IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,275,301
Granted Patent B2
US 12,275,301 · App. 17/900,140 · Granted Apr 15, 2025

Vehicle and fuel supply module

Inventor: Kyohei Izumi (Akashi, JP)
Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
B60K15/07B60K15/03006B60K2015/03026B60K2015/03421
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,275,301
App. No.
17/900,140
Granted
Apr 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle is driven by energy generated from a drive unit supplied with gas fuel, and includes a fuel supply module that includes a fuel tank in which the gas fuel is stored, a regulator that is connected to the fuel tank and adjusts the gas fuel output from the fuel tank to predetermined pressure, a fuel output port through which the gas fuel adjusted by the regulator is output, and a support that supports devices including the fuel tank, the regulator, and the fuel output port, and includes an attachment portion detachably attached to the vehicle while supporting the devices.

Claims (48)

1. A fuel supply module that supplies gas fuel to a drive unit of a vehicle, the fuel supply module comprising:

a fuel tank in which the gas fuel is stored;

a regulator that is connected to the fuel tank and adjusts the gas fuel output from the fuel tank to predetermined pressure;

a fuel output port through which the gas fuel adjusted by the regulator is output; and

a support that supports devices including the fuel tank, the regulator, and the fuel output port, and includes an attachment portion detachably attached to the vehicle while supporting the devices, wherein

the fuel supply module further includes

an electrical component that electronically controls operation of the fuel supply module, and

a module-side connector that electrically connects the electrical component to the vehicle, and

the electrical component and the module-side connector are supported by the support, and

the module-side connector is located on a side where the fuel output port is arranged with respect to the fuel tank.

2. A fuel supply module that supplies gas fuel to a drive unit of a vehicle, the fuel supply module comprising:

a fuel tank in which the gas fuel is stored;

a regulator that is connected to the fuel tank and adjusts the gas fuel output from the fuel tank to predetermined pressure;

a fuel output port through which the gas fuel adjusted by the regulator is output; and

a support that supports devices including the fuel tank, the regulator, and the fuel output port, and includes an attachment portion detachably attached to the vehicle while supporting the devices, wherein

the fuel supply module further includes a fuel filler connected to the fuel tank and to which the gas fuel is supplied, and

the fuel filler is located on a side opposite to the regulator with respect to the fuel tank.

3. A fuel supply module that supplies gas fuel to a drive unit of a vehicle, the fuel supply module comprising:

a fuel tank in which the gas fuel is stored;

a regulator that is connected to the fuel tank and adjusts the gas fuel output from the fuel tank to predetermined pressure;

a fuel output port through which the gas fuel adjusted by the regulator is output; and

a support that supports devices including the fuel tank, the regulator, and the fuel output port, and includes an attachment portion detachably attached to the vehicle while supporting the devices, wherein

the fuel tank includes a tank inlet and outlet port through which the gas fuel is supplied and/or output, and

the support includes a cover portion that covers the tank inlet and outlet port.

4. A vehicle driven by energy generated from a drive unit supplied with gas fuel, the vehicle comprising a fuel supply module including

a fuel tank in which the gas fuel is stored,

a regulator that is connected to the fuel tank and adjusts the gas fuel output from the fuel tank to predetermined pressure,

a fuel output port through which the gas fuel adjusted by the regulator is output, and a support that supports devices including the fuel tank, the regulator, and the fuel output port, and includes an attachment portion detachably attached to the vehicle while supporting the devices,

wherein the support includes a grounding portion that is grounded so as to maintain a posture in which the fuel supply module is mounted on the vehicle as a single body.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein

the drive unit is mounted below the fuel supply module.

6. The vehicle according to claim 4 , further comprising a cargo bed, wherein

at least a part of the fuel supply module is mounted on the cargo bed.

7. A fuel supply module that supplies gas fuel to a drive unit of a vehicle, the fuel supply module comprising:

a fuel tank in which the gas fuel is stored;

a regulator that is connected to the fuel tank and adjusts the gas fuel output from the fuel tank to predetermined pressure;

a fuel output port through which the gas fuel adjusted by the regulator is output; and

a support that supports devices including the fuel tank, the regulator, and the fuel output port, and includes an attachment portion detachably attached to the vehicle while supporting the devices,

wherein the support includes a grounding portion that is grounded so as to maintain a posture in which the fuel supply module is mounted on the vehicle as a single body.

8. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the fuel supply module further includes a heat insulator for a heat source around thereof.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the heat insulator is away from the fuel tank.

10. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the fuel supply module further includes an electrical component that electronically controls operation of the fuel supply module, and a module-side connector that electrically connects the electrical component to the vehicle, and the electrical component and the module-side connector are supported by the support.

11. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the support includes an engaged portion to which a hook for lifting the support can be engaged.

12. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the fuel supply module further includes a cover covering the fuel supply module from above, and the cover is exposed to outside of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the cover includes an outside air introduction port through which outside air is introduced into the cover, and an inside air discharge port for discharging inside air in the cover to the outside.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the cover is provided with a gas sensor that detects gas fuel.

15. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the fuel tank is a cylindrical body extending in an elongated shape, and the attachment portion is provided in a portion located on both sides in a longitudinal direction of the fuel tank with respect to the fuel tank on the support.

16. The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the heat insulator is located below the fuel tank.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2022
From: IZUMI, KYOHEI
To: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 061707/0571 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240066978A1 · Feb 29, 2024
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