JP2012128615A - Gas equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a gas original pressure valve from unnecessarily operating when operation of a controller during control program modification work is in a non-safety state.SOLUTION: Gas equipment is provided with a body (=stack) generating at least one of heat and electric power by utilizing supplied raw material gas and a first controller for adjusting electric power supplied to a gas original pressure valve 14. During control program modification of the first controller, the electric power to the gas original pressure valve 14 is shut off by the first controller, thus avoiding a non-safety state such as gas leakage when modifying the control program of the first controller.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas apparatus including a controller that cuts off power supplied to a gas source pressure valve when a control program is modified.

  Conventionally, this type of gas equipment is different from household appliances and household appliances for home use, and the system is complicated, such as a valve that switches the flow path of gas and water installed in the device, There are a large number of actuators such as a pump for supplying oxygen to a predetermined place, a fan for ventilating the inside of the apparatus, a heater for raising the temperature, and a controller such as a microcomputer for controlling these actuators. It extends to a plurality (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, in a system using software such as a control program written in a controller such as a microcomputer, it is common to improve the function and performance of the entire system by changing only the software without changing the hardware. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a conventional gas device described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional gas appliance includes a main body 103 that is a stack that generates at least one of heat and electric power, a valve 107 that switches a flow path of gas and water disposed in the apparatus, A pump 109 for supplying oxygen to a predetermined location; a fan 108 for ventilating the inside of the apparatus; an actuator 111 such as a heater 110 for raising the temperature; a main control unit 105 and a subordinate control unit 106 for controlling the actuator 111; , And a communication unit 112 that connects the main control unit 105 and the subordinate control unit 106 and exchanges information.

JP 2007-242330 A JP 11-65834 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the control program is modified, it is necessary to supply power to the controller that controls the actuator. As a result, power is supplied to multiple actuators such as a gas source pressure valve that adjusts the amount of raw material gas even though the operation of the controller is indefinite, and the actuator is not intended by the operator. There is a problem that there is a possibility of performing a proper operation.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gas device that cuts off power supply to a gas source pressure valve by a controller when a control program is modified.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a gas device according to the present invention includes a main body that generates at least one of heat and electric power using a supplied raw material gas, and a power that is supplied to a gas source pressure valve. The first controller is configured to shut off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve and close the gas source pressure valve when the control program is modified. It is.

  As a result, when the control program of the first controller is modified, the power supply to the gas source pressure valve is interrupted by the first controller, so that the indefinite operation of the gas source pressure valve can be stopped. Become.

  In the gas device of the present invention, when the control program is modified, the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve is cut off by the first controller, so that it is possible to avoid an unsafe state such as gas leakage. it can.

Block diagram of gas equipment in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block block diagram of the gas equipment in Embodiment 2 of this invention The flowchart of the gas equipment in Embodiment 2 of this invention The block block diagram of the gas equipment in Embodiment 3 of this invention The flowchart of the gas equipment in Embodiment 3 of this invention Block configuration diagram of gas equipment in Embodiment 4 of the present invention The flowchart of the gas equipment in Embodiment 4 of this invention Block configuration diagram of gas equipment in Embodiment 5 of the present invention Block diagram of conventional gas equipment

The first invention is
A main body that generates at least one of heat and electric power using the supplied source gas;
A first controller for adjusting the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve;
A gas appliance comprising:
The first controller is a gas appliance that shuts off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve and closes the gas source pressure valve when the control program is modified. Thereby, when modifying the control program of the first controller, it is possible to avoid an unsafe state such as gas leakage.

  The second invention has a second controller for exchanging information with the first controller, particularly in the gas equipment of the first invention, and the first controller is the second controller. When it is detected that the control program is altered, control is performed so as to cut off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve. Thereby, even when the control program of the second controller that does not control the gas source pressure valve is modified, the first controller and the second controller exchange information to the gas source pressure valve. Therefore, the operator can modify the control program more safely.

  The third invention is provided in the second controller for exchanging information with the first controller, and in the second controller, particularly in the gas equipment of the second invention, and the first voltage is the first voltage. A power cutoff unit that cuts off power to the actuator supplied from the second controller, and the second controller is supplied to the actuator when the control program of the second controller is modified. It cuts off the electric power. As a result, when the control program of the second controller is modified, power can be cut off to a plurality of actuators such as a valve, a fan, a pump, and a heater to which the first voltage is supplied, and the actuator is unnecessary and not intended by the user. It is possible not to perform the operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the gas equipment according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first controller includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the gas source pressure valve, a power supply unit, and a gas source. A control switch that is arranged between the pressure valve and switches on / off of the gas source pressure valve; a power cutoff means that operates the control switch; and a detection means that detects that the control program of the first controller is being modified. When the detection means detects that the control program of the first controller is altered, the detection means operates the power shut-off means to turn on the control switch and is supplied to the gas source pressure valve. Shut off the power to be output. Thereby, when modifying the control program of the first controller, it is possible to avoid an unsafe state such as gas leakage with a simple configuration and surely.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. Moreover, in all drawings, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or an equivalent part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, in all the drawings, only components necessary for explaining the present invention are extracted and illustrated, and other components are not illustrated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a gas device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a gas device 1 includes a main body 3 that is a stack that generates at least one of heat and electric power using a raw material gas supplied to a system, a gas source pressure valve 14 that controls a gas amount, and a gas source pressure valve. And a first controller 13 that adjusts the power supplied to 14. Further, when modifying the control program of the first controller 13, the communication means 12 connects the first controller 13 and the external device 18, and the external device 18 connects the first controller 13 via the communication means 12. Data communication of the control program is performed to the controller 13. Here, the source gas is a gas containing hydrocarbons, such as city gas and propane gas. When the gas apparatus 1 is a fuel cell system, it may include a reformer that reforms the raw material gas to generate a fuel gas mainly composed of hydrogen.

  The operation and action of the gas equipment configured as described above will be described below.

  First, in order to modify the control program of the first controller 13, a new control program is set in the external device 18 so that it can be transmitted to the first controller 13.

  The first controller 13 is provided with means for receiving a new control program, and the communication means 12 to the installed receiving means is not limited to either wireless or wired.

  The first controller 13 can adjust the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14, and outputs constant power to the gas source pressure valve 14 or the like when the system is performing normal operation. In general, the operation of the controller is indefinite while the control program is being modified. If power is supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14 during the modification work, the gas source pressure valve 14 may unintentionally operate, which is unsafe. Therefore, when the connection with the external device 18 is confirmed by the communication means 12, the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14 is cut off, the gas source pressure valve 14 is closed, and the gas source pressure valve 14 does not perform an unnecessary operation. Like that. Thereby, when changing the control program of the 1st controller 13, it can avoid becoming an unsafe state, such as gas leakage.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows a block configuration diagram of a gas appliance in which the second controller 15 is added to the configuration shown in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows the second controller 15 in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart of the gas equipment provided.

  In FIG. 2, the gas device 1 further includes a second controller 15 that exchanges information with the first controller 13. When modifying the control program of the second controller 15, the second controller 15 performs data communication of the control program with the external device 18 via the communication means 12.

  In order to modify the control program of the second controller 15, a new control program is set in the external device 18 so that it can be transmitted to the second controller 15.

  The second controller 15 has receiving means for receiving a new control program, and the communication means 12 to the receiving means is not limited to either wireless or wired. However, the receiving means installed in the first controller 13 and the receiving means installed in the second controller 15 are the same.

  In FIG. 3, when the connection with the external device 18 is confirmed by the communication means 12 (S100), the second controller 15 promptly confirms that the control program is being modified to the first controller 13. Send to. When the first controller 13 receives information that the second controller 15 is in the process of modifying the control program, the first controller 13 cuts off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14 (S101), and the gas source pressure valve is not intended. Do not perform any action. Thereby, even when the control program of the second controller 15 that does not control the gas source pressure valve 14 is modified, the first controller 13 and the second controller 15 exchange information. Since the power supply to the gas source pressure valve 14 is cut off, the operator can modify the control program more safely.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of a gas device in which a power cut-off unit is added to the second controller 15 of the second embodiment and an actuator 9 such as a valve 5, a fan 6, a pump 7, and a heater 8 is added. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the gas device in the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the gas appliance has a second controller 15 that exchanges information with the first controller 13. When the control program of the second controller 15 is modified, the second controller 15 performs data communication with the external device 18 via the communication unit 12. The second controller 15 has a power cutoff unit for cutting off power to the actuator 9 to which the first voltage 17 is supplied. The actuator 9 includes at least one of the valve 5, the fan 6, the pump 7, and the heater 8.

  In FIG. 5, when the second controller 15 modifies the control program, the power cut-off unit cuts off power to the actuator 9 to which the first voltage 17 is supplied (S103). Further, the power cut-off unit 16 is mechanically turned on and off, such as a relay, and when the second controller 15 receives information that the control program is being modified by the communication unit 12, Power to the first voltage 17 is cut off by operating the power cut-off unit 16 in hardware.

  As a result, when the control program of the second controller 15 is modified, power can be cut off to the plurality of actuators 9 such as the valve 5, the fan 6, the pump 7, and the heater 8 to which the first voltage is supplied. It is possible to prevent an unnecessary operation not intended by the user from being performed.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of the gas device 1 that adjusts the power to the gas source pressure valve 14 based on information of the power cutoff unit 16 in addition to the configuration of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the gas device 1 according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the gas device 1 outputs information on power interruption to the actuator 9 by the power interruption unit to the first controller 13.

  In FIG. 7, the second controller 15 transmits to the first controller 13 information that the power interrupting unit interrupts the power to the actuator to which the first voltage is supplied (S104). Receiving the information, the vessel 13 cuts off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14 and the power to the actuator 9 can be adjusted by the first controller and the second controller. Even when the operation of the controller when the program is modified becomes indefinite, an unsafe state such as gas leakage can be avoided, and the unintended operation of the actuator 9 can also be prevented.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 8 shows a configuration diagram of the gas device 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the first controller 13 includes a power supply unit 20 that supplies power to the gas source pressure valve 14, and a control switch 22 that is disposed between the power supply unit 20 and the gas source pressure valve 14. Yes. The on / off of the control switch 22 is controlled and switched by the power cut-off means 23. Further, the power cutoff means 23 can cut off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14 by controlling the control switch 22.

  Further, the first controller 13 has detection means 19 for detecting that the control program of the first controller 13 is being modified. As an example, the detection means 19 may be a connector having a plurality of empty pins for use other than communication. Here, it is set to output a constant voltage to any one of the vacant pins of the connector, and the other vacant pin is connected to the power cut-off means 23. Since the detection means 19 is connected to the external apparatus 18 by the wired communication means 12 in order to perform data communication with the external apparatus 18, the detection means 19 is connected to the external apparatus 18 by short-circuiting the vacant pins with a wire connected to the connector. The detected state can be detected.

  Specifically, when the first controller 13 is connected to the external device 18 (= the empty pins are short-circuited), a certain voltage is input to the power interruption means 23. With this input, the power interruption means can detect the modification of the control program via the detection means 19.

  Here, the control switch 22 uses a normally closed type relay. Since the relay is a normally closed type, when the first controller 13 is not connected to the external device 18, power is supplied to the gas source pressure valve 14 by the power supply means 20.

  Conversely, when the first controller 13 is connected to the external device 18 and the power cut-off means 23 is operating, the relay that is the control switch 22 is driven by the power cut-off means 23, so the switch is open (cut off) State), and no power is supplied to the gas source pressure valve.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, when the control program of the first controller is modified, the modification can be reliably detected with a simple configuration. Can be avoided.

As described above, the gas device according to the present invention can cut off the power supplied to the actuator that is unsafe when the control program is changed when the control program is not intended, so that the fuel cell system, the gas water heater, etc. In addition to the gas appliances described above, the present invention can also be applied to applications such as a heater equipped with an actuator that handles a high-watt heater and a system including an actuator that is unsafe if operated carelessly.

1 Gas equipment 3 Body (stack)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Valve 6 Fan 7 Pump 8 Heater 9 Actuator 13 1st controller 14 Gas original pressure valve 15 2nd controller 16 Power interruption part 17 1st voltage 19 Detection means 20 Power supply means 22 Control switch 23 Power interruption means

Claims (4)

A main body that generates at least one of heat and electric power using the supplied source gas;
A first controller for adjusting the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve;
A gas appliance comprising:
When the control program is modified, the first controller shuts off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve and closes the gas source pressure valve.
Gas equipment. A second controller for exchanging information with the first controller;
When the first controller detects that the control program of the second controller is altered, the first controller controls to cut off the power supplied to the gas source pressure valve.
The gas apparatus according to claim 1. A second controller for exchanging information with the first controller;
A power cutoff unit provided in the second controller, wherein the first voltage cuts off power to the actuator supplied from the second controller;
Further comprising
The second controller cuts off power supplied to the actuator when a control program of the second controller is modified;
The gas device according to claim 2. The first controller includes power supply means for supplying power to the gas source pressure valve, and a control switch that is disposed between the power supply means and the gas source pressure valve and switches on / off of the gas source pressure valve. And a power cutoff means for operating the control switch, and a detection means for detecting that the control program of the first controller is being modified,
When the detection means detects that the control program of the first controller is altered, the detection means operates the power shut-off means to turn on the control switch and is supplied to the gas source pressure valve. Shut off the power
The gas equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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