JP2008134125A - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor a gas tool suitable for actual use by variation of use flow by control of a tool itself. <P>SOLUTION: An average flow arithmetic means 10 finds average flow from a signal of a flow detecting means 8, a flow variation detecting means 12 determines new use from the variation in use flow, a flow registering means 13 registers the variation flow, an abnormality determining means 16 determines abnormality by comparing the registered flow with the monitored value of a monitored value storing means 15. There can be a micro flow variation that is not determined as flow variation by the flow variation detecting means 12 by control of the tool itself. When a flow estimating means 14 detects the micro flow variation by comparing the present average flow with the average flow stored at the registering time after flow variation, the registered flow value of the flow registering means 13 is corrected and registered using the average flow stored at the flow registering time after detection of the flow variation, the abnormality determining means 16 monitors and determines the monitored stored value 15 and the registered flow, and a shutting off means 17 shuts off the flow passage in abnormal state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is designed to accurately measure the flow rate of equipment when the equipment used by a consumer is used, even if the flow rate of use changes due to the control of the equipment itself, and always register the accurate equipment flow rate and check whether the usage state is safe. The present invention relates to a gas cutoff device that monitors whether or not.

  A conventional gas shut-off device of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, 1 is a flow rate measuring means, which is a flow rate sensor attached to a gas meter. 2 is an individual instrument 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 this 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 2 determines that the increased amount of gas device has been used. If the average flow rate decreases, the individual device estimation means 2 determines that the decreased amount of gas device has been stopped and is in use. Estimate individual equipment. Reference numeral 3 denotes an individual flow rate registration means, which is a setter for inputting in advance the flow rate (Qi) of an individual device used in the home. Reference numeral 4 denotes an individual flow rate storage means for sequentially storing the flow rate (Qi) of the individual appliance of the individual flow rate registration means 3 and the flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means 7 as Q1, Q2, Q3,. Reference numeral 5 denotes an abnormal flow rate determination unit, and the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual device estimation unit 2 is not included in {Q1, Q2, Q3,..., Qn} of the individual flow rate storage unit 4, and the estimated individual flow rate Q Continues for the first predetermined time (10 minutes) or more, the individual abnormality signal E is output. Reference numeral 6 denotes a notification means or a cutoff means, which is provided with an LED for receiving a warning in response to the individual abnormality signal E or a cutoff valve for blocking the gas passage. 7 is a constant individual flow rate registration means, and the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual flow rate estimation means 2 is equal to or longer than the second predetermined time (3 minutes) and within the first predetermined time (10 minutes). Q is output to the individual flow rate storage means 4.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the conventional example will be described. The average flow rate is calculated based on the flow rate signal of the flow rate measuring means 1. 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 4 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 6 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 7 performs registration processing in the individual flow rate storage means 4.

  If there is an increase in the average flow rate of Qt (for example, Q2 + Q3 as an example) due to the 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 2 The estimated individual flow rate Qt is output. The estimated individual flow rate Qt is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 4 by the individual flow rate registration unit 7 at all times so that 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 4, 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. In addition, when there is a new individual flow rate Qk (from 3 minutes to 10 minutes) due to a replacement device or the like, the estimated individual flow rate Qk is output from the individual device estimation means 2. The estimated individual flow rate Qk is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 4 by the individual flow rate registration unit 7 at all times so that 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 4, 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, the conventional configuration has the following problems. While using the appliance, for example, when using a shower, the water heater controls the gas flow rate according to the temperature deviation to keep the set hot water temperature, or the fan heater etc. controls the gas flow rate to keep it at a constant room temperature. In some cases, the estimated individual calculation flow rate obtained by the individual device estimation unit and registered in the individual flow rate registration unit at the start of use of the device may be gradually reduced by the control. When a change occurs, the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means is re-registered. However, the actual flow rate and the total value of the registered flow rates may differ, and monitoring different from the used flow rate prevents erroneous shut-off. I had a problem that I couldn't. Also, an individual flow rate registration method for dealing with this case is not disclosed.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and monitors the slight change in the instrument flow rate and obtains the actual flow rate to register the instrument flow rate. Therefore, the usage state of the gas instrument based on the accurate flow rate can be monitored, An object of the present invention is to provide a gas shut-off device that does not cause false shut-off.

  To solve this problem, according to the present invention, when a gas appliance is used, the flow rate detection unit detects the flow rate, the average flow rate calculation unit calculates the average flow rate, and the flow rate change detection unit determines that the use is newer than the change in the usage flow rate. The change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means, and the maximum registered flow rate is compared with the monitor value stored in the monitor value storage means to monitor whether the normal use state is detected or not. The flow rate may not be judged as a change in flow rate, but the flow rate estimation means compares the average flow rate stored at the time of registration after the flow rate change with the current average flow rate, and if a slight flow rate change is detected, the next flow rate change is detected. The average flow rate stored at the time of flow rate registration after detection is output to the flow rate registration unit, and the flow rate registration unit obtains the change flow rate from the stored average flow rate and the obtained average flow rate, registers the flow rate registration value, and further determines abnormality. And it is configured with the registered flow rate and monitors the stored value in the stage and a blocking means for blocking the monitoring determination abnormally bandwagon path.

  By this, even if there is a case where the flow rate change means does not determine the flow rate change as a flow rate change by the control of the instrument itself, the flow rate estimation means stores the average flow rate at the time of registration at the next flow rate registration time point. Since the flow rate is registered so that the actual flow rate and the total registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means are always equal, the actual flow rate can be accurately grasped and monitored.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the gas appliance is used, the flow rate detection means detects the flow rate, the average flow rate calculation means obtains the average flow rate, and the flow rate change detection means determines that the use is newer than the change in the usage flow rate. Even if the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means, there may be a minute flow rate change that is not determined as a flow rate change by the flow rate change detection means under the control of the device itself, and the average flow rate at the time of flow rate registration after the flow rate change detection is estimated. If the flow rate difference between the average flow rate calculated by the average flow rate calculation unit and the average flow rate stored in the flow rate estimation unit is not within the predetermined range, the flow rate estimation unit stores the flow rate registration unit at the previous registration. Since the average flow rate is output and calculated as the flow rate change from the registered time, the total value of the flow rate registration values is equal to the actual flow rate (obtained from the average flow rate). That is, the flow rate value before the minute change is registered as the flow rate registration value, the change flow rate from that point is obtained, and the flow rate corresponding to the change flow rate in the flow rate registration value is reduced, or the nearest flow rate value is reduced, or delete. Therefore, even if the actual flow rate changes due to the control of the device itself, it is possible to accurately detect the flow rate and monitor whether it is abnormal, so it is extremely safe and is monitored abnormally at a flow rate different from the actual device flow rate. Thus, there is an effect that the convenience of use is improved and the safety effect is improved without requiring the gas company to be dispatched.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention achieves the above-described object, a flow rate detecting means for measuring a flow rate in a flow path, a flow rate calculating means for converting a detection value in the flow rate detecting means into a flow rate, and an instantaneous flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculating means. The average flow rate calculation means for averaging the flow rate, the flow rate storage means for storing the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means, and whether the flow rate has changed from the stored values of the average flow rate calculation means and the flow rate storage means A flow rate change detecting means, a flow rate registering means for obtaining and registering a change flow rate when the flow rate change detecting means determines that there is a flow rate change, and a registered flow rate storing means for storing an average flow rate at the time of flow rate registration. The flow rate at the time of registration is calculated when there is a flow rate difference by calculating the flow rate difference between the average flow rate at the time of the determination and the average flow rate of the flow rate storage unit at the time of registration when the flow rate change detecting means determines again that “there is a flow rate change”. Memory A flow rate estimating means for outputting the average flow rate of the stage for calculation of a flow rate registration value, a monitor value storage means for storing a judgment value for monitoring the flow rate registered by the flow rate registration means, the monitor value and the registered flow rate value, And an abnormality determining means for determining whether the abnormality is present, and a blocking means for blocking the flow path when the abnormality determination is established by the abnormality determining means.

  When a gas appliance is used, the flow rate detection means detects the flow rate, the average flow rate calculation means obtains the average flow rate, the flow rate change detection means determines that the use flow is newer, and registers the changed flow rate in the flow rate registration means. However, the flow rate may not be determined by the flow rate change detection means due to the control of the device itself, and the flow rate estimation means may memorize the average flow rate at the time of flow registration and obtain the average flow rate non-detection period. If there is a flow rate difference that exceeds a predetermined range by constantly comparing with the flow rate, the stored average flow rate is output to the flow rate registration means for re-registration calculation after the flow rate change is detected, and the flow rate registration value is re-read, so the control of the instrument itself Because even if the actual flow rate changes, the flow rate can be accurately detected and monitored for abnormalities, so it is extremely safe and abnormal monitoring is performed at a flow rate different from the actual device flow rate, resulting in erroneous shut-off. Ease of use is improved without the scan operators to unnecessary spending, to improve the security effect.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a gas cutoff device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 8 is a flow rate detecting means for detecting the gas flow rate in the flow path of a gas medium such as city gas or LPG. For example, as an example of the flow rate detection means 17, an ultrasonic signal is transmitted from one side to the other with an ultrasonic sensor installed in the flow path, and the used gas flow rate is detected from the propagation time, or a hot wire sensor is installed in the flow path. A flow sensor that obtains the flow rate from the impedance that changes depending on the installed flow, or that measures the amount of gas using a metering membrane and detects the mechanical flow of the metering membrane as an electrical pulse signal using a magnet and a reed switch or a magnetoresistive element There is.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a flow rate calculation means for converting the signal obtained by the flow rate detection means 8 into an instantaneous flow rate. For example, in the case of an ultrasonic sensor, the flow rate is calculated from the propagation time. An average flow rate calculating means 10 collects a predetermined number of instantaneous flow rates obtained by the flow rate calculating means 9 to obtain an average flow rate.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a flow rate storage means for storing the obtained average flow rate in time series. Reference numeral 12 denotes a flow rate change detecting means, which determines whether there has been a flow rate change from the obtained average flow rate and the past flow value of the flow rate storage means 11. For example, when a consumer uses a water heater, the flow rate value is from zero to an arbitrary flow rate, or when the water heater is used while using other appliances, the change flow rate is determined from the average flow rate obtained and the past flow memory value. It is determined that the instrument is used based on whether or not (rate or flow rate) is greater. Reference numeral 13 denotes a flow rate registration means, which detects a change in flow rate by the flow rate change detection means 12, and then obtains a change flow rate (difference) from the obtained average flow rate and the average flow rate stored in the flow rate storage means 11, and is a newly used instrument. Register the change flow rate as the flow rate.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a registration-time flow rate storage means, which stores an average flow rate for determining a “change” in the flow rate change detection means 12 and obtaining a change flow rate for registration in the flow rate registration means 13.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a flow rate estimating means. After the average flow rate is stored in the registered flow rate storage means 19, the stored average flow rate is compared with the obtained average flow rate until the next flow rate change is detected, and the flow rate difference is within a predetermined range. Or whether it is out of range. When it is determined that the flow rate is outside the predetermined range until the flow rate change is detected, the stored average flow rate is output to the flow rate registration means 13. The flow rate registration means 13 usually obtains and registers a change flow rate from the past average flow rate stored in the flow rate storage means 11 after the change is detected by the flow rate change detection means 12 and the average flow rate obtained by the current average flow rate calculation means 10. . This registration includes a case where a new registration is performed, or a case where the flow rate value already registered after the instrument is stopped is reduced or deleted.

  On the other hand, if the flow rate estimation unit 14 determines that the flow rate difference is outside the predetermined range, the average flow rate stored at the time of registration after the previous flow rate change detection is output to the flow rate registration unit 13. The flow rate registration means 13 obtains a change flow rate from the stored average flow rate and the average flow rate obtained this time, and re-registers the flow rate registration value. At this time, the flow rate registration means 13 registers the flow rate registered after the previous flow rate change detection, but calculates and registers the flow rate change from the registered flow rate total value.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a monitoring value storage means, which stores a limit value for cutting off the usage time of the appliance flow rate or a monitoring judgment value for the maximum usage flow rate, for example, a total cutoff flow value or an increased flow cutoff value. Reference numeral 16 denotes an abnormality determination unit that determines whether the gas usage amount registered by the flow rate registration unit 13 is in an abnormal usage state as a determination value of the monitoring value storage unit 15. For example, when the hose that supplies gas to the appliance used, such as a stove, is disconnected for some reason, it is used for much longer than the total flow cutoff value to monitor the abnormal large flow rate that occurs and the maximum normal use time of the appliance The use time cutoff limit time defining the use time limit time corresponding to the case is compared by the abnormality determination means 16 and monitored for abnormalities.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a blocking means. When the abnormality determining means 16 determines that an abnormality has occurred, a blocking signal is output to block the flow path. Reference numeral 18 denotes an informing means. When the abnormality determining means 16 determines that the gas use state is abnormal and the shut-off means 17 is driven, the shut-off state and the content of the shut-off are displayed on the liquid crystal display element and the safety monitoring of the gas is performed. Report to the center via telephone line.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The flow rate detecting means 8 detects the flow rate of appliances, for example, gas stoves, water heaters, etc., held at the gas customer's home when the customer uses them. The detected value obtained by sampling periodically is converted into an instantaneous flow rate by the flow rate calculation means 9. The average flow rate calculation means 10 obtains an average flow rate from several instantaneous flow rates. A plurality of average flow rates are periodically and time-sequentially stored in the flow rate storage means 11, and past flow rates (for example, the previous time or the previous time, n The presence or absence of a change in flow rate is obtained from the flow rate memory value etc. before the operation.

For example, when a user uses a water heater, if 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 greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If there is a change, that is, the presence of some appliance is registered in the flow rate registration means 13. Alternatively, when a water heater is used while the gas table is used, the gas table flow rate is stored in the past flow rate of the flow rate storage means 10, and the flow rate change detection means 12 obtains the change flow rate from the current average flow rate and the past flow rate stored value, Similarly, if the rate of change from the current flow rate or the change flow rate is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 13 as having changed.

  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 detecting means 11 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 13 deletes or reduces the closest flow rate registration value among the flow rates registered from the decrease change flow rate. Usually, the change flow rate is detected and registered from the past average flow rate stored in the flow rate storage unit 11 after the change is detected by the flow rate change detection unit 12 and the average flow rate obtained by the current average flow rate calculation unit 10. The registration process at this time may newly register the flow rate change (increase), or may reduce or delete the already registered flow rate value when the instrument is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the registered flow rate value is set in the flow rate registering unit 13, the average flow rate value at this time is stored in the registered flow rate storage unit 19, and the flow rate estimating unit 14 stores the average flow rate in the registered flow rate storage unit 19. Thereafter, until the next change in flow rate is detected, the stored average flow rate is compared with the obtained average flow rate to determine whether the flow rate difference is within a predetermined range or out of the range. There is also a decreasing change that is not detected as a flow rate change under the control of the instrument itself, and such a field is determined to be outside the predetermined range.

  If it is determined that the flow rate is outside the predetermined range by the next flow rate change detection time, the stored average flow rate is output to the flow rate registration means 13. The flow rate registration means 13 obtains a change flow rate from the average flow rate registered at the flow rate registration after the change detection by the flow rate change detection means 12 and the average flow rate obtained by the current average flow rate calculation means 10 and performs registration processing.

  When the difference in flow rate from the average flow rate to the total value of all registered flow rates is positive, it is determined as a slight increase, and the difference is output to the flow rate registration means 13 and registered. On the contrary, when the flow rate difference is negative, it is generated by proportional control of the instrument, but it is determined that the flow rate is slightly decreased, and the changed flow rate is output to the flow rate registering unit 13 as the reduced changed flow rate. Perform a decrease correction. By this, a slight decrease change that does not catch the flow rate change, it is possible to reduce or delete the flow rate value that was mistakenly registered as if there was a flow rate, the actual flow rate at that time and the total value of the registered flow rate Will be equal. That is, the registered value corresponds to the actual flow rate of the appliance.

  Next, the registered flow rate value is compared and monitored by the abnormality determination unit 16 with the stored value of the monitoring value storage unit 15. The monitoring value storage means 15 stores a total flow cutoff value, an increased flow cutoff value, and a use time cutoff time limit. The abnormality determination means 16 is compared with the sum of the registered flow rate and the monitoring determination value of the monitoring value storage means 15 or the increased flow cutoff value. If not, the abnormality determination unit 16 counts the usage time of the registered flow rate, compares it with the time limit corresponding to the flow range of the registered flow rate, and determines that the flow rate is abnormal, and outputs a cutoff signal to the cutoff unit 17. . Therefore, the blocking means 17 is driven to close the flow path and stop the gas supply. Further, when the shut-off signal is output, the shut-off content is displayed by the notification means 18.

  Usually, when a certain temperature is reached in the hot water temperature control of a water heater or the like, the usage amount may gradually decrease by proportional control or the like thereafter, and the flow rate change detecting means 11 has a minute flow rate change less than a predetermined change rate or less than a predetermined flow rate. Therefore, it may not be detected as a flow rate change. For this reason, since the flow rate registration value registered in the flow rate registration means 13 cannot be corrected, the actual total flow rate and the flow rate registration total value continue to be inconsistent.

Thereafter, when any of the devices is stopped or there is a large flow rate change, the changed flow rate is searched for a device flow rate that has decreased from the registered flow value as a decrease change flow rate, and a near device flow rate is searched and determined to be stopped and deleted. At this time, the registered flow rate larger than the decreasing change flow rate may be deleted, and the differential flow rate between the registered flow rate and the decreasing change flow rate may be deleted, and the flow rate may be registered again. As a result, there has been a problem that the flow rate is erroneously registered, the usage time is monitored by the abnormality determination means 16, and the usage time is erroneously interrupted because the flow rate is in a flow rate category that does not exist originally.

  However, the average flow rate at the time of registering the flow rate after detection of the flow rate change is stored in the registration-time flow rate storage means 19, and then the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculation means 10 and the average flow rate stored in the registration-time flow rate storage means 19 each time. The flow rate estimation means 14 outputs the average flow rate stored at the previous registration to the flow rate registration means 13 and calculates the flow rate change from the registered time, so that the total of the flow rate registration values The value is equal to the actual flow rate (determined by the average flow rate). That is, the flow rate value before the minute change is registered as the flow rate registration value, the change flow rate from that point is obtained, and the flow rate corresponding to the change flow rate in the flow rate registration value is reduced, or the nearest flow rate value is reduced, or delete.

  In this way, despite the fact that the actual flow rate is gradually decreasing, the problem that the flow rate at the time of registration could not be corrected is improved, and the usage time can be monitored with the original correct flow rate, so it is erroneously short It is possible to prevent false alarms such as shutting down by time or raising a warning for warning of the usage time of devices that are not originally used, and the safety and security reliability are extremely improved.

  As described above, the gas shutoff device according to the present invention includes various gas media, LP gas, city gas, and hydrogen gas flowing in the pipe using a membrane type, ultrasonic sensor, hot wire sensor, fluidic sensor, and the like. It can be applied to uses such as water meters that measure liquids such as water using measurement or ultrasonic sensors.

Control block diagram of gas shutoff device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

Explanation of symbols

8 Flow rate detection means 9 Flow rate calculation means 10 Average flow rate calculation means 11 Flow rate storage means 12 Flow rate change detection means 13 Flow rate registration means 14 Flow rate estimation means 15 Monitor value storage means 16 Abnormality determination means 17 Shutdown means 19 Flow rate storage means at registration

Claims (1)

A flow rate detecting means for measuring a flow rate in the flow path, a flow rate calculating means for converting a detection value in the flow rate detecting means into a flow rate, an average flow rate calculating means for averaging the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculating means, A flow rate storage unit for storing an average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation unit, a flow rate change detection unit for determining whether there is a change in flow rate based on stored values of the average flow rate calculation unit and the flow rate storage unit, and the flow rate change The flow rate registration means for obtaining and registering the change flow rate when the detection means determines that “there is a flow rate change”, the registration flow rate storage means for storing the average flow rate at the time of flow rate registration, and the flow rate change detection means again, When "Yes" is determined, the flow rate difference between the average flow rate at the time of determination and the average flow rate of the flow rate storage means at the time of registration is calculated, and if there is a flow rate difference, the average flow rate of the flow rate storage means at the time of registration is Calculation A flow rate estimation means for outputting as output, a monitoring value storage means for storing a judgment value for monitoring the flow rate registered by the flow rate registration means, and an abnormality judgment means for comparing the monitoring value with the registered flow rate value to determine whether it is abnormal And a shut-off means for shutting off the flow path when an abnormality is established by the abnormality determining means.

Images