EP0369089A1 - Device for supplying fuel to a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for supplying fuel to a motor vehicle, with a dispensing hose (3) which is provided with a dispensing valve (4) and, when not being used, is arranged with a considerable part of its length in a housing (7) and, for refuelling, can be pulled out of the housing (7) by means of the dispensing valve (4) counter to a return force into a use position required in the particular case. In order to ensure that, in the use position, the dispensing hose rests freely on the ground between its emergence from the housing and a point below the dispensing valve hooked into the filler pipe of the motor vehicle to be refuelled, the dispensing hose (3) is relieved of the return force in the respective use position. This is achieved by a locking mechanism (25) which automatically locks a return movement of the dispensing hose (3) when the respective use position is reached, the locking effect of which can be selectively cancelled for the retraction of the dispensing hose (3) into the housing (7) by means of the return force which is constantly present when the dispensing hose (3) has been pulled out. The locking mechanism (25) acts, in particular, on a deflection pulley (13b) for the guidance of a weight (15) which produces the return force acting on the dispensing hose (3). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for dispensing fuels to motor vehicles with a provided with a nozzle Zapfschlauch which is arranged when not in use with a substantial part of its length in a housing and withdrawn for refueling by means of the nozzle against a withdrawal force from the housing in a respective required position of use is.

Such devices for delivering fuels to motor vehicles are known in various designs. They are usually housed in a columnar housing. In order to be able to refuel one of several types of fuels, it has been customary for some time to arrange several dispensing devices next to each other, so that the customer can approach each of the existing dispensing points with the motor vehicle to be refueled, because he finds there the complete supply of fuels.

In such dispensers, it is known to collect the dispensing tube when not in use with a substantial part of its length in the housing; for fueling the dispensing hose is pulled out by means of the dispensing valve against a withdrawal force from the housing in the respective required position of use. This avoids that parts of the dispensing hose are on the road when not in use and can be run over by the motor vehicles.

In the known constructions of the dispensing hose is always charged with the retraction force, which pulls him back after completion of the refueling process in the housing of the pump. This results in two major disadvantages. First, there is a risk that the retraction force pulls the nozzle from the tank neck of the vehicle when the customer or the operator lets go of the nozzle, as is possible in particular in an automatic refueling by means of a detectable in the open position dispensing valve. Thus, there is the danger that fuel will leak from the nozzle detected in the open position, if this is pulled out of the tank neck of the vehicle due to the retraction force.

On the other hand, there is a risk of damaging the dispensing hose when the fuel nozzle for refueling the motor vehicle must be guided to a filler neck, which is located on the side facing away from the pump side of the motor vehicle. In this case, the dispensing hose passes under the motor vehicle. As a result of the retraction force, which is constantly acting on the dispensing hose, the dispensing hose is pulled against sharp edges on the underside of the motor vehicle or against hot exhaust parts arranged there, which can cause considerable damage to the dispensing hose. In vehicles equipped with catalytic converters, the temperature of the muffler is well above 200 ° C, so that considerable damage to the dispensing hose can occur even with brief contact when it rests on such hot exhaust parts due to the retraction force.

The invention has for its object to avoid the described Nachtiele and to provide a device of the type described above, in which the dispensing hose in the use position between its outlet from the housing up to a point below the hinged in the filler neck nozzle valve rests freely on the ground.

The solution of this problem by the invention is characterized in that the dispensing hose is relieved of the retraction force in the respective position of use.

With this development of a device according to the invention for the delivery of fuels to motor vehicles is achieved that during a refueling both the risk of unintentional withdrawal of the dispensing nozzle is removed from the filler neck and damage to the dispensing hose are excluded if this for refueling a motor vehicle on the of the Tap side facing away from the same under the motor vehicle passes.

According to a further feature of the invention, the dispensing hose is relieved in the respective position of use of the retraction force by a locking mechanism which automatically locks a retraction movement of the dispensing hose upon reaching the respective position of use and its blocking effect for retracting the dispensing hose into the housing by means of the continuous drawn-out dispensing hose Retracting force can be selectively canceled.

The inventive use of a locking mechanism, ie a simple mechanical component results in a particularly inexpensive design for the discharge of the dispensing hose in the respective position of use, there are a plurality of possibilities for the specific embodiment of such a locking mechanism and for the respective mounting location of this locking mechanism.

Thus, for example, devices for delivering fuels to motor vehicles are known, which are equipped with at least one rotatably arranged in the housing of the device guide roller for the dispensing hose and a means for storing a force which serves to generate the force acting on the dispensing hose retraction force. Such devices are known for example from German Utility Model 87 08 333 and 88 06 268. In these known constructions, the invention can be realized in that the locking mechanism acts according to a further feature of the invention on the guide roller.

In a further known embodiment, the force used to generate the retraction force is transmitted to the guide roller via at least one deflection roller. In this case, according to a feature of the invention, the possibility exists that the locking mechanism acts on the deflection roller.

In both cases, the retraction force can be generated either by a spring or by a weight. This weight can either be arranged on a further, acting on the dispensing hose guide roller or formed as a separate component, which then has to be connected in a suitable manner with one of the dispensing hose guide rollers.

A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is obtained if, according to a further feature of the invention, the guide roller for the dispensing hose is arranged vertically movable in the housing and connected by a flexible tension element with the weight, wherein the flexible tension element is guided over at least one deflection roller, which with the Lock is equipped.

A preferred development of this Ausfüh invention tion form results when the guide roller is rotatably mounted on a carriage in the vertical direction between an upper end position in which the bottom of the housing exiting and fixed in the lower part of the housing dispensing hose is in the retracted non-use position, and a lower end position , in which the dispensing hose is extended as far as possible, is movable. The flexible tension element is in this case according to the invention attached to the carriage and guided over two arranged on the housing pulleys, one of which is connected to the locking mechanism.

A particularly safe relief of the retraction force is obtained when the flexible tension member is formed at least over part of its length as a toothed belt.

Preferably, the Zapfschlauch is released from the withdrawal force-relieving effect of the locking mechanism when the dispensing hose is almost completely pulled out of the housing. In this way, it is avoided that in a complete withdrawal of the dispensing hose from the housing of the dispenser no longer remains sufficient leeway to cancel by short-term, further tightening the dispensing hose, the blocking effect of the locking mechanism.

The ratchet preferably has a non-rotatably mounted on the housing of the dispenser spreader ring with at least one formed in the outer lateral surface recess and at least one cooperating with the ratchet pawl which is pivotally mounted on the guide roller and inhibits the locking mechanism in their engagement in the recess.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, the locking ring and pawl can be displaced axially to each other until the mutual possibility of engagement is removed.

This is achieved in particular by the locking ring is arranged axially displaceably on a pin, which also serves as an axis for the deflection roller. In this way, by a targeted external intervention, the effect of the locking mechanism can be canceled to avoid a no longer releasable locking of the locking mechanism with completely drawn out of the housing of the dispenser dispensing tube.

The lifting of the effect of the locking mechanism with almost completely drawn dispensing hose can be done in particular by means of a housing-fixedly arranged actuating member which axially displaces the locking ring against the force of a spring.

This actuator may be formed according to a preferred embodiment of the device as can be applied to an end face of the ring gear lever, which is actuated by a fixed to the flexible tension member or the weight driver. In this way, the desired cancellation of the effectiveness of the lock can be achieved with simple structural measures.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Abgabe von Kraftstoffen an Kraftfahrzeuge;
• Fig. 2 eine Ansicht der Stirnseite der Vorrichtung nach Fig.1, wobei ein in der linken Hälfte der Dar­stellung abgebildetes Kraftfahrzeug auf herkömm­liche Weise betankt wird, während bei dem in der rechten Hälfte der Darstellung abgebildeten Kraft­fahrzeug die Betankung durch eine Vorrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Art erfolgt;
• Fig. 3 einen Schnitt durch den der Aufnahme des Zapf­schlauches dienenden Teil einer Zapfsäule nach Fig.1 und 2 bei in der Zapfsäule eingehängtem Zapfventil;
• Fig. 4 einen der Fig.3 entsprechenden Schnitt bei zum Betanken vollständig aus dem Gehäuse heraus­gezogenem Zapfschlauch;
• Fig. 5 einen Längsschnitt durch eine Umlenkrolle mit Ge­sperre zur Verwendung in der Vorrichtung gemäß den Figuren 1 bis 4;
• Fig. 6 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie VI - VI der Fig.5 in Sperrstellung des Gesperres;
• Fig. 7 einen der Fig.6 entsprechenden Schnitt durch das Gesperre in seiner entsperrten Stellung.

In the drawing, an embodiment of a device for dispensing fuels to motor vehicles according to the invention is shown, in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a device for delivering fuels to motor vehicles.
• Fig. 2 is a view of the front side of the device according to Fig.1, wherein a pictured in the left half of the illustration motor vehicle is refueled in a conventional manner, while in the illustrated in the right half of the illustration motor vehicle refueling is carried out by a device of the type according to the invention ;
• 3 shows a section through the portion of a dispenser according to FIGS. 1 and 2 serving for receiving the dispensing tube when the dispensing valve is suspended in the dispenser;
• FIG. 4 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 3 with the dispensing hose completely pulled out of the housing for refueling; FIG.
• 5 shows a longitudinal section through a deflection roller with locking mechanism for use in the device according to FIGS. 1 to 4;
• 6 shows a section along the line VI - VI of Figure 5 in the locked position of the locking mechanism.
• Fig. 7 a of Figure 6 corresponding section through the locking mechanism in its unlocked position.

The device shown in Figure 1 for dispensing fuels to motor vehicles is formed by a dispenser 1, which is composed of aggregate parts 2 for receiving the fuel pump, the measuring units and other aggregates and from one of the intake of bleeders 3 and nozzles 4 further serving part , which is composed of four taps 5 in the embodiment according to Figure 1. Each tapping point 5 has a bleed tube 3 and a nozzle 4. In the exemplary embodiment tapping hoses 3 and nozzles 4 are also arranged on the opposite side of the pump 1, so that a refueling of motor vehicles on both sides of the pump 1 is possible.

The illustrated in Figure 1, four taps 5 are preferably used to deliver different fuel types, via a common display instrument 6 which the user data to be displayed, depending on the respectively removed and assigned to a specific fuel grade nozzle valve. 4

2 shows how motor vehicles are refueled on both operating sides of the petrol pump 1. In the left half of Figure 2 it can be seen that, if the filler neck of the motor vehicle is located on the side facing away from the pump 1 side of the motor vehicle, the fuel hose 3 is placed during refueling from below against the underbody of the motor vehicle. The reason for this is a retraction force acting on the dispensing hose, which endeavors to pull the dispensing hose 3 back into the dispenser 1. The refueling process shown in the left-hand half of FIG. 2 is refueling by means of a conventional dispenser, which belongs to the state of the art in a similar embodiment.

It can be seen in particular from the left half of FIG. 2 that, as a result of the retraction force constantly acting on the dispensing hose 3, the dispensing hose 3 is pulled against sharp edges on the underside of the motor vehicle or against hot exhaust parts arranged there. This can damage the dispensing hose 3 occur.

While the left half of Figure 2 shows the location of a dispensing tube 3 in conventional, associated with the prior art dispensers, the position of the dispensing tube 3 is shown at a dispenser according to the invention in the right half of Figure 2. It can be seen that the bleed tube 3 between its exit from the dispenser 1 and a point below the hinged in the filler neck dispensing valve 4 aufleigt free on the floor. The measures necessary for this purpose at the pump 1 will be in the following explained with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

In the figures 3 and 4, a part of the housing 7 of the dispenser is shown, which serves in particular to receive the dispensing hose 3 in its non-use position. The bleed hose 3 is fixed in the lower part of the housing 7 to a fuel port 8, which is connected to the pressure side of a not shown Kraftstofförderpumpe and with a measuring unit. The bleed tube 3 is guided in the form of a downwardly open loop on a rotatably mounted guide roller 9 and occurs to form an upwardly open, another loop through an opening 10 located in the lower part of the housing 7 from the housing 7. The nozzle 4 is mounted at about handle height of the user on the housing 7.

The freely rotatable in the embodiment guide roller 9 is arranged vertically movable on a carriage 11. The carriage 1 has suitable guide elements to slide on two vertically mounted in the housing 7 guide rods 12.

In the upper part of the housing 7, two deflection rollers 13a, 13b are rotatably mounted, over which a flexible tension element 14 is guided, at the one, of the guide roller 13b down leading end a weight 15 is fixed in the form of a narrow cylinder. The other, of the immediately above the carriage 11 arranged deflection roller 13 a down-leading end of the flexible tension element 14 is connected to the carriage 11. The mass of the weight 15 is dimensioned so that this is able to raise by its own weight, the carriage 11 with the guide roller 9 arranged thereon and the dispensing tube 3 safely up to its uppermost position.

In Figure 4, the carriage 11 with the guide roller 9 in its lowest position shown. This position is taken if the dispensing hose 3 has been pulled out of the housing 7 as far as possible. The weight 15 is in its uppermost position just below the pulley 13b. While the deflecting roller 13a arranged above the carriage 11 is freely rotatably mounted, the deflecting roller 13b arranged above the weight 15 has a locking device which will be discussed in more detail below.

According to the representation of Figure 5, the guide roller 13b is rotatably mounted on a pin 16 which is fixed to the back of the housing 7. The pin 16 is formed in two stages, wherein the deflection roller 13b is located on the first stage of larger diameter, while an axially displaceable on the pin 16, but not rotatable locking ring 17 is disposed on the second stage with a smaller diameter. The axial guidance of the locking ring 17 is effected in particular via a longitudinal groove in the locking ring 17, which slides on a dowel pin 18 in the pin 16. An axially acting spring 19, for example in the form of a plate spring, is supported on the one hand on the part of the pin 16 with a larger diameter and on the other hand on the rear wall of the housing 7 facing end face of the locking ring 17 and produces a permanent, directed away from the guide roller 13b away Axial force on the secured by a locking ring 20 locking collar 17th

From the sectional view of Figure 6 it can be seen that the locking ring 17 has a narrow, circumferential ridge 21 which is provided with two tooth-shaped recesses 22a, 22b, which are formed offset by 180 ° in the circumferential ridge 21 and bearing surfaces 23a, 23b, which serve for the installation of pawls 24a, 24b. The pawls 24a, 24b are as formed short lever, which are freely rotatably mounted at one end to the locking ring 17 facing the end face of the guide roller 13b, so that their orientation is subject to their inertial forces alone.

The pawls 24a, 24b form in cooperation with the ratchet 17 a locking mechanism 25, whose function will be explained below.

For understanding, in FIG. 6 the strand of the flexible tension element 14 leading to the weight 15 is provided with the reference symbol G, while the strand of the flexible tension element 14 leading to the deflection roller 13a or to the carriage 11 is provided with the reference symbol S.

If the dispensing hose 3 is pulled out of its housing 7, as shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 11 is pulled down by the guide roller 9, so that the flexible pulling element 14 moves upward against the force of the weight 15. This movement of the tension element 14 is marked with the arrow S in FIG. The arranged on the guide roller 13b pawls 24a, 24b slide over the recesses 22a, 22b without latching. If the pull-out movement of the dispensing hose 3 is ended, then the respectively upper-lying pawl 24a lies in the overhead recess 22a due to its own weight. As soon as the pawl 24a comes against the contact surface 23a, the locking mechanism 25 is blocked so that the retraction force constantly generated by the weight 15 on the carriage 11 and thus also on the dispensing hose 3 is canceled. The dispensing hose 3 can thus assume the position of use shown in the right half of Figure 2, in which it rests freely between its exit from the housing 7 of the pump 1 to a point below the hinged in the filler neck of the vehicle dispensing valve 4 on the floor ,

If, after completion of the refueling operation, the bleed tube 3 is to be retracted again into the housing 7 as a result of the action of the weight 15, the inhibition of the catch 25 must first be removed. For this purpose, the bleed tube 3 is still slightly further pulled out of the housing 7, which affects with respect to Fig.6 in a movement of the flexible tension element 14 in the direction S. As a result, the pawl 24a releases from the recess 22a. If the holding force on the bleed tube 3 is then suddenly relieved, then the flexible tension element 14 is pulled in the direction G as a result of the weight 15, resulting in a rapid acceleration of the deflection roller 13b, which results in a centrifugal force acting on the detents 24a, 24b. As a result, they are pivoted with their free end to the outside, so that the guide roller 13b can be rotated without resistance. Under the action of the weight 15, the dispensing hose 3 thus returns to the housing 7.

Since in the embodiment, the wrap angle of the guide roller 13b is only small, a toothed belt is used as a flexible tension member 14. Alternatively, however, the flexible tension element 14 could also be looped several times around the deflection roller 13b; In this case, a rope would be sufficient as a tension element 14. Of course, a chain can be used.

Of Fig.5 it can be seen that the weight 15 is provided at its upper end with a driver 26. Approaches the weight 15 of the guide roller 13b with the locking mechanism 25, so the driver 26 and the weight 15 itself abuts against a pivotably mounted on the housing 7 lever 27, whereby a compressive force is exerted on the outer end face of the locking collar 17, so that this axially displaced against the force of the spring 19 in the direction of the guide roller 13b. As a result, the pawls 24a, 24b disengage from the recesses 22a, 22b of the circumferential web 21 of the lock wreath 17, so that in this case the effect of the locking 25 is released. In this way it is prevented that the locking mechanism 25 is blocked in fully drawn out of the housing 7 dispensing tube 3, because a loosening of the locking mechanism 25 by repeated, short tightening the dispensing hose 3 would no longer be possible.

In the described embodiment, the locking mechanism 25 acts on the deflection roller 13b. However, it is of course also possible to have the locking mechanism act on the other deflection roller 13a, on the guide roller 9 or on the carriage 11.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1 petrol pump
• 2 unit part
• 3 dispensing hose
• 4 nozzle
• 5 tap
• 6 indicating instrument
• 7 housing
• 8 fuel connection
• 9 guide role
• 10 opening
• 11 sleds
• 12 guide rod
• 13a pulley
• 13b pulley
• 14 tension element
• 15 weight
• 16 cones
• 17 barrier ring
• 18 dowel
• 19 spring
• 20 circlip
• 21 circumferential web
• 22a recess
• 22b recess
• 23a contact surface
• 23b contact surface
• 24a pawl
• 24b pawl
• 25 locking
• 26 drivers
• 27 lever

Claims (16)

1. A device for delivering fuel to motor vehicles with a provided with a nozzle Zapfschlauch which is arranged when not in use with a substantial part of its length in a housing and pulled out for refueling by means of the nozzle against a withdrawal force from the housing in a respective required position of use characterized,
that the dispensing hose (3) is relieved of the retraction force in the respective position of use. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing hose (3) is relieved in the respective position of use of the retraction force by a locking mechanism (25), which upon reaching the respective position of use, a return movement of the dispensing hose (3) automatically locks and its blocking effect for retracting the dispensing hose (3) in the housing (7) by means of the retracted Zapfschlauch (3) constantly retracting force is selectively canceled. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 and 2 with at least one rotatably arranged in the housing guide roller for the dispensing hose and means for storing a force for generating the force acting on the dispensing hose retraction force,
characterized,
that the locking mechanism acts on the guide roller. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 and 2 with at least one rotatably arranged in the housing guide roller for the dispensing hose and means for storing a for generating the force acting on the dispensing pull-back force, which is transmitted to the guide roller via at least one deflection roller,
characterized,
that the locking mechanism acts on the deflection roller. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the retraction force is generated by a spring. 6. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the retraction force is generated by a weight (15). 7. Apparatus according to claim 4 and 6, characterized in that the guide roller (9) for the dispensing hose (3) arranged vertically movable in the housing (7) and by a flexible tension element (14) with the weight (15), wherein the flexible tension element (14) via at least one guide roller (13a, 13b) is guided, which is equipped with the locking mechanism (25). 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide roller (9) on a carriage (11) is rotatably mounted in the vertical direction between an upper end position, in which the bottom of the housing (7) and exiting in the lower part of the housing (7) attached dispensing hose (3) is in the retracted non-use position, and a lower end position in which the dispensing hose (3) is extended as far as possible, is movable. 9. Apparatus according to claim 7 and 8, characterized in that the flexible tension element (14) attached to the carriage (11) and two on the housing (7) arranged deflection rollers (13 a, 13 b) is guided, one of which with the locking ( 25) is connected. 10. The device according to at least one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the flexible tension element (14) is formed at least over part of its length as a toothed belt. 11. Device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the dispensing hose (3) of the retraction force relieving effect of the locking mechanism (25) is repealed when the dispensing hose (3) is almost completely pulled out of the housing (7) , 12. The device according to at least one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the locking mechanism (25) a non-rotatably on the housing (7) of the pump (1) arranged locking ring (17) with at least one formed in the outer lateral surface recess (22a, 22b) and at least one with the pawl (17) cooperating pawl (24a, 24b) which is pivotally mounted on the guide roller (13b) and the locking mechanism (25) in their engagement in the recess (22a, 22b) inhibits. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that locking ring (17) and pawl (24 a, 24 b) can be moved axially to each other until the suspension of their mutual engagement possibility. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking ring (17) is arranged axially displaceably on a pin (16), which also serves as an axis for the deflection roller (13 b). 15. The apparatus of claim 13 and 14, characterized by a fixed housing fixed actuator (27), which axially displaces the locking ring (17) against the force of a spring (19). 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the actuating member (27) is designed as an end face of the locking ring (17) can be applied lever which by a on the flexible tension element (14) or the weight (15) attached to the driver (26 ) is operable.

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