Automated Fuel Pump Simulator With Angled PIN Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel pump system testing is manually intensive due to the need for physical hardware and security keys, making it labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially with frequent software updates.
Innovation Solution
An automated fuel pump test system that includes a fuel pump simulator with a PIN pad mounted at an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to horizontal, a PIN entry robot, and a fuel pump test integration subsystem to execute test cases and analyze results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing is used with physical hardware and security keys, then testing can be performed with actual fuel pump components, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a fuel pump simulator that replicates the functionality of actual fuel pump hardware, including simulated security keys and interface components. This copying approach allows automated testing to proceed with simulated components rather than requiring physical hardware, thereby increasing testing speed while maintaining reliability through accurate simulation of hardware behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical testing operations with an automated robot system that can input data, press buttons, and interact with the fuel pump interface automatically. This substitution eliminates labor-intensive manual operations while maintaining testing thoroughness, resolving the contradiction between testing accuracy and testing speed
2Reliability
If frequent software updates are tested manually, then software changes can be validated, but labor costs increase and testing time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The automated testing system enables continuous validation of software updates without interruption or manual intervention. The robot can execute test cases continuously and systematically, allowing frequent software updates to be validated rapidly and repeatedly, reducing both testing duration and labor costs while maintaining thorough software validation
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is designed to autonomously execute test cases, automatically input test data, and record results without requiring human operators for each test run. This self-service capability allows the system to handle frequent software updates independently, eliminating the need for repeated manual testing efforts
3Measurement precision
If a PIN pad is mounted at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees relative to horizontal, then the PIN entry robot can align its axis of actuation perpendicular to the keys for accurate input, but the mounting becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The PIN pad is mounted at a specific asymmetric angle between 30 and 60 degrees relative to horizontal, rather than at a standard perpendicular or parallel orientation. This asymmetric mounting angle optimizes the alignment between the robot's axis of actuation and the PIN pad keys, enabling perpendicular engagement and accurate input while the mounting complexity is managed through standardized fixtures
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing fuel to consumers at fuel pumping stations. The method comprises installing a given version of a software update in a fuel pump simulator; testing the given version of the software update in the fuel pump simulator by an automated fuel pump test platform, wherein the testing comprises a personal identification number (PIN) entry robot of the automated fuel pump test platform keying a PIN into a PIN pad of the fuel pump simulator and wherein the PIN pad of the fuel pump simulator is maintained at an angle between 30 degrees relative to horizontal and 60 degrees relative to horizontal; and detecting an error in the given version of the software update by the automated fuel pump test platform.