Abstract
A repositionable radio frequency identification housing (18) for a fuel delivery nozzle (10) is disclosed. The RFID housing (18) is affixed to and is repositionable relative to the fuel delivery nozzle (10). A RFID reader is positioned within the housing (18) for communicating with a radio frequency identification tag associated with a vehicle. The RFID housing (18) is repositionable to accommodate vehicles of different physical geometries and to enhance wireless communication with the RFID tag.
Claims
1. A connector for attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to a fuel dispensing nozzle, the connector comprising: a collar assembly configured to surround and engage a fuel dispensing nozzle; a rotating bracket assembly engaged with the collar assembly and configured to rotate relative to the collar assembly; and a housing affixed to the rotating bracket assembly and configured to receive an (RFID) reader; wherein the housing is repositionable by rotating the rotating bracket assembly relative to the collar assembly and the fuel dispensing nozzle.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rotating bracket assembly comprises: a plurality of wings, each having an arcuate-shaped inner surface, the plurality of wings disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the collar assembly; and a bearing disposed within at least one of the plurality of wings, the bearing biased to engage the collar assembly at a plurality of discrete locations.
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rotating bracket assembly comprises: a rear plate with a first central aperture, the first central aperture configured to receive the fuel dispensing nozzle; and a plurality of wings affixed to the rear plate, each wing having a curved inner surface configured to interface with the collar assembly; wherein the plurality of wings are mounted to the rear plate in a uniformly spaced orientation relative to the collar assembly.
4. The connector of claim 3, further comprising a front plate with a second central aperture configured to receive the fuel dispensing nozzle, wherein the plurality of wings are disposed between the front and rear plates.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the collar assembly comprises: an inner collar having a first inner surface configured to contact the fuel dispensing nozzle and a first outer surface; and a bushing affixed to the collar, the bushing having a second outer surface and a second inner surface; the second inner surface in contact with the first outer surface.
6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the inner collar comprises a plurality of arcuate-shaped collar members.
7. The connector of claim 5, wherein the bushing comprises a plurality of arcuate-shaped bushing members.
8. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer associated with the collar assembly and the rotating bracket assembly for stabilizing a position of the rotating bracket assembly relative to the collar assembly at a plurality of different positions.
9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the stabilizer comprises: a plurality of outwardly-facing detents disposed along an outer surface of the collar assembly; and a bearing disposed within the rotating bracket assembly and biased to engage the plurality of outwardly-facing detents.
10. The connector of claim 8, wherein the stabilizer comprises: a plurality of inwardly-facing detents associated with the rotatable bracket assembly; and a bearing disposed along an outer surface of the collar assembly and biased to engage the plurality of inwardly-facing detents.
11. The connector of claim 8, wherein the stabilizer comprises a first and a second plurality of magnets, the first plurality of magnets disposed in spaced relation around the collar assembly and the second plurality of magnets disposed in spaced relation around the rotating bracket assembly.
12. A connector for attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to a fuel dispensing nozzle, the connector comprising: a bracket configured to be affixed to and surround a fuel dispensing nozzle, the bracket configured to rotate relative to the fuel dispensing nozzle; and a housing affixed to the bracket and configured to receive an (RFID) reader; wherein the housing is repositionable after the connector is securely affixed to the fuel dispensing nozzle, by rotating the bracket relative to the fuel dispensing nozzle.
13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the bracket comprises: a collar assembly configured to surround and engage the fuel dispensing nozzle; and a rotating bracket assembly engaged with the collar assembly and configured to rotate relative to the collar assembly.
14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the collar assembly comprises: an inner collar having an inner surface configured to contact with the fuel dispensing nozzle and an outer surface; and a bushing affixed to the collar; the bushing having an outer surface and having an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the collar.
15. The connector of claim 13, wherein the rotating bracket assembly comprises: a rear plate with a central aperture, the aperture configured to receive the fuel dispensing nozzle; a first wing affixed to the rear plate and having a curved inner surface configured to interface with the collar assembly; and a second wing affixed to the rear plate and having a curved inner surface configured to interface with the collar assembly; wherein the first and second wings are mounted to the rear plate in a spaced orientation such that the first and second wings are positioned on opposite sides of the collar assembly.
16. The connector of claim 13, further comprising a stabilizer associated with the collar assembly and the rotating bracket assembly for stabilizing a position of the rotating bracket assembly relative to the collar assembly at a plurality of different positions.
17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the stabilizer comprises one of: a plurality of detents disposed in spaced relation on an outer surface of the collar assembly, and at least one bearing disposed within the rotating bracket assembly and biased to engage the detents; a plurality of detents disposed in spaced relation on a surface of the rotating bracket assembly, and at least one bearing disposed within the collar assembly and biased to engage the detents; or a first and second plurality of magnets, the first plurality of magnets disposed in spaced relation around the collar assembly and the second plurality of magnets disposed in spaced relation around the rotating bracket assembly.
18. A method for enhancing the wireless communication between a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with a vehicle and an RFID reader associated with a fuel delivery system; comprising: providing a bracket configured to attach to and surround a nozzle of a fuel delivery system, the bracket configured to rotate relative to the nozzle; securely attaching the bracket to the nozzle of the fuel delivery system; attaching to the bracket a housing configured to hold an RFID reader; and after securely attaching the bracket to the nozzle, repositioning the housing and at least a portion of the bracket relative to the nozzle.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the repositioning occurs with the nozzle positioned in the fuel inlet of a vehicle.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the repositioning includes at least one of a rotational movement and a linear movement of the housing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional fuel delivery nozzle.
(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fuel delivery nozzle of FIG. 1, further including a repositionable radio frequency identification housing mounted on the nozzle.
(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a rotational assembly.
(5) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rotating bracket assembly, with a front plate removed.
(6) FIG. 4B is perspective view of one embodiment of a partially assembled collar assembly.
(7) FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the collar assembly of FIG. 4B assembled with the rotating bracket assembly of FIG. 4A.
(8) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rotational assembly.
(9) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotating bracket assembly, with a front plate removed.
(10) FIG. 6B is perspective view of another embodiment of a partially assembled collar assembly.
(11) FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the collar assembly of FIG. 6B assembled with the rotating bracket assembly of FIG. 6A.
(12) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fuel delivery nozzle with one embodiment of a back plate of a rotational assembly mounted thereon.
(13) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, further depicting two collar members mounted thereon.
(14) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, further depicting four bushings mounted on the collar members
(15) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, further depicting a pair of rotatable wings mounted thereon.
(16) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, depicting one embodiment of a rotational assembly mounted on the fuel delivery nozzle.
(17) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, further depicting the rear portion of an RFID housing connected to the rotational assembly.
(18) FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a back plate of a rotational assembly.
(19) FIG. 14 is a cross section of the rotational assembly of FIG. 11, taken along a line that illustrates two stabilizing members.
(20) FIGS. 15A-F are top plan views of the rotational assembly of FIG. 3, with the front plate removed, depicted in six different orientations relative to the collar assembly.
(21) FIGS. 16A-L are top plan views of the rotational assembly of FIG. 5, with the front plate removed, depicted in twelve different orientations.
(22) FIG. 17A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a rotatable RFID housing shown in a first position.
(23) FIG. 17B is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17A.
(24) FIG. 18A is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17A shown in a second position.
(25) FIG. 18B is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 18A.
(26) FIG. 19A is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17A shown in a third position.
(27) FIG. 19B is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 19A.
(28) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(29) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional fuel delivery nozzle 10. The fuel delivery nozzle 10 includes a handle portion 12, a nozzle 14 for insertion into a vehicle fuel receiving port (not shown) and a lever 16 to open a valve internal to the handle portion 12 to actuate fuel flow. FIG. 2 illustrates a rotatable radio frequency (RFID) housing 18 mounted on the conventional fuel delivery nozzle 10 of FIG. 1.
(30) Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4A-C, one embodiment of the components that permit rotation of the RFID housing 18 about the nozzle 14 is shown. More specifically, a fixed collar assembly 20 comprising opposing arcuate collars 22a and 22b and opposing arcuate shaped bushings 24a and 24b, a rotating bracket assembly 26 comprising rotational wings 28a and 28b, front plate 30 and rear plate 32, and stabilizing members 34 are shown. The collars 22a and 22b include flanges 40a and 40b for purposes of interconnecting one collar to another. An aperture 42 is formed in each flange. When installed, the inner surface 44 of each collar 22 abuts the outer surface of the fuel nozzle 14 and may be held in place by friction. Alternatively, an adhesive, such as Loctite (made by Loctite Corporation, Westlake, Ohio, USA) may be applied between the outer surface of the nozzle 14 and the inner surface 44 of the collars 22a and 22b to enhance the fixed position of the collars 22a and 22b relative to the nozzle 14. The flanges 40a and 40b are overlapped when installed and the apertures 42 aligned to receive a dowel, set screw 46 (FIG. 8) or other connector (not shown) that is inserted into the apertures 42. The collar is illustrated as two semi-circular pieces. It should be appreciated that the collar could be a single “C-shaped” member that is closed or crimped about the nozzle, or three or more arcuate shaped members.
(31) Slots 48 are formed in the outer surface 50 of the collars 22a and 22b to receive connecting posts 52 formed on the inner surface 54 of the bushings 24a and 24b. According to one embodiment, a plurality of detents 56 is spaced along the outer surface 58 of the bushings 24a and 24b. Depending upon the radial thickness of the bushings 24a and 24b, a plurality of projections 60, corresponding to the detents 56, may be formed on the inner surface 54 of the bushing 24a and 24b. To accommodate the radially inward curvature of the projections 60, indentations 62 corresponding to the projections 60 may be formed in the outer surface 50 of the collars 22a and 22b. The interconnection of the posts 52 in the slots 48, together with the nesting of the inner surface 54 of the bushings 24a and 24b and the outer surface 50 of the collar members 22a and 22b, assists in maintaining the bushings 24a and 24b in a fixed position relative to the collars 22a and 22b. Alternatively, the inner surface of the bushings 24a and 24b and the outer surface 50 of the collar members 22a and 22b may be configured differently, for example in a saw-toothed pattern, as smooth surfaces or in other ways as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art upon review of the present disclosure, to enhance maintaining the bushings 24 and collar members 22 in a fixed position relative to each other. Also, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the bushings 24a and 24b alternatively may comprise a single C-shaped member or three or more arcuate shaped members that connect to the collar members. FIG. 4B illustrates the collar assembly 20 partially assembled.
(32) The rotational wings 28a and 28b are configured to interface with the bushings 24a and 24b. In one embodiment, the wings are generally crescent-shaped with a generally arcuate-shaped inner surface 66. When assembled with the front plate 30 and back plate 32, the inner surface 66 of the rotational wings aligns with the outer surface 50 of the bushings 24a and 24b. Cavities 68 are formed in the wings 64. The cavities 68 receive stabilizers or stabilizing members 34. The stabilizing members 34 as illustrated comprise a spring 72, a ball bearing 74 and a plurality of detents 56. The spring 72 biases the bearing 74 radially inwardly toward the outer surface 50 of the collar 22a and 22b. As illustrated, there are four detents 56 spaced along the outer surface 50 of each of the bushings 24a and 24b, and there are two bearing assemblies positioned in each rotational wing 28. Together with the front plate 30 and rear plate 32, the wings 74 and stabilizing members 34 comprise a rotating bracket assembly 26. Screws 78 extend through apertures 80a, 80b and 80c in the front plate 30, wings 28 and back plate 32, respectively to secure the component pieces together. Internally threaded posts 82 in the rear plate 32 receive the screws 78. As explained below, screws 84 extend through apertures 86a, 86b and 86c, and engage internally threaded post 88 to secure the RFID housing 18 to the rotating assembly 26. FIG. 4A illustrates a partially assembled rotating bracket assembly 26. When a bearing 74 is aligned with a detent 56, the bearing 74 nests in detent 56 and stabilizes the position of the rotating bracket assembly 26 relative to the collar assembly 20. The springs 72 permit the bearings 74 to retract into the cavities 68 when the rotating bracket assembly 76 is rotated. It should be appreciated that additional stabilizing members 34 than shown in FIG. 3 can be added or fewer stabilizers may be utilized. According to aspects of the present invention, a stabilizer may comprise a single biased bearing and a plurality of detents. It should be further appreciated that the position of the stabilizing members and detents may be switched. In other words, the springs 72 and ball bearings 74 may be positioned in the collar assembly 20 and the detents formed in the inner surface 66 of the wings 74. FIG. 4C illustrates an assembled collar assembly 20 and rotating bracket assembly 26, with the front plate 30 omitted for clarity.
(33) While two wings 28a and 28b are illustrated, it should be appreciated that the rotating bracket assembly 26 may comprise a single wing 28 or three or more wings 28. Although the wings 28a and 28b are symmetrically positioned relative to the collar assembly 20, the wings may be asymmetrically positioned.
(34) According to aspects of the present disclosure, a second embodiment 90 of a rotating bracket assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6A-C. Here, the stabilizers or stabilizing members 92 are different from stabilizing members 34. Magnets replace the biased ball bearings and detents. More specifically, a series of spaced pockets 94 are formed by mating recesses 96 and 98 formed in the collar members 100a and 100b and the bushings 102a and 102b, respectively, when assembled. Pockets 104 are formed along the interior surface 106 of the wings 108. Magnets 110 are positioned in the pockets 94 and 104 in a manner that the magnets are attractive to each other. When a magnet 110 in pocket 94 is radially aligned with a magnet in pocket 104, the attractive force between the magnets 110 stabilizes the position of the rotating bracket assembly 90. However, the magnetic force is not so strong as to prevent the rotating bracket member 90 from rotating relative to the collar assembly 112 (comprising collar members 100 and bushings 102). Alternatively, only a single pocket 94 may hold a magnet while each of the pockets 104 holds a magnet, or a single pocket 104 may hold a magnet and each of the pockets 94 holds a magnet. Front plate 114 and rear plate 116 complete the rotating assembly 90. FIG. 6B illustrates a partially assembled collar assembly comprising collar members 100 and bushings 102. FIG. 6A illustrates a partially assembled rotating bracket assembly 90, with the front plate 114 omitted. FIG. 6C illustrates a rotating bracket assembly 90, with the front plate 114 removed, together with a collar assembly 112. It should be appreciated that the rotating bracket assembly 90 may comprise a single wing 108 or a plurality of wings 108 beyond the two wings illustrated. When a plurality of wings 108 are utilized, the wings may be symmetrically or asymmetrically positioned relative to the collar assembly 112.
(35) Screws 118 extend through apertures 120a, 120b and 120c in the front plate 114, wings 108 and back plate 116, respectively to secure the component pieces together. Internally threaded posts 122 in the rear plate 116 (not shown) receive the screws 118. Screws 124 extend through apertures 126a, 126b and 126c, and engage internally threaded post 128 to secure the RFID housing 18 to the rotating assembly 90. FIG. 6A illustrates a partially assembled rotating bracket assembly 90. FIG. 6B illustrates a partially assembled collar assembly 112. FIG. 4C illustrates an assembled collar assembly 112 and rotational bracket assembly 90, with the front plate 114 removed for clarity. As also shown in FIG. 5, alignment posts 128 projecting from the rear plate 116 fit in apertures 130 in the wings 108 to assist in assembly and stabilization of the rotating bracket assembly 112.
(36) Assembly and operation of a rotational RFID housing will now be described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 3. Assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is similar and will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art without further explanation. According to aspects of the present disclosures, as a first step and with reference to FIG. 7, the rear plate 32 is positioned on the nozzle 14 with the nozzle 14 extending through the center aperture A in the rear plate. With reference to FIG. 8, a pair of mating collars 22a and 22b are then attached to the nozzle 14. As previously noted, the collars 22a and 22b may be crimped to the nozzle as part of the connecting process. An adhesive could also be applied between the nozzle and the inner surface 44 of the collars. As part of the connection process, the flanges 40 are overlapped and the apertures 42 aligned. A dowel 46 is then positioned in the apertures 42 to connect to the two collar members 22a and 22b. The dowel is sized to create a friction fit with the surface of the apertures. A set screw could be used in place of the dowel with the surface of the apertures threaded to receive the set screw. A single collar member with overlapping flanges or three or more arcuate collar members could be substituted. Once the one or more collar members are in place, the collar 22 does not move relative to the nozzle 14.
(37) As illustrated in FIG. 9, the bushings 24a and 24b are then positioned on the outer surface 50 of the collars 22a and 22b. The bushings 24a and 24b are physically attached to the collar members 22a and 22b. Slots 48 formed in the outer surface 50 of the collar members receive radially inwardly extending posts 52 formed along the inner surface 54 of the bushings 24a and 24b. In addition, an adhesive, could supplement the connection of the bushings and collar members. The inner surface 54 of the bushing is configured to mate with the outer surface 50 of the collar members 22a and 22b. Different surface configurations may be used to assist or facilitate mating between the collar members 22a and 22b and the bushings 24a and 24b. When assembled, the bushings 24a and 24b are fixed relative to the nozzle 14. The assembled collar members 22a and 22b and the bushings 24a and 24b comprise a collar assembly 20.
(38) Turning to FIG. 10, the remainder of rotating bracket assembly 26 is then assembled and affixed to the collar assembly 20. As previously explained, the rotational assembly 20 includes the wings 28, backplate 32 and front plate 30. The backplate 32 was previously positioned on nozzle 14 prior to assembly of the collar members and bushings. The wings 28 and stabilizing members 34 are assembled next. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the front plate 30 is added to complete assembly of the rotating bracket assembly 26. The wings 64 are captured between the front plate 30 and back plate 32. Screws 78 are used to interconnect the front plate 30, backplate 32 and wings 28, with the inner surface 66 of the wings 28 positioned proximate the outer surface 50 of the bushings 24.
(39) An alternative rear plate 32′ is illustrated in FIG. 13. Here, one side or edge 132 of the rear plate 32′ is separate allowing the second or remaining portion 134 of the rear plate 32 to slip over the nozzle 14 after the collar assembly 20 is affixed to the nozzle 14. The first and second sides 132 and 134 are then separately connected to the wings 28a and 28b and front plate 30 with screws 78 thereby connecting the rotating bracket assembly 26 to the collar assembly 20. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 14, the center aperture A in the front plate 30 and backplate 32 has a smaller diameter compared to the diameter of the collar assembly 20, e.g., the assembly of the collar members 22a and 22b and the bushings 24a and 24b. As a result, the front plate 30 and rear plate 32 hold the position of the wings 28 relative to the bushings 24. In this manner, the rotational assembly 26 is able to rotate relative to the fixed bushings 24 and collar 22 but cannot separate from the collar assembly 20.
(40) Turning to FIG. 12, the RFID housing 18 is then connected to the rotational assembly 26. As a first step, the back half 18a of the housing 18 is connected by screws 84 to the apertures 86a in the front plate 30, apertures 86b in the wings 28a and 28b, apertures 86c and threated posts 88 in the rear plate 32. Typically, the reader electronics are preassembled in the housing, but could be added after the housing is assembled onto the nozzle. Once assembled, the front half 18b of the housing 18 is attached to complete the assembly (FIG. 2). As a result, the RFID housing 18 is rotatably fixed to the fuel nozzle 14. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the reader electronics comprises processing and communication circuitry, perhaps in the form of a microprocessor, a power supply and at least one antenna.
(41) In operation, depending upon the configuration of the fuel nozzle 14, the RFID housing 18 is able to rotate 360 degrees about the nozzle 14. However, in many instances, access to the fuel inlet port of a vehicle requires opening of a hinged door. The hinged door may not permit a full 360-degree rotation of the RFID housing 18, but it will permit approximately 180 degrees of rotation, if not more. Similarly, some nozzles 14 are configured in a manner that prevents 360 degrees of rotation. FIGS. 15A-F show the rotating member 26 positioned at various locations about the collar assembly 20 through a 180-degree rotation. In some instances, all four stabilizing members 34 are engaged in a detent 56 (FIGS. 15 A, B, E and F) and in some instances only two stabilizing members 70 are engaged in a detent (FIGS. 15C and D). A notch mark M is added to highlight the rotation of the rotating bracket assembly 26. In FIG. 15A the rotating bracket assembly 26 is vertically oriented. In FIG. 15B, the rotating bracket assembly has rotated counterclockwise approximately 15 degrees. In FIG. 15C, the rotating bracket assembly has rotated about 45 degrees. In FIG. 15D, the rotating bracket assembly has rotated about 105 degrees. In FIG. 15E, the rotating bracket assembly has rotated about 165 degrees. In FIG. 15F, the rotating bracket assembly has rotated about 180 degrees. In each position illustrated in FIGS. 15A-F, the rotating bracket assembly 26 is sufficiently stable to hold its position, and the position of the RFID housing 18, without additional support.
(42) FIGS. 16A-L shown the rotating assembly 90 positioned at various locations relative to the fixed collar members 100 and bushings 102 through a 360-degree rotation. In some instances, all eight pairs of magnets are radially aligned (FIGS. 16A and G) and in the other instances, less than all eight pairs of magnets are aligned (FIGS. 16B-F and H-L). In each instance the aligned stabilizing member 92 are sufficient to stabilize the RFID housing relative to the nozzle 14. More specifically, when pockets 94 and 104 are aligned, pairs of magnets 110 are aligned and the attracting forces are sufficient to stabilize the RFID housing. This is true even when less than all of the pairs of stabilizing magnets are aligned. Mark M shows the changing orientation of the rotating bracket assembly 90.
(43) FIGS. 17A and B illustrate the RFID housing 18 in a position where the rotating bracket assembly is in a vertical orientation (analogous to FIGS. 15A and 16A). FIGS. 18A and B illustrate the RFID housing 18 in a position where the rotating bracket assembly has rotated counterclockwise approximately 45 degrees. FIGS. 19A and B illustrate the RFID housing 18 in a position where the rotating bracket assembly has rotated counterclockwise approximately 90 degrees. It should be further understood that the housing 18 is not limited to the shape or configuration illustrated in the figures, but can be different shapes provided the shape does not interfere with or inhibit rotation of the housing relative to a nozzle 14 engaged with a fuel port in a vehicle.
(44) While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims. Other modifications or uses for the present disclosure will also occur to those of skill in the art after reading the present disclosure. Such modifications or uses are deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
