JP2008275430A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas meter capable of reporting such information as to enable gas users and gas service providers to estimate gas apparatuses in use when the quantity of flow is cut off. <P>SOLUTION: The gas meter is provided with a detection means for judging gas supply safety and detecting anomalies; a cut-off means for cutting off the supply of gas when the detection means has detected anomalies; and a reporting means for reporting cut-off factors. The reporting means displays information which enables the estimation of gas apparatuses in use in the case that anomalies, a cut-off factor by the cut-off means, detected by the detection means are anomalies on the quantity of flow of gas. At a total flow cut-off, F-42 indicating a total flow cut-off is, for example, displayed on a sub-counter display screen 32 as the display of a detailed factor of the cut-off. In the case that a cut-off flow value is 3,000 L/h, the information of 30 of the upper two digits of the cut-off flow value, as information indicating this, is, for example, displayed on the sub-counter display screen 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter, and more particularly to a gas meter having a shut-off function.

  Conventionally, as a gas meter, a so-called microcomputer meter that includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that operates in accordance with a predetermined program for realizing various functions related to gas supply has been used. . These various functions include, for example, functions for convenience of consumers, functions for improving work efficiency for gas companies, etc., in addition to blocking functions important for safety, and are used by users. Necessary functions are appropriately selected and set in accordance with the usage environment of the gas equipment. The setting data at this time is stored in a memory in the microcomputer, and various functions provided in the gas meter are executed according to this setting.

  Among the various functions described above, in the case of a gas meter having a gas supply cutoff function, this occurrence event is displayed on the gas meter display unit in order to indicate to the gas company or gas user what the cutoff has occurred. The display roughly corresponds to. Here, in the gas meter (microcomputer meter) which mounts the present microcomputer, the display content is displayed by ABC display.

  However, at the time of interruption, a display roughly corresponding to the occurrence event is made on the display unit, but even if different types of interruptions occur, the same display is often the case, and among the many, it is the interruption caused by which occurrence event Because the details are not displayed, the details of the event that occurs are unknown. Therefore, if the gas meter is shut down for some reason, it takes time to determine the shut-off factor, so the work efficiency until valve opening is poor and the gas cannot be used at the gas user's house. There is a problem that it takes a great deal of trouble. This is a particularly significant problem in the display contents (ABC display) displayed on the microcomputer meter.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Literature 1 discloses a gas meter capable of notifying a detailed cause of shutoff when the gas supply is shut off. The gas meter has a plurality of detecting means for judging safety of gas supply and detecting an abnormality, and a shut-off means for shutting off the gas supply when an abnormality is detected by the detecting means and when a shut-off operation is performed, As a detailed factor of the blockage, a detection unit that detects an abnormality among the plurality of detection units or a notification unit that notifies information corresponding to the executed block operation is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit in a conventional gas meter (Patent Document 1). In FIG. 4, 30 is a display screen in the display unit, 31 is a security display screen, which indicates an ABC display area in the display screen 30, and 32 is a sub-counter display screen, which is a detailed blocking factor in the display screen 30. Refers to the display area. The gas meter described in Patent Literature 1 has a display unit that displays such a display screen 30, determines whether or not a blocking event has occurred, and if it has occurred, displays the blocking event as an ABC display on the security display screen. In addition to the display on the sub-counter display screen 32, the blocking details factor is displayed on the sub-counter display screen 32.

More specifically, when the total flow rate is cut off, the increased flow rate is cut off, and the continuous use time is cut off, the sub-counter display screen is displayed in addition to the ABC display as shown in FIGS. 4 (A), (B), and (C). 32 displays “F-42”, “F-43”, and “F-44”. In addition, for example, when the test is shut off, the seismoscope is shut off, or the alarm is turned off, the sub-counter display screen 32 displays “F-21”, “F-32”, and “F-33” in addition to the ABC display. Is displayed.
JP 2006-17515 A

  However, in the gas meter described in Patent Document 1, when the flow rate is interrupted while the gas appliance is being used, only the display such as F-42 / F-43 / F-44 is performed as the detailed shut-off factor. The work efficiency up to is bad.

  In other words, this gas meter can only determine the flow rate interruption (total / increase / usage time) and does not know more detailed factors such as which gas appliance used the flow rate. The work efficiency until opening is poor.

  In addition, if the gas user uses the gas appliance in the same way even after the valve is opened, there is a possibility that the gas user will shut off again. There is a problem that it takes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a gas meter capable of notifying information on which a gas user or a gas company can infer the gas appliance to be used when the flow rate is cut off. For that purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the first technical means of the present invention includes a detection unit that determines the safety of gas supply and detects an abnormality, and supplies gas when an abnormality is detected by the detection unit. A gas meter comprising a shutoff means for shutting off and a notifying means for notifying the cause of the shutoff, wherein the notifying means detects that the abnormality detected by the detecting means that caused the shutoff by the shutoff means is a gas flow rate. When there is an abnormality related to the gas appliance, it has a display means for displaying information that can be used to guess the gas appliance to be used.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the display means, when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which a total flow rate exceeds a predetermined cutoff flow value, Information indicating the cutoff flow rate value is displayed.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the display means is configured to estimate the information when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the increased flow rate exceeds a predetermined cutoff flow rate value. As an example, information indicating the shut-off flow value is displayed.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the gas meter is capable of integrating the gas flow rate for each of a plurality of predetermined flow rate categories, and the display means is configured to detect an abnormality related to the gas flow rate. However, when the continuous use time exceeds the predetermined cut-off use time, information indicating the flow rate classification is displayed as the information that can be estimated.

  According to a fifth technical means, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which a continuous use time exceeds a predetermined cut-off use time, As the information that can be estimated, information indicating the blocking use time is displayed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in a gas meter, it becomes possible to alert | report the information which a gas user or a gas company can guess a use gas appliance at the time of flow volume interruption | blocking.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is also a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a general microcomputer meter. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a figure which shows the event used as the gas supply interruption | blocking in the gas meter of FIG. 1, and the example of a display.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a gas meter, 2 is an external device, 10 is a control unit, 11 is a metering unit, 12 is a sensor unit, 13 is a display unit, 14 is a blocking unit, 15 is a terminal block, 21 is a home controller, 22 Is an NCU, 23 is a gas leak alarm, 24 is an external 1 device (device of external terminal 1), and 25 is an external 2 device (device of external terminal 2).

  The gas meter 1 includes a control unit 10 that performs various controls in the gas meter 1, a measuring unit 11 that measures a gas flow rate, a sensor unit 12, a display unit 13, and a blocking unit 14, and further connects to the external device 2. A terminal block 15 is provided.

  The metering unit 11 includes a metering function 11a that outputs the rotational speed or fluid vibration of the rotating body according to the gas flow rate. The sensor unit 12 includes sensors that detect physical quantities related to gas flow rate and security. The voltage detection sensor 12a detects the voltage of the battery 10c, the flow rate sensor 12b detects the output of the weighing function 11a, and the gas pressure decreases. The pressure sensor 12c detects gas pressure and the like, and the seismic sensor 12d detects vibration such as seismic waves. The flow rate sensor 12b is a sensor for detecting the flow rate, and of course may be a flow rate sensor that calculates the flow rate by the microcomputer 10a, or via a flow rate calculator (flow rate converter). The flow rate may be transmitted to the microcomputer 10a.

  The control unit 10 mainly performs arithmetic processing on the captured sensor signal, stores the processed data, and outputs the processed data to the display unit 13 or to the outside via the terminal block 15. 10a, an interface 10b, a battery 10c as a power source, a test cutoff switch 10d for testing whether the bidirectional cutoff valve 14a functions normally, a container reset switch 10e, and the like. The battery 12 serves as a power source for at least the control unit 10. Further, the microcomputer 10a is an electronic control device that commands the flow sensor 12b and performs a process of measuring and integrating the flow based on a flow detection signal from the flow sensor 12b. The memory is configured to record a program for causing the MPU to function and to record processing data. Further, the notification process according to the present invention is mainly controlled by the microcomputer 10a, and for example, display symbols corresponding to detection items described later are stored in the memory and read out.

  The display unit 13 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays data processed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a predetermined program or an external command, and includes an integrated gas flow rate display unit 13a, a security display. The unit 13b, the sub-counter display unit 13c, and the like. The shut-off unit 14 shuts off the control valve in response to a command from the microcomputer 10a of the control unit 10 when an abnormality or the like due to a signal from the sensor unit 12 occurs. The bidirectional shut-off valve 14a as a control valve, a return button 14b and the like.

  On the other hand, the external device 2 is equipment connected to the outside of the gas meter 1 via the terminal block 15. For example, the external device 2 makes a call between the home operating device 21 that operates the gas meter 1 in the home and the gas meter 1. Other external devices (here, one external device) such as an NCU 22 that controls the telephone exchange network such as sending and disconnecting selection signals, a gas leak alarm 23 that warns of gas leaks in the gas meter 1, and a handy terminal and a PC (personal computer) 24 and two external devices 25) are provided.

  The NCU 22 is a device that connects the gas meter 1 and the gas meter 1 via a telephone line in order to perform communication functions (automatic notification, remote shut-off, automatic meter reading, etc.) of the gas meter 1. 1 data is transmitted and received. The NCU 22 is normally connected to an N line communication terminal (N line communication port). The handy terminal and the PC are used as a meter reading device and a setting device, and the setting device is a device for performing setting change or confirmation of the installed gas meter. Items to be set and confirmed include continuous use time setting and flaming registration, but their specifications are determined by the operation type of the gas company.

  When the gas meter 1 configured as described above is installed in the gas line and the return button (shut-off valve open switch) 14b is turned on (closed), the valve is kept open by self-holding and gas flow measurement is started. The Pressure data and flow rate data detected by the built-in pressure sensor 12c and flow rate sensor 12b are taken into the control unit 10 and processed, and the safety is judged according to a predetermined program to continue measurement or shut off. It is instructed whether to close the valve and issue an alarm.

  As exemplified by the sensor unit 12, the gas meter 1 according to the present invention is provided with detection means for judging the safety of gas supply and detecting an abnormality, and further exemplified by the bidirectional shut-off valve 14a and the control unit 10. Thus, there is provided a shut-off means for shutting off the gas supply when an abnormality is detected by the detecting means. Furthermore, as exemplified by the security display unit 13b and the sub-counter display unit 13c, the gas meter 1 includes a notification unit that notifies the cause of the interruption.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an event that causes gas supply interruption in the gas meter of FIG. 1 and a display example thereof. FIG. 2 shows display priorities together with display contents. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the events that cause the shut-off include those in which the shut-off valve does not move, those that are operated by a person such as a gas company or gas user, and sensors (external to the microcomputer). In general, the sensor is classified into two types, namely, a sensor block) and a flow rate sensor.

The event that the shut-off valve does not move includes detection by a battery voltage drop on the CPU side / shut-off valve side, center operation by a center command, and operation of an inspector who is performing a leak test, for example, “F-11”. (“F-11 ₁ ” / “F-11 ₂ ”), “F-12”, and “F-13” may be displayed on the sub-counter display unit 13c. In addition, according to the conventional ABC display, “A, gas stop”, “gas stop”, and “A, gas stop, R” are displayed on the security display unit 13b, respectively.

  The event of shut-off performed by a person is a test shut-off operation by pressing the test shut-off switch 10d, a remote closing operation from the home by the home controller 21, an emergency shut-off operation via the H line, and an emergency shut-off operation via the N line For example, “F-21”, “F-22”, “F-23”, and “F-24” may be displayed on the sub-counter display unit 13c, respectively. For these, in accordance with the conventional ABC display, the display of “B, C, gas stop”, “gas stop”, “gas stop”, and “B, C, gas stop” are respectively displayed on the security display section 13b. To be made.

  The external sensor shut-off event includes pressure drop detection by the pressure sensor 12c, earthquake detection by the seismic sensor 12d, alarm detection by the alarm device 23, and alarm detection by the second alarm device connected to the external two devices 25 and the like. For example, “F-31”, “F-32”, “F-33”, and “F-34” may be displayed on the sub-counter display unit 13c. For these, according to the conventional ABC display, “B, C, gas stop, P”, “B, C, gas stop”, “B, C, gas stop”, and “B, C, "Gas off" is displayed on the security display section 13b.

  And, the interruption events due to the flow rate related to the main features of the present invention are all detections by the flow rate sensor 12b, etc., leakage detection during confirmation of return safety, detection that the total flow rate exceeds the threshold value, increase flow rate is the threshold value For example, “F-41”, for example, detecting that the continuous use time has exceeded the threshold, and detecting that the blocking that should be performed by the detection has not been performed. “F-42”, “F-43”, “F-44”, and “F-45” may be displayed on the sub-counter display unit 13c. For these, according to the conventional ABC display, “B, C, gas stop”, “C, gas stop”, “C, gas stop”, “A, C, gas stop” and “A,” respectively. , B, C "is displayed on the security display section 13b.

  The notifying means in the present invention is not limited to only performing such display, but when the abnormality detected by the sensor unit 12 that is the cause of the interruption is an abnormality related to the gas flow rate, that is, an abnormality based on measurement by the flow sensor 12b. In this case, there is a display means for displaying information that can be used to guess the gas appliance to be used. This display means, for example, displays such inferable information on the sub-counter display unit 13c as described above for “F-41”, “F-42”, “F-43”, “F-44”, and “ F-45 "etc. are added and displayed.

  In other words, in the present invention, when a flow interruption due to the use of a gas appliance occurs, information that can estimate the gas appliance to be used, such as a cutoff flow value, a cutoff flow classification, and a cutoff usage time, is added as a “detailed factor of cutoff”. And display (inform).

  In this way, by displaying information with information that can be used to guess the gas appliance used when the flow rate is cut off, the gas company or gas user can see the information and guess the gas appliance that caused the blockage. it can.

  Therefore, the gas company and the gas user can appropriately cope with the blocking factor, and the work efficiency from the blocking response to the valve opening can be improved. Thereby, the convenience and safety | security of gas use in a gas user's house can be aimed at.

  For example, in a telephone response from a gas company to a gas user at the time of shut-off, it is possible to estimate a gas appliance to be used for shut-off, and it is possible to give advice to the gas user. Based on this, it becomes possible for the gas user himself to perform the valve opening operation, and it becomes possible to use the gas again in an earlier time than the gas company responds. In addition, even when the gas company responds to the interruption factor locally, the relationship between the gas meter setting value and the gas appliance to be used can be clarified and an appropriate gas meter setting value can be set. The same shut-off will not occur

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit in the gas meter of FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing an example of a display result on the above-described display means, which is a main characteristic part of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 30 is a display screen of the display unit 13, 31 is a security display screen of the security display unit 13b and indicates an ABC display area in the screen 30, and 32 is a sub-counter display screen of the sub-counter display unit 13c. In this case, it refers to the blockage detailed factor display area in the screen 30.

  The above display means preferably displays information indicating the cutoff flow value as information that can be estimated when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the total flow rate exceeds a predetermined cutoff flow value. Referring to FIG. 3A, when the total flow rate is cut off, as described above, “F-42” indicating the total flow rate cut-off is displayed on the sub-counter display screen 32 as a display of the detailed factor of the cut-off. . In addition to this, when the cutoff flow value is 3000 L / h, for example, information “30” of the first two digits of the cutoff flow value is displayed on the sub-counter display screen 32 as information indicating this.

  By displaying the cutoff flow rate when the total flow rate is cut off, it is possible to check the use state of the gas appliance with respect to the cutoff set value of the gas meter 1. As a result, the relationship between the gas meter setting state and the gas appliance usage state is clarified, so the convenience of using the gas after opening the valve by improving work efficiency and safety confirmation when opening the valve, including resetting the appropriate cutoff setting value, Safety can be improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the display means described above displays information indicating the cutoff flow value as information that can be estimated when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the increased flow rate exceeds a predetermined cutoff flow rate value. Referring to FIG. 3B, when the increased flow rate is cut off, “F-43” indicating the increased flow rate cut off is displayed on the sub-counter display screen 32 as a display of the detailed factor of the cut off as described above. . In addition to this, when the cutoff flow rate value is 2500 L / h, for example, information “25” of the first two digits of the cutoff flow rate value is displayed on the sub-counter display screen 32 as information indicating this.

  By displaying the cutoff flow rate when the increased flow rate is cut off, it is possible to check the use state of the gas appliance with respect to the cutoff set value of the gas meter 1. As a result, the relationship between the gas meter setting state and the gas appliance usage state is clarified, so the convenience of using the gas after opening the valve by improving work efficiency and safety confirmation when opening the valve, including resetting the appropriate cutoff setting value, Safety can be improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the display means described above displays information indicating the flow rate category as information that can be estimated when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the continuous use time exceeds a predetermined cutoff use time. Referring to FIG. 3C, when the continuous use time flow rate is cut off, as described above, “F-44” indicating the continuous use time cut off on the sub-counter display screen 32 as a display of the detailed factor of the cut off. Is displayed. In addition to this, when the cutoff flow rate category is category 2, information “02” of the cutoff flow rate category is displayed as information indicating that.

  Here, the gas meter 1 can integrate the gas flow rate for each of a plurality of predetermined flow rate categories. As for the flow rate classification, for example, the flow rate [L / h] per unit time is less than ~ 21 in Category 1, less than ~ 63 in Category 2-1, less than ~ 125 in Category 2-2, and less than ~ 210 in Category 2- 3, less than ~ 250 is classified in section 3, less than ~ 290 is classified in section 4,. . . ˜˜1460 or more may be determined in advance as the division 13. In the above example, the category 2 corresponds to 21 or more and less than 210.

  By displaying the cutoff flow rate classification at the time of continuous use time cutoff, it is possible to check the gas appliance usage state with respect to the cutoff set value of the gas meter 1. As a result, the relationship between the gas meter setting state and the gas appliance usage state is clarified, so the convenience of using the gas after opening the valve by improving work efficiency and safety confirmation when opening the valve, including resetting the appropriate cutoff setting value, Safety can be improved.

  In addition, when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the continuous use time exceeds the predetermined cut-off use time, the above-mentioned display means can estimate the information instead of the flow rate category or in addition to the flow rate category. Information indicating the blocking usage time may be displayed. Referring to FIG. 3D, when the continuous use time flow rate is cut off, as described above, “F-44” indicating the continuous use time cut off on the sub-counter display screen 32 as a display of the detailed factor of the cut off. Is displayed. In addition to this, in the case where the blocking usage time is 120 minutes, for example, information “120” of the blocking usage time is displayed as it is to indicate that the blocking has been performed for a continuous usage time of 120 minutes. When the flow rate classification and the shut-off usage time are displayed at the same time, for example, “02 120” may be displayed.

  By displaying the shut-off use time when the continuous use time is shut off, it is possible to check the gas appliance use state with respect to the shut-off set value of the gas meter 1. As a result, the relationship between the gas meter setting state and the gas appliance usage state is clarified, so the convenience of using the gas after opening the valve by improving work efficiency and safety confirmation when opening the valve, including resetting the appropriate cutoff setting value, Safety can be improved.

  In addition, after the display as described above, the gas company or the gas user performs the valve opening operation. Thereafter, the return confirmation is performed. During the return confirmation, the sub-counter display screen 32 displays, for example, “30” seconds, “29” seconds,. . . , “0” seconds, etc. may be displayed. If the restoration is completed during this period, the security display screen 31 and the sub-counter display screen 32 may be turned off. On the other hand, when it is determined that the return is impossible by the return check during this period, it is preferable to display the cause of the return check impossible on the sub-counter display screen 32 while keeping the ABC display as it is. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, as factors that cannot be confirmed for return, “H-11” and “H-12” are obtained when the valve opening switch is being pressed and when it is in the house open state, respectively. "To display. Also in this case, it is preferable to prioritize the display such that “H-11” is displayed with priority. In addition, even when such a return confirmation impossibility factor is displayed, the information that can be used to guess the above-described gas appliance may be displayed.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the gas meter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and is also a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of a general microcomputer meter. It is a figure which shows the event used as the gas supply interruption | blocking in the gas meter of FIG. 1, and its display example. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in the gas meter of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in the conventional gas meter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas meter, 2 ... External device, 10 ... Control part, 10a ... Microcomputer (microcomputer), 10b ... Interface, 10c ... Battery, 10d ... Test interruption switch, 10e ... Container reset switch, 11 ... Weighing part, 11a ... Weighing Function: 12 ... Sensor unit, 12a ... Voltage detection sensor, 12b ... Flow rate sensor, 12c ... Pressure sensor, 12d ... Seismic device, 13 ... Display unit, 13a ... Integration display unit, 13b ... Security display unit, 13c ... Sub-counter Display unit, 14 ... Shut-off unit, 14a ... Bidirectional shut-off valve, 14b ... Return button, 15 ... Terminal block, 21 ... In-home controller, 22 ... Network control unit (NCU), 23 ... Gas leak alarm, 24 ... External 1 device, 25 ... 2 external devices, 30 ... display screen, 31 ... security display screen, 32 ... sub-counter display screen.

Claims (5)

  A gas meter comprising detection means for judging the safety of gas supply and detecting an abnormality, a shut-off means for shutting off the gas supply when an abnormality is detected by the detection means, and a notifying means for notifying the cause of the shut-off The notification means displays information that can be used to guess the gas appliance to be used when the abnormality detected by the detection means that has caused the interruption by the interruption means is an abnormality relating to the gas flow rate. A gas meter comprising means.   When the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the total flow rate exceeds a predetermined cutoff flow rate value, the display means displays information indicating the cutoff flow rate value as the specifiable information. The gas meter according to claim 1.   The display means displays information indicating the shut-off flow value as the presumable information when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the increased flow rate exceeds a predetermined shut-off flow value. The gas meter according to claim 1 or 2.   The gas meter is capable of integrating the gas flow rate for each of a plurality of predetermined flow rate segments, and the display means is configured such that when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which the continuous use time exceeds a predetermined cut-off use time, The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein information indicating the flow rate classification is displayed as information that can be estimated.   The display means displays information indicating the cut-off use time as the information that can be estimated when the abnormality related to the gas flow rate is an abnormality in which a continuous use time exceeds a predetermined cut-off use time. The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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