Fuel tank system

Abstract

To provide a convenient fuel tank system.SOLUTION: The fuel tank system includes a fuel tank, a filler port provided in a container body of the fuel tank, an authentication unit configured to acquire biological information of a user, a remaining amount sensor configured to detect a remaining amount of the fuel tank, and a control unit configured to control the filler port to be in an open state according to a determination result of whether the biological information acquired by the authentication unit is biological information registered in advance and the remaining amount of the fuel tank detected by the remaining amount sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel tank system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a configuration has been proposed that includes a fuel filler opening for inserting a fuel gun to fill a fuel tank of a vehicle, and a cap that is detachably attached to the fuel filler opening. The cap is configured to be detachable from the cylindrical fuel filler opening by manually rotating it relative to the fuel filler opening (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-37312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the operation of manually turning the cap to open and close the fuel filler opening when refueling is time-consuming for the user, and fuel tanks that allow the cap to be attached and detached manually are expected to cause inconvenience due to the unintentional removal of stored fuel.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a convenient fuel tank system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[0007] The fuel tank system according to this application example is characterized by comprising a fuel tank, a fuel filler opening provided on the container body of the fuel tank, an authentication unit that acquires biometric information of a user, a fuel level sensor that detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank, and a control unit that controls the fuel filler opening to an open state in accordance with the determination result of whether the biometric information acquired by the authentication unit is pre-registered biometric information and the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank detected by the fuel level sensor.

[0008] According to this application example, the fuel tank system can open the filler opening of the fuel tank that requires refueling in response to recognition of the user's biometric information, without the user having to directly operate the filler opening of the fuel tank with their hands, thereby providing a convenient fuel tank system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a fuel tank system. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart of a process of a fuel tank system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, one embodiment of a configuration according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel tank 2 mounted on a vehicle 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, and is able to obtain driving force by consuming fuel supplied to and stored in the fuel tank 2. Although an example of the vehicle 1 of this embodiment will be described as a truck, it may also be in other forms such as a bus or a passenger car. It may also be a fuel tank installed in a factory, a store, or the like, for example.

[0012] When the vehicle 1 is a truck, the fuel tank 2 is fixed to a side frame of a ladder frame provided on the vehicle 1. The fuel tank 2 includes a fuel tank 2 for storing fuel, a fuel filler opening 22 provided on the container body 21, and an authentication unit 23 for acquiring biometric information of the user. The fuel tank 2 also includes a remaining amount sensor 24 for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 2, and a fuel gun sensor 222a provided inside a filler neck 222 of the fuel filler opening 22.

[0013] The vehicle 1 also includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The control unit 11 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The communication unit 12 is a wireless communication device that can connect to a mobile information terminal (not shown) or the Internet. The communication unit 12 is configured to be able to communicate via, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module), Wi-Fi, cellular communication, Bluetooth, or the like.

[0014] The vehicle 1 of this embodiment also configures a fuel tank system 3 including the fuel tank 2 (fuel filler opening 22, authentication unit 23, remaining amount sensor 24) and the control unit 11.

[0015] The storage unit 13 is one or more storage areas configured, for example, by a memory (RAM or ROM) provided within the control unit 11, a storage medium such as an HDD or SSD mounted on the vehicle 1, or an external server communicatively connectable via the communication unit 12. The storage unit 13 stores in advance registration information of users who are permitted to refuel the fuel tank 2 in association with biometric information. The biometric information may be, for example, digital information of a fingerprint, face, iris, retina, voice, or hand veins. This allows the control unit 11 to perform authentication processing such as fingerprint authentication, face authentication, iris authentication, retina authentication, voice authentication, or vein authentication.

[0016] In the fuel tank 2 of FIG. 1, the fuel filler opening 22 has a filler neck 222 for inserting a fuel gun, and an opening / closing lid 221 that opens and closes the opening of the fuel filler opening 22 by rotating about a hinge portion 221a.

[0017] The filler neck 222 is cylindrical and formed so as to be movable inward and outward (or protrude and retract) relative to the container body 21. When the fuel filler opening 22 is closed, the filler neck 222 is retracted and stored inside the fuel filler opening 22. When the fuel filler opening 22 is open, the filler neck 222 protrudes outside the fuel filler opening 22. The filler neck 222 may be configured to be extendable and retractable in multiple stages, with multiple cylindrical bodies stacked on top of each other.

[0018] Fuel gun sensor 222a is a sensor that detects whether or not a fuel gun is inserted into filler neck 222. Fuel gun sensor 222a is provided inside fuel filler opening 22. Fuel gun sensor 222a may be, for example, a proximity sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a mechanical contact sensor.

[0019] The authentication unit 23 includes an input unit for acquiring biometric information from the user, and an output unit for outputting the authentication result of the biometric information. The authentication unit 23 includes an input unit having appropriate functions according to the authentication method of the biometric authentication, and may include, for example, a camera (image capturing unit), a microphone, a touch panel, or an RFID reader. The authentication unit 23 may also include, as an output unit, a liquid crystal display unit, an audio output unit, or the like. The authentication unit 23 may receive an instruction to read biometric information from the user via the input unit.

[0020] The remaining amount sensor 24 detects the remaining amount of fuel stored inside the container body 21. The remaining amount sensor 24 is, for example, a float-type sensor that detects the remaining amount of fuel by detecting the height position of a float floating in the liquid fuel in the container body 21.

[0021] Next, the processing of the fuel tank system 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. In step S01, the control unit 11 acquires biometric information of the user via the authentication unit 23. The control unit 11 acquires, for example, facial image information as the biometric information from the authentication unit 23.

[0022] In steps S02 to S04, the control unit 11 controls the fuel filler opening 22 to an open state depending on the determination result of whether the biometric information acquired by the authentication unit 23 is pre-registered biometric information and the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 2 detected by the remaining amount sensor 24.

[0023] First, in step S02, the control unit 11 determines whether the biometric information acquired in step S01 is the registered information of a registered user registered in the storage unit 13. If the biometric information is the registered information of a registered user, the control unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S03 (S02, Yes). On the other hand, if the biometric information is not the registered information of a registered user, the control unit 11 returns to the processing of step S01 (S02, No).

[0024] In step S03, the control unit 11 acquires remaining fuel amount information from the remaining fuel amount sensor 24 and detects whether the remaining fuel amount is less than a predetermined threshold. In other words, even when face authentication (biometric authentication) is performed, whether or not the fuel filler cap 22 needs to be opened is determined based on the remaining amount in the fuel tank 2 (the filler cap 22 will not be opened if there is more than the predetermined remaining amount of fuel). The remaining amount threshold is stored in advance in the storage unit 13. If the remaining fuel amount is less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S04 (step S04, Yes), and if the remaining fuel amount is not less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 returns to the processing of step S01 (step S04, No).

[0025] By the process of step S03, when the fuel tank 2 is low in fuel and refueling is required, the control unit 11 (fuel tank system 3) can permit the user to refuel.

[0026] As shown in the enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1 , when the fuel filler opening 22 is closed, an opening / closing lid 221 covers the fuel filler opening 22. In step S04, the control unit 11 performs control to open the fuel filler opening 22. First, the control unit 11 rotates the opening / closing lid 221 in the opening direction around the hinge portion 221a. The control unit 11 also moves the filler neck 222 in a direction that protrudes outside the container body 21. This allows the user to insert the fuel gun into the fuel filler opening 22 stably and easily.

[0027] In step S05, the control unit 11 detects the insertion of the fuel gun by the fuel gun sensor 222a in the fuel filler opening 22.

[0028] In step S06, control unit 11 monitors the insertion state of the fuel gun using fuel gun sensor 222a until the fuel gun is pulled out of fuel filler opening 22 (S06, No). If control unit 11 determines that the fuel gun has been pulled out (S06, Yes), it proceeds to processing in step S07.

[0029] In step S07, the control unit 11 performs control to close the fuel filler cap 22. First, the control unit 11 moves the filler neck 222 in a direction to retract into the container body 21. Then, the control unit 11 rotates the opening / closing lid 221 in the closing direction around the hinge portion 221a to close the opening of the fuel filler cap 22. In this way, the user can open and close the fuel filler cap 22 without touching the fuel filler cap 22.

[0030] In the above, in this embodiment, a fuel tank system 3 has been described which includes a fuel tank 2, a fuel filler opening 22 provided on the container body 21 of the fuel tank 2, an authentication unit 23 which acquires the user's biometric information, a remaining amount sensor 24 which detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 2, and a control unit 11 which controls the fuel filler opening 22 to an open state depending on the determination result of whether the biometric information acquired by the authentication unit 23 is pre-registered biometric information and the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 2 detected by the remaining amount sensor 24.

[0031] By automatically opening and closing the fuel filler opening 22 using biometric authentication such as facial recognition, the hassle of handling the fuel tank 2 cap and getting hands dirty can be avoided, improving the efficiency of the refueling process. In addition, because the fuel filler opening 22 can be opened only when a registered user has completed the authentication process, it is also possible to prevent fuel theft. Therefore, a convenient fuel tank system 3 can be configured.

[0032] Although the description of the embodiment of the present invention has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment.

[0033] For example, the authentication unit 23 is not limited to being provided on the container body 21, but may be provided on the vehicle body side of the vehicle 1 in the vicinity, as long as it is within easy reach of a user who wishes to fill up the fuel from the fuel filler opening 22.

[0034] Furthermore, the fuel tank system 3 may be provided with a release function (for example, ID authentication by the authentication unit 23, unlocking with a physical key) that allows an administrator or the like to forcibly open the filler opening 22 of the fuel tank 2. This allows the administrator or the like to open the filler opening 22 as needed when the remaining fuel is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, when the user's authentication information is not registered, or when the system is not operating normally.

[0035] 3, in order to perform the process of step S04, the determination conditions may include whether or not the current time is within a predetermined time period during which opening and closing of the fuel filler opening 22 is permitted. This makes it possible to restrict refueling outside of the predetermined time period.

[0036] Furthermore, the opening / closing lid 221 may be a cap or the like. In this case, for example, the fuel tank system 3 may lock or unlock the cap that is the opening / closing lid 221 according to the biometric information and the remaining fuel amount. In the case of a cap, manual attachment and detachment of the cap is required, but unintentional attachment and detachment of the cap can be prevented.

[0037] The fuel tank can also be used for tanks of various fuels, such as diesel, gasoline, hydrogen, and liquefied natural gas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 vehicle 2 fuel tanks 3 Fuel Tank System 11 Control section 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 21 Container body 22 Fuel filler 23 Authentication Section 24 Remaining amount sensor 221 Opening and closing lid 221a Hinge part 222 Filler Neck 222a Fuel gun sensor

Claims

[Claim 1] A fuel tank and a fuel filler port provided on a container body of the fuel tank; an authentication unit that acquires biometric information of a user; a remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank; a control unit that controls the fuel filler opening to an open state in accordance with a determination result of whether the biometric information acquired by the authentication unit is pre-registered biometric information and the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank detected by the remaining amount sensor; and A fuel tank system comprising:

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