Fluid handling – Systems – With pump
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-07-03
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
With pump
C123S509000, C123S514000, C280S835000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253790
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fuel tank assembly for a motorcycle, and a method of assembling the fuel tank assembly. More particularly, a fuel tank is described in which the fuel pump can reliably suck in fuel when the fuel level is low and when the fuel level fluctuates extensively.
2. Background Art
A configuration of a motorcycle fuel tank is known which includes a fuel pump at the bottom of the fuel tank, the pump serving to suck in fuel from the bottom of the tank. This arrangement is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei. 1-257686, entitled “Fuel Tank”. In FIGS. 1 through 3 and 5 of the related art, a pair of right and left main frames 14, 14 extend rearwardly from the rear end of a cylindrical steering shaft 12 of the body frame 10. A fuel tank 50 is placed on the main frames 14, has a protrusion 52 formed at the bottom thereof, and extends downwardly through the main frames 14. The protrusion 52 has an opening 64 on its bottom, through which a fuel pump 62 and a filter 73 are inserted into the fuel tank 50. The opening 64 is closed by a cover plate 66.
In the foregoing background art the filter 73 may be exposed to air if the fuel tank 50 houses a small amount of fuel, and if the fuel level fluctuates extensively due to acceleration deceleration or a change in posture of the motorcycle. This result is undesirable because when air is sucked in via the exposed filter 73, the fuel pump 62 rotates idly and cannot reliably suck fuel in.
In order to improve the suction performance of the fuel pump, the suction resistance of the filter may be reduced by using a large filter 73. However, the larger the filter 73, the larger the opening 64 must be in order to allow insertion of the filter into the tank. In order to maintain the rigidity of the fuel tank 50 with such a large filter, either a peripheral edge of the large opening 64 must be reinforced, or the fuel tank 50 must be thickened. These modifications are undesirable because they increase the weight and cost of manufacture of the fuel tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The fuel tank assembly of the present invention overcomes one or more of the disadvantages associated with conventional fuel tank assemblies.
The invention provides an apparatus and method of assembly that enable fuel to be reliably sucked in by a fuel pump even when the fuel tank houses a small amount of fuel, and further when the fuel level fluctuates extensively due to acceleration, deceleration or changing posture of a motorcycle.
The invention also provides an apparatus and method of assembly allowing the installation of a large fuel suction filter in a fuel tank having a small opening.
The invention further provides an apparatus and method of assembly allowing the use of a large fuel suction filter without reinforcement of a peripheral edge of the tank opening.
The invention additionally provides a fuel tank assembly of increased capacity.
In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, a motorcycle fuel tank assembly is provided having a fuel pump unit which is partially disposed in a cup having an open end, a fuel suction filter of the fuel pump unit is disposed within the cup, an opening having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cup is formed on a bottom surface of the fuel tank, a portion of the fuel pump unit is inserted into the fuel tank via the opening, and the cup is attached to the fuel tank, thus forming a fuel tank assembly. Portions of the fuel pump unit which may be inserted through the opening into the fuel tank include the fuel pump, a flow path filter, connecting hoses, etc.
In this configuration, when the fuel level in the tank fluctuates extensively due to acceleration, deceleration or changing attitude of the motorcycle, and while there is a small amount of fuel in the fuel tank, a peripheral edge of the small opening prevents fuel from flowing into the fuel tank from the cup. As a result, the fuel suction filter is not exposed to air and can therefore reliably suck fuel without drawing air.
Because the relatively large fuel suction filter is housed within the cup, and need not pass through the opening in the fuel tank during assembly, the opening for inserting the fuel pump into the fuel tank may have a diameter which is smaller than an inner diameter of the cup. Therefore, it is not necessary to reinforce the peripheral edge of the small opening. It is further not necessary to thicken the fuel tank.
Further scope and applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4354469 (1982-10-01), Sato
patent: 4653762 (1987-03-01), Nakamura et al.
patent: 4871041 (1989-10-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5988213 (1999-11-01), Yoshioka
patent: 6065452 (2000-05-01), Yoshioka
patent: 36 00 964 (1987-07-01), None
patent: 55-148958 (1980-11-01), None
patent: 1257686 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 2-28075 (1990-01-01), None
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Rivell John
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