Fuel tank for saddled vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10328985-B2
Application number	US-201715717104-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 27, 2017
Priority date	Sep 30, 2016
Publication date	Jun 25, 2019
Grant date	Jun 25, 2019

Abstract

A fuel cap is constituted to close an upper portion of a tubular member constituting a filler opening of a fuel tank, and wherein the breather mechanism is constituted to discharge vaporized fuel separated by gas-liquid separation in a labyrinth path within the fuel cap through a breather drain hose supported at a side of the fuel tank, the fuel tank further comprising: a plate member fixed to a support member to support the fuel cap to the fuel tank; and a seal member to airtightly communicate an exit of the labyrinth path and an end portion of the breather drain hose when the fuel cap is closed. The breather drain hose connected to a lower side of the seal member is supported by the plate member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel tank for a saddled vehicle comprising a fuel cap of an opening and closing type incorporating a breather mechanism,
wherein the fuel cap is constituted to close an upper portion of a tubular member constituting a filler opening of the fuel tank,
the breather mechanism is constituted to discharge vaporized fuel separated by gas-liquid separation in a labyrinth path within the fuel cap through a breather drain hose supported at a side of the fuel tank,
the fuel tank further includes:
a plate member provided on an upper surface of the fuel tank and fixed to a support member to support the fuel cap to the fuel tank; and
a seal member to airtightly communicate an exit of the labyrinth path and an end portion of the breather drain hose when the fuel cap is closed, and
the breather drain hose connected to a lower side of the seal member is supported by the plate member,

wherein the support member is constituted so that at least one pedestal portion is attached on an upper surface of an annular base plate, the pedestal portion having two leg portions formed by folding a plate member into a substantially U-shape, and
the breather drain hose is locked to a guide portion formed in the plate member at a position overlapping with the support member as seen in a plan view of the vehicle.

2. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one pedestal portion includes three pedestal portions,
the fuel cap is fixed by utilizing a fastening portion formed in each of the pedestal portions, and
the seal member is positioned on a straight line connecting two fastening portions in a plan view of the vehicle.

3. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an overflow tray receiving fuel spilled outside of the tubular member,
wherein the overflow tray is fastened and fixed together with the fuel cap and the support member while being put on an upper surface of the plate member.

4. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein an annular recess portion surrounding the tubular member is formed on an upper surface of the fuel tank, and
the support member is welded and fixed to the annular recess portion.

5. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein the fuel tank is formed by connecting an upper member and a lower member, both being formed by press molding,
the upper member is formed in a solid body shape constituting an upper portion, a side portion and a rear portion of the fuel tank while increasing a size in the front and rear direction as going to a lower direction of the vehicle as seen in the side view of the vehicle, and
the lower member is formed in a shape constituting the front portion and the bottom portion of the fuel tank by curving a flat plate.

6. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein the fuel tank and the support member are formed of a titanium material.

7. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 3 , further comprising:
a tank cover covering the fuel tank from an upper surface thereof;
wherein at least a part of the plate member is protruded outward of a circumference of the overflow tray receiving fuel spilled outside of the tubular member and the protruded part restrains movement of the tank cover to a lower direction of the vehicle.

8. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 2 ,
wherein a folding portion is formed in the plate member, the folding portion being parallel with a straight line connecting two fastening portions and overlapping with the seal member.

9. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an overflow tray receiving fuel spilled outside of the tubular member,
wherein the overflow tray is fastened and fixed together with the fuel cap and the support member while being put on an upper surface of the plate member.

10. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein an annular recess portion surrounding the tubular member is formed on an upper surface of the fuel tank, and
the support member is welded and fixed to the annular recess portion.

11. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein the fuel tank is formed by connecting an upper member and a lower member, both being formed by press molding,
the upper member is formed in a solid body shape constituting an upper portion, a side portion and a rear portion of the fuel tank while increasing a size in the front and rear direction as going to a lower direction of the vehicle as seen in the side view of the vehicle, and
the lower member is formed in a shape constituting the front portion and the bottom portion of the fuel tank by curving a flat plate.

12. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 ,
wherein the fuel tank and the support member are formed of a titanium material.

13. The fuel tank for the saddled vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a tank cover covering the fuel tank from an upper surface thereof;
wherein at least a part of the plate member is protruded outward of a circumference of the overflow tray receiving fuel spilled outside of the tubular member and the protruded part restrains movement of the tank cover to a lower direction of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Saito Yusuke
• Usa Masanori

Classifications

• B60K2015/03032

  Manufacturing of fuel tanks · CPC title

• B60K2015/0451

  Sealing means in the closure cap · CPC title

• B60K2015/03509

  with a droplet separator in the vent line · CPC title

• B60K2015/03547

  the venting means are integrated in the fuel cap or inlet cover · CPC title

• B60K15/0406

  Filler caps for fuel tanks · CPC title