JP2004308833A - Gas cutoff device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in a conventional gas cutoff device that a cutoff valve can not be operated after a specific time even when the deterioration of battery voltage is detected during the determination when the deterioration of battery voltage is intermittently determined at every specific time, because of the individual dispersion of a battery of a battery power source part and the dispersion of internal resistance of the battery depending on the use environment, when the battery power source is used over a specific use capacity, further the battery is remarkably consumed when a short time interval is set to determine the deterioration of the battery voltage to prevent the above-mentioned problem, and it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power source part to keep the time limit for use of the gas cutoff device, which is not economical. <P>SOLUTION: A battery operating time determination part 12 clocks the operating time from the start of the supply of the battery power source part 9 by a battery operating time clocking part 10, and outputs a clocking signal when the operating time is over the time limit for use determined by a battery use time limit setting part 11. The time interval for determining the deterioration of the battery voltage by a battery deterioration determining part 13 is shortened after the input of the clocking signal, in comparison with that before the input of the clocking signal, on the basis of the clocking signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device that monitors the use state of a gas appliance that uses city gas, LP gas, or the like, and that ensures safety when the power supply capacity of a battery power supply unit is consumed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A conventional shut-off device of this type has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 in a gas shut-off device (for example, see Patent Document 1). FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device.
[0003]
In the gas cutoff device 1 of FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a battery power supply unit, which supplies power to the entire gas cutoff device. Reference numeral 3 denotes a shutoff valve for stopping or supplying gas in the flow path. Reference numeral 4 denotes a voltage drop detection unit, which detects a battery voltage in consideration of a predetermined period of time from the operation assurance voltage in which the capacity of the battery power supply unit 2 capable of operating the gas cutoff device 1 is left and detects a battery voltage drop in the shutoff valve. The signal A is output. Reference numeral 5 denotes an opening accepting portion, which accepts opening of the shut-off valve when the voltage drop signal A is input, and opens when an opening request (input of an opening signal by an opening request switch or communication) is received. A plug request signal C is output. Reference numeral 6 denotes a timer section which counts a predetermined operation assurance time from when the voltage drop signal A is input and outputs an opening completion signal D. Reference numeral 7 denotes an opening function stopping unit which outputs a closing stop signal E for stopping the opening by the opening request signal C when the opening completion signal D is inputted. Reference numeral 8 denotes a gas cutoff control unit which closes the shutoff valve 3 when the battery voltage drop signal A or the plugging stop signal E is input, and when the opening request signal C is input before the input signal of the plugging stop signal E. The shutoff valve 3 is opened.
[0004]
Next, the operation of the conventional configuration will be described. When the voltage drop detection unit 4 checking the consumption level of the battery power supply unit 2 detects the battery consumption voltage, it outputs a battery voltage drop signal A to the opening reception unit 5, the timer unit 6, and the gas cutoff control unit 8. . The gas shutoff control unit 8 to which the voltage drop signal A has been input outputs the first shutoff command signal B1 to operate the shutoff valve 3 to close the gas passage. The timer section 6 starts counting when the voltage drop signal A is input, and before the timer section 6 finishes counting for a predetermined time, there is an opening request to the opening reception section 5 and an opening request signal C Is output, the gas shutoff control unit 8 opens the shutoff valve 3. When the counting by the timer section 6 is completed, the opening completion signal D is output, so the opening function stopping section 7 outputs the closing stop signal E and stops accepting the opening request. The gas shut-off device 1 to which the plug stop signal E has been input outputs the second shut-off command signal B2 to close the shut-off valve 3.
[0005]
In the gas shut-off device 1 attached to the flow path of the medium gas such as city gas and LP gas, the voltage drop detection unit 4 measures the voltage of the battery power supply unit 2 at predetermined time intervals and monitors the degree of battery consumption. ing. The lower limit voltage at which the gas shut-off device 1 can be operated is set in advance as the operation assurance voltage, and the voltage value when the voltage rises by the required number of days from here is set as the battery consumption voltage. The voltage drop detection unit 4 monitors the battery voltage and detects the battery voltage at the time of this consumption. That is, a grace period is provided from when the battery consumption voltage is detected for the required number of days to when the voltage of the battery power supply unit 2 drops to the operation guarantee voltage, the shutoff valve 3 can be opened and the gas shutoff device 1 is replaced. It is a thing.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-103546 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional configuration has the following problems. When the voltage drop detection unit monitors the battery voltage at predetermined time intervals and determines the battery voltage drop at the time of exhaustion, the voltage drop detection unit calculates a current value that can operate the shut-off valve obtained in advance by calculation, experiment, or the like. This is performed by causing the battery power supply unit to supply a voltage drop determination current and comparing the voltage of the battery power supply unit at that time with the battery consumption voltage. The reason will be described below. The battery constituting the battery voltage portion has an internal resistance, and the equivalent circuit of the battery is represented by connecting the internal resistance and an ideal battery holding the initial voltage in series. The internal resistance has a characteristic that it gradually increases with aging. Now, when a current is taken out from the battery power supply, due to this internal resistance, only the product of the resistance value and the taken out current causes a voltage loss as an IR drop, and the voltage of the battery power supply decreases accordingly. On the other hand, the operating current of the shut-off valve is significantly larger than the operating currents of the other parts, so that it is most affected by the internal resistance. Therefore, the maximum IR drop is caused by flowing the battery voltage drop determination current at the time of battery voltage drop determination, and it is determined whether or not the present apparatus can be operated based on the voltage of the battery power supply unit at that time.
[0008]
However, when the internal resistance of the battery in the battery power supply section exceeds a certain used capacity, the rate at which the resistance value increases greatly varies due to individual variations of the battery and differences in the use environment. In addition, since the battery voltage drop determination is performed intermittently at predetermined time intervals, in the worst case, when the battery voltage drop is detected, the battery voltage drops more than the predetermined battery consumption voltage, and the battery voltage drops. There may be a case where the shut-off valve cannot be operated after a predetermined time from the detection of the voltage drop.
[0009]
Further, as a preventive measure, it is possible to set the time interval for performing the battery drop determination to a short time that can correspond to the speed at which the internal resistance values of all batteries increase, but every time the battery voltage drop determination is performed, There is a problem that the battery consumption becomes remarkable due to the generated battery voltage drop judging current, and it is not economical to keep the expiration date of the gas shut-off device because it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Invention]
According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, the battery use time determination unit measures the use time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit by the battery use time measurement unit, and exceeds the use time limit of the battery use time setting unit set in advance. (Here, the set value of the expiration date is based on the amount of battery consumed by the gas shut-off device per unit time, and the battery power supply unit causes a large variation in the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases. Is the value obtained by converting the used capacity of the Based on this timing signal, the battery usage time determining unit determines the voltage / voltage drop of the battery power supply unit at every predetermined fixed time before the timing signal is input, and every time after the timing signal is input, which is less than the predetermined fixed time. It is intended to be performed.
[0011]
According to the above-described invention, the battery voltage drop determination is performed at predetermined time intervals before the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain used capacity, so that it is possible to make a determination based on the conventional battery consumption.
[0012]
In addition, after the battery power supply exceeds a certain used capacity, the battery voltage drop determination is performed promptly at a time interval shorter than a predetermined time, so that the battery voltage drop is determined before the battery voltage drop determination is performed. It is possible to reduce the problem that the voltage drop proceeds and the shut-off valve cannot be operated after a predetermined time from the battery voltage drop determination.
[0013]
In addition, since the above-described problem is reduced, the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases before the battery power supply portion exceeds a certain used capacity is slow, and the variation is small, so that the fixed time interval of the battery voltage drop determination is increased. It is possible to make settings, and it is possible to further reduce battery consumption caused by battery voltage drop determination.
[0014]
To prevent this, the time interval for performing the battery drop determination can be set to a short time that can correspond to the speed at which the internal resistance values of all batteries increase, but every time the battery voltage drop determination is made. The resulting battery voltage drop determination current significantly increases battery consumption, and can reduce the economical problem of having to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit in order to meet the expiration date of the gas shut-off device.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is a gas shut-off device including a shut-off valve for shutting off a gas passage when an abnormality occurs and a battery power supply unit for supplying operating power to a device including the shut-off valve. A battery usage time measuring unit that measures the usage time of the battery, a battery usage time setting unit that sets the usage time of the battery power unit, and a comparison between the battery usage time measurement unit and the battery usage time setting unit. A battery usage time determination unit that outputs a timing signal when it is determined that the battery usage period has been reached, and the voltage of the battery power supply unit is a predetermined time before the timing signal is input, and after the timing signal is input. Monitoring is performed at intervals of a time that is shorter than a predetermined time, and a battery consumption power set in consideration of a battery consumption for a predetermined time that is higher than an operation guarantee voltage at which this voltage becomes a lower limit value at which the shut-off valve can be operated. Those having a low voltage detection section for outputting the determined battery voltage decreases output signal that falls below.
[0016]
Then, after the battery power supply exceeds a certain used capacity, the battery voltage drop determination is performed promptly with a time shorter than a predetermined time, so that the battery voltage drop is determined before the battery voltage drop determination is performed. And the problem that the shut-off valve cannot be operated after a predetermined time from the battery voltage drop determination can be reduced.
[0017]
In addition, since the above-described problem is reduced, the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases before the battery power supply portion exceeds a certain used capacity is slow, and the variation is small, so that the fixed time interval of the battery voltage drop determination is increased. It is possible to make settings, and it is possible to further reduce battery consumption caused by battery voltage drop determination.
[0018]
To prevent this, the time interval for performing the battery drop determination can be set to a short time that can correspond to the speed at which the internal resistance values of all batteries increase, but every time the battery voltage drop determination is made. Due to the remarkable increase in battery consumption, it is possible to reduce the economical problem that it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit in order to meet the expiration date of the gas shut-off device.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery expiration date setting unit including a plurality of expiration dates of a battery power supply unit, and a battery usage time period for outputting a timing signal each time the battery usage time reaches a plurality of battery expiration dates. The determination unit and the voltage of the battery power supply unit before the timing signal is input at predetermined intervals, and after the timing signal is input, the time corresponding to the set value of the battery expiration date is reduced from the predetermined time. It has a voltage drop detection unit that monitors at intervals of time and performs battery voltage drop determination.
[0020]
Then, even when the variation in the rate at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases with time increases due to the provision of a plurality of expiration dates, the battery voltage determination corresponding to the used capacity of the battery power supply unit is performed. Since the fixed time interval can be set, the battery voltage can be more reliably determined according to the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases.
[0021]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery power supply unit having a plurality of expiration dates, and a battery expiration date setting unit capable of switching the expiration dates from outside the apparatus.
[0022]
Since the fixed time interval for performing the battery voltage determination can be switched from outside the device, even after the device is manufactured, the region to be shipped (for example, the region where the temperature changes more drastically has a higher speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases). It is possible to switch the expiration date in accordance with a large variation. This makes it possible to set the expiration date in consideration of the difference in the speed at which the internal resistance of the battery increases after the power supply voltage exceeds a certain usage capacity depending on the usage environment, and thus the battery can be more reliably used. The battery voltage can be determined in accordance with the variation in the speed at which the internal resistance value increases.
[0023]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the battery voltage drop output signal is output, the voltage drop detection unit has a storage of a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply unit.
[0024]
Based on this memory, it is possible to analyze under what condition the used capacity of the battery power supply unit determines the battery voltage drop, and based on the analysis, the expiration date of the battery expiration date setting unit is used in actual use. It can be determined whether or not the value conforms to By setting the expiration date based on this determination, the battery voltage can be more reliably determined in accordance with the variation in the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases.
[0025]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the voltage drop detecting section has a display of a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply section.
[0026]
By looking at this display, the state of the used capacity of the battery power supply unit of the apparatus can be known, and it is possible to recognize that the life of the battery power supply unit is approaching by displaying the time for monitoring the reduced voltage of the battery power supply unit.
[0027]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the voltage drop detecting section outputs information on a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply section to the outside.
[0028]
By knowing this information, it is possible to know in real time that the used capacity of the battery power supply unit of the apparatus has exceeded a certain value, and it is possible to more accurately recognize that the life of the battery power supply unit is approaching.
[0029]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a gas shut-off device, but the present invention is not limited to gas, and may be a battery voltage determination device for water, electric power, combustion fuel, and the like.
[0030]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the gas shut-off device of the present invention.
[0031]
In the figure, there are nine power supply voltage parts. Reference numeral 10 denotes a battery usage time measurement unit that measures the usage time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit 9. Reference numeral 11 denotes a battery expiration date setting unit which sets an expiration date. Reference numeral 12 denotes a battery usage time determination unit that compares the battery usage time with the battery usage period, and outputs a clock signal when the battery usage time exceeds the battery usage period. Reference numeral 13 denotes a voltage drop detection unit that monitors the battery voltage of the battery power supply unit 9 at regular time intervals. Reference numeral 14 denotes a display unit, which is provided so as to display a clock signal when there is a clock signal.
[0032]
Next, the operation and operation will be described. The battery usage time determination unit 12 measures the usage time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit 9 by the battery usage time measurement unit 12, and sets the usage time of the battery usage time setting unit 11 set in advance. When it exceeds, a timing signal is output. Here, the installation value of the expiration date is almost constant because the battery consumption used by the apparatus per unit time (generally, the operation pattern of the apparatus is constant, and if there is a variation, it is the worst for safety. The use capacity of the battery power supply unit 9 (depending on the type of the battery, but several tens of percent of the battery capacity is a guide) is greatly varied based on the value of the battery. It is the value converted to. Based on the above-mentioned clock signal, the battery use time determination unit 13 performs the voltage / voltage drop determination of the battery power supply unit at predetermined time intervals (for example, 25 hours or 50 hours) before the clock signal is input, and after the clock signal is input. It is performed every time (for example, one hour) shorter than a predetermined time.
[0033]
Further, the battery expiration date setting unit 11 includes a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit 9, and the battery usage time determination unit 12 outputs a clock signal each time the battery usage time reaches a plurality of battery expiration dates. The voltage of the power supply unit 9 is monitored every predetermined time before the timing signal is input, and every time after the time signal is input, the time corresponding to the set value of the battery expiration date is subtracted from the predetermined time, and the voltage is monitored. The drop detection unit 13 may perform the battery voltage drop determination.
[0034]
As a result, even when the variation in the rate at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases with time increases due to the provision of a plurality of expiration dates, the battery voltage determination corresponding to the used capacity of the battery power supply unit can be performed. Since a fixed time interval can be set, the battery voltage can be more reliably determined according to the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases.
[0035]
Further, the battery expiration date setting unit 12 may include a plurality of expiration dates of the battery power supply unit so that the expiration dates can be switched from outside the apparatus.
[0036]
As a result, the fixed time interval at which the battery voltage is determined can be switched from outside the device. Therefore, even after the device is manufactured, the area to which the battery is shipped (for example, the area where the temperature changes more drastically has a higher speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases). Can vary the expiration date in accordance with the variation of the expiration date). This makes it possible to set the expiration date in consideration of the difference in the speed at which the internal resistance of the battery increases after the power supply voltage exceeds a certain usage capacity depending on the usage environment, and thus the battery can be more reliably used. The battery voltage can be determined in accordance with the variation in the speed at which the internal resistance value increases.
[0037]
Further, the time interval at which the voltage drop detection unit monitors the voltage of the battery power supply unit when the battery voltage drop output signal is output may be stored.
[0038]
As a result, it is possible to analyze under what condition the used capacity of the battery power supply unit determines the battery voltage drop based on this storage, and based on the analysis, the expiration date of the battery expiration date setting unit is executed. It can be determined whether the value is in accordance with the use. By setting the expiration date based on this determination, the battery voltage can be more reliably determined in accordance with the variation in the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases.
[0039]
Further, a time interval in which the voltage drop detection unit 13 monitors the voltage of the battery power supply unit may be displayed on the display unit 14.
[0040]
Thus, by looking at this display, the state of the used capacity of the battery power supply unit of the apparatus can be known, and it is possible to recognize that the life of the battery power supply unit is approaching by displaying the reduced time of monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply unit. The display unit 14 displays the input of the clock signal and the time interval of the voltage monitoring of the battery power supply unit to indicate that the service life of the battery power supply unit 9 is near the end of life (for example, a gas supplier or a general user). To let you know.
[0041]
Further, the voltage drop detecting unit 13 outputs information of a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply unit 9 to the outside.
[0042]
By knowing this information, it is possible to know in real time that the used capacity of the battery power supply unit of the apparatus has exceeded a certain value, and it is possible to more accurately recognize that the life of the battery power supply unit is approaching. The information may be notified to the outside of the gas shut-off device such as a notification device (not shown) of the gas supplier through a communication network such as a telephone line.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, after the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain used capacity, the battery voltage drop determination is performed promptly at a time interval shorter than a predetermined time, so that the battery voltage drop determination is performed. It is possible to reduce the problem that the battery voltage drops earlier than the battery consumption voltage, and it is impossible to operate the shut-off valve a predetermined time after the determination of the battery voltage drop.
[0044]
In addition, since the above-described problem is reduced, the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases before the battery power supply portion exceeds a certain used capacity is slow, and the variation is small, so that the fixed time interval of the battery voltage drop determination is increased. It is possible to make settings, and it is possible to further reduce battery consumption caused by battery voltage drop determination.
[0045]
To prevent this, the time interval for performing the battery drop determination can be set to a short time that can correspond to the speed at which the internal resistance values of all batteries increase, but every time the battery voltage drop determination is made. Due to the remarkable increase in battery consumption, it is possible to reduce the economical problem that it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit in order to keep the expiration date of the gas shut-off device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a gas shut-off device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device.
2, 9 Battery power supply unit 3, 15 Shut-off valve 10 Battery usage time measurement unit 11 Battery usage period setting unit 12 Battery usage time determination unit 13 Battery reduction determination unit 14 Display unit

Claims (6)

In a gas shut-off device including a shut-off valve for shutting off a gas passage at the time of abnormality and a battery power supply unit for supplying operating power to a device including the shut-off valve, use of a battery for measuring a use time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit A time measurement unit, a battery expiration date setting unit that sets the expiration date of the battery power supply unit, and a comparison between the battery usage time measurement unit and the battery expiration date setting unit, and that the battery usage time has reached the battery expiration date. A battery usage time determining unit that outputs a timing signal when determining that, and the voltage of the battery power supply unit is less than the predetermined time after the timing signal is input, every predetermined time before the timing signal is input. It monitors every hour and judges that this voltage is below the battery consumption voltage set in consideration of the battery consumption for a predetermined time that goes back from the operation guarantee voltage that is the lower limit value that can operate the shut-off valve. Gas cutoff apparatus that includes a low voltage detection unit for outputting a low battery output signals. A battery expiration date setting unit including a plurality of battery expiration dates, a battery usage time determining unit that outputs a clock signal each time the battery usage time reaches a plurality of battery expiration dates, The voltage is monitored at predetermined time intervals before the timing signal is input, and at every time obtained by subtracting the time corresponding to the set value of the battery expiration date from the predetermined time after the timing signal is input, and the battery voltage drops. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage drop detection unit that makes a determination. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery expiration date setting unit that includes a plurality of expiration dates of the battery power supply unit and that can switch the expiration date from outside the device. The gas shut-off device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voltage drop detection unit when the battery voltage drop output signal is output stores a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply unit. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voltage drop detection unit displays a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply unit. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voltage drop detection unit outputs information on a time interval for monitoring the voltage of the battery power supply unit to the outside.

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