JP2008189346A - Liquid kind discriminating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid kind discriminating device capable of attaining a positive liquid mixing prevention effect with a low cost burden as a whole in place of a liquid kind discriminating device forcing a liquid supplying station side to bear a tremendous cost burden. <P>SOLUTION: In the liquid kind discriminating device for discriminating a liquid kind in a tank when a liquid inlet 2 of the tank and a lorry hose 1 are connected to each other, a sensor means 3 for discriminating liquid kinds is fixed to the lorry hose 1 side and a receiving member 4 is fixed to the liquid inlet 2 side. The receiving member 4 is fixed with its fixing height changed in response to the liquid kind in the tank. When the liquid inlet 2 of the tank and the lorry hose 1 are connected to each other, the sensor means 3 sends out a signal for discriminating the liquid kind in the tank based on a distance up to the receiving member 4, and then a liquid kind discriminating part having received this signal discriminates the liquid kind. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid type discriminating apparatus that discriminates the liquid type stored in a tank when unloading liquid fuel from a lorry vehicle to a tank at a gas station, for example.

  When unloading liquid fuel from a lorry vehicle to a tank, it is necessary to confirm the coincidence between the liquid type to be unloaded from the hatch of the lorry vehicle and the liquid type in the tank in order to prevent liquid mixture.

  Therefore, generally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, an unloading system using a liquid type key has been adopted.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the unloading system of Patent Document 1. The unloading of liquid fuels by this unloading system is performed according to the following procedure.

  Procedure 1. The liquid injection lock on the liquid injection port 101 on the underground tank side is unlocked with the liquid injection lock release key, and the liquid injection cap is opened.

  Procedure 2. After the lorry hose 102 is connected to the liquid discharge port 103 on the lorry vehicle side, it is connected to the liquid injection port 101.

  Procedure 3. The liquid type key 104 of the corresponding liquid injection port provided on the liquid injection port 101 side is inserted into the liquid type sensor 105 provided on the lorry hose 102.

  Procedure 4. A signal for discriminating the liquid type in the tank is transmitted from the liquid type sensor 105, and the signal is received by the liquid type sensor receiver 106 and transmitted to the control unit 108 via the interface box 107, and the liquid type is discriminated. The

  Procedure 5. The control unit 108 registers the liquid type loaded in each hatch of the lorry vehicle, and selects a hatch to be unloaded by pressing a hatch designation button.

  Procedure 6. If the tank liquid type determined based on the signal sent from the liquid type sensor 105 matches the liquid type selected by the control unit 108, the control unit 108 displays the unloading OK. The control valve 109 of the hatch of the lorry vehicle is opened. If the liquid types do not match, the control valve 109 is not opened and the control unit 108 issues a warning that unloading is not possible.

  Step 7. Unloading is started by opening the discharge valve 110 of the lorry vehicle.

  Thus, in the unloading system shown in FIG. 5, if the tank liquid type based on the liquid type key 104 of the corresponding injection port 101 does not match the hatch liquid type selected by the control unit 108, the unloading is performed. Since it cannot be performed, it is an effective means for preventing liquid mixture.

  However, in such a conventional unloading system, the liquid type key is fixed to the liquid inlet (liquid inlet fitting) with a chain, the shape and installation height of the liquid inlet vary, and the mounting position is Since it is not constant, the length of the chain is given a margin so that the liquid type key can be securely inserted into the liquid type sensor attached to the lorry hose. On the other hand, since a plurality of tanks are buried in the liquid supply station, and corresponding liquid injection ports are arranged in a row, two tanks corresponding to the two tanks should be unloaded at the same time. When a lorry hose is connected to each of the liquid inlets and the liquid type key is to be inserted into each liquid type sensor, especially when the connected liquid inlets are next to each other, If the liquid type key of the injection port is inserted, there is a risk of causing a mixed liquid accident.

  As described above, in the conventional unloading system, there is a risk that liquid type information may be misread due to an incorrect setting of the liquid type key and the liquid type sensor, resulting in a mixed liquid accident.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the applicant of the present application previously described in Patent Document 2 below, the switch mechanism is operated only by connecting the liquid filling port of the tank and the lorry hose. A tank information recognition system for recognizing tank information including If this tank information recognition system is applied to the unloading system as described above, it is possible to construct an unloading system that can prevent liquid mixture in the same way. In this case, it is not necessary to use a liquid type key as in the conventional case. Incorrect setting of the liquid type key and the liquid type sensor will not occur.

  However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 2, as a switch mechanism used for recognizing the liquid type of the tank, a limit switch, a proximity switch, an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver, an optical receiver / transmitter, etc. Therefore, considerable capital investment is required to attach the switch mechanism to the oil filler port of each tank.

  For example, in a gas station, a large number of underground tanks storing each liquid type are buried, and there are a large number of oil filling ports accordingly. Therefore, it is necessary to install a large number of switch mechanisms at one gas station, and enormous capital investment is required if this is deployed at all gas stations nationwide.

  In contrast, the number of lorry vehicles is considerably smaller than the number of gas stations, and it is relatively easy to make capital investment. Therefore, in order to prevent mixed oil, it is more effective to take countermeasures on the lorry vehicle side than to individually spend the cost for countermeasures on the filling station side.

Furthermore, in order to construct an unloading system using the system of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to construct a new system different from a conventional unloading system using a liquid type key and a liquid type sensor. That is, since the form of the signal transmitted from the switch mechanism of Patent Document 2 is different from the form of the signal transmitted from the conventional liquid type sensor, the conventional system cannot be used. Since unloading systems employed at gas stations and the like use liquid type keys and liquid type sensors as the mainstream, it is desirable to make it possible to use conventional systems as much as possible to improve the system.
Japanese Patent No. 3180630 JP 2005-1697 A

  The first problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the problem that the liquid type information has been misread due to a mistake in setting the liquid type key and the liquid type sensor, and to eliminate the misreading of the liquid type information. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid type discriminating apparatus capable of obtaining a reliable mixed liquid preventing effect.

  The second problem is to provide a liquid type discriminating apparatus capable of obtaining a reliable liquid mixture preventing effect with a small cost burden as a whole, instead of a liquid type discriminating apparatus that imposes a large cost burden on the liquid supply station side. It is in.

  The third problem is that in constructing an unloading system for obtaining a reliable mixed liquid prevention effect by using a liquid type discriminating apparatus, a conventional unloading system can be used, and the liquid that can reduce the cost burden related to the system change. The object is to provide a seed discrimination device.

  A liquid type discriminating device that discriminates the liquid type in the tank when the tank liquid inlet and the lorry hose are connected to each other. A receiving member and a liquid type discriminating unit that receives a signal from the sensor means, the receiving member being attached at different mounting heights according to the liquid type of the tank, and the distance between the sensor means and the receiving member A signal for discriminating the liquid type of the tank is generated based on the above, and the liquid type discriminating unit discriminates the liquid type based on this signal.

  Thus, in the liquid type identification device of the present invention, since the signal for identifying the liquid type of the tank can only be issued from the liquid injection port of the tank connected to the lorry hose, There is no misreading of the liquid type information due to a mistake in setting with the liquid type sensor, the liquid type of the corresponding tank can be reliably determined, and a mixed liquid accident can be prevented.

  The sensor means for discriminating the liquid type is attached to the lorry hose side, and only the receiving member is attached to the liquid injection port side, so that the cost burden on the liquid supply station side is reduced.

  In the present invention, a signal output unit that outputs a signal according to the liquid type determined by the liquid type determination unit is provided, and this signal output unit outputs the sensor means of the existing liquid type determination device according to the liquid type. It is preferable to output a signal having the same form as the signal to be transmitted.

  By providing such a signal output unit, an existing unloading system can be used. For example, if the form of the signal output from the signal output unit is the same as the form of the signal output from the liquid type sensor 105 described with reference to FIG. An unloading system for preventing mixed liquids can be constructed using the system as it is.

  In the present invention, an ultrasonic sensor can be used as the sensor means attached to the lorry hose side. In this case, when the tank inlet and the lorry hose are connected, the ultrasonic sensor generates a signal for determining the liquid type based on the time until the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the receiving member and returns. To emit.

  In addition, a reed switch type sensor can be used as the sensor means. This reed switch type sensor has a plurality of reed switches arranged at predetermined intervals in the cylinder axis direction inside a cylinder, and a magnet fixed to the lorry hose side in order to operate this reed switch. The body is attached to the lorry hose side so as to be slidable in the cylinder axis direction. When the tank inlet and the lorry hose are connected, the cylinder slides according to the distance from the receiving member, and a reed switch operated by a magnet is selected to determine the tank liquid type. A signal is sent to

  Further, as the sensor means, a variable resistor type sensor having a variable resistor whose electric resistance value changes depending on the appearance of the rod can be used. In this case, when the tank injection port and the lorry hose are connected, the rod appears and disappears according to the distance from the receiving member, and the liquid type of the tank is discriminated based on the change in the electric resistance value. Signal.

  Among these sensor means, an ultrasonic sensor without a movable member is preferable from the viewpoints of durability and maintainability.

  According to the liquid type discriminating apparatus of the present invention, there is no possibility of erroneous reading of liquid type information due to a mistake in setting the liquid type key and the liquid type sensor as in the prior art, and a reliable liquid mixture preventing effect can be obtained. .

  In addition, a reliable liquid mixture prevention effect can be obtained with a small cost burden as a whole without imposing a great cost burden on the liquid supply station side.

  Furthermore, if the signal output unit as described above is provided, a conventional unloading system can be used when, for example, an unloading system for preventing mixed liquid is constructed using the liquid type discriminating apparatus of the present invention. Reduces the cost burden associated with the change.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a liquid type discriminating apparatus according to the present invention.

  When unloading liquid fuel from a lorry vehicle via a lorry hose 1 to a tank, the lorry fitting 1a attached to the tip of the lorry hose 1 is connected to a filling port fitting 2 that serves as a filling port for the tank. To do.

  An ultrasonic sensor 3 is attached to the lorry fitting 1a as sensor means. This lorry metal fitting 1a is a dedicated lorry metal fitting in which a housing portion for the ultrasonic sensor 3 is integrally provided. In addition, a receiving member 4 having a function of reflecting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor 3 is attached to the injection hole fitting 2 over the entire circumference. The receiving member 4 is mounted with different mounting heights according to the liquid types such as regular, high-octane, light oil, and kerosene stored in the tank.

  In such a configuration, when the lorry metal fitting 1 a and the injection hole metal fitting 2 are connected when the liquid is unloaded, the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic sensor 3 is reflected by the receiving member 4 and returns to the ultrasonic sensor 3. Come on. The time that the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the receiving member 4 and returns is dependent on the distance between the ultrasonic sensor 3 and the receiving member 4. In this embodiment, since it is fixed to the ultrasonic sensor 3, it depends on the mounting height of the receiving member 4. And since the attachment height of the receiving member 4 is different according to the liquid type as described above, the time for the ultrasonic wave to be reflected back by the receiving member 4 is unique for each liquid type. Therefore, the liquid type can be discriminated by measuring the time when the ultrasonic wave is reflected and returned by the receiving member 4, and the ultrasonic sensor 3 generates a signal for discriminating the liquid type based on this time. . This signal is transmitted to the control unit on the lorry vehicle side via the signal cable 5, and the liquid type of the tank is determined.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the control unit 9 on the lorry vehicle side. As described above, the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 3 is transmitted to the control unit 9 on the lorry vehicle side via the signal cable 5. The form of the signal generated by the ultrasonic sensor 3 is not particularly limited. For example, the current output can be 4 to 20 mA corresponding to the time when the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the receiving member 4 and returned.

  The signal from the ultrasonic sensor 3 is input to the A / D converter 9a in the control unit 9 and converted into a digital signal. This digital signal is input to the liquid type discriminating unit 9b comprising a CPU. The liquid type discriminating unit 9b processes the digital signal and discriminates the liquid type based on the size and the like.

  In this way, the liquid type is determined based on the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 3. In this embodiment, the signal output unit 9c is provided in order to use the determination result of the liquid type in an existing unloading system for preventing mixed liquid. This signal output unit 9c is the same as the signal output by the sensor means of the liquid type discriminating apparatus used in the existing unloading system according to the liquid type discriminated by the liquid type discriminating unit 9b. Form signal.

  For example, when the liquid type discriminating apparatus of the present embodiment is applied to the unloading system shown in FIG. 5, the signal output from the liquid type sensor 105 in FIG. 5 is usually an electric resistance value signal corresponding to the liquid type. Therefore, the signal output unit 9 c outputs an electrical resistance value signal in the same manner as the liquid type sensor 105 according to the liquid type determined by the liquid type determination unit 9 b. Accordingly, the control system for preventing mixed liquid in the unloading system of FIG. 5 can be used as it is, and the cost burden associated with the system change can be reduced.

  The form of the signal output from the signal output unit 9c is not limited to the electrical resistance value signal, and can be appropriately changed according to the signal output from the sensor means of the liquid type discrimination device used in the existing unloading system. Further, the signal output unit 9c can also be configured by a CPU, like the liquid type determination unit 9b, and the functions of the liquid type determination unit 9b and the signal output unit 9c can be performed by one CPU. Furthermore, the configuration of the control unit 9 shown in FIG. 2 can be integrated with the control unit 108 shown in FIG. Moreover, the function of the control unit can be included in the ultrasonic sensor 3.

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the liquid type discriminating apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a reed switch type sensor 6 is used as sensor means.

  The reed switch type sensor 6 includes a cylinder body 6a and a plurality of reed switches 6b disposed therein at a predetermined interval in the cylinder axis direction. The cylinder body 6a is attached to a support portion 7 fixed to the lorry metal fitting 1a so as to be slidable in the cylinder axis direction. Further, a magnet 6c for operating the reed switch is fixed to the support portion 7.

  On the other hand, a receiving member 4 is attached to the injection hole fitting 2 over the entire circumference in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and this receiving member 4 includes regular, high-octane, light oil, kerosene, etc. stored in the tank. Depending on the liquid type, the mounting height is different.

  In such a configuration, when the lorry metal fitting 1a and the liquid filling metal fitting 2 are connected at the time of unloading the liquid, the tip of the cylindrical body 6a hits the receiving member 4 and slides according to the distance from the receiving member 4. To do. As a result, among the plurality of reed switches 6b, only one reed switch 6b closest to the magnet 6c is operated, and a signal is generated therefrom. That is, a specific reed switch 6b is operated corresponding to the liquid type in the tank, and a signal is generated therefrom, so that the liquid type in the tank can be determined. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, a signal from each reed switch 6b is transmitted to the control unit on the lorry vehicle side, and the liquid type in the tank is determined.

  Also in this embodiment, a signal output unit is provided as in the first embodiment, and the same form as the signal output by the sensor means of the liquid type discriminating apparatus used in the existing unloading system according to the liquid type It is preferable to output the above signal.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the liquid type discriminating apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a variable resistor type sensor 8 is used as sensor means.

  The variable resistor type sensor 8 uses a variable resistor whose electric resistance changes as the rod 8a protrudes and retracts from the main body portion 8b, a so-called potentiometer, and the main body portion 8b is connected to the lorry metal via the support portion 7. It is fixed to 1a.

  On the other hand, a receiving member 4 is attached to the injection hole fitting 2 over the entire circumference in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, and this receiving member 4 is a regular, high-octane, light oil stored in a tank. Depending on the liquid type, such as kerosene, the mounting height is different.

  In such a configuration, when the lorry metal fitting 1a and the liquid filling metal fitting 2 are connected at the time of unloading the liquid, the tip of the rod 8a hits the receiving member 4 and the rod 8a according to the distance from the receiving member 4 The degree of infestation changes. As a result, the electric resistance value of the variable resistor type sensor 8 changes. That is, the electric resistance value of the variable resistor sensor 8 becomes a specific value corresponding to the liquid type of the tank, and the variable resistor type sensor 8 emits a signal corresponding to the electric resistance value. it can. Specifically, as in the first and second embodiments, the signal from the variable resistor type sensor 8 is transmitted to the control unit on the lorry vehicle side, and the liquid type in the tank is determined.

  Also in this embodiment, a signal output unit is provided as in the first embodiment, and the same form as the signal output by the sensor means of the liquid type discriminating apparatus used in the existing unloading system according to the liquid type It is preferable to output the above signal.

  The liquid type discriminating apparatus of the present invention can be suitably used for an unloading system for preventing the occurrence of a mixed liquid accident.

It is a front view which shows 1st Example of the liquid type discrimination | determination apparatus based on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the control unit by the side of a lorry vehicle. It is a front view which shows 2nd Example of the liquid type discrimination | determination apparatus based on this invention. It is a front view which shows 3rd Example of the liquid type discrimination | determination apparatus based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional liquid unloading system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Lorry hose 1a Lorry bracket 2 Injection hole fitting (injection port)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Ultrasonic sensor 4 Receiving member 5 Signal cable 6 Reed switch type sensor 6a Tube 6b Reed switch 6c Magnet 7 Support part 8 Variable resistor type sensor 8a Rod 8b Main part 9 Control unit 9a A / D conversion part 9b Liquid type discrimination Section 9c Signal output section

Claims (5)

A liquid type discriminating device for discriminating the liquid type of a tank when a tank injection port and a lorry hose are connected,
A sensor means for discriminating the liquid type attached to the lorry hose side, a receiving member attached to the liquid inlet side, and a liquid type discriminating section for receiving a signal from the sensor means,
The receiving member is attached with different mounting height according to the liquid type of the tank,
A liquid type discriminating device in which the sensor means generates a signal for discriminating the liquid type of the tank based on the distance from the receiving member, and the liquid type discriminating unit discriminates the liquid type based on this signal.   A signal output unit that outputs a signal according to the liquid type discriminated by the liquid type discriminating unit is provided, and this signal output unit has the same form as the signal that the sensor means of the existing liquid type discriminating device outputs according to the liquid type The liquid type discriminating device according to claim 1, which outputs a signal of   The sensor means is an ultrasonic sensor, and when the liquid injection port of the tank and the lorry hose are connected, the ultrasonic sensor detects the liquid type based on the time until the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the receiving member and returns. The liquid type discriminating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a signal for discriminating is issued.   The sensor means is a reed switch type sensor having a plurality of reed switches arranged at predetermined intervals in the cylinder axis direction inside the tubular body and a magnet fixed to the lorry hose side in order to operate the reed switch, The cylinder is slidably mounted in the cylinder axis direction on the lorry hose side, and when the tank injection port and the lorry hose are connected, the cylinder slides according to the distance from the receiving member, and the magnet The liquid type discriminating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a signal for discriminating the liquid type of the tank is generated by selecting a reed switch that is operated by.   The sensor means is a variable resistor type sensor having a variable resistor whose electric resistance value changes depending on the appearance of the rod, and the distance between the rod and the receiving member when the liquid injection port of the tank and the lorry hose are connected. The liquid type discriminating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid type discriminating apparatus emits a signal for discriminating the liquid type of the tank based on the change of the electric resistance value caused by the change in appearance.

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