Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Portable systems or track mounted supply means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-08-28
Maust, Timothy L. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Portable systems or track mounted supply means
C141S098000, C141S232000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279624
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement for positioning a robot for the automatic fuelling of vehicles, primarily cars.
2. Description of the Related Art
An arrangement for the automatic fuelling of cars is described in Swedish Patent Specification No. 8901674-5.
The arrangement 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 fuelling nozzle automatically from a rest position to a vehicle fuelling position in response to 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 oust 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 a positioning system or arrangement pertaining to the automatic fuelling of vehicles, primarily cars. The arrangement 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 said tube, wherein 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 predetermined movement plan or pattern. The positioning system includes an optical sensor means disposed adjacent the robot and adapted to detect optically the position of the fuel-tank flap of a vehicle parked for fuelling, relative to the rest position of the robot head, and therewith deliver to a robot computer a signal relating to said relative position. The computer is programmed to guide an opening device on said robot into abutment with the fuel-tank flap and open said flap in accordance with a predetermined movement plan. The sensor means functions to detect the position of the orifice of the fuel-tank pipe or the adapter relative to the current position of the robot head, after the fuel-tank flap has been opened, and sends to the computer a signal relating to said relative position. The computer thereafter causes the robot head to carry out said docking and also to carry out said movements in the reverse order when fuelling has been completed, and therewith close the fuel-tank flap.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4881581 (1989-11-01), Hollerback
patent: 5383500 (1995-01-01), Dwars et al.
patent: 5392049 (1995-02-01), Gunnarsson
patent: 405112396A (1993-05-01), None
Autofill Patent AB
Huynh Khoa
Mangels Alfred J.
Maust Timothy L.
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