JP2002092757A - Gas detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas detecting device suitable for detecting in a concealed part or an almost sealed part of a building. SOLUTION: This gas detecting device is provided with a gas detector GD, and is located in a form of communicating with a detected object area U of the building, which is in concealed or almost sealed state. The gas detecting device is further provided with a gas passage P for introducing a gas in the detected object area U as a detected object gas A. The gas detector GD is constituted so as to detect the detected object gas A introduced through the gas passage P.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas detector provided with a gas detector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a building, for example, it is necessary to monitor city gas, LP gas or the like as a detection target gas for leakage. In monitoring gas leakage in a building, it is particularly important to monitor gas leakage in a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of the building. That is, the gas pipeline for gas supply is often piped through a concealed portion (including a buried portion) such as under the floor of a building or a substantially sealed portion such as in a wall. In such a case,
If the gas leaks from the gas conduit piped to the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion, the gas will remain in the concealed portion such as under the floor, the ceiling, etc., or the substantially closed portion such as in the wall, etc. The danger is higher than gas leakage.

Conventionally, in a gas detecting device for monitoring gas leakage in a building room, a gas detecting portion for energizing and detecting a gas detecting body, a power supply for supplying electric power to the gas detecting portion, and the like. , And the gas detector thus configured as an integral object is installed in a building room to be monitored to make it detect the leaked gas. And in the past,
The gas detecting section is configured to always perform the detecting operation. When the gas detection device is configured to use a natural gas-based city gas as a detection target gas, it is configured to detect methane as a main component, but conventionally, the concentration is 1000 to 10000 ppm. Although it can detect methane at a concentration as high as methane, it has high sensitivity to gas components other than methane, and has low selectivity to methane.

[0004]

In general, gas leakage from a gas pipeline provided through a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building does not occur rapidly.
It will gradually occur due to corrosion of the pipes during use. And even if gas leakage occurs, it is extremely small, so it is necessary to appropriately detect such small leakage. In addition, the gas in the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion of the building includes gases other than the detection target gas such as city gas and LP gas, for example, hydrogen and sulfur compounds generated by decay, kerosene, gasoline, and the like. When monitoring the leakage of natural gas-based city gas in concealed or substantially closed parts of buildings, methane, which is the detection target gas, must be replaced with methane other than methane. It is necessary to detect without gas interference.

However, using a conventional gas detector, the gas detector is installed in a room adjacent to a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building, for example, a meter room provided with a gas metering device. Therefore, if the gas leaking from the concealed portion or the substantially sealed portion of the building is made to perform a detecting action on the gas, even if the gas leak occurs in the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion of the building, the gas detector may be operated. The gas to be detected has a much lower detection target gas concentration, making it difficult to detect the detection target gas. By the way, in order to make it easier to detect low-concentration detection target gas in the concealed part or substantially closed part of the building, it is conceivable to provide the gas detector itself in the detection target area, but the gas detector is large. Because there is, it is necessary to open a large-diameter through hole in the compartment that divides the concealed part or the substantially closed part of the building,
It was difficult to install it in a concealed part or a substantially closed part of a building.

Further, in the conventional gas detecting device, the gas detecting portion is always energized and the gas detecting portion is constantly detected, so that the power consumption is large. The cost is high, and when a battery is used as a power source, the battery needs to be replaced in a short period of time, so that the burden of maintenance for battery replacement is heavy. In addition, when using natural gas-based city gas as a detection target gas, the conventional gas detection device has low selectivity for methane, and therefore, when the gas in a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building is used as the detection target gas. However, it was difficult to detect the gas to be detected without receiving interference from other gases other than the gas to be detected. That is, the conventional gas detection device is difficult to use when a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building is to be detected.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gas detection device suitable for a case where a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building is set as a detection target area. It is in.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems [Invention according to claim 1]
The characteristic configuration according to claim 1 is installed in a form communicating with the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building, and a ventilation path for introducing gas in the detection target area as detection target air is provided, The gas detector is configured to perform a detection operation on detection target air introduced through the ventilation path. According to the characteristic configuration of claim 1,
The gas in the concealed or substantially enclosed detection target area of the building is introduced into the gas detection working area of the gas detector by the ventilation path as the detection target air, and the gas detector is detected by the ventilation path. Since the detection operation is performed by contacting the target gas, the low-concentration detection target gas can be appropriately detected. The gas detector does not need to be installed in the concealed or substantially closed detection target area. For example, a place where the gas detector can be easily installed adjacent to the concealed or substantially closed detection target area. (E.g., a meter room provided with a gas metering device), and the ventilation path is provided so as to communicate from the place where the gas detector is installed to a concealed or substantially closed detection target area. In other words, in order to provide the ventilation path, it is necessary to open a through hole in a partition (for example, when the detection target area is below the floor, the floor) that partitions the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building. Even in this case, since the ventilation path has a small diameter and only a small-diameter through-hole needs to be opened, the construction is simple and the gas detector can be easily installed. In addition, the detection target area of the present invention includes not only a hollow part but also a place buried with earth and sand or concrete, and in such a case, by providing a ventilation path communicating with the detection target area, Appropriate detection of the detection target gas becomes possible. Therefore, when a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building is set as a detection target area, it can be easily installed while properly detecting the detection target gas, and thus the concealed portion of the building can be easily detected. It is possible to provide a gas detection device suitable for a case where a substantially sealed portion is used as a detection target area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the gas detector has a built-in gas detecting section for performing a detecting operation and a power supply for supplying electric power to the gas detecting section. The main body is configured to be separated from the main body, and the ventilation path is connected to the gas detection unit so as to introduce the air to be detected into the gas detection unit, and the detection information of the gas detection unit is An information transmission means for transmitting the information to the main body is provided. According to the characteristic configuration described in claim 2, the gas detector is configured to include the gas detection unit and the main unit in a separated state, and the main unit includes a power supply that supplies power to the gas detection unit. A built-in and information transmission means for transmitting the detection information of the gas detection unit to the main unit is provided. Connected to the gas detection unit in a state where it is connected to the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building so as to be introduced into the detection unit, the detection target of the concealment state or substantially closed state of the building The gas in the area can be detected as the detection target gas. That is, the gas detection unit can be configured to be smaller than a main body unit including a power supply and the like, and the small gas detection unit is close to a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building. Even if there is a restriction that the installation space is narrow in the place, the installation can be easily performed, so that the length of the ventilation path can be shortened, and the air to be detected can be quickly introduced into the gas detection operation area. Therefore, it is possible to more quickly detect gas leakage in the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gas detector has a gas detecting portion that performs a detection operation in an energized state, and the gas detection portion is energized to perform a detection operation. It is provided with a control unit that switches between a detection operation state and a stop state in which energization of the gas detection unit is stopped to stop the detection operation, and the control unit is configured to perform a normal operation state for 30 seconds to 10 minutes. As the detection operation time,
The gas detection unit is switched between the detection operation state and the stop state so that the gas detection unit is switched to the stop state with a time equal to or longer than five times the detection operation time as a detection suspension time. It is configured to switch repeatedly. According to the characteristic configuration of the third aspect, in the normal operation state, the control unit switches to the detection operation state with a detection operation time of 30 seconds to 10 minutes, and corresponds to five times the detection operation time. The gas detection unit is repeatedly switched between the detection operation state and the stop state so that the gas detection unit switches to the stop state with the time longer than the predetermined time as the detection suspension time, and the gas detection unit intermittently performs the detection operation. As a result of the research, the inventors of the present invention have found that gas leakage from a gas pipeline provided through a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building does not occur or increase in a short period of time, and Even if a gas leak occurs, the amount is very small at the beginning, so that the gas detection unit is repeatedly switched between the detection operation state and the stop state, and the detection pause time is set to 30 seconds to 10 minutes ( Preferably, 30
5 times (preferably 10 times) the detection operation time in seconds to 5 minutes.
It has been found that even when the time is set to be longer than the time corresponding to (times), gas leakage in the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building is properly detected. In the present invention, the detection operation time means not only the time for continuously energizing the gas detection unit but also the on / off of energization to the gas detection unit at intervals of less than 5 minutes in order to perform the detection operation. And the time in the control / measurement state where the control is performed alternately. Under this condition, the gas detection unit is repeatedly switched between the detection operation state and the stop state, and the time for the stop state is long, so that the power consumption can be effectively reduced. When the battery is used, the battery replacement interval can be effectively lengthened, so that the burden of maintenance for battery replacement can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to effectively detect gas leakage in a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building over a long period of time, while effectively reducing power consumption. When a battery is used, gas detection suitable for using a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building as a detection target area while reducing the burden of maintenance for battery replacement. Equipment can now be provided.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the control section is configured to control the detection operation state based on a command from the outside irrespective of timing determined in the normal operation state. In the configuration. According to the characteristic configuration of the fourth aspect, the control unit switches the gas detection unit to the detection operation state based on an external command regardless of the timing determined in the normal operation state. Although the detection is opened intermittently, the detection can be effected promptly by issuing a command when necessary. Therefore, the gas leak monitoring operation can be performed more efficiently.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the gas detection unit detects a gas to be detected, the control unit extends the detection operation time, or , It is configured to shorten the detection suspension time. According to the characteristic configuration of the fifth aspect, the control unit activates the detection operation when the gas detection unit detects the detection target gas while repeatedly switching the gas detection unit between the detection operation state and the stop state. Extend the time or shorten the detection pause time. In other words, while the detection operation is performed intermittently at a predetermined interval, when the sign of the presence of the detection target gas is detected, the detection operation time is extended to increase the detection accuracy or to perform the detection. The downtime is shortened, and the detection frequency is increased. Therefore, power consumption can be effectively reduced, and when using a battery as a power source, the burden on maintenance for battery replacement can be reduced, while at the same time concealing and substantially closing the building. It is possible to further enhance the detection accuracy of gas leakage in the target detection area in the shape of a circle.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main unit in which the gas detector includes the gas detector and a power supply for supplying power to the gas detector. And an information transmission means for transmitting detection information of the gas detection unit to the main body unit. According to the characteristic configuration of claim 6, the gas detector is configured to have the gas detector and the main body in a separated state, and the main body has a power supply for supplying power to the gas detector. Is provided, and the information transmission means for transmitting the detection information of the gas detection unit to the main unit is provided. Therefore, even if the gas detection unit and the main unit are installed at separate places, the detection operation can be performed. In other words, the gas detection unit can be configured to be smaller than the main unit equipped with a power supply, and the small gas detection unit can detect gas in a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building. In order to detect the object, it is easier to install it in the detection target area compared to the conventional large gas detector that includes a gas detection unit and power supply etc. it can. For example, by opening a through hole in a partition that divides a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building and installing a gas detection unit in the through hole, or detecting the gas detection unit Even if it is installed in the target area, it is only necessary to open a small-diameter through hole in the partition body, and it can be easily installed in a narrow space. Therefore, when the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion of the building is set as the detection target area, the gas detection device can be easily installed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the gas detector has a gas detector which has a higher sensitivity to methane than other gases and a detection function in an energized state. A main body that supplies driving power to the gas detection unit, the gas detection unit and the main body are formed in a separated state,
An electric power supply line for supplying electric power from the main body to the gas detector is provided, and an information transmission unit for transmitting detection information of the gas detector to the main body is provided. According to the characteristic configuration of claim 7, since the gas detector has higher sensitivity to methane than sensitivity to other kinds of gases, when the natural gas-based city gas is used as the detection target gas, the concealed portion of the building is used. It is possible to appropriately detect methane as the detection target gas without receiving interference from other gases other than the detection target gas, with the gas in the substantially closed portion as the detection target gas. Further, the gas detector is configured so that the gas detector and the main body are provided in a separated state, and a power supply for supplying electric power to the gas detector is built in the main body, and the detection information of the gas detector is provided. Since the information transmission means for transmitting the information to the main body is provided, the detection operation can be performed even if the gas detection unit and the main body are installed at separate places. In other words, the gas detection unit can be configured to be smaller than the main unit equipped with a power supply, and the small gas detection unit can detect gas in a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building. In the detection target, compared to a conventional large gas detector including a gas detection unit and a power supply, it can be easily installed in a state where it faces the detection target area. it can. For example, by opening a through hole in a partition that divides a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building and installing a gas detection unit in the through hole, or detecting the gas detection unit Even if it is installed in the target area, it is only necessary to open a small-diameter through hole in the partition body, and it can be easily installed in a narrow space. Therefore, when the concealed part or the substantially closed part of the building is the detection target area, and the detection target gas is a natural gas-based city gas, methane as the detection target gas is replaced with another type of gas other than the detection target gas. A gas detection device that can be detected without receiving interference and can be easily installed, and is suitable when a concealed portion or a substantially closed portion of a building is set as a detection target area. Can now be offered.

[0015] The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the gas detection unit uses gas in a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building as a detection target gas. It is located. According to the characteristic configuration of the eighth aspect, the gas detection unit is disposed so that the gas in the detection target area in a concealed or substantially closed state of the building is detected. In other words, the gas detection device according to claims 3 to 7 has a characteristic configuration that makes the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion of the building suitable for use as the detection target area, respectively. When each gas detection device of 7 is used to monitor gas leakage in a concealed part or a substantially closed part of a building, it is necessary to appropriately monitor gas leakage in a concealed part or a substantially closed part of a building. Will be able to

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical structure is provided in a through-hole formed in a partition that divides a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building. Is inserted, and the gas detection unit is housed in the tubular body. According to the characteristic configuration of the ninth aspect, a cylindrical body such as a circle or a polygon is inserted into the through-hole formed in the compartment that divides the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building. Since the gas detecting section is accommodated in the cylindrical body, the gas in the detection target area flows into the cylindrical body, and the gas detecting section detects the gas flowing through the cylindrical body as the detection target gas. In other words, by configuring the gas detector so that the gas detector and the main body are provided in a separated state, the gas detector can be made smaller, and the small gas detector is formed in the partition. By adopting an arrangement that accommodates in the cylindrical body inserted into the through-hole, even if the through-hole is opened in the partition body, a small-diameter hole is sufficient. Appropriate sensing action can be applied to gas. In addition, the gas detection unit is usually configured to include a sensor unit that detects the air to be detected and a casing that mechanically protects the sensor unit by housing the sensor unit. Even if the gas detection unit is directly housed in the cylindrical body, the gas detection unit is mechanically protected by the cylindrical body. In this case, the sensor unit becomes smaller and the through hole may have a smaller diameter. So
Construction is simpler and preferable. Therefore, when the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion of the building is set as the detection target area, the gas detection device can be easily installed while appropriately detecting the detection target air.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas supply system in which a part of the gas detector or a plurality of components constituting the gas detector is provided in a building. And a gas metering device provided in the conduit for use. According to the characteristic configuration of the tenth aspect, a plurality of configurations that configure the gas detector or the gas detector using the existing gas supply conduit or the existing gas metering device provided in the conduit. The construction is simple because a part of the part is configured to be attached. Therefore, the gas detection device can be more easily installed.

According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removing means for removing components other than the detection target component from the detection target air introduced into the gas detection working area of the gas detection body. Is provided. According to the eleventh aspect, the removing unit removes components other than the detection target component from the detection target air introduced into the gas detection operation area of the gas detection body.
In other words, the gas in the concealed portion and the substantially closed portion of the building contains components other than the detection target gas, such as hydrogen and sulfur compounds generated by decay, hydrocarbons contained in kerosene, gasoline, etc., and moisture. Is contained, by removing such components other than the detection target component from the detection target gas, the influence of components other than the detection target component on the detection result of the detection target gas can be reduced. Therefore,
The detection accuracy of the detection target gas can be further increased.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell system according to the twelfth aspect, comprising: a flow state in which the gas to be detected is allowed to flow in the gas detection area of the gas detector; And a control unit that switches the switching unit to the flowing state when the gas detector performs the detecting operation, and to the non-flowing state when the gas detecting unit stops the detecting operation. It is provided. According to the characteristic configuration of the twelfth aspect, the control unit causes the switching unit to enter the flow state when the gas detector performs the detection operation, and to the non-flow state when the gas detector stops the detection operation. Since the switching is performed, the gas to be detected is prevented from flowing to the gas detection operation area of the gas detector while the gas detector stops the detection operation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the component that causes the deterioration of the detection performance of the gas detector, so that the durability can be improved.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the air conditioner according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein ventilation means is provided for forcibly ventilating a gas in the gas detection body with a gas in the detection target area as a detection target air. Is to be. Claim 13
According to the characteristic configuration described in the above, the gas in the detection target area is forcibly ventilated to the gas detection working area in the gas detector as the detection target air by the ventilation means, so that the concealed portion of the building from the gas pipeline or When the gas leaks into the substantially closed portion, the gas diffused in the concealed portion or the substantially closed portion of the building can be quickly introduced into the gas detection operation area. Therefore, it is possible to more quickly detect gas leakage in the concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the gas detecting body is provided with a discriminating means for discriminating gas detection information that has detected a gas to be detected, and a discriminating means for the discriminating means. Output means for outputting the detected gas detection information. According to the configuration described in claim 14, when the detection target gas is detected, the determination unit determines the gas detection information indicating that the detection target gas has been detected, and the output unit includes the determination unit. Since the determined gas detection information is output, it is possible to quickly know that gas leakage has occurred. By the way, as the output means, those which emit a warning by sound, light, voice, etc., those which display, and those which communicate with a central monitoring device provided in a monitoring center for monitoring gas leakage and the like are used. Can be. Therefore, it is possible to quickly know that a gas leak has occurred, and to take prompt measures (such as shutting off gas supply and repairing gas pipelines).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the fifteenth aspect, the discriminating means sets the gas detection information as a concentration discrimination set value in a plurality of stages in accordance with the concentration of the gas to be detected. Is configured to determine density information whose density can be identified stepwise based on the density. According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, the determination unit performs the gas detection information based on the concentration determination set value set in a plurality of stages according to the concentration of the detection target gas.
Density information whose density can be identified stepwise is determined, and the output unit outputs the density information determined by the determination unit. Therefore, an appropriate measure can be taken according to each density level based on the density information output to the output means, so that a flexible measure can be taken.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the output means is configured to communicate information determined by the determining means to a central monitoring device. According to the characteristic configuration of claim 16,
By the output means, the information determined by the determination means is communicated to the central monitoring device, so that the central monitoring device can remotely monitor the gas detection information of the gas detection device,
When communication is performed between the plurality of gas detection devices and the central monitoring device, the gas detection information of the plurality of gas detection devices can be collectively monitored collectively.
Therefore, gas leakage in the concealed or substantially closed detection area of the building can be remotely monitored by the central monitoring device, and communication between the plurality of gas detecting devices and the central monitoring device can be performed. In the case of performing such a configuration, gas leakage at a plurality of monitoring locations can be collectively and collectively monitored by the central monitoring device.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising: a determining means for determining whether the apparatus operating state is normal or abnormal; and periodically determining the operating information determined by the determining means. Output means for communicating with the central monitoring device. According to the configuration described in claim 17, the operating information indicating whether the operating state of the apparatus is normal or abnormal is determined by the determining means, and the operating information determined by the determining means is periodically output to the central monitoring apparatus by the output means. Communicated. Therefore, the operating state of the gas detecting device can be remotely monitored periodically by the remote monitoring device.

The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that a discriminating means for discriminating gas detection information and apparatus operation information for detecting a gas to be detected, and the gas detection discriminated by the discriminating means. Storage means for storing information and the apparatus operation information; and output means for outputting the gas detection information and the apparatus operation information stored in the storage means based on an external command. is there. According to the characteristic configuration of the eighteenth aspect, the determination means determines the gas detection information and the apparatus operation information that have detected the detection target gas, and the storage means determines the gas detection information and the apparatus operation information determined by the determination means. The gas detection information and the device operation information that are stored and stored in the storage unit are output to the output unit based on an external command. Therefore, by issuing a command when necessary, the previous gas detection information and device operation information can be known, and there is no need to constantly monitor the gas detection information and device operation information. It can be performed more efficiently.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to a gas detection device using natural gas-based city gas as a detection target gas based on the drawings, and is an example of a concealed or substantially closed detection target region of a building. The first to sixth embodiments will be described for the case where the gas in the lower floor U is the detection target gas.

[First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gas detection device
A gas detector GD and a ventilation path P installed in a state communicating with the lower floor U and introducing gas in the detection target area as detection target air are provided, and the gas detector GD is introduced through the ventilation path P. It is configured to detect the detected air A to be detected.

The gas detector GD separates the gas detector S, which performs detection operation in a state where electricity is supplied to methane, from the main body M, which is provided with a power supply 1 for supplying electric power to the gas detector S. The gas detection unit S and the main unit M are provided with a signal line 21 as information transmission means for transmitting detection information of the gas detection unit S to the main unit M, and power is supplied from the main unit M to the gas detection unit S. And a control line 13 for transmitting control information from the main unit M to the gas detection unit S.

The ventilation path P is used to transfer the air A to be detected to the gas detecting section S.
Is connected to the gas detection section S so as to be introduced into the gas detecting section S.

FIG. 1 shows a case where the gas detection device of the present invention is installed in an apartment house. As shown in FIG. 1, in the apartment house, a conduit 51 connected to a gas pipe (not shown) for supplying city gas is provided in a meter room R or the like facing a service corridor. , A common inner pipe 51A piped through the floor 52 and the ceiling 53 of the apartment house, and an inner pipe 51B connected to the common inner pipe 51A to supply gas to each house. Measuring device 5
4 are provided.

The main body portion M and the gas detection portion S are connected to the common inner pipe 5 by a fitting 23 as shown in FIGS.
1A. Fixture 23
Is composed of a band body 23A that is fastened to the common inner pipe 51A and a screw 23B that fixes the band body 23A to the main body M or the gas detection unit S.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air collecting pipe 24 forming an air passage P therein is provided so as to penetrate through a through hole 52h formed in a floor 52 so that an end opening thereof faces below the floor. The base end opening of the collection pipe 24 is connected to the gas detection section S attached to the common inner pipe 51A so that the gas in the lower part of the floor U is introduced into the gas detection section S as the detection target air A through the collection pipe 24. It is set up. That is, it is configured to detect gas leakage in the lower floor U with the lower floor U as a detection target area. The air collecting tube 24 is formed of a metal tube, a resin tube, or the like, and has an outer diameter of about 10 to 20 mm and a small diameter, so that the through hole 5 for inserting the air collecting tube 24 is provided.
2h can be easily formed on the floor 52 because a small diameter is sufficient.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gas detecting section S is composed of a processing section 2 constructed using a microcomputer, a sensor section 41 for detecting methane, and converting an analog detection signal from the sensor section 41 into a digital signal. A / D conversion unit 3 which performs power conversion from a power supply 1 provided in a main unit M to be described later to a sensor unit 41
And a switch unit 4 for interrupting the supply of electric power to the detection unit casing 42.

As shown in FIG. 16, the sensor element 41S constituting the sensor section 41 according to the first embodiment includes an oxide semiconductor around the coil section of the electrode wire w which also serves as a heater and an electrode and forms a coil section. (For example, tin oxide as a main component).

The resistance value of the sensor element 41S changes in response to methane as a detection target gas.
By detecting the change in the resistance value, the presence / absence, concentration, and the like of methane can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 18, the sensor section 41 uses the sensor element 41S as a variable resistor Rs,
s and a fixed resistor Ro are connected in series (terminals of the variable resistor Rs use both ends of an electrode line w functioning as an electrode),
The variable resistor Rs and the fixed resistor R thus connected in series
For o, a constant voltage is applied from the power supply 1. The voltage output Vout between the terminals Ta and Ta across the fixed resistor Ro
Corresponds to a change in the resistance value of the sensor element 41S, and uses the voltage output Vout between the terminals Ta and Ta across the fixed resistor Ro as methane detection information. or,
The electric power supplied from the power supply 1 to the sensor element 41S also acts as heating electric power on the electrode wire w to bring the element temperature to a predetermined temperature. The switch unit 4 is provided in the middle of a power supply line 22 that supplies power from the power supply 1 to the sensor unit 41.

The voltage output between the terminals Ta and Ta across the fixed resistor Ro of the sensor section 41 is input to the A / D conversion section 3, and the output digital data from the A / D conversion section 3 is input to the processing section 2. Is done.

By using the processing unit 2 to switch the switch unit 4 between the ON state and the OFF state, the sensor unit 4
1, a power-supply switching control unit 2A that switches between a detection operation state in which the detection operation is performed by energizing the sensor unit 1 and a stop state in which the power supply to the sensor unit 41 is stopped to stop the detection operation. And a determination unit 2C that determines the gas detection information based on the detection information.

The energization switching control unit 2A sets the detection operation time between 30 seconds and 10 minutes in a normal operation state as a detection operation time.
The gas detection unit S is repeatedly switched between the detection operation state and the stop state so that the gas detection unit S is switched to the detection operation state, and the time period equal to or longer than five times the detection operation time is set as the detection suspension time, and the stop state is switched. It is composed.

Incidentally, the detection operation time can be set as appropriate between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.
It can be set as appropriate under conditions equal to or longer than five times the detection operation time.
From the purpose of detecting a small amount of gas leakage from A,
For example, since it is preferable to switch to the detection operation state once a day, in the present embodiment, for example, the detection operation time is set to one minute, and the detection suspension time is set to one hour from 24 hours.
Set the time to the minutes subtracted.

The discriminating unit 2C determines the sensitivity of the sensor unit 41 stored in advance based on the digital data converted by the A / D conversion unit 3 when the sensor unit 41 is switched to the detection operation state. The methane concentration is determined from characteristics (representing the relationship between the resistance value or the voltage output based on the resistance value and the methane concentration). Further, the determining unit 2C determines step concentration information in which the methane concentration can be identified step by step, based on the concentration discriminating set values set in advance in a plurality of steps according to the methane concentration. The setting value for concentration determination is, for example, a driving state switching setting corresponding to an extremely low methane concentration and a level at which the driving state of the sensor unit 41 should be switched from the normal detection driving state to the fine detection driving state. Value, the methane concentration is higher than the set value for driving state switching, and the set value for forecast corresponding to the level at which a preliminary alarm should be issued, and the methane concentration is higher than the set value for forecast, The alarm set value corresponding to the level at which the alarm should be issued is set.

When the obtained methane concentration is lower than the set value for driving state switching, the discriminating unit 2C indicates that no alarm is required, as the step concentration information by which the methane concentration can be identified stepwise. If the calculated methane concentration is not less than the set value for driving state switching and less than the set value for forecasting, the concentration of the methane obtained is determined to be equal to or more than the set value for forecasting and set for alarm. When it is less than the set value, the predicted concentration level is determined, and when the obtained methane concentration is not less than the alarm set value, the alarm concentration level is determined.

The determination unit 2C determines device operation information such as the remaining battery level of the power supply 1 and whether the methane detection operation of the sensor unit 41 is normal or abnormal.

A description will be given of the main body M with reference to FIGS. The main body unit M includes an output control unit 12 configured using a microcomputer, and the output control unit 12
And a power supply 1 for supplying driving power to the gas detection unit S, a storage unit 5 for storing gas detection information and the like transmitted from the gas detection unit S via the signal line 21, a display unit 6 for displaying various information, methane An alarm lamp 7 and an alarm buzzer 8 for outputting an alarm when the concentration becomes a concentration at which an alarm is to be issued, an operation lamp 9 which is turned on when the apparatus is in operation, and a gas detection operation through the control line 13 for the gas detection unit S. Are provided by using a main body casing 11 and the like. The power supply 1 is composed of a battery.

From the processing unit 2 of the gas detection unit S to the output control unit 12 of the main unit M, the discrimination unit 2 is connected via a signal line 21.
Step concentration information determined by C (corresponding to gas detection information)
The storage unit 5 is configured to store the step density information and the device operation information transmitted from the processing unit 2 in association with the date and time.

Next, control operations by the processing unit 2 and the output control unit 12 will be described. Power supply switching control unit 2A
While the determination unit 2C is determining the unnecessary alarm concentration level, the sensor unit 41 is repeatedly switched between the detection operation state and the stop state during the detection operation time and the detection suspension time in the normal operation state. Then, when the determination unit 2C determines the drive state switching concentration level, the energization switching control unit 2A sets the detection operation time to be longer than the time in the normal operation state, and improves the methane detection accuracy in the sensor unit 41. increase. For example, in the normal operation state, as described above, the state is switched to the detection operation state in a one-day cycle, and when the detection operation time is one minute, the detection operation time is extended to, for example, five minutes. In that case, the cycle of switching to the detection operation state is maintained for one day.

When the discriminating unit 2C discriminates the predicted density level, the output control unit 12 executes the alarm control for turning on the alarm lamp 7. During the execution of the alarm control, the energization switching control unit 2A keeps the sensor unit 41 continuously in the detection operation state, for example, or shortens the detection suspension time to increase the detection frequency. By doing so, the subsequent methane concentration is monitored in a state where detection can be performed with high accuracy.

When the determining unit 2C determines the alarm density level, the output control unit 12 executes the alarm control for turning on the alarm lamp 7 and sounding the alarm buzzer 8. During the execution of the alarm control, the power supply switching control unit 2A
For example, the detection operation may be stopped by maintaining the sensor unit 41 in the stopped state, or the sensor unit 41 may be returned to the normal operation state and the subsequent methane concentration may be monitored. still,
Although not shown, a reset switch for stopping the alarm operation of the alarm lamp 7 and the alarm buzzer 8 and returning the detection operation to the normal operation state is provided.

Further, when the gas detection operation is commanded by the detection command button 10, the energization switching control unit 2 A operates the sensor for the detection operation time in the normal operation state regardless of the timing determined in the normal operation state. The determination unit 2C determines the methane concentration and determines the step concentration information, and switches the output control unit 1 to the detection operation state.
The display unit 2 displays the determination result of the determination unit 2C on the display unit 6, and when the determination unit 2C determines the predicted density level or the alarm density level, executes the alert control corresponding to the determination result. In addition, the output control unit 12 detects the detection command button 10
When the gas detection operation is instructed by the command, the remaining battery level of the power supply 1 at the time of the command and the failure history determined based on the information stored in the storage unit 5 (for example, the history in which the remaining battery level becomes smaller than the set value, , The history of the methane detection operation of the sensor unit 41 becoming abnormal, and the history of the density abnormality determined based on the information stored in the storage unit 5 (for example, the history of determining the predicted concentration level or the alarm concentration level) are displayed on the display unit 6. To be displayed.

That is, the display unit 6, the alarm lamp 7, and the alarm buzzer 8 function as output means O.

Therefore, for example, at the time of monthly meter reading, the person in charge presses the detection command button 10 to know the presence / absence of gas leakage at the time of the command, the remaining amount of the battery of the power supply 1, the failure history and the concentration abnormality history. Therefore, appropriate countermeasures can be taken for each.

As can be seen from the above description, in the first embodiment, the inventions of claims 1 to 6, 8, 10, 14, 15 and 18 are described.

[Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the gas detector GD
Is a gas detection unit S whose sensitivity to methane is higher than sensitivity to other kinds of gases and which performs a detection operation in an energized state.
And a main unit M provided with a power supply 1 for supplying power to the gas detection unit S in a separated state, and the gas detection unit S and the main unit M are provided with detection information of the gas detection unit S. Signal line 2 as information transmission means for transmitting data to the main unit M
1 and a power supply line 22 for supplying electric power from the main unit M to the gas detection unit S.

In the second embodiment, the gas collection tube 24 in the first embodiment is omitted, and the gas detection unit S is arranged near the upper part of the penetrating portion of the common inner tube 51A on the floor 52 of the meter room R. is there. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, the main body M and the gas detector S are configured to be attached to the common inner pipe 51A by the attachment 23 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this second embodiment, the air A to be detected in the lower part U of the floor leaks into the meter chamber R through the gap in the penetrating portion of the common inner pipe 51A in the floor 52. The gas detection unit S is arranged to perform a detection operation on the detection target air A leaking in such a manner. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the air collecting pipe 24 is omitted, and the gas detection unit S is directly connected to a conduit in a partition that divides a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building such as the floor 52. By arranging in the vicinity of the penetrating portion of 51, it is possible to appropriately detect gas in a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building while reducing costs.

The gas detecting section S will be described. The gas detecting section S is a sensor section 41 for selectively detecting methane.
And a detection unit casing 42 incorporating the sensor unit 41
It consists of. As shown in FIG. 17, a sensor element 41S constituting the sensor unit 41 according to the second embodiment includes:
A sensitive layer s made of a film-shaped oxide semiconductor (for example, tin oxide) is provided on an insulating substrate b provided with a film-shaped heater h, and a catalyst layer c is provided so as to cover the sensitive layer s. A pair of electrodes p is provided at both ends of the layer s to detect a change in the resistance value of the sensitive layer s. The film-shaped oxide semiconductor forming the sensitive layer s is composed of an aggregate of particles having a columnar structure, and the catalyst layer c contains at least 1.3% by weight of platinum (a metal specific surface area of platinum of at least 1.1 m ² / g). )are doing. In other words, in particular, the catalyst containing platinum has a relatively low oxidizing activity of methane and a stable high oxidizing activity of other flammable gas components such as hydrogen and isobutane.
By forming S as described above, it is possible to configure so that the sensitivity to methane is higher than the sensitivity to other gases.

For example, the sensor element 41S is 1000p
The sensitivity to methane at pm can be configured to be higher than the sensitivity to 3000 ppm of hydrogen or isobutane. Suppress sensitivity to seed gas, 300
It is configured to have high selectivity for methane at a very low concentration of about 1000 ppm.

The sensor element 41S changes its resistance value in response to methane as a detection target gas.
By detecting the change in the resistance value, the presence / absence, concentration, and the like of methane can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 18, the sensor section 41 uses the sensor element 41S as a variable resistor Rs,
s and the fixed resistor Ro are connected in series (the terminal of the variable resistor Rs uses a pair of electrodes p), and a constant voltage is applied from the power supply 1 to the variable resistor Rs and the fixed resistor Ro thus connected in series. Is applied. Terminal T sandwiching this fixed resistor Ro
The voltage output Vout between a and Ta corresponds to a change in the resistance value of the sensor element 41S.
Is used as methane detection information. Further, power is supplied from the power supply 1 to the film heater h of the sensor element 41S.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body M is
A processing unit 2 configured using a microcomputer; an A / D conversion unit 3 for converting an analog detection signal from the sensor unit 41 into a digital signal; a power supply for supplying driving power to the processing unit 2 and the sensor unit 41 1. Power supply 1 to sensor unit 4
A switch unit 4 for intermittently supplying power to the power supply 1, a storage unit 5 for storing gas detection information and the like, a display unit 6 for displaying various information,
An alarm lamp 7 and an alarm buzzer 8 that output an alarm when the methane concentration reaches a concentration at which an alarm should be issued, an operation lamp 9 that is turned on when the apparatus is in operation, and a detection command button 10 that artificially commands a gas detection operation. And the like are assembled using the main body casing 11. The power supply 1 is composed of a battery.

The A / D of the sensor section 41 of the gas detection section S and the A / D of the main body section M are so inputted that the voltage output between the terminals Ta and Ta across the fixed resistor Ro of the sensor section 41 is inputted to the A / D conversion section 3.
The conversion unit 3 is connected by a signal line 21. The switch unit 4 is provided in the middle of a power supply line 22 that supplies power from the power supply 1 to the sensor unit 41.

By using the processing unit 2 to switch the switch unit 4 between the ON state and the OFF state, the sensor unit 4
1, a power-supply switching control unit 2A that switches between a detection operation state in which the detection operation is performed by energizing the sensor unit 1 and a stop state in which the power supply to the sensor unit 41 is stopped to stop the detection operation. And a determination unit 2C that determines the gas detection information based on the detection information.

The control unit 2A controls the power supply to the gas detector S as in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the discriminating unit 2C outputs A
The methane concentration is obtained based on the digital data converted by the / D conversion unit 3, and the alarm-free concentration level,
The drive state switching density level, the predicted density level, and the alarm density level are each determined, and the remaining battery level of the power supply 1 is determined.
The apparatus operation information such as whether the methane detection operation of the sensor section 41 is normal or abnormal is determined.

The storage unit 5 is configured to store the step density information and the device operation information determined by the determination unit 2C in association with the date and time, as in the first embodiment.

The control operation of the processing unit 2 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the processing unit 2 and the output control unit 12 in the first embodiment.
(That is, the processing unit 2 in the second embodiment is different from the output control unit 12 in the first embodiment).
Also performs the control operation executed by the user), and a description thereof will be omitted. As in the first embodiment, a reset switch is provided to stop the alarm operation of the alarm lamp 7 and the alarm buzzer 8 and to return the detection operation to the normal operation state. Also in the second embodiment, the display unit 6, the alarm lamp 7, and the alarm buzzer 8 function as the output unit O.

As can be seen from the above description, in the second embodiment, claims 3 to 8, 10, 14, 15, and 1
Eight inventions are described.

Hereinafter, the third to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for components having the same functions and functions as those of the second embodiment in order to avoid redundant description. The description will be omitted by attaching them, and mainly the configuration different from the second embodiment will be described.

[Third Embodiment] Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, the gas detection unit S omits the detection unit casing 42,
The tubular body 25 is inserted into a through hole 52h formed in a floor 52 as a partition that divides the concealed or substantially closed detection target area U of the building, and the gas detector S is inserted into the tubular body 25. The configuration is the same as that of the above-described second embodiment except that the sensor unit 41 is stored.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical body 25 is provided with a partition body 25s at both ends in the longitudinal direction in the cylinder so as to open both ends, and to partition the inside of the cylinder into both sides in the longitudinal direction. A flange 25f is provided in the middle of the outer peripheral portion in the longitudinal direction, and the tubular body 25 is inserted into a through hole 52h formed in the floor 52 by placing the flange 25f on the upper surface of the floor 52. It is kept. The partition body 25s prevents gas in the lower floor U from entering the meter chamber R.

When the signal line 21 and the power supply line 22 pass through the partition 25s, the sensor unit 41 is
The sensor unit 41 is arranged at a position below the partitioning body 25 s in the cylindrical body 25 so as to detect the lower part U of the floor. The outer diameter of the cylindrical body 25 is, for example, 3
It is about 0 mm and has a small diameter.
Since the through hole 52h for inserting the through hole can have a small diameter, it can be easily formed in the floor 52.

As can be seen from the above description, the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the invention of claim 9 is added.

[Fourth Embodiment] Hereinafter, FIGS.
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the fourth embodiment,
The gas detection unit S omits the detection unit casing 42 and the floor 52
The above-described second embodiment except that the cylindrical body 25 is inserted into the through-hole 52h formed in the above, the sensor part 41 is housed in the cylindrical body 25, and further, each of the following components is added. It is configured similarly to. Additional configuration requirement is gas detector GD
Switching means V that is operable to switch between a flowing state in which the detection target gas A flows in the gas detection target area and a non-flowing state in which the detection target air A is not permitted, when the gas detector GD detects the switching means V In the fluid state,
In addition, when the gas detector GD stops the detection operation, the flow state switching control unit B that switches to the non-flow state, and a communication unit that communicates information determined by the determination unit 2C of the processing unit 2 to the central monitoring device 65. C.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Open both ends similarly to the third embodiment,
A partition 25s is provided in the middle of the cylinder in the longitudinal direction so as to partition the inside of the cylinder on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and a flange 25f is provided in the middle of the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction.
By placing the flange 25f on the upper surface of the floor 52,
It is held in a state of being inserted into a through hole 52h formed in the floor 52.

The partition 25s inside the cylindrical body 25
The lid 26 is pivotally supported at a position on the distal end side so as to be swingable, and can be switched between a closed state and an open state in which the longitudinal intermediate portion in the cylinder is closed by swinging of the lid 26. A bimetal 27 for swinging the lid 26 by a shape change due to heating and cooling is provided.

The sensor section 41 is provided between the partition 25 s and the lid 26 in the cylinder of the cylindrical body 25.
It is arranged close to. When the sensor unit 41 is switched to the detection operation state and generates heat (mainly, the heat generated by the film heater h shown in FIG. 17), the heat is generated, and the bimetal 27 is heated. As shown in (b) of FIG. 8, when the lid 26 is swung so as to be in the open state, the sensor unit 41 is switched to the stop state, and the temperature drops, the bimetal 27 is cooled by the temperature drop, Due to the change in shape of the bimetal 27 due to the cooling, as shown in FIG. 8A, the lid 26 is swung so as to be in a closed state.

Therefore, the state where the lid 26 is switched to the open state corresponds to the above-mentioned flow state, and the state where the lid 26 is switched to the closed state corresponds to the above-mentioned non-flow state. That is, the switching means V is constituted by the lid 26, and the flow state switching control unit B is also used as the sensor unit 41 and the power supply switching control unit 2A originally provided in the gas detection device, 27.

Power supply switching control section 2A and discriminating section 2C
The control operation in the processing unit 2 including the respective control operations is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, a communication section C is provided for each gas detection device, and an individual communication section 61 connected to the processing section 2 through a communication line 66 and a plurality of individual communication sections 61 are provided. , And one relay communication unit 62 is provided for each communication unit. Each of the individual communication units 61 and the relay communication unit 62 is configured to be capable of wirelessly and bidirectionally communicating. The relay communication unit 62 is provided in a management room or the like of an apartment house, and can be bidirectionally communicated with a central monitoring device 65 provided in a gas management company or the like through a public telephone line 64 by a communication switching device 63. It is configured in. As shown in FIG. 7, the individual communication unit 61 is configured to be attached to the shared inner tube 51A by the attachment 23.

Based on the information stored in the storage unit 5, the processing unit 2 periodically (for example, every day when intermittently switching to the detection operation state in a one-day cycle), The information and the device operation information are output to the individual communication unit 61 together with the device identification information capable of identifying which gas detection device is used, and the individual communication unit 61 outputs the information output from the processing unit 2 to the relay communication unit. The relay communication unit 62 transmits the transmission information from the individual communication unit 61 to the central monitoring device 65. When the abnormality information is determined by the determination unit 2C, the processing unit 2 outputs the determined abnormality information to the individual communication unit 61 together with the device identification information at that time.
The individual communication unit 61 transmits output information from the processing unit 2 to the relay communication unit 62, and the relay communication unit 62
1 is transmitted to the central monitoring device 65. The abnormality information includes density abnormality information such as a predicted density level and an alarm density level, device abnormality information indicating that the operation state of the device is abnormal (for example, discrimination information for determining that the remaining battery power is lower than a set value, sensor information, 41, which indicates that the methane detection operation is abnormal.

The central monitoring device 65 can individually transmit an information transmission command to each gas detection device, and the information transmission command is transmitted to the corresponding gas detection device via the relay communication section 62. Is transmitted to the individual communication unit 61. When the individual communication unit 61 receives the information transmission command, the processing unit 2 transmits the step density information and the device operation information associated with the date and time together with the device identification information to the individual communication unit 61 based on the information stored in the storage unit 5. The individual communication unit 61 transmits the output information from the processing unit 2 to the relay communication unit 62, and the relay communication unit 62 transmits the transmission information from the individual communication unit 61 to the central monitoring device 65. That is, the individual communication unit 61 and the relay communication unit 62 function as the output unit O.

As can be seen from the above description, the fourth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in claims 9 and 1.
2, 16 and 17 are added.

[Fifth Embodiment] Hereinafter, FIGS.
A fifth embodiment will be described based on FIG. 2 and FIG. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the fifth embodiment, the gas detecting section S omits the detecting section casing 42, inserts the cylindrical body 25 into a through hole 52 h formed in the floor 52, and The configuration is the same as that of the above-described second embodiment, except that the sensor unit 41 is housed in the state body 25, and each of the following constituent components is added. The additional constituent requirements are a switching means V operable to switch between a flowing state in which the detection target gas A flows in the gas detection target area in the gas detection body GD and a non-flowing state in which the detection target air A is not permitted. A flow state switching control unit B that switches to the fluid state when the gas detector GD performs the detection operation and to the non-flow state when the gas detector GD stops the detection operation, a gas detection operation area in the gas detector GD. The filter 29 as a removing means for removing components other than the detection target components from the detection target air introduced into the gas detector, and the hygroscopic material 30 for preventing the sensor unit 41 of the gas detector GD from being exposed to a high-humidity atmosphere for a long time. And a communication unit C that communicates the information determined by the determination unit 2C of the processing unit 2 to the central monitoring device 65.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
5 has an opening at one end and a flange portion 25f provided in the middle of the outer peripheral portion in the longitudinal direction.
By placing 5f on the upper surface of the floor 52, it is held in a state of being inserted into a through hole 52h formed in the floor 52.

An electromagnetic on-off valve 2 is provided at the distal end of the cylindrical body 25 so as to open and close a communication opening 25o for connecting a sensor installation portion in the cylindrical body 25 to the detection target area U.
8. The on-off valve 28 is a valve body 2 urged to the closing side to close the communication opening 25o by a spring.
8v, a solenoid 28s that moves the valve body 28v to the opening side that opens the communication opening 25o against the urging force of the spring, and a valve 28v that opens the communication opening 25o in the communication opening 25o. It is provided with a communicating valve opening 28o. Therefore, the state in which the on-off valve 28 is opened corresponds to the above-mentioned flow state, and the state in which the on-off valve 28 is closed corresponds to the above-mentioned non-flow state.

Further, a valve control unit 2B for controlling the energization of the solenoid 28s to open and close the on-off valve 28 using the processing unit 2 is configured. The valve control unit 2B sets the on-off valve 28 to the open state when the energization switching control unit 2A repeatedly switches the sensor unit 41 between the detection operation state and the stop state when the detection operation state is set. The opening / closing control is performed such that the valve is closed when the vehicle is in the stop state. Incidentally, the timing for opening the on-off valve 28 may be either before or after the sensor unit 41 is switched to the detection operation state,
The timing for closing the on-off valve 28 is preferably after the sensor unit 41 is switched to the stop state.

Then, the solenoid 2 is controlled by the valve control section 2B.
8s, the valve element 28v is moved to the open side, and the on-off valve 28 is opened, as shown in FIG.
The communication opening 25o of the tubular body 25 is opened to the lower floor U via the valve opening 28o of the on-off valve 28, and the valve control unit 2B stops energizing the solenoid 28s, thereby closing the valve 28v. When the valve is returned to the closing side and the on-off valve 28 is closed, the communication opening 25o of the tubular body 25 is closed as shown in FIG.

That is, the switching means V is constituted by the valve element 28v of the on-off valve 28, and the flow state switching control unit B
Is constituted by the solenoid 28s of the on-off valve 28 and the valve control unit 2B.

The filter 29 and the hygroscopic material 30 are
The filter 29 is located at the distal end side in the sensor installation section in the inside, and is provided at an interval.
1 is provided between the filter 29 and the hygroscopic material 30.
The filter 29 is made of a material having a function of adsorbing or absorbing components other than methane (for example, water, an organic solvent, and a decay-producing gas), such as activated carbon, an adsorbent, or a porous material that blocks the passage of components other than methane. It is formed from a body or the like.

As a discriminating function of the discriminating unit 2C, a function of discriminating apparatus operating information as to whether or not the opening / closing operation is normally performed based on the position information of the valve body 28v is added to the second embodiment. ing.

Power supply switching control section 2A and discriminating section 2C
The control operation in the processing unit 2 including the respective control operations is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Since the communication section C is configured in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and the communication with the central monitoring device 65 by the communication section C is the same as in the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

As can be seen from the above description, the fifth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in claims 9 and 1.
The inventions of 1, 12, 16 and 17 are added.

[Sixth Embodiment] Hereinafter, FIGS.
A sixth embodiment will be described based on FIG. In the sixth embodiment, a pump 31 as a ventilation means for forcibly ventilating the gas detection operation area of the gas detector GD with the gas in the air collecting pipe 24 and the lower floor U as the detection target air A, and its pump 3
1, the pump control unit 2D that switches to the operating state when the gas detector GD performs the detection operation and to the stop state when the gas detector GD stops the detection operation, is introduced into the gas detection operation area of the gas detector GD. Except that a filter 29 as a removing means for removing components other than the detection target component from the detection target air and a communication unit C for communicating information determined by the determination unit 2C of the processing unit 2 to the central monitoring device 65 are provided. Is configured similarly to the second embodiment.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the air collecting pipe 24 is connected to the gas detecting section S, and the pump 31 is provided in the air collecting pipe 24 so as to suction the lower part U through the air collecting pipe 24. Is provided at a location upstream of the pump 31 in the air collection tube 24. The filter 29 is configured by filling a filter material into a removable transparent cylindrical body, and it is possible to easily know a situation in which the filter material needs to be replaced, such as contamination or blockage of the filter.

The pump control unit 2D is configured by using the processing unit 2. The pump control unit 2D is configured such that the power supply switching control unit 2A repeatedly switches the sensor unit 41 between the detection operation state and the stop state. In accordance with the timing, the pump 31 is controlled to start and stop so as to be in the operating state when in the detection operation state and in the stopped state when in the stopped state.

Further, as a discriminating function of the discriminating unit 2C, a function of discriminating apparatus operation information as to whether or not the forced ventilation operation is normally performed based on the load applied to the pump 31 is added to the second embodiment. Have been.

Power supply switching controller 2A and discriminator 2C
The control operation in the processing unit 2 including the respective control operations is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Since the communication section C is configured in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and the communication with the central monitoring device 65 by the communication section C is the same as in the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

In the sixth embodiment, the individual communication unit 61 is attached to the gas metering device 54, and the individual communication unit 61 is configured to transmit the measurement information of the gas metering device 54 as well.

As can be understood from the above description, in the sixth embodiment, the first, second and third embodiments are different from the second embodiment.
11, 13, 16 and 17 are added.

[Another Embodiment] Next, another embodiment will be described. (A) In the first and sixth embodiments, the gas detector GD may be configured to integrally include the main body M and the gas detector S.

(B) In the above embodiment, the control operation of the energization switching control unit 2A when the determination unit 2C determines the drive state switching density level is such that the detection operation time is longer than the time in the normal operation state. Although illustrated for the case of making longer, the detection pause time is shorter than the time in the normal operation state, or the detection operation time is longer than the time in the normal operation state, and the detection pause time is longer than the time in the normal operation state. May also be shortened.

(C) In the above embodiment, a case where a wired transmission configuration using the signal line 21 is employed as a specific configuration of the information transmission means for transmitting the detection information of the gas detection unit S to the main unit M is described. Although illustrated, a configuration for wireless transmission may be employed.

(D) The cycle of intermittently switching the sensor section 41 to the detection operation state is not limited to one day as exemplified in the above embodiment, and may be shorter or longer than one day. However, if the length is short, the detection accuracy of gas leakage can be increased, but if it is too short, it is disadvantageous in terms of power consumption. It is preferably set to about one hour.

(E) In the above embodiment, the case where a battery is used as the power supply 1 has been described as an example, but a commercial power supply may be used.

(F) In the above embodiment, the case where the main body portion M and the gas detection portion S are configured to be attached to the common inner tube 51A has been exemplified. However, the main portion M and the gas detection portion S are attached to the inner tube 51B or the gas measuring device 54. It may be configured as follows.

(G) In the above-described first embodiment, a pump 21 may be provided as in the sixth embodiment. (H) In each of the first, third, and sixth embodiments, the lid 26 as the switching means V and the bimetal 27 as the flow state switching control unit B are provided in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment. May be provided. In each of the first, third, and sixth embodiments, as in the fifth embodiment,
By providing the on-off valve 28 and the valve control unit 2B, the switching unit V and the flow state switching control unit B may be provided. In each of the first, third, and fourth embodiments, a filter 29 may be provided as in the fifth embodiment.

(I) The specific structure of the sensor section 41 is as follows.
The structure is not limited to the structure exemplified in the above embodiment, and any structure having high sensitivity to methane at a low concentration of about 300 to 1000 ppm can be used. Also, the sensor section 41
Equipped with a sensor unit ambient temperature detecting means such as a temperature sensor,
Using the sensor ambient temperature information obtained by the sensor ambient temperature detecting means, the temperature of the output signal from the sensor unit 41 may be corrected, or the sensor ambient temperature information may be transmitted to the determination unit 2C. Then, the temperature of the set value for density determination may be corrected to suppress the influence of the ambient temperature of the sensor.

(G) The specific communication mode for communicating the information determined by the determination section 2C of the processing section 2 to the central monitoring device 65 is not limited to the mode exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which bidirectional communication is performed between the individual communication unit 61 and the central monitoring device 65 without relaying the relay communication unit 62 as in the above embodiment. or,
The communication medium may be any medium such as wireless or wired, and may be via any of a public line and a dedicated line.

(L) The concealed or substantially closed detection target area of the building is the lower floor U illustrated in the above embodiment.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the space under the ceiling and the inside of the wall can be set as the detection target area. Further, the underfloor filled with soil can also be a detection target area. Further, the installation target of the gas detection device is not limited to the apartment house illustrated in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, a detached house or a building other than the house.

(E) The gas to be detected is not limited to the natural gas-based city gas exemplified in the above embodiment, but may be a non-natural gas-based city gas, LP gas, or the like. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire configuration and an installation state of a gas detection device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gas detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mounting configuration of a main body of the gas detection device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and an installation state of a gas detection device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a gas detection device according to the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and an installation state of a gas detection device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and an installation state of a gas detection device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the periphery of a lid in a gas detection device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a gas detection device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and an installation state of a gas detection device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of an on-off valve in a gas detection device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a gas detection device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and an installation state of a gas detection device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a gas detection device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a communication system using the gas detection device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a structure of a sensor element of the gas detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a structure of a sensor element of the gas detection device according to the second to sixth embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a sensor unit of the gas detection device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 power supply 2A control unit 2C determination means 5 storage means 21 information transmission means 22 power supply line 25 cylindrical body 29 removing means 31 ventilation means 51 conduit 52 partition 52h through hole 54 gas metering device 65 central monitoring device A detection target air B Control unit GD Gas detector M Main body O Output means P Ventilation path S Gas detector U Detection target area V Switching means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Hirokazu Sasaki, Inventor 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Soichi Tabata, Inventor Souichi Tabata, Osaka 4-1-2, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsumi Higaki 4-1-2, Hiranocho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kota Yokoyama, Osaka-shi, Osaka 4-1-2 Hiranocho, Ward F-term in Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (reference) 3J071 AA02 BB11 CC11 EE28 EE37 FF03 5C086 AA02 BA01 CA04 CB12 DA01 DA08 EA11 EA15 EA45 FA02 FA11

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A gas detecting device provided with a gas detecting body, which is installed in a form that communicates with a concealed or substantially closed detection target area of a building, and uses the gas in the detection target area as a detection target gas. A gas detection device provided with a gas passage to be introduced, wherein the gas detection body is configured to detect an air to be detected introduced through the gas passage. 2. The gas detector according to claim 1, wherein the gas detector has a separated gas detector and a main body including a power supply for supplying power to the gas detector. 2. An information transmission means, which is connected to the gas detection unit so as to introduce detection target gas into the gas detection unit, and which transmits detection information of the gas detection unit to the main body unit. The gas detection device according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. A gas detection device provided with a gas detector, wherein the gas detector performs a detection operation in an energized state, and a detection operation state in which the gas detection unit is energized to perform a detection operation. And a control unit for switching to a stop state for stopping the energization of the gas detection unit and stopping the detection operation, wherein the control unit detects a normal operation state in a period of 30 seconds to 10 minutes. As described above, the gas detection unit is switched to the detection operation state, and the gas detection unit is switched to the detection operation state and the stop state so as to switch to the stop state with a time longer than or equal to five times the detection operation time as a detection suspension time. And a gas detection device configured to switch repeatedly. 4. The gas detection device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to switch to the detection operation state based on an external command regardless of a timing determined in the normal operation state. . 5. The control unit is configured to extend the detection operation time or shorten the detection suspension time when the gas detection unit detects a detection target gas. The gas detection device according to 3 or 4. 6. The gas detector, the gas detector,
An information transmission unit configured to be provided with a main body unit having a power supply for supplying electric power to the gas detection unit in a separated state, and transmitting detection information of the gas detection unit to the main body unit. The gas detection device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. 7. A gas detection device provided with a gas detector, wherein the gas detector has a higher sensitivity to methane than a sensitivity to another kind of gas and performs a detection operation in an energized state. A gas supply unit that supplies electric power for driving to the detection unit, wherein the gas detection unit and the main unit are formed in a separated state, and supplies power to the gas detection unit from the main unit. A gas detection device provided with a power supply line to be transmitted and information transmission means for transmitting detection information of the gas detection unit to the main body unit. 8. The gas detection unit according to claim 3, wherein the gas detection unit is disposed so that a gas in a detection target area in a concealed or substantially closed state of a building is set as a detection target gas. Gas detector. 9. A tubular body is inserted into a through hole formed in a partition that divides a concealed or substantially sealed detection target area of a building, and the gas detection unit is housed in the tubular body. The gas detection device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein 10. The gas detector or a part of a plurality of components constituting the gas detector is attached to a gas supply conduit provided in a building or a gas metering device provided in the conduit. The gas detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is configured as described above. 11. A removing means for removing components other than a detection target component from a detection target gas introduced into a gas detection operation area of the gas detection body.
The gas detection device according to any one of the above. 12. A switching means operable to switch between a flowing state in which the gas to be detected is allowed to flow in the gas detecting action area of the gas detecting body and a non-flowing state in which the gas is not allowed, and the switching means comprises the gas 12. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to switch to the flow state when the detection body performs the detection operation, and to switch to the non-flow state when the gas detection body stops the detection operation. 13. Gas detector. 13. The gas according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a ventilation means for forcibly ventilating a gas in the gas detection body with a gas in the detection target area as a detection target air is provided. Detection device. 14. The gas detector according to claim 1, further comprising: a discriminating unit that discriminates gas detection information that has detected the gas to be detected, and an output unit that outputs the gas detection information discriminated by the discriminating unit. 14. The gas detection device according to any one of 1 to 13. 15. The discrimination means discriminates, as the gas detection information, concentration information whose concentration can be identified stepwise based on a concentration discrimination set value set in a plurality of steps according to the concentration of the detection target gas. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein
The gas detection device according to any one of the preceding claims. 16. The gas detection device according to claim 14, wherein the output unit is configured to communicate information determined by the determination unit to a central monitoring device. 17. A system comprising: a determination unit configured to determine operation information indicating whether a device operation state is normal or abnormal; and an output unit configured to periodically communicate the operation information determined by the determination unit to a central monitoring device. Item 17. The gas detection device according to any one of Items 1 to 16. 18. A discriminating means for discriminating gas detection information and apparatus operation information that has detected a gas to be detected, a storage means for storing the gas detection information and the apparatus operation information discriminated by the discriminating means, 2. An output unit for outputting the gas detection information and the device operation information stored in the storage unit based on a command.
The gas detection device according to any one of claims 17 to 17.