JP2010266231A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide such a gas meter as spares a consumer inconvenience by reducing erroneous shutoff that occurs when gas usage varies for a short time. <P>SOLUTION: This gas meter includes a flow measuring part for measuring the use status of a gas including the flow rate of the gas, a learning processor for learning/holding optimum shutoff conditions to shut off gas supply according to the measured use status of the gas by learning initial values of the shutoff conditions set in order to shut off the gas supply correspondingly to an anomalous use status of the gas, and a shutoff part for shutting off a flow of the gas when the use status of the gas corresponds to the shutoff conditions. The gas meter comprises a calendar storage for therein storing a unique day when the use status of the gas changes. The held shutoff conditions are changed to the initial values by the learning processor when the present date and time is the unique day stored in the calendar storage and the measured use status of the gas meets prescribed conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter having a security function for shutting off gas and ensuring safety.

  Conventionally, a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used is judged abnormal and shuts off the gas flow path when a large amount of flow is measured or when it is used for a long time that is not normal. , Has a safety function to ensure safety.

  Such a gas meter is provided with a table for storing a flow rate as a shut-off condition and a time limit for safe continuous use. When the amount of gas used is small, the flow rate of the shut-off condition is reduced, the time limit is increased, and the gas use amount is reduced. When there are many, the flow rate of the interruption condition is increased, and the time limit is set short to ensure safety.

However, when the amount of normal gas used increases or decreases due to special circumstances, the gas may be cut off depending on the flow rate or the time limit set in the above-described table.
In the gas shut-off device with a calendar learning function of Patent Document 1, in order to reset the setting of the above table, when the increase / decrease in gas usage can be predicted or when the timing for adding a new gas appliance can be predicted, the timing is set. The learning start reservation date is set in advance, and the flow rate and time limit of the blocking condition are learned by learning for a predetermined period from the reservation date.
This reduces false alarms and false interruptions during actual use, and improves reliability.

  Further, in the fluid management device of Patent Literature 2, when the gas flow rate value reaches a predetermined condition (for example, a monitoring level), the cutoff setting value for driving the cutoff unit is reset and the learned cutoff setting is set. The value is output to the outside.

The technique of Patent Document 1 described above is effective for long-term fluctuations such as the four seasons, but is less effective for short-term fluctuations such as the year-end and New Year holidays and the old basin.
That is, in the technique of Patent Document 1, learning has to be performed for a predetermined period. By the time learning is completed, the short-term fluctuation period has ended, and learning is no longer necessary. Therefore, if there are relatives in the year-end and New Year holidays or the old tray, that is, if many gas stoves are used, the gas usage will increase rapidly, exceeding the flow rate of the cutoff condition, and the gas will be shut off.

  Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, since the flow rate and the time limit of the cutoff condition are set according to the flow rate value when the gas flow rate value reaches a predetermined condition, for example, the limit for safe continuous use is set. If the time is reset again, the discovery of gas leaks will be delayed.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and provides a gas meter that reduces inconveniences that occur when gas usage fluctuates in the short term and does not cause inconvenience to consumers. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above problems, the gas meter according to the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a gas usage state including a gas flow rate, and a cutoff set to shut off the gas supply for an abnormal gas usage state. A learning processing unit that learns and holds an optimal shutoff condition for shutting off gas supply according to the measured gas usage status by learning an initial value of the condition, and when the gas usage status meets the shutoff condition A gas meter including a cutoff unit that cuts off a gas flow, and has a calendar storage unit that stores a specific date when a gas usage state changes, and the learning processing unit stores the current date and time in the calendar storage unit. When the measured use state of the gas reaches a predetermined condition, the held cutoff condition is changed to an initial value.

The gas usage state to be measured is the gas flow rate, the gas usage increase amount, the total gas usage amount per unit time, and the usage time in which the gas is continuously used. The gas usage status changes. A peculiar day is a period during which the amount of increase in gas usage increases and / or a period during which the gas usage time increases.

The learning processing unit performs any of the following processes.
(1) When the stored cutoff condition is not more than an initial value and the measured gas flow rate is not less than a predetermined value within a period in which the use time of the gas stored in the calendar storage unit is long, Change the usage time cutoff value to the initial value.
(2) Within the period in which the increase in the amount of gas used stored in the calendar storage unit increases, the held cutoff condition is not more than an initial value, and the measured gas flow rate is not less than a predetermined value. When the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the total flow rate cutoff value and the increased flow rate cutoff value are changed to their initial values.

  Further, the learning processing unit may be configured to return to the blocking condition before changing the held blocking condition after the current date and time has passed the singular date.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to recognize the time when the gas is used and the outside air temperature, and to reset the flow rate to be shut off and the time limit to be shut off. Annoying blocking can be prevented.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the gas meter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of external temperature and the temperature inside a gas meter. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a control part. It is the example which showed the time memorize | stored in the calendar memory | storage part by the figure. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a learning process part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a learning process part.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the gas meter of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the gas meter includes a battery 1 serving as a power source for the entire gas meter, a seismic device 2 that senses shaking due to an earthquake, and a gas A pressure sensor 3 for detecting a decrease in pressure, a temperature sensor 4 for detecting an air temperature, a flow rate sensor 5 for detecting a flow rate and outputting a flow rate detection signal, a bidirectional shut-off valve 6 for shutting off a gas flow path, A test shut-off switch 7 for testing whether the shut-off valve 6 functions normally, a shut-off valve open switch 8 for opening the closed bidirectional shut-off valve 6, an integrated display 9 for displaying the integrated gas flow rate, Connects a security display 10 that displays gas shutoff and gas usage abnormalities, a clock 11 that measures the current date and time, a control unit 12 that controls the entire gas meter, a network connection device, an alarm device, an external device, etc. And a terminal block 13 having a fit terminals.
Here, the control unit 12 includes a control program for controlling the entire gas meter, a memory for recording various setting data and processing data, and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) for operating the control program.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outside air temperature and the temperature inside the gas meter become equal after 60 minutes have elapsed, and therefore the temperature sensor 4 is attached to the substrate inside the gas meter.

In the configuration described above, when the flow rate detection signal is input from the flow rate sensor 5, the control unit 12 calculates and integrates the flow rate, stores the integrated value in a memory or the like, and causes the integrated display unit 9 to display the integrated value.
Moreover, the control part 12 determines whether interruption conditions, such as a total flow interruption | blocking function, an increase flow interruption | blocking function, a use time interruption | blocking function, are satisfied based on the flow volume, and when interruption | blocking conditions are satisfied In accordance with the determination result, the bidirectional shutoff valve 6 is driven to close the valve to automatically shut off the gas flow.

The total flow rate shut-off function is a function that shuts off the gas when the amount of gas used per unit time exceeds a preset value, for example, when the total flow rate is exceeded due to simultaneous use of a large water heater, etc. is there.
In addition, the increased flow rate shut-off function means that when the gas flow rate being monitored suddenly increases, for example, when the increased flow rate is exceeded due to misopening of a gas stopper, disconnection of a rubber hose, simultaneous use of a large water heater, etc. This is a function to shut off the gas.
Furthermore, the operating time shut-off function means that if the time for which gas is continuously used exceeds a preset value, the operating time will be exceeded due to, for example, forgetting to turn off the gas appliance or incomplete closing of the appliance plug. This function shuts off the gas when

  Each such cutoff set value is set to an initial value when the gas meter is installed, and then updated to an appropriate cutoff set value according to the measured value of the gas flow rate or the gas usage time by a learning process. In other words, the cutoff set value is updated by the normal learning process with respect to a normal seasonal change in gas use. The present invention addresses the change in gas usage due to special circumstances for such learning.

Next, the learning process of the cutoff setting value according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control structure of the control unit 12. In the figure, the control unit 12 includes a learning processing unit 121, a flow rate measurement unit 122, a calendar storage unit 123, a cutoff set value storage unit 124, and cutoff control. The unit 125 is configured to be included.

  The calendar storage unit 123 is stored in the memory of the control unit 12, and in particular, the first singular day representing the day (period) when the increased flow rate of gas increases, and the day when the gas usage time becomes longer. The second singular day representing (period) is stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first specific day includes “one month before and after the equinox day”, “the rainy season”, “one month before and after the autumn equinox”, and the like. In addition, examples of the second special day include “New Year's holiday” and “Old Bon”. The calendar storage unit 123 may be an external memory.

  The cutoff set value storage unit 124 is stored in the memory of the control unit 12, and stores the cutoff set values for cutoff events such as total flow rate cutoff, increased flow rate cutoff, and usage time cutoff. Yes.

  The flow rate measurement unit 122 receives the gas flow rate signal output from the flow rate sensor 5, calculates and integrates the gas usage amount, and increases the gas usage rate increased from the gas usage amount measured last time, the gas usage per unit time. The total amount of gas used, which is the amount, and the gas usage time during which the gas is continuously used are calculated. The flow rate measurement unit 122 outputs the total gas use amount and the gas use time to the learning processing unit 121 and outputs the gas increase flow rate, the total gas use amount, and the gas use time to the cutoff control unit 125.

  The learning processing unit 121 performs normal learning processing except for the specific date in which the current date and time is stored in the calendar storage unit 123, and determines an appropriate cutoff setting value corresponding to the gas flow rate and the gas usage time. The cutoff set value storage unit 124 is updated with the set cutoff set value.

  On the other hand, when the current date and time is a specific date stored in the calendar storage unit 123, the total gas usage and gas usage time received from the flow rate measurement unit 122, the current outside air temperature acquired from the temperature sensor 4, and the calendar storage. Referring to unit 123, it is determined whether or not to reset the cutoff set value storage unit 124, and the cutoff set value storage unit 124 is reset according to the determination result. After the singular day has passed, normal learning processing is performed. Moreover, you may return to the interruption | blocking setting value before resetting the interruption | blocking setting value memory | storage part 124 after the specific day passes.

Next, the processing of the learning processing unit 121 will be described in detail.
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the learning processing unit 121 and are executed each time the gas usage amount is output from the flow rate measurement unit 122.
This flowchart describes the resetting of the total flow rate cutoff value and the usage time cutoff value, but the resetting of the increased flow rate cutoff value can be performed in the same manner as the total flow rate cutoff value and is omitted. The following flag 1 and flag 2 indicate whether or not the cutoff setting value has been changed on a singular day, and when the gas meter is installed, the flag 1 and flag 2 are initialized to OFF. .

  First, if the current date is the second singular day stored in the calendar storage unit 123 (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not the singular day (NO in step S1), step S6 is performed. Proceed to

  If the usage time cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124 is smaller than the initial value of the usage time cutoff value (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. Otherwise (NO in step S2), the process proceeds to step S11. move on.

  Next, if the gas usage time obtained from the flow rate measurement unit 122 exceeds a predetermined ratio (for example, 90%) of the usage time cutoff value stored in the cutoff setting value storage unit 124 (YES in step S3), the flag 1 Is set to ON, the usage time cutoff value stored in the cutoff setting value storage unit 124 is saved in the memory (step S4), and the cutoff setting value storage unit 124 is updated with the initial value of the usage time cutoff value ( In step S5), the process proceeds to step S11. If the predetermined ratio is not exceeded (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S11.

  If the current date is not the second singular date and the flag 1 is ON (YES in step S6), the flag 1 is set to OFF and the value saved in the memory is stored as the cutoff set value. Writing back to the unit 124 (step S7), the process proceeds to step S11.

  Next, if the current date is the first singular date stored in the calendar storage unit 123 (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is not the singular date (NO in step S11), step Proceed to S17.

  If the total flow cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124 is equal to or less than the initial value of the total flow cutoff value (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13, otherwise (NO in step S12). finish.

  Next, if the total gas use amount obtained from the flow rate measuring unit 122 exceeds a predetermined ratio (for example, 70%) of the total flow rate cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124 (YES in step S13), step Proceed to S14.

  Next, if the outside air temperature acquired from the temperature sensor 4 is lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature that is cold if a gas heater is not used (10 ° C.)) (YES in step S14), the flag 2 is turned ON. The total flow cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124 is saved in the memory (step S15), and the cutoff set value storage unit 124 is updated with the initial value of the total flow cutoff value (step S16). The process is terminated. If the outside air temperature acquired from temperature sensor 4 is higher than a predetermined temperature (NO in step S14), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the current date is not the first singular date and the flag 2 is ON (YES in step S17), the flag 2 is set to OFF and the total flow cutoff value stored in the memory is cut off. Writing back to the set value storage unit 124 (step S18).

Next, is it necessary to learn the usage time cutoff value and the total flow cutoff value set value stored in the cutoff setting value storage unit 124 for the gas usage time and the total gas usage obtained from the flow measurement unit 122? It is determined whether or not (step S19). If re-learning is necessary, re-learning is performed to reset the cutoff set value storage unit 124 (step S20), and the process is terminated. Here, the necessity of re-learning and the re-learning are executed by a conventionally known method.
On the other hand, if re-learning is not necessary (NO in step S19), the process is terminated.

Next, the cutoff control unit 125 acquires the gas increase flow rate, the total gas usage amount, and the gas usage time from the flow rate measurement unit 122, and determines whether to shut off the gas based on the cutoff set value storage unit 124.
If the total amount of gas used is larger than the total flow cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124, a cutoff signal is sent to the bidirectional cutoff valve 6 to shut off the gas flow path, and an alarm is attached. Sounds an alarm to notify that the gas flow path has been shut off.
If the increased gas flow rate is greater than the increased flow cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124, a cutoff signal is sent to the bidirectional cutoff valve 6 to shut off the gas flow path, and an alarm is attached. If this is the case, it will sound an alarm notifying that the gas flow path has been blocked.
If the gas usage time is larger than the usage time cutoff value stored in the cutoff set value storage unit 124, a cutoff signal is sent to the bidirectional cutoff valve 6 to shut off the gas flow path, and an alarm device is attached. If this is the case, it will sound an alarm notifying that the gas flow path has been blocked.

By configuring as in the present embodiment, it can be determined whether the current date is the first or second unique date, so that it can be used for a long time such as a gas cooker or a heater, and annoying Can be prevented.
Further, when the current date and time has passed the first or second singular day, the cutoff setting value changed in the short term is returned to the cutoff setting value before the singular date, so there is no influence on the cutoff determination by the setting change.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery, 2 ... Shock sensor, 3 ... Pressure sensor, 4 ... Temperature sensor, 5 ... Flow rate sensor, 6 ... Bidirectional shut-off valve, 7 ... Test shut-off switch, 8 ... Shut-off valve open switch, 9 ... Integrated display, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Security display, 11 ... Clock, 12 ... Control part, 121 ... Learning processing part, 122 ... Flow measurement part, 123 ... Calendar storage part, 124 ... Blocking set value storage part, 125 ... Blocking control part, 13 ... Terminal block .

JP 05-133523 A JP 2008-309559 A

Claims (6)

The flow rate measurement unit that measures the gas usage status including the gas flow rate and the measured gas usage status by learning the initial values of the cutoff conditions set to shut off the gas supply for abnormal gas usage status In a gas meter comprising: a learning processing unit that learns and holds an optimal shut-off condition for shutting off the gas supply according to a gas shut-off unit that shuts off a gas flow when a gas usage condition meets the shut-off condition;
A calendar storage unit for storing a peculiar date on which the gas usage status changes; the learning processing unit is a peculiar date stored in the calendar storage unit; and the measured gas usage status is predetermined. When the above condition is reached, the held cutoff condition is changed to an initial value.   2. The gas usage state to be measured is a gas flow rate, an increase amount of gas usage, a total usage amount of gas per unit time, and a usage time of continuous use of gas. The gas meter according to 1.   2. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the specific day when the gas usage state changes is a period in which the amount of increase in the gas usage increases and / or a period in which the gas usage time increases.   The learning processing unit is configured such that the held cutoff condition is less than or equal to an initial value and the measured gas flow rate is greater than or equal to a predetermined value within a period in which the use time of the gas stored in the calendar storage unit becomes longer. 4. The gas meter according to claim 3, wherein the usage time cutoff value is changed to an initial value.   The learning processing unit is configured such that the held cutoff condition is less than or equal to an initial value within a period in which the increase in the amount of gas used stored in the calendar storage unit increases, and the measured gas flow rate is a predetermined value. 4. The gas meter according to claim 3, wherein when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the total flow rate cutoff value and the increased flow rate cutoff value are changed to their initial values.   2. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the learning processing unit returns the shut-off condition before changing the held shut-off condition after the current date and time passes the singular date.

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