JP2008134065A - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately secure a use restriction function of a tool whose use gas amount varies. <P>SOLUTION: This gas shut-off device comprises: a flow detecting means 17 for measuring the gas flow; a flow arithmetic means 19 for calculating the flow value from the detected value of the flow detecting means 17; an average flow arithmetic means 12 for averaging instantaneous flow values to determine an average flow value; a flow storing means 14 for storing the average flow value; a flow variation determining means 15 for determining that flow varies when the difference between the average flow value and the stored value of the flow storing means 14 is larger than a predetermined first variation value; a flow registering means 16 for registering/deleting a part corresponding to the flow variation when the flow variation determining means 15 determines that flow varies; and a registered flow correcting means 21 for correcting the registered flow so as to make it close to the average flow value using the differential flow when the flow variation determining means 15 determines that flow does not vary and the differential value between the average flow value and the registered flow value is a second variation value or more. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device, and more particularly, to a device that prevents erroneous shut-off due to a tool use restriction function even when a use flow rate is changed by flow control of the tool itself.

  Conventionally, as this type of gas shut-off device, the flow rate measuring means that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of gas passing through, and the increase / decrease of the individual appliances in use when the flow rate signal increases / decreases are estimated. Individual instrument estimation means for outputting the individual calculation flow rate and the used time, individual flow registration means for registering the flow rate of the individual instrument to be used in advance and outputting the registered individual flow rate and usage time, and individual flow memory for storing the registered individual flow rate And an error that outputs an individual abnormality signal when the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the increased / decreased appliance is not included in the registered individual flow rate of the individual flow rate storage means and the continued use time of the increased / decreased appliance continues for the first predetermined time or more A flow rate determination unit, a notification unit that receives the individual abnormality signal and gives a warning notification of an abnormality in the gas flow rate, or a blocking unit that blocks the gas passage, and an estimated individual performance of the individual instrument estimation unit When the flow rate is not included in the registered individual flow rate of the individual flow rate storage means and the time used by the device of the individual device estimation means is longer than the second predetermined time and shorter than the first predetermined time, the estimated individual flow estimation means There has been disclosed a gas shut-off device provided with a constant individual flow rate registration means for registering a calculated flow rate in an individual flow rate storage means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The gas shut-off device of Patent Document 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 5. 101 is a flow rate measuring means, which is a flow rate sensor attached to a gas meter. Reference numeral 102 denotes an individual appliance estimation means, which calculates the flow rate signal s of the flow rate sensor 1 as an average flow rate for a fixed measurement period (30 seconds), estimates the increase or decrease in individual flow rate in use based on the increase or decrease in the average flow rate, The estimated individual calculation flow rate Q of the increased / decreased instrument and the used time are output. When the average flow rate increases, the individual device estimation means 102 determines that the increased amount of gas device has been used, and when the average flow rate decreases, determines that the decreased amount of gas device has been stopped, Estimate individual equipment. Reference numeral 103 denotes an individual flow rate registration means, which is a setter for inputting in advance the flow rate (Qi) of an individual appliance used in the home. Reference numeral 104 denotes individual flow rate storage means for sequentially storing the flow rate (Qi) of the individual appliance of the individual flow rate registration means 103 and the flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means 107 as Q1, Q2, Q3,. 105 is an abnormal flow rate determination unit, and the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual appliance estimation unit 102 is not included in {Q1, Q2, Q3,..., Qn} of the individual flow rate storage unit 104, and the estimated individual flow rate Q Continues for the first predetermined time (10 minutes) or more, the individual abnormality signal E is output. 106 is a notification means or shut-off means, which is provided with an LED for receiving a warning in response to the individual abnormality signal E or a shut-off valve for shutting off the gas passage. 107 is an always individual flow rate registering means, and when the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual flow rate estimating means 102 is not less than the second predetermined time (3 minutes) and within the first predetermined time (10 minutes), the estimated individual flow rate Q is output to the individual flow rate storage means 104.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the conventional example will be described. Based on the flow rate signal of the flow rate measuring means 101, the average flow rate is calculated. A change flow rate between this average flow rate and the previous average flow rate is obtained to determine whether the change is an increase or a decrease, and an estimated individual calculation flow rate Q is obtained by each process. It is determined whether this estimated individual calculation flow rate Q newly appearing as a result of the increase / decrease process is included in the individual flow rate storage means 104 and whether it has been used for the first predetermined time (10 minutes). If it is not included and is used for 10 minutes or more, the notification means or blocking means 106 is operated. If it is not included or is not used for 10 minutes or more, it is judged whether it is an unregistered flow rate, 3 minutes or more, or 10 minutes or less. The means 107 performs registration processing in the individual flow rate storage means 104.

If there is an increase in the average flow rate of Qt (for example, Q2 + Q3 as an example) due to simultaneous use of a plurality of devices, and the usage time is 7 minutes, for example, the average flow rate decreases after 7 minutes, the individual device estimation means 102 The estimated individual flow rate Qt is output. The estimated individual flow rate Qt is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 104 by the individual flow rate registration unit 107 at all times because the usage time is 3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less. Thereafter, since it is registered in the individual flow rate storage means 104, even if this flow rate appears for 10 minutes or more, it is not blocked. That is, it is possible to reduce erroneous interruption due to gas appliances that are often started up simultaneously. Further, when there is a new individual flow rate Qk (3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less) due to a replacement device or the like, the estimated individual flow rate Qk is output from the individual device estimation means 102. The estimated individual flow rate Qk is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 104 by the individual flow rate registration unit 107 at all times because the usage time is 3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less.

Thereafter, since it is registered in the individual flow rate storage means 104, even if this flow rate appears for 10 minutes or more, it is not blocked. Individual appliances used in each home can be stored in advance to prevent accidents due to gas leaks due to flow rates other than the individual appliances, and prevent accidental interruption due to simultaneous startup of appliances or replacement of appliances.
JP 7-44239 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the function of preventing a gas passage when a flow rate other than that registered in the individual flow rate storage means is newly detected or by erroneously registering as a registered individual flow rate is prevented. However, if the registered individual flow rate is stopped when the flow rate changes within the normal range due to the flow control of the device itself, the value will differ from the individual flow rate at the time of registration. In some cases, the wrong registered individual flow rate may be deleted when deleting, and in this case, if the smaller registered individual flow rate is deleted and the remaining one is left, the device can be used continuously. The time will be shortened, and the gas shut-off valve will operate in a shorter time than expected and the gas supply will be stopped. If it is left will, continuous use time limit will be extended, such as when using a large instruments used flow will have a problem in safety.

  For example, when using a shower, the water heater may control the gas flow rate according to the temperature deviation in order to keep the set hot water temperature, and the combustion amount may be varied, and the fan heater etc. may have a gas flow rate to keep it at a constant room temperature. There are cases where the amount of combustion is controlled and variable. In such a case, the estimated individual calculation flow rate obtained by the individual device estimation unit at the start of the use of the device and registered in the individual flow rate registration unit gradually decreases the gas flow rate by the combustion amount control corresponding to the load fluctuation, and the initial estimation is performed over time. There may be a difference from the individual calculation flow rate. Normally, when the other instrument stops using or a large flow rate change occurs while using multiple devices, the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means is re-registered based on the change amount. If the estimated individual calculation flow rate is changed gradually, the re-registration process of the estimated individual calculation flow rate is not executed. In some cases, the actual flow rate that has been reduced in step 1 and the total value of the registered flow rate may be different. In such a case, the total value of the registered flow rate will be monitored in a state larger than the actual flow rate. The continuous use time limit is shifted to a short time, leading to erroneous interruption. That is, there is a problem that monitoring different from the actual use flow rate cannot be performed to prevent erroneous interruption.

The present invention solves the above-described problem, and executes registration and deletion processing of a registered individual flow rate when a flow rate change of a predetermined value or more is detected, and executes correction processing of the registered individual flow rate even when the flow rate changes below a predetermined value. Thus, even in a usage pattern in which the gas flow rate gradually changes with a small change rate, the registered individual flow rate can be brought close to the actual usage flow rate, and there is no erroneous shut-off, and a highly safe gas shut-off device is provided. Is.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a gas shutoff device according to the present invention is obtained by a flow rate detection unit that measures a gas flow rate, a flow rate calculation unit that calculates a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection unit, and a flow rate calculation unit. Average flow rate calculation means that averages the instantaneous flow rate values every predetermined time to obtain an average flow rate value, average time counting means that counts the averaging time, and flow rate that stores the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means Changes in storage means, flow rate change determination means for determining that there is a change in flow rate when the difference between the value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the stored value in the flow rate storage means is greater than a predetermined first change value, and changes in the flow rate change determination means The flow rate registration means for registering / deleting the flow rate change amount according to the change direction when it is determined to be present, and the difference between the value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the registered value of the flow rate registration means is smaller than the first change value and the second change value. From change value A registered flow rate correcting unit for correcting a flow rate value of the flow rate registering unit, a monitor value storing unit for storing a determination value for monitoring an abnormality in use state, and a monitor value storing unit corresponding to the flow rate value of the flow rate registering unit. An abnormality determination unit that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in comparison with the determination value, and a blocking unit that blocks the supply of gas by the abnormality determination of the abnormality determination unit.

  According to the above invention, when the flow rate change determining means detects a flow rate change greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it judges whether to start using or stop using the device. If the use is stopped, the registered flow close to the flow rate change is deleted and set as the registered flow close to the actual use state, and the flow rate change is small and cannot be detected by the flow rate change judging means. When the flow rate change is within the predetermined range, the registered flow rate value is corrected based on the flow rate change. Therefore, even if the gas flow rate gradually changes at a small change rate by proportional control etc., the flow rate change does not occur. If it is within the specified range, it is possible to correct the registered flow rate every time and set the registered flow rate corresponding to the appliance currently in use, and ensure an appropriate use restriction function corresponding to the appliance in use. Erroneous cutoff can be prevented, and it is possible to provide a highly safe gas cutoff apparatus in a.

  The gas shut-off device of the present invention is small by performing new registration and deletion processing of a registered flow rate upon detection of a flow rate change greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and executing correction processing of the registered flow rate even when the flow rate changes below a predetermined value. Even in a usage pattern in which the gas flow rate gradually changes with the rate of change, the registered flow rate can be brought close to the actual usage flow rate, and there is no erroneous interruption, and a highly safe gas cutoff device is provided.

  A first invention is a gas shut-off device that monitors the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances connected to piping after passing through a gas meter, and shuts off the supply of gas when an abnormality occurs. A flow rate detection means for measuring a flow rate, a flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection means, and an instantaneous flow rate value obtained by the flow rate calculation means are averaged every predetermined time as an average flow rate value Average flow rate calculation means to be obtained; Average time counting means for counting the averaging time; Flow rate storage means for storing the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means; Value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the flow rate A flow rate change determining unit that determines that there is a flow rate change when the difference between stored values in the storage unit is greater than a predetermined first change value, and a change direction that corresponds to a change direction when the flow rate change determining unit determines that there is a change. The flow rate registration means for registering / deleting the flow rate change amount, and the flow rate when the difference between the value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the registered value of the flow rate registration means is smaller than the first change value and greater than the second change value. Registered flow correction means for correcting the flow value of the registration means, monitoring value storage means for storing a determination value for monitoring abnormal use conditions, and determination value of the monitoring value storage means corresponding to the flow value of the flow registration means Compared to the above, there are provided an abnormality determining means for determining the presence / absence of an abnormality, and a blocking means for blocking the supply of gas by the abnormality determination of the abnormality determining means.

  When the flow rate change determining means detects a flow rate change greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it determines the start of use or stop of use of the appliance. When the use is stopped, the registered flow rate close to the flow rate change is deleted and set as the registered flow rate close to the actual use state, and the flow rate change is small and cannot be detected by the flow rate change judging means. Since the registered flow rate value is corrected by the flow rate change amount within the specified range, even if the gas flow rate gradually changes at a small change rate by proportional control etc., the flow rate change is within the predetermined range. In this case, it is possible to correct the registered flow rate each time and set the registered flow rate corresponding to the appliance currently in use. It can be prevented, and it is possible to provide a high gas shutoff device safety.

  In the second invention, in synchronization with the count-up signal of the average time measuring means, the average flow value obtained by the average flow calculating means and the total value of the registered flow rates of the flow registration means are compared, and a change greater than a predetermined value is detected. In this case, the registered flow rate correcting means includes a change value determining means for outputting a correction signal.

  Then, a difference between the average flow value and the registered flow value is obtained every averaging time for obtaining the average flow value, and when the difference exceeds the second change value for determining the start of the correction operation, the difference is used to register the flow rate. Since the flow rate value of the means is corrected, the registered flow rate value can be corrected at an appropriate timing even when it gradually changes at a rate of change smaller than the first change value. It is possible to set the registered flow rate more accurately according to the equipment, and it is possible to prevent erroneous shut-off by ensuring an appropriate use restriction function corresponding to the equipment used, and to provide a highly safe gas shut-off device can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation mode of a gas cutoff device and a gas appliance in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the gas cutoff device, and FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the gas cutoff device.

  A gas meter 2 is installed at the entrance of the gas supply pipe 1 of each household, and the gas is branched from the gas pipe 3 after passing through the gas meter 2 to a place where various gas appliances used at home are installed. Supplied. For example, a gas water heater 4 is installed outdoors, and hot water generated by the gas water heater 4 is installed in a kitchen hot water tap 5, a bath 6 in which a bathtub and a shower device are installed, a living room and the like through a water pipe. The floor heating 7 is supplied to form various usage forms.

  In addition, when indoors, gas is supplied to a gas table 8 installed in a kitchen, a gas fan heater 9 installed in a living room, a bedroom, or the like, and is used as needed.

  When the installed gas appliance is used and gas consumption occurs, the amount of use is measured by the gas meter 2, and the data is accumulated and stored every predetermined period. The data stored in the gas meter 2 is subjected to predetermined information processing based on a periodic data request command from the gas company, and then information such as a gas fee, a gas usage amount, or a discount service provided by the gas company. To the consumer and the gas company.

The gas meter 2 is formed with a gas flow path having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and a pair of a shut-off valve 11 that shuts off the gas at the time of abnormality and a flow rate detection means 17 that measures the gas flow rate in the gas flow path. Ultrasonic sensors 17a and 17b are arranged. Further, the flow rate calculation means 19 for calculating the gas flow rate by a signal from the flow rate detection means 17 and the calculated instantaneous flow rate values are gathered for a predetermined time measured by the average time counting means 24 and averaged to calculate the average flow rate value. A control circuit 10 composed of an average flow rate calculation means 12 and the like is incorporated, and a battery 13 for driving the control circuit 10 is housed.

  There are various types of flow rate detecting means, and an ultrasonic signal is transmitted from one to the other with a pair of ultrasonic sensors installed in the flow path shown in this embodiment, and the gas flow rate used is determined from the propagation time. What to detect, one that has a hot-wire sensor in the flow path and obtains the flow rate from the impedance that changes depending on the flow, and further detects the amount of gas by the metering membrane, and the mechanical action of the metering membrane is a magnet and reed switch or magnetoresistive element In this embodiment, a gas meter using an ultrasonic sensor as the flow rate detection means will be described.

  First, the flow rate detection means 17 using the ultrasonic sensors 17a and 17b will be briefly described. A first transmitter / receiver 17A for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic waves and a second transmitter / receiver 17B for receiving or transmitting ultrasonic waves are arranged in the flow direction. The transmission / reception can be switched by the measurement controller 18 having switching means constituting the control circuit 10, and the flow state of fluid such as gas is detected. The flow rate is measured by processing the signals of the first transmitter / receiver 17A and the second transmitter / receiver 17B. Specifically, the first transmitter / receiver 17A is first driven by the measurement control unit 18 and the second transmitter / receiver 17B is then driven. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the upstream, that is, from the upstream to the downstream. Then, the signal received by the second transmitter / receiver 17B is amplified by the amplifying means provided in the measurement control unit 18, the amplified signal is compared with the reference signal, and after the signal equal to or higher than the reference signal is detected, the measurement control unit The above-described transmission / reception is repeated a predetermined number of times by the repeating means provided at 18, and each time value is measured by a time measuring means such as a timer counter provided at the measurement control unit 18.

  Next, transmission / reception of the first transmitter / receiver 17A and the second transmitter / receiver 17B is switched by the measurement control unit 18 having switching means, and the ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the second transmitter / receiver 17B to the first transmitter / receiver 17A, that is, from downstream to upstream. A signal is transmitted, this transmission is repeated as described above, and each time value is measured. Then, the flow rate value is obtained by the signal processing means 19 constituting the flow rate calculation means in consideration of the size of the flow path and the fluid flow state from the ultrasonic propagation time difference between the first transceiver 17A and the second transceiver 17B. The flow rate data is obtained every predetermined cycle as an instantaneous flow rate value.

  Then, the instantaneous flow rate value obtained in a predetermined cycle is input to the average flow rate calculation means 12, where the instantaneous flow rate values are collected and averaged during the averaging time measured by the average time counting means 24, and the average flow rate value is obtained. Calculated. This average flow value is stored in the flow rate storage means 14 in time series, and whether there is a change greater than a predetermined change value compared to the average flow value calculated by the average flow rate calculation means 12 by the flow rate change detection means 15. Determine whether or not to use the appliance. For example, when the customer uses the water heater 4, the flow rate value is from zero to a predetermined flow rate, or from the average flow rate obtained when the water heater 4 or the like is used while using other appliances and the past flow memory value. Whether or not the instrument is used / stopped is determined based on whether the flow rate change rate or the flow rate change amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  When a change value greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected by the flow rate change detection means 15, it is determined that the instrument has been used or that the use of the instrument has been stopped. If the instrument has been used, the flow rate change is registered. Registered in the means 16 and set as a registered flow rate value. In this case, every time a change on the flow rate increasing side is detected, it is determined that an instrument has been additionally used, and each time the flow rate change is newly registered, it is set as a registered flow rate value. On the other hand, when the use of the instrument is stopped, the registered flow rate value close to the flow rate change is deleted from the registered flow rate values registered in the flow rate registration means 16. Similarly, in the case of this deletion process, every time a change on the flow rate decrease side is detected, it is determined that the use of the appliance has been stopped, and the deletion process of the registered flow rate value is executed each time.

  The registered flow rate value registered in the flow rate registering unit 16 is compared with the average flow rate value by the change value determining unit 20 in synchronization with the averaging time counted by the average time counting unit 24, and the comparison result is detected as a flow rate change detection. If the gas flow rate is controlled by proportional control or the like and is changed at a small rate of change when it is smaller than the first change value that is the criterion of the means 15 and greater than the predetermined second change value, the registered flow rate correction is performed. A correction signal is sent to the means 21 to correct the registered flow rate value registered in the flow rate registering means 16 so that the registered flow rate corresponding to the instrument currently in use is set again.

  Then, the appliance used is monitored with the reset registered flow rate. In this case, the device continuous use limit time corresponding to the flow rate range or the monitoring judgment value of the maximum use flow rate is stored, for example, an abnormality that occurs when the hose that supplies gas to the use device such as a stove is disconnected for some reason Monitoring with a total flow cutoff value for monitoring a large flow rate and a usage time cutoff time limit that defines a usage time limit corresponding to when the instrument is used for much longer than the maximum normal usage time A value storage means 27 is provided, and by confirming the set value and the registered flow rate value of the flow rate registration means 16 with the abnormality determination means 22, the registered flow rate value does not exceed the maximum use flow rate value, or the instrument usage time. It is possible to determine whether or not the appliance continuous use time limit corresponding to the registered flow rate value has been exceeded. When an abnormality is determined by the abnormality determining means 22, a signal is sent to the blocking means 23. It actuates the shut-off valve 11 Te to stop the supply of gas. In addition, the shut-off state and shut-off content are displayed on a liquid crystal display device and the like, and a gas monitoring center is notified through communication means.

  The operation of the gas shut-off device configured as described above will be explained. When a gas appliance held in a customer's house, such as a gas stove 9 or a water heater 4, is used, its flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means 17. To do. For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured as a detected value, and this signal is sent to the flow rate calculation means 19 to be calculated as an instantaneous flow rate value. The flow rate is calculated as an average flow value for each averaging time measured at 24, and a plurality of obtained average flow rates are periodically and time-sequentially stored in the flow rate storage unit 14 and also stored in the flow rate storage unit 14 The presence / absence of a change in the flow rate is obtained from the stored past flow rate (for example, the previous or previous two times, the flow rate stored value n times before, etc.). That is, using the average flow rate value output for a predetermined time, it is determined whether the appliance is used or the appliance is stopped from the change state, and the flow rate change at the time of change is used as the registered flow rate of the appliance to be used. By newly registering or deleting a registered flow rate that has already been registered, it is possible to accurately set the registered flow rate corresponding to the appliance used at the time of change.

  For example, when the user uses the water heater 4, when the past flow rate is zero, the flow rate changes to an arbitrary flow rate, but the change is obtained as a change flow rate from the average flow rate and the past flow rate, and the change rate or change amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this case, it is registered in the flow rate registration means 16 as having a change, that is, having some appliance used. Alternatively, when the water heater 4 is used while the gas table 8 is used, the flow rate of the gas table 8 is stored in the past flow rate of the flow rate storage means 14, and the flow rate change detection means 15 changes from the current average flow rate and the past flow rate stored value. Similarly, the flow rate is obtained, and similarly, the change rate from the current flow rate, or the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 16 when there is a change when the change flow rate is a predetermined value or more. Not only when the appliance usage increases, but when any appliance is stopped while a plurality of appliances are in use or the flow rate changes, the flow rate change detection means 15 determines whether the change has decreased from the past flow rate stored value and the average flow rate. The decrease change flow rate is output, and the flow rate registration means 16 deletes or reduces the closest flow rate registration value among the flow rates registered from the decrease change flow rate.

However, when the hot water heater 4 is used, particularly when it is used for floor heating or the like, the amount of combustion varies greatly when the initial load is large and when the stable load is small. In such a case, it is determined that there is a change in the flow rate at the beginning of operation, and the use of the water heater 4 is determined, and the average flow rate value at this time is registered in the flow rate registration means 16 as a registered flow rate. When the operation is continued, the heating load is gradually reduced, and the combustion amount, that is, the gas flow rate is controlled in the decreasing direction by the proportional control. The amount of change at this time changes with a determination value set by the flow rate change detecting means 15, for example, an amount smaller than the first change value, so that only the average flow rate value gradually decreases without determining whether there is a change in flow rate. Accordingly, the registered flow rate value registered in the flow rate registration means 16 is held in a state as initially set.

  In other words, the difference between the registered flow rate value and the average flow rate value greatly spreads over time. When the heating load is saturated and the water heater 4 stops in this state, the flow rate change detecting means 15 determines that the flow rate has changed. Thus, the flow rate change at this time is deleted from the registered flow rate registered in the flow rate registration means 16. However, since the average flow rate value when the water heater 4 stops is considerably reduced by the proportional control, the flow rate change is also reduced compared to the initial value, and this reduced flow rate change is used as the registered flow rate. Even if the registered flow rate is deleted, a certain value remains as the registered flow rate, and the remaining registered flow rate of the appliance that is not actually used is compared with the set value of the monitoring value storage unit 21 by the abnormality determination unit 22. It becomes the target of the registered flow rate. In other words, the device to be used is monitored at a registered flow rate that is larger than the registered flow rate of the device that is actually used, the continuous use time limit is shortened, and the shut-off valve 11 can be shortened in an unexpectedly short time. Will cause a malfunction that will be interrupted.

  In view of this, the present invention counts up the average time measuring means 24 that measures the averaging time for obtaining the average flow value with respect to the flow change within the first change value where the flow change detecting means 15 cannot detect “there is a flow change”. In synchronism with the signal, the average flow value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means 12 and the total value of the registered flow values registered in the flow rate registration means 16 are compared by the change value determination means 20, and the average flow rate in the comparison result is compared. When the difference between the total value of the value and the registered flow rate value is equal to or greater than a predetermined second change value, a correction signal is sent to the registered flow rate correction unit 21 and the difference value obtained by the change value determination unit 20 is used to calculate the flow rate registration unit. The registered flow rate value registered in 16 is corrected. In the above-described series of correction processes, which registered flow value is to be corrected when there are a plurality of registered flow values is not mentioned in the present invention, but, for example, an appliance discriminating means for specifying an appliance from a change situation is provided. Alternatively, the operation signal may be obtained directly from the device, or the target device of the flow rate change may be specified by another means.

  As described above, when the flow rate change determination means 15 detects a flow rate change equal to or greater than the first change value, the use start or stop of use of the appliance is determined. It is set as the registered flow corresponding to the restriction. When the use is stopped, the registered flow close to the flow change is deleted and set as the registered flow close to the actual use state, and the flow change is small and can be detected by the flow change determination means 15. If the flow rate change is within a predetermined range, that is, smaller than the first change value and greater than the second change value, the registered flow rate value is corrected by the change in flow rate. Even if the flow rate gradually changes at a small rate of change, if the flow rate change is within the specified range, the registered flow rate can be corrected each time and the registered flow rate corresponding to the instrument currently in use can be set. Becomes ability, but which may be erroneous by securing a proper use limitation function corresponding to the use appliance cutoff can be prevented, and to provide a high gas shutoff device safety.

  Next, the above correction operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. The vertical axis indicates the flow rate of use (l / h), the horizontal axis indicates the progress of use, and represents the usage form of the instrument. At point A, for example, a gas stove is used and the usage flow rate changes from 0 (l / h) to 40 (l / h). At point B, the water heater starts to operate, for example, to use floor heating. From 40 (l / h) to 160 (l / h), the combustion amount of the water heater is controlled by proportional control as the heating load changes, and the flow rate used is gradually reduced to 100 (l / h). This represents a state in which the combustion of the water heater is stopped at the point C which has been reduced until the usage flow rate is reduced to 40 (l / h).

Explaining the operation of the control circuit 10 which is an instrument monitoring function in this usage pattern, the detection of the used gas flow rate is obtained as an instantaneous flow rate value by the flow rate detection means 17 and the flow rate calculation means 19, and this instantaneous flow rate value is calculated as an average time count. A set of predetermined time counted by the means 24 is averaged and calculated as an average flow value at the timings a, b, c... A ′, b ′, c ′, d ′ and stored in the flow storage means 14. The

  Then, the average flow rate value 40 (l / h) obtained at timing c at point A and the average flow rate value 0 (l / h) at timing b stored in the flow rate storage means 14 are compared by the flow rate change detection means 15. In the comparison result, when the differential flow rate is a predetermined value, for example, 10 (l / h) or more, it is determined that the device has been used or stopped as “changed”, and whether the change is on the increase side or the decrease side. judge. In the case of the usage pattern shown in FIG. 5, the flow rate increases from 0 (l / h) to 40 (l / h), so that it is determined that the instrument has been used, and the differential flow rate 40 (l / h) is calculated. This differential flow rate 40 (l / h) is newly registered as a registered flow rate value in the flow rate registration means 16, and the use restriction of the gas appliance is monitored with this registered flow rate value until a flow rate change occurs thereafter. In the usage mode of FIG. 5, since there is no change in the average flow rate value from timing c to timing k, the registered flow rate value remains the differential flow rate 40 (l / h) registered at the initial stage.

  Then, the average flow rate value 160 (l / h) obtained at the timing l at the point B and the average flow rate value 40 (l / h) at the timing k stored in the flow rate storage unit 14 are compared by the flow rate change detection unit 15. In the comparison result, since the differential flow rate 120 (l / h) is a predetermined value, for example, 10 (l / h) or more, it is determined that the device has been used or stopped as “changed”. Determine whether it is decreasing. Since the flow rate change at point B increases from 40 (l / h) to 160 (l / h), it is determined that the instrument has been used, and the differential flow rate 120 (l / h) is calculated. This differential flow rate 120 (l / h) is newly registered in the flow rate registration means 16 as a registered flow rate value.

  And the use restriction | limiting of a gas appliance is monitored by the total value 160 (l / h) of the last registration flow value 40 (l / h) and this registration flow value 120 (l / h).

  Then, the gas flow rate is controlled by proportional control or the like from timing p after timing B to timing c ′, and the usage flow rate gradually decreases with a small change amount. The average flow rate value at timing p is, for example, 155 (l / h). ), The average flow rate value 160 (l / h) at the timing o stored in the flow rate storage unit 14 and the flow rate change detection unit 15 are smaller than the predetermined comparison reference value 10 (l / h). The determination is “no change”, and the process of changing the registered flow rate value is not performed. Further, assuming that the average flow rate value at the timing q is also changed by the same proportional control, for example, 152 (l / h), the difference from the average flow value 155 (l / h) at the timing p stored in the flow rate storage unit 14 The flow rate is 3 (l / h), and even when compared by the flow rate change detecting means 15, it is similarly determined as “no change”, and the process of changing the registered flow rate value is not performed.

  In this way, the determination result in the flow rate change detection means 15 is “no change” until the timing c ′ at which the change is small, so that the registered flow rate value is not changed, and the differential flow rate value registered at point B is not processed. 120 (l / h) is held as the registered flow rate value.

  However, the average flow rate value at the timing c ′ is 100 (l / h), and the differential flow rate value is 60 (l / h), which should be set as the registered flow rate value in accordance with the actual use state. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the difference between 120 (l / h) and 60 (l / h) as close as possible to a registered flow rate value in accordance with the actual use state.

Therefore, when the flow rate change detecting means 15 determines “no change” even if there is a flow rate change, a second change value smaller than the first change value, which is the criterion of the flow rate change detecting means 15, is changed. It is set in the determination means 20, and the correction operation of the registered flow rate value at the time of a minute flow rate change is performed using the second change value as a determination reference.

  For example, the minute flow rate change at the timing p will be described. As described above, the average flow rate value at the timing p is 155 (l / h), and the average flow rate value 160 (l / h) at the timing o stored in the flow rate storage unit 14. ) Is 5 (l / h), which is smaller than the first change value 10 (l / h) set in the flow rate change detection means 15 and “no change” is determined. At this time, when this “no change” signal is sent to the change value determination means 20, the change value determination means 20 adds up the average flow value 155 (l / h) at the timing p and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 16 at this time. When the difference value 5 (l / h) is calculated by comparing the value (40 + 120) (l / h) and, for example, 5 (l / h) is set as the second change value, the change value determination means 20 The difference value 5 (l / h) is equal to or greater than the second change value, and it is determined that the correction operation for the registered flow rate value is to be executed, and the difference value data is output to the registered flow rate correction unit 21 as a correction signal. Correct the flow value. In this case, if the hot water heater is targeted as the registered flow rate value to be corrected, 120 (l / h) is registered as the registered flow rate of the hot water heater at the timing o, so that the correction operation at the timing p is (120-5) ( l / h), and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 16 is re-registered at 40 (l / h) and 115 (l / h).

  As described above, even in the case of a minute change in flow rate, the registered flow rate value can be managed in a state substantially equal to the average flow rate value, and it becomes possible to accurately monitor the use limit of the instrument using the registered flow rate value. .

  Next, the case of changing the flow rate with a value smaller than the second change value will be described. As described above, the average flow rate value at the timing q is 152 (l / h), and the timing p stored in the flow rate storage means 14 The difference flow rate from the average flow rate value 155 (l / h) is 3 (l / h), which is smaller than the first change value 10 (l / h) set in the flow rate change detection means 15 and “no change” is determined. Become. Similarly, when this “no change” signal is sent to the change value determination means 20, the change value determination means 20 determines the average flow value 152 (l / h) at the timing p and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 16 at this time. When the difference value 3 (l / h) is calculated and 5 (l / h) is set as the second change value, for example, the change value determination means The difference value 3 (l / h) of 20 is equal to or less than the second change value, so that it is determined that the correction operation is not executed, and the process proceeds to the next timing r.

  Assuming that the average flow rate value at timing r is 148 (l / h), the difference flow rate from the average flow value 152 (l / h) at timing q stored in the flow rate storage means 14 is 4 (l / h). It is smaller than the first change value 10 (l / h) set in the change detection means 15, and in this case, the determination is “no change”. Similarly, when this “no change” signal is sent to the change value determination means 20, the change value determination means 20 determines the average flow value 148 (l / h) at timing r and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 16 at this time. When the difference value 7 (l / h) is calculated and 5 (l / h) is set as the second change value, for example, the change value determination means The difference value 7 (l / h) of 20 is equal to or greater than the second change value, and it is determined that the correction operation of the registered flow rate value is to be executed, and the difference value data is output as a correction signal to the registered flow rate correction unit 21. Correct the registered flow rate value. In this case, if the hot water heater is targeted as the registered flow rate value to be corrected, 115 (l / h) is registered as the registered flow rate of the hot water heater at timing q, so that the correction operation at timing r is (115-7) ( l / h), and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 16 is re-registered at 40 (l / h) and 108 (l / h).

As described above, even when there is a timing when the correction operation is not performed due to a smaller change in flow rate, the registered flow rate value is corrected at the timing when the difference between the average flow rate value and the registered flow rate value becomes equal to or greater than the second change value. Therefore, the registered flow rate value can be managed in a state substantially equal to the average flow rate value, and it becomes possible to accurately monitor the use restriction of the instrument using the registered flow rate value, and the correction operation frequency is appropriately set. This can be suppressed to a value, which is advantageous in terms of influence on battery consumption.

  Then, by repeating the correction operation in the process of gradually changing the flow rate at a small change rate, the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 16 is registered at 40 (l / h) and 60 (l / h) at timing c ′. Therefore, when the operation of the water heater stops at point C, the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration unit 16 is determined by the deletion process of the flow rate registration unit 16 when “change” is detected by the flow rate change detection unit 15. 40 (l / h), which matches the average flow rate value 40 (l / h) obtained at the timing d ′, and can approach the registered flow rate value in line with the actual use state.

  It should be noted that the numerical limitation used in the present embodiment is an example, and the usage pattern is not limited to this embodiment.

  As described above, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention can appropriately secure the use restriction function of the appliance in which the amount of gas used changes, and can be applied to all appliance monitoring devices.

The figure which shows the installation form of the gas interruption | blocking apparatus and gas appliance in Embodiment 1 of this invention Internal configuration diagram of the gas shutoff device Control block diagram of the gas shutoff device The figure explaining the registration flow correction operation of the gas cutoff device Control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

Explanation of symbols

2 Gas meter 11 Gas shut-off valve 12 Average flow rate calculating means 14 Flow rate storing means 15 Flow rate change detecting means 16 Flow rate registering means 17 Flow rate detecting means 19 Flow rate calculating means 20 Change value determining means 21 Registered flow rate correcting means 22 Abnormality determining means 23 Blocking means 24 Mean timekeeping means

Claims (2)

A gas shut-off device that monitors the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances connected to piping after passing through a gas meter, and shuts off the gas supply when an abnormality occurs,
The gas meter includes a flow rate detection unit for measuring a gas flow rate, a flow rate calculation unit for calculating a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection unit, and an instantaneous flow rate value obtained by the flow rate calculation unit averaged at predetermined time intervals. The average flow rate calculating means for obtaining the average flow rate value, the average time counting means for counting the averaging time, the flow rate storing means for storing the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculating means, and the average flow rate calculating means When the difference between the stored value and the stored value of the flow rate storage means is greater than a predetermined first change value, the flow rate change determination means determines that there is a change in flow rate, and the change direction when the flow rate change determination means determines that there is a change. If the difference between the flow rate registration means for registering / deleting the flow rate change and the value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the registered value of the flow rate registration means is smaller than the first change value and greater than the second change value. A registered flow rate correcting unit that corrects a flow rate value of the flow rate registering unit, a monitoring value storage unit that stores a determination value for monitoring an abnormal use state, and a monitoring value storage unit that corresponds to the flow rate value of the flow rate registering unit. A gas shut-off device comprising an abnormality judging means for judging the presence or absence of an abnormality in comparison with a judgment value, and a shutting means for shutting off the gas supply by the abnormality judgment of the abnormality judging means. In synchronization with the count-up signal of the average time measuring means, the average flow value calculated by the average flow calculation means and the total value of the registered flow rates of the flow registration means are compared, and when a change greater than a predetermined value is detected, the registered flow correction means The gas cutoff device according to claim 1, further comprising change value determination means for outputting a correction signal.