JP2008286655A - Electronic gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow collective setting for a flow measuring instrument type or a leak detecting instrument type to contribute to prevention of erroneous setting and cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic gas meter 1 has a function program storage means 11b for storing a plurality of kinds of function programs concerned in the flow measuring instrument type or the leak detecting instrument type, a selection means 11a1 for selecting the function program corresponding to the flow measuring instrument type or the leak detecting instrument type, out of the plurality of kinds of function programs, based on a plurality of control data input from an outside, and a function program execution means 11a2 for executing the function program selected by the selection means 11a1, and is functioned as the flow measuring instrument type or the leak detecting instrument type using the same casing. This electronic gas meter 1 has a telegraphic message information acquiring means 11a3 for acquiring collectively telegraphic message information having the plurality of control data, and the selection means 11a1 is a means for selecting the function program, based on the plurality of control data of the telegraphic message information acquired by the telegraphic message information acquiring means 11a3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic gas meter, and in particular, by selecting and executing a function program related to a flow rate measurement model and a leak detection model from a plurality of types of function programs, the flow rate measurement can be performed using the same casing. The present invention relates to an electronic gas meter that selectively functions as a model or a leak detection model.

  For example, a gas supply facility for supplying gas to an apartment house such as a condominium is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, a gas supply source 101 such as a gas container and a gas intake port 103 of an apartment 102 are connected by a gas supply pipe 104. The gas supply pipe 104 is provided between the original pressure regulator 105 on the gas supply source 101 side and the first gas meter 107 that integrates the amount of gas supplied to the entire apartment 102 via the first pressure regulator 106. A supply pipe 104 a and a second supply pipe 104 b provided between the first gas meter 107 and the gas inlet 103 are provided. In addition, the gas intake 103 is provided with valves 108 and 109 for each floor, and gas is supplied to the gas consuming equipment 113 by piping 112 via the valve 110 and the individual gas meter 111 to each house in the apartment 102. The

  The first supply pipe 104 a is provided with a bypass flow path 114 that connects the inlet side and the outlet side of the first pressure regulator 106. The bypass passage 114 is provided with a valve 115, a second pressure regulator 116, a second gas meter 117 for detecting minute leaks, and a valve 118 sequentially from the inlet side. The adjustment pressure of the second pressure regulator 116 is set higher than the adjustment pressure of the first pressure regulator 106, and the second gas meter 117 monitors the minute leak detection and issues an alarm when the leak is detected.

  The first gas meter 107 and the individual gas meter 111 described above are distinguished as diversion measurement models, and the second gas meter 117 is distinguished as a leak detection model. However, since the hardware configuration of the casing and the like is the same, the cost of the gas meter In order to achieve downtime, it has been studied to share the hardware configuration by distinguishing these models by software.

The electronic gas meter shown in Patent Document 1 stores data including gas types that can be used in instruments connected to the gas meter in advance, and performs safety and flow measurement so as to conform to the specified gas types. A technical idea for easily changing the setting of the software is described.
JP 2006-242642 A

  In order to selectively set a conventional gas meter using the same housing as a flow rate measurement model or a leak detection model, first, a handy terminal (H / T) is connected to the gas meter via a cable or the like. . As is well known, the H / T has a display unit for displaying various information, an operation unit for inputting various information, and the like.

  The H / T displays an input screen for inputting various control codes on the display unit, and transmits a control code input by an operator or the like through the operation unit according to the display to the electronic gas meter. By repeating such a series of setting processes for the number of setting items, the gas meter changes the setting of the software related to the flow rate measurement model or the leakage detection model based on the control code.

  As described above, the conventional gas meter requires the input setting work of the control code by the number of setting items, and it takes man-hours and setting time for setting the functions individually. Therefore, even if the hardware configuration can be shared, the cost can be reduced. There was a limit to down. In addition, leak detection models are special, and it is stipulated that some of the functions of flow measurement models are stopped or have some functions. When performing a setting operation, if an erroneous setting occurs, there is a possibility that a malfunction due to a setting failure such as a function that should not function originally is erroneously set or a function that should function is not set. When such a problem occurs, it is necessary to manually check the setting items to check the erroneous setting, which causes an increase in man-hours in the setting work.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described present situation, the present invention has an object to provide an electronic gas meter that enables batch setting of a flow rate measurement model or a leak detection model and contributes to prevention of erroneous setting and cost reduction. .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the electronic gas meter according to claim 1 according to the present invention stores a plurality of types of function programs related to a flow rate measurement model and a leak detection model as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. Function program storage means 11b, and a plurality of types of function programs stored in the function program storage means 11b based on a plurality of control data input from the outside, the flow rate measurement model or leak detection model And a function program execution unit 11a2 for executing the function program selected by the selection unit 11a1, and using the same casing, the flow rate measurement model or leakage detection In the electronic gas meter 1 that selectively functions as a business model, the telegram information that has the plurality of control data in an integrated manner It has a message information acquisition unit 11a3 which Tokusuru, the selection unit 11a1 is characterized by a means for selecting the function program based on a plurality of control data message information the message information acquisition unit 11a3 is acquired.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 1, in the electronic gas meter according to the first aspect, a completion information storage for storing completion information indicating completion of selection of the function program by the selection means 11a1 And the selection means 11a1 is a means for selecting the function program only when the completion information storage means 12 does not store completion information.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the electronic gas meter according to claim 1 or 2, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 1, and the measurement display unit 17a for displaying information on the flow rate measurement model and the leakage A display unit 17 including a leakage display unit 17b for displaying information on the detection model, and when the function program execution unit 11a2 executes a function program corresponding to the flow rate measurement model, the measurement display unit The information is displayed on 17a, and when the function program corresponding to the leakage detection model is executed, the leakage display unit 17b displays information.

  As described above, according to the electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 1, message information having a plurality of control data is obtained, and a plurality of types of function programs are obtained based on the plurality of control data. Since the function program corresponding to the flow measurement model or leak detection model is selected from the above, multiple control data can be acquired at once, so the set time required for the flow measurement model or leak detection model can be reduced. Shortening and setting work can be simplified. Further, since it is not necessary for an operator or the like to set the setting items for the flow rate measurement model or the leakage detection model, erroneous setting can be prevented. Therefore, in addition to the cost reduction due to the sharing of hardware such as the case, it is possible to set the flow measurement model or leak detection model all at once, which contributes to the cost reduction of the electronic gas meter software due to the reduction of assembly man-hours etc. be able to.

  According to the electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the completion information is stored according to the completion of selection of the function program, and the completion information is not stored. Since the function program is selected only when the setting is made, once the setting is made, the setting cannot be changed again, so even if the flow measurement model or the leak detection model is selectively functioned in the same housing, It is possible to prevent the model from being switched accidentally. Therefore, since the electronic gas meter can be reliably operated as a model to function, it is not necessary to use a dedicated part for distinguishing the model, which can contribute to further cost reduction.

  According to the electronic gas meter of the present invention as set forth in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, a display means comprising a display unit for measurement and a display unit for leakage is provided to measure the flow rate. When a function program corresponding to the model is executed, information is displayed at least on the measurement display section. When a function program corresponding to the leak detection model is executed, information is not displayed on the measurement display section. Since the information is displayed only on the leakage display section, it is necessary to eliminate additional parts such as a meter reading mask seal for preventing misuse as a flow measurement model and a seal for identifying the model as in the past. Therefore, it can contribute to further cost reduction.

  Hereinafter, one embodiment of an electronic gas meter according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, an electronic gas meter (hereinafter also referred to as a gas meter) 1 has a configuration in which a flow rate measurement model and a leak detection model can be arbitrarily set by using the same housing 10. When viewed from the front, the gas meter 1 has an inlet 10a on the upper left side of the housing 10 and an outlet 10b on the upper right side. An operation unit (return button) 15 is arranged on the left side of the front, and a display unit 17 is arranged in the center of the front.

  The gas meter 1 is connected to the above-described known handy terminal (H / T) 5 via a terminal block 16 described later so as to be communicable, and receives various information such as telegram information from the H / T 5. In addition, regarding communication with H / T5, it can be set as various different embodiments, such as wired or wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gas meter 1 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 11 that operates according to a predetermined program, a memory unit 12, a flow rate sensor 13, a blocking unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a terminal block 16. And a display unit 17.

  As is well known, the MPU 11 includes 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 storing a program for the CPU 11a, and various data. And a RAM 11c, which is a readable / writable memory having an area necessary for processing operations of the CPU 11a.

  The ROM 11b stores programs for causing the CPU 11a to function as various models such as selection means, function program execution means, and message information acquisition means in the claims. The ROM 11b functions as function program storage means in the claims, and stores a plurality of types of function programs related to the flow rate measurement model and the leak detection model. In the electronic gas meter 1, since the leak detection model is special and it is specified that a part of the function of the flow measurement model is stopped or possessed, the function program Is commonly used for both flow measurement function programs compatible with flow measurement models, leak detection function programs compatible with leak detection models, and both flow measurement models and leak detection models. The function program according to the corresponding model can be arbitrarily selected by storing the common function program separately.

  For example, when the gas meter 1 is made to function as a leak detection model, for example, the function of shutting down the use time corresponding to the flow rate measurement model, shutting off the seismic device, pressure type micro leak, and flaming registration is stopped. Functions such as a drop warning, a flow rate type minute leak warning, a pressure abnormality warning (option), and a communication function (option) are shared.

  The memory unit 12 is capable of holding various stored data even when the power supply from the battery is cut off, and is an electrically erasable / rewritable read having various storage areas necessary for the processing operation of the CPU 11a. A dedicated memory (EEPROM) or the like is used. The memory unit 12 functions as a completion information storage unit in the claims, and a storage area for storing completion information indicating completion of selection of a function program after the setting is completed in order to make it impossible to change the setting once in the production process. have.

  The flow sensor 13 is composed of, for example, a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed in the gas flow path, and is connected to the MPU 11 via a sensor circuit unit (not shown). Then, as is well known, the MPU 11 calculates the flow velocity and flow rate of the gas passing through the gas flow path based on the ultrasonic signal propagation time between the pair of ultrasonic transducers of the flow rate sensor 14. As for the flow rate sensor 14, the flow rate sensor generates a flow rate signal in accordance with the movement of the movable part (film) inside the gas meter 10, and digitally converts the flow rate signal and outputs it to the MPU 11, or uses a flow sensor. It can be set as various embodiments, such as.

  Although not shown, the shut-off unit 14 includes a valve body and a drive circuit that drives the valve body. When a shut-off signal is input from the MPU 11, the valve seat provided in the gas flow path is shut off by the valve body. Is in a supply stop state in which the gas flow path is shut off. Further, when a return signal is input from the MPU 11, the valve body is driven so as to open the valve seat, so that the gas flow path can be opened.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the operation unit 15 includes a return button provided on the left side of the front surface of the housing 10. The operation unit 15 is basically used to return the shut-off valve to the normal state when the abnormal state is released after the shut-off valve of the shut-off unit 14 is activated when the gas usage state becomes abnormal. Etc. are operated.

  Various external devices outside the electronic gas meter 1 are electrically connected to the terminal block 16 via the cable 6. The terminal block 16 has an interface circuit for exchanging various signals with an external device connected to the MPU 11. When the H / T 5 is connected to the terminal block 16, the terminal block 16 transmits signals indicating various messages input from the MPU 11 to the H / T 5 and also transmits messages indicated by the signals received from the H / T 5. Output to MPU11.

  For example, a known LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used as the display unit 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 17 includes a measurement display unit 17 a that displays only information relating to a flow rate measurement model such as an integrated gas use amount (meter reading value), an instantaneous flow rate, a pressure value, and alarm content The leakage display unit 17b displays only information related to the leakage detection model and the flow rate measurement model.

  The display unit 17 is controlled by the MPU 11. Specifically, when the MPU 11 is executing a function program corresponding to the flow rate measurement model, the MPU 11 displays information related to the flow rate measurement only on the measurement display unit 17a, and displays the alarm content according to the detection of the abnormality. The information is displayed on the leakage display unit 17b. Further, when the function program corresponding to the leakage detection model is being executed, information is displayed only on the leakage display unit 17b.

  Thus, even if the measurement display unit 17a and the leakage display unit 17b are provided, the display target is displayed only in the display area corresponding to the model, so that the display area not corresponding to the model is hidden by a mask seal or the like as in the past. Dedicated parts can be dispensed with. Therefore, even if the hardware such as the case that the conventional gas meter has can be shared, the number of parts can be reduced and the management man-hours can be reduced, but it is necessary to add dedicated parts and set the functions individually. Therefore, the present invention can eliminate the cause of the cost increase due to the increase in the number of steps.

  In the present embodiment, when the electronic gas meter 10 is a flow rate measurement model, information is displayed on the measurement display unit 17a and the leakage display unit 17b. When the electronic gas meter 10 is a leakage detection model, only the leakage display unit 17b is displayed. Although the embodiment for displaying information has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a flow rate measurement model, only the measurement display unit 17a, and in the case of a leak detection model, the leakage display unit 17b. It is possible to make various embodiments such as displaying only. Further, the measurement display unit 17a and the leakage display unit 17b of the display unit 17 are configured so that all display areas of the display unit 17 are arbitrary areas such as a divided area divided into upper and lower parts, an arbitrarily set partial area, and the like. Various embodiments such as setting can be made.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of message information for model setting received by the electronic gas meter 1. In the message information D, a header STX is added to the head, a footer ETX and an error detection code BCC are added to the tail, and management data D1 and a plurality of control data D2 are integrated between the header STX and the footer ETX. It has a data structure.

  The management data D1 includes various data such as identification data, passwords, business entity data, and model identification data. Each of the control data D2 has setting values to be set for various setting items arbitrarily assigned. For example, flaming registration function stop, use time cut-off stepless automatic setting, total / increase flow cut-off block stepless automatic setting, flow rate check cut-off, reset request function, gas usage change report, absence check report, automatic setting function, It has setting values corresponding to setting items such as pressure type micro leak function.

  Next, an example of the model setting process executed by the CPU 11a described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the model setting process shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 11a, it is determined in step S11 whether or not the setting is possible based on the presence / absence of completion information in the memory unit 12. In this embodiment, the case where the settable state is determined based on whether or not the model setting has been completed will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, after power-on (including reset) ) Can be set arbitrarily, such as until the test cutoff input.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the setting is not possible (N in S11), the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting is possible (Y in S11), it is determined in step S12 whether or not the setting message information D is received via the terminal block 16. If it is determined that the message information D has not been received (N in S12), the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when it is determined that the message information D is received (Y in S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13 (message information acquisition means), message information D is acquired from the terminal block 16 and stored in the memory unit 12, a plurality of control data D2 is extracted from the message information D and stored in the RAM 11c, and then in step S14. Proceed to

  In step S14 (selecting means), a batch setting process is executed, various setting items are set based on a plurality of control data D2 in the RAM 11c, and a flow rate measurement model or a leakage detection model is specified. One of the plurality of stored leakage detection function programs or the plurality of leakage detection function programs is selected as a function program to be executed, and then the process proceeds to step S15. It should be noted that the method for selecting a function program may be variously different embodiments such as designating a function program to be executed by the control data D2.

  In step S15, a setting completion message for notifying that the model setting has been completed is generated and transmitted to the H / T 5 via the terminal block 16, thereby completing the function setting on the display unit of the H / T 5. The notification screen is displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, it is determined whether an end request has been received. If it is determined that an end request has not been received (N in S16), the process returns to step S11 and a series of processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that an end request has been received (Y in S16), the process ends.

  Next, an example of the operation (action) when setting the model of the electronic gas meter 1 described above will be described below.

  When setting the produced electronic gas meter 1, the H / T 5 is connected to the terminal block 16 via the cable 6 so as to be communicable in the production process, installation location, etc. of the factory. When the model setting function is selected by the operator's operation, the H / T 5 displays a selection screen for selecting the set model on the display unit. When the model to be set is selected, the message information D for model setting shown in FIG. 4 is generated and transmitted to the gas meter 1.

  When the gas meter 1 acquires the message information D, the gas meter 1 is set to a flow rate measurement model or a leak detection model by performing various settings based on a plurality of control data D2 included in the message information D, and corresponds to the model. A functional program will be selected. For example, when a flow measurement model is set, a plurality of flow measurement function programs and a common function program in the ROM 11b are selected as the function program. When a leakage detection model is set, a plurality of leakage detection function programs and a common function program are selected as the function programs. When the model setting is completed, the completion information is stored in the memory unit 12 and the process ends. Thereafter, the gas meter 1 is installed in the gas supply facility shown in FIG.

  As described above, since the gas meter 1 of the present invention can perform batch setting only by receiving the telegram information D, an individual telegram as in the conventional gas meter is not required, so that the setting time and setting man-hours can be reduced. Can do.

  When the gas meter 1 set as a flow measurement model is activated, the CPU 11a executes only a plurality of flow measurement function programs and a common function program. When these programs are executed, the related information such as the gas usage amount and alarm contents are displayed on the measurement display unit 17a and the leakage display unit 17b of the display unit 17 shown in FIG.

  Further, when the gas meter 1 set as a leak detection model is activated, the CPU 11a executes only a plurality of leak detection function programs and common function programs. When these programs are executed, the information such as the instantaneous flow rate, the pressure value, and the alarm content is displayed only on the leakage display unit 17b of the display unit 17 shown in FIG. That is, since nothing is displayed on the measurement display unit 17a of the display unit 17, the measurement display unit 17a is masked by software.

  According to the electronic gas meter 1 described above, the telegram information D integrally having a plurality of control data D2 is acquired, and a flow rate measuring model or a leak is selected from a plurality of types of function programs based on the plurality of control data D2. Since the function program corresponding to the detection model is selected, a plurality of control data D2 can be acquired at a time, so the setting time required for the flow measurement model or the leakage detection model can be reduced and the setting work can be simplified. Can be achieved. Further, since it is not necessary for an operator or the like to set the setting items for the flow rate measurement model or the leakage detection model, erroneous setting can be prevented. Therefore, in addition to the cost reduction due to the common use of hardware such as the housing 10, the flow measurement model or the leak detection model can be set all at once, thereby reducing the cost of the electronic gas meter 1 software due to a reduction in assembly man-hours. Can contribute.

  In addition, the completion information is stored in the memory unit 12 in response to the completion of the selection of the function program, and the function program is selected only when the completion information is not stored. Therefore, even when the flow rate measurement model or the leak detection model is selectively functioned in the same housing, it is possible to prevent the model from being switched by mistake. Therefore, since the electronic gas meter 1 can be reliably operated as a model to function, it is not necessary to use a dedicated part for distinguishing the model, which can contribute to further cost reduction.

  Further, a display unit 17 including a measurement display unit 17a and a leakage display unit 17b is provided, and when a function program corresponding to a flow rate measurement model is executed, information is displayed only on the measurement display unit 17a. When the function program corresponding to the leak detection model is executed, information is displayed only on the leak display unit 17b, so that the meter reading value mask seal for preventing misuse as a flow measurement model as in the prior art, Since additional parts such as a seal for identifying the model can be eliminated, it is possible to contribute to further cost reduction.

  In addition, although this embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the case where the gas meter 1 acquires the message | telegram information D from H / T5, this invention is not limited to this, For example, it manages via a public network, the internet, etc. Various embodiments such as acquiring the telegram information D from the terminal device of the center can be used.

  As described above, the above-described embodiments are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the electronic gas meter of this invention. It is a front view for demonstrating the setting example of the electronic gas meter which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic gas meter of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the message | telegram information for model setting received with an electronic gas meter. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the model setting process which CPU of FIG. 3 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the gas supply equipment which supplies gas to an apartment house.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electronic gas meter (gas meter)
5 Handy Terminal (H / T)
10 housing 11a1 selection means (CPU)
11a2 Function program execution means (CPU)
11a3 message information acquisition means (CPU)
11b Function program storage means (ROM)
12 Completion information storage means (memory unit)
17 Display means (display unit)
17a Display unit for measurement 17b Display unit for leakage

Claims (3)

A function program storage unit that stores a plurality of types of function programs related to a flow rate measurement model and a leak detection model, and a plurality of types stored in the function program storage unit based on a plurality of control data input from the outside A selection means for selecting a function program corresponding to the flow rate measurement model or leakage detection model from among the function programs, and a function program execution means for executing the function program selected by the selection means. In an electronic gas meter that selectively functions as a flow measurement model or a leak detection model using a housing,
Telegram information acquisition means for acquiring telegram information integrally having the plurality of control data;
The electronic gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the selecting means is means for selecting the function program based on a plurality of control data of the message information acquired by the message information acquiring means. Completion information storage means for storing completion information indicating completion of selection of the function program by the selection means,
2. The electronic gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the selection means is means for selecting the function program only when the completion information storage means does not store completion information. A display unit including a measurement display unit that displays information about the flow rate measurement model and a leak display unit that displays information about the leak detection model;
When the function program execution means executes a function program corresponding to the flow rate measurement model, information is displayed on the measurement display unit, and when the function program corresponding to the leak detection model is executed, 3. The electronic gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the electronic gas meter is a means for displaying information on a leakage display section.

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