JP2008197117A - Device for detecting individual gas appliance operation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for detecting individual gas appliance operation allowing gas utilities to easily implement the charge measure without the purchase of a new gas appliance or the reconstruction thereof. <P>SOLUTION: In the means for detecting individual gas appliance operation, a gas flow detecting means 12 for outputting a signal in interlock with the gas flow, and an electric wave transmitter 23 for transmitting the output signal are attached to the midway of a pipe in each gas appliance in a state where they are integrally attached to a joint unit attached as a removable configuration to a midway of a gas passage 11 at home. Detected information of a using state of a predetermined gas appliance or detected information of a using state for specific application are transmitted to a predetermined device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an individual gas equipment operation detection device that detects a gas usage amount of a gas equipment.

  Conventionally, the amount of gas used is generally detected for each dwelling unit using a gas meter, or the gas device itself is provided with detection means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

As shown in FIG. 7, the gas supplied to the burner 1 is controlled by the proportional valve 2. The opening degree of the proportional valve 2 is detected by the proportional valve opening degree detecting means 3 and transmitted to the calculating means 4. The calculating means 4 calculates the amount of gas used from the transmitted proportional valve opening and the valve opening time of the proportional valve 2 measured by itself, and displays the integrated result on the display means 5.
Japanese Patent No. 3528274

  However, in the conventional configuration, if a gas company intends to take a charge measure for each use of gas, it is necessary to have a means for detecting the amount of gas used for each gas appliance. For example, if a gas company intends to take a charge measure that is limited to heating applications, either a gas usage detector is installed in all gas heaters already owned by the user, or all gas is supplied to the user. There was a problem that it was necessary to buy a new heater.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is easy for a gas company to charge by installing it on a gas pipe in a home without replacing or remodeling the gas equipment that the user has now. An object of the present invention is to provide an individual gas equipment operation detection device that can implement measures.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, an individual gas equipment operation detection device according to the present invention includes an individual gas equipment operation detection means for outputting gas usage status detection information for each gas appliance or application, and the individual gas equipment operation detection. Means and a wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with a predetermined device, and the individual gas appliance operation detecting means is configured to allow gas flow in a joint unit attached as a detachable configuration in the middle of a gas passage in the home. The gas flow detecting means for outputting a signal in conjunction with the radio wave transmitter for transmitting the output signal is attached in the middle of the piping for each gas appliance as a form in which the gas flow detector is integrally mounted, and the usage status of the gas appliance predetermined. The detection information or the usage status detection information for a specific purpose is transmitted to a predetermined device.

  According to the above invention, in addition to the gas meter for measuring the total amount of gas used in the home, the joint unit is disposed in the middle of the pipe for supplying gas for each gas appliance, and the gas usage status in the joint unit The gas flow detection means for detecting gas and the radio transmitter that transmits the detection result by wireless communication are integrated into the individual gas equipment operation detection means, so it supports various services provided by gas companies Thus, it is possible to easily acquire the amount of individual gas used for each appliance or application. For example, by applying it to a fee plan implemented by a gas company, the appliance currently in use can be replaced or modified. It is possible to easily carry out a charge discount service provided by the gas company without any trouble.

  The individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus of the present invention is a gas flow detection means for detecting a gas use status in a joint unit provided in the middle of a pipe for supplying gas for each gas appliance, and the detection result thereof. Since the individual gas equipment operation detection means is configured by integrating a radio wave transmitter that transmits the radio by wireless communication, the use of individual gas according to equipment or application according to various services provided by gas companies The quantity can be easily acquired.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an individual gas equipment operation detection means for outputting gas usage status detection information for each gas appliance or application, and wireless communication for wirelessly communicating with the predetermined gas apparatus operation detection means and a predetermined device. Gas flow detection means for outputting a signal in conjunction with the gas flow in the joint unit attached as a detachable configuration in the middle of the gas passage in the home, A radio wave transmitter for transmitting the output signal is integrally attached to the pipe of each gas appliance as a form in which it is integrally attached, and predetermined gas appliance usage status detection information or specific usage status detection information is transmitted to a predetermined device. Is transmitted.

  In addition to a gas meter that measures the total amount of gas used in the home, a joint unit is provided in the middle of a pipe that supplies gas for each gas appliance, and a gas that detects the gas usage status in the joint unit Since the individual gas equipment operation detection means is configured by integrating the flow detection means and the radio wave transmitter that transmits the detection result by wireless communication, the appliance is compatible with various services provided by the gas company. It is possible to easily acquire the amount of individual gas used according to the usage or usage, for example, by applying it to the charge measures implemented by the gas company, etc., without having to replace or remodel the equipment currently in use. It becomes possible to easily implement a discount service provided by the gas company.

  The second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, in particular, the joint unit is provided with a bamboo cocoon-like rubber pipe joint at both ends, and is in a connection form using a rubber pipe.

  And by connecting the individual gas equipment operation detection means with rubber pipe joints at both ends to the existing gas piping with rubber pipes, gas usage by equipment or by application can be measured, By using the measurement data, it is possible to easily implement a discount service provided by the gas company.

  The third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the joint unit is connected in the middle of a gas passage in the home via a quick joint having an O-ring seal.

  And since the individual gas equipment operation detection means housed in the joint unit is attached to the existing gas piping through a quick joint that can be attached and detached, it can be easily attached to the gas instrument to be measured later and the usage status of the instrument. It is possible to detect the price discount service provided by the gas company, etc., and the serviced gas equipment has moved to another room or has been replaced with a new appliance. Even in this case, the individual gas appliance operation detection means can be easily replaced, so that it is possible to continue to receive a discount service provided by the gas company.

  The fourth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention described above, in particular, the individual gas equipment operation detecting means is provided with a display so that the amount of gas used for each appliance or for each application can be displayed.

And by providing an indicator in the individual gas equipment operation detection means, the gas company can check the value of the indicator of the individual gas equipment operation detection means at the time of meter reading of the gas meter every month, and use the gas for each appliance or application. Since the amount is known, it is possible to easily check the usage amount of the gas device to be discounted according to a service provided by the gas company, for example, a charge discount measure. In addition, as a method for obtaining the individual gas usage amount in the present embodiment, it is also possible to obtain an approximate gas usage amount from the operation time based on the usage status detection signal and a predetermined coefficient.

  The fifth invention is the above-mentioned first invention, in particular, provided with a display, the total gas usage measured by a gas meter, and a predetermined gas appliance or gas used for a specific purpose measured by an individual gas equipment operation detecting means. The quantity can be displayed.

  And the measurement data of both the total gas usage of the gas meter and the individual gas usage of the individual gas equipment operation detection means, the display of the gas meter, the display of the individual gas equipment operation detection means, or a separately provided indicator, For example, it can be displayed on a home indicator, etc., and it can display the total gas usage and individual usage at the same time. It is possible to easily check the amount of gas equipment used.

  A sixth invention is the above-mentioned first invention, in particular, comprising a display, and a total gas usage measured by a gas meter and a predetermined gas appliance or a specific usage gas usage measured by an individual gas equipment operation detecting means. The result of executing a predetermined specific process using is displayed.

  The seventh invention is characterized in that, in the first and sixth inventions, in particular, the predetermined specific process is a charge discount process.

  And, since it is possible to display the service provided by the gas company, for example, the display of the gas rate applying the discount rate of the gas equipment subject to discount according to the rate discount measure, the labor of the gas company can be saved, The user can also grasp the gas price in advance, which can be useful for enlightenment such as savings.

  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 shows an individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the individual gas equipment operation detection device in the present embodiment is installed in the middle of the gas passage 11 in the home and detects the gas flow for each gas equipment, and detects a certain time. A timer 16a, a memory 16b for accumulating and storing the time when the gas flow detection means detects the gas flow, and a display 17 for displaying the accumulated gas flow detection time are provided.

  The gas flow detecting means 12 includes a butterfly element 12a that is movable in the direction of the arrow according to the gas flow in the gas passage 11, a magnet 13 attached to a movable portion of the butterfly element 12a, and a printed circuit board outside the gas passage 11. 14 and the like.

The printed circuit board 14 is soldered with a microcomputer 16 having a timer 16a and a memory 16b and a display unit 17. Further, the upstream and downstream extensions of the gas passage of the gas passage 11 are bamboo shoot-like rubber pipe joints 18, and this rubber pipe joint 1
The rubber pipes 19 are connected to the upstream and downstream sides of the pipe 8, respectively, and the upstream side is connected to the home gas pipe and the downstream side is connected to the gas equipment.

  Here, when a gas device is used and gas flows, the butterfly element 12 a is movable and tilted by the gas flow, and the magnet 13 approaches the reed switch 15. As a result, the reed switch 15 is turned on. At the same time that the microcomputer 16 detects that the reed switch 15 is turned on, the microcomputer 16 accumulates and counts the ON time of the reed switch 15 with its internal timer 16a and memory 16b, and counts and stores the accumulated gas flow detection time. Is displayed on the display unit 17.

  According to such a configuration, for example, when the gas appliance connected to the individual gas appliance operation detection device in the present embodiment is a gas heater and is subject to a discount on gas charges, If the value of the indicator 17 is confirmed at the time of meter reading and the value of the indicator 17 of the previous month is subtracted, the usage amount of the gas equipment for this month can be known, so that the charge measure can be taken at a specific discount rate. This is effective when the gas company wants to reduce the fee only for heating applications because it opposes heating equipment that uses oil as a heat source in terms of running costs.

  In the present embodiment, the butterfly element 12a having the magnet 13 is configured to turn on the reed switch 15 in accordance with the gas flow. However, the butterfly element 12a has an impeller shape and the gas flow rate flowing through the gas passage 11 is increased. If the impeller rotates in proportion and the magnet 13 disposed in the rotating part of the impeller turns on the reed switch 15 in proportion to the rotation of the impeller, the ON / OFF frequency of the reed switch 15 is set to gas. Since it can be handled as proportional data of the gas amount in the passage 11, a more accurate charge measure can be taken.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows an individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to the present embodiment has a female quick joint 20b having a male quick joint 20a and an O-ring 20c instead of the rubber pipe joint 18 of the first embodiment. The male quick joint 20a is a female quick joint 21a at the tip of the home gas pipe, and the female quick joint 20b is a male quick joint 21b at the tip of the gas cord, the other end of which is connected to a gas device. To be connected.

  According to such a configuration, for example, even if the gas device used by the user is changed, the connection can be easily changed by the quick joints 20a, 20b, 21a, and 21b. However, the gas company can implement the above-mentioned charge measures without any problems. The male type and female type of the quick joint may be reversed with respect to the gas flow direction.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 shows an individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, the display 17 is not located on the printed circuit board 14 but is installed at a location separated from the gas passage 11, and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 14 via the lead wire 22. It is what has been.

According to such a configuration, for example, if the display unit 17 is installed in the vicinity of the gas meter, the gas company can easily enter the residence without using the meter even if the user is away at the time of meter reading of the gas meter. The value can be confirmed, and more reliable fee measures can be implemented.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 shows an individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a radio wave transmitter 23 on the printed circuit board 14 on the gas flow detection means 12 side, and a radio wave receiver 24 on the separated display 17 side, and stores the accumulated values. The gas flow detection time data is transmitted and received by radio waves. A display control microcomputer 25 is electrically connected to the display 17 side.

  With this configuration, data to be displayed is transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 23, received by the radio wave receiver 24, and displayed on the display 17 by the display control microcomputer 25 that has received the data. In this case, transmission / reception by radio waves may be performed with the ON signal of the reed switch 15 and the display control microcomputer 25 may count the ON time of the reed switch 15 with its internal timer.

  According to such a configuration, since no lead wire is required between the gas flow detection means 12 and the indicator 17, complicated wiring work from the vicinity of the gas equipment in the house to the vicinity of the gas meter outside the house becomes unnecessary. Even in an existing house, there is an advantageous effect that the degree of freedom of the installation location of the display device 17 is increased.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5 shows an individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to transmit the accumulated gas flow detection time data to the gas meter 26.

  That is, the printed circuit board 14 and the gas meter 26 are connected via the lead wire 22 at the microcomputer meter terminal 27. The gas meter 26 includes a liquid crystal display unit 28. The microcomputer 16 transmits the ON signal of the reed switch 15 to the gas meter 26 via the lead wire 22 and the microcomputer meter terminal 27, and the gas meter 26 is a gas whose gas usage should be discounted only when there is an ON signal of the reed switch 15. Accumulated and stored as the amount used, the cumulative amount of gas passing through the gas meter 26 on the display unit 28, that is, the total amount of gas used in a single dwelling unit is displayed, and at the same time, the amount of gas to be discounted is displayed side by side. Yes.

  According to such a configuration, the gas company can confirm the total gas usage amount of the single dwelling unit and the gas usage amount to be discounted only by checking only the display unit 28 at the time of meter reading of the gas meter 26. It is possible to make a fee policy more easily.

  In this embodiment, the total gas usage of a single unit and the gas usage to be discounted are displayed side by side. However, it may be displayed in a time-sharing manner, and normally only the total gas usage of a single unit is displayed. It may be displayed, and the gas usage amount that should be discounted only when some operation is performed on the gas meter 26 may be displayed. Further, the discounted gas usage amount may be subtracted from the total gas usage amount from the gas usage amount data to be discounted, or the amount to be charged may be displayed.

  In addition, the printed circuit board 14 and the microcomputer meter terminal 27 are connected by the lead wire 22, but the wireless communication may be performed without using the lead wire 22. Further, although the microcomputer meter terminal 27 is a pair of terminals and the ON signal input of the reed switch 15 is single, a plurality of microcomputer meter terminals 27 may be provided.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 6 shows an individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The individual gas appliance operation detection apparatus according to the present embodiment transmits the accumulated gas flow detection time data to the T-NCU 29. The T-NCU 29 is connected to the telephone line 30. The printed circuit board 14 and the T-NCU 29 are connected by a lead wire 22. The T-NCU 29 receives the ON signal of the reed switch 15 and counts the accumulated ON time, and together with the total gas amount data received from the gas meter 26, it is sent to the computer of the gas company's office through the telephone line 30. Send and calculate discounted billing gas charges.

  Although the communication line between the T-NCU 29 and the computer of the gas company's office is the telephone line 30, if the communication charge is an ADSL or optical fiber internet line that is not proportional to the number of communications, the ON signal of the reed switch 15 Each time the T-NCU 29 receives an OFF signal, the total gas amount data of the gas meter 26 is transmitted, and a more complicated gas charge can be calculated by the computer of the gas company's office. In addition, the printed circuit board 14 and the T-NCU 29 are connected by the lead wire 22, but the wireless communication may be performed without using the lead wire 22.

  According to such a configuration, there is a further advantageous effect that it is possible to implement a gas charge measure using the automatic meter reading infrastructure of the gas meter using the T-NCU 29.

  As described above, the individual gas equipment operation detection device according to the present invention can be easily installed by the gas operator by installing it on the gas pipe in the home without having to replace or modify the existing gas equipment by the user. Since it is possible to implement fee measures, it can be applied to industrial use as well.

Sectional drawing of the individual gas equipment operation | movement detection apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing of the individual gas equipment operation | movement detection apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the individual gas equipment operation | movement detection apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the individual gas equipment operation | movement detection apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the individual gas equipment operation | movement detection apparatus in Embodiment 5 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the individual gas equipment operation | movement detection apparatus in Embodiment 6 of this invention. The figure which shows the gas usage-amount detection means of the conventional gas heater

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Gas passage 12 Gas flow detection means 12a Butterfly element 13 Magnet 14 Printed circuit board 15 Reed switch 16 Microcomputer 16a Timer 16b Memory 17 Display device 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b Quick joint 23 Radio wave transmitter
24 Radio Receiver 26 Gas Meter 28 Display Unit 29 T-NCU

Claims (7)

Individual gas equipment operation detection means for outputting gas usage status detection information for each gas appliance or application,
A wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with the individual gas appliance operation detection means and a predetermined device.
The individual gas appliance operation detecting means is a gas flow detecting means for outputting a signal in conjunction with a gas flow in a joint unit attached as a detachable configuration in the middle of a gas passage in the home, and transmits the output signal. Radio wave transmitter to be attached in the middle of the piping for each gas appliance as a form that is integrally attached,
An individual gas appliance operation detection device that transmits predetermined gas device usage status detection information or specific usage status detection information to a predetermined device. The individual gas appliance operation detection device according to claim 1, wherein the joint unit is provided with a bamboo shoot-like rubber pipe joint at both ends, and is configured to be connected using a rubber pipe. The individual gas appliance operation detection device according to claim 1, wherein the joint unit is connected in the middle of a gas passage in the home via a quick joint having an O-ring seal. The individual gas equipment operation detection device according to claim 1, wherein the individual gas equipment operation detection means is provided with a display so that the gas usage amount for each instrument or each application can be displayed. The total gas usage measured by the gas meter and a predetermined gas appliance or a specific usage gas usage measured by the individual gas equipment operation detection means can be displayed when a gas meter is selected as the predetermined device. Individual gas equipment operation detection device. When a gas meter is selected as the predetermined device, a predetermined process is performed using a total gas usage measured by the gas meter and a predetermined gas appliance or a specific usage gas usage measured by the individual gas equipment operation detection means. The individual gas equipment operation detection device according to claim 1 which displays a result of execution. The individual gas appliance operation detection device according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the predetermined process is a charge discount process.