Triangular Fuel Station Island Curved Refueling Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fuel station layouts, such as linearly aligned refueling positions, lead to inefficiencies and reduced throughput due to queuing vehicles waiting for both positions to be available, and triangular dispensers are unsafe and unsuitable for high-throughput stations, causing logistical issues and suboptimal vehicle flow.
Innovation Solution
A fuel station design featuring a base structure with a triangular cross-section, including three refueling positions arranged in a curved path, allowing vehicles to navigate intuitively and reducing waiting times, with queuing positions linked to multiple refueling options and exit routes, enhancing vehicle flow and station efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If linearly aligned refueling positions are used, then the station can serve multiple vehicles simultaneously, but vehicles must wait for both positions to be available, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by arranging refueling positions along a curved path around a central island rather than in a linear configuration. This curved layout allows vehicles to approach and depart from different sides of the island simultaneously, eliminating the sequential waiting problem inherent in linear arrangements while maintaining multiple service positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement to a two-dimensional curved distribution of refueling positions around the island. This dimensional change enables vehicles to access different refueling positions from multiple directions simultaneously, increasing throughput without proportionally increasing waiting time.
2Area of stationary object
If triangular dispensers are used, then space utilization improves, but vehicle flow becomes suboptimal and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric design where the central island has a non-uniform shape with refueling positions strategically placed at different distances and angles from the center. This asymmetric configuration optimizes vehicle flow patterns and safety clearances while maintaining efficient space utilization, unlike symmetric triangular arrangements that create logistical issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel station and a method of refueling a vehicle. The fuel station has at least two adjacent base structures, each base structure being provided with a first fuel dispensing device arranged on the base structure and defining a first refueling position on a first side of the base structure, and a second refueling position on a second side of the base structure, the second side being opposite to the first side. A second fuel dispensing device defines a third refueling position. The fuel station also includes at least one queuing position in front of one of the base structures. The queuing position is linked to the refueling positions.