JP3582227B2 - Extended meter reading device for measuring instruments - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an extension meter reading device of a measuring device for performing measurement and control in a gas meter, a water meter, a watt-hour meter, and the like from a distance.
In addition, as industrial uses, it can be used for measurement / control of various measuring devices, for example, level measurement in a tank, temperature control of various furnaces, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Hereinafter, an example of a gas meter will be described, but the same applies to a water meter and a watt hour meter.
By the way, many of these meters are operated by meter readers to read the measured value of the meter or to stop the function as needed. However, these meter reading operations have problems such as high labor costs, and when there is a meter indoors, it is becoming difficult to obtain permission for entry from a family member.
[0003]
Specific examples of difficult meter reading include:
(B) Increase in buildings equipped with an electronic security system that cannot be easily accessed (b) When meter reading time is limited, such as at a restaurant in a tenant building where people are only open at night ( C) There are cases where it is difficult to secure visit time because there are many single-person households.
[0004]
As described above, it is becoming difficult to manually perform meter reading and meter control due to an increase in various state changes. As a countermeasure, the meter is provided with a communication function, and automatic meter reading and control is performed from a distance using a telephone line or power line carrier technology. However, this method has a high facility cost, and its use is currently restricted.
In addition, since gas meters and water meters are often installed at low locations underground or above ground, these meters are buried in snow in a snowy area, making meter reading and control difficult in winter. For this reason, in cold regions, these meters are often provided indoors. However, in this case, it is necessary to obtain permission for entry as described above, and it becomes difficult to read the meter.
[0005]
To solve the above problems, install an extension terminal at the extension of the communication port of the meter indoors or in a place where meter reading / control is difficult, and install this terminal outdoors where meter reading / control is easy, especially at the entrance or under the eaves. The extension terminal is known in the art. Here, a meter reading / control device using an extension terminal is considered as a conventional example, and its problems will be explored below.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Regardless of the intention or not, it is safe for the extension terminal unit not to be touched by an outsider. For this purpose, it is desirable to provide the extension terminal unit in a place that is invisible and not easily accessible. In addition, it is necessary to prevent the snow from being easily buried. Therefore, it is easy to come up with a device that is located higher than the ground, which can prevent mischief or misuse, and prevent it from being easily buried by snow. . By the way, when the extension terminal is installed at a high place, some means (also called an extension rod) for connecting the measuring terminal carried by the meter reader to the extension terminal is required.
[0007]
As the above-mentioned extension rod, a long one (about 1 m) is usually assumed, but it is not always easy to perform a connection operation with an extension terminal part installed at a high place using this. A device for that is necessary. In addition, even after the extension rod is connected to the extension terminal portion, if the meter reading member stops to maintain the state, the operation for meter reading and control cannot be performed, so a means for maintaining the connection state is also required. .
[0008]
By the way, in gas meters and water meters, the goal is to guarantee operation for about 10 years with a battery power supply. In such a battery-operated meter, one of the major issues is to reduce the power consumption of the battery, and therefore, the circuit current is also suppressed to an extremely low value. However, such a current also lowers the contact reliability at the connection between the measuring terminal and the extension terminal. Further, in a state where the connection portion is left outdoors, it is necessary to supply a certain amount of current in consideration of the fact that the current is difficult to flow due to oxidation or corrosion of the surface, and care is taken for that. It is also necessary.
[0009]
In the above, the electrical connection system for electrically connecting the weighing terminal and the extension terminal section is employed. Such an electrical connection method is the best way to construct an inexpensive device.However, snow or rain can enter the extension terminals to cover the contact area, and dust may adhere when wet. Therefore, there is a concern that an inaccessible state may occur. Therefore, it is conceivable that a non-contact type is provided between the weighing terminal and the extension terminal. For example,
There are (1) an electromagnetic coupling method, (2) an optical coupling method, and (3) a wireless method, all of which are more expensive than the electric connection method.
[0010]
Therefore, if importance is placed on reliability while ignoring the price point, it is desirable to use the non-contact type as described above. However, any non-contact type requires a communication circuit and is considered to be driven by a battery as a standard. In this case, how to prolong the battery life is a problem.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to enable the extension terminal to be installed at a high place, to easily and reliably connect to the extension terminal, and to enhance the reliability. The purpose of the present invention is to increase the battery life when a non-contact type connection is used.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in addition to the weighing function, a weighing instrument having a communication function with the outside and a data processing function, and a communication line from the weighing instrument communication circuit section of the weighing instrument. An extension terminal unit having a communication interface unit installed at another point through the weighing terminal, a weighing terminal capable of communicating with the weighing device and controlling the state, and a communication interface connected to the weighing terminal and connected to the outside A terminal communication circuit unit for controlling the measuring device, and connecting the measuring terminal to the extension terminal unit electrically connecting the measuring device communication circuit unit and the terminal communication circuit unit via an extendable extension rod. Thereby, the extension terminal portion can be installed at a high place, and a guide portion for facilitating mutual connection is provided at the distal end portion of the extension rod and the extension terminal portion .
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
In other words, the extension meter reading device of the measuring device according to the present invention comprises a portable terminal 1, an extension rod 2 with a built-in auxiliary device, an extension terminal portion 3, a gas meter with a communication function as a measuring device (also referred to as a general-purpose microcomputer meter) 4, and the like. You. Reference numeral 5 denotes a wall of a house or the like, and reference numerals 61 and 62 denote communication lines.
FIG. 2 shows an example in which FIG. 1 is partially enlarged. Here, a connector and an electrode are provided on the pipe-type extension rod 2 connected to the portable terminal 1 via the communication line 61 so as to be connectable to the extension terminal portion.
[0013]
The internal circuits of the extension rod and the extension terminal of FIG. 1 are configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the extension rod 2 is provided with various ports such as TxD, RTS, DTR, and RxD, an interface (I / F) 21 and 23, and an auxiliary appliance circuit section 2A including a microcomputer (also referred to as a one-chip microcomputer) 22. The extension terminal section 3 is provided with an interface section 3A as a circuit section composed of photocouplers PC1, PC2 and the like in which a light emitting diode and a phototransistor are combined.
[0014]
The communication function of the mobile terminal 1 is configured in a normal data format using a standard interface such as a normal RS-232C. By the way, in a system such as a communication circuit of a gas meter or a water meter, which is intended to operate for 10 years with a battery, the circuit current of the communication line (also called the A line) 62 is such that the phototransistors of the photocouplers PC1 and PC2 are turned on. In this state, the current is 0.1 mA or less, and the current flowing through the light emitting diode is as low as 1 to 2 mA. For this reason, various measures have been taken to increase the signal current by providing a transistor circuit TR for current amplification in the phototransistor circuit and not to affect the operating characteristics of the microcomputer gas meter 4 side.
[0015]
Further, since a battery power source is provided in the auxiliary device circuit 2A and an interface circuit 21 with the portable terminal 1 is provided, a communication signal between the portable terminal 1 and the one-chip microcomputer 22 is a standard TxD, RTS , DTR, RxD and the like. In addition, the one-chip microcomputer 22 has a software function of reading a communication format suitable for a communication protocol suitable for a target meter. Although the auxiliary device circuit 2A is provided on the extension rod 2 here, it may be provided independently of the extension rod 2 or inside the portable terminal 1, and the power supply may use the power supply of the portable terminal 1. You may do it.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows a structural example of the extension terminal portion. FIG. 1A is an external view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view. In the figure, 31 is a waterproof case, 32 is an electrode (female), 33 is a connector, 34 is an electrode (male), 35 is an extension rod insertion guide, and 36 is a printed board provided with an interface portion as a circuit portion of an extension terminal. It is.
The extension terminal portion 3 is attached to a high place where it is difficult for ordinary people to touch the hand, and a person who performs meter reading and control of the meter is connected using the extension rod 2. For this reason, a communication line (A line) that is installed under an eaves outdoors and penetrates a wall is connected to a general-purpose microcomputer gas meter. The waterproof case 31 is provided to protect the electrical connection portion of the extension terminal from rain or snow.
[0017]
Further, it is difficult to make an electrical connection from a distant place. For this reason, an extension rod insertion guide 35 is provided, and the tip of the extension rod 2 is formed so as to have a curved surface without an edge portion. I have. Therefore, by pushing the extension rod 2 against the lower surface of the extension terminal portion 3 and pushing it up therefrom, the male electrode 34 is smoothly inserted and connected to the female electrode 32. Here, the connector 33 is configured by arranging the female electrode 32 on the extension terminal side and the male electrode 34 on the extension bar side, but it is needless to say that the configuration is not limited to such a configuration.
[0018]
In this way, even if the length of the extension rod 2 is long, the connection operability is not reduced, and the extension rod 2 can be practically used. The length of the extension rod 2 may be fixed as shown in FIG. 2 , or it may be extendable and retractable (variable length type) like a radio antenna or a camera tripod.
5 and 6 show specific examples of the variable-length extension rod. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the telescopic rod is used. FIG. 5A shows a state where the telescopic rod is extended, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the telescopic rod is contracted. FIG. 6 shows an example using a folding rod. FIG. 6A shows a state where the folding rod is extended, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the folding rod is folded.
[0019]
Communication between the portable terminal and the meter generally requires about one minute. During this time, holding the extension rod 2 while holding it by hand so as to maintain the electrical connection is not preferable from the viewpoint of ergonomics in view of performing operations for meter reading and control with the portable terminal. If the connection is lost in the middle of the communication, the communication will fail, and a re-operation is required, resulting in a reduction in work efficiency. Therefore, in the present invention, it is desirable to employ a coupling mechanism between magnets and a holding mechanism using a magnet and a magnetic material (metal). A specific example thereof will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0020]
In the above description, the auxiliary device circuit (coupling circuit A) and the interface portion (coupling circuit B) as the circuit portion of the extension terminal are electrically connected by a contact type, but the connection is made non-contact type. can do. The non-contact feature is that even if there is dirt, rain or moisture in the joint, the effect is small, and even if snow or ice adheres to the joint and the joint is incomplete (does not adhere), The advantage is that communication becomes possible and reliability is high.
[0021]
FIG. 7 shows an example of the electromagnetic coupling method. (A) is an overall configuration diagram, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the R / W head and the communication box, (c) is a circuit diagram of the R / W head, and (d) is a circuit diagram of the communication box. Is shown.
That is, a general-purpose microcomputer is connected to an outdoor communication box via a communication line (A line), and an R / W head is installed correspondingly. Here, a magnet is disposed on the R / W head side, and iron (a magnetic substance including a magnet is sufficient) is disposed on the communication box side, and the R / W head and the communication box are appropriately positioned by magnetic attraction. Can be held. This is to ensure communication of a constant quality. Although the R / W head is connected with a lead wire here, it is needless to say that the R / W head may be attached using an extension rod as in the above example.
[0022]
The electromagnetic coupling here is coupled by a high-frequency transformer via a circular pot core. The bond is a coarse bond unlike ordinary transformers, and is formed with a distance of, for example, 1 to 2 cm (10 cm to 1 m in some cases) between pot cores. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the coil of the pot core is constituted by three windings of a transmitting coil receiving coil and a secondary coil.
[0023]
As shown by TxD, RTS, DTR, and RxD as the communication interface with the mobile terminal, the transmission data from the mobile terminal sets the data to TxD in the transmission state by DTR, and the ASK-modulated signal is transmitted via the capacitor. The signal is sent to the coil, ASK detection is performed based on the output from the secondary coil, an RxD signal is generated by a comparator, and the signal is transmitted to a communication line (A line) of a general-purpose microcomputer.
Since there is no power supply on the communication box side, the power of the transmitting / receiving circuit such as ASK detection is formed by rectifying the output of the secondary coil. By doing so, a battery is not required on the extension terminal side, and there is no worry about battery life.
[0024]
In order for the mobile terminal to receive data from the general-purpose microcomputer, first, the RTS signal is output from the mobile terminal, and the RTS signal is ASK-modulated and provided to the transmission coil. This signal generally has a high-level output, and is modulated by turning on / off the FET transistor on the secondary coil side. When the FET transistor is turned on / off, transmission data from the general-purpose microcomputer becomes a TxD signal via the A-line interface (i / F), and the TxD signal turns the FET transistor on / off. The on / off state of this FET transistor is sent to the portable terminal as an RxD signal through the receiving coil and its ASK detection circuit and comparator of FIG. In these communication controls, data is exchanged at a predetermined timing, and these timings are determined as a communication protocol.
As shown in FIG. 7 (b), an LED is provided here, which is used to indicate whether the circuit on the communication box side is operating properly.
[0025]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the infrared coupling method.
The basic operation is the same as that of the electromagnetic coupling method. The difference is that the example of FIG. 7 is electromagnetic coupling by a pot core, whereas the one shown in FIG. Is a point. That is, in the case of infrared light, the output from the light emitting diode is received by the light receiving diode, ASK detected, and transmitted to the general-purpose microcomputer via the A line. FIG. 8A shows a circuit configuration on the portable terminal side, and FIG. 8B shows a circuit on the general-purpose microcomputer side.
[0026]
FIG. 8C shows a power supply circuit, which is provided in the extension terminal unit (on the general-purpose microcomputer side). If this is used constantly, the life of the battery will be shortened, so here, a reed switch is provided in the extension terminal, and the magnet is brought close to this by hand, or the magnet attached to the tip of the extension rod is turned on by approaching it, For example, a timer circuit is started. As the timer, a timer IC (integrated circuit), a microcomputer, or the like can be used. Thereby, the power consumption of the battery can be significantly reduced. In addition, since sunlight contains infrared light, when sunlight strikes the light-receiving diode, it is saturated, and communication becomes impossible. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary to separately devise a device such as making the light emitting / receiving unit oblique and avoiding direct sunlight.
[0027]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a wireless communication system.
Here, as shown in FIG. 10A, a wireless meter for meter reading is mounted on the upper part of the general-purpose microcomputer, and a wireless meter for meter reading is also mounted on the portable terminal side as shown in FIG. Is made possible. As the wireless device, for example, a specific low-power wireless device or a spread spectrum wireless device can be used. These radios are manufactured by manufacturers so as to conform to the technical standards, and if they pass the certification, they can be used freely without a radio technician at the place of use.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.
(1) By connecting the mobile terminal and the extension terminal using the extension rod, the extension terminal from the meter can be placed at a high place that is normally out of reach, resulting in mischief or incorrect use. In addition to being able to be installed under eaves where rain and snow are less likely to occur, it can be used for maintaining reliability for a long time.
(2) By providing a guide mechanism in the connection structure of the extension terminal so that the tip of the extension rod can be smoothly inserted, the connection of the portable terminal to the extension terminal can be easily performed even from a remote place. It becomes. In addition, the provision of the guide mechanism facilitates insertion into a correct position, so that damage to the coupling portion can be reduced and reliability is improved.
[0029]
(3) Regardless of the presence or absence of the extension rod, it is difficult to maintain the connection state between the portable terminal and the extension terminal unit, especially for a long time. For this reason, the connection part can be automatically held by holding the connection state between the portable terminal and the extension terminal unit using the magnet. Since it is possible to eliminate or reduce the necessity of using a human hand for maintaining the connection state, the operation of the meter reading and the like is facilitated, and the operation performance is improved. Further, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of reconnections due to occurrence of disconnection or the like.
(4) The terminal communication circuit section is provided with a current amplification (increase) means to increase the operating current flowing through the electrodes, thereby increasing the contact reliability.
[0030]
(5) Since the non-contact communication method including the electromagnetic type, the infrared type, or the wireless type is used for the connection between the portable terminal and the extension terminal, the degree of freedom and the operability of the connection from the portable terminal can be improved. Can be. However, in order to perform non-contact communication, a power supply is required on the extension terminal side. Most of the power supply is composed of batteries, but by using a reed switch and a timer circuit in the battery power supply circuit, it automatically starts by bringing a magnet close to the start of communication, and ends communication after a certain time. The power consumption of the battery can be significantly reduced, and the battery life can be greatly increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a partially enlarged example of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an internal circuit of the auxiliary device and the extension terminal unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view of an extension terminal section shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a structural view showing an example of a variable-length extension rod.
FIG. 6 is a structural view showing another example of a variable-length extension rod.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an electromagnetic coupling type meter reading device.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an infrared-coupled meter reader.
9 is an explanatory view of a structure for avoiding direct sunlight of FIG. 8; FIG.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a wireless-coupled meter reader.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile terminal, 2 ... Extension rod, 2A ... Auxiliary equipment circuit part, 3 ... Extension terminal part, 3A ... Interface part (Extension terminal circuit part), 4 ... Measuring instrument (Gas meter or general-purpose microcomputer meter), 5 ... Wall, 21, 23 ... interface (I / F), 22 ... microcomputer, 31 ... waterproof case, 32, 34 ... electrode, 33 ... connector, 35 ... extension rod insertion guide, 36 ... printed board, 61, 62 ... communication line.

Claims (1)

An extension terminal equipped with a weighing instrument that has a communication function with the outside and a data processing function in addition to the weighing function, and an interface section installed at another point via a communication line from the weighing instrument communication circuit section of this weighing instrument Unit, a weighing terminal capable of communicating with the weighing device and controlling the state, and a terminal communication circuit portion connected to the weighing terminal and serving as an external communication interface, wherein the weighing device communication circuit portion is provided. the extension terminal portions for electrically connecting the terminal communication circuit unit, by connecting via a telescopic extension rod to the metering device, while allowing installation of the extension terminal portions in a high place, the An extension meter reading device for a measuring instrument, wherein a guide portion for facilitating mutual connection is provided at a tip portion of an extension rod and the extension terminal portion .

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