JP2023013378A - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a gas shut-off device that can secure safety while securing convenience by closing a valve at the time of non-use.SOLUTION: A gas shut-off device includes: an opening-closing part 4 for opening and closing a gas flow channel 3; an operation part 6 for performing an operation to instruct opening the opening-closing part 4; a closing period setting part 7 for setting a closing period T of the opening-closing part 4; and a control unit 8 for performing opening-closing control of the opening-closing part 4. The control unit 8 operates so as to open the opening-closing part 4 by operating the operation part 6 and closing the opening-closing part 4 at start time Ts of the closing period T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a gas shutoff device that ensures safety by shutting off gas.

Patent document 1 uses an ultrasonic flow rate measuring method capable of measuring an instantaneous flow rate, detects the flow rate at the start of use of a gas appliance, opens a gas cutoff valve, and when the gas appliance is stopped, the gas flow rate becomes 0. Disclosed is a gas shutoff device that ensures safety by shutting off gas except when a gas appliance is in use by opening a gas shutoff valve when a gas shutoff valve is used.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a gas shutoff device that ensures safety by setting a time for shutting off the gas and disabling the use of the gas outside the set time.

JP 2012-251880 A JP-A-3-69879

The present disclosure provides a gas cutoff device capable of ensuring safety against gas leakage and the like while ensuring convenience.

The gas cutoff device of the present disclosure includes an opening/closing portion for opening and closing a gas flow path, an operation portion for instructing opening of the opening/closing portion, a closed period setting portion for setting a closing period of the opening/closing portion, and the opening/closing portion. and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the valve, wherein the control unit opens the opening and closing portion by operating the operation portion, and closes the opening and closing portion at the start time of the closing period.

The gas cutoff device of the present disclosure opens the gas by operating the operation unit when using the gas, closes it at the time set in the closing period, and can be used by opening the plug even during the closing period. By automatically closing the cap afterward, it is possible to ensure safety while ensuring convenience.

Configuration diagram of the gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 1 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the control unit according to the first embodiment; Configuration diagram of a gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 2 Timing chart for explaining the operation of the control unit in the second embodiment Timing chart for explaining the operation of the control unit in the second embodiment

(Knowledge, etc. on which this disclosure is based)
When using gas such as city gas or LP gas, it is recommended to close the gas valve when the gas appliance is not in use in order to prevent accidents such as gas leakage.

However, there are cases where the user forgets to turn off the gas valve or leaves the gas valve open because it is troublesome, and it is difficult to ensure sufficient safety with the manual gas valve.

In order to eliminate such an unsafe state, the configurations listed in the patent documents have been proposed. However, it has not yet been put to practical use because of the need to distinguish it from leaks. In addition, in the method of Patent Document 2, safety can be ensured with a simple configuration, but even if it is not used, it will be opened when the time comes, or it will be used outside the time zone set as the cutoff time. There was a problem in the convenience that it could not be done.

Therefore, in order to ensure safety when opening the plug, it is most preferable for the user to manually open the plug. It is essential that the presence of a person is a condition, and by automating the closure to cover forgetting to close the closure, it is possible to improve convenience while ensuring safety. I have come up with a topic.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter thereby.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[1-1. Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gas cutoff device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the gas cutoff device 1 includes a gas channel 3 connected to an upstream pipe 2 for gas supply, an opening/closing unit 4 for opening and closing the gas channel 3, and an opening operation of the opening/closing unit 4. , a closing period setting unit 7 for setting the closing period of the opening/closing part 4 , and the opening/closing part 4 based on the operating state of the operation part 6 and the closing period set by the closing period setting part 7 . It is composed of a control unit 8 for controlling. The outlet side of the gas flow path 3 is connected to a downstream pipe 9 that supplies gas to a gas appliance A (for example, a stove) 10A and a gas appliance B (for example, a water heater) 10B.

Here, in the closed period setting section 7, the start time and end time of the closed period of the opening/closing section 4 are set. For example, in the case of a restaurant or the like, if it is a regular holiday, neither the start time nor the end time is set, and the whole day is set as the closed period. The user can arbitrarily set the time, such as setting for each day of the week, setting for repetition of a fixed period every day, and the like.

[1-2. motion]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the opening/closing state of the opening/closing unit 4, the start time Ts and end time Te of the closing period T set by the closing period setting unit 7, and the timing S of the opening operation (indicated by an inverted triangle) by the operation unit 6. is shown.

FIG. 2(a) shows a case where the operation part 6 is not operated to open after closing, and the opening/closing part 4 continues to be closed regardless of the closing period T. FIG. That is, the plug is not opened unless the operation portion 6 is operated to open.

FIG. 2B shows a case where the opening operation is performed on the operation unit 6 before the start time Ts of the closed period T, and the opening operation of the operation unit 6 is performed at the timing S, After that, the plug is closed at the start time Ts of the plugging period T.

FIGS. 2(c), (d), and (e) all show cases in which the operation unit 6 is opened during the period of the closed period T, considering the sudden use of gas. It shows the operation when When the unplugging operation is performed at the timing S during the unplugging period T in this way, the operation differs depending on whether the unplugging period T is within the predetermined time t after the unplugging operation.

First, as shown in FIG. 2(c), if a predetermined time t has passed since the unplugging operation and the plugging period T is still in progress, the opening/closing section 4 is closed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2(d), if the end time Te of the closed period T has passed after the predetermined time t from the unplugging operation, the unplugged state is continued.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(e), even if the predetermined time t after the opening operation is during the closing period T, if the time u until the end time Te is within the preset time, the closing is not performed. If the unplugged state is continued without stopping, it is possible to save the trouble of closing the plug again at the originally desired time, thereby improving the convenience.

Note that the predetermined time t and the time u can be arbitrarily set according to the circumstances of the user.

[1-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the gas cutoff device 1 includes the opening/closing unit 4 for opening and closing the gas flow path (gas flow path 3), the operation unit 6 for instructing the opening of the opening/closing unit 4, and the opening/closing unit. A closing period setting section 7 for setting a closing period T of the section 4 and a control section 8 for controlling opening and closing of the opening/closing section 4 are provided. , By closing the opening and closing part 4 at the start time of the closing period, the opening is manually opened by the user, and the opening is conditional on the presence of a person, and the closing is automated to prevent forgetting to close. Since it can be covered, convenience can be improved while ensuring safety.

Further, if the control unit 8 closes the opening/closing unit 4 at the start time Ts of the closing period T and then opens the opening/closing unit 4 by operating the operation unit 6, the control unit 8 controls the closing period T after a predetermined time t has passed since the opening. In this case, by closing the opening/closing part, safety can be ensured by closing the valve after a predetermined period of time even if the gas is suddenly used during the period of closing the valve.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

[2-1. Constitution]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gas cutoff device 11 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the gas cutoff device 11 has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that a flow rate measurement unit 5 for measuring the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas flow path 3 is provided. .

A method for measuring the gas flow rate in the flow rate measuring unit 5 is not particularly limited, and a known method can be employed, but an ultrasonic method capable of measuring an instantaneous flow rate is preferable. In the following description, the presence or absence of a gas flow rate is defined as a predetermined flow rate at which the gas flow rate is substantially 0 as a threshold. ”. It should be noted that this threshold value may be a flow rate at which the use of the gas appliance can be determined.

[2-2. motion]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 and 5 show the opening/closing state of the opening/closing unit 4, the start time Ts and end time Te of the closing period T by the closing period setting unit 7, the timing S of the opening operation (indicated by an inverted triangle) by the operation unit 6, and , shows the relationship between the presence or absence of the flow rate of gas measured by the flow rate measuring unit 5 (that is, the presence or absence of use of gas).

FIG. 4(a) shows a normal usage state, in which the opening operation is performed by the operation unit 6 at timing S, the opening/closing unit 4 is opened, and the opening/closing unit 4 is automatically closed at the start time Ts of the closing period T. When the gas is used during the period until the start time Ts, and the gas is not used at the start time Ts, the valve is closed.

4B and 4C both show the case where the operation unit 6 performs the unplugging operation at the timing S during the plugging period T, the opening/closing unit 4 is opened, and the gas is used.

First, as shown in FIG. 4(b), after a predetermined time t1 after stopping the use of the gas, if it is during the plugging period T, the plug is closed. Safety can be ensured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4(c), by closing the valve immediately after stopping the use of the gas, it is possible to ensure safety during the sudden use of the gas during the closing period T.

Needless to say, if the use of gas is stopped after the end time Te of the plugging period T, the plugging is continued.

5(a) and 5(b), the opening operation is performed by the operation unit 6 at the timing S, the opening/closing unit 4 is opened, and the gas is used even at the start time Ts of the closing period T. This is the case when

First, as shown in FIG. 5(a), by closing the valve after a predetermined time t2 after stopping the use of the gas, it is possible to continue using the gas as long as it is in use, and it is not possible to cut off the gas arbitrarily. There is no such thing, so convenience is improved. It should be noted that the predetermined time t2 can be appropriately set to a period with a margin after gas use is stopped, and may be set to 0 so that the plug is closed when gas use is stopped.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5(b), by forcibly closing the plug after a predetermined time t3 from the start time Ts of the plugging period, the gas can be forcibly shut off even when the gas is in use. , and is effective in ensuring safety in case of forgetting to turn off the light.

FIG. 5(c) shows that when the opening operation is performed by the operation unit 6 at the timing S, the opening/closing unit 4 is opened, and the gas is used after that, the predetermined time t4 after stopping the use of the gas is the closing period T The opening/closing part 4 is not closed irrespective of the start time Ts of , so that the gas appliance can be reused for a predetermined period of time after use is stopped, thereby improving convenience.

Note that the predetermined times t1, t2, t3, and t4 can be arbitrarily set according to the circumstances of the user.

[2-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, the flow rate measurement unit 5 for measuring the gas flow rate is provided. When a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate for judging is not measured, the opening/closing part is closed, and by setting no use of gas as a condition, gas is not arbitrarily shut off.

Further, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, a flow rate measurement unit 5 for measuring the gas flow rate is provided, and the control unit 8 closes the opening/closing unit 4 at the start time Ts of the plugging period T, and then operates the operation unit 6. When the opening/closing portion 4 is opened by the flow rate measurement portion 5, the opening/closing portion 4 is closed after a predetermined time t4 has passed since the flow rate measuring portion 5 stopped measuring a flow rate equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate. It is possible to ensure safety when using gas inside.

Further, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, the control unit 8 is provided with a flow rate measuring unit 5 for measuring the flow rate of the gas, and the control unit 8 measures a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate in the flow rate measuring unit 5 at the start time Ts of the plugging period T. In this case, the opening/closing portion 4 is closed when the flow rate measuring portion 5 measures a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate, and safety during gas use during the closed period can be ensured.

Further, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, the control unit 8 is provided with a flow rate measuring unit 5 for measuring the flow rate of the gas, and the control unit 8 measures a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate in the flow rate measuring unit 5 at the start time Ts of the plugging period T. In this case, by closing the opening/closing part 4 after a predetermined time from the start time Ts of the closed period T, safety during sudden use of the gas during the closed period T can be ensured.

In addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, a flow rate measurement unit 5 for measuring the flow rate of gas is provided, and the control unit 8 measures a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate with the flow rate measurement unit 5 at the start time Ts of the plugging period T. In this case, the opening/closing part 4 is closed after a predetermined time t2 from the start time Ts, and safety during sudden use of gas during the closing period T can be ensured.

Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, a flow rate measurement unit 5 for measuring the flow rate of gas is provided, and the control unit 8 keeps the plug closed for a predetermined time t4 after the flow rate measurement unit 5 detects a flow rate less than a predetermined flow rate. By not closing the opening/closing unit 4 regardless of the start time Ts of the period T, convenience can be improved while ensuring safety.

Note that the above-described embodiment is for illustrating the technology in the present disclosure, and various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

As described above, according to the shutoff device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent gas leakage or the like in the absence of a person while ensuring convenience, and it is possible to incorporate it as a function of a gas meter.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 11 gas cutoff device 4 opening/closing unit 5 flow rate measurement unit 6 operation unit 7 plugging period setting unit 8 control unit

Claims (8)

an opening and closing part for opening and closing the gas flow path;
an operation unit for instructing opening of the opening/closing unit;
a plugging period setting unit that sets a plugging period of the opening/closing unit;
a control unit that performs opening/closing control of the opening/closing unit;
with
The control unit opens the opening/closing unit by operating the operation unit,
A gas cutoff device, wherein the opening/closing portion is closed at the start time of the closing period. When the control unit closes the opening and closing unit at the start time of the closing period and then opens the opening and closing unit by operating the operation unit, if it is during the closing period after a predetermined time has passed since opening, 2. The gas cutoff device according to claim 1, wherein said open/close portion is closed. Furthermore, it has a flow measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas,
3. The gas cutoff according to claim 1, wherein the control unit closes the open/close unit when the flow rate measurement unit does not measure a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate at the start time of the plugging period. Device. Furthermore, it has a flow measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas,
After closing the opening/closing portion at the start time of the closing period, the control portion is configured such that when the opening/closing portion is opened by operating the operation portion, the flow rate measurement portion stops measuring a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate. 3. The gas cutoff device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening/closing portion is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening and closing period. Furthermore, it has a flow measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas,
When the flow rate measuring unit measures a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate at the start time of the plugging period, the control unit closes the opening/closing unit when the flow rate measuring unit measures a flow rate equal to or lower than a predetermined flow rate. 3. The gas cutoff device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Furthermore, it has a flow measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas,
The control unit is characterized in that, when the flow rate measuring unit measures a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate at the start time of the plugging period, the control unit closes the opening/closing unit after a predetermined time from the start time of the plugging period. The gas cutoff device according to claim 1 or 2. Furthermore, it has a flow measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas,
2. The control unit closes the opening/closing unit after a predetermined time from the start time when the flow rate measuring unit measures a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined flow rate at the start time of the plugging period. 2. The gas cutoff device according to 2. Furthermore, it has a flow measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas,
3. The control unit does not close the opening/closing unit for a predetermined time after the flow rate measuring unit detects a flow rate equal to or lower than a predetermined flow rate, regardless of the start time of the plugging period. Gas cutoff device according to.

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