JP2001233400A - Automatic fuel feed apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic fuel feed apparatus capable of feeding fuel without assistance wherever a fuel filler port of an automobile may be positioned and dispensing with labor of a fuel feed worker. SOLUTION: A fuel filler port 47b of an automobile 3 stopping in a fuel feed area 1 is detected by sensors 35, 46. A nozzle mechanism 17 is moved by a hose moving mechanism 15 and a hose flexing means 16, and a nozzle port adaptor 40 at a top end of the nozzle mechanism 17 is thereby connected to a fuel filler port adaptor 47. A fuel feed control means 90 starts fuel feed and stops it based on the fuel feed data preset by a data input/output unit 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic lubricating apparatus for automatically refueling fuel oil by detecting a filler port of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant of the present invention has proposed a lubricating apparatus in which an oil type judging means is provided to prevent refueling of different oil types.
No. 15598 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-169498. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 58-41095 and 63-125196 have proposed a fueling device which is provided with a full tank refueling means and automatically fills the tank to the full level.

[0003]

The above prior art is
Although each is effective, inserting a refueling nozzle into a refueling port of an automobile is manually performed, and requires a skilled worker. Further, the position of the refueling port differs depending on the type of automobile, and there are cases where the position is on the side of the refueling device and cases where it is on the opposite side.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an automatic refueling apparatus that can refuel a vehicle regardless of the position of a refueling port of a vehicle without relying on manual operation and eliminates the need for a refueling operator. It is intended to be.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic refueling device according to the present invention sets a sensor for detecting a refueling port of a fuel tank of a vehicle stopped in a refueling area and refueling data. In an automatic refueling device including a data input / output device and a refueling device having a refueling mechanism controlled by refueling control means, the refueling device has one end attached to a column and the other end extending to a refueling area. A hose moving mechanism that is housed in a hose storage case that is connected to the oil supply mechanism, and a hose bending unit that stores an oil supply hose that is connected to the moving hose in the hose storage case, and that bends the oil supply hose. A nozzle mechanism provided at a distal end portion of the hose bending means and having a refueling port adapter for a refueling hose and a connecting means for connecting the refueling port adapter to a refueling port; And a mechanism control means for controlling the driving of the hose bending means, wherein the mechanism control means drives the hose movement mechanism and the hose bending means based on the detection signal of the sensor, and The system is characterized in that the mechanism is brought close to and connected to the oil supply port, and the oil supply control means starts oil supply and stops oil supply based on the set oil supply data.

The refueling machine may further include a moving mechanism controlled by the mechanism control means to move the column, so that the nozzle mechanism can be easily brought close to the refueling port regardless of the refueling port of the vehicle. It is preferable because it can be performed.

It is preferable that a hose reel is provided in the hose storage case in that the hose can be moved smoothly.

It is preferable that the connection means is an excitation coil whose energization is controlled by the mechanism control means, since the connection can be easily controlled.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 to 7 are views for explaining an automatic refueling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refueling state of the automatic refueling device, FIG. 2 is a front view of the automatic refueling device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a fueling device, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a hose bending means, FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a nozzle mechanism, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable data input device, and FIG. It is a block diagram explaining.

In these figures, an automatic refueling apparatus 10 of this embodiment is provided with a hose-bending type refueling machine 11 and a data input / output device 50 on an island 2 in a refueling area 1 of a gas station. This is a device that automatically moves a refueling nozzle of a refueling machine 11 in accordance with the position of a refueling port of a vehicle 3 stopped in a refueling area 1 to refuel.

The refueling machine 11 has a slender column 13 standing upright on the base plate 12 on the island 2, one end attached to the upper end of the column 13, and the other end extending toward the refueling area 2. Hose storage case 14,
A hose moving mechanism 15 housed inside the hose housing case 14, a hose bending means 16 attached to the hose moving mechanism 15, a nozzle mechanism 17 provided at a tip end of the hose bending means 16, And a column rotating device 18 for rotating the column 13. The support 13 is
It is formed sufficiently higher than the height of the car 3. The hose storage case 14 has an elongated box shape in which a portion to be attached to the support 13 is slightly larger and a tip end side is formed smaller, and the end side thereof has a length sufficiently extending beyond the upper part of the automobile 3 stopped in the refueling area 1. Is formed. Further, the hose storage case 14 is provided with an entry permission lamp 34 for illuminating blue or red to indicate whether or not the vehicle can enter, in an upper portion thereof, and stops at the refueling area 1 in a central portion of a lower portion of the extended portion. A fueling position sensor 35 for detecting which side of the fueling port of the car 3 is located. Further, an approach sensor 36 is provided on a side surface of the island 2 facing the refueling area 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hose moving mechanism 15 is provided in a hose storage case 14 and has a
A hose reel 19 disposed on the third side, a hose 20 wound around the hose reel 19 and fed out, a truck 21 for moving the hose 20, and a bottom of a hose storage case 14 for guiding the movement of the truck 21 A rail 22 provided, a hose joint 24 attached to the truck 21 and having an end of the hose 20 connected via an on-off valve 23;
Hose moving device 25 for moving 1 along rail 22
And the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fuel supply pipe 26 connected to a fuel oil storage tank constituting a fuel supply mechanism is provided in the basement below the island 2 with a pump 27 and a flow meter 28 on the way.
And is further introduced into the support column 13, and is connected to the hose 20 of the hose reel 19 via a rotary joint 29 on the way.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hose bending means 16 includes a bent hose 31 in which a refueling hose 30 is housed, and is attached to a lower portion of the carriage 21 via a connecting portion 49. It is connected so as to communicate with 20. This bent hose 31 is used for the refueling hose 3.
The space between the inner surface and the outer surface of the refueling hose 30 which is made of a material such as fiber reinforced rubber having a sufficient thickness to accommodate the inside of the oil supply hose 30,
For example, three air chambers 31 divided radially from the center
a is formed, and a plurality of short pipes whose both ends are closed are connected to each other to supply air pressure to each air chamber 31a. That is, the outer diameter of the bending hose 31 expands and contracts when the same air pressure is supplied to the three air chambers 31a. However, when the air pressure of a different pressure is supplied to each air chamber 31a, the bending hose 31 bends in accordance with the pressure. Therefore, each of the short bent hoses 31 is connected to the internal oil supply hose 3.
Since the actuator operates as a pneumatic actuator that can be bent in any direction, it is possible to move the nozzle mechanism 17 provided at the tip of the actuator in any direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, a nozzle mechanism 17 is provided at a tip end of an oil supply hose 30 protruding from a bent hose 31 of the hose bending means 16 through a telescopic bellows tube 32 to form a fuel supply nozzle. The vehicle adapter 3 is provided with a fuel supply port adapter 47 to which a nozzle adapter 40 is attached and into which the nozzle port adapter 40 is inserted. The nozzle port adapter 40 has a conical surface 4 whose portion connected to the bellows tube 32 is formed in a tubular shape and whose tip portion becomes smaller as it goes forward.
0a with a discharge port 40b at the end thereof,
Further, a vapor suction port 40c is formed at the tip side of the conical surface 40a. The vapor suction port 40c is connected to an oil type sensor 44 and a suction pump 45 via a bellows tube 43. An excitation coil 41 is attached to the tubular portion of the nozzle port adapter 40. The refueling port adapter 47 is provided in a portion of the automobile 3 that supplies fuel oil, has a conical surface 47a into which the tip of the nozzle port adapter 40 is inserted, and a refueling port 47b is provided at the tip of the conical surface 47a. A magnet 48 is formed at a position facing the exciting coil 41.
Is attached. Also, the protruding oil supply hose 3
A fuel port sensor for detecting the position of the fuel port 47b of the fuel port adapter 47 and detecting whether the nozzle port adapter 40 is connected to the fuel port adapter 47 at the tip of the bent hose 31 near zero. 46 are provided.

The data input / output device 50 is provided with a case 52 on the top of a stand 51 erected above the island 2, and is connected to the case 52 by a display 53, an alarm 54 and a signal line 55. A portable data input device 56 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the portable data input device 56 includes a display unit 57, a keyboard 58, a setting button 5
9, a confirmation button 60, and a card reader / writer 61 are provided. The card reader / writer 61 reads and writes a customer's credit card, bank card, refueling card, prepaid card, IC card, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG.
For example, there is provided a refueling control means 90 having a full tank refueling means 91 and an oil type discriminating means 92, and the refueling control means 90 includes the pump 27, the flow meter 28, the on-off valve 23, the oil type sensor 44, the suction pump 45, and It is connected to a filler port sensor 46. Further, the refueling machine 11 is provided with a mechanism control means 93 for controlling the position of the nozzle mechanism 17, and the mechanism control means 93 respectively comprises a column rotating device 18, a hose moving device 25, a hose bending device 16, and an exciting coil 41. , A refueling position center 35, and a refueling port sensor 46. Further, the data input / output device 50 is provided with data control means 94 for controlling each part, and the data control means 94 is provided with the entry sensor 36 and the entry permission lamp 3 respectively.
4, a keyboard 58, a display 53, a card reader / writer 61, an alarm 54, a setting button 59, a confirmation button 60, and a display unit 57. Data is transferred between the refueling machine 11 and the data input / output device 50.

Next, the operation of the automatic refueling device 10 will be described based on a flowchart. 8 and 9 show the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the automatic refueling apparatus of embodiment, FIG. 8: is a flowchart of the control operation of a data input / output device, FIG. 9: is a flowchart of the control operation of a lubricating machine.

First, when the vehicle 3 to be refueled is not in the refueling area 1, the entry permission lamp 34 is lit in blue. In addition, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the hose bending means 16 is in the initial standby position on the support column 13 side, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1. When the refueling car 3 enters the refueling area 1 and the entry sensor 36 detects the entry of the car 3 and turns on (ST1), the data control means 94 receives the car detection signal and changes the entry permission lamp 34 from blue to red. (ST2) to prevent the entry of another vehicle.

Next, when the customer takes the portable input device 56 of the data input / output device 50 and inserts the card into the card reader / writer 61 (ST3), the data input / output device 50
As a result, refueling data is input and automatic refueling becomes possible. When refueling data such as oil type and refueling amount is input on the keyboard 58 (ST4), the refueling data is displayed on the display 53 and the display unit 57, and the confirmation button 60 is pressed (ST5), and then the setting button 59 is pressed. Refueling data is set (ST
6), the data control means 94 transmits the setting data to the refueling machine 1
Send to 1.

Data control means 9 of data input / output device 50
When the refueling data transmitted from the fuel supply device 4 is input to the mechanism control means 93 of the refueling machine 11 (ST11), first, the refueling position sensor 3 provided at the lower portion of the hose storage case 14
5, and a refueling port sensor 46 provided in the nozzle mechanism 16 at the tip of the hose bending means 16 in a standby state detects the position of the refueling port 47b (ST12), and the mechanism control means 93
Controls the hose moving device 25, the hose bending means 16 and the column rotating device 18 to move the nozzle mechanism 16 to a position facing the fuel port 47b of the automobile 3 (ST13). More specifically, first, the refueling position sensor 35 detects whether the refueling port 47b of the automobile 3 is on the near side or on the opposite side. Next, when the fuel supply port 47b is on the near side, FIG.
In the standby state as shown by the dotted line, the fuel filler sensor 46 detects the fuel filler 47b, and based on the detection signal, the mechanism control means 93 controls the pillar rotating device 18 to center the pillar 13 on the pillar 13. The hose storage case 14 is rotated to control the hose bending means 16 to control the bending hose 31.
Is bent to move the nozzle port adapter 40 of the nozzle mechanism 17 to a position facing the oil supply port adapter 47. When the oil supply port 47b is provided on the opposite side, first, the mechanism control means 93 controls the hose moving device 25 constituting the hose moving mechanism to move the carriage 21 to the distal end side of the hose storage case 14, Subsequently, at that position, the mechanism control means 93 controls the column rotating device 18 to rotate the hose storage case 14 about the column 13 as described above,
Further, the hose bending means 16 is controlled to bend the hose 31 to move the nozzle port adapter 40 of the nozzle mechanism 16 to a position facing the oil supply port adapter 47. Next, when electricity is supplied to the excitation coil 41 to excite it, the excitation coil 41 is magnetized and the excitation coil 41 is attracted to the magnet 48, whereby the bellows tubes 32 and 43 are extended and the tip of the nozzle port adapter 40 is connected to the oil supply port adapter 47. Inserted. When the refueling port sensor 46 detects that the nozzle port adapter 40 is connected to the refueling port adapter 47 (ST15), the refueling control means 9
0 drives the suction pump 45, the vapor in the oil supply port 47b is sucked, and the oil type discriminating means 92 operates (ST16),
It is determined whether the oil type signal from oil type sensor 44 matches the oil type set on keyboard 58 (ST17). When the oil types match, the refueling control means 90 sets the on-off valve 23
Is opened to drive the pump 27 (ST18).

The oil in the oil storage tank is pumped by a pump 27 through an oil supply pipe 26, and is supplied through a flow meter 28, a hose 20, an on-off valve 23, an oil supply hose 30, a bellows pipe 32, and a nozzle port adapter 40 to an oil supply port 47b. It is discharged inside. The refueling amount measured by the flow meter 28 is displayed on the display 53 and the display unit 57.

In this way, the refueling is performed and the full tank refueling means 91 operates (ST20). When the set amount is refueled or the tank is full (ST21), the refueling control means 90
The on-off valve 23 is closed, the pump 27 is stopped, and the exciting coil 4
1 is released (ST22), and the data of the refueling amount is output to the data input / output device 50 (ST23). When the excitation of the excitation coil 41 is released, the nozzle port adapter 40 is separated from the oil supply port adapter 47. Subsequently, the mechanism control means 9
3 controls the hose bending means 16, the hose moving device 25, and the column turning device 18 to change the nozzle mechanism 17 to the refueling port 4.
7b (ST24), and when it reaches the initial position (ST25), the refueling operation is ended and the alarm 54 informs the end of refueling (ST26).

Then, the data input / output device 50 receives the refueling amount data from the refueling machine 11 (ST8). When the refueling fee is settled with the customer's card (ST9), the entry permission lamp 34 changes from red to blue. Lights and ends. If the oil types do not match (ST17), the data control means 9
No. 4 operates the alarm 54 for a fixed time (ST19), and prompts re-execution of refueling data input (ST4). Then, the correct oil type is set on the keyboard 58 and refueling is performed.

The refueling machine 11 is preferably in a standby state as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1 so that the refueling can be performed at any time. It may be in a position.

In the automatic refueling apparatus 10 having the above-described structure, when the vehicle 3 to be refueled has entered the refueling area 1, the entry sensor 36 detects the vehicle 3 and the entry permission lamp 34 is illuminated in red and the other vehicles are refueled. When entry is prohibited and the customer sets refueling data such as oil type and refueling amount with the portable data input device 56 of the data input / output device 50, the refueling position sensor 35 and the refueling port sensor 46 detect the position of the refueling port 47b. Then, under the control of the mechanism control means 93, the column turning device 18, the hose moving device 25 or the hose bending device 16 is driven,
When the nozzle port adapter 40 of the nozzle mechanism 17 approaches the position facing the oil supply port adapter 47 and the excitation coil 41 is excited, it is attracted to the magnet 48 and the nozzle port adapter 40 is connected to the oil supply port adapter 47 so that lubrication is possible. Become. Subsequently, the oil type is determined by the oil type determining means 92, and when the oil type is correct, refueling is started, and when the set refueling amount or the tank is full, refueling is terminated. The data is sent to the device 50, where the payment is made. On the other hand,
In the mobile device 11, the mechanism control means 93 releases the excitation of the excitation coil 41 and connects the nozzle port adapter 40 to the oil port adapter 4.
7, the hose bending means 16, the hose moving means, and the column turning device 18 are driven to return to the initial initial position, so that all refueling is performed automatically without manual operation, and no refueling operator is required. become.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a refueling state of the automatic refueling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Parts and members corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The oil supply device 71 of the automatic oil supply device 70 of the second embodiment has a second hose mounted on a lower part of a first hose storage case 72 having one end attached to the top of the support 13 and the other end extended. A hose storage case 73 is attached, and a bogie 21 that moves on the rail 22 by the hose moving device 25 is disposed in the second hose storage case 73, and the fuel supply piped to the center of the first hose storage case 72. Tube 26
Is connected to the refueling hose 30 via the hose 20, the on-off valve 23 and the rotary joint 74. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the automatic refueling device 70 of this embodiment, the hose 20 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment except that the hose 20 is bent by the drive of the hose moving device 25 and the direction is changed by the rotary joint 74, so that all of the refueling is performed. Automatically without manual intervention, eliminating the need for refueling personnel. In this embodiment, a hose reel is not required.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a refueling state of the automatic refueling apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the first and second
Portions and members corresponding to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The oil supply device 81 of the automatic oil supply device 80 according to the third embodiment is provided with a rail by a hose moving device 25 in a hose storage case 82 having one end attached to the top of the column 13 and the other end extended. A carriage 21 that moves on the carriage 22 is disposed, a moving case 84 is suspended below the carriage 21 by a support member 83, and a connecting portion 49 is attached to the moving case 84.
The hose 20 and the refueling hose 30 are connected via an on-off valve 85 disposed between the two. Other configurations are first
This is the same as in the second embodiment.

The automatic refueling device 80 of this embodiment operates in the same manner as the second embodiment except that the hose 20 is bent by the drive of the hose moving device 25 and changes its direction at the rotary joint 74, and all of the refueling is performed. Automatically without manual intervention, eliminating the need for refueling personnel. In this embodiment, a hose reel is not required.

In each of the above embodiments, the hose bending means 16 is partially bent by supplying air pressure to the short bending hose 31, and the nozzle mechanism 16 is moved as a whole.
For example, a mechanism may be used in which a part of the surface of the hose storing the refueling hose 30 is covered with a spring made of a shape memory alloy and heated by energization to operate as a similar actuator. Further, the hose moving mechanism may be any mechanism that moves the hose in a hose storage case in which at least one end is attached to the top of the column 13 and the other end is extended to the upper side of the automobile. Further, a left-right moving device that moves the column 13 right and left may be used instead of the column rotating device 18.

Further, the sensors 35 and 46 for detecting the refueling opening 47b may be detection by any type of image processing, or may use light, electromagnetic waves or infrared rays. Furthermore, an example has been described in which a device or the like for preventing the vehicle 3 from leaving during refueling is not provided.
A stop may be provided to protrude when the detection is made and to be immersed at the end of refueling. Also, the excitation coil 41 has been described as an example, but any connection means for connecting at least the nozzle port adapter 40 to the oil supply port adapter 47 may be used. For example, a mechanism using a crimping means using a spring may be used. Further, although the portable data input device 56 is connected by the signal line 55, the portable data input device 56 may be connected wirelessly without the signal line 55.

[0035]

As described above, the automatic refueling device of the present invention
By detecting the filler port of the vehicle to be refueled, moving the nozzle mechanism, connecting the nozzle port adapter to the filler port adapter, starting refueling based on refueling data set by the data input / output device, and stopping refueling, It is possible to refuel regardless of the position of the refueling port of the car regardless of the hand, and it is possible to eliminate the need for a refueling worker.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refueling state of an automatic refueling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the automatic refueling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the automatic refueling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a hose bending means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable data input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the automatic refueling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a control operation of the data input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a control operation of the refueling machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a refueling state of an automatic refueling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a refueling state of an automatic refueling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refueling area 2 Island 3 Automobile 10,70,80 Automatic refueling device 11,71,81 Refueling machine 12 Base plate 13 Support 14 Hose storage case 15 Hose moving mechanism 16 Hose bending means 17 Nozzle mechanism 18 Support rotating device 19 Hose reel 20 Hose 21 Cart 22 Rail 23 Open / close valve 24 Hose joint 25 Hose moving device 26 Oil supply pipe 27 Pump 28 Flow meter 29 Rotary joint 30 Oil supply hose 31 Bent hose 31a Air chamber 32 Bellows pipe 34 Entry permission lamp 35 Oil supply position sensor 36 Entry sensor 40 Nozzle port adapter 40a Conical surface 40b Discharge port 40c Vapor suction port 41 Exciting coil 43 Bellows tube 44 Oil type sensor 45 Suction pump 46 Oil filler sensor 47 Oil filler adapter 47a Conical surface 47b Oil filler 48 Magnet 49 contact Unit 50 data input / output device 51 stand 52 case 53 indicator 54 annunciator 55 signal line 56 portable data input device 57 display unit 58 keyboard 59 setting button 60 confirmation button 61 card reader / writer 72, 73, 82 hose storage case 74 rotation Joint 83 Supporting member 84 Moving case 85 Open / close valve 90 Refueling control means 91 Full refueling means 92 Oil type discriminating means 93 Mechanism control means 94 Data control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A refueling machine having a refueling mechanism controlled by refueling control means, a sensor for detecting a refueling port of a fuel tank of an automobile stopped in a refueling area, a data input / output device for setting refueling data. In the automatic lubricating apparatus configured, the lubricator is housed in a hose storage case having one end attached to a column and the other end extending to the lubrication area side, and a hose moving mechanism connected to the lubrication mechanism. A hose bending means for storing a fueling hose connected to a moving hose in the hose storage case and bending the fueling hose; a fueling hose adapter provided at a tip end of the hose bending means; A nozzle mechanism having a connecting means for connecting the mouth adapter to the oil filler, and a mechanism controlling means for controlling the driving of the hose moving mechanism and the hose bending means. The mechanism control means drives the hose moving mechanism and the hose bending means based on the detection signal of the sensor to bring the nozzle mechanism close to the oil supply port and to connect the nozzle mechanism, and the oil supply control means is set. An automatic refueling device characterized by starting refueling and stopping refueling based on refueling data. 2. The automatic refueling device according to claim 1, wherein the refueling device further includes a moving mechanism whose drive is controlled by the mechanism control means to move the support. 3. The automatic refueling device according to claim 1, wherein a hose reel is provided in the hose storage case. 4. The automatic refueling device according to claim 1, wherein said connection means is an excitation coil whose energization is controlled by said mechanism control means.