SE2050357A1

SE2050357A1 - Intelligent hose handling

Info

Publication number: SE2050357A1
Application number: SE2050357A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Bengt I Larsson
Original assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden Ab
Priority date: 2018-05-08
Filing date: 2018-05-08
Publication date: 2020-03-31
Also published as: SE544021C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (9) for handling at least one hose (7), which device (9) allows the at least one hose (7) to be pulled out from a front opening of a hose storage space (2) and which device is adapted to return the at least one hose (7) to the hose storage space (2). The device (9) comprises a first hose guiding means (10) and a second hose guiding means (11) movable between an idle position and a working position to control extraction and feeding in of the hose (7), a sensor means (12) arranged in hose storage space (2), a motor (13) connected to the second hose guiding (11) means through a cable element (14), and a control unit (15) connected to the sensor means (12) and to the motor (13). The invention also relates to a method for handling at least one hose (7).

Description

INTELLIGENT HOSE HANDLING Technical field The invention relates to a device and method for handling at least onehose.

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 maytend 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 fuel dispensing 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 pu||ed from thehousing to provide a mechanica| advantage and reduce the required pu||ingforce.

GB 782 882 discloses a swinging arm hose retriever for f|uiddispensing apparatus. The hose of the f|uid 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 usua| 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 housing is quite extensive.

Summary of the invention lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement of thedispensing units according to prior art. A particular object is to provide aspace efficient device for handling a hose of a fuel dispensing unit.

According to a first aspect, these and other objects, and/or advantagesthat will be apparent from the following description of embodiments, are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a device for handling at least one hose,which device allows the at least one hose to be pulled out from a frontopening of a hose storage space and which device is adapted to return the atleast one hose to the hose storage space. The device comprises a first hoseguiding means and a second hose hose guiding movable between an idleposition and a working position to control extraction and infeed of the at leastone hose, a sensor means arranged in hose storage space, a motorconnected to the second hose guiding means through a cable element, and acontrol unit connected to the sensor means and to the motor. The device ischaracterized in that the control unit is configured to control the motor basedon signals relating to the movements of the first hose guiding means and/orthe second hose guiding means detected by the sensor means.

This is advantageous in that an extremely space efficient device forhose handling is provided, which device enables a smooth and flexiblehandling of the hose. Further, due to the intelligence of the device, thehandling of the at least one hose from a customer perspective is highlyfacilitated.

The sensor means may comprise a two-way sensor capable ofdetecting a direction of the movement of the first hose guiding means.

The sensor means may comprise a first sensor arranged in the hosestorage space and configured to detect the idle position the first hose guidingmeans, and a second sensor arranged in the hose storage space andconfigured to detect the working position the first hose guiding means.

The control unit may be configured to trigger extraction of the cableelement by means of the motor or to trigger a neutral state of the motor whenthe working position of the first hose guiding means is detected, and to triggerinfeed of the cable element by means of the motor when the idle position ofthe first hose guiding means is detected.

The control unit may be configured to trigger extraction of the cableelement by means of the motor or to trigger a neutral state of the motor whenat least a portion of the first hose guiding means is detected outside of thehose storage space, and to trigger feeding in of the cable element by means of the motor the first hose guiding means is detected inside of the hosestorage space.

The first hose guiding means may comprise a rocker unit which, toallow pulling out and returning of the hose, is pivotable in relation to the hosestorage space about a pivot axis and which comprises a hose supporting partwhich is arranged at a distance from the pivot axis and adapted to support thehose.

The rocker unit may be adapted to be pivoted in the first direction whenpulling out the hose and, when returning the hose, be pivoted by a rockerreturning means, which applies a returning force on the rocker unit at adistance from the pivot axis in the second direction which is opposite to thefirst direction.

The rocker returning means may comprise a spring element.

The first hose guiding means may comprise a rail element to supportthe hose which, to allow pulling out and returning of the hose, is movable inrelation to the hose storage space between in the idle position and theworking position.

The rail element may be adapted to be moved towards the workingposition when pulling out the hose and, when returning the hose, be movedtowards the idle position.

The sensor means may be connected to a movable portion an outerhousing of the hose storage space, and the control unit is configured totrigger extraction of the cable element by means of the motor or to trigger aneutral state of the motor when movement of the movable portion of the outerhousing, in a direction away from the outer housing, is detected.

The sensing means may further comprise a further sensor configuredto detected movement of the second hose guiding means, and the control unitis configured to stop the motor when the second hose is in a bottom positionwithin the hose storage space.

The extraction of the cable element by means of the motor may beconducted for a predetermined length of the cable element.

The extraction of the cable element by means of the motor may bebased on a motor driving power calculated by the control unit.

According to a second aspect, these and other objects are achieved, infull or at least in part, by a fuel dispensing unit for refueling a vehicle,comprising at least one device according the feature described above.

According to a third aspect, these and other objects are achieved, infull or at least in part, by a method for handling at least one hose in a fueldispensing unit, to allow the at least one hose to be pulled out from a frontopening of a hose storage space and to return the at least one hose to thehose storage space. The method comprises the steps of providing a first hoseguiding means and a second hose means movable between an idle positionand a working position to control extraction and feeding in of the hose, andarranging a sensor means in hose storage space. The method ischaracterized by the step of controlling a motor, connected to the secondhose guiding means through a cable element, by means of a control unit,connected to the sensor means and to the motor, based on detectedmovements of the first hose guiding means. lt should be noted that the different embodiments of the device that isdescribed above are exemplifying only. The embodiments may be combinedwith each other in any suitable way depending on the requirementsestablished for the fuel dispensing unit and on how many hoses the device ishandling. Anywhere between one and ten hoses may be handled by thedevice according to the invention.

Effects and features of the second and third aspects of the presentinvention is largely analogous to those described above in connection with thefirst aspect the inventive concept. Embodiments mentioned in relation to thefirst aspect of the present invention are largely compatible with the furtheraspects of the invention.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention willappear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, aswell as from the drawings. lt is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly definedotherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component,means, step, etc.]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least oneinstance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unlessexplicitly stated otherwise.

As used herein, the term “comprising” and variations of that term arenot intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Brief description of the drawinqs The above objects, as well as additional objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fueldispensing unit according to a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a devicefor handling at least one hose according to a first aspect of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device for handling at least one hosewhen in an idle position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device for handling at least one hose when in a working position.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventionFig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispensing unit 1, having hose storage spaces 2, an electrical cabinet 3 containing all theelectronics for the fuel dispensing unit 1, a hydraulic cabinet 4 containing fueldispensing means (not shown), e.g. fuel metering means, valves, vaporrecovery system etc., and a column 5 extending vertically between andseparating the electrical cabinet 3 and the hydraulic cabinet 4 from the hosestorage spaces 2. The fuel dispensing unit 1 is connected to an undergroundfuel container (not shown).

When filling up the tank of a vehicle, the fuel is pumped from theUnderground container by means of a pump (not shown) which is located inthe hydraulic cabinet 4, and from there to the column 5 and out to a nozzle 6via a fuel hose 7. When filling-up does not take place, the fuel hose 7 isaccommodated in a hose storage space 2 and the nozzle 6 is inserted in anozzle boot 8. The hose 7 is handled by a hose handling device according tothe invention, which is arranged in every hose storage space 2. Theelectronics located in the electrical cabinet 3, such as means for choosing thedesired type of fuel and display means for showing the chosen type of fuel,the volume of dispensed fuel etc., are securely isolated in order toencapsulate electronic components from possible presence of flammablegases. The electrical cabinet 3 can also include a payment terminal.

Fig. 2 illustrates a device 9 for handling at least one fuel hose 7 in thefuel dispensing unit 1. The device 9 allows the at least one fuel hose 7 to bepulled out from a front opening of the hose storage space 2 and is adapted toreturn the at least one fuel hose 7 to the hose storage space 2. The device 9will now be described in greater detail according to one exemplaryembodiment in view of Fig. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 and Fig 4 illustrate the device 9 when in an idle position andwhen in a working position. The device 9 comprises a first hose guidingmeans 10 and a second hose hose guiding 11, which are both movablebetween an idle position and a working position to control extraction andinfeed of the at least one fuel hose 7, a sensor means 12 arranged in hosestorage space 2, a motor 13 connected to the second hose guiding 11 meansthrough a cable element 14, and a control unit 15 connected to the sensormeans 12 and to the motor 13. The control unit 15 is configured to control themotor 13 based on signals relating to the movements of the first hose guidingmeans 10 and/or the second hose guiding means 11 detected by the sensormeans 12. ln this specific embodiment, the senor means 12 comprises a firstsensor 16 arranged in the hose storage space 2 and configured to detect theidle position the first hose guiding means 10, and a second sensor 17 arranged in the hose storage space 2 and configured to detect the workingposition the first hose guiding means 10.

Here, as a first option, the control unit 15 may be configured to triggerextraction of the cable element 14 by means of the motor 13 or to trigger aneutral state of the motor 13 when the working position of the first hoseguiding means 10 is detected, and to trigger infeed of the cable element 14 bymeans of the motor 13 when the idle position of the first hose guiding means10 is detected.

As a second option, the control unit 15 may be configured to triggerextraction of the cable element 14 by means of the motor 13 or to trigger aneutral state of the motor 13 when at least a portion of the first hose guidingmeans 10 is detected outside of the hose storage space 2, and to triggerfeeding in of the cable element 14 by means of the motor 13 the first hoseguiding means 10 is detected inside of the hose storage space 2. ln this specific embodiment, the first hose guiding means 10 comprisesa rocker unit which, to allow pulling out and returning of the hose 7, ispivotable in relation to the hose storage space 2 about a pivot axis 18 andwhich comprises a hose supporting part 19 which is arranged at a distancefrom the pivot axis 18 and adapted to support the hose 7. The rocker unit isadapted to be pivoted in a first direction when pulling out the hose 7 and,when returning the hose 7, be pivoted by a rocker returning means 20,constituted by a spring element which applies a returning force on the rockerunit at a distance from the pivot axis 18 in a second direction which isopposite to the first direction. ln another exemplary embodiment, the first hose guiding means 10comprises a rail element to support the hose 7 which, to allow pulling out andreturning of the hose 7, is movable in relation to the hose storage space 2between in the idle position and the working position. Here, the rail element isadapted to be moved towards the working position when pulling out the hose7 and, when returning the hose 7, be moved towards the idle position.

As an alternative to the embodiments described above, the sensormeans 12 may for example comprise a two-way sensor instead which iscapable of detecting a direction of the movement of the first hose guiding means 10. Here, the control unit would be configured to trigger extraction ofthe cable element by means of the motor 13 or to trigger a neutral state of themotor when a first moving direction of the first hose guiding means 10 isdetected, and to trigger infeed of the cable element by means of the motor 13when a second moving direction of the first hose guiding means 10 isdetected.

The sensor means 12 may be connected to a movable portion 21 of anouter housing 22 of the hose storage space 2, and the control unit 15 isconfigured to trigger extraction of the cable element 14 by means of the motor13 or to trigger a neutral state of the motor 13 when movement of themovable portion 21 of the outer housing 22, in a direction away from the outerhousing 22, is detected.

The sensing means 12 may further comprise a third sensor 23configured to detected movement of the second hose guiding means 11, andin this case, the control unit 15 is configured to stop the motor 13 when thesecond hose guiding means 11 is in a bottom position within the hose storagespace 2.

The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of theembodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scopeof the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

For instance, any suitable combinations between the differentembodiments described above is possible.

The extraction of the cable element 14 by means of the motor 13 maybe conducted based on a predetermined length of the cable element 14.

The extraction of the cable element 14 by means of the motor 13 maybe based on a motor driving power calculated by the control unit 15.

The control unit 15 may be configured so that no infeed of the cableelement 14 by means of the motor 13 is possible during refueling of a vehicle.

The control unit 15 may be configured so that no extraction of the cableelement 14 by means of the motor 13 is possible when the nozzle(s) 6 arepresent in the nozzle boot(s) 8.

The control unit 15 may be configured so that no feeding of the cableelement 14 by means of the motor 13 is possible when the fuel dispensingunit 1 is not released.

Claims

11 CLAIIVIS

1. A device (9) for handling at least one hose (7), which device (9)allows the at least one hose (7) to be pulled out from a front opening of ahose storage space (2) and which device (9) is adapted to return the at leastone hose (7) to the hose storage space (2), the device (9) comprising: a first hose guiding means (1 O) and a second hose guiding means (11)movable between an idle position and a working position to control the atleast one hose (7), a sensor means (12) arranged in hose storage space (2), a motor (13) connected to the second hose guiding means (11)through a cable element (14), and a control unit (15) connected to the sensor means (12) and to themotor (13), the control unit (15) being configured to control the motor (13) basedon signals relating to the movements of the first hose guiding means (10)and/or the second hose guiding means (11) detected by the sensor means(12) characterized in that: the control unit (15) is configured to trigger extraction of the cableelement (14) by means of the motor (13) or to trigger a neutral state of themotor (13) when the working position of the first hose guiding means (10) isdetected, and to trigger infeed of the cable element (14) by means of themotor (13) when the idle position of the first hose guiding means (10) isdetected, or the control unit (15) is configured to trigger extraction of the cableelement (14) by means of the motor (13) or to trigger a neutral state of themotor (13) when the working position of the first hose guiding means (10) isdetected, and to trigger infeed of the cable element (14) by means of themotor (13) when the idle position of the first hose guiding means (10) isdetected. 12

2. The device (9) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means (12)comprises a first sensor (16) arranged in the hose storage space (2) andconfigured to detect the idle position the first hose guiding means (10), and asecond sensor (17) arranged in the hose storage space (2) and configured todetect the working position the first hose guiding means (10).

3. The device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the first hose guiding means (10) comprises a rocker unit which, toallow pu||ing out and returning of the hose (7), is pivotable in relation to thehose storage space (2) about a pivot axis (18) and which comprises a hosesupporting part (19) which is arranged at a distance from the pivot axis (18)and adapted to support the hose (7).

4. The device (9) as c|aimed in claim 3, wherein the rocker unit isadapted to be pivoted in the first direction when pu||ing out the hose (7) and,when returning the hose (7), be pivoted by a rocker returning means (20),which applies a returning force on the rocker unit at a distance from the pivotaxis (18) in the second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

5. The device (9) as c|aimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the rockerreturning means (20) comprises a spring element.

6. The device (9) according to any one of claim 1 to 2, whereinthe first hose guiding means (10) comprises a rail element to support thehose (7) which, to allow pu||ing out and returning of the hose (7), is movablein relation to the hose storage space (2) between in the idle position and theworking position.

7. The device (9) according to claim 9, wherein the rail element isadapted to be moved towards the working position when pu||ing out the hose(7) and, when returning the hose (7), be moved towards the idle position. 13

8. The device (9) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means(12) is connected to a movable portion (21) of an outer housing (22) of thehose storage space (2), and the control unit (15) is configured to triggerextraction of the cable element (14) by means of the motor (13) or to trigger aneutral state of the motor (13) when movement of the movable portion (21) ofthe outer housing (22), in a direction away from the outer housing (22), isdetected.

9. The device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the sensor means (12) further comprises a further sensor (23)configured to detected movement of the second hose guiding means (11),and the control unit (15) is configured to stop the motor (13) when the secondhose guiding means (11) is in a bottom position within the hose storage space (2)-

10.The device (9) according to any one of claim 1 or 2, whereinextraction of the cable element (14) by means of the motor (13) is conductedfor a predetermined length of the cable element (14).

11. The device (9) according to any one of claim 1 or 2, whereinextraction of the cable element (14) by means of the motor (13) is based on amotor driving power calculated by the control unit (15).

12.A method for handling at least one hose (7) in a fuel dispensingunit (1), to allow the at least one hose (7) to be pulled out from a front openingof a hose storage space (2) and to return the at least one hose (7) to the hosestorage space (2), comprising the steps of: providing a first hose guiding means (10) and a second hose means(11) movable between an idle position and a working position to controlextraction and feeding in of the hose (7), and arranging a sensor means (12) in hose storage space (2), and controlling a motor (13), connected to the second hose guiding means(11) through a cable element (14), by means of a control unit (15), connected 14 to the sensor means (12) and to the motor (13), based on detectedmovements of the first hose guiding means (10), characterized by: triggering extraction of the cable element (14) by means of the motor(13) or to trigger a neutral state of the motor (13) when the working position ofthe first hose guiding means (10) is detected, and to trigger infeed of thecable element (14) by means of the motor (13) when the idle position of thefirst hose guiding means (1 O) is detected, or triggering extraction of the cable element (14) by means of the motor(13) or to trigger a neutral state of the motor (13) when the working position ofthe first hose guiding means (10) is detected, and to trigger infeed of thecable element (14) by means of the motor (13) when the idle position of thefirst hose guiding means (1 O) is detected.