Patent Description:
In the related art, efforts aiming at reduction of impacts on or relaxation of climate change have been continuing, and toward the realization of this purpose, research and development regarding reduction of emission amount of carbon dioxide has been made.

For example, a configuration in <CIT> includes: an injector; a fuel joint (fuel chamber portion) that supplies fuel to a fuel supply port of the injector and holds the injector; and a heater device that is attached to the fuel joint and includes a heater portion having a rod shape for heating the fuel in the fuel joint. The injector and the heater portion are arranged such that axis lines are parallel and coaxial to each other. Further <CIT> shows another configuration of a fuel supply apparatus in a motorcycle.

In order to reduce the emission amount of carbon dioxide, when the related art described above is applied as is to a small apparatus such as a motorcycle, there is a problem that since a distance from a throttle body to an engine is short, it is difficult to ensure a clearance between the throttle body and a temperature rise part including the heater device or the like.

An aspect of the present invention aims at, in a fuel supply apparatus in which a temperature rise part that heats fuel continues to an injector, easily ensuring a clearance between the temperature rise part and a throttle body. The aspect of the present invention contributes to reduction of impacts on or relaxation of climate change.

A fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention includes the features of the attached claim <NUM>.

According to this configuration, by arranging the first center axis line along the first longitudinal direction in the injector to be inclined relative to the bore center axis line of the throttle body and be separated from the bore center axis line toward the upstream side of the intake passage and arranging the second center axis line along the second longitudinal direction in the temperature rise part to be inclined relative to the first center axis line of the injector and be further separated from the bore center axis line toward the upstream side of the intake passage, the temperature rise part that continues to the upstream side of the injector can be arranged to be separated as far as possible from the throttle body in a radial direction of the throttle body. Therefore, even in a configuration in which the temperature rise part is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the injector, it is possible to easily ensure a clearance between the temperature rise part and the throttle body and enhance the degree of freedom of arrangement of a component that is provided around the throttle body.

A second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect described above, wherein the temperature rise part (<NUM>) may include a heater device (<NUM>) that heats the fuel accumulated in the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>), and the heater device (<NUM>) may include: a main body portion (<NUM>) that is connected to the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) at an opposite side of the injector (<NUM>) in the second longitudinal direction; and a heater portion (<NUM>) that extends from the main body portion (<NUM>) into the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) and is arranged along the second longitudinal direction.

According to this configuration, the heater portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the fuel chamber portion, and thereby, it is possible to efficiently heat the fuel in the fuel chamber portion. The fuel chamber portion and the heater device that continue to the upstream side of the injector can be arranged to be separated as far as possible from the throttle body in a radial direction of the throttle body. Therefore, even in a configuration in which the fuel chamber portion and the heater device are arranged to continue in the longitudinal direction of the injector, it is possible to easily ensure a clearance between the fuel chamber portion and the heater device, and the throttle body and enhance the degree of freedom of arrangement of a component that is provided around the throttle body.

A third aspect of the present invention is the second aspect described above, wherein the throttle body (<NUM>) may include: a butterfly valve (33d) that opens and closes the intake passage (TA), and the heater device (<NUM>) may be arranged so as to overlap the throttle body (<NUM>) when seen from an orthogonal direction (33v) that is orthogonal to both of a rotation center axis line (33d1) of the butterfly valve (33d) and the bore center axis line (33c).

According to this configuration, a dead space easily occurs around the butterfly valve, and by using an arrangement in which the heater device and the throttle body overlap each other when seen from the orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the rotation center axis line of the butterfly valve and the bore center axis line, it is possible to effectively use the dead space and arrange the fuel chamber portion and the heater device.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the second or third aspect described above, wherein the heater device (<NUM>) may be arranged so as to overlap the throttle body (<NUM>) in a top view of the apparatus (<NUM>).

According to this configuration, by using an arrangement in which the heater device and the throttle body overlap each other in the top view of the apparatus, similarly to the configuration described above, it is possible to effectively use the dead space around the butterfly valve and arrange the fuel chamber portion and the heater device.

According to the present invention, the apparatus is a movable body that travels in a forward direction, the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) is arranged at a rearward position of the internal combustion engine (<NUM>) and is arranged to overlap the internal combustion engine (<NUM>) in a forward-rearward direction view, and the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) is arranged such that the second center axis line (C2) is at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to a forward-rearward direction than the first center axis line (C1) of the injector (<NUM>).

According to this configuration, by arranging the second center axis line of the fuel chamber portion at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to the forward-rearward direction (vehicle travel direction) than the first center axis line of the injector, it is possible to easily ensure a front projection area of the fuel chamber portion. Therefore, a travel wind that flows around the internal combustion engine and receives the heat easily hits the fuel chamber portion, and it is possible to use the heat of the internal combustion engine and easily heat the fuel in the fuel chamber portion.

A further aspect of the present invention comprises an apparatus, wherein the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) may include a rib (<NUM>) that protrudes outward from an outer wall (<NUM>) which surrounds an internal space (T3).

According to this configuration, by integrally forming the rib on the outer wall of the fuel chamber portion, it is possible to increase an outer surface area (heat reception area) of the fuel chamber portion and easily receive the heat of the internal combustion engine, and it is possible to further easily heat the fuel in the fuel chamber portion.

According to the aspect of the present invention, in a fuel supply apparatus in which the temperature rise part that heats the fuel continues to the injector, it is possible to easily ensure the clearance between the temperature rise part and the throttle body.

Directions such as forward, rearward, leftward, and rightward directions in the following description are the same as directions in a vehicle described below unless otherwise stated. In appropriate positions in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR that indicates a vehicle forward direction, an arrow LH that indicates a vehicle leftward direction, an arrow UP that indicates a vehicle upward direction, and a line CL that indicates a vehicle body leftward-rightward middle are shown.

As shown in <FIG>, the present embodiment is applied to a motorcycle <NUM> which is a saddle riding vehicle (an apparatus, a movable body). A front wheel <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> is supported by lower end portions of a pair of left and right front forks <NUM>. Upper portions of the left and right front forks <NUM> are supported by a head pipe <NUM> at a front end portion of a vehicle body frame <NUM> via a steering stem <NUM>. A bar handle <NUM> for steering is attached to an upper portion of the steering stem <NUM>.

A rear wheel <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> is supported by a rear end portion of a swing arm <NUM>. A front end portion of the swing arm <NUM> is supported by a pivot frame <NUM> at a forward-rearward middle portion of the vehicle body frame <NUM>. A term "middle" used in the present embodiment includes not only a middle between both ends of a target but also an inner range between both ends of the target. The rear wheel <NUM> is connected to a power unit PU of the motorcycle <NUM>, for example, via a chain-type transmission mechanism that is arranged on a left side of a vehicle body rear part.

The power unit PU is an integral unit including: an engine (internal combustion engine) <NUM> which is a motor of the motorcycle <NUM>; and a clutch (not shown) and a transmission (not shown) that connects, disconnects, and changes the speed of an output of the engine <NUM>. The power unit PU is fixedly supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM>.

In the engine <NUM>, a cylinder <NUM> stands at a front upper portion of a crankcase <NUM>. An intake passage component <NUM> is connected to a rear portion of the cylinder <NUM>. An exhaust pipe <NUM> is connected to a front portion of the cylinder <NUM>. The exhaust pipe <NUM> passes through a lower portion of the engine <NUM> from a front portion of the engine <NUM>, is arranged, for example, toward a right rear portion of the engine <NUM>, and is connected to an exhaust muffler 14a that is arranged on the right side of a vehicle body rear part.

A fuel tank <NUM> that stores a fuel supplied to the engine <NUM> is arranged above the engine <NUM>. A seat <NUM> on which a driver and a rear passenger are seated is arranged at a rearward position of the fuel tank <NUM>. A pair of left and right main steps <NUM> on which feet of the driver are placed, and a pair of left and right pillion steps <NUM> on which feet of the rear passenger are placed are arranged on both sides of a vehicle body lower part.

With reference to <FIG>, the vehicle body frame <NUM> is constituted by integrally joining a plurality of steel materials by welding or the like.

The vehicle body frame <NUM> includes: a single head pipe <NUM> having an axis center arranged at a vehicle body leftward-rightward middle; a single main frame <NUM> that extends rearward and downward along the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle from an upper portion of the head pipe <NUM>; a single pivot frame <NUM> that extends rearward and downward along the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle from a rear lower end portion of the main frame <NUM> at a relatively steep inclination; and a single down frame <NUM> that extends rearward and downward along the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle from a lower portion of the head pipe <NUM> at a steeper inclination than the main frame <NUM>.

Further, the vehicle body frame <NUM> includes: a pair of left and right seat rails <NUM> having a front end portion joined to a rear portion of the main frame <NUM> and extending rearward substantially horizontally from the front end portion; and a pair of left and right support frames <NUM> having a front end portion joined to an upward-downward intermediate portion of the pivot frame <NUM> and extending rearward and upward from the front end portion. Rear end portions of the left and right support frames <NUM> are respectively joined to forward-rearward intermediate portions of the left and right seat rails <NUM> from below.

Each of the main frame <NUM>, the pivot frame <NUM>, the down frame <NUM>, and the left and right seat rails <NUM> is constituted by combining press frame bodies formed by pressing steel plates.

With reference to <FIG>, the main frame <NUM> is constituted by integrally joining a pair of left and right main press frame bodies <NUM>, 22R. Each of the left and right main press frame bodies <NUM>, 22R is an integral steel plate press mold component and has an expansion shape that expands outward (outward in a leftward-rightward direction) in a vehicle width direction. A joint flange 22b is bent and extends from each of both ends of the expansion shape. By allowing the joint flanges 22b to be in contact with each other in the vehicle width direction and to be integrally joined by spot welding or the like, an integral main frame <NUM> having a closed cross-sectional structure in which the left and right expansion shapes face each other is constituted.

The pivot frame <NUM>, the down frame <NUM>, and the left and right seat rails <NUM> also have a substantially similar closed cross-sectional structure, and a detailed description is omitted. The support frame <NUM> is constituted of, for example, a square steel pipe.

The vehicle body frame <NUM> is not limited to a combination of press frame bodies and may be a combination of steel pipes. The down frame <NUM> is not limited to a single down frame and may be a pair of left and right down frames.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the engine <NUM> is an air-cooled single cylinder engine having a rotation center axis line (crank axis line) of a crankshaft (not shown) that is along a leftward-rightward direction (vehicle width direction). In the engine <NUM>, the cylinder <NUM> stands in a forward inclined attitude at a front upper end of the crankcase <NUM>. The engine <NUM> can be operated using ethanol or a blend fuel (hereinafter, collectively referred to as an ethanol fuel) of gasoline and ethanol in addition to gasoline. That is, the motorcycle <NUM> is a flexible fuel motorcycle (FFM) that can travel using a plurality of types of fuel.

The cylinder <NUM> includes a cylinder main body 12a, a cylinder head 12b, and a head cover 12c in this order from the crankcase <NUM> side. A piston (not shown) is fitted into the cylinder main body 12a, and the reciprocation movement of the piston is converted into a rotation movement of the crankshaft in the crankcase <NUM>. The rotation power of the crankshaft is output to a rear left side of the crankcase <NUM> via a transmission (not shown) and a clutch (not shown) in the rear portion of the crankcase <NUM>. The output rotation power is transmitted to the rear wheel <NUM> via a chain-type transmission mechanism.

A downstream end of the intake passage component <NUM> including a throttle body <NUM> is connected to a rear portion (intake side) of the cylinder head 12b. Reference numeral <NUM> in the drawing represents an air cleaner box to which an upstream end of the intake passage component <NUM> is connected, reference numeral <NUM> represents a connecting tube that connects the throttle body <NUM> to the air cleaner box <NUM>, and reference numeral <NUM> represents an intake tube member that connects the throttle body <NUM> to the cylinder head 12b. The connecting tube <NUM> and the intake pipe member <NUM> (intake passage formation portion) are included in the intake passage component <NUM>.

The air cleaner box <NUM> is arranged in a region R1 (refer to <FIG>) having a triangle shape in a side view surrounded by the pivot frame <NUM>, a seat rail <NUM>, and the support frame <NUM>.

The outside in the vehicle width direction of the region R1 is covered by a side cover <NUM> as a vehicle body cover.

Here, the motorcycle <NUM> includes a fuel supply apparatus including the fuel tank <NUM>, a fuel pump (not shown), a fuel hose (not shown), an injector (fuel injection valve) <NUM>, and the like.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the fuel of the fuel tank <NUM> is, for example, suctioned by the fuel pump arranged in the fuel tank <NUM> and is discharged to the downstream side. The fuel discharged from the fuel pump is supplied into a chamber room T3 of a fuel chamber portion <NUM> that continues to the injector <NUM>. A heater portion <NUM> faces the chamber room T3 and is capable of heating the fuel accumulated in the chamber room T3.

The injector <NUM> is operated and controlled by an ECU (Electric Control Unit) and injects fuel into the intake passage component <NUM> in accordance with an output of a throttle sensor or the like.

With reference also to <FIG> and <FIG>, the intake passage component <NUM> including the throttle body <NUM> is arranged to be displaced wholly to one side (right side in the embodiment) in the leftward-rightward direction with respect to a vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL.

With reference to <FIG>, a port opening portion <NUM> that forms an opening (an external opening <NUM>) to the outside of the cylinder of the intake port is provided on a rear portion of the cylinder head 12b. The port opening portion <NUM> forms a plane S1 in which a normal direction L1 (direction along a normal line L1) is inclined rearward and outward in the vehicle width direction and the external opening <NUM> along the plane S1. The external opening <NUM> of the intake port opens obliquely toward the normal direction L1 (rearward and outward in the vehicle width direction).

A front end portion (a downstream end portion) of the intake pipe member <NUM> is fixed to the port opening portion <NUM>. The intake pipe member <NUM> forms a first intake passage T1 that extends rearward substantially along the normal direction L1 of the plane S1 of the port opening portion <NUM>. In particular, the first intake passage T1 extends linearly to be inclined relative to a vehicle forward-rearward direction toward the normal direction L1 of the plane S1 of the intake port in a vehicle top view (hereinafter, simply referred to as a top view). The first intake passage T1 extends substantially linearly (in particular, in a curved form that protrudes slightly upward) to be inclined rearward and upward with respect to the vehicle forward-rearward direction in the side view. The intake pipe member <NUM> is fixed to the port opening portion <NUM> by a pair of fastening portions <NUM> arranged to sandwich the external opening <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a front end portion (a downstream end portion) of the throttle body <NUM> is connected to a rear end portion (an upstream end portion) of the intake pipe member <NUM>. A main body 33a having a cylindrical shape of the throttle body <NUM> forms a second intake passage T2 that linearly continues to the upstream side of the first intake passage T1 of the intake pipe member <NUM>. A center axis line (a bore center axis line 33c) of the second intake passage T2 in the throttle body <NUM> extends rearward linearly to be inclined slightly upward and rearward in the side view, and extends rearward to be inclined rearward and outward in the vehicle width direction similarly to the normal direction L1 of the plane S1 of the intake port in the top view.

A butterfly valve 33d as a throttle valve is rotatably supported in the main body 33a of the throttle body <NUM>. A rotation center axis line 33d1 of the butterfly valve 33d is arranged substantially horizontally and is arranged to be orthogonal to the bore center axis line 33c. One end portion (right end portion) of a valve rotation shaft is a protrusion portion that protrudes to the outside of the main body 33a. A pulley 33e is attached integrally rotatably to the protrusion portion, and the pulley 33e is driven by an operation cable 33f.

Hereinafter, the intake passage (including the first intake passage T1 and the second intake passage T2) formed of the entire intake passage component <NUM> is referred to as an intake passage TA (refer to <FIG>). A line 33v in <FIG> is a straight line orthogonal to the rotation center axis line 33d1 and the bore center axis line 33c, and a direction along the straight line 33v is referred to as an orthogonal direction 33v.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the injector <NUM> is attached to a front upper portion of the intake pipe member <NUM>.

The injector <NUM> includes an injector body <NUM> having a cylindrical shape, a valve portion (not shown) accommodated in the injector body <NUM>, and an electromagnetic drive portion (not shown) that drives the valve portion.

A fuel flow path through which the fuel flows is formed within the injector body <NUM>. The valve portion and a return spring (not shown) are provided on the fuel flow path. The valve portion closes the fuel flow path by a biasing force applied from the return spring. As a result, the valve of the injector <NUM> is closed.

The electromagnetic drive portion is provided on the injector body <NUM> and forms a magnetic circuit. The electromagnetic drive portion drives the valve portion in an axis direction of the injector body <NUM> against the biasing force of the return spring and opens the fuel flow path. As a result, the valve of the injector <NUM> is opened, and the fuel is injected into the first intake passage T1 from an injection port <NUM> at a front end of the injector body <NUM>. A coupler <NUM> for connecting a power supply harness used for driving the valve is provided to protrude on an outer circumferential portion of the injector body <NUM>. The coupler <NUM> protrudes to one side (a right side, an offset direction of the intake passage component <NUM>) in the leftward-rightward direction.

A center axis line C1 along a longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction of the injector body <NUM>) of the injector <NUM> is arranged to be inclined such that a further rearward side (upstream side) is located at an upper position (is away from the intake pipe member <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM>). Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the injector <NUM> is referred to as a first longitudinal direction, and the center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM> is referred to as a first center axis line C1. An upper rear side (opposite side of the injection port <NUM>) of the injector <NUM> corresponds to the upstream side of the injector <NUM>.

The fuel chamber portion <NUM> that accumulates the fuel supplied to the injector <NUM> and a heater device <NUM> that heats (increases the temperature of) the fuel in the fuel chamber portion <NUM> are provided on an extension portion that extends rearward in the first longitudinal direction of the injector <NUM>. A temperature rise part <NUM> that increases the temperature of the fuel supplied to the injector <NUM> includes the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM>.

The fuel chamber portion <NUM> includes a chamber case <NUM>. The chamber case <NUM> has a cylindrical shape that opens upward and rearward and forms the chamber room T3 as an internal space. A nozzle <NUM> for connecting the fuel hose is provided to protrude on an outer circumference of an axis direction intermediate portion (not limited to the middle) of an outer circumference wall <NUM> of the chamber case <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> protrudes from the fuel chamber portion <NUM> to the other side (left side, an opposite side of an offset direction of the intake passage component <NUM>) in the leftward-rightward direction, and the fuel hose (not shown) is connected to the fuel pump while extending to the other side in the leftward-rightward direction.

An upper rear portion of the injector body <NUM> is fitted into and connected to a lower front portion of the chamber case <NUM>. A main body portion <NUM> of the heater device <NUM> is fitted into an opening portion <NUM> at an upper rear end of the chamber case <NUM>, and the opening portion <NUM> is closed.

In the heater device <NUM>, a heater portion <NUM> having a rod shape protrudes from the main body portion <NUM> into the chamber room T3. The heater portion <NUM> is arranged coaxially with the chamber case <NUM>. A coupler <NUM> for connecting the power supply harness used for operating the heater is provided to protrude on an upper rear end of the main body portion <NUM>.

The fuel supplied from the fuel hose is supplied into and accumulated in the chamber room T3, and the temperature of the fuel is increased by the heat generated by the heater portion <NUM>. The fuel having an increased temperature arrives at the inside of the injector body <NUM> of the injector <NUM> and is injected into the intake passage TA from the injection port <NUM> by the drive of the valve portion.

In the ethanol fuel engine <NUM>, in order to improve the start-up performance at a cold time, and in order to reduce hazardous components included in the exhaust gas, it is effective to inject the heated fuel into the intake passage TA and promote vaporization of the injection fuel.

Hereinafter, a longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction (axis direction) of the chamber case <NUM> and the heater portion <NUM>) of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is referred to as a second longitudinal direction, and the center axis line (center axis line common to the chamber case <NUM> and the heater portion <NUM>) of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is referred to as a second center axis line C2. The longitudinal directions of the chamber case <NUM> and the heater portion <NUM> are parallel to each other, and the center axis lines of the chamber case <NUM> and the heater portion <NUM> are matched with each other. The longitudinal directions of the chamber case <NUM> and the heater portion <NUM> may be non-parallel to each other. The center axis lines of the chamber case <NUM> and the heater portion <NUM> may be arranged to be displaced from each other.

The fuel chamber portion <NUM> is arranged such that the axis direction is inclined relative to the injector <NUM>. The second center axis line C2 of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the first center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM> intersect each other at a connection portion J between the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the injector <NUM>, but do not necessarily need to intersect each other.

The first center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM> is inclined rearward and upward and is inclined rearward so as to approach the center axis line (in this case, the bore center axis line 33c) of the intake passage TA.

Similarly to the first center axis line C1, the second center axis line C2 of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is inclined rearward and upward and is inclined rearward so as to approach the center axis line (in this case, the bore center axis line 33c) of the intake passage TA.

The second center axis line C2 is inclined relative to the first center axis line C1 such that a further rearward side is away from the throttle body <NUM> (such that the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is inclined further rearward and upward than the injector <NUM>). A relative angle between the first center axis line C1 and the second center axis line C2 is, for example, less than <NUM> degrees, and the impact of standing too vertically on the arrangement space of peripheral components is reduced.

With reference to <FIG>, the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is inclined further rearward and upward relative to the injector <NUM>, and thereby, it is possible to easily ensure the clearance between the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM>.

For example, an intake system component <NUM> such as an IACV (Idle Air Control Valve) is arranged on an upper surface portion of the throttle body <NUM>, and the fuel chamber portion <NUM> can easily ensure the clearance with respect to the intake system component <NUM>.

The main body portion <NUM> of the heater device <NUM> is arranged so as to partially overlap the throttle body <NUM> in a top view.

When the entire main body portion <NUM> of the heater device <NUM> is arranged so as to overlap the throttle body <NUM> in the top view, the arrangement space of the heater device <NUM> does not extend in a horizontal direction, but it is difficult to ensure the clearance in an upward-downward direction between the heater device <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM>.

On the other hand, by arranging part of the heater device <NUM> so as to overlap the throttle body <NUM> in the top view, the clearance in the upward-downward direction between the heater device <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM> can be easily ensured while preventing the arrangement space of the heater device <NUM> from extending in the horizontal direction.

With reference to <FIG>, the heater device <NUM> and the fuel chamber portion <NUM> are arranged to stand close to the vertical direction relative to the injector <NUM>. Therefore, the travel wind passing around the cylinder <NUM> and having an increased temperature easily hits the fuel chamber portion <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to heat the fuel accumulated in the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and heat the fuel while reducing the heater electric power during traveling of the vehicle.

Here, an operation of the heater device <NUM> is described.

When the vehicle is stopped or parked, and the driving of the engine <NUM> is stopped, the engine <NUM> is cool, and the fuel in the fuel supply apparatus is also cool. In order to promote vaporization of the fuel injected to the intake passage TA, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel by the heater device <NUM> before the start-up of the engine <NUM>. As a timing of starting increasing the temperature of the fuel by the heater device <NUM>, for example, a timing when a main switch of a vehicle in a stopping or parking state in which the engine <NUM> is stopped is turned on is preferable.

The increase of the temperature of the fuel by the heater device <NUM> is started, for example, from a timing when the operation of the heater device <NUM> is turned on. A control portion of the heater device <NUM> operates a timer when the heater device <NUM> is turned on, and turns off the heater device <NUM> after a specified period of time elapses. Then, the start-up (starter driving) of the engine <NUM> is enabled. At this time, a user may be notified that the engine start-up is enabled by lighting an indicator lamp or the like.

The duration of the heater-on may vary, for example, depending on the outside temperature or the engine temperature. The temperature detection at this time can utilize, for example, detection information of an existing intake temperature sensor, an oil temperature sensor, or the like. Further, the temperature sensor can be provided on the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, and the temperature of the fuel in the chamber room T3 can be also directly detected. In addition to the duration (or instead of the duration) of the heater-on, the output of the heater device <NUM> may be varied.

In the present embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a predetermined period of time elapses, or the like) after heating of the fuel is started, the heater is turned off, but the heating by the heater-on may be continued in order to promote vaporization of the fuel during traveling of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, since a structure is employed in which the travel wind that flows around the engine <NUM> and receives heat easily hits the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, the structure contributes to reduction of an electric power amount when the heater-on is continued.

The heater device <NUM> is arranged to overlap, in particular, any of the cylinder main body 12a, the cylinder head 12b, and the head cover 12c of the engine <NUM> in a vehicle forward-rearward direction view.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, as described above, the intake passage component <NUM> is arranged to be displaced to one side (right side) in the leftward-rightward direction with respect to the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL.

The intake passage component <NUM> (particularly, the injector <NUM>, the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, and the heater portion <NUM>) is arranged to be offset to one side (right side) in the leftward-rightward direction with respect to the main frame <NUM> located at the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL. The intake passage component <NUM> is arranged so as to avoid the main frame <NUM> to one side (right side) in the leftward-rightward direction in the top view.

As a result, an upper end and the vicinity thereof (including the heater device <NUM>) of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> that is inclined rearward and upward can be arranged so as to overlap the main frame <NUM> in a side view (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, it is possible to ensure a large inclination angle toward a rearward upward direction of the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, and it is possible to allow the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM> to stand closer to the vertical direction and easily receive the engine heat.

In the embodiment, a single main frame <NUM> is provided at the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL and is provided so as to overlap the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL in the top view throughout the entire length in the forward-rearward direction. The intake passage component <NUM> is arranged to be offset to one side in the leftward-rightward direction relative to the main frame <NUM>.

As a modification example of this configuration, a configuration can also be used in which a pair of left and right main frames <NUM> are provided.

That is, the main frame <NUM> may be provided (provided to avoid the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL) to be offset relative to the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL, and the intake passage component <NUM> may be arranged (arranged so as to overlap the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL in the top view) on the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL. At this time, the intake passage component <NUM> is arranged to be offset in the leftward-rightward direction relative to the left and right main frames <NUM> and is arranged between the left and right main frames <NUM>. Thereby, disturbance from the outside in the vehicle width direction does not easily act on the intake passage component <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a rib <NUM> having a plate shape and extending outward in the leftward-rightward direction is integrally formed on an outer circumference on the front end side of the outer circumference wall <NUM> of the chamber case <NUM>. Each rib <NUM> is provided in a range extending from a front end portion of the chamber case <NUM> to a rear end portion of the injector body <NUM> of the injector <NUM>. Each rib <NUM> reinforces the connection portion J between the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the injector <NUM>, substantially increases an outer surface area of the chamber case <NUM>, and facilitates reception of the engine heat.

A fixation portion <NUM> for fixing the fuel chamber portion <NUM> to a passage member is integrally formed on the chamber case <NUM>. The fixation portion <NUM> includes: an arm section 56a (refer to <FIG>) that extends forward so as to extend the rib <NUM> from a front end portion of the rib <NUM> on one side (right side) in the leftward-rightward direction; and a fastening boss 56b formed on a front end of the arm section 56a. By including the fixation portion <NUM> formed by extending the rib <NUM>, the outer surface area of the chamber case <NUM> is further increased, and reception of the engine heat is facilitated.

By fastening the fixation portion <NUM> to the intake pipe member <NUM>, the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is fixed to the intake pipe member <NUM>, and the injector <NUM> is fixed to the intake pipe member <NUM> in a state of being pressed to the fuel chamber portion <NUM> from the upstream side. The fuel chamber portion <NUM> that includes such a fixation portion <NUM> also serves as a fixation member of the injector <NUM>.

As described above, the fuel supply apparatus in the embodiment described above includes: an engine <NUM> that is provided on a motorcycle <NUM>; an intake pipe member <NUM> which is connected to the engine <NUM> and in which an intake passage TA (first intake passage T1) is formed; a throttle body <NUM> that is connected to an upstream side of the intake pipe member <NUM> and adjusts an intake amount to the engine <NUM>; an injector <NUM> that is connected to the intake pipe member <NUM>, has a first longitudinal direction, and injects fuel into the intake passage TA; and a fuel chamber portion <NUM> which is connected to the injector <NUM> at an opposite side of the intake pipe member <NUM> in the first longitudinal direction, has a second longitudinal direction, and accumulates fuel supplied to the injector <NUM> and which a heater portion <NUM> faces, wherein the injector <NUM> is arranged such that a first center axis line C1 along the first longitudinal direction is inclined relative to a bore center axis line 33c along a bore center in the throttle body <NUM> and is separated from the throttle body <NUM> toward an upstream side of the intake passage TA, and the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is arranged such that a second center axis line C2 along the second longitudinal direction is inclined relative to the first center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM> and is further separated from the throttle body <NUM> toward the upstream side of the intake passage TA.

According to this configuration, by arranging the first center axis line C1 along the first longitudinal direction in the injector <NUM> to be inclined relative to the bore center axis line 33c of the throttle body <NUM> and be separated from the throttle body <NUM> toward the upstream side of the intake passage TA and arranging the second center axis line C2 along the second longitudinal direction in the fuel chamber portion <NUM> to be inclined relative to the first center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM> and be further separated from the throttle body <NUM> toward the upstream side of the intake passage TA, the fuel chamber portion <NUM> that continues to the upstream side of the injector <NUM> can be arranged to be separated as far as possible from the throttle body <NUM> in a radial direction of the throttle body <NUM>. Therefore, even in a configuration in which the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the injector <NUM>, it is possible to easily ensure a clearance between the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM> and enhance the degree of freedom of arrangement of a component that is provided around the throttle body <NUM>.

Further, the fuel supply apparatus described above includes a heater device <NUM> that heats the fuel accumulated in the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, and the heater device <NUM> includes: a main body portion <NUM> that is connected to the fuel chamber portion <NUM> at an opposite side of the injector <NUM> in the second longitudinal direction; and the heater portion <NUM> that extends from the main body portion <NUM> into the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and is arranged coaxially with fuel chamber portion <NUM>.

According to this configuration, the heater portion <NUM> extends along the longitudinal direction of the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, and thereby, it is possible to efficiently heat the fuel in the fuel chamber portion <NUM>. The fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM> that continue to the upstream side of the injector <NUM> can be arranged to be separated as far as possible from the throttle body <NUM> in a radial direction of the throttle body <NUM>. Therefore, even in a configuration in which the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM> are arranged to continue in the longitudinal direction of the injector <NUM>, it is possible to easily ensure a clearance between the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM>, and the throttle body <NUM> and enhance the degree of freedom of arrangement of a component that is provided around the throttle body <NUM>.

Further, in the fuel supply apparatus described above, the throttle body <NUM> includes: a butterfly valve 33d that opens and closes the intake passage TA, and the heater device <NUM> is arranged so as to overlap the throttle body <NUM> when seen from an orthogonal direction 33v that is orthogonal to both of a rotation center axis line 33d1 of the butterfly valve 33d and the bore center axis line 33c.

According to this configuration, a dead space easily occurs around the butterfly valve 33d, and by using an arrangement in which the heater device <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM> overlap each other when seen from the orthogonal direction 33v that is orthogonal to the rotation center axis line 33d1 of the butterfly valve 33d and the bore center axis line 33c, it is possible to effectively use the dead space and arrange the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM>.

Further, in the fuel supply apparatus described above, the heater device <NUM> is arranged so as to overlap the throttle body <NUM> in a top view of the throttle body <NUM>.

According to this configuration, by using an arrangement in which the heater device <NUM> and the throttle body <NUM> overlap each other in the top view of the throttle body <NUM>, similarly to the configuration described above, it is possible to effectively use the dead space around the butterfly valve 33d and arrange the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM>.

Further, in the fuel supply apparatus described above, the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is arranged at a rearward position of the engine <NUM> and is arranged to overlap the engine <NUM> in a forward-rearward direction view, and the fuel chamber portion <NUM> is arranged such that the second center axis line C2 is at an angle (angle close to the vertical direction) closer to a right angle with respect to a vehicle forward-rearward direction than the first center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM>.

According to this configuration, by arranging the second center axis line C2 of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to the vehicle forward-rearward direction (vehicle travel direction) than the first center axis line C1 of the injector <NUM>, it is possible to easily ensure a front projection area of the fuel chamber portion <NUM>. Therefore, a travel wind that flows around the engine <NUM> and receives the heat easily hits the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, and it is possible to use the heat of the engine <NUM> and easily heat the fuel in the fuel chamber portion <NUM>.

Further, in the fuel supply apparatus described above, the fuel chamber portion <NUM> includes a rib <NUM> that protrudes outward from an outer wall (outer circumference wall <NUM>) which surrounds an internal space (chamber room T3).

According to this configuration, by integrally forming the rib <NUM> on the outer wall of the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, it is possible to increase an outer surface area (heat reception area) of the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and easily receive the heat of the engine <NUM>, and it is possible to further easily heat the fuel in the fuel chamber portion <NUM>. Thereby, it is possible to promote vaporization of the fuel during traveling of the vehicle.

Further, the fuel supply apparatus described above includes: an engine <NUM> that is provided on a motorcycle <NUM>; a frame member (main frame <NUM>) of the motorcycle <NUM> that is arranged above the engine in an upward-downward direction (vehicle upward-downward direction) of the motorcycle <NUM> and extends in a first direction (vehicle forward-rearward direction) when seen from the upward-downward direction; an injector <NUM> that injects fuel supplied to the engine <NUM>; a fuel chamber portion <NUM> that is connected to the injector <NUM> and accumulates fuel supplied to the injector <NUM>; and a heater device <NUM> that is connected to the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and heats the fuel accumulated in the fuel chamber portion <NUM>, wherein the heater device <NUM> is arranged to be offset in a second direction (vehicle leftward-rightward direction) that is orthogonal to the first direction when seen from the upward-downward direction relative to the main frame <NUM>.

According to this configuration, by arranging the main frame <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> above the engine <NUM> and arranging the heater device <NUM> connected to the injector <NUM> to be offset in the vehicle width direction (vehicle leftward-rightward direction) that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (vehicle forward-rearward direction) of the main frame <NUM> when seen from the upward-downward direction, it is possible to easily ensure a clearance between the heater device <NUM> and the main frame <NUM>. Thereby, the degree of freedom of arrangement in the upward-downward direction of the heater device <NUM> with respect to the main frame <NUM> is improved, and it is possible to ensure maintenance properties from an upward direction of the heater device <NUM>.

Further, in the fuel supply apparatus described above, the heater device <NUM> and the main frame <NUM> are arranged so as to overlap each other when seen from the second direction (vehicle leftward-rightward direction).

According to this configuration, by arranging the heater device <NUM> and the main frame <NUM> to overlap each other in the upward-downward direction, it is possible to efficiently arrange a configuration in which the fuel chamber portion <NUM> and the heater device <NUM> are connected to the injector <NUM>.

Further, in the fuel supply apparatus described above, the first direction is a forward-rearward direction of the motorcycle <NUM>, the second direction is a leftward-rightward direction of the motorcycle <NUM>, the main frame <NUM> extends in the forward-rearward direction along a vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL of the motorcycle <NUM>, and an intake passage TA of the engine <NUM> is arranged to be offset to one side (right side) in the leftward-rightward direction relative to the vehicle body leftward-rightward middle CL.

According to this configuration, by arranging the intake passage TA of the engine <NUM> to be offset to one side in the leftward-rightward direction, it is possible to easily arrange the injector <NUM> and the heater device <NUM> that are provided on the intake passage TA on one side in the leftward-rightward direction, and it is possible to easily obtain an arrangement in which the heater device <NUM> is offset relative to the main frame <NUM>.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the fuel supply apparatus of the present embodiment may be applied to saddle riding vehicles other than motorcycles.

The saddle riding vehicles include all vehicles on which a driver rides by straddling the vehicle body and include not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles) but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles having two front wheels and one rear wheel in addition to vehicles having one front wheel and two rear wheels) or four-wheeled vehicles (four-wheeled buggies or the like). The fuel supply apparatus of the present embodiment may be applied to vehicles including an electric motor in a prime mover such as HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles).

The fuel supply apparatus of the present embodiment may be applied to vehicles (passenger vehicles, buses, trucks, or the like) other than saddle riding vehicles. That is, the vehicle of the embodiment is a flexible fuel motorcycle (FFM), but may be a four-wheeled vehicle (flexible fuel vehicle (FFV)).

Although the fuel supply apparatus of the present embodiment is applied to vehicles, the application of the present invention is not limited to vehicles, and the present invention may be applied to various vehicles and movable bodies such as various transport apparatuses such as aircraft or ships, construction machinery, and industrial machinery. Further, the present invention is broadly applicable to apparatuses other than vehicles if the apparatus includes a fuel supply apparatus such as, for example, push mowers or cleaning machines.

Claim 1:
A fuel supply apparatus comprising:
an internal combustion engine (<NUM>) that is provided on an apparatus (<NUM>); the apparatus (<NUM>) is a movable body that travels in a forward direction,
an intake passage formation portion (<NUM>) which is connected to the internal combustion engine (<NUM>) and in which an intake passage (TA) is formed;
a throttle body (<NUM>) that is connected to an upstream side of the intake passage formation portion (<NUM>) and adjusts an intake amount to the internal combustion engine (<NUM>);
an injector (<NUM>) that is connected to the intake passage formation portion (<NUM>), has a first longitudinal direction, and injects fuel into the intake passage (TA);
the fuel supply apparatus being characterised in that it further comprises:
a temperature rise part (<NUM>) that is connected to the injector (<NUM>) at an opposite side of the intake passage formation portion (<NUM>) in the first longitudinal direction, has a second longitudinal direction, accumulates fuel supplied to the injector (<NUM>), and increases a temperature of the fuel,
wherein the injector (<NUM>) is arranged such that a first center axis line (C1) along the first longitudinal direction is inclined relative to a bore center axis line (33c) along a bore center in the throttle body (<NUM>) and is separated from the bore center axis line (33c) toward an upstream side of the intake passage (TA),
the temperature rise part (<NUM>) is arranged such that a second center axis line (C2) along the second longitudinal direction is inclined relative to the first center axis line (C1) of the injector (<NUM>) and is further separated from the bore center axis line (33c) toward the upstream side of the intake passage (TA),
the temperature rise part (<NUM>) comprises: a fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) that accumulates the fuel supplied to the injector (<NUM>),
the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) is arranged at a rearward position of the internal combustion engine (<NUM>) and is arranged to overlap the internal combustion engine (<NUM>) in a forward-rearward direction view, and
the fuel chamber portion (<NUM>) is arranged such that the second center axis line (C2) is at an angle closer to a right angle with respect to a forward-rearward direction than the first center axis line (C1) of the injector (<NUM>).