JP2003337057A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas meter by which enables to recognize even detailed conditions of an abnormality easily and at a glance, without using dedicated machine or the like, when the abnormality is detected. <P>SOLUTION: When the abnormality of the pressure of a gas is detected, the gas meter reports to that effect, by causing a security display portion 13 to display the three characters of 'A', 'B', and 'R'. Moreover, the gas meter reports a detailed condition of the abnormality in addition, by causing the display portion 13 to display a character which corresponds to the kind of the abnormality of the gas pressure out of the characters 'A', 'B', and 'R' blinking the character. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas meter, and more particularly to a gas meter having display control means for displaying a plurality of predetermined characters on a display means when a predetermined gas supply abnormality is detected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gas meters have a security display section for displaying a plurality of types of security information.
As the security information, for example, gas cutoff,
There is a lot of information on gas supply abnormalities such as pressure abnormalities and information on leak inspection. Further, in order to display many types of security information using a small number of characters (pictograms), the gas meter displays security information by combining a plurality of characters.

For example, in the case of displaying that a gas pressure abnormality has been detected, the gas meter, as shown in FIG.
Three characters "A", "B", and "R" are displayed to inform that effect. In addition, when displaying that the gas supply has been cut off, the gas meter displays three characters “gas stop”, “B”, and “C” as shown in FIG. It notifies that the interruption has been detected.

[0004]

In the case of the conventional pressure abnormality display, it can be recognized that the pressure abnormality is detected. However, whether the gas pressure at which the abnormality has occurred is the upper limit value, the lower limit value, or the closing pressure (= pressure when gas usage is stopped) of the regulated pressure (= pressure when gas is used) I could not recognize the situation.

Also in the case of the gas cutoff notification, it can be similarly recognized that the gas supply is cut off. However, it was not possible to recognize the detailed situation such as whether the reason for the interruption was gas leak, earthquake occurrence, or CO (carbon monoxide) generation. Conventionally, in order to recognize the detailed situation as described above,
The staff member had to read the detailed status by bringing the dedicated device to the consumer's house, connecting it to the gas meter, and inputting a specific support code from the dedicated device.

Therefore, the staff member is required to carry the dedicated device, input the instruction code, open the terminal cover of the gas meter, and connect the signal line from the dedicated device to the terminal block inside. These procedures impose a heavy burden on staff and are difficult to deal with.

In view of the above, the present invention focuses on the above-mentioned problems, and is simple and easy to use without using a dedicated machine or the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter that can recognize even the detailed situation at the time of abnormality detection at a glance.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a display for displaying a plurality of predetermined characters on the display means when a predetermined gas supply abnormality is detected. In the gas meter provided with control means, the display control means, among the plurality of predetermined characters, blinks and displays a character corresponding to the detailed situation at the time of detection of the predetermined gas supply abnormality, and for each of the detailed situations, The gas meter is characterized in that the corresponding characters are different.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the display control means detects a predetermined gas supply abnormality, the display means displays a plurality of predetermined characters to notify that effect. Of the plurality of characters, a character corresponding to a detailed situation at the time of detecting a predetermined gas supply abnormality is displayed in a blinking manner to further inform the detailed situation. The corresponding character differs depending on the detailed situation. Therefore, the clerk can recognize that a predetermined gas supply abnormality is detected by displaying a plurality of predetermined characters, and the blinking character among the displayed characters can be used to determine the detailed situation. Can be recognized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gas meter according to the first aspect, the predetermined gas supply abnormality is gas pressure abnormality, and the display control means is configured to display the plurality of predetermined characters. Among them, the gas meter is characterized in that the detailed condition is notified by blinking and displaying a character corresponding to the type of gas pressure in which the abnormality has occurred.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the predetermined gas supply abnormality is a gas pressure abnormality. The display control means blinks and displays a character corresponding to the type of gas pressure in which an abnormality has occurred, among a plurality of predetermined characters, to notify the detailed situation. Therefore, the clerk can recognize that the gas pressure abnormality has been detected by the display of a plurality of predetermined characters, and the blinking character of the plurality of displayed characters can be used as a detailed situation. It is possible to recognize even the type of gas pressure in which an abnormality has occurred.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gas meter according to the first aspect, the predetermined gas supply abnormality is interruption of gas supply, and the display control means is configured to display the plurality of predetermined characters. Among them, the gas meter is characterized in that the detailed situation is notified by blinking and displaying a character corresponding to the reason for shutting off the gas supply.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the predetermined gas supply abnormality is gas supply cutoff. The display control means
A detailed situation is notified by blinking a character corresponding to the reason for shutting off the gas supply from among a plurality of predetermined characters. Therefore, the clerk can recognize that the gas supply has been cut off by displaying a plurality of predetermined characters, and the blinking character of the plurality of displayed characters indicates the detailed situation, The reason for shutting off the gas supply can be recognized.

The invention according to claim 4 is the gas meter according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the display control means performs the blinking display after the operation for requesting the notification of the detailed situation is performed. The gas meter is characterized by.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the display control means performs the blinking display after the detailed situation notification request operation is performed. Therefore, the blinking display of the character is not performed at the time when the predetermined gas supply abnormality is detected.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a gas meter of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the gas meter has a gas inlet 11a and a gas outlet 11 at its upper portion.
b, and an integration display unit 12, a security display unit 13 (= display means), a return switch 14, and a container reset switch 15 are provided on the front surface.

The inflow port 11a is connected to a gas cylinder (not shown) which is a gas supply source, and the outflow port 11b is connected to a gas appliance (not shown). The flow rate of the gas entering through the inflow port 11a and exiting through the outflow port 11b is displayed as a count (integration display) on the integration display unit 12. The integrated display unit 12 is connected to a flow rate sensor 17 via a measuring unit 16 described later (see FIG. 3).

The flow rate sensor 17 is a membrane type flow rate sensor which detects the gas flow rate between the inflow port 11a and the outflow port 11b by utilizing the operation of the diaphragm, and the measuring unit 16
Uses the operation of the diaphragm in the membrane type flow sensor to mechanically increment the count display of the integration display unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the security display section 13 includes a liquid crystal display section 13a and displays various security information by combining a plurality of characters. Thirteen
b is a light emitting diode.

The return switch 14 is of a push button type and is pressed by fingers when opening a shutoff valve 18 described later. The container reset switch 15 is magnetically operated by contact of a magnet when the gas cylinder is replaced.

Next, the internal structure of the above-described gas meter will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a control circuit 19 is mounted in the gas meter. The control circuit 19 is a microcomputer (μ
COM) 19a and a battery 19b that functions as an operating power supply.
And an interface 19c.

The μCOM 19a is a read-only memory for storing programs and fixed data.
M19a1, a central processing unit (CP that performs various processing operations according to the programs stored in the ROM 19a1)
U) RAM1 which is a readable / writable memory having a work area used for processing in the CPU 19a2 and a data storage area for storing processing calculation results
9a3 is built in.

The interface 19c includes a pressure sensor 20 for detecting gas pressure, a shutoff valve 18 for shutting off the gas flow between the inlet 11a and the outlet 11b by closing the valve, and the return switch. 14, the container reset switch 15, the flow rate sensor 17, a gas leak alarm that detects a gas leak and detects an abnormality, a terminal block 21 for connecting other external equipment, and an earthquake to detect an abnormality. The vibration detector 22 for detection is connected. Other external devices include a CO alarm device that detects an abnormality when a constant concentration of CO is detected, a second gas leak alarm device, and the like.

The gas meter having the above-mentioned configuration uses the security display section 13 to give a pressure abnormality warning. The operation of the gas meter in this pressure abnormality warning will be described below. First, the CPU 19a2 in the gas meter always
Based on the output of the pressure sensor 20, the adjustment pressure (= pressure during use of gas) and the closing pressure (= pressure when the use of gas is stopped) are monitored.

The CPU 19a2 in the gas meter uses the above pressure.
As a result of force monitoring, 330 mmH ₂Adjusted pressure exceeding O
If force is detected more than 15 times in 30 days
230 mmH₂Adjustment pressure less than O is 3
If it is detected more than 15 times in 0 days, the adjustment pressure lower limit error
To detect. Moreover, as a result of performing the above pressure monitoring, 350
mmH₂Occlusion pressure exceeding O is detected 15 times or more in 30 days.
If it is issued, the blockage pressure abnormality is detected.

When the CPU 19a2 in the gas meter detects a pressure abnormality such as the above-mentioned abnormal adjustment pressure upper limit, abnormal adjustment pressure lower limit or abnormal closing pressure, "A", "B",
The three characters "R" are displayed on the security display unit 13 to give a pressure abnormality warning. Also, the above "A"
Of “B” and “R”, “A” is the adjustment pressure upper limit abnormality,
“B” is associated with the adjustment pressure lower limit abnormality, and “R” is associated with the closing pressure abnormality in advance.

Therefore, the CPU 19a2 in the gas meter
Causes “A” to blink when an adjustment pressure upper limit abnormality is detected (see FIG. 4A), and “B” to blink when an adjustment pressure lower limit abnormality is detected (see FIG. 4B). When an occlusion pressure abnormality is detected, "R" is displayed blinking (Fig. 4
(See (c)).

As is clear from the above, the CPU 1
9a2 works as a display control means. In addition, by performing the display as described above, the staff member can display “A”, “B”,
The display of "R" makes it possible to recognize that a pressure abnormality has been detected, and a blinking character among "A", "B", and "R" causes an abnormality and the gas pressure is the adjusted pressure. It is possible to recognize even the detailed situation when a pressure abnormality occurs, such as whether it is the upper limit value, the lower limit value, or the closing pressure. Therefore, it is possible to easily and at a glance recognize the detailed situation at the time of pressure abnormality detection without using a dedicated machine or the like.

In the above embodiment, the display when the pressure abnormality is detected has been described. However,
For example, the present invention can be applied to a shutoff warning using the security display unit 13 when gas shutoff is detected. The operation of the gas meter in this case will be described below.

First, the CPU 19a in the gas meter constantly monitors the outputs of other external devices such as the seismic sensor 22, the gas leak alarm connected through the terminal block 21, the CO alarm and the second gas leak alarm. When any of the above devices detects an abnormality, the shutoff valve 18 is closed and
Three characters “B”, “C”, and “gas stop” are displayed on the security display unit 13 to give a warning of interruption. Further, among the above "B", "C", and "gas stop", "B" is associated with a seismic sensor, "C" is associated with a gas leak alarm, and "gas stop" is associated with other external devices in advance. .

Therefore, the CPU 19a2 in the gas meter
Displays blinking "B" when gas shutoff is performed in response to abnormality detection of the seismoscope 22, and "C" blinks display when gas shutoff is performed in response to abnormality detection of the gas leak alarm. Then, in response to the detection of an abnormality in other external equipment, "gas stop" is displayed blinking when the gas is shut off.

By performing the display as described above, the attendant can recognize that the gas cutoff is detected by the display of "B", "C", "gas stop", and "B",
The blinking characters of "C" and "gas stop" are used to recognize the detailed situation at the time of interruption, such as whether the reason for interruption is due to an earthquake, gas leak, or CO. can do. Therefore, without using a dedicated machine, etc., easily and
At a glance, it is possible to recognize even the detailed situation when the gas is shut off.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, "A",
The blinking display was performed when "B", "R" or "B", "C", and "gas stop" were displayed. However, for example, initially "A", "B", "R" or "B",
It is also possible to simply display “C” and “gas stop” and not perform the blinking display, but perform the blinking display after the above-described detailed status display request operation is performed. Further, in the case of a pressure abnormality warning, it is conceivable to use the return switch 14 as an operation means for performing a detailed status display request operation.

In this way, the character blinking display is not performed at the time when the gas supply abnormality is detected. Therefore, when the abnormality is detected, the character blinking display cannot be performed. Even if there is, it is possible to display according to the display standard.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the gas meter for measuring the gas flow rate using the membrane type flow rate sensor has been described as an example, but the gas meter is not limited to this. It can also be applied to a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate by using an ultrasonic type or thermal type flow velocity sensor.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the staff can recognize that a predetermined gas supply abnormality has been detected and display it by displaying a plurality of predetermined characters. It is possible to recognize even the detailed situation at a glance without using a special machine because the blinking character can be used to recognize the detailed situation among the multiple characters that are operating. It is possible to obtain a gas meter that can

According to the second aspect of the invention, the clerk can recognize that the gas pressure abnormality is detected by displaying a plurality of predetermined characters, and, of the plurality of displayed characters, The blinking character can identify the type of gas pressure in which an abnormality has occurred as a detailed situation, so you can easily and at a glance the detailed situation at the time of abnormality detection without using a special machine. A recognizable gas meter can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the staff member can recognize that the gas supply has been cut off by displaying a plurality of predetermined characters, and at the same time, among the plurality of displayed characters, The blinking character allows you to recognize the reason for shutting off the gas supply as a detailed status, so you can easily and at a glance recognize the detailed status at the time of abnormality detection without using a special machine. It is possible to obtain a gas meter that can

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the blinking display of the character is not performed at the time when the predetermined gas supply abnormality is detected, it is possible to obtain the gas meter which satisfies the display standard.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a gas meter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a security display unit 13 which constitutes the gas meter of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the gas meter of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example when a pressure abnormality of the gas meter of FIG. 1 is detected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example when a pressure abnormality of a conventional gas meter is detected and a gas is shut off.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 Security display section (display means) 19a2 CPU (display control means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gas meter comprising display control means for displaying a plurality of predetermined characters on a display means when a predetermined gas supply abnormality is detected, wherein the display control means comprises the predetermined plurality of characters. Among these, the gas meter, wherein a character corresponding to the detailed situation at the time of detecting the predetermined gas supply abnormality is blinked and displayed, and the corresponding character is different for each detailed situation. 2. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined gas supply abnormality is a gas pressure abnormality, and the display control means determines that the abnormality is one of the predetermined plurality of characters. A gas meter, wherein the detailed situation is notified by blinking a character corresponding to the type of generated gas pressure. 3. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined gas supply abnormality is interruption of gas supply, and the display control means selects the gas supply from among the plurality of predetermined characters. A gas meter which notifies the detailed situation by blinking a character corresponding to the reason for shutting off. 4. The gas meter according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the display control means performs the blinking display after the detailed status notification request operation is performed.