Fuel Tank Mounting for Straddle Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Straddle-type vehicles face limitations in fuel tank mounting due to interference between the fuel pipe and air cleaner, leading to restricted fuel tank positioning and increased ineffective fuel residue, which complicates the construction and reduces the air cleaner's volume.
Innovation Solution
The fuel pump is positioned centrally within the fuel tank, and the fuel tank is mounted on a lower central bottom surface, allowing for a fuel supply passage connection above the frame members, eliminating the need for an external pipeline and optimizing the air cleaner's volume by avoiding interference with the fuel pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air cleaner is mounted below the rear portion of the fuel tank, then the air cleaner can be positioned to optimize airflow, but the fuel tank mounting position is restricted to avoid interference with the fuel pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is repositioned from a conventional location to the central bottom surface of the fuel tank, utilizing the vertical dimension to resolve the spatial conflict between the fuel pipe and air cleaner. This dimensional reorganization allows the fuel pipe to extend downward without interfering with the air cleaner mounted below the rear portion of the fuel tank.
2Loss of substance
If the fuel pump is positioned to draw major part of fuel from the tank, then ineffective fuel residue is reduced, but the fuel tank shape and fuel pump layout are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is positioned on the central bottom surface of the fuel tank, utilizing the vertical dimension to access fuel from the lowest point of the tank. This positioning enables the fuel pump to draw the major part of fuel from the tank, minimizing ineffective fuel residue while maintaining flexibility in fuel tank shape design.
3Loss of substance
If an external pipe line is provided below the fuel tank to enable fuel supply from low location, then ineffective fuel residue is reduced, but the construction becomes complicated and air cleaner volume is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is integrated directly into the fuel tank structure by mounting it on the central bottom surface of the fuel tank. This merging of the fuel pump with the fuel tank eliminates the need for separate external piping systems below the fuel tank, simplifying the overall construction while enabling effective fuel drainage to reduce residue.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel pump is positioned centrally in the fuel tank, then freedom in mount position is increased and ineffective residue is reduced, but the fuel supply passage connection must be arranged in higher position
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply passage connection is arranged in a higher position than the fuel pump, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate the central positioning of the fuel pump. This vertical arrangement allows the fuel pump to be positioned centrally for optimal fuel drainage while the fuel supply passage connects from above, avoiding interference with the fuel pump and enabling flexible overall system design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a straddle-type vehicle (10) comprising a fuel tank (13), a seat (14) arranged rearwardly of the fuel tank (13), an air cleaner (41) arranged below a rear portion (13i) of the fuel tank (13), and a fuel pump (30) mounted to a mount seat (31) formed in a bottom plate (13k) of the fuel tank (13), wherein at least part of the fuel pump (30) is accommodated in the fuel tank (13), and wherein the mount seat (31) is provided on a portion (13h) of the bottom plate (13k) of the fuel tank (13), which is arranged lower than a portion (13i) of the fuel tank (13) positioned above the air cleaner (41).