JP2008249382A - Adapter device for gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems which are characteristic in absence such as careless utilization of a gas apparatus by a child or the like in absence, in a system for cutting off gas supply when an abnormal gas flow is generated in a gas meter 1. <P>SOLUTION: An adapter device 2 is connected to the gas meter 1. An absence switch 21, a home presence switch 22 and a speaker 23 are provided on the adapter device 2. An absence mode is acquired by ON-operation of the absence switch 21, and a home presence mode is acquired by ON-operation of the home presence switch 22. Existence of gas flow is monitored by flow information from the gas meter 1 during an absence mode time. When determined that the gas flow exists during the absence mode time, the adapter device 2 outputs a cut-off signal to the gas meter 1. When being switched to the home presence mode, a message of a cut-off history is reported from the speaker 23. When being switched to the absence mode, if a gas flow exists, a message of 'in use' is reported. A gas leak alarm is connected, and an alarm level of the gas leak alarm is set low during the absence mode time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an adapter device for a gas meter that is connected to a gas meter with an automatic leakage cutoff function that detects a gas flow rate and shuts off the gas based on the gas flow rate and a predetermined cutoff theory.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a microcomputer type gas meter that detects an abnormal flow of gas or long-term use and cuts off gas supply when a predetermined condition is reached. The conditions for shutting off the gas are based on a predetermined shutoff theory in which various situations are judged from the gas flow rate. However, the gas meter performs the same process regardless of whether the user is at home or not. That is, even when the user is absent, the gas is not shut off in a situation that does not change from the normal usage state. For this reason, it is not possible to solve problems specific to absence, such as going out with oil on fire or when a child or an elderly person with dementia uses fire while the husband is absent.

In JP 2001-99690 A (Patent Document 1), an in-house operating device is connected to a gas meter, remotely operated with the in-house operating device to shut off the gas when going out, and supply gas by the operation at the time of going home. A first prior art for starting the process is disclosed. Moreover, this patent document 1 discloses a second prior art that shuts off gas after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation when going out. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-208760 (Patent Document 2) discloses a home security system including a gas meter.
JP 2001-99690 A JP-A-4-208760

  In the first prior art in Patent Document 1, since the gas is forcibly immediately shut off by the operation when going out, the situation when going out cannot be grasped. Further, in the second technique in Patent Document 1, since the gas can be supplied as usual for a certain period of time after going out, there is a possibility that a problem peculiar to absence as described above may occur during the certain period of time. , Leaving room for improvement. Furthermore, according to the home security system as disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is possible to remotely monitor various devices, but the system becomes a large-scale system and the cost is increased.

  An object of the present invention is to solve problems peculiar to going out due to the use of gas with a simple configuration.

  The adapter device for a gas meter according to claim 1 is an adapter device for a gas meter connected to a gas meter having an automatic leakage shut-off function for shutting off gas based on a shut-off signal input from the outside or a detected gas flow rate. The outing mode setting means for setting the mode, the outing mode releasing means for canceling the outing mode, and the flow rate information in the gas meter is monitored in the outing mode, and when it is determined that the gas flow rate is present, the gas meter And a control means for outputting a cut-off signal.

  The gas meter adapter device according to claim 2 is the gas meter adapter device according to claim 1, further comprising reporting means for reporting a state in the outing mode when the outing mode is canceled by the outing mode canceling means. It is characterized by that.

  A gas meter adapter device according to claim 3 is the gas meter adapter device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas meter adapter device is connected to a gas leak alarm device capable of setting an alarm level, and the gas leak alarm device of the gas meter is set in the outing mode. The alarm level (for example, a concentration threshold for comparing the detected gas concentrations) is lowered.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the control means does not immediately output a cut-off signal as in the first prior art of Patent Document 1 when set in the outing mode. Thus, the shut-off signal is not output after a certain time has elapsed. That is, the control means monitors the presence or absence of the gas flow rate, and outputs a cutoff signal when it is determined that there is a flow rate. This means that the gas flow is constantly monitored in the outing mode, and the state in the outing mode can be reported as in claim 2.

  According to the gas meter adapter device of the first aspect, when the user goes out, the gas meter shuts off the gas supply by the shut-off signal when the gas equipment is used when going out. Various problems peculiar to time can be avoided.

  According to the adapter device for a gas meter of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the user can check the state of gas leakage or the like when going out by the reporting means when returning home.

  According to the gas meter adapter device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the alarm level of the gas leak alarm device is lowered when going out, so that the alarm is likely to sound, and the ability to monitor the gas leak when going out Can be increased. It should be noted that there can be no false alarms due to insecticides when going out, so there is no problem even if the alarm level is lowered.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a state in which an adapter device for a gas meter (hereinafter simply referred to as “adapter device”) according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the gas meter, and FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment. . The gas meter 1 is a microcomputer-type gas meter and has an automatic leakage cutoff function. The automatic leakage shut-off function is executed by a microcomputer (not shown) inside the gas meter based on the gas flow rate (usage amount) measured by the gas meter 1. There are a flow rate leakage cutoff function, a gas leakage alarm interlock cutoff function, a fire alarm interlock cutoff function, etc.

  Of these, the total flow shut-off function determines that a large amount of gas has leaked due to misopening of the main plug or disconnection of the rubber hose when the total amount of gas consumed by the indoor gas consuming equipment exceeds the preset shut-off value. The gas flow is cut off, and the increased flow cut-off function is used when there is an increase in the amount of gas used that exceeds the consumption of the equipment with the largest gas consumption among the indoor gas consumption equipment registered in advance. In addition, the gas supply is cut off because it is judged that a large amount of gas leaks due to an erroneous opening of the main plug or the disconnection of the rubber hose.

  In addition, the minute flow leakage blocking function may have a problem in indoor piping such as a rubber hose when a minute gas flow is continuously measured over a long period exceeding a predetermined period. Therefore, the gas supply is cut off. Further, the gas leak alarm interlocking cutoff function inputs an alarm signal from the gas leak alarm 3 as a cutoff signal when a gas leak is detected in the gas leak alarm 3 shown in the second embodiment described later, The supply of gas is cut off in conjunction with this cut-off signal. In addition, the fire alarm interlocking shut-off function inputs the alarm signal from the fire alarm as a shut-off signal when a fire is detected in a fire alarm (not shown), and supplies gas in conjunction with this shut-off signal. Is to shut off. As described above, the gas meter 1 having the automatic leakage cutoff function has a built-in cutoff valve (not shown) for shutting off the supply of gas in order to realize the function. Shut off gas supply.

  In the main body case 2A, the adapter device 2 includes an outing switch 21 as an outing mode setting unit, a home switch 22 as an outing mode canceling unit, a speaker 23 as a reporting unit (part thereof), a control unit and a reporting unit The control part 24 as a part) is incorporated. The operation button 21a of the outing switch 21 and the operation button 22a of the home switch 22 are exposed on the surface of the main body case 2A. The adapter device 2 is connected to the gas meter 1 through a signal line 25 connected to the control unit 24, and flow rate information output from the gas meter 1 is input to the control unit 24 and output from the control unit 24. A cutoff signal is input to the gas meter 1. In addition, although the gas meter 1 is installed outdoors, the adapter apparatus 2 is installed in the entrance door etc. in a house.

  FIG. 2 is a principal block diagram of the adapter device 2, and the control unit 24 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 10, an interface 20, and an audio output circuit 30. The microcomputer 10 includes a CPU 10a that performs various processes according to a processing program, a ROM 10b that stores a program for processing performed by the CPU 10a, a work area that is used in various processes in the CPU 10a, a data storage area that stores various data, and the like. The RAM 10c has a timer 10d for measuring the time set in a predetermined register or the date and time, and the like, and these elements are connected by a bus line.

  Further, the outing switch 21 and the home switch 22 are connected to the microcomputer 10, and the microcomputer 10 detects the ON operation of the outing switch 21 and the home switch 22. Further, the gas meter 1 is connected to the interface 20 via a signal line 25. The speaker 23 is connected to the audio output circuit 30. The adapter device 2 includes a battery 40 for supplying power to the control unit 24 (and the microcomputer 10). Also, various kinds of sound data for sound output are stored in the ROM 10b of the microcomputer 10.

  With the above configuration, when the microcomputer 10 detects the ON operation of the outing switch 21, the microcomputer 10 receives flow rate information from the gas meter 1 via the interface 20 once every 2 seconds, for example, and determines that there is a flow rate. Instead of switching to the “outing mode”, a message is issued by the audio output circuit 30 and the speaker 23 to the effect that “Gas is used. Please check”. On the other hand, when the ON operation of the outing switch 21 is detected and it is determined that there is no flow rate, the “outing mode” is set. In the “outing mode”, the flow rate information from the gas meter 1 is input and the presence or absence of the flow rate is monitored while the presence or absence of the ON operation of the home switch 22 is monitored. When it is determined that there is a flow rate, a shut-off signal is output to the gas meter 1 via the interface 20, and the date and time when it is determined that there is a flow rate is identified from the timer 10d. Is stored in the RAM 10c. The gas meter 1 receives this cutoff signal and shuts off the gas supply.

  When an ON operation of the home switch 22 is detected, the “home mode” is set. When the presence of a flow rate is detected in the outing mode, for example, based on the contents stored in the RAM 10c and the voice data in the ROM 10b, for example, “ A message (blocking history message) is issued by the voice output circuit 30 and the speaker 23 to the effect that the gas has flown while you are away. At this time, the date and time may also be messaged. Also, if the presence of flow rate is not detected in the outing mode, a message is issued by the audio output circuit 30 and the speaker 23 based on the audio data stored in the ROM 10b in advance, for example, “There was no gas abnormality during absence”. .

  3 and 4 are main part flowcharts of the control program of the CPU 10a in the adapter device 2 of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the “outing mode”, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the “home mode”. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG. The processing in the outing mode in FIG. 3 is started when the outing switch 21 is turned on as described above and it is determined that there is no flow rate. First, in step S1, processing for monitoring the state of the home switch 22 is performed, and in step S2, the presence / absence of an ON operation of the home switch 22 is determined. If there is an ON operation of the home switch 22, a message such as a cut-off history is output in step S3 as described above, and the process proceeds to "home mode".

  If there is no ON operation of the home switch 22 in step S2, the flow rate information from the gas meter 1 is received (for example, once every 2 seconds) in step S4, and the presence or absence of the flow rate is determined in step S5. If it is determined that there is no flow, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that there is a flow, a cutoff signal is output and a cutoff history is stored in step S6, and the process ends. The processing in the outing mode is performed by the above processing.

  The home mode process in FIG. 4 is started when the home switch 22 is turned on. First, in step S11, processing for monitoring the state of the outing switch 21 is performed, and in step S12, it is determined whether or not the outing switch 21 is turned on. If the ON switch 21 is not turned on, the process returns to step S11. If there is an ON operation of the outing switch 21, the flow rate information is received from the gas meter 1 in step S13, and the presence or absence of the flow rate is determined in step S14. If it is determined that there is no flow rate, the “outing mode” is set in step S15, and the process ends. If it is determined that there is a flow rate, a confirmation message such as “Use gas. Check” is output in step S16, and the process returns to step S11. With the above process, the process when shifting to the home mode is performed.

  Note that the adapter device 2 performs simple processing as described above, and the processing program and the like in the control unit 24 can be realized with a simple one, and the device can have a simple configuration.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment showing a state in which the adapter device 2 according to the embodiment is connected to the gas meter 1. In the second embodiment, a gas leak alarm device 3 is connected to the gas meter 1, and an adapter device 2 is connected to the gas leak alarm device 3, and the configurations and connection states of the gas meter 1 and the adapter device 2 are as follows. This is the same as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the adapter device 2 performs processing for the gas leak alarm 3 in addition to the same processing as in the first embodiment.

  The gas leak alarm device 3 detects a gas concentration by a gas sensor (not shown), and outputs an alarm signal to the gas meter 1 when it is determined that the gas leak has occurred. By this alarm signal, the gas meter 1 shuts off the gas supply. There are various methods for determining gas leak in the gas leak alarm 3. For example, the detected gas concentration is compared with a reference concentration threshold value as a set “alarm level”, and if the detected gas concentration exceeds the reference concentration threshold value, it is determined that gas leaks. Further, the detected gas concentration is accumulated, and the accumulated value is compared with a reference accumulation threshold as an “alarm level”. If the accumulated value exceeds the reference accumulation threshold, it is determined that gas leaks. Further, the concentration increase rate of the detected gas concentration is compared with the reference increase rate as the “alarm level”, and if the concentration increase rate exceeds the reference increase rate, it is determined that the gas leaks.

  In the gas leak alarm 3, the reference concentration threshold, the reference cumulative threshold, and the reference increase rate as the alarm level are normally set to predetermined values, but this alarm level is switched and set according to information from the adapter device 2. It is configured as such. That is, the adapter device 2 outputs mode information indicating whether it is the outing mode or the home mode to the gas leak alarm 3. Thereby, the adapter device 2 sets the alarm level to a normal predetermined value in the home mode, and sets the alarm level smaller than the predetermined value in the outing mode. Thereby, since the alarm level in the gas leak alarm device 3 is lowered when going out, the alarm is likely to sound and the ability to monitor gas leak when going out can be enhanced.

  In the above embodiment, the gas meter 1, the adapter device 2, and the gas leakage alarm device 3 are each communicated by wire, but may be wireless communication. Further, the communication content may be either contact output or message output.

  In the embodiment, the outing mode setting means and the outing mode release means are configured by different switches (outing switch and home switch), respectively, but one changeover switch may be used. Further, the outing mode setting means and the outing mode canceling means may be any one that can switch and set the mode by manual operation.

  In the embodiment, a message such as a cut-off history is reported by voice using a speaker as a report unit, but the report unit may be a type that reports a cut-off history or the like using a liquid crystal display or an LED. .

It is the schematic of 1st Embodiment which shows the state which connected the adapter apparatus for gas meters which concerns on embodiment of this invention to the gas meter. It is a principal part block diagram of the adapter apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of "outing mode" in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of "at-home mode" in the embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of 2nd Embodiment which shows the state which connected the adapter apparatus for gas meters which concerns on embodiment of this invention to the gas meter.

Explanation of symbols

1 Gas meter 2 Adapter device 21 Outing switch (outing mode setting means)
22 Home switch (outing mode release means)
23 Speaker (reporting means)
24 Control unit (reporting means, control means)
3 Gas leak alarm

Claims (3)

An adapter device for a gas meter connected to a gas meter with an automatic leakage cutoff function that shuts off gas based on a cutoff signal input from the outside or a detected gas flow rate,
Outing mode setting means for setting the outing mode;
Outing mode canceling means for canceling the outing mode;
Control means for monitoring flow rate information in the gas meter during the outing mode and outputting a cutoff signal to the gas meter when it is determined that there is a gas flow rate;
An adapter device for a gas meter, comprising:   The gas meter adapter device according to claim 1, further comprising a reporting unit that reports a state in the outing mode when the outing mode is canceled by the outing mode canceling unit. The adapter device for a gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter device is connected to a gas leak alarm capable of setting an alarm level.
An adapter device for a gas meter that lowers an alarm level of the gas leak alarm device in the outing mode.

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