JP3163198B2 - Meter control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a meter control device for a gas meter having an automatic shut-off function capable of shutting off a gas when an abnormality occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A data collection system for centralized meter reading is being put into practical use due to a shortage of labor and a rise in labor costs in a door-to-door meter reading operation of gas consumption. In particular, in order to prevent human and property damage due to gas leak accidents, gas meters with an automatic shutoff function have recently been adopted as terminals of data collection systems.

A gas meter with an automatic shut-off function of this type will be described below with reference to FIG. The rotational motion proportional to the gas usage obtained by the metering means 101 is converted into an electric pulse signal (hereinafter referred to as a flow pulse) by a flow sensor 102 in a non-contact manner, and sent to a control circuit 104 via a flow pulse input circuit 103. Is entered. Control circuit 1
At 04, the number of flow pulses input within a unit time is counted,
When the gas exceeds the upper limit value stored in the control circuit 104 in advance, it is determined that excessive gas is flowing, and the shutoff valve 106 is closed by instructing the shutoff valve I / O circuit 105 to close the gas. The supply is stopped. When a vibration such as an earthquake is detected by the seismic sensor 107, the control circuit 104 receives the signal through the seismic signal input circuit 108.
Is input, and the shutoff valve 106 is closed. The pressure sensor 109 senses that the pressure of the supplied gas has dropped below a specified value, and sends information to the control circuit 104 via the pressure drop signal input circuit 110. The control circuit 104 closes the shut-off valve 106 when the flow rate pulse is detected during the period in which the pressure drop signal is generated. LED lighting circuit 11
Reference numeral 1 denotes an alarm for such an excessive flow rate, vibration detection, pressure drop and the like, and a closing signal of the shut-off valve 106, which is input from the control circuit 104 and is displayed on the operation display LED. Communication I / F circuit 1
Reference numeral 12 indicates the amount of gas used in response to a call from the center device.
When the terminal 6 is closed, the center device is notified of information that the shut-off valve 106 is closed by calling the terminal.

[0004] As described above, an abnormal state is determined based on the upper limit data of the gas flow rate set in the control circuit 104, and the shut-off valve 106 is closed based on input signals from the seismic sensor 107 and the pressure sensor 109, thereby causing an accident Is prevented beforehand.

[0005]

The values of the data used to determine the abnormal state of the gas supply at the terminal are set to appropriate values according to the type of the gas meter. The data transmitted from the center device is stored in the control circuit 104.

However, in the above-described conventional data collection method and data collection system, when a reset signal is generated in the terminal due to, for example, electrical noise, the setting data stored in the control circuit 104 is lost, so that an abnormal state occurs. Cannot be correctly determined, and the shutoff valve 106 is closed. Therefore, there is a problem that the customer cannot use the gas until the gas is stopped and the gas supply source is notified and the gas meter is replaced. Further, since there is no notice of the occurrence of the abnormal state until there is a contact from the gas supply customer, a prompt response cannot be taken.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and it is possible to continuously use gas without interrupting gas supply even if an abnormal reset signal is generated in a terminal. It is an object to provide a meter control device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a gas consumption is obtained based on reference data transmitted from a center device and transmitted to the center device, and an abnormality is detected to shut off gas supply. In a gas meter having a function, the gist of the present invention is that a means for transmitting the reference data to the center device when detecting the occurrence of a reset signal is provided.

Further, the present invention relates to a gas meter having a function of obtaining gas consumption based on reference data transmitted from a center device, transmitting the gas consumption to the center device, detecting an abnormality, and shutting off gas supply. Read-only auxiliary storage means for storing auxiliary reference data for backing up reference data, transmission control means for transmitting the reference data to a center device when the occurrence of a reset signal is detected, and the transmission control means When data is transmitted to the center device, auxiliary processing means for obtaining gas consumption based on the auxiliary reference data and detecting occurrence of an abnormality until new reference data is transmitted from the center device. And

Further, the present invention relates to a gas meter having a function of obtaining a gas consumption based on reference data transmitted from a center device, transmitting the gas consumption to the center device, detecting an abnormality, and shutting off gas supply. Read-only auxiliary storage means for storing auxiliary reference data for determining the consumption of gas and detecting the occurrence of an abnormality regardless of the type of data, and transmitting the reference data to the center device when the occurrence of a reset signal is detected. When the reference data is transmitted to the center device by the transmission control device, the gas consumption is determined based on the auxiliary reference data until the new reference data is transmitted from the center device. An auxiliary processing means for detecting the occurrence of the occurrence, and an auxiliary processing means when new reference data is transmitted from the center device. The consumption of gas determined by means summarized in that and a correcting means for correcting in accordance with the new reference data.

[0011]

In the meter control device according to the present invention, by transmitting the reference data to the center device when the reset signal is generated, the center device can know the generation of the reset signal in real time.

After the reference data is transmitted to the center device, the gas consumption is determined using the auxiliary reference data and the occurrence of an abnormality is detected until new reference data is transmitted.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a center device,
Numeral 2 is a means for diagnosing the quality of the data transmitted from the gas meter 3 and notifying means for notifying the gas meter 3 of correct data for rewriting the result of the quality check of the data and the data diagnosed as defective to the gas meter 3, and 3 a gas meter. hand,
A rewritable first data storage unit 4 for storing reference data for determining an abnormal state, and when an abnormality occurs in data stored in the first data storage unit 4, this is backed up and the terminal side The second data storage means 5, which constitutes a read-only auxiliary storage means for storing auxiliary reference data for determining the abnormal state of the terminal, the determination of the abnormal state on the terminal side, the accumulation of the flow pulse, and the presence or absence of the reset signal. If it is determined that there is a reset signal, the data stored in the first data storage means 4 is transmitted to the center device,
It also comprises a breaker / integration processing means 6 for writing data transmitted from the center device into the first data storage means 4, and a communication control means 7 which is an interface between the communication line and the breaker / integration processing means 6. . The breaker / integration processing means 6 constitutes transmission control means, auxiliary processing means and correction means.

Next, referring to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the flow chart of FIG. 2, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described step by step. The breaker / integration processing means 6 always counts and integrates the flow rate pulses input within a unit time, and uses the data stored in the first data storage means 4 to use the instantaneous gas usage and the integrated gas usage. Is calculated. Then, when a data request from the center device 1 is input via the communication control means 7, the integrated gas usage is transmitted to the center device via the communication control means 7. On the other hand, the presence or absence of a reset signal input is checked at a constant cycle of, for example, 100 milliseconds (S21). If the reset signal is not input, the following abnormal state monitoring processing is performed. That is, when the instantaneous gas usage is larger than the upper limit value stored in the first data storage means 4, and a seismic signal and a pressure drop signal from a not-shown seismic sensor and a pressure sensor are input. In this case, a shutoff valve closing command is output (S22), and the supply of gas is stopped.
If it is determined in step S21 that a reset signal has been input, the data stored in the first data storage unit 4 is transmitted to the center device 1 via the communication control unit 7 by calling the terminal. It is transmitted (S23). If the reset signal is generated at a timing at which the reset signal should not be generated, the data stored in the first data storage means 4 may have been rewritten to an abnormal value. After sending the data to 1, the instantaneous gas usage and the integrated gas usage are calculated using the data stored in the second data storage means 5 to monitor the instantaneous gas usage, the seismic signal, and the pressure drop. The signal is monitored, and if an abnormal state is found, a command to close the shutoff valve is output (S24). The communication process based on the terminal call performed in step S23 is repeatedly performed until the transmission is successful (S25, S26). Center device 1
Is notified of the quality of the data transmitted from the gas meter 3, and transmits a diagnostic result of the quality of the data and, if the data is diagnosed as defective, to the gas meter 3 regular data for rewriting the defective data. If the communication is successful, the data transmitted from the center device 1 is received via the communication control means 7, and the breaker / integration processing means 6 updates the data in the first data storage means 4 (S27).
Since the data stored in the second data storage means 5 is a common value independent of the type of gas meter, the breaker / integration processing means 6 calculates the instantaneous gas usage and the integrated gas usage processed in step S24. By performing correction using the updated data in the first data storage unit 4 (S28), the processing at the time of generation of the reset signal ends.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the embodiment described above, even if the data for judging the abnormal state of the gas meter stored in the first data storage means 4 is rewritten by the abnormal reset signal, the center device can be rewritten. Since the data stored in the second data storage means 5 is backed up from 1 until the normal data is transmitted, the backup is continued without stopping the function or stopping the gas supply. The gas can then be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In place of the breaker / integration processing means 6 in FIG. 1, a first breaker / integration processing means 8 and a second breaker / integration processing means 8 are used. It is provided with an integration processing means 9. Hereinafter, FIG.
The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Normally, the first breaker / integration processing means 8 counts and integrates the flow rate pulses input within a unit time, and uses the data stored in the first data storage means 4 to calculate the instantaneous gas usage and integration. The gas usage is calculated. Then, when a data request from the center device 1 is input via the communication control means 7, the integrated gas usage is transmitted to the center device via the communication control means 7. Also, as in the first embodiment described above, the presence or absence of a reset signal input is checked at a constant period of, for example, 100 milliseconds (S4).
1) If the reset signal is not input, the instantaneous gas usage is larger than the upper limit value stored in the first data storage means 4, and if the seismic signal or the pressure drop signal is input. A command to close the shutoff valve is output (S4
2) Stop the gas supply. If it is determined in step S41 that a reset signal has been input, the data stored in the first data storage unit 4 is transmitted to the center device 1 via the communication control unit 7 by calling the terminal. (S43). If the reset signal is generated at a timing at which the reset signal should not be generated, the data stored in the first data storage means 4 may have been rewritten to an abnormal value. The integration processing means 8 sends the data of the first data storage means 4 to the center device 1 and outputs an enable signal to the second breaker / integration processing means 9 so that the integration processing means 8 temporarily stops monitoring the abnormal state. (S44). The second breaker / integration processing means 9 having received the enable signal uses the data stored in the second data storage means 5 to calculate the instantaneous gas usage and the integrated gas usage, and monitors the instantaneous gas usage. , A seismic signal and a pressure drop signal are monitored, and if an abnormal state is found, a command to close the shutoff valve is output (S51, S52). The communication process based on the terminal call performed in step S43 is repeatedly performed until it succeeds (S45, S46). The notifying means 2 of the center device 1 diagnoses the quality of the data transmitted from the gas meter 3, and transmits to the gas meter 3 the diagnostic result of the quality of the data and, if the data is diagnosed as defective, regular data for rewriting the defective data to the gas meter 3. I do. If the communication is successful, the data transmitted from the center device 1 is received via the communication control means 7, and the breaker / integration processing means 8 updates the data in the first data storage means 4 (S47). Next, the enable signal is turned off to stop the abnormal state monitoring processing by the second breaker / integration processing means 9, and the first breaker / integration processing means 8 resumes the original processing (S
48). Next, the second breaker / integration processing means 9 corrects the instantaneous gas use amount and the integrated gas use amount processed in step S52 using the updated data in the first data storage means 4 (S49). Then, the processing when the reset signal is generated ends. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a reset signal is generated, reference data is transmitted to the center device, so that the center device can know the generation of the reset signal in real time. After the reference data is transmitted to the center unit, the gas consumption is determined using the auxiliary reference data and the occurrence of an abnormality is detected until the new reference data is transmitted. And can be used continuously without stopping the gas supply. Further, since the function can be restored by the online processing, it is not necessary to replace the terminal, and unnecessary work can be eliminated. Further, since the center device can know the generation of the reset signal of the terminal in real time, it is possible to quickly respond to the operation and management of the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional gas meter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 center device 2 notification means 3 terminal 4 first data storage means 5 second data storage means 6 breaker / integration processing means 7 communication control means 8 first breaker / integration processing means 9 second breaker / integration processing means

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reset signal is generated in a gas meter having a function of obtaining gas consumption based on reference data transmitted from a center device and transmitting the gas consumption to the center device, and detecting an abnormality to shut off gas supply. A means for transmitting the reference data to the center device when the fact is detected. 2. A gas meter having a function of determining a gas consumption based on reference data transmitted from a center device and transmitting the gas consumption to the center device, and detecting an abnormality to shut off gas supply. Read-only auxiliary storage means storing auxiliary reference data to be transmitted, and transmission control means for transmitting the reference data to the center device when detecting that a reset signal has been generated,
When the reference data is transmitted to the center device by the transmission control means, an auxiliary process for obtaining gas consumption based on the auxiliary reference data and detecting occurrence of an abnormality until new reference data is transmitted from the center device. And a means for controlling the meter. 3. A gas meter having a function of obtaining a gas consumption amount based on reference data transmitted from a center device and transmitting the gas consumption amount to the center device and detecting an abnormality to shut off gas supply. Read-only auxiliary storage means for storing auxiliary reference data for detecting gas consumption and detecting occurrence of abnormality, and transmission control means for transmitting the reference data to the center device when the occurrence of a reset signal is detected. When the reference data is transmitted to the center device by the transmission control means, the gas consumption is determined based on the auxiliary reference data and the occurrence of an abnormality is detected until new reference data is transmitted from the center device. The auxiliary processing means and, when new reference data is transmitted from the center device, the gas determined by the auxiliary processing means. And a correction means for correcting the consumption of the meter according to the new reference data.