SE1850546A1 - A device for handling a plurality of hoses 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 a plurality of hoses 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. In this device, a cable element is connected to a motor for feeding and retracting the cable element, wherein when the cable element is being retracted, each of the plurality of hoses will be returned to the hose storage space, wherein when the cable element is being fed, each of the plurality of hoses will be allowed to be pulled out from the hose storage space. The cable element is connected to the motor in both ends of the cable element.

Description

A DEVICE FOR HANDLING A PLURALITY OF HOSES IN A FUEL DISPENSING UNIT Technical field The present invention relates to the field of fuel dispensing units and in particular to a device for handling a plurality of hoses 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.

Background art A fuel dispensing unit, such as a petrol pump typically comprises a pump part standing on the ground, a display part positioned above the pump part and showing the chosen type of petrol, cash readout, volume readout etc., 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 vehicle beside the petrol pump and opens the cover or cap of the petrol tank. The driver then selects the desired type of petrol and places the pump nozzle in the 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 hose does not reach to the vehicle if parked a distance from the petrol pump. The reason why the vehicle has not been parked sufficiently close to the pump may be difficulty in maneuvering owing to a limited space round the petrol pump. To allow the hose to reach the vehicle, it is usually necessary for the driver to park his vehicle so that the side of the vehicle where the filler cap is positioned faces the petrol pump. lt is not always known to a driver of an unfamiliar 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 side of the pump and thus not being able to fill up the tank without moving the vehicle to the other side of the petrol pump since the hose does not reach all the way round the vehicle.

One way of facilitating access to the petrol pump is to provide it with a longer 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 be damaged by passing cars or other vehicles. To prevent this, the fuel dispensing unit may be provided with some kind of returning mechanism for the hose.

US 6 328 060 discloses a gasoline dispensing unit and method according to which one end of a cord is attached to a dispensing hose to support the hose relative to a dispenser unit during non-use. The other end of the cord is attached to a drum having a tapered outer surface and a continuous spiral groove. When the hose is not in use, the cord is wound on the drum from the largest-diameter drum portion to the smallest-diameter portion. The cord thus unwinds from the drum from its smallest-diameter portion to the largest-diameter portion when the hose is pulled from the housing to provide a mechanical advantage and reduce the required pulling force.

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

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

Another problem with the hose returning devices existing of the market today is that the force required for extracting the hose from the hose housing is 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 to overcome or at least mitigate the problems discussed above. ln particular, it is an object to provide device for handling a plurality of hoses in a fuel dispensing unit, wherein a motor is provided for allowing the hose to be pulled out without requiring extensive manual force, and which also may provide for retraction of the hose, wherein the requirements as to the power of the motor may be reduced. Moreover, wear of the motor may also be reduced.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided device for handling a plurality of hoses in a fuel dispensing unit, the device allowing each hose of the plurality of hoses to be pulled out from a hose storage space and return the hose to the hose storage space, the device comprising a cable element connected to a motor for feeding and retracting the cable element, wherein when the cable element is being retracted, each of the plurality of hoses will be returned to the respective hose storage space, wherein when the cable element is being fed, each of the plurality of hoses will be allowed to be pulled out from the respective hose storage space, wherein for each hose of the plurality of hoses, the cable element is guided via a plurality ofguiding means, wherein a first guiding mean of the plurality of guiding means is spring suspended such that the first guiding means having a first and a second position, wherein the position of the remaining guiding means is fixed, wherein the position of the first guiding means depends on a tension of the cable element, wherein at least one of the first and the second position is located at a different altitude compared to an altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guiding means, wherein the cable element is connected to the motor in both ends of the cable element such that when the cable element is being retracted or fed, the cable element is retracted or fed from both ends of the cable element.

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

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 the motor feed and/or retract the cable element from two directions, i.e. from both ends of the cable element, the power requirements of the motor (for example the turning force of the motor) may be reduced. Using this embodiment of the device for handling a plurality of hoses in a fuel dispensing unit, friction between the cable element and the guiding means may pose a problem for a weaker motor, but by feeding/retracting the cable element from both ends, this problem may be mitigated.

According to some embodiments, for each hose, the first guiding means is in the second position when the tension of the cable element is above a first threshold, wherein the second position is at the same altitude as the altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guiding means. Reducing the differences in altitude between the guiding means may further reduce the friction when the tension of the cable element is high.

According to some embodiments, for each hose, the plurality of guiding means consists of three guiding means, wherein the spring suspended guiding means is positioned in between the other two guiding means in a horizontal direction, wherein the cable element is guided via the three guiding means in a horizontal order. This is a low complexity design for providing a force on the spring suspended guiding means using the cable element, to facilitate pulling out or returning of a hose from/to the hose storage space.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of hoses consists of 3 or more hoses. This reduces the cost of the fuel dispensing unit, since a multiple of hoses are handled by the same motor. Given the design of the device for handling a plurality of hoses in a fuel dispensing unit described above, the increased friction due the number of hoses handled in this case is no problem.

According to some embodiments, the device further comprises a device for measuring a tension of the cable element, a control unit for controlling the motor based on input from the device for measuring the tension of the cable elements, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding the cable element when the tension of the cable element is below a first threshold.

By letting the motor feed the cable element only when a tension (strain, etc.) in the cable element is below a first threshold, power may be saved, and wear of the motor may be reduced.

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

According to some embodiments, the control unit is further receiving input when the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable element when the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel. This will increase security when operating the fuel dispensing unit stop unnecessary use of the motor.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is further receiving input relating to if a nozzle connected to the hose is in an operating condition 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. For example, if the nozzle is suspended on the fuel dispensing unit, the nozzle is not in an operating condition for dispensing fuel. The nozzle may also be dysfunctional; in which case the hose may not be allowed to be pulled out. This will increase security when operating the fuel dispensing unit and stop unnecessary use of the motor.

According to some embodiments, the fuel dispensing unit is connected to a pump for pumping fuel, wherein the control unit is further 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 cable element when the pump is involved in an ongoing transaction. This will increase security when operating the fuel dispensing unit, since the hose may not be pulled out from the storage when the fuel dispensing unit anyway will not provide any fuel due to the ongoing transaction of the pump. Further, it may stop unnecessary use of the motor.

According to some embodiments, the motor is adapted to be declutched. Consequently, the feeding of the cable element may be provided without 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 of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a device for handling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a device for handling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a device for handling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit according to a third embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a fuel dispensing unit according to one embodiment including 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 with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. The systems and devices disclosed herein will be described during operation.

Fig. 4 illustrates a fuel dispensing unit 400 having a device 100 for handling three hoses 404. The fuel dispensing unit 400 has an electrical cabinet (not shown) containing all the electronics for the fuel dispensing unit 400, a hydraulic cabinet (not shown) containing fuel dispensing means (not shown), e.g. fuel metering means, valves, vapor recovery system etc. The fuel dispensing unit 400 is connected to an underground reservoir (not shown) containing fuel. When filling up the tank ofa motor vehicle, the fuel is pumped 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 are passed down around a deflecting roll 402. From the roll 402, the fuel hose 404 is passed upwards in the hose storage space (not shown). The deflecting roll 402 is adapted to be moved in the vertical direction, and will thus allow for the 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 when moved up. The position of the deflecting roll 402 is controlled by the device 100, 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 hose storage space and return the hose 404 to the hose storage space. The device comprises a cable element 104 connected to a motor 102 (in figures 1-2 and 4-5, only a storage wheel 102 for the cable element 104 is show, which houses the cable when not fed to its fullest length, the storage wheel 102 being connected to the motor, shown in figure 3) for feeding and retracting the cable element. ln the embodiment of figure 1 and 4, both ends of the cable element is connected to the motor 102, meaning that the cable element will be 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, a position of a first guiding means 112 will be changed, the first guiding element being spring suspended such that feeding of the cable element 104 will make the first guiding means 112 move in an upwards direction and retraction of the cable element will cause the first guiding element 112 to be moved in a downwards direction. Since the position of the first guiding element 112 control the position of the deflecting wheel 402, when the cable element 104 is 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 to be pulled out from the hose storage.

According to the inventive concept described herein, feeding and/or retraction of the cable element is controlled based on a tension of the cable element. This may be accomplished in different ways, as will be described below in conjunction with figures 1-3. ln all embodiments, the device for handling at least one hose in a fuel dispensing unit comprises a device for measuring a tension of the cable element, and a control unit (not shown in the figures) for controlling the motor 102 (i.e. retraction and/or feeding of the cable element 104) based on input from the device for measuring the tension of the cable elements. ln the embodiment disclosed in figure 1, the device 100 comprises a first guiding means 106 for the cable element 104, the first guiding means 106 being spring suspended using e.g. an extension spring 108 (other types of springs may be used, depending on the design of the device 100) fastened to a frame element 120 of the device. Consequentiy, the tension in the cable element 104 will exert a downwards force on the first guiding means 106 (moving the spring suspended guiding means 106 downwards), and the lack of 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 the retracting force exerted on the guiding means 106 by the spring 108. Consequentiy, the first guiding means 106 will move based on the tension of the cable element 104, such that the first guiding means 106 has a first and a second position, wherein the first guiding means 106 is in the first position when 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 is below the first threshold tension. This change in position may be sensed by a first sensor 110. Any type of sensor 110 may be applied, e.g. a proximity sensor for sensing the first guiding means 106, an infra-red sensor etc.

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

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

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

As described above in conjunction with figure 4, the fuel dispensing unit may be adapted to handle a plurality of hoses. ln the embodiment of figure 1, the device handles 2 hoses. Each hose is handled (i.e. allowing each hose of the plurality of hoses to be pulled out from a hose storage space and return the hose to the hose storage space) using further guiding means 112, 116 for the cable element (e.g. pulleys, discs, rollers, etc.) wherein the second guiding means 112 is connected to a deflecting roll 402 as described above. The movement of the second guiding means 112 in a vertical direction thus allow for the respective hose to be pulled out or returned to the hose storage space in an easy to use way for the customer using the fuel dispensing unit. ln the embodiment of figure 1, the movement of the second guiding means 112 is used for measuring tension in the cable element 104, and to stop retraction of the cable element 104 by the motor 102. ln this embodiment, the second guiding means (e.g. a pulley or roller) being spring suspended (not shown) such that the second guiding means having a first and a second position, wherein the second guiding means 112 is in the first position when the tension in the cable element 104 is above the second threshold, and in the second position when the tension in the cable element 104 is below the second threshold. ln other words, when the tension in the cable element 104 is high (above the second threshold), the second guiding means 112 will be in a lower position (first position), since the cable element 104 will exert a downwards pulling force on the second guiding means 112. When the tension is lower (below the second threshold), the retracting force of the spring of the second guiding means 112 will pull the second guiding means upwards to a higher (second) position. ln this embodiment, the device comprises a second sensor 118 (similar to the first sensor 1 10) which is connected to the control unit and adapted to input 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 cable element 104. This will reduce the wear of the cable element 104, as well as on the motor 102.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment for how to stop the motor 102 from retracting the cable element 104 when the tension of the cable element 104 is high. The embodiment of figure 2 is similar to the one of figure 1, but the second sensor 118 for sensing the position of the second guiding means 112 is replaced by the first guiding means 106 being spring suspended using two springs 108, 202. The two springs 108, 202 provides force in a similar direction, i.e. the first spring 106 providing a force to the guiding means in a first directions (upwards in figure 2), and the second spring 202 providing a force to the guiding means in a similar direction (upwards in figure 2). The second spring 202 of figure 2 may thus be a compression spring. ln another embodiment, the second spring is placed differently in the device, and may thus be an extension spring. ln the embodiment of figure 2, a more stretched cable element 104 will cause the second spring 202 to start affecting the first guiding means 106 to further push up the first guiding means 106, such that the guiding means 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 the second threshold. This is because the first spring 108 provides the force to the first guiding means 106 during a first range of positions of the first guiding means 106, and the second spring 202 provides the force to the first guiding means 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 cable element 104 when the first guiding means 106 is in the third position. ln some embodiments, the sensing of the first, second and third position 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 for sensing when the first guiding means 106 is in the second position, and a second sub-sensor 206 is used for sensing when the first guiding means 106 is in the third position.

Figure 3 shows a further design of how to sense tension in the cable element 104. ln this embodiment, the motor 102, 302 is suspended 310 pivotally using a spring 308 (fastened in a frame 312 of the device), such that 11 it can move in a horizontal direction based on the tension of the cable element 104. The motor 102, 302 (in this embodiment surrounded by a housing 314) thus has a first position (to the left in figure 3) and a second position (to the right in figure 3) which depends on the tension of the cable element 104. When the tension is low, the pulling force of the spring 308 will move the housing 314 to the left, such that it touches, or otherwise interact with, a first sensor 306. When the tension is high, the pulling force of the cable element 104 will move the housing 314 to the right, such that it touches, or othen/vise interact with, a second sensor 304. Consequently, the control unit may use input from the two sensors 304, 306 to stop the motor 102, 302 from feeding of the cable element 104 when the motor 102, 302 is in the first position (to the left), and from retracting the cable element 104 when the motor 102, 302 is in the second position (to the right).

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

Similarly, when the nozzle 406 is suspended on the fuel dispensing unit, 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 a nozzle 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 the cable element 104 when the nozzle is not in an operating condition.

Furthermore, the pump for pumping fuel may be activated or not for a certain hose 404 and connected nozzle 406. Advantageously, the control unit is further 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 cable element when the pump is involved in an ongoing transaction. 12 When the device 100 is handling more than one hoses 404, friction between 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 if a weaker motor 102 can be used, both for cost reasons and for reducing power needed to run the fuel dispensing unit. Figure 4 and 5 shows different solution to this problem. ln figure 4, for each hose 404 of the plurality of hoses 404, the cable element is guided via a plurality of guiding means 112, 116. As described above, upper guiding mean 112 of the plurality of guiding means 112, 116 is spring suspended such that this guiding means 116 having a first and 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 means 112 is located at a different altitude compared to an altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guiding means 116. Such positions of the guiding means 112, 116 will increase friction when the cable element 104 is retracted by the motor 102. To reduce the required retracting force of the motor 102, the cable element 104 is connected to the motor 102 in both ends of the cable element 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 element 104. Moreover, feeding/retracting from both ends of the cable element 104 increase the speed of the feeding/retraction operation, and reduce wear of the motor 102 since less rotations of the storage wheel is needed.

According to some embodiment, for each hose, the plurality ofguiding means 116, 112 consists of three guiding means, wherein the spring suspended guiding means 112 is positioned in between the other two guiding means 116 in a horizontal direction, wherein the cable element is guided via the three guiding means in a horizontal order. This is a low complexity design for moving the deflecting roller 402 as described above. The number of hoses 404 handled by the device (and motor 102) may be three or more.

According to some embodiments, when the cable element 104 is retracted and the movable guiding means 112 moved down towards the other guiding means 116, when the tension of the cable element 104 is above a first threshold, wherein the position of the movable guiding means 112 is at 13 the same altitude as the altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guiding means 116. This will further reduce friction between the cable element 104 and 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 cable element 104 and the guiding means 112, 116 may be reduced to such extent that the cable element 104 may not need to be connected to the motor 102 in both ends. Such embodiment is shows in figure 5, wherein the end part 502 of the cable element 104 is fastened to e.g. a frame element 504 of the fuel dispensing unit instead. ln the above the inventive concept has mainly been described with reference to a limited number of examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other examples than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A device for handling a plurality of hoses in a fuel dispensing unit, the device allowing each hose of the plurality of hoses to be pulled out from a hose storage space and return the hose to the hose storage space, the device comprising a cable element connected to a motor for feeding and retracting the cable element, wherein when the cable element is being retracted, each of the plurality of hoses will be returned to the respective hose storage space, wherein when the cable element is being fed, each of the plurality of hoses will be allowed to be pulled out from the respective hose storage space, wherein for each hose of the plurality of hoses, the cable element is guided via a plurality ofguiding means, wherein a first guiding mean of the plurality of guiding means is spring suspended such that the first guiding means having a first and a second position, wherein the position of the remaining guiding means is fixed, wherein the position of the first guiding means depends on a tension of the cable element, wherein at least one of the first and the second position is located at a different altitude compared to an altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guiding means, wherein the cable element is connected to the motor in both ends of the cable element such that when the cable element is being retracted or fed, the cable element is retracted or fed from both ends of the cable element.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein for each hose, the first guiding means is in the second position when the tension of the cable element is above a first threshold, wherein the second position is at the same altitude as the altitude of the fixed position of the remaining guiding means.

3. The device of any one of claims 1-2, wherein for each hose, the plurality of guiding means consists of three guiding means, wherein the spring suspended guiding means is positioned in between the other two guiding means in a horizontal direction, wherein the cable element is guided via the three guiding means in a horizontal order.

4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the plurality of hoses consists of 3 or more hoses.

5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising: a device for measuring a tension of the cable element, a control unit for controlling the motor based on input from the device for measuring the tension of the cable elements, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from feeding the cable element when the tension of the cable element is below a first threshold.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable element when the tension in the cable element is above a second threshold, the second threshold being larger than the first threshold.

7. The device of any one of claims 5-6, wherein the control unit is further receiving input when the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel, wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor from retracting the cable element when the fuel dispensing unit is dispensing fuel.

8. The device of any one of claims 5-7, wherein the control unit is further receiving input relating to if a nozzle connected to the hose is in an operating condition 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.

9. The device of any one of claims 5-8, wherein the fuel dispensing unit is connected to a pump for pumping fuel, wherein the control unit is further 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 cable element when the pump is involved in an ongoing transaction.

10. The device of any one of claims 5-9, wherein the motor is adapted to be declutched.