Wireless Fuel Breakaway With Auto Transaction Completion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas station owners experience revenue loss due to incomplete fuel transactions when customers drive away with the nozzle still inserted, as the existing breakaway device does not ensure timely completion of the electronic transaction.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication safety break device is integrated into the fuel line hose, featuring a magnetic proximity sensor and communication components that automatically complete the transaction and shut off the fuel pump when the nozzle is separated, and includes a locator device to recover lost equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional breakaway device is used to prevent fuel leakage, then safety is improved, but revenue loss occurs due to incomplete transactions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidrevenue loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication device is pre-configured to automatically transmit transaction completion signals and locate the nozzle when separation occurs, ensuring revenue protection and safety without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides real-time feedback through wireless communication when the nozzle is removed, notifying the system to complete the transaction and activate tracking, thereby preventing revenue loss while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the nozzle is not returned to the holster, then customer convenience is improved, but transaction completion fails causing revenue loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidtransaction completion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects nozzle removal, completes the transaction, and activates the locator device without requiring customer action, thus maintaining convenience while ensuring transaction completion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical flapper switch system is replaced with a wireless communication and magnetic detection system that automatically detects nozzle removal and completes transactions electronically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If a manual attendant intervention is used to complete transactions, then revenue protection is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevenue protectionVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway device autonomously detects separation, transmits completion signals, and activates tracking without requiring attendant intervention, protecting revenue while simplifying operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless communication module acts as an intermediary between the mechanical breakaway mechanism and the transaction system, automatically bridging the gap without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the breakaway device is made more complex with additional sensors, then transaction completion is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction completionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication device performs multiple functions including transaction signaling, nozzle location tracking, and pump shutdown control, achieving comprehensive transaction completion without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transaction completion system, location tracking system, and pump control system are merged into a single integrated wireless communication device within the breakaway mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution ensures no loss of revenue by automatically completing the transaction and preventing fuel leaks, minimizing environmental hazards, and allows for the retrieval and reuse of equipment, thus reducing financial losses and safety risks.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a magnetic proximity sensor and communication components that automatically complete the transaction and shut off the fuel pump when the nozzle is separated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic proximity sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11841098B2Wireless connection safety break device

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 HUSKY CORP

AI summary

A wireless communication safety break device is disclosed which has an upper safety break portion having a fuel inlet, an upper portion check valve, an upper portion communications device, an upper portion contact point or switch, and a lower safety break portion having a fuel outlet, a lower portion check valve, a lower portion contact point or switch, and a locator device.