Gas Pump Cam Assist for Hands-Free Handle Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with limited motor function, such as those suffering from arthritis, face significant challenges in manually operating gas pump handles due to varying force requirements and catch mechanisms that can be painful or difficult to engage, hindering their ability to pump gas independently.
Innovation Solution
An automated gas pumping assistance device featuring a housing with electronic components, a servo motor, and a gear system that allows for a button-activated mechanism to rotate a cam, reducing the need for manual force by using a servo motor to actuate the gas pump handle, enabling hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional manual squeeze mechanism is used in gas pump handles, then the device structure remains simple, but users with limited motor function experience pain and difficulty due to varying force requirements and unreliable catch mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical squeeze mechanism with an automated electromechanical system. A servo motor actuates a cam mechanism that applies force to the gas pump handle, eliminating the need for manual squeezing. The system includes a housing with electronic components, a servo motor, gear system, and cam mechanism that work together to automatically engage and disengage the gas pump handle, thereby improving ease of operation for users with limited motor function while accepting increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam mechanism as an intermediary between the servo motor and the gas pump handle. The cam translates rotational motion from the servo motor into linear pushing motion that applies force to the handle. This intermediary mechanism allows for controlled force application and precise engagement/disengagement, resolving the contradiction by providing reliable operation without requiring direct manual force from the user
2Reliability
If the cam rotation range is limited to prevent over-rotation, then the device operates reliably, but the cam cannot rotate freely to engage the gas pump handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a spring mechanism that pre-loads the cam in a specific position before activation. When the servo motor activates, the cam rotates from this pre-positioned state, ensuring consistent and reliable engagement with the gas pump handle. The spring provides a predetermined force that assists the cam in achieving proper engagement, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a limit switch or sensor to detect when the cam has rotated to the correct position and to prevent over-rotation. This feedback mechanism ensures the cam rotates only within the safe and effective range, providing reliable operation. The feedback signal to the servo motor allows for precise control, ensuring the cam engages the gas pump handle correctly without exceeding the rotational limits that would cause malfunction
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
The device provides a hands-free solution for pumping gas, requiring minimal manual effort and ensuring consistent operation across different gas pump handles, promoting autonomy and independence for users with limited motor skills.
Implementation Method 1
a servo motor controlled by a printed circuit board (PCB) and configured to rotate the cam via the gear system between a resting position and an engaged position in response to actuation of the second button
Implementation Method 2
a gear system
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic gas pump assistance device includes a housing containing electronic components, including batteries, a servo motor, a PCB board, a charging port, an on-off switch, and a gearset. The device also includes a first button acting as a lever to actuate a smaller, second button inside the housing. A cam is driven by the servo motor via the gearset, engaging with the gas pump when actuated. The device also includes a back cover restricting the device's rotation about an axle connected to the cam, thus ensuring attachment to the gas pump without slipping. The device further includes a PCB board utilizing a microcontroller to command the servo motor to switch between preset positions based on the button state.