JP2008281478A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold preset setting patterns prepared previously in a table and to change a setting according to a selected setting pattern in a gas meter capable of selectively setting many functions. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of setting patterns for setting the function of the gas meter are previously stored as a pattern table in the gas meter. The pattern table can be appropriately displayed on the display screen of a setting device or a display 13 of the gas meter. When pattern number of the target setting pattern is selected from the displayed pattern table, a microcomputer automatically sets the setting values of each function according to the selected setting pattern. Here only by selecting pattern number of the setting pattern, setting to the gas meter can be performed totally so that setting operation by a gas supplier or the like can be surely and easily executed without mistakes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter, and more particularly, to a gas meter that can be used by selecting, setting, and using various functions of the gas meter using an operating means.

  In general, a gas meter called a microcomputer gas meter has a built-in microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that operates in accordance with a predetermined program for realizing various functions related to gas supply. These various functions include, for example, functions for convenience of consumers in addition to functions important for safety, functions for improving work efficiency for gas contractors, and the like. Necessary functions are appropriately selected and set according to the usage environment of the device. The set value at this time is stored in a memory in the microcomputer, and various functions provided in the gas meter are executed according to this setting.

  Conventionally, when the set value is changed, the setting device is attached to the communication terminal of the terminal block provided in the gas meter. With this setting device, it is possible to set almost all functions of the gas meter. On the other hand, when changing settings, it is necessary to attach a dedicated setting device to the gas meter and write the setting value each time. There was a problem that work efficiency was bad.

With respect to the above problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, it is possible to perform a necessary minimum change work by a simple work on a standard function selected in an initial setting from various functions prepared and built in advance. A gas meter is disclosed. This is because the setting of the function is changed by displaying, selecting, and confirming the standard function by a predetermined operation of the existing operation switch (valve opening operation switch) when not being operated. It is a thing.
Japanese Patent No. 3257541

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is difficult to operate because it is necessary to perform a series of operations until the selection is confirmed with one operation switch when the gas meter has a variety of selectable functions. There was a problem of requiring time.

  Actually, in the gas meter, the functions to be set and the setting contents are patterned in several types according to the gas appliances used at home, and the operator who performs the setting work repeatedly sets the same setting pattern. There are many cases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a gas meter capable of selectively setting many functions, a setting pattern prepared in advance is held in a table, and setting change is performed according to the selected setting pattern. The object is to provide a gas meter that is made possible.

  The invention of claim 1 is a gas meter comprising a set value storage means for setting a set value of a function of the gas meter, and a control means for setting a set value stored in the set value storage means, wherein the set value storage means Stores pattern table data having a plurality of patterns in which a specific function selected from the functions provided in the gas meter is associated with a set value for the selected function, and the control means is selected from the pattern table data. According to the pattern, the setting value of the function set in the pattern is set.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means displays the pattern number of the pattern table stored in the set value storage means on the display means provided in the gas meter or the display means of an external device connected to the gas meter. The selection of the displayed pattern number is accepted, and the set value is set according to the pattern corresponding to the selected pattern number.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the pattern number is selected under specific conditions for an input operation to an external device, an input operation to a gas meter using a special special instrument, or an existing switch provided in the gas meter. It is characterized by being received by the input operation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, in the pattern table, a telegram code for data communication of a set value with an external device connected to the gas meter is set. By enabling the rewriting operation of the message code set in the table code, the setting value of an arbitrary function of the gas meter is set.

According to the present invention, in a gas meter capable of selectively setting many functions, a setting pattern prepared in advance can be held in a table, and the setting can be changed according to the selected setting pattern. In addition, work can be performed in a short time, and work efficiency can be improved.
In addition, according to the present invention, when installing a gas meter, the gas meter can be set all at once by simply selecting the pattern number of the setting pattern. The convenience of the setting operator can be greatly improved.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, by creating a pattern table using a telegram code, it is possible to easily select a function in an arbitrary function of the gas meter by changing the telegram code, and to set the gas meter by correcting the pattern table. Easy to change. This facilitates setting by selecting a specific pattern from a plurality of patterns, facilitates individual changes to the setting, and allows easy and flexible setting for the gas meter.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is also a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a general microcomputer meter. In FIG. 1, 1 is a gas meter, 2 is an external device, 10 is a control unit, 11 is a metering unit, 12 is a sensor unit, 13 is a display unit, 14 is a blocking unit, 15 is a terminal block, 21 is a home controller, 22 Is a network control device (hereinafter referred to as NCU), 23 is a gas leak alarm, 24 is an external 1 device (device of external terminal 1), 25 is an external 2 device (device of external terminal 2), and 10a is a microcomputer. (Hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 10b is an interface, 10c is a battery, 10d is a test cutoff switch, 10e is a container reset switch, 11a is a weighing function, 12a is a voltage detection sensor, 12b is a flow sensor, 12c is a pressure sensor, and 12d is Seismic sensor, 13a is integrated display function, 13b is security display function, 13c is block selection display function, 13d is sub-counter display function, and 14a is bidirectional Danben, 14b are shut-off valve open switch.

  The gas meter 1 includes a control unit 10 that performs various controls in the gas meter 1, a measuring unit 11 that measures a gas flow rate, a sensor unit 12, a display unit 13, and a blocking unit 14, and a terminal that connects to the external device 2. A stand 15 is provided.

  The metering unit 11 includes a metering function 11a that outputs the rotational speed or fluid vibration of the rotating body according to the gas flow rate. The sensor unit 12 includes sensors that detect physical quantities related to gas flow rate and security. The voltage detection sensor 12a detects the voltage of the battery 10c, the flow rate sensor 12b detects the output of the weighing function 11a, and the gas pressure decreases. The pressure sensor 12c detects gas pressure and the like, and the seismic sensor 12d detects vibration such as seismic waves. The flow rate sensor 12b is a sensor for detecting the flow rate, and of course may be a flow rate sensor that calculates the flow rate with the microcomputer 10a, or via a flow rate calculator (flow rate converter). The flow rate may be transmitted to the microcomputer 10a.

  The control unit 10 mainly performs arithmetic processing on the captured sensor signal, stores the processing data, and outputs the processed data to the display unit 13 or to the outside via the terminal block 15. 10b, a battery 10c serving as a power source, a test cutoff switch 10d for testing whether the bidirectional cutoff valve 14a functions normally, a container reset switch 10e, and the like. The battery 10c serves as a power source for at least the control unit 10. Further, the microcomputer 10a is an electronic control device that commands the flow sensor 12b and performs a process of measuring and integrating the flow based on a flow detection signal from the flow sensor 12b. The memory is configured to record a program for causing the MPU to function and to record processing data.

  The display unit 13 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays data processed by the control unit 10 according to a predetermined program or an external command, and includes a gas flow integrated display function 13a, a security display. It has a function 13b and the like. The shut-off unit 14 shuts off the control valve according to a command from the microcomputer 10a of the control unit 10 when an abnormality or the like due to the signal from the sensor unit 12 occurs. The bidirectional shut-off valve 14a, shut-off valve as a control valve An open switch 14b and the like are included.

  On the other hand, the external device 2 is equipment connected to the outside of the gas meter 1 via the terminal block 15. For example, the external device 2 makes a call between the home operating device 21 that operates the gas meter 1 in the home and the gas meter 1. Other external devices (here, one external device) such as an NCU 22 that controls the telephone exchange network such as sending and disconnecting selection signals, a gas leak alarm 23 that warns of gas leaks in the gas meter 1, and a handy terminal and a PC (personal computer) 24 and two external devices 25) are provided. The NCU 22 is a device that connects the gas meter 1 and the gas meter 1 via a telephone line to perform the communication function (automatic notification, remote shutoff, automatic meter reading, etc.) of the gas meter 1, and automatically switches the telephone and the gas meter 1 to the gas meter. 1 data is transmitted and received. The handy terminal and the PC are used as a meter reading device and a setting device. The setting device changes or confirms the settings of the installed gas meter. The items to be set and confirmed include continuous use time setting and flaming registration, but their specifications are determined by the operation type of the gas company.

  When the gas meter 1 configured as described above is installed in the gas line and the shut-off valve opening switch 14b is turned on (closed), the valve is kept open by self-holding and gas flow measurement is started. Whether the pressure data detected by the built-in pressure sensor 12c is taken into the control unit 10 and processed, and whether the measurement is continued by determining the security function given to the pressure sensor 12c described above according to a predetermined program. It is instructed whether to close the shut-off valve and issue an alarm. When measuring the current gas pressure, the current gas pressure can be displayed on the display unit 13 for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, by pressing the shut-off valve opening switch 14b.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern table held in the gas meter according to the present invention. In the embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of setting patterns for setting the function of the gas meter are stored as a pattern table. The pattern table is stored, for example, in a memory in the microcomputer 10a of the gas meter, and can be appropriately displayed on the display screen of the setting device or the display unit 13 of the gas meter according to a predetermined operation by the setting operator. The memory in which the pattern table is stored corresponds to the set value storage means of the present invention.

  Then, from the presented pattern table, the microcomputer 10a automatically sets the setting values of various functions according to the selected setting pattern only by the setting operator selecting the pattern number of the target setting pattern. The presenting function of these setting patterns and the automatic setting function based on the selected setting pattern are executed by a control program stored in the memory of the microcomputer 10a.

  In the example of FIG. 2, a plurality of setting patterns (pattern numbers 1 to 4) are set in the pattern table. Here, as setting items related to the function of the gas meter to be set, remaining amount warning levels 1 to 3, meter control codes 1 to 3, unique functions are set, and other setting values (not shown) are set. Each setting item (table element) is set with a setting value of a plurality of digits.

  Here, for example, the remaining amount warning level is obtained by integrating the gas passage volume after the operation of the reset switch of the gas container, and when reaching the remaining amount management warning level set in advance by the center of the centralized monitoring system, the communication terminal This is set to a remaining amount management function for transmitting a warning signal to any one of the three levels (remaining amount warning levels 1 to 3).

  The meter control codes 1 to 3 are composed of a total of 21 data of 7 bytes each, and various functions of the gas meter are set according to the set values of the data. Here, the meter control codes are given data names K0 to K20 in order from the code 1 side, and various functions are executed according to the set values of the respective data.

For example, in K0 to K6 of meter control code 1, firing registration, continuous use time, total / increased flow cut-off, flow check cut off / alarm not connected / power plug disconnect call / shock sensor flow check cut off, reset request flag function Control / calling when pressure sensor is shut off / calling when sensor is shut off / alarm triggering, calling type / calling when container replacement flag is set / calling when continuous warning time flag is set, learning function and learning Setting values related to functions such as status are set.
Similarly, in K7 to K13 of the meter control code 2, the function call of the valve opening terminal, the call to the H line, the call to the H line, the call to the N line at the time of opening and closing the house, the external 1 terminal connection device, the external Set values for functions such as 2-terminal ON confirmation switching, gas usage length change notification, large combustion appliance setting notification, absence confirmation notification, etc. are set. Further, in K14 to K20 of the meter control code 3, set values relating to an automatic setting expansion type, a pressure minute leakage monitoring function, a blocking pressure / supply pressure detection function, a continuous use time cutoff function, and the like are set.

  The contents of these functions can be understood by those skilled in the art, and since they are not directly related to the features of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the set values of these functions are merely examples, and it is needless to say that the functions and the set values can be appropriately determined. In any case, the meter control codes 1 to 3 are stored and held as set values for various standard functions of the gas meter.

  As unique functions, for example, an integration function by flow rate classification or a load survey function is applied, and set values of these functions are set. For example, the flow rate integrating function performs processing for each flow rate calculation, and uses preset values, current flow rate values obtained by flow rate calculation, previous flow rate values, calculation interval timers, and data on flow rate fluctuations. This is a function for estimating and storing the accumulated amount of a specific instrument. The load survey function is a function that saves the accumulated value at a certain interval from a certain point in time, and the accumulated value storage method can be set, for example, from three types of daily dose / continuous / stopped, each with / without a call. Can be set.

  As shown in the above example, the setting value of the function to be set in the gas meter can be set by the function setting item recorded in the pattern table. The plurality of setting patterns set in the pattern table are patterns obtained by classifying the setting values that can be taken by the gas meter. Basically, by selecting a specific setting pattern from this pattern table, The gas meter settings can be set at once.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a pattern table selection method applicable to the embodiment of the gas meter according to the present invention.
In an example of the pattern table selection method held in the memory of the gas meter microcomputer 10a, the operator operates the setting device 4 connected to the gas meter 1 to display the pattern table pattern number on the display screen of the setting device 4. And a specific pattern number can be selected. Here, a special message for reading the pattern number of the setting pattern is transmitted to the gas meter 1 in accordance with the operation on the setting device 4, and the pattern 10 of the pattern table held in its own memory according to the special message in the microcomputer 10a of the gas meter 1. Send the number to the setting device and display it on the display screen of the setting device.

  When the operator operates the setting device 4 to select a specific pattern number, a special message for selecting a setting pattern corresponding to the pattern number from the pattern table is transmitted to the gas meter 1. The microcomputer 10a of the gas meter collectively sets the setting value of the setting pattern according to the selected pattern number as the setting value of various functions according to the transmitted special message.

As another example of the pattern table selection method, the gas meter microcomputer 10a displays the pattern table pattern number on the display unit 13 of the gas meter, and the operator uses the special tool such as the magnet 3 to select an arbitrary pattern number. Can be selected. At this time, the pattern table may be displayed by a predetermined operation using the magnet 3, or the operation means (for example, a test cutoff switch, a container reset switch, a cutoff valve opening switch, etc., not shown) provided in the gas meter is specified. Under the conditions, for example, by operating the shut-off valve closed for testing, the display of the display unit 13 may be switched to display the pattern number of the pattern table. Further, in this case, the pattern number selection operation may be executed by operating the operation means such as the switch.
Then, the microcomputer 10a of the gas meter collectively sets the setting value of the setting pattern as the setting value of various functions according to the pattern number selected by the operation means such as the magnet 3 or the switch.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the pattern table held in the gas meter according to the present invention. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the setting values of a plurality of setting patterns for setting the function of the gas meter are stored in the pattern table. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. The message code itself of the setting message is set in, so that the function selection and function addition of the gas meter can be executed arbitrarily.

  In the gas meter, an external device for exchanging data for setting various setting values by communication can be connected. These data are communicated by electronic messages. In this embodiment, an arbitrary message code is set for each setting item (table elements 1 to n). These table elements 1 to n and their message codes can be rewritten arbitrarily.

  For example, in this embodiment, a pattern table having a plurality of patterns is stored in advance in the memory of the microcomputer 10a when the gas meter is manufactured and shipped. Then, according to a predetermined operation by the setting operator, it can be appropriately displayed on the display screen of the setting device 4 or the display unit 13 of the gas meter itself. Then, the setting worker selects the pattern number of the target setting pattern from the presented pattern table, and the microcomputer 10a automatically sets the setting values of various functions according to the message code of the selected setting pattern. The functions and set values of the plurality of patterns are determined in advance according to the gas appliance used at home.

  Then, when setting the function by the setting operator or when it is desired to change the setting after the setting is completed, the setting operator sets a message code for an arbitrary table element of the selected pattern or other arbitrary patterns. By rewriting, it becomes easy to select an arbitrary function or add a function to be set. The rewriting of the message code can be set so that it can be appropriately executed by the setting device 4, the magnet 3, or a predetermined switch.

  In other words, in this embodiment, by creating a pattern table using a message code, changing the message code makes it easy to select a function for any function that the gas meter has, and changing the setting of the gas meter by modifying the pattern table Becomes easy. Thus, setting can be facilitated by selecting a specific pattern from a plurality of patterns, individual changes to the setting can be facilitated, and settings for the gas meter can be performed easily and flexibly.

It is a figure which shows one structural example of the gas meter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the pattern table hold | maintained at the gas meter by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the selection system of the pattern table applicable to embodiment of the gas meter by this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the pattern table hold | maintained at the gas meter by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas meter, 2 ... External device, 3 ... Magnet, 4 ... Setting device, 10 ... Control part, 10a ... Microcomputer, 10b ... Interface, 10c ... Battery, 10d ... Test cutoff switch, 10e ... Container reset switch, 11 ... Weighing 11a ... weighing function, 12 ... sensor unit, 12a ... voltage detection sensor, 12b ... flow rate sensor, 12c ... pressure sensor, 12d ... shock sensor, 13 ... display unit, 13a ... integrated display function, 13b ... security display function , 14 ... Shut-off part, 14a ... Bidirectional shut-off valve, 14b ... Shut-off valve open switch, 15 ... Terminal block, 21 ... In-home controller, 22 ... NCU, 23 ... Alarm, 24 ... External 1 device, 25 ... External 2 machine.

Claims (4)

A gas meter comprising setting value storage means for setting a setting value of a function of the gas meter, and control means for setting a setting value stored in the setting value storage means,
The set value storage means stores pattern table data having a plurality of patterns in which a specific function selected from the functions provided in the gas meter is associated with a set value for the selected function, and the control means includes: In accordance with a pattern selected from the pattern table data, a set value of a function set in the pattern is set.   The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays a pattern number of a pattern table stored in the set value storage means on a display means provided in the gas meter or a display means of an external device connected to the gas meter, A gas meter which receives selection of the displayed pattern number and sets a set value according to a pattern corresponding to the selected pattern number.   3. The gas meter according to claim 2, wherein the pattern number is selected under a specific condition for an input operation for the external device, an input operation for the gas meter using a special special instrument, or an existing switch provided in the gas meter. A gas meter that is received by an input operation.   4. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein a telegram code for data communication of the set value with an external device connected to the gas meter is set in the pattern table. A gas meter characterized in that a setting value of an arbitrary function of a gas meter is set by enabling rewriting operation of a telegram code set in the code.

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