JP3412947B2 - Gas usage integrated display device for specific time zone - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for cumulatively displaying a gas usage amount of a gas meter in a specific time zone and transmitting the displayed contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, factories and homes are equipped with gas meters to display the total amount of gas used. As the gas usage amount, for example, the usage amount for one month is obtained from the difference between the integrated display values, and the gas usage fee is calculated from this. For this reason, gas is mostly used in the hours when it is most convenient to use, such as in the evening, and rarely in the middle of the night. The gas utility that supplies the gas has to waste a lot of time because it is necessary to prepare equipment suitable for peak use. In order to solve this, it may be possible to set a different gas charge for a certain specific time zone. There is no device for separately accumulating the amount of gas used in a specific time zone to meet this purpose, and development of such a device is desired. Furthermore, it is required that the amount of gas used in a specific time zone is summed up every day, for example, the cumulative amount for one month is calculated, and the result is sent to the management center via a communication line and managed by the management center. There is.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device for displaying the gas usage amount in a specific time zone in an integrated manner and transmitting it.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention, Yusuke a specific time zone setting input means, a clock, and a control means, and display means
A gas consumption integrated display device for a specific time period that, before
Note that the gas usage cumulative display device for a specific time zone has a storage device for cumulatively storing the gas amount measured by the measuring means,
It is mounted and connected to a gas meter with a communication function having means for transmitting the stored contents to the outside, and the integrated value of the gas meter at the set start time and end time of the specified time zone is read by the control means, and the specific time zone is read. The gas usage amount integrated display device for a specific time zone is characterized in that the gas usage amount is calculated and accumulated and displayed on the display means. In the present invention, the control means has a storage section and a display switching section,
Cumulatively accumulate the gas usage amount for the specific time zone determined in advance, and store it in the storage unit, and after the period has elapsed, the gas usage amount for the specific time zone is newly stored from zero,
Except for the start time and end time of the specific time zone, the display switching unit is operated to display the gas usage amount newly stored,
It is characterized in that the cumulative amount of gas used for the predetermined period is switched and displayed. Further, in the present invention, the control means has a switching transmission unit, and after the predetermined period ends, transmits the gas usage amount in a specific time zone of the predetermined period calculated and accumulated to the management center via a communication line, During the time period excluding the time when the transmission is performed and the time when the control means reads the integrated value of the gas meter at the start time and the end time of the specific time period, the stored contents of the gas meter are transmitted to the management center through the communication line. Characterize. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the display means displays a use status, a failure status, and a start time and an end time of a specific time zone. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the setting input means for the specific time zone is always locked and can be unlocked only when the unlocking means is used.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a gas consumption integrated display device for a specific time zone (hereinafter referred to as "LACO device") has a specific time zone setting input means, a clock, a control means, and a display means, and communicates with each other. It is connected to a gas meter with a function, reads the integrated value of the gas meter at the start time and end time of the specific time zone, respectively, and calculates the amount of gas used for the specific time zone of the day from the difference between the integrated value of the end time and the integrated value of the start time. Is calculated, and this is integrated and displayed for each day, so that the gas usage amount in a specific time zone can be calculated. The LACO device is a gas with communication function.
Since it is attached to the meter, it is managed together with the gas meter.
be able to.

According to the present invention, the gas usage amount in the specific time zone is stored in the storage unit after a predetermined period, for example, at a fixed date and time every month, and the gas usage amount in the specific time period is newly stored in the writing unit. The gas usage amount newly stored in the display means and the cumulative gas usage amount of the previous month are switched and displayed by the display switching unit, so that the gas usage amount of the previous month in the specific time zone can be displayed, and It is easy to control the amount of gas used.

Further, according to the present invention, the gas usage amount of, for example, one month in the specific time zone is transmitted from the LACO device to the management center, and the integrated value is obtained from the gas meter at the start time and the end time of the specific time zone. It is transmitted to the LACO device, and the integrated value of the gas meter is transmitted to the management center via the communication line in other time zones. As a result, the information from the gas meter and the LACO device can be switched and received at the management center by one communication line, and the rational use of gas can be managed.

Further, according to the present invention, the display means displays the status of failure such as disconnection of the communication line and battery exhaustion, the usage state of the LACO device, and the start time and end time of the specific time zone. This makes the management of the LACO device easier.

Further, according to the present invention, since the specific time zone can be changed only when the unlocking means is used, when the LACO device is used in combination with the gas charge calculating gas meter,
Since the gas user cannot freely change the specific time period, an accurate gas usage amount in the specific time period is required.

[0010]

[0011]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a LACO device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a gas meter 3 with a communication function. The gas meter 3 with a communication function calculates a gas flow rate signal measured by the measuring means into a gas flow rate integrated value in a calculation storage unit built in the gas meter 3 and stores the gas flow rate integrated value. The integrated value stored in the calculation storage unit is displayed on the flow rate display unit 4 provided so as to project on the front side 19 of the gas meter 3 and is input to the LACO device 1 via the communication line 5. Further, the LACO device 1 is provided with a display input unit 2 including a display unit, a specific time zone setting input unit, and a display switching unit switching unit at the center of the front surface, and a flow rate display unit 4 of the gas meter 3.
Will be installed by the method described below .

FIG. 2 is a front view of the LACO device 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view, and FIG. 4 is a side view. The LACO device 1 includes an attachment body 35 that is detachably attached to the flow rate display unit 4.
And a display input unit 2. A display window 36 is formed in a portion of the attachment body 35 corresponding to the display area of the flow rate display unit 4,
With the ACO device 1 attached, the flow rate display of the gas meter 3 can be read. The LACO device 1 is made of weather resistant acrylic rubber acrylonitrile styrene resin (AAS resin) or the like in consideration of the gas meter 3 being installed outdoors. Around the display window 36, the front plate 38 and the left and right side plates 3 extending at right angles from the front plate 38.
9 and 40, and an upper plate 41 which is continuous with these and is provided. The upper plate 41 is integrally formed with a locking piece 43 having a fitting hole 42 into which the projection 29 (see FIG. 1) previously formed in the flow rate display section 4 is fitted.
When the O device 1 is attached, it is prevented from coming off. Mounting body 35
The inside of the space becomes a locking space 44, and the flow rate display portion 4 is loosely fitted therein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the LACO device 1. The LACO device 1 includes a terminal 11 to which the communication line 5 is connected, a control device 13 connected to the terminal 11, a storage unit 14 for storing an output signal from the control device 13, and an output signal from the control device 13. A drive circuit 16 for driving displays of display areas 6, 7, 8, 21 to 25, which will be described later, provided on the front surface of the LACO device 1, a clock 15, a control device 13, a storage unit 14, and a drive. A power source 17 configured by a lithium battery or the like for supplying electric power to the circuit 16 and the clock 15, a setting switch 9 for setting a specific time, a specific time zone for confirming the time and displaying the integrated amount in the integrated amount display area 6. Confirmation switch 12 also functioning as a display switching unit for switching and displaying the amount of gas used in the current month, the amount used last month, and the total amount used from the time the data was cleared to the present, and the lock lock for locking the setting switch 9. And a pitch 10.

The control device 13 senses the start time and the end time of the specific time zone with the clock 15, reads the integrated value from the gas meter 3 only when it senses this, stores it in the storage unit 14, and ends. After the time, these integrated values are read out, the difference between the integrated value at the end time and the integrated value at the start time is calculated, and stored in the storage unit 14. When the integrated value is already stored in the storage unit 14, the integrated integrated value obtained by adding the integrated value to the already stored value is stored. This cumulative integrated value is performed for the gas usage amount in the specific time zone of the current month and the gas usage amount in the specific time zone since the data clear described later. In addition to this, the storage unit 14 stores the gas usage amount in the specific time zone of the last month.

Next, the display contents of the display input section 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The display input unit 2 includes a display unit 2a and an input unit 2b.
It is indispensable that the display unit 2a has an integrated amount display area 6 for integrating and displaying the gas usage amount in a specific time zone in which a four-digit number is displayed in an 8-shaped segment, for example. In addition to this, a 4-digit start time display area 7 that displays the start time of the specific time zone in minutes, an end time display area 8 that similarly displays the end time of the specific time zone, and a display described later. It is preferable that there are regions 21 to 25.
The figure 8 indicates that numbers are displayed. In the input unit 2b, the setting switch 9 for setting the time in the display areas 7 and 8 and the time are input, or the gas usage amount in a specific time zone to be integrated and displayed in the integrated amount display area 6 is used in the current month, A changeover confirmation switch 12 is provided for the previous month's usage amount and the total integration amount of the usage amount in a specific time period from the time of data clear to the present.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the display of the integrated amount display area 6 or the like changes when the confirmation switch is pressed. The upper display is a normal display and the confirmation switch 1
Press 2 for 2 seconds or longer to change to the second display. In order to prevent malfunction, the confirmation switch 12 does not change the display unless it is pressed for 2 seconds or more. In the second display, the gas usage in a specific time zone of the current month (for example, October) is displayed as “4” m ³ in the cumulative amount display area 6 together with the month display “10” in the usage month display area 21. There is. In addition, the display of “measurement time range” is turned on, and the start time of the specific time zone is displayed in the display area 7 by “1.
"8:00" and the end time is "22:00" in the display area 8.
Are displayed respectively. The confirmation switch 12 other
Press once to change to the third display. In the third display, the gas usage in the specified time zone of the last month (here, September) is displayed as “25” m ³ in the cumulative amount display area 6 together with the month display “9” in the usage month display area 21. It Then, the display of “measurement time range” disappears, the display of “call date and time” is turned on, the number of days is displayed in the display area 22 as “1” day, and the time is displayed in the display area 7. It is displayed as "00:00". The calling date and time is the date and time when the meter is read, which is 0
It is shown here that it is 0 hour. Note that nothing is displayed in the display area 8. 0:00 of these is September 1, 0
Minutes to 00:00 on October 1st, the amount of gas used in the specific time zone (measurement time range) is 25m ³
The amount of gas used from the hour 0 to the current time is 4m
It shows that it is ³ . When you press the confirmation switch 12 once again, change the display of the fourth stage. In the 4th row display,
The display of the usage month etc. display area 21 is changed to the display of the “integrated amount in time” in the lower stage. Then, the integrated value of the gas usage amount in the specific time zone from the time when the data is cleared to the present time is displayed in the integrated amount display area 6 as “293” m ³ . When the confirmation switch 12 is pressed, the display returns to the second display. Also, if the confirmation switch 12 is not operated for 15 seconds or more after the display changes,
Returns to the normal display on the top. Here, data clear means L
This is an operation to erase all the data (excluding data for identifying a customer) stored in the ACO device 1. When this operation is performed, the display or storage of the gas usage amount, the cumulative amount within the time period, the specific time period (measurement time range), the calling date and time of the specific time period of the current month and the last month is erased. And the cumulative amount in time is
The amount of gas used for the specific time period since the data was cleared is added up. Data clear is to prevent customers from doing it freely,
It is locked by a lock switch 10 which is invisible from the surface.
In order to unlock it, the data is cleared by pressing the setting switch 9 and bringing the magnet held by the operator into contact with the lock switch 10 for 10 seconds or more.

When the calling date and time has passed, the usage amount of the last month is newly stored in the memory of the storage unit 14, and the usage amount of the current month becomes zero. If the last month's usage is already stored, this storage is erased. The memory of the accumulated amount in time does not change.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method for setting a specific time zone and a calling date and time. Since the specific time zone and calling date and time are decided by the contract between the gas company and the customer,
It is locked with a lock switch 10 which is invisible from the surface so that the customer cannot easily change it. To unlock it, the magnet carried by the operator is brought into contact with the lock switch 10 for 5 seconds. In this case, the setting switch 9 is not operated to distinguish it from the data clear. Normally, the display on the first stage of FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 2a. When it is unlocked by the above operation, as shown in the second row, the display of "setting" is turned on in the upper left portion, and the time display "18" of the display area 7 blinks. When the setting switch 9 is pressed once in this state, it changes to "19" and blinks as shown in the third row. If this is all right, press the confirmation switch 12 to set. Here, as shown in the fourth row, the display "00" of the display area 7 blinks.
If this is all right, press the confirmation switch 12 to set. The same operation is performed on the display area 8. If the minutes display of the display area 8 is set, the display of the "measurement time range" disappears as shown in the fifth row, the "call date and time" is displayed, and the call date of the display area 22 is "1". Display blinks. If this is all right, press the confirmation switch 12 to set. Similarly, the calling time and calling amount are set. When all the settings are completed, the magnet is brought into contact with the lock switch 10 for 5 seconds to return to the normal display.
For example, the start time of the specific time zone is from 18:00 to 19:
When only changing to 00, the second step and the third step may be performed to bring the magnet into contact with the lock switch 10 for 5 seconds to return to the normal display (the dotted circle in FIG. The operation of the lock switch 10 is shown).

On the display section 2a, the integrated value display area 6,
Display area 7 of start time and end time of specific time zone,
8, the usage status and the failure status of the LACO device 1 are displayed as shown in FIG. Furthermore, when the LACO device 1 has a switching transmission unit 26 and is connected to the management center 27 via a communication line 28, how the communication line is connected is displayed.

In the operation display area 23 showing the usage status, "setting", "communication in progress" and "measurement in progress" are displayed at respective points according to the situation. The display of "setting" is turned on when the lock switch 10 is unlocked as described above. The "in communication" display indicates that the integrated value of the gas meter 3 is LA.
This is indicated when the CO device 1 reads the data, and when the LACO device 1 is connected to the management center 27 via the communication line 26 and the gas usage amount in the specific time zone of the last month is transmitted. The display of "Measuring" is activated during a specific time period. To prevent malfunctions, the lock switch 10 cannot be handled while the display of "communication" and "measurement" is on, and communication and measurement are prioritized even during setting.

The abnormality display area 24 showing the status of failure is
The indications of “meter disconnection”, “center disconnection” and “battery voltage drop” will blink depending on the situation. Meter disconnection is a communication line 5 between the gas meter 3 and the LACO device 1.
The disconnection of the center means disconnection of the communication line 28 of the LACO device 1 and the management center 27.

FIG. 8 shows a LACO having a switching transmitter 26.
It is a block diagram which shows the schematic electric constitution of the apparatus 1a. Normally, the information on the integrated value of the gas usage amount transmitted from the gas meter 3 is sent to the switching transmission unit 26 of the LACO device 1a via the communication line 5, and passes through the bypass line 30 as shown by the solid line in FIG. It is sent from the terminal 29 to the management center 27 via the communication line 28. At the start time and the end time of the specific time zone, the contact point 31 of the switching transmission unit 26 is switched by the clock 15 and the control device 13 as shown by the dotted line,
Information regarding the integrated value of the gas meter 3 is input to the control device 13 and read. When the reading is completed, the contact 31 returns to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. When the calling date and time arrives, clock 1
5, the contact 32 of the switching transmission unit 26 is switched by the control device 13 as shown by the dotted line, and information about the cumulative amount of gas used in a specific time zone for one month is stored in the communication line 28 from the storage unit 14.
Sent to the center via. When the transmission of the information is completed, the contact 32 returns to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. The status of these switching transmitters 26 is displayed in the communication status display area 25 at the bottom of the display 2a. "Center meter"
8 is in a state where the switching transmission unit 26 is a solid line in FIG. 8, "meter-LACO" is a dotted line in which the contact 31 is switched, and "center-LACO" is a dotted line in which the contact 32 is switched. In each state, turn on.

The unlocking method is not limited to the method using a magnet, and the lock switch 10 may be provided with a keyhole and mechanically unlocked with a key. Further, the lock switch 10 may or may not be provided at a position visible from the surface when it is not used for charge calculation.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, the gas usage amount in a specific time zone is displayed separately from the total gas usage amount of the gas meter, so that the gas user can use the gas reasonably. By doing so, the facilities of the gas utility company can be operated reasonably. Also, the LACO device is attached to the gas meter.
Therefore, it can be integrated with the gas meter without taking up space.
You can

Further, according to the present invention, the amount of gas used in a specific time zone can be used compared to the previous month, and more rational management of the amount of gas used can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the gas meter or LACO device and the management center are switched and connected only when necessary, so that the gas meter and the LACO device can be managed from the management center by one communication line.

Further, according to the present invention, since the usage status and failure status of the LACO device can be displayed, the management of the LACO device becomes easy.

Further, according to the present invention, since the setting input of the specific time zone is performed by using the unlocking means, it can be used without any problem in the charge calculation.

[0029]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an LACO device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a gas meter 3 with a communication function.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the LACO device 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the LACO device 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the LACO device 1.

5 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the LACO device 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the display contents of the confirmation switch 12 and the display unit 2a.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for setting a specific time zone and a calling date and time.

8 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a LACO device 1a having a switching transmitter 26. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1a LACO device 2 Display input section 2a Display section 2b Input section 3 Gas meter with communication function 6 Integrated amount display area 7 Specific time zone start time display area 8 Specific time zone end time display area 9 Setting switch 10 Lock switch 12 Confirmation switch 13 Control device 14 Memory 15 clock 16 Drive circuit 17 power supply 21 Display area such as month of use 22 Calling date display area 23 Operation display area 24 Error display area 25 Communication status display area 26 Switching transmitter 27 Management Center

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) The inventor Kairiki Power 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Gen Onoda Gen 2-3, Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. Stock Company, Kinmon Mfg. Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Kaichi Tomoda 4-73, Nishi-Iwata, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Kinmon Mfg. Co., Ltd., Kansai Research Laboratory (72) Inventor, Toru Kabayama 4-chome, Nishi-Iwata, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka Prefecture No. 7-31 Kinmon Mfg. Co., Ltd. in Kansai Research Laboratory (56) Reference JP-A-6-281673 (JP, A) JP-A-6-348987 (JP, A) JP-A-61-11670 (JP, A) Special Kai 53-100853 (JP, A) Actual Kai Flat 6-19388 (JP, U) Actual Kai 4-132600 (JP, U) Actual Sho 60-107725 (JP, U) Japanese Patent Sho 62-46912 ( JP, B1) (58) Minutes surveyed (Int.Cl. ^7, DB name) G08C 19/00 301

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An amount of gas used in a specific time zone having a specific time zone setting input means, a clock, a control means, and a display means.
A cumulative display device, wherein the cumulative gas usage display device for a specific time zone includes a storage device that cumulatively stores the gas amount measured by the measuring means, and a communication device that transmits the stored content to the outside. Attached to and connected to a gas meter with a function, the integrated value of the gas meter at the set start time and end time of the specified time zone is read by the control means, the gas usage amount in the specific time zone is calculated, and the accumulated value is displayed. A gas consumption integrated display device for a specific time zone, characterized by being displayed on. 2. The control means includes a storage section and a display switching section, accumulates gas usage amounts in a specific time zone calculated and accumulated for a predetermined period, stores the accumulated gas in the storage section, and after the lapse of the period, The gas usage amount for the specific time zone is newly stored from zero, and the newly stored gas usage amount is previously stored in the display means by operating the display switching unit except for the start time and the end time of the specific time zone. 2. The integrated display device for gas usage in a specific time zone according to claim 1, wherein the cumulative gas usage for a predetermined period is switched and displayed. 3. The control means has a switching transmission unit, and transmits a gas usage amount in a specific time zone of a predetermined period calculated and accumulated to a management center via a communication line after the predetermined period ends, During the time period excluding the time when the transmission is performed and the time when the control means reads the integrated value of the gas meter at the start time and the end time of the specific time period, the stored contents of the gas meter are transmitted to the management center through the communication line. The gas usage amount integration display device for a specific time zone according to claim 2. 4. The display means displays a usage status, a failure status, and a start time and an end time of a specific time zone.
A gas consumption integrated display device for a specific time period described in the item. 5. The setting input device for a specific time zone is always locked and can be unlocked only when the unlocking device is used. A gas consumption integrated display device for a specific time zone.