JPH0640497A - Oil feeder having oil kind identifying function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately distinguish between gasoline and gas oil independently of the vapor pressure of gasoline near a fuel feed opening of a vehicle fuel tank. CONSTITUTION:When a fuel feed nozzle 20 is inserted into a fuel tank and the fuel vapor is drawn in a gas sensor GS, if the fuel vapor does not exceed the reference value by which a detecting output from the gas sensor GS judges the vapor to be gasoline even after lapse of a specified time, a first valve V1 is shut in order to close an air conduit pipe 11 leading from an air supply source 10 to a vacuum ejector 14 on the one hand and switch a second valve V2 to supply air through a vapor suction opening of the fuel feed nozzle 20 into the fuel tank of a vehicle on the other. This air forces up the vapor staying on the bottom of the fuel tank to its fuel feed opening and, at this point, draws in the vapor again to conduct it to the gas sensor GS.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refueling device for discriminating the kind of fuel oil to be replenished based on the vapor of fuel oil retained in a fuel tank of an automobile, and more particularly to vapor steam. The present invention relates to an oil supply device with an oil type discriminating function that prevents an oil type discrimination error caused by a decrease in pressure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are roughly two types of fuel oil for automobiles: light oil and gasoline. If the oil type is incorrect, the engine will be inconvenient. For this reason, a device has been proposed in which a vapor suction port is provided at the tip of the discharge pipe of the fueling nozzle, and the gas sucked from this is detected by a gas sensor to determine the type of oil in the fuel tank (Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-62). −
22879).

This type of oil discrimination function is based on the fact that the vapor concentration of gasoline, more specifically the concentration of hydrocarbon gas, is higher than that of light oil. Therefore, even if gasoline is present in an automobile fuel tank. However, when the vapor vapor pressure in the sampling region is low, there is a problem that the concentration of hydrocarbons reaching the gas detection means is low and it cannot be determined as gasoline or light oil. That is, when there is almost no gasoline in the tank, when the outside air temperature is low and the vapor pressure of gasoline is low such as in winter, and when a vehicle falls, it is like a tank equipped with a valve to prevent the outflow of fuel oil. If the fuel oil inlet and the tank body are separated by a check valve, the vapor concentration near the fuel oil inlet is low, so even if the fuel tank is filled with gasoline, gas detection will be performed. There is an inconvenience that the concentration of vapor supplied to the means does not rise to the extent that it can be determined to be gasoline.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel refueling device that can reliably detect the type of oil in a vehicle fuel tank regardless of the amount of residual oil in the tank, the outside temperature, and the structure of the vehicle fuel tank.

[0005]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, vapor suction means, gas detection means, and a vapor conduit connecting the vapor suction port of the refueling nozzle and the gas detection means. At the time of vapor concentration detection, a negative pressure is applied to the vapor conduit, and if the gas detection signal from the gas detection means does not reach the reference value even after a certain time has elapsed from the start of vapor concentration detection, a predetermined time A gas sampling means for applying negative pressure again after supplying air is provided.

[0006]

When the vapor concentration near the fuel inlet of the automobile fuel tank is low, air is supplied from the vapor suction port of the refueling nozzle into the automobile fuel tank so that the vapor that is stagnant at the bottom of the tank is injected into the fuel inlet. And then vaporize again to determine the fuel oil type. As a result, even when the gasoline vapor in the vicinity of the inlet is lean, it is possible to reliably distinguish between gasoline and light oil.

[0007]

Embodiments Now, the embodiments shown in the drawings will be described. FIG. 1 shows an oil supply device which is an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an oil supply pump for supplying fuel in an underground tank to an oil supply nozzle 20, to which one end of an oil supply hose 3 is connected via a flow meter 2 and to the flow meter 2. A flow rate pulse transmitter 4 is provided, and a signal from the flow rate pulse transmitter 4 is converted into an oil supply amount by the control device 5 and displayed on the display device 6.

[0008] 10 is an air supply source, the air duct 11 extending from here, as shown in FIG. 2, a mist separator 12 and the first valve normally closed through the regulator 13 V ₁
And a second valve V ₂ forming a 3-port 2-position switching valve are connected in parallel, and the first valve V ₁ is further connected via the vacuum ejector 14 to the inside of the recess 9 for inserting the tip portion of the nozzle hook 8. The second nozzle V ₂ is connected to the air supply source 10 via a fixed orifice 16, and
In the position, the vapor conduit 21 and the vacuum ejector 14, which will be described later, can be connected, and in the position b, the air conduit 11 and the vapor conduit 21 can be connected to each other so that both conduits 1 can be connected.
It is arranged at the connection portion of 1, 21.

On the other hand, the vapor conduit 21 is, as shown in FIG. 3, supplied from the vapor suction port 23 opened near the tip of the cylinder tip 22 of the oil supply nozzle 20 through the stop valve 25 which is opened by the lever 24. Inside, where gas sensor GS, second valve V ₂ and pressure switch PS
To the vacuum ejector 14 via.

By the way, the first and second valves V ₁ and V ₂ are both constructed as electromagnetic valves which are operated by an output signal from the control device 5, and the first valve V ₁ is energized to generate air. The flow path of the air conduit 11 from the supply source 10 to the vacuum ejector 14 is opened, and the inside of the vapor conduit 21 connected to the vacuum ejector 14 is set to a negative pressure to perform the suction action of the vapor, and the second valve V ₂ is In the non-excited state, in a normal state, the vapor conduit 21 and the vacuum ejector 14 communicate with each other at a position, and the nozzle lever 24 is pulled up, and the output of the gas sensor GS does not rise to a level at which it can be determined to be gasoline after a predetermined time T _3. At times, a signal output from the control device 5 for a certain period of time is received to switch to the b position, the vapor conduit 21 and the air supply source 10 are communicated with each other, and the fixed orifice 16 is used. Air from the air supply source 10 of which the amount is reduced is supplied to the automobile fuel tank through the vapor conduit 21 to raise the vapor at the bottom of the tank, and after the oil type determination operation and after the fuel supply is stopped, the control device 5 outputs the air for a predetermined time. In response to the output intermittent signal and continuous signal, it is switched to the b position to connect the vapor conduit 21 and the air supply source 10 to each other,
Air supply source 10 whose flow rate is reduced by a fixed orifice 16
Is introduced into the vapor conduit 21 to forcibly scavenge the inside.

On the other hand, the pressure switch PS provided in the middle of the vapor conduit 21 is constructed as a switch for turning on the switch by a diaphragm which is deformed when the inside of the conduit 21 becomes negative pressure, and a reference numeral 27 in the drawing. Shows a well-known air suction pipe that operates the automatic valve closing mechanism 28 by a negative pressure when the opening end of the refueling nozzle 20 on the cylinder tip 22 side is blocked by the liquid in the fuel tank.
Reference numeral 9 indicates a main valve, and SW indicates a nozzle switch provided on the nozzle hook 8.

Next, the operation of the apparatus thus constructed will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. When the fueling nozzle 20 is removed from the nozzle hook 8, the nozzle switch S
W is turned on (step y), and the controller 5 causes the indicator 6 to zero and excites the first valve V ₁ to open it (step b). Thereby, the air from the air supply source 10 flows into the vacuum ejector 14,
The inside of the vapor conduit 21 connected here is made a negative pressure.
On the other hand, since the lever 24 is still lowered at this point, the stop valve 25 provided in the middle of the vapor conduit 21 is closed. Therefore, a strong negative pressure acts on the inside of the vapor conduit 21, and the pressure switch PS detects this negative pressure and turns ON (step C).

Under this condition, next, the oil supply nozzle 20
Insert the cylinder tip 22 of the
When 4 is pulled, the stop valve 25 is opened by the lever 24 together with the opening of the main valve 29. This allows the vapor conduit 21
The strong negative pressure in the inside rapidly disappears, the pressure switch PS immediately turns off (step d), and the vapor is sucked into the vapor conduit 21 from the fuel tank and flows to the gas sensor GS. Go on.

In the case of a fuel tank having a certain amount of oil in the tank, a high outside air temperature, and a fuel tank having no outflow prevention structure, a vapor having a concentration determined by the fuel oil exists in the sampling area. The type of the fuel oil that has reached the gas sensor GS without fail and is stored in the fuel tank is determined, and as a result, this vapor is detected by the gas sensor GS in agreement with the oil type of the fueling device registered in advance. When the output becomes equal to or higher than a certain value of the criterion for judging gasoline (step E), the control device 5 takes in this signal to close the first valve V ₁ and intermittently turn on the _second valve V _2. Open and at the same time start pump motor M to start refueling (step F). This allows
In parallel with the refueling, the air in the air conduit 11 is supplied to the second valve V ₂
From the air supply source 10, the flow rate of the air from the air supply source 10 is throttled by the fixed orifice 16 on the way and is further throttled by the intermittent opening and closing of the valve V ₂ , so that the pulsed air is supplied. The air injected into the conduit 21 is uniform and small amount of air in the process of flowing in the long vapor conduit 21 toward the refueling nozzle 20.
The inside of the vapor conduit 21 is scavenged with an amount of air that does not allow dangerous vapor to flow out of the fuel tank to the outside environment by maintaining a low positive pressure inside the gas tank to prevent deterioration of the gas sensor GS.

In this way, if ventilation is performed for a time T ₁ for which a constant scavenging effect is obtained, for example, for 3 seconds (step
G), and then, turning off the power supply to the second valve V ₂ and returning it to the original state (step H). As a result, refueling can be continued without wasteful consumption of air and without further leaking dangerous vapor. When the amount of refueling reaches a predetermined value and the lever 24 is pulled down, the main valve 29 closes the pipeline to cut off the supply of fuel oil, and at the same time, the stop valve 25 closes the pipeline of the vapor conduit 21. Next, when the fueling nozzle 20 is set on the nozzle hook 8 and the nozzle switch SW is turned off (step S), the control device 5 turns off the pump motor M (step S), and then the second valve V Energize ₂ and switch it from position a to position b again (step). As a result, the air in the air conduit 11 flows into the vapor conduit 21 again, and the check valve 2 provided in the stop valve 25
6 is opened and the vapor remaining here is discharged into the atmosphere together with air, and at the same time, the gas sensor GS is completely cleaned with new air. And for a fixed time T ₂ , for example 5
When the second elapses (step 2), the second valve V ₂ is deenergized and returned to the original position a (step 2).
W) Put the machine on standby for the next refueling.

On the other hand, when there is almost no oil in the tank, when the outside air temperature is low, and in the fuel tank having the structure for preventing the fuel oil outflow at the time of a fall, even if gasoline is present in the fuel tank, Since the vapor concentration near the fuel oil inlet is low, the sensor G immediately after the refueling lever is pulled up
Since the detection output of S does not always reach the constant value that can be judged as gasoline (step E), when this state continues for a predetermined time T ₃ , for example, 1.5 seconds (step C), the first The valve V ₁ is closed and the second valve V ₂ is switched at the same time (step yo). This allows the air conduit 1
The air in 1 flows into the vapor conduit 21 from the second valve V ₂ and then into the automobile fuel tank from the vapor suction port 23 of the refueling nozzle inserted in the automobile fuel tank. As a result, the vapor that has stagnated at the bottom of the fuel tank is lifted up to the inlet of the fuel tank by the inflowing air.

[0017] After this manner the vapor at the bottom of the fuel tank sufficient effect to drive off the inlet close is obtained time T ₄ of the fuel tank, for example by supplying 1 sec (step motor), a second valve V ₂ Then, the power is turned off and returned to the original state, and the first valve V ₁ is opened (step). As a result, the air from the air supply source 10 flows into the vacuum ejector 14, and the vapor conduit 21 connected thereto
The gas sensor GS is used to remove the vapor from the bottom of the vehicle fuel tank to the fuel inlet by making the inside of the tank negative pressure.
Aspirate into. When the vapor reaches the gas sensor GS without fail, the type of fuel oil contained in the fuel tank is immediately determined here, and as a result, the vapor type of the fueling device in which this vapor is registered in advance is determined. When the detection output from the gas sensor GS exceeds a certain value in accordance with (step E), the control device 5 takes in this signal,
The first valve V ₁ is closed and the second valve V ₂ is opened intermittently, and at the same time, the pump motor M is started to start refueling (step F). The following steps (g)
After that, the refueling operation is completed through the step (wa).

On the other hand, when the fuel oil contained in the fuel tank is, for example, light oil and is different from the type of oil registered in the refueling device, such as gasoline, even if the steps (F) to (R) Even if the vapor at the bottom of the fuel tank is expelled near the fuel oil injection port in the above step and sampling is performed again, the gas sensor GS does not output a gasoline level detection signal. In such cases,
The control device 5 immediately determines that the gas sensor GS does not input a detection signal of a certain level or more even after a predetermined time T ₅ , for example, 3.5 seconds (step S), and immediately starts the first operation.
The second valve V ₂ while deactivating the valve V ₁ and closing it.
Is intermittently switched to the b position, the air flowing in the air conduit 11 is made to flow into the vapor conduit 21 from the second valve V _{2 in a} pulsed manner, and the vapor remaining inside is discharged by this small amount of air, Further, the alarm 7 is activated to call the operator's attention (steps). Then, if aeration is performed for a certain time T ₆ (step), for example, for 3 seconds, the second
The valve V ₂ is shut off to stop the scavenging in the vapor conduit 21 (stepner). On the other hand, the operator knows the operation error by the operation of the alarm device 7 and the refueling nozzle 20
Nozzle switch SW is set to O
When it becomes FF (step), the alarm 7 stops its operation (step), and along with this, the second valve V ₂ is excited to switch from the a position to the b position (step).
Le). For this reason, the air conduit 11 is placed in the vapor conduit 21.
The air inside flows in and the vapor remaining inside is discharged to the outside, and when a predetermined time T ₂ elapses (step
W), the second valve V ₂ is returned to the a position again (stepwa), and is returned to the standby state for the next refueling.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, the vapor suction means, the gas detection means, the vapor conduit connecting the vapor suction port of the refueling nozzle and the gas detection means, and the vapor concentration at the time of vapor concentration detection. Negative pressure is applied to the conduit, and if the gas detection signal from the gas detection means does not reach the reference value within a certain time after the start of vapor concentration detection, negative pressure is applied again after supplying air for a predetermined time. The fuel tank equipped with a check valve for preventing outflow and the gasoline vapor pressure near the fuel oil inlet when there is almost no residual oil in the fuel tank or in the winter season. Even if the value is low, the vapor concentration can be measured after the vapor at the bottom of the fuel tank has been driven to the vicinity of the fuel oil inlet, so it is possible to reliably distinguish gas oil from gasoline. Door can be.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an oil supply device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a pipeline configuration diagram showing a main part of the same apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of a fueling nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Refueling Pump 2 Flow Meter 3 Refueling Hose 5 Control Device 7 Alarm 8 Nozzle Hook 11 Air Conduit 20 Refueling Nozzle 21 Vapor Conduit 25 Stop Valve V ₁ First Valve V ₂ Second Valve SW Nozzle Switch PS Pressure Switch GS Gas sensor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vapor suction means, a gas detection means,
A vapor conduit connecting the vapor suction port of the fueling nozzle and the gas detection means, and a negative pressure is applied to the vapor conduit at the time of vapor concentration detection, and the gas detection is performed even after a certain time has elapsed from the start of vapor concentration detection. An oil supply device comprising gas sampling means for supplying a negative pressure again after supplying air for a predetermined time when the gas detection signal from the means does not reach the reference value.