Fuel Dispenser Control System Using RFID Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling fuel delivery from a filling station to a vehicle tank are inadequate as they fail to prevent fraudulent fuel removal during the filling process, as they do not ensure that only the delivery member is inserted into the tank and not additional pipes.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising a sleeve with a guide disc and detection devices, including RFID tags and antennas, that ensures only the delivery member is inserted by detecting the presence and position of the cap, disc, and member, and enables fuel delivery only when the member is correctly engaged and disengaged within specified time thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only an RFID tag and antenna are used to detect the delivering member, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot prevent fraudulent fuel removal through additional pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple functional components: a first detection device for detecting the delivering member, a second detection device for detecting the cap position, and a control device that integrates these detections. This segmentation allows each component to have a specialized function, improving reliability while keeping individual components simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control device that acts as a mediator between the detection devices and the fuel delivery system. This control device processes information from multiple sources (RFID detection, cap position detection) and makes the final decision on whether to enable fuel delivery, thereby preventing fraudulent removal without requiring complex integration in the delivery mechanism itself.
2Reliability
If multiple detection devices are added to ensure only the delivering member is inserted, then fraudulent fuel removal is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves multiple functions: it receives and processes RFID tag detection signals, processes cap position detection signals, verifies the delivering member identity, and controls fuel delivery activation. By making the control device universal and multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving delivery member verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cap position detection function with the delivering member detection function in a unified control system. Both detection devices communicate with the same control device, which integrates their information to make the final verification decision. This merging reduces the number of separate control units needed, limiting complexity increase while achieving reliable verification.
3Reliability
If the cap position is detected to verify delivering member insertion, then security is enhanced, but the operation time increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The cap position detection is performed as a preliminary action that occurs simultaneously with or immediately following the delivering member insertion. By detecting the cap position early in the process rather than as a separate subsequent verification step, the system minimizes the additional time required while ensuring security verification is completed.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection devices operate continuously or in real-time during the fuel delivery process, rather than performing discrete sequential checks. The cap position detection and delivering member detection occur in an integrated, continuous manner, allowing the system to verify insertion accuracy without interrupting the fuel delivery flow or adding significant preparation time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents fraudulent fuel removal by ensuring only the authorized delivery member is inserted into the tank, enhancing security and integrity of the fuel delivery process while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID reader connected to the antenna and configured to detect the presence of the RFID tag through the antenna
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The delivery of fuel from a dispenser device (2) to a storage container (3) is enabled by a control device (24) when a first detection device (16) detects that a guide disc (10) is arranged so as to be engaged by a delivering member (7) of the dispenser device (2) to feed fuel through a mouth (5) of the storage container (3) and a second detection device (17) detects that the delivering member (7) engages the mouth (5).