JP2010038810A - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor by the optimum shut-off determination value of each apparatus by means of apparatus estimation. <P>SOLUTION: This device includes a flow rate storage means 11 for classifying and storing a determined flow rate, an average flow rate operation means 12 for determining an average flow rate from an instantaneous flow rate, an apparatus storage means 13 for storing beforehand flow rate information of an apparatus, a distance operation means 14 for determining a distance from apparatus registration data in the apparatus storage means and a flow rate data pattern group stored in the flow rate storage means, an apparatus monitoring registering means 16 for registering a used apparatus estimated by an apparatus discrimination estimation means as a monitoring object, an apparatus monitoring value setting means 17 for storing beforehand a monitoring determination value of each apparatus, an abnormality determination means 18 for determining existence of an abnormality of the used apparatus from a registered apparatus from the apparatus monitoring registering means and a set value by the apparatus monitoring value setting means, a shut-off means for shutting off gas supply when determining an abnormality, and a communication means 20 for registering and setting held gas apparatus information into the apparatus storage means or informing of a determination result by the abnormality determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device that registers gas appliances held in each household and monitors the security of each appliance.

  This conventional gas shut-off device will be described with reference to FIG. 3. A gas supply pipe 102 connected to a gas meter 101 in the middle is connected downstream to one or more gas appliances 103 installed in each customer's house. Yes.

  The gas meter 101 includes a gas shutoff valve 104 interposed on the upstream side of the gas supply pipe 102, a gas flow rate measuring unit 105 interposed on the downstream side, and a display unit 106 for displaying the gas flow rate in the gas flow rate measuring unit 105, A seismic device 107 for detecting vibration such as an earthquake, an information input means 108 for performing gas appliance discrimination, a registration storage means 109, an appliance judgment means 110, an operation of the seismic detector 107, an appliance judgment, a security function, etc. A control circuit 111 that performs overall control processing and a battery serving as a power source for the control circuit 111 are incorporated.

  As the information input means 108, it is conceivable that the information input means 108 is built in the main body of the gas meter 101, is connected from the outside, or has an input key for inputting numerical values and symbols, and a means for connecting to an external device.

  The registration storage means 109 includes a semiconductor memory that stores and holds registered data, and can add and rewrite records.

  The appliance determination unit 110 determines the gas appliance to be used from the registered data and the measured flow rate value.

  The gas flow rate measuring means 105 detects the gas flow rate and calculates the flow rate based on the gas flow rate, and an ultrasonic method is adopted for the flow rate detection. In other words, a pair of ultrasonic transmitters / receivers are arranged so that the ultrasonic waves obliquely cross the gas flow in the measurement flow path formed in the gas supply pipe 102, and the ultrasonic waves are forward and backward with respect to the gas flow. Thus, the ultrasonic propagation time difference is measured at regular intervals, the flow velocity is obtained from this propagation time difference signal, and the fluid flow rate is calculated by the computing means.

  Next, a procedure for performing device registration will be described.

  As information to be registered in the gas meter 101, a flow rate pattern generated when each gas appliance is used is used. As actual registration data, data of a flow rate value every 0.2 seconds from the start of instrument operation is stored for a predetermined time.

  The flow rate pattern registration method is such that the storage unit of the gas meter 101 stores and stores the flow rate pattern of each gas appliance and the corresponding code number in advance.

  The code numbers of the appliances to be installed are input from the input keys of the information input means 108 by the necessary number for registration, and stored in the registration storage means 109.

  The gas meter 101 measures the gas flow rate at regular intervals, and when the newly measured gas flow rate value increases by a predetermined value or more from the previous value, it is determined that a new instrument has been used, and the flow rate change and the registration storage unit 110. Is compared with the flow rate pattern corresponding to the instrument code registered in, and the instrument used is determined.

  In addition, the gas meter 101 has a history storage means, and the measured value of the gas flow rate is held and stored in time series, so that the past transition and the newly measured gas flow rate value can be compared, so that a newer instrument can be used. It is also possible to determine whether it has been used.

  As a flow rate pattern registration method, when the gas meter 101 is connected to an external database and an authentication code of a newly registered gas device is registered by key input, a flow pattern corresponding to the authentication code is registered by the data registration means from the database. It is downloaded and saved in the registration storage means 109.

  The gas meter 101 measures the gas flow rate at regular intervals, and when the newly measured gas flow rate value increases by a predetermined value or more from the previous value, it is determined that a new instrument has been used, and the flow rate change and registration memory are stored. The flow rate pattern corresponding to the code of the instrument registered in the means 109 is compared to determine the instrument being used.

  The flow rate pattern uses a table of characteristic numerical values such as a difference in data at a certain time interval and a maximum value, and is used for comparison with the actually measured flow rate value.

Note that if there is a difference in the flow rate change pattern of the instrument in actual use with respect to the initially registered flow rate pattern, or if there is a difference due to changes over time, the difference is actually greater than or equal to the predetermined value. The control means has a function of correcting data corresponding to a difference from the flow rate value and updating / correcting the data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-200802 A

  However, in the above conventional configuration, there is a method for registering gas appliances owned by each household, but it is unclear how to ensure safety, and as a result, appliances such as stoves and hot water heaters in a sealed room There is a problem in terms of safety when using gas or when performing complicated gas amount control.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, grasps the gas appliances held in each process, identifies the appliances used, can respond to safety monitoring at an early stage, and is a highly reliable and highly safe gas cutoff device Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a gas shutoff device according to the present invention includes a flow rate detection unit that measures a flow rate, a flow rate calculation unit that calculates an instantaneous flow rate from a detection value of the flow rate detection unit, and a calculated instantaneous flow rate. Flow rate storage means for classifying and storing, average flow rate calculation means for obtaining an average flow rate from the instantaneous flow rate, appliance storage means for storing in advance flow rate information of appliances held in each household, appliance data of the appliance storage means, Distance calculation means for obtaining a distance from the flow rate data pattern group stored in the flow rate storage means, appliance identification estimation means for identifying and estimating a gas appliance to be used from the distance obtained by the distance calculation means, and estimation by the appliance identification estimation means Appliance monitoring registration means for registering the used appliance as a monitoring target, appliance monitoring value setting means for storing a monitoring judgment value for each appliance in advance, and a register from the appliance monitoring registration means And an abnormality determining means for determining presence / absence of abnormality of the appliance used from the setting value of the appliance monitoring value setting means, a shut-off means for shutting off gas supply when the abnormality determining means determines that there is an abnormality, and the appliance memory And a communication means for registering and setting the gas appliance information of each household in the means and reporting the determination result of the abnormality determination means.

  According to the above invention, the instantaneous flow rate of the appliance to be used is obtained by the flow rate calculation means, stored in the flow rate storage means in time series, and various flow rate data of the appliance is previously stored in the appliance storage means from the communication means, etc. The flow rate data is cut out for each flow rate control pattern by means, and the corresponding flow rate pattern group is collated to obtain distance information such as flow rate deviation and standard deviation, and further, it is judged whether it is within a predetermined distance by the instrument identification estimation means. , By registering the appliance used in the appliance monitoring registration means by estimating which appliance was used, and using the judgment value of the appliance estimated by the appliance monitoring value setting means to determine the appliance flow rate value and appliance usage time. By monitoring the length, etc., it is possible to monitor the usage of each appliance.For example, although it is a single appliance such as a water heater, the gas amount is controlled for constant temperature control and the result is registered with multiple flow values. , Real It is not monitored for a long time at a different flow rate, or conversely for a short time, and it is monitored correctly for the user, so it is shut off quickly even if the appliance is used abnormally for a long time or if it is desired to use it for a long time by heating etc. It is extremely low in usability and danger, such as a fireworks, etc., and because the appliance information and the like are reported to the gas company as a warning, abnormal appliances can be identified at an early stage, and safety can be ensured for consumers.

  The gas shutoff device of the present invention stores the instantaneous flow rate obtained when a consumer starts using some appliances in a time series in the flow rate storage means as an appliance flow rate pattern for each flow rate control pattern, and classifies the appliance number and the like. And store the data such as the flow rate pattern of the appliances held in each household in advance via the communication means, and collate each flow control pattern with the distance calculation means, and how much flow deviation And distance information such as standard deviation, etc., the equipment identification estimation means estimates which equipment was used based on the distance information, registers it in the equipment monitoring registration means with the equipment number, etc., and uses the abnormality judgment means for each equipment. Based on the monitoring judgment value, monitoring of total flow rate interruption, increase flow rate interruption or usage time interruption, etc. is performed and the monitoring center is notified together with information such as the equipment number at the time of abnormality judgment, so it is possible to control complicated gas amount of equipment Yo There is no risk for the user because the flow rate is not registered by mistake, and it is not monitored for a long time at the wrong flow rate, or conversely for a short time. Since the notification is made, the gas company can immediately know which appliance is being used abnormally and can take immediate action such as immediately notifying the customer, which has the effect of improving safety.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flow rate detecting means for measuring a flow rate, a flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate based on a detection value of the flow rate detecting means, and a flow rate storing means for classifying and storing the obtained instantaneous flow rate. Average flow rate calculation means for obtaining an average flow rate from the instantaneous flow rate, appliance storage means for storing flow rate information of appliances held in each household, appliance data in the appliance storage means, and flow rates stored in the flow rate storage means The distance calculation means for obtaining the distance from the data pattern group, the appliance identification estimation means for identifying and estimating the gas appliance to be used from the distance obtained by the distance calculation means, and the use appliance estimated by the appliance identification estimation means are monitored. Appliance monitoring registration means for registration, appliance monitoring value setting means for storing monitoring judgment values for each appliance in advance, registered appliances from the appliance monitoring registration means, and appliance monitoring value setting means An abnormality determining means for determining whether there is an abnormality in the appliance used from the set value, a shut-off means for shutting off the gas supply when the abnormality determining means determines that there is an abnormality, and a gas stored in each household in the appliance storage means And communication means for registering and setting appliance information and reporting the determination result by the abnormality determination means.

  Then, the instantaneous flow rate of the appliance to be used is obtained by the flow rate calculation means, sequentially stored in the flow rate storage means, and various flow rate data of the appliance is stored in advance in the appliance storage means by the communication means for each flow rate control pattern of the appliance. The distance calculation means collates with the flow rate pattern group to obtain distances such as flow deviation and standard deviation, and the equipment identification estimation means determines which equipment is within the specified distance and estimates which equipment has been used. By registering the appliance to be used in the appliance monitoring registration means, and monitoring the appliance flow rate value and the length of the appliance usage time by the abnormality judgment means based on the judgment value of the appliance monitoring value setting means, Use monitoring can be performed, for example, even if it is a single appliance like a water heater, the gas amount is controlled for constant temperature control and registered as a result of multiple flow values, and at a different flow rate for a long time or conversely Since there is no time monitoring and the device information is warned, the gas company can identify and respond to abnormal devices at an early stage, and the risk to the user is extremely low. By making a warning report, it is easy for gas companies to identify abnormal appliances, and early responses are possible.

(Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 1, the gas supply pipe 1 of each home is connected to various gas appliances used in the home via a gas cutoff device 2.

  For example, a gas water heater 3 is installed outdoors, and hot water generated by the gas water heater 3 is installed in a kitchen hot water tap 4, a bath 5 in which a bathtub and a shower device are installed, and a living room through a water pipe. The floor heating 6 is supplied to form various usage forms.

  In addition, indoors, it is connected to a gas table 7 installed in the kitchen and a gas fan heater 8 installed in a living room or bedroom.

  FIG. 2 shows a control block of the gas shut-off device 2, wherein 9 is a flow rate detecting means for measuring the gas flow rate. There are various methods as the flow velocity detection means 9, for example, a device that detects the flow velocity of the gas from ultrasonic signals from a pair of ultrasonic sensors that are installed opposite to each other in the flow channel, or a hot-wire sensor disposed in the flow channel. There is one that obtains the flow velocity from the impedance, and one that uses a measurement membrane and detects the mechanical operation of the membrane as an electrical pulse signal by a magnet and a reed switch or a magnetoresistive element.

  For example, in the case of the flow velocity detection means 9 using an ultrasonic sensor, although not shown, a first transmitter / receiver that transmits or receives ultrasonic waves and a second transmitter / receiver that receives or transmits ultrasonic waves are arranged to oppose the flow direction, An ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the upstream to the downstream and from the downstream to the upstream at predetermined intervals, and the propagation time is measured.

  Then, the flow rate is measured based on the ultrasonic propagation time difference between the first transmitter / receiver and the second transmitter / receiver, and the instantaneous flow rate is calculated by the flow rate calculation means 10 by multiplying this by the cross-sectional area of the flow path, the correction coefficient, etc. .

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a flow rate storage means. When a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate is detected, the flow rate is determined as a device flow rate, and the instantaneous flow rate is stored in time series.

  It is stored as a flow rate pattern group after the start of use, and is classified into a large flow rate region, a medium flow rate region, and a small flow rate region, and is stored with serial instrument numbers.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes an average flow rate calculation means, which collects a predetermined number of instantaneous flow rates obtained in a predetermined cycle and averages them to calculate an average flow rate value.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes appliance storage means for storing flow rate pattern data of appliances held in each household. A distance calculating unit 14 calculates a distance value such as a flow rate deviation and a standard deviation from the flow rate data in the flow rate storage unit 11 and the flow rate data in the appliance storage unit 13.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes an appliance identification estimating means for estimating what instrument is currently used based on the distance data of the distance calculating means 14. For example, for flow rate value changes greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate, peak flow rate, and flow rate changes after the peak flow rate, determine the flow deviation or standard deviation and use the distance information from the stored value to determine which instrument is close to the predetermined flow rate. judge.

  16 is an appliance monitoring registration means for registering the appliance code estimated by the appliance identification estimating means 15 and for registering the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculating means 12. When the obtained average flow rate value is equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate, it is registered as a security monitoring target as a representative flow rate representing the appliance.

  17 is an appliance monitoring value setting means for storing the continuous use time limit or the monitoring judgment value of the maximum usage flow rate for each appliance.

  Reference numeral 18 denotes an abnormality determination means for monitoring the estimated appliance used. For example, when the appliance identification estimating means 15 estimates a stove, an abnormally large flow rate is generated when the gas supply hose is disconnected for some reason. The use time cut-off time limit that defines the use time limit corresponding to the case where it is used much longer than the maximum use time assumed for normal use of appliances such as stoves is set. By comparing and determining the registered flow rate value of the monitor registration unit 16 with the abnormality determination unit 18, the registered flow rate value does not exceed the maximum use flow rate value, or the appliance continuous use time limit corresponding to the registered flow rate value. Judgment whether or not it exceeds

  When the abnormality determination means 18 determines that there is an abnormality, a cutoff signal is sent to the cutoff means 19 to stop the gas supply.

  In addition, the shut-off state and the shut-off content are displayed on the liquid crystal display element and the like, and a center (not shown) that performs gas safety monitoring is notified through the communication means 20.

  At this time, it is performed via a transmission medium 21 such as a telephone line or the Internet. The flow rate range codes of the large flow rate range, medium flow rate range, and small flow rate range belonging to this time and the instrument numbers belonging to each flow rate range are communicated to the center through the communication means 20.

  The communication means 20 can register in advance the flow rate pattern data of the appliances owned by each household in the appliance storage means 13 and the appliance monitoring value setting means 17 via a center or a setting device.

  Next, the operation of the gas cutoff device in the present embodiment will be described.

  When a gas appliance held at a customer's house, such as a gas fan heater 8 or a gas water heater 3, is used, the flow velocity at that time is detected by the flow velocity detection means 9, and the flow rate calculation means 10 determines the flow rate based on the flow velocity. Is calculated.

  For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used, the flow velocity is detected based on the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal, and the detected value is sent to the flow rate calculation means 10 and calculated as an instantaneous flow rate value. When the flow rate value is detected, it is determined that the flow rate is an instrument flow rate, and the time-series flow value is stored as a flow rate pattern.

  Based on the instantaneous flow rate value of the flow rate pattern detected at the same time, the flow rate code is classified into a large flow rate region, a medium flow rate region, and a small flow rate region and the flow rate region, and an instrument number is assigned and stored.

  The average flow rate calculating means 12 calculates the average flow rate from the flow rate for each predetermined number, and the obtained average flow rate is compared with the average flow rate N times (n = 1 to) before the flow rate change more than the predetermined flow rate, It is determined that the appliance is used, and the usage flow rate is registered in the appliance monitoring registration means 16.

  Then, the abnormality determination means 18 performs the monitoring value stored in the appliance monitoring value setting means 17 from the use flow rate registered in the appliance monitoring registration means 16, that is, the total flow rate or the increase flow rate cutoff determination, and the appliance identification estimation means. 15, referring to the time limit value of the usage time for each appliance of the appliance monitoring value setting means 17 based on the appliance code signal estimated in 15, the usage time of the appliance used is measured and monitored.

  For example, when the gas table 7 or the gas fan heater 8 is used in a living room or kitchen, and the flow rate signal is detected to obtain the instantaneous flow rate, the distance calculation unit 14 first stores the flow rate pattern group stored in the flow rate storage unit 11. Further, the flow rate pattern is cut out and classified for each control pattern of the appliance, for example, at the start of use of the appliance, at the time of detecting the peak flow rate, at the stable flow rate, at the time of control, and the like.

  Next, the flow rate data group, the flow rate pattern group, and the registered flow rate in the instrument storage unit 13 are compared, and the distance information, that is, the flow rate deviation and the standard deviation correlation are obtained by comparing each flow rate control pattern block.

  The appliance identification estimator 15 estimates an appliance having the smallest distance such as a flow rate deviation from the rise of the flow rate, the peak flow rate, the flow rate value in a stable state, the change flow rate gradient when the flow rate changes.

  When each control pattern is the closest, that is, when the flow rate deviation, standard deviation is small, and the correlation coefficient is large, each evaluation point is assigned, the highest instrument is identified and determined as the instrument in use, and an instrument code signal is output.

  When a plurality of instruments such as the gas table 7 and the gas fan heater 8 are estimated to be in use, the gas table is set to 120 minutes and the gas fan heater is set to 720 minutes, and the usage time is monitored. When an abnormality is established by the abnormality determination means 18, an interruption signal is immediately output to the interruption means 19. At the same time, in the case of an abnormal flow rate interruption caused by any gas appliance, a notice of long-term use, or a usage time cutoff call communication is performed via the communication means 20 to the center of the gas company.

  A normal call is a code signal of an instrument, a code signal indicating an abnormal content, and a flow rate classification.

  In addition, it is also monitored in parallel whether the flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means 12 before being registered in the appliance monitoring registration means 16 does not exceed the abnormal flow rate due to a cause such as hose disconnection.

  In addition, the numerical limitation used in this embodiment is an example, and the usage pattern is not limited to this embodiment.

  As described above, which gas appliance is used by the appliance identification estimating means 15 can be easily estimated using distance information such as flow rate deviation and standard deviation, and is used by the abnormality determining means 18. The gas flow rate and the usage time are monitored in parallel for each gas appliance, and when abnormal usage is detected, it can be immediately shut off, and the appliance number that is classified and stored is communicated by communication means. By reporting to the center, it is possible to notify the gas company which appliance is being used abnormally, ensuring the safety of gas appliance consumers, and risk to life such as carbon monoxide poisoning due to gas leakage due to the worst gas appliance usage In addition, it is easy to identify the appliance by reporting the appliance number and other information to the center of the gas operator, and it is possible to prompt the gas operator or gas customer to take safety measures at an early stage. Very safe, and reliable.

  As described above, the gas shutoff device according to the present invention can identify and specify a gas appliance when detecting a flow rate, and can appropriately secure the safety of the appliance by setting and monitoring the optimum cutoff judgment value for each estimated appliance. It can be applied to all instrument monitoring devices.

Explanatory drawing showing the installation form of the gas appliance Control block diagram of gas shutoff device in embodiment 1 of the present invention Control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

Explanation of symbols

9 Flow rate detection means 10 Flow rate calculation means 11 Flow rate storage means 12 Average flow rate calculation means 13 Instrument storage means 14 Distance calculation means 15 Instrument identification estimation means 16 Instrument monitoring registration means 17 Instrument monitoring value storage means 18 Abnormality determination means 19 Blocking means 20 Communication means

Claims (1)

  A flow rate detecting means for measuring a flow rate; a flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate from a detection value of the flow rate detecting means; a flow rate storing means for classifying and storing the obtained instantaneous flow rate; and obtaining an average flow rate from the instantaneous flow rate. Distance calculation for obtaining a distance from the average flow rate calculation means, the appliance storage means for storing the flow rate information of appliances held in each household in advance, the appliance data of the appliance storage means and the flow rate data pattern group stored in the flow rate storage means Means, an appliance identification estimating means for identifying and estimating a gas appliance to be used from the distance obtained by the distance calculating means, an appliance monitoring registration means for registering the used appliance estimated by the appliance identification estimating means as a monitoring target, and an appliance in advance An appliance monitoring value setting means for storing each monitoring judgment value, a registered appliance from the appliance monitoring registration means, and a setting value of the appliance monitoring value setting means, An abnormality determining means for determining absence, a blocking means for cutting off gas supply when the abnormality determining means determines that there is an abnormality, and registering and setting the gas appliance information held in each household in the appliance storage means, or determining the abnormality A gas shut-off device comprising communication means for reporting the determination result of the means.

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