JP2010085383A - Flow measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow measuring device that does not require external server in registering information exclusively on a gas appliance that is used in each household. <P>SOLUTION: A flow measuring device 1 includes: flow-measuring means 17 for measuring, at predetermined time intervals, the flow rate of gas that is supplied to a gas appliance connected downstream of the flow-measuring device 1; a memory means 18 for memorizing the type of a gas appliance that is used by a user; time-measuring means 19 for measuring time during which a gas appliance is used; a determining means 20 for determining the type of an active gas appliance according to the time measured by the time measuring means 19; and a registering means 22 for registering, in a gas appliance memory means 118, a gas appliance found from a result yielded by the determining means 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device used for a gas meter or the like that measures an instantaneous flow rate value or an integrated flow rate value of a combustible gas such as city gas or LP gas.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, this type of flow rate measuring device is generated as the gas flow rate measuring means 103 that measures the flow rate of the gas flowing in the flow path 102 of the flow rate measuring device 101 and the combustion of each gas appliance. A registered instrument flow pattern table 104 for storing a series of gas flow patterns; a pattern extracting means 105 for extracting the flow patterns of the currently operating gas instruments A, B, C from the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means 103; A device discriminating means 106 for identifying the gas appliance currently in operation by comparing the flow rate pattern of the gas appliance stored in the flow rate pattern table 104 with the flow rate pattern of the gas appliance currently in operation extracted by the pattern extraction means 105. When a gas appliance not registered in the registered appliance flow rate pattern table 104 operates, the appliance discriminating means 106 determines the appliance being operated. In the case where the data cannot be obtained, the data is extracted by the pattern extraction unit 105 (preferably, the average value of the flow rate patterns at a plurality of times) and is registered in the registration device flow rate pattern table 104 (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  When the registration unit 107 detects an unregistered flow rate pattern, if the gas appliance is an appliance that operates frequently, the registration unit 107 remotely transmits data such as the flow rate pattern and the appliance name that are considered to be a new appliance using a communication line. Is received from the management center and registered in the registered appliance flow rate pattern table 104.

  As a result, the flow measuring device 101, which is normally used for about 10 years, can also be used to discriminate gas appliances that will be released after they are put on the market, assuming the possibility of selling new gas appliances even after they are installed. Yes.

In other words, when a new instrument is released after the flow measurement device is installed, the instrument is operated several times separately to acquire the flow pattern of the instrument from a remote management center and try to use it for subsequent discrimination. Is.
JP 2003-148728 A

  However, the conventional configuration has the following problems.

  First, it is necessary for the gas company or the gas meter manufacturer to associate the flow rate pattern with the gas appliance type in advance. This is very complicated.

  This is because there are many flow patterns for each gas appliance even in the same gas appliance type, and a considerable storage capacity is required to store the flow patterns in advance for association.

  Furthermore, the flow measuring device must be provided with means for communicating with an external server. This increases the number of parts constituting the flow rate measuring device and increases the cost.

If the gas appliance type is known, the gas usage flow rate can be calculated for each gas appliance type. However, there are almost a few gas appliances (less than 10) owned by one household, and information (flow patterns) of all gas appliances is not stored in advance in a flow rate measuring device or a remote management center. In order to reduce the storage capacity, it is desirable to register only information on the gas appliance to be used in the flow rate measuring device.

  If the gas usage flow rate for each gas appliance type can be calculated, a new service can be realized in which the gas company discounts the gas charge for a specific gas appliance type.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can be used in each home even if there is no external server having information (such as the type of gas appliance) necessary to determine the gas appliance used in the flow measuring device. It aims at providing the flow measuring device which registers the information only of the gas appliance to perform.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the flow rate measuring device of the present invention is used by a user and a flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate supplied to a gas appliance connected downstream at a predetermined time interval (T). Used gas appliance storage means for storing the type of the gas appliance, time measuring means for measuring the time during which the gas appliance is used, and the type of gas appliance operating according to the time measured by the time measuring means. An appliance discriminating means for discriminating, and a registering means for registering a gas appliance obtained from the result of the appliance discriminating means in the used gas appliance storage means.

  As a result, the flow measuring device determines the type of the gas appliance by operating only for the time corresponding to the type of gas appliance to be registered, so that the user does not perform a complicated operation and the flow measuring device sets the gas appliance type. Can be determined.

  Moreover, the gas appliance type used for the flow rate measuring device can be registered only by providing the time measuring unit in the flow rate measuring device without providing a special means necessary for operation.

  The flow rate measuring device of the present invention can register information (gas appliance type, etc.) necessary for discriminating the gas appliance used by the user in the storage means possessed by the flow rate measuring device itself. It can be greatly enhanced.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate supplied to a gas appliance connected downstream at a predetermined time interval (T), and a gas used for storing the type of the gas appliance used by a user. Instrument storage means, timing means for timing the time during which the gas instrument is used, instrument discrimination means for discriminating the type of gas instrument operating according to the time measured by the timing means, and the instrument discrimination means And a registering means for registering the gas appliance obtained from the result in the use gas appliance storage means.

  As a result, the flow measuring device determines the type of the gas appliance by operating only for the time corresponding to the type of gas appliance to be registered, so that the user does not perform a complicated operation and the flow measuring device sets the gas appliance type. Can be determined.

  Moreover, the gas appliance type used for the flow rate measuring device can be registered only by providing the time measuring unit in the flow rate measuring device without providing a special means necessary for operation.

  According to the second invention, in particular, the time measuring means of the first invention starts measuring time when the flow rate measuring means measures a flow value greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the flow rate to be measured is less than the predetermined value. In this case, the time when the gas appliance is used is tried to be timed by stopping the timekeeping.

  Therefore, the operation time can be reduced by determining the start of operation of the gas appliance by the flow of gas and determining the stop of operation of the gas appliance by the fact that the gas does not flow (the flow rate to be measured is less than a predetermined value). It can be timed accurately.

  In particular, according to a third invention, in the first or second invention, one type of gas appliance is notified, and a notification unit that changes the type of gas appliance to be notified according to the time measured by the timing unit is provided.

  As a result, the user can check the gas appliance type notified by the notification means, and the registration work can be performed by stopping the gas appliance, so that the user can register with more accuracy than measuring the time by himself / herself. Registration of the gas appliance type can be performed.

  In addition, since the gas appliance is operated and the gas appliance is stopped at a timing corresponding to the type of the gas appliance to be registered by the notification content of the notification means, the type can be registered. Can be easy. Therefore, the user does not feel bothered.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the order of the gas appliance type notified by the notification means of the third invention is a gas appliance in which the thermal power adjustment is not performed during operation of the gas appliance → a gas appliance in which the user manually adjusts the thermal power → Gas appliances are set in the order of gas appliances that automatically adjust the thermal power. For gas appliances with thermal power adjustment, the change flow rate and change method caused by thermal power adjustment (when changing the gas appliance type) Pattern).

  On the other hand, since there is no need to acquire such information, it is necessary to use extra gas while waiting if the order is changed.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful gas consumption by notifying that there is no thermal power adjustment first.

  In addition, when the thermal power adjustment is performed automatically, the timing of the adjustment is not known (it may take time). Conversely, if the user manually adjusts the thermal power, the timing can be adjusted by adjusting the user.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary gas consumption by notifying the gas appliance for manually adjusting the thermal power first.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects includes an input unit, and the time measuring unit measures time only when there is an input to the input unit, Flow rate integrating means for integrating the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means only when the time measuring means is measuring time is provided.

  Thereby, the gas used when registering the gas appliance type is not used for the purpose of heating, for example, if it is a fan heater, but is used for registering the gas appliance type in the flow measuring device.

  Thus, by integrating the gas while registering the gas appliance type separately from when it is not, it is possible for the gas company to bear the gas fee used at the time of registration.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions calculates a difference value between the gas flow rate and the gas flow rate before a predetermined time (N). The flow rate (Qa) before the time (N) from the time a when the absolute value of the difference value is greater than a predetermined first threshold value and the absolute value of the difference value thereafter is the first threshold value. A second computing means for calculating a flow rate difference with the flow rate (Qb) at time b, which has become smaller, and an appliance-specific information storage means for storing information on gas appliances stored in the used gas appliance storage means, The registration means registers in the use gas appliance storage means that the type of gas appliance required from the result of the appliance discrimination means is used, and stores at least the flow rate difference in the appliance-specific information storage means. I made it.

  After registering the gas appliance type, the flow rate measuring device can discriminate the operating gas appliance based on the gas flow consumed at the start of operation rather than the operation time.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the flow rate measuring means of the flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention is the moment when the flow rate changes due to the configuration using the ultrasonic flowmeter as the instantaneous flow rate measuring means. In addition, the device discrimination operation and the learning operation can be activated, and the appliance discrimination accuracy can be improved by capturing the change in flow rate finely.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 1, a measurement flow path 2 for supplying gas to a plurality of gas appliances A, B, and C (for example, a fan heater, a gas table, a stove, and a gas oven) is provided inside the flow rate measuring device 1. It is arranged.

  Connected to the measurement channel 2 are a gas shut-off valve 3 that mainly shuts off the gas when there is an abnormality, and a flow rate measuring unit 4.

  Further, the flow rate measuring device 1 receives the outputs of the display unit 5, the input unit 6, and the flow rate measuring unit 4 that provide visual notification to the user, calculates the flow rate, and controls the gas cutoff valve 3. A control unit 7 is provided.

  The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 8, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 9, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10, and an input / output port 11, which are connected to each other by a bus 12. ing.

  The input / output port 11 is connected to a drive circuit 13 that drives the flow rate measuring unit 4 and the gas cutoff valve 3 and a drive circuit 14 that drives the display unit 5.

  In the control unit 7, the CPU 8 realizes the function as the flow rate measuring device 1 by executing the program stored in the ROM 9 using the RAM 10 as a working area.

  Here, operation | movement of the flow volume measurement part 2 is demonstrated using FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the measurement channel 2 has a rectangular cross section, and a pair of ultrasonic transmitters / receivers 15 and 16 are arranged on opposing wall surfaces. These ultrasonic transmitters / receivers 15 and 16 are positioned so as to be diagonally opposed to the upstream side and the downstream side of the measurement channel 2 with an angle φ.

  Ultrasonic waves are alternately transmitted and received between the ultrasonic transmitters / receivers 15 and 16, and the difference between the propagation times of the ultrasonic waves in the forward direction and the reverse direction with respect to the fluid flow is measured at regular intervals, and this propagation time difference signal is output. Have a work to do.

  The calculation means (not shown) of the control unit 7 receives the propagation time difference signal and calculates the flow velocity and flow rate of the fluid.

  Further, in FIG. 2, the sound velocity is C, the flow velocity is v, the distance between the two ultrasonic transmitters / receivers 15 and 16 is L, the angle between the ultrasonic propagation direction and the flow direction is θ, When the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 15 arranged on the upstream side of the path 2 and received by the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 16 arranged on the downstream side, the propagation time is t1, and the reverse propagation time is t2. In this case, t1 and t2 can be obtained by the following equations.

t1 = L / (C + v cos θ) (1)
t2 = L / (C−v cos θ) (2)
(1) and (2) are modified, and the flow velocity v is obtained in (3).

v = L · (1 / t1-1 / t2) / 2 cos θ (3)
The fluid flow rate can be obtained by multiplying the value obtained in (3) above by the cross-sectional area of the measurement channel 2.

  Furthermore, since the gas flowing in the measurement channel 2 suddenly changes depending on the point at which the flow rate is measured, it may be larger or smaller than the flow rate seen from the entire channel. An average of the measured flow velocity V ′ is used as a measured flow rate (hereinafter referred to as a flow rate) measured by the flow rate measuring unit 4.

  In addition, regarding the flow rate measurement unit 4 of the present embodiment, an ultrasonic measurement unit is used. However, as a measurement method, other flow measurement methods are continuously performed in a constant cycle in a short time such as a full dick method. It can be used if it can be measured.

  Although the measurement time interval can be set within a range where ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received, in this embodiment, the measurement is performed at intervals of 2 seconds.

  Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the time interval in terms of the measurement principle, and some gas appliances start up in less than 2 seconds, so reducing the measurement time interval is a point where instrument discrimination is performed instantaneously. Although it is advantageous, there are problems such as shortening the measurement interval, which increases battery consumption, and the measurement interval is the number of seconds on the order of two digits, equivalent to the membrane method used in conventional gas meters. When the interval is reached, it is difficult to judge by looking at the difference in flow rate change of the algorithm.

FIG. 3 shows the function of the flow rate measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment. First, the flow rate measuring means 17 (which is realized by the flow rate measuring unit 4 and the control unit 7) for measuring the gas flow rate is connected downstream. Use gas appliance storage means 18 for storing the type of gas appliance, timing means 19 for measuring the time during which the gas appliance is used, appliance discriminating means 20 for discriminating what gas appliance is operating, and gas used When the gas appliance information storage means 21 for storing the information of the gas appliance stored in the appliance storage means 18 and the type of gas appliance required from the discrimination result of the appliance discrimination means 20 are used, the gas appliance storage means 18 is used. The registration means 22 to be registered, the input means 23 for the time counting means 19 to start timing when an input is made to itself, and the notification hand that changes the notification contents according to the time measured by the time counting means 19 24, a first calculation unit 25 and a second calculation unit 26, which are flow rate calculation units, a measurement flow rate history storage unit 27 for storing a flow rate history measured by the flow rate measurement unit 17, and a flow rate measurement unit 17. Based on the gas flow rate to be measured and the discrimination result of the appliance discriminating means 20, the flow rate accumulating means 28 for accumulating the gas flow rate used (flowing) in the operating gas appliance is provided.

  The flow rate measuring means 17 stores the gas flow rate flowing in the measurement flow path 2 measured every 2 seconds in the measured flow rate history storage means 27. The measured flow rate history storage means 27 is realized by the RAM 10, and stores the measured gas flow rate for several minutes as history information in order to identify the gas appliance in which the appliance discrimination means 20 is operating.

  In the present embodiment, the measured flow rate history storage means 27 stores the gas flow rate measured as history information until 30 seconds ago.

  The input unit 23 is realized by the input unit 6, and when the gas appliance type is registered in the flow rate measuring device, the user first inputs the input unit 23.

  The gas appliance storage means 18 is realized by the RAM 10 and stores the type of the gas appliance used by the user.

  The time measuring means 19 is realized by the control unit 15 and measures the time during which the gas appliance is used.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there is an input to the input means 19 and when the flow rate measuring means 17 detects the gas flow, the time measurement starts, and the flow rate measuring means 17 stops the gas flow. Stops timing when detected.

  The appliance-specific information storage means 21 is realized by the RAM 10, and stores, as a registered value, a gas flow rate (starting flow rate) that increases at least when an operation is started for each gas appliance.

  Gas appliances such as fan heaters and gas stoves have unique and reproducible gas flow rates at the start of operation (the first startup flow rate and the second startup flow rate are almost the same). is there).

  Therefore, once this gas flow rate is stored, it is possible to discriminate the gas appliance that has started (started) operation based on the startup flow rate.

  In addition, you may make it memorize | store the flow rate pattern of the gas flow rate which the flow volume measurement means 17 measures as the information memorize | stored in the apparatus information storage means 21 when the thermal power adjustment of a gas appliance is performed.

  The first calculation means 25 is realized by the control unit 7 and refers to the measured flow rate history storage means 27 to calculate the difference between the current flow rate value and the measured flow rate value two times (4 seconds) before. Means.

  The second calculation means 26 is realized by the control unit 7, and the absolute value of the difference value calculated by the first calculation means 25 with reference to the measured flow rate history storage means 27 is a predetermined threshold (for example, 3 [ L / h]) at the time b when the absolute value of the difference value calculated by the first calculation means 25 becomes smaller than the threshold after the measured flow rate (Qa) 4 seconds before the time a when the time a becomes larger than the time a. It is a processing unit that calculates the flow rate change amount from the measured flow rate (Qb).

Here, when Qa <Qb, the second calculating means 26 calculates the flow rate change amount as (Qb−Qa). This is treated as the starting flow rate. When Qa> Qb, the flow rate change amount is calculated as (Qa−Qb).

  The appliance discriminating means 20 is realized by the control unit 7 and the input means 23 has an input, and the time counting means 19 is measuring time (Case A) and the case is not (Case B). Change the operating gas appliance.

  In case A, the operating gas appliance is discriminated by looking only at the time measured by the time measuring means 19.

  For example, immediately after the gas appliance is stopped, if the time measured by the timing means 19 is less than 1 minute, the gas table, if it is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes, the gas stove, 2 minutes or more and less than 3 minutes In such a case, a gas appliance that has been operated, such as a fan heater, is determined by looking at the operation time. This method is referred to as method (1).

  In case B, it is determined that a flow rate change has occurred when the absolute value of the difference value calculated by the first calculation means 25 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 3 [L / h]). When the absolute value of the difference value is less than 3 [L / h], it is determined that the flow rate change has converged, and the gas appliance that has caused this flow rate change is identified.

  In the gas appliance identification method, Qa <Qb is established when the gas appliance starts operation. In that case, the actual value (Qb−Qa) of the starting flow rate calculated by the second calculation means 26 and the appliance-specific information Compared with the registered value of the starting flow rate registered in the storage means 21, for example, a gas appliance that has started to operate with an error of ± 5 [L / h] (the closest if there are multiple) Is determined. This method is referred to as method (2).

  The registration unit 22 stores the gas appliance method for performing the determination in the method (2) in the appliance-specific information storage unit 21.

  Specifically, when the appliance discriminating means 20 discriminates the operating gas appliance by the method (1), the discrimination result is stored in the used gas appliance storage means 18 and the flow rate calculated by the second computing means 26 is calculated. The change amount (Qb−Qa) and the determination result are associated with each other and stored in the appliance-specific information storage unit 21 at least.

  The notification means 24 is realized by the display unit 5 and the drive circuit 14. In the present embodiment, the notification contents are changed according to the passage of time as shown in FIG. 4 according to the time measured by the time measurement means 19.

  That is, the LED 29a, 29b, 29c as the notification unit 24 is arranged in the flow rate measuring device 1, and each LED 29a, 29b, 29c corresponds to the gas appliance type.

  Specifically, the notification content is changed such that when the timekeeping time is less than 1 minute, the LED 29a corresponding to the gas table, and when the timekeeping time is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes, the LED 290b corresponding to the gas stove is timed. When the time is 2 minutes or more and less than 3 minutes, the LEDs 29c corresponding to the fan heaters are turned on.

  The order of lighting considers the following. A gas table and a gas stove are gas appliances in which the user manually adjusts the heating power, and a fan heater is a gas appliance in which the heating power is automatically adjusted. Therefore, in the case of a fan heater, the timing at which the thermal power adjustment is performed cannot be determined.

  Therefore, it is possible to earn time until the heating power adjustment is performed while the timing means 19 keeps timing with the timing to turn on the LED.

  Further, by notifying the gas appliance for manually adjusting the heating power first, it is possible to prevent waste of gas consumed when registering the gas table or the gas stove.

  A gas appliance having a thermal power adjustment can acquire a change flow rate and a change method (pattern) caused by the thermal power adjustment in accordance with the discrimination of the gas appliance type.

  On the other hand, since there is no need to acquire such information, it is necessary to use extra gas while waiting if the order is changed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful gas consumption by notifying that there is no thermal power adjustment first.

  In addition, when the thermal power adjustment is performed automatically, the timing of the adjustment is not known (it may take time). Conversely, if the user manually adjusts the thermal power, the timing can be adjusted by adjusting the user.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary gas consumption by notifying the gas appliance for manually adjusting the thermal power first.

  The flow rate integrating unit 28 is realized by the control unit 7 and calculates the gas usage by integrating the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 17.

  Then, the gas flow rate used by the operating gas appliance (flowing to the operating gas appliance) is calculated based on the discrimination result performed by the appliance discriminating means 20, and the gas flow rate for each gas appliance as the calculation result is integrated. Calculate the amount of gas used for each gas appliance.

  5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the flow rate measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 6 is a flowchart that explains S504 in FIG. 5 in detail, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in detail S503 in FIG.

  As can be seen from these figures, first, the flow rate measuring means 17 measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the measurement flow path 2 every 2 seconds (S501).

  Of course, when there is no gas appliance operating, the gas flow is 0 [L / h], and the gas flows into the measurement flow path 2 when the gas appliance starts operating.

  Therefore, next, this embodiment will be described on the assumption that the gas appliance has been used by the user (the gas appliance has started operation). In the present embodiment, the flow rate measuring device 1 is in an initial state.

  The initial state here means a state where there is an input to the input means 23 and the time measuring means 19 is not measuring time.

  When the gas appliance starts operating, the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means 17 changes. The first calculating means 25 detects the gas flow rate 4 seconds before and the current gas flow to detect whether the flow rate change starts and at which point the flow rate change converges (the gas flow rate stabilizes). Calculate the absolute value of the difference from the flow rate.

  Here, when the difference value becomes 3 [L / h] or more, the flow rate change occurs (start point), and when the difference value becomes less than 3 [L / h], the flow rate change converges. Let it be a point (end point).

  Then, the processing is different depending on whether there is an input in the input means 23 or no input (S502).

  If there is an input in the input means 23, a determination is made based on the operating time (S504). The specific contents are as follows.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the timing means 19 is timing (S601). Then, since the flow rate measuring device 1 is in the initial state, it is determined that the time is not being measured. Further, since the gas device has been used, there is a change in the flow rate (S602). Timekeeping is started to time (S603).

  Then, the flow measuring device 1 distinguishes between the case where the gas appliance is operating and the case where it is stopped (S605).

  If the gas appliance is in operation and the gas flow rate is stabilized and the gas flow rate is stabilized (S602), the second calculation means 25 calculates the flow rate changed from the start point to the end point, and calculates the time from the start point to the end point. The amount of change in flow rate at that time is calculated (S603).

  Here, the second calculation means 26 compares the measured gas flow rate Qa immediately before the flow rate change with the measured gas flow rate Qb immediately after the flow rate change, and when the gas appliance is operated, the flow rate after the change is larger. The amount of change is calculated as Qb-Qa and is set as the starting flow rate (actual value).

  And the alerting | reporting means 24 changes the content to alert | report according to the time measured by the time measuring means 19 (S608).

  When the timekeeping time is less than 1 minute, the LED corresponding to the gas table is lit (S608a), and when the timekeeping time is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes, the gas stove is lit (S608b). If it is 2 minutes or more and less than 3 minutes, the fan heater is turned on (S608c).

  In addition, although not demonstrated in this Embodiment in the case of 3 minutes or more, LED corresponding to another gas appliance shall light.

  Further, the flow rate measuring device 1 includes communication means instead of the notification means 24, transmits the time measurement result of the time measurement means 19 to an external information terminal device, and the information terminal device includes notification means. The above notification may be performed. Then, since the installation place may be distant from the flow measuring device 1 and the gas appliance, the information content of the notification means can be confirmed by being near the gas appliance in that case. That is, it becomes possible to make a discrimination based on the operation time by one person.

  Next, when the gas appliance is stopped (S605), the time measuring means 19 stops the operation time counting of the in-use gas appliance being timed (S611), and the operated gas appliance is determined from the operation time (S611). S612).

  Specifically, if the operating time is less than 1 minute, it is determined that the gas table has been operated, and if the measured time is not less than 1 minute and less than 2 minutes, it is determined that the gas stove has been operated, and 2 minutes If it is less than 3 minutes, it is determined that the fan heater has been operated.

  The flow rate measuring device 1 stores the determination result of S612 in the used gas appliance storage means 18 (S613), and stores the activation flow rate calculated by the second calculation means 26 in the appliance-specific information storage means 21 (S614). ).

  Then, the input of the input means 22 is invalidated, and thereafter, when the flow rate measuring means 17 measures the gas flow rate (S501), discrimination based on the flow rate change amount (S503) can be performed. The flow rate integrating means 28 integrates the gas flow rate that flows during the determination period, distinguishing it from the other (the gas flow rate that flows when the determination is made based on a change in flow rate) (S604).

  Here, the gas used when registering the gas appliance type is, for example, not used for heating purposes if it is a fan heater, but is used for registering the gas appliance type in the flow rate measuring device.

  Since the gas is used for a purpose that is different from the purpose for which it is originally used, the user (customer) does not want to bear the charge.

  Therefore, by integrating the gas during the registration of the gas appliance type separately from when it is not, it is possible to allow the gas company to bear the gas fee used at the time of registration.

  The specific contents of the discrimination based on the flow rate change amount are as follows. In addition, in order to perform discrimination based on the amount of change in flow rate, it is assumed that the flow rate measuring device 1 is in a state where there is no input to the input means 23 and a gas appliance is used (operation has started).

  In this state, the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means 17 changes when the gas appliance starts operating, as in the determination based on the operation time. Therefore, in order to detect from which time point the flow rate change starts and at which point the flow rate change converges (the gas flow rate stabilizes), the first calculation means 25 determines the gas flow rate 4 seconds before and the current flow rate. Calculate the absolute value of the difference from the gas flow rate.

  Here, when the difference value becomes 3 [L / h] or more, the flow rate change occurs (start point), and when the difference value becomes less than 3 [L / h], the flow rate change converges. Let it be a point (end point).

  When the gas appliance starts operation and the gas flow rate is stabilized (S701), the second calculation means 26 calculates the flow rate changed from the start point to the end point, and calculates the time from the start point to the end point and the flow rate change amount at that time. Calculate (S702).

  Here, the appliance discriminating means 20 compares the measured gas flow rate Qa immediately before the change in flow rate with the measured gas flow rate Qb immediately after the change, and when the change is greater (S703), the gas appliance operates first. The flow rate change amount is calculated as Qb−Qa separately from the fact that it has started, and is treated as the actual measured value of the startup flow rate.

  And the registration value of the starting flow rate registered by the registration means 22 is read with reference to the device-specific information storage means 21 (S704).

  Next, the measured value and the registered value of the starting flow rate are compared, and in this embodiment, when there is a gas appliance whose absolute value of the difference between them is less than 5 [L / h], the gas appliance is started. (S605).

  Then, it is determined that the gas appliance employed in S605 starts operating with the actual measured value of the starting flow rate and is currently operating at that gas flow rate (S705).

  In addition, when the direction before a change is larger, the stopped gas appliance is discriminate | determined from the amount of flow volume changes (S710). Since the method for discriminating the stopped gas appliance is not directly related to the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the flow rate measuring device 1 checks whether or not the gas appliance activated in S705 can be discriminated and whether or not the gas appliance stopped in S710 can be discriminated (S706). The performed gas appliance is determined (S707).

  Next, the flow rate integrating means 28 calculates the gas flow rate used by the operating gas appliance (S708), and integrates the gas flow rate for each gas appliance (S709).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the flow rate measuring device determines the type of gas appliance by operating it for a time corresponding to the type of gas appliance to be registered, so that the user does not have to perform complicated operations.

  Moreover, the gas appliance type used for the flow rate measuring device can be registered only by providing the time measuring unit in the flow rate measuring device without providing a special means necessary for operation.

  The means described above is a form of a program for cooperating hardware resources such as a CPU (or a microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electric / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like. May be implemented.

  In the form of a program, new functions can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them using a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, since the flow rate measuring device according to the present invention is connected downstream of the gas meter and can accurately determine the gas appliance used by the user, the gas appliance is used properly. It can also be applied to uses such as security monitoring.

Block diagram of a flow rate measuring device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a flow rate measurement unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Functional block diagram of the flow rate measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention 1 is an external view of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Flowchart of the flow rate measuring device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of the flow rate measuring device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of the flow rate measuring device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Block diagram of a conventional flow measurement device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Flow measurement means 20 Appliance discrimination means 22 Registration means 18 Used gas appliance storage means 19 Timing means 21 Measurement flow history storage means 23 Input means 24 Notification means 25 First calculation means 26 Second calculation means 27 Measurement flow history storage means
28 Flow rate integration means

Claims (7)

A flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate supplied to a gas appliance connected downstream at a predetermined time interval (T), a gas appliance storage means for storing a type of the gas appliance used by a user, Time measuring means for measuring the time during which the gas appliance is used, instrument discriminating means for discriminating the type of gas appliance operating according to the time measured by the timing means, and a gas appliance obtained from the result of the appliance discriminating means A flow rate measuring device comprising: registration means for registering the gas in the used gas appliance storage means. The time measuring means starts measuring time when the flow rate measuring means measures a flow value greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and stops the time measuring when the flow rate to be measured is less than the predetermined value, whereby the gas appliance is used. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, which measures a running time. 2. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies one of the types of gas appliances and changes a gas appliance type to be notified according to a time measured by the timing unit. The order of the types of gas appliances notified by the reporting means is as follows: gas appliances that do not adjust thermal power during operation of gas appliances → gas appliances that perform thermal power adjustment manually by the user → gas appliances that automatically adjust the thermal power of the gas appliance The flow rate measuring device according to claim 3 which is set. A flow rate integrating means for measuring the time only when there is an input to the input means, and integrating the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means only when the time measuring means is timing. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, comprising: A first calculation means for calculating a difference value between the gas flow rate and the gas flow rate before a predetermined time (N), and a time a when the absolute value of the difference value is greater than a predetermined first threshold value. Second calculation means for calculating a flow rate difference between a flow rate (Qa) before time (N) and a flow rate (Qb) at time b when the absolute value of the difference value becomes smaller than the first threshold value; An appliance-specific information storage unit that stores information on the gas appliance stored in the gas appliance storage unit, and the registration unit uses the gas appliance of the type determined from the result of the appliance discrimination unit. 2. The flow rate measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate measuring device is registered in the appliance storage means and at least the flow rate difference is stored in the appliance-specific information storage means. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic flow meter is used as the flow rate measuring means.

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