WO2015152838A1

WO2015152838A1 - Canister mounting structure for a motorcycle

Info

Publication number: WO2015152838A1
Application number: PCT/TH2014/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tawatchai AYDOUNG; Athayuth TONGDEE
Original assignee: Honda Motor Company Limited
Priority date: 2014-03-31
Filing date: 2014-07-18
Publication date: 2015-10-08
Also published as: CN106163908B; TW201538379A; TWI540072B; CN106163908A

Abstract

This invention comprises a canister wherein an arrangement of the canister longitudinal axis is arranged in an obliquely upward-downward direction. This can make the width of the motorcycle body to be slimmed. Such an arrangement in the obliquely upward-downward direction, allows the stays projecting from the utility box to be joined with the holder at the upper part and below part separately. Such an arrangement efficiently reduces the canister oscillation. Further, the arrangement of the longitudinal axis of the canister in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction, together with the obliquely upward-downward and leftward-rightward direction result in a twisting direction to advantageously present the structure for shortening the width of the motorcycle body.

Description

CANISTER MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR A MOTORCYCLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a mounting arrangement for a canister that is placed below a utility box of a saddle-ride or straddle-ride type vehicle, particularly a small motorcycle such as a "cub" type motorcycle.

BACKGROUND ART

Various types of motorcycles provide a utility box storing a luggage below the motorcycle's seat in order to provide a predetermined amount of spatial volume in which items such as electrical parts can be conveniently stored while the motorcycle is ridden or parked. In addition, a canister to collect vaporized fuel from a fuel tank is usually communicably connected to the fuel tank of a motorcycle. Fuel which is collected by the canister is further fed to the engine by way of an intake system. Prior art describes a longitudinal arrangement of a canister wherein the arrangement is in a direction widthwise of a motorcycle body is disclosed. A recessed portion is formed below the utility box whereby the utility box is arranged below a seat of the motorcycle and the canister is supported by holding via a holder at said recessed portion. DISCLOSURE / DESCRIPTION

Technical Problem

In the canister arrangement detailed in Japanese patent publication JP 4890532, the arrangement of the canister is in a widthwise direction of the motorcycle body such that the motorcycle body is not able to be shorter than the canister length. In addition, the support structure of the canister is held with two stays projecting from the utility box and communicably connected by the holders such that it is at a position superior to the upper part of the canister. For this holding position, the lower part of the canister may be subjected to high oscillation. To maintain a space interval between the canister and the motorcycle body during the occurrence of the oscillation, will require the enlarging of the motorcycle body size. It is therefore desired to provide a canister arrangement for a motorcycle in which the canister longitudinal axis is arranged in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction, together with the obliquely upward-downward and leftward-rightward direction in order to efficiently reduce the canister oscillation and to shorten the width of the motorcycle body.

Technical Solution

This invention according to Claim 1 is a canister mounting arrangement for a motorcycle having a body and a motorcycle seat with the canister mounting arrangement comprising a utility box arranged below the motorcycle seat. The utility box has two stays and defines a recessed portion wherefrom the two stays extends and a canister having two holders attached thereto for connecting with the two stays at two joining positions. The longitudinal axis of the canister is arranged widthwise to the body of the motorcycle, characterized in that: the longitudinal axis of the canister is inclined in an obliquely upward-downward direction, and one of the two joining positions being at an upper part with the other being at the lower part of the canister along its longitudinal axis.

This invention according to Claim 2 has, in the canister arrangement of Claim 1, a characteristic in that the canister is disposed at the recessed portion which is defined at a lower-rear part of the utility box, the canister being arranged between an upper and a lower portion of a backward uplifting left and a right seat frame as viewed in a side view of the upper and lower parts of the recessed portion.

This invention according to claim 3 has, in the canister arrangement of claim 2, a characteristic in that the horizontal end-parts of the canister is arranged in an interval between the left and right seat frames in a widthwise direction as viewed in a top view of the canister arrangement.

This invention according to claim 4 has, in the canister arrangement according to claim 2, a characteristic in that the canister is arranged with its longitudinal axis being in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction, wherein the longitudinal axis of the canister is arranged in obliquely frontward-rearward and upward-downward directions and projecting between the rearward-uplifting direction of the upper and lower seat frames when viewed in a side view of the canister mounting arrangement.

This invention according to claim 5 has, in the canister arrangement according to claim 2, a characteristic in that the inside of the utility box is shaped for forming partitions that define a battery storage arranged above the recessed portion and a harness and electric parts storage arranged in front of the recessed portion, wherein the height of the harness storage is approximate to the depth of the formed recessed portion, and the battery storage and the harness and electric parts storage are covered by a cover.

This invention according to claim 6 has, in the canister arrangement according to claim 4, a characteristic in that the utility box further comprises a second recessed portion formed at its rear portion, wherein the frontal-end of the canister is in a position of oblique frontward-rearward direction close to the second recessed portion as viewed in a right- side view of the canister mounting arrangement.

This invention according to claim 7 has, in the canister arrangement according to claim 5, a characteristic in that the upper portion of the left and the right seat frame overlap with the storage portion of the electric parts, harness and battery as viewed in a side view of the canister arrangement.

Advantageous Effects

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 1, due to the canister longitudinal axis being arranged in the obliquely upward-downward direction, it is able to shorten the width of the motorcycle body. Additionally, the two stays at the two joining positions, at the upper and lower parts of the canister's longitudinal axis, make it possible to reduce the canister oscillation, provide good stiffness and reduce clearance around the canister. The width of the motorcycle body is further able to be slimmed. According to the invention disclosed in Claim 2, the canister is arranged to provide a small clearance between the parts around and within the vicinity of the canister. It is also possible to arrange the canister between the upper and lower portions of left and right seat frames so that the canister may be protected by these seat frames.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 3, the canister is arranged so that it is possible to reduce the width between the left and right seat frames to the smallest possible in order to make the shape of the motorcycle body to be slimmed widthwise.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 4, the canister is substantially centered between the space of the upper and lower seat frame parts in an obliquely backward- uplifting direction so that it is possible to protect the canister by the seat rail, and additionally to maintain a clear space between the canister and the seat frames.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 5, both the bottom face of the electric parts and the battery in the utility box are designed to have the same level so as to enable the electric parts and battery to be easily arranged and utilized. The depth of the recessed portion is also formed to provide a space for the harness storage, resulting in the efficient utilization of space in the utility box.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 6, the second recessed portion of the utility box makes it possible to provide sufficient clearance for the other parts to be arranged around the vicinity of the canister in the narrow space provided. The second recessed portion additionally allows the canister to be arranged closer to the utility box in such a way that it is possible to create a compact structure arrangement for the aforementioned parts.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 7, the upper part of the seat rail is able to protect the battery and electric parts which are arranged in the utility box.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a representative small motorcycle showing a canister mounting structure arranged below a motorcycle seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a rear side view showing a canister arrangement at a lower-rear part of a utility box wherein the longitudinal axis of the canister is inclined at an obliquely upward- downward direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view along line A-A of FIG. 2 showing the canister attachment by way of a holder to the utility box and including the space arrangement of a battery, harness and electric parts storage in the inside of the utility box. FIG. 4R is a right side partial disassembled view showing portions of the small motorcycle of FIG. 1 , including the mounting and space arrangement of a canister in between an upper seat frame and a lower seat frame.

FIG. 4L is a left side partial disassembled view showing portions of the small motorcycle of FIG. 1, including the mounting and space arrangement of a utility box, a canister, a battery and electric parts.

FIG. 5 is a top side view showing portions of the small motorcycle of FIG. 1 with the motorcycle seat and the utility box removed, and including a canister arrangement in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction.

FIG. 6 is a left side partial cut-away view showing a canister attachment with a utility box by way of a stay and a holder, the utility box including a cover for covering the battery and the harness and electric parts storage portions.

FIG. 7R is a right side view showing a utility box having two stays and a canister having two holders attached thereto for connecting with the two stays at two joining positions.

FIG. 7L is a left side view showing a utility box having two stays and a canister having two holders attached thereto for connecting with the two stays at two joining positions. FIG. 8 is a rear side view showing the mounting arrangements of the utility box, including the canister hose clips and the canister stays positioned at the rear part of the utility box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of Example Embodiments

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 in general, the motorcycle 10 has a set of frame elements including a main or central frame member 20 and a pair of left and right seat frames 23a,b(R,L). The frame elements form the motorcycle's structural underpinnings for supporting or carrying the various motorcycle components. The motorcycle 10 includes an engine 30 that is hung at the main frame member 20 and directing its cylinder to a horizontal direction, beneath and forward of a seat 40. As indicated in FIGS. 1, 4L and 4R, the seat 40 can accordingly include a forward or rider portion, and a rearward or passenger portion. The motorcycle 10 also includes a starter motor 31 and a kick starter 32 by which the rider can automatically and manually start the engine 30, and a shift pedal 34 by which the rider can select and shift gears using their left foot.

The engine 30 includes a cylinder 36a, a crank case 38, and a crank shaft 39. The cylinder axis is forward and directed to the horizontal. A carburetor 41 and an air cleaner 42 are coupled to the engine's cylinder head 36b, in a manner which will be well understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. The crank shaft 39 translates the linear reciprocating piston motion produced within the engine's cylinder 36a into rotational motion that is delivered to a rear wheel 50 by way of a power transmission mechanism 52 (drive chain case). A muffler 63 is used for reducing the noise of the engine 30 when the motorcycle 10 is ridden by a rider. The motorcycle 10 further includes a front wheel 60 that is mounted on a front axle, which supports a front disk brake rotor 62. A pair of front forks 64 extends along the left and right outer sides of the front wheel 60, and each front fork 64 is coupled to a steering stem. The motorcycle 10 includes a pair of rear suspensions 77 which is coupled to the lower left and right seat frames 23b(L,R). The steering stem is coupled to a handlebar, which is further coupled to a handle 70 by which the rider can steer the motorcycle 10. A front fender 66 is disposed directly above the front wheel 60. Tires mounted on the front wheel 60 and the rear wheel 50 contact a surface such as a ground plane 2 along which the motorcycle 10 can travel as it is ridden. The motorcycle 10 additionally includes a main stand 65a that the rider can selectively pivot into a support position for supporting the motorcycle 10 in a left - right symmetric upright position; and a side stand 65b side located at the left side of the motorcycle 10, which the rider can selectively pivot into a support position for supporting the motorcycle 10 at a small leftward tilt.

The motorcycle 10 further includes an electrical system having at least a battery 44, a CDI (Capacity Discharge Ignition) unit 46a, an ignition coil 13, a Relay 46b, a regulator 17, spark plug(s) 21 and a high tension cable 22. FIG. 1 further shows a canister 11 mounted to a utility box 12 which is arranged below the motorcycle seat 40. The canister 11 is arranged below the utility box 12 in a space interval between a pair of lower frames 23b(L,R), and a pair of upper seat frames 23a(L,R) of the motorcycle 10. The canister 11 is further communicably connected to a fuel tank 43 for collecting vaporized fuel from the fuel tank 43. The fuel tank 43 is disposed below the passenger's seat portion behind the utility box 12 in a position superior to the canister 11 as best shown in FIGS. 4L and 4R. The fuel tank 43 may further be mounted by means of four mounting points 48a,b,c,d to the upper left and right seat frames 23a(L,R) respectively. As best shown in FIG. 7L, the canister hose 37b is held by two hose clips 35a,b on the left side of the utility box 12. The canister hose 37b includes a one-way valve 19 to prevent the fuel from flowing back to the carburetor 41. As shown in FIG. 4L, the canister hose 37a is connected to the fuel tank 43. A fuel feed hose 53 is also shown leading from the fuel tank 43 to the carburetor 41. The fuel feed hose 53 includes a fuel filter 49 to provide clean fuel to the carburetor 41.

FIG. 2 is a rear side view showing a canister 11 arrangement at a lower-rear part of the utility box 12 wherein the longitudinal axis 80 of the canister 11 is inclined at an obliquely upward-downward direction 82 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The longitudinal axis 80 of the canister 11 is also arranged widthwise to the body of the motorcycle 10 as best illustrated in FIG. 5. Due to the longitudinal axis forward-rearward direction 84, the present invention is able to shorten the width of the motorcycle 10 body. Additionally, the two stays 15a,b shown at the two joining positions i.e. at the upper and lower parts of the canister's longitudinal axis 80 advantageously make it possible to reduce oscillation of the canister 11, provide good stiffness and reduce clearance around the canister 11. This is in part due to the upper stay 15a being located on the right side and the lower stay 15b being located on the left side to bind the canister 11 securely. Such an arrangement further makes it possible for the width of the motorcycle body to be slimmed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the utility box includes recess portions 55a,b on both its upper-rear sides to provide space for the lower left and right seat frames 23b(L,R) to pass through respectively. As shown in FIGS. 4(L,R), a canister hose 37a is in fluid communication with the fuel tank 43 and a second canister hose 37b is in fluid communication with the carburetor 41. FIG. 8 further shows a pair of hose clips 35a,b and a hose guide 25a located at the left side portion of the utility box 12 for holding the canister hoses 37a,b in place against a hose positioning wall 25 of the utility box 12. FIG. 3 is a cut-away view along line A-A of FIG. 2 showing the canister 11 attached by way of a holder 16a,b to the utility box 12 and including the arrangement of a battery, harness and electric parts storage 100 in the inside of the utility box 12. The upper part of the canister 11 is arranged at the recessed portion 86 and the right-lower part of the canister 11 is facing the second recessed portion 88. The second recessed portion 88 is formed at a right-rear portion of the utility box 12 which makes it possible to provide sufficient clearance for the other parts to be arranged around the vicinity of the canister 11 in the narrow space provided (as shown in FIG. 4L). The second recessed portion 88 additionally allows the canister 11 to be arranged closer to the utility box 12 in such a way that it is possible to create a compact arrangement structure for the canister 11 .

FIG. 4R is a right side partial disassembled view showing portions of the small motorcycle 10 of FIG. 1, including the mounting and space arrangement of the canister 11 at the recessed portion 86 defined at a lower-rear part of the utility box 12. FIG. 4L is a left side partial view showing portions of the small motorcycle 10 of FIG. 1, including the mounting and space arrangement of the utility box 12, the canister 11, a battery 44 and electric parts 46. Referring to FIG 5, the electric parts are a CDI (Capacity Discharge Ignition) unit 46a and a Relay 46b. Both the longitudinal axes 98, 99 of the CDI unit 46a and Relay 46b are parallel to the canister axis 80 as shown from the top view of FIG. 5. Each of the CDI unit 46a and the Relay 46b is further held by a corresponding suspension rubber 51a,b mounted in the utility box 12. The canister arrangement between the pair of upper portion 23a(R,L) and the pair of lower portion 23b,(R,L) of the backward uplifting left seat frame and right seat frame as shown in FIGS. 4(R,L) makes it possible for the canister 11 to be protected. Significantly, the upper portion 23a(L,R) of the seat frame overlaps the electric parts 46 and battery 44 as shown in the side view of FIG. 4(R,L). In this way, it is possible to protect them effectively.

FIG. 5 is a top side view showing portions of the small motorcycle 10 of FIG. 1 with the motorcycle seat and the utility box removed. The canister 11 arrangement is in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction 84. The horizontal end-parts of the canister 11 is arranged in a space interval between the left and right seat frames 23a,b(R,L) in a widthwise direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the utility box 12 can be mounted via three mounting points 33a,b,c located at its top portion to the main frame 20 and left and right seat frames 23a(L,R) respectively. The arrangement as shown in FIGS. 4(L,R) and 5, illustrates how the left and the right seat frames 23a,b(R,L) overlap with the storage portion of the electric parts 46, harness 45 and battery 44, and is able to protect the battery 44 and electric parts 46 which are arranged in the utility box 12. The arrangement as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 enables the canister 11 to (a) be positioned with its longitudinal axis 80 being in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction 84 and in an obliquely upward-downward direction 82; (b) project between the rearward-uplifting direction of the upper and lower seat frames 23a,b(L,R), and (c) be arranged between the space of the left and right seat frames 23a,b(L,R). The canister 11 is able to maintain a clear space from the seat frame 23a,b(L,R). The arrangement makes it possible to reduce the width between the left and right seat frames 23a,b(L,R), in the smallest possible way in order to make the width of the motorcycle body to be slimmed. As shown in FIGS. 4L and 6, the inside of the utility box 12 is shaped to form partitions that define a battery storage arranged above the recessed portion 86 and a harness 45 and electric parts 46 storage arranged in front of the recessed portion 86, wherein the height of the harness storage is approximate to the depth of the formed recessed portion 86. The battery storage and the harness and electric parts storage are covered by a cover 26 which is also a bottom surface for the luggage. A parting line 94 indicates the border between the harness storage and the electric storage. The electric storage is above the harness storage and the parting line 94 is the height for mounting of the CDI unit 46a and Relay 46b. The utility box 12 includes stays insertable into holes 78 of suspension rubbers 51a,b to support the CDI 46a and Relay 46b. The stays further extend from the bottom surface of the utility box 12. The mounting height is at the same level as the mounting surface for the battery storage. The length of the stay represents the harness storage space below the electric storage. The mounting position (height) of electric parts 46 and battery 44 is designed to have the same level to enable the electric parts 46 and battery 44 to be easily assembled. The depth of the recessed portion 86 is also formed to provide a space for the harness storage, resulting in the efficient utilization of space in the utility box 12.

FIGS. 7(R,L) is a right and left side view showing the utility box 12 having two stays 15a,b and a canister 11 having two holders 16a,b attached thereto for connecting with the two stays 15a,b at two joining positions. As shown in FIG. 7L, the top-right part of the canister 11 has a holder 16a wherein the stay 15a of the utility box 12 is insertable into its hollow slot 27a (FIG. 2). Likewise, the lower-left part of the canister 11 has a holder 16b wherein another stay 15b is insertable into its hollow slot 27b. This arrangement makes it possible to arrange the canister 11 simultaneously with assembling of the utility box 12. That is, it is possible to shorten the assembling time on a production line thus enhancing the production efficiency of the motorcycle 10. In addition, the binding at the upper and lower sides of the canister 12 ensures a strong holding and reduces the oscillation of the canister 12.

Aspects of particular embodiments of the present disclosure address at least one aspect, problem, limitation, and/or disadvantage associated with existing electrical accessory socket mounting structures for small motorcycles such as cub motorcycles. While features, aspects, and/or advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the disclosure, other embodiments may also exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that several of the above-disclosed structures, components, or alternatives thereof, can be desirably combined into alternative structures, components, and/or applications. In addition, various modifications, alterations, and/or improvements may be made to various embodiments that are disclosed by a person of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A canister mounting arrangement for a motorcycle having a body and a motorcycle seat, the canister mounting arrangement comprising:

a utility box arranged below the motorcycle seat, the utility box having two stays and defining a recessed portion wherefrom the two stays extends; and

a canister having two holders attached thereto for connecting with the two stays at two joining positions, the longitudinal axis of the canister being arranged width wise to the body of the motorcycle,

characterized in that:

the longitudinal axis of the canister is inclined in an obliquely upward-downward direction, and one of the two joining positions being at an upper part with the other being at the lower part of the canister along its longitudinal axis.

2. The canister mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said canister is disposed at the recessed portion which is defined at a lower-rear part of said utility box, said canister being arranged between an upper and a lower portion of a backward uplifting left and a right seat frame as viewed in a side view of the upper and lower parts of the recessed portion.

3. The canister mounting arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal end-parts of said canister is arranged in an interval between said left and right seat frames in a widthwise direction as viewed in a top view of the canister arrangement.

4. The canister mounting arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said canister is arranged with its longitudinal axis being in an obliquely frontward-rearward direction, wherein said longitudinal axis of the canister is arranged in an obliquely frontward-rearward and upward-downward directions and projecting between the rearward-uplifting direction of the upper and lower seat frames when viewed in a side view of the canister mounting arrangement.

5. The canister mounting arrangement according to claim 2, the inside of said utility box is shaped for forming partitions that define a battery storage arranged above the recessed portion and a harness and electric parts storage arranged in front of the recessed portion, wherein the height of the harness storage is approximate to the depth of the formed recessed portion, and the battery storage and the harness and electric parts storage are covered by a cover.

6. The canister mounting arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said utility box further comprises a second recessed portion formed at its rear portion, wherein the frontal-end of said canister is in a position of oblique frontward-rearward direction close to the second recessed portion as viewed in a right-side view of the canister mounting arrangement.

7. The canister arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said upper portion of the left and said right seat frame overlap with said storage portion of said electric parts, harness and battery as viewed in a side view of the canister arrangement.