EP0728697A1 - System for automatic refuelling of automotive vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Fuel grade is selected and delivered from a pump (Z) installed between two standing areas (S) for vehicles to be served. The presence of a vehicle is detected by two inductive loops (I), optical barriers or wheel-operated contacts. The selected nozzle (1) is transferred by a gripper arm (6a) from its rest position into the opening (7) of the fuel tan, under the control of an identification device (8) and transceiver (9). Vehicle data for the metering and charging computer are taken either from the identifier (8) or by a video camera (100 directed at the front number plate.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the automatic refueling of motor vehicles in a filling station with at least one dispensing system for at least one type of fuel contained in a computer for determining the amount dispensed and the associated price, with a handling device for transferring one dispensing valve each from the dispensing system between its rest position in the dispensing system and its working position in the filler neck of a motor vehicle tank and with at least one detection device for the presence of a motor vehicle to be refueled as well as for the position of its filler neck and the type of fuel to be dispensed in each case.

A device of the type described above for the automatic refueling of motor vehicles in a filling station is known from DE 41 13 806 A1. In this known device, the motor vehicle to be refueled has a position element which can be scanned by a transmitting and receiving device and which enables the motor vehicle to be located in the filling station. The transmitting and receiving device is connected to a computer, which determines the exact position of the filler neck of the motor vehicle from the received signals in connection with the information from a data carrier arranged on the motor vehicle, so that it can be refueled with the aid of a handling device.

In the known device, it is not only necessary to determine, by means of a rough positioning device designed as a remote sensor, before the start of the refueling process whether the motor vehicle is in a position suitable for the refueling process; it is also required that the driver of the motor vehicle enters an identification card into a card reader to trigger the refueling process.

On the basis of the prior art known from DE 41 13 806 A1, the invention is based on the object of creating a device for the automatic refueling of motor vehicles which, with reduced expenditure on equipment and work, allows the automatic refueling of different motor vehicles without the driver's involvement.

The solution to this problem by the invention is characterized in that all the vehicle data relevant to the refueling process for all motor vehicles to be refueled with the device are stored in a table in a memory of the dispensing system computer and that an identification element arranged on the respective motor vehicle on the one hand contains a code for identifying the respective one Motor vehicle and on the other hand contains position data for the control of the handling device to find the working position of the nozzle.

The identification element arranged on the motor vehicle to be refueled not only informs the handling device of the presence of a motor vehicle to be refueled in the intended setting area of the filling station, but also the necessary data for identifying this motor vehicle. Since all the vehicle data relevant to the refueling process for all motor vehicles to be refueled with the device are stored in a table in a memory of the dispensing system computer, the identification of the respective motor vehicle in particular determines which type of fuel is required and the maximum filling speed that the fuel can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the table contains the position and the course of the filler neck of the motor vehicle to be refueled, so that the handling device, which has taken the corresponding dispensing valve out of its rest position in the dispensing system due to the type of fuel required, can be controlled in such a way that the dispensing valve is in its Working position in the filler neck of the motor vehicle tank is brought. In this transfer of the dispensing valve from the rest position in the dispensing system into its working position, the identification element arranged on the motor vehicle serves to control the handling device, so that when transferring into the respective working position of the dispensing valve, the respective position and the respective course of the filler neck are taken into account in all those motor vehicles whose data are stored in the dispenser computer memory. There is therefore no need for exact positioning of the motor vehicle to be refueled, provided that it is properly located in the intended setting range of the filling station, nor for the driver to actively participate in the automatic refueling process. Since a memory of the computer available for determining the quantity dispensed and the associated price in each dispensing system is used for the tabular storage of the motor vehicle data and since this computer can also be used for controlling the handling device, the device according to the invention requires only a relatively small amount in addition to the handling device Little additional equipment for the automatic refueling of motor vehicles.

According to a further feature of the invention, the handling device is provided with a transceiver device for recording the data of the identification element. This identification element is preferably designed as a transponder, which is preferably arranged on the closure of the filler neck of the motor vehicle.

According to further features of the invention, the position of the motor vehicle to be refueled in the filling station, which is required for the refueling process, can also be determined by means of the transceiver device of the handling device and the identification element. Of course, it is also possible to determine the presence and position of a motor vehicle within the intended adjustment range of the filling station by means of an induction device, for example induction loops in the roadway, by means of light barriers and / or by contacts which are actuated by the wheels of the motor vehicle.

If the motor vehicle moves during the refueling process, the dispensing system is immediately switched off according to the invention.

In order to reduce the system outlay for the automatic refueling process, the functional software for the handling device is part of the existing dispenser computer.

In order to be able to choose either the quantity or the price of the fuel to be dispensed by the respective automatic refueling process, according to a further feature of the invention, the transceiver device of the handling device can be given variable data for specifying the dispensing quantity or the dispensing price for the respective refueling process . This can be done either by pressing a keyboard or by a radio controlled by the driver.

According to the invention, the vehicle data of the identification element can be used for a central billing of the refueling process, so that any kind of payment for the refueling process at the end of it is eliminated. Alternatively, it is possible to determine the official number plate of the motor vehicle for central billing by means of electronic image capture, for example with the aid of a video camera. If the registration number is not recognizable, no refueling process is triggered in this case.

With the device according to the invention, it is possible to refuel all those motor vehicles whose vehicle data relevant to a refueling process are stored in a table in a dispenser computer memory, automatically and without the driver's active participation, without the need for a large installation and system outlay in the filling station requirement.

Fig. 1

den Grundriß einer mit drei Zapfanlagen ausgestatteten Befüllstation und

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer der Zapfanlagen.

An exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown schematically in the drawing, namely:

Fig. 1

the floor plan of a filling station equipped with three dispensing systems and

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of one of the dispensing systems.

The top view of a filling station shown in FIG. 1 shows three dispensing systems Z, each comprising a dispensing point with four different types of fuel, for example unleaded regular gasoline, unleaded premium gasoline, leaded premium gasoline and diesel. Each dispensing system Z is assigned two adjustment ranges S, into which the motor vehicle F to be refueled must enter. The refueling process then takes place automatically.

In the embodiment of a dispensing system Z shown enlarged in FIG. 2, the adjustment ranges S are shown in dash-dot lines. A motor vehicle F is located in one of these adjustment ranges S, the presence of which is detected in the exemplary embodiment by two induction loops I. In their place, light barriers or contacts which can be actuated by the wheels of the motor vehicle could also be used.

The dispensing system Z according to FIG. 2, which is designed as a known multi-hose dispenser, comprises four dispensing hoses 2 each provided with a dispensing valve 1. In addition, the dispensing system Z is equipped on both sides with a display device 3 facing the vehicle F to be refueled, by the type of fuel to be dispensed, its base price and the quantity of fuel being dispensed as well as the associated price are displayed. To control the dispensing system Z and the display device 3, a dispensing system computer 4 with a memory 5 is provided.

The dispensing system Z is assigned a handling device 6, which in the exemplary embodiment has two gripping arms 6a, through which a dispensing valve 1 of the dispensing system 1 is gripped and can be transferred from its rest position in the dispensing system to a working position in which the dispensing valve 1 is located in the filler neck of the each motor vehicle F to be refueled.

In the motor vehicle F schematically indicated in FIG. 2, the filler neck is identified by the reference number 7. The illustration shows a nozzle 1 in its working position in the filler neck 7.

In order to transfer the dispensing valve 1 gripped by a gripping arm 6a of the handling device 6 from its rest position in the dispensing system Z to the working position within the filler neck 7, it is necessary to move the gripping arm 6a to control the handling device 6. This is done with the aid of an identification element 8, for example in the form of a transponder, which is arranged in the area of the filler neck 7 on the motor vehicle F. With the aid of this identification element 8 and a transceiver device 9 assigned to the handling device 6, the respective gripping arm 6a is controlled in such a way that the respective nozzle 1 is reliably introduced into the filler neck 7 of the motor vehicle F standing in the adjustment area S.

In a memory 5 of the dispensing system computer 4, all vehicle data relevant for the refueling process for all motor vehicles F suitable for automatic refueling are stored in a table. The stored vehicle data include in particular the position and the course of the respective filler neck 7, the type of fuel required for the respective motor vehicle F and the maximum filling speed for the refueling process. With the aid of the identification element 8 attached to the respective motor vehicle F, those data are selected from the table which are required for the automatic refueling process of the motor vehicle F located in the operating area S.

Since the movement of the gripping arm 6a is also controlled by the interaction of the transceiver 9 of the handling device 6 with the identification element 8 attached to the respective motor vehicle F, the driver does not need to cooperate for the refueling process. This only has to drive the motor vehicle F into the actuating area S provided for the refueling process and ensure that the motor vehicle F does not move during the refueling process.

To carry out an automatic refueling process, the motor vehicle F is moved into the setting area S provided for the refueling process in one of the dispensing systems Z of a filling station. A detection device, for example the induction loops I shown in the drawing, not only determines the presence of a motor vehicle F, but also its position within the limits required for the refueling process within the adjustment range S. This determination can also be made with the aid of the transceiver in cooperation with the identification element 8.

The code of the respective motor vehicle F is now determined by the transceiver device 9 via the identification element 8 and the vehicle data stored for this special motor vehicle F in the memory 5 of the dispensing system computer 4 are called up. These are passed on both to the dispensing system Z and to the handling device 6.

According to this data, the associated gripping arm 6a of the handling device 6 grips the dispensing valve 1 which is in the rest position for the fuel type required by the respective motor vehicle and transfers this dispensing valve 1 to its working position, the position data of the identification element 8 being constantly used to control the gripping arm 6a not only include the position of the opening of the filler neck in relation to the respective motor vehicle F, but also enable control of the respective position of these openings. Since the specific vehicle data also contain the course of the filler neck 7, the nozzle 1 is properly inserted into it until the prescribed working position is reached.

The fueling process is now triggered by a corresponding signal and the vehicle tank is filled with the prescribed type of fuel while maintaining the maximum filling speed. After the refueling process has ended, for example by automatically switching off the nozzle 1 at maximum filling level, the nozzle 1 is moved from the working position back into its rest position within the dispenser Z. Of course, it is also possible to enter variable data for the respective delivery quantity or the delivery price for the respective refueling process, for example of the transceiver device 9 of the handling device 6.

The amount of fuel delivered during the respective refueling process and the associated price, as well as the basic price and the respectively selected type of fuel, are displayed on the display device 3 facing the motor vehicle F. Accordingly, the customer pays the respective price for the fuel dispensed before or after leaving the adjustment range S specified for the refueling process. So that the customer does not have to leave the motor vehicle F, central billing can also take place. For this purpose, either the vehicle data of the identification element 8 can be used or the official number plate of the motor vehicle F can be determined by means of an electronic image acquisition. In the exemplary embodiment, the tap system Z is assigned video cameras 10 for the latter purpose, which capture the respective number plate of the motor vehicle F. If the official license plate is not recognizable, no refueling process is carried out.

Reference symbol list:

F

Motor vehicle

I.

Induction loop

S

Adjustment range

Z.

Dispenser

1

Nozzle

2nd

Dispensing hose

3rd

Display device

4th

Dispenser computer

5

Storage

6

Handling device

6a

Gripper arm

7

Filler neck

8th

Identification element

9

Transceiver facility

10th

Video camera

Claims (10)

Device for automatically refueling motor vehicles (F) in a filling station with at least one dispensing system (Z) containing at least one computer (4) for determining the quantity dispensed and the associated price for at least one type of fuel, with a handling device (6) for transferring one dispensing valve each (1) the dispensing system (Z) between its rest position in the dispensing system (Z) and its working position in the filler neck (7) of a motor vehicle tank and with at least one detection device for the presence of a motor vehicle (F) to be refueled and for the position of its filler neck (7 ) and the type of fuel to be dispensed,
characterized,
that in a memory (5) of the dispenser computer (4) all the vehicle data relevant to the refueling process for all the vehicles (F) to be refueled with the device are stored in a table and that an identification element (8) arranged on the respective motor vehicle (F) on the one hand contains a code for contains the identification of the respective motor vehicle (F) and on the other hand position data for the control of the handling device (6) for locating the working position of the nozzle (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the handling device (6) is provided with a transceiver device (9) for recording the data of the identification element (8). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the identification element (8) is designed as a transponder, which is preferably arranged on the closure of the filler neck (7). Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that by means of the transceiver device (9) of the handling device (6) and the identification element (8) also the position of the motor vehicle (F) to be refueled in the parking area ( S) the filling station can be determined. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the motor vehicle (F) moves during the refueling process, the dispensing system (Z) is switched off immediately. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the functional software for the handling device (6) is part of the dispenser computer (4). Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transceiver device (9) of the handling device (6) can be given variable data for specifying the quantity to be dispensed or the dispensing price for the respective refueling process. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the vehicle data of the identification element (8) are used for a central accounting of the refueling processes. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the central registration of the motor vehicle (F) is determined by an electronic image capture (video camera 10) for central billing. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that if the official license plate is not recognizable, no refueling process is carried out.

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