Fuel supply device

Abstract

To provide a fuel supply device that lowers the dimension of protrusion height of an engagement convex part that engages with an engagement concave part when attaching / detaching a nozzle to improve workability when attaching / detaching the nozzle.SOLUTION: A nozzle retention mechanism 6 comprises an engagement concave part 7 provided on a lower side part 5E1 of a lever guard 5E, and an engagement convex part 9 provided on a mounting part 3A of a nozzle hook 3 and can be inserted into the engagement concave part 7. In the nozzle retention mechanism 6, when a nozzle 5 is hung on the nozzle hook 3 and the mounting part 3A and the lower side part 5E1 come into contact, the engagement convex part 9 of the mounting part 3A rotates in the protrusion direction, and is inserted into the engagement concave part 7 on the lower side part 5E1, thereby retaining the lever guide 5E on the nozzle hook 3. The nozzle retention mechanism 6 lowers the dimension of protrusion height H2 of the engagement convex part 9 than the dimension of protrusion height H1 of the engagement convex part 9 at the time of retaining the lever guard 5E on the nozzle hook 3, when the mounting part 3A and the lower side part 5E1 are separated to remove the nozzle 5 from the nozzle hook 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to a fuel recipient (fuel supply target), such as a fuel tank of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fuel supply device including a housing, a nozzle holder provided on the outer surface of the housing and having a placement portion, and a nozzle provided at the tip of a fuel hose and hung on the nozzle holder when a lever guard surrounding a lever is placed on the placement portion.

[0003] In addition, the fuel supply device is provided with a nozzle holding mechanism that holds the lever guard when the nozzle is hung on the nozzle holder, at the placement portion of the nozzle holder and the lower side portion of the lever guard facing the placement portion. The nozzle holding mechanism includes a locking hole provided in the lower side portion of the lever guard and a claw piece provided in the placement portion of the nozzle holder and engageable with the locking hole.

[0004] Thereby, when hanging the nozzle on the nozzle holder, after moving the lever guard to the housing side with the lever guard disposed at a position higher than the claw piece, the lower side portion of the lever guard is brought into contact with the placement portion of the nozzle holder. Thereby, the claw piece of the nozzle holder can be engaged with the locking hole of the lever guard, and the nozzle can be held with respect to the nozzle holder.

[0005] On the other hand, when removing the nozzle from the nozzle holder, after grasping the nozzle and moving the lever guard to a position higher than the claw piece, the nozzle is moved to the front side (opposite to the housing side). Thereby, the engagement between the locking hole of the lever guard and the claw piece of the nozzle holder can be released, and the nozzle can be removed from the nozzle holder to perform a refueling operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] According to the prior art, in the operation of attaching and detaching the nozzle to / from the nozzle holder, since the claw piece of the nozzle holder interferes with the locking hole of the lever guard, the lever guard of the nozzle has to be moved to a position higher than the claw piece of the nozzle holder. For this reason, there is a problem that the workability when attaching and detaching the nozzle to / from the nozzle holder is deteriorated.

[0008] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device capable of improving the workability when attaching and detaching a nozzle to / from a nozzle holder by reducing the protruding height dimension of an engaging convex portion that engages with an engaging concave portion when detaching the nozzle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a nozzle hanger provided on the outer surface of the housing and having a placement portion, and a nozzle provided at the tip of a fuel hose. A lever guard surrounding a lever is placed on the placement portion and thus hung on the nozzle hanger. A nozzle holding mechanism is provided on the placement portion and the lower side portion of the lever guard facing the placement portion, and holds the lever guard when the nozzle is hung on the nozzle hanger. In the fuel supply device, the nozzle holding mechanism includes an engagement recess provided on either one of the placement portion of the nozzle hanger and the lower side portion of the lever guard, and an engagement protrusion provided on the other of the placement portion of the nozzle hanger and the lower side portion of the lever guard and capable of being inserted into the engagement recess. When the nozzle is hung on the nozzle hanger and the placement portion and the lower side portion come into contact, the engagement protrusion rotates in the protruding direction and is inserted into the engagement recess, thereby holding the lever guard on the nozzle hanger. When the placement portion and the lower side portion are separated to remove the nozzle from the nozzle hanger, the protruding height dimension of the engagement protrusion is made lower than the protruding height dimension of the engagement protrusion when the lever guard is held on the nozzle hanger.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the protruding height dimension of the engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement recess when detaching the nozzle can be reduced, and the workability when detaching and attaching the nozzle to and from the nozzle hanger can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, as a fuel supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fuel dispenser installed at a fueling station (gasoline station, service station) that fuels a vehicle such as an automobile will be taken as an example and described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a fuel dispenser 1 for fueling a vehicle (not shown) is installed at a fueling station. The floor-mounted fuel dispenser 1 is a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to a fuel recipient (fuel supply target) such as a fuel tank of a vehicle. At the fueling station, a fueling operation (supply operation) of fueling (refueling) a vehicle with fuels such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and light oil is performed using the fuel dispenser 1. The fuel dispenser 1, which is a fuel supply device, is installed in a fueling lane (fueling booth) of the fueling station.

[0014] Note that in FIG. 1, one of the plurality of fuel dispensers 1 installed at the fueling station is shown. The illustrated fuel dispenser 1 is provided with a total of six fuel hoses 4 and nozzles 5, three each on the front side and the back side, and it is possible to fuel three types of fuels (regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and light oil) with one fuel dispenser 1. Also, underground at the fueling station, an underground tank (not shown) for storing fuels such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and light oil is buried.

[0015] The metering machine 1 has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing 2. The housing 2 is arranged between two fuel supply lanes, and the largest side surfaces facing each fuel supply lane serve as the two front faces. Since the attached parts and the like have the same configuration on the two front faces, the configuration of one front face will be described, and the description of the other front face will be omitted.

[0016] On the front panel 2A forming the outer surface of the housing 2, a nozzle hanger 3, a monitor device 11, a setting device 12, etc., which will be described later, are provided. Also, inside the housing 2, a fuel pipeline, a supply pump, a flow meter, a pump motor, a control valve, a control device, etc. (none of which are shown in the drawings) are provided. For example, three supply pumps and pump motors are provided for each type of fuel, and for example, six flow meters and control valves are provided for each fuel hose 4.

[0017] The nozzle hanger 3 is provided on the front panel 2A forming the outer surface of the housing 2. A nozzle 5 is detachably attached to the nozzle hanger 3. Three nozzle hangers 3 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction for attaching nozzles 5 for each of the three types of fuel. That is, the nozzles 5 in the standby state are usually attached to the nozzle hangers 3. On the other hand, when the vehicle stops at the fuel supply lane, the nozzle 5 is removed from the nozzle hanger 3 by the fueler and inserted into the fuel inlet of the vehicle's fuel tank.

[0018] The fuel hose 4 extends from the housing 2. The base end of the fuel hose 4 communicates with the flow meter and the supply pump inside the housing 2. On the other hand, the tip of the fuel hose 4 is connected to the nozzle 5.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle hanger 3 is formed as a recessed groove extending in the vertical direction. The nozzle hanger 3 has the housing 2 side on the back side and the side opposite to the housing 2, i.e., the anti-housing 2 side, on the open side. On this basis, the nozzle hanger 3 includes, for example, a placement portion 3A located at the bottom extending from the open side toward the back side on the lower side, a back portion 3B extending from the back side of the placement portion 3A upward, and a nozzle insertion portion 3C formed deeper by the upper part of the back portion 3B.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the placement portion 3A is inclined such that the back side is low and the opening side is high. Further, the back portion 3B is inclined such that the upper side becomes deeper. Thereby, in a state where the nozzle 5 is inserted into the nozzle holder 3, the lever guard 5E of the nozzle 5 is attached in a state of being caught by the inclined placement portion 3A.

[0021] Here, in order to prevent the nozzle from falling off the nozzle holder, conventionally, a rotatable protruding member is provided on the placement portion of the nozzle holder, and the protruding member is rotated upward, and a biasing member that holds the protruding member in a state of protruding from the placement portion is provided. When the nozzle is hung on the nozzle holder, it is considered to insert (fit) the protruding member into the recess provided in the lever guard to hold the nozzle on the nozzle holder.

[0022] However, in this case, since the protruding member is biased by the biasing member, when removing the nozzle from the nozzle holder, a force to push down the protruding member with a force greater than the biasing force of the biasing member is required. Also, when trying to remove the nozzle from the nozzle holder without pushing down the protruding member, it is necessary to lift the nozzle higher than the height dimension of the protruding member (the height dimension of the portion protruding from the placement portion), and the workability deteriorates.

[0023] Therefore, in the present invention, in a state where the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle holder 3, a nozzle holding mechanism 6 described later provided on the placement portion 3A and the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E holds the attachment state of the nozzle 5 (prevents falling off), and the workability when trying to remove the nozzle 5 from the nozzle holder 3 or when hanging the nozzle 5 on the nozzle holder 3 is improved.

[0024] The nozzle 5 is provided at the tip of the fuel hose 4. When filling fuel into the fuel tank of the vehicle, the nozzle 5 is inserted into the fuel filler neck of the fuel tank. The nozzle 5 includes a grip 5A, a valve portion 5B provided on the tip side of the grip 5A, a nozzle pipe 5C extending from the valve portion 5B to the side opposite to the grip 5A, a lever 5D rotatably extending from the valve portion 5B to the grip 5A side for opening and closing the valve portion 5B, and a lever guard 5E surrounding the lever 5D.

[0025] The lever guard 5E is formed as an L-shaped frame body from a lower side portion 5E1 extending at a right angle from the base end portion of the grip 5A (the end portion on the fuel hose 4 side) to the lever 5D side, and a side portion 5E2 extending from the tip end portion of the lower side portion 5E1 to the valve portion 5B. An engaging recess 7 of a nozzle holding mechanism 6 described later is provided in the lower side portion 5E1. Further, the lower side portion 5E1 serves as a pushing portion 5E3 that pushes a contact portion 9A of an engaging projection 9 described later on the tip end side (the inner side during insertion) with respect to the engaging recess 7.

[0026] When on standby, the lever guard 5E of the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle hanger 3. Specifically, for the nozzle 5, the lever guard 5E is inserted up to the inner portion 3B, and the nozzle pipe 5C is inserted into the nozzle insertion portion 3C. At this time, since the nozzle 5 drops downward due to its own weight, the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E abuts against the placement portion 3A of the nozzle hanger 3. And in the state where the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E abuts against the placement portion 3A of the nozzle hanger 3, the nozzle 5 is held by a nozzle holding mechanism 6 described later.

[0027] Next, the configuration and the operation and effect of the nozzle holding mechanism 6, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, will be described in detail.

[0028] The nozzle holding mechanism 6 is provided on the placement portion 3A of the nozzle hanger 3 and the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E facing the placement portion 3A. The nozzle holding mechanism 6 detachably holds the attached state of the nozzle 5 with respect to the nozzle hanger 3. The nozzle holding mechanism 6 is configured to include an engaging recess 7, an engaging projection 9, and a support shaft 10, which will be described later.

[0029] The engaging recess 7 is provided on the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E. Specifically, the engaging recess 7 is formed as a through hole that penetrates the lower side portion 5E1 in the extending direction of the grip 5A. Further, the engaging recess 7 is an elongated hole that is long in the extending direction of the lower side portion 5E1. The engaging recess 7 has a length dimension into which a fitting portion 9B of an engaging convex portion 9, which will be described later and is formed of a trapezoidal plate body, can be detachably fitted (engaged).

[0030] The mounting portion 8 is formed on the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3 so as to face the engaging recess 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting portion 8 is formed as an elongated rectangular through hole (square groove) that is long in the extending direction of the mounting portion 3A. An engaging convex portion 9 is rotatably mounted on the mounting portion 8 via a support shaft 10.

[0031] The engaging convex portion 9 is provided on the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3. Specifically, the engaging convex portion 9 is rotatably mounted within the mounting portion 8 formed on the mounting portion 3A. The engaging convex portion 9 can be inserted (insertable) into the engaging recess 7 on the nozzle 5 side. A support shaft 10 is mounted at a lower position in the middle portion in the length direction of the engaging convex portion 9. This support shaft 10 rotatably supports the engaging convex portion 9 on the mounting portion 8 about an axis O that extends in the horizontal direction and is orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction of the nozzle 5.

[0032] That is, the engaging convex portion 9 rotates about the support shaft 10 in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation of the nozzle 5 with respect to the nozzle holder 3, and thus rotates in the same direction as the attaching / detaching direction of the nozzle 5. When removing the nozzle 5 from the nozzle holder 3, as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging convex portion 9 rotates clockwise and the fitting portion 9B, which will be described later, moves downward. On the other hand, when attaching the nozzle 5 to the nozzle holder 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging convex portion 9 rotates counterclockwise and the fitting portion 9B moves upward.

[0033] The engaging convex portion 9 is arranged on the housing 2 side that is farther from the support shaft 10 (axis O) than the nozzle mounting 3, and includes a contact portion 9A that contacts the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E, and an insertion portion 9B that is arranged on the side opposite to the housing 2 of the nozzle mounting 3, which is the opening side, and can be inserted (inserted) into the engaging concave portion 7, and is formed in an L shape. The contact portion 9A is provided at the lower position of the engaging convex portion 9, similar to the support shaft 10. The contact portion 9A is formed in a prismatic shape by forming the engaging convex portion 9 made of a plate body lower in the vertical direction. Thus, since the contact portion 9A has a smaller volume than the insertion portion 9B, it is lighter than the insertion portion 9B.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the insertion portion 9B is formed as a trapezoidal plate body having a hypotenuse 9B1 that is inclined from the support shaft 10 upward toward the opening side of the nozzle mounting 3. The insertion portion 9B is in a state where the upper portion is inserted into the engaging concave portion 7, and the hypotenuse 9B1 contacts the engaging concave portion 7 (lever guard 5E). In this way, when the portion that contacts the engaging concave portion 7 is the hypotenuse 9B1 (inclined surface), the protruding amount from the mounting portion 3A can be suppressed to be small when the insertion portion 9B retracts toward the mounting portion 3A side. Also, the trapezoidal insertion portion 9B that protrudes largely upward is heavier than the contact portion 9A.

[0035] Here, in the engaging convex portion 9, the portion of the nozzle mounting 3 on the housing 2 side (rear side) from the support shaft 10 is the prismatic contact portion 9A, and the portion on the side opposite to the housing 2 of the nozzle mounting 3 (opening side) from the support shaft 10 is the trapezoidal insertion portion 9B. Therefore, the center of gravity G of the engaging convex portion 9 is located closer to the opening side of the insertion portion 9B.

[0036] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle mounting 3, the lower side portion 5E1 (pushing portion 5E3) of the lever guard 5E contacts the contact portion 9A, and the contact portion 9A retracts toward the mounting portion 3A side (inside the attachment portion 8) of the nozzle mounting 3. As a result, the insertion portion 9B protrudes from the mounting portion 3A (attachment portion 8) and is inserted into the engaging concave portion 7. At this time, the protruding height dimension of the insertion portion 9B (the dimension from the mounting portion 3A to the upper end portion of the insertion portion 9B) is the dimension H1. The protruding height dimension H1 is a dimension that allows the insertion portion 9B to engage reliably with the engaging concave portion 7.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the nozzle 5 is removed from the nozzle holder 3, the engaging convex portion 9 rotates in the direction in which the fitting portion 9B retracts toward the mounting portion 3A by its own weight (clockwise about the support shaft 10). As a result, the engaging convex portion 9 has the contact portion 9A protruding from the mounting portion 3A and the fitting portion 9B retracting toward the mounting portion 3A (rotating downward). At this time, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion 9B is dimension H2. The protruding height dimension H2 is smaller than the protruding height dimension H1, and the lifting dimension of the nozzle 5 required to disengage the engaging concave portion 7 from the fitting portion 9B can be reduced. Thereby, when removing the nozzle 5 from the nozzle holder 3, the lifting height of the lower side portion 5E1 can be lowered, so that the workability when removing the nozzle 5 can be improved.

[0038] Also, when attaching (hanging) the nozzle 5 to the nozzle holder 3 after the fuel supply operation is completed, since the protruding height dimension H2 of the fitting portion 9B is small, it is not necessary to lift the lower side portion 5E1 to the protruding height dimension H1. Therefore, the workability when hanging the nozzle 5 on the nozzle holder 3 can also be improved.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, on the front panel 2A of the housing 2, there are provided a monitor device 11 for displaying the fuel supply amount, amount of money, etc. by the meter 1, and a setting device 12 for setting the fuel supply amount, etc. by manual operation of the fuel supplier. The monitor device 11 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and a speaker (acoustic output device). The fuel supply amount, etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor (display screen) of the monitor device 11. Also, voice information, warning sounds, etc. are output from the speaker of the monitor device 11 as required.

[0040] On the display screen of the monitor device 11, for example, setting items selected by the setting device 12 are displayed. The fueler can perform operations such as selecting full-tank fueling and setting an arbitrary preset fueling amount by operating each switch of the setting device 12. In FIG. 1, the case where the monitor device 11 and the setting device 12 are provided separately is shown. However, for example, by configuring the monitor device 11 with a touch panel, the monitor device 11 and the setting device 12 may be integrally configured.

[0041] The fuel dispenser 1 according to the present embodiment has the configuration as described above. Next, its operation will be described.

[0042] When fueling the fuel tank of a vehicle, the fueler grasps the grip 5A, removes the nozzle 5 from the nozzle holder 3, and inserts the nozzle pipe 5C into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank. In this state, the fueler operates the lever 5D of the nozzle 5 to activate the supply pump and circulate the fuel in the underground tank toward the nozzle 5. The fuel supplied to the nozzle 5 is supplied from the nozzle pipe 5C to the fuel tank of the vehicle or the like.

[0043] On the other hand, when the fueling operation of the fuel tank is completed, the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle holder 3. At this time, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 can hold the attachment state of the nozzle 5 to the nozzle holder 3.

[0044] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 includes an engagement recess 7 provided in the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E, and an engagement protrusion 9 provided in the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle hanger 3 and capable of being fitted into the engagement recess 7. Further, when the nozzle 5 is hung on the nozzle hanger 3 and the mounting portion 3A and the lower side portion 5E1 are in contact with each other, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 rotates the engagement protrusion 9 of the mounting portion 3A in the protruding direction and fits it into the engagement recess 7 of the lower side portion 5E1, thereby holding the lever guard 5E on the nozzle hanger 3. Also, when the mounting portion 3A and the lower side portion 5E1 are separated from each other to remove the nozzle 5 from the nozzle hanger 3, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 is configured such that the protruding height dimension H2 of the engagement protrusion 9 is lower than the protruding height dimension H1 of the engagement protrusion 9 when the lever guard 5E is held on the nozzle hanger 3.

[0045] Therefore, when removing the nozzle 5 from the nozzle hanger 3, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 can reduce the lifting dimension of the nozzle 5 required when hanging the nozzle 5 on the nozzle hanger 3. As a result, the workability when attaching and detaching the nozzle 5 to and from the nozzle hanger 3 can be improved.

[0046] Also, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 includes an engagement recess 7 provided in the lower side portion 5E1, an engagement protrusion 9 provided in the mounting portion 3A and capable of being fitted into the engagement recess 7, and a support shaft 10 that rotatably supports the engagement protrusion 9 in the attachment / detachment direction of the nozzle 5. When attaching and detaching the nozzle 5 with respect to the nozzle hanger 3, the engagement protrusion 9 rotates about the support shaft 10 and fits into or disengages from the engagement recess 7. Thereby, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 can change the protruding height dimension of the engagement protrusion 9 only by rotating the engagement protrusion 9 about the support shaft 10. Also in this regard, the workability when attaching and detaching the nozzle 5 to and from the nozzle hanger 3 can be improved.

[0047] The engaging convex portion 9 is located on the housing 2 side with respect to the support shaft 10, and includes a contact portion 9A that contacts the lower side portion 5E1, and an insertion portion 9B that is located on the side opposite to the housing 2 with respect to the support shaft 10 and protrudes toward the lower side portion 5E1 and fits into the engaging concave portion 7, and is formed in an L shape. Further, when the nozzle 5 is hung on the nozzle holder 3, the lower side portion 5E1 contacts the contact portion 9A, and the contact portion 9A rotates downward about the support shaft 10, so that the insertion portion 9B that rotates upward about the support shaft 10 is fitted into the engaging concave portion 7. When removing the nozzle 5 from the nozzle holder 3, the contact portion 9A is separated from the lower side portion 5E1, and the contact portion 9A rotates upward about the support shaft 10, so that the insertion portion 9B that rotates downward about the support shaft 10 is disengaged from the engaging concave portion 7. Thereby, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 can change the protruding height dimension of the insertion portion 9B by utilizing the operation when the nozzle 5 is hung on the nozzle holder 3, and there is no need to separately use a motor or an actuator, so that the configuration can be simplified.

[0048] Further, the center of gravity position G of the engaging convex portion 9 is arranged on the side opposite to the housing 2 with respect to the support shaft 10. And, in the state where the nozzle 5 is removed from the nozzle holder 3, the insertion portion 9B rotates downward about the support shaft 10 due to its own weight, so that the protruding height dimension H2 of the insertion portion 9B protruding from the mounting portion 3A is configured to be lower than the protruding height dimension H1 in the state where the nozzle 5 is hung on the nozzle holder 3. Thereby, when the lever guard 5E of the nozzle 5 is separated from (lifted from) the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 can automatically retract the insertion portion 9B toward the mounting portion 3A side and change the protruding height dimension to a lower dimension H2.

[0049] Furthermore, the nozzle holding mechanism 6 is configured such that when the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E of the nozzle 5 abuts against the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3, the engaging convex portion 9 rotated about the support shaft 10 is fitted into the engaging concave portion 7 of the lever guard 5E. Therefore, when the nozzle 5 is placed on the nozzle holder 3, if the nozzle 5 is placed at the wrong position, the engaging convex portion 9 cannot be fitted into the engaging concave portion 7, so that the nozzle 5 is placed on the nozzle holder 3 in a tilted state. As a result, the operator can recognize that the nozzle 5 is not correctly placed on the nozzle holder 3.

[0050] Next, FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the nozzle holding mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the fitting portion downward about the support shaft, and the engaging convex portion is configured such that in a state where the nozzle is removed from the nozzle holder, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion protruding from the mounting portion is lower than the protruding height dimension in a state where the nozzle is placed on the nozzle holder by rotating downward about the support shaft by the biasing force of the biasing member. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle holding mechanism 21 according to the second embodiment is composed of the engaging concave portion 7, the support shaft 10 according to the first embodiment, and a mounting portion 22, an engaging convex portion 23, and a biasing member 24 to be described later.

[0052] The mounting portion 22 is formed on the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3 so as to face the engaging concave portion 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the mounting portion 22 is formed as a rectangular through hole that is long in the extending direction of the mounting portion 3A. Specifically, the mounting portion 22 is formed with a narrow width on the back side and a wide width on the opening side with a step portion 22A at the intermediate position in the length direction as a boundary. The biasing member 24 is disposed in the space formed by this wide portion.

[0053] The engaging convex portion 23 is rotatably attached via a support shaft 10 within a mounting portion 22 formed on the placing portion 3A, similarly to the engaging convex portion 9 according to the first embodiment, and can engage with the engaging concave portion 7 on the nozzle 5 side. Further, the engaging convex portion 23 includes a contact portion 23A and a fitting portion 23B. However, the engaging convex portion 23 according to the second embodiment is different from the engaging convex portion 9 according to the first embodiment in that a protrusion 23C is provided on the side surface portion of the fitting portion 23B on the opposite side of the hypotenuse 23B1. The other end portion of a biasing member 24 is hooked to this protrusion 23C.

[0054] The biasing member 24 is provided between the mounting portion 22 and the engaging convex portion 23. The biasing member 24 biases the fitting portion 23B downward about the support shaft 10. The biasing member 24 is a torsion spring (coil spring), with one end portion hooked to a step portion 22A of the mounting portion 22 and the other end portion hooked to the protrusion 23C of the engaging convex portion 23.

[0055] Thereby, the biasing member 24 biases the engaging convex portion 23 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6. The biasing force (spring strength) of the biasing member 24 at this time is set to such an extent that when the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle holder 3 and the lower side portion 5E1 (pushing portion 5E3) of the lever guard 5E abuts against the contact portion 23A, the contact portion 23A is allowed to rotate downward toward the placing portion 3A side of the nozzle holder 3.

[0056] Thus, even in the second embodiment configured as described above, substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. In particular, according to the second embodiment, when the nozzle 5 is removed from the nozzle holder 3, the fitting portion 23B of the engaging convex portion 23 rotates downward about the support shaft 10 by the biasing force of the biasing member 24, so that the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion 23B protruding from the placing portion 3A is configured to be lower than the protruding height dimension in the state where the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle holder 3. Thereby, for example, even when the rotational operation of the engaging convex portion 23 becomes heavy due to the intervention of dust or the like, it can be forcibly rotated by the biasing force of the biasing member 24, and the operation performance and reliability can be improved.

[0057] In addition, when the biasing member is provided, the position of the center of gravity of the engaging convex portion may be different from that in the first embodiment. Further, the biasing member may be a spring other than a torsion spring (twisted coil spring).

[0058] Next, FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the nozzle holding mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the fitting portion downward about the support shaft, and the engaging convex portion is configured such that when the nozzle is removed from the nozzle holder, the fitting portion protrudes from the mounting portion by the biasing force of the biasing member. The protruding height dimension of the fitting portion that rotates downward about the support shaft is lower than the protruding height dimension in the state where the nozzle is attached to the nozzle holder. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0059] In FIG. 9, the nozzle holding mechanism 31 according to the third embodiment is provided on the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3 and the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E. The nozzle holding mechanism 31 detachably holds the attached state of the nozzle 5 with respect to the nozzle holder 3. The nozzle holding mechanism 31 includes an engaging concave portion 32, an engaging convex portion 34, and a support shaft 35, which will be described later.

[0060] The engaging concave portion 32 is provided on the mounting portion 3A of the nozzle holder 3. Specifically, the engaging concave portion 32 is formed as a through hole penetrating the mounting portion 3A. Further, the engaging concave portion 32 is a long hole elongated in the extending direction of the mounting portion 3A. The engaging concave portion 32 has a length dimension in which the fitting portion 34B of the trapezoidal engaging convex portion 34 can be detachably fitted (engaged).

[0061] The mounting portion 33 is formed on the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E so as to face the engaging concave portion 32. The mounting portion 33 is formed as a through hole (square groove) elongated in the extending direction of the lower side portion 5E1. The engaging convex portion 34 is rotatably attached to the mounting portion 33 via the support shaft 35.

[0062] The engaging convex portion 34 is rotatably mounted within the mounting portion 33 of the mounting section 3A. The engaging convex portion 34 can be fitted (inserted) into the engaging concave portion 32 on the nozzle hanger 3 side. A support shaft 35 is attached to the lower position of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the engaging convex portion 34. This support shaft 35 rotatably supports the engaging convex portion 34 in the mounting portion 33 about an axis extending horizontally perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction of the nozzle 5.

[0063] That is, the engaging convex portion 34 rotates about the support shaft 35 in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation of the nozzle 5 with respect to the nozzle hanger 3, and rotates in the same direction as the attaching / detaching direction of the nozzle 5. When removing the nozzle 5 from the nozzle hanger 3, as shown by the two-dot chain line, the engaging convex portion 34 rotates counterclockwise and the fitting portion 34B described later moves upward. On the other hand, when attaching the nozzle 5 to the nozzle hanger 3, as shown by the solid line, the engaging convex portion 34 rotates clockwise and the fitting portion 34B moves downward.

[0064] The engaging convex portion 34 is disposed on the tip side of the lower side portion 5E1 of the lever guard 5E rather than the support shaft 35 (axis), and includes a contact portion 34A that contacts the mounting section 3A, and a fitting portion 34B that is disposed on the counter housing 2 side, which is the opening side of the nozzle hanger 3, and can be fitted (inserted) into the engaging concave portion 32. The contact portion 34A is provided at the upper position of the engaging convex portion 34 in the same manner as the support shaft 35. The contact portion 34A is formed in a prismatic shape by forming the engaging convex portion 34 lower in the vertical direction.

[0065] The fitting portion 34B is formed as a trapezoidal plate. The fitting portion 34B contacts the engaging concave portion 32 in a state where the lower part is fitted into the engaging concave portion 32. The interior of the fitting portion 34B is hollow, whereby the fitting portion 34B is lighter than the contact portion 34A.

[0066] Here, the engaging convex portion 34 has a solid prismatic contact portion 34A on the tip side of the lower side portion 5E1 from the support shaft 35, and a hollow trapezoidal fitting portion 34B on the base end side (grip 5A side) of the lower side portion 5E1 from the support shaft 35. Therefore, the center of gravity G of the engaging convex portion 34 is located closer to the support shaft 35 of the contact portion 34A.

[0067] And when the nozzle 5 is attached to the nozzle holder 3, the engagement convex portion 34 is such that the mounting portion 3A abuts against the abutting portion 34A, and the abutting portion 34A retracts toward the lower side portion 5E1 side (inside the mounting portion 33). As a result, the fitting portion 34B protrudes from the lower side portion 5E1 (mounting portion 33) and is fitted into the engagement concave portion 32. At this time, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion 34B (the dimension from the lower side portion 5E1 to the upper end portion of the fitting portion 34B) is dimension H3. The protruding height dimension H3 is a dimension that allows the fitting portion 34B to reliably engage with the engagement concave portion 32.

[0068] On the other hand, when the nozzle 5 is removed from the nozzle holder 3, the engagement convex portion 34 rotates in the direction in which the fitting portion 34B retracts toward the lower side portion 5E1 side (counterclockwise about the support shaft 35) by its own weight, as shown by the two-dot chain line. As a result, the engagement convex portion 34 is such that the abutting portion 34A protrudes from the lower side portion 5E1 and the fitting portion 34B retracts toward the lower side portion 5E1 side (rotates upward). At this time, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion 34B is dimension H4. The protruding height dimension H4 is smaller than the protruding height dimension H3, and the lifting dimension of the nozzle 5 required to disengage the fitting portion 34B from the engagement concave portion 32 can be reduced. As a result, when removing the nozzle 5 from the nozzle holder 3, the lifting height of the lower side portion 5E1 can be lowered, so that the workability when removing the nozzle 5 can be improved.

[0069] Also, when attaching (hanging) the nozzle 5 to the nozzle holder 3 after the fuel supply operation is completed, since the protruding height dimension H4 of the fitting portion 34B is small, it is not necessary to lift the lower side portion 5E1 to the protruding height dimension H3. Therefore, the workability when hanging the nozzle 5 on the nozzle holder 3 can also be improved.

[0070] Thus, also in the third embodiment configured as described above, substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0071] In each of the embodiments, the case where the meter 1, which is a fuel supply device, supplies fuel to the fuel tank of a vehicle has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fuel supply device may supply fuel to a container other than the fuel tank of the vehicle, such as a gasoline canister or a poly tank, for example.

[0072] Also, in each of the embodiments, the meter 1 installed at a gasoline station (service station) has been described as an example of the fuel supply device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fuel supply device may be installed at a refueling station other than a gasoline station (service station), such as a factory, a store, or a home center, for example.

[0073] As the fuel supply device based on the embodiments described above, for example, those in the following aspects can be considered.

[0074] In a first aspect, a fuel supply device includes a housing, a nozzle hanger provided on an outer surface of the housing and having a placement portion, a nozzle that is provided at a tip of a fuel hose and is hung on the nozzle hanger when a lever guard surrounding a lever is placed on the placement portion, and a nozzle holding mechanism provided on the placement portion and a lower side portion of the lever guard facing the placement portion for holding the lever guard when the nozzle is hung on the nozzle hanger. The nozzle holding mechanism includes an engaging recess provided on either one of the placement portion of the nozzle hanger and the lower side portion of the lever guard, and an engaging protrusion provided on the other one of the placement portion of the nozzle hanger and the lower side portion of the lever guard and being insertable into the engaging recess. When the nozzle is hung on the nozzle hanger and the placement portion and the lower side portion come into contact with each other, the engaging protrusion rotates in a protruding direction and is inserted into the engaging recess to hold the lever guard on the nozzle hanger. When the placement portion and the lower side portion are separated from each other to remove the nozzle from the nozzle hanger, the protruding height dimension of the engaging protrusion is set to be lower than the protruding height dimension of the engaging protrusion when the lever guard is held on the nozzle hanger.

[0075] According to this first aspect, when the nozzle holding mechanism removes the nozzle from the nozzle holder, the lifting dimension of the nozzle required when hanging the nozzle on the nozzle holder can be reduced. Thereby, the workability when attaching / detaching the nozzle to / from the nozzle holder can be improved.

[0076] As a second aspect, in the first aspect, the nozzle holding mechanism includes the engagement concave portion provided on the lower side portion, the engagement convex portion provided on the placement portion and capable of being inserted into the engagement concave portion, and a support shaft that rotatably supports the engagement convex portion in the attachment / detachment direction of the nozzle. When attaching / detaching the nozzle with respect to the nozzle holder, the engagement convex portion rotates about the support shaft and is inserted into or detached from the engagement concave portion.

[0077] According to this second aspect, the nozzle holding mechanism can smoothly rotate the engagement convex portion by the support shaft.

[0078] As a third aspect, in the second aspect, the engagement convex portion is located on the housing side with respect to the support shaft, and includes a contact portion that contacts the lower side portion, and a fitting portion that is located on the side opposite to the housing side and protrudes toward the lower side portion and is inserted into the engagement concave portion, and is formed in an L shape. When hanging the nozzle on the nozzle holder, the lower side portion contacts the contact portion, and the contact portion rotates downward about the support shaft, so that the fitting portion that rotates upward about the support shaft is inserted into the engagement concave portion. When removing the nozzle from the nozzle holder, the contact portion is separated from the lower side portion, so that the contact portion rotates upward about the support shaft, and the fitting portion that rotates downward about the support shaft is detached from the engagement concave portion.

[0079] According to this third aspect, by the contact portion contacting or separating from the lower side portion, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion can be changed, so that the workability when attaching / detaching the nozzle to / from the nozzle holder can be improved.

[0080] As a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the engagement convex portion has a center of gravity position disposed on the side opposite to the housing with respect to the support shaft. In a state where the nozzle is removed from the nozzle holder, the engagement convex portion is configured such that when the fitting portion rotates downward about the support shaft due to its own weight, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion protruding from the placement portion is lower than the protruding height dimension in a state where the nozzle is attached to the nozzle holder.

[0081] According to this fourth aspect, when the lever guard of the nozzle is removed from the placement portion of the nozzle holder, the fitting portion of the engagement convex portion can be automatically rotated downward by using its own weight, and the workability can be improved.

[0082] As a fifth aspect, in the third aspect, the nozzle holding mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the fitting portion downward about the support shaft. In a state where the nozzle is removed from the nozzle holder, the engagement convex portion is configured such that when the fitting portion rotates downward about the support shaft due to the biasing force of the biasing member, the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion protruding from the placement portion is lower than the protruding height dimension in a state where the nozzle is attached to the nozzle holder.

[0083] According to this fifth aspect, even when the rotation operation of the engagement convex portion becomes heavy due to the intervention of dust or the like, it can be forcibly rotated by the biasing force of the biasing member, and the operation performance and reliability can be improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 1 Metering Machine (Fuel Supply Device) 2 Housing 2A Front Panel (Outer Surface) 3 Nozzle Holder 3A Placement Portion 3B Rear Portion 4 Fuel Hose 5 Nozzle 5D Lever 5E Lever Guard 5E1 Lower Side Portion 6, 21, 31 Nozzle holding mechanism 7, 32 Engaging recess 9, 23, 34 Engaging projection 9A, 23A, 34A Contact portion 9B, 23B, 34B Insertion portion 10, 35 Support shaft 24 Biasing member G Center of gravity H1, H2, H3, H4 Projection height dimension

Claims

1. A housing, a nozzle hanger provided on the outer surface of the housing and having a placement portion, a nozzle provided at the tip of a fuel hose, the nozzle being hung on the nozzle hanger by placing a lever guard surrounding a lever on the placement portion, a nozzle holding mechanism provided on the placement portion and the lower side portion of the lever guard facing the placement portion, for holding the lever guard when the nozzle is hung on the nozzle hanger, In a fuel supply device comprising: the nozzle holding mechanism, an engaging recess provided on either one of the placement portion of the nozzle hanger and the lower side portion of the lever guard, an engaging protrusion provided on the other of the placement portion of the nozzle hanger and the lower side portion of the lever guard, the engaging protrusion being insertable into the engaging recess, comprising: when the nozzle is hung on the nozzle hanger and the placement portion and the lower side portion come into contact, the engaging protrusion rotates in the protruding direction and fits into the engaging recess, thereby holding the lever guard on the nozzle hanger, A fuel supply device characterized in that when the placement portion and the lower side portion are separated to remove the nozzle from the nozzle hanger, the protruding height dimension of the engaging protrusion is made lower than the protruding height dimension of the engaging protrusion when the lever guard is held on the nozzle hanger.

2. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle holding mechanism, the engaging recess provided on the lower side portion, the engaging protrusion provided on the placement portion and insertable into the engaging recess, a support shaft for rotatably supporting the engaging protrusion in the attaching / detaching direction of the nozzle, comprising: when attaching / detaching the nozzle with respect to the nozzle hanger, the engaging protrusion rotates about the support shaft and fits into or disengages from the engaging recess.

3. The fuel supply device according to claim 2, wherein the engaging protrusion, is located on the housing side with respect to the support shaft and has a contact portion that contacts the lower side portion, is located on the side opposite to the housing with respect to the support shaft and protrudes toward the lower side portion and fits into the engaging recess, and is formed in an L shape by: the engaging protrusion, when hanging the nozzle on the nozzle hanger, the lower side portion contacts the contact portion, and the contact portion rotates downward about the support shaft, whereby the engaging portion that has rotated upward about the support shaft fits into the engaging recess. When removing the nozzle from the nozzle mount, the contact portion moves away from the lower side portion, and the contact portion rotates upward about the support shaft, so that the fitting portion that has rotated downward about the support shaft disengages from the engagement recess. A fuel supply device characterized by this.

4. The fuel supply device according to claim 3, the center of gravity of the engagement convex portion is disposed on the side opposite to the housing with respect to the support shaft, in a state where the nozzle is removed from the nozzle mount, the engagement convex portion is configured such that the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion protruding from the placement portion is lower than the protruding height dimension in a state where the nozzle is mounted on the nozzle mount, by the fitting portion rotating downward about the support shaft due to its own weight. A fuel supply device characterized by this.

5. The fuel supply device according to claim 3, the nozzle holding mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the fitting portion downward about the support shaft, in a state where the nozzle is removed from the nozzle mount, the engagement convex portion is configured such that the protruding height dimension of the fitting portion protruding from the placement portion is lower than the protruding height dimension in a state where the nozzle is mounted on the nozzle mount, by the fitting portion rotating downward about the support shaft due to the biasing force of the biasing member. A fuel supply device characterized by this.

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