposed the wire routings in the front side, behind the head tube of the vehicle which also spoils the aesthetic look of the vehicle.

[00043] Thus, the present subject matter ensures to overcome the above mentioned problems.

[00044] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a vehicle level drawing showing frame, fuel tank, wheels and other components of a vehicle. (2) denotes a front wheel, (3) denotes a rear wheel, (4) denotes a front fork, (5) denotes a seat, (8) denotes a headlight, (12) denotes a fuel tank, and (13) denotes a handle bar. Further, a main frame extends along a centre of a body of the vehicle from a front portion of the vehicle and extending in a rearwardly direction. It illustrates vehicle having a fuel tank (12) which is supported on the frame of the vehicle. The fuel tank (12) is disposed above the engine. Seat is disposed rearwards of the fuel tank (12). The fuel tank (12) stores the fuel which is supplied to the vehicle. The amount of fuel present in fuel tank (12) is displayed on the speedometer of the vehicle. Fuel sensors are present to detect the amount of fuel left.

[00045] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a front view of the fuel tank (12) being located behind the head tube (201) of the vehicle (100). It further illustrates the fuel tank cap (220), a duct (210) to supply air to the battery of the vehicle (100), a structural cover (203) in the front portion (401) of the fuel tank (12). The structural cover (203) is to cover the exposed region between the head tube (201) and fuel tank (12). It masks the wire routings and some parts of main frame.

[00046] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the fuel tank (12) showing the structural cover (203). The structural cover (203) is to cover the exposed region between the head tube (201) and fuel tank (12). It masks the wire routings and some parts of main frame.

[00047] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a side inner view of the front portion of the fuel tank (12) showing structural cover (203) and its fastening on the fuel tank fastening means (412). It further illustrates the fastening means by which structural cover (203) is fastened with the fuel tank inner. It also illustrates the load carrying member (410) below the structural cover (203) to support the fuel tank (12) and structural cover (203).

[00048] Fig. 5 exemplarily illustrates an inner view of the front portion of the fuel tank (12) showing the shape and construction of the structural cover (203). It further illustrates the protruding portions (407) on the structural cover (203) which is hook like structure which enables the mounting of structural cover (203) to the fuel tank (12) where the protruding portions (407) beings hooked on to load carrying member (410). [00049] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates a front part of main frame of the vehicle (100). It further illustrates the head tube (201) and some part of main frame illustrating the main frame bracket (602) to which the structural cover (203) will be mounted.

[00050] Fig. 7 exemplarily illustrates a left perspective view of the front inner portion of the fuel tank (12). It illustrates the mounting of the structural cover (203) to the fuel tank (12). It also illustrates the load carrying member (410) which supports the fuel tank (12) and the structural cover (203).

[00051] Fig. 8 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the fuel tank cover. It illustrates the four mounting locations, where two locations are in front portion of the fuel tank cover and other two are in rear portion of fuel tank cover. It also illustrates the structural cover (203), washer, bolt and fastening units.

[00052] Fig. 9 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the structural cover (203). It also illustrates the three portions of the structural cover (203)- first portion (902), second portion (904) and third portion (906). It also depicts the fastening units (412) on one of the portions of the structural cover (203) through which the structural cover (203) is mounted to the fuel tank inner.

[00053] Fig. 10 exemplarily illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural cover (203). It illustrates the protruding portions (407) of the structural cover (203) which is hook like structural which enables the structural cover (203) to hooked on the load carrying member (410). It clearly illustrates that the first portion (902) and the third portion (906) of the structural cover (203) is configured to have fastening units (412) and the second portion (904) of the structural cover (203) which bridges the first portion (902) and the third portion (906) is provided with protruding portions (407).

[00054] Fig. 11 exemplarily illustrates a front portion of the fuel tank (12). It also illustrates the axis AA which divides the front portion of the fuel tank (12). The figure further illustrates headtube (201), and some part of main frame. [00055] Fig. 12 exemplarily illustrates a left sectional view of the structural cover (203). It illustrates the main frame mounting bracket (602) on which the structural cover (203) is mounted .

[00056] In an embodiment, the main frame being integrated with one or more main frame mounting brackets for receiving the structural cover.

[00057] In an embodiment, the one or more main frame mounting brackets being vertically protruding out of the main frame along the left-right axis of the vehicle and are disposed on either side of the main frame.

[00058] In other embodiment, the structural cover being configured to have one or more protruding portions, the one or more protruding portions being disposed in an inner front portion of the fuel tank cover to align with the one or more load carrying member.

[00059] In other embodiment, the structural cover being integrally attached with the fuel tank cover for covering one or more wire routings and one or more parts of frame assembly.

[00060] In one embodiment, the structural cover being attached to the fuel tank cover using one or more protruding portions.

[00061] In one embodiment, the structural cover being aerodynamically aligned to provide space for mounting one or more electronic components below the fuel tank cover.

[00062] In one embodiment, the structural cover being made up of a material having elastic properties.

[00063] In one embodiment, a duct being disposed below the fuel tank to direct the air flow to a battery.

[00064] In one embodiment, the fuel tank being mounted at four different locations, wherein two locations are in front part of the fuel tank cover and other two are in rear part of the fuel tank cover. [00065] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a structural cover for a fuel tank of a vehicle where the structural cover comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein, the second portion bridges the first portion and the second portion, and the second portion being configured to have one or more protruding portions.

[00066] In one embodiment, the first portion and the third portion being configured to have fastening units.

[00067] In one embodiment, the protruding portions being connected to a load carrying member.

[00068] In one embodiment, the protruding portions being a hook like structure.

[00069] Thus, the present invention offers several advantages such as it utilises the unnecessary gaps and spaces in the vehicle. It eases the assembling and mounting of the fuel tank on the vehicle. It prevents the sliding movement of fuel tank while mounting. It prevents the shaking, rolling of the fuel tank when the vehicle is in running condition. It covers the exposed wire routings and other parts of frame in order to provide an aesthetic appeal to the vehicle. It avoids the noise and vibration due to loosen mounting and fastening of mechanical parts.

[00070] 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.

[00071] 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.

[00072] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of Reference Numerals

Vehicle- 100

Head tube- 201

Fuel tank- 12

Front portion- 401

Fuel tank cover- 202

Structural cover- 203

Main frame mounting brackets- 602

Protruding portions- 407

Inner front portion- 408

Load carrying members- 410

Duct- 210

First portion- 902

Second portion- 904

Third portion- 906

Fastening unit- 412

Claims

Claims:

1. A vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising: a frame assembly, the frame assembly having: a head tube (201); a main frame; a fuel tank (12), having a front portion (401) and a rear portion, said front portion (401) being disposed towards vehicle front direction and said rear portion being disposed towards a vehicle rear direction; a fuel tank cover (202) for covering the fuel tank (12); wherein, a structural cover (203), the structural cover (203) being disposed between the head tube (201) and the front portion (401) of the fuel tank cover (202); and the structural cover (203) being fastened to the fuel tank (12) with one or more fuel tank fastening units.

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame being integrated with one or more main frame mounting brackets (602) for receiving the structural cover (203).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more main frame mounting brackets (602) being vertically protruding out of the main frame along the left-right axis of the vehicle (100) and are disposed on either side of the main frame.

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural cover (203) being configured to have one or more protruding portions (407), the one or more protruding portions (407) being disposed in an inner front portion (408) of the fuel tank cover (202) to align with one or more load carrying members (410) where the one or more load carrying members being configured to bear the load of the fuel tank (12).

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural cover (203) being integrally attached with the fuel tank cover (202) for covering one or more wire routings and one or more parts of the frame assembly.

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural cover (203) being attached to the fuel tank cover (202) through one or more protruding portions (407).

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural cover (203) being aligned to provide space for mounting one or more electronic components below the fuel tank cover (202).

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural cover (203) being made up of a material having elastic properties.

9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a duct (210) being disposed below the fuel tank (12) to direct the air flow to a battery.

10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank (12) being mounted at four different locations, wherein two locations are in front part of the fuel tank cover (202) and other two are in rear part of the fuel tank cover (202).

11. A structural cover (203) for a fuel tank (12) of a vehicle (100), the structural cover (203) comprising: a first portion (902); a second portion (904); and a third portion (906); wherein, the second portion (904) bridges the first portion (902) and the third portion (906), and wherein, the second portion (904) being configured to have one or more protruding portions (407).

12. The structural cover (203) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first portion (902) and the third portion (906) being configured to have fastening units (412).

13. The structural cover (203) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protruding portions (407) being connected to a load carrying member (410).

14. The structural cover (203) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protruding portions (407) being a hook like structure.