JP3229817U - Smart gas monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a smart gas monitoring device which has convenience in installation, at the same time effectively suppresses construction work cost, and also has a smart monitoring function. SOLUTION: A seat body 10, a sensor unit 20, a smart monitoring unit 30, and a housing 40 are included, and the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit are electrically connected and installed in the housing, integrated as one, and the housing. Can be quickly combined or separated from the seat, the sensor unit detects CO and / or gas and outputs the corresponding detection signal, the smart monitoring unit includes the monitoring device 31 and the wireless communication module 32, and the monitoring device It connects to the smart gas meter by wireless transmission method via the wireless communication module, the monitoring device is electrically connected to the sensor unit, and the smart monitoring unit communicates with the cloud database and the control center via the wireless communication module. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring device for a microcomputer gas meter, and more particularly to a smart gas monitoring device capable of achieving installation convenience and smart monitoring functions by integrating a detector and a smart monitoring device.

Conventional mechanical gas meters can calculate the user's gas usage, but a large amount of human power is put into the work of acquiring the user's gas usage every month or every two months to read the meter in each household. You need to have completed the meter-based toll calculation and collection work. The whole process is time consuming, prone to disputes, high rates of human error, and high labor costs.

In addition, the conventional mechanical gas meter can only calculate the gas usage frequency, it does not have a gas supply automatic cutting function, and when a situation such as gas leakage, carbon monoxide (CO) concentration is too high, or an earthquake disaster occurs. , User safety cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, the Energy Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan has started promoting the spread of microcomputer gas meters equipped with an automatic disconnection function since 2014.

Unlike conventional mechanical gas meters that have only metering functions, existing microcomputer gas meters have multiple safety protections, including gas leak detection protection, carbon monoxide detection protection, earthquake blocking, and other safety protection functions. There is a function. Known microcomputer gas meter structures include at least a shutoff valve, built-in power supply, seismic detector, flow rate detector, microcomputer chip, pressure detector, metering unit, metering indicator, return device, and external gas leak detector. It can be connected to a carbon monoxide detector. Through the above-mentioned structure, the microcomputer gas meter can achieve the following five major functions.

1. The gas function can be automatically shut off in the event of an earthquake or disconnection of a pipeline.
2. Equipped with a simulation function, the gas function can be automatically shut off when the predetermined safe usage time is exceeded.
3. It has an automatic gas shutoff function when an excessive flow rate or gas leak is detected.
4. When a gas (GAS) leak is detected, the gas function can be automatically shut off.
5. It has a carbon monoxide (CO) detection function and an automatic gas shutoff function.

In order to solve the problem that conventional mechanical gas meters depend on manual meter reading, Taiwan Utility Model Registration No. TW M484138U, which has already been ratified and announced, presents a "cloud gas meter management service system". .. A gas meter with a built-in authentication code (ID) and a corresponding communication radio are installed mainly on the user side, and the gas usage amount on the user side and the operating status of the gas meter are monitored by a gas meter communication platform equipped with a cloud backend and a database. And record it, and after verifying with the installed gas meter through the installation of the back end with the management interface on the server side, it is possible to remotely enter the communication platform of the gas meter and read the related information of the gas meter. It is possible to achieve the purpose of reducing the cost of manual meter reading and the occurrence rate of human error by completing the work such as gas meter reading, periodic inspection or reporting service. However, this microcomputer gas meter still needs to dispatch a worker to the site to scan the communication radio, and generally scans once every two months and uses the lithium battery of the communication radio every two to three years. Need to be replaced.

In addition, the above-mentioned user-side microcomputer gas meter has a built-in identification code (ID) and a corresponding communication radio is installed, and the microcomputer gas meter needs to communicate with the control center and cloud database through the corresponding communication radio. .. A battery (for example, a lithium battery) is installed inside the communication radio, and when the power of the lithium battery is exhausted, the functions of remote monitoring and remote meter reading cannot be realized. According to the current related regulations, the microcomputer gas meter needs to be replaced regularly (the gas company is responsible for the replacement), and the microcomputer gas meter must be replaced at the same time as the corresponding communication radio is replaced, and the existing microcomputer must be replaced. It is clear that the cost of replacing a gas meter is high.

Conventional CO and gas leak detectors are independent equipment and are usually mounted on the ceiling. If the user wants to install a communication radio or monitoring device that can monitor the microcomputer gas meter, he or she must install such a communication radio or monitoring device in addition to the existing CO and gas leak detectors, and find an installation space. Not only must it be necessary, but it also needs to be connected to a separate power supply, which increases construction labor and work costs.

Taiwan Utility Model Registration No. TW M484138U

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit are integrated as one to provide convenience in installation, and at the same time, effectively reduce the construction work cost and also have the smart monitoring function. The purpose is to provide smart gas monitoring equipment.

The smart gas monitoring device provided by the present invention can be connected to a cloud database by communication, and the cloud database is connected to a control center that monitors a microcomputer gas meter and a detector, so that remote meter reading, charge calculation, online payment, and microcomputer gas meter can be connected. It is possible to realize on / off remote control of the functions of.

The structure of an embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device of the present invention includes a seat body, a sensor unit, a smart monitoring unit, and a housing.
The seat has at least a joint and
The sensor unit includes at least one detector that detects CO and / or gas and outputs a corresponding detection signal.
The smart monitoring unit includes a monitoring device and a wireless communication module, of which the monitoring device is connected to a smart gas meter by a wireless transmission method and used for acquisition of gas frequency and bidirectional data and signal transmission, and the monitoring is performed. The device is electrically connected to the sensor unit and used to acquire the detection signal, of which the monitoring device comprises at least a power input connector electrically connected to an external power source, of which the power input connector It is electrically connected to the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit, supplies external power to the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit, and the monitoring device is electrically connected to the wireless communication module to communicate with a cloud database. Then, the monitoring device transmits the gas frequency to the cloud database and the control center through the wireless communication module, receives the control signal from the control center, and executes the operation of turning off, on, and returning to the microcomputer gas meter. Can be made,
The housing accommodates the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit, and the housing and the seat can be overlapped and coupled to each other, the housing having at least the bottom of the housing, and the bottom of the housing of the seat. It is provided with a quick coupling member for coupling with the coupling portion.

As a structure of a preferable embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device of the present invention, the sensor unit includes a CO detector and / or a gas detector, and the CO detector includes a first detection signal when CO is detected. Is output, and the gas detector can output a second detection signal when the gas is detected.

As a structure of a preferred embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device of the present invention, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the sensor unit is installed in the first housing, and the smart monitoring unit is the same. It is installed in a second housing, of which the first housing and the second housing can be overlapped and joined to each other, and the bottom of the housing and the quick coupling member are installed in the second housing.

As a structure of a preferred embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device of the present invention, the quick coupling member at the bottom of the housing includes at least two stretched portions stretched in the direction of the seat and is locked to the end of the stretched portion. A piece is provided, and the bottom of the housing and the extension can be rotated from the first position to the second position with the same rotation point as the center of rotation, and the joint portion of the seat body is the quantity of the quick coupling member. When the extension portion of the housing bottom is inserted into the first position in the direction of the seat, the housing bottom and the seat can be joined to each other and the rotation point. When the bottom of the housing is rotated from the first position to the second position with the center of rotation as the center of rotation, the locking pieces of the stretched portion can be fitted to each other with the fitting pieces of the corresponding joint portions.

Among them, the wireless communication module includes any one of Lora, WiFi, 3G, 4G, and Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module.

The structure of a preferred embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device of the present invention further includes a backup power unit installed in the housing, the backup power unit including at least a rechargeable battery, a power management circuit, and a power adapter. The backup power unit is electrically connected to the power input connector, the power management circuit controls the power adapter, uses an external power source to charge the rechargeable battery, and the power management circuit disconnects the external power source. Alternatively, during the power failure period, the rechargeable battery is controlled to supply the required power to the smart gas monitoring device.

The smart gas monitoring device of the present invention has the following beneficial effects.

(1) When installing the system on the user side, there is no need to separately search for a space to be provided for installing the smart monitoring unit.
(2) The sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit can share an external power supply, there is no need to add an external power supply, and there is no need to connect and use a communication radio of a microcomputer gas meter.
(3) It is possible to save the material and installation cost of the communication radio of the known microcomputer gas meter.
(4) It is not necessary to replace the battery regularly (for example, every 3 years) unlike the communication radio of the microcomputer gas meter known for using an external power source.
(5) Equipped with an uninterruptible backup power unit, the monitoring function of the microcomputer gas meter and the detector can be realized at any time, that is, even if the commercial power supply fails, monitoring can be continued through the backup power unit.

The specific implementation method of the present invention and other advantages and effects will be described below in combination with the drawings.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure which applied the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention to a smart gas monitoring system. It is a three-dimensional view of an Example of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is a three-dimensional exploded view of another embodiment of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the assembly operation of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the assembly operation of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing at the position of line AA of FIG. It is a three-dimensional view of Example 2 of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is a three-dimensional exploded view of Example 2 of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing at the position of line BB of FIG. It is a three-dimensional exploded view of Example 3 of the smart gas monitoring apparatus of this invention.

Unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship including up, down, left, and right described in the following embodiments shall be in accordance with the directions shown in the drawings.

First, a three-dimensional view and a three-dimensional exploded view of an embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are referred to. The structure of one embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention includes a seat body 10, a sensor unit 20, a smart monitoring unit 30, and a housing 40.

The seat 10 is used for installation in an appropriate position close to the ceiling of a building or the microcomputer gas meter 90, and the seat 10 includes at least a joint 11.

The sensor unit 20 includes at least one detector 21 and is used to detect CO (carbon monoxide) and / or gas and output a corresponding detection signal via the electrical connector 22 and is a CO in the environment. And / or has a function of detecting the presence or absence of a gas leak.

The smart monitoring unit 30 includes a monitoring device 31 and a wireless communication module 32, and the monitoring device 31 is basically electrically connected to a controller chip (or processor, processor) or controller chip arranged on a circuit board. A control circuit composed of input / output interfaces, a preferred embodiment of the controller chip can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip, the input / output interface embodiments are GPIO, I2C, USB, and so on. The monitoring device 31 includes either a UART or RJ45 connector, and is electrically connected to a wireless communication module 32 used for communication connection with the cloud database D. That is, the controller chip of the monitoring device 31 is electrically connected to the wireless communication module 32 via the input / output interface, of which the wireless communication module 32 is a LoRa, WiFi, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module. Including any of.

The monitoring device 31 can be connected to the smart gas meter 90 by a wireless transmission method to acquire the gas frequency and transmit bidirectional data and signals. That is, the controller chip of the monitoring device 31 can acquire and connect the communication protocol with the smart gas meter 90 by the wireless transmission method via the input / output interface of the wireless communication module 32. Among them, the monitoring device 31 is further electrically connected to the electric connector 22 of the sensor unit 20 with a cable (not shown) through the USB connector 31 to acquire the detection signal. For example, the detection signal output by the sensor unit 20 is transmitted to the monitoring device 31 through the electric connector 22, the cable, and the USB connector 311 and further transmitted by the wireless communication module 32.

The monitoring device 31 includes at least a power input connector 33 that is electrically connected to an external power source, and the embodiment of the power input connector 33 includes, but is not limited to, for example, a DC power socket (DC Power Socket). .. The power input connector 33 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 20 and is connected to the smart monitoring unit 30 via a cable to supply external power to the sensor unit 20 and the smart monitoring unit 30. In a preferred embodiment, the external power source can be a commercial power source, and the AC-DC power adapter can be electrically connected by using the power input connector 33 to electrically connect a general AC-DC power adapter (Adaptor). Can be used to convert commercial power to power that can be used by the sensor unit 20 and the smart monitoring unit 30. Therefore, the sensor unit 20 and the smart monitoring unit 30 can share an external power source, and it is not necessary to replace the batteries on a regular basis (for example, every three years) unlike a communication radio in a known technology.

The housing 40 is used to accommodate the sensor unit 20 and the smart monitoring unit 30, and the housing 40 and the seat 10 can be overlapped and coupled to each other, the housing 40 comprising at least a housing bottom 41. The housing bottom 41 includes a quick coupling member 42 for coupling with the coupling portion 11 of the seat body 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, as a structure of a preferable embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention, at least two extension portions in which the quick coupling member 42 of the housing bottom portion 41 is extended in the direction of the seat body 10 A locking piece 422 is provided at the end of the stretched portion 421 including 421, and the housing bottom portion 41 and the stretched portion 421 are second from the first position (see FIG. 4) with the same rotation point P1 as the center of rotation. It can be rotated to a position (see FIG. 5), the coupling portion 11 of the seat body 10 includes a fitting piece 110 corresponding to the quantity of the quick coupling member 42, and the extension portion of the housing bottom 41. When the 421 is inserted into the coupling portion 11 in the direction of the seat body 10 to reach the first position, the housing bottom portion 41 and the seat body 10 can be coupled, and the rotation point P1 is used as the center of rotation. When the housing bottom portion 41 is rotated from the first position to the second position, the locking piece 422 of the extension portion 421 can be fitted to each other with the fitting piece 110 of the corresponding coupling portion 11 ( (See FIG. 6).

Refer to the schematic diagram showing the configuration in which the smart gas monitoring device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the smart gas monitoring system. The smart gas monitoring device A submitted by the present invention can communicate with the cloud database D and the control center C, and is used for monitoring the microcomputer gas meter and the detector, and is used for remote meter reading, charge calculation, online payment, and on / on of the microcomputer gas meter 90. The functions of off remote control and return operation can be realized.

Generally, the structure of the microcomputer gas meter 90 is usually a shutoff valve, a built-in power supply, an earthquake detector, a flow rate detector, a microcomputer chip, a pressure detector, and a measuring unit (to measure the amount of gas used and convert it into a corresponding gas frequency. Includes), weighing indicator, and return device. At the same time, even if you forget that you are doing other household chores and using gas, if the specified safe use period is exceeded, the excess time cutoff function of the microcomputer gas meter 90 will be activated to avoid accidents such as fire and suffocation. It can also automatically cut off the gas to ensure safety. When the gas supply pressure is too high or too low (for example, the outer pipe is broken), the overpressure / pressure drop cutoff function of the microcomputer gas meter 90 immediately shuts off the gas, and there is a danger that the gas leaks from the tap when the gas supply is restored. To prevent the occurrence of. When an earthquake of Rictor scale 5 or more occurs, the microcomputer gas meter 90 having an earthquake blocking function automatically shuts off the gas, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a secondary disaster due to the breakage of the pipeline.

The smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention can be applied to a natural gas / gas supply system (referring to a gas pipeline supply system in which a microcomputer gas meter 90 is installed on the user side) and can be connected to a cloud database D by communication. The cloud database D can be accessed by the control center C of one or more gas companies, that is, the cloud database D can be communicated and connected by the control center C installed in one or more gas companies. .. Therefore, the gas company can monitor the microcomputer gas meter 90 and the detector through the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention, collect gas usage data (for example, gas frequency), and monitor the gas usage status at any time. The gas usage data includes the gas frequency and the state of the detector 21. In one embodiment shown in the figure, control centers C of a plurality of gas companies can share one or a plurality of cloud databases D and use them for reading gas usage data in the cloud database D. The communication connection shown in FIG. 1 is a data / control signal with a control center C and a cloud database D through a communication network composed of a wireless communication module 32 of the smart monitoring unit 30, a signal concentration station 81, and a telecommunications carrier base station 82. Is transmitted and received, but is not limited to this.

The monitoring device 31 transmits the gas frequency to the cloud database D via the wireless communication module 32, receives a control signal from the control center C, and causes the microcomputer gas meter 90 to perform an off / on / return operation. For example, in the event of an earthquake disaster or unpaid user gas charges, Control Center C sends the control signal and turns off the microcontroller gas meter 90 through a remote forced shutoff mechanism. After the microcomputer gas meter 90 is turned off, the control center C transmits the control signal (for example, seismic signal reset) only after the control center C confirms that the cause of the off is released, and the control center C passes through the remote control mechanism. Turn the microcomputer gas meter 90 back on or off. In this way, remote meter reading, charge calculation, online payment, and remote control function of microcomputer gas meter 90 on / off are realized.

In addition, the user can remotely control the smart monitoring unit 30 by using the application (application) downloaded to the smartphone, read the gas frequency, and execute the emergency stop operation of the microcomputer gas meter 90. In the preferred implementation method, the user applies for and obtains the authorization from the gas company, and then uses the application (app) downloaded to the smartphone to read the gas frequency and the emergency stop function of the microcomputer gas meter 90 via the control center C. Can be realized.

As a structure of a preferred embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention, the structure of a preferred embodiment of the detector 21 of the sensor unit 20 includes a CO detector and / or a gas detector, among which gas detection is performed. When the device detects a gas leak, it can transmit a second detection signal to the microcomputer gas meter 90. When the CO detector detects carbon monoxide, it can transmit a first detection signal to the microcomputer gas meter 90. Generally, the microcomputer gas meter 90 has four electric connection lines, two of which are connected to the power supply of the power input connector 33, and two of which are non-voltage contact signal lines (red and white lines) for gas detector and CO detection. It can be electrically connected to the device and used for receiving the first detection signal or the second detection signal. When the microcomputer gas meter 90 receives the first detection signal or the second detection signal, the shutoff function of the microcomputer gas meter 90 controls the shutoff valve to immediately shut off the gas supply to prevent a gas explosion or poisoning incident.

Refer to the three-dimensional view, the three-dimensional exploded view, and the cross-sectional structure view of the second embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. In the structure of the second preferred embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention, the housing 40 includes a first housing 40A and a second housing 40B, and the sensor unit 20 is installed in the first housing 40A. The smart monitoring unit 30 is installed in the second housing 40B, and the back plate 34 is closed and positioned, of which the first housing 40A and the second housing 40B are locked with the locking portion 43 and the locking hole. The housing bottom 41 and the quick coupling member 42 are provided in the second housing 40B so as to be overlapped with each other through positioning by 44.

In the structure of the third preferred embodiment of the smart gas monitoring device A of the present invention shown in FIG. 10, a backup power unit 50 is further installed in the housing 40. The housing 40 shown in FIG. 8 is shown in the structure shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited to this, that is, the backup power unit 50 is the first housing 40A or the second housing 40B in the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. It may be installed in. The backup power unit 50 can be understood as general rechargeable power, the backup power unit 50 includes at least a rechargeable battery, a power management circuit, and a power adapter, and the backup power unit 50 includes the power input connector. Electrically connected to 33, the power management circuit controls the power adapter and charges the rechargeable battery using an external power source, and the power management circuit charges the rechargeable battery during an external power supply disconnection or power failure period. It is controlled to supply the necessary electric power to the smart gas monitoring device A.

A Smart gas monitoring device C Control center D Cloud database P1 Rotation point 10 Seat body 11 Coupling part 110 Mating piece 20 Sensor unit 21 Detector 22 Electrical connector 30 Smart monitoring unit 31 Monitoring device 311 USB connector 32 Wireless communication module 33 Power input Connector 34 Back plate 40 Housing 40A First housing 40B Second housing 41 Housing bottom 42 Quick coupling member 43 Locking part 44 Locking hole 421 Extension part 422 Locking piece 50 Backup power unit 81 Signal concentration station 82 Communication carrier base station 90 Microcomputer gas meter

Claims (6)

It is a smart gas monitoring device that can communicate with the cloud database connected to the control center and is used for monitoring the microcomputer gas meter and collecting gas usage data.The seat, the sensor unit, the smart monitoring unit, the housing, and so on. Including
The seat has at least a joint and
The sensor unit includes at least one detector that detects CO and / or gas and outputs a corresponding detection signal.
The smart monitoring unit includes a monitoring device and a wireless communication module, and the monitoring device is connected to a smart gas meter by a wireless transmission method via the wireless communication module for acquisition of gas frequency and bidirectional data and signal transmission. The power input connector used is such that the monitoring device is electrically connected to the sensor unit, is used for acquiring the detection signal, and the monitoring device is at least electrically connected to an external power source. Is electrically connected to the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit to supply external power to the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit, and the monitoring device is electrically connected to the wireless communication module to connect with the cloud database. Communication is connected, the monitoring device transmits the gas frequency and the detection signal to the cloud database and the control center through the wireless communication module, and receives the control signal from the control center to the microcomputer gas meter. You can perform off, on, and return operations,
The housing accommodates the sensor unit and the smart monitoring unit, and the housing and the seat can be overlapped and coupled to each other, the housing having at least a housing bottom, and the housing bottom being the seat. Equipped with a quick coupling member for coupling with the joint,
A smart gas monitoring device that features this. The sensor unit includes a CO detector and / or a gas detector, outputs a first detection signal when the CO detector detects CO, and outputs a second detection signal when the gas detector detects gas. The smart gas monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that it can output. The housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the sensor unit is installed in the first housing, the smart monitoring unit is installed in the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing are installed. The smart gas monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housings can be overlapped with each other by engagement and positioning, and the housing bottom portion and the quick coupling member are installed in the second housing. The quick coupling member at the bottom of the housing includes at least two stretched portions stretched in the direction of the seat, a locking piece is provided at the end of the stretched portion, and the bottom of the housing and the stretched portion are the same. It can be rotated from the first position to the second position with the rotation point as the center of rotation, and the joint portion of the seat body includes a fitting piece corresponding to the number of the quick coupling members, and the bottom portion of the housing. When the extended portion of the above is inserted into the first position in the direction of the seat body, the housing bottom portion and the seat body can be joined, and the housing bottom portion is moved from the first position with the rotation point as the center of rotation. 1 or 3 according to claim 1, wherein when rotated to the second position, the locking piece of the stretched portion can be mutually fitted with the fitting piece of the corresponding joint portion. The smart gas monitoring device described in. The smart gas monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module includes any one of Lora, WiFi, 3G, 4G, and a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module. The backup power unit includes a backup power unit installed in the housing, the backup power unit includes at least a rechargeable battery, a power management circuit, and a power adapter, and the backup power unit is electrically connected to the power input connector. The power management circuit controls the power adapter and charges the rechargeable battery using an external power source, and the power management circuit controls the rechargeable battery during a disconnection or power failure period of the external power source to monitor the smart gas. The smart gas monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the device is supplied with necessary electric power.

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