JP2019158548A - Gas blocking device - Google Patents

Abstract

To secure the minimum communication frequency and reduce the power consumption in a gas meter having a wireless function.SOLUTION: A gas blocking device includes: a flow rate measuring unit 102 for measuring the flow rate of gas flowing in a passage 101; a blocking value 103 for blocking the passage 101; a wireless communication unit 202 for performing a wireless communication with a base station 300 regularly; and a communication interval setting unit 203 for setting the communication interval in the wireless communication unit 202. The communication interval setting unit 203 sets the communication interval according to the flow rate of gas measured by the flow rate measuring unit 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas cutoff device having a communication function.

  A wireless automatic meter reading system has been put into practical use that automatically measures the meter reading value of a meter that measures the usage amount of utilities such as gas, electric power, and water supply using wireless or the like.

  Among these, meters such as gas and water are required to save power because batteries are used as the power source because it is difficult to supply power from a commercial power source. In addition, from the viewpoint of energy management, including energy consumption visualization, energy monitoring, and added value, it is possible to read more detailed usage fees by increasing the meter reading frequency, to read the meter reading value in a short cycle, By adding sensors, we are trying to acquire various information and improve the value.

  From these viewpoints, various methods have been studied to suppress the current consumption of the meter. And, as a communication method, a method of communicating by using a LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication module at all times or by shortening the communication interval has been proposed. There is a demand for power saving. In addition, from the viewpoint of added value, suppression of current consumption and responsiveness are also important factors.For example, the meter side is intermittently driven, and the master unit transmits a synchronization signal in a short cycle to suppress current consumption and respond. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-160990 A

  However, in the conventional method, power saving can be realized at a certain level, but it is related to the limitation on the transmission time on the base unit side and the reception interval on the meter side. Not connected.

  There is also a method in which information is transmitted to the parent device at the meter-side timing and information is acquired from the parent device after transmission. With this method, the meter can save power by operating the communication part in a pause or low-consumption mode except for the transmission timing.

  In order to save power with this method, the cycle in which the meter transmits information to the master unit is generally very long, and the timing when receiving a response from the master unit is also the timing. This state becomes a state in which the user cannot know the state for a long time, or even if the setting change data is received from the master unit, the change setting cannot be reflected for a long time.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and changes the communication interval according to the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit, thereby ensuring the minimum communication frequency and responding to the flow rate. Therefore, it is possible to maintain convenience while increasing power consumption by increasing the responsiveness required.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a gas shutoff device according to the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of gas flowing through a flow path, a shutoff valve that shuts off the flow path, and wireless communication with the outside periodically. And a communication interval setting unit that sets a communication interval in the wireless communication unit, wherein the communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval according to the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit It is characterized by doing.

  As a result, the communication interval is changed according to the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit, and this saves the necessary response depending on the flow rate while ensuring the necessary minimum communication frequency. Convenience can be maintained while achieving power.

  According to the gas shut-off device of the present invention, the communication interval is changed according to the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit, thereby ensuring the necessary minimum communication frequency and the response required according to the flow rate. It is possible to maintain convenience while improving power by saving power.

Block diagram showing a gas meter in the first embodiment The figure which shows the 1st example of the communication interval setting in Embodiment 1. The figure which shows the 2nd example of the communication interval setting in Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the other example of the communication interval setting in Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the other example of the communication interval setting in Embodiment 1. FIG.

  The first invention includes a flow rate measurement unit that measures a flow rate of gas flowing through a flow path, a shut-off valve that blocks the flow path, a wireless communication unit that periodically performs wireless communication with the outside, and communication in the wireless communication unit A communication interval setting unit that sets an interval, and the communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval according to the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit, By changing the communication interval according to the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit, while ensuring the minimum necessary communication frequency, while improving the responsiveness required according to the flow rate, it is convenient to save power Sex can be maintained.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval in advance when it is determined that no gas is used based on the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit. The communication interval is set shorter than the longest time when it is determined that the gas is being used.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, particularly in the first or second aspect of the invention, the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit is divided into a plurality of gas flow rates for each predetermined flow rate zone, and the communication interval setting unit includes: The communication interval is set according to the gas flow rate classification to which the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit belongs.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the communication interval setting unit determines that the use of gas has started based on the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit. The time is characterized in that the communication interval is set to the shortest time.

  In a fifth aspect based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval to a preset shortest time for a predetermined time after the shut-off valve is closed. It is characterized by.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a gas cutoff device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment described below, a gas meter is given as an example of the gas cutoff device, and the process will be described. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the components already described is omitted. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment described below.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas meter according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a gas meter 100 includes a flow path 101, a flow rate measurement unit 102, a shutoff valve 103, a control unit 104, an appliance determination unit 105, a vibration detection unit 106, a wireless communication unit 202, and a communication interval setting. The unit 203 is provided. Further, the gas meter 100 is connected to the gas pipe 1, and gas appliances 10 to 12 are connected to the downstream side of the gas meter 100 via the gas pipe 2.

  The components and functions in the block will be described below.

  The ultrasonic flow meter as the flow rate measuring unit 102 emits ultrasonic waves at a constant time interval (for example, every 0.5 seconds or every 2 seconds) and measures the flow rate of the gas as the fluid flowing in the flow path 101. It is a thing and can use a general thing. In addition, it is possible to adopt a configuration such as a circuit for calculating a flow rate due to thermal fluctuations, or a measurement membrane if gas is measured, and there is no particular limitation.

  The vibration detection unit 106 includes a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like. The vibration detection unit 106 detects a vibration such as an earthquake, and determines that an earthquake has occurred when a vibration having a predetermined magnitude or more is detected. A vibration value corresponding to the magnitude of vibration is output.

  The shut-off valve 103 is configured by an electromagnetic valve, a valve using a stepping motor, or the like, and can open and close the shut-off valve according to an instruction from the control unit 104 described later. If the shut-off valve 103 is opened, gas is supplied to the gas appliances 10 to 12 connected after the gas meter 100, and if the shut-off valve 103 is closed, the supply is stopped.

  The appliance discriminating unit 105 is based on the flow rate value acquired by the flow rate measuring unit 102 and based on the flow rate change pattern obtained when the gas appliances 10 to 12 are started to operate, Fan heater, stove, etc.).

  The control unit 104 mainly includes a microcomputer, a memory, a clock, a storage device, and the like (all not shown). The control unit 104 is connected to the flow rate measurement unit 102, the shut-off valve 103, the appliance determination unit 105, the vibration detection unit 106, and a wireless communication unit 202 described later. Then, based on the flow rate data measured by the flow rate measuring unit 102, the flow rate is calculated and integrated, or the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined, and the flow path 101 is blocked by the cutoff valve 103. As an abnormality leading to shut-off, an abnormality in which the gas flow rate exceeds a preset maximum flow rate, an abnormality in which the gas use time exceeds a preset maximum use time, or an earthquake detected by the vibration detection unit 106 Etc.

  Further, the control unit 104 controls the wireless communication unit 202 based on a predetermined communication protocol, and the stored integrated value, the output result of the vibration detection unit 106, the control result and state of the shutoff valve 103, and the like. The data is transmitted to the base station 300 which is a device external to the gas meter 100.

The wireless communication unit 202 includes a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, a VCO circuit, an antenna, and the like (all not shown), and is a base station outside the gas meter 100 according to a predetermined protocol. Communicate with 300, ie transmit and receive. Then, the integrated value of the gas usage obtained by the control unit 104 or the detected abnormality is transmitted to the base station 300, or the gas meter is controlled based on an instruction from the base station 300. Thereby, the flow path 101 can be shut off by the shutoff valve 103 of the gas meter 100 in accordance with an instruction from the center device 400.

  The communication interval setting unit 203 controls the communication interval in the wireless communication unit 202 based on the information obtained from the control unit 104, and will be described in detail later.

  Base station 300 communicates with radio communication unit 202 of gas meter 100 via a communication unit (not shown). The base station 300 communicates with the center apparatus 400 managed and operated by a gas company or the like through a net line or the like. It should be noted that there is no problem even if the center device 400 also serves as the base station 300.

  With the above configuration, the gas meter 100 and the center device 400 can communicate, and data such as the amount of gas used obtained by the gas meter 100 can be communicated to the center device 400. Further, the center device 400 can instruct the gas meter 100 to shut off the gas.

  FIG. 2 shows a first example of the set time of the communication interval setting unit 203. When the gas flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate (51.82 L / H), the transmission interval is set to 300 seconds, When the flow rate is abnormal, it is set to 20 seconds. This predetermined flow rate (51.82 L / H) is a flow rate at which it can be determined that the gas appliance is being used. If the flow rate is smaller than this flow rate, it can be determined that no gas is being used, and if it is greater, any gas appliance is being used. It is a value that can be determined to be used.

  According to the above setting method, the responsiveness from the center device 400 to the gas meter can be improved during use of the gas. Therefore, even when shutting off remotely by contact from a user who has gone out as a service of the gas company as a response to forgetting to cut off the gas appliance, it is possible to quickly shut off and secure safety.

  FIG. 3 shows a second example of the set time of the communication interval setting unit 203. The communication time interval is changed from 300 seconds according to the flow rate between predetermined flow rates (51.82 L / H to 1000 L / H). Some shorten it to 20 seconds.

  According to the above setting method, when the integrated value of gas usage is communicated from the gas meter 100 to the center device 400, the amount of change in the integrated value per hour can be reduced by increasing the communication frequency as the flow rate increases. Since the center device 400 can grasp the gas usage state in detail, it can be acquired in real time and analyzed for demand.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the flow rate and the communication time interval change in proportion to each other. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the transmission time is exponentially shortened as the flow rate increases, so that The required accuracy can be obtained, and can be arbitrarily set according to the accuracy required for demand analysis.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a communication time interval is set for each predetermined flow rate segment, and a communication time interval is set according to the flow rate segment to which the flow rate Q measured by the flow rate measurement unit 102 belongs. The communication time interval can be arbitrarily set according to the flow rate zone without calculation.

As described above, according to the gas meter (gas shut-off device) of the present invention, by changing the communication interval according to the flow rate measured on the meter side, the necessary minimum communication frequency is ensured and the flow rate is adjusted. Convenience can be maintained while saving power by increasing the required responsiveness.

  In addition, after determining that the use of the gas is started based on the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 102, the communication interval is set to the shortest time for a predetermined time. The center apparatus 400 can take an early response to an abnormality that occurs.

  In addition, after closing the shutoff valve by detecting an abnormality based on the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 102 or the occurrence of an earthquake by the vibration detection unit 106, the communication interval is set to the preset minimum time for a predetermined time. Then, the center apparatus 400 can take an early action when an abnormality occurs.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the determination flow rate for using a gas appliance has been described as 51.82 L / H. However, when the gas appliance installed after the gas meter is known in advance, it is adjusted to the minimum flow rate of the gas appliance. Can also be set. In addition, the communication time interval has been described as a maximum of 300 seconds and a minimum of 20 seconds, but needless to say, it can be arbitrarily set according to the battery capacity and the required responsiveness.

  As described above, the gas meter according to the present invention can be applied to a water meter or the like using a battery as a power source because it can secure responsiveness while saving power by setting a communication interval according to a flow rate. be able to.

100 Gas meter (gas shut-off device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Flow path 102 Flow measurement part 103 Shut-off valve 104 Control part 105 Instrument discrimination | determination part 106 Vibration detection part 202 Wireless communication part 203 Communication interval setting part 300 Base station 400 Center apparatus

Claims (5)

A flow rate measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of gas flowing through the flow path;
A shut-off valve for shutting off the flow path;
A wireless communication unit that periodically performs wireless communication with the outside;
A communication interval setting unit for setting a communication interval in the wireless communication unit;
With
The communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval according to the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit. The communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval to a preset maximum time when it is determined that the gas is not used based on the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit, and uses the gas. 2. The gas cutoff device according to claim 1, wherein the communication interval is set to be shorter than the longest time when it is determined that the communication is performed. A gas flow rate section that divides the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit into a plurality of predetermined flow rate zones;
The gas interruption device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval according to the gas flow rate classification to which the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit belongs. The communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval to the shortest time for a predetermined time after determining that the use of gas is started based on the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit. The gas cutoff device according to any one of 1 to 3 or 2. 5. The gas according to claim 1, wherein the communication interval setting unit sets the communication interval to a preset shortest time for a predetermined time after the shut-off valve is closed. Shut-off device.