Fuel dispenser with suspended fueling nozzle

Abstract: A suspended type fueling system of the present invention is composed of an oil reservoir, fueling tube (1), fueling hose (10) with a nozzle (20), pump (2) on the fueling tube (1), pump motor (3) for driving the pump (2), flow-meter (4), control unit (30), fueling operation unit (21) on the fueling nozzle (20). The fueling tube (1) is connected to the oil reservoir underground at one end and to the fueling hose (10) at the other end. The fueling tube (1) is extended overhead and drawn to a lower part therefrom. The fueling operation unit (21) contains an indication member (23) for indicating fueling data measured by the flow meter (4), a nozzle ascent-descent switch (22a) for transmitting a nozzle ascent and descent signals to the control unit (30), and a combined-use-switch (22b) for suspending oil discrimination and performing rounding off fueling.

Description: The present invention relates to suspended type fueling systems in which a fueling hose is suspended from a hose treating unit provided at an upper part of a fueling area in such a fashion that the hose can be moved between ascended and descended positions. A suspended type fueling system wherein a fueling hose is suspended from a hose treating unit provided at an upper part of a fueling area in such a fashion that the hose can be ascended and descended is known from Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2 (1990)-166095. This prior suspended type fueling system provides an ascent-descent switch, indicator and the like collectively on a fueling operation unit provided on a fueling nozzle in order to easily perform the fueling operation. Moreover, a suspended type fueling system with an oil discrimination sensor is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 8 (1996)-113299. In this prior suspended type fueling system, the oil discrimination sensor is provided on a fueling nozzle, and a switch for suspending the oil discrimination function is provided in a switch box on the fueling hose together with an ascent-descent switch. Furthermore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 50 (1975)-28016 describes a fueling system in which a fueling fee without fraction is provided, that is, a so-called fueling system with a rounding-off function. Fueling of an oil quantity is rounded by a rounding-off fueling signal performed in the fueling system. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a suspended type fueling system in which the fueling operation unit provided on a fueling nozzle is made smaller than conventional ones and by which different sort of oil from the oil in a vehicle's tank is prevented from being fuelled, with rounding-off being smoothly performed by eliminating fractions from a fee for fueling. The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a suspended type fueling system comprising: an oil reservoir; a fueling tube connected at one end thereof to said oil reservoir, and extended overhead; a fueling hose connected to the other end of said fueling tube; a pump provided on said fueling tube; a pump motor provided on said pump for driving said pump; a flow-meter provided on said fueling tube; a fueling nozzle provided on said fueling hose at the free end thereof; a control unit for controlling fueling and rounding-off fueling; and a fueling operation unit provided on said fueling nozzle, comprising an indication member for indicating fueling data measured by said flow meter, and a nozzle ascent-descent switch for transmitting nozzle ascent and descent signals to said control unit characterized in that said control unit has an additional oil discrimination function and a combined-use-switch is provided for either rounding off fueling or suspending oil discrimination in the instance that said combined-use-switch is activated prior to the start of fueling. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a gas station to which the suspended type fueling system of the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 is a general diagram for explaining an embodiment of a suspended type fueling system of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fueling nozzle for use in the present invention; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit for use in the present invention; Fig. 5 is a flow-chart for explaining the general function of a nozzle ascent-descent control part in a control unit for use in the present invention; Fig. 6 is a flow-chart for explaining the general function of an oil discrimination control part in the control unit for use in the present invention; Fig. 7 is a flow-chart for explaining the general function of a first combined-use-switch control part in the control unit for use in the present invention; Fig. 8 is a flow-chart for explaining the general function of a fueling control part in the control unit for use in the present invention; and Fig. 9 is a flow-chart for explaining the general function of a pump control part in the control unit for use in the present invention. The suspended type fueling system of the present invention comprises an oil reservoir, a fueling tube connected at one end thereof, to the oil reservoir and extended overhead; a fueling hose connected to the other end of the fueling tube; a pump provided on the fueling tube; a pump motor provided on the pump for driving the pump; a flow-meter provided on the fueling tube; a fueling nozzle provided on the fueling hose at the free end thereof; a control unit for controlling fueling, oil discrimination and rounding-off fueling; and a fueling operation unit provided on the fueling nozzle, comprising an indication member for indication fueling data measured by the flow meter, a nozzle ascent-descent switch for transmitting a nozzle ascent and descent signals to the control unit, and a combined-use-switch for suspending oil discrimination and performing rounding-off fueling. By the suspended type fueling system of the present invention, the fueling of wrong type of oil, that is, the fueling of oil which is different from that in a tank of an automobile or the like is eliminated by the oil discrimination function, termination of the fueling fee can readily be carried out because of the rounding-off fueling. Furthermore, the fueling operation unit provided on the fueling nozzle can be made small since the signals for suspending oil discrimination and for rounding-off fueling are input from a single switch, whereby the fueling operation unit can be made smaller than conventional ones and the operation itself can be smoothly performed. Moreover, fueling can be smoothly performed without performing oil discrimination in instances when it is difficult to perform oil discrimination. For example sensing liquid oil rather than build vapor depending on which region of the tank can be reached by the nozzle due to the shape of the tank, for example in a motorcycle or in cases when the sensor in the fueling system mis-functions. In addition, rounding off fueling is performed only when a signal from the combined-use-switch is input during fueling suspension. Accordingly, fueling is never ended because of the rounding-off fueling function even when the combined-use-switch is accidentally pressed. Other features of this invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof. Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view illustrating the suspended type fueling system of the present invention in situ at a gas station. In general, a gas station has a canopy 7 on which a band-formed plate 14 is provided at the lower surface thereof. There is a hose treating unit 8 provided on one end of the band-formed plate 14, a fueling amount indicator 13 on the other end thereof, and lights 15 between the hose treating unit 8 and the fueling amount indicator 13. A plurality of hoses 10a to 10c are suspended from the hose treating unit 8 with fueling nozzles 20a to 20c at the tips thereof. One of these nozzles 20a to 20c, from which different types of oils can be dispensed, is selected to supply a predetermined type of oil to a car 40. In Fig. 1, the fueling nozzle 20a is selected for fueling the car 40. Fig. 2 is a diagram generally explaining the suspended type fueling system of the present invention. A fueling tube 1 connected to an oil reservoir (not shown) successively has a pump 2, a flow meter 4, a control valve 6 from the oil reservoir side; and a pump motor 3 connected to the pump 2 for driving the same, and a pulse generator 5 provided on the flow meter 4. The fueling tube 1 is extended to be provided above a canopy 7 and is connected to a fueling hose 10 wound on a hose reel 9 contained in a hose treating unit 8. The hose reel 9 is rotated by means of a reel motor 11 in the positive and negative directions. A positioning sensor 12 is provided for detecting the ascent position A and a fueling position B of a fueling nozzle 20 provided at the end of the fueling hose 10. A fueling amount indicator 13 is provided by a wall, and a control unit 30 is provided, for instance, in the hose treating unit 8. As shown in Fig. 3 which is a perspective view of a fueling nozzle 20 for use in the present invention, a fueling operation unit 21 is provided on the fueling nozzle 20. The fueling operation unit 21 has an input panel 22 comprising an ascent-descent switch 22a which outputs ascent and descent signals for ascending and descending the fueling nozzle 20; a first combined-use-switch 22b for suspending oil discrimination and performing rounding-off fueling; a second combined-use-switch 22c for giving instructions of automatic fill-up fueling and preset fueling; a first designation switch 22d for indicating an amount of money to be paid with or without the tax included; and a second designation switch 23e for designating a continuous fueling Moreover, an indication member 23 is contained in the fueling operation unit 21, which comprises a fueling sum indication part 23a, fueling oil quantity indication part 23b, unit price indication part 23c, and indication parts 23d, 23e for giving information on functioning states of the fueling system. Furthermore, the fueling nozzle 20 contains an oil discrimination sensor 24, an air pump 26 for transmitting a vapor absorbed from an opening 25 at the tip to the oil discrimination sensor 24, and a reversibly rotatable air pump motor 27 for driving the air pump 26 as shown by broken lines in Fig. 3. All the above-described units are connected to the control unit 30. The most important part of the suspended type fueling system of the present invention is a part relating to the first combined-use-switch 22b for suspending the oil discrimination and performing rounding-off fueling, so that a further explanation is omitted as to the second combined-use-switch 22c for giving instructions of automatic fill-up fueling and present fueling, and the first designation switch 22d for indicating the amount of money to be paid with or without the tax included, and the second designation switch 23e for designating a continuous fueling. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 provided in the control unit 30. The nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 rotates the reel motor 11 in a positive direction until a signal from the positioning sensor 12 shows to have the fueling position B by the receipt of an ascent positioning signal from the positioning sensor 12 together with "on" signal from the ascent-descent switch 22a. Then, an oil discrimination instruction signal is conveyed to an oil discrimination control part 32 when the fueling position B is attained. A fueling completion signal is conveyed to a fueling control part 34 and a pump control part 35 by the receipt of "on" signal of the ascent-descent switch 22a, and then the reel motor 11 is rotated in a negative direction until the positioning sensor 12 gives a signal for placing the nozzle 20 at an ascent position A upon the receipt of "on" signal of the ascent-descent switch 22a and the fueling positioning signal from the positioning sensor 12. The oil discrimination control part 32 administrates oil discrimination, which outputs the positive rotation signal to the air pump motor 27 by the receipt of an oil instruction discrimination signal from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31. Subsequently, the type of oil contained in the selected oil reservoir is compared with an oil type signal showing the type of oil from the oil discrimination sensor 24. A fueling start signal is conveyed to the combined-use-switch control part 33, fueling control part 34 and a pump control part 35 when the signal from the oil discrimination sensor 24 and the oil to be fuelled are consistent with each other. On the other hand, an indication signal is output to the indication part 23d of the fueling operation unit 21 in the case where the type of oil to be fed and the signal are inconsistent, or the consistency therebetween cannot be recognized. The fueling start signal is conveyed to a combined-use-switch control part 33, fueling control part 34 and pump control part 35 when the oil discrimination unnecessary signal is output from the combined-use-switch control part 33, followed by the reversed rotation signal being input to an air pump motor 27 for exhausting gas in the sensor 24. The combined-use-switch control part 33 outputs the oil discrimination unnecessary signal to the oil discrimination control part 32 when the signal from the first combined-use-switch 22b is input prior to receiving the fueling start signal from the oil discrimination control part 32, and the combined-use-switch control part 33 also outputs the rounding-off fueling signal to the fueling control part 34 when the signal is input from the first combined-use-switch 22b during the fueling suspension period with the fueling start signal having been received and pulses have not been input from the pulse generator 5. The fueling control part 34 performs rounding-off fueling, by which control part 34 a control valve 6 is opened with the fueling data indicated on the indicator 13 and indication member 23 returned to zero by the receipt of the fueling start signal from the oil discrimination control part 32. The fueling sum of money or quantity is determined with the fractions being rounded off upon receiving the rounding-off signal from the combined-use switch control part 33. The control valve is closed when the amount of oil corresponding to the fueling sum is reached and the control is finished by the receipt of the fueling completion signal from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31. Fueling data obtained during fueling from flux pulses by the pulse generator 5 are converted, and indicated on the indicator 13 and indication member 23. The pump control part 35 outputs a starting signal to the pump motor 3 upon receipt of the fueling start signal from the oil discrimination control part, and suspends the starting signal upon receipt of the fueling completion signal from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31. The fueling operation will now be explained with reference to Figs. 5 to 9, which are flow-charts for respectively explaining the functions of the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 of the control unit 30, oil discrimination part 32, combined-use-switch control part 33, fueling control part 34, and pump control part 35. Initially, the ascent-descent switch 22a (shown in Fig. 3) is closed by pulling a string 22aa shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which is for controlling the ascent-descent switch 22a under such a state that the fueling nozzle 20 is in the ascent position A in Fig. 2, and "on" signal obtained by this action is input to the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 of the control unit 30 (Fig. 5, ST1). At this stage, the signal from the positioning sensor 12 is for the ascent position A (Fig. 5, ST2), so that the reel motor 11 is rotated in a positive direction (Fig. 5, ST3) and the fueling hose 10 is drawn out of the hose reel 11. When the fueling nozzle 20 is lowered to the fueling position B, the signal from the positioning sensor 12 is changed to one for the fueling position B (Fig. 5, ST4), the reel motor 11 is suspended, and the oil discrimination instruction signal is transmitted from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 to the oil discrimination control part 32 (Fig. 5, ST5). Thereafter, the fueling nozzle 20 is inserted to a fueling port of a car 40 to perform fueling. The oil discrimination control part 32 which had received the oil discrimination instruction signal from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 (Fig. 6, ST1) outputs a positive rotation signal to the air pump motor 27 (Fig. 6, ST2), followed by the air pump motor 27 being rotated in the positive direction to absorb oil vapor in the car 40 from the opening 25 provided at the tip of the fueling nozzle 20. The absorbed vapor is detected by means of the oil discrimination sensor 27 to determine whether or not the kind of oil is consistent with the kind of oil in the oil reservoir. When the oil vapor is consistent with the oil to be fuelled (Fig. 6, ST3), the fueling start signal is output to the combined-use-switch control part 33, fueling control part 34 and pump control part 35 (Fig. 6, ST4). A negative rotation signal is output to the air pump motor 27 (Fig. 6, ST5) to rotate the air pump motor 27 in a negative direction, thereby scavenging gas from the oil discrimination sensor 24. However, if the detected oil is inconsistent with the oil to be fuelled or cannot be determined (Fig. 6, ST6), the indication signal is input to the fueling operation unit 21 of the fueling nozzle 20 (Fig. 6, ST7), the indication part 23d is turned on and off to notify fueling operators, and oil is scavenged from the oil discrimination sensor 24 by the rotation of the air pump motor 27 in the negative direction (Fig. 6, ST5). Moreover, in the case where the combined-use-switch 22b is pressed to input an oil discrimination unnecessary signal from the combined-use-switch control part 33 (Fig. 6, ST8), the fueling start signal is conveyed to the combined-use-switch control part 33, fueling control part 34 and pump control part 35 (Fig. 6, ST9). The air pump motor 27 is rotated in the negative direction without oil discrimination, and then the oil discrimination sensor 24 is subjected to a gas scavenging operation. Thus, the oil discrimination control part 32 finishes the control. Furthermore, the combined-use-switch 22b can be pressed (Fig. 7, ST1) in the case when fueling an oil reservoir with a shape rendering oil discrimination difficult, such as a motorcycle, or in the case when the fueling system has judged that the type of oil is inconsistent with that in the tank of the car 40 via the operation of indication part 23d but oil type is actually correct. When the fueling start signal has not been input yet (Fig. 7, ST2), the oil discrimination unnecessary signal is transmitted to the oil discrimination control part 32 (Fig. 7, ST3). The oil discrimination control part 32 which has received the oil discrimination unnecessary signal stops performing oil discrimination, and transmits the fueling start signal to the combined-use-switch control part 33, fueling control part 34 and pump control part 35. The fueling control part 34 having received the fueling start signal from the oil discrimination control part 32 (Fig. 8, ST1) outputs a reset-to-zero signal to the indicator 13 and indication member 23, and a valve-open signal is output to the control valve 6 (Fig. 8, ST2), so that the previously fuelled amounts indicated on the indicator 13 and the indication member 23 are brought back to zero and the control valve 6 is opened. Moreover, the pump control part 35 which has received the fueling start signal from the oil discrimination control part 32 (Fig. 9, ST1) outputs the starting signal to the pump motor 3 (Fig. 9, ST2), whereby oil transmission is started with the pump 2 being driven. The flux pulses received from the pulse generator 5 of the flow meter 4 is converted in the fueling control part 34, and the converted fueling data indicated on the indicator 13 and the indication member 23. Upon fueling being performed in this manner, the oil reservoir of the car 40 is almost filled up, and the fueling nozzle 20 is automatically closed by detecting the bubbles coming up. For fueling with the figures indicated on the indicator 13 and the indication member 23 being rounded-off, the first combined-use-switch 22b is pressed (Fig. 7, ST1). This time, the fueling start signal has already been transmitted to the fueling control part 34 (Fig. 7, ST2), and fueling is being suspended with the fueling nozzle 20 closed (Fig. 7, ST4), so that the combined-use-switch control part 33 transmits the rounding-off fueling signal to the fueling control part 34 (Fig. 7, ST5). If fueling is not being suspended (Fig. 7, ST4), the signal from the combined-use-switch 22b is ignored. The fueling control part 34 having received the rounding-off fueling signal from the combined-use-switch control part 33 (Fig. 8, ST3) establishes a numerical value obtained by counting fractions of the fueling sum of money as a round number, for instance the numerical value wherein ¥ 100 is employed as the minimum unit for rounding-off as a fueling fee (Fig. 8, ST4). Fueling is started again until the established numerical value has been reached (Fig. 8, ST5), whereby the control valve 6 is closed (Fig. 8, ST6). In the case where the combined-use-switch 22b is pressed again for additional fueling to transmit the rounding-off fueling signal from the combined-use-switch control part 33 to fueling control part 34 (Fig. 8, ST7), a numerical value, for instance, with the addition of ¥ 100 to the originally indicated value, with the control valve being opened (Fig. 8, ST8), wherein steps ST5 to ST1 shown in Fig. 8 are repeatedly performed. Moreover, it is possible to cope with many requests of customers if the combined-use-switch is prepared as the switch alternatively indicates fueling fee and fuelled quantity as round figures, for instance by the switch 22b being continuously pressed. With the completion of fueling, "on" signal is input to the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 by the ascent-descent switch 22b being pressed (Fig. 5, ST1), the fueling completion signal is transmitted to the fueling control part 34 and pump control part 35, a negative rotation signal is output to the reel motor 11 (Fig. 5, ST6), and the fueling hose 10 is wound up onto the hose reel 9, as long as the fueling position B is maintained and the positioning sensor 12 does not output a signal for the ascent position A (Fig. 5, ST2). After the fueling nozzle 20 has returned to the ascent position A (Fig. 5, ST7), the reel motor 11 stops (Fig. 5, ST8). Thus, the control of the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 ends. On the other hand, when the fueling control part 34 receives the fueling completion signal from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 (Fig. 8, ST9 to ST 11) it ends the control. Furthermore, the pump control part 35 which has received the fueling completion signal from the nozzle ascent-descent control part 31 (Fig. 9, ST3) stops outputting the starting signal to the pump motor 3 (Fig. 9, ST4), whereby the pump 2 is stopped and the control is ended. As described above, the suspended type fueling system of the instant invention comprises a control unit for controlling oil discrimination and rounding-off fueling and a fueling operation unit comprising a combined-use-switch for suspending oil discrimination and performing rounding-off fueling. Therefore, the wrong oil type is never fuelled because of oil discrimination, and the termination of the round number of fueling can be made more smoothly by the aid of the rounding-off fueling function. Furthermore, it is possible to prepare a small sized fueling operation unit to be provided on a fueling nozzle since the one switch, namely the combined-use-switch covers the function of transmitting both signals for oil discrimination and rounding-off fueling, and therefore the operational convenience is improved.

Claims: A suspended type fueling system comprising: an oil reservoir; a fueling tube (1) connected at one end thereof to said oil reservoir, and extended overhead; a fueling hose (10) connected to the other end of said fueling tube (1); a pump (2 ) provided on said fueling tube (1); a pump motor (3) provided on said pump (2) for driving said pump (2); a flow-meter (4) provided on said fueling tube (1); a fueling nozzle (20) provided on said fueling hose (10) at the free end thereof; a control unit (30) for controlling fueling and rounding-off fueling, and a fueling operation unit (21) provided on said fueling nozzle (20), comprising an indication member (23) for indicating fueling data measured by said flow-meter (4), and a nozzle ascent-descent switch (22a) for transmitting nozzle ascent and descent signals to said control unit (30), characterized in that said control unit (30) has an additional oil discrimination function and a combined-use-switch (22b) is provided for either rounding off fueling or suspending oil discrimination in the instance that said combined-use-switch is activated prior to the start of fueling. The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein rounding-off fueling is performed by said combined-use-switch (22b) being activated during fueling suspension. The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (30) comprises a nozzle ascent-descent control part (31), an oil discrimination control part (32), a combined-use-switch control part (33), a fueling control part (34), and a pump control part (35). The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fueling nozzle (10) comprises an air pump (26), an air pump motor (27) and an oil discrimination sensor (24). The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said oil discrimination control part (32) outputs a positive rotation signal to said air pump motor (27) by the receipt of an oil discrimination instruction signal, said oil discrimination sensor (24) detects the type of oil in a tank to be fuelled, transmits a fueling start signal to said combined-use-switch control part (33), said fueling control part (34) and said pump control part (34) when the detected type of oil and oil in said oil reservoir are consistent with one another or when an oil discrimination unnecessary signal is received from said combined-use-switch control part (32), transmits an indication signal to said indication member (23) when the detected kind of oil and oil in said oil reservoir are inconsistent or when the kind of oil cannot be detected, and outputs a negative rotation signal to said pump motor (3) for scavenging oil vapour in said oil discrimination sensor (24). The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a pulse generator (5) on said flow-meter, a control valve (6) adjacent said flow-meter and an fueling amount indicator at an upper part of a fueling area. The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said combined-use-switch control part (33) transmits an oil discrimination unnecessary signal to said oil discrimination control part (32) when said combined-use-switch (33) is pressed prior to the receipt of the fueling start signal from said oil discrimination control part (32), and transmits a rounding-off fueling signal to said fueling control part (34) when pulses from said pulse generator (5) have not been received after the receipt of the fueling start signal. The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said fueling control part (34) opens said control valve (6) by bringing previous fueling data indicated on said fueling amount indicator and said indication member to zero upon receipt of the fueling start signal from said oil discrimination control part (32), sets a round number as quantity selected from the group consisting of fueling amount of money and fueling quantity, closes said control valve (6) when fueling corresponding to the round number is achieved, and ends the control by the receipt of a fueling completion signal from said nozzle ascent-descent control part (31). The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said fueling control part (34) converts flux pulses generated by said pulse generator (5) to numbers and indicates the numbers on said fueling amount indicator (13) and said indication member (23) whilst fueling. The suspended type fueling system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pump control part (35) outputs a starting signal to said pump motor (3) by the receipt of a fueling start signal, and stops said pump motor (3) by the receipt of the fueling completion signal from said nozzle ascent-descent control part (31).

Inventors: FUKUMOTO SHOICHI, SATO YOSHIYUKI, TERAHARA YOSEI, FUKUMOTO, SHOICHI, SATO, YOSHIYUKI, TERAHARA, YOSEI, TERAHARA, YOSEI C/O TATSUNO-MECHATRONICS
Applicants: TATSUNO CORP, TATSUNO CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B67D5
IPC codes: B67D7