JP2001010700A - Refueling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a time required for refueling oil-feeding till a completion of the feeding under the condition of a full tank. SOLUTION: A oil-feeding nozzle 23 is equipped with a photo interrupter which detects bubbles produced on the surface of a liquid on an refueling and a ultrasonic sensor 28 which detects a liquid level. A control circuit 35 of an refueling apparatus 21 renews a filtering time in accordance with an output time of a liquid level detecting signal and judges whether or not the output time of the liquid level detecting signal surpasses a time finalizing the state of full-tank which is made up by adding a preset set time to the renewed output time of the liquid level detecting signal and furthermore stops a pump motor 32a when the output time of the liquid level detecting signal surpasses the time finalizing the state of full-tank. Then, changes of the output time of the liquid level detecting signal are learned whenever the feeding is made, and the time finalizing the state of full-tank is set. Therefore, stoppage of oil feeding by erroneous detections arising from bubbling during oil-feeding, splashing of liquid, rippling at the surface of the liquid and spouting out of the liquid through an air vent resulting from difference in shapes of refueling ports of vehicles can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fueling apparatus used in a gas station or the like, for example, for automatically filling a fuel tank of an automobile with a liquid oil such as gasoline or light oil.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gas station or the like, an oil supply device for supplying an oil liquid such as gasoline or light oil to a fuel tank of an automobile is installed. As a conventional lubricating device, there is a lubricating device configured as shown in FIG. 18, for example.

In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1 denotes an oil supply nozzle, 2 denotes an oil supply hose, 3 denotes a liquid supply line, 4 denotes a two-stage on-off valve.
Is a flow meter, 6 is a pump, 7 is a pump motor, and 8 is a nozzle hook. When the refueling nozzle 1 is removed from the nozzle holder 8, the nozzle switch 9 provided on the nozzle holder 8 is turned on, whereby the control device 10 activates the pump motor 7 to store the fuel in the underground tank (not shown). The supplied oil is pumped up through the liquid supply line 3, and the on-off valve 4 is opened to the fully open state.

When the refueling nozzle 1 is inserted into the refueling port 11a of the fuel tank 11 of the automobile, the operating lever of the refueling nozzle 1 is operated, and the built-in valve is opened, the refueling line 3 is opened. The oil liquid pumped up by the pump 6 through the connected oil supply hose 2 and oil supply nozzle 1 is supplied to the fuel tank 1.
1 is supplied. After the refueling is started in this way, the operation lever of the refueling nozzle 1 is locked and held by the lever hook in the valve-opening state.

[0005] The fueling nozzle 1 is provided with a liquid level sensor 12 comprising, for example, an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor at the tip of a discharge pipe 1a inserted into a fueling port 11a of the fuel tank 11. When the liquid level or bubble level rises and comes into contact with the liquid level sensor 12, the liquid level sensor 12
Outputs a liquid level detection signal. When the liquid level sensor 12 outputs a liquid level detection signal, the control device 10 closes the on-off valve 4.

During this period, the amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank 11 is measured by the flow meter 5, and the control device 10 calculates the amount of fuel by integrating the flow pulses output from the flow transmitter 5a of the flow meter 5, It is displayed on a display (not shown). By the way, when the oil liquid pumped by the pump 6 from the oil supply nozzle 1 is vigorously discharged into the fuel tank 11, when the flow of the discharged oil liquid collides with the liquid level, the oil in the fuel tank 11 is discharged. It gets caught in the liquid and hits the liquid level in the fuel tank 11,
Bubbles are generated on the liquid surface. Therefore, when refilling the tank, the liquid level sensor 12 detects bubbles generated on the liquid level in the fuel tank 11, and a liquid level detection signal is output before the tank becomes full.

[0007] Here, when performing a full tank refueling, the controller 1
The opening / closing control operation of the opening / closing valve 4 by 0 will be described. FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing a conventional refueling amount when the tank is full, an output of the liquid level sensor 12, opening and closing of the on-off valve 4, and starting and stopping of the pump motor 7. The controller 10 sets the time T
When the nozzle switch 9 is turned on at 1, the on-off valve 4 is opened as shown in FIG.
The pump motor 7 is started as shown in FIG. Then, the valve of the fueling nozzle 1 at time T2 when the valve opening operating, fueling is started liquid supply amount of hydraulic fluid as shown in FIG. 19 (A) rises to a maximum flow rate F _H.

As described above, as the oil liquid pumped by the pump 6 is supplied from the fuel supply nozzle 1 into the fuel tank 11, the liquid level in the fuel tank 11 rises and bubbles are generated on the liquid level. A foam surface is formed. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9B, when the liquid level sensor 12 detects bubbles on the liquid level and outputs a signal at time T3, the control device 10 closes the on-off valve 4 once.

After that, when the bubble disappearance waiting time Te until the bubbles on the liquid surface disappears and the time T4 elapses, the on-off valve 4 is, for example, half-opened to resume the supply of the liquid, and the supply amount of the oil liquid is reduced. keep the flow F _L. Then, at time T5, the liquid level sensor 1
When the liquid level detection signal is output again from 2, the on-off valve 4 is closed. Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the output of the liquid level sensor 12 is turned off during the elapse of the full tank determination time Td. That is, when the liquid level sensor 12 detects bubbles, the bubbles disappear and the output of the liquid level sensor 12 is turned off during the elapse of the full tank determination time Td, so that it is determined that the tank is not full yet. .

When the liquid level sensor 12 detects a liquid, the liquid level sensor 12 detects the liquid level even after the full tank determination time Td has elapsed.
Is kept on, it is determined that the tank is full. Therefore, when the output of the liquid level sensor 12 is turned off during the elapse of the full tank determination time Td, the on-off valve 4 is half-opened again at time T6, and the liquid supply is restarted.
When a liquid level detection signal is output from the liquid level sensor 12, the on-off valve 4 is closed. Then, again, the full tank determination time Td
It is checked whether or not the output of the liquid level sensor 12 is turned off while elapses.

In this manner, the open / close valve 4 is kept on until the output of the liquid level sensor 12 remains on for the full tank determination time Td.
Is repeatedly opened and closed.

[0012]

However, in the conventional fueling device, the shape of the fueling port differs depending on the type of vehicle to be refueled.
The oil liquid discharged from the oil supply nozzle 1 in 1a may bounce at short time intervals. In such a case, after the first bubble detection by the liquid level sensor 12, the number of times of detection of bubbles or liquid by the liquid level sensor 12 increases, and during this time, the opening / closing operation of the on-off valve 4 is repeated, and the operation is fully performed. The time until the end of refueling was extended further.

For this reason, the above-mentioned prior art is not limited to the liquid level sensor 12.
Each time is turned on, the opening and closing of the on-off valve 4 is repeated, so that additional refueling is repeated many times until the tank is full,
There is a problem that the refueling time is prolonged and the waiting time of the customer is prolonged. Therefore, the present applicant filed a Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 7-33232 filed on December 20, 1995.
No. 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-169398), intermittent refueling is performed from the start of refueling to the detection of bubbles generated on the liquid surface to suppress the generation of bubbles, and the foam disappearance waiting time We proposed a refueling device that was configured to shorten the oil supply.

However, in this refueling device, the shape of the refueling port of the vehicle, the shape of the pipe to the fuel tank, and the air vent in the fuel tank differ depending on the vehicle type, and foaming during refueling, splashing of the liquid, waving of the liquid surface, There is a possibility that the liquid level sensor may be determined to be full due to ejection from the air vent or the like and the refueling may be stopped. Therefore, even if the refueling is intermittently performed between the start of refueling and the detection of bubbles generated on the liquid surface as in the above proposed refueling device to suppress the generation of bubbles, the liquid rebounds and the liquid level increases. The liquid level sensor makes an erroneous detection due to the waving of the air, the ejection from the air vent, and the like, and the additional refueling operation must be repeated until the refueling is completed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an oil supply device which has solved the above-mentioned problems.

[0016]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. Claim 1
The described invention provides a liquid feeding unit that feeds an oil liquid to a refueling nozzle inserted into a refueling port, a liquid level detection sensor provided at a tip side of the refueling nozzle, and a detection signal from the liquid level detection sensor. A filter means for outputting a liquid level detection signal after the elapse of a predetermined filter time, and re-lubricating after temporarily stopping the liquid supply means based on the liquid level detection signal from the filter means, and outputting the liquid level detection signal. Control means for terminating refueling when the time reaches a predetermined full tank determination time, wherein the output time of the liquid level detection signal by the control means is longer than a predetermined full tank determination time. It is characterized by having a filter time updating means which adds the liquid level detection signal output time to the filter time when it is determined to be small, and sets the new filter time as a new filter time.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the control means determines that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is shorter than the predetermined full tank determination time, the output level of the liquid level detection signal is determined. Is added to the filter time to provide a new filter time, so that the change in the output time of the liquid level detection signal is learned each time refueling is performed, and the full tank determination time is set, and the It is possible to prevent a stop of refueling due to erroneous detection due to bubbling during refueling caused by the shape of the refueling port, rebound of liquid, waving of the liquid surface, ejection from the air vent, and the like.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is a liquid supply means for supplying an oil liquid to an oil supply nozzle inserted into the oil supply port,
A liquid level detection sensor provided on the tip side of the oil supply nozzle, filter means for outputting a detection signal from the liquid level detection sensor as a liquid level detection signal after a predetermined filter time has elapsed, and liquid level detection from the filter means Control means for stopping refueling after temporarily stopping the liquid feeding means based on the signal, and terminating the oil supply when the output time of the liquid level detection signal reaches a predetermined full tank determination time. In the device, when it is determined by the control means that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is smaller than a predetermined full tank determination time, the output time of the sensor signal from the liquid level detection sensor is set as a new filter time. It is characterized by having a filter time updating means for performing the processing.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the control means that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is shorter than the predetermined full tank determination time, the level from the liquid level detection sensor is determined. Since there is a filter time updating means for setting the output time of the sensor signal as a new filter time, the change of the output time of the liquid level detection signal is learned every time refueling is performed, and the full tank determination time is set. It is possible to prevent the stop of refueling due to erroneous detection due to bubbling during refueling caused by the shape of the mouth, rebound of the liquid, waving of the liquid surface, ejection from the air vent, and the like.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fueling nozzle. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tip of a discharge pipe of a fueling nozzle showing a configuration of a liquid level detection sensor. Also,
FIG. 4 is a view of the discharge pipe tip of the refueling nozzle as viewed from the discharge port.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the refueling device 21 is installed at a refueling site of a refueling station, and a refueling hose 25 connected to a refueling nozzle 23 is drawn out from a side surface of the device body 22. . The refueling nozzle 23 is usually provided in the device main body 2.
For example, when a customer's car arrives at a gas station, an operator removes the fueling nozzle 23 from the nozzle hook 24 and inserts the fuel into a fuel port 26a of a fuel tank 26 of the car. Insert and refuel.

The refueling nozzle 23 has a nozzle body 23b having a built-in valve mechanism which is opened by operating an operation lever 23a.
An oil supply hose 25 is connected to a joint 23c provided on a side surface of the oil supply port.
An ultrasonic sensor 28 for detecting a liquid level accompanying a rise in the liquid level at the time of refueling is provided. That is, the ultrasonic sensor 28 is provided as a liquid level detection sensor when the tank is full. Note that, instead of the ultrasonic sensor 28, an optical sensor may be provided at the tip of the discharge pipe 27 as a liquid level detection sensor.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ultrasonic sensor (liquid level detecting means) 28 includes an ultrasonic transmitter 28a.
And the ultrasonic receiver 28b are separated from each other with a space in which the liquid can enter so as to face each other. Then, the ultrasonic transmitter 28a and the ultrasonic receiver 28b
Is held by a holder 29 provided inside the discharge pipe 27.

The holder 29 is formed in an inverted U-shape when viewed from the distal end opening of the discharge pipe 27, and faces the wall surfaces 29b, 2 facing each other via a groove 29a communicating with the distal end opening of the discharge pipe 27.
It has mounting recesses 29d and 29e provided outside 9c. The ultrasonic transmitter 28a and the ultrasonic receiver 28b are fitted and fixed in the mounting recesses 29d and 29e so that the transmitting surface of the ultrasonic transmitter 28a and the receiving surface of the ultrasonic receiver 28b do not come into contact with each other. It is provided in.

A notch 27a is opened at the end of the discharge pipe 27 so as to communicate with the groove 29a of the holder 29. Therefore, when the liquid level of the fuel supply port 26a of the fuel tank 26 rises when the tank is full, the liquid level rises to the discharge pipe 27.
Into the notch 27a of the holder 29 and the groove 2 of the holder 29.
9a is reached. The ultrasonic transmitter 28a and the ultrasonic receiver 28b are connected to a control circuit 35 described later via signal lines 28c and 28d, respectively. Ultrasonic receiver 2
8b outputs a detection signal when receiving the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 28a, and its output value becomes high level when there is liquid, and becomes low level when there is no liquid. Therefore, it can be determined based on whether or not the detection signal output from the ultrasonic receiver 28b exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage (threshold).

Returning to FIG. 1, the configuration inside the apparatus main body 22 will be described. In the apparatus main body 22, the oil supply hose 25 is connected to the liquid feed pipe 30. The liquid supply pipe 30 extends to the underground tank 31 and is inserted.
A pump (liquid sending means) 32, a solenoid valve 33, and a flow meter 34 are provided on the way. A refueling amount indicator 36 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 22.

The nozzle switch 24a of the nozzle holder 24, the pump motor 32a of the pump 32, the solenoid valve 33, the flow rate pulse transmitter 34a of the flow meter 34, and the refueling amount display 36 are connected to a control circuit 35. . The control circuit 35 reads each control program stored in a memory (not shown) and controls each device. That is, when the refueling nozzle 23 is removed from the nozzle hook 24 and the signal from the nozzle switch 24a is input, the control circuit 35 starts the pump motor 32a of the pump 32 and activates the underground tank 3
Pump the oil liquid in 1. When the operation lever 23a of the fueling nozzle 23 is operated, fueling to the fuel tank 26 is started, and a flow rate pulse is output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 34a of the flowmeter 34 to the control circuit 35.

Then, the control circuit 35 integrates the flow rate pulses output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 34a and causes the refueling amount display 36 to display the refueling amount. The control circuit 35
As described later, when the detection signal p (sensor signal) is output from the ultrasonic sensor 28 provided at the tip of the discharge pipe 27, the electromagnetic valve 33 is intermittently closed, and the refueling is completed. The pump motor 32 of the pump 32
a is stopped.

A memory (not shown) of the control circuit 35
A measurement program for measuring the output time of the detection signal p output from the ultrasonic sensor 28, and outputting the measured output time of the ultrasonic sensor 28 as a liquid level detection signal after a predetermined filter time has elapsed. A filter processing program (filter means), an updating program (filter time updating means) for updating the filter time in accordance with the output time of the liquid level detection signal, and a filter time in which the output time of the liquid level detection signal is updated. A determination program for determining whether or not a full tank determination time obtained by adding a preset set time is exceeded. If the output time of the liquid level detection signal exceeds the full tank determination time, the solenoid valve 33 is closed and the pump is closed. A liquid feeding control program (control means) for stopping the fuel supply 32 and terminating the refueling is stored.

Here, the configuration of the refueling nozzle 23 will be described. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refueling nozzle 23. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fueling nozzle 23. FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the valve mechanism. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a diaphragm mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, inside the nozzle body 23 b of the refueling nozzle 23, a valve seat member 45 of the main valve and a pipe connecting member 47 to which the discharge pipe 27 is connected are provided in a distal opening 44 c. Are inserted and the nut 48 is tightened to hold the two members, and the oil passage 40 formed in the valve seat member 45 and the pipe connection member 47 and the negative pressure generating portion 49 and the main valve body 50 in the oil passage 40 are formed. And a valve mechanism 52 including a sub-valve element 51.

The negative pressure generating portion 49 is provided inside the valve seat member 45, and opens a passage 53 that opens on the tapered inner wall of the oil flow passage 40 and a passage 53 that is separated from the tapered inner wall during refueling. It comprises a valve element 55 which comes into contact with the tapered inner wall by the pressing force of the coil spring 54 at the time of refueling stop and closes the opening of the passage 53. A valve body 55 that is in contact with the tapered inner wall and closes the oil flow passage 40;
The valve shaft 57 extends downstream from the contact portion 56 and is inserted into a central hole 58 formed in the pipe connecting member 47. In addition, a suction pipe 60 communicating with an air introduction hole 59 provided at the tip of the discharge pipe 27 is connected to a downstream central hole 48 a formed in the pipe connection member 47.

The air sucked from the air introduction hole 59 passes through the suction pipe 60, reaches the center hole 48a, and is supplied to the passage 68. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the valve opening operation of the valve mechanism. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation lever 23a of the refueling nozzle 23 is operated in the direction C and the valve mechanism 52 is opened, the valve body 55 is pressed in the direction A by the fluid pressure to open the valve to start refueling. Is done. As a result, the oil liquid is
And is discharged to the discharge pipe 27.

At this time, in the negative pressure generating section 49, a negative pressure is generated by the Venturi effect, that is, the flow rate of the oil liquid, and the air in the passage 53 opened on the inner wall of the oil flow path 40
Is sucked into. When the refueling is stopped, the valve mechanism 52 closes and the valve body 55 closes the passage 53, so that the negative pressure disappears and the air suction from the passage 53 also stops. The operation lever 23a has a base end rotatably supported by a shaft 71 of a support portion 70 protruding from the lower surface of the nozzle body 23b. , D and swingable in the horizontal direction of the E direction. An interlocking lever 73 pivotally mounted on a shaft 71 of the nozzle body 23b has one end 73a in contact with the operation lever 23a and the other end 73b driving the valve mechanism 52 to open and close the valve shaft 74.
In the engaging hole 74a.

The valve shaft 74 includes a front shaft 90 and a rear shaft 91 slidably fitted to the front shaft 90 as described later. The main valve element 5 is slidably supported in the direction B and is spring-loaded by coil springs 79 and 80.
0 is pressed against the valve seat member 45. When the operation end of the operation lever 23a is gripped, the interlocking lever 73 rotates clockwise (see FIG. 7), and the valve shaft 7 integrated with the sub-valve element 51 is rotated.
4 is displaced in the valve opening direction (B direction).

Reference numeral 75 denotes a lever guard, which is an operation lever 23a.
Is mounted on the lower surface side of the nozzle body 23b so as to surround the nozzle body 23b. The lever guard 75 is formed in a substantially L-shape, and a band frame portion 75a whose both ends are fixed to the nozzle body 23b, and a U-shaped cross section, and the lower surface of the nozzle body 23b is formed so as to surround the front side of the band frame portion 75a. Frame 75 fixed to the side
b. A locking portion 76 is provided on the rear side of the band frame portion 75a to lock the operation lever 23a at a predetermined rotation position to hold the valve mechanism 52 in the valve open state.

When refueling, the discharge pipe 27 is inserted into the fuel port 26a of the fuel tank 26 and the operation lever 23
a is opened in the direction C. Then, the operation lever 23a
Of the sub-valve 51, the main valve 50, and the interlocking lever 73 are rotated clockwise.
Slides stepwise in the direction B, the valve mechanism 52 is opened, and the oil liquid is supplied through the oil supply hose 25 and discharged from the discharge pipe 27 to the oil supply port 26a.

An air introduction hole 59 for introducing vapor and air in the fuel tank 26 is provided on the lower outer periphery of the tip of the discharge pipe 27, and communicates with the air introduction hole 59 in the discharge pipe 27. The suction tube 60 is inserted. At the time of refueling, the other end of the suction pipe 60 is connected to the valve mechanism 52 via the central hole 47a and the passages 68, 77, 53 formed in the valve seat member 45 and the pipe connecting member 47 in the nozzle body 23b.
Is communicated with a negative pressure generator 49 provided on the downstream side.

When the valve mechanism 52 opens the valve, the oil liquid flows into the oil flow path 4.
When the oil flows from 0 into the oil flow passage 79 in the discharge pipe 27, a negative pressure is generated by the venturi effect of the negative pressure generating part 49 with the outflow of the oil liquid, and the air in the passage 53 is sucked. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes a diaphragm which functions as an automatic valve closing mechanism, is disposed on the side of the valve shaft 74, and is provided in an opening 84 which communicates with a space 83 in the nozzle body 23b in which the end of the valve shaft 74 slides. Is provided. Reference numeral 85 denotes a cap for closing the opening 84 provided on the side of the nozzle body 23b, and a negative pressure chamber 86 is provided between the cap 85 and the diaphragm 81.

Reference numeral 87 denotes a U-shaped receiving plate having a pair of opposed walls 87a and 87b opposed to each other, and a long hole 87c is formed in the pair of opposed walls 87a and 87b. The receiving plate 87 is located on the other side of the spring receiver 88 and is fixed to the diaphragm 81. Reference numeral 89 denotes a pair of rod-shaped rollers. Both ends in the axial direction are slidably fitted into the long holes 87c provided in the pair of opposed walls 87a and 87b, respectively.
Through a cutout portion 90a of the front shaft 90, and is engaged with an engagement groove 91a of a rear shaft 91 which is slidably fitted into a slide hole 90b of the front shaft 90.

Reference numeral 92 denotes a cap located in the negative pressure chamber 86.
The rod-shaped roller 89 is urged to fit into the engagement groove 91a of the rear shaft 91 via the diaphragm 81 and the receiving plate 87 by a spring provided between the spring 5 and the spring receiver 94. The negative pressure chamber 86 is provided with a passage 9 formed in the nozzle body 23b.
It communicates with the passages 68, 77, 53 via 3, 94. Therefore, in a state where the air introduction hole 59 is not closed at the liquid level when the tank is full, the valve body 55 is displaced in the direction A. The air from the air introduction hole 59 is introduced into the negative pressure generator 49 via the suction pipe 60 of the discharge pipe 27 and the passages 68, 77, 53.

Therefore, the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generating section 49 is compensated by the air supplied from the air introduction hole 59, so that the diaphragm 81 is not displaced against the spring force of the spring 92 and the diaphragm 81 is not displaced. Roller 8 slidably provided in a long hole 87c of a receiving plate 87 fixed to the
9 is engaged with the engaging groove 91 a of the rear shaft 91 from the cutout portion 90 a of the front shaft 90 of the valve shaft 74 by the spring force of the spring 92. As a result, the front shaft 90 and the rear shaft 91 of the valve shaft 74 are connected by the rod-shaped roller 89, and the main valve 50 is held at the valve opening position in conjunction with the operation of the operation lever 23a.

When the air introduction hole 59 at the tip of the discharge pipe 27 is closed with the rise in the liquid level of the oil supply port 26a, a negative pressure is introduced into the negative pressure chamber 86 via the passages 53, 77, 93, 94. Is done. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a receiving plate and a photo interrupter connected to the diaphragm.

As shown in FIG. 10, the diaphragm 8
1 is separated from the valve shaft 74 against the spring 92, and the rod-shaped roller 89 is separated from the engagement groove 91 a of the rear shaft 91. Accordingly, the front shaft 90 is disconnected from the rear shaft 91 interlocked with the operation lever 23a, the main shaft 50 abuts on the valve seat member 45 by the pressing force of the spring 79, and the valve mechanism 52 is closed. Give a valve.

Numeral 95 is a bubble detecting section for detecting that bubbles generated on the liquid surface from the movement of the diaphragm 81 have risen to the tip of the discharge pipe 27 as shown in FIGS. The bubble detection unit 95 includes a U-shaped photointerrupter 96 attached to an upper portion of the nozzle body 23b,
It comprises a detection piece 97 that rises upward from the wall 87a of the receiving plate 87 connected to the diaphragm 81.

The photo interrupter 96 is connected to the nozzle body 2
It is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 98 fixed to the upper part of 3b, and is protected by the cover 99. The photo interrupter 96 has a light emitting element 96a and a light receiving element 96b facing each other. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a receiving plate and a photo interrupter coupled to a diaphragm.

As shown in FIG. 11, since the diaphragm 81 is not operating before bubbles are detected, the detection piece 97 of the receiving plate 87 is separated from the photointerrupter 96 and emits light from the light emitting element 96a. Light received by the light receiving element 96b
Is received at. Then, when the air introduction hole 59 at the tip of the discharge pipe 27 is closed by bubbles on the liquid surface as the liquid surface of the fuel supply port 26a rises, the passages 53, 77, 93, 94 are formed in the negative pressure chamber 86 as described above. Since the negative pressure is introduced through the diaphragm 81, the diaphragm 81 is separated from the valve shaft 74 against the spring 92, and the rod-shaped roller 89 is moved to the engagement groove 9 of the rear shaft 91.
1a.

At this time, the detection piece 97 of the receiving plate 87 that operates integrally with the diaphragm 81 enters the slit 96c formed between the light emitting element 96a and the light receiving element 96b of the photo interrupter 96, and the light from the light emitting element 96a Block light. Therefore, the light receiving level of the light receiving element 96b is reduced, and bubbles generated on the liquid surface of the fuel supply port 26a are detected. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a liquid level detection circuit.

As shown in FIG. 12, the liquid level detection circuit 1
In 07, when the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 100 is supplied to the ultrasonic transmitter 28a, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 28a to the ultrasonic receiver 28b. The ultrasonic receiver 28b receives the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitter 28a during refueling. When the liquid level reaches the tip of the discharge pipe 27, the ultrasonic receiver 28b outputs the liquid level detection signal to the amplifier circuit 101 because the ultrasonic wave is blocked. Further, the liquid level detection signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 101 is compared with a threshold value set in advance by the comparator circuit 102, and if the signal is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal.
The light is supplied to the photocoupler 104 on the light emitting side via the buffer 103.

Since the transmitting circuit 100, the amplifying circuit 101, the comparator circuit 102, and the buffer 103 are housed in an explosion-proof case, electric signals are converted into optical signals by the photocouplers 104 and 105. Upon receiving the optical signal emitted from the photocoupler 104, the photocoupler 105 on the light receiving side inputs a liquid level detection signal to the control circuit 35. The control circuit 35 executes a control process to be described later, and when the end of the full tank refueling is determined, closes the solenoid valve 33 and stops the pump motor 32a.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the control processing executed by the control circuit 35. As shown in FIG. 13, the control circuit 35 enters a standby state in step S11 (hereinafter, “step” is omitted).
In the next S12, when the refueling nozzle 23 is removed from the nozzle hook 24 and the nozzle switch 24a is turned on, the pump motor 32a is started and the solenoid valve 33 is opened. In the next S13, when the nozzle lever of the refueling nozzle 23 is opened, a normal refueling process is performed.

During normal refueling, when a bubble detection signal is output from the photo-interrupter 96 for bubble detection and the bubble is determined, the process waits for a bubble drop (bubble disappearance) in S14. Then, after the elapse of the bubble descent waiting time, additional refueling is performed in S15, and when the additional refueling amount has been refueled, the process proceeds to S16, and in the case of liquid determination, proceeds to S17. In the next S16, additional refueling is completed. Then, when the refueling nozzle 23 is returned to the nozzle hook 24 and the nozzle switch 24a is turned on, the process returns to S11. In S14 to S16, if there is no bubble release and no liquid detection, the process returns to S13.

In step S13, when the liquid detection signal p (sensor signal) is output from the liquid level detecting ultrasonic sensor 28, in step S17, it is determined whether the number of liquid detections by the ultrasonic sensor 28 is equal to or less than the limit number. Check. In S17, if the number of times of liquid detection is equal to or less than the limit number, S18
And wait for the liquid to descend. Then, when the predetermined liquid descent waiting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S19, and an integer stop process is executed so that the refueling amount displayed on the refueling amount display 36 becomes an integer.

When the integer stop processing of S19 is completed, S2
The process proceeds to 0, the automatic tank filling is completed, and the process returns to S11. In S17, when the number of times of liquid detection is equal to or more than the limit number, the process proceeds to S21, and since the number of times of liquid detection reaches the limit number, the fuel supply nozzle 23 is returned to the nozzle hook 24 and the nozzle switch 24a is turned on. , Returning to S11.
If the liquid is released and the bubbles are determined in S20 and S21, the process proceeds to S15. If the liquid is determined in S21, S1
The process proceeds to 9 to execute an integer stop process.

Further, if manual refueling is to be performed in S12, the flow goes to S22 to release the automatic full tank refueling mode, and the manual refueling is performed when the nozzle lever of the refueling nozzle 23 is opened. . When bubbles are detected by the photo interrupter 96 for detecting bubbles, the process proceeds to S23, where the solenoid valve 33 is closed to stop refueling.

When the bubble detection is canceled in S23, the flow returns to S22, and manual refueling is performed again. Then, S22 and S23 are repeated until the target refueling amount is reached. In S22 and S23, the refueling nozzle 23 is returned to the nozzle hook 24, and the nozzle switch 24
When a is turned on, the process returns to S11. FIG.
6 is a flowchart for explaining a control process of waiting for a liquid drop.

As shown in FIG. 14, the control circuit 35
When executing the control process for waiting for the liquid drop, first, in S31
To check if the refueling nozzle 23 is removed from the nozzle hook 24 and the nozzle switch 24a is turned on. If the nozzle switch 24a is ON in S31, the process proceeds to S32, where it is checked whether or not the detection signal p (sensor signal) from the liquid level detection ultrasonic sensor 28 has been output. In S32, the ultrasonic sensor 2
If the detection signal p from No. 8 is not output, S33
To learn the filter time.

In S32, the ultrasonic sensor 28
If the detection signal p has been output from S, the process proceeds to S34 to perform a filtering process. Next, the process proceeds to S35, where it is checked whether the liquid level detection signal n is on. If the liquid level detection signal n is turned on in S35, the process proceeds to S36, and it is checked whether or not the liquid descent waiting time has elapsed. S3
In 6, when the liquid drop waiting time has not elapsed,
Proceeding to S37, the current processing is terminated while the liquid descent waiting processing is being performed. If the liquid descent waiting time has elapsed in S36, the process proceeds to S38, and it is checked whether the liquid level detection is being performed, that is, whether the liquid level detection signal n remains ON.

If the liquid level is being detected in S38, the process proceeds to S39, where an integer stop process is executed and the current process is terminated.
If the liquid level is not being detected in S38, the process proceeds to S40,
The solenoid valve 33 is opened to perform additional lubrication. And S4
At 1, the process proceeds to the refueling process and the current process is terminated.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the filter time learning processing in S33.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control circuit 35
When the filter time learning process is executed, the current filter time T ₁ and the detection signal p from the ultrasonic sensor 28 are determined in S51.
Detection time (signal ON time) when (sensor signal) was output
Compare and T _2. In S51, the current filter time T
When ₁ is larger than the detection time _{T 2 (T 1> T 2} ),
This process ends. However, if the current filter time T ₁ is smaller than the detection time T ₂ (T ₁ <T ₂ ) in S 51, the process proceeds to S 52, where it is determined whether the detection time T ₂ is less than half of the full tank determination time T _3. To check.

[0060] In this S52, when the detection time T ₂ of less than half of the full fixed time _{T 3 (T 2 <T 3} /
2), the process proceeds to S53, in which the filter time is updated.
That is, to update the current filter time T ₁ to the current detection time T _2. Further, in S52, when the detection time T ₂ of the more than half of the full settling time _{T 3 (T 2> T 3} /
2), the process proceeds to S54, full settling time T ₃ and the detection time (signal ON time) is compared with T _2. In S54,
Full settling time T ₃ is the detection time (signal ON time) when more T ₂ is small is (T ₃ <T _2), the process proceeds to S55, to perform the filter time initialization. However, in S54, full settling time T ₃ is the detection time (signal ON time) T
_If it is larger than ₂ (T ₃ > T ₂ ), the current process is terminated.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the filter time initialization processing in S55. As shown in FIG. 16, when performing the filter time initialization process, the control circuit 35 determines that the current refueling is to be finished, and the filter time updated by the current refueling in S61 for the next refueling. Return to the initial filter value. This completes the filter time initialization processing.

FIGS. 17A to 17G show the control circuit 35.
6 is a timing chart for explaining control of a liquid level detection process executed by the controller. As shown in FIG.
The nozzle switch 24a of the nozzle hook 24 is on while the fueling nozzle 23 is removed. FIG. 17 (B)
As shown in (2), the pump motor 32a is started when the nozzle switch 24a is turned on, and is stopped when the full tank is determined.

As shown in FIG. 17C, the solenoid valve 3
3, when the detection signal p from the ultrasonic sensor 28 is output, is closed intermittently perform full fueling before the end of the additional fueling is opened when the foam disappearance time t _a has passed. FIG.
As shown in (D), the photo-interrupter 96 for detecting bubbles detects that bubbles generated on the liquid surface have risen to the tip of the discharge pipe 27 from the movement of the diaphragm 81, and outputs the detection signal (original signal). Output.

As shown in FIG. 17 (E), the detection signal from the photo-interrupter 96 for bubble detection is a signal which is output after a lapse of time t _b through the filter. When this detection signal is turned on, the solenoid valve 33 is closed. Incidentally, when the bubble disappearance time t _a has passed, the solenoid valve 33
Is opened. As shown in FIG. 17 (F), the detection signal p (original signal = sensor signal) from the liquid level detecting ultrasonic sensor 28 indicates that the oil liquid rebounds to the tip of the discharge pipe 27 or that the liquid level rises. It is turned on several times until the tank is full.

As shown in FIG. 17 (G), the detection signal p ₁ from the ultrasonic sensor 28 is filtered and converted into a liquid level detection signal n ₁ . This liquid level detection signal n ₁
Initial filter time T _{0 after the} detection signal p ₁ is turned on
Is output after elapses. Then, the solenoid valve 33 by the liquid level detection signal n ₁ is closed, the fuel supply until the foam decay time t _a has passed is stopped. The time is the detection signal p ₁ at this time is on, is longer than the initial filter time T _0, the output time Delta] t ₁ of the initial filter time by the filter time learning processing T ₀ in the liquid level detection signal n ₁
Is updated to the filter time (learning time) Ta to which is added.

Next, the detection signal p from the ultrasonic sensor 28_Two
Is output, the detection signal p_TwoAnd the detection time
A comparison is made with the initial filter time Ta. As a result,
No. p _TwoIs the initial filter time T₀Yo
The signal that has passed through the filter is not output. This
As a result, the ultrasonic sensor 28
When liquid bouncing or when the liquid surface is detected
In this case, the solenoid valve 33 is not closed, and the refueling is continued.
As a result, the number of stoppages of additional refueling immediately before confirming the full tank is reduced
As a result, the refueling time can be reduced.

Next, the detection signal p from the ultrasonic sensor 28
₃ is converted is passed through a filter to the liquid level detection signal n _2. Then, when the detection signal p ₃ from the ultrasonic sensor 28 is outputted, comparing the filter time Ta and the detection time of the detection signal p _3. As a result, since the detection signal p ₃ is longer than the filter time (learning time) Ta, the time obtained by adding the output time Δt ₂ of the signal n _{2 to} Ta is the filter time (learning time).
It is updated as Tb.

In this case, the detection signal p_ThreeIs filtered
The liquid level detection signal n_TwoIs converted into the detection signal p_ThreeBut
The ON detection time is the filter time Tb.
Then, the solenoid valve 33 is closed, and the bubble disappearance time t_aIs
Refueling is stopped until it has passed. Next, the ultrasonic sensor 28
From the detection signal p_FourIs output, the previous filter time T
The full tank is determined by adding the preset time Tc to b.
Time T_ThreeAnd the detection signal p _FourAnd the detection time when
Compare. As a result, the detection signal p_FourIs full time
(T_Three= Tb + Tc), it is determined that the tank is full
I do.

[0069] In this case, when the detection signal p ₄ are converted is passed through a filter to the liquid level detection signal n _3, the pump motor 32a when the solenoid valve 33 is closed, the full settling time Tc has elapsed To stop. Thus, the full tank refueling is completed. As described above, when it is determined that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is shorter than the predetermined full tank determination time, the output time of the liquid level detection signal is added to the filter time to obtain a new filter time. In addition, the number of unnecessary refueling stoppages immediately before the completion of refueling can be reduced.

As a modification of the present invention, when it is determined that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is shorter than the predetermined full tank determination time, the output time of the sensor signal from the ultrasonic sensor 28 is changed to a new time. By setting the filter time,
As in the case described above, it is possible to reduce the number of unnecessary refueling stoppages immediately before the end of the full refueling. In the above-described embodiment, the fuel supply device for supplying fuel to the fuel tank of the vehicle has been described as an example. .

In the above embodiment, the photo interrupter 96 is used for bubble detection, and the ultrasonic sensor 28 is used for liquid level detection.
Although the configuration using is given as an example, the configuration is not limited to this.
Of course, other types of sensors may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the filter unit is implemented by software as the filter process has been described as an example. However, the filter unit is not limited to this, and may be configured by a hardware circuit that can update the filter time.

[0072]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the control unit determines that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is shorter than the predetermined full tank determination time, the liquid level detection is performed. Since there is a filter time updating unit that adds the signal output time to the filter time and sets a new filter time, a change in the output time of the liquid level detection signal is learned each time refueling is performed, and the full tank determination time is set. It is possible to prevent a stop of refueling due to erroneous detection due to bubbling during refueling caused by the shape of the refueling port of each vehicle, splashing of liquid, waving of the liquid surface, ejection from the air vent, and the like. This can reduce the number of unnecessary refueling stops immediately before the end of the full tank refueling. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refueling time from the start of refueling to the end of refueling to be extended due to the erroneous detection by the liquid level sensor, and to shorten the refueling wait time of the customer.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the control means that the output time of the liquid level detection signal is shorter than the predetermined full tank determination time, the sensor from the liquid level detection sensor is used. Since there is a filter time updating means for setting the output time of the signal as a new filter time, the change of the output time of the liquid level detection signal is learned every time refueling is performed, the full tank determination time is set, and the refueling port of each vehicle is set. Can be prevented from being stopped due to erroneous detection due to bubbling during refueling, rebound of liquid, waving of liquid surface, ejection from an air vent, etc. caused by the shape of. This can reduce the number of unnecessary refueling stops immediately before the end of the full tank refueling. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refueling time from the start of refueling to the end of refueling to be extended due to the erroneous detection by the liquid level sensor, and to shorten the refueling wait time of the customer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fueling nozzle.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tip of a discharge pipe of a fueling nozzle showing a configuration of a liquid level detection sensor.

FIG. 4 is a view of the tip of a discharge pipe of a fueling nozzle viewed from a discharge port.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refueling nozzle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fueling nozzle.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a valve mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a diaphragm mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a valve opening operation of the valve mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the diaphragm mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a receiving plate and a photo interrupter coupled to a diaphragm.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a liquid level detection circuit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control process executed by a control circuit 35;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control process for waiting for a liquid drop in S18.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a filter time learning process in S33.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a filter time initialization process in S55.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart for explaining control of a liquid level detection process executed by the control circuit 35;

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional oil supply device.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart of a process executed by a control device of a conventional refueling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Refueling device 23 Refueling nozzle 24 Nozzle hook 24a Nozzle switch 25 Refueling hose 26 Fuel tank 27 Discharge pipe 28 Ultrasonic sensor 30 Liquid feeding pipeline 32 Pump 32a Pump motor 34 Flowmeter 35 Control circuit 45 Valve seat member 49 Negative pressure generating part Reference Signs List 50 main valve element 51 sub-valve element 52 valve mechanism 55 valve element 59 air introduction hole 60 suction pipe 81 diaphragm 87 receiving plate 95 bubble detection section 96 photo interrupter 97 detection piece 100 transmission circuit 107 liquid level detection circuit 101 amplification circuit 102 comparator circuit 104,105 Photocoupler

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A liquid supply means for supplying an oil liquid to an oil supply nozzle inserted into an oil supply port, a liquid level detection sensor provided at a tip end of the oil supply nozzle, and a detection signal from the liquid level detection sensor. A filter means for outputting a liquid level detection signal after the elapse of a predetermined filter time; and, after temporarily stopping the liquid supply means based on the liquid level detection signal from the filter means, performing re-lubrication and outputting the liquid level detection signal. Control means for terminating refueling when the time reaches a predetermined full tank determination time, wherein the output time of the liquid level detection signal by the control means is longer than a predetermined full tank determination time. An oil supply device comprising: a filter time updating unit that adds the liquid level detection signal output time to the filter time when it is determined that the time is small, and sets the filter time as a new filter time. 2. A liquid supply means for supplying an oil liquid to an oil supply nozzle inserted into an oil supply port, a liquid level detection sensor provided at a tip end of the oil supply nozzle, and a detection signal from the liquid level detection sensor. A filter means for outputting a liquid level detection signal after a predetermined filter time has elapsed, based on the liquid level detection signal from the filter means, temporarily stopping the liquid supply means and then re-lubricating, and outputting the liquid level detection signal Control means for terminating refueling when the time reaches a predetermined full tank determination time, wherein the output time of the liquid level detection signal by the control means is longer than a predetermined full tank determination time. An oil refueling device comprising: a filter time updating unit that sets an output time of a sensor signal from the liquid level detection sensor to a new filter time when it is determined to be small.