JP2003042321A - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas shut-off device for preventing a wrong determination by previously setting the optimal battery voltage recognizing time and cycle. SOLUTION: A calendar means 15 sets the optimal driving cycle of a voltage detecting means 18 in a cycle setting means 16 to monitor the voltage of a battery power source means 2 in that time zone. Alarm display and an immediate shut-off based on the wrong determination that the battery is dead when a temporary voltage lowering due to a fluctuation of weather is detected can be thereby prevented.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device for monitoring a use state of a gas appliance utilizing city gas, LP gas or the like. The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device for ensuring safety of a vehicle. 2. Description of the Related Art As shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-103546, this type of conventional gas shut-off device is shown in FIG.
Had been configured. In the gas shut-off device 1 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a battery power source, which supplies power to the entire gas shut-off device. Reference numeral 3 denotes a shutoff valve for stopping or supplying gas in the flow path. [0004] Reference numeral 4 denotes a voltage drop detection unit, which detects a consumed battery voltage in which the capacity of the battery power supply 2 capable of operating the gas shut-off device 1 within a predetermined operation guarantee time and detects a voltage drop signal A, Output. Reference numeral 5 denotes an opening accepting portion, which accepts opening of the shut-off valve when the voltage drop signal A is input, and opens when an opening request (input of an opening signal by an opening request switch or communication) is received. A plug request signal is output. Reference numeral 6 denotes a timer section, which counts a predetermined operation guarantee time from when the voltage drop signal A is input, and outputs an opening completion signal D. [0005] Reference numeral 7 denotes an opening function stopping unit which outputs a closing stop signal E for stopping the opening by the opening request signal C when the opening completion signal D is inputted. Reference numeral 8 denotes a gas shut-off control unit which closes the shut-off valve 3 when the battery voltage drop signal A or the plug stop signal E is input, and when the open request signal C is input before the input signal of the plug stop signal E. The shutoff valve 3 is opened. Next, the operation of the conventional configuration will be described. When the voltage drop detection unit 4 checking the degree of consumption of the battery power supply 2 detects the battery consumption voltage, it outputs a voltage drop signal A to the opening reception unit 5, the timer unit 6, and the gas cutoff control unit 8.
The gas shutoff control unit 8 to which the voltage drop signal A has been input outputs the first shutoff command signal B1 to operate the shutoff valve 3 to open the gas passage. The timer section 6 starts counting when the voltage drop signal A is input, and before the timer section 6 finishes counting for a predetermined time, there is an opening request to the opening reception section 5 and an opening request signal C Is output, the gas shutoff control unit 8 opens the shutoff valve 3. When the counting by the timer section 6 is completed, the opening completion signal D is output, so the opening function stopping section 5 outputs the closing stop signal E and stops accepting the opening request. The gas shut-off device 1 to which the plug stop signal E has been input outputs the second shut-off command signal B2 to close the shut-off valve 3. In the gas shut-off device 1 attached to the flow path of the medium gas such as city gas or LP gas, the voltage drop detector 4 measures the voltage of the battery power supply 2 at predetermined time intervals to monitor the degree of battery consumption. are doing. The lower limit voltage at which the gas shut-off device 1 can be operated is set in advance as the operation assurance voltage, and the voltage value when the voltage rises by the required number of days from here is set as the battery consumption voltage. The voltage drop detection unit 4 monitors the battery voltage and detects the battery voltage at the time of this consumption. That is, after the battery consumption voltage is detected for the required number of days, the battery power supply 2
The shut-off valve 3 can be opened only during the period when the voltage of the gas shut-down device drops to the operation guarantee voltage, and a grace period is provided until the gas shut-off device 1 is replaced. [0008] However, the above-mentioned conventional configuration has the following problems. The voltage drop detecting unit 4 detects the battery voltage in a predetermined consumed state and outputs a voltage drop signal A, and the timer unit 6 starts counting. When the timer unit 6 elapses a predetermined time, the cutoff signal is cut off from the gas cutoff control unit 8. Although the voltage is output to the valve, it does not disclose how to drive the voltage drop detection unit 4 to detect the battery voltage. Had. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a highly safe and reliable gas shut-off device capable of monitoring battery voltage without erroneous judgment. [0010] In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a battery power supply means for supplying power, a shutoff means for supplying and shutting off gas, and a calendar means for a predetermined period every season. The voltage detecting means is driven by the set cycle setting means, the supply voltage of the battery power supply means is monitored, and it is determined whether the voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage. The delay of the cycle of the cycle setting means is delayed by a predetermined value by the delay means, the voltage detection means again determines whether or not there is a voltage drop abnormality, the voltage failure count means counts the number of voltage drops, and delays within the predetermined number to monitor the voltage. Configuration. As a result, for example, even in a situation where an abnormal cold wave strikes in winter and the battery voltage temporarily drops at extremely low temperatures, the cycle for driving the voltage detecting means by the calendar means for each season becomes an optimal cycle. Set in the cycle setting means and check the battery voltage at the set cycle, so there is no erroneous determination that the battery is low due to the coldest transient extremely low temperature in the winter. The safety and reliability of the gas shut-off device are improved without the problem that gas cannot be used. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery power supply means for supplying power, a cutoff means for supplying and shutting off a gas medium, and a monitoring of a supply voltage of the battery power supply means. Voltage detecting means for determining that the voltage is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage when detecting, an interval setting means for setting a cycle for driving the voltage detecting means by the calendar means, and a seasonal cycle of the cycle setting means for measuring a date. Calendar means for outputting, a voltage abnormality counting means for measuring the number of times the voltage detection means determines that there is a voltage drop abnormality, a time measurement means for measuring a predetermined number of times or more by the voltage abnormality counting means for a predetermined time, and Return means for outputting a signal for returning the shut-off means to the gas supply enabled state; and input of the return signal is prohibited when a predetermined time has elapsed by the time measuring means, and cut-off output is performed to the shut-off means. It consists of return prohibition means. The monitoring period of the battery voltage set for each season by the calendar means is output to the cycle setting means, and the supply voltage of the battery power supply is changed to the predetermined voltage by the voltage detecting means which is intermittently driven at a predetermined cycle by the cycle setting means. It is determined whether or not: Since the voltage detection time zone is changed for each season by the calendar means, the cycle of the cycle setting means checks the battery voltage in each optimal time zone to drive the voltage detection means, so abnormalities such as transient cold waves This eliminates the problem of erroneously determining that the battery is low due to weather and shutting off the battery, thereby improving the usability and reliability of the gas shut-off device. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a gas shut-off device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 2 will be described with the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 9 denotes control means for the gas shut-off device, and reference numeral 10 denotes flow rate detection means for detecting the amount of gas used. The flow rate detecting means is, for example, a flow rate measuring method by measuring a propagation time using an ultrasonic element, a flow rate measuring method by measuring a flow oscillation using the Coanda effect, or a film type measuring method. There is also a method of measuring the gas amount by a unit. Reference numeral 11 denotes external device means, for example, a gas leak alarm device for detecting gas leak, a seismic device for detecting an earthquake, and a pressure detecting device for detecting gas pressure.
When a gas leak or earthquake is detected or a gas pressure drop is detected, a signal is output. Reference numeral 12 denotes an abnormality judging unit which detects, for example, that one gas appliance has been abnormally prolonged for a long time, or detects gas leakage with the external device unit 11, based on the usage state of the gas detected by the flow detecting unit 10. When an earthquake is detected, it is determined whether the intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity. When it is determined that the earthquake is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity, a shutoff signal for stopping the gas supply is output to the shutoff means 3. Reference numeral 13 denotes a return means which, when operated, outputs a return signal of the cutoff means 3 to start gas supply to the cutoff means 3. Numeral 14 denotes a return prohibiting means which determines whether or not to output a return signal from the return means 13 to the shut-off means 3. If the return signal is not in the return-prohibited state, the output is made and the cut-off means 3 is opened. 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes calendar means for measuring the date and setting an optimum monitoring cycle of the battery voltage for each season. Reference numeral 16 denotes a cycle setting means for setting a time for monitoring the battery voltage input from the calendar means 15 and outputting a drive signal for battery voltage monitoring when a predetermined time has elapsed. Reference numeral 17 denotes a communication means which can change the monitoring cycle of the battery voltage set by the calendar means 15. Reference numeral 18 denotes a voltage detecting means which monitors the output voltage of the battery power supply means 2 upon receiving a drive signal from the cycle setting means 16 and determines whether or not the voltage has dropped below a predetermined value. Is output. 17 is communication means, calendar means 1
The drive cycle of the voltage lowering means 16 set to 5 can be changed by communication. In winter, it can be set at around 9 o'clock in the daytime every two days, and in summer, at around 12:00 in the daytime every 1.5 days. The time zone for each season set by the calendar means 15 is output to the cycle setting means 15, and when the time elapses, the voltage detection means 16 is driven. The voltage detecting means 16 is driven in a different time zone for each season to determine the voltage. Reference numeral 19 denotes a voltage abnormality counting unit which counts the number of times a voltage drop is detected by the voltage detection unit 18. The abnormal voltage count for each voltage drop is measured.If normal voltage is detected within a predetermined range, it is determined that a malfunction has occurred due to a temperature drop due to a temporary weather factor such as a cold wave at the time of measurement, and reset and the count is started. After a predetermined number of checks, it is determined that the voltage has dropped continuously. Reference numeral 20 denotes a time measuring means. When a voltage drop state is detected by the voltage abnormality counting means 19, the counting of the usable time of the gas shut-off device after the detection of the battery voltage drop is started by the drop signal. That is, the elapsed time of the time during which the safety monitoring of the usage state of the gas appliance can be performed in the normal voltage range is performed. When the measurement of the usable time by the time measuring means 20 is completed, that is, when a predetermined time elapses, the return prohibiting means 14 prohibits the input of the return instruction signal from the recovering means 13 and outputs the cutoff to the shutoff means 3 to maintain the gas supply stopped state. Then, the notification means 21 displays an abnormality of the replacement of the gas cutoff device. The battery voltage drop signal is sent to the time measuring means 20.
Before the predetermined time is reached by the time measuring means 20, that is, when the abnormal use state of the gas appliance by the consumer is detected by the abnormality determining means 12 during the time measurement, a shutoff signal is output to the shutoff means 3 and the return is performed. When a blocking notification signal for detecting an abnormal state is input to the prohibiting means 14, the recovery prohibiting means 14 does not receive the return signal of the blocking means 3 from the recovering means 13 thereafter, and keeps it in the blocked state. Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. A gas shut-off device is installed, and the flow rate detecting means 10 and the external device means 11 monitor the gas appliance usage state of the gas consumer. When abnormal use is detected by the abnormality determining means 12 during the use, for example, when it is detected that the gas stove is used abnormally for a long time, a shutoff signal is output to the shutoff means 3 to stop gas supply. Under such a monitoring situation, when an abnormal cold wave in winter comes and the battery power supply means 2 is exposed to a low temperature state and the record abnormal low temperature continues, the voltage detection means 16 is activated at the cycle set by the cycle setting means 15. When the battery is driven and the voltage of the battery power supply means 2 is monitored, when the temperature is measured at the lowest temperature around dawn, the battery may be temporarily detected as low even though the battery capacity is sufficient. In such a case, in order to prevent improper determination of the battery capacity due to a temporary reason, the calendar means 1
In step 5, the optimum measurement time zone or measurement cycle of the battery voltage detecting means 18 is set in advance. Further, the communication unit 17 can finely adjust or change the set cycle of the calendar unit 15. The cycle setting means 16 drives the voltage detection means 16 at an optimum cycle for each season to monitor the voltage. Voltage abnormality counting means 1
8 measures the number of times of voltage drop detection, but even in the optimum cycle, the abnormally cold winter condition may continue for several days in a cold region. Identify erroneous determination or battery exhaustion. The temperature returns to normal several days after the voltage drop due to the extremely low temperature due to abnormal weather is detected, so that the normal battery voltage is detected and the measurement is started again. On the other hand, if the battery capacity of the battery power supply means 2 is abnormally consumed for some reason and the battery voltage drops, the voltage detection means 16 continuously detects the low battery state even if the calendar means 15 sets the optimal cycle for each season. I do. The voltage abnormality counting means 18 outputs a low state signal to the return prohibiting means 14 and the time measuring means 19 when the voltage exceeds a predetermined number. At the same time, the notification means 20 displays a low battery state using an LCD element, an LED element, or the like. Further, the gas supply company is notified of the abnormal battery low state through a telephone line or the like. Further, the time measuring means 19 counts the time when detecting the state of the low battery signal, measures the usable time of the gas shut-off device after the low battery voltage, and counts the predetermined time to return to the return inhibiting means 14 from the returning means 13. The signal reception is prohibited and the cutoff means 3 outputs a cutoff output. In this way, the gas supply is stopped thereafter to notify that the safe use time of the gas shut-off device has passed. Also, after receiving the low-battery signal, while the time is being counted by the time measuring means 19, the use state of the gas appliance of the customer is detected by the flow rate detecting means 10 and the external equipment means 11,
When an abnormal state is detected, the time counting of the time measuring means 19 is stopped at that point, and the gas use is prohibited. The notification means 20 notifies the customer and the gas supply company that gas cannot be supplied unless the gas shut-off device itself is replaced thereafter. As described above, if the abnormally low temperature state continues even when the battery capacity is sufficient, the voltage of the battery power supply of the gas shut-off device may be detected by the voltage detecting means 18 below a predetermined value. Since the optimal cycle and measurement time zone are set for each season, the temporary voltage drop of the battery power supply due to extremely low temperature due to the abnormal cold wave in winter is identified and judged as the permanent battery drop due to the real battery capacity consumption. Therefore, it is not possible to shut off after a predetermined time due to an erroneous determination due to a weather factor or the like, thereby making it impossible for gas consumers to use gas appliances or causing a gas supply company to perform unnecessary dispatch. As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. A temporary drop in temperature due to a cold winter or the like may cause a false determination that the voltage has dropped even though the battery capacity is still sufficient. In the gas shut-off device of the present invention, by delaying the voltage monitoring cycle, a time period in which the battery voltage is not affected by the temporary temperature fluctuation is selected in advance, and the voltage detection unit is driven to determine whether there is an abnormality. Erroneous determination can be prevented. Further, when the voltage detecting means detects a voltage lower than a predetermined value, the abnormal state is not immediately judged, but the abnormally low temperature state of the temperature may continue for several days. Even if the temperature returns to the normal winter level, the temperature is reset by measuring the normal voltage value, and re-measurement is started, so that an erroneous determination can be made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a gas shut-off device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flow rate detecting means 11 External equipment means 12 Abnormality judging means 13 Returning means 14 Return inhibiting means 15 Calendar means 16 Period setting means 18 Voltage detecting means 19 Voltage abnormal counting means 20 Time measuring means

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 2F002 AA11 AA13 AE02 GA04 GC03                 3H061 AA10 CC03 EA45 EC21 FC07                       GG05 GG12                 5G003 BA01 EA06 EA09 GC04                 5H209 AA11 DD14 GG14 HH04 HH26                       HH33

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A battery power supply means for supplying power, a cutoff means for supplying and shutting off a gas medium, and an abnormality when a supply voltage of the battery power supply means is monitored and detected below a predetermined voltage. Voltage detecting means for determining, a cycle setting means for setting a cycle for driving the voltage detecting means, a calendar means for measuring a date and outputting a seasonal cycle of the cycle setting means, and the voltage detecting means. A voltage abnormality counting means for measuring the number of times the voltage reduction abnormality is determined, a time measurement means for measuring a predetermined number of times or more by the voltage abnormality counting means for a predetermined time, and a signal for returning the cutoff means to a gas supply enabled state. A gas shut-off device comprising: a return unit for outputting a signal; and a prohibition unit for prohibiting an input of a return signal when a predetermined time has elapsed by the time measuring unit and outputting a cut-off to the shut-off unit.