JP2008268081A - Water meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water meter for taking measures against an abuse in which an external magnetic field is applied for the purpose of reducing a water rate. <P>SOLUTION: The water meter includes a flow rate measuring part 120 for detecting a rotation number of a water wheel which generates a rotation number directly proportional to a flow rate by a magnetic sensor, and is further provided with the magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field from an external. When the magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field from the external, a water flow in a water channel 110 is cut off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water meter that measures the amount of water used in a system to be measured.

Conventionally, water meters that measure the amount of water used by ordinary households and business establishments have become widespread. The measuring instrument is used by a water usage detector that detects the amount of water used in the system to be measured and outputs a signal, a controller that edits the signal output from the water usage detector, and data edited by the controller. And a display unit for displaying data. (For example, Patent Document 1)
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-27625 (4th page, FIG. 1)

As described above, water meters that measure the amount of water used by ordinary households and business establishments have been widely used.

The water meter usage detection means is a method in which a magnet is provided in a water turbine that generates a rotational speed that is directly proportional to the flow rate of the water flow through the water channel, and the rotational speed of the water turbine is detected by a magnetic sensor to calculate the amount of water used. It is used. This method is to detect the magnetic field of the magnet provided in the water wheel with a magnetic sensor, and if a strong magnetic field is applied from the outside, the magnetic field of the magnet provided in the water wheel will not be detected accurately. There was a problem. In order to reduce water charges, a strong magnetic field may be applied from the outside so that the magnetic field of the magnet provided in the water turbine cannot be detected accurately.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water meter that takes measures against unauthorized use of applying an external magnetic field for the purpose of reducing such water charges.

In order to achieve the above object, a water meter according to the present invention comprises a water channel for conducting a water flow,
Magnetic detection means for detecting a magnetic field applied from the outside, and blocking means for blocking water flow in the water channel when the magnetic detection means detects a magnetic field.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water meter which took the countermeasure with respect to the unauthorized use which applies an external magnetic field for the purpose of water bill reduction can be provided.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  A first embodiment of a measuring instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a water meter body, which is connected to a water pipe for supplying tap water.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a water channel, which is composed of a pipe made of metal, resin, or the like, and transmits tap water from the outside to the home.

A flow measurement unit 120 includes a water wheel that generates a rotational speed that is directly proportional to the flow rate, a counting circuit that counts the rotational speed, and the like. The flow rate is a flow rate data that measures the flow rate of tap water flowing through the water channel 110. Creating and outputting data. The water wheel is provided in a water channel and generates a rotational speed that is directly proportional to the flow rate flowing through the water channel. A magnet is attached to the water wheel, the rotation of the magnet attached to the water wheel is detected by a magnetic sensor, and the rotation speed is converted into a flow rate.

A timer unit 130 is constituted by a clock circuit using a crystal resonator, and counts time and outputs it as an electrical signal.

A communication unit 140 includes a wired or wireless interface circuit, and receives an external communication message.

A display unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays an integrated flow rate or an instantaneous flow rate that is a measured value edited based on flow rate data created by the measurement unit 120.

Reference numeral 160 denotes a magnetic sensor, which includes a Hall element or a reed switch, and detects a magnetic field from the outside and outputs it as an electrical signal.

Reference numeral 170 denotes a shut-off portion, which is constituted by a shut-off valve having rubber packing, and the like.
Block water flow through zero.

Reference numeral 180 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer or the like.
The flow rate data, which is data relating to the flow rate created by the flow rate measurement unit 120, is received, and the integrated flow rate and instantaneous flow rate, which are measured values, are calculated and stored. In addition, the control unit 180 causes the display unit 150 to display the accumulated flow rate or the instantaneous flow rate that is the stored measurement value. Furthermore, the control unit 1
80 receives an electrical signal for the counting time from the timer unit 130. The control unit 180
An external communication message is received via the communication unit 140. In addition, the control unit 180 receives an electrical signal from the magnetic sensor 160 that has detected an external magnetic field. The control unit 180 includes a blocking unit 1
70 is controlled to block the water flow through the water channel 110.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the water meter program according to this embodiment. This program is stored in a program memory (not shown) in the control unit 180 and controls the operation of the control unit 180.

First, the control unit 180 determines whether the magnetic sensor 160 has detected an external magnetic field (step 201). When it is determined that the magnetic sensor 160 has not detected an external magnetic field, the control unit 180 receives flow rate data that is data relating to the measured flow rate from the flow rate measurement unit 120 (step 202). The flow rate measuring unit 120 is composed of a water wheel that generates a rotation number that is directly proportional to the flow rate flowing through the water channel 110, a counting circuit that counts the rotation number, and the like. Is transmitted to the unit 180.

The control unit 180 receives flow rate data that is data related to the flow rate measured from the flow rate measurement unit 120, calculates an integrated flow rate and an instantaneous flow rate that are measured values flowing in the water channel 110 from the flow rate data, and displays them on the display unit 150. (Step 203). Note that either the integrated flow rate or the instantaneous flow rate is selected and displayed on the display unit 150.

Selection of the display of the integrated flow rate and the instantaneous flow rate, which are measurement values displayed on the display unit 150, is performed by an operator who brings a magnet for display switching close to the water meter main body 100 from the outside.

When it is determined that the magnetic sensor 160 has detected an externally applied magnetic field (step 201), the control unit 180 controls the timer unit 130 to measure the duration of the magnetic field (step 204). It is determined whether it is longer than the set “magnetic field detection time” (for example, 10 seconds) (step 205). When it is determined that the measured duration of the magnetic field is less than the preset “magnetic field detection time”, the control unit 180 causes the operator to approach the water meter main body 100 for switching the display from the outside. Assuming that the integrated flow rate is displayed, the instantaneous flow rate is displayed. When the instantaneous flow rate is displayed, the display unit 150 displays the integrated flow rate.
To control. As a result, the display unit 150 is switched to the instantaneous flow rate display when the integrated flow rate is displayed, and to the integrated flow rate display when the instantaneous flow rate is displayed (step 20).
6). Thereafter, the control unit 180 receives flow rate data that is data relating to the flow rate from the flow rate measurement unit 120 (step 202), calculates an integrated flow rate and an instantaneous flow rate that are measurement values from the flow rate data, and calculates the integrated flow rate and instantaneous flow rate. Is displayed on the display unit 150 (step 203).

Here, the “magnetic field detection time” set in advance here is set via the communication unit 140 by wireless radio waves or wired communication by an external handy terminal having a communication function, for example. The “magnetic field detection time” is, for example, a time of 10 seconds or the like, and is used to distinguish between a magnetic field applied by a magnet for display switching by an operator and a magnetic field applied for illegal use. It's time.

When it is determined that the duration of the magnetic field is equal to or longer than the preset “magnetic field detection time” (
Step 205), the control unit 180, the magnet for external improper purpose, the water meter body 100
Is displayed on the display unit 150 (step 207).
Furthermore, the control part 170 controls the interruption | blocking part 170, and interrupts | blocks the water flow which flows into the water channel 110 (step 208). Further, a display to the effect that the water channel 110 is blocked by the blocking unit 170 is displayed on the display unit 150 (step 209). The display may be a display of characters such as “blocking” or a display that flickers the display of the measurement value. It is assumed that the release of the shut-off is manually performed from the outside by a meter reader or the like.

Using this example, against unauthorized use of applying an external magnetic field for the purpose of reducing water charges,
A water meter with countermeasures can be provided. When a magnet is brought close to the water meter main body 100 from the outside for illegal purposes, the metering unit 120 detects the rotation of the water wheel having the magnet, so that the rotation of the water wheel is not accurately detected. When a magnetic field that is considered to be an unauthorized purpose is detected, the water flow in the water channel 110 is blocked, so that unauthorized use can be prevented. Waterway 11
Since the display indicating that 0 is blocked by the blocking unit 170 is displayed on the display unit 150, an effect of prompting to stop unauthorized use can be expected.

Use of this embodiment is convenient because the “magnetic field detection time” can be set to an arbitrary value by an external handy terminal having a communication function, for example. For example, when the time for the magnet to approach the water meter main body 100 for switching the display from the outside is long due to the operator's trap, if the “magnetic field detection time” is set long, the display can be switched by the operator. This is convenient because it can be reliably distinguished whether the magnetic field is applied by a magnet for the purpose or the magnetic field applied for illegal use.

If this embodiment is used, the duration of the applied magnetic field is displayed on the display unit 150, which is convenient because the duration can be ascertained from the outside.

By using the present invention, it is possible to provide a water meter that takes measures against unauthorized use of applying an external magnetic field for the purpose of reducing water charges.

The internal block diagram which shows the structure of Example 1 of the water meter by this invention The flowchart which shows the program concerning the water meter by this invention

Explanation of symbols

100 Water meter body 110 Water channel 120 Metering unit 130 Timer unit 140 Communication unit 150 Display unit 160 Magnetic sensor 170 Blocking unit 180 Control unit

Claims (6)

A water channel that conducts water,
Magnetic detection means for detecting a magnetic field applied from the outside;
A water meter comprising: a blocking means for blocking a water flow in the water channel when the magnetic detection means detects a magnetic field. A water channel that conducts water,
Magnetic detection means for detecting a magnetic field applied from the outside;
An external magnetic field application time measuring means for measuring the duration of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection means;
When the magnetic detection means detects a magnetic field and the duration of the magnetic field measured by the external magnetic field application time measurement means is equal to or longer than a preset magnetic field detection time, the water flow in the water channel is interrupted A water meter characterized by comprising a shut-off means. An integrated flow rate of water flow conducted by the water channel, a measured value calculation means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate, and
A display unit that alternately displays the integrated flow rate and the instantaneous flow rate calculated by the measurement value calculation unit;
If the magnetic detection means detects a magnetic field and the duration of the magnetic field measured by the external magnetic field application time measurement means is less than a preset magnetic field detection time, the integrated flow rate and instantaneous flow rate are The water meter according to claim 2, further comprising display switching means for switching and displaying on the display unit. The water meter according to any one of claims 2 to 3, further comprising a display unit that displays a duration of the magnetic field measured by the external magnetic field application time measuring unit. The water meter according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a display unit for displaying that the water channel is blocked by the blocking unit. 6. The communication unit according to claim 2, further comprising a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, wherein the preset magnetic field detection time is set by communication from the external device via the communication unit. The water meter according to any one of the above.

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