JP2023161694A - Vapor recovery function-equipped fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vapor recovery function-equipped fuel supply device, the device incorporating a pipeline that curves in accordance with movement of a fuel supply hose in a limited space inside a delivery unit.SOLUTION: A vapor recovery function-equipped fuel supply device 1 comprises: a delivery unit 20 that is provided at a high position of a fuel supply station, and has a vertical movement mechanism 23 that can move a hanging position of a fuel supply hose 21 vertically and a horizontal movement mechanism 26 that can move the hanging position of the fuel supply hose 21 horizontally; a vapor recovery tube 41 that recovers vapor discharged from a fuel supply object during fuel supply from a fuel supply nozzle 30 to the fuel supply object; a curvable resin tube 43 stored in the delivery unit 20; and a rotary joint that is provided on the horizontal movement mechanism 26, has the vapor recovery tube 41 connected to one end and the resin tube 43 connected to the other end, and can change the angle of the other end to which the resin tube 43 is connected along with the movement of the horizontal movement mechanism 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function.

From the perspective of preserving the atmospheric environment, there is a growing need for fuel supply devices with a vapor recovery function that recovers vapor generated when supplying fuel such as gasoline with a fuel supply device. Demand for fuel supply devices with a vapor recovery function is also increasing (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

Special Publication No. 6-59920

On the other hand, a delivery unit of a suspended fuel supply device has a hose reel (hose winder), a hose lifting device, and a hose sliding mechanism built into a limited storage space. In particular, the hose slide mechanism is an essential function for supplying fuel to automobiles in order to ensure a range of hose movement during fuel supply.

When incorporating a vapor recovery function into the delivery unit of a suspended fuel supply system, the vapor recovery piping must curve to match the hose slide within the limited space inside the delivery unit in order to move with the hose slide. There was an issue with incorporating vapor recovery piping.

Therefore, the present invention provides a fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function that can incorporate a conduit that curves according to the movement of a fuel supply hose into a limited space within a delivery unit.

The fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function of the present invention is provided at a high place in a fuel supply station, and includes a hose reel for winding up a fuel supply hose, a vertical movement mechanism that allows vertical movement of the hanging position of the fuel supply hose. and a delivery unit having a horizontal movement mechanism that allows the hanging position of the fuel supply hose to be moved horizontally, a fuel supply nozzle connected to the lower end of the fuel supply hose, and a delivery unit that supplies fuel from the fuel supply nozzle to the fuel supply target. a vapor recovery tube that collects vapor discharged from the fuel supply target during the supply of fuel; a bendable delivery unit internal conduit housed in the delivery unit; The collection tube is connected to the other end, and the delivery unit internal conduit is connected to the other end, and the angle of the other end to which the delivery unit internal conduit is connected can be changed in accordance with the movement of the horizontal movement mechanism. A rotary joint.

According to the present invention, it is possible to incorporate a conduit that curves in accordance with the movement of the fuel supply hose into a limited space within the delivery unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a suspended fuel supply device with vapor recovery function according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the trolley of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the cart of the embodiment moves in the -X direction. It is a figure showing the state where the truck of an embodiment moved in +X direction.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. It goes without saying that, in the following embodiments, the constituent elements are not necessarily essential, except when specifically specified or when it is considered to be clearly essential in principle.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a suspended fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function according to an embodiment. The fuel supply device 1 with a vapor recovery function of the present embodiment is installed at a fuel supply station such as a gas station, a transportation company's depot, or a car dealer, and pumps up liquid fuel stored in an underground tank 2 to drive a vehicle. Supply to fuel supply targets such as.

(Fuel supply device 1 with vapor recovery function)
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 1 with a vapor recovery function is a suspended fuel supply device, and includes a fuel supply device main body 10, a delivery unit 20, a fuel supply nozzle 30, and a vapor recovery device 40. and.

(Fuel supply device main body 10)
The fuel supply device main body 10 includes a pump 11 that pumps up and discharges liquid fuel stored in an underground tank 2, a motor 12 that drives the pump 11, and a flow meter 13. Liquid fuel discharged from the pump 11 is supplied to the delivery unit 20 via the fuel pipe 14.

(Delivery unit 20)
The delivery unit 20 is provided at a high location (for example, the canopy 3 (ceiling)) of the fuel supply station. The delivery unit 20 houses a hose reel 22 that winds up a fuel supply hose 21 connected to the fuel pipe 14. One end of the fuel supply hose 21 is connected to the fuel pipe 14, and the other end is connected to the fuel supply nozzle 30. Liquid fuel supplied from the fuel pipe 14 is supplied to the fuel supply nozzle 30 via the fuel supply hose 21.

The delivery unit 20 also includes a vertical movement mechanism (elevating mechanism) 23 that allows the position of the fuel supply nozzle 30 connected to the lower end of the fuel supply hose 21 to be moved in the vertical direction, and a fuel dispensed from the hose reel 22. A conveyance device 24 that conveys the supply hose 21 in the payout direction and the winding direction, an arm mechanism 25 that supports the fuel supply hose 21, and a horizontal movement mechanism 26 that allows the position of the fuel supply nozzle 30 to be moved in the horizontal direction. have

The vertical movement mechanism 23 includes a nozzle lifting motor that rotates the hose reel 22 in forward and reverse directions. When the nozzle lifting motor rotates the hose reel 22 in the forward direction, the fuel supply hose 21 is wound around the hose reel 22, and the fuel supply nozzle 30 moves upward (+Z direction). Further, when the nozzle lifting motor rotates the hose reel 22 in the opposite direction, the fuel supply hose 21 is let out from the hose reel 22, and the fuel supply nozzle 30 moves downward (-Z direction).

The conveyance device 24 is disposed between the hose reel 22 and the arm mechanism 25 and supports the fuel supply hose 21 that is let out from the hose reel 22 or wound around the hose reel 22 . The conveying device 24 rotates as the hose reel 22 rotates, and conveys the fuel supply hose 21 in the payout direction and the winding direction.

The arm mechanism 25 includes a first arm 25a, one end of which is rotatably supported by the top plate of the delivery unit 20, and a second arm 25b, which is rotatably connected to the other end of the first arm 25a. Two pulleys that support the fuel supply hose 21 are attached to the first arm 25a. The tip of the second arm 25b is rotatably connected to the truck 100 (see FIG. 2). The tip of the second arm 25b moves with the movement of the cart 100 in the X direction and also rotates with respect to the cart 100. In this way, the arm mechanism 25 keeps the position of the fuel supply nozzle 30 suspended from the delivery unit 20 in the Z direction from changing.

The horizontal movement mechanism 26 includes a truck 100 and a rail 101 laid along the X direction inside the delivery unit 20. Details of the trolley 100 will be described later.

(Fuel supply nozzle 30)
The fuel supply nozzle 30 is connected to the tip of the fuel supply hose 21 suspended from the delivery unit 20. The fuel supply nozzle 30 is inserted into a fuel supply port of a fuel supply target such as a vehicle, and supplies liquid fuel to the fuel supply target. The fuel supply nozzle 30 includes a vapor suction port 31 that sucks vapor discharged from the fuel supply target while fuel is being supplied to the fuel supply target, and a vapor suction tube 32 connected to the vapor suction port 31. The position of the fuel supply nozzle 30 in the vertical direction (Z direction) is changed by the vertical movement mechanism 23, and the position in the horizontal direction (X direction) is changed by the horizontal movement mechanism 26.

(Vapor recovery device 40)
The vapor recovery device 40 is a device that recovers vapor discharged from the fuel supply target during the supply of fuel to the fuel supply target, and returns the collected vapor to the gas phase portion of the underground tank 2, for example. The vapor recovery device 40 includes a vapor recovery tube 41, a delivery unit internal conduit (hereinafter referred to as a resin tube) 43, a rotary joint 44, a vapor recovery conduit 45, a suction pump 46, and a vapor recovery conduit. 47.

The vapor recovery tube 41 is connected to the vapor suction tube 32 of the fuel supply nozzle 30. The vapor recovery tube 41 is a coiled tube wound around the fuel supply hose 21, and expands and contracts as the fuel supply nozzle 30 moves in the vertical direction (Z direction). This vapor recovery tube 41 is connected to a resin tube 43 via a rotary joint 130 (see FIG. 2) mounted on a truck 100, which will be described later.

The resin tube 43 is accommodated in the delivery unit 20 in a curved state. One end of the resin tube 43 is connected to the rotary joint 130, and the other end is connected to the rotary joint 44. This resin tube 43 is a tube made of resin that can withstand arched curvature, and has resistance to negative pressure related to suction by the suction pump 46 that sucks vapor.

The rotary joint 44 is a joint provided on the top plate of the delivery unit 20, and has one end connected to a resin tube 43, and the other end connected to a vapor recovery pipe 45 connected to a suction pump 46 that sucks vapor. be done. The rotary joint 44 has the same configuration as a rotary joint 130 provided on the trolley 100 described later, and allows the angle of one end to which the resin tube 43 is connected to be changed.

The vapor recovery conduit 45 is a conduit arranged along the ceiling of the delivery unit 20 and is connected to the suction side (primary side) of the suction pump 46 . Further, the vapor recovery pipe 47 is connected to the discharge side (secondary side) of the suction pump 46, and returns the vapor discharged from the suction pump 46 to the gas phase part of the underground tank 2, for example.

With the above configuration, vapor sucked from the vapor suction port 31 of the fuel supply nozzle 30 by driving the suction pump 46 is transferred to the vapor suction tube 32, the vapor recovery tube 41, the rotary joint 130 of the trolley 100, the resin tube 43, and the rotary joint 44. , the vapor recovery pipe 45, the suction pump 46, and the vapor recovery pipe 47, and are collected in the underground tank 2 or the like.

(Dolly 100)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cart of the embodiment. The details of the trolley 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. The truck 100 includes wheels 110, bumper rollers 120, a rotary joint 130, a guide roller 140, an opening 150, a bush 160, and an arm connection portion 170. The bumper roller 120 absorbs or deflects the impact that the cart 100 traveling on the rail 101 receives from the side. The opening 150 is an opening through which the fuel supply hose 21 passes, and the fuel supply hose 21 passes through the opening 150 and moves in the vertical direction. Guide roller 140 is arranged to surround opening 150. This guide roller 140 rotates and guides the fuel supply hose 21 in the vertical direction so that it does not get caught on the truck 100 as it passes through the opening 150 and moves in the vertical direction. The bushes 160 are attached to the front and rear of the truck 100, and absorb or reduce shocks that the truck 100 receives from the front and rear. The tip of the second arm 25b is rotatably connected to the arm connection portion 170.

The rotary joint 130 is connected to a recovery tube connection part 131, a fixed part 132 to which the recovery tube connection part 131 is connected, a rotating part 133 rotatably connected to the fixed part 132, and a rotating part 133. It has a resin tube connection part 134. The recovery tube connection portion 131, the fixed portion 132, the rotation portion 133, and the resin tube connection portion 134 communicate internally. The vapor recovery tube 41 is connected to the recovery tube connection section 131 , and the resin tube 43 is connected to the resin tube connection section 134 . The vapor that has passed through the vapor recovery tube 41 is discharged into the resin tube 43 via the recovery tube connection section 131 , the fixed section 132 , the rotation section 133 , and the resin tube connection section 134 . A connection port of the recovery tube connection portion 131 to which the vapor recovery tube 41 is connected faces downward. Further, the connection port of the resin tube 43 of the resin tube connection portion 134 is oriented in various directions as the rotating portion 133 rotates.

Further, the rotary joint 130 is provided at a position different from the opening 150, that is, at a position where it does not interfere with the fuel supply hose 21 passing through the opening 150.

Next, a state in which the trolley 100 moves in the -X direction and the +X direction will be described.

(Dolly 100 moved in the -X direction)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the cart of the embodiment moves in the −X direction. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 below include (a) showing the inside of the delivery unit 20, and (b) an enlarged view of the trolley 100 indicated by the dotted line in (a). When the trolley 100 moves in the −X direction along the rail 101, one end of the second arm 25b of the arm mechanism 25 rotates with respect to the first arm 25a, and the arm mechanism The other end of the second arm 25b of 25 rotates with respect to the arm connection portion 170 of the truck 100. Further, the first arm 25a of the arm mechanism 25 also rotates with respect to the top plate of the delivery unit 20. Thereby, even if the truck 100 moves in the −X direction, the position of the fuel supply nozzle 30 suspended from the delivery unit 20 in the Z direction can be kept unchanged.

One end of the resin tube 43 connected to the resin tube connection part 134 of the rotary joint 130 moves in the -X direction as the trolley 100 moves in the -X direction. At this time, the resin tube 43 is gently curved. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the rotating part 133 of the rotary joint 130 rotates relative to the fixed part 132 so that the connection port of the resin tube connecting part 134 of the rotary joint 130 faces approximately in the +Z direction.

(Dolly 100 moved in +X direction)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the cart of the embodiment moves in the +X direction. When the truck 100 moves in the +X direction along the rail 101, one end of the second arm 25b of the arm mechanism 25 rotates with respect to the first arm 25a, and the arm mechanism 25 The other end of the second arm 25b rotates with respect to the arm connection portion 170 of the truck 100. Further, the first arm 25a of the arm mechanism 25 also rotates with respect to the top plate of the delivery unit 20. When the truck 100 moves in the +X direction, the first arm 25a rotates counterclockwise compared to when the truck 100 moves in the -X direction in FIG. Thereby, even if the truck 100 moves in the +X direction, the position of the fuel supply nozzle 30 suspended from the delivery unit 20 in the Z direction can be kept unchanged.

One end of the resin tube 43 connected to the resin tube connection portion 134 of the rotary joint 130 moves in the +X direction as the trolley 100 moves in the +X direction. At this time, the resin tube 43 is curved so as not to be bent. Then, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the rotating part 133 of the rotating joint 130 rotates with respect to the fixed part 132 so that the connection port of the resin tube connecting part 134 of the rotating joint 130 faces approximately in the -X direction. . When the cart 100 moves in the +X direction in FIG. 4, the resin tube 43 curves more than when the cart 100 moves in the -X direction in FIG. By changing the angle of the resin tube connecting part 134 by the rotating part 133, the vapor flow path can be maintained without being constricted.

(Effects in the embodiment)
Even if the cart 100 is moved in the X direction and the -X direction in order to horizontally move the position of the fuel supply nozzle 30, the resin tube 43 will curve inside the delivery unit 20 and one end of the resin tube 43 will bend. The angle of the resin tube connection portion 134 to which the resin tube connection portion 134 is connected can be changed. Thereby, the vapor flow path can be maintained without bending the resin tube 43, so that the vapor can be recovered.

In addition, by providing the bendable resin tube 43 inside the delivery unit 20, it is possible to use the bendable resin tube 43 inside the delivery unit 20 in a limited space, compared to the case where an extra length of tube wound in a coil is prepared. Since the resin tube 43 can be accommodated in the container, the delivery unit 20 can be made smaller.

Further, by providing the rotary joint 130 at a position different from the opening 150, it is possible to prevent the resin tube 43 and the fuel supply hose 21 from interfering and rubbing against each other. This improves the durability of the resin tube 43 and the fuel supply hose 21.

Further, by connecting both ends of the resin tube 43 to the rotary joint 130 and the rotary joint 44, the angle of the end of the resin tube 43 can be changed freely, and bending of the resin tube 43 can be suppressed.

(Modified example)
Although the present invention has been described above along with the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely examples of implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited by these embodiments. This is something that should not happen. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical idea or main features.

For example, if the resin tube 43 does not bend even if the trolley 100 moves, the rotary joint 44 may be a normal joint with a fixed angle at the end to which the resin tube 43 is connected.

Further, a safety valve may be provided in the vapor flow path.

1: Fuel supply device with vapor recovery function, 2: Underground tank, 3: Canopy, 10: Fuel supply device body, 11: Pump, 12: Motor, 13: Flow meter, 14: Fuel piping, 20: Delivery unit, 21: Fuel supply hose, 22: Hose reel, 23: Vertical movement mechanism, 24 Transfer device, 25: Arm mechanism, 25a: First arm, 25b: Second arm, 26: Horizontal movement mechanism, 30: Fuel supply nozzle, 31: vapor suction port, 32: vapor suction tube, 40: vapor recovery device, 41: vapor recovery tube, 43: resin tube, 44: rotary joint, 45: vapor recovery pipe, 46: suction pump, 47: Vapor recovery pipe, 100: Truck, 101: Rail, 110: Wheel, 120: Bumper roller, 130: Rotating joint, 131: Recovery tube connection section, 132: Fixed section, 133: Rotating section, 134: Resin tube connection section , 140: Guide roller, 150: Opening, 160: Bush, 170: Arm connection part

Claims (3)

A hose reel that is installed at a high place in the fuel supply station and winds up the fuel supply hose, a vertical movement mechanism that allows the hanging position of the fuel supply hose to be moved in the vertical direction, and a horizontal movement mechanism that allows the hanging position of the fuel supply hose to be moved in the vertical direction. a delivery unit having a horizontal movement mechanism capable of moving to;
a fuel supply nozzle connected to the lower end of the fuel supply hose;
a vapor recovery tube that collects vapor discharged from the fuel supply target while fuel is being supplied from the fuel supply nozzle to the fuel supply target;
a bendable delivery unit internal conduit housed within the delivery unit;
provided in the horizontal direction moving mechanism, one end connected to the vapor recovery tube and the other end connected to the delivery unit internal pipe line, and the angle of the other end to which the delivery unit internal pipe line is connected; a first rotary joint that can be changed as the horizontal movement mechanism moves;
A fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function. The horizontal movement mechanism is provided with an opening through which the fuel supply hose passes,
The fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary joint is provided at a position different from the opening. Provided within the delivery unit, one end is connected to the delivery unit internal pipe line, the other end is connected to a pipe line connected to a suction pump that sucks vapor, and the delivery unit internal pipe line is connected to the other end. The fuel supply device with a vapor recovery function according to claim 1, further comprising a second rotary joint that can change the angle of the one end.

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