A fuel dispenser and fuel dispensing system

Abstract

The present specification provides a refueling gun and a refueling system, the refueling gun is electrically connected with a control system, and the refueling gun comprises a gun nozzle and a gun body with a main oil supply path, the gun nozzle is provided with a sensing passage for sensing liquid level information; a pressure cavity is arranged in the gun body and connected with the sensing passage; a pressure sensing device is arranged for sensing pressure information of the pressure cavity; a control valve is arranged for controlling the on-off of the main oil supply path to the gun nozzle in the oil inlet direction; a communication link is established between the control valve, the pressure sensing device and the control system, the communication link can transmit a preset signal based on the pressure information, and the control valve is configured to be controlled to be opened or closed by the control system based on the preset signal. The design of the refueling gun can simplify the structure of the end of the mechanical arm, so that the mechanical arm end does not need to be provided with a special mechanical transmission structure, and the operation of the refueling gun can be completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fuel refueling equipment technology, specifically to a fuel nozzle and a refueling system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, automated robots are gradually being applied to various industries, including the automated refueling industry at gas stations. Refueling robots have already been piloted at some gas stations with good results.

[0003] Currently, refueling robots are equipped with refueling nozzles during the refueling process. When the refueling robot needs to refuel a car, its robotic arm moves the nozzle to a designated position and operates the nozzle's switch handle to open the nozzle and begin refueling. The nozzle's switching mechanism is a relatively complex mechanical structure, requiring a specialized mechanical transmission structure at the end of the robotic arm to operate the nozzle's switch handle, and placing high demands on the positioning accuracy of the robotic arm's end effector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve at least one technical problem existing in the prior art, one object of this application is to provide a refueling nozzle and a refueling system. The design of the refueling nozzle can simplify the structure of the end effector of the robotic arm, so that the end effector of the robotic arm does not need to be equipped with a special mechanical transmission structure to complete the operation of the refueling nozzle.

[0005] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A refueling nozzle is configured to be electrically connected to a control system. The refueling nozzle includes: a nozzle and a nozzle body having a main oil supply path. The nozzle is provided with a sensing path for sensing liquid level information. A pressure chamber is disposed in the nozzle body and connected to the sensing path. A pressure sensing device is used to sense the pressure information of the pressure chamber. A control valve is used to control the on / off connection between the main oil supply path and the nozzle in the oil inlet direction.

[0007] A communication link is established between the control valve, the pressure sensing device, and the control system. The communication link can transmit a preset signal based on the pressure information. The control valve is configured to be controlled to open or close by the control system based on the preset signal.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the sensing path includes: an anti-drip valve and a sensing line connected thereto, and a sensing through hole disposed on the side wall of the nozzle and connected to the sensing line. In the oil inlet direction, the anti-drip valve is disposed downstream of the control valve, and the anti-drip valve is connected between the pressure chamber and the sensing line.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the control valve is connected to the pressure sensing device via a first connecting device, the first connecting device comprising a first conductive part and a second conductive part, the first connecting device having a connected state in which the first conductive part and the second conductive part are engaged, and a disconnected state in which the first conductive part and the second conductive part are separated after the pressure information reaches a threshold; in the disconnected state, the control system controls the control valve to close based on the current value on the communication link.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the gun body is provided with a cable interface, and the control system is connected to the pressure sensing device and the control valve through the cable interface.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensing device is connected to the cable interface via a second connecting device, and the control valve is connected to the cable interface via a third connecting device. A communication link is formed between the first connecting device, the second connecting device, and the third connecting device. The control valve is a solenoid valve. In the off state, the control valve is de-energized and disconnected. The control system is configured to supply power to the control valve.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensing device includes: a housing having a chamber, a diaphragm disposed within the chamber, wherein the pressure chamber is formed between the diaphragm and the bottom surface of the housing, the chamber is provided with a transfer unit connected to the diaphragm, the transfer unit is connected to the second conductive part, and the transfer unit can move with the diaphragm to switch the first connecting device between a connected state and a disconnected state.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensing device further includes: a counterweight unit and a potential energy unit, wherein the counterweight unit is connected to the diaphragm, the potential energy unit provides the counterweight unit with an elastic force to resist its own weight, one end of the adapter unit is connected to the counterweight unit, and the other end of the adapter unit is provided with the second conductive part.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting device further includes a first wire, one end of which is connected to a first conductive part, and the other end of which is connected to the control valve; the second connecting device includes a second wire, one end of which is connected to a second conductive part, and the other end of which is connected to the cable interface; the third connecting device includes a third wire and a fourth wire, one end of which is connected to the control valve, and the other end of which is connected to a terminal block; one end of which is connected to the terminal block, and the other end of which is connected to the cable interface.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the housing further includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, which are separated by a partition. The first conductive part, the second conductive part, and the wiring terminal are all disposed in the upper chamber. The partition is provided with a channel for the transfer unit to pass through. The transfer unit enters the upper chamber from the lower chamber via the channel from the location of the diaphragm.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a first interface and a second interface are provided on the housing corresponding to the upper chamber. The first wire and the third wire are inserted into the first interface through a first explosion-proof connector, and the second wire and the fourth wire are inserted into the second interface through a second explosion-proof connector.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the adapter unit has a hollow structure with a conductor inside. The adapter unit has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second conductive part is connected to the conductor through the first terminal, and the second wire is connected to the conductor through the second terminal.

[0018] A refueling system includes any of the described refueling nozzles and a control system.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment, the system also includes a refueling robot, to which the refueling nozzle is attached.

[0020] Beneficial effects:

[0021] The refueling nozzle and refueling system provided in this application replace the traditional refueling nozzle's switch handle with a control valve. By establishing a communication link between the control valve and the pressure sensing device and the control system, the control system can directly control the opening or closing of the control valve. This refueling nozzle reduces the complexity of the refueling robot's robotic arm, eliminating the need for a dedicated mechanical transmission structure at the end of the arm. The end of the arm only needs to hold the refueling nozzle, simplifying the structure of the refueling robot, reducing the weight of the robotic arm, and improving its stability.

[0022] Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, indicating how the principles of the invention can be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited in scope as a result.

[0023] Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0024] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, whole, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, or components. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the refueling nozzle structure in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the internal structure of the pressure sensing device in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 3 The diagram shows the internal structure of the pressure sensing device in the cut-off state.

[0029] Figure 4 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating the process of refueling using a refueling nozzle in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 1. Gun body; 2. Control valve; 3. Pressure sensing device; 30. Baffle; 31. Counterweight unit; 32. Diaphragm; 33. Adapter unit; 34. Second conductive part; 35. First conductive part; 36. Vent hole; 37. Explosion-proof connector; 38. Wiring terminal; 39. Potential energy unit; 4. Anti-drip valve; 5. Sensing through hole; 6. Cable interface; 7. First connecting device; 71. First wire; 72. Third wire; 8. Second connecting device; 81. Second wire; 82. Fourth wire; 9. Nozzle; 10. Pressure chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this invention, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0033] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or may be interposed with another element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or may be interposed with another element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementations.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this specification provides a fuel nozzle configured to be electrically connected to a control system (not shown). The fuel nozzle includes: a nozzle 9 and a nozzle body 1 having a main fuel supply path. The nozzle 9 is provided with a sensing path for sensing liquid level information; a pressure chamber 10 disposed in the nozzle body 1 and connected to the sensing path; a pressure sensing device 3 for sensing pressure information of the pressure chamber 10; and a control valve 2 for controlling the opening and closing of the main fuel supply path to the nozzle 9 in the fuel inlet direction. A communication link is established between the control valve 2, the pressure sensing device 3, and the control system. The communication link can transmit a preset signal based on the pressure information. The control valve 2 is configured to be controlled by the control system to open or close based on the preset signal.

[0035] The refueling nozzle described in this manual uses a control valve instead of the traditional refueling nozzle's switch handle. By establishing a communication link between the control valve and the pressure sensor and the control system, the control system can directly control the opening and closing of the control valve. This refueling nozzle reduces the complexity of the refueling robot's robotic arm, eliminating the need for a dedicated mechanical transmission structure at the end of the robotic arm.

[0036] The fuel nozzle's main supply line is connected to the fuel pump. When the fuel pump starts and the control valve is open, fuel is pumped out and flows sequentially through the main supply line, control valve, and nozzle to the fuel tank. During metered refueling, the control system starts refueling and controls the system's operation based on the accumulated flow from the flow meter. In this state, the fuel nozzle's sensing path remains open to air. The fuel nozzle's control valve is entirely controlled by the refueling robot's control system. When the flow meter reaches the specified flow rate, the control system issues a stop command, closing both the control valve and the fuel pump, ending the refueling process.

[0037] In this specification, the control valve 2 has an open state and a closed state. In the open state, oil can reach the nozzle 9 via the main oil supply line; in the closed state, oil can be blocked and thus not supplied to the nozzle 9. To enable the control system to electrically control the control valve 2, the control valve 2 is preferably a solenoid valve. When the control valve 2 is a solenoid valve, the control system is also configured to provide electrical energy to the solenoid valve, thereby controlling the solenoid valve to engage or disengage after being powered, realizing the connection and disconnection between the main oil supply line and the nozzle 9. When the fuel nozzle is adding fuel to the tank, it often needs to determine whether the tank is full. Traditional fuel nozzles are equipped with an automatic shut-off mechanism. After determining that the tank is full, the valve is closed by the automatic shut-off mechanism inside the fuel nozzle to stop further fuel supply. In this specification, the fuel nozzle is equipped with a sensing path, a pressure chamber, and a pressure sensing device. The coordination of these three components determines whether the tank is full.

[0038] In some embodiments, the sensing path includes: an anti-drip valve 4 and a sensing pipeline connected thereto, and a sensing through hole 5 disposed on the side wall of the nozzle 9 and connected to the sensing pipeline. In the oil inlet direction, the anti-drip valve 4 is disposed downstream of the control valve 2, and the anti-drip valve 4 is connected between the pressure chamber 10 and the sensing pipeline.

[0039] Specifically, the anti-drip valve 4 is located downstream of the control valve 2 in the oil inlet direction. When the control valve 2 is open, the anti-drip valve 4 automatically opens under oil pressure upon reaching the oil, allowing the oil to then enter the nozzle 9 and be supplied to the fuel tank via the nozzle 9's outlet. The anti-drip valve 4 is also connected to a sensing line, which communicates with a sensing through-hole 5 on the side wall of the nozzle 9. The sensing through-hole 5 is generally located upstream of the nozzle 9 outlet. As gasoline is added to the fuel tank, air in the tank continuously enters the sensing line through the sensing through-hole 5 and then flows into the pressure chamber 10. However, when the fuel tank is nearly full, or even when the oil blocks the sensing through-hole 5, no more gas will enter the pressure chamber 10 along the sensing line, causing a pressure change within the pressure chamber 10. Upon sensing this change, the pressure sensing device 3 transmits a preset signal to the control system via a communication link. The control system then controls the control valve 2 to close, cutting off the main oil supply to the nozzle 9. When control valve 2 is closed, no more oil passes through anti-drip valve 4. The spring inside anti-drip valve 4 automatically closes, ending the oil supply process.

[0040] To ensure that air from the fuel tank can enter the pressure chamber 10 during refueling, a negative pressure needs to be created upstream of the sensing line to draw air into it. Furthermore, the anti-drip valve 4 typically creates this negative pressure effect. The anti-drip valve 4 generally has two channels: one is the main flow channel through which fuel enters the nozzle 9; the other connects to the sensing line to deliver air to the pressure chamber 10. The main flow channel has a smaller gap, causing the gasoline flow rate to increase, thus creating a "Venturi effect." The anti-drip valve 4 can have a channel connecting the sensing line and the pressure chamber 10 to introduce the "Venturi effect" from the main flow channel into both the sensing line and the pressure chamber 10.

[0041] It should be noted that the Venturi effect caused by the anti-drip valve is a common feature of fuel nozzles in the prior art, and will not be elaborated upon here, only to provide a simple understanding of the nozzle's shut-off principle. This application does not specifically limit the connection method between the anti-drip valve and the pressure chamber; other connection structures are also possible, as long as they achieve the same substantial function, they fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] In one embodiment, the control valve 2 is connected to the pressure sensing device 3 via a first connecting device 7, which includes a first conductive part 35 and a second conductive part 34. The first connecting device 7 has a connected state in which the first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34 are engaged, and a disconnected state in which the first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34 are separated after the pressure information reaches a threshold. In the disconnected state, the control system controls the control valve 2 to close based on the current value on the communication link.

[0043] In this embodiment, the control system includes a detection module that can detect the current value of the communication link and control valve 2 to be in a closed state based on the detected current value. In this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, the gun body 1 is equipped with a cable interface 6, and the control system is connected to the pressure sensing device 3 and the control valve 2 through the cable interface 6. The communication link is a wired connection, and the control system can be connected to the cable interface 6 via a cable.

[0044] In this embodiment, the pressure sensing device 3 is connected to the cable interface 6 via a second connecting device 8, and the control valve 2 is connected to the cable interface 6 via a third connecting device. A communication link is formed between the first connecting device 7, the second connecting device 8, and the third connecting device. The control valve 2 is a solenoid valve. In the off state, the control valve 2 is de-energized and disconnected. The control system is configured to supply power to the control valve 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the pressure sensing device 3, the control system, and the control valve 2 form a series control loop, and the control system supplies power to the control valve 2. The entire control loop starts at the control system, connects to the pressure sensing device 3 via the cable interface 6 and the second connecting device 8, then connects to the control valve 2 via the first connecting device 7, and finally returns to the cable interface 6 and the control system via the third connecting device. The control valve 2 is a solenoid valve, which can be normally open or normally closed. Preferably, the solenoid valve is a direct-acting normally closed type, with an operating voltage of 24VDC. The control system applies a 24V DC voltage to the solenoid valve and detects the current of the entire control loop. When the control system issues a refueling command, it provides a 24V DC voltage to the refueling nozzle while starting the refueling pump. When the control system detects that the current in the control loop is less than a threshold, the control system determines that the refueling operation is complete and cuts off the 24V power supply.

[0046] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the pressure sensing device 3 includes: a housing with a chamber, a diaphragm 32 disposed in the chamber, wherein the pressure chamber 10 is formed between the diaphragm 32 and the bottom surface of the housing, the chamber is provided with a transfer unit 33 connected to the diaphragm 32, the transfer unit 33 is connected to the second conductive part 34, and the transfer unit 33 can move with the diaphragm 32 to switch the first connecting device 7 between a connected state and a disconnected state.

[0047] Specifically, the pressure sensing device 3 is installed in the gun body 1. The pressure chamber 10 is located inside the housing cavity of the pressure sensing device 3, and is formed by the diaphragm 32 and the bottom surface of the housing. Therefore, when the pressure inside the pressure chamber 10 changes, this change will be reflected on the diaphragm 32. A vent 36 is also provided on the bottom surface of the housing for connecting the anti-drip valve 4 and the sensing line. The adapter unit 33 is connected to the diaphragm 32. When the pressure inside the pressure chamber 10 changes, the adapter unit 33 will move with the diaphragm 32, and the second conductive part 34 will also move accordingly. The first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34 will switch between engaged and disengaged states. Therefore, when the pressure information of the pressure chamber 10 reaches a threshold, the first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34 will separate. The threshold for this pressure information is the pressure at which the first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34 separate.

[0048] The first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34 can be made of metal or a conductive material, such as a metal conductive sheet.

[0049] Furthermore, the pressure sensing device 3 also includes a counterweight unit 31 and a potential energy unit 39. The counterweight unit 31 is connected to the diaphragm 32, and the potential energy unit 39 provides the counterweight unit 31 with an elastic force to resist its own weight. One end of the adapter unit 33 is connected to the counterweight unit 31, and the other end of the adapter unit 33 is provided with the second conductive part 34.

[0050] The counterweight unit 31 is a block structure, not limited to square, columnar, regular or irregular structure, and it acts on the diaphragm 32. The potential energy unit 39 is an elastic element with elastic potential energy. The potential energy unit 39 and the pressure acting on the diaphragm 32 in the pressure chamber 10 work together to resist the gravity of the counterweight unit 31.

[0051] In one application scenario, the potential energy unit 39 provides tension to the counterweight unit 31. This tension, along with the pressure inside the pressure chamber 10, works together to resist the weight of the counterweight unit 31. When the pressure inside the pressure chamber 10 decreases, the diaphragm 32 descends, the tension on the potential energy unit 39 increases and it is stretched, causing the counterweight unit 31 to move the transfer unit 33 downwards. In another application scenario, the potential energy unit 39 provides thrust to the counterweight unit 31. This thrust, along with the pressure inside the pressure chamber 10, works together to resist the weight of the counterweight unit 31. When the pressure inside the pressure chamber 10 decreases, the diaphragm 32 descends, the thrust on the potential energy unit 39 increases and it is compressed, causing the counterweight unit 31 to move the transfer unit 33 downwards.

[0052] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, when the fuel tank is full, no more air enters the pressure chamber 10 along the sensing line, causing the pressure in the pressure chamber 10 to decrease. This causes the counterweight unit 31 acting on the diaphragm 32 to descend, pulling the transfer unit 33 down. This directly leads to the separation of the first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34, breaking the series control circuit formed by the pressure sensing device 3, the control system, and the control valve 2. When the control valve 2 is a solenoid valve, it will directly lose power, thus disconnecting the main fuel supply line to the nozzle 9. The control system, based on the break in the series control circuit, controls the solenoid valve to close, i.e., cutting off the 24V power supply.

[0053] Subsequently, the anti-drip valve 4, no longer subjected to oil pressure, recovers under the action of its internal spring, closing the main flow channel. The pressure in the pressure chamber 10 returns to the level before oil supply and acts on the diaphragm 32. The counterweight unit 31, under the action of the potential energy unit 39, drives the transfer unit 33 upward, reconnecting the first conductive part 35 and the second conductive part 34, thus reconnecting the entire series control circuit. Since the control system has been powered off, the solenoid valve will not open again, causing oil spillage. The refueling nozzle returns to standby mode, and the refueling robot removes the nozzle, awaiting the next refueling operation.

[0054] In this embodiment, through the internal structure of the pressure sensing device 3 and the communication link formed with the solenoid valve and the control system, when the gasoline level reaches the sensing orifice 5 and causes a change in pressure in the pressure chamber 10, the communication link can respond quickly, and the solenoid valve is de-energized and closed. At this time, the control system detects the current value of the series control loop and cancels the power supply to the solenoid valve, then pulls out the fuel nozzle and will not trigger the fuel nozzle to refuel.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first connecting device 7 further includes a first wire 71, one end of which is connected to a first conductive part 35, and the other end of which is connected to the control valve 2; the second connecting device 8 includes a second wire 81, one end of which is connected to a second conductive part 34, and the other end of which is connected to the cable interface 6; the third connecting device includes a third wire 72 and a fourth wire 82, one end of which is connected to the control valve 2, and the other end of which is connected to a terminal block 38; one end of which is connected to the terminal block 38, and the other end of which is connected to the cable interface 6.

[0056] In this embodiment, the control valve 2 is a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve coil is connected to the first wire 71 and the third wire 72 respectively. The other end of the first wire 71 is connected to the first conductive part 35, and the other end of the third wire 72 is connected to the fourth wire 82 through the terminal block 38. The other end of the fourth wire 82 is connected to the cable interface 6. One end of the second wire 81 is connected to the cable interface 6, and the other end of the second wire 81 is connected to the second conductive part 34. Thus, the second wire 81 and the fourth wire 82 are connected to the cable interface 6 of the gun body 1 as a two-core cable. The cable interface 6 can be connected to the control system by a cable that also has two cores.

[0057] Furthermore, the housing of the pressure sensing device 3 further includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, which are separated by a partition 30. The first conductive part 35, the second conductive part 34, and the wiring terminal 38 are all disposed in the upper chamber. The partition 30 is provided with a channel for the transfer unit 33 to pass through. The transfer unit 33 enters the upper chamber from the lower chamber through the channel from the location of the diaphragm 32.

[0058] In this embodiment, by dividing the partition 30 into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and placing all conductive components in the upper chamber, the refueling nozzle has a better explosion-proof effect. The upper chamber is farther from the pressure chamber 10 than the lower chamber; that is, the upper chamber and the pressure chamber 10 are separated by the lower chamber. Thus, even if the oil and gas concentration inside the pressure chamber 10 is potentially high, the explosion hazard caused by the high oil and gas concentration can be avoided for the first conductive part 35, the second conductive part 34, and the terminal block 38 installed in the upper chamber.

[0059] To further improve the explosion-proof effect, a first interface and a second interface are provided on the housing corresponding to the upper cavity. The first wire 71 and the third wire 72 are inserted into the first interface through an explosion-proof connector 37 to introduce the first conductive part 35 and the terminal 38 into the upper cavity. The second wire 81 and the fourth wire 82 are inserted into the second interface through another explosion-proof connector 37 to introduce the second conductive part 34 into the upper cavity.

[0060] To ensure the explosion-proof effect of the upper chamber, the adapter unit 33 also has a hollow structure with a conductor inside. The adapter unit 33 has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second conductive part 34 is connected to the conductor through the first terminal, and the second wire 81 is connected to the conductor through the second terminal. The adapter unit 33 can be a cylindrical shaft, wrapped with insulating material to ensure insulation from the housing of the pressure sensing device 3. Two terminals are provided on the cylindrical shaft for conductive connection between the external wire and the internal conductor.

[0061] This specification also provides a refueling system, including any of the refueling nozzles and a control system described above. The refueling system provided in this specification can solve the technical problems addressed by the above embodiments and achieve the corresponding technical effects of the above implementation methods; specific details will not be elaborated further here.

[0062] In this specification, the refueling system also includes a refueling robot, to which the refueling nozzle is attached. When the refueling nozzle is used in conjunction with the refueling robot, it can be connected to the refueling machine using a conventional hose to reliably secure the robotic arm of the refueling robot to the refueling nozzle.

[0063] In one application scenario, when a refueling robot needs to refuel a car, its robotic arm moves the fuel nozzle to a designated position, opens the car's fuel tank cap, and the nozzle remains in standby mode with the control valve closed. The control system provides DC voltage to the nozzle to open the control valve. When the control system issues a refueling command, it starts the refueling pump, and fuel flows through the control valve and anti-drip valve into the nozzle, refueling the car's fuel tank.

[0064] For refueling robots used in conjunction with this refueling nozzle, the robot's robotic arm only needs a simple clamping device to connect to the nozzle, reducing the need for backend operation of the traditional refueling nozzle switch.

[0065] In addition, during quantitative refueling, after the control system starts refueling, it controls the start and stop of the refueling system based on the accumulated flow from the flow meter. In this state, the sensing orifice of the refueling nozzle is always connected to the air, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part of the first connecting device are always in a engaged state. At this time, the control valve of the refueling nozzle is completely controlled by the control system. When the flow meter accumulates to the specified flow, the control system issues a stop command, the control valve and the refueling pump are closed, and the refueling process ends.

[0066] All articles and references disclosed herein, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference for various purposes. The term “substantially constitutes…” used to describe a combination should include the identified elements, components, parts, or steps, as well as other elements, components, parts, or steps that do not substantially affect the essential novelty of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, components, parts, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments substantially constituted by such elements, components, parts, or steps. The use of the term “may” herein is intended to indicate that any described attribute included by “may” is optional.

[0067] It should be understood that the above description is for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. Many embodiments and applications beyond the provided examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of this teaching should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. For purposes of completeness, all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the preceding claims is not intended as a waiver of that subject matter, nor should it be construed as an indication that the inventors have not considered that subject matter as part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A fuel dispenser characterized by, The fueling gun is electrically connected with the control system, and comprises a nozzle and a gun body with a main fuel supply path, the nozzle is provided with a sensing passage for sensing liquid level information; a pressure cavity is arranged in the gun body and connected with the sensing passage; a pressure sensing device is arranged for sensing pressure information of the pressure cavity; a control valve is arranged for controlling the opening and closing of the main fuel supply path to the nozzle in the fuel supply direction; A communication link is established between the control valve, the pressure sensing device and the control system, the communication link can transmit a preset signal based on the pressure information, and the control valve is configured to be controlled to be opened or closed by the control system based on the preset signal; The control valve and the pressure sensing device are connected through a first connecting device, the first connecting device comprises a first conductive part and a second conductive part, the first connecting device has a connected state in which the first conductive part and the second conductive part are connected, and a cut-off state in which the first conductive part and the second conductive part are separated after the pressure information reaches a threshold value; in the cut-off state, the control system controls the control valve to be closed based on the current value on the communication link; The pressure sensing device comprises a shell with a cavity, a diaphragm arranged in the cavity, wherein the diaphragm and the bottom surface of the shell form the pressure cavity, the cavity is provided with an adapter unit connected with the diaphragm, the adapter unit is connected with the second conductive part, and the adapter unit can move with the diaphragm to switch the first connecting device between the connected state and the cut-off state.

2. The fueling gun of claim 1, wherein, The sensing passage comprises a drip-proof valve, a sensing pipeline connected with the drip-proof valve, and a sensing through-hole arranged on the side wall of the nozzle and connected with the sensing pipeline, the drip-proof valve is arranged downstream of the control valve in the fuel supply direction, and the drip-proof valve is connected between the pressure cavity and the sensing pipeline.

3. The fueling gun of claim 1, wherein, The gun body is provided with a cable interface, and the control system is connected with the pressure sensing device and the control valve through the cable interface.

4. The fueling gun of claim 3, wherein, The pressure sensing device and the cable interface are connected through a second connecting device, the control valve and the cable interface are connected through a third connecting device, and the first connecting device, the second connecting device and the third connecting device form a communication link; the control valve is an electromagnetic valve, in the cut-off state, the control valve is disconnected by losing power, and the control system is configured to supply power to the control valve.

5. The fueling gun of claim 1, wherein, The pressure sensing device further comprises a counterweight unit and a potential energy unit, the counterweight unit is connected with the diaphragm, the potential energy unit provides an elastic force to the counterweight unit to resist its own gravity, one end of the adapter unit is connected with the counterweight unit, and the other end of the adapter unit is provided with the second conductive part.

6. The fueling gun of claim 4, wherein, The first connecting device further comprises a first wire, one end of the first wire is connected with the first conductive part, and the other end of the first wire is connected with the control valve; the second connecting device comprises a second wire, one end of the second wire is connected with the second conductive part, and the other end of the second wire is connected with the cable interface; The third connecting device comprises a third wire and a fourth wire, one end of the third wire is connected to the control valve, the other end of the third wire is connected to the terminal; One end of the fourth wire is connected to the terminal, the other end of the fourth wire is connected to the cable interface.

7. The fueling gun of claim 6, wherein, The cavity of the shell further comprises an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity and the lower cavity are separated by a partition, the first conductive part, the second conductive part and the terminal are all arranged in the upper cavity, the partition is provided with a passage for passing the adapter unit, the adapter unit enters the upper cavity from the lower cavity via the passage at the position of the diaphragm.

8. The fueling gun of claim 7, wherein, The shell corresponding to the upper cavity is provided with a first interface and a second interface, the first wire and the third wire are inserted into the first interface through an explosion-proof joint, the second wire and the fourth wire are inserted into the second interface through another explosion-proof joint.

9. The fueling gun of claim 7, wherein, The adapter unit has a hollow structure, a conductor is arranged inside the adapter unit, the adapter unit has a first terminal and a second terminal, the second conductive part is connected to the conductor through the first terminal, the second wire is connected to the conductor through the second terminal.

10. A refueling system characterized by, The fueling system comprises the fueling gun and a control system.

11. The refueling system of claim 10, wherein, The fueling system further comprises a fueling robot, the fueling gun is attached to the fueling robot. The fueling system further comprises a fueling robot, the fueling gun is attached to the fueling robot.

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