WO2014158103A1

WO2014158103A1 - Canister mounting structure for a motorcycle

Info

Publication number: WO2014158103A1
Application number: PCT/TH2013/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pholadej Pholuang
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2013-03-29
Filing date: 2013-03-29
Publication date: 2014-10-02
Also published as: IN2015DN03154A; CN105073569A; CN105073569B

Abstract

The present invention disclosed a canister mounting structure (10) for a motorcycle (100) comprising a storage box (16) mounting under a seat (109) of the motorcycle; a canister (12) mounted to the motorcycle; a battery (14) mounted inside the said storage box (16); said canister (12) is mounted in a first compartment (20) integrally formed to the said storage box (16); and the said battery is mounted in a second compartment (22) integrally formed to the said storage box (16).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

CANISTER MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR A MOTORCYCLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a canister mounting structure for a motorcycle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in JP Utility publication S60-43164, integration of a canister case and an air cleaner case is well known. However, some conventional motorcycles comprising an air cleaner mounted to the front of an air intake system and a fuel tank mounted to the rear of the motorcycle. With this type of motorcycles piping between the fuel tank and a canister, and as well piping between the canister and the intake system can be difficult and expensive due to overlapping portions of the piping to integrate the canister to the air cleaner. Further, the long distance of piping could result in complicated wiring means and also delay response of fuel vapor system.

Therefore, a new and improve canister mounting structure for a motorcycle is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide an alternative canister mounting structure for a motorcycle which efficiently mounts both a canister and a battery inside a storage box while maintaining optimum space for storing and without making the storage box complicated shape and the body cover widen to the side of the motorcycle.

The canister mounting structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention comprising a storage box mounting under a seat of the motorcycle, a canister mounted to the motorcycle and a battery mounted inside the said storage box. The said canister is mounted in a first compartment integrally formed to the said storage box and the said battery is mounted in a second compartment integrally formed to the said storage box. The storage box of which contained the battery and the canister therein is positioned between an intake system and a fuel tank which stores fuel to be supplied to an engine, and positions to the rear of the motorcycle, behind the storage box. The canister receives fuel vapor from the fuel tank and is connected to the fuel tank via a first connecting tube, and connected to a carburetor via second connecting tube to collect and deliver fuel vapor to the engine intake system.

In an embodiment as disclosed in claim 1 , the canister mounting structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention comprising a storage box, which opening to an upper side of the motorcycle, mounted under a seat of the motorcycle of which an engine intake system being located in the front of the seat and a fuel tank being located behind the seat, a canister mounted to the motorcycle and a battery mounted inside the said storage box. The said canister is mounted in a first compartment integrally formed to the said storage box and. The said first compartment is opened downward and closed at an upper end. Accordingly, with this arrangement, it is possible to reduce parts for the canister and minimized the space taken by the arrangement. Further, there is no more piping waste as the storage box is positioned in the middle between the engine intake system and the fuel tank, and as the canister case is integrally formed with the storage box. It is very simple to form the space for the canister case by using separate upper and lower die as the canister case is configured to open downward.

In an embodiment of the invention disclosed in claim 1 both the canister and the battery are efficiently mounted in separate compartments while the arrangement is very compact and thereby maintaining optimum storage space of the storage box and achieving slim body motorcycle.

In an embodiment of the invention disclosed in claim 2, the canister is mounted in a compartment of which position to the rear or the front of the storage box. This allows simple wiring of piping of which connects the canister to the fuel tank and the engine intake system as well as reducing piping distance as well since the canister is position closer to the fuel tank or the engine intake system no less curve wiring is possible and less complicated guide means and securing of piping. Also, the canister is mounted by following the long span of the storage box because the height at the front and the rear of the storage box is greater than the height at the sides of the storage box. Further, it is very easy to contain certain parts in the said storage box due to noncomplicated shape of the opening of the storage box.

In an embodiment of the invention disclosed in claim 4 and 5, the compartment of which store the canister and the battery comprising cover which contain the canister and the battery in the respective compartments protecting from impact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The principle of the present invention and its advantages will become apparent in the following description taking in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front side view of a motorcycle comprising an embodiment of a canister mounting structure according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front side view of an embodiment of a canister mounting structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with detail illustration of the rear structure of a motorcycle; FIG. 3 shows an A-A sectional view of detail illustration of the storage box of embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows a front side view of a motorcycle comprising an embodiment of a canister mounting structure according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a canister mounting structure of a motorcycle inside a storage box according to the principle of the present invention in which the canister is mounted in a compartment position to the rear of the storage box;

FIG. 5 10 shows a front side view of the embodiment of a canister mounting structure of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with detail illustration of the rear structure of a motorcycle;

FIG. 6 shows a B-B sectional view of the storage box of embodiment of FIG.4;

DETIALED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclose a canister mounting structure 10 for a motorcycle 100 which efficiently mounts a canister 12 and a battery 14 to the motorcycle 100, and inside a storage box 16 while maintaining optimum storage space of the storage box 16 so as not to make the storage box 16 complicated in shape and a body cover widen to the side of the motorcycle 100.

FIG. 1-3 shows a first embodiment of the canister mounting structure 10 for a motorcycle 100 according to the principle of the present invention assembled onto a motorcycle 100 of which is constituted of a handle 105 steerably mounted on a head pipe 106 connected to the motorcycle main pipe 107; a combination of a headlight 1 10 and a pair of winker lights 111 are assembled to a front section of the head section of the motorcycle 100 and are covered by, front handle cover 120 and rear handle cover 125; a front cover 130 immediately placed adjacent to the head section, the head pipe 106, and at its lower section, is connected to a pair of front fork 135 supporting rotation of a front wheel 140 at a front axle 145; the front wheel 140 is equipped with a front tire 150, and a drum brake 155 whereby applying a brake allows controlling of rotation of the front wheel 140; a front fender 161 is provided with both front forks 135 on just above the front wheel 140 and is configured to cover upper part of the front wheel 140 to block dirt or debris picking up by the rotation of the front wheel 140; a vehicle body cover including a main pipe cover 160 extend from about the underneath the rear handle cover 125 along the main pipe 107 and toward the mid-section of the motorcycle 100; a pair of front cover 130 covering an engine intake system 1 12; a pair of front side cover 162 is mounted on both sides of the main pipe cover 160 and continued to a pair of leg-shield portion 165 provided also to the left and right sides of the motorcycle 100 to provide cover to the lower leg of a rider sitting on a seat 109 having his foot rest on a step 214 disposed on each side of the motorcycle 100 ; continuous with the body cover are a pair of seat side covers 170 and a pair of rear side covers 175 extend toward the rear of the motorcycle 100 and designed to cover both sides of the motorcycle 100; a combination of tail & stop lamps and rear winker lamps 180 is disposed at the rear end of the motorcycle 100; a pair of rear suspensions 185 support a pair of swing arm 205 on the rear of the motorcycle 100 and are assembled to a rear wheel 190, having a rear tire 191 assembled thereto, at a rear axle 195; an upper and lower chain cases 200, 200" attaching the left swing arm 205, are designed to cover the chain which pulls the rear wheel 190, swing arm pivot 210 makes the swing arms 205 swing to rotate and a passenger step holder 215 are disposed behind and above the engine; the engine system suspended at about a mid-section of the motorcycle 100 and under the main pipe 107 with a pair of engine hunger portion 220a of a pair of pivot plate 220 welded to the main pipe 107 and a pair of swing arm pivot portion 220b of the pivot plate 220 support the swing arm 205 at the swing arm pivot 210; a pair of rear frame 68 extending from the main pipe 107 near the engine hunger portion 220 to backward horizontally and under the canister 14, extending upwardly, then at the side of a fuel tank 156, extending to backward; the engine of the motorcycle is a four cycle type, comprising a cylinder 225, a cylinder head 230, a crank case 235, a drive axle 240 making the rear wheel 190 rotate, lies substantially along the crank axle 250, and a starting motor 255 as generally known by a skilled person; the engine connected to an engine intake system 1 12 of which including the intake manihold connecting the cylinder 230, the carburetor and the air cleaner, an exhaust system also connected to the cylinder head 230 and includes an exhaust pipe leading to a muffler 280 directing toward the rear of the motorcycle 100; a fuel tank 156 position to the rear of the vehicle and stores fuel for the engine system; a seat 109 mounting in the upper portion of motorcycle 100 behind the handle 105 and is supported by the storage box 16 wherein the battery 14 stored for providing an electrical power supply to the motorcycle. The fuel tank 156 includes a fuel receiving inlet with fuel cap 17 which receives fuel into the fuel tank 156, and stores fuel to be supplied to the engine, via a fuel line 19, positions to the rear of the motorcycle 100 and behind the storage box 16. The fuel tank 156 has a fuel sensor unit 71 in front of the fuel cap 17 for detecting the fuel amount and indicating it in a fuel meter.

In the embodiment as shown in FIGs. 1-3, the canister mounting structure 10 according to the principle of the present invention comprising the storage box 16 mounted under the seat 109. The storage box is open to upper side of the motorcycle 100 of which the engine intake system 112 is located at the front of the seat 109 and the fuel tank 156 is located behind the seat 109, and the canister 12 is mounted to the motorcycle. The canister 12 is stored in a first compartment 20 integrally formed with other parts of the motorcycle 100. More, specifically, the canister 12 is mounted in the first compartment 20 integrally formed to the storage box 16. The canister 12 is communicably connected to a fuel tank 156 and an engine intake system 1 12 via a first connecting tube 24 and a second connecting tube 28. The battery 14 mounted and stored inside the storage box 16 in a second compartment 22 which also integrally formed to the storage box 16.

As illustrated in closer view in FIGs. 2 and 3, the first compartment 20 and the second compartment 22 are integrally formed with the storage box 16 wherein the first compartment 20 is configured to store the canister 12 and the second compartment 22 is configured to store the battery 14. Further, as shown, in this embodiment, the first compartment 20 is positioned toward or at the rear of the storage box 16. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, taking the advantage of the height of the rear of the storage box 16 which is greater than the height on the sides of the storage box 16 the first compartment 20 which stores the canister 12 is positioned to the rear wall of the storage box 16 so that the first compartment 20 can easily accommodate the entire canister 12 therein. The first compartment 20 is formed to the rear wall of the storage box 16 such that it houses the canister 12 mounted therein in a substantially vertical manner or at an angle corresponding to a taper shape of the storage box 16 in order to reduce the space occupied by the canister 12 and maintain maximum storage space of the storage box 16. The first compartment is configured to open downward and close on the upper end and the canister 12 communicably connected to the fuel tank 156 and the engine intake system 1 12 of the motorcycle 100 via the downward opening of said first compartment 20. As an exemplary example, the canister 12 is positioned such that the end of the canister 12 at which the first connecting tube 24 connects the canister 12 to the fuel tank 156, and at which the second connecting tube 28 connects the canister 12 to the engine intake system 1 12 is located at the bottom portion of the first compartment 20 via a corresponding opening prepared a cover 21 disposed at the downward opening of the first compartment 20. The cover 21 is configured to couple and secure to the said opening of the first compartment 20 to contain the canister 12 therein. The said cover 21 is configured to allow its removal to provide access to the canister 12 for installation and inspection. Corresponding openings are prepared on the said cover 21 to allow connection of first and second connecting tubes 24, 28 to the canister 12 through said openings.

As also shown again in FIG. 1-3, as an exemplary example, the second compartment 22 is positioned to the front and lower than the first compartment 20 in order to make the arrangement between the canister 12 and the battery 14 more compact so as to reduce the space taken up by the arrangement and maintain optimum storage capacity of the storage box 16. The second compartment 22 stores the battery 14 therein. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the second compartment 22 includes a battery cover 18 configured to engage with the wall of the storage box 16 so as to secure in place and contain the battery 14 within the second compartment 22.

It is possible that the battery cover 18 may be in other configurations configured to serve the same purpose and function. For example, the battery cover 18 may be replaced with a door (not shown) through which the battery may be entered and mounted inside the said second compartment 22. The door is configured to open and close to protect the battery 14 stored in the said compartment and provide access to the battery 14 as needed for maintenance purposes.

The present invention is characterized by that the canister is mounted in an compartment integrally formed with the storage box 16 of which comprising the first compartment 20 and the second compartment 22, and that the first and second compartment 20, 22 The first compartment 20 is configured to store the canister 12 and the second compartment 22 is configured to store the battery 14 such that the arrangement between the canister 12 and the battery 14 is a compact arrangement so as to reduce the space taken up by the arrangement and maintain optimum storage capacity of the storage box 16 as well as making wiring of the canister 12 less complicated. Therefore, under this principle, other alternative arrangements, configurations, and positioning of the first compartment 20 and the second compartment 22 within the storage box 16 are possible.

FIGs. 3-6 show another exemplary embodiment with different arrangements, configuration, and positioning of the first compartment 20 and the second compartment 22 all of which are also integrally formed with the storage box 16. In this embodiment, the first compartment 20 has all the features and elements as disclosed in the previous embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the first compartment is prepared toward or at the front of the storage box 16. In this embodiment, the first compartment 20 is formed to the front wall of the storage box 16, as illustrated in closer views in FIGs. 5 and 6, and such that it houses the canister 12 mounted therein in the manner as in the earlier described embodiment in order to reduce the space occupied by the canister and maintain maximum storage space of the storage box 16. In this embodiment, the second compartment 22 which stores the battery 14 therein is positioned behind the first compartment 20 and remains substantially toward the back of the storage box 16, or remains at the same position as with the earlier described embodiment relative to FIGs 1-3. As with the previously described embodiment, the canister 12 communicably connected to the fuel tank 156 and the engine intake system 1 12 of the motorcycle 100 via the first and the second connecting tubes 24, 28 of which connect to an end of the canister 12 at the bottom of the said first compartment 20. As an exemplary example, the canister 12 is positioned in a direction such that the end of the canister 12 at which the first connecting tube 24 connects the canister 12 to the fuel tank 156 is located at the downward opening of the first compartment 20. Also, the said opening is equipped with the cover 21 configured to couple and secure to bottom of the first compartment 20 and cover the said opening of the first compartment 20 to contain the canister 12 within the first compartment 20. The said cover 21 is configured to allow its removal to provide access to the canister 12 for installation and inspection.

As mentioned, the canister 12 is connected to the fuel tank 156 and the engine intake system 112 via the first connecting tube 24 and the second connecting tube 28. The canister 12 receives fuel vapor from the fuel tank 156, via the first connecting tube 24 of which connects the canister 12 to a fuel separator 26 for dividing liquid and vapor, located at the fuel tank 156. By positioning the canister 12 inside the first compartment 20 at designated location either toward the rear or the front of the storage box 16, it allows easier and less complicated wiring of the first and the second connecting tubes 24, 28.

Positioning of the first connecting tube 24 and the second connecting tube 28 to the end of the canister 12 which locates at the bottom of the first compartment 20 provides better visual access to their connections and easy access thereto during installation or maintenance. Further, it also reduces difficulty and complexity of wiring of both the first and the second connecting tubes 24, 28. For example, as the canister 12 is stored in the first compartment 20 located at the rear of the storage box 16 which located in the middle between the engine intake system 1 12 and the fuel tank 156. The canister is thus located closer the engine intake system 1 12 and the fuel tank 156 and thus reduce the distance of wiring, i.e. reducing piping waste, and that the wiring is less complicated and with less stress to the first connecting tube 24. Similarly, as the canister 12 is stored in the first compartment 20 locates at the front of the storage box, the distance of wiring of the second connecting tube 28 to the air intake system 112 is reduced and that the wiring is less complicated as there is no curve wiring and complicate guide means involved.

The canister mounting structure 10 according to the principle of the present invention may further comprise a one-way vale 36 disposed on the second connecting tube 28 to regulate dispensing of the filtered fuel vapor to the engine intake system 1 12 as well as to avoid returning of fuel vapor and re-entering the canister 12 see FIGs. 1 and 3,

As shown in both the first embodiment illustrated in FIGs 1-3, and the second embodiment illustrated in FIGs 4-6, the canister 12 is mounted within the first compartment 20 of which integrally form with the rear or front wall of the storage box 16. Naturally, the positioning of the canister 12 and the formation of the first compartment 20, or their longitudinal axis must correspond to the configuration of the wall of the storage box 16. In the embodiments as shown, the storage box 16 is tapered toward the bottom. Accordingly, the wall at which the first compartment is located is rather slightly slanted forward or backward.

As it is apparent from the above teaching, by providing alternative canister mounting structures according to the principle of the present invention and its various embodiments, it is possible to efficiently and effectively mounts both the canister and the battery inside the storage box while maintaining maximum storage space of the storage box and without making the storage box and the body cover widen to the side of the motorcycle as well as reduce dead space around the batter, as set out in the objective of the invention described above. Arranging the canister inside the storage box also helps to protect the canister from any external force or impacts as well other elements, thus prolong use of the canister. In addition, the fact that the canister and the battery are stored in separate compartment, the risk of sparking or fire due to possible interaction between the current from the batter and fuel vapor from the canister is reduced.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described as well as illustrated in the companying drawings, it is simply for the purpose of better understanding of the principle of the present invention and it is not as a limitation of the scope and spirit of the teaching of the present invention. Adaption and modification to various embodiments are possible and apparent to a skilled person without departing from the scope of the present invention which is to be determined by the claims.

List of references: 10 canister mounting structure 12 canister

14 battery

16 storage box

17 fuel receiving inlet

18 battery cover

19 fuel line

20 first compartment

21 cover of first compartment 22 second compartment

24 first connecting tube 26 fuel separator

28 second connecting tube 68 rear frame

71 fuel sensor unit

100 motorcycle

105 handle

106 head pipe

107 main pipe

109 seat

110 head light

1 1 1 winker lights

1 12 engine intake system 1 15 head light cover

120 front handle cover

125 rear handle cover

130 front cover

135 front fork

140 front wheel

145 front axle

150 front tire

155 drum brake 156 fuel tank

160 main pipe cover

161 front fender

162 front side cover

165 leg shield

170 seat sides cover

175 rear sides cover

180 combination of tail light

185 rear suspension

190 rear wheel

191 rear tire

195 rear axle

200, 200" chain case

205 swing arm

210 swing arm pivot portion

214 step for rider

215 passenger step holder

220 pivot plate

220a engine hunger portion

220b swing arm pivot portion (of the pivot plate)

225 engine cylinder

230 cylinder head

235 crank case

240 drive axle

250 crank axle

255 starting motor

280 muffler

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A canister mounting structure (10) for a motorcycle (100) comprising: a storage box (16) mounting under a seat (109) and opening to upper side of the motorcycle having an engine intake system (1 12) located at the front of the seat (109) and a fuel tank (156) located behind the seat (109;

a canister (12) mounted to the motorcycle and the canister (12) is stored in a compartment formed with other parts of the motorcycle (100);

characterized in that

said canister (12) is mounted in a first compartment (20) integrally formed to the said storage box (16); and the first compartment (20) is formed to open downward and closed at an upper end. The canister mounting structure (10) according to claim 1, wherein a battery (14) is mounted inside a second compartment (22) integrally formed to said storage box (16).

2. The canister mounting structure (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first compartment (20) is positioned at the rear of the storage box (16) or at the front of the storage box (16).

3. The canister mounting structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 -3 wherein the first compartment (20) houses the canister (12) mounted therein and comprising a cover (21) configured to couple and secure to the downward opening of the said first compartment (20) to contain the canister (12) therein; and the said cover (21) comprising openings of which permit connection of a first connecting tube (24) and a second connecting tube (28) to said canister (12) through said openings.

4. The canister mounting structure (10) according to claim 1 wherein the second compartment (22) is configured to house the battery (14) therein; and comprising a battery cover (18) configured to contain the battery (14) in said second compartment (22).