JP2002277293A - Flowmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flowmeter which prevents a leak by a method wherein a conduit line is closed when a gas or tap water is not used. SOLUTION: The flowmeter is constituted by providing an on-off valve 15 which closes a flow channel when a non-supply discrimination means 13 which discriminates the non-supply of a fluid discriminates the non-supply. Consequently, the flow channel is closed when the fluid is not supplied, and the flow channel can be closed when the fluid is not used. Double safety measures can be taken, and the safety of the flow channel can be increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flowmeter installed in a pipe for supplying gas or tap water, and more particularly, to a flowmeter having a function of closing a pipe when gas or water is not used to prevent leakage. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of flow meter is disclosed in
No. 0568 was generally used. Less than,
The configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, a gas meter 1, a CPU 2 for receiving a status signal indicating whether or not gas is used, a flow rate of gas detected by the CPU 2 by a flow rate detection unit 3 of the gas meter 1, and a status signal Detect flow rate abnormality. In response to this abnormality detection, the shutoff valve 4 is closed,
The configuration was such that the supply of gas to the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas meter 1 was stopped. Here, 5 is weighing, 6 is ROM, 7 is RAM, 8 is interface,
9 is a signal line, and 10 is a gas pipe.

[0004] In the above configuration, when the gas flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection unit, the status signal of the gas appliance or the like is not the status signal of the appliance being used, it is determined to be abnormal. is there. By stopping the gas supply at the time of this abnormality, gas leakage can be prevented beforehand.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the purpose is to stop the gas supply when the flow rate is abnormal, and the gas has not been stopped in a normal state. Therefore, when the gas is not normally used, the gas is not stopped by the main plug, the gas is stopped by the stop function of the gas appliance, and there is a problem that the safety measures are not a two-stage safety measure.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and since the flow path can be closed when the fluid is not supplied, the gas can be closed when not in use, and a double safety measure can be taken.
The aim is to increase safety.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present flowmeter includes a non-supply discriminating means for discriminating non-supply of fluid, and a flow rate when the non-supply discriminating means discriminates non-supply. An on-off control valve for closing the road was provided.

Accordingly, the flow path can be closed when the fluid is not supplied, so that the fluid can be closed when not in use, and a double safety measure can be taken to further enhance the safety.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the present flowmeter has a non-supply discriminating means for discriminating non-supply of a fluid, and the flow path is closed when the non-supply discriminating means determines that the fluid is not supplied. By providing the opening and closing means, the flow path can be closed when the fluid is not supplied, so that the fluid can be closed when not in use, and a double safety measure can be taken to further enhance safety. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate measuring means for measuring a supply flow rate, and a non-supply discriminating means for discriminating non-supply when the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate for a predetermined set time. By providing the means, it is possible to automatically determine the non-supply from the flow rate measurement value, and it is possible to automatically stop the fluid supply when not in use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the non-supply learning means for learning the non-supply pattern from the measured flow value is configured so that the learning effect can be automatically obtained even if the flow measurement is not continued for a long time. Non-supply can be determined, fluid supply when not in use can be automatically stopped, and safety can be improved.

The invention according to claim 4 is provided with a non-supply learning means for learning a non-supply pattern from a measured flow value and a use time value. In addition, it is possible to determine the non-supply time zone, automatically stop fluid supply when not in use, and improve safety.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a non-supply pattern is learned from a measured flow rate value and a use time value, and an opening / closing means for opening / closing a flow path in a specific time zone is constituted, so that flow rate measurement can be performed for a long time. Even if the time does not continue, the non-supplying time zone can be automatically determined by the learning effect, the fluid supply when not in use can be automatically stopped, and safety can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-supply setting means for instructing the non-supply discriminating means to distinguish between non-supply time and supply time, thereby artificially indicating non-supply. Since the non-supply can be accurately determined, the supply of the fluid when not in use can be stopped accurately, and the safety can be improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by providing the non-supply setting means outside the main body of the flow rate measuring means, the non-supply can be accurately determined by artificially indicating the non-supply. Therefore, the supply of fluid when not in use can be stopped accurately, and safety can be improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the non-supply setting device is provided in the fluid using device, the non-supplying device can be set beside the device using the fluid while confirming that the fluid is not used. Can be set, the fluid supply when not in use can be stopped accurately, and safety can be improved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the flow rate measuring means is provided with opening control means for opening the opening / closing means when the flow rate is detected, the opening is performed when the flow rate is detected. Safety can be improved without inconvenience.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing means comprises:
By using a motor-driven open / close valve, the degree of opening / closing can be made freely, so that the degree of opening / closing can be adjusted according to the flow rate used, and both safety and convenience can be achieved.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the flow rate measuring means uses an ultrasonic flow rate measuring method, the flow rate can be detected instantaneously and an operation such as opening can be performed instantaneously.
It is possible to achieve both improved safety and convenience.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the opening / closing means and the flow rate measuring means are of a battery-driven type, they can be used outdoors without a power supply.

[0021]

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

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, a water meter 11 of an ultrasonic measurement type as a flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate of a water supply, a measured flow value of the water meter 11 and a time measuring means 12 are used. Non-supply determining means 13 for determining whether or not a non-supply time is determined based on the determined time, and non-supply determining means 1
When it is determined that No. 3 is not supplied, a stepping motor-driven open / close valve 15 is used as an opening / closing means for closing the water pipe 14 to stop the supply of water. Here, 16 is a non-supply learning means for learning a non-supply pattern from the measured flow rate value, 17 is an opening control means for opening the on-off valve when the water meter detects the flow rate, and 18 is a drive power supply for these devices. The rechargeable battery 19 is a manual valve.

According to the above configuration, the flow rate value measured by the water meter can be set for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes to 2 hours) with the flow rate value being equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value (for example, 1 to 10 L / h). If it is continued, it is determined that the non-supply, that is, the unused state is continuing, and the on-off valve is closed. By this, when not in use,
Since it is closed with a water supply device and closed on the upstream side of the water meter, it can be closed twice. Therefore, even when the minute flow rate is leaking due to water leakage,
Water leakage can be stopped, and a double safety structure can be provided. Normally, water is used only for a short period of time during the 24 hours, and it was not necessary to keep the on-off valve open at all times. Thus, leakage such as water leakage can be reduced as much as possible.

The flow rate measured by the water meter is
The non-supply pattern, which is the time to continue below a predetermined flow rate value (for example, can be set from 1 to 10 L / h), is stored and learned. Then, the next day, at that time, the on-off valve can be automatically closed. If the flow rate measurement value at the time of closing is equal to or more than the predetermined flow rate, the closing of the on-off valve is interrupted. Then, while observing the flow rate measurement value, it waits for a time when the flow rate value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined flow value. When the measured flow rate value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined flow rate value, the inconvenience in use is avoided by closing the on-off valve, and the safety can be enhanced by closing after use of the water supply. Then, the learning effect is exhibited by storing the new time and correcting the non-supply pattern, and the accuracy of the predetermined time is improved by continuing this learning. Therefore, when the predetermined time comes, the on-off valve is closed. Safety can be improved.

When the flow rate measurement value exceeds a predetermined flow rate while the on-off valve is closed, the on-off valve is opened by the opening control means. Thus, even when the user tries to use the water supply, it can be opened instantaneously, so that the user does not feel inconvenienced. The end of the faucet can also be determined to have been opened based on the change in the measured flow rate value. Since it is an ultrasonic water meter, it can be judged instantly, so that the user does not feel inconvenience. Although the opening is determined based on the flow rate value of the water meter, it is apparent that the opening may be detected by using other detecting means such as a pressure sensor.

The on-off valve can be freely opened and closed by using a motor-driven on-off valve using a battery as a power source, so that the on-off degree can be adjusted according to the flow rate used. Safety and convenience can both be achieved. For example, when the amount of water used is very small, the supply can be sufficiently performed even when the water supply is not fully opened. Therefore, the opening degree of the on-off valve is adjusted to the opening corresponding to the flow rate. By doing so, the pressure on the downstream side is reduced, and the flow rate is slightly reduced. Therefore, in the case of forgetting to close the faucet, the amount of water leakage can be reduced. Since the on-off valve does not close, there is no practical problem even when the valve is actually used at a very small flow rate.

Further, since the flow rate measuring means employs an ultrasonic flow rate measuring method, the flow rate can be detected instantaneously, and the opening and closing operation can be performed instantaneously in response to a change in the flow rate. Can be compatible. For example, since the instantaneous flow rate value can be measured, a time zone from a specific time to a certain time can be finely set as a non-supply time zone, and can be determined only by an integrated flow rate like a mechanical type. Then, it is difficult to finely set the time interval at that time. If it is an ultrasonic type, it can be used with a wide range of fluids from tap water to gas.

The opening / closing control means and the flow rate measuring means are of a battery drive type, so that they can be used outdoors without a power supply. In particular, the ultrasonic flow rate measuring means and the on-off valve used by the water meter can be installed outdoors even without a power supply nearby by being driven by a battery.

As described above, since the flow path can be closed when not in use, the water supply can be closed.
Heavy safety measures can be taken to further enhance safety. Then, non-supply is determined by the state in which the measured flow rate of the water meter is equal to or less than the predetermined flow rate for a predetermined set time, and non-supply can be automatically determined from the flow rate measurement value. Can be stopped automatically. In addition, by providing a non-supply learning unit that learns a non-supply pattern from the measured flow rate value and the use time value, even if the flow rate measurement does not continue for a long time, the learning effect automatically causes
The non-supply time zone can be determined, the water supply when not in use can be automatically stopped, and safety can be improved. In addition, by providing opening control means that opens and closes the opening and closing means when the flow rate measuring means detects the flow rate, it opens when the flow rate is detected, improving safety without feeling inconvenience in using the fluid. it can.

Although a water meter has been described, a similar effect can be obtained with a gas meter. Although the description has been given of the ultrasonic flow measurement method, it is apparent that the same effect can be obtained by other electronic flow measurement means. further,
The same effect can be obtained with a mechanical water meter or a mechanical gas meter in consideration of the instantaneousness. In particular, since the gas meter is equipped with a pressure sensor, the non-supply is determined based on the signal from the pressure sensor, so that the control from the closing of the on-off valve to the opening operation and from the opening to the closing can be easily performed. is there.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Portions having the same structure and the same function as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 2, a door portion 20 such as an entrance is provided.
A setting means 21 as a non-supply setting means and a wireless transmitting means 22 installed in the water meter 23 and a wireless receiving means 24 as a non-supply setting means installed in the water meter 23 are provided.

According to the above configuration, when the user goes out, the setting means 21 of the non-supply setting means installed on the front door sets
When non-supply is set, the setting signal is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving means of the non-supply setting means of the water meter. Then, the non-supply instruction is transmitted to the non-supply determination means, and the on-off valve is closed. By setting that no water is used at home, the on-off valve of the water meter is closed, so that even if the water is forgotten to be closed, the water can be automatically stopped and the user can go out with confidence. Also, when you return home,
If the start of supply is set by the non-supply setting means, the on-off valve is opened and the water can be used.

By installing the non-supply setting means outside the main body of the flow rate measuring means in this way, it is possible to freely open and close the water pipe. At the same time, by using the system described in the first embodiment together, even when tap water is suddenly needed, the on-off valve is opened and closed by the flow rate detection.
Since tap water can be used, there is no inconvenience.

Although the description has been made of the wireless communication system, it is apparent that a system configured by a wired communication system can be constructed. Also, the method of installing the non-supply setting means on the door has been described. However, it is obvious that the non-supply setting means may be provided at a place other than the door, and the outside water supply opening / closing valve may be instructed from outside through a telephone line or the like to open and close the water supply valve. It can also be closed or opened.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Portions having the same structure and the same function as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 3, a setting means 26 as a non-supply setting means installed on a water tap 25 as a fluid-using device, a wireless transmission means 27, and a non-supply setting means installed on a water meter 23. A configuration including a wireless-type receiving unit 24 is provided.

According to the above configuration, when the water supply is not used for a long time, the on / off valve of the water meter is closed by setting the non-supply setting means provided on the water tap to non-supply. Thus, even if the user forgets to close the water meter, the main plug of the water meter is closed, so that waste water and water leakage can be prevented. Also, when using tap water, check the set value of the non-supply setting means installed on the faucet, and if not, change the setting to the supply side to open the on-off valve and use tap water. Will be able to

By disposing the non-supply setting means outside the main body of the flow rate measuring means as described above, it is possible to freely open and close the water pipe. At the same time, by using the system described in the first embodiment together, even when tap water is suddenly needed, the on-off valve is opened and closed by the flow rate detection.
Since tap water can be used, there is no inconvenience.

Although the description has been made of the wireless communication system, it is apparent that a system constituted by a wired communication system can be constructed. In addition, although the description has been made with reference to the tap, it is apparent that the non-supply setting means may be installed in a remote controller such as a gas water heater and the on-off valve may be operated in conjunction with the gas water heater.

[0041]

As described above, according to the flowmeter of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The present invention comprises a non-supply determining means for determining non-supply of a fluid, and an opening / closing control valve for closing the flow path when the non-supply determining means determines that the fluid is not supplied. Since the flow path can be closed to the non-supply of
The fluid can be closed when not in use, and double safety measures can be taken to further enhance safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow meter showing 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]

 11 water meter (flow rate detecting means) 12 time measuring means 13 non-supply discriminating means 14 water pipe (flow path) 15 on-off valve (opening / closing means) 16 non-supply learning means 17 opening control means 18 battery 21 non-supply setting means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Bunichi Shiba 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Norio Shinmura 1006 Okadoma Kadoma Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2F030 CA03 CC02 CC13 CE02 CE09 CF05 CF08 CF11 3H025 BA21 BB01 3J071 AA02 AA12 BB11 BB14 CC11 DD30 EE06 EE18 EE24 EE25 FF03 FF12

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A flowmeter comprising: a non-supply determining means for determining non-supply of a fluid; and an opening / closing means for closing a flow path when the non-supply determining means determines that there is no supply. 2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a flow rate measuring means for measuring a supply flow rate; and a non-supply determining means for determining that supply is not performed when a state in which the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate continues for a predetermined set time. Flowmeter as described. 3. The flow meter according to claim 2, further comprising non-supply learning means for learning a non-supply pattern from the measured flow value. 4. The flow meter according to claim 2, further comprising non-supply learning means for learning a non-supply pattern from the measured flow value and the use time value. 5. The flowmeter according to claim 4, further comprising an opening / closing means for learning a non-supply pattern from the measured flow rate value and the use time value and opening / closing the flow path in a specific time zone. 6. The flow meter according to claim 1, further comprising non-supply setting means for instructing the non-supply determining means to distinguish between non-supply time and supply time. 7. The flow meter according to claim 6, further comprising a non-supply setting unit provided outside the main body of the flow measurement unit. 8. The flow meter according to claim 6, further comprising a non-supply setting means for the fluid using device. 9. When the flow rate measuring means detects a flow rate,
9. An opening control means for opening the opening / closing means.
The flow meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 10. The flowmeter according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is a motor-driven opening / closing valve. 11. The flow meter according to claim 2, wherein the flow measurement means is of an ultrasonic flow measurement type. 12. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means and the flow rate measuring means are of a battery-driven type.