JP2004271223A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To know easily a gas shutoff reason when reset is failed by reset leak confirmation in a gas meter equipped with a reset leak confirmation function after gas shutoff. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 18 displays the gas shutoff reason on a display part 15 when detecting an abnormality of the gas using state and performs gas shutoff, displays that the reset leak confirmation is now being performed on the display part 15 when a reset signal is inputted from a reset switch 16 and performs gas leak confirmation, and displays the shutoff reason on the display part 15 if a gas leak is confirmed by the gas leak confirmation and continues the closed state of a shutoff part 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used, and more particularly, to a gas meter that has a function of confirming return leakage after shutting off gas.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a gas meter with a built-in microcomputer calculates the amount of gas used by the customer and constantly monitors the gas usage through seismic sensors and pressure sensors (hereinafter referred to as sensors). When the occurrence of an abnormality is detected, the shutoff valve is closed by the microcomputer control to shut off the gas, thereby ensuring safety.
[0003]
Further, the customer can return the gas shut-off state by pressing the return switch after the gas shut-off. That is, after the gas is shut off due to the occurrence of the abnormality, the customer closes the main valve of the gas appliance or the like to confirm safety, and when the return switch of the gas meter is pressed, a return signal is sent to the controller and the return leak check is started.
[0004]
When a reset signal is input, the controller measures the pressure with a sensor etc. while keeping the shut-off valve closed to check for gas leaks. If it is determined that there is no gas leak, the shut-off valve is opened and there is gas leak. (Return failure), the closed state of the shut-off valve is continued, and the return leak check is shut off (a kind of shut-off mode).
[0005]
In the conventional gas meter, the shut-off valve is closed due to the failure in the return leak confirmation, and at the same time, the fact that the gas is in the gas leakage state due to the failure in the return is displayed on the display unit as the reason for the return leak confirmation interruption.
[0006]
As a related art related to return leak confirmation, when the control circuit recognizes that the solenoid valve has been truly opened when the solenoid valve is manually reset, the display is turned on only for a short time that can be recognized by a person. As described above, there is a gas shut-off device that can easily determine whether a control circuit has received a return signal while preventing battery consumption (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-44150 (Page 4-6, Fig. 1)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In conventional gas meters, when the occurrence of an abnormality is detected and the shut-off valve is closed, the cause of the gas shut-off is displayed on the display as a shut-off reason, and then a reset signal is input from the reset switch to check for a return leak. During the start, the display unit displayed that the return leak was being confirmed during that time. As described above, when the return failure is confirmed in the return leak confirmation and the shut-off valve is closed, only the reason for the return leakage confirmation and shutdown is displayed on the display portion, so that when the worker later goes to the setting place of the gas meter, In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to pursue the cause of the gas interruption. In this case, since information serving as a guide for safety confirmation cannot be obtained, it is necessary to sequentially inspect the portions considered to be the cause of gas shutoff, which takes time and effort.
[0009]
In the case of a gas meter with a communication function, it is possible for an operator to know the reason for the interruption by connecting a communication device and reading data, or by reading data from a remote monitoring center through a telephone line. However, it still takes time and effort to know the reason for the interruption.
[0010]
Further, in the gas shut-off device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to quickly know whether or not a return operation is possible. However, since a display after a return failure is not considered by return leak confirmation, it is necessary to solve the above-described problem. Not reached.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter capable of easily knowing a reason for shutting off gas when a return failure has occurred due to a return leak check.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a detecting unit for detecting a use state of a gas, a shutoff unit for opening and closing a gas shutoff valve, and a return unit for inputting a reset signal for canceling the shutoff of the gas. And a display unit for displaying the state of the inside of the gas meter, and when detecting an abnormality through the detection unit, closes the shut-off unit, and thereafter, a security unit for confirming gas leakage by inputting a return signal from the return unit. In the gas meter provided with, when the security unit detects an abnormality in the gas usage state and closes the shut-off unit, it displays a gas shut-off reason on the display unit, and a return signal from the return unit. In the gas leak confirmation by input, it is displayed on the display unit that the return leak is being confirmed, and when it is determined that there is a gas leak in the gas leak confirmation and the return leak confirmation is cut off, the display unit displays the reason for the interruption. table Characterized in that it.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the return leak confirmation interruption is performed, the security unit alternately displays the interruption reason and the return leakage confirmation interruption reason on the display unit. .
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first and second aspects, the security unit displays the gas on the display unit when another abnormality occurs during the gas leak check by the return signal input from the return unit. It is characterized in that a shut-off reason, a return leak check shut-off reason, and a shut-off reason due to the another abnormality are periodically displayed.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a gas meter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the gas meter according to the present embodiment.
[0017]
The gas meter 10 includes a flow rate sensor 11 for detecting a gas flow rate, a seismic sensor 12 for detecting a vibration such as an earthquake, a pressure sensor 13 for measuring a gas pressure, a gas flow path cutoff section 14, a gas usage amount and an alarm, and the like. A display unit 15 for displaying information inside the gas meter, a return switch (SW) 16 as a return unit for opening the shut-off valve 14 when the gas is shut off, a remote monitoring center 21 and a telephone line (network) 20. A connected communication (I / F) 17, a controller 18 including a microcomputer (including a CPU, a memory, a timer, an input / output interface, etc., not shown) for executing various arithmetic processes required for controlling the gas meter 10, A battery 19 is provided as a power supply for operating the circuit.
[0018]
In the above configuration, the flow sensor 11, the seismic sensor 12, and the pressure sensor 13 each constitute a detection unit that detects a usage state of the gas. However, the sensor serving as the detection unit is not limited to the above-described sensor, and may be another sensor.
[0019]
For the gas meter 10, a worker connects the communication device 22 and the gas meter 10 with a communication cable (not shown) and transmits / receives necessary data to / from each other to set / cancel various modes. be able to.
[0020]
The shut-off unit 14 includes a shut-off valve (not shown) that opens and closes a gas flow path and an open / close drive unit for the shut-off valve. The shut-off unit 14 in the present embodiment is closed by the controller 18 when an occurrence of an earthquake, an abnormality in gas pressure, gas flow rate, or the like is detected, and when the safety is confirmed in the return leak confirmation described later, the controller 18 is closed. To return to a state where gas can be used.
[0021]
The return switch 16 is a switch for opening the shut-off unit 14 closed by the controller 18 again to return to a usable state. When the return switch 16 is pressed by a customer (or a worker), a return signal is sent to the controller 18.
[0022]
The controller 18 calculates the gas usage and displays it on the display unit 15 and constantly monitors the detection signal sent from each sensor to determine whether or not an earthquake has occurred, whether there is an abnormality in gas flow rate or gas pressure, power supply When an abnormality in the gas use state such as a voltage drop is detected, the shut-off unit 14 is closed and the gas is cut off, or an alarm is issued on the display unit 15. A process for reporting the contents of an alarm or the like is executed. These processes are executed according to a state monitoring program, an abnormality determination program, a cutoff / warning program, a communication program, and the like stored in a memory (not shown).
[0023]
When the controller 18 detects an abnormality based on a signal sent from each sensor, the controller 18 displays a reason for interruption on the display unit 15 to close the interruption unit 14, and thereafter, a return signal is input from the return switch 16. When the gas leakage is confirmed, the display unit 15 displays that the return leakage is being confirmed and confirms the gas leakage. When the gas leakage confirmation determines that there is gas leakage, the display unit 15 displays the reason for the interruption. Then, the closed state of the shut-off unit 14 is continued to be a return leak check shut-off, and when it is determined that there is no gas leakage, the display content of the display unit 15 is cleared, and the shut-off unit 14 is opened to set a state where gas can be used. Execute the process to restore.
[0024]
This return leak confirmation process functions as a security unit, and is executed according to a return leak confirmation program stored in a memory (not shown).
[0025]
Here, a brief description will be given of gas leakage confirmation when a return signal is input. When the return switch 16 is pressed and a return signal is input to the controller 18, the controller 18 measures the gas pressure with the pressure sensor 13 while keeping the shut-off unit 14 in the closed state. Then, the presence or absence of gas leakage is determined by comparing the measured gas pressure with the set value. In this determination, when it is determined that there is no gas leakage, the shut-off unit 14 is opened to use gas, and when it is determined that gas is leaked, the closed state of the shut-off unit 14 is maintained.
[0026]
If the gas pressure on the secondary side (customer side) is not within the predetermined pressure range when the return signal is input, the shut-off unit 14 is opened to fill the gas, and then the shut-off unit is opened. After closing 14, gas pressure is measured by pressure sensor 13. It should be noted that the gas leak check in the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described processing, and a gas leak check by another method can be used.
[0027]
Next, a processing procedure when the controller 18 executes the return leak confirmation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0028]
The controller 18 monitors signal input from each sensor, and starts processing when any signal is input.
[0029]
First, it is determined whether or not a gas abnormality has occurred based on the input signal (step S1). If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, a gas shutoff reason is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S2), and the shutoff unit 14 is turned off. Is closed to shut off gas (step S3). The display of the shutoff reason and the gas shutoff may be performed simultaneously, or the shutoff reason may be displayed after the gas shutoff. Thereafter, when the consumer closes the main valve or the like of the gas appliance and confirms safety, and presses the return switch 16, a return signal is input to the controller 18.
[0030]
When the return signal is input (Step S4: Yes), the controller 18 displays on the display unit 15 that the return leakage is being confirmed (Step S5), and subsequently executes a process of confirming gas leakage (Step S5). S6), the presence or absence of gas leakage is determined (step S7). It should be noted that the process of confirming the return leak may be displayed simultaneously with the start of the process of confirming the gas leak, or the process of confirming the gas leak may be started after the fact that the confirming of the return leak is displayed.
[0031]
If it is determined in step S7 that there is a gas leak (step S7: Yes), the return fails, so the display unit 15 displays the interruption reason displayed in step S2 (step S8), and the closed state of the interruption unit 14 is changed. Continuously, the return leak check is cut off (step S9). If it is determined in step S7 that there is no gas leakage (step S7: No), the display content of the display unit 15 is cleared (step S10), and then the shutoff unit 14 is opened to release the gas shutoff (step S7). S11). The clearing of the display content and the release of the gas cutoff may be performed simultaneously, or the display content may be cleared after the release of the gas cutoff.
[0032]
In the above-mentioned return leak confirmation processing, after the return failure in the return leak confirmation, the display unit 15 displays the original shutdown reason instead of the return leak confirmation shutdown reason. It is possible to easily find out why the gas was cut off and to use it as a guide for safety confirmation, so that the gas cutoff can be quickly restored without any trouble or time. it can.
[0033]
In the flow of the above-described embodiment, only the shutdown reason is displayed after the return failure is confirmed in the return leak confirmation. However, as another embodiment, the shutdown reason and the return leak confirmation shutdown event are alternately performed at predetermined intervals. May be displayed. That is, in step S8 in FIG. 1, a program of another routine for alternately displaying the shutoff reason and the return leak check shutoff event at predetermined intervals may be started, and this program may be terminated with the input of the return signal. As a specific example of the display, if the original interruption reason is “Q” and the return leakage confirmation interruption reason is “F”, the characters “Q” and “F” are alternately displayed on the display unit 15 at predetermined intervals.
[0034]
Further, as still another embodiment, when another abnormality newly occurs during the return leak confirmation in step S6, the interruption reason, the return leakage confirmation interruption event, and the interruption event due to another abnormality (hereinafter, referred to as “the interruption event”). May be displayed periodically. That is, in step S8 in FIG. 1, a program of another routine for periodically displaying the shut-off reason, the return leak check shut-off event, and another shut-off event is started, and this program is terminated with the input of the reset signal. Just fine. As a specific example of the display, if the original interruption reason is “Q”, the return leakage confirmation interruption reason is “F”, and another interruption reason is “G”, the display unit 15 displays “Q”, “F”, and “G”. Are periodically displayed at predetermined intervals.
[0035]
It should be noted that the display method of the reason for the interruption is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various forms are conceivable. For example, it may be displayed by lighting or blinking by an LED or the like (the reason is classified according to a blinking interval), or the message may be displayed by a LCD or the like.
[0036]
According to the above-mentioned other embodiment, and still another embodiment, the worker is not only required to shut down the return leak at that time, but also to check that the Since the fact that the reason has occurred can be known, the restoration work of the gas shutoff can be performed more efficiently.
[0037]
In the above embodiment, the return leak confirmation flow shown in FIG. 1 is processed in software by the controller 18, but it may be modified to constitute a security unit in hardware by a logic IC or the like. It is possible within the range.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the gas meter according to the present invention, even when the return leakage confirmation shutoff occurs, the display unit displays the original shutdown reason instead of the return leakage confirmation interruption reason. Can easily know the reason for the interruption of the gas, and can quickly perform the restoration work of the gas interruption.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a return leak check is executed in an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the gas meter according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 gas meter 11 flow sensor 12 seismic sensor 13 pressure sensor 14 blocking unit 15 display unit 16 return switch 17 communication I / F
18 Controller 19 Battery 20 Telephone line 21 Monitoring center 22 Communication device

Claims (3)

A detection unit for detecting a gas use state, a blocking unit for opening and closing the gas flow path, a return unit for receiving a return signal input for returning the gas flow path from open to closed, and a state inside the gas meter. In the gas meter comprising a display unit for displaying a, and when the abnormality is detected through the detection unit, the blocking unit is closed, and thereafter, a security unit that performs gas leakage confirmation by a return signal input from the return unit. When the security unit detects an abnormality in the gas use state and closes the shutoff unit, the shutoff unit displays the shutoff event that has occurred on the display unit, and in the gas leak confirmation by the return signal input from the return unit, Indicates that the return leak is being confirmed on the display unit, and when it is determined that there is a gas leak in the gas leak confirmation and the return leak confirmation is shut off, the reason for the shutdown is displayed on the display unit. Gas meter to be. 2. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein when the return leak confirmation is cut off, the security unit alternately displays the shutoff reason and the return leak check cutoff on the display unit. 3. If another abnormality occurs during the gas leak check due to the return signal input from the return unit, the security unit may be caused by the above-mentioned shutdown reason, return leak confirmation and shutdown on the display unit, and the another abnormality. 3. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the interruption reason is periodically displayed.

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