Method and device for refueling a motor vehicle

Abstract

In a method for the refueling of motor vehicles information, a device for data transmission transmits information between an interface in the vehicle and an interface in the gas pump having a fuel delivery hose and a pistol-grip nozzle, wherein, prior to the start of refueling, the vehicle transmits in at least one item of information about the type or the parameters of the fuels allowed for the optimal operation of the vehicle a wireless manner, which is received at the gas pump and evaluated with respect to the parameters of the current fuel at the gas pump and converted into execution signals for the control of the refueling operation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for the refueling of motor vehicles according to which information is transmitted between an interface in the vehicle and an interface in the gas pump having a fuel-delivery hose and a pistol-grip nozzle, such a transmission being carried out with the aid of a data-transmission device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for implementing this method.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Motor vehicles are equipped with engines for different types of fuels, i.e., different types of gasoline and diesel fuel. In the future a further increase in the types of fuel must be expected, in particular synthetic fuels having special properties. A fuel mix-up during refueling may lead to serious damage to the engine during operation.

A mix-up during refueling may easily occur as a result of an error since gas stations have several pistol-grip nozzles situated in close proximity to one another, the visual identification appearing only on the displays of the gasoline pump. The likelihood of a mix-up is greater with inexperienced drivers and with drivers who have a new vehicle or a replacement vehicle or who often change the vehicle.

Heavy traffic at service stations where several vehicles often pull up at the same time also increases the risk of a mix-up. Pulling up to the gas station and selecting the gasoline pump is an action that requires concentration from the driver and attention to a multitude of factors, i.e., choosing an unoccupied gasoline pump in accordance with the particular location of the fuel tank opening on the left or right side, the type of fuel, and basing such choice on the pumping readiness of a gasoline pump.

Communication systems are utilized for a variety of purposes in the context of vehicle operation, these systems communicating wirelessly across short distances and transmitting information about the technical parameters and the state of the vehicle and its assemblies. The transmitted data are then used for preventive purposes, in particular, and for accelerating service actions. To transmit data about the vehicle, its state and the technical parameters, the time interval during which the vehicle is located at the gas station and being refueled is preferably utilized.

Known from the German Published Patent Application No. 198 52 814 is a method for transmitting and exchanging data between the motor vehicle and the gas station while fuel is being pumped into the tank of the vehicle. The data transmission is realized in both directions and is limited to the time interval during which the gas pump nozzle of the vehicle is connected to the gas pump with the aid of the pistol-grip nozzle and the fuel-delivery hose. The communication between the electronic systems of the vehicle and the external control devices takes place simultaneously with the pumping of fuel. While the fuel is pumped via the gas pump, the motor vehicle may be connected to the service station or the manufacturer's facility with the aid of an online connection. A technical diagnosis of the drive motor, the electrical system, the vehicle regulation systems and the chassis, as well as an analysis of the brake system and the degree of wear of the brake linings may during refueling,, as well as information transmitted regarding the air pressure in the tires and the oil level. While pumping fuel, information pertaining to the type and quality of the fuel currently being pumped may be transmitted in order to adjust suitable engine control parameters. The data exchange between the vehicle and the gas station takes place only when fuel is being pumped into the vehicle tank, allowing no provisions to be made for the choice of the appropriate fuel for the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to remove the shortcomings of the current related art and to provide a method for the refueling of motor vehicles which protects the motor vehicle against pumping a type of fuel other than the fuel intended for the motor vehicle, allows better orientation when the driver pulls up to the gas pump; simplifies the refueling process and facilitates the automation and acceleration of the delivery of fuels.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for the refueling of motor vehicles according to which a data transmission device is utilized to transmit the information between the interface in the vehicle and the interface in the gas pump provided with a fuel delivery hose and a pistol-grip nozzle. According to the present invention, prior to the start of fuel pumping, the vehicle transmits at least one item of information regarding the type or the parameters of the fuels allowed for the optimal operation of the vehicle in a wireless manner, such information being received at the gas pump and evaluated at the gas pump with respect to the parameters of the currently available fuels at the gas pump and converted into execution signals for the control of the refueling operation.

A signal for blocking or enabling the nozzle and/or a signal for an optical or acoustic indication and/or for an item of wireless control information for the vehicle are/is advantageously sent as execution signal for the control of the refueling operation. The refueling operation includes at least the blocking or enabling of the entry of fuel into the fuel delivery hose. It may also include the selection of a fuel pump of the gas station suitable for the allowed fuel, and also the output of an optical or acoustic sign for the vehicle or, finally, the wireless output of such an item of information to the vehicle.

The pumping of fuel from the gas pump may be enabled permanently, and in the event that the fuel allowed for the vehicle is not available, the gas pump may release a signal to block the entry of fuel into the hose after receiving and analyzing the item of information. It may also release a signal to display an item of information to the refueling party on the display situated on the fuel pump of the gas station. Such a routine for the refueling of motor vehicles is suitable for the duration of a transition phase until the refueling method according to the present invention is widely adopted. Once it has been widely adopted, the method according to the present invention may be used in such a way that the pumping of fuel will be blocked permanently and, following receipt and evaluation of the information, the gas station outputs a signal to enable the delivery of gas into the hose, provided the fuel allowed for the vehicle is available there.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the gas station wirelessly transmits an activation signal, and the vehicle transmits identifying information, the vehicle transmitting the identifying information and the information about the type or parameters of the allowed fuels only after receipt of the activation signal. Having received the identifying information of the vehicle, the electronic system of the gas station is therefore able to record the specific vehicle's requirements with respect to the type or parameters of the fuel and to monitor compliance with this requirement, possibly emitting advance execution signals for preparing for such compliance, such as a signal for a luminous signal to the vehicle and a signal to enable or block the pistol-grip nozzle, or to transmit an item of execution information to the vehicle. The gas pump shortens the wireless transmission routine to an effective duration by transmission of the activation signal. A random number, generated by a random number generator, may advantageously be used as identifying information.

In an advantageous manner, the vehicle is able to transmit additional information in conjunction with the information about the type or the parameters of the fuels allowed for an optimal operation, such information pertaining to the quantity of the required fuel or to diagnostic data of the vehicle. This information may be processed in the electronic system of the gas station prior to the start of refueling, and execution signals may be sent to the gas station on this basis or information be imaged for the vehicle, or control information supplied to the vehicle.

For each item of identifying information, the insertion of the pistol-grip nozzle into the fuel intake of the vehicle may advantageously be checked prior to refueling, such check being implemented with the aid of a wireless communication between the electronic elements affixed in the fuel intake of the vehicle and in the pistol-grip nozzle of the gas station, or with the aid of an electric connection between the fuel intake of the vehicle and the pistol-grip nozzle. The standardized interfaces (frequency, modulation type, data protocol) of the RFID technology may be utilized, so that the technical introduction of the wireless communication is therefore relatively simple and inexpensive.

Moreover, the object of the present invention is achieved by a device for implementing the method for the refueling of motor vehicles with the aid of a data transmission device between the interface of the vehicle and the interface of the gas pump having a fuel delivery hose and a pistol-grip nozzle. According to the present invention, on the one hand, the device has a wireless transmitter, which is situated in the vehicle and connected to a data-transmission device, which transmits information about the type or the parameters of the fuels allowed for the optimal operation of the motor vehicle. On the other hand, the device includes a first unit, situated at the gas pump, for receiving the information about the type or the parameters of the allowed fuel; a second unit for analyzing the information about the type or the parameters of the allowed fuels with regard to the parameters of the available fuel at the gas station; and a third unit for converting the outputs of the second unit into execution signals for the control of the refueling operation. The gas station may advantageously be provided with a device for outputting optical or acoustic signs.

The gas station may advantageously be provided with a receiver of activation signals and a wireless transmitter of activation signals for the vehicles, and the vehicles may be equipped with wireless transmitters for the transmission of the identifying information of the vehicle in conjunction with the information about the type or the parameters of the allowed fuel.

Random number generators may advantageously be connected upstream from the wireless transmitters of identification signals. The use of random numbers as identification signals limits the identification of the vehicle only to the given purpose. In this way, the identifying information becomes independent of the owner or the driver of the vehicle itself.

In an advantageous manner, the vehicle and the gas station may have radio-frequency identification devices (RFID), the former in the fuel intake and the latter on the pistol-grip nozzle, for instance similar to the transponders used in ignition keys for the communication of the electronic immobilizer. Depending on their configuration, radio-frequency identification devices are effective across short distances between the fuel intake of the vehicle and the pistol-grip nozzle of the gas station. They verify that a connection has been established between the vehicle and the gas pump having the allowed fuel available, and that the pumping of the correct fuel may be started.

The method for the refueling of motor vehicles and the device for its implementation according to the present invention protect the motor vehicle against pumping a type of fuel other than the fuel intended for the motor vehicle; it makes it easier for the driver to present the vehicle at the gas station, accelerates the pumping of fuels, and in this manner simplifies the entire refueling process. It also allows the output of fuel to be automated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the exchange of information and signals between the vehicle and the gas pump in a simple system.

FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of the exchange of information and signals between the vehicle and the gas pump in variants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to FIG. 1, device 1 for the data transmission, including wireless transmitter 11 for transmitting information about the type or the parameters of the fuels allowed for the optimal operation of the vehicle are situated in the vehicle. Situated at the gas station, in device 2 for the data transmission, is first unit 21 for receiving the information about the type or the parameters of the allowed fuels; second unit 22 for analyzing the information about the type or the parameters of the allowed fuels; and third unit 23 for converting the outputs of the second unit into execution signals for pistol-grip nozzle 25 of the fuel delivery hose (not shown) of the fuel pump. Connected to second unit 22 is the output of the line for the information from electronic unit 31 about the type or the parameters of the fuels that are allowed and provided at the gas station. According to FIG. 1, wireless transmitter 11 transmits the information about the type or the parameters of the allowed fuels, which is received by first unit 21. First unit 21 is a receiver of wave signals and transmits this information to second electronic unit 22, which analyzes the information from first unit 21 with the information of electronic unit 31 regarding the type or the parameters of the fuels. The information about the fuel offered at the gas station also may be stored in unit 21. The electronic unit analyzes whether the information from first unit 21 falls under the information quantity from unit 31 or under the stored information and sends an execution signal to, for instance, pistol-grip nozzle 25, which enables the through-flow of the fuel, so that the fuel flows into intake 15 of the vehicle's fuel tank (not shown). According to FIG. 1, units 21, 22 and 23 are situated in data transmission device 2, but they may be situated directly in pistol-grip nozzle 25; it is also possible that units 21 and 22 are disposed separately from unit 23, which may be installed inside pistol-grip nozzle 25 in an advantageous manner.

In FIG. 2, the scheme according to FIG. 1 has been supplemented. Device 2 for data transmission, located at the gas pump, is supplemented by a wireless transmitter 24, which transmits activation signals that are received by receiver 12. The output of receiver 12 is connected to transmitter 11 for the information about the type or parameters of the allowed fuels. In response to the receipt of the activation signal and its transmission to transmitter 11, the dispatch of the information regarding the allowed fuel and the transmission of the identifying information by transmitter 11 is activated. The identifying information is advantageously generated in random number generator 13. Unit 21 receives the identifying information and forwards it to unit 22 for analysis. After making a vehicle available at the gas pump, the communication of the provided vehicle between the electronic elements in pistol-grip nozzle 25 of the gas station and in fuel intake 15 of the vehicle tank takes place. The electronic element in pistol-grip nozzle 25 transmits the received identifying information of the vehicle to evaluation unit 22 where the identifying information of the vehicle is compared with the identifying information received from transmitter 11. Depending on the agreement of, or the difference in, this identifying information, the flow of the fuel through pistol-grip nozzle 25 is enabled or blocked. In an advantageous manner, unit 23 may also transmit efficient signals to device 26 for the output of optical or acoustic signals for the driver of the vehicle.

The wireless communication across short distances may be realized by generally known means such the RFID system (radio frequency identification), which is used in an analogous manner in ignition keys for the communication of the electronic immobilizer, in keyless entry systems or for price tags on merchandize. It is possible to use standardized interfaces, i.e., a frequency, modulation or data protocol, whose introduction is relatively simple and inexpensive.

Claims

1. A method for a refueling of a motor vehicle, comprising: transmitting by a data-transmission device information between an interface in the vehicle and an interface in a gas pump that includes a fuel delivery hose and a pistol-grip nozzle; prior to a start of the refueling, transmitting in a wireless manner by the vehicle at least one item of information about one of a type of and a parameter relating to fuels allowed for an optimal operation of the vehicle; receiving the at least one item of information at the gas pump; evaluating the at least one item of information with respect to a parameter of a current fuel at the gas pump; and converting the at least one item of information into an execution signal for a control of the refueling.

2. The method for the refueling of the motor vehicle as recited in claim 1, wirelessly transmitting by the gas station an activation signal; and transmitting by the vehicle an item of identifying information, the vehicle transmitting the identifying information and the at least one item of information after receipt of the activation signal.

3. The method for the refueling of the motor vehicle as recited in claim 2, further comprising: for each item of identifying information and prior to a triggering of the refueling, checking an insertion of the pistol-grip nozzle in a fuel intake of the vehicle one of: by a wireless communication between an electronic element situated in the fuel intake of the vehicle and an electronic element situated in the pistol-grip nozzle of the gas pump, and by an electric connection between the fuel intake of the vehicle and the pistol-grip nozzle.

4. The method for the refueling of the motor vehicle as recited in claim 2, further comprising: generating a random number by a random number generator; and transmitting the random number as identifying information.

5. The method for the refueling of the motor vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising: sending as the execution signal at least one of: a signal for one of a termination and an enabling of a pumping of an allowed fuel, a signal for one of an optical report and an acoustic report, and a signal for a wireless item of control information for the vehicle.

6. The method for the refueling of the motor vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising: while the vehicle is coupled to the at least one item of information, transmitting by the vehicle additional information about at least one of: a quantity of a required fuel, and diagnostic data of the vehicle.

7. A device for a refueling of a motor vehicle, comprising: a data-transmission device for a data transmission between an interface of the vehicle and an interface of a gasoline pump having a fuel delivery hose and a pistol-grip nozzle; a wireless transmitter situated in the vehicle and connected to the data-transmission device, the wireless transmitter transmitting information about one of a type and a parameter of fuels allowed for an optimal operation of the motor vehicle; a first unit, situated at the fuel pump, for receiving the information about the one of the type and the parameter of the allowed fuels; a second unit for analyzing the information about the at least one of the type and the parameter of the allowed fuels with respect to a parameter of a current fuel at the gas pump; and a third unit for converting an output of the second unit into an execution signal for a control of the refueling.

8. The device as recited in claim 7, wherein: the gas pump includes a wireless transmitter relating to an activation signal for the vehicle, the vehicle includes a receiver for receiving the activation signal, and the wireless transmitter in the vehicle transmits identifying information of the vehicle and the at least one item of information to a receiver in the first unit of the gas pump.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a random number generator connected upstream from the wireless transmitter of the vehicle.

10. The device as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a first component relating to a wireless communication and situated in a fuel intake of the vehicle; and a second component relating to the wireless communication and situated on a pistol-grip nozzle of the gas pump.

11. The device as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a device equipped on the gas pump and for outputting one of an optical report and an acoustic report.