JP2001174299A - Flow rate meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To guaranty a basic function of flow rate meter, without externally resetting at restart after the occurrence of an anomaly. SOLUTION: Characteristic values set with a setting means 6 is stored in a nonvolatile memory means 8 and when an initialization signal of an initialization means 14 is output, a rewrite means 11 sets the stored data of the nonvolatile memory means 8 as the initial value of a flow rate measuring means 2. As a result of this, when an anomaly occurs in the flow rate measuring means 2 due to anomaly such as power source, the characteristic values before the anomaly occurrence are recovered and consecutive flow measurement is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to city gas and LPG.
The present invention relates to a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid such as a gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a flow meter of this type is disclosed in
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 90715, a configuration in which internal data is protected by using a nonvolatile storage element has been proposed, for example, as shown in FIG.

In the flow meter shown in FIG. 4, 31 is a flow meter main body, 32 is a flow detection means, 33 is a control means for obtaining an integrated flow value from a flow signal detected by the flow detection means and displaying it on a display means 34, and 35 is a display means. Non-volatile storage means for storing the integrated flow rate value obtained by the control means 34 as backup data, 36 is a battery for driving these means, 37 is a battery 3
6 is a battery voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of 6.

In the above configuration, the integrated flow rate value obtained by the control means 33 is stored in an internal memory (not shown) such as a volatile RAM. Will be extinguished. Therefore, when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value, the battery voltage detecting means 37
In this case, the integrated flow rate value obtained by the control means 34 is written in the non-volatile storage means 35. Thereafter, when it is detected that the battery voltage has been recovered by replacing the battery 36, the reset circuit 38 is operated, and the integrated flow rate value held in the nonvolatile storage means 35 is stored in the internal data of the control means 34. Use as Therefore, if the battery is replaced, the flow rate can be continuously measured from the integrated flow rate value before the replacement.

[0005]

However, in the flow meter having the above configuration, when the reset circuit operates,
Only the integrated value of the flow rate is shown as data to be taken into the control means, and details of other data are not shown. Therefore, in the case of a flow meter configured to externally set various items related to the flow rate calculation function, the safety function, and the communication function, which are the basic functions of the flow meter, if the flow meter is restarted after an abnormality has occurred, these basic functions cannot be guaranteed. There was a problem that.

[0006] The present invention is to solve the above problems,
A first object is to continue the flow measurement without restarting the setting from the outside at the time of restart after the occurrence of the abnormality.

It is a second object of the present invention to operate the safety function without restarting the setting when restarting after an abnormality has occurred.

It is a third object of the present invention to operate the communication function without restarting the setting from the outside at the time of restarting after an abnormality has occurred.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to notify the occurrence of an abnormality by a communication function without re-setting externally at the time of restarting after the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0010]

In order to achieve the first object, a flow meter according to the present invention comprises a flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate signal of the flow rate detecting means and a characteristic value set from outside. Flow rate measurement means for obtaining a flow rate measurement value based on, setting means for setting a characteristic value to the flow rate measurement means,
A nonvolatile storage means for storing at least a characteristic value held by the flow rate measuring means, and a rewriting means for rewriting data held by the flow rate measuring means to storage data of the nonvolatile storage means.

In order to achieve the second object, a flow state detecting means for detecting a use condition of a fluid from an output value of the flow detecting means, and an output value of the flow state detecting means deviating from a reference state set from outside. An abnormality determination unit that outputs an abnormality signal in the case of setting, a setting unit that sets a reference state held by the abnormality determination unit, a nonvolatile storage unit that stores at least a reference state of the abnormality determination unit, Rewriting means for rewriting the data held by the abnormality determination means to the storage data of the nonvolatile storage means.

In order to achieve a third object, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measured value based on a flow rate signal and a characteristic value of the flow rate detecting means, Communication means, communication control means for controlling the communication means based on data set from the outside, setting means for setting data in the communication control means, and a communication partner and a flow meter held by at least the communication control means A nonvolatile storage unit for storing its own identification information; and a rewriting unit for rewriting data held by the communication control unit to data stored in the nonvolatile storage unit.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the communication control means is configured to transmit the abnormality information to the communication destination rewritten by the rewriting means.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With the above configuration, the flow meter of the present invention stores the characteristic values of the flow rate detecting means in the non-volatile storage means. The flow rate can be measured based on the value held in the non-volatile storage unit without performing the setting again.

Further, since the non-volatile storage means retains a reference state as a reference for operating the safety function, when the system is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality, the data can be stored in the non-volatile memory without re-setting externally. The safety function can be operated based on the value held in the sex storage means.

Further, since the identification data of the communication partner and the flow meter itself is held in the nonvolatile storage means, when the system is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality, the data can be stored in the nonvolatile storage without externally re-setting these data. Based on the value held in the storage means, data communication with the stored partner can be continued.

Further, it is possible to report occurrence of an abnormality through the data communication function.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a flow rate detecting means, which generates a flow rate signal s corresponding to the flow rate of the gas passing through the flow meter body as an electric signal such as a voltage. Reference numeral 2 denotes a flow rate measuring means for obtaining an integrated measured value based on an output of the flow rate detecting means 1 and a characteristic value set from outside. Flow rate measuring means 2
Is composed of a calculating means 3, a characteristic value storing means 4, and an integrating means 5. The characteristic value storage means 4 stores characteristic values indicating the relationship between the flow rate signal s from the flow rate detection means 1 and the flow rate Q. Here, the flow signal indicates a physical quantity itself such as a frequency or a voltage, or a value obtained by converting the physical quantity according to a physical law. The characteristic value is a constant of a function indicating a relationship between the flow signal s and the flow Q. For example, Q = F (s) = A · s ² + B · s +
If it can be expressed by the quadratic expression of C, the characteristic value storage means 4 has F
Each of the following terms A, B, and C of (s) is stored in the form of a constant or a function. Also, the function F (s) may be able to express the entire area with the same function, or may be expressed with a different function for each area. In such a case, data of an inflection point at which the function changes and the like are also stored. The calculating means 3 calculates a function F (s) based on the flow signal s of the flow detecting means 1 and the coefficients A, B, C and inflection point information output from the characteristic value storing means 4.
, The flow rate Q is obtained. Here, when the flow rate signal s is obtained with a constant weight, that is, when the flow rate signal s is obtained by a calculation formula of Q = A · s, the coefficient A is stored as a characteristic value. The function F (s) is not limited to an integer polynomial, but may be a non-linear function such as a fuzzy function or a neuro function. 5 is an integrating means,
The integrated flow value Qs is obtained by adding the flow rate Q obtained in the above. 6
Is a setting means for setting the characteristic values stored in the characteristic value storage means 4 from outside through a communication line or the like. Reference numeral 7 denotes a display means, which displays the integrated flow rate value obtained by the flow rate measurement means 2 on the LCD, L
Display using ED etc. Reference numeral 8 denotes a non-volatile storage unit that stores the integrated flow rate value and the characteristic value obtained by the flow rate measurement unit 2. Reference numeral 9 denotes a data control unit that controls reading and writing of data from and to the nonvolatile storage unit 8. The data control means 9
It comprises a writing means 10 for writing data to the non-volatile storage means 8, and a rewriting means 11 for reading data from the non-volatile storage means 8 and rewriting data of the flow rate measuring means 2. A control means 12 controls the display means 7 and the non-volatile storage means 8 based on the flow rate signal of the flow rate detection means 1, and comprises a flow rate measurement means 2, a data control means 9 and the like. Is implemented using Reference numeral 13 denotes a battery serving as a power source for these units. Reference numeral 14 denotes initialization means. When the voltage of the power supply 13 supplied to the control means 12 falls below the operation guarantee voltage V0 and exceeds a predetermined operable voltage V1 (a value of V0 or more), the initialization signal is output. Output, and this initialization signal
The operation of the microcomputer realizing the control means 12 is initialized and shows the same operation as when the power is turned on.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. During normal operation, when gas is used, a flow signal s corresponding to the flow is output from the flow detection means 1 in the form of a voltage signal. The calculating means 3 calculates the flow rate Q = based on the flow rate signal s from the flow rate detecting means 1 and the characteristic value stored in the characteristic value storing means 4.
F (s) is obtained, the flow rate Q is integrated by the integrating means 5, and displayed on the display means 7. Further, the writing unit 9 writes the characteristic value stored in the characteristic value storage unit 4 and the integrated flow rate value obtained by the integration unit 5 to the nonvolatile storage unit 8. The timing of writing may be set at fixed time intervals for those that change every moment, such as an integrated flow rate value, or at a setting time for those that do not change after being set externally, such as characteristic values. .

Here, when an abnormality occurs in the battery 13 and the supply of power is stopped, or when the microcomputer that realizes the control unit 12 runs away,
Although the integrated flow rate value and the characteristic value of the characteristic value storage means 4 disappear or the display of the display means 7 disappears, the integrated flow rate value and the characteristic value stored in the non-volatile storage means 8 are retained. Have been. This value is read as internal data of the flow rate measuring means 2 by the initialization signal from the initialization means 14. The initialization signal is output from the initialization means 14 in the following case, for example. When the power supply is temporarily stopped and then restarted, such as replacement of the battery after the battery runs out, the voltage of the initialization means 14 is forcibly reduced in order to avoid abnormal operation due to runaway of the microcomputer realizing the control means 12. In this case, noise is applied to the initialization means 14 and the voltage applied thereto temporarily drops. In any case, an initialization signal is output, and the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means 8 is read and set as an initial value.

Since the non-volatile storage means 8 stores the integrated flow value and the characteristic value before the occurrence of the abnormality, the flow measurement can be continued without setting these data again.

Note that the initialization signal may be performed in response to an input from a switch or the like irrespective of the power supply voltage. In addition to a device that can be taken out in the form of an electric signal to the outside, a microcomputer may internally issue a command according to some conditions.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. Reference numeral 15 denotes a flow rate state detecting means for detecting the use state of the flow rate based on the internal data of the flow rate measuring means 2, that is, the flow rate Q obtained by the calculating means 3 and the integrated flow rate value obtained by the integrating means 5. Reference numeral 16 denotes an abnormality determination unit which determines whether or not the flow state detected by the flow detection unit 15 has deviated from the reference state, and outputs an abnormality signal when an abnormality occurs. Reference numeral 17 denotes a shutoff unit which stops supplying the fluid in response to an abnormality signal from the abnormality determination unit 16. Further, the setting means 6 can set a reference state held by the abnormality determination means 16 in addition to the characteristic value of the characteristic value storage means 3. The writing unit 10 writes the reference state of the abnormality determination unit 16 into the nonvolatile storage unit 8 in addition to the internal data of the flow rate measurement unit 2. Upon input of the initial signal of the initialization means 14, the rewriting means 11 rewrites the data of the flow rate measurement means 2 and the abnormality determination means 16 using the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means 8 as an initial value.

Here, the reference state is a state in which each condition such as a total flow rate, an individual maximum flow rate, and a safe continuous use time set in accordance with the capacity of each flow meter is considered. The total flow condition is a case where the total gas flow passing through the flow meter within a predetermined measurement time exceeds a value initially set due to a gas hose disconnection or the like. In addition, the individual maximum flow rate condition is to detect a change in gas flow rate every predetermined measurement time, identify how many types of gas appliances are currently being used, and identify how much gas is consumed by each of them. The maximum gas consumption, that is, the case where the gas flow rate exceeds a predetermined set value, is to cope with a gas leak such as a crack in a gas hose or a hose coming off due to a gas stopper being partially broken. In addition, the safe continuous use time is the continuous usable time set for each combustion range from the statistical data of the continuous use of gas appliances with a certain amount of combustion and the explosion limit associated with the amount of gas leakage. This is a case where the output from the flow state detecting means 15 exceeds this set time, and the safety is ensured even when the gas appliance is forgotten to be turned off or when the gas leaks from the appliance.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the gas is used, based on the flow rate Q obtained by the flow rate measuring means 2,
The flow state detecting means 15 detects the current use state, that is, the above-described total flow rate, individual flow rate, safety duration and the like. The value detected here is output to the abnormality determination means 16 and compared with the reference state stored here. Since the reference state has a different value depending on the capacity of the flow meter and the like, the reference state corresponding to each flow meter is set by the setting means 6 at the start of use of the flow meter. When a value deviating from the reference state determined by the abnormality determining means 16 is detected by the flow state detecting means 15, the shut-off means 17 is operated and the gas supply is stopped to prevent danger.

Here, if an abnormality occurs in the battery 11 and the supply of power is stopped, or if the microcomputer implementing the control unit 12 runs away, the internal data of the abnormality determination unit 16 is lost. However, the reference state stored in the nonvolatile storage means 8 is maintained. This value is read as internal data of the abnormality determination unit 16 by an initialization signal from the initialization unit 14. The output of the initializing signal from the initializing means 14 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. When the initialization signal is output from the initialization means 14,
Since the reference state of the abnormality determination unit 16 is restored based on the data stored in the non-volatile storage unit 8, the safety function can be restored without resetting the data through the setting unit 6.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. Reference numeral 18 denotes a communication unit which performs data transmission with the outside through a communication line or the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes a setting unit which externally sets characteristic values of the flow rate measuring unit 2 and data necessary for controlling the communication unit 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes communication control means which holds data set through the setting means 6 as internal data, and controls the communication means 18 based on the data. The data held in the communication control means 19 includes information for identifying a data transmission source and a transmission destination. For example, in the case of data transmission through a telephone line, the telephone number of the information base station is stored as identification information of the communication partner, and the data of the flowmeter main body is used as data for identifying the transmission source on the base station side. It is stored in the form of identification information, for example, an ID number or a serial number. Reference numeral 8 denotes a non-volatile storage unit which stores data relating to communication held by the communication control unit 16. Reference numeral 10 denotes a writing unit which writes the integrated flow rate value obtained by the flow rate measurement unit 5 to the nonvolatile storage unit 8 when the internal data of the communication control unit 19 is set by the setting unit 6 or at regular time intervals. Numeral 12 is a rewriting means. When an initialization signal is output from the initialization means 14, the data of the communication control means 19 and the flow rate measuring means 2 are rewritten by the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means 8.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The communication unit 18 transmits the integrated flow rate value measured by the flow rate measurement unit 2 to the outside, and receives the characteristic value of the flow rate measurement unit 2 and the like as setting data from the outside. For example, in the case of an automatic meter reading system that notifies a base station of a monthly usage fee through a telephone line, for one base station,
Many flow meters are connected through telephone lines. In this case, in order to perform data communication via the communication means 18, the telephone number of the base station is required as identification information of the communication partner, and the flow rate is used to indicate that the information is oscillated by itself. As the total identification information, an ID number and a serial number are required. The communication control means 19 stores these information as internal data. At the time of data transmission, the ID number of the flow meter is sent together with the original information to the telephone number of the base station stored in the communication control means 19. And so on. Conversely, at the time of data reception, the data from the base station is added to the original information together with the original information in order to confirm whether or not the transmitted data is actually transmitted to itself.
A process such as adding a D number and accepting data only when the numbers match is performed. Since these pieces of identification information are different for each flow meter, they are set from the outside through the setting means 6 at the time of factory shipment or when attached to a customer. The setting unit 6 may be different from the communication unit 18, or the communication unit 18 itself may play the role of the setting unit 6. When the setting unit 6 sets data in the communication control unit 19, the same data is recorded in the nonvolatile storage unit 8.

Here, when an abnormality occurs in the battery 11 and the supply of power is stopped, or when the microcomputer implementing the control unit 12 goes out of control, the internal data of the communication control unit 19 is lost. However, the telephone number of the base station and the ID number of the flow meter stored in the non-volatile storage means 8 are retained. This value is read as internal data of the communication control means 19 by an initialization signal from the initialization means 14. Initialization means 14
The output of the initialization signal from is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. When the initialization signal is output, the data in the communication control unit 19 is restored based on the data stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 8, so that the communication function can be restored through the setting unit 6 without re-setting the data. effective.

Further, at the time of outputting the initialization signal, data is transferred from the non-volatile storage means 8 to the communication control means, and abnormality information is transmitted to the base station through the communication means 18. In this case, the base station can know that some abnormality has occurred in the power supply 13 and take necessary measures. For example, when the abnormality information is transmitted, the flow rate measuring unit 2
Is transmitted from the base station, the flow rate measurement can be continuously performed without storing the characteristic values in the nonvolatile storage unit 8.

[0034]

As apparent from the above description, the flow meter according to the present invention has the following effects.

Since the characteristic values are stored in the non-volatile storage means, and these data are set as the initial values of the flow rate measuring means at the time of outputting the initialization signal, the setting is not performed from the outside upon restarting after the occurrence of the abnormality. , The flow measurement can be continued.

Further, since the reference state of the flow rate as a reference for operating the safety function is stored in the non-volatile storage means, and these data are set as the initial values of the reference state when the initialization signal is output, the abnormal state is obtained. It is possible to recover the safety function without restarting the setting when restarting after the occurrence.

Further, data necessary for communication, such as identification information of the communication partner and the flow meter itself, is stored in the non-volatile storage means, and these data are set as initial values of the communication control means when an initialization signal is output. Therefore, the communication function can be restored without restarting the setting from the outside at the time of restart after the occurrence of the abnormality.

Further, since the occurrence of the power supply abnormality is notified, it is possible to take necessary measures such as re-executing necessary data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional flow meter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 flow rate detection means 2 flow rate measurement means 6 setting means 8 nonvolatile storage means 11 rewriting means 15 flow rate detection means 16 abnormality determination means 18 communication means 19 communication control means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Atsumi 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of a fluid, a flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measurement value based on a flow rate signal of the flow rate detecting means and a characteristic value set from the outside, and a characteristic value is supplied to the flow rate measuring means. Setting means for setting, nonvolatile storage means for storing at least characteristic values held by the flow rate measurement means, and rewriting means for rewriting data held by the flow rate measurement means to storage data of the nonvolatile storage means. Flowmeter. 2. A flow rate detecting means for detecting a use condition of a fluid from an output value of the flow rate detecting means, and outputting an abnormal signal when an output value of the flow rate detecting means deviates from a reference state set from outside. Setting means for setting a reference state held by the abnormality determining means,
2. The flowmeter according to claim 1, further comprising: a nonvolatile storage unit that stores at least a reference state of the abnormality determination unit; and a rewriting unit that rewrites data held by the abnormality determination unit to data stored in the nonvolatile storage unit. 3. A flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measurement value based on a flow rate signal and a characteristic value of the flow rate detecting means, an external communication means, and data set from outside. Communication control means for controlling the communication means on the basis of: a setting means for setting data in the communication control means; and a non-volatile memory for storing at least a communication partner held by the communication control means and identification information of the flow meter itself. A flowmeter comprising: a storage unit; and a rewriting unit that rewrites data held by the communication control unit to storage data of the nonvolatile storage unit. 4. The flowmeter according to claim 3, wherein the communication control means transmits the abnormality information to the communication partner rewritten by the rewriting means.