WO2009108109A1 - Fuel tank control - Google Patents

Fuel tank control Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009108109A1
WO2009108109A1 PCT/SE2009/050114 SE2009050114W WO2009108109A1 WO 2009108109 A1 WO2009108109 A1 WO 2009108109A1 SE 2009050114 W SE2009050114 W SE 2009050114W WO 2009108109 A1 WO2009108109 A1 WO 2009108109A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel tank
allowed
access
computer program
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2009/050114
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mathias Björkman
Original Assignee
Scania Cv Ab (Publ)
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scania Cv Ab (Publ) filed Critical Scania Cv Ab (Publ)
Publication of WO2009108109A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009108109A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B83/00—Vehicle locks specially adapted for particular types of wing or vehicle
    • E05B83/28—Locks for glove compartments, console boxes, fuel inlet covers or the like
    • E05B83/34—Locks for glove compartments, console boxes, fuel inlet covers or the like for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
    • B60R2025/1013—Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
    • B60R2025/1016—Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fuel tank and also to a device, a method and a computer program for controlling the fuel tank.
  • a fuel tank is provided for storing fuel.
  • the fuel tank is dimensioned accordingly and can therefore have a size of several hundreds of liters or even more.
  • a controller on board the vehicle first retrieves information relating to when and or where the fuel tank may be accessed. Using the retrieved information and a determined current position and or time the controller acts to allow access to the fuel tank only if the current position and or the current time correspond to the allowed positions and or times.
  • an alarm message mode is entered when fuel tank access is not allowed.
  • an alarm can be sent to a suitable location informing about the attempt to access the fuel tank. This makes it easier to investigate fuel thefts.
  • the fuel tank lid is locked when fuel tank access is not allowed.
  • a normal fuel lid lock for example if the person has access to a key to the vehicle, access to the fuel tank is prevented unless the vehicle is at a specific allowed location such as at a designated fuel station or a home base.
  • the invention also extends to a device and a computer program for controlling access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle in accordance with the above.
  • Fig. 1 is a general view of a system for controlling access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle, and,
  • Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps performed when controlling access to a motorized vehicle.
  • a system 100 for controlling a fuel tank 101 having a lid 103 of a motorized vehicle 100 is shown.
  • the fuel tank 101 and in particular the lid 103 of the fuel tank is connected to and controlled by a controller such as an electronic control unit (ECU) 106.
  • the connection between the controller 106 and the lid 103 is accordance with one embodiment wire-lined and in accordance with another embodiment wireless such as a Bluetooth or ZigBee connection.
  • the ECU 106 can typically be connected to a number of sensors provided in the vehicle providing sensor signals to the ECU 106.
  • a sensor 107 may be provided in the lid 103 for providing the controller 106 with data relating to the lid of the fuel tank 101.
  • the ECU 106 exercises control of the vehicle and in particular over the lid of the fuel tank using some programmed computer instructions or similar means.
  • the programmed computer instructions are provided in the form of a computer program product 110 stored on a readable digital storage medium 108, such as memory card, a Read Only Memory (ROM) a Random Access Memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM or a flash memory.
  • a readable digital storage medium 108 such as memory card, a Read Only Memory (ROM) a Random Access Memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM or a flash memory.
  • the controller 106 is part of a computer 120 on board the vehicle 100.
  • the computer 120 can be connected to and transmit and receive information from a data base such as a Web portal 130 e.g. Fleet Management Portal (FMP).
  • the portal 130 is adapted to be loaded with imported map positions where fueling is allowed from a map data base 140.
  • the vehicle 100 is further provided with a positioning device 105 such as a Global Positioning System (GPS).
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the onboard computer 120 is programmed to only allow the fuel tank lid to be opened when the vehicle is at a position corresponding to the allowed fuel positions as given by the data input in the portal 130.
  • the controller 106 is adapted to control the lid such that the lid only can be opened when the vehicle is at a position corresponding to the allowed fuel positions as given by the data input in the portal 130. At all other positions the lid is locked.
  • the controller 106 is adapted to control the lid such that the lid only can be opened when the vehicle is at a position corresponding to the allowed fuel positions as given by the data input in the portal 130. At all other positions an alarm is transmitted to the Web portal if the lid is opened.
  • the lid of the fuel tank may also only be allowed to be opened at some predetermined time intervals. At other times the lid is locked and or an alarm message is transmitted to the Web portal if the lid is opened.
  • the controller when the system as described herein is mounted on a tank truck, the controller can also be adapted to control a pump motor accordingly.
  • the pump motor used for pumping for example fuel from the tank from a tank truck may only be allowed to be activated by the controller 106 if a current position corresponds to a position where and when the pump motor may be operated as determined by some data loaded into the system.
  • a flow chart illustrating steps performed by the system 100 is shown.
  • the onboard computer reads allowed positions and or times when the fuel tank lid or a pump motor is allowed to be opened/activated.
  • the information can be retrieved from a data base such as a Web portal e.g. a Fleet Management Portal (FMP).
  • FMP Fleet Management Portal
  • the onboard computer determines the current position of the vehicle using a positioning device such as a GPS device.
  • the onboard computer system can provide the current time.
  • a controller controls the mode of the fuel tank lid and or the pump motor.
  • the controller acts to allow the tank lid to be opened in a step 207.
  • the controller may unlock an electronic lock in step 207 and or deactivate an alarm message function.
  • the controller acts to not allow the fuel tank lid to be opened.
  • a pump motor can be controlled in a corresponding manner.
  • the controller can act to lock the lid of the fuel tank is a step 209. Also the controller may act to activate an alarm message mode if someone tries to open the fuel tank lid.
  • an alarm message is triggered and sent to a suitable location, such as a short message service (SMS) to the cellular telephone of the driver or as a message to the Web portal.
  • SMS short message service
  • fuel theft can be more efficiently prevented. Also if a fuel theft is made it is easy to monitor where and when such a theft is made which makes it easier to prevent future thefts.

Landscapes

  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)

Abstract

Access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle is controlled by a controller on board the vehicle which first retrieves information relating to when and or where the fuel tank may be accessed. Using the retrieved information and a determined current position and or time the controller acts to allow access to the fuel tank only if the current position and or the current time correspond to the allowed positions and or times. Hereby, it becomes more difficult for a person to steal fuel.

Description

FUEL TANK CONTROL
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a fuel tank and also to a device, a method and a computer program for controlling the fuel tank.
BACKGROUND In motorized vehicles a fuel tank is provided for storing fuel. In case of a large vehicle such as a bus or a truck the fuel tank is dimensioned accordingly and can therefore have a size of several hundreds of liters or even more.
When fuel prices are becoming higher it becomes more and more attractive to steal fuel. In particular large vehicles having large tanks are increasingly becoming the subject of fuel theft.
What is therefore needed is fuel tank which makes it more difficult to steal fuel from a motorized vehicle and which acts to prevent fuel theft.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank control system for a motorized vehicle and a method and computer program for controlling a fuel tank that makes it more difficult to steal fuel.
This object and others are obtained by the method, device and computer program product as set out in the appended claims.
Thus, in accordance with the invention access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle is controlled in that a controller on board the vehicle first retrieves information relating to when and or where the fuel tank may be accessed. Using the retrieved information and a determined current position and or time the controller acts to allow access to the fuel tank only if the current position and or the current time correspond to the allowed positions and or times. Hereby, it becomes more difficult for a person to steal fuel. Furthermore, an alarm message mode is entered when fuel tank access is not allowed. Hereby, if someone tries to access the fuel tank when not allowed, an alarm can be sent to a suitable location informing about the attempt to access the fuel tank. This makes it easier to investigate fuel thefts.
In accordance with one embodiment the fuel tank lid is locked when fuel tank access is not allowed. Thus even if the person could deactivate a normal fuel lid lock, for example if the person has access to a key to the vehicle, access to the fuel tank is prevented unless the vehicle is at a specific allowed location such as at a designated fuel station or a home base.
The invention also extends to a device and a computer program for controlling access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle in accordance with the above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of non- limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a general view of a system for controlling access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle, and,
- Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps performed when controlling access to a motorized vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In Fig.1 a system 100 for controlling a fuel tank 101 having a lid 103 of a motorized vehicle 100 is shown. The fuel tank 101 and in particular the lid 103 of the fuel tank is connected to and controlled by a controller such as an electronic control unit (ECU) 106. The connection between the controller 106 and the lid 103 is accordance with one embodiment wire-lined and in accordance with another embodiment wireless such as a Bluetooth or ZigBee connection. The ECU 106 can typically be connected to a number of sensors provided in the vehicle providing sensor signals to the ECU 106. In particular a sensor 107 may be provided in the lid 103 for providing the controller 106 with data relating to the lid of the fuel tank 101.
Using the sensor signals and other signals, the ECU 106 exercises control of the vehicle and in particular over the lid of the fuel tank using some programmed computer instructions or similar means. For example, the programmed computer instructions are provided in the form of a computer program product 110 stored on a readable digital storage medium 108, such as memory card, a Read Only Memory (ROM) a Random Access Memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM or a flash memory.
The controller 106 is part of a computer 120 on board the vehicle 100. The computer 120 can be connected to and transmit and receive information from a data base such as a Web portal 130 e.g. Fleet Management Portal (FMP). The portal 130 is adapted to be loaded with imported map positions where fueling is allowed from a map data base 140. The vehicle 100 is further provided with a positioning device 105 such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). The onboard computer 120 is programmed to only allow the fuel tank lid to be opened when the vehicle is at a position corresponding to the allowed fuel positions as given by the data input in the portal 130. - A -
In accordance with one embodiment the controller 106 is adapted to control the lid such that the lid only can be opened when the vehicle is at a position corresponding to the allowed fuel positions as given by the data input in the portal 130. At all other positions the lid is locked.
In accordance with one embodiment the controller 106 is adapted to control the lid such that the lid only can be opened when the vehicle is at a position corresponding to the allowed fuel positions as given by the data input in the portal 130. At all other positions an alarm is transmitted to the Web portal if the lid is opened.
The lid of the fuel tank may also only be allowed to be opened at some predetermined time intervals. At other times the lid is locked and or an alarm message is transmitted to the Web portal if the lid is opened.
In another embodiment, when the system as described herein is mounted on a tank truck, the controller can also be adapted to control a pump motor accordingly. Hence, the pump motor used for pumping for example fuel from the tank from a tank truck may only be allowed to be activated by the controller 106 if a current position corresponds to a position where and when the pump motor may be operated as determined by some data loaded into the system.
In Fig. 2 a flow chart illustrating steps performed by the system 100 is shown. First, in a step 201 the onboard computer reads allowed positions and or times when the fuel tank lid or a pump motor is allowed to be opened/activated. The information can be retrieved from a data base such as a Web portal e.g. a Fleet Management Portal (FMP). Next, in a step 203 the onboard computer determines the current position of the vehicle using a positioning device such as a GPS device. In addition the onboard computer system can provide the current time. Based on the information retrieved from the data base and data relating the current time and position of the vehicle the onboard computer vi a controller controls the mode of the fuel tank lid and or the pump motor.
Thus, if in a step 205 it is determined that the current position corresponds to a position where the tank lid may be opened and also the time if that is a condition, the controller acts to allow the tank lid to be opened in a step 207. For example the controller may unlock an electronic lock in step 207 and or deactivate an alarm message function. If in step 205 it is determined that the tank lid is not allowed to be opened based on the conditions retrieved from the data base and the current position and or time, the controller acts to not allow the fuel tank lid to be opened. A pump motor can be controlled in a corresponding manner. For example, if the tank lid is not allowed to be opened the controller can act to lock the lid of the fuel tank is a step 209. Also the controller may act to activate an alarm message mode if someone tries to open the fuel tank lid.
In the alarm message mode, if someone tries to open the fuel tank lid as sensed by the sensor 107, an alarm message is triggered and sent to a suitable location, such as a short message service (SMS) to the cellular telephone of the driver or as a message to the Web portal.
Using the method, device and computer program as described herein fuel theft can be more efficiently prevented. Also if a fuel theft is made it is easy to monitor where and when such a theft is made which makes it easier to prevent future thefts.

Claims

1. A method of controlling access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle (100), characterized by the steps of:
- retrieving (201 ) information relating to when and or where the fuel tank may be accessed,
- determining (203) a current position and or time,
- allowing access (205) to the fuel tank only if the current position and or the current time corresponds to the allowed position(s) and or time(s), and
- entering (211 ) an alarm message mode when fuel tank access is not allowed.
2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized by the step of locking (209) the fuel tank lid when fuel tank access is not allowed.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that an alarm message is sent from the vehicle to a remote data base if the fuel tank is accessed when not allowed.
4. The method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that an alarm message is sent from the vehicle to a cellular telephone if the fuel tank is accessed when not allowed.
5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, when the motorized vehicle is a tank truck characterized in that a pump motor for pumping fuel from the tank only can be activated if the current position and or the current time corresponds to the allowed position(s) and or time(s).
6. A device for controlling access to a fuel tank (101 ) of a motorized vehicle (100), characterized by: - means (120) for retrieving information relating to when and or where the fuel tank may be accessed,
- means (105) for determining a current position and or time,
- means (106) for allowing access to the fuel tank only if the current position and or the current time corresponds to the allowed position(s) and or time(s), and
- means for activating an alarm message mode when fuel tank access is not allowed.
7. The device according to claim 6, characterized by means for locking the fuel tank when fuel tank access is not allowed.
8. The device according to claim 7, characterized by means for sending an alarm message from the vehicle to a remote data base (130) if the fuel tank is accessed when not allowed.
9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by means for sending an alarm message from the vehicle to a cellular telephone if the fuel tank is accessed when not allowed.
10. The device according to any of claims 6 or 9, characterized by means for controlling activation of a pump motor for pumping fuel from a tank in response to if the current position and or the current time corresponds to the allowed position(s) and or time(s).
11. A computer program product for controlling access to a fuel tank of a motorized vehicle, the computer program product comprising program segments that when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of: - retrieving (201 ) information relating to when and or where the fuel tank may be accessed,
- determining (203) a current position and or time,
- allowing access (205) to the fuel tank only if the current position and or the current time corresponds to the allowed positions and or times, and
- entering (211 ) an alarm message mode when fuel tank access is not allowed.
12. The computer program product according to claim 11 , characterized by computer program segments for locking (209) the fuel tank lid when fuel tank access is not allowed.
13. The computer program product according to claim 11 , characterized by computer program segments for initiating transmission of an alarm message from the vehicle to a remote data base if the fuel tank is accessed when not allowed.
14. The computer program product according to claim 11 or 13, characterized by computer program segments for initiating transmission of an alarm message from the vehicle to a cellular telephone if the fuel tank is accessed when not allowed.
15. The computer program product according to any of claims 11 or 14, characterized by computer program segments only allowing activation of a pump motor for pumping fuel from the tank if the current position and or the current time corresponds to the allowed position(s) and or time(s).
16. A digital storage medium having the computer program product according to any of claims 11-15 stored thereon.
PCT/SE2009/050114 2008-02-26 2009-02-04 Fuel tank control WO2009108109A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0800451-7 2008-02-26
SE0800451 2008-02-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009108109A1 true WO2009108109A1 (en) 2009-09-03

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PCT/SE2009/050114 WO2009108109A1 (en) 2008-02-26 2009-02-04 Fuel tank control

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102678009A (en) * 2012-05-29 2012-09-19 浙江吉利汽车研究院有限公司杭州分公司 Intelligent oil tank cover control device and control method thereof
WO2015154102A1 (en) * 2014-02-12 2015-10-08 Van Der Merwe, Schalk Willem Fuel gap locking system and method of unlocking a fuel cap

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6003558A (en) * 1995-09-21 1999-12-21 Locktron Ind. E Com. Ltda System for locking filler caps
GB2343283A (en) * 1998-10-28 2000-05-03 Robert William Wilkinson A fuel tank alarm system
US20020008402A1 (en) * 2000-05-12 2002-01-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Filler inlet compartment lid operating system
GB2433999A (en) * 2006-06-27 2007-07-11 Matthew Emmerson Allen Monitoring theft of fuel from a vehicle fuel tank
US20070203618A1 (en) * 2006-02-24 2007-08-30 Justin P. Mcbride Smart unlock control by vehicle location
US20070247280A1 (en) * 2006-04-06 2007-10-25 Suzuki Motor Corporation Electronic authentication system for motorcycle

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6003558A (en) * 1995-09-21 1999-12-21 Locktron Ind. E Com. Ltda System for locking filler caps
GB2343283A (en) * 1998-10-28 2000-05-03 Robert William Wilkinson A fuel tank alarm system
US20020008402A1 (en) * 2000-05-12 2002-01-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Filler inlet compartment lid operating system
US20070203618A1 (en) * 2006-02-24 2007-08-30 Justin P. Mcbride Smart unlock control by vehicle location
US20070247280A1 (en) * 2006-04-06 2007-10-25 Suzuki Motor Corporation Electronic authentication system for motorcycle
GB2433999A (en) * 2006-06-27 2007-07-11 Matthew Emmerson Allen Monitoring theft of fuel from a vehicle fuel tank

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102678009A (en) * 2012-05-29 2012-09-19 浙江吉利汽车研究院有限公司杭州分公司 Intelligent oil tank cover control device and control method thereof
CN102678009B (en) * 2012-05-29 2015-01-14 浙江吉利汽车研究院有限公司杭州分公司 Intelligent oil tank cover control device and control method thereof
WO2015154102A1 (en) * 2014-02-12 2015-10-08 Van Der Merwe, Schalk Willem Fuel gap locking system and method of unlocking a fuel cap

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