JP2003137399A - Fuel feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a fuel feeder so that snow does not attach to a pump nozzle and a nozzle hanger. SOLUTION: The fuel feeder 10 comprises a blower mechanism 60 for feeding compressed air to a nozzle hanger 14. The nozzle hanger 14 is equipped with a blow-off port 14a with which one of ends of an air duct 16 for feeding air is made to communicate, while the other end of the duct 16 is connected with a discharge port of a flow adjust valve 17. The mechanism 60 comprises the blow-off port 14a, air ducts 16 and 19, the flow adjust valve 17 and a compressor 18. The compressor 18 compresses the air to a predetermined pressure and feeds the compressed air to the nozzle hanger 14 via the ducts 16 and 19. A flow rate of the compressed air fed to the hanger 14 is adjusted by the flow adjust valve 17. When the compressed air generated in the compressor 18 is blown from the blow-off port 14a, snow or dust can be prevented from entering the inside of the nozzle hanger 14 by an air curtain.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel supply device, and more particularly to a fuel supply device suitable for use in cold regions where freezing occurs due to a decrease in temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a gas station in a cold region, refueling work is performed even in the winter when the temperature is low, and in particular, a weighing machine as a fuel supply device installed in a refueling area is provided outdoors. Refueling work is performed regardless of weather conditions such as snow and wind.

In addition, at a gas station, a ceiling (canopy) is provided above the installation location of the weighing machine, but snow from the lateral direction may blow on the side surface of the weighing machine.

[0004]

In the above weighing station weighing machine, since the fueling nozzle and the nozzle hook are exposed outdoors, there are the following problems.

When snow enters the inside of the nozzle hook, the rotating portion of the lever linked to the nozzle switch freezes and the nozzle switch may not operate even if the refueling nozzle is removed from the nozzle hook.

The fueling nozzle has an automatic stop function for automatically stopping refueling by detecting a rise in the liquid level when the fuel tank of the vehicle reaches a full tank (operated when bubbles on the liquid surface come into contact with the tip of the nozzle). There is a function that shuts off the fuel supply route by stopping the discharge of the oil liquid), but if the liquid level detection pipe at the tip of the nozzle is clogged with snow and blocked, refueling can be stopped automatically. Disappear.

[0007] Since the worker at the gas filling station wears thick gloves to operate the fueling nozzle by freezing the grip portion of the fueling nozzle, it is difficult to operate the nozzle lever.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device which solves the above problems.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel supply device comprising a nozzle, a nozzle hook provided on a housing for hooking the nozzle, and a fuel supply path for supplying fuel to the nozzle. The nozzle hook is provided with a blower mechanism for blowing air. For example, it is possible to prevent snow from entering the nozzle hook and prevent the rotating part of the lever linked to the nozzle switch from freezing, or the nozzle tip. It is possible to prevent snow from clogging the liquid level detection pipe and improve the reliability of the auto stop function.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the blower mechanism blows warm air to the nozzle hooks, and thus the function and effect of the first aspect can be obtained, and even if snow enters the nozzle hooks. The nozzle can be warmed to melt the snow adhering to the nozzle, which makes it possible to improve the working environment so that the worker can operate the nozzle without wearing thick gloves.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 10 is composed of a fuel supply device installed at a fueling station, and is provided with a blower mechanism 60 for supplying compressed air to the nozzle hook 14 as described later.

A refueling hose 15 connected to a refueling nozzle 13 is drawn out from the side surface of the apparatus body 12. The refueling nozzle 13 is normally hooked on a nozzle hook 14 provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 12. For example, when a car of a customer arrives at a fueling station, an operator removes the refueling nozzle 13 from the nozzle hook 14 and the car Insert it into the fuel filler port of the fuel tank to refuel.

The nozzle hook 14 is provided with a blow-out port 14a communicating with one end of an air pipe 16 for blowing air, and the other end of the air pipe 16 has a flow rate adjusting valve 1
7 discharge ports. An air pipe 19 from a compressor 18 is connected to the inlet of the flow rate adjusting valve 17.

The compressor 18 is installed, for example, in a building of a gas station, and is activated during snowfall. Also,
The air pipeline 19 that communicates between the compressor 18 and the apparatus body 12 is buried in the ground so as not to be damaged by the passage of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, only one fuel supply device 10 is shown at the fueling station, but in reality, a plurality of fuel supplying devices 10 are installed and a plurality of fueling nozzles 13 are provided for each oil type.

The blower mechanism 60 includes a blowout port 14a,
Air pipe lines 16 and 19, flow rate adjusting valve 17, compressor 1
It is composed of 8. The compressor 18 compresses air to a predetermined pressure and supplies compressed air to the nozzle hook 14 via the air pipes 16 and 19. Then, the flow rate of the compressed air supplied to the nozzle hook 14 is equal to the flow rate adjusting valve 1
Adjusted by 7.

If the compressed air generated by the compressor 18 is blown from the outlet 14a with the refueling nozzle 13 hooked on the nozzle hook 14, snow and dust may enter the nozzle hook 14 by the air curtain. To be prevented. Further, since the temperature of the compressed air generated by the compressor 18 rises during the compression process, warm air can be blown to the oil supply nozzle 13 held by the nozzle hook 14 to warm the oil supply nozzle 13.

As a result, for example, snow can be prevented from entering the nozzle hook 14 and the rotating portion of the nozzle detection lever 50 linked to the nozzle switch 28 can be prevented from freezing, or the discharge pipe 13d of the fueling nozzle 13 can be prevented.
It is possible to prevent snow from clogging the liquid level detection hole 61 provided near the tip of the, and improve the reliability of the auto stop function.

Further, the oil supply nozzle 13 has a fuel supply hose 15 connected to a joint provided on the side surface of the nozzle body, and the oil supply hose 15 is connected to the liquid supply conduit 20 in the apparatus body 12. The liquid supply pipe 20 extends to an underground tank (not shown), and a pump 22 and a flow meter 24 are arranged in the middle thereof. Also, the flow meter 2
The other end of the liquid feed conduit 21 connected to the discharge port of No. 4 is connected to the oil supply hose 15, and the oil liquid is sent to the oil supply nozzle 13 via the oil supply hose 15.

On the front surface of the apparatus main body 12, a flow meter 2
A lubrication amount indicator 26 is provided to display the lubrication amount obtained by integrating the instantaneous flow rates measured in 4. The nozzle switch 28 of the nozzle hook 14, the pump motor 22a of the pump 22, the flow rate pulse transmitter 24a of the flow meter 24, and the oil supply amount indicator 26 are connected to the control circuit 25.

The control circuit 25 starts the pump motor 22a of the pump 22 when the refueling nozzle 13 is removed from the nozzle hook 14 and the signal from the nozzle switch 28 is input. As a result, the pump 22 pumps up the oil liquid in the underground tank and sends it to the refueling nozzle 13.

When the nozzle lever of the refueling nozzle 13 is operated, refueling of the fuel tank 16 is started, and at the same time, the flow pulse generator 24a of the flow meter 24 outputs a flow rate pulse to the control circuit 25.

Then, the control circuit 25 integrates the flow rate pulses output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 24a and causes the refueling amount indicator 26 to display the refueling amount. In addition, the control circuit 25
Is a full tank refueling control (a refueling method of automatically closing the valve in the nozzle by detecting the liquid level of the fuel tank to be refueled) or a preset refueling control (a preset refueling amount is set according to the operation of the operator). Refueling method that automatically stops refueling when refueled.

The flow rate adjusting valve 17 may be configured to be manually operated, or the valve opening may be adjusted by an actuator. Further, when the oil supply nozzle 13 is hooked on the nozzle hook 14 and the nozzle switch 28 is turned on, the flow rate adjusting valve 17 is opened to increase the valve opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 17 so that the amount of air blown to the nozzle hook 14 is increased. It is also possible to increase the number.

Here, the structure of the nozzle hook 14 to which the refueling nozzle 13 is hooked will be described. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the nozzle hook 14. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the nozzle hook 14. FIG. 4 is a front view of the nozzle hook 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the nozzle hook 14 includes a nozzle hook main body 30 that accommodates the oil supply nozzle 13, a nozzle housing portion 31 that receives the discharge pipe 13 a of the oil supply nozzle 13, and a grip portion 1 of the oil supply nozzle 13.
It has a nozzle receiving portion 32 that supports 3b, a cap mounting portion 33 that mounts the fuel filler cap 29 of the vehicle, and an upper cover 34 that covers the upper portion of the nozzle hooking body 30.

The nozzle hook main body 30 and the upper cover 34 are integrally assembled by connecting the mounting portions 35 and 36 protruding left and right with bolts (not shown). Further, the device main body 12 is provided on the upper side surface of the nozzle hook main body 30.
A bracket 38 attached to the side protrudes laterally. In addition, at the bottom of the nozzle hook body 30, the device body 1
The L-shaped bracket 39 attached to 2 projects downward.

The nozzle hook body 30 and the upper cover 34 have flanges 30a and 34a formed so as to surround the opening for taking in and out the oil supply nozzle 13, and these flanges 30a and 34a are the main body 12 of the apparatus. It is attached so that it is flush with the side surface.

The nozzle receiving portion 32 is provided in the main body 12 of the apparatus.
It has the 1st plate-shaped part 41 which protrudes more, and the 2nd plate-shaped part 42 which inclines upward from the 1st plate-shaped part 41. The upper surface of the second plate-shaped portion 42 has the grip portion 13 of the fuel filler nozzle 13.
It serves as a receiving surface 42a with which the lower end of b abuts.
Further, on the receiving surface 42a, there is attached a protrusion 44 which is fitted into a recess provided at the lower end of the grip portion 13b of the fueling nozzle 13 to restrict the movement of the fueling nozzle 13.

The cap mounting portion 33 is the nozzle accommodating portion 31.
Consists of a pair of pedestals 35 protruding upward from the bottom of
The upper surfaces of the pair of receiving bases 35 are cap mounting portions 33 on which the filler caps 29 are mounted.

Further, between the pair of receiving bases 35, there is formed a frame accommodating portion 47 formed of a concave portion, and the frame accommodating portion 47 is fitted with the frame portion 13c of the oil supply nozzle 13 to refuel. The nozzle 13 is held.

Further, a nozzle detecting lever 50 is rotatably attached to the inner portion of the frame housing portion 47. The nozzle detection lever 50 is urged by an urging mechanism 51, and is connected to a shaft 52 that is horizontally extended between a pair of receiving bases 35, and both ends of the shaft 52 are rotatably supported. When the frame portion 13 c of the refueling nozzle 13 is fitted into the frame housing portion 47, the nozzle detection lever 50 causes the frame portion 1 of the refueling nozzle 13 to move.
It rotates in the direction in which it is pressed by 3c and retracts.

The urging mechanism 51 is composed of a rod 54 slidably supported so as to contact the back surface of the nozzle detecting lever 50, and a coil spring 55 for pressing the rod 54 toward the nozzle detecting lever 50. Has been done.

Further, the swing lever 5 is provided at one end of the shaft 32.
7 are connected. The swing lever 57 closes (turns on) the nozzle switch 28 by contacting the tip of the swing lever 57 with the movable section of the nozzle switch 28. This nozzle switch 28
The signal output from the control circuit 25 is used as a nozzle signal.
Is supplied to. Then, the control circuit 25 recognizes the start of refueling by turning off the nozzle signal, and recognizes the end of refueling by turning on the nozzle signal.

The above-mentioned outlet 14a is opened at a position close to the side surface of the apparatus body 12 of the upper cover 34. Further, the nozzle hook 1 is provided below the outlet 14a.
The discharge pipe 13d of the refueling nozzle 13 hooked by 4 is inserted, and the nozzle detection lever 50 and the nozzle lever 13e of the refueling nozzle 13 are located below it.

Therefore, the compressed air jetted downward from the outlet 14a is the discharge pipe 13d of the oil supply nozzle 13, the nozzle detection lever 50, and the nozzle lever 13e.
It becomes possible to blow off the snow and dust that have been sprayed onto the members and adhered to these members, and prevent freezing due to snow. Further, when the refueling nozzle 13 is refueled, the refueling nozzle 1
It can be refueled without thick gloves so that 3 is not too cold.

Further, the blowout port 14a of the blower mechanism 60
Is installed at the entrance of the nozzle storage unit 31,
The air flow blown out from the air outlet 14a serves as an air curtain to prevent snow and dust from entering the nozzle housing portion 31. Therefore, the blower mechanism 60 prevents the snow from adhering to the discharge pipe 13d of the oil supply nozzle 13 and prevents the snow from adhering to the discharge pipe 13d.
1 can be prevented from being blocked by freezing, and it is also possible to prevent snow and dust from being accumulated in the nozzle receiving portion 32 and making it difficult to hang the refueling nozzle 13.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a modified example 1 of the blower mechanism. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a modified example 1 of the blower mechanism. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air blowing mechanism 62 of the first modification
Is provided with a blowout port 14b in the vicinity of the cap mounting portion 33 of the nozzle housing portion 31.

The blow-out port 14b is connected to the air pipe line 16 and is supplied with the compressed air generated by the compressor 18 to the fuel filler cap 29 or the nozzle hook 14 mounted on the cap mounting portion 33. Nozzle lever 13e of gripped refueling nozzle 13 and grip portion 1
Blow compressed air to 3b. As a result, when not refueling,
Nozzle lever 13e of fueling nozzle 13 and grip portion 1
It becomes possible to blow off snow and dust adhering to 3b,
During refueling, it is possible to prevent snow from adhering to the refueling port cap 29 and to easily mount the refueling port cap 29 after the refueling is completed.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example 2 of the blower mechanism. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, the blower mechanism 66 of the modified example 2 includes a first outlet 14 a provided near the upper entrance of the nozzle housing 31 and the cap mounting portion 3 of the nozzle housing 31.
3 and a second outlet 14b provided in the vicinity of

In the second modification, since the first outlet 14a located above the nozzle housing 31 and the second outlet 14b opening to the intermediate position of the nozzle housing 31 are provided, the nozzle housing is formed. In addition to forming an air curtain at the entrance of 31, the compressed air generated by the compressor 18 is also supplied to the inside of the nozzle accommodating portion 31, so that snow adheres to the nozzle accommodating portion 31 and the refueling nozzle 13 even in extremely cold conditions such as snowstorm. Can be effectively prevented.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a modified example 3 of the blower mechanism. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, the blower mechanism 68 according to the modified example 3 includes an upper outlet 14 a provided near the upper entrance of the nozzle housing 31 and a lower outlet provided near the lower entrance of the nozzle housing 31. 14c. The lower outlet 14 c is opened so as to face the nozzle receiving portion 32, and the compressor 1 is directed toward the nozzle receiving portion 32.
Compressed air from 8 can be blown.

Therefore, in the modified example 3, since compressed air is blown from the upper blow-off port 14a and the lower blow-off port 14c, an air curtain is formed at the entrance of the nozzle accommodating portion 31, and snow is accumulated in the nozzle receiving portion 32. To prevent, the frame portion 13c of the refueling nozzle 13 is frozen in the nozzle receiving portion 32, or the refueling nozzle 13 is moved to the nozzle receiving portion 3
It is possible to prevent the inconvenience that it cannot be placed on the second position.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the fuel supply device. In FIG. 9, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Figure 9
As shown in FIG. 7, in the fuel supply device 70 of the second embodiment, a small compressor 72 is attached inside the device body 12. A flow rate adjusting valve 76 that adjusts the air supply amount of compressed air is provided in an air conduit 74 that connects the discharge port of the small compressor 72 and the discharge ports 14a to 14c.

In the second embodiment, the outlets 14a to 14a are provided.
An air blowing mechanism 78 is configured by the small compressor 72, the air duct 74, and the flow rate adjusting valve 76.

Small compressor 72 and flow rate adjusting valve 76
Is controlled by the control circuit 25, the small compressor 72 is started during snowfall, and the valve opening of the flow rate adjusting valve 76 is adjusted according to the amount of snowfall.
The amount of blowing from 14c is adjusted.

As described above, since the compact compressor 72 is built in the apparatus main body 12, the construction for burying the air pipeline 19 in the ground as in the first embodiment is not necessary and the construction cost is low. . Further, the small compressor 72 blows out the air inside the device body 12 from the outlets 14a to 14c to form an air curtain at the entrance of the nozzle hook 14 or blows off the snow adhering to the refueling nozzle 13. Air and vapor do not stay inside the device 12, and it also has a function of ventilating the inside of the device body 12.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the fuel supply device. In FIG. 10, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 10, the fuel supply device 8 of the third embodiment.
At 0, the blower 82 is attached inside the apparatus main body 12. Discharge port and blowout port 1 of this blower 82
A heater 86 for heating the air flow from the blower 82 is provided in the air pipeline 84 that communicates with 4 a to 14 c.

In the third embodiment, the outlets 14a to 14 are provided.
The blower mechanism 88 is composed of c, the blower 82, the air duct 84, and the heater 86.

Therefore, the air flow from the blower 82 is
A predetermined temperature (for example, 20 to 20) while passing through the heater 86
Heated to about 30 ° C.) and blow-off ports 14a to 14c
Since it is sprayed from the nozzle hook 14 and the refueling nozzle 13 to the snow, it is possible to efficiently remove the snow adhering to the nozzle hook 14 and the refueling nozzle 13, and the operator does not feel cold when using the refueling nozzle 13. You can refuel without using thick gloves.

In the above embodiment, the case where the oil liquid is supplied at the gas filling station has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as the fuel other than gasoline and light oil, for example, CNG, LPG, L.
Of course, it can be applied to a fuel supply system that supplies hydrogen or the like used in NG or a fuel cell.

Further, it goes without saying that the above embodiment can be applied to either a self-service type refueling system or a normal refueling system in which a clerk at a refueling station performs a refueling operation.

[0052]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the nozzle, the nozzle hook provided on the housing for locking the nozzle, and the fuel supply path for supplying fuel to the nozzle. In the fuel supply device consisting of, a blower mechanism for blowing air to the nozzle hook is provided, and for example, the rotating part of the lever linked to the nozzle switch is frozen to prevent snow from entering the nozzle hook. Can be prevented, or snow can be prevented from clogging the liquid level detection pipe at the tip of the nozzle, and the reliability of the auto stop function can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the blower mechanism blows warm air into the inside of the nozzle hook, so that the action and effect of the above-described claim 1 can be obtained, and the nozzle hook is covered with snow. Even if it enters, it can warm the nozzle and melt the snow adhering to the nozzle, which can improve the working environment so that the worker can operate the nozzle without wearing thick gloves. .

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a nozzle hook 14.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a nozzle hook 14.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a nozzle hook 14.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example 1 of the blower mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a modified example 1 of the blower mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example 2 of the blower mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example 3 of the blower mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the fuel supply device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the fuel supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,70,80 Fuel supply device 12 Device body 13 Refueling nozzle 14 nozzles 14a-14c outlet 15 Refueling hose 16,19,84,74 Air pipeline 17 Flow control valve 20 Liquid transfer line 22 pumps 24 flow meter 25 Control circuit 28 nozzle switch 29 Oil filler cap 30 nozzle body 31 Nozzle storage 32 Nozzle receiving part 33 Cap mounting part 34 Top cover 35 cradle 47 frame storage 50 nozzle detection lever 51 biasing mechanism 57 Swing lever 60,62,78,88 Blower mechanism 61 Liquid level detection hole 72 Small compressor 76 Flow control valve 82 Blower

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A fuel supply device comprising a nozzle, a nozzle hook provided on a housing for locking the nozzle, and a fuel supply path for supplying fuel to the nozzle, wherein air is supplied to the nozzle hook. A fuel supply device comprising a blowing mechanism for blowing air. 2. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the blowing mechanism blows warm air to the nozzle hook.