JP2011163702A - Device for determining appliance deterioration - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent failure and accidents by surely figuring out deterioration of components of a gas burning appliance in an early stage. <P>SOLUTION: A device for determining appliance deterioration includes a flow rate table T which registers a flow rate pattern Pt inherent in the gas burning appliance and a flow rate change characteristic Qt obtained from the flow rate pattern to correspond to the gas burning appliance, a gas flow rate detection means 12 for detecting gas flow rate supplied to the gas burning appliance, a flow rate change characteristic calculation means 13 for obtaining the flow rate change characteristic of the gas flow rate at this time, a flow rate characteristic comparing means 14 for comparing the flow rate change characteristic of this time with the registered flow rate change characteristic Qt registered to the flow rate table, and a deterioration determining/informing means 15 for determining/informing that the gas burning appliance is deteriorated and abnormality occurs, if the flow rate change characteristic of this time exceeds a predetermined ratio and differs from the registered flow rate change characteristic Qt as a result of the comparison. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device deterioration determination device that determines deterioration of a gas combustion device.

  In recent years, in city gas and LP gas supply systems, a microcomputer meter, which is mainly composed of a microcomputer, is used at the gas supply destination, and the gas combustion equipment that has started to be used is identified based on the detected gas flow rate, gas pressure, etc. Or the usage state is monitored (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP 2003-148728 A JP 2008-180488 A

  The use state monitoring of the above-mentioned gas combustion equipment is mainly due to ignition failure, gas leakage, and the like, and deterioration of parts and the like due to long-term use, which may cause them, is not particularly monitored. For example, even if the air intake hole of the gas stove is clogged and the gas inflow gradually decreases over a long period of time or the CO gas gradually increases, they are not monitored and are overlooked.

  However, if these phenomena due to the deterioration of parts are left as they are, they may cause failures and accidents. For this reason, although it is desirable to reliably grasp component deterioration at an early stage and prevent failures and accidents in advance, such a countermeasure has not been taken.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device deterioration determination device that can reliably grasp deterioration of parts of a gas combustion device at an early stage and prevent a failure or an accident in advance. .

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device deterioration determination apparatus for determining deterioration of a gas combustion device, a flow rate pattern unique to the gas combustion device and a flow rate change characteristic obtained from the flow rate pattern. A flow rate table that is registered in correspondence with the gas combustion device, a gas flow rate detecting means for detecting a gas flow rate supplied to the gas combustion device, and a flow rate change characteristic for obtaining a current flow rate change characteristic of the gas flow rate As a result of the comparison by the calculation means, the flow rate characteristic comparison means for comparing the current flow rate change characteristic and the registered flow rate change characteristic registered in the flow rate table, and the flow rate characteristic comparison means, the current flow rate change characteristic is predetermined. If the gas flow rate is different from the registered flow rate change characteristic beyond the ratio, it is provided with a deterioration determination and notification means for determining and reporting that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred. It is characterized in Rukoto.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate change characteristic is a slope of rising of the gas flow rate at the time of ignition of the gas combustion device.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate change characteristic is set to the maximum flow rate value at the rising of the gas flow rate at the time of ignition of the gas combustion device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the flow rate change characteristic is a stable region flow rate value after the gas flow rate rises at the time of gas combustion equipment ignition.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a device deterioration determination device for determining deterioration of a gas combustion device, a CO concentration change characteristic obtained from a CO concentration pattern unique to the gas combustion device is registered in correspondence with the gas combustion device. A CO table, a CO measuring means for measuring the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) generated during combustion of the gas combustion device, a current change characteristic of the CO concentration, a CO concentration change characteristic, As a result of comparison by the CO characteristic comparison means for comparing the registered CO concentration change characteristic registered in the CO table and the CO characteristic comparison means, the current CO concentration change characteristic exceeds a predetermined ratio and the registered CO concentration change characteristic If they are different from each other, a deterioration determination and notification means for determining and notifying that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred is provided.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the CO concentration change characteristic is a maximum flow rate value at the rising of CO concentration at the time of ignition of the gas combustion device.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the CO concentration change characteristic is a stable region CO concentration value after the CO concentration rising at the time of ignition of the gas combustion device. .

  In this invention, when it is determined that the flow rate change characteristic of the gas combustion device is different from the registered flow rate change characteristic over a predetermined ratio, it is determined and notified that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred. As a result, it is possible to reliably grasp the deterioration of the components of the gas combustion device at an early stage, and it is possible to prevent failures and accidents.

  In the present invention, if it is determined that the CO concentration change characteristic of the gas combustion device is different from the registered CO concentration change characteristic over a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred. Since the notification is made, the deterioration of the components of the gas combustion device can be surely grasped at an early stage, and a failure or an accident can be prevented in advance.

  In addition, by notifying the central monitoring center of the occurrence of parts deterioration, it is possible to notify the gas company of the necessity of checking the gas combustion equipment.

It is a figure showing roughly the example of composition of the gas supply system to which a 1st embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the apparatus deterioration determination apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of flow volume change characteristic comparison. It is a figure which shows roughly the structural example of the gas supply system with which 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the apparatus deterioration determination apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of CO density | concentration change characteristic comparison.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a gas supply system to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a gas supply system to which the present invention is applied is provided in the middle of a gas pipe 20, a gas supply destination 30 to which gas is supplied by the gas pipe 20, and before the gas supply destination 30. The microcomputer meter 1 is provided. The gas supply destination 30 is, for example, a general house or an apartment house.

  The gas pipe 20 is branched and piped to various gas combustion devices used at the gas supply destination 30. For example, the gas pipe 20 branches and is connected to a gas water heater 31 installed outdoors, and is connected to a gas stove 34 and a gas fan heater 35 arranged indoors. In addition, the hot water produced | generated with the gas water heater 31 is supplied to the indoor bathtub hot-water supply port 32 via a water piping, and is used for hot water filling. Further, it is supplied to the kitchen hot water tap 33.

  The microcomputer meter 1 is a device that manages the gas usage state at the gas supply destination 30 based on the detected gas flow rate and the like, and includes a control unit 10, a flow rate sensor 2, a shutoff valve 3, and an LCD display unit 4. Yes.

  The microcomputer meter 1 is provided for each gas supply destination 30, and each microcomputer meter 1 is connected to the central monitoring center 5 through a telephone line or the like, and the control unit 10 makes a determination result such as occurrence of an abnormality. Then, the information is transmitted to the central monitoring center 5, and the central monitoring center 5 performs an appropriate response to the gas supply destination 30 based on the information.

  The control unit 10 is mainly configured by a microcomputer, and the gas at the gas supply destination 30 is based on the gas flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 2 or the gas pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown). The usage state is estimated, and it is determined whether or not the gas is properly used at the gas supply destination 30.

  For example, the control unit 10 uses the flow sensor 2 to detect the flow rate of a gas such as city gas or LPG that passes through the gas pipe 20 in the microcomputer meter 1. Here, the flow sensor 2 is composed of, for example, an ultrasonic sensor installed in a gas pipe 20 that penetrates the microcomputer meter 1, and a first transmitter / receiver that transmits or receives ultrasonic waves and a second transmitter / receiver that receives or transmits ultrasonic waves. Are arranged in opposition to the flow direction, and transmit ultrasonic signals from upstream to downstream and from downstream to upstream at predetermined intervals, and the control unit 10 receives the signals and measures the propagation time. Then, the instantaneous flow rate value is obtained from the ultrasonic wave propagation time difference between the first transmitter / receiver and the second transmitter / receiver in consideration of the cross-sectional area of the flow path and the fluid flow state, and the integrated flow rate value is obtained.

  Further, the control unit 10 estimates the gas usage state at the gas supply destination 30 and outputs a control signal to the shut-off valve 3 when it is determined that an abnormality such as gas leakage has occurred at the gas supply destination 30. The shutoff valve 3 is closed to shut off the gas supply.

  The LCD display unit 4 displays the integrated value of the gas flow rate obtained by the control unit 10, displays various determination results made by the control unit 10, and notifies the gas user.

  The apparatus deterioration determination apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured around a microcomputer of the control unit 10 and includes software functions that operate the CPU according to a program according to the present invention stored in a ROM. Yes.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the device deterioration determination apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the device deterioration determination device 100 of the present invention is for determining deterioration of a gas combustion device, and includes a use device identification unit 11, a gas flow rate detection unit 12, a flow rate change characteristic calculation unit 13, and a flow rate characteristic. It comprises a comparison means 14, a deterioration determination and notification means 15, and a flow rate table T.

  In the flow rate table T, a flow rate pattern Pt unique to each of a plurality of gas combustion devices (31, 34, 35, etc.) and a flow rate change characteristic Qt obtained from the flow rate pattern Pt are previously associated with the gas combustion device. It is registered.

  When the gas combustion device of the gas supply destination 30 is ignited and starts to be used, the gas flow rate detection means 12 detects the flow rate of the gas supplied to the gas combustion device based on the signal from the flow rate sensor 2.

  The use device specifying means 11 obtains a change in the gas flow rate of the gas combustion device that has been started to be used, detected by the gas flow rate detection means 12, and the registered flow rate pattern Pt registered in the flow rate table T and the change in the gas flow rate. And a registered gas combustion device having a registered flow rate pattern Pt that coincides with the current gas flow rate change is identified from the combustor group as being used this time. Whether the current gas flow rate change matches the registered flow rate pattern Pt can be determined according to an arbitrary pattern matching method.

  Next, the flow rate change characteristic calculating means 13 obtains the current flow rate change characteristic of the gas flow rate. Subsequently, the flow rate characteristic comparison unit 14 compares the current flow rate change characteristic with the registered flow rate change characteristic Qt registered in the flow rate table T. When the deterioration determination and notification unit 15 determines that the current flow rate change characteristic exceeds the predetermined ratio and is different from the registered flow rate change characteristic Qt as a result of the comparison by the flow rate characteristic comparison unit 14, the gas combustion device deteriorates. Then, it is determined and notified that an abnormality has occurred. This notification is performed by, for example, display on the LCD display unit 4 or notification to the centralized monitoring center 5. Hereinafter, comparison of flow rate change characteristics will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the flow rate change characteristic comparison. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time since ignition, and the vertical axis represents the gas flow rate. In the drawing, a change curve Pt is a flow rate pattern of a specific gas combustion device (here, a gas fan heater) registered in the flow rate table T. When ignition is performed, the gas flow rate suddenly rises at a slope αt, reaches the maximum flow rate mt, and then decreases and becomes a stable flow rate ht. The gradient αt, the maximum flow rate mt, and the stable region flow rate ht of the flow rate pattern Pt correspond to the registered flow rate change characteristics Qt registered in the flow rate table T.

  It is assumed that the gas combustion device having the flow rate pattern Pt is ignited and the gas flow rate changes along the change curve P1 in the drawing. The flow rate change characteristic calculating means 13 obtains at least one of the gradient α1, the maximum flow rate m1, and the stable region flow rate h1 as the flow rate change characteristic of the change curve P1.

  The flow rate characteristic comparison unit 14 compares the current flow rate change characteristic with the registered flow rate change characteristic Qt registered in the flow rate table T. For example, if the gas flow rate is changed along the change curve P2 by this ignition, the flow rate change characteristics obtained this time are the slope α2, the maximum flow rate m2, and the stable region flow rate h2, and a comparison between α2 and αt, m2 And / or mt, or at least one of h2 and ht.

  As a result of this comparison, when it is determined that the current flow rate change characteristic exceeds the predetermined ratio and is different from the registered flow rate change characteristic Qt, it is determined and notified that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred. For example, when the slope α2 exceeds 10% and differs from αt, the maximum flow rate m2 exceeds 20% and differs from mt, and the stable flow rate h2 exceeds 5% and differs from ht. If at least one of these cases is established, it is determined that clogging has occurred at the air intake port of the gas fan heater due to long-term use, and this is notified.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that the flow rate change characteristic of the gas combustion device is different from the registered flow rate change characteristic beyond the predetermined ratio, the gas combustion device is deteriorated and an abnormality occurs. Since it is discriminated and notified that the gas combustion equipment is in the process, it is possible to reliably grasp the deterioration of the components of the gas combustion device at an early stage, and to prevent a failure or an accident.

  Further, by notifying the central monitoring center 5 of the occurrence of parts deterioration, it is possible to inform the gas company of the necessity of checking the gas combustion equipment.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a gas supply system to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The gas supply system shown in FIG. 4 is different from the gas supply system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a CO sensor 36 is provided in the house of the gas supply destination 30. The CO sensor 36 measures the CO concentration in the house when the gas combustion device is used, and outputs the measurement signal to the control unit 10 of the microcomputer meter 1. A plurality of CO sensors 36 may be provided in the house as needed.

  Similar to the device deterioration determination device 100 in the first embodiment, the device deterioration determination device in the second embodiment of the present invention is configured around the microcomputer of the control unit 10 and stored in the ROM. It includes software functions that operate the CPU in accordance with the program.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the device deterioration determination apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same components as those of FIG.

  The equipment deterioration determination device 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a used equipment identification means 11, a gas flow rate detection means 12, a CO measurement means 16, a CO change characteristic calculation means 17, a CO characteristic comparison means 18, a deterioration determination and notification. It comprises means 19, a flow rate table T, and a CO table TC.

  In the CO table TC, a CO concentration pattern Rt unique to each of a plurality of gas combustion devices (31, 34, 35, etc.) and a CO concentration change characteristic Ct obtained from the CO concentration pattern Rt correspond to the gas combustion device. And registered in advance.

  When the gas combustion device at the gas supply destination 30 is ignited and starts to be used, the CO measurement means 16 determines the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) generated during the combustion of the gas combustion device based on the signal from the CO sensor 36. Measure.

  The CO change characteristic calculation means 17 obtains the current change characteristic of the CO concentration, and then the CO characteristic comparison means 18 obtains the current CO concentration change characteristic and the registered CO concentration change characteristic Ct registered in the CO table TC. Compare Note that the gas combustion device that has started to be used this time is specified in advance by the used device specifying means 11, and the registered CO concentration change characteristic Ct is set corresponding to the specified gas combustion device.

  Then, as a result of the comparison by the CO characteristic comparison means 18, the deterioration determination and notification means 19 deteriorates the gas combustion device if the current CO concentration change characteristic exceeds the predetermined ratio and is different from the registered CO concentration change characteristic Ct. It is determined and notified that an abnormality has occurred. This notification is performed by, for example, display on the LCD display unit 4 or notification to the centralized monitoring center 5. Hereinafter, comparison of CO concentration change characteristics will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of comparison of CO concentration change characteristics. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time since ignition, and the vertical axis represents the CO concentration. In the figure, a change curve Rt is a CO concentration pattern of a specific gas combustion device (here, a gas stove) registered in the CO table TC. When ignition is performed, the CO concentration rapidly rises, reaches the maximum concentration dt, and then decreases to a stable concentration ft. The maximum density dt and stable region density ft of the registered density pattern Rt correspond to the registered CO density change characteristic Ct registered in the CO table TC.

  It is assumed that the gas combustion device having the registered CO concentration pattern Rt is ignited and the CO concentration changes along the change curve R1 in the drawing. The CO change characteristic calculation means 17 obtains at least one of the maximum concentration d1 and the stable region concentration f1 as the CO concentration change characteristic of the change curve R1.

  The CO characteristic comparison means 18 compares the current CO concentration change characteristic with the registered CO concentration change characteristic Ct registered in the CO table TC. For example, if the CO concentration is changed along the change curve R1 by this ignition, the CO concentration change characteristics obtained this time are the maximum concentration d1 and the stable region concentration f1, and a comparison between d1 and dt or f1 and At least one of the comparisons with ft is performed.

  As a result of this comparison, if it is determined that the current CO concentration change characteristic exceeds the predetermined ratio and is different from the registered CO concentration change characteristic Ct, it is determined that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred and is notified. To do. For example, if at least one of the cases where the maximum density d1 exceeds 20% and is different from dt and the stable area density f1 exceeds 25% and ft is satisfied, it is used for a long time. Thus, it is determined that clogging has occurred at the air intake of the gas stove and incomplete combustion has occurred, and this is notified.

  Thus, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that the CO concentration change characteristic of the gas combustion device is different from the registered CO concentration change characteristic over a predetermined ratio, the gas combustion device deteriorates and becomes abnormal. As in the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to reliably grasp the deterioration of the components of the gas combustion device at an early stage, and to detect a failure or an accident beforehand. Can be prevented.

  Further, by notifying the central monitoring center 5 of the occurrence of parts deterioration, it is possible to inform the gas company of the necessity of checking the gas combustion equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microcomputer meter 2 Flow sensor 3 Shut-off valve 4 LCD display part 5 Centralized monitoring center 10 Control part 11 Use apparatus specific means 12 Gas flow rate detection means 13 Flow rate change characteristic calculation means 14 Flow characteristic comparison means 15 Deterioration determination and notification means 16 CO measurement Means 17 CO change characteristic calculation means 18 CO characteristic comparison means 19 Deterioration determination and notification means 20 Gas piping 30 Gas supply destination 31 Gas water heater 32 Bath water heater 33 Kitchen hot water tap 34 Gas cooker 35 Gas fan heater 36 CO sensor 100 Equipment deterioration judgment Device 101 Equipment degradation determination device Ct registered CO concentration change characteristic Pt registered flow rate pattern Qt registered flow rate change characteristic Rt registered CO concentration pattern T flow rate table TC CO table

Claims (7)

In the equipment deterioration judgment device for judging the deterioration of gas combustion equipment,
A flow rate table in which the flow rate characteristic specific to the gas combustion device and the flow rate change characteristic obtained from the flow rate pattern are registered corresponding to the gas combustion device, and
A gas flow rate detecting means for detecting a gas flow rate supplied to the gas combustion device;
A flow rate change characteristic calculating means for obtaining a current flow rate change characteristic of the gas flow rate;
A flow rate characteristic comparison means for comparing the current flow rate change characteristic with a registered flow rate change characteristic registered in the flow rate table;
If the current flow rate change characteristic exceeds the predetermined ratio and differs from the registered flow rate change characteristic as a result of the comparison by the flow rate characteristic comparison means, the deterioration determination is made by determining that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred and reporting it. And notification means;
An apparatus deterioration determination device comprising:   The apparatus deterioration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate change characteristic is an inclination of a gas flow rate rising at the time of ignition of a gas combustion apparatus.   The apparatus deterioration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate change characteristic is a maximum flow rate value of a gas flow rate rising at the time of gas combustion device ignition.   The apparatus deterioration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate change characteristic is a stable region flow rate value after a gas flow rate rise at the time of ignition of a gas combustion device. In the equipment deterioration judgment device for judging the deterioration of gas combustion equipment,
A CO table in which CO concentration change characteristics obtained from a carbon monoxide (CO) concentration pattern unique to the gas combustion device are registered corresponding to the gas combustion device;
CO measuring means for measuring the concentration of CO generated during combustion of the gas combustion device;
CO characteristic comparison means for obtaining the current change characteristic of the CO concentration and comparing the CO concentration change characteristic with a registered CO concentration change characteristic registered in the CO table;
As a result of the comparison by the CO characteristic comparison means, if the current CO concentration change characteristic exceeds the predetermined ratio and is different from the registered CO concentration change characteristic, it is determined and notified that the gas combustion device has deteriorated and an abnormality has occurred. Deterioration determination and notification means;
An apparatus deterioration determination device comprising:   The apparatus deterioration determination device according to claim 5, wherein the CO concentration change characteristic is a maximum flow rate value at the rising of CO concentration at the time of ignition of a gas combustion apparatus.   The apparatus deterioration determination device according to claim 5, wherein the CO concentration change characteristic is a stable region CO concentration value after rising of the CO concentration at the time of ignition of the gas combustion device.

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