JP2005306435A - Fire prevention system in gas station - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the possibility of catching fire at a tip of an oil feed nozzle by discharging static electricity by automatically and forcibly removing the charged static electricity before fueling without consciousness of an oil supplier. <P>SOLUTION: A gas station (1) includes an operation region (A) where at least a person (7) enters when she/he touches an oil feed nozzle (3) of a fueling machine (2). A fire prevention system includes static eliminating means (11, 21 and 31) capable of generating static eliminating environments in a target region (B) specified within a predetermined range from the fueling machine (2) and detection means (12, 22 and 32) which come into a detection state when a vehicle (5) or the person (7) enters a predetermined region in the gas station (1). Before the person (7) enters the operation region (A) beyond the target region (B), the detection means (12, 22 and 32) come into the detection state to activate the static eliminating means (11, 21 and 31) to make the target region (B) generate the static eliminating environments. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fire prevention system suitable as a countermeasure against static electricity ignition in a gas station.

  In general, it has been pointed out that, in a gas station, the gasoline left by the previous refueling operation is vaporized around the oil nozzle stored in the fueling device.

  Under these conditions, if a person who is charged with static electricity approaches the oil nozzle while trying to refuel, there is a possibility of ignition at the tip of the oil nozzle due to the discharge of static electricity, leading to a major fire accident. Could trigger.

  Such an ignition phenomenon due to electrostatic discharge is particularly likely in an unmanned self-stand where a general untrained person handles the refueling nozzle himself.

  Conventionally, the following measures have been taken to prevent static electricity ignition at a gas station.

  (1) In manned gas stations, there are places where refueling workers are wearing anti-static work clothes.

  (2) In the unmanned self-stand, the oiler (gasoline purchaser) is instructed to touch the antistatic pad before touching the fuel nozzle.

(3) An oil supply device in which a vaporized gas suction mechanism is provided in an oil supply nozzle has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-263400

  However, all of these conventional measures for preventing static electricity ignition have various problems.

  (1) In an unmanned self-stand, an oiler (gasoline purchaser) cannot bother to wear antistatic work clothes only during refueling.

  (2) The work procedure of the refueler (gasoline purchaser) at the unmanned self-stand is as follows. First, after getting out of the vehicle, the credit card information is read by the card reader, and then the refueling nozzle is pulled out from the refueling device to refuel the vehicle. It is supposed to be.

  Based on such a work procedure, static electricity is removed by touching the antistatic pad when using the card reader.

  However, if you are not familiar with unmanned self-stands (gasoline buyers) or you are in a hurry (gasoline buyers), do not follow the above procedure and read the credit card information with the card reader. There are people who are getting off the vehicle and trying to reach the refueling nozzle before getting off. In such a case, obviously, there is a possibility of ignition at the tip portion of the fueling nozzle.

  (3) Even if the vaporizing gas suction mechanism is provided in the fueling nozzle, the static electricity charged to the fueling person (gasoline purchaser) remains as it is. Therefore, the vaporizing gas is not sufficiently sucked into the fueling nozzle. If it remains, the possibility of ignition cannot be denied.

  The object of the present invention is to eliminate the problems of the above-mentioned conventional ones, and automatically and statically charge the static electricity prior to the refueling work without any awareness of the refueling person (gasoline purchaser or refueling worker). A fire at a gas station that can prevent the possibility of a major fire accident by preventing the possibility of ignition at the tip of the oiling nozzle due to electrostatic discharge by forcibly removing it. It is to provide a prevention system.

  This invention solves the said subject, The invention which concerns on Claim 1 includes the operation area | region which approachs, when a fuel supplier touches the fuel nozzle of the said fueling apparatus in the gasoline station provided with the fueling apparatus. Static electricity removing means capable of generating a static electricity removing environment in a target area set within a predetermined range from the fueling device, and detecting means which is in a detection state when a vehicle or a fuel filler enters a predetermined area in a gas station; And before the refueler enters the operation area beyond the target area, the detection means is in a detection state and the static elimination means is operated to generate a static elimination environment in the target area. This is a fire prevention system at a gas station.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the fire prevention system in a gas station according to the invention of claim 1, comprising a notification means indicating that the static electricity removal means is in operation when the detection means is in a detection state. is there.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the static electricity removing means is a gas station that generates a static-free static-free environment between the discharge electrodes disposed on both sides of the target area. It is a fire prevention system.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the static electricity removing means prevents a fire in a gas station that generates a static electricity removal environment in which wind flows from above to below the target area. System.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the static electricity removing means generates a static electricity removal environment in which wind flows from the side to the front of the target area. Prevention system.

  As described above, the present invention includes an operation region that is entered when a refueling person touches the fuel nozzle of the fueling device in a gas station equipped with the fueling device, and the target region set in a predetermined range from the fueling device is charged with static electricity. A static electricity removing means capable of generating a removal environment; and a detecting means which enters a detection state when a vehicle or a fuel filler enters a predetermined area in a gas station, wherein the fuel filler exceeds the target area and the operation area. Before entering the vehicle, the detection means is in a detection state and the static electricity removal means is operated to generate a static electricity removal environment in the target area. Without being conscious of it, the charged static electricity can be automatically and forcibly removed prior to the refueling operation, thereby releasing the static electricity. To prevent the possibility of ignition at the fueling nozzle tip portion by an effect that can advance to and reliably avoid possibility of developing a large fire.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of a fire prevention system in a gas station according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. The fire prevention system 10 includes a fueling device 2 and It is installed in a gas station 1 equipped with a card reader 4.

  The fire prevention system 10 includes a static electricity removing device (static electricity removing means) 11, a proximity sensor (detecting means) 12, and an indicator lamp (notifying means) 13.

  The static eliminator 11 includes an operation area A (shown with hatching in FIG. 1) that is entered when the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling nozzle 3 of the refueling device 2. A static elimination environment can be generated in the target area B (shown with dots in FIGS. 1 to 3) set in a predetermined range.

  This target area B not only includes the operation area A, but may be set so as to cover the position of the fuel filler cap 6 of the vehicle 5 stopped near the predetermined fueling position, as shown in FIG. preferable. Thereby, when the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling port cap 6 of the vehicle 5, a part of the body enters the operation area A.

  Such a static eliminator 11 is of a bar type that creates a windless static eliminator environment between the rod-shaped discharge electrodes 11a and 11b arranged on both sides of the target area B.

  The proximity sensor 12 is configured to be in a detection state when the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters a predetermined area in the gas station 1.

  Such a proximity sensor 12 always emits a microwave and receives the microwave reflected by the vehicle 5 or the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7, so that the vehicle 5 or the refueling person (gasoline purchaser). 7 is detected.

  In this fire prevention system 10, the proximity sensor 12 detects the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 before the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters the operation region A beyond the target region B. The static electricity removing device 11 is activated to generate a static electricity removing environment in the target area B, and the indicator lamp 13 is turned on to indicate that the static electricity removing device 11 is in operation. It is.

  The operation of the fire prevention system 10 configured as described above will be described.

  (1) When the vehicle 5 attempts to enter a predetermined fueling position of the gas station 1, the proximity sensor 12 receives the microwave reflected by the vehicle 5, thereby detecting and confirming the vehicle 5 entering the fueling position. .

  (2) When the proximity sensor 12 detects and confirms the entry of the vehicle 5 to the refueling position, the static electricity removing device 11 is turned on by a signal from the proximity sensor 12, and a high voltage is applied to the discharge needle in the static electricity removing device 11. The air is ionized into positive and negative ions, and a static electricity removal environment is generated in the target area B including the operation area A by the discharge between the discharge electrodes 11a and 11b.

  (3) At the same time when the static electricity removing device 11 is turned on, the indicator lamp 13 is turned on by a signal from the proximity sensor 12, and the indicator light 13 is turned on to inform that the static electricity removing device 11 has been operated. It leads to enlightenment of safety to person (gasoline purchaser) 7.

  (4) After the static eliminator 11 is activated, the vehicle 5 stops near a predetermined refueling position, the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 gets off, and the card reader 4 reads credit card information. The target region B is completely filled with the static electricity removing atmosphere until the previous procedure is taken.

  (5) When the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 who has finished the predetermined pre-procedure puts his hand on the fuel nozzle 3 of the fuel filler 2 or the fuel filler cap 6 of the vehicle 5 (enters the operation area A). Must enter the target area B prior to that, so that the static electricity is automatically and forcibly removed from the body before the oil filler nozzle 3 or the filler cap 6 is reached (entering the operation area A). .

  (6) As a result, even if the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling nozzle 3 or the refueling port cap 6, the possibility of ignition at the front end of the refueling nozzle 3 due to electrostatic discharge is completely prevented. Moreover, the possibility of ignition at the fuel filler opening portion of the vehicle 5 is completely prevented. Therefore, the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 can safely and safely perform the refueling work without being aware of it at all.

  (7) Even if a refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 who is unfamiliar with the unmanned self-stand, gets off the vehicle and suddenly tries to put a hand on the refueling nozzle 3 of the refueling device 2 or the refueling port cap 6 of the vehicle 5 Since a certain time has elapsed after the operation of the static eliminator 11, the static eliminating environment in the target area B is sufficiently generated. Thereby, even if there is a refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 who performs refueling work without taking a predetermined advance procedure, safety is ensured.

  (8) When the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 who finished the refueling operation safely completes a predetermined procedure such as payment and gets out of the gas station 1 on the vehicle 5, the proximity sensor 12 is reflected by the vehicle 5. By not receiving the microwave, the exit of the vehicle 5 is detected and confirmed.

  (9) When the proximity sensor 12 detects and confirms the exit of the vehicle 5, the static electricity removing device 11 and the indicator lamp 13 are turned off by a signal from the proximity sensor 12.

  (10) Thereafter, whenever the vehicle 5 enters the gas station 1 and retreats backward, the same operation as described above is repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing another embodiment of a fire prevention system in a gas station according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a front view, and FIG. 6 is a side view. The fire prevention system 20 includes a fueling device 2. And a gas station 1 provided with a card reader 4.

  The fire prevention system 20 includes a static elimination device (static elimination means) 21, a proximity sensor (detection means) 22, and an indicator lamp (notification means) 23.

  The static eliminator 21 includes an operation area A (shown with hatching in FIG. 4) that the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters when touching the refueling nozzle 3 of the refueling device 2. A static elimination environment can be generated in the target area B set in a predetermined range (shown with dots in FIGS. 4 to 6).

  This target area B includes not only the operation area A but also an area setting so as to cover the position of the fuel filler cap 6 of the vehicle 5 stopped near the predetermined fueling position as shown in FIG. preferable. Thereby, when the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling port cap 6 of the vehicle 5, a part of the body enters the operation area A.

  Such a static eliminator 21 is of a blower type that generates a static eliminator environment in which wind flows from the upper side to the lower side of the operation area A included in the target area B.

  The proximity sensor 22 is configured to be in a detection state when the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters a predetermined area in the gas station 1.

  Such a proximity sensor 22 constantly emits microwaves, and receives the microwave reflected by the vehicle 5 or the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7, so that the vehicle 5 or the refueling person (gasoline purchaser). 7 is detected.

  In this fire prevention system 20, the proximity sensor 22 detects the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 before the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters the operation region A beyond the target region B. In this state, the static eliminator 21 is activated to generate a static eliminator environment in the target area B, and the indicator lamp 23 is turned on to indicate that the static eliminator 21 is in operation. It is.

  The operation of the fire prevention system 20 configured as described above will be described.

  (1) When the vehicle 5 attempts to enter a predetermined fueling position of the gas station 1, the proximity sensor 22 receives the microwave reflected by the vehicle 5, thereby detecting and confirming the vehicle 5 entering the fueling position. .

  (2) When the proximity sensor 22 detects and confirms the entry of the vehicle 5 to the refueling position, the static electricity removing device 21 is turned on by a signal from the proximity sensor 22, and a high voltage is applied to the discharge needle in the static electricity removing device 21. Then, air is ionized into positive and negative ions, and a static electricity removal environment is generated in the target area B including the operation area A by discharge that is blown downward by the blower of the static electricity removal apparatus 21.

  (3) At the same time when the static electricity removing device 21 is turned on, the indicator lamp 23 is turned on by a signal from the proximity sensor 22, and the indicator light 23 is turned on to inform that the static electricity removing device 21 has been activated. It leads to enlightenment of safety to person (gasoline purchaser) 7.

  (4) After the static eliminator 21 is activated, the vehicle 5 stops near a predetermined refueling position, the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 gets off, and the card reader 4 reads the information on the credit card. The target region B is completely filled with the static electricity removing atmosphere until the previous procedure is taken.

  (5) When the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 who has finished the predetermined pre-procedure puts his hand on the fuel nozzle 3 of the fuel filler 2 or the fuel filler cap 6 of the vehicle 5 (enters the operation area A). Must enter the target area B prior to that, so that the static electricity is automatically and forcibly removed from the body before the oil filler nozzle 3 or the filler cap 6 is reached (entering the operation area A). .

  (6) As a result, even if the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling nozzle 3 or the refueling port cap 6, the possibility of ignition at the front end of the refueling nozzle 3 due to electrostatic discharge is completely prevented. In addition, the possibility of ignition at the fuel filler portion of the vehicle 5 is completely prevented. Therefore, the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 can safely and safely perform the refueling work without being aware of it at all.

  (7) Even if a refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 who is unfamiliar with the unmanned self-stand, gets off the vehicle and suddenly tries to put a hand on the refueling nozzle 3 of the refueling device 2 or the refueling port cap 6 of the vehicle 5 Since a certain time has elapsed after the operation of the static eliminator 21, the static eliminating environment in the target area B is sufficiently generated. Thereby, even if there is a refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 who performs refueling work without taking a predetermined advance procedure, safety is ensured.

  (8) When the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 who finished the refueling operation safely completes a predetermined procedure such as payment and gets out of the gas station 1 on the vehicle 5, the proximity sensor 22 is reflected by the vehicle 5. By not receiving the microwave, the exit of the vehicle 5 is detected and confirmed.

  (9) When the proximity sensor 22 detects and confirms the exit of the vehicle 5, the static electricity removing device 21 and the indicator lamp 23 are turned off by a signal from the proximity sensor 22.

  (10) Thereafter, whenever the vehicle 5 enters the gas station 1 and retreats backward, the same operation as described above is repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing still another embodiment of a fire prevention system in a gas station according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a front view, and FIG. 9 is a side view. The fire prevention system 30 is a fueling device. 2 and a gas station 1 equipped with a card reader 4.

  The fire prevention system 30 includes a static eliminating device (static eliminating means) 31, a proximity sensor (detecting means) 32, and an indicator lamp (notifying means) 33.

  The static eliminator 31 includes an operation area A (shown with hatching in FIG. 7) that is entered when the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling nozzle 3 of the refueling device 2. A static elimination environment can be generated in the target area B (shown with dots in FIGS. 7 to 9) set to a predetermined range.

  This target area B includes not only the operation area A but also an area setting so as to cover the position of the fuel filler cap 6 of the vehicle 5 stopped near the predetermined fueling position as shown in FIG. preferable. Thereby, when the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling port cap 6 of the vehicle 5, a part of the body enters the operation area A.

  Such a static eliminator 31 (31a, 31b) is of a blower type that generates a static eliminator environment in which wind flows almost horizontally from both sides of the target area B toward the front including the center.

  The proximity sensor 32 is configured to be in a detection state when the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters a predetermined area in the gas station 1.

  Such a proximity sensor 32 constantly emits microwaves and receives the microwave reflected by the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7, thereby receiving the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser). 7 is detected.

  The fire prevention system 30 detects the vehicle 5 or the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 by the proximity sensor 32 before the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 enters the operation region A beyond the target region B. In this state, the static eliminator 31 is activated to generate a static eliminator environment in the target area B, and the indicator lamp 33 is lit to indicate that the static eliminator 31 is in operation. It is.

  The operation of the fire prevention system 30 configured as described above will be described.

  (1) When the vehicle 5 attempts to enter a predetermined fueling position of the gas station 1, the proximity sensor 32 receives the microwave reflected by the vehicle 5, thereby detecting and confirming the vehicle 5 entering the fueling position. .

  (2) When the proximity sensor 32 detects and confirms that the vehicle 5 has entered the refueling position, the static electricity removing device 31 is turned on by a signal from the proximity sensor 32, and a high voltage is applied to the discharge needle in the static electricity removing device 31. Then, air is ionized into positive and negative ions, and a static electricity removal environment is generated in the target area B including the operation area A by discharge that is blown out almost horizontally forward by the blower of the static electricity removal apparatus 31.

  (3) At the same time when the static electricity removing device 31 is turned on, the indicator lamp 33 is turned on by a signal from the proximity sensor 32, and the indicator light 33 is turned on to inform that the static electricity removing device 31 has been operated. It leads to enlightenment of safety to person (gasoline purchaser) 7.

  (4) After the static eliminator 31 is activated, the vehicle 5 stops near a predetermined refueling position, the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 gets off, and the card reader 4 reads the information on the credit card. The target region B is completely filled with the static electricity removing atmosphere until the previous procedure is taken.

  (5) When the fuel supplier (gasoline purchaser) 7 who has finished the predetermined pre-procedure puts his hand on the fuel nozzle 3 of the fuel filler 2 or the fuel filler cap 6 of the vehicle 5 (enters the operation area A). Must enter the target area B prior to that, so that the static electricity is automatically and forcibly removed from the body before the oil filler nozzle 3 or the filler cap 6 is reached (entering the operation area A). .

  (6) As a result, even if the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 touches the refueling nozzle 3 or the refueling port cap 6, the possibility of ignition at the front end of the refueling nozzle 3 due to electrostatic discharge is completely prevented. In addition, the possibility of ignition at the fuel filler portion of the vehicle 5 is completely prevented. Therefore, the refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 can safely and safely perform the refueling work without being aware of it at all.

  (7) Even if a refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 who is unfamiliar with the unmanned self-stand is getting off and suddenly tries to put a hand on the refueling nozzle 3 of the refueling device 2 or the refueling port cap 6 of the vehicle 5 Since a certain time has elapsed after the operation of the static eliminator 31, the static eliminating environment in the target area B is sufficiently generated. Thereby, even if there is a refueling person (gasoline purchaser) 7 who performs refueling work without taking a predetermined advance procedure, safety is ensured.

  (8) When the refueler (gasoline purchaser) 7 who successfully finished the refueling operation gets out of the gas station 1 on the vehicle 5 after completing a predetermined procedure such as payment, the proximity sensor 32 is reflected by the vehicle 5 By not receiving the microwave, the exit of the vehicle 5 is detected and confirmed.

  (9) When the proximity sensor 32 detects and confirms the exit of the vehicle 5, the static electricity removing device 31 and the indicator lamp 33 are turned off by a signal from the proximity sensor 32.

  (10) Thereafter, whenever the vehicle 5 enters the gas station 1 and retreats backward, the same operation as described above is repeatedly executed.

  In the above embodiment, since the unmanned self-stand is exemplified as the gas station 1, the fuel supplier 7 is the gasoline purchaser. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a manned gas station 1. In this case, it goes without saying that the refueling person 7 is a refueling worker.

It is a top view showing roughly one embodiment of a fire prevention system in a gas station by this invention. It is a front view of the fire prevention system of FIG. It is a side view of the fire prevention system of FIG. It is a top view which shows schematically other embodiment of the fire prevention system in the gas station by this invention. It is a front view of the fire prevention system of FIG. It is a side view of the fire prevention system of FIG. It is a top view which shows roughly still another embodiment of the fire prevention system in the gas station by this invention. It is a front view of the fire prevention system of FIG. It is a side view of the fire prevention system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gasoline station 2 Refueling device 3 Refueling nozzle 4 Card reader 5 Vehicle 6 Refueling port cap 7 Refueling person (gasoline purchaser or refueling worker)
10, 20, 30 Fire prevention system 11, 21, 31 Static eliminator (static eliminator)
12, 22, 32 Proximity sensor (detection means)
13, 23, 33 Indicator lamp (notification means)

Claims (5)

In a gas station equipped with a fueling device,
Including an operation area that is entered when a refueling person touches the refueling nozzle of the refueling apparatus, and a static elimination means capable of generating a static elimination environment in a target area set to a predetermined range from the refueling apparatus;
A detection means that enters a detection state when a vehicle or a refueler enters a predetermined area in a gas station;
Before the refueler enters the operation area beyond the target area, the detection means is in a detection state, and the static electricity removal means is operated to generate a static electricity removal environment in the target area. A fire prevention system at a gas station.   2. The fire prevention system at a gas station according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit indicating that the static electricity removing unit is in operation when the detecting unit is in a detection state.   3. The fire prevention system for a gas station according to claim 1, wherein the static electricity removing means generates a windless static electricity removing environment between discharge electrodes disposed on both sides of the target area. 4.   3. The fire prevention system for a gas station according to claim 1, wherein the static electricity removing unit generates a static electricity removal environment in which wind flows from above to below the target area. 4.   3. The fire prevention system for a gas station according to claim 1, wherein the static electricity removing unit generates a static electricity removing environment in which wind flows from the side to the front of the target area. 4.

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