JP2008287463A - Gas leak alarm and gas leak monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas leak alarm capable of properly directing a gas meter to shut off upon detection of gas leaks and reporting to a centralized monitoring center device. <P>SOLUTION: The gas leak alarm 1 is communicably connected to a gas meter 2 which shuts off gas by means of a shutoff valve 24 upon receiving a shutoff signal based on detection of gas leaks, and which sends a shutoff report signal to the centralized monitoring center device 3 to report the shutoff of the gas. Upon detection of gas leaks, a shutoff signal is sent to the gas meter 2 and a gas leak report signal that does not cause shutoff is sent to the centralized monitoring center device 3 via the gas meter 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas leak alarm and a gas leak monitoring system.

  The gas leak alarm is a device that detects a leak of fuel gas or combustible gas and performs a gas leak alarm, and is widely used in kitchens and living rooms regardless of home use or business use. By the way, in recent years, spray-type insecticides and the like are frequently used in homes and the like. Many of these insecticides are mainly composed of LP gas. And, when an insecticide is used near the gas leak alarm device, there is a problem of false alarm that the gas sensor of the gas leak alarm device reacts to this spray gas and gives an alarm.

  Therefore, conventionally, in order to prevent misreporting due to spraying of an insecticide or the like, a gas leak alarm device has been proposed in which when a gas leak is detected, an alarm is generated after a preset delay time has elapsed (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

Conventionally, there is a centralized monitoring system in which a gas leak alarm, a gas meter, and a centralized monitoring center device are communicably connected. In this centralized monitoring system, the gas leak alarm is set in advance when a gas leak is detected. If a gas leak is still detected even after the delay time (for example, about 34 seconds) has elapsed, a cutoff signal is output to the gas meter. For example, the interruption signal is transmitted in a no-voltage signal format that is repeatedly on for 5 seconds and off for 5 seconds. The gas meter that has received the shut-off signal from the gas leak alarm device shuts off the gas by the built-in shut-off valve, and at the same time, sends a shut-off notification signal indicating that the gas has been shut off to the central monitoring center device in the form of a message.
JP 2003-217051 A

  In the above-described centralized monitoring system, when a gas leak is detected and a gas leak is still detected after a preset delay time (for example, about 34 seconds) has elapsed, the gas leak is detected as a true report. When a warning signal was issued and a shut-off signal was output to the gas meter, but it is a transient gas such as an insecticide spray gas and gas leak detection does not continue until the delay time elapses, it is regarded as a false report of gas leak detection. Although a gas leak alarm is performed, the cutoff signal is not transmitted to the gas meter.

  For this reason, the true information of the gas leak detection is transmitted to the centralized monitoring center apparatus as a shutoff notification signal, but is not transmitted in the case of an erroneous report of the gas leak detection.

  However, in the centralized monitoring center device, information should be collected regardless of whether there is a false or true report of gas leakage. If there are many false alarms, it is necessary to provide information such as investigation and handling precautions to the user. As a result, it was impossible to gather information on misinformation due to transient gas, etc., and the actual situation of gas leakage could not be accurately grasped.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas leak alarm device and a gas leak monitoring system capable of appropriately performing a shutoff instruction to a gas meter and reporting to a centralized monitoring center device when a gas leak is detected. It is said.

  The gas leak alarm device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, receives a shut-off signal based on a gas leak detection, shuts off the gas with a shut-off valve, and notifies the shut-off notification of the gas shut-off. A gas leak alarm connected communicably to a gas meter that transmits a signal to a centralized monitoring center device, and when the gas leak is detected, transmits the shut-off signal to the gas meter and sends a gas leak report signal without shut-off. It transmits to the centralized monitoring center apparatus via the gas meter.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gas leak alarm device transmits a cutoff signal to the gas meter when a gas leak is detected, and transmits a gas leak notification signal without cutoff to the centralized monitoring center device via the gas meter. Thereby, when a gas leak is detected, a shutoff instruction to the gas meter and a report to the centralized monitoring center device can be appropriately performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 2 is the gas leak alarm device according to claim 1, wherein a delay time setting means for presetting a delay time for driving the shut-off valve when a gas leak is detected. And a control means for transmitting the gas leak notification signal when a gas leak is detected and transmitting the shut-off signal after a delay time preset by the delay time setting means has elapsed.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the gas leak alarm transmits a delay time setting means for presetting a delay time for driving the shut-off valve when the gas leak is detected, and a gas leak notification signal when the gas leak is detected. And control means for transmitting a cutoff signal after elapse of a delay time preset by the delay time setting means. As a result, when a gas leak is detected, a gas leak notification signal can be sent immediately to the centralized monitoring center device, and a shut-off signal can be sent to the gas meter after the delay time has elapsed. In addition to being able to shut off, misreported and true reports of gas leakage can be transmitted to the centralized monitoring center device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 3 is the gas leak alarm device according to claim 1, wherein a delay time setting means for presetting a delay time for driving the shut-off valve when a gas leak is detected. And when the gas leak is detected, if the gas leak is detected at each detection timing continuously after the delay time has elapsed since the delay time set in advance by the delay time setting means, the cut-off signal is detected. And a control means for transmitting the gas leak notification signal when it is not continuous.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gas leak alarm is preset by a delay time setting means for presetting a delay time for driving the shut-off valve when a gas leak is detected, and a delay time setting means when the gas leak is detected. Control that transmits a shutoff signal when a gas leak is detected at each detection timing continuously after the delay time elapses after the specified delay time has elapsed, and a gas leak notification signal when it is not continuous Means. As a result, when a gas leak is detected, after the delay time has elapsed, a false report of the gas leak is sent to the central monitoring center device, or a shut-off signal is sent to the gas meter to shut off the gas and report the true gas leak. It can be transmitted to the centralized monitoring center device.

  Invention of Claim 4 made | formed in order to solve the said subject WHEREIN: In the gas leak alarm device of Claim 2 or 3, The 1st message | telegram for transmitting the said gas leak report signal in a message format, And further comprising storage means for storing a second telegram for transmitting the shut-off signal in a telegram format, and the control means transmits the first telegram as the gas leak notification signal when a gas leak is detected, The second electronic message is transmitted as a blocking signal.

  In the invention described in claim 4, the gas leak alarm device stores a first telegram for transmitting a gas leak notification signal in a telegram format and a second telegram for transmitting a shut-off signal in a telegram format. Storage means is further provided. The control means transmits a first telegram as a gas leak notification signal and transmits a second telegram as a cutoff signal when a gas leak is detected. As a result, the signal transmitted from the gas leak alarm to the gas meter at the time of gas leak detection has been changed from the conventional no-voltage on-off signal to the telegram system, so communication between the gas leak alarm, the gas meter and the centralized monitoring center device is possible. It is unified with the telegram system conventionally applied to the gas meter, and the gas meter can be applied to the product used conventionally without preparing a dedicated product having a different delay time, for example.

  The gas leak monitoring system according to claim 5, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is connected to a gas leak alarm device and the gas leak alarm device so as to communicate with each other, and the gas leak alarm device detects gas leak. A gas leak comprising: a gas meter that receives a cutoff signal based on which a gas is shut off by a cutoff valve; and a centralized monitoring center device that is communicably connected to the gas meter and receives a cutoff notification signal for reporting the cutoff of gas from the gas meter The gas leak alarm device transmits a cutoff signal to the gas meter when a gas leak is detected, and sends a gas leak notification signal without cutoff to the centralized monitoring center device through the gas meter. And the central monitoring center device determines that the gas leak detection error is detected when the gas leak notification signal is received. And characterized in having a true paper and determining means of the gas leak detection when receiving the cut-off notification signal, and a storage means for storing the judgment result.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the gas leak monitoring system is connected to the gas leak alarm device and the gas leak alarm device so as to communicate with each other. And a centralized monitoring center device that is communicably connected to the gas meter and receives a cutoff notification signal for reporting the cutoff of gas from the gas meter. The gas leak alarm device has a control means for transmitting a shut-off signal to the gas meter when a gas leak is detected, and sending a gas leak report signal without shut-off to the centralized monitoring center device via the gas meter. The central monitoring center device determines a gas leak detection error report when receiving a gas leak notification signal, and stores a determination result when determining a gas leak detection true report when receiving a shutoff notification signal. Storage means. Thereby, when a gas leak is detected, a shutoff instruction to the gas meter and a report to the centralized monitoring center device can be appropriately performed. Regardless of false or true reports, the central monitoring center device can accurately grasp the gas leakage status.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a gas leak is detected, a shut-off instruction to the gas meter and a notification to the centralized monitoring center device can be appropriately performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a gas leak is detected, a gas leak notification signal can be transmitted immediately to the central monitoring center device, and a cutoff signal can be transmitted to the gas meter after the delay time has elapsed. In addition to being able to shut off the gas in accordance with the true information, it is possible to transmit the misinformation and true information of the gas leak to the centralized monitoring center device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a gas leak is detected, after the delay time elapses, an erroneous report of the gas leak is transmitted to the centralized monitoring center device, or a shutoff signal is sent to the gas meter to shut off the gas. At the same time, the true information of the gas leak can be transmitted to the central monitoring center device.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the signal transmitted from the gas leak alarm to the gas meter at the time of gas leak detection is changed from the conventional no-voltage on-off signal to the telegram system, the gas leak alarm, the gas meter, and the concentration Communication between the monitoring center devices is unified to the telegram method that has been conventionally applied to gas meters, and the products that are conventionally used can be applied to the gas meters without preparing dedicated products with different delay times, for example.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the gas leak is detected, it is possible to appropriately issue a shut-off instruction to the gas meter and a notification to the centralized monitoring center device. Regardless of false or true reports, the central monitoring center device can accurately grasp the gas leakage status.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gas leak monitoring system configured by applying a gas leak alarm device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gas leak monitoring system includes a gas leak alarm 1, a gas meter 2, and a central monitoring center device 3. The gas leak alarm 1 and the gas meter 2 are connected so that they can communicate by wire or wirelessly. The gas meter 2 and the centralized monitoring center device 3 are connected so as to communicate via a public telephone line or the like.

  The gas leak alarm 1 is installed in a kitchen or the like in a house, and when it detects that the gas concentration in the atmosphere exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it determines that it is a gas leak and issues an alarm. Gas leak notification is performed. The gas leak alarm 1 includes a control unit 11, a gas sensor 12, an alarm unit 13, and a communication unit 14.

  The control unit 11 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer in which a control program is installed, and includes a ROM that stores a control program and data, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and a CPU that executes the control program. The ROM stores in advance a first message for transmitting a gas leak notification signal to the centralized monitoring center device 3 in a message format, and a second message for transmitting a cutoff signal to the gas meter 2 in a message format. ing. The CPU corresponds to the delay time setting means and the control means in the claims, and the ROM corresponds to the storage means in the claims. Although not shown, the alarm unit 13 includes an LED that performs alarm display by blinking, a buzzer or a speaker that generates an alarm sound, and the like.

  The gas meter 2 is for integrating and measuring the amount of gas supplied to a combustion device installed and used in a kitchen or the like in a house and displaying it as an integrated gas usage amount. The gas meter 2 includes a gas meter control unit 21, a gas flow rate detection unit 22, a display unit 23, a shutoff valve 24, a communication unit 25, a communication unit 26, and a battery 27.

  The gas meter control unit 21 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer in which a control program is installed, and includes a ROM that stores a control program and data, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and a CPU that executes the control program.

  The gas flow rate detection unit 22 includes, for example, an ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit, sends ultrasonic waves bidirectionally along the gas flow path, detects the gas flow rate from each propagation time, and determines the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path. From this relationship, the instantaneous gas flow rate signal is output. The battery 27 supplies a power supply voltage to each unit such as the gas meter control unit 21.

  The centralized monitoring center apparatus 3 includes a microcomputer including a ROM that stores control programs and data, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and a CPU that executes the control programs. The centralized monitoring center device 3 monitors the state of the gas meter 2 based on the meter reading information and the cutoff notification signal transmitted from the gas meter 2, and the gas leakage notification signal transmitted from the gas leak alarm device 1 and the cutoff transmitted from the gas meter 2. Monitor gas leaks with notification signals. The CPU corresponds to determination means in the claims, and the RAM corresponds to storage means in the claims.

  Next, the operation of the gas leakage monitoring system having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM in the control unit 11 of the gas leak alarm 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU in the gas meter control unit 21 of the gas meter 2 according to the control program stored in the ROM. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU of the centralized monitoring center device 3.

  First, the operation of the gas leak alarm 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU of the control unit 11 measures the gas concentration at a predetermined detection timing and determines whether or not a gas leak is detected ( Step S1). This determination is to determine that a gas leak has been detected when the gas concentration in the atmosphere detected by the gas sensor 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.

  If a gas leak is detected, the CPU next generates a gas leak alarm from the alarm unit 13 (step S3). Next, the CPU reads the first telegram from the ROM (step S5), and then transmits the read first telegram to the gas meter 2 via the communication unit 14 (step S7). This first telegram represents a gas leak notification signal that reports that a gas leak has been detected by the gas leak alarm device 1 in a telegram format. In addition, this first telegram is transmitted only at the first detection when a gas leak is detected continuously at each detection timing during the gas leak monitoring.

  Next, the CPU determines whether or not a preset delay time (for example, 34 seconds) has elapsed from the start of the gas leak alarm in step S3 based on the count of the built-in timer (step S9). If the preset delay time has not elapsed, the process then returns to step S3. If the delay time has elapsed, the CPU then stores the second telegram in the ROM if a gas leak is still detected after the delay time has elapsed. (Step S11). Next, the CPU transmits the read second telegram to the gas meter 2 via the communication unit 14 (step S13), and then returns to step S1. This second telegram represents a shut-off signal in the form of a telegram for giving a shut-off instruction for closing control of the shut-off valve 24 of the gas meter 2.

  Next, the operation of the gas meter 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU of the gas meter control unit 21 first determines whether or not a message has been received from the gas leak alarm device 1 via the communication unit 25. (Step S21). If the electronic message has not been received, the process returns to step S21. If the electronic message has been received, it is then determined whether the received electronic message is the first electronic message or the second electronic message (step S23). This determination is made based on a message determination table for determining a first message addressed to the centralized monitoring center device 3 and a second message addressed to the gas meter 2 stored in advance in the ROM of the gas meter control unit 21.

  If it is determined that the message received from the gas leak alarm device 1 is the first message addressed to the centralized monitoring center device 3, the CPU then immediately receives the received first message via the communication unit 26. The data is transmitted to the centralized monitoring center device 3 (step S25), and then the process returns to step S21.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the message received from the gas leak alarm device 1 is the second message addressed to the gas meter 2, the CPU then shuts off according to the shut-off instruction included in the second message. The valve 24 is controlled to be closed, and the gas in the gas flow path is shut off (step S27). Next, the CPU transmits the second telegram as a cutoff notification signal to the centralized monitoring center device 3 via the communication unit 26 (step S29), and then returns to step S21.

  Next, the operation of the centralized monitoring center apparatus 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU first determines whether or not a message from the gas meter 2 has been received (step S41). If the electronic message has not been received, the process returns to step S41. If the electronic message has been received, it is then determined whether the received electronic message is the first electronic message or the second electronic message (step S43). This determination is made based on a message determination table for determining the first message and the second message stored in advance in the ROM.

  If it is determined that the message received from the gas meter 2 is the first message, the CPU then stores the received first message in the RAM as a gas leak error report (step S45), and then step S41. Return to.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the message received from the gas meter 2 is the second message, the CPU stores the received second message in the RAM as a true report of the gas leak (step S47). Next, the process returns to step S41.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the signal transmitted from the gas leak alarm 1 to the gas meter 2 when the gas leak is detected has been changed from the conventional no-voltage on-off signal to the telegram system, so that a gas leak occurs. In this case, it is possible to immediately transmit a gas leak notification signal indicating that a gas leak has occurred to the central monitoring center device 3, and the delay time for driving the shutoff valve 24 of the gas meter 2 can be set by a gas leak alarm. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform delay control from when the gas meter 2 receives the cutoff signal until the cutoff. In addition, by unifying the communication between the gas leak alarm 1, the gas meter 2, and the centralized monitoring center device with the telegram method conventionally applied to the gas meter 2, the gas meter 2 prepares dedicated products with different delay times, for example. The products that have been used in the past can be applied. Regardless of false or true reports, the central monitoring center device 3 side can grasp an accurate gas leakage situation.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the message transmitted from the gas leak alarm 1 to the gas meter 2 includes the first message including the notification signal for the centralized monitoring center device 3 and the second message including the cutoff control signal for the gas meter 2. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and for example, a telegram having other contents such as a telegram informing the alarm stop may be further transmitted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when a gas leak is detected, the first telegram is transmitted immediately, and after the delay time has elapsed, the second telegram is transmitted. Instead, when the gas leak is detected, the delay time is transmitted. After the elapse of time, the second telegram is transmitted when the gas leak is detected at every detection timing continuously during the delay time from the gas leak detection, and the first telegram is transmitted when the gas leak is not continuous. You may do it.

  Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the gas leak notification signal and the cutoff notification signal are transmitted from the gas leak alarm device 1 to the gas meter 2 in the form of a telegram. However, as another embodiment, the gas leak notification signal and the cutoff notification signal are transmitted. Is transmitted from the gas leak alarm 1 to the gas meter 2 as an on / off non-voltage signal in a different signal form, and the gas leak notification signal from the on / off non-voltage signal in a different signal form in the gas meter 2 and the centralized monitoring center device 3 And it may be configured to identify the shutoff notification signal. In this case, for example, the interruption notification signal may be a non-voltage signal that is repeatedly turned on for 5 seconds and off for 5 seconds as in the prior art, and the gas leakage notification signal may be a non-voltage signal having a different cycle of turning on and off. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the gas leak monitoring system comprised by applying the gas leak alarm device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which CPU performs in the control part of the gas leak alarm device in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which CPU performs in the gas meter control part of the gas meter in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which CPU of the centralized monitoring center apparatus in FIG. 1 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas leak alarm device 2 Gas meter 3 Centralized monitoring center apparatus 11 Control part (CPU (including delay time setting means and control means), ROM (storage means) and RAM are included)

Claims (5)

A gas leak alarm connected to a gas meter that receives a shut-off signal based on gas leak detection and shuts off the gas by a shut-off valve, and transmits a shut-off report signal for reporting the gas shut-off to a centralized monitoring center device. There,
A gas leak alarm device which transmits the shut-off signal to the gas meter when a gas leak is detected, and sends a gas leak notification signal without shut-off to the centralized monitoring center device via the gas meter. The gas leak alarm according to claim 1,
A delay time setting means for presetting a delay time for driving the shut-off valve when a gas leak is detected;
Control means for transmitting the gas leak notification signal at the time of gas leak detection and transmitting the cutoff signal after a delay time set in advance by the delay time setting means;
A gas leak alarm device comprising: The gas leak alarm according to claim 1,
A delay time setting means for presetting a delay time for driving the shut-off valve when a gas leak is detected;
When a gas leak is detected, after the delay time set in advance by the delay time setting means has elapsed, when the gas leak is detected continuously at each detection timing after the delay time has elapsed, the cutoff signal is transmitted. And a control means for transmitting the gas leak notification signal when not continuous,
A gas leak alarm device comprising: In the gas leak alarm according to claim 2 or 3,
Storage means for storing a first telegram for transmitting the gas leak notification signal in a telegram format and a second telegram for transmitting the shut-off signal in a telegram format;
When the gas leak is detected, the control means transmits the first telegram as the gas leak notification signal and transmits the second telegram as the cutoff signal. A gas leak alarm is connected to the gas leak alarm so that it can communicate with the gas meter. The gas meter receives a shut-off signal based on the gas leak detection from the gas leak alarm and shuts off the gas with a shut-off valve. A gas leak monitoring system comprising a centralized monitoring center device connected to the gas meter and receiving a shutoff notification signal for reporting the gas shutoff from the gas meter,
The gas leak alarm device has a control means for transmitting the shut-off signal to the gas meter when a gas leak is detected, and sending a gas leak report signal without shut-off to the centralized monitoring center device through the gas meter. ,
The central monitoring center device determines that the gas leak detection signal is false when the gas leak notification signal is received, and determines that the gas leak detection is true when the cutoff notification signal is received. And a storage means for storing the determination result.

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