Systems and methods for an externally accessible refueling request switch

• US 9,340,106 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2014
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dudar, Aed M., Yang, Dennis Seung-Man, Pearce, Russell Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sweeney, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US14/265,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20150306953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03296 Pressure regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03576 Venting during filling the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03585 by gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0359 by filler cap or inlet cover position
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0546 Arrangements for checking the position of the inlet cover
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0561 Locking means for the inlet cover
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss

Abstract

A method for a vehicle, comprising: depressurizing a fuel tank while restricting access to a fuel fill line responsive to receiving a refueling request from a refueling request module located external to a vehicle cabin; and allowing access to the fuel fill line responsive to the fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold. In this way, all of the steps of a refueling procedure can be carried out entirely outside of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for a vehicle, comprising:

depressurizing a fuel tank while maintaining a lock coupled to a refueling door in a locked state responsive to receiving a refueling request from a refueling request module located external to a vehicle cabin;

unlocking the refueling door lock responsive to the fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold pressure; and

indicating to pull an emergency release cable responsive to the fuel tank not depressurizing below the threshold pressure, wherein the emergency release cable is coupled to a fuel tank isolation valve and the refueling door lock.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the refueling request from the refueling request module comprises detecting the refueling door in a pushed inward state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the refueling door lock in a locked state restricts access to a fuel fill line.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein unlocking the refueling door lock allows access to the fuel fill line.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the refueling event has ended;

sealing the fuel tank; and

locking the refueling door to restrict access to a fuel fill line.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving an indication that the refueling event has ended comprises detecting the refueling door in a closed state.

7. A fuel system for a vehicle, comprising:

a fuel tank;

a refueling inlet configured to receive a fuel dispensing nozzle;

a fuel fill line coupled between the refueling inlet and the fuel tank;

a refueling door located in a body panel of the vehicle and configured to restrict access to the refueling inlet;

a refueling lock coupled to the refueling door;

a controller configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to;

responsive to the refueling door being displaced inwards, initiate a fuel tank depressurization sequence while maintaining the refueling door locked; and

then

allow access to the fuel fill line responsive to the fuel tank depressurizing below a pressure threshold; and

an emergency release cable coupled to a fuel tank isolation valve and the refueling lock;

wherein the controller is further configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to;

indicate to pull the emergency release cable responsive to the fuel tank not depressurizing below the pressure threshold.

8. The system of claim 7, the controller further configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to:

responsive to the refueling door being displaced outwards, maintain the fuel tank depressurized and the refueling door unlocked; and

then

responsive to the refueling door being closed, seal the fuel tank and lock the refueling door.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a refueling button coupled adjacent to the refueling inlet;

the refueling button configured to;

displace inwards responsive to the refueling door being displaced inwards;

displace outwards responsive to the refueling door being displaced outwards; and

return to a neutral position responsive to the refueling door being closed.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a potentiometer coupled to the refueling button, the potentiometer configured to;

output a full voltage signal responsive to a positive displacement;

output a half voltage signal responsive to a neutral displacement; and

output a zero voltage signal responsive to a negative displacement.

11. The system of claim 10, where an inward displacement of the refueling button initiates the positive displacement of the potentiometer, an outward displacement of the refueling button initiates the negative displacement of the potentiometer, and a return to the neutral position of the refueling button initiates the neutral displacement of the potentiometer.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to:

seal the fuel tank and lock the refueling door responsive to the return to the neutral position of the refueling button.

13. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

an LED display encircling the refueling inlet;

the controller further configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to;

dynamically illuminate the LED display concurrent with the fuel tank depressurization sequence.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to:

dynamically illuminate the LED display responsive to changes in a fuel tank fuel level.

15. A method for a vehicle, comprising:

receiving a voltage signal from a potentiometer indicating a refueling request, the refueling request comprising an operator inwardly pressing a refueling door configured to engage the potentiometer;

depressurizing a fuel tank while maintaining the refueling door locked;

unlocking the refueling door when a fuel tank pressure is below a pressure threshold;

receiving a voltage signal from the potentiometer indicating the refueling door is open;

receiving a voltage signal from the potentiometer indicating the refueling door is closed; and

sealing the fuel tank and locking the refueling door responsive to receiving the voltage signal from the potentiometer indicating the refueling door is closed.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the voltage signal from the potentiometer indicating a refueling request is a 5 volt signal;

the voltage signal from the potentiometer indicating the refueling door is closed is a 2.5 volt signal; and

the voltage signal from the potentiometer indicating the refueling door is open is a 0 volt signal.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising illuminating an LED display to convey to the operator a refueling status during refueling.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the refueling status is a fuel tank pressure and the LED display is configured to dynamically illuminate concurrent with a fuel tank depressurization sequence.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the refueling status is a fuel tank fuel level and the LED display is configured to illuminate responsive to changes in the fuel tank fuel level.