Motorized Hose Handling Cable Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensing unit hose handling systems are bulky, complex, and require excessive manual force to extend and retract the hose, leading to tangling and wear issues.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven cable element system with tension sensors and guiding means that controls the hose's extension and retraction based on tension thresholds, preventing tangling and reducing wear by only feeding or retracting the cable when necessary, and stopping the motor during fuel dispensing or nozzle inactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a longer hose is provided to facilitate vehicle access, then the hose can reach vehicles parked at a distance, but the hose may land on the ground when not used and get stuck in or damaged by passing vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
A motorized cable element system acts as an intermediary between the hose and the storage compartment, automatically controlling hose extension and retraction. The system includes a motor, cable element, guiding means, and control unit that coordinate to manage hose deployment, preventing it from landing on the ground while maintaining sufficient length for vehicle access.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose handling system operates autonomously through automatic detection and control mechanisms. Sensors detect when the hose needs to be extended or retracted, and the control unit automatically activates the motor to adjust hose position, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring the hose is properly stored when not in use.
2Reliability
If a mechanical returning mechanism is provided to prevent hose from landing on ground, then hose safety is improved, but the device becomes bulky and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical returning mechanisms with a motorized cable element system controlled by electronic sensors and a control unit. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining hose safety, as the motorized system can precisely control hose retraction without requiring bulky mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts hose position based on detected parameters such as tension in the cable element and operational status. By changing the positional parameter of the hose based on sensor input, the system achieves safe hose management without requiring complex mechanical structures.
3Ease of operation
If extensive manual force is required to extract hose from housing, then hose retraction is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical force with an electric motor that drives the cable element to extend and retract the hose. This substitution eliminates the need for users to apply extensive manual force, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining effective hose control.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized cable element system acts as an intermediary that translates electrical energy into mechanical motion for hose manipulation. This intermediary system handles all force requirements, allowing users to simply trigger the system without applying significant physical force.
4Length of moving object
If the motor feeds cable element continuously, then hose extension is maintained, but cable tangling and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor cable element tension and hose position, providing feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts motor operation to feed or retract the cable element only when necessary, preventing continuous feeding that would cause tangling and excessive wear while maintaining proper hose extension during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose handling system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions. The motor transitions between feeding, holding, and retracting modes depending on sensor input, ensuring the cable element is only extended when needed and properly managed during retraction to prevent tangling and minimize wear.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (100) for handling at least one hose (404) in a fuel dispensing unit (400), the device allowing the hose (404) to be pulled out from a hose storage space and return the hose (404) to the hose storage space, the device (100) comprising a cable element (104) connected to a motor (102) for feeding and retracting the cable element (104), wherein when the cable element (104) is being retracted, the hose (404) will be returned to the hose storage space, wherein when the cable element (104) is being fed, the hose (404) will be allowed to be pulled out from the hose storage space, a device for measuring a tension of the cable element (104), and a control unit for controlling the motor (102) based on input from the device for measuring the tension of the cable element (104), wherein the control unit is adapted to stop the motor (102) from feeding the cable element (104) when the tension of the cable element (104) is below a first threshold.