SE1850545A1 - A device for handling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of fuel dispensing units and in particular to a device for handling at least one hose in such a fuel dispensing unit, the device allowing the hose to be pulled out from a hose storage space and return the hose to the hose storage space, wherein a motor in the fuel dispensing unit is adapted to assist feeding and retraction of the at least hose.

Description

A DEVICE FOR HANDLING AT LEAST ONE HOSE IN A FUELDISPENSING UNIT Technical field The present invention relates to the field of fuel dispensing units and inparticular to a device for handling at least one hose in such a fuel dispensingunit, the device allowing the hose to be pulled out from a hose storage spaceand return the hose to the hose storage space.

Background artA fuel dispensing unit, such as a petrol pump typically comprises a pump part standing on the ground, a display part positioned above the pumppart and showing the chosen type of petrol, cash readout, volume readoutetc., and a column or frame to which one or more petrol hoses are connected.

When the tank of a vehicle is to be filled up, the driver parks the vehiclebeside the petrol pump and opens the cover or cap of the petrol tank. Thedriver then selects the desired type of petrol and places the pump nozzle inthe inlet of the vehicle's petrol tank and puts in the desired volume of petrol.

A difficulty that may arise in connection with filling-up is that the hosedoes not reach to the vehicle if parked a distance from the petrol pump. Thereason why the vehicle has not been parked sufficiently close to the pumpmay be difficulty in maneuvering owing to a limited space round the petrolpump. To allow the hose to reach the vehicle, it is usually necessary for thedriver to park his vehicle so that the side of the vehicle where the filler cap ispositioned faces the petrol pump. lt is not always known to a driver of anunfamiliar vehicle whether the filler cap is positioned on the left or right side.This may result in the driver by mistake parking the vehicle on the wrong sideof the pump and thus not being able to fill up the tank without moving thevehicle to the other side of the petrol pump since the hose does not reach allthe way round the vehicle.

One way of facilitating access to the petrol pump is to provide it with alonger hose. This may, however, cause problems since a longer hose may tend to land on the ground when not used and thus get stuck in or bedamaged by passing cars or other vehicles. To prevent this, the fueldispensing unit may be provided with some kind of returning mechanism forthe hose.

US 6 328 060 discloses a gasoline dispensing unit and methodaccording to which one end of a cord is attached to a dispensing hose tosupport the hose relative to a dispenser unit during non-use. The other end ofthe cord is attached to a drum having a tapered outer surface and acontinuous spiral groove. When the hose is not in use, the cord is wound onthe drum from the largest-diameter drum portion to the smallest-diameterportion. The cord thus unwinds from the drum from its smallest-diameterportion to the largest-diameter portion when the hose is pulled from thehousing to provide a mechanical advantage and reduce the required pullingforce.

GB 782 882 discloses a swinging arm hose retriever for fluiddispensing apparatus. The hose of the fluid dispensing apparatus is retractedby a spring drum which, together with a spring-biased swinging arm, ismounted on a cover replacing the normal cover for the usual aperture in thetop of the dispensing cabinet. The cover carries a support from which aspindle and a frame carrying the arm are supported by bearings. A springconnected to a fork pivoted to the spindle biases the arm to its normalposition.

A problem common for the hose returning devices described above istheir size, or their extension within the fuel dispensing unit, which results inbulky and complicated structures.

Another problem with the hose returning devices existing of the markettoday is that the force required for extracting the hose from the hose housingis quite extensive.

There is thus a need for improvements within this context.

Summary of the invention ln view of the above, it is thus an object of the present invention toovercome or at least mitigate the problems discussed above. ln particular, it is an object to provide a device for handling at least one hose in a fueldispensing unit, wherein a motor is provided for allowing the hose to be pulledout without requiring extensive manual force, and which also may provide forretraction of the hose.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided device forhandling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit, the device allowing thehose to be pulled out from a hose storage space and return the hose to thehose storage space, the device comprising a cable element connected to a motor for feeding and retracting thecable element, wherein when the cable element is being retracted, the hosewill be returned to the hose storage space, wherein when the cable element isbeing fed, the hose will be allowed to be pulled out from the hose storagespace, a device for measuring a tension of the cable element, a control unit for controlling the motor based on input from the devicefor measuring the tension of the cable elements, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding thecable element when the tension of the cable element is below a firstthreshold.

As used herein, by “cable element” is generally meant any type of line,rope, wire, etc. which may be flexible or not.

The present invention is based on the realization that by letting themotor feed the cable element only when a tension (strain, etc.) in the cableelement is below a first threshold, tangling of the cable element may beavoided. Moreover, the tension of the cable element may be based onwhether the hose is being pulled or not, and if the hose is not being pulled,there is no need to feed more cable from the motor. Consequently, powermay be saved, and wear of the motor may be reduced.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is adapted to stop themotor from retracting the cable element when the tension in the cableelement is above a second threshold, the second threshold being larger thanthe first threshold. Advantageously, this may allow for a reduction of wear ofthe motor.

According to some embodiments, the device comprises: a first guiding means for the cable element, the first guiding meansbeing spring suspended such that the first guiding means having a first and asecond position, wherein the first guiding means is in the first position when atension in the cable element is above the first threshold, and in the secondposition when the tension in the cable element is below the first threshold, wherein the device for measuring the tension of the cable elementcomprises a first sensor for sensing the position of the first guiding means,the first sensor being connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit isadapted to stop the motor from feeding of the cablee element when theguiding means is in the second position.

As used herein, by “guiding means” is generally meant any type ofmeans which may direct or guide the cable element in a particular direction.

This embodiment provides a low complexity solution for measuringwhen the tension of the cable element is low (below the first threshold). Sincea cable element not being tense may slack a bit, a spring suspended guidingmeans for the cable element may change position when this occur. Suchchange pf position may be easily measured with a sensor, which may outputa signal relating to this change in positon to the control unit, to control themotor correspondingly.

According to some embodiments, wherein the first guiding means isspring suspended using two springs, wherein the first and the second springis providing a force to the first guiding means in a similar direction, whereinthe first spring provides the force to the guiding means during a first range ofpositions of the first guiding means, wherein the second spring provides theforce to the first guiding means during a second range of positions of the firstguiding means, wherein the first range is different from the second range,such that the guiding means having a third position, wherein the first guidingmeans is in the third position when the tension in the cable element is abovethe second threshold, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting thecable element when the guiding means is in the third position. ln this embodiment, also a tension above the second threshold willcause a change in the position of the first guiding means, since a very tensecable element will have a different path/extent compared to a not so tensecable element or a slacking cable element. ln this position of the first guidingmeans, the second spring, which starts providing a force to the first guidingmeans when the first guiding means is at a certain position (which is differentfrom where the first spring starts affecting the first guiding means), may startaffecting the first guiding means, thus moving the first guiding means further.Consequently, the first guiding means may have a third position when thetension of the cable element is high, and this position may be sensed by thefirst sensor, provided as input to the control unit to stop retraction of the cableelement.

According to some embodiments, the first sensor comprises a first sub-sensor for sensing when the guiding means is in the second position, and asecond sub-sensor for sensing when the guiding means is in the thirdposition. This is a low complexity solution for sensing two different positions ofthe guiding means, and providing input thereof to the control unit.

According to some embodiments, the device comprises a secondguiding means for the cable element, the second guiding means being springsuspended such that the second guiding means having a first and a secondposition, wherein the second guiding means is in the first position when thetension in the cable element is above the second threshold, and in the secondposition when the tension in the cable element is below the second threshold, wherein the device for measuring the tension of the cable elementfurther comprises a second sensor for sensing the position of the first guidingmeans, the second sensor being connected to the control unit, wherein thecontrol unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable elementwhen the second guiding means is in the first position. ln this embodiment, a second spring suspended guiding means is thusused to (via a second sensor and the control unit) stop the motor fromretracting the cable element when the when the tension of the cable elementis high, i.e. above the second threshold. This provides a low complexitysolution to the problem of stopping reduction of the cable element at the correct time, to for example reduce wear of the motor and the cable element.ln such a device as described herein, often a plurality of guiding means areneeded for the cable element, as will be described further below. This maythus be taken advantage of for measuring tension in the cable element to stopand start reduction of the cable element.

According to some embodiments, the motor is suspended pivotally,such that the motor having a first position and a second position, wherein themotor is in the first position when the tension of the cable element is belowthe first threshold, and in the second position when the tension of the cableelement is above the second threshold, wherein the device for measuring the tension of the cable elementcomprises: a first sensor connected to the control unit for sensing when the motoris in the first position, and a second sensor connected to the control unit forsensing when the motor is in the second position, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding ofthe cable element when the motor is in the first position, and from retractingthe cable element when the motor is in the second position.

Since the motor is the part of the device which providesfeeding/retraction of the cable element, a different tension in the cableelement will affect the pulling force exerted by the cable element on themotor. Consequently, a motor being suspended pivotally will change positionbased on the tension of the cable element, which may be taken advantage offor controlling when to stop/start feeding and retraction of the cable element.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is further receivinginput when the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel, wherein the control unitis adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable element when the fueldispensing unit is dispensing fuel. This will increase security when operatingthe fuel dispensing unit and stop unnecessary use of the motor.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is further receivinginput relating to if a nozzle connected to the hose is in an operating conditionor not, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding ofthe cable element when the nozzle is not in an operating condition. For example, if the nozzle is suspended on the fuel dispensing unit, the nozzle isnot in an operating condition for dispensing fuel. The nozzle may also bedysfunctional; in which case the hose may not be allowed to be pulled out.This will increase security when operating the fuel dispensing unit and stopunnecessary use of the motor.

According to some embodiments, the fuel dispensing unit is connectedto a pump for pumping fuel, wherein the control unit is further receiving inputrelating to the pump being involved in an ongoing transaction, wherein thecontrol unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding of the cable elementwhen the pump is involved in an ongoing transaction. This will increasesecurity when operating the fuel dispensing unit, since the hose may not bepulled out from the storage when the fuel dispensing unit anyway will notprovide any fuel due to the ongoing transaction of the pump. Further, it maystop unnecessary use of the motor.

According to some embodiments, the motor is adapted to bedeclutched. Consequently, the feeding of the cable element may be providedwithout the assistance of the motor. This may reduce wear of the motor.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where thesame reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a device for handling at least one hose in a fueldispensing unit according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a device for handling at least one hose in a fueldispensing unit according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a device for handling at least one hose in a fueldispensing unit according to a third embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a fuel dispensing unit according to one embodimentincluding the device of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a fuel dispensing unit according to another embodiment.

Detailed description of embodiments The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. The systems and devices disclosed herein will bedescribed during operation.

Fig. 4 illustrates a fuel dispensing unit 400 having a device 100 forhandling three hoses 404. The fuel dispensing unit 400 has an electricalcabinet (not shown) containing all the electronics for the fuel dispensing unit400, a hydraulic cabinet (not shown) containing fuel dispensing means (notshown), e.g. fuel metering means, valves, vapor recovery system etc. Thefuel dispensing unit 400 is connected to an underground reservoir (notshown) containing fuel. When filling up the tank of a motor vehicle, the fuel ispumped from the underground reservoir by means of a pump (not shown)which is located in the hydraulic cabinet, and from there to a hose connection(not shown) and out to a nozzle 406 via the hose 404. Each hose 404 arepassed down around a deflecting roll 402. From the roll 402, the fuel hose404 is passed upwards in the hose storage space (not shown). The deflectingroll 402 is adapted to be moved in the vertical direction, and will thus allow forthe hose 404 to be returned to the hose storage space when moved down,and allow for the hose to be pulled out from the hose storage space whenmoved up. The position of the deflecting roll 402 is controlled by the device100, and this will now be explained using figure 4 in conjunction with figure 1.

The device 100 thus allow the hose 404 to be pulled out from the hosestorage space and return the hose 404 to the hose storage space. The devicecomprises a cable element 104 connected to a motor 102 (in figures 1-2 and4-5, only a storage wheel 102 for the cable element 104 is show, whichhouses the cable when not fed to its fullest length, the storage wheel 102being connected to the motor, shown in figure 3) for feeding and retracting thecable element. ln the embodiment of figure 1 and 4, both ends of the cableelement is connected to the motor 102, meaning that the cable element willbe fed/retracted from both ends, thus increasing the efficiency of the device as will be described further below. When the cable element 104 is fed, aposition of a first guiding means 112 will be changed, the first guiding elementbeing spring suspended such that feeding of the cable element 104 will makethe first guiding means 112 move in an upwards direction and retraction of thecable element will cause the first guiding element 112 to be moved in adownwards direction. Since the position of the first guiding element 112control the position of the deflecting wheel 402, when the cable element 104is being retracted, the hose 404 will be returned to the hose storage space,and when the cable element 104 is being fed, the hose 402 will be allowed tobe pulled out from the hose storage.

According to the inventive concept described herein, feeding and/orretraction of the cable element is controlled based on a tension of the cableelement. This may be accomplished in different ways, as will be describedbelow in conjunction with figures 1-3. ln all embodiments, the device forhandling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit comprises a device formeasuring a tension of the cable element, and a control unit (not shown in thefigures) for controlling the motor 102 (i.e. retraction and/or feeding of thecable element 104) based on input from the device for measuring the tensionof the cable elements. ln the embodiment disclosed in figure 1, the device 100 comprises afirst guiding means 106 for the cable element 104, the first guiding means 106being spring suspended using e.g. an extension spring 108 (other types ofsprings may be used, depending on the design of the device 100) fastened toa frame element 120 of the device. Consequently, the tension in the cableelement 104 will exert a downwards force on the first guiding means 106(moving the spring suspended guiding means 106 downwards), and the lackof tension will thus not exert a downwards force on the guiding means 106,leading to that the first guiding means 106 will be moved upwards due to theretracting force exerted on the guiding means 106 by the spring 108.Consequently, the first guiding means 106 will move based on the tension ofthe cable element 104, such that the first guiding means 106 has a first and asecond position, wherein the first guiding means 106 is in the first positionwhen a tension in the cable element 104 is above a first threshold tension, and in the second position when the tension in the cable element 104 isbelow the first threshold tension. This change in position may be sensed by afirst sensor 110. Any type of sensor 110 may be applied, e.g. a proximitysensor for sensing the first guiding means 106, an infra-red sensor etc.

The control unit (not shown) of the fuel dispensing unit is in thisembodiment adapted to receive input from the sensor 110, to be informed ofwhen the first guiding means 106 is in the second position, i.e. when thetension in the cable element 104 is below the first threshold tension, and tostop the motor 102 from feeding of the cable element 104. Since the tensionof the cable element 104 is relative low in this case, the motor 102 can stopthe feeding of the cable element 104.

The feeding of the cable element 104 may according to someembodiments be provided by declutching the motor 102. Declutching may behandled by the control unit, e.g. based on the tension of the cable element104. ln other embodiments, the motor helps the feeding my spinning thestorage wheel 102 in a feeding direction.

The first guiding means 106 in this embodiment is an elongated hollowstructure, housing the cable element 104. This is just by way of example, andany type of suitable design of the guiding means 106 may be applied.

As described above in conjunction with figure 4, the fuel dispensingunit may be adapted to handle a plurality of hoses. ln the embodiment offigure 1, the device handles 2 hoses. Each hose is handled (i.e. allowing eachhose of the plurality of hoses to be pulled out from a hose storage space andreturn the hose to the hose storage space) using further guiding means 112,116 for the cable element (e.g. pulleys, discs, rollers, etc.) wherein thesecond guiding means 112 is connected to a deflecting roll 402 as describedabove. The movement of the second guiding means 112 in a vertical directionthus allow for the respective hose to be pulled out or returned to the hosestorage space in an easy to use way for the customer using the fueldispensing unit. ln the embodiment of figure 1, the movement of the second guidingmeans 112 is used for measuring tension in the cable element 104, and tostop retraction of the cable element 104 by the motor 102. ln this 11 embodiment, the second guiding means (e.g. a pulley or roller) being springsuspended (not shown) such that the second guiding means having a firstand a second position, wherein the second guiding means 112 is in the firstposition when the tension in the cable element 104 is above the secondthreshold, and in the second position when the tension in the cable element104 is below the second threshold. ln other words, when the tension in thecable element 104 is high (above the second threshold), the second guidingmeans 112 will be in a lower position (first position), since the cable element104 will exert a downwards pulling force on the second guiding means 112.When the tension is lower (below the second threshold), the retracting forceof the spring of the second guiding means 112 will pull the second guidingmeans upwards to a higher (second) position. ln this embodiment, the device comprises a second sensor 118 (similarto the first sensor 1 10) which is connected to the control unit and adapted toinput a signal when the second guiding means 112 is in the lower (first)position. The control unit will then stop the motor 102 from retracting the cableelement 104. This will reduce the wear of the cable element 104, as well ason the motor 102.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment for how to stop the motor 102from retracting the cable element 104 when the tension of the cable element104 is high. The embodiment of figure 2 is similar to the one of figure 1, butthe second sensor 118 for sensing the position of the second guiding means112 is replaced by the first guiding means 106 being spring suspended usingtwo springs 108, 202. The two springs 108, 202 provides force in a similardirection, i.e. the first spring 106 providing a force to the guiding means in afirst directions (upwards in figure 2), and the second spring 202 providing aforce to the guiding means in a similar direction (upwards in figure 2). Thesecond spring 202 of figure 2 may thus be a compression spring. ln anotherembodiment, the second spring is placed differently in the device, and maythus be an extension spring. ln the embodiment of figure 2, a more stretched cable element 104 willcause the second spring 202 to start affecting the first guiding means 106 tofurther push up the first guiding means 106, such that the guiding means 12 having a third position, wherein the first guiding means 106 is in a third(highest) position when the tension in the cable element 104 is above thesecond threshold. This is because the first spring 108 provides the force tothe first guiding means 106 during a first range of positions of the first guidingmeans 106, and the second spring 202 provides the force to the first guidingmeans 106 during a second range of positions of the first guiding means 106,wherein the first range is different from the second range. ln this embodiment,the control unit may be adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cableelement 104 when the first guiding means 106 is in the third position. ln some embodiments, the sensing of the first, second and thirdposition of the first guiding means 106 is handled by a single sensor.However, in a low complexity embodiment, a first sub-sensor 204 is used forsensing when the first guiding means 106 is in the second position, and asecond sub-sensor 206 is used for sensing when the first guiding means 106is in the third position.

Figure 3 shows a further design of how to sense tension in the cableelement 104. ln this embodiment, the motor 102, 302 is suspended 310pivotally using a spring 308 (fastened in a frame 312 of the device), such thatit can move in a horizontal direction based on the tension of the cableelement 104. The motor 102, 302 (in this embodiment surrounded by ahousing 314) thus has a first position (to the left in figure 3) and a secondposition (to the right in figure 3) which depends on the tension of the cableelement 104. When the tension is low, the pulling force of the spring 308 willmove the housing 314 to the left, such that it touches, or otherwise interactwith, a first sensor 306. When the tension is high, the pulling force of thecable element 104 will move the housing 314 to the right, such that it touches,or otherwise interact with, a second sensor 304. Consequently, the controlunit may use input from the two sensors 304, 306 to stop the motor 102, 302from feeding of the cable element 104 when the motor 102, 302 is in the firstposition (to the left), and from retracting the cable element 104 when themotor 102, 302 is in the second position (to the right).

Returning now to figure 4. As described above, the fuel dispensing unitis for dispending fuel using a pump (not shown) pumping fuel through the 13 hose 404 and the nozzle 406 into e.g. a vehicle. Advantageously, the hose404 is not retracted while the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel.Consequently, in some embodiments, the control unit is further receiving inputwhen the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel, wherein the control unit isadapted to stop the motor 102 from retracting the cable element 104 whenthe fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel.

Similarly, when the nozzle 406 is suspended on the fuel dispensingunit, there is no need for the motor to allow pulling of the hose. Consequently,in some embodiments, the control unit may further receive input relating to if anozzle 406 connected to the hose 404 is in an operating condition or not,wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor 102 from feeding of thecable element 104 when the nozzle is not in an operating condition.

Furthermore, the pump for pumping fuel may be activated or not for acertain hose 404 and connected nozzle 406. Advantageously, the control unitis further receiving input relating to the pump being involved in an ongoingtransaction, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feedingof the cable element when the pump is involved in an ongoing transaction.

When the device 100 is handling more than one hoses 404, frictionbetween the cable element 104 and the plurality of guiding elements 106,112, 116 may be a problem for the motor 102 to handle. lt is advantageous ifa weaker motor 102 can be used, both for cost reasons and for reducingpower needed to run the fuel dispensing unit. Figure 4 and 5 shows differentsolution to this problem. ln figure 4, for each hose 404 of the plurality of hoses404, the cable element is guided via a plurality ofguiding means 112, 116. Asdescribed above, upper guiding mean 112 of the plurality of guiding means112, 116 is spring suspended such that this guiding means 116 having a firstand a second position (depending on the tension of the cable element 104).The position of the remaining guiding means 116 is fixed. ln this embodiment,at least one of the first and the second position of the movable guiding means112 is located at a different altitude compared to an altitude of the fixedposition of the remaining guiding means 116. Such positions of the guidingmeans 112, 116 will increase friction when the cable element 104 is retractedby the motor 102. To reduce the required retracting force of the motor 102, 14 the cable element 104 is connected to the motor 102 in both ends of the cableelement 104 such that when the cable element 104 is being retracted or fed,the cable element 104 is retracted or fed from both ends of the cable element104. Moreover, feeding/retracting from both ends of the cable element 104increase the speed of the feeding/retraction operation, and reduce wear of themotor 102 since less rotations of the storage wheel is needed.

According to some embodiment, for each hose, the plurality ofguidingmeans 116, 112 consists of three guiding means, wherein the springsuspended guiding means 112 is positioned in between the other two guidingmeans 116 in a horizontal direction, wherein the cable element is guided viathe three guiding means in a horizontal order. This is a low complexity designfor moving the deflecting roller 402 as described above. The number of hoses404 handled by the device (and motor 102) may be three or more.

According to some embodiments, when the cable element 104 isretracted and the movable guiding means 112 moved down towards the otherguiding means 116, when the tension of the cable element 104 is above afirst threshold, wherein the position of the movable guiding means 112 is atthe same altitude as the altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guidingmeans 116. This will further reduce friction between the cable element 104and the guiding means 112, 116 and thus the required force of the motor 104.lt should be noted that with this embodiment, the friction between the cableelement 104 and the guiding means 112, 116 may be reduced to such extentthat the cable element 104 may not need to be connected to the motor 102 inboth ends. Such embodiment is shows in figure 5, wherein the end part 502of the cable element 104 is fastened to e.g. a frame element 504 of the fueldispensing unit instead. ln the above the inventive concept has mainly been described withreference to a limited number of examples. However, as is readilyappreciated by a person skilled in the art, other examples than the onesdisclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventiveconcept, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. A device for handling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit, thedevice allowing the hose to be pulled out from a hose storage space andreturn the hose to the hose storage space, the device comprising a cable element connected to a motor for feeding and retracting thecable element, wherein when the cable element is being retracted, the hosewill be returned to the hose storage space, wherein when the cable element isbeing fed, the hose will be allowed to be pulled out from the hose storagespace, a device for measuring a tension of the cable element, a control unit for controlling the motor based on input from the devicefor measuring the tension of the cable elements, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding thecable element when the tension of the cable element is below a firstthreshold.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted tostop the motor from retracting the cable element when the tension in thecable element is above a second threshold, the second threshold being largerthan the first threshold.

3. The device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the devicecomprising: a first guiding means for the cable element, the first guiding meansbeing spring suspended such that the first guiding means having a first and asecond position, wherein the first guiding means is in the first position when atension in the cable element is above the first threshold, and in the secondposition when the tension in the cable element is below the first threshold, wherein the device for measuring the tension of the cable elementcomprises a first sensor for sensing the position of the first guiding means,the first sensor being connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is 16 adapted to stop the motor from feeding of the cable element when the guidingmeans is in the second position.

4. The device of claim 3 when being dependent on claim 2, wherein thefirst guiding means is spring suspended using two springs, wherein the firstand the second spring is providing a respective force to the first guidingmeans in a similar direction, wherein the first spring provides the force to theguiding means during a first range of positions of the first guiding means,wherein the second spring provides the force to the first guiding means duringa second range of positions of the first guiding means, wherein the first rangeis different from the second range, such that the guiding means having a thirdposition, wherein the first guiding means is in the third position when thetension in the cable element is above the second threshold, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting thecable element when the first guiding means is in the third position.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first sensor comprises a first sub-sensor for sensing when the first guiding means is in the second position, anda second sub-sensor for sensing when the first guiding means is in the thirdposition.

6. The device of claim 3 when being dependent on claim 2, wherein thedevice comprises: a second guiding means for the cable element, the second guidingmeans being spring suspended such that the second guiding means having afirst and a second position, wherein the second guiding means is in the firstposition when the tension in the cable element is above the second threshold,and in the second position when the tension in the cable element is below thesecond threshold, wherein the device for measuring the tension of the cable elementfurther comprises a second sensor for sensing the position of the first guidingmeans, the second sensor being connected to the control unit, wherein the 17 control unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable elementwhen the second guiding means is in the first position.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the motor is suspended pivotally, suchthat the motor having a first position and a second position, wherein the motoris in the first position when the tension of the cable element is below the firstthreshold, and in the second position when the tension of the cable element isabove the second threshold, wherein the device for measuring the tension of the cable elementcomprises: a first sensor connected to the control unit for sensing when the motoris in the first position, and a second sensor connected to the control unit forsensing when the motor is in the second position, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding ofthe cable element when the motor is in the first position, and from retractingthe cable element when the motor is in the second position.

8. The device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the control unit is furtherreceiving input when the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel, wherein thecontrol unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable elementwhen the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel.

9. The device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the control unit is furtherreceiving input relating to if a nozzle connected to the hose is in an operatingcondition or not, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding of the cable element when the nozzle is not in an operating condition.

10.connected to a pump for pumping fuel, wherein the control unit is further The device of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the fuel dispensing unit is receiving input relating to the pump being involved in an ongoing transaction,wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding of the cableelement when the pump is involved in an ongoing transaction. 18

11. The device of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the motor is adapted tobe declutched.