JP4918925B2 - Self refueling management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique related to refueling management in a fueling station that supplies fuel oil to an automobile, and more particularly to a self-fueling management system implemented in a self-type fueling station where a customer himself refuels.

There are two types of filling stations: full service where the workers at the filling station refuel, and self-service where the customer himself refuels (self refueling). In recent years, self-service gas stations have rapidly become widespread.
In this self-service refueling station, since a customer who is unfamiliar with refueling refuels, it is necessary for a worker at the refueling station to confirm the safety of refueling.

In a conventional self-fueling management system (see Patent Document 1), a display area and switch means for each fueling machine are provided on a self-console installed in a management office.
The manager sees the refueling request displayed in the display area, confirms the safety of the refueling operation by the refueling machine, and gives a confirmation signal by the switch means, thereby putting the refueling machine in a refueling permitted state.

However, in the conventional self-lubrication management system, the safety of the refueling work is confirmed only within the control center, and a confirmation signal is given to allow the refueling to be permitted. If the manager is out to the other part of the gas station, such as when he / she goes to the station, the management is requested if a refueling request is received from a fueling machine other than the one that caused the trouble. The refueling machine was not allowed to refuel until the worker returned to the management office, so workability was poor.
In addition, the safety check of the refueling work is more accurate near the refueling machine than in the management office, but if the manager does not return to the management office after checking the safety outdoors, the refueling machine related to the refueling request will refuel. It is not allowed.
As described above, the conventional self-oiling management system is difficult to smoothly respond to or cope with the oiling request.
JP-A-9-142487

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and is a self-lubrication management in which the safety of refueling work by a customer is high and the workability of a service station worker or a manager is good. The purpose is to provide a system.

According to the present invention, the oil supply control device includes a plurality of oil supply machine (3) having (17), self console for controlling their refueling machine (3) (5) and a pump for lubrication (11) And a POS terminal (6), a self-refueling management system is provided with a wireless portable operating device (8) held by a manager, and the refueling control device (17) has a refueling nozzle (14) mounted on a nozzle (15 When the ON signal of the nozzle switch (16) is input (ST1), a refueling request signal is transmitted to the self-console (5) (ST2), and a confirmation signal is input from the portable controller (8) If it is done (ST3), the confirmation signal is transmitted to the self-console (5) (ST4). When the refueling permission signal is inputted from the self-console (5) (ST5), the pump (11) is driven. Band operating device (8) to send an answer back signal (ST6) has a function (claim 1).
In the present invention, the self-console (5) receives not only the confirmation signal from the portable controller (8) but also the confirmation signal from the switch means (29) of the self-console (5). (3) has a function to make the refueling permitted state.

  In the present invention, the confirmation signal from the portable operating device (8) (or from the switch means 29 of the self-console 5) indicates that each of the oilers (3) is in a state where it can be refueled (safe). Preferably, it is either an individual confirmation signal for individually confirming or a collective confirmation signal for collectively confirming that all the lubricators (3) are in a refuelable state (safe). ).

  Further, in the present invention, the refueling machine (3) is provided with a status indicator (20: for example, so-called “patlite”), and when the status indicator (20) is in a refueling request state, a refueling standby display (for example, When the oil supply request is displayed (for example, the patrol light is blinking), the oil supply request status is switched to the display during refueling, and when refueling is completed, the oil supply display is displayed. It is preferable to have a function of switching to (Claim 3).

  In the present invention, the self-console (5) is provided with a display monitor (27) having a display area for each refueling machine (3) and switch means (29), and the display monitor (27) has a refueling machine (3 ) Is displayed every time whether it is in a refueling request state, in refueling, or in a refueling standby state, and a confirmation signal from the portable operating device (8) (or switch means 29) is displayed during the refueling request. It is preferable to have a function of receiving and causing the refueling machine (3) to be in a refueling permitted state (claim 4).

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a confirmation signal indicating that the refueling machine (3) is in a refuelable state (safe) can be input by the portable controller (8). ) Can check whether the refueling machine (3) is in a state where it can be refueled (safe) even if it is not at the refueling station management office (for example, even at the refueling site). it can. In other words, a confirmation signal can be sent each time an administrator who is outside the management station returns to the management station without entering the refueling request state, so that the refueling machine in the refueling request state starts refueling promptly. I can do it.
As a result, the work efficiency of refueling can be improved while maintaining the safety of the refueling work at a high level.

Furthermore, if a safety confirmation signal is output for each fueling device (3) in the present invention (Claim 2), it is possible to reliably start fueling for the fueling device to be fueled.
Here, in the present invention, when confirmation signals are collectively output to all the refueling machines (3) (Claim 2), it is the refueling machine that is in a refueling request state to actually start refueling. Even if (3) only and the refueling machine (3) not in the refueling request state receives the confirmation signal, it does not refuel. Therefore, there is no possibility that oil will flow out from the nozzle of the oiler (3) that is not refueling.

  In the present invention, if a state indicator is provided in the refueling machine (Claim 3), the state of the refueling machine can be confirmed from the management station or from the refueling site, the safety of refueling work is improved, and the refueling management is smoothly performed. Can be done.

  In the present invention, since a confirmation signal indicating that the refueling operation is possible (safety confirmation) can be input by the switch means of the self-console, the administrator can manage self-refueling in the management office. . Therefore, in stormy weather, it is possible to work safely in the management office.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a gas station where a self-fueling management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented.
In FIG. 1, a plurality of islands 2, 2... Are provided on the site of the gas station 1, and oilers 3, 3.

The refueling station 1 is provided with a management station 4, and the management station 4 is provided with a self-console 5 and a POS terminal 6.
The self-console 5 and the POS terminal 6 are connected to the respective oil feeders 3 through signal lines 7.
The gas station 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a wireless portable controller 8 held by a manager. In FIG. 1, the wireless portable operating device 8 is displayed in a manner arranged at the management office 4.

In FIG. 2 showing the self-oil supply management system, an oil supply pipe 10 is disposed in the housing 9 of the oil supply machine 3, and one end of the oil supply pipe 10 is connected to an oil storage tank (not shown). The oil supply pipe 10 is provided with a pump 11 and a flow meter 12, and an oil supply hose 13 is connected to the tip of the oil supply pipe 10.
An oil supply nozzle 14 is provided at the tip of the oil supply hose 13, and a nozzle switch 16 is provided on a nozzle hook 15 for locking the oil supply nozzle 14.
In addition to the devices described above, the housing 9 of the fueling device 3 is provided with a fueling control device 17, a fueling amount indicator 18, a receiver 19, and a status indicator 20 (for example, so-called “patlite”).

Each device provided in the fueling machine 3 is connected to the fueling control device 17 by a signal transmission line (not clearly shown).
The oil supply control device 17 receives an ON signal from the nozzle switch 16 and blinks the status indicator 20 to display that the oil supply device 3 is in the oil supply request state, and to supply an oil supply request signal (the oil supply device 3 supplies the oil). And a function of transmitting a signal indicating that the request is in the state to the self-console 5.
The fuel supply control device 17 has a function of receiving a confirmation signal from the portable controller 8 via the receiver 19 and transmitting the received confirmation signal to the self-console 5.

The refueling control device 17 has a function of receiving a refueling permission signal from the self-console 5, turning on the status indicator 20 to display that the refueling machine 3 is in a refueling state, and driving the pump 11. ing. Then, the flow rate signal is received from the flow meter 12, the function of calculating the oil supply amount from the flow rate signal, and the oil supply amount as the calculation result are displayed on the oil supply amount indicator 18, and the oil supply amount signal is sent to the self-console 5. It has a function to transmit.
Further, the oil supply control device 17 receives an off signal (a signal indicating that the oil supply has been completed) from the nozzle switch 16 and stops the pump 11, stops the status indicator 20, and the oil supply device 3 is in a state of waiting for oil supply. It also has a function to display that there is a refueling end signal to the self-console 5.

The portable controller 8 may be a type having a communication distance of about 10 m or a type having a communication distance of about 3 mm.
In the case of the portable controller 8 having a communication distance of about 10 m, a method of checking the safety of the refueling operation for each individual filler 3 by operating the keyboard in the portable controller 8 and refueling all the fillers 3. It is possible to select a method for checking work safety collectively.
On the other hand, in the case of the portable controller 8 having a communication distance of about 3 mm, a type of device that confirms the safety of the refueling operation for each individual refueling device 3 and a type that collectively checks the safety of the refueling operation for all the refueling devices 3. It is possible to hold a separate portable controller 8 with the device.
Moreover, even if it is an active type which drives with the built-in battery as a drive system of the portable operating device 8, it is a passive type of an RFID system (a system driven by receiving an electromagnetic wave first from the signal receiving side and generating power). Even if it exists, it can implement suitably.

  The self-console 5 includes a first data communication unit 21 that exchanges signals with the refueling machine 3, a second communication unit 22 that exchanges signals with the POS terminal 6, a data control unit 23 that controls the entire self-console 5, The data storage means 24 for storing the signal of the data control means 23 and other data, the data determination means 25 for comparing the signal received from the data control means 23 and the signal stored in the storage means 24, and the data control means 23 Display control means 26 for controlling the display of the display monitor 27 based on the signal, display drive means 28 for driving the display monitor 27 based on the signal of the display control means 26, the display monitor 27, and a touch key type switch means 29 are provided. It has been.

The data control means 23 has a function of receiving a refueling request signal from the refueling machine 3 via the first data communication means 21 and transferring this refueling request signal to the POS terminal 6 via the second data communication means 22. And has a function of transmitting an instruction to display a refueling request to the display control means 26.
The display control means 26 that has received the instruction to display the refueling request displays on the display monitor 27 that the refueling request has been made by the refueling machine 3 via the display driving means 28.

  In addition, when a refueling permission signal is transmitted from the POS terminal 6, the data control means 23 receives the refueling permission signal from the POS terminal 6 via the second communication means 22, and the contents of the refueling permission signal (refueling signal). (Permission) is stored in the storage means 24.

The data control unit 23 has a function of receiving a confirmation signal (a signal indicating that the operator has confirmed that refueling is permitted) from the switch unit 29 or the fuel filler 3, and transmitting the confirmation signal to the data determination unit 25. .
Upon receiving this confirmation signal, the data determination means 25 compares and determines the confirmation signal and the refueling request stored in the storage means 24. Then, the determination result is transmitted to the data control means 23.
The data control unit 23 has a function of transmitting a refueling permission signal to the refueling machine 3 through the first data communication unit 21 based on the determination result received from the data determination unit 25.

Further, the data control means 23 has a function of receiving an oil amount signal from the oil filler 3 and displaying the oil amount of the oil filler 3 on the display monitor 27.
When receiving the refueling end signal from the refueling machine 3, the data control means 23 displays on the display monitor 27 that the refueling machine 3 is in a refueling standby state, and the refueling end signal together with the refueling amount signal. It has a function of transmitting to the POS terminal 6.
The POS terminal 6 has a function of transmitting a fueling permission signal when receiving a fueling request signal from the self-console 5 and issuing a fueling slip from the printer 30 when receiving a fueling amount signal and a fueling end signal.

Next, control of the self-fueling management system according to the illustrated embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.
Here, FIG. 3 shows the control of the fuel filler 3, FIG. 4 shows the control of the self-console 5, and FIG. 5 shows the control of the POS terminal 6.

When refueling, the customer first stops the vehicle in front of the refueling machine 3, removes the refueling nozzle 14 from the nozzle hook 15 and inserts it into the refueling port of the vehicle.
By removing the oil supply nozzle 14 from the nozzle hook 15, an ON signal of the nozzle switch 16 is input from the nozzle switch 16 to the oil supply control device 17.
In step ST <b> 1 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether an ON signal of the nozzle switch 16 is input to the fuel supply control device 17.
If the ON signal of the nozzle switch 16 is input to the fuel supply control device 17 (YES in ST1), the fuel supply request signal is transmitted to the self-console 5 and the status indicator 20 is driven to blink, and the fuel supply device 3 requests the fuel supply. The status is displayed (ST2). Then, the process proceeds to step ST3.

  In FIG. 4, the self-console 5 determines whether or not a refueling request signal has been received from the refueling machine 3 (ST21), and if the self-console 5 has received the refueling request signal transmitted by the refueling machine 3 in step ST2 of FIG. If so (ST21 in FIG. 4 is YES), the data control means 23 transfers the refueling request signal to the POS terminal 6 (ST22). Then, the process proceeds to step ST23.

In FIG. 5, the POS terminal 6 determines whether or not a refueling request signal has been received (ST41), and when the POS terminal 6 receives the refueling request signal transmitted from the self-console 5 in step ST22 of FIG. When ST41 in FIG. 5 is YES), it is determined whether or not a refueling request is possible, and a refueling permission signal is transmitted to the self-console 5 (ST42).
Then, the process proceeds to step ST43.

In FIG. 4, the self-console 5 determines whether or not a refueling permission signal has been input (ST23). If the self-console 5 receives the refueling permission signal transmitted from the POS terminal 6 in step S42 of FIG. 5 (YES in ST23 of FIG. 4), the refueling permission is stored in the storage means 24, and the refueling of the display monitor 27 is performed. A refueling request is displayed at the position of the machine 3 (ST24).
Then, the process proceeds to step ST25.

In FIG. 3, after the status indicator 20 blinks in step ST2, in step ST3, it is determined whether or not a confirmation signal is input from the portable controller 8 possessed by the manager (ST3).
In step ST25 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not a confirmation signal is input from the fueling device 3.
For example, if the status indicator 20 composed of a patrol light blinks, an administrator or an operator can easily recognize the blinking. Then, the manager who visually recognizes the blinking of the status indicator 20 confirms the safety of the fueling work, and then transmits a confirmation signal from the portable operating device 8 possessed by the manager. Alternatively, when there is a manager in the management office 4, the manager who has visually confirmed the blinking of the status indicator 20 confirms the safety of the refueling operation and inputs a confirmation signal from the switch means 29 of the display monitor 27. (ST25 in FIG. 4 is YES).
Then, when the manager sends a perseverance signal from the portable controller 8 or the management office 4 that he / she possesses, steps ST26 and after are executed.

  Here, the confirmation signal transmitted from the portable controller 8 by the administrator may be an individual confirmation signal for individually transmitting the confirmation signal for only one refueling device 3, or collectively for a plurality of refueling devices 3. It is also possible to use a collective confirmation signal for transmitting a confirmation signal. If necessary, refueling management is performed to improve safety and / or work efficiency.

In FIG. 3 again, if the refueling control device 17 receives the confirmation signal from the portable controller 8 via the receiver 19 (ST3 in FIG. 3 is YES), the confirmation signal is transmitted to the self-console 5 (ST4). . Then, the process proceeds to step ST5.
In step ST25 of FIG. 4, the self-console 5 that has been determining whether or not the confirmation signal is input from the fuel filler 3 receives the confirmation signal transmitted from the fuel filler 3 in step ST4 of FIG. 4 ST25 is YES), the data control means 23 of the self-console 5 determines whether it is an individual confirmation signal or a collective confirmation signal (ST26 in FIG. 4).

When the confirmation signal transmitted from the refueling machine 3 is an individual confirmation (YES in ST26), the data determination means 25 of the self-console 5 compares and determines the refueling permission stored in the storage means 24 and the confirmation signal, and the regular confirmation is made. After confirming that it is a confirmation signal, a refueling permission signal is transmitted to the fueling device 3 (ST27).
If the confirmation signal transmitted from the refueling machine 3 is a collective confirmation (ST26 is NO), the data determination means 25 transmits a refueling permission signal to all the refueling machines 3 that are requested to refuel (ST28).
Then, the process proceeds to step ST29 in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the refueling control device 17 of the refueling device 3 that has received the refueling permission signal (ST5 is YES), drives the pump 11, lights the state indicator 20 to display the state of refueling, and the portable operating device. An answer-back signal for confirming reception is output to 8 (ST6).
An administrator who visually recognizes that the portable controller 8 has received the answer back signal can confirm that the confirmation signal is normally transmitted and the fuel dispenser 3, the self-console 5, and the POS terminal 6 are normally operated. .

When the pump 11 is driven in step ST6 of FIG. 3, the oil in the oil supply pipe 10 is pumped by the pump 11, measured by the flow meter 12, and supplied to the automobile from the oil supply nozzle 14 via the oil supply hose 13.
In step ST7 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether the flow rate signal of the flow meter 12 is received by the fuel supply control device 17, and if the fuel supply control device 17 receives the flow rate signal of the flow meter 12 (YES in ST7), the fuel supply is performed. The amount is calculated and displayed on the oil supply indicator 18, and an oil amount signal is transmitted to the self-console 5 (ST8 in FIG. 3).
Then, the process proceeds to step ST9.

In step ST29 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the data control means 23 of the self console 5 has received the oil supply amount signal, and if the data control means 23 of the self console 5 has received the oil supply amount signal (FIG. 4). If ST29 is YES), the amount of fueling is displayed at the position of the fueling machine 3 on the display monitor 27 (ST30 in FIG. 4).
Then, the process proceeds to step ST31.

When a desired amount of oil is supplied to the automobile by the oil filler 3, and the oil supply nozzle 14 is applied to the nozzle hook 15, the nozzle switch 16 outputs an off signal.
In step ST9 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether an off signal of the nozzle switch 16 is input to the fuel supply control device 17, and if an off signal of the nozzle switch 16 is input (ST9 of FIG. 3 is YES). The fuel supply control device 17 stops driving the status indicator 20 to enter the fuel supply standby state, and transmits a fuel supply end signal to the self-console 5 (ST10 in FIG. 3).
Then, the control related to refueling in the refueling machine 3 ends.

In step ST31 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the data control means 23 of the self console 5 has received the refueling end signal. When the data control means 23 receives the refueling end signal transmitted from the refueling machine 3 in step ST10 of FIG. 3 (YES in ST31 of FIG. 4), the display of the refueling machine 3 on the display monitor 27 is changed to the display of standby for refueling. The switching, refueling amount signal and refueling end signal are transmitted to the POS terminal 6 (ST32 in FIG. 4).
Thereby, the control which concerns on the fuel supply in the self-console 5 is complete | finished.

In step ST43 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the POS terminal 6 has received a fuel supply amount signal and a fuel supply end signal. If the POS terminal 6 receives the refueling amount signal and the refueling end signal transmitted from the self-console 5 in step ST32 in FIG. 4 (YES in ST43 in FIG. 5), a refueling slip is issued from the printer 30 (in FIG. 5). ST44). Thereby, the control regarding the fuel supply in the POS terminal 6 is completed.
On the basis of the refueling slip issued in step ST44, the customer who has refueled liquidates, and the refueling is finished.

According to the illustrated embodiment, a safety confirmation signal for refueling work can also be output from the portable controller 8, so that it is not necessary for the operator to return to the management station 4 every time a refueling request is made, and the efficiency of refueling management is improved.
In the illustrated embodiment, the operator can determine whether or not a refueling request signal is generated for the refueling machine 3 by visually checking the status indicator 20 wherever the refueling station 1 is located. Since it is possible, customers who use refueling will not wait unnecessarily.
In the illustrated embodiment, refueling is not performed unless the operator confirms safety. Therefore, the safety of the refueling operation can be maintained at a high level as in the prior art.

  The illustrated embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

The schematic diagram of the gas station which equipped the embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows control of the fueling machine in embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control of the self console in embodiment. The flowchart which shows control of the POS terminal in embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Filling station 2 ... Island 3 ... Filling machine 4 ... Management station 5 ... Self-console 6 ... POS terminal 7 ... Signal line 8 ... Portable operating device 9 ..Housing 10 ... oil supply pipe 11 ... pump 12 ... flow meter 13 ... oil supply hose 14 ... oil supply nozzle 15 ... nozzle hook 16 ... nozzle switch 17 ... oil supply control Device 18 ... Lubrication amount indicator 19 ... Receiver 20 ... Status indicator 21 ... First data communication means 22 ... Second data communication means 23 ... Data control means 24 ... Storage means 25 ... Data determination means 26 ... Display control means 27 ... Display monitor 28 ... Display drive means 29 ... Switch means 30 ... Printer

Claims (4)

Lubrication control apparatus comprising a plurality of refueling aircraft (3) having (17), self console for controlling their refueling machine (3) (5) and a pump for lubrication (11) and the POS terminal (6) A wireless portable operating device (8) held by an administrator, and the oil supply control device (17) removes the oil supply nozzle (14) from the nozzle hook (15) and a nozzle switch. When the ON signal of (16) is input (ST1), a refueling request signal is transmitted to the self-console (5) (ST2), and if a confirmation signal is input from the portable controller (8) (ST3) The confirmation signal is transmitted to the self-console (5) (ST4). When the refueling permission signal is input from the self-console (5) (ST5), the pump (11) is driven and the portable controller (8). Transmitting an answer-back signal (ST6) self lubrication management system characterized by having a function. The confirmation signal from the portable controller (8) is an individual confirmation signal for individually confirming that each refueling machine (3) is in a refuelable state, or in a state where all the refueling machines (3) are refuelable. The self-refueling management system according to claim 1, wherein the self-refueling management system is any one of a collective confirmation signal for confirming a certain fact collectively. The refueling machine (3) is provided with a status indicator (20). When the status indicator (20) is in a refueling request state, it switches from a refueling standby display to a refueling request display. The self-lubrication management system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, which has a function of switching from a request display to a display during refueling and switching from a display during refueling to a display for standby for refueling when the refueling is completed. . The self-console (5) is provided with a display monitor (27) having a display area for each refueling machine (3) and switch means (29), and the display monitor (27) is requested to refuel for each refueling machine (3). It is displayed whether it is in a state of refueling, in refueling or in a refueling standby state, the confirmation signal of the portable operating device (8) is received during refueling request, and the refueling device (3) is permitted to refuel The self-oil supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the self-oil supply management system has a function of fading.

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