If the fuel dispenser is an indispensable piece of equipment in modern gas stations, then the main control board (computer) serves as its "brain." It oversees all core operations of the fuel dispenser, from metering, display, and communication to safety protection—all of which rely on this seemingly ordinary yet highly precise electronic circuit board. With technological advancements, the main control board has evolved from the initial simple microcontroller-based control to today's highly integrated and intelligent embedded system. This article will guide you through an in-depth exploration of the structure, functions, working principles, and developmental history of the fuel dispenser's main control board.
1. What is a fuel dispenser main control board?
The main control board, also known as the "computer motherboard" or "control board", is the most essential electronic control component in a fuel dispenser. It is usually installed in the explosion-proof electrical box of the fuel dispenser, responsible for receiving signals from components such as encoders, keyboards, and fuel gun switches, processing refueling data, controlling executing components such as motors and solenoid valves, and communicating with the backend system.
In the Belin refueling machine, the main control board models such as ZK800, ZK1000, etc. are suitable for single and double gun and multi gun models respectively, with high modularity and configurability.
2. The core components of the main control board
The main control board is mainly composed of the following core modules:
(1) Measurement microprocessor
Responsible for receiving pulse signals from the encoder and calculating the volume or amount of oil in real time.
Ensure that the measurement accuracy complies with the national verification regulations (such as JJG443-2023).
(2) Monitor the microprocessor
As a 'supervisor', real-time comparison of data from the measuring microprocessor to prevent cheating or errors.
Once abnormal data is detected, the self-locking function will be triggered, stopping refueling and reporting an error.
(3) Memory
Used to store refueling records, cumulative data, equipment parameters, clock information, etc.
Part of the data is' tax control data 'and cannot be tampered with, used for tax inspection.
(4) Clock circuit
Provide a real-time clock for timestamp recording to ensure accurate timing of each transaction.
(5) Communication interface
Including CAN bus, RS232, RS485, etc., used for communication with communication boards, display boards, backend systems, etc.
(6) Power management module
Ensure that the motherboard operates stably at various voltage levels, with power-off protection and data storage capabilities.
3. How does the main control board work?
(1) Refueling start
When the user lifts the gun or presses the fuel button, the main control board receives a "lift gun signal", starts the motor and solenoid valve, and starts refueling.
(2) Signal acquisition and measurement
The flow of oil through the flowmeter drives the encoder to generate pulse signals. The metering microprocessor on the main control board counts these pulses and converts them into fuel liters or amounts.
(3) Real time comparison and monitoring
The monitoring microprocessor synchronously receives the encoder signal and performs real-time comparison with the data from the metering microprocessor. If the deviation exceeds the allowable range, the system will determine it as a "measurement abnormality", immediately stop the machine and display an error code (such as "64" indicating abnormal fuel volume exceeding the tolerance).
(4) Data display and storage
The main control board sends the processed data to display boards (such as Yingtai and Tuosheng tax control display boards), and stores transaction records in memory and uploads them to the backend management system.
(5) Communication and Networking
The main control board interacts with station level systems, payment systems, cloud platforms, etc. through communication boards (such as APP600, APP2000), and supports various payment methods such as IC cards, UnionPay, QR codes, etc.
4. The technological evolution of the main control board
(1) Early stage of microcontroller
Using 8-bit or 16 bit microcontrollers, with a single function, only achieving basic measurement and control.
The program is fixed in ROM and does not support remote upgrades.
(2) Embedded system stage
Adopting a 32-bit ARM processor, the clock speed has been increased to over 200MHz and supports multitasking.
Equipped with CAN bus architecture, achieving modular design for easy functional expansion.
(3) New national standard security stage
Introduce the "National Cryptography Algorithm" (SM2/SM3/SM4) to achieve data encryption and identity authentication.
It has anti tampering functions such as hardware serial number, digital signature, and online verification.
Support "self-locking function" to prevent cheating behavior.
(4) Intelligent and Internet of Things stage
The main control board is linked with the cloud system, supporting remote diagnosis, program upgrades, and data analysis.
Can be connected to oil and gas recovery systems, advertising screens, voice prompts, license plate recognition and other peripherals.
5. Typical faults and maintenance of the main control board
Common faults:
Unable to start: power board malfunction, blown fuse
Inaccurate measurement: abnormal encoder signal, incorrect pulse equivalent setting
Display exception: Communication failure on the display board, program error on the motherboard
Communication interruption: Communication board malfunction, poor CAN bus contact
Maintenance suggestion:
Regularly check whether the wiring terminals are loose
Keep the motherboard clean to prevent the accumulation of dust and oil stains
Upgrade using original factory programs to avoid compatibility issues
Equipped with backup batteries to prevent data loss during power outages
6. The development trend of the main control board
(1) Higher integration: Further integrate communication, payment, display and other functions into a single main control board.
(2) AI empowerment: Optimizing refueling curves through machine learning to improve measurement accuracy and energy efficiency.
(3) 5G and edge computing: realize lower latency data transmission and local intelligent decision-making.
(4) Blockchain technology: used for storing fuel data certificates, enhancing data credibility and anti-counterfeiting capabilities.
Conclusion
As the "nerve center" of the fuel dispenser, the technical level of the main control board directly determines the performance, safety, and intelligence of the fuel dispenser. The evolution of the main control board from the initial simple counting to today's multifunctional, high security, and networked intelligent control system is a microcosm of the development of fuel dispenser technology. In the future, with the deep integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, the main control board will continue to play a more critical role in promoting the development of refueling equipment towards smarter, safer, and more environmentally friendly directions.
