fuel tank

Abstract

This reduces vibration in the breather pipe and also reduces the load acting on both ends of the breather pipe. [Solution] The saddle-type vehicle is equipped with an evaporator system. The fuel tank (40) of this saddle-type vehicle is provided with a tank panel (41) having a liquid fuel storage space (44), an inlet pipe (46) attached to the top of the tank panel, a gas-liquid separation separator (51) installed inside the tank panel, a breather pipe (57) for discharging fuel gas from the separator, and a linear reinforcing member (61) supported by both sides inside the tank panel. The breather pipe extends from the separator through the bottom of the tank panel, and the linear reinforcing member extends along the breather pipe. The middle part of the linear reinforcing member and the middle part of the breather pipe are connected via a connecting bracket (62).

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel tank.

Background Art

[0002] In the evaporative emission control system of a saddle-type vehicle, fuel gas vaporized in a fuel tank is sent to a canister through a breather pipe. The canister is filled with an adsorbent made of activated carbon, and the fuel gas sent from the breather pipe is adsorbed by the canister. As this type of evaporative emission control system, there is known one that suppresses the inflow of liquid fuel into the canister in order to prevent deterioration of the adsorbent (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A separator for gas-liquid separation is provided in the fuel tank described in Patent Document 1, and the fuel gas separated from the liquid fuel by the separator is sent to the canister through the breather pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Inside the fuel tank described in Patent Document 1, a separator is installed above the liquid level of the liquid fuel, and a breather pipe extends from the bottom surface of the separator to the bottom surface of the fuel tank. Since the breather pipe penetrates the storage space of the fuel tank, even if both ends of the breather pipe are fixed, the middle part of the breather pipe is easily affected by vehicle body vibration. In addition, the overhang amount of the upper end with respect to the lower end of the breather pipe becomes large, and the load applied to both ends of the breather pipe is large.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a fuel tank that can suppress vibrations of the breather pipe and reduce the load acting on both ends of the breather pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A fuel tank according to one aspect of the present invention is a fuel tank for a saddle-type vehicle equipped with an evaporator system, comprising: a tank panel having a liquid fuel storage space; an inlet pipe attached to the upper part of the tank panel; a gas-liquid separator installed inside the tank panel; a breather pipe for discharging fuel gas from the separator; and a linear reinforcing member supported by both sides inside the tank panel, wherein the breather pipe extends from the separator through the lower part of the tank panel, the linear reinforcing member extends along the breather pipe, and the intermediate part of the linear reinforcing member and the intermediate part of the breather pipe are connected via a connecting bracket, thereby solving the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, even if the amount of overhang of the upper end relative to the lower end of the breather pipe is large, the load applied to both ends of the breather pipe is suppressed because the breather pipe is supported by a linear reinforcing member via a connecting bracket. Furthermore, because the breather pipe is supported not only at both ends but also in the middle by the linear reinforcing member, the effects of vehicle body vibration are suppressed even at locations far from the fixed end of the breather pipe. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a right side view of the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a top view of the fuel tank with the upper panel removed in this embodiment. [Figure 4]This is a bottom view of the fuel tank with the lower panel removed in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the lower part of the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the lower part of the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a view of the fuel tank with the lower panel removed, as in the first modification. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the lower part of the fuel tank in Modification 2, seen from below. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An evaporative system is installed in a saddle-type vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. A storage space for liquid fuel is formed in the tank panel of the fuel tank of this saddle-type vehicle, and an inlet pipe is attached to the top of the tank panel. A gas-liquid separator is installed inside the tank panel, and a breather pipe extends from the separator through the bottom of the tank panel, and the fuel gas inside the separator is discharged through the breather pipe. A linear reinforcing member is supported at both ends inside the tank panel, and the linear reinforcing member extends along the breather pipe. The middle part of the linear reinforcing member and the middle part of the breather pipe are connected via a connecting bracket. Even if the amount of overhang of the upper end relative to the lower end of the breather pipe is large, the load applied to both ends of the breather pipe is suppressed because the breather pipe is supported by the linear reinforcing member via the connecting bracket. Furthermore, because the middle part of the breather pipe is supported by the linear reinforcing member not only at both ends but also at a distance from the fixed end of the breather pipe, the effects of vehicle vibration are suppressed. [Examples]

[0010] The saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment. In the following figures, arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow Re indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is constructed by mounting various components such as the engine 30 and electrical systems on a vehicle frame 10. A pair of main frames 12 extend diagonally downward and rearward from the head pipe 11 of the vehicle frame 10, and the rear ends of the pair of main frames 12 form a pair of body frames 13 that are bent downward. In addition, a down frame 14 extends downward from the head pipe 11, and a pair of under loops 15 that are bent rearward are connected to the lower part of the down frame 14. The rear ends of the pair of under loops 15 are connected to the lower part of the pair of body frames 13, so that the vehicle frame 10 is formed in a cradle shape.

[0012] The front fork 21 is supported by the head pipe 11 via a steering shaft (not shown) so as to be steerable. A handlebar 22 is provided on the upper part of the front fork 21, and the front wheel 23 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front fork 21. A fuel tank 40 (see Figure 2) is placed over the top of a pair of main frames 12, and the main frames 12 and fuel tank 40 are covered from the sides by a front side cover 24. A seat 25 is installed behind the fuel tank 40, and a seat frame (not shown) that supports the seat 25 from below is covered from the sides by a rear side cover 26.

[0013] A swingarm 27 is pivotably supported in the middle of the body frame 13. The swingarm 27 extends rearward from the body frame 13, and a rear wheel 28 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the swingarm 27. A cylinder assembly, consisting of a cylinder 32, a cylinder head 33, and a cylinder head cover 34, is mounted on the upper part of the crankcase 31 of the engine 30. An exhaust pipe 35 extends rearward from the front of the engine 30, passing along the side of the cylinder 32, and an up-type muffler 36 is connected to the downstream end of the exhaust pipe 35. A side stand 37 for supporting the vehicle is provided on the left side of the body frame 13.

[0014] Furthermore, a canister 38, which constitutes the evaporative system, is exposed behind the rear side cover 26. A fuel tank 40 is connected to the upstream side of the canister 38 via a breather hose 39 (see Figure 2), and an intake system is connected to the downstream side of the canister 38 via a breather hose (not shown). Fuel gas vaporized in the fuel tank 40 is sent to the canister 38 through the breather hose 39, where it is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the canister 38. When the engine is started, the fuel gas is separated from the adsorbent in the canister 38 and sent to the intake system of the engine 30 for re-combustion.

[0015] Incidentally, in saddle-type vehicles equipped with an evaporator system, a gas-liquid separator is installed inside the fuel tank. The separator is installed at the top of the tank so as not to be immersed in the liquid, and a breather pipe extends from the separator towards the bottom of the tank. Because the breather pipe extends for a long distance, its rigidity is reduced, making it more susceptible to vibrations, and bending stress concentrates at the end of the pipe. Therefore, in this embodiment, the breather pipe is reinforced with a linear reinforcing member installed along the breather pipe, thereby increasing the rigidity of the breather pipe and reducing stress concentration at the end of the pipe.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the fuel tank will be described. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the fuel tank of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view of the fuel tank with the upper panel removed in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the fuel tank with the lower panel removed in this embodiment. In FIG. 2, the upper panel and the lower panel are shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the tank panel 41 of the fuel tank 40 is a two-piece type tank panel with an upper and lower split formed by joining the upper panel 42 and the lower panel 43. The upper panel 42 bulges upward in a dome shape, and the lower panel 43 bulges downward in a dome shape. A storage space 44 for liquid fuel is formed by the upper panel 42 and the lower panel 43. The outer edges of the upper panel 42 and the lower panel 43 are seam welded, and a flange 45 is formed at the joint of the upper panel 42 and the lower panel 43. The tank panel 41 is formed such that the vertical dimension decreases from the front side to the rear side.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an inlet pipe 46 is attached to the upper part of the upper panel 42. The inlet pipe 46 has a double structure of an outer cylinder 47 and an inner cylinder 48, and the outer cylinder 47 and the inner cylinder 48 are combined to form the inlet pipe 46 in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer cylinder 47 of the inlet pipe 46 is joined to the opening of the upper panel 42, and a tank cap (not shown) is attached to the upper part of the outer cylinder 47 of the inlet pipe 46. An inlet for liquid fuel is formed on the bottom surface of the inner cylinder 48 of the inlet pipe 46, and liquid fuel is supplied by inserting a nozzle (not shown) into the inlet pipe 46.

[0019] A gas-liquid separator 51 is installed inside the tank panel 41. A bracket 49, provided on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 47 of the inlet pipe 46, extends to the right, and the tip of the bracket 49 supports the small-capacity separator 51. The separator 51 is formed in an elliptical shape by joining a bottom plate 53 to the opening of a lidded cylindrical case 52. The upper wall of the cylindrical case 52 is joined to the lower surface of the bracket 49, and the separator 51 is suspended from the inlet pipe 46. A first breathing hole 54 is formed in the side wall of the cylindrical case 52, and a pair of second breathing holes 55 are formed in the bottom plate 53.

[0020] The first and second breathing holes 54 and 55 are small-diameter holes with a diameter of 1 mm, and air enters and exits the separator 51 through the first and second breathing holes 54 and 55. In addition, since the pair of second breathing holes 55 are formed in the bottom plate 53, the liquid fuel in the separator 51 is returned to the storage space 44 through the pair of second breathing holes 55. The first and second breathing holes 54 and 55 are formed to be smaller in diameter than the breather pipe 57, which will be described later, and sufficient airflow resistance is obtained for the breathing function. Rapid pressure fluctuations in the fuel tank 40 are suppressed, the discharge of fuel gas from the fuel tank 40 is controlled, and excessive discharge of fuel gas to the breather pipe 57 is limited.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a breather pipe 57 is provided inside the fuel tank 40 to discharge fuel gas from the separator 51. The upper inlet end of the breather pipe 57 is connected to the bottom plate 53 of the separator 51, and the lower outlet end of the breather pipe 57 is connected to the lower rear side of the lower panel 43. By having the breather pipe 57 extend from the separator 51 through the lower part of the lower panel 43 to the outside of the tank, the exposure of the breather pipe 57 is minimized, improving the appearance of the fuel tank 40. A breather hose 39 leading to the canister 38 (see Figure 1) is connected to the lower end of the breather pipe 57.

[0022] A linear reinforcing member 61 is provided inside the fuel tank 40 along the breather pipe 57. The linear reinforcing member 61 is made of solid wire. The outer diameter of the linear reinforcing member 61 is about half the outer diameter of the breather pipe 57, ensuring strength while also reducing weight. The upper end of the linear reinforcing member 61 is connected to a bracket 49, and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 61 is connected to the lower rear side of the lower panel 43. The linear reinforcing member 61 and the breather pipe 57 are connected via a plate-shaped connecting bracket 62, and the breather pipe 57 is stably supported by the highly rigid linear reinforcing member 61.

[0023] An in-tank type pump 63 is installed on the bottom surface of the lower panel 43. The pump 63 is immersed in liquid fuel and cooled by the liquid fuel. The pump 63 is located in the center of the bottom surface of the lower panel 43, and the breather pipe 57 and linear reinforcing member 61 extend to the rear of the pump 63, passing to the right side of the pump 63. Even though the pump 63 protrudes into the fuel tank 40, it does not interfere with the breather pipe 57 and linear reinforcing member 61. In addition, the fact that the breather pipe 57 and linear reinforcing member 61 extend along the right side of the fuel tank 40 improves the ease of attaching and detaching the pump 63.

[0024] The support structure for the breather pipe using linear reinforcing members will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a front view of the fuel tank of this embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lower part of the fuel tank of this embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lower part of the fuel tank of this embodiment. Note that in Figure 5, the upper panel and lower panel are shown by dashed lines.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, in a side view, the upper end of the breather pipe 57 is located in front of the lower end, and in a front view, the upper end of the breather pipe 57 is located to the right of the lower end. Due to the large overhang of the breather pipe 57 in both the side and front views, bending stress tends to concentrate at both ends of the breather pipe 57, and the middle section of the breather pipe 57 is susceptible to the effects of vehicle body vibration. For this reason, a plate-shaped connecting bracket 62 is provided at the middle of the linear reinforcing member 61 in its extending direction, and the middle section of the linear reinforcing member 61 and the middle section of the breather pipe 57 are connected via the connecting bracket 62.

[0026] The linear reinforcing member 61 extends along the breather pipe 57, and the linear reinforcing member 61 and the breather pipe 57 are held together by a connecting bracket 62 at a constant distance from each other. The rigidity of the breather pipe 57 is increased by integrating the linear reinforcing member 61 and the breather pipe 57 via the connecting bracket 62. Deformation at both ends of the breather pipe 57 is suppressed, and the bending stress generated at these ends is alleviated. In addition, the intermediate portion of the breather pipe 57 is restrained via the connecting bracket 62, which suppresses the amplitude of the intermediate portion of the breather pipe 57, making it less susceptible to the effects of vehicle body vibrations.

[0027] As described above, the upper end of the breather pipe 57 is connected to the separator 51, and the upper end of the linear reinforcing member 61 is connected to the bracket 49 near the separator 51. In addition, the lower end of the breather pipe 57 and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 61 are connected to the lower rear side of the lower panel 43. In side and front views, both ends of the breather pipe 57 and both ends of the linear reinforcing member 61 are brought close together, and the breather pipe 57 and the linear reinforcing member 61 are compactly formed, making them resistant to deformation from external forces. Furthermore, the breather pipe 57 is stably supported by the highly rigid linear reinforcing member 61.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the lower part of the lower panel 43 bulges inward, and a through hole 65 for the breather pipe 57 and a through hole 66 for the linear reinforcing member 61 are formed in this bulging portion. The lower end of the breather pipe 57 protrudes to the outside of the lower panel 43 through the through hole 65, and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 61 protrudes to the outside of the lower panel 43 through the through hole 66. The protruding portions of the breather pipe 57 and the linear reinforcing member 61 are contained within the bulging portion of the lower panel 43, preventing them from getting caught on other components.

[0029] The inner diameter of the through-hole 66 for the linear reinforcing member 61 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole 65 for the breather pipe 57, and the outer diameter of the linear reinforcing member 61 is smaller than the outer diameter of the breather pipe 57. This prevents the linear reinforcing member 61 from being mistakenly inserted into the through-hole 65 for the breather pipe 57, and prevents the breather pipe 57 from being mistakenly inserted into the through-hole 66 for the linear reinforcing member 61. This prevents incorrect assembly of the linear reinforcing member 61 to the lower panel 43. In addition, since the inner diameter of the breather hose 39 is formed to match the outer diameter of the breather pipe 57, the breather hose 39 will not be mistakenly attached to the linear reinforcing member 61.

[0030] As shown in Figure 7, the linear reinforcing member 61 is solid, and a stopper 64 is formed by crushing a part of the side surface of the linear reinforcing member 61. When the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 61 is inserted into the through hole 66 of the lower panel 43, the stopper 64 of the linear reinforcing member 61 abuts against the inner surface of the lower panel 43, restricting the amount of insertion of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 61 into the through hole 66 of the lower panel 43. Since the linear reinforcing member 61 and the breather pipe 57 are integrated via the connecting bracket 62, the amount of insertion of the linear reinforcing member 61 is restricted, thereby appropriately adjusting the protrusion of the breather pipe 57.

[0031] As described above, with the fuel tank 40 of this embodiment, even if the amount of overhang of the upper end relative to the lower end of the breather pipe 57 is large, the load applied to both ends of the breather pipe 57 is suppressed because the breather pipe 57 is supported by the linear reinforcing member 61 via the connecting bracket 62. Furthermore, because the intermediate portion of the breather pipe 57 is supported by the linear reinforcing member 61, not just both ends of the breather pipe 57, the effects of vehicle body vibration are suppressed even at locations far from the fixed end of the breather pipe 57.

[0032] In this embodiment, the upper end of the breather pipe is connected to the separator and the upper end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the bracket, but both the upper end of the breather pipe and the upper end of the linear reinforcing member may be connected to the separator. For example, as shown in Modification 1 of Figure 8, an inlet pipe 72 is attached to the upper part of the tank panel 71, and a U-shaped separator 73 is installed so as to surround the inlet pipe 72. The separator 73 is large, and the upper end of the breather pipe 74 and the upper end of the linear reinforcing member 75 are connected to the rear bottom surface of the separator 73. The linear reinforcing member 75 extends along the breather pipe 74, and the middle part of the breather pipe 74 and the middle part of the linear reinforcing member 75 are integrated via a connecting bracket 76. Even with the configuration of Modification 1 using such a large separator 73, the load applied to both ends of the breather pipe 74 is suppressed, and the effects of vehicle body vibration are also suppressed.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the breather pipe are formed to be circular, but the cross-sectional shapes of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the breather pipe may be different. For example, as shown in Modification 2 of Figure 9, a circular through-hole 84 for the breather pipe 82 and an elliptical through-hole 85 for the linear reinforcing member 83 are formed in the lower part of the tank panel 81. Because the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the breather pipe 82 is circular, the lower end of the breather pipe 82 will not be mistakenly inserted into the elliptical through-hole 85 for the linear reinforcing member 83. Because the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 83 is elliptical, the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 83 will not be mistakenly inserted into the circular through-hole 84 for the breather pipe 82. This prevents incorrect assembly of the linear reinforcing member 83 to the tank panel 81, and also prevents incorrect attachment of the breather hose to the linear reinforcing member 83. The other end of the linear reinforcing member 83 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, but the cross-sectional shape above this other end is circular, and a step is formed at the boundary between the elliptical and circular cross-sectional portions of the linear reinforcing member 83. The step in the linear reinforcing member 83 restricts the insertion amount of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 83 into the through hole 85, and the protrusion of the breather pipe 82, which is integrated with the linear reinforcing member 83, is appropriately adjusted. Furthermore, since the linear reinforcing member 83 is made of pipe material, an elliptical cross-sectional shape can be easily created by crushing the lower end of the linear reinforcing member 83.

[0034] Furthermore, although the separator is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape in this embodiment, the shape and size of the separator are not particularly limited as long as it can separate gas and liquid within the tank panel.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the bracket and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the lower rear side of the lower panel, but the linear reinforcing member only needs to be supported at both ends within the tank panel. For example, the upper end of the linear reinforcing member may be connected to the upper panel and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member may be connected to the lower panel.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the linear reinforcing member extends along the breather pipe, but the configuration is not limited to the linear reinforcing member extending parallel to the breather pipe. "The linear reinforcing member extending along the breather pipe" also includes a configuration in which the linear reinforcing member extends generally along the breather pipe.

[0037] Furthermore, although the connecting bracket is formed in a plate shape in this embodiment, the shape of the connecting bracket is not particularly limited. The connecting bracket only needs to be formed so as to be able to connect the intermediate portion of the linear reinforcing member and the intermediate portion of the breather pipe.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the linear reinforcing member is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the breather pipe, but the outer diameter of the linear reinforcing member may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the breather pipe.

[0039] Furthermore, the fuel tank of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described saddle-type vehicle, but may also be used in other types of saddle-type vehicles. Note that the term "saddle-type vehicle" is not limited to all vehicles in which the driver sits straddling a seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the driver does not straddle a seat.

[0040] As described above, the first embodiment is a fuel tank (40) of a saddle-type vehicle (1) equipped with an evaporator system, comprising a tank panel (41, 71, 81) having a liquid fuel storage space (44) formed therein, an inlet pipe (46) attached to the upper part of the tank panel, a gas-liquid separation separator (51, 73) installed inside the tank panel, a breather pipe (57, 74, 82) for discharging fuel gas from the separator, and a linear reinforcing member (61) supported by both sides inside the tank panel, wherein the breather pipe extends from the separator through the lower part of the tank panel, the linear reinforcing member extends along the breather pipe, and the intermediate part of the linear reinforcing member and the intermediate part of the breather pipe are connected via a connecting bracket (62, 76, 83). With this configuration, even if the upper end of the breather pipe has a large overhang relative to its lower end, the load on both ends of the breather pipe is reduced because the breather pipe is supported by the linear reinforcing member via the connecting bracket. Furthermore, because the breather pipe is supported not only at both ends but also in the middle by the linear reinforcing member, the effects of vehicle vibration are reduced even at points far from the fixed end of the breather pipe.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the separator is supported on the inlet pipe via a bracket (49) in the first embodiment, the upper end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the bracket, and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the lower part of the tank panel. With this configuration, both ends of the linear reinforcing member and both ends of the breather pipe are brought close together, and the breather pipe and the linear reinforcing member are formed compactly, making them resistant to deformation due to external forces.

[0042] In the third embodiment, the linear reinforcing member is formed from a solid wire, as in the first or second embodiment. This configuration increases the strength of the linear reinforcing member, thereby providing stable support for the breather pipe.

[0043] In the fourth embodiment, a through hole (66) is formed in the lower part of the tank panel in the third embodiment, and a stopper (64) is formed by crushing a part of the linear reinforcing member, and the amount of insertion of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member into the through hole is restricted by the stopper. With this configuration, when the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is inserted into the through hole of the tank panel, the stopper of the linear reinforcing member abuts against the inner surface of the tank panel, restricting the amount of insertion. Since the linear reinforcing member and the breather pipe are integrated via a connecting bracket, the protrusion of the breather pipe is appropriately adjusted by restricting the insertion amount of the linear reinforcing member.

[0044] The fifth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments, in which a through hole is formed in the lower part of the tank panel, the lower end of the linear reinforcing member protrudes to the outside of the tank panel through the through hole, and the outer diameter of the linear reinforcing member is different from the outer diameter of the breather pipe. With this configuration, the linear reinforcing member cannot be mistakenly inserted into the through hole for the breather pipe, and incorrect assembly of the linear reinforcing member to the tank panel can be prevented. In addition, since the inner diameter of the breather hose is formed to match the outer diameter of the breather pipe, it is prevented from being mistakenly attached to the linear reinforcing member.

[0045] The sixth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments, in which a through hole (85) is formed in the lower part of the tank panel, and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member (83) protrudes to the outside of the tank panel (81) through the through hole, and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is different from the cross-sectional shape of the breather pipe (82). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the linear reinforcing member to the tank panel, and it is also possible to prevent the breather hose from being incorrectly attached to the linear reinforcing member.

[0046] The seventh embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment in which the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is elliptical, the cross-sectional shape of the breather pipe is circular, the cross-sectional shape above the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is circular, and a step is formed at the boundary between the elliptical and circular cross-sectional portions of the linear reinforcing member. This configuration prevents incorrect assembly of the linear reinforcing member to the tank panel and prevents the breather hose from being incorrectly attached to the linear reinforcing member. Furthermore, the step in the linear reinforcing member restricts the insertion amount of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member into the through hole, and the protrusion of the breather pipe, which is integrated with the linear reinforcing member, is appropriately adjusted.

[0047] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0048] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified, substituted, or transformed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Moreover, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way by advances in the technology or by other derived technologies, it may be implemented by that method. Accordingly, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 39: Breather hose 40: Fuel tank 44: Storage space 49: Bracket 64: Stopper 46, 72: Inlet pipe 51, 73: Separator 61, 75: Linear reinforcing members 66, 85: Through hole 41, 71, 81: Tank Panel 57, 74, 82: Breather pipe 62, 76, 83: Connecting brackets

Claims

1. A fuel tank for a saddle-type vehicle equipped with an evaporative system, A tank panel in which a liquid fuel storage space is formed, An inlet pipe attached to the upper part of the aforementioned tank panel, A gas-liquid separator installed inside the tank panel, A breather pipe for discharging fuel gas from the separator, The tank panel comprises a linear reinforcing member supported by cantilevers at both ends, The breather pipe extends from the separator through the lower part of the tank panel, and the linear reinforcing member extends along the breather pipe. A fuel tank characterized in that the intermediate portion of the linear reinforcing member and the intermediate portion of the breather pipe are connected via a connecting bracket.

2. The separator is supported on the inlet pipe via a bracket, The fuel tank according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the bracket and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is connected to the lower part of the tank panel.

3. The fuel tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the linear reinforcing member is formed of a solid wire.

4. A through hole is formed in the lower part of the tank panel, and a stopper is formed by crushing a part of the linear reinforcing member. The fuel tank according to claim 3, characterized in that the amount of insertion of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member into the through hole is restricted by the stopper.

5. A through hole is formed in the lower part of the tank panel, and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member protrudes to the outside of the tank panel through the through hole. The fuel tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer diameter of the linear reinforcing member is different from the outer diameter of the breather pipe.

6. A through hole is formed in the lower part of the tank panel, and the lower end of the linear reinforcing member protrudes to the outside of the tank panel through the through hole. The fuel tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is different from the cross-sectional shape of the breather pipe.

7. The cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is elliptical, and the cross-sectional shape of the breather pipe is circular. The fuel tank according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape above the lower end of the linear reinforcing member is circular, and a step is formed at the boundary between the elliptical cross-sectional portion and the circular cross-sectional portion of the linear reinforcing member.

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