Robotic system for automatic refuelling of vehicles
AssigneeAutofuel ApS
InventorsJohannes Sijbrand Vogelaar, Erwin Meijerink, Esben Von Buchwald, Jonas Thor Olsen
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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.
Claims30
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,
- wherein 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.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the robot arm is configured to operate without a separate external safety system.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the collaborative robot arm is pressurised such that a predefined pressure level is maintained.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the collaborative robot arm comprises a sleeve surrounding at least a part of the collaborative robot arm.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said adapter tool comprises a connector configured to connect to the fuel dispenser unit.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said adapter tool further comprises a fuel door-operating device configured to engage with the fuel door of the vehicle.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is configured to monitor and communicate the positioning of the vehicle in accordance with the fuel dispenser unit.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a second detection unit configured to identify a wheel of the vehicle, such that the positioning of the vehicle is determined.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is configured for capturing an image of at least a rear wheel and/or a front wheel of the vehicle for determining the position of the vehicle.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a rotary and/or slidable table configured to carry the collaborative robot arm.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is adaptable to conventional fuels such as to petrol, diesel or non-conventional fuels such as hydrogen, electricity.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pressurization system.
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,
- engaging the adaptor tool with at least one fuel dispenser unit,
- 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.
A collaborative robot arm for being used in an explosive environment, wherein the collaborative robot arm comprises electronics contained in one or more housings with one or more openings and a pressurization system configured for pressurizing the housing(s) with a gas at a predefined pressure level above atmospheric pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.