DESC:AUTOMATIC FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES AND METHOD THEREFOR

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to an automatic fuel dispensing system for vehicles and more particularly, to the automatic fuel dispensing system for filling required quantity of fuel in variant models of vehicles.

Background of the invention:

On a vehicle assembly line, after final assembly, fuel is filled in a vehicle. Sometimes, a single line caters the assembly of heterogeneous products such as vehicle variants like sport utility vehicles (SUV), compact SUV, SUV pickups and like. Different quantity of the fuel is required to fill up in the different vehicle variants. Currently, the fuel filling operation is done manually wherein; an operator at the station reads a bill sheet of the vehicle model and fills the fuel accordingly. This conventional method (10) of the fuel filling on the assembly line as illustrated in figure 1 involves following steps:

1. The operator working on the station, checks the bill sheet of the vehicle to identify the vehicle model.
2. The operator then checks a matrix chart of the fuel quantity and the vehicle model.
3. As per the matrix chart, the operator sets the quantity of the fuel to be dispensed in the vehicle.
4. The operator picks up a fuel gun from a home/parking position, places the fuel gun at a filler neck of the vehicle and presses a gun lever of the fuel gun to dispense the fuel into the vehicle as per the set quantity.
5. After the required quantity of fuel is filled up, the operator removes and places the fuel gun at the home/parking position.
This activity, being the operator dependent, may lead to errors and wrong quantity (sometimes more and sometimes less than the set quantity) of the fuel is filled in a particular vehicle model. Thus, the conventional method (10) may lead to the wastage of the fuel. Moreover, there are possibilities that the operator might forget to refer the matrix chart which may again lead to error. Therefore, the conventional method (10) demands for the trained operator.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an automatic fuel dispensing system and method for vehicles that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Object of the present invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide an error free filling of required quantity of fuel into a vehicle while eliminating operator dependency, fuel wastage and matrix chart requirement.

Summary of the present invention:

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides an automatic fuel dispensing system (hereinafter referred as, “the system”) for vehicles at a fuel station of vehicle assembly line. The system is a vehicle variant/model specific automatic system for fuel quantity setting. The system comprises a scanner, a cradle, a controller, an interface and a dispensing unit. The scanner is hand held infra-red scanner that scans/reads an image of a barcode on a bill sheet of a vehicle. The cradle receives the scanned barcode data from the scanner via Bluetooth in order to to convert the scanned barcode data into ASCII (American Standard code for Information Interchange) version. The controller is operably connected to the scanner through the cradle for receiving the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data.

The controller is decodes the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data to record a model of the vehicle and to set a fuel quantity to be filled up in the vehicle based on the vehicle model. The interface is operably connected to the controller to automatically display the set quantity of the fuel to be filled in a readable format. The dispensing unit is operably connected to the controller by MODBUS Communication to receive the set fuel quantity therefrom. The dispensing unit includes a valve, a gun and a hose connected therebetween. The valve allows the set quantity of the fuel to flow into the gun through the hose. The gun includes a lever and at least one nozzle.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of automatically dispensing fuel for the vehicle. At first step, the method involves scanning the image of the barcode on the bill sheet of the vehicle by the scanner. At next step, the method involves receiving the scanned barcode data from the scanner by the cradle via Bluetooth for converting the scanned barcode data into ASCII (American Standard code for Information Interchange) version. Further, the method involves receiving the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data from the cradle by the controller via Serial Communication for decoding the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data to record a model of the vehicle and setting a fuel quantity to be filled up in the vehicle based on the vehicle model.

The interface automatically displays the set quantity of the fuel to be filled in a readable format. Further, an operator pick up a gun of a dispensing unit from a parking position and places the gun into a fuel filler neck of the vehicle. The operator presses the lever of the gun for dispensing the set quantity of the fuel into the fuel filler neck of the vehicle. Thereafter, upon generation of an alarm by the controller indicating filling of the set fuel quantity in the vehicle, the operator removes the gun and places the gun back at the parking position.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of fuel filling in vehicles, in accordance with a prior art;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an automatic fuel dispensing system for vehicles, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of fuel filling in the vehicles using the automatic fuel dispensing system, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention:

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an automatic fuel dispensing system for a vehicle. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of automatically dispensing fuel for the vehicle at a fuel station of a vehicle assembly line. The automatic fuel dispensing system provides an error free filling of required quantity of fuel into the vehicle while eliminating operator dependency, fuel wastage and matrix chart requirement. The method saves time in filling the fuel as compared to conventional methods.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figure 2, an automatic fuel dispensing system (100) (hereinafter, referred as “the system” (100)) for a vehicle (150) in accordance with the present invention is shown. Specifically, the system (100) is a vehicle variant/model specific automatic system for fuel quantity setting. The system (100) comprises a scanner (30), a cradle (40), a controller (50), an interface (not shown) and a dispensing unit (80).

Specifically, the scanner (30) is a hand held infra-red scanner. The scanner (30) is adapted to scan/read an image of a barcode of the vehicle and further transmits the scanned barcode data to the controller (50) via the cradle (40). The barcode is a 2D barcode provided on a bill sheet (20) of the vehicle (150). The barcode stores specific vehicle data such as an identification number and a model code of the vehicle (150) needed for a fueling operation.

The scanner (30) after use is put into the cradle (40). Thus, the cradle (40) works both as a stand and a charger for the scanner when the scanner (30) is not in use. The cradle (40) receives the scanned barcode data from the scanner (30). In an embodiment, the cradle (40) receives the scanned barcode data from the scanner via Bluetooth. The cradle (40) then converts the scanned barcode data into ASCII (American Standard code for Information Interchange) version.

The controller (50) is operably connected to the scanner (30) to receive the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data transmitted therefrom via the cradle (40). In an embodiment, the controller (50) is a programmable logic controller (PLC) for example, AB MicroLogix 1400 that receives the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data through the cradle (40) via Serial Communication. The controller (50) is adapted to decode the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data to record a model of the vehicle (150) and set a fuel quantity to be filled up in the vehicle (150) based on the vehicle model.

The interface is operably connected to the controller (50) to automatically display the set quantity of the fuel to be filled in a readable format. In an embodiment, the interface is a human machine interface (HMI).

The controller (50) is operably connected to the dispensing unit (80) to communicate the set fuel quantity thereto for example, by MODBUS Communication (60). The dispensing unit (80) operates in response to the communication received from the controller (50).

The dispensing unit (80) includes a valve (65), a gun (75) and a hose (70) connected therebetween. The valve (65) is adapted to allow the set quantity of the fuel to flow into the gun (75) through the hose. The gun (75) includes a lever (not shown) and at least one nozzle (not shown). The gun (75) is picked up from a parking position by an operator at a fuel station and placed into a fuel filler neck (90) of the vehicle (150) for dispensing the set quantity of the fuel therein by pressing the lever. After the required quantity of the fuel is filled up, the controller (50) generates an alarm for example, a hooter or a signal to automatically stop further supply of the fuel. Thereafter, the operator removes the gun from the fuel filler neck (90) and places back at the parking position.

The controller (50), besides generating the alarm after the correct fuel quantity is filled, also generates the alarm in case of any error, when a wrong quality of the fuel is filled up and in case of avoiding refilling of the fuel, when a fuel tank of the vehicle (150) is already full.

Now, referring to figure 3, a method of automatically dispensing fuel (200) (hereinafter referred as “the method (200)”) for a vehicle (150) at a fuel station of vehicle assembly line, in accordance with the present invention is described. The method (200) is described in conjunction with the system (100). The method (200) starts at step (155).

At step (160), the method (200) involves scanning an image of a barcode on a bill sheet (20) of the vehicle (150) by a scanner (30).

At step (165), the method (200) involves receiving the scanned barcode data from the scanner (30) by a cradle (40) for converting the scanned barcode data into ASCII (American Standard code for Information Interchange) version thereby.

At step (170), the method (200) involves receiving the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data from the cradle (40) by a controller (50) for decoding the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data to record a model of the vehicle (150) and setting a fuel quantity to be filled up in the vehicle (150) based on the vehicle model thereby.

At step (175), the method (200) involves automatically displaying the set quantity of the fuel to be filled in a readable format on an interface.

At step (180), an operator picks up a gun (75) from a parking position of a dispensing unit (80) and places the gun (75) into a fuel filler neck (90) of the vehicle (150).

At step (185), the operator presses the lever of the gun (75) for dispensing the set quantity of the fuel into the fuel filler neck (90) of the vehicle (150).

At step (190), the operator removes the gun (75) and places the gun (75) back at the parking position upon generation of an alarm by the controller (50) indicating filling of the set fuel quantity in the vehicle (150). The method ends at step (195).
Advantages of the present invention:

1. The system (100) eliminates operator dependency.
2. The system (100) eliminates wastage of fuel.
3. The method (200) avoids filling wrong quantity of the fuel in a particular vehicle model.
4. The system (100) eliminates the requirement of reading the matrix chart (quantity of fuel-vehicle model matrix).
5. The method (200) saves time in filling the fuel as compared to the conventional method (10).
6. The system (100) eliminates the chances of refilling the fuel in the vehicle by giving the signal when the fuel in the vehicle is already filled up.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An automatic fuel dispensing system (100) for a vehicle (150) at a fuel station of vehicle assembly line, the automatic fuel dispensing system (100) being a vehicle variant/model specific automatic system for fuel quantity setting, the automatic fuel dispensing system (100) comprising:
a scanner (30) being adapted to scan/read an image of a barcode on a bill sheet (20) of the vehicle (150);
a cradle (40) being adapted to receive the scanned barcode data from the scanner (30) and to convert the scanned barcode data into ASCII (American Standard code for Information Interchange) version;
a controller (50) being operably connected to the scanner (30) through the cradle (40) to receive the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data, the controller (50) being adapted to decode the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data to record a model of the vehicle (150) and to set a fuel quantity to be filled up in the vehicle (150) based on the vehicle model;
an interface being operably connected to the controller (50) to automatically display the set quantity of the fuel to be filled in a readable format; and
a dispensing unit (80) being operably connected to the controller (50) by MODBUS Communication (60) to receive the set fuel quantity therefrom, the dispensing unit (80) having a valve (65), a gun (75) and a hose (70) connected therebetween, the valve (65) being adapted to allow the set quantity of the fuel to flow into the gun (75) through the hose (70), the gun (75) having a lever and at least one nozzle;
wherein, an operator picks up the gun (75) from a parking position and places the gun (75) into a fuel filler neck (90) of the vehicle (150) for dispensing the set quantity of the fuel therein by pressing the lever, after the set quantity of the fuel is filled up, the controller (50) generates an alarm to automatically stop further supply of the fuel and thereafter the operator removes the gun (75) from the fuel filler neck (90) and places the gun (75) back at the parking position.

2. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanner (30) is a hand held infra-red scanner.

3. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barcode is a 2-dimensional (2D) barcode storing specific vehicle data including an identification number and a model code of the vehicle (150) needed for a fueling operation.

4. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle (40) receives the scanned barcode data from the scanner (30) via Bluetooth.

5. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle (40) works both as a stand and a charger for the scanner when the scanner (30) is not in use.

6. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (50) receives the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data via Serial Communication.

7. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (50) is AB MicroLogix 1400 programmable logic controller (PLC).

8. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface being a human machine interface (HMI);

9. The automatic fuel dispensing system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (50) generates the alarm in case of any error, when a wrong quality of the fuel is filled up and in case of avoiding refilling of the fuel, when a fuel tank of the vehicle (150) is already full.

10. A method (200) of automatically dispensing fuel for a vehicle (150) at a fuel station of vehicle assembly line, the method (200) being performed by an operator by using the automatic fuel dispensing system (100), the method (200) comprising steps of:
scanning an image of a barcode on a bill sheet (20) of the vehicle (150) by a scanner (30);
receiving the scanned barcode data from the scanner (30) by a cradle (40) for converting the scanned barcode data into ASCII (American Standard code for Information Interchange) version thereby, wherein the cradle (40) receives the scanned barcode data via Bluetooth;
receiving the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data from the cradle (40) by a controller (50) for decoding the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data to record a model of the vehicle (150) and setting a fuel quantity to be filled up in the vehicle (150) based on the vehicle model thereby, wherein the controller (50) receives the ASCII version of the scanned barcode data via Serial Communication;
automatically displaying the set quantity of the fuel to be filled in a readable format on an interface;
picking up a gun (75) from a parking position of a dispensing unit (80) and placing the gun (75) into a fuel filler neck (90) of the vehicle (150);
pressing the lever of the gun (75) for dispensing the set quantity of the fuel into the fuel filler neck (90) of the vehicle (150); and
removing the gun (75) and placing the gun (75) back at the parking position upon generation of an alarm by the controller (50) indicating filling of the set fuel quantity in the vehicle (150).

Dated this 01st day of July 2016
Prafulla Wange
(Agent for applicant) (IN/PA-2058)