Robotic system for automatic refuelling of vehicles
AssigneeAutofuel ApS
InventorsJohannes Sijbrand Vogelaar, Erwin Meijerink, Esben Von Buchwald, Jonas Thor Olsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A robotic refuelling system and method for automatically operating a fuel station for refuelling vehicles includes a first detection unit for identifying the vehicle, a collaborative robot arm, and an adapter tool connected to the collaborative robot arm. The system is configured for detecting and identifying the vehicle, and controlling the collaborative robot arm and the adapter tool to engage at least one fuel dispenser unit of the fuel station and refuel the vehicle.
Claims27
A robotic refuelling system for automatically operating a fuel station for refuelling vehicles, comprising:
- a first detection unit for identifying the vehicle;
- a collaborative robot arm;
- an adapter tool connected to the collaborative robot arm;
- a pressurization system configured to purge the collaborative robot arm and/or the adaptor tool and/or the first detection unit prior to automatic refuelling operation if the robotic refuelling system was turned off, the pressurization system configured for purging the collaborative robot arm by a predefined purge volume before electronics of the collaborative robot arm is reactivated, wherein the purging volume is at least 10 l;
- wherein the robotic refuelling system is configured for;
- detecting and identifying the vehicle, and
- controlling the collaborative robot arm and the adapter tool to engage at least one fuel dispenser unit of the fuel station and refuel the vehicle.
A method for automatically refuelling vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first detection unit for identifying a vehicle;
- providing a collaborative robot arm connected to an adaptor tool;
- providing a pressurization system;
- engaging the adaptor tool with at least one fuel dispenser unit;
- and
- refuelling the vehicle by controlling the collaborative robot arm and the adaptor tool for engaging the fuel dispenser unit with a refuelling inlet of the vehicle;
- and
- purging, by the pressurization system, the collaborative robot arm and/or the adaptor tool and/or the first detection unit prior to automatic refuelling operation if the robotic refuelling system was turned off, and purging the collaborative robot arm by a predefined purge volume before electronics of the collaborative robot arm is reactivated, wherein the purging volume is at least 10 l.
A robotic refuelling system for automatically operating a fuel station for refuelling vehicles, comprising:
- a first detection unit for identifying the vehicle;
- a collaborative robot arm configured to operate in close proximity to humans, the collaborative robot arm having a weight of less than 70 kg;
- an adapter tool connected to the collaborative robot arm;
- wherein the robotic refuelling system is configured for;
- detecting and identifying the vehicle, and
- controlling the collaborative robot arm and the adapter tool to engage at least one fuel dispenser unit of the fuel station and refuel the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.