JP2008191776A - Gas meter, gas leakage alarm unit, and gas leakage alarm system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas meter, a gas leakage alarm unit, and gas leakage alarm system capable of outputting non-standard information such as information that indicates gas is in use without adding a dedicated signal line and the like, saving power of the gas leakage alarm unit, and notifying a user that gas is in use. <P>SOLUTION: An interface section 17 of the gas meter 1 generates and outputs signals for starting gas use and signals for stopping gas use identifiable on a transmission line shared with several kinds of conventionally specified signal patterns. An interface section 24 of the gas leakage alarm unit 2 detects the signal for starting gas use and the signal for stopping gas use input from the gas meter 1, a μCOM 21 changes a time interval of gas leakage detection by switching a power saving mode and a non power saving mode based on the signal pattern, and an alarm section 23 notifies a user that gas is in use when the signal for starting gas use is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter, a gas leak alarm device, and a gas leak alarm system including a gas meter and a gas leak alarm device.

  In a gas leak alarm system consisting of a gas meter and a gas leak alarm device, the gas leak information detected by the gas leak alarm device is alarmed and also notified to the gas meter through wire, and the gas meter closes the shut-off valve and supplies gas. Stop. In addition, the gas supply status from the gas leak alarm device to the user is notified by notifying the gas leak alarm device of the gas supply status detected by the gas meter (during gas shutoff, safety confirmation at the time of gas shutoff recovery, gas use permission, etc.) Warnings or notifications are being made.

In this type of gas leak alarm system, in order to reduce the power consumption of the gas leak alarm device, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a gas leak alarm that uses the gas leak alarm device only during use of gas. A system has been proposed.
JP-A-6-314390 JP-A-6-309579

  The above-mentioned signal indicating the gas supply status is standardized so that the signal specification (signal pattern) is common to each company so that it can be correctly connected and warned or notified even if the manufacturers of gas meters and gas leak alarms are different. Therefore, it is necessary to add a dedicated signal line in order to output information not defined in the standard, such as information indicating that the gas is being used. Therefore, in order to output a signal indicating that the gas is being used as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 to the gas leak alarm, it is necessary to add a dedicated signal line. However, when a dedicated signal line is added, problems such as compatibility and cost increase occur.

  Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above problems, and outputs information not specified in the standard such as information indicating that the gas is being used without adding a dedicated signal line or the like from the gas meter to the gas leak alarm. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter, a gas leak alarm gas leak alarm device, and a gas leak alarm system that can save power consumption of the gas leak alarm device and can inform the user that the gas is being used.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a gas leak alarm is connected, output means for outputting a plurality of types of signal patterns to the gas leak alarm, and a flow rate for detecting a gas flow rate. In the gas meter comprising the detection means, based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means, the signal pattern indicating the gas use start that can be identified in the transmission line common to the plural types of signal patterns, and the gas use stop are indicated. A transmission line that includes a generating unit that generates a signal pattern, and wherein the output unit generates a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use generated by the generating unit in common with the plurality of types of signal patterns. It is characterized by being output to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use are a signal pattern for confirming whether the gas leak alarm is turned on or the gas leak alarm. The pulse width is the same as that of any one of the signal patterns for confirming whether the device is connected, and the number of pulses is different.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input unit to which a gas meter is connected and a plurality of types of signal patterns are input from the gas meter, a gas leak detection unit that detects a gas leak at a predetermined interval, and the plurality of types of A gas leakage alarm device comprising mode switching means for switching between a power saving mode and a non-power saving mode according to a signal pattern, wherein the input means uses the common transmission line and the gas meter as the gas meter. The signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use are detected, and the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use detected by the input means are detected by the mode switching means. The power saving mode / non-power saving mode is switched based on the gas leakage detection means, and the gas leakage detecting means switches the mode switching. It is characterized by changing the predetermined interval to detect the gas leakage based on the switching stage the power saving mode / non-power saving mode.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the gas leak detection means makes the gas leak detection interval longer in the power saving mode than in the non-power saving mode.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a gas meter including an output unit that outputs a plurality of types of signal patterns, a flow rate detection unit that detects a flow rate of gas, and the plurality of types of signal patterns are input from the gas meter. Gas leak alarm device comprising: input means; gas leak detection means for detecting gas leaks at predetermined intervals; and mode switching means for switching between a power saving mode and a non-power saving mode based on the plurality of types of signal patterns A signal pattern indicating the start of gas use that can be identified in a common transmission line with the plurality of types of signal patterns based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means, and the gas leak alarm system comprising: Generating means for generating a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use, wherein the output means indicates the start of gas use generated by the generating means; The signal pattern and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop are output to the transmission line common to the plurality of types of signal patterns, and the input means is input using the transmission line common to the plurality of types of signal patterns. A signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the gas use stop are detected, and the mode switching means saves the power based on the signal pattern indicating the gas use start and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop. The mode / non-power-saving mode is switched, and the gas leakage detection means changes a predetermined interval for detecting gas leakage based on the switching of the power-saving mode / non-power-saving mode of the mode switching means. It is characterized by.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the generation unit generates the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use that can be identified on the transmission line common to the plurality of types of signal patterns. The output means outputs the generated signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use to a common transmission line with a plurality of types of signal patterns. No additional signal line is required, and a signal indicating that the gas is being used can be generated by a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use depending on whether or not the gas flow rate is detected. In addition, information indicating that the gas is being used can be notified to the gas leak alarm.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop are connected to the signal pattern for confirming whether the power of the gas leak alarm is turned on or the gas leak alarm. Since the number of pulses is the same as that of one of the signal patterns to check whether the signal line is used, the signal line can be changed by using a signal pattern that is not related to safety among conventional signal patterns. Without addition, a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use can be generated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the gas leak alarm device, the input means indicates the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the gas use stop input from the gas meter using a plurality of signal patterns and a common transmission line. A signal pattern is detected, the mode switching means switches between the power saving mode and the non-power saving mode based on the signal pattern, and the gas leakage detection means switches between the power saving mode and the non-power saving mode of the mode switching means. Since the predetermined interval for detecting the gas leak is changed based on the above, power saving of the gas leak alarm can be achieved. Furthermore, it is possible to notify the user of information indicating that the gas is being used from the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the gas leak detection interval is made longer in the power saving mode than in the non-power saving mode, the power consumption due to the gas leak detection can be suppressed. The power consumption of the alarm can be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gas meter, the generating means generates a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use that can be identified on a common transmission line with a plurality of types of signal patterns. The output means outputs the generated signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop to a common transmission line with a plurality of signal patterns, and the input means indicates the start of gas use input from the gas meter. The signal pattern and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop are detected, the mode switching means switches between the power saving mode and the non-power saving mode based on the signal pattern, and the gas leakage detection means is the power saving of the mode switching means. Since the predetermined interval for detecting gas leakage is changed based on switching between the mode and the non-power saving mode, the gas meter No additional signal line is required between the sensor and the gas leak alarm, and the mode switching means switches between the power saving mode and the non-power saving mode based on the signal pattern. Power saving can be achieved. In addition, since a signal indicating that the gas is being used can be represented by a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use, information indicating that the gas is being used is notified to the gas leak alarm. The gas leak alarm device can notify the user of information indicating that the gas is being used from the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a gas leak alarm system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signal pattern output to a gas leak alarm from a conventionally defined gas meter. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a newly added signal pattern output from the gas meter according to the embodiment of the present invention to the gas leak alarm. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gas meter 1 of the gas leak alarm system shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gas leak alarm 2 of the gas leak alarm system shown in FIG.

  A gas leak alarm system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a gas meter 1 and a gas leak alarm 2 as shown in FIG.

  A gas meter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a μCOM 11, a flow rate detection unit 12, a display unit 13, a shutoff valve 14, a communication unit 15, a return switch 16, and an interface unit 17.

  The μCOM 11 stores a central processing unit (CPU) 11a that performs various processes and controls according to a predetermined program, a ROM 11b that is a read-only memory that stores a program for processing performed by the CPU 11a, and various data. In addition, the microcomputer includes a RAM 11c, which is a readable / writable memory having an area necessary for processing operations of the CPU 11a. The μCOM 11 performs overall control of the gas meter 1 such as integration and interruption of gas flow rate.

  The flow rate detection unit 12 as a flow rate detection unit detects the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas flow path, and includes a flow rate sensor such as a membrane type, ultrasonic type sensor, or flow sensor, and outputs the detection result to the μCOM 11. is doing.

  The display unit 13 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and displays various information such as an integrated value of gas usage and an alarm under the control of the μCOM 11.

  The shutoff valve 14 is a shutoff valve for shutting off the supply of gas to the gas appliance connected to the gas meter 1, and a signal indicating a gas leak notification from the gas leak alarm 2 or a shutoff event in the gas meter 1. Detection (blocking the total flow rate that shuts off when the gas flow exceeds the total consumption of the connected gas appliances, and blocking the usage time when the connected gas appliances are used abnormally for a long time Etc.), the μCOM 11 instructs to shut off.

  The communication unit 15 uses an NCU (Network Control Unit), is controlled by the μCOM 11, and can communicate with a management center of a gas dealer through a public line such as a telephone line.

  The return switch 16 is turned on when a return button (not shown) is pressed, and outputs a return signal for opening the shut-off valve 14 to the μCOM 11.

  The interface unit 17 serving as a generation unit and an output unit generates and outputs a signal to be output to the gas leak alarm 2 according to an instruction from the μCOM 11, and inputs a signal input from the gas leak alarm 2 to the μCOM 11.

  The gas leak alarm device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a μCOM 21, a gas sensor 22, an alarm unit 23, and an interface unit 24.

  The μCOM 21 as the mode switching means includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21a that performs various processes and controls according to a predetermined program, a ROM 21b that is a read-only memory that stores a program for processing performed by the CPU 21a, and the like. The microcomputer includes a RAM 21c, which is a readable / writable memory that stores various data and has an area necessary for processing operations of the CPU 21a. The μCOM 21 performs overall control of the gas leak alarm device 2 such as gas leak detection and determination of whether or not to issue an alarm, and changes the gas detection interval of the gas sensor 22 based on the detection result of the gas sensor 22. .

  The gas sensor 22 as a gas leak detection means is constituted by, for example, an electrochemical sensor in which a current corresponding to the CO concentration flows due to an oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide (hereinafter referred to as CO). The voltage is converted and output to the μCOM 21.

  The alarm unit 23 includes a speaker, an indicator, a display device, and the like (not shown) for notifying an alarm when a gas leak occurs by voice or the like according to an instruction from the μCOM 21 or a voice based on a signal received from the gas meter 1.

  The interface unit 24 as input means generates and outputs a signal to be output to the gas meter 1 according to an instruction from the μCOM 21, and detects or inputs a signal input from the gas meter 1 to the μCOM 21.

  In the gas leak alarm system having the above-described configuration, the connection line 30 (a plurality of signal patterns and a common transmission line) between the interface unit 17 of the gas meter 1 and the interface unit 24 of the gas leak alarm 2 is predetermined. Both the gas meter 1 and the gas leak alarm 2 can communicate with each other according to the predetermined signal pattern. Here, FIG. 2 shows a plurality of types of signal patterns representing the state of the gas meter 1 output from the gas meter 1 to the gas leak alarm 2.

  The unconnected detection as a signal pattern for confirming whether or not the gas leak alarm is connected is a signal output from the gas meter 1 to confirm that the gas leak alarm 2 is not connected to the gas meter 1 and is 5 ms. A pulse of (millisecond) width (t1 in FIG. 2) is output once. When there is no response from the gas leak alarm device 2 within a predetermined time with respect to this signal, a display indicating that the gas leak alarm device 2 is not connected is displayed on the display unit 13 of the gas meter 1 or the like.

  The power answer request as a signal pattern for confirming whether the power of the gas leak alarm is turned on is for confirming whether the power is turned off due to the disconnection of the power plug of the gas leak alarm 2 or the like. Is a signal output from the gas meter 1 and outputs a 10 ms wide pulse once. When there is no response from the gas leak alarm device 2 within a predetermined time with respect to this signal, it is assumed that the power source of the gas leak alarm device 2 is turned off, and the power source of the gas leak alarm device 2 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the gas meter 1. A display indicating that it has run out is performed.

  The usage time notice is a signal for transmitting to the gas leak alarm device 2 that the gas usage time is a predetermined time before the time limit (for example, several minutes before), and a 100 ms ± 30 ms wide pulse is transmitted once. Output. When the gas leak alarm 2 receives this signal, the μCOM 21 outputs a message such as “Have you used gas for a long time” to the alarm unit 23, and the alarm unit 23 outputs the message from a speaker or the like to warn you? To emit.

  The shut-off is a signal for transmitting to the gas leak alarm 2 that the gas meter 1 is shutting off the gas supply, and a signal having a width of 100 ms ± 30 ms is separated by an interval of 300 ± 30 ms (t2 in FIG. 2). Output once. When the gas leak alarm device 2 receives this signal, the μCOM 21 outputs a message such as “gas has been stopped” to the alarm unit 23, and the alarm unit 23 outputs the message from a speaker or the like to issue a warning.

  The safety confirmation is a signal for transmitting to the gas leak alarm device 2 that the gas meter 1 confirms the safety at the time of return after shutting off the gas, and a signal having a width of 100 ms ± 30 ms is separated by an interval of 100 ± 30 ms. Output once. When the gas leak alarm 2 receives this signal, the μCOM 21 outputs a message such as “Please wait for a while to confirm safety” to the alarm unit 23, and the alarm unit 23 outputs the message from a speaker or the like to give a warning. To emit.

  The use permission is a signal for transmitting to the gas leak alarm device 2 that the gas can be used at the end of the safety check at the time of return after shutting off the gas, and outputs a signal having a width of 500 ms ± 30 ms once. When the gas leak alarm 2 receives this signal, the μCOM 21 outputs a message such as “gas is usable” to the alarm unit 23, and the alarm unit 23 outputs the message from a speaker or the like to issue a warning.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the signal pattern described above, information indicating that the gas is being used is output from the gas meter 1 to the gas leak alarm device 2 using the connection line 30 (a common transmission line with a plurality of types of signal patterns). Therefore, a gas use start signal and a gas use stop signal having a signal pattern as shown in FIG. 3 are newly added to be output.

  The start of gas use as a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use is directed from the interface unit 17 to instruct the μCOM 11 to output to the interface unit 17 when the flow rate detection unit 12 of the gas meter 1 detects the gas flow rate. This signal is transmitted to the gas leak alarm device 2 to start gas use. At the start of gas use, a 10 ms wide signal (t1 in FIG. 3) is output twice with an interval of 100 ms (t2 in FIG. 3). When the gas leak alarm 2 receives this signal, the μCOM 21 outputs a message such as “gas is used” to the alarm unit 23, and the alarm unit 23 outputs the message from a speaker or the like to issue a warning. . In other words, the gas use start signal can be identified on the transmission line common to the plurality of types of signal patterns shown in FIG. 2, and is generated based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means, and the power answer request signal in the signal pattern And the same pulse width and different number of pulses.

  The gas use stop as the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop is instructed by the μCOM 11 to output to the interface unit 17 when the flow rate detection unit 12 of the gas meter 1 detects the gas flow stop. Is a signal output from, and transmits a gas stoppage to the gas leak alarm 2. At the start of gas use, a 10 ms wide signal is output three times with an interval of 100 ms. When the gas leak alarm 2 receives this signal, the μCOM 21 recognizes that the gas has been stopped. That is, the gas use stop signal is identifiable on the transmission line common to the plurality of types of signal patterns shown in FIG. 2, and is generated based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means. In the signal pattern, the power answer request signal And the same pulse width and different number of pulses.

  Next, the operation related to the gas meter 1 using the gas use start signal and the gas use stop signal described above in the gas leak alarm system having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU 11a of the μCOM 11.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the gas flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection unit 12. If the flow rate is detected (YES), the process proceeds to step S2, and if the flow rate is not detected (NO) )) At this step.

  Next, in step S2, in response to the detection of the gas flow rate, the interface unit 17 is instructed to output a gas use start signal to the gas leak alarm 2, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  Next, in step S3, 10-minute measurement is started and the process proceeds to step S4. That is, the time is measured for 10 minutes using a timer (not shown) in the μCOM 11.

  Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the flow rate detection unit 12 has detected a flow rate stop. If a flow rate stop is detected (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S6, and a flow rate stop is not detected ( If NO, the process proceeds to step S5.

  Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not 10 minutes from the start of measurement in step S3 have elapsed. If 10 minutes have elapsed (in the case of YES), the process returns to step S2 and 10 minutes have elapsed. If not (NO), the process returns to step S4.

  Next, in step S6, in response to the detection of the stop of the gas flow rate, the interface unit 17 is instructed to output a gas use stop signal to the gas leak alarm 2, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  Next, in step S7, the 10-minute measurement started in step S3 is terminated, and the process returns to step S1. That is, since the gas use stop signal is output, the 10-minute measurement is once reset.

  Next, the operation relating to the gas leak alarm 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 21a of the μCOM 21 executes the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S11, one minute measurement is started and the process proceeds to step S12. That is, a time of 1 minute is measured using a timer (not shown) in the μCOM 21.

  Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not 1 minute that started measurement in step S11 has elapsed. If 1 minute has elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S13, and 1 minute has not elapsed. In the case (in the case of NO), the process returns to step S14.

  Next, in step S13, the gas sensor 22 is scanned for whether or not a gas leak has occurred, and the process returns to step S11. When gas leak is detected by the gas sensor 22, when the gas leak is detected, the alarm unit 23 is alarmed and the interface unit 17 is instructed to output a signal indicating the notification to the gas meter 1.

  Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the interface unit 17 has received a gas use start signal from the gas meter 1. If received (YES), the process proceeds to step S15, and if not received (NO) If), the process returns to step S12. Here, since steps S11 to S13 are cases where a gas use start signal has not been received, it can be determined that no gas is being used, so the interval between gas leak scans can be increased. That is, S11 to S13 are operations in the power saving mode.

  Next, in step S15, 10-minute measurement is started and the process proceeds to step S16. In other words, the time is measured for 10 minutes using a timer (not shown) in the μCOM 21.

  Next, in step S16, the warning unit 23 is instructed to output a message indicating that the gas is being used, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  Next, in step S17, 10-second measurement is started, and the process proceeds to step S18. That is, the time is measured for 10 seconds using a timer (not shown) in the μCOM 11. However, since the measurement for 10 minutes is continued in step S15, another timer or the like is used.

  Next, in step S18, it is determined whether or not 10 seconds from the start of measurement in step S17 have elapsed. If 10 seconds have elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S19, and 10 seconds have elapsed. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S20.

  Next, in step S19, the gas sensor 22 is scanned for whether or not a gas leak has occurred, and the process returns to step S17. When gas leak is detected by the gas sensor 22, when the gas leak is detected, the alarm unit 23 is alarmed and the interface unit 17 is instructed to output a signal indicating the notification to the gas meter 1. Since the gas use start signal is received in step S14, it can be determined that the gas is being used. Therefore, the gas leak scan interval is set shorter than the power saving mode (10 seconds in this embodiment). That is, after step S14, the operation is performed in the non-power-saving mode, and the power-saving mode / non-power-saving mode is switched based on the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop.

  Next, in step S20, it is determined whether or not 10 minutes from the start of measurement in step S15 have elapsed. If 10 minutes have elapsed (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S21, and 10 minutes have not elapsed. In the case (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S22.

  Next, in step S21, the 10-minute measurement started in step S15 is terminated, and the process returns to step S11.

  Next, in step S22, it is determined whether the interface unit 17 has received a gas use stop signal from the gas meter 1, and if received (in the case of YES), the process returns to step S11, and if not received (in NO) If), go to step S23. That is, when the use of gas is stopped, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. That is, the power saving mode / non-power saving mode is switched based on the signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop.

  Next, in step S23, it is determined whether the interface unit 17 has received a gas use start signal from the gas meter 1. If received, the process returns to step S15, and if not, the process returns to step S18.

  According to the gas leak alarm system described above, the interface unit 17 of the gas meter 1 is identifiable on a plurality of types of signal patterns conventionally defined on the connection line 30 (multiple types of signal patterns and a common transmission line). The gas use start signal and the gas use stop signal of the signal pattern are generated and output. In the gas leak alarm 2, the interface unit 24 detects the gas use start signal and the gas use stop signal input from the gas meter 1, and Since μCOM 21 switches between the power saving mode and the non-power saving mode based on the signal pattern, a dedicated signal line is added between the gas meter 1 and the gas leak alarm 2 in order to transmit a new signal. It becomes unnecessary. When the gas use start signal is detected, the non-power-saving mode is selected. When the gas use stop signal is detected, the gas-leakage alarm device 2 can be non-power-saving.

  Moreover, since the gas leak alarm device 2 can recognize that the gas is being used by detecting the gas use start signal and not using the gas by detecting the gas use stop signal, the user is using the gas. Can be notified.

  In addition, since the gas use start signal and the gas use stop signal have the same pulse width as the power answer request signal and the number of pulses are different, there is no safety effect even if the gas leak alarm 2 makes an erroneous determination. Therefore, connect a gas leak alarm device (cannot recognize gas use start signal and gas use stop signal) not corresponding to the present invention to a gas meter (output gas use start signal and gas use stop signal) compatible with the present invention. However, since the gas leak alarm only responds to a power answering request, there is no problem due to compatibility.

  In the embodiment described above, the gas flow rate detection interval in the gas meter 1 is 10 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary time interval may be set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gas leak scan time interval in the power saving mode of the gas leak alarm device 2 is 1 minute, and the gas leak scan time interval in the power saving mode is 10 seconds. The time interval may be set as follows. However, in the power saving mode, since the power is not consumed by making the gas leak scan interval longer than in the non power saving mode, the gas leak scan at the time interval of the gas leak scan in the power saving mode is performed. It is necessary to set the time interval of gas leakage scan in the power saving mode.

  Further, the gas leak alarm device 2 may perform the gas leak scan only in the non-power saving mode without performing the gas leak scan in the power saving mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gas use start signal and the gas use stop signal are provided with a power answer request signal in a part of the signal pattern. However, the gas use start signal and the gas use stop signal are not limited to the power answer request signal. Any signal that does not affect the signal may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection line 30 between the gas meter and the gas leak alarm is wired, but may be wireless. In the case of wireless communication, a common channel or frequency band for transmitting a plurality of types of signal patterns corresponds to a common connection line with a plurality of types of signal patterns. That is, a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use may be transmitted to the same line on which a plurality of types of signal patterns are transmitted.

It is a block diagram which shows the gas leak warning system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal pattern output to the gas leak alarm from the conventional gas meter. It is a figure which shows the newly added signal pattern output to the gas leak alarm from the gas meter concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement in the gas meter of the gas leak warning system shown in FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement in the gas leak alarm of the gas leak alarm system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Gas meter 2 Gas leak alarm 11 μCOM
12 Flow rate detector (flow rate detection means)
17 Interface section (generation means, output means)
21 μCOM (mode switching means)
22 Gas sensor (gas leak detection means)
24 Interface section (input means)
30 connection lines (multiple types of signal patterns and common transmission lines)

Claims (5)

In a gas meter, to which a gas leak alarm is connected, comprising: output means for outputting a plurality of types of signal patterns to the gas leak alarm; and flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of gas,
Based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means, comprising a generating means for generating a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use, which can be identified in a common transmission line with the plurality of signal patterns
The gas meter, wherein the output means outputs a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use generated by the generation means to a transmission line shared with the plurality of types of signal patterns.   The signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop confirm whether the gas leak alarm is turned on or the gas leak alarm is connected. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the pulse width is the same as any one of the signal patterns and the number of pulses is different. An input unit to which a gas meter is connected and a plurality of types of signal patterns are input from the gas meter, a gas leak detection unit that detects a gas leak at a predetermined interval, and a power saving mode / non-saving mode by the plurality of types of signal patterns. In a gas leakage alarm device comprising mode switching means for switching the power mode,
The input means detects a signal pattern indicating start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating gas use stop input from the gas meter using a transmission line common to the plurality of types of signal patterns;
The mode switching means performs switching between the power saving mode / non-power saving mode based on the signal pattern indicating the gas use start and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop detected by the input means,
The gas leak detector is configured to change a predetermined interval for detecting a gas leak based on switching of the power saving mode / non-power saving mode of the mode switching means.   The gas leak detector according to claim 3, wherein the gas leak detection means makes the gas leak detection interval longer in the power saving mode than in the non-power saving mode. A gas meter comprising output means for outputting a plurality of types of signal patterns, and flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the gas;
Input means for inputting the plurality of types of signal patterns from the gas meter, gas leak detection means for detecting gas leaks at predetermined intervals, and switching between a power saving mode and a non-power saving mode by the plurality of types of signal patterns A gas leak alarm with mode switching means for performing
In the gas leak alarm system with
Generation that the gas meter generates a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use that can be identified on the transmission line in common with the plurality of types of signal patterns, based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means With means,
The output means outputs the signal pattern indicating the gas use start and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop generated by the generating means to a transmission line in common with the plurality of signal patterns, and the input means Detecting a signal pattern indicating the start of gas use and a signal pattern indicating the stop of gas use, which are input using a common transmission line with a plurality of types of signal patterns;
The mode switching means performs switching between the power saving mode / non-power saving mode based on the signal pattern indicating the gas use start and the signal pattern indicating the gas use stop,
The gas leak detection system, wherein the gas leak detection means changes a predetermined interval for detecting gas leak based on switching of the power saving mode / non-power saving mode of the mode switching means.

Images