Wheeled vehicles

Abstract

To maintain substantially constant pressure fluctuation over various operating ranges of an engine.SOLUTION: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle generally includes a frame for supporting an engine, and one or more ground supports, such as wheels, for supporting the frame. The engine may include an internal combustion power plant, and a fuel supply system comprising a fuel pump, a supply line and a fuel rail. The fuel rail includes a first member having a main wall with a substantially flat inner surface, so that it is possible to maintain constant pressure fluctuation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] 〔Technical Field〕 The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to an engine configuration and / or components for a vehicle.

[0002] 〔Background〕 This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Vehicles that move goods, such as an operator, include a power unit such as an engine. The engine can use substances such as oil, gasoline, or other combustible substances as power. The combustible substance is supplied from a fuel tank to a combustion chamber of the engine.

[0004] 〔Summary〕 This section provides a general summary of the present disclosure and does not disclose all of its full scope or all of its features.

[0005] A vehicle such as a wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The wheeled vehicle can include a first wheel or wheel assembly and a second wheel or wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is rotatably attached to a frame. The frame can carry or transport goods, and the goods can be an operator / user and / or various cargo compartments. Further, the frame can hold or support a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the engine and various transmission components for driving at least one of the wheels.

[0006] A fuel tank can contain flammable fuel, such as petroleum products, that can be transferred to the engine. In the engine, fuel may be injected or supplied to the combustion chamber to move the piston in the cylinder. In various embodiments, a fuel storage chamber can contain a certain volume of fuel before injection into one or more combustion chambers. In various embodiments, the fuel chamber may be called a fuel rail. The fuel rail can be formed as a rigid container fixedly mounted to the engine. In various embodiments, the fuel rail is rigidly mounted to the engine manifold and connected to one or more injectors that inject fuel from the fuel rail into the combustion chambers.

[0007] In various embodiments, a vehicle assembly is disclosed that includes a frame assembly, at least one wheel assembly rotatably mounted to the frame assembly to support the frame assembly, and an engine supported by the frame and configured to drive at least one wheel. The engine may include a first cylinder, an intake port, a manifold having walls configured to allow at least some air to flow from the intake port into the first cylinder, and a fuel rail having a non-repeating outer surface for containing fuel at a selected pressure before injection into the manifold. The fuel rail may include a first shell member, the first shell member having (i) an outer circumference and a first wall having a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are not aligned, and (ii) a second wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the first wall on the outer circumference. The fuel rail may further include a second shell member, the second shell member having (i) an outer circumference and a third wall having a third portion extending along a third axis and a fourth portion extending along a fourth axis, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are not aligned, and (ii) a fourth wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the third wall on the outer circumference. The second wall of the first shell member is sized to fit into the fourth wall of the second shell member.

[0008] In various embodiments, a vehicle assembly is disclosed that includes a fuel rail for containing fuel at a selected pressure before injection. The fuel rail includes a first shell member and a second shell member. The first shell member has (i) an outer circumference and a first wall having a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are not aligned; and (ii) a second wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the first wall on the outer circumference. The second shell member has (i) an outer circumference and a third wall having a third portion extending along a third axis and a fourth portion extending along a fourth axis, wherein the third and fourth axes are not aligned; and (ii) a fourth wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the third wall on the outer circumference. The second wall of the first shell member is sized to fit into the fourth wall of the second shell member. The fuel rail may further include a first lobe formed near the end of the fuel rail from a first lobe portion and a second lobe portion. The first lobe portion is formed by a first shell member on a second axis, and the second lobe portion is formed by a second shell member on a fourth axis. The fuel rail may further include a first portal wall portion of a third wall of a second shell member defining a first port that generally passes through the second lobe, and a second portal wall portion of a third wall of a second shell member defining a second port. The first portal wall portion defines a first plane, and the second portal wall portion defines a second plane, and the first and second planes intersect at an acute angle in the portal plane.

[0009] In various embodiments, a method for forming a vehicle fuel rail is disclosed, which includes the step of forming a fuel storage chamber having a non-repeating outer surface structure. The method includes the step of forming a first shell member having (i) an outer circumference and a first wall having a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are not aligned, and (ii) a second wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the first wall on the outer circumference; and the step of forming a second shell member having (i) a third wall having an outer circumference, a third portion extending along a third axis and a fourth portion extending along a fourth axis, wherein the third and fourth axes are not aligned, and (ii) a fourth wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the third wall on the outer circumference. The second wall of the first shell member is sized to fit onto the fourth wall of the second shell member.

[0010] Further applicable scope will be revealed from the description herein. The detailed descriptions and specific examples in this summary are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0011] 〔drawing〕 The drawings described herein are intended to illustrate only selected embodiments and do not illustrate all possible forms of implementation. Furthermore, these drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 shows perspective views of motorcycles in various embodiments. Figure 2 shows partially exploded views of engines according to various embodiments. Figure 3 shows partially exploded views of the engine in various embodiments. Figure 4 is a plan view of a fuel containment chamber according to various embodiments. Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. Figure 7 shows front views of fuel storage chambers according to various embodiments. Figure 8 is an internal view of the second component of the fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. Figure 9 is an internal view of the first component of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. The corresponding reference numbers indicate the corresponding parts through several figures in the drawing.

[0013] [Detailed explanation] The exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0014] Referring first to Figure 1, a vehicle is shown exemplarily. The vehicle may include a motorcycle that can be generally referred to as motorcycle 10. Motorcycle 10 may be any suitable motorcycle, such as Chieftain® motorcycle or Roadmaster® motorcycle, both of which are sold by Indian Motorcycle International, LLC, which has a business location in Medina, Minnesota. Furthermore, the motorcycle or vehicle may be similar to the vehicle disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016 / 0298807.

[0015] Generally, the motorcycle 10 includes a first wheel 12 and a second wheel 14. The wheels 12 and 14 may together be provided as wheel assemblies including tires, rims, and other known components. The wheels 12 and 14 can engage with the ground or other suitable surface during operation of the motorcycle 10 and can rotate relative to the frame assembly or structure 16. It should be understood that the frame assembly 16 may include a variety of components, including metal tubing and similar components connected to other components, such as the wheels 12 and 14, suspension components 18, fairing components 20, and steering components such as handlebars 24. Furthermore, the frame 16 may support a seat or seat assembly 28 that an operator can use to sit on the vehicle 10 during operation.

[0016] The frame 16 can hold or support the engine 40. The engine 40 includes various components, as will be further discussed herein, and is part of a powertrain assembly 42, which may further include a transmission component or assembly 44. It should be understood that various other components, such as those commonly understood in the art, can be incorporated into the vehicle 10 to enable operation of the vehicle 10 by a user. The user can operate the vehicle, such as by controlling the engine 40 via the transmission 44 to transmit power from the engine 40 to one or more wheels, such as a second wheel 14.

[0017] In various embodiments, the engine 40 may include an engine such as the Thunderstroke® engine sold by Indian Motorcycle International, LLC, which has a business location in Medina, Minnesota. The engine 40 may include a spark-ignition engine, which ignites a petroleum product such as gasoline to move a piston. Gasoline or other suitable fuel can first be contained in the fuel tank 50 to supply the engine 40. The throttle body 94 (Figure 3) is operated by the user to control the flow or volume of air entering the manifold 84 (Figure 2) through the intake assembly 52.

[0018] The engine 40 includes various components, including a manifold 84 and a throttle body 94, and various other components. The engine 40 includes one or more combustion chambers within one or more cylinders, including a first cylinder 60 and a second cylinder 62. The first cylinder 60 may be a front or forward cylinder, and the second cylinder 62 may be a rear or rear cylinder. However, it should be understood that the positions of cylinders 60, 62 are merely illustrative. Furthermore, each of cylinders 60, 62 may include various components, including those generally understood by those skilled in the art, but which are not described in detail here. However, cylinder 60 may include a cylinder section 64, a cylinder head 66, and a cylinder cover or rocker cover 68. The various components of cylinder 60 may be formed individually or as separate components of further separate entities, and it should be understood that the individual components described above are merely illustrative. The second cylinder 62 may also include components, including a cylinder 70, a cylinder head 72, and a rocker or cylinder cover 74.

[0019] Various parts of cylinders 60, 62 may include one or more ports or inlets, such as a first cylinder inlet or connection port 78 in the first cylinder 60 and a second cylinder inlet or connection port 80 in the second cylinder 62. Ports 78, 80 are configured to be connected to an intake manifold 84. The intake manifold 84 is connected to the respective cylinders 60, 62 via or through exhaust ports, including a first manifold exhaust port 86 and a second manifold exhaust port 88. Selected connections of the manifold exhaust ports 86, 88 to ports 78, 80 may include selected adapters 86a, 88a and / or selected band clamps 86b, 88b. Each adapter 86a, 88a and / or each band clamp 86b, 88b may help provide appropriate tolerances and / or movement to their respective components during the assembly and / or operation of the engine 40. Two exhaust ports 86, 88 are connected to the manifold inlet 90 by a wall or body 92. The intake assembly 52 is connected to the manifold 84 as shown in Figure 3 and includes a throttle body 94 that can be controlled by the user to operate the engine 40.

[0020] The operator can operate a throttle mechanism, such as a steering assembly or handlebar 24, to operate the throttle body 94 to allow air to enter the engine 40. Fuel is supplied based at least on the position of the throttle in the throttle body 94 and a state determined for the operation of the engine 40. The determined state can be stored and controlled by an engine control module (ECM) or other control module.

[0021] Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank 50 to the manifold 84 via fuel injectors, including a first fuel injector 100 and a second fuel injector 102. The fuel injectors are fitted into fuel injector ports 104, 106 in the manifold. The injectors 100, 102 may include connectors, such as connectors 108, 110, respectively, to control the injection of fuel into the manifold 84, such as via the ECM. The body 92 of the manifold 84 forms or defines an internal volume 93. Fuel is injected from the fuel tank 50 into the volume 93 through the injectors 100, 102. Air also enters the manifold 84 through the intake port 52 and may mix with the fuel in the manifold, at least initially. The mixture is then sent to cylinders 60, 62 for combustion, powering the engine 40. The ECM can obtain information such as pressure and / or temperature from various sensors, including a MAP or TMAP sensor 133 connected to the manifold 84.

[0022] In various embodiments, an intermediate fuel storage chamber or assembly 120 is operably connected to injectors 100, 102. The fuel storage chamber 120 is sometimes commonly referred to as a fuel rail. Fuel is contained within the fuel chamber 120 for injection into the manifold 84 based on the control of each injector 100, 102. The fuel storage chamber 120 is generally connected to a fuel tank 50 via a fuel supply line 124. A pump 125 may be provided to deliver or assist in the delivery of fuel from the fuel tank 50 to the fuel chamber 120. In various embodiments, the pump 125 is located in a sump within the fuel tank 50. As described herein, the pump 125 can deliver fuel to the fuel chamber 120 at a selected speed and / or pressure.

[0023] The fuel rail 120 is fixed to the manifold 84 by a selected connection mechanism. In various embodiments, the first connector 128 and the second connector 130 can penetrate through connection passages or through holes 132 and 134 formed within a bracket 138 connected to the fuel rail 120. In various embodiments, only two of the connectors 128, 130 are used to connect the fuel rail 120 to the manifold 84. The two connectors 128, 130 can penetrate through the bracket 138 within their respective passages or through holes 132, 134 and can engage with tapped or threaded holes 142, 144 formed within the body 92 of the manifold 84. However, it should be understood that while only two of the connectors 128, 130 can be used to hold the fuel rail 120 to the manifold 84, other selected numbers of connectors such as three, four, or more, or only one can be used. Further, it should be understood that the connectors 128, 130 can be any suitable connectors such as bolts, rivets, nuts, etc. for connecting to studs fixed to the manifold.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the fuel rail 120 will be described in more detail. As further described herein, the fuel rail 120 includes a chamber 190 having an internal volume 192. In various embodiments, the chamber of the fuel rail 120 is formed with a first piece or member 160 and a second piece or member 164. In various embodiments, the two members 160, 164 can also be referred to as a shell member or shell portion including an upper shell member or portion 160 and a lower shell member or portion 164. When the two members 160, 164 are formed as two separate individual members, they may fit together, which will be further discussed herein.

[0025] The first member 160 includes a first wall, i.e., a main wall 166, and has a second wall 168 extending from the outer periphery 170 of the first wall 166. The second wall 168, also referred to as a side wall, extends to an edge 172. The second member 164 also includes a first wall or main wall 178 having a second wall or side wall 180 extending around the first wall 178. The side wall 180 can extend to an edge 184. Generally, each side wall 168, 180 extends substantially perpendicular to the respective main wall or first wall 166, 178 at the respective outer perimeters 170, 182.

[0026] Generally, the first member 160 having the first side wall or the first outer peripheral wall 168 is formed to have an internal dimension slightly larger than the side wall 180 of the second member 164. Thus, the first member 160 can fit with the second member 164. In various embodiments, the first member 160 and the second member 164 are brazed to each other, and thus, a gap is provided between them for brazing. Generally, the gap or dimension between the internal dimension of the first side wall 168 and the external dimension of the second side wall 180 may be from about -0.025 mm to about 0.3 mm, and may further include from about 0.02 mm to about 0.13 mm.

[0027] The fuel rail 120 including the two members 160, 164 can be formed of a suitable material including a selected steel alloy including a stainless steel alloy. Various stainless steel alloys can include a stainless steel alloy having the designation of SAE J405 UNS S30403. However, it is understood that other suitable materials may be used to form the first member 160 and the second member 164. In various embodiments, forming the first member 160 and the second member 164 from a stainless steel alloy enables a selected brazing material and / or technique to ensure a strong and robust connection between the first member 160 and the second member 164.

[0028] The fuel rail 120 includes two members 160, 164 that form a main retaining chamber assembly 190 which forms or defines an internal volume 192. The retaining chamber 190 can be formed into a suitable shape, such as substantially peanut-shaped, bulbous, or lobe-shaped. In various embodiments, the first member 160 is a first lobe or lobe portion 194. Furthermore, the first member 160 may include a lobe portion 194 that is formed on or has a radius extending along a first axis 196. The first member 160 may include a second portion 198 extending along a second axis 200. The first member 160 may further include a third portion 204 extending along a third axis 206. Each of the axes 196, 200, and 206 does not have to be aligned and therefore may extend at angles to one another. Therefore, each of the parts 194, 198, and 204 can extend at angles to each other, rather than being aligned with each other.

[0029] Similarly, referring to Figure 5, the second member 164 may include a similar portion. Thus, the second member 164 may include a second lobe or lobed portion 210 that is formed on or extends along a radius formed along the first axis 214. The second member 164 may further include a second portion 216 extending along the second axis 218 and a third portion 220 extending along the third axis 224. In this case as well, each of the axes 214, 218, and 224 may generally not be aligned with each other, and therefore may extend at angles with each other.

[0030] Accordingly, in various embodiments, the chamber 190 includes or has a non-aligned or non-linear configuration. In various embodiments, non-adjacent or non-contiguous portions of the first member 160, such as the first portion 194 and the third portion 204, may be substantially parallel to each other, even if spaced apart or offset. In such cases, the first portion 210 and the third portion 220 of the second member 164 may also be parallel to each other, even if spaced apart or offset. Thus, it is understood that the first member 160 is formed substantially symmetrically with respect to the second member 164, at least in external or exterior shape. This allows the first member 164 to fit with the second member 164 with small or tight tolerances, as described above.

[0031] The first member 160, including the first main wall 166, may be flat or planar across a surface area including an external surface area 166a and an internal surface area 166b. It should be understood that the main wall 166 may include non-planar portions such as discontinuous or curved portions 166c. Substantial or large portions of the wall 166 are substantially planar or flat. It should be further understood that the wall 166 may be substantially planar within a selected range or tolerance, the range or tolerance including a maximum height or distance from a lowest point of about 1 millimeter (mm), further including about 0.5 mm, and further including about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm. Thus, the planar portions of the wall 166 may have peaks and values ​​with a maximum height of about 0.5 mm and are therefore substantially flat or planar. The planar portions of the wall 166 may form at least about 98% of the total area of ​​the wall 166, which includes at least about 90% and at least about 40%.

[0032] The first member 160 may include substantially radial or curved transitions between the wall 166 and the side wall 168, and on the outer perimeter 170 between each region or section 194, 198 and 204. The second member 164 may also include curved or radial edges or transitions between various sections or parts, such as between the peripheral section 182 and sections 210, 216 and 224. The radial or curved sections may minimize or eliminate points of force accumulation or focus. As discussed herein, the fuel rail 120 can form a fuel containment region or volume before being injected into the manifold 84. The fuel in the fuel rail can be operated at nominal absolute pressures or mean absolute pressures ranging from about 300 kilopascals (kPa) (about 3 bar) to about 500 kPa (about 5 bar) (including about 400 kPa (about 4 bar)). During the injection cycle, for example, when one or more injectors 100, 102 are operated to inject fuel into the manifold 84, changes in the pressure (e.g., pulsating pressure) within the internal volume 192 of the fuel rail 120 can cause changes in the force applied to members 160, 164. The curved region can substantially eliminate or minimize the local force applied to members 160, 164.

[0033] The lobe portion 194 of the first member 160 may include a curved or rounded edge 194a having a radius 194b that is larger than the outer dimension or transverse dimension 198a of the adjacent portion 198. Thus, the lobe region 194 may appear generally bulbous or extended relative to the adjacent section 198. The second member 164 also includes a generally lobe-shaped or bulbous portion 210 having a radius 210a that is generally larger than the transverse dimension or outer dimension 216a of the adjacent section 216. Thus, the lobe portion 210 also has generally bulbous or extended dimensions relative to the adjacent region 216.

[0034] The second member 164 further includes non-flat or various raised wall portions defined by the main wall 178. For example, the first portion 210 includes a wall portion 240 raised relative to the adjacent portion 216. The third portion 220 includes a wall 244 raised relative to the adjacent portion 216. Thus, portion 216 generally includes or can form a lower valley region between the two portions 210 and 220. The bracket or mounting member 138 generally includes a central region or portion 138a fixed to the second portion or intermediate portion 216 of the second member 164. The bracket 138 can be fixed to the second member 164 by any suitable method such as welding, brazing, adhesive, or mechanical fasteners.

[0035] As described above, the bracket 138 forms or defines two mounting holes or through-holes 132 and 134. The through-holes 132, 134 have appropriate dimensions, such as a diameter for passing fasteners 128, 130, as described above. Various spacers or raised portions 248 can be fixed near or adjacent to each of one or more through-holes 132, 134 to ensure selected fastening of fasteners 128, 130 to the manifold 84. The bracket 138 may include offset portions, such as offset legs or arms 252, to engage with or hold selected portions, such as conduits 258. Conduits 258 can be inlets, such as fuel inlets from fuel tanks 50 to volume 192. Through the inlets, fuel is supplied to volume 192 of fuel rails 120 at a selected pressure.

[0036] The inlet 258 can be fixed to the fuel rail 120 by a selected method, such as fixing the second member 164 to the side wall 184. In various embodiments, a nipple or through-hole region 262 may be formed by and through the side wall 184. The inlet conduit 258 is fixed to the chamber 190 by the nipple 262, etc., by welding, adhesive, brazing, etc. The nipple 262 can be formed by punching out the volume 192 from an internal region of the second member 164 through the side wall 184. Thus, the nipple 262 can be formed before the first member 160 is assembled to the second member 164. The nipple 262 provides additional support and structure for the inlet 258, increasing the rigidity and lifespan of the connection of the inlet conduit 258 to the fuel rail chamber 120.

[0037] The second member 164 further includes or defines a first port 270 through the main wall or the first wall 178 and the first region 210. The first port 270 is also called a fuel or rail port. A first injector cup 274 is fitted into the port 270 and may include an internal rail portion 276 and an external rail portion 278. The external rail portion 278 forms an injector cup and may include one or more contact walls or stop walls 280 that engage with one or more of the respective injectors 100, 102. The injector cup 274 is fixed to the second member 164 by a suitable fastening mechanism such as welding, adhesive, or brazing. Thus, an injector such as injector 100 can be held in a selected position, such as a selected rotational position, relative to the fuel rail 120 after the fuel rail 120 has been assembled to the manifold 84. In other words, the injector cup 274 can engage and / or capture the injectors 100 / 102.

[0038] Port 270 is formed around the center or portal axis 284, penetrating the first portion 210 or the portal wall. The axis 284 is generally formed by at least a portion of the first portion 210, passes through a plane 286 defined by it, or is perpendicular to it. The axis 284 and the plane 286 may generally be formed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis, such as an axis defined or formed by the edge 172 of the first member 160. The center of the second member or the second portion 216 may form or define a plane 288 that also forms an angle with respect to the plane 286.

[0039] The third region 220 may also form or define a second portal 290 in the portal wall of the third region. The second portal 290 is also called a fuel portal or rail portal. The second portal 290 may also be formed around a portal axis 294 which is substantially perpendicular to a plane 296 formed or defined by at least a portion of the third region 220.

[0040] Plane 286 may also generally form a portal angle that is obtuse to plane 288 of the second region 216, rather than parallel to it. Planes 286 and 288 may intersect at an angle outside the second region 216. Plane 286 may also be unaligned and form a portal angle that is acute to plane 286 of the first region 210. Planes 286 and 296 do not have to intersect at an angle in either of the portions 210 and 220. The axes 284 and 294 of the respective ports 270 and 290 can generally be formed to align with the respective longitudinal axes 100a and 102a of the respective injectors 100 and 102. Thus, the injectors 100 and 102 can be placed within the respective ports 270 and 290.

[0041] Therefore, the fuel rail 120 may have various nonlinear, asymmetric, or misaligned portions or sections, as described above. For example, the first section 190 of the first member and the third section 204 of the first member 160 do not have to be aligned or parallel to each other. However, in various embodiments, the first section 194 and the third section 204 may not be aligned, may be parallel and offset, or may be spaced apart. The matching section of the second member 164 may be formed to match the first member 160 and the second member 164 in a similar or identical configuration to that of the first member 160. Therefore, the fuel rail 120 does not have to be formed to extend along a single longitudinal axis, as described above. The fuel rail 120 has misaligned portions, but does not have to have an outer surface with a repeating or continuous pattern. The fuel rail 120 may have only the aforementioned parts, such as the lobe portion 194, the second and third sections 198 and 204 of the first member 160, and the respective parts of the second member 164. However, as described above, the fuel rail 120 is formed to have a precise tolerance with respect to the adjacent parts of the engine 40, while having an outer surface with a relatively large internal volume 192.

[0042] The second injector cup 300 is fitted into the second portal 290. The second injector cup 300, like the first injector cup 274, includes an external or injector engaging cup portion 302 and an internal portion 304. The second injector cup 300 may also include a stop wall or engaging wall 308 for engaging with one of the injectors 100, 102, respectively. Thus, the injector cups 274, 300 can rotatably secure each of the injectors 100, 102 to the fuel rail 120.

[0043] As described above, the fuel rail 120, including the first member 160 and the second member 164, may be formed from a selected material, including the stainless steel alloy selected as described above. The bracket 138 and the inlet 258 may also be formed from the same material as the first member 160 and the second member 164. In various embodiments, each of the respective parts may be formed from a different material. Also, each part can be formed as appropriate. In various embodiments, the first member 160 and the second member 164 may be punched out from appropriately sized blanks of the selected material. The first and second members 160 and 164 may be punched out from blanks or stock material having a thickness of about 0.7 mm to about 1.0 mm, including about 0.84 mm to about 0.94 mm. In various embodiments, the stock material can be selected from standard ASTM 20 gauge stainless steel.

[0044] If the fuel rail 120 is formed from multiple individual parts, they may be assembled or formed together in an appropriate manner. For example, the injector cups 274 and 300 may be brazed to the ports 270 and 290 in their respective parts 210 and 220 in an appropriate manner. Then, the first member 160 can be brazed to the second member 164. The inlet 258 may also be brazed to the nipple 262. Thus, the capacity of the fuel rail 120 is approximately 28,860 mm³. 3 Including, approximately 10,000 mm 3 ~Approximately 50,000 mm 3 It can be done this way.

[0045] Bracket 138 is also brazed to the second member 164 and the inlet 258. Thus, bracket 138 supports the inlet relative to the first member 160 and the second member 164. Bracket 138, including through holes 132, 134, also allows the fuel rail 120 to be fixed to the manifold 84 and supports the inlet 258 relative to the chamber assembly 190 of the manifold 84 and the first and second members 160, 164. Once the fuel rail 120 is fixed to the manifold 84, the injectors 100, 102 are also fixed rotatably to the manifold 84 and the fuel rail 120 by engaging them with their respective injector cups 274, 300. As illustrated, referring to Figures 2 and 5, the bracket 138 allows the fuel rail 120 to be mounted at a point or line substantially between ports 270 and 290, roughly crossing an axis such as the axis 200 of the fuel rail 120.

[0046] As described above, the fuel system of engine 40 is generally capable of supplying fuel to manifold 84 at a selected pressure. First, the fuel pump 125 can pressurize fuel from tank 50 to line 124 at a selected operating pressure, which is approximately 400 kPa in absolute pressure. Injectors 100, 102 inject fuel from fuel rail 120 at selected times and speeds based on the operation of engine 40 and selected inputs from the ECM or other appropriate modules. The injection can cause the pressure in fuel rail 120, which is approximately 400 kPa, to fluctuate.

[0047] The fuel rail 120, which includes a substantially flat main wall 166, can dampen or reduce the forces acting on or within the fuel rail 120 by injecting fuel into the manifold 84 via injectors 100, 102, having substantially flat inner and outer surfaces 166a, 166b, respectively. Furthermore, the volume of the fuel rail 120 can also act to help reduce or lessen the forces on or within the fuel rail 120.

[0048] The motorcycle 10 includes a fuel system such that it includes a fuel pump 125, a supply line 124, and a fuel rail 120. The fuel system, including the supply line 124 and the fuel rail 120, is pressurized and can operate at an operating pressure of generally about 400 kPa in absolute pressure. However, the pressure may vary, and for example, pulsating pressure may be present before and after injection. However, the pressure trace in the fuel rail 120 (i.e., pressure change over time) is about 675 kPa to about 350 kPa, which can further include about 650 kPa to about 360 kPa, and further include about 675 kPa to about 342 kPa. Generally, the pressure in the fuel rail 120 can cause selected fluctuations (i.e., high or low) in the pressure of the operating fuel system during operation of the engine 40 in a selected steady state. The steady state of the engine 40 may include any given crank angle of the engine. The selected pressure fluctuations can have a maximum fluctuation of approximately 100 kPa to approximately 200 kPa, including approximately 160 kPa from the pressure of the operating fuel system.

[0049] While not bound by theory, a fuel rail 120 including a first member 160 having a main wall 166 with a substantially flat inner surface 166b enables and / or assists in maintaining a substantially constant pressure trace (i.e., a selected pressure fluctuation) over various timings and operating ranges of the engine 40, and enables appropriate and selected calibration of the engine 40 for use in operation. As described above, a fuel rail 120 including a selected volume can enable, or alternatively assist, in maintaining a substantially constant pressure trace (i.e., a selected pressure fluctuation) over various timings and operating ranges of the engine 40, and enable appropriate and selected calibration of the engine 40 for use in operation. Thus, the fuel rail 120 is configured to maintain a pressure trace having a maximum pulsating pressure or selected pressure fluctuation of about 50% or less of the operating pressure or working pressure. The selected constant pressure trace can be maintained by the fuel rail 120 alone without additional dampers. In various embodiments, only the fuel rail 120 (including a selected volume of the main wall 166 and / or the second member 164 and / or the main wall 178 having a substantially flat inner surface 166b) allows for selected pressure fluctuations. This can also reduce the number of connections required to achieve the selected pressure trace.

[0050] The foregoing description of embodiments is provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are substitutable where applicable and can be used in selected embodiments, even if not specifically illustrated or described. The same things can also be modified in any way. Such modifications should not be considered deviations from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

[0051] The exemplary embodiments are fully disclosed and provided so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the scope of the invention. Numerous specific details are described, including examples of specific components, apparatus, and methods, in order to fully understand the embodiments of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required, that the exemplary embodiments may be carried out in many different forms, and that they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[0052] The terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the use of any particular exemplary embodiment. Where used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless otherwise explicitly stated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motorcycle in various embodiments. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows partially exploded views of engines in various embodiments. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows exploded views of engines in various embodiments. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of a fuel containment chamber according to various embodiments. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a bottom view of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fuel containment chamber according to various embodiments. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an internal view of the second component of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an internal view of the first component of a fuel storage chamber according to various embodiments.

Claims

1. It is a vehicle assembly, The system comprises a frame assembly, at least one wheel assembly rotatably mounted to the frame assembly to support the frame assembly, and an engine supported by the frame assembly and configured to drive at least one wheel, The engine comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, an intake port, a manifold connected to both the first and second cylinders and having walls, configured to allow at least some air to flow from the intake port to the first and second cylinders, and a fuel rail having an outer surface extending approximately along the axis of the fuel rail from a first end to a second end, the outer surface defining a non-repeating shape, and containing fuel at a selected pressure before injection into the manifold. The fuel rail is mounted between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The fuel rail has an outer surface formed by a first shell member having a first shell outer surface and a second shell member having a second shell outer surface, The first shell member and the second shell member are, First robe section, The second lobe portion, and Having adjacent regions connecting the first lobe portion and the second lobe portion, The first lobe portion and the second lobe portion extend to the adjacent region. Vehicle assembly.

2. The first shell member is (i) A first wall having an outer circumference and a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are not aligned, and (ii) Having a second wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the first wall on the outer circumference, the first wall includes the non-repeating shape, The second shell member described above is (i) A third wall having an outer circumference and a third portion extending along a third axis and a fourth portion extending along a fourth axis, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are not aligned, and (ii) A fourth wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the third wall on the outer circumference, The first lobe portion is formed by the first shell member having a radius on the second axis, The second lobe portion is formed by the second shell member having a radius on the fourth axis. The vehicle assembly according to claim 1.

3. The first wall of the first shell member has a fifth portion that extends along the fifth axis, The first axis, the second axis, and the fifth axis are not aligned. The third wall of the second shell member has a sixth portion that extends along the sixth axis, The vehicle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the third shaft, the fourth shaft, and the sixth shaft are not aligned.

4. The fuel rail further comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. A first port, defined by a first portal wall portion, defined by the first portion of the third wall of the second shell member, A second port is defined by a second portal wall portion, which is defined by the third portion of the third wall of the second shell member, The first portal wall defines a first plane, The second part defines the second plane, The second portal wall defines a third plane, The first plane and the third plane form an acute angle with the second plane. The vehicle assembly according to claim 2.

5. The first port is defined around the first portal axis, The aforementioned second port is defined around the second portal axis, The first portal axis extends perpendicular to the first plane, and the second portal axis extends perpendicular to the second plane. The vehicle assembly according to claim 4.

6. The vehicle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first wall is substantially planar.

7. The first wall of the first shell member has a fifth portion that extends along the fifth axis, The first wall is planar in the region of the first wall that extends along the second axis and the fifth axis. The vehicle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first wall is configured to maintain the selected pressure in the fuel rail while the engine is running.

8. The first cylinder includes a first cylinder head and a first cylinder port, The vehicle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the manifold is connected to the first cylinder head so that air and fuel flow into the first cylinder.

9. The engine further comprises the second cylinder including a second cylinder head and a second cylinder port, The manifold is connected to both the first cylinder head and the second cylinder head so that air and fuel can flow into the first cylinder and the second cylinder, respectively. The vehicle assembly according to claim 8, wherein the manifold includes a first mounting bore and a second mounting bore.

10. The fuel rail further comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The second shell member comprises a first port defined by a first portal wall portion defined by the first portion of the third wall of the second shell member, a second port defined by a second portal wall portion defined by the third portion of the third wall of the second shell member, and a mounting bracket fixed to the bracket wall portion of the third wall of the second shell member. The first part defines a first plane, the second part defines a second plane, and the third part defines a third plane. The first plane and the third plane form an acute angle with the second plane. The vehicle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the bracket wall portion is substantially planar.

11. It is a vehicle assembly, The first cylinder and The second cylinder and Air intake and An engine comprising a manifold having walls and configured such that at least some air flows from the intake port to the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and, It features a fuel rail that holds fuel at a selected pressure before injection, The fuel rail comprises a first shell member, a second shell member, a first lobe, and a second lobe. The first shell member has a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are not aligned. The second shell member has a third portion extending along a third axis and a fourth portion extending along a fourth axis, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are not aligned. The first lobe extends toward the adjacent region and is formed by a first lobe portion having a first radius at the first end of the fuel rail, The second lobe extends toward the adjacent region and is formed by a second lobe portion having a second radius near the second end of the fuel rail, wherein the first radius and the second radius are the same or different. The adjacent region intersects with the first lobe portion and the second lobe portion, The first lobe portion is formed by the first shell member on the second axis, The second lobe portion is formed by the second shell member on the fourth axis, Furthermore, a first portal wall portion having a first port that generally passes through the second lobe portion, It comprises a second portal wall having a second port, The first portal wall defines a first plane, The second portal wall defines a second plane, The first plane and the second plane intersect at an acute portal plane angle, The fuel rail is attached to the manifold between the first cylinder and the second cylinder in the vehicle assembly.

12. The first shell member is (i) A first wall having an outer perimeter, and (ii) A second wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the first wall on the outer periphery, It has, The second shell member described above is (i) A third wall having an outer perimeter, and (ii) Having a fourth wall that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third wall on the outer circumference, The second wall of the first shell member is sized to fit into the fourth wall of the second shell member. The first wall of the first shell member has a fifth portion that extends along the fifth axis, The first axis, the second axis, and the fifth axis are not aligned. The third wall of the second shell member has a sixth portion that extends along the sixth axis, The vehicle assembly according to claim 11, wherein the third shaft, the fourth shaft, and the sixth shaft are not aligned.

13. The first port is defined around the first portal axis, The second port is defined around the second portal axis, The vehicle assembly according to claim 12.

14. Furthermore, it comprises a frame assembly and at least one wheel assembly rotatably attached to the frame assembly to support the frame assembly, The engine is supported by the frame assembly and is configured to drive at least one wheel. The vehicle assembly according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the volumes of the first wall or the fuel rail is configured to maintain the pressure within a selected range.

15. The fuel rail further comprises a mounting bracket fixed to the bracket wall portion of the third wall of the second shell member, The bracket wall portion is substantially planar, The vehicle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fuel rail is attached to the manifold with respect to the first cylinder and the second cylinder by a first fixing member and a second fixing member via the mounting bracket.

16. A method for forming a fuel rail for a vehicle, The process includes the step of forming a fuel containment chamber having an outer surface that extends approximately along the axis of the fuel rail from a first end to a second end, wherein the outer surface has a non-repeating shape and contains fuel at a selected pressure before injection into the manifold. The step of forming the fuel containment chamber includes the steps of forming a first shell member, forming a second shell member, forming a first lobe, and forming a second lobe. The first shell member has a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are not aligned. The second shell member has a third portion extending along a third axis and a fourth portion extending along a fourth axis, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are not aligned. The first lobe extends to the adjacent region, and the first lobe is formed by the first shell member. The second lobe extends to the adjacent region, and the second lobe is formed by the second shell member. The adjacent region intersects the first lobe and the second lobe, The method includes the step of configuring the fuel storage chamber of the fuel rail to be held in place by a manifold between a first cylinder and a second cylinder of an engine.

17. The first shell member is (i) A first wall having an outer perimeter, and (ii) A second wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the first wall on the outer circumference, wherein the first wall includes a non-repeating outer surface shape, The second shell member is, (i) A third wall having an outer perimeter, and (ii) A fourth wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the third wall on the outer circumference, The aforementioned method further, The steps include forming the first portal wall portion of the third wall of the second shell member, The steps include forming a first port in the first portal wall, The steps include forming the second portal wall portion of the third wall of the second shell member, The method further includes the step of forming a second port in the second portal wall, The first portal wall defines a first plane, The second portal wall defines a second plane, The first plane and the second plane form an acute angle with the separated plane of the separated portion of the second shell member. The method according to claim 16.

18. The steps include forming a bracket wall portion between the first portal wall portion and the second portal wall portion, which is substantially planar, The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of fixing a mounting bracket to the bracket wall portion of the third wall of the second shell member.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the fuel rail is fixed to the manifold by a first fixing member and a second fixing member that pass through the mounting bracket.

20. The steps include aligning the first port in the first portal wall with the first fuel injector attached to the manifold, The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of aligning the second port in the second portal wall with the second fuel injector attached to the manifold.

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