Fuel Dispenser Hydraulic Control Unit Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensers face challenges in safely sealing cables between hydraulic and electronic compartments due to the risk of igniting fuel vapors, leading to increased complexity and time consumption with current sealing methods.
Innovation Solution
A fuel dispenser design that minimizes the number of cables between compartments by integrating the hydraulic control unit within the hydraulic compartment and electrically connecting it to the main frame control unit via a single main electric cable, with additional connections for flow meters and control valves, reducing the need for multiple cables and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cables are drawn between hydraulic and electronic compartments, then operational control is achieved, but safety risk increases and sealing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cable functions into a single integrated cable assembly that passes through a unified sealing structure. The hydraulic control unit cables are merged with the main electric cable means, allowing all electrical connections to be sealed through one common penetration point rather than multiple separate sealings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the hydraulic control unit from the electronic compartment and relocates it to the hydraulic compartment. This separation removes the need for multiple cable penetrations through the compartment boundary, as the control unit now resides within the hydraulic zone and only requires minimal sealed connections.
2Ease of operation
If multiple cables are drawn between compartments, then operational control is achieved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cable routing operations into a single integrated installation process. By combining the hydraulic control unit cables with the main electric cable means, the installation team performs one sealing operation rather than multiple separate ones, significantly reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary integration of the hydraulic control unit into the hydraulic compartment during the design phase. This preliminary positioning decision simplifies subsequent installation by establishing a clear, minimal cable routing path that requires fewer sealing operations.
3Reliability
If cables are drawn through compartment surfaces, then electrical connection is achieved, but fuel vapor ignition risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydraulic control unit from the electronic compartment and places it within the hydraulic compartment. This extraction eliminates the need for cables to traverse the compartment boundary, thereby removing the ignition risk associated with cable penetrations through sealed surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the hydraulic compartment itself as an intermediary zone that houses the hydraulic control unit. This intermediary positioning allows electrical connections to be made within the fuel-safe zone, with cables remaining confined to the hydraulic compartment rather than penetrating into the electronic compartment where fuel vapors could accumulate.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel dispenser (1) comprising a hose storage space (2) adapted to accommodate at least one fuel hose (3), an electronic compartment (4) containing a main frame control unit (5), and a hydraulic compartment (6) containing fuel dispensing means (22) for dispensing fuel into a vehicle reservoir. According to the invention, the hydraulic control unit (7) is located inside the hydraulic compartment (6) and is electrically connected to the mainframe control unit (5) by a main electric cable means (17). The invention also relates to a method for handling a fuel dispenser (1).