Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – With signal – indicator – recorder – inspection means or exhibitor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-08-07
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
With signal, indicator, recorder, inspection means or exhibitor
C141S098000, C141S231000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269848
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for automatically refuelling vehicles, primarily cars.
2. Description of the Related Art
Apparatus by means of which cars can be fuelled automatically are described in Swedish Patent Specification No. 8901674-5.
The apparatus according to this prior patent specification comprises a robot which includes a fuelling nozzle or corresponding device, and which when the vehicle is located in a predetermined position in relation to the robot functions to move the refuelling nozzle automatically from a rest position to a vehicle fuelling position in response to is sensing and control means. The fuelling nozzle includes a rigid first tube which is adapted to be moved by the robot towards an adapter provided with a hole associated with the vehicle fuelling location. A flexible, second tube is arranged for movement within the first, rigid tube from a first end position in which the outer free end of the second tube is located within the first tube, to a second position in which the second tube projects out from the first tube. A tube connection is provided between said hole and the vehicle fuel-tank pipe. The robot is constructed to move the free end of the second tube axially out of the first tube and down into said tube connection, or down into the vehicle fuel-tank pipe, and pump fuel through the second tube and into the fuel tank.
Swedish Patent Specification No. 9202550-1 describes a method of opening and closing the fuelling-tank flap of a vehicle.
According to this latter patent specification, a vehicle-mounted transponder which co-acts with a transceiver unit fitted to the robot head contains information relating to the particular pattern of movement, or movement plan, that is to be carried out by the robot head in relation to the vehicle to be fuelled at that time. The transceiver unit also co-acts with the transponder to initially position the robot head in relation to the vehicle.
It is desired to simplify this positioning process and also the flap opening process. It is also desired to obviate the use of microwave equipment.
These objects are fulfilled by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus relates to apparatus for automatically refuelling vehicles, primarily cars. The apparatus comprises a robot which includes a robot head that is movable relative to the robot so as to enable the robot head to be brought to a predetermined position in relation to the vehicle fuel-tank pipe from a rest position by means of a positioning system. The robot head includes an outer tube, and an inner tube which is housed within said outer tube and movable axially out of the outer tube. The outer tube is intended to be docked with an adapter attached to the upper orifice of the fuel-tank pipe. Subsequent to docking said outer tube, the free forward end of the inner tube is intended to be projected to a lower position in the fuel-tank pipe, whereafter fuel is delivered through the inner tube. The robot head carries a flap opening device which functions to open a fuel-tank flap in response to movements of the robot head, wherein the robot head movements are effected in accordance with a movement plan or pattern that has been fed into a computer connected to the robot in the form of a code. The computer includes a memory in which a specific movement plan is stored for each code, and the computer is designed to steer the robot head in carrying out the movement plan belonging to the code received. An optical sensor means is arranged adjacent the robot and optically detects the position of the fuel-tank flap of a vehicle parked for refuelling, relative to the rest position of the robot head. The sensor means is adapted to read said code, which is optically readable and is carried by the vehicle. The computer is adapted to guide the opening device on said robot into abutment with the fuel-tank flap, to cause said device to open said flap, to perform docking in accordance with said movement plan, and to carry out those movements in a reverse order and therewith close the fuel-tank flap when refuelling is completed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3642036 (1972-02-01), Ginsburgh et al.
patent: 4708175 (1987-11-01), Janashak et al.
patent: 5238034 (1993-08-01), Corfitsen
patent: 5383500 (1995-01-01), Dwars et al.
patent: 5609190 (1997-03-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5671786 (1997-09-01), Corfitsen
patent: WO 91/17111 (1991-11-01), None
patent: WO 92/01952 (1992-02-01), None
patent: WO 94/06031 (1994-03-01), None
patent: WO 96/39351 (1994-03-01), None
Autofill Patent AB
Jacyna J. Casimer
Mangels Alfred J.
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