JP2021076390A - Water meter - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water meter capable of grasping an amount of water used in a finer unit by acquiring a digital (pulse) signal corresponding to the amount of water flowing through a flow path in the water meter with a simple structure and low cost.SOLUTION: The water meter according to the present invention is a water meter that measures and displays an amount of water used, and is provided with a name plate having a display board for displaying the amount of water used, an impeller that rotates according to the amount of water flowing through a flow path in the water meter, a pilot that is arranged on the name plate and rotates in conjunction with the impeller, a magnet that is fixed so as to face the back surface of the pilot and has an N pole and an S pole, and magnetic sensor means that detects a magnetic field formed by the magnet via the pilot, while a part of an area in the pilot has a shielding portion that shields the magnetic field generated from the magnet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

The present invention relates to a water meter, and more specifically to a water meter using a magnetic sensor.

Generally, there is a water meter that displays the amount of water used based on the number of rotations of an impeller that rotates according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter. There are direct reading type and circular reading type water meters, and the display panel has a pilot linked to the rotation of the impeller, a counter that displays the amount of water used, and a liter needle (1 liter and 10 liters, etc.). ) Is provided.

In recent years, electronic water meters have become widespread. The electronic water meter includes an impeller that rotates according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the electronic water meter, a detector that detects the rotation speed of the impeller, and a digital (pulse) that is detected by the detector. ) It is composed of a control unit that calculates the amount of water used based on a signal, and is known to be very expensive. Furthermore, since the electronic water meter can accurately calculate the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the electronic water meter, this information is transmitted to an external server or the like, and the user is based on the amount of water used. It is also used to manage and monitor the rhythm of life in Japan.

However, electronic water meters are structurally significantly different from existing direct-reading and circular-reading water meters, and new dedicated electronic components must be used for digitization, so they will be introduced in a wide range. Has the problem of being very costly.

Therefore, there is a technology related to a hybrid water meter that can acquire a digital (pulse) signal according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter while inheriting the structure of the existing direct reading type or circular reading type water meter. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, the hybrid water meter described in Patent Document 1 has two magnets arranged on a liter needle and two magnetic sensors above the liter needle. Depending on the positional relationship between the magnet placed on the liter needle and the magnetic sensor, the two magnetic sensors are configured to output signals that are 90 ° out of phase with each other as the liter needle rotates. .. As a result, it is possible to acquire a digital (pulse) signal according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter, grasp the amount of water used, and transmit this information to an external server or the like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-92493

However, in the hybrid water meter described in Patent Document 1, a digital (pulse) signal corresponding to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter is acquired as the liter needle rotates. Specifically, since one rotation of the liter needle is 10 liters, the digital (pulse) signal can only grasp the amount of water used in units of 5 liters. On the other hand, it is desired to be able to grasp the amount of water used in finer units.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is a simple structure and low cost, depending on the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter. It is to provide a water meter capable of grasping the amount of water used in a finer unit by acquiring a digital (pulse) signal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises at least the following configurations or carries out procedures. In the following description, reference numerals and the like shown in the drawings may be added to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but each component of the present invention is limited to those shown in the drawings. It should be broadly interpreted to the extent that those skilled in the art can technically understand it.

The water meter according to one aspect of the present invention is a water meter that measures and displays the amount of water used, and has a name plate having a display panel for displaying the amount of water used and the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter. A magnet that is arranged on the name plate and rotates in conjunction with the impeller, and a magnet that is fixed so as to face the back surface of the pilot and has an N pole and an S pole. And a magnetic sensor means for detecting the magnetic field formed by the magnet via the pilot, and a shielding portion for shielding the magnetic field generated from the magnet is provided in a part of the pilot. It is characterized by.
With such a configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention is simple because it includes a magnet fixed so as to face the back surface of the pilot and a magnetic sensor means for detecting the magnetic field formed by the magnet. With a structure and low cost, it is possible to acquire a digital (pulse) signal according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter, and to grasp the amount of water used in finer units.

Further, preferably, the shielding portion is provided on the back surface of the pilot and is characterized in that it is a region of approximately half of the back surface.
With such a configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention accurately detects the magnetic field that changes according to the rotation of the pilot, so that it is possible to grasp the amount of water used in a finer unit.

Further, preferably, the shielding portion is composed of a plurality of fan-shaped shield sheets formed at a predetermined central angle, and among the pilots, the shielding portion and the non-shielding portion other than the shielding portion are It is characterized by being formed alternately.
With such a configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention can accurately detect the magnetic field changing according to the rotation of the pilot in a finer unit.

Further, preferably, the magnet is characterized in that the north pole and the south pole are alternately arranged around an axis on which the pilot rotates.
With such a configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention can accurately detect the magnetic field changing according to the rotation of the pilot in a finer unit.

Further, preferably, the magnet is fixed so as to be embedded in the name plate.
With this configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention is fixed so that the magnet is embedded, so that the rotation of the pilot is not easily hindered and is stable and changes according to the rotation of the pilot. The magnetic field to be generated can be detected accurately and in finer units.

Further, preferably, the magnetic sensor means is composed of two magnetic sensors that detect a magnetic field formed by the magnet and output a pulse signal corresponding to the detection. The pulse signals output by the two magnetic sensors are arranged so as to have a predetermined phase difference.
With such a configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention can detect the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the pilot.

Further, preferably, a magnetic interference detection sensor for detecting an external magnetic field other than the magnetic field formed by the magnet is further provided.
With such a configuration, the water meter according to one aspect of the present invention can be managed so as not to be affected by an external magnetic field, and can reliably grasp the amount of water used in a finer unit with a simple structure and low cost. it can.

As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of water used in a finer unit can be determined by acquiring a digital (pulse) signal corresponding to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter with a simple structure and low cost. It is possible to realize a water meter that can be grasped.

It is a schematic outside view which shows the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the 1st magnetic sensor 181 (the 2nd magnetic sensor 182), the pilot 132, and the magnet 190 in the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of a pilot 132 and a magnet 190. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship between the 1st magnetic sensor 181 and the 2nd magnetic sensor 182 which constitute the magnetic sensor means 180 in the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the pulse signal output from the 1st magnetic sensor 181 and the 2nd magnetic sensor 182. It is a figure which shows the state of calculating the integrated amount of water used based on the pulse signal output by the 1st magnetic sensor 181 and the 2nd magnetic sensor 182 in the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. .. It is a flowchart which shows the main processing flow 500 which is the overall processing flow of the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a timer processing routine 540. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a communication processing routine 560. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the reception processing routine 561. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the transmission processing routine 564. It is a figure which shows the structural example of another magnet used for the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of another pilot used for the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state that the magnet 190 in the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is embedded in a name plate 130. It is a schematic diagram which shows how the water meter 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention further includes a magnetic interference detection sensor 183.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view showing a water meter 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the water meter 100 includes a housing 110, a pipeline (nozzle) 120, a name plate 130, a glass 140, a lid 150, a ring cover 160, a magnetic sensor holding portion 170, and a magnetic sensor means 180. And.

The housing 110 includes an impeller (not shown) that rotates according to the amount of water flowing through the pipeline (nozzle) 120.

The name plate 130 has a display board for displaying the amount of water used, and specifically includes a counter 131, a pilot 132, a 1-liter needle 133, and a 10-liter needle 134. The pilot 132 is arranged on the name plate 130 and rotates in conjunction with the impeller inside the housing 110.

Normally, the pilot 132 detects a small amount of water flow such as a water leak, and the surface is not limited to a simple conical or conical trapezoidal shape, and eight movements are easily visible. It is formed so as to form an octahedron by combining fan shapes. The pilot 132 and the impeller may be directly connected and interlocked, or a gear or the like may be provided between them so as to interlock.

Here, the 1-liter needle 133 on the name plate 130 displays the amount of water used in units of 1 liter (10 liters when the needle makes one revolution), and the 10-liter needle 134 displays the amount of water used in units of 10 liters (10 liters). (100 liters when the needle makes one revolution), the counter 131 displays the accumulated amount of water used. That is, the name plate 130 is a display board that displays the amount of water used.

The glass 140 is arranged so as to cover the name plate 130 described above, and a lid 150 that can be opened and closed is provided to protect the glass 140.

The ring cover 160 is arranged on the upper part of the housing 110 described above, is attached so as to protect the periphery of the name plate 130 and the glass 140, and is further connected to the lid 150 via a hinge mechanism.

The magnetic sensor holding portion 170 is provided on the ring cover 160 and holds the magnetic sensor means 180 described later. Specifically, the magnetic sensor holding portion 170 is configured such that the magnetic sensor means 180 is located above the pilot 132 via the glass 140.

The magnetic sensor means 180 includes a first magnetic sensor 181 and a second magnetic sensor 182, and applies a magnetic field formed by a magnet (not shown) arranged below the pilot 132 to the pilot 132. Detect through. For example, the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 are composed of an MR sensor and a Hall sensor.

In this way, the ring cover 160 is connected and fixed to the housing 110 and the lid 150, and the magnetic sensor means 180 is suitable for the pilot 132 and the magnet (not shown) by providing the magnetic sensor holding portion 170. It is configured to be placed and fixed in a suitable position.

Next, the positional relationship between the magnetic sensor means 180, the pilot 132, and the magnet will be described in detail. FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the first magnetic sensor 181 (second magnetic sensor 182), the pilot 132, and the magnet 190 in the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing the positional relationship. , The pilot 132 and the magnet 190 are shown in detail.

The first magnetic sensor 181 (second magnetic sensor 182) is located above the pilot 132 via the glass 140. The magnet 190 is a two-pole magnet having an N pole and an S pole, and is fixed so as to face the back surface of the pilot 132.

Further, a part of the pilot 132 has a shielding portion 132A that shields the magnetic field generated from the magnet 190. For example, a shield having a function of shielding substantially half of the back surface of the pilot 132 from the magnetic field. It is configured to have a seat.

The pilot 132 rotates in conjunction with the impeller that rotates according to the amount of water flowing inside the housing 110, and the shielding portion 132A of the pilot 132 blocks the magnetic field generated from the magnet 190. That is, the first magnetic sensor 181 (second magnetic sensor 182) detects the magnetic field generated from the magnet 190, but the shielding portion 132A of the pilot 132 changes the magnetic field according to the rotation of the pilot 132. Is detected.

More specifically, the first magnetic sensor 181 (second magnetic sensor 182) detects the magnetic field formed by the magnet 190 via the pilot 132, but changes the magnetic field based on the rotation of the pilot 132. Detects and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the detection. Then, an arithmetic means (not shown) composed of a processing circuit mainly composed of a microcomputer grasps and uses the rotation speed (including less than one rotation) of the pilot 132 based on the output pulse signal. Calculate the amount of water.

Further, since the magnetic sensor means 180 includes the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182, the magnetic sensor means 180 is configured to be able to discriminate between the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the pilot 132.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 constituting the magnetic sensor means 180 in the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B. Is a diagram showing a state of pulse signals output from the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182. As shown in FIG. 3A, if the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 are arranged by shifting along the rotation direction of the pilot 132, the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetometer are arranged. Each pulse signal output from the sensor 182 has a predetermined phase difference, and the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the pilot 132 can be grasped. Typically, the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 so that each pulse signal output from the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 has a phase difference of 90 °. When is arranged, the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the pilot 132 can be grasped more clearly.

FIG. 4 shows how the integrated amount of water used is calculated based on the pulse signals output by the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 in the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows.

The outputs of the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 are input to a calculation means composed of a processing circuit mainly composed of a microcomputer. For example, as shown in (a), between the rising edge and the falling edge of the pulse signal output from the first magnetic sensor 181, the rising edge "a" of the pulse signal output from the second magnetic sensor 182. Is detected, it is determined that the meter is rotating in the forward direction, and the flow rate is added at the falling edge “a” of the second magnetic sensor 182.

On the other hand, as shown in (b), the falling edge of the pulse signal output from the second magnetic sensor 182 is between the rising edge and the falling edge of the pulse signal output from the first magnetic sensor 181. When "c" is detected, it is determined that the meter is rotating in the reverse direction, and the flow rate is subtracted by the rising edge "d" of the second magnetic sensor 182.

By adding or subtracting the flow rate in this way and calculating the integrated amount of water, the integrated amount indicated by the 1-liter needle 133, the 10-liter needle 134, or the like and the digitally converted integrated amount can show the same value. .. The integrated amount is displayed on the display board on the name plate 130 (for example, the counter 131) and is transmitted to the external terminal by using a communication means as described later.

Next, the amount of water used in the water meter 100 is measured, each pulse signal output from the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182, and the amount of water used calculated based on the pulse signal. The overall process flow for notifying is explained.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a main processing flow 500, which is an overall processing flow of the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5A, the main processing flow 500 includes an initial setting 510, a loop processing 520, a timer interrupt 530, a timer processing routine 540, a communication interrupt 550, and a communication processing routine 560. 5B is a flowchart showing the details of the timer processing routine 540, and FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing the details of the communication processing routine 560.

When the calculation means is activated, the water meter 100 first clears the integrated data in the initial setting 510 of the main processing flow 500, and reads the identification data from the memory into the work area. Then, the date and time are read from the timer of the microcomputer and the process is started.

Here, when water is used, the impeller provided inside the housing 110 of the water meter 100 rotates, and the pilot 132 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller. At this time, the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 output a pulse signal as shown in FIG. 4 according to the rotation of the pilot 132.

Further, in the main processing flow 500, a timer interrupt is generated at predetermined time intervals by the loop processing 520 (Yes in step 530), and the timer processing routine 540 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the timer interrupt does not occur (No in step 530), the timer processing routine 540 is skipped and the communication interrupt 550 is executed.

In the timer processing routine 540, as shown in FIG. 5B, whether or not the impeller is rotating (step 542) based on the pulse signals output from the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 (step 541). ), If the impeller is rotating (Yes in step 542), it is determined whether the impeller is rotating normally (step 543). Then, when the impeller is rotating forward (Yes in step 543), the flow rate per pulse is added (step 544), and when the impeller is rotating in the reverse direction (No in step 543), the flow rate per pulse is subtracted. (Step 545). As described above, forward rotation or reverse rotation is determined based on the phase difference of the pulse signals output from the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182.

In this way, the added / subtracted values are displayed on the display panel (step 546), returned to the main processing flow 500 (step 547), and the next communication interrupt 550 is executed.

On the other hand, if the impeller is not rotating (No in step 542), it returns to the main processing flow 500 as it is (step 548), and the next communication interrupt 550 is executed.

After the timer processing routine 540 is executed, the main processing flow 500 executes the communication interrupt 550 in order to communicate with the external terminal at predetermined time intervals. Typically, when the water meter 100 receives a transmission request from an external terminal (Yes in step 550), data including information on the amount of water used after establishing communication in the communication processing routine 560. To the external terminal. On the other hand, when the transmission request from the external terminal is not received (No in step 550), the process returns to the loop process 520.

As shown in FIG. 5C, in the communication processing routine 560, the reception processing routine 561, the parity error check 562, the telegram error check 563, and the transmission processing routine 564 are executed. 5D is a flowchart showing the details of the reception processing routine 561, and FIG. 5E is a flowchart showing the details of the transmission processing routine 564.

As shown in FIG. 5D, when a transmission request from an external terminal is received, it is determined whether or not the identification code of the received data received by the water meter 100 matches the preset identification code (step 5611). If the identification code and the preset one match (communication authentication success, Yes in step 5611), the presence / absence of the call signal and the validity of the call signal are authenticated. Therefore, the received data is acquired and the received data is acquired. Return to the communication processing routine 560 (step 5612). On the other hand, if the identification code and the preset one do not match (communication authentication succeeds) (No in step 5611), the received data is discarded and the sleep state is entered to prepare for the occurrence of the next timer interrupt (No). Step 5613).

If the above communication authentication is successful, the parity error check 562 and the telegram error check 563 of the received data body are executed, and if there is no error in any of them (No in step 562 and No in step 563), the transmission process is performed. Execute routine 564. On the other hand, if either of them is an error (Yes in step 562 or Yes in step 563), it is determined that the appropriate received data has not been received, and the process returns to the main processing flow 500 as it is and returns to the loop processing 520 (Yes). Step 566).

In the transmission processing routine 564, as shown in FIG. 5E, the carrier sense 5461 confirms the radio wave condition to see if a plurality of carriers are transmitted. Here, if there is no carrier having the same frequency (No in step 5461), the process returns to the communication processing routine 560 (step 5642), and data including information on the amount of water used (for example, integrated data) is transmitted on the carrier. To do. After the transmission is completed (step 565), the process returns to the loop processing 520 of the main processing flow 500, and steps 520 to 560 are repeated.

On the other hand, if there is a carrier communicating at the same frequency (Yes in step 5461), after a certain period of time has elapsed (No in step 5634), the carrier sense 5641 is repeatedly performed, and data including information on the amount of water used (Yes). For example, integrated data) is carried on a carrier and transmitted (step 5642). If the repetition time times out (Yes in step 5634), the system shifts to the sleep (power saving standby mode) state and waits in the minimum necessary power state until the next communication interrupt occurs (step 5644). ).

As described above, since the integrated amount is added or subtracted according to the rotation of the pilot 132 and the data including the information on the amount of water used is transmitted to the external terminal, the amount of water used can be grasped in a finer unit.

The communication means between the water meter 100 and the external terminal may be, for example, a wireless communication method using a wireless communication device, or an induction method using a resonance circuit composed of a pickup coil and a resonance capacitor. It doesn't matter. Further, as long as the means can notify the external terminal of data including information on the amount of water used from the water meter 100, the means is not limited to these, and other means may be used.

As described above, according to the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the magnet 190 fixed so as to face the back surface of the pilot 132 and the first magnetic field formed by the magnet 190 are detected. Since it is equipped with the magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182, it acquires a digital (pulse) signal according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter 100 with a simple structure and low cost, and uses it in finer units. It is possible to grasp the amount of water generated.

In the present embodiment, for example, the diameter of the pipeline (nozzle) 120 is 20 mm, and in this case, if the pilot 132 makes one rotation, the amount of water used flowing through the flow path is approximately 145 cc. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the magnet 190 is a two-pole magnet composed of N pole and S pole, and about half of the back surface of the pilot 132 is composed of a shield sheet. Based on the pulse signal output by the (shielding unit 132A), the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182, the amount of water used in units of 72.5 cc can be grasped.

In this way, if the amount of water used in a finer unit such as 72.5 cc unit is grasped based on the rotation of the pilot 132, not only a small amount of water leakage is managed but also the life rhythm (cycle) of the user is grasped. You will be able to do it. For example, for elderly people living alone, it is possible to detect water usage or non-use status that is different from the normal life rhythm, and to notice an abnormal condition at an early stage.

In the present embodiment, the magnet 190 is a two-pole magnet composed of an N pole and an S pole, and approximately half of the back surface of the pilot 132 is a substantially shielding portion 132A. Instead, magnets and pilots with higher resolution may be used to determine the amount of water used in finer units.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another magnet used in the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, in (a), north poles, south poles, north poles, and south poles are arranged around an axis on which the pilot rotates, forming a four-pole magnet. In this case, as compared with the case of using a two-pole magnet, if the pilot 132 makes one rotation, the pulse signal output by the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 is also detected twice. That is, the amount of water used in units of 36.25 cc can be grasped. Similarly, if (b) a 6-pole magnet, (c) an 8-pole magnet, and (d) a multi-pole magnet are used, the amount of water used can be further grasped in fine units.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another pilot used in the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, on the back surface of the pilot, the shielding portion and the non-shielding portion other than the shielding portion are alternately formed. Here, it is divided into eight equal parts, one each of the shielding portion and the non-shielding portion is formed based on a substantially fan shape having a central angle of 45 °, and the shielding portion is the back surface of the pilot. It is configured by attaching a shield sheet to the. In this case, when the pilot 132 makes one rotation, the pulse signals output by the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 are also quadrupled as compared with the case where approximately half of the back surface of the pilot is used as a shielding portion. Detected. That is, the amount of water used in units of 18.125 cc can be grasped.

In addition, the shield sheet is larger than the outer circumference of the pilot and is formed so as to provide a step, and is configured to more reliably shield the magnetic field generated from the magnets arranged so as to face the back surface of the pilot. ing. In other words, the change in on / off of the magnetic field detected by the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 can be detected more clearly.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing how the magnet 190 in the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is embedded in the name plate 130. In FIG. 8, the magnet 190 is fixed so as to be embedded in the name plate 130. As described above, the magnet 190 is arranged so as to face the back surface of the pilot 132, but is attached to the name plate 130.

The magnetic field generated from the magnet 190 is detected by the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 via the pilot 132. More specifically, the change in the magnetic field is detected via the pilot 132 by rotating the shielding portion arranged on the back surface of the pilot 132 in accordance with the rotation of the pilot 132.

Here, the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182 need to accurately detect a magnetic field that changes slightly according to the rotation of the pilot 132, and it is assumed that the magnet attachment is unstable. , Accurate detection may not be possible. Therefore, the magnet 190 may be mounted on the name plate 130, but here, the magnet 190 is fixed so as to be embedded in the name plate 130, and is mounted more stably. The magnet 190 does not necessarily have to be completely embedded in the name plate 130, and a part of the magnet 190 may be embedded, or any other structure may be used as long as it can be stably attached.

Further, if the magnet 190 is fixed so as to be embedded in the name plate 130, the possibility of being caught when the pilot 132 rotates is reduced.

Further, the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention measures the amount of water used by utilizing the change of the magnetic field, and accurately measures the amount of water by being affected by another external magnetic field. It may not be possible. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing how the water meter 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is further provided with the magnetic interference detection sensor 183. In FIG. 9, the water meter 100 includes a magnetic interference detection sensor 183 on an MCU (microcontroller unit) substrate that controls various processes.

The magnetic interference detection sensor 183 detects an external magnetic field different from the magnetic field formed by the magnet 190. As a result, when it affects the change of the magnetic field detected by the first magnetic sensor 181 and the second magnetic sensor 182, it is determined that the state is abnormal, a warning sound is emitted, or an abnormal state or an emergency situation occurs. For example, the management center or the like may be notified to that effect.

Although the data was supposed to be transmitted to an external terminal, it may be transmitted to a server such as a management center via a wireless base station, for example. By doing so, centralized management will be possible at the management center, etc., and even if there is an emergency, it will be possible to respond immediately and promptly.

The specific description of each embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The above description is merely an embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this one embodiment, and is broadly interpreted to a range that can be grasped by those skilled in the art.

The present invention can be used for water meters and the like, and is particularly useful for meters and the like that detect changes in a magnetic field.

100 Water meter 110 Housing 120 Pipe line (nozzle)
130 name plate (display board)
131 Counter 132 Pilot 132A Shielding part 133 1 liter needle 134 10 liter needle 140 Glass 150 Lid 160 Ring cover 170 Magnetic sensor holding part 180 Magnetic sensor means 181 First magnetic sensor 182 Second magnetic sensor 183 Magnetic interference detection sensor 190 Magnet 500 Main processing flow 510 Initial setting 520 Loop processing 530 Timer interrupt 540 Timer processing routine 541-548 Each step of timer processing routine 540 550 Communication interrupt 560 Communication processing routine 561 Reception processing routine 5611 to 5613 Each step of reception processing routine 561 562 Parity Error check 563 Message error check 564 Transmission processing routine 5641 to 5644 Each step of transmission processing routine 564

Claims (7)

A water meter that measures and displays the amount of water used.
A name plate having a display board for displaying the amount of water used, and
An impeller that rotates according to the amount of water flowing through the flow path in the water meter,
A pilot placed on the nameplate and rotating in conjunction with the impeller,
A magnet that is fixed so as to face the back surface of the pilot and has an N pole and an S pole.
A magnetic sensor means for detecting a magnetic field formed by the magnet via the pilot is provided.
A water meter, characterized in that a part of the pilot has a shielding portion that shields a magnetic field generated from the magnet. The water meter according to claim 1, wherein the shielding portion is provided on the back surface of the pilot and covers an area of approximately half of the back surface. The shielding portion is composed of a plurality of fan-shaped shielding sheets formed at a predetermined central angle.
The water meter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein among the pilots, the shielding portion and the non-shielding portion other than the shielding portion are formed alternately. The magnet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnet is configured by alternately arranging N poles and S poles around an axis on which the pilot rotates. Water meter. The water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the magnet is fixed so as to be embedded in the name plate. The magnetic sensor means is composed of two magnetic sensors that detect a magnetic field formed by the magnet and output a pulse signal corresponding to the detection.
The water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the two magnetic sensors are arranged so that the pulse signals output by the two magnetic sensors have a predetermined phase difference. .. The water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a magnetic interference detection sensor that detects an external magnetic field other than the magnetic field formed by the magnet.

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