JP3140159B2 - Gas leak alarm and gas leak alarm shutoff system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas leak alarm for general households which can self-manage the validity period of use, and a gas leak alarm cut-off system constituted by connecting a microcomputer meter to the gas leak alarm.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gas leak alarms for general households are:
The validity period from the start of use is 4 years for LP gas,
Five years is set for city gas, after which the reliability of the sensing element is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, a sticker for writing the date four or five years later is attached to the exterior surface of the gas leak alarm so that the general user can know the validity period of use.

At a gas appliance store, an installation ledger for recording the installation status of a gas leak alarm is prepared so that the date of replacement can be managed.

[0004]

However, if the user forgets to write the date four or five years after the start of use on the sticker indicating the validity period of use, or if it is written, the period passes without knowing it. Often, the problem was that the warranty was out of warranty.

[0005] Further, in gas appliance dealers, there are cases where the management of the installation ledger is sloppy or not fully utilized, and therefore, those out of the warranty period are used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, that is, to provide a gas leak alarm itself with a function for measuring the validity period of use, and use a lamp, a buzzer, or the like to indicate that the use validity period has passed. Inform the user, display the effect on the microcomputer meter that is linked to it, and enable notification to the outside.Also, even if the commercial power supply is interrupted due to power failure etc. The goal is to be able to do it without hindrance.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a gas leak alarm according to the present invention uses a battery such as a battery for backing up the operation of a microcomputer.
And power supply voltage detection circuit for detecting whether AC power is turned on
Comprising the door, to the microcomputer, the power supply voltage detection
A certain period of time has passed since the power was detected by the circuit
When the internal timer starts operation and the use valid period is counted by the internal timer, and when the internal timer measures the elapse of the use valid period, a function to operate a lamp, a buzzer, or the like to notify the user of the fact is provided. .

Further, in a gas leak alarm shut-off system for automatically closing a shut-off valve in a microcomputer meter when a gas leak alarm detects a gas leak, a self-confirmation of the expiration date of the use by the gas leak alarm is provided. When this is done, the microcomputer meter also displays that fact on the display unit, and further notifies the outside of the management center or the like via a telephone line.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the microcomputer automatically counts the usage period with its internal timer from the time when the gas leak alarm starts to be used, and when the usage period has passed, the microcomputer expires with a lamp or a buzzer. To inform. In addition, the fact is displayed on the display unit by the microcomputer meter, and further notified outside the management center or the like through a telephone line. The microcomputer of the gas leak alarm is backed up by a battery, so even if there is a power outage etc. during the valid use period, even if the gas leak alarm function is temporarily stopped,
Timing of the use period is performed without any trouble.

[0010]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a gas leak alarm cutoff system according to the present invention. The gas leak alarm shut-off system, gas leak alarm 1 having a microcomputer CPU ₁
0, is composed of a microcomputer meter 11 having a microcomputer CPU _2, which are connected via a signal line L _1.

The gas leak alarm 10 has a battery B ₁ for backing up the microcomputer CPU ₁ therein.
DC voltage of the battery B ₁ is supplied to the power supply terminal Vcc ₁ of the microcomputer CPU _1. An output signal a of a power supply voltage detection circuit 12 for detecting whether or not AC power is turned on is input to an input terminal I ₁ of the microcomputer CPU ₁ .
The input terminal I ₂ has a gas detection circuit 1 for detecting gas leakage.
3, the information from the microcomputer 11 is input to the input terminal I ₃ via the signal line L ₁ and the photocoupler 14. Furthermore, from the output terminal O ₁ of the microcomputer CPU _1, the signal c for blinking the lamp 15 at the time and used lifetime elapses gas leak detection is, from the output terminal O _2, a gas leakage detection and during use valid period elapses Sometimes the signal d for operating the buzzer 16 is
From the output terminal O _3, signal e for transmitting various information to the microcomputer meter 11 via the photocoupler 17 and the signal line L ₁ are output.

The DC voltage of the battery B ₂ is applied to the power supply terminal Vcc ₂ of the microcomputer CPU ₂ of the microcomputer meter 11.
Information from the gas leak alarm 10 is input to the input terminal I ₄ via the input / output switching circuit 18, and a pulse from the flow rate pulse generating circuit 19 is input to the input terminal I ₅ .
Further, information for controlling the gas leak alarm 10 is transmitted from the output terminal O ₄ of the microcomputer CPU ₂ to the gas leak alarm 10 via the input / output switching circuit 18. Further, the output terminal O ₅ of the microcomputer CPU ₂
From the various display information for displaying on the display unit 20, a signal for opening and closing the shut-off valve 21 to stop the gas supply from the output terminal O ₆ is, from the output terminal O _7, external notification circuit 22 and various information for notifying to the outside through the telephone line L ₂ are respectively transmitted.

Next, the operation of the gas leakage alarm shut-off system configured as described above will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. First, the gas leak alarm 10 before use is used.
Therefore, although AC power does not function as a gas leak alarm because it is not supplied, using batteries B ₁ represents the power of the microcomputer CPU ₁ therein,
The microcomputer CPU ₁ has a power supply voltage detection circuit 1
2 is constantly monitored. When the output signal a changes from L to H, the microcomputer C
PU ₁ counts the elapsed time t of H, and does not consider that the use of the gas leak alarm 10 has started unless it exceeds a certain time T. This is for ignoring temporary power-on in the manufacturing process and for determining the effective use date after installation.

When the microcomputer CPU ₁ determines that the output signal a from the power supply voltage detecting circuit 12 is H for a certain period of time T or more, the microcomputer CPU ₁ starts the operation of an internal timer and measures the effective use period. When a gas leak is detected during the effective use period and the output signal b of the gas detection circuit 13 changes from L to H, the microcomputer CPU ₁ changes the output signal c from the output terminal O ₁ to a cycle of about 0.3 seconds, for example. To repeat H and L, causing the lamp 15 to blink. At the same time, the sounding intermittently buzzer 16 by an output signal d from the output terminal O ₂ in synchronization with the output signal c. The output terminal O
_A signal e that repeats H and L at a period of about 2.5 seconds from ₃ is output, and the photocoupler 17 is turned on and off. This on
Signal due to the off microcomputer meter 1 via the signal line L ₁
Is transmitted to one side, is input as gas leak information to the input terminal I ₄ of the microcomputer CPU ₂ from the input and output switching circuit 18, the microcomputer CPU ₂ is shut-off valve 21
To shut off.

If the AC power supply is cut off due to a power failure or the like during the use valid period, the gas leak alarm 10 loses its original function, but the microcomputer C ₁ is operated by the internal battery B ₁ .
Since the operation of the PU ₁ is maintained, the internal valid timer of the microcomputer CPU ₁ keeps measuring the validity period.

When the valid use period (4 years or 5 years) has elapsed since the start of use of the gas leak alarm 10, the microcomputer CPU ₁ judges from the contents of the internal timer that the use valid period has passed, For example, the output signal c from the output terminal O _{1 is set} to L for a short time every 10 seconds, and the output signal d from the output terminal O _{2 is set} to H for a short time every 10 seconds. As a result, the lamp 15 repeatedly turns off briefly every 10 seconds, and the buzzer 16 emits a short alarm sound every 10 seconds. The output signal from the output terminal O ₃ e can be, for example, about 2 seconds of H and the L to about 0.5 seconds repetitively alternately turned on and off the photo-coupler 17, the microcomputer CPU ₂ of the microcomputer meter 11 side A signal indicating that the validity period has expired. The microcomputer CPU ₂ senses from this signal that the valid period of use of the gas leak alarm 10 has passed, and informs the display unit 20 of that fact.
And displays, and outputs a signal from the output terminal O _7. This signal is transmitted to the telephone line L via the external notification circuit 22.
_It is sent to ₂ and transmitted to an external management center to prompt the replacement of a new gas leak alarm.

By the way, the gas leak alarm 10 does not become unusable even after the expiration date of use as described above, and it goes without saying that the gas leak alarm 10 operates normally when gas leaks. Further, even if the AC power supply is turned on in order to use the gas leak alarm device 10 whose use period has expired again,
As long as the capacity of the internal battery B ₁ is available, the microcomputer CPU ₁ determines that the valid use period has expired, and thus notifies the lamp 15 and the buzzer 16 that the valid use period has passed in the same manner as described above. .

Gas leak alarm 10 whose use period has expired
Is replaced with a new one, the output signal e from the output terminal O ₃ of the microcomputer CPU ₁ becomes a normal H, and the microcomputer CPU ₂ of the microcomputer meter 11 receiving the signal changes the connected gas. The leak alarm device 10 determines that it is within the validity period, and deletes the expiration date display on the display unit 20.

Next, the operation of the microcomputer CPU ₁ of the gas leak alarm 10 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The microcomputer CPU ₁
In the manufacturing process of the gas leak alarm 10, the operation is started by the internal battery B ₁ , and in step S ₁ , the signal a from the power supply voltage detection circuit 12 is H or L and the AC power is turned on. to decide. When the signal a is L, returns the internal timer for use lifetime counting is reset to 0 in step S ₂ to step S _1.

[0020] If the AC power has been turned on in step S ₁ (signal a is H), performs multiplication of the internal timer in step S _3, the gas leakage is determined whether or not the in step S _4, a gas leak without it turns on the lamp 15 output signal c from the output terminal O ₁ in step S ₅ as H, also stops the sounding of the buzzer 16 to output signal d from the output terminal O ₂ at step S ₆ as L further the output signal e from the output terminal O ₃ at step S ₇ the photocoupler 17 in the on state as H.

Next, it is determined whether or not the internal timer has timed T time (e.g. 1 hour) or more at Step S _8, and returns to Step S ₁ unless. On the other hand, if the time count T or more hours in step S _8, the internal timer is determined whether the timed or useful life proceeds to step S _9, the internal timer returns to step S ₃ if not timed Repeat integration.

[0022] When it is determined the gas leakage at step S _4, together with the flashing the lamp 15 is repeated alternately H and L output signal c in about 0.3 second period at step S _10, the step S ₁₁ similarly to intermittent buzzer 16 is repeated alternately H and L at about 0.3-second cycle, alternating H and L further output signal e at step S ₁₂ in about 2.5 second period the output signal d Te repeatedly to return from by turning on and off operation of the photo-coupler 17 to the step S _3.

By the way, when the internal timer is judged to have timed or useful life in step S _9, about 10 seconds ramp 15 as L repeatedly by 0.1 seconds output signal c about every 10 seconds in the step S ₁₃ noticed is turned off briefly, also the output signal d in the step S ₁₄ at the same time about 10
Sec buzzer 16 is briefly sounds approximately every 10 seconds as a repeat H by 0.1 seconds every further alternatively about and 2 seconds H and about 0.5 seconds L is the output signal e at the step S ₁₅ after the photocoupler 17 is on-off operation as repeated, returning to step S _3.

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, the lamp 15 indicating that the valid period of use of the gas leak alarm device 10 has expired may be used as a power indicator lamp or a gas leak alarm lamp, or may be independent. Any of them may be used, and the lighting modes are various. Further, the buzzer 16
Alternatively, a speaker may be used to notify by voice that the validity period has expired.

[0025]

According to the present invention as described in the foregoing, to have a use valid period timing function for the gas leakage alarm itself, Ru informs the user in its use lifetime lamp or buzzer that only be able to. Checks whether AC power is turned on.
Power supply voltage detection circuit
The power supply voltage detection circuit
When the fixed time has elapsed, the internal timer starts
It has a function to measure the validity period with the internal timer,
Ignore temporary power-on during the manufacturing process
Can start timing the validity period
You. The microcomputer of the gas leak alarm is
During the validity period of use
Is temporarily out of service due to a power outage, etc.
Even if it gets worse, the time of use can be measured without any trouble.
You. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition, the usage is effective.
3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the user is notified that the period has expired, and that fact is displayed on the microcomputer meter.
According to this method, the user can be notified to the outside of the management center or the like via a telephone line, so that not only the user but also a gas appliance dealer or a gas supply company can easily know that the validity period has expired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a gas leak alarm cutoff system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the above operation in detail.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 gas leak alarm 11 microcomputer meter 12 power supply voltage detection circuit 13 gas detection circuit 14.17 photo coupler 15 lamp 16 buzzer 18 input / output switching circuit 19 flow rate pulse generation circuit 20 display unit 21 shutoff valve 22 external notification circuit CPU ₁ gas leak alarm microcomputer CPU ₂ microcomputer meter microcomputer B ₁ · B ₂ cell L ₁ signal line L ₂ telephone lines of

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] In a gas leak alarm using a microcomputer, a battery such as a battery for backing up the operation of the microcomputer and turning on an AC power supply.
And a power supply voltage detecting circuit for detecting the presence or absence of the power supply.
Internal timer when a certain period of time has passed since the
A function of starting the operation of the device and counting the validity period with an internal timer, and a function of operating a lamp, a buzzer, or the like for notifying when the internal timer has counted the elapse of the validity period. Features a gas leak alarm. 2. A gas leak alarm according to claim 1, and a microcomputer meter for inputting a signal indicating the elapse of a valid use period from a microcomputer of the gas leak alarm and displaying the signal on a display unit. A gas leak alarm shut-off system, characterized in that: 3. The gas leak alarm shut-off system according to claim 2, wherein said microcomputer meter is provided with an external reporting means for reporting the elapse of a use valid period to an outside through a telephone line.