JP2011064521A - Flow rate measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a flow rate measuring device 1 recognize correctly a control pattern of a gas apparatus installed on the downstream of the flow rate measuring device, without including a communication means to the outside. <P>SOLUTION: This device includes: a flow rate measuring means 18 for measuring at a fixed time interval, a flow rate of gas flowing along a gas channel; a blocking means 25 for determining gas leak or abnormal gas use from a gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means 18, and blocking gas; an input means 26 for block resetting used for removing block (resetting block) after blocking the gas by the blocking means 25; and an apparatus information storage means 19 for storing information of the gas apparatus connected to the gas channel downstream by input information to the input means 26 for block resetting when the gas is not blocked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter used for measuring 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. 12, this type of flow rate measuring device is accompanied by the flow rate measuring means 101 for measuring the flow rate of the gas flowing in the flow path of the flow rate measuring device and the combustion of each gas appliance A, B, C. A registered instrument flow pattern table 102 for storing a series of gas flow patterns generated in this manner, a pattern extraction means 103 for extracting a flow pattern of a gas instrument currently in operation from a flow measured by the flow measurement means 101, and a registered instrument flow pattern Comparing the flow rate pattern of the gas appliance stored in the table 102 with the flow rate pattern of the currently operating gas appliance extracted by the pattern extraction means 103, and specifying the gas appliance currently operating; When an appliance not registered in the registered appliance flow rate pattern table 102 operates and the appliance discriminating means 104 cannot discriminate the active appliance, Data turn extracting unit 103 has extracted (preferably, the average value of the flow rate pattern in a plurality of times) is composed of a registration unit 105 for registering the registration instrument flow pattern table 102.

  When the registration unit 105 detects an unregistered flow rate pattern, if the gas appliance is an appliance that operates frequently, the registration unit 105 remotely transmits data such as a flow rate pattern and the appliance name that are considered to be a new appliance using a communication line. Is received from the center and registered in the registered appliance flow rate pattern table 102.

  As a result, the flow rate measuring device is normally used for about 10 years. Therefore, it is assumed that a new gas appliance will be sold even after the flow rate measuring device is installed. Can also be supported.

  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 center and use it for subsequent discrimination. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-148728 A

  However, the conventional configuration has the following problems.

  That is, the gas appliance is a gas appliance such as a gas table that can change the gas flow rate by operating the thermal power adjustment lever, and a slow and electronic control such as a fan heater (for example, There are gas appliances that change the gas flow rate over 8 seconds and gas appliances that change a fixed amount in a short time (for example, within 6 seconds), such as full-open / half-open control of the gas stove.

  In addition, a constant gas flow rate is consumed at the time of ignition (ON) like a gas oven, but a constant gas flow rate is constantly used like a gas appliance that cooks repeatedly by turning on and off (OFF) or a small gas water heater. Some gas appliances consume.

  As described above, the gas flow rate change pattern after ignition can be divided into patterns of no control, ON / OFF control, gradual, abrupt (constant value), and abrupt (undefined value) depending on the gas appliance. Since the gas table can be changed in any way, it is assumed that the gas table has three patterns of gradual, steep (constant value), and steep (undefined value).

  In the conventional configuration, a flow pattern that seems to be a new instrument and data such as the instrument name are received from a remote center using a communication line and registered in the registered instrument flow rate pattern table 102. . For this reason, since it is necessary to store the patterns of all gas appliances on the center side, a large amount of information must be registered on the center side, and a lot of storage means are required.

  In addition, the flow measuring device needs to be able to communicate with the center in advance. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 1 must be provided with means for communicating with the center. This increases the number of parts constituting the flow measuring device 1 and increases the cost.

  Other than that, even when trying to acquire a control pattern from a gas appliance by operating the gas appliance without communicating with the center, the timing for controlling the gas appliance such as a fan heater depends on the room temperature of the room being controlled So it is not constant.

  Since a gas appliance such as a gas table can be changed in any way, it is difficult to obtain all the control patterns that the user may use.

  For a gas oven such as a gas oven that periodically repeats ON / OFF, it is necessary to continue to operate to some extent, so that extra gas is used for the amount of operation.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problem, and the gas measuring device further operates without actually communicating with the center information necessary for the flow measuring device to discriminate the gas appliance connected downstream from the control flow rate pattern. Even if information is acquired by doing so, an object is to minimize the gas flow rate consumed by the gas appliance.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, a flow rate measuring device of the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a gas flow rate flowing in a gas flow path at regular time intervals, and a gas leak or I want to shut off the gas by shutting off the gas by judging abnormal gas use and shutting off the gas after the gas shut off by the shutoff means In this case, there is provided appliance information storage means for storing information on the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path according to the input information to the shut-off return input means.

  As a result, the flow rate measuring device can store the information of the gas gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path by using the shut-off return input means already provided. Moreover, since it can memorize | store only by input operation (inputting ON / OFF information) to the input means for interruption | blocking resetting, the complexity of the person (registrant) to memorize | store can be reduced.

The flow rate measuring device and the program of the present invention can store information on the gas gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path by using the already-provided shut-off input means without communicating with the external center. it can. Moreover, since it can memorize | store only by input operation (inputting ON / OFF information) to the input means for interruption | blocking resetting, the complexity of the person (registrant) to memorize | store can be reduced.

Configuration diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flow rate measurement unit configuration diagram in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Functional block diagram of the flow rate measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which shows the information memorize | stored in the instrument information storage means in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the time characteristic of the gas flow volume which flows at the time of the fan heater operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the time characteristic of the gas flow volume which flows at the time of gas oven operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the time characteristic of the gas flow volume which flows at the time of the gas stove operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the time characteristic of the gas flow volume which flows at the time of the gas table operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Flowchart of the flow rate measuring device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows 20 seconds after ignition of the time characteristic of the gas flow rate which flows at the time of the fan heater operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the frequency | count of pressing of the input means for interruption | blocking return in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the kind of gas appliance to register Configuration diagram of a conventional flow measurement device

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate flowing in a gas flow path at a constant time interval, and a shutoff for judging gas leakage or abnormal gas use from the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means and shutting off the gas , Input means for shut-off return used to cancel the shut-off after the gas is shut off by the shut-off means, and input information to the input means for shut-off when it is desired to shut off the gas Is provided with appliance information storage means for storing information on the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path.

  As a result, the flow rate measuring device can store the information of the gas gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path by using the shut-off return input means already provided. Moreover, since it can memorize | store only by input operation (inputting ON / OFF information) to the input means for interruption | blocking resetting, the complexity of the person (registrant) to memorize | store can be reduced.

  In the second invention, in particular, the information on the gas appliance of the flow rate measuring device of the first invention is the number of gas appliances connected downstream of the gas flow path, thereby obtaining the following effects.

  It is clear that if the information on how many gas appliances are connected downstream of the gas flow path can be recognized in advance by the flow measuring device, the number of gas appliances exceeding the upper limit will not be used. Therefore, it is possible to improve the discrimination accuracy when discriminating the gas appliance by looking at the characteristics of the flowing gas flow rate.

  In addition, when only one unit is connected and the flow rate measuring device recognizes that one gas appliance (gas appliance A) is being used, the gas appliance A is adjusted for thermal power or stopped. When the gas flow rate changes other than the gas flow rate change, it is possible to suspect the possibility of gas leakage, so that it is possible to improve safety when using the gas. For example, when a gas flow rate larger than the gas flow rate that was flowing when the gas appliance A was used until then flows, the gas can be immediately shut off as a gas leak.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, in particular, the information of the gas appliance of the flow rate measuring device of the first aspect of the invention has the following effects by being the type of the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path.

  That is, if the type of gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path can be registered in the flow rate measuring device, a different thermal power adjustment (control) pattern can be recognized depending on the type of gas appliance. The discrimination accuracy when discriminating the gas appliance by looking at the characteristics can be improved.

  In addition, if there is a change in the gas flow rate other than the change in the gas flow rate associated with the activation (start of use) of the stored gas appliance, thermal power adjustment or stoppage, the possibility of gas leakage can be suspected. It is also possible to expect an improvement in safety when using this.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the information on the gas appliance of the flow measuring device of the first invention is a control pattern when adjusting the thermal power of the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path. The following effects are obtained.

  It is possible that gas appliances will increase in the future. Gas appliances that do not currently exist can be characterized as whether the control pattern changes suddenly or slowly, so if you register the control pattern, a completely new gas appliance will appear in the future Even when the flow measuring device is not replaced, it can be dealt with.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the input information to the shut-off / return input means of the flow rate measuring device of the first aspect of the invention is presence / absence of input (ON / OFF information). The following effects are obtained by judging the information of the appliance.

  It is possible to switch the information of the gas appliance to be memorized by the number of times of pressing on the shut-off return input means, so that the memorizing operation can be simplified, and the work of the memorizing person (registrant) is reduced. can do.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, the input information to the interruption recovery input means of the flow rate measuring device of the first aspect of the invention is a time when there is continuous input (continuous ON time), and the continuous ON The following effects are obtained by judging the information of the gas appliance by the length of time.

  Since it is possible to switch the information of the gas appliance to be stored in the time when the input means for shutting down is pressed, it is possible to simplify the storing operation, and the work of the storing person (registrant) is complicated. Can be reduced.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the flow rate measuring means of the first aspect of the invention can activate the instrument discrimination operation and the learning operation at the moment when the flow rate is changed by the configuration using the ultrasonic flowmeter as the instantaneous flow rate measuring means. The device 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.

  The measurement channel 2 mainly includes a gas shut-off valve 3 that shuts off the measurement channel itself when gas leaks or abnormal gas is used, a display unit 4 that visually notifies the user, and the measurement channel 2 A flow rate measuring unit 5 for detecting the gas flow rate flowing in the gas and a shut-off return input unit 6a for detecting a gas user's operation for restarting gas supply after the gas shut-off valve 3 shuts off the gas are arranged.

  In addition, inside the flow rate measuring device 1, a control unit 7 that receives the output of the flow rate measuring unit 5 and the operation content information to the shutoff return input unit 6 a and controls the gas shutoff valve 3 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. Has been. The input / output port 13 is connected to a flow rate measurement unit 5, a drive circuit 14 that drives the gas cutoff valve 3, and a drive circuit 15 that drives the display unit 4.

  In the control unit 17, the CPU 118 uses the RAM 10 as a working area, and is stored in the ROM 9 to execute a program, thereby realizing the function as the flow rate measuring device 1.

  Here, operation | movement of the flow volume measurement part 5 is demonstrated using FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the measurement channel 2 has a rectangular cross section, and a pair of ultrasonic transmitters / receivers 16, 17 are located upstream and downstream across the measurement channel 2 on a wall surface perpendicular to the gas flow direction. It is mounted diagonally opposite with an angle φ on the side.

  The function of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves alternately between the ultrasonic transmitters and receivers 16 and 17 to measure the difference in the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves in the forward direction and the reverse direction with respect to the flow of the fluid at a constant interval and outputting as a propagation time difference signal have. In response to this propagation time difference signal, the calculation means (not shown) calculates the flow velocity and flow rate of the fluid to be measured.

  The calculation formula is shown below.

In FIG. 2, L is a measurement distance, where t1 is the transmission time from the upstream, t2 is the transmission time from the downstream, and C is the velocity of sound, the flow velocity V at time T of the measurement point is V = L / 2cosφ (1 / T1-1 / t2) Formula (1)
It is. Furthermore, since the gas flowing in the measurement flow path 2 changes suddenly depending on the point at which the flow velocity is measured, the flow velocity may be larger or smaller than the flow velocity seen from the whole flow path. 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 5.

  In addition, regarding the flow rate measurement unit 5 of the present embodiment, an ultrasonic measurement unit is used, but other flow measurement methods, such as a full dick method, can be continuously measured in a constant cycle in a short time. It can be used.

  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. Some gas appliances start in less than 2 seconds, so reducing the measurement time interval is advantageous in terms of instantaneous instrument discrimination. However, if the measurement interval is shortened, there is a problem that the battery consumption increases.

  Also, if the measurement interval is the same as the membrane method used in the conventional gas meter, it will be difficult to judge by looking at the difference in flow rate change of the algorithm, and the cost will be difficult. In the present embodiment, the measurement is performed at intervals of 2 seconds as a well-balanced time in terms of the performance of device discrimination.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the flow rate measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in this figure, the flow rate measuring device 1 of the present embodiment first has a flow rate measuring means 18 for measuring a gas flow rate and a device information storage for storing various types of information for performing device discrimination related to the present embodiment. Means 19 are provided.

  The flow rate measurement unit 18 is realized by the flow rate measurement unit 5 and the control unit 7, and the appliance information storage unit 19 is realized by the RAM 10.

  The flow rate measuring device 1 further includes a first calculation unit 21 and a second calculation unit 22, which are flow rate calculation units 20, an appliance determination unit 23, a registration unit 24, a blocking unit 25, and an input unit 26 for returning from interruption. ing.

  The shut-off means 25 is realized by the drive circuit 14, the control unit 7, and the gas shut-off valve 3, and shuts off the gas flowing in the gas flow path, and is mainly used for measurement flow during gas leaks or abnormal gas use. Block the road itself.

  The shutoff return input means 26 is an input means (such as a switch) for restarting the gas supply after the gas is shut off. For example, when the input means is pressed for a certain period of time while the gas is shut off, The shut-off means 25 eliminates the gas shut-off (returns the shut-off). This is realized by the shut-off return input unit 6 a and the control unit 7.

  The first calculation means 21 is a calculation means for calculating the difference between the current flow rate value and the measured flow rate value two times (4 seconds) before the measurement flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 18 every 2 seconds.

  The second calculation means 22 is the first flow after the measurement flow rate (Qa) 4 seconds before the time a when the difference value calculated by the first calculation means 21 is greater than a predetermined positive threshold, and the first after the time a. Is a processing unit that calculates a flow rate difference (Qb-Qa) from the measured flow rate (Qb) at time b when the absolute value of the difference value calculated by the calculation means 21 becomes smaller than the positive threshold value. This is realized by the control unit 7.

  The appliance discriminating means 23 monitors the difference value calculated by the first calculating means 21, and when necessary, the flow rate difference calculated by the second calculating means 22 and the gas appliance stored in the appliance information storage means 19. It is a processing unit that compares the information and discriminates the appliance that has started operation.

  In addition, for the determined gas appliance, the amount of gas used for each appliance operating every 2 seconds is calculated. Further, even when the operating instrument stops, the difference value calculated by the first calculation means 21 is monitored, and the flow rate difference calculated by the second calculation means 22 and the gas usage amount for each instrument when necessary. Is used to identify the stopped device.

  Moreover, it is a process part which manages the flow volume which the instrument which is operate | moving is using. This is realized by the control unit 7. The registration unit 24 is a processing unit that stores in the appliance information storage unit 19 that stores various pieces of information of gas appliances for performing appliance discrimination related to the present embodiment. This processing unit is also realized by the control unit 7.

  Further, the registration means 24 is in a state where the shutoff means 25 is not shutting off the gas, and if there is a continuous ON (long press) for a long time (for example, 30 seconds) to the shutoff return input means 26, various information on the gas appliances. Is recognized as the beginning of the process (registration process), and if there is a continuous ON (long press) for a long time (for example, 30 seconds) again in that state, the various information on the gas appliance is displayed. Recognizing the end of the storing process (registration process), the apparatus information storing means 19 stores various pieces of necessary information about the gas appliance.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the information stored in the appliance information storage means 19 includes the number of gas appliances connected downstream of the gas flow path, the type of gas appliance, and the gas when the gas appliance is operated. Flow rate. However, when there are two stoves and grills only in the case of a gas table, the number of grills and the number of grills are considered as three units.

  This discrimination value is registered by the registration means 24. The method for registering the discriminant value by the registration means 24 is registered by actually operating the instrument and collecting numerical values. Here, the maximum flow rate is equal to the amount of gas consumed by the fan heater when the switch is turned on to operate the fan heater.

  If it is a gas stove, it is equal to the amount of gas used when operating in the fully open setting. In the case of a gas table (a gas table for push-type ignition), it is equal to the amount of gas used when ignition is performed and the heating power adjustment lever is not moved. In the present embodiment, the flow rate difference (Qb−Qa) calculated by the second calculating means 22 is the same. In detail, it demonstrates with the flowchart (FIG. 9) which shows the operation | movement mentioned later.

  Next, a part of the time characteristic of the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means 18 when the gas appliance shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is operated is shown.

  FIG. 5 shows time characteristics when a certain fan heater is operated. As can be seen from FIG. 5, a certain gas flow rate flows immediately after startup by the hot dash function, and thereafter the gas flow rate (time characteristic) changes depending on the outside air temperature and operation setting. In FIG. 5, from about 130 [L / h] to 40 The gas flow rate changes while taking a certain amount of time (between the 70th and 116th seconds) around [L / h].

  In addition, since the timing at which this flow rate change occurs depends on the outside air temperature / operation setting, the timing at which the flow rate change occurs cannot be estimated in advance.

  FIG. 6 shows time characteristics when a certain gas oven (oven) is operated. As can be seen from FIG. 6, it can be seen that the device is operating while repeating ON / OFF. In addition, regarding ON / OFF repetition, the ON time interval, the OFF time interval, and the like vary depending on the oven setting, the internal temperature, and the like, and thus cannot be estimated in advance.

  FIG. 7 shows time characteristics when a stove capable of full open / half open setting is operated, and the stove setting is changed from the half open setting to the full open setting around 300 seconds. In FIG. 7, the gas flow rate changes in a short time from around 60 [L / h] to around 120 [L / h]. When the setting is changed from full open to half open, the gas flow rate changes in a short time from around 120 [L / h] to around 60 [L / h], and this setting change is arbitrarily performed by the user. Therefore, the timing at which the flow rate change occurs cannot be estimated in advance.

FIG. 8 shows time characteristics when a certain gas table is operated. At this time, after the gas table is ignited, the heating power adjustment lever is changed from “strong” → “medium” → “weak” → “medium” → “strong” → “weak” → “strong”. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the user can change the gas flow rate as well as the timing of the control by the user with the heating power adjustment lever. And since the user can operate the heating power adjusting lever slowly or suddenly, the time interval of the change can be freely changed.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the pattern of the time characteristic of the gas flow rate after ignition (no control, ON / OFF control, gradual, sudden (constant value), sudden (undefined value)) varies depending on the gas appliance. And the timing at which the flow rate change by this control occurs is not fixed. Furthermore, for example, the gas table can be controlled in any way, so that an enormous amount of data is required to store all the patterns. The present invention uses information input to the shutoff return input means 26 in a state where the gas is not shut off, and information on the gas appliances connected to the flow rate measuring device 1 downstream of the gas flow path (the number of gas appliances, Type and control pattern).

  On the other hand, if the type of gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path can be recognized in advance by the flow rate measuring device, the generated control pattern can also be predicted.

  For this reason, no control pattern other than that of the connected gas appliance is generated. If it occurs, it can be considered that there is a suspicion of gas leakage. Even if a control pattern is registered, if there is a control pattern that is not registered, it can be considered that there is a suspicion of gas leakage.

  Next, the operation of the flow rate measuring device in the present embodiment will be described. Here, it demonstrates using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in a state where the gas is not shut off by the shut-off means 25, the registrant presses the shut-off return input means 26. Here, in order to make it recognize that the flow measuring device 1 performs the operation | movement which memorize | stores the kind of gas appliance, it thinks about long-pressing continuously for 30 seconds or more, for example.

  When the flow rate measuring device 1 detects an input to the shutoff return input means 26 (S901), whether the shutoff means 25 is not shutting off the gas and whether it is a long press for 30 seconds or more. Is checked (S902), and it is recognized that the process of storing the instrument information of the gas instrument connected to the downstream side of the gas flow in the instrument information storage means 19 will be performed only when both are established.

  Here, the registration work is not yet completed, and the flow rate measuring means 3 measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the measurement flow path every 2 seconds.

  Here, since the gas does not flow through the measurement channel until the gas instrument to be registered is operated, even if the first calculation means 21 calculates the difference from the gas flow rate four seconds ago, the difference value is 0 [L / h] is smaller than 3 [L / h], and since the initial registration is unconfirmed, two seconds after the next gas flow rate measurement is waited.

  In the present embodiment, a method for registering the appliance information of the fan heater shown in FIG. 5 in the appliance information storage means 19 will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows the time characteristics of the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means 18 for about 20 seconds from the start of operation when the fan heater of FIG. 5 is operated.

  As can be seen from FIG. 10, after a while after ignition, the gas flow rate flowing in the measurement flow path becomes stable and takes a constant value. In a stable state, the difference value from 4 seconds before calculated by the first calculation means 32a is also 3 [L / h] or less at time T07.

  Note that the gas flow rate is stabilized several seconds after ignition in the oven, the stove, and the gas table. However, this does not take into account the case where the user operates the gas power control lever of the gas table constantly or the gas stove is constantly switched between full open and half open.

  The flow rate measuring device 1 detects a change in gas flow rate (that a gas appliance has been used) by the first calculation means 21, and the total amount of the gas flow rate that has fluctuated in the period when the change has occurred by the second calculation means 22. Calculate Therefore, if the fan heater is operated between the start and end of the registration process, the gas flow rate (startup flow rate) when the change in the gas flow rate at the start-up is stabilized is calculated by the second computing means 21 (S903). ).

  Thereafter, the flow rate measuring device 1 detects what is input to the shut-off return input means 26 (S904). Here, the operation to the shut-off return input means 26 is considered as shown in FIG. When the number of times of pressing (ON / OFF) is 1, it is determined that the gas appliance that has detected the operation is a gas table.

  In the case of two times, a fan heater, in the case of three times, an oven, in the case of four times, a gas stove, and so on.

  In the present embodiment, since the operating gas appliance is a fan heater, the registrant presses the shut-off return input means 26 twice. Of course, pressing for distinguishing the type of gas appliance is not pressing for 30 seconds or longer but pressing for a short time (S905).

  The flow rate measuring device 1 detects the number of times of pressing, and determines the gas appliance from the number of times and information that it is not long-pressed for 30 seconds or more (S906).

  Then, it is detected what operation is input to the shutoff return input means 26 (S904). This time, since the operated gas appliance is also confirmed, the registrant keeps pressing the shut-off return input means 26 for 30 seconds or longer.

  When the operation is detected by the flow rate measuring device 1, it is determined that the registration process is finished (S905), so the registration unit 24 uses the gas flow rate calculated when the gas appliance calculated in S903 is operated and the gas appliance determined in S906. The type is stored in the appliance information storage unit 19 (S907).

  As described above, when the gas is not shut off, the flow rate of gas flowing when the shut-off recovery input means 26 already installed is used and the type of gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path is operated. Can be registered, only the gas appliances in use can be registered in the flow measuring device.

  Moreover, since the gas appliance to be registered can be switched depending on the operation content of the shut-off return input means 26, the registration process can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, the type of gas appliance is registered, but a control pattern may be registered instead of the type. Alternatively, only the number of gas appliances connected downstream of the gas flow path may be registered.

  This is, for example, when the flow rate measuring device recognizes that only one gas appliance (gas appliance A) is being used and adjusts or stops the thermal power of the gas appliance A. This is because, if the gas flow rate changes other than the gas flow rate change accompanying it, the possibility of gas leakage can be suspected, and therefore the safety improvement in using the gas can be expected.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the type of gas appliance is determined only by the number of times the shut-off return input means 26 is pressed. However, if the button is pressed for 0 to 5 seconds, the gas table is used. You may make it switch the kind of gas appliance by long press time, such as a heater.

  The means described above are implemented in the form of a program for cooperating hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), RAM, ROM, storage / recording device, electrical / information device equipped with I / O, computer, server, etc. May be. 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, the flow rate measuring device according to the present invention can accurately calculate the amount of gas used (flow rate) at each time by the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas meter. It can also be applied to security and other uses for monitoring whether or not it is being conducted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flow measuring device 3 Flow measuring means 23 Instrument discriminating means 24 Registration means 19 Instrument information storage means 25 Shut off means 26 Shut off return input means

Claims (7)

A flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate flowing in the gas flow path at regular time intervals; a shutoff means for judging gas leakage or abnormal gas use from the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means; After the gas is shut off by the gas, the shut-off / return input means used to cancel the shut-off and return to shut-off, and the input information to the shut-off / return input means when the gas wants to be shut off, is downstream of the gas flow path A flow rate measuring device comprising: appliance information storage means for storing information of a connected gas appliance. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the gas appliance information is the number of gas appliances connected downstream of the gas flow path. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the gas appliance information is a type of the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the information on the gas appliance is a control pattern when adjusting the thermal power of the gas appliance connected downstream of the gas flow path. 2. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the input information to the shut-off return input means is ON / OFF information indicating presence / absence of input, and the information of the gas appliance is determined by the number of ON / OFF repetitions. The flow rate measurement according to claim 1, wherein the input information to the shut-off return input means is a continuous ON time when there is continuous input, and the information of the gas appliance is determined by the length of the continuous ON time. apparatus. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate measuring means uses an ultrasonic flow meter.

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