JP3475509B2 - Gas shut-off 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 gas shutoff device for ensuring safety in using a gas after a gas meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a gas cutoff device of this type has a flow rate measuring section 1 for outputting a flow rate signal A according to the amount of passing gas, and a flow rate signal A sent from the flow rate measuring section 1. The flow rate calculation unit 2 that receives and calculates the actual flow rate B compares and determines the cutoff value that is held in advance and the actual flow rate B, and shuts off if the actual flow rate B is greater than or equal to the cutoff value that is held in advance. A flow rate determination unit 3 that outputs a notification signal C, and a shutoff notification unit 4 that issues a warning based on the shutoff notification signal C sent from the flow rate determination unit 3 and shuts off the gas passage.

[0003]

However, in such a gas shutoff device, in the flow rate measuring unit, the magnet attached to the arm portion of the diaphragm for the flow rate of the gas and the attached magnet move circularly as the diaphragm passes through the gas. Then, the flow signal was taken out by turning on and off the reed switch attached to the gas shutoff device. For this reason, the magnet is dropped from the arm and the reed switch is inoperable, so that the flow rate signal cannot be detected despite the use of gas.

That is, the total amount of gas used cannot be integrated because the flow rate signal cannot be detected, or the function of prohibiting the use of gas does not work when an abnormal flow rate originally possessed by the gas shutoff device is detected. There was a problem.

Therefore, in the gas shutoff device of the present invention, when the gas shutoff device cannot detect the flow rate signal for a certain period of time, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the flow rate measurement unit, and the outside is notified. The purpose is to improve one's reliability.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the first means of the present invention is to provide a flow rate measuring section for outputting a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of passing gas, and to convert the flow rate signal into an actual value. There is a flow rate calculation unit that calculates the flow rate and a cutoff notification unit that compares the cutoff value that is held in advance with the actual flowrate, and gives a warning when the actual flowrate is greater than the cutoff value and shuts off the gas passage. Equipped with a gas circuit breaker and an external communication unit that communicates with the gas circuit breaker via a public communication line, receives the non-flow rate period determination value from the external communication unit and holds it, and the gas passage is blocked by the cutoff notification unit When the uninterrupted signal is not obtained, it is determined that the actual flow rate is absent during the period of the no-flow-rate determination value, and the external communication informing unit that notifies the external communication unit is notified to the gas circuit breaker. Be prepared.

Alternatively, in order to achieve the above object, the second means of the present invention is a flow rate measuring section for outputting a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of passing gas, and a flow rate calculation for converting the flow rate signal to calculate an actual flow rate. And a gas circuit breaker having a cutoff notification unit that compares a cutoff value held in advance with the actual flow rate, and gives a warning when the actual flow rate is larger than the cutoff value and shuts off the gas passage. , An external communication unit that communicates with a gas circuit breaker via a public communication line, a combustion appliance detection unit that detects whether gas from a gas appliance is used, and the actual flow rate of gas to the external communication unit The gas circuit breaker is provided with an external communication informing unit for informing of the absence.

[0008]

According to the first means of the present invention, it is assumed that some trouble has occurred in the flow rate measuring unit when the gas circuit breaker cannot detect the use of gas for a certain period of time. The external communication unit can be notified via the communication line.

Further, according to the second means of the present invention, by detecting the usage status of the gas, it is possible to detect the malfunction of the flow rate measuring section in a straightforward manner.

By notifying the malfunction of the flow rate measuring unit in this way, the function of the safety function of integrating the total amount of gas used and shutting off when an abnormal flow rate originally possessed by the gas circuit breaker is secured, Improve the reliability of the circuit breaker.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the gas shutoff device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a flow rate measuring unit 1 that outputs a flow rate signal A corresponding to the amount of passing gas, a flow rate calculating unit 2 that converts the flow rate signal and calculates an actual flow rate B, are stored in advance. The cutoff value and the actual flow rate B are compared and judged.
When the flow rate is large or matches, the flow rate determination unit 3 that outputs the cutoff notification signal C, and the cutoff notification signal C of the flow rate determination unit 3
Based on the warning, a shutoff notification unit 4 for shutting off the gas passage,
Through a public communication line (for example, communication performed by demodulating a signal modulated using an NCU device that uses no ringing communication of a telephone line) From an external communication terminal, a no-flow period determination from an external communication unit Value D (for example, the no flow period is one week.

Further, by increasing the judgment value, it becomes possible to set the gas flow rate for a user who is absent for a long time due to a trip etc.). The non-flow rate period determination value holding unit 6 that holds the value D and the non-blocking signal G (that is, when gas is available) when the blocking passage is not blocked by the blocking notification unit 4 are acquired, and the flow rate calculation unit 2 Is obtained as the flow rate determination value F, and it is determined that there is no flow rate during the no flow rate period determination value E held by the no flow rate period determination value holding unit 6. For example, if the no flow period is one week, the total flow comparison method that accumulates the data of the total gas usage for three periods, that is, three weeks, and determines whether all the data have the same value, or One week Flow rate signal determination method for determining whether or not one flow rate signal has been detected during the period) If there is no flow rate, the flow rate no-measurement section 7 that outputs the flow rate no-signal H, the no flow rate signal output by the no-flow rate measurement section 7 When H is received, the flow rate did not exist from the external communication terminal during the no flow rate determination period (actually, even if the gas was not used due to a long absence, etc., a failure occurred in the flow rate measuring unit of the gas shutoff device). The external communication notifying unit 8 is configured to notify the user).

FIG. 2 shows a program flow chart of the above means in processing T1 to processing T11. Now, it is assumed that the flowchart from the start of processing to the end of processing is periodically processed by an interval calendar or the like. In the external flow rate-free period determination value communication unit 5, the process T1 (the number in the upper left of each block) moves to the process T2 when the communication is received from the outside through the external communication terminal, and when the communication is not received from the outside. The process moves to T3. The process T2 in the no flow period determination value holding unit 6 holds the no flow period determination value received by the external no flow period determination value communication unit, and proceeds to the process T3.

In the flow rate measuring unit 1, the process T3 determines whether or not there is a flow rate signal. If there is a flow rate signal, the process moves to process T4, and if there is no flow rate signal, the process moves to process T5. In the flow rate calculator 2, the process T4 is a process T in which the actual flow rate is converted from the flow rate signal.
Go to 5. In the process T5, the presence / absence of the flow rate signal is determined again. If there is a flow rate signal, the process proceeds to process T6, and if there is no flow rate signal, the process proceeds to process T8. In the flow rate determination unit 3, the process T6 proceeds to the process T7 when the actual flow rate is larger than or equal to the cutoff value held in advance, and the process ends if the actual flow rate is smaller than the cutoff value.

In the shutoff notifying section 4, the process T7 gives a warning and shuts off the gas passage, and the process is terminated. In the no-flow-rate measuring unit 7, the process T8 determines whether or not the shutoff is being performed. If the shutoff is being performed, the process is ended, and if the shutoff is not performed, the process goes to the process T9. In process T9, the period timer without flow is counted up and the process proceeds to process T10. Process T10 is whether the no-flow-rate period determination value timer matches the no-flow-rate period determination value (for example, when the no-flow period is set to one week, the flow-rate signal determination method determines whether the flow amount is not detected for one week). .

Alternatively, the total flow rate comparison method accumulates data of the total amount of gas used for three periods, that is, three weeks, and judges whether all the data have the same value).
If they match, the process moves to process T11, and if they do not match, the process ends. In the external communication annunciation unit 8, the process T11 notifies the outside through the external communication terminal that the flow rate did not exist during the no flow rate determination period (for example, the no flow rate period determination value timer is cleared after the notification) and the process ends. .

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. However, parts having the same numbers as the parts shown in the first embodiment of the present invention have the same names and have the same functions, and a description thereof will be omitted.

While the no-flow-rate measuring unit 7 is determining the no-flow-rate determination period, the usage state of the gas appliance is monitored by the burner appliance detection terminal for the presence or absence of gas (for example, it is mounted for billing separately). Combustion by transmitting the flow rate signal from the child gas shutoff device, or by connecting the gas shutoff device and the gas appliance via a wire / wireless and acquiring the combustion signal of the gas appliance, or the combustion transmitted in the gas pipe. By acquiring sound, or by acquiring a warning signal from a CO sensor, a gas leak sensor, etc., the gas may be detected at the combustion appliance detection terminal for a specific time (eg, 60 minutes in a row). Nevertheless,
If the flow rate signal is not recognized, it can be determined that a malfunction has occurred in the flow rate measuring section.) If used, the combustion instrument detecting section 9 that outputs the combustion instrument presence signal I and the combustion instrument presence signal I (H) are received And an external communication informing section 8 for informing the external communication section that an inconsistent use of gas has emerged from the external communication terminal during the period without flow rate determination.

FIG. 4 shows a program flow chart of the above means from T1 to T14. However, since T1 to T11 correspond to the program flow chart described in the first embodiment of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted. It is assumed that the process T9 shifts to the process T12. In the combustion appliance detection unit 9, the process T12 determines whether or not gas is used from the combustion appliance detection terminal (for example, by acquiring a flow rate signal from a child gas cutoff device attached for billing separately, or via wired / wireless). A gas shutoff device and a gas appliance to obtain a combustion signal of the gas appliance, or to obtain a combustion sound transmitted in a gas pipe, or to obtain a warning signal from a CO sensor or a gas leak sensor. If something is detected and gas is used, process T
If the gas is not used, the combustion appliance timer is cleared and the process proceeds to T10. In process T13, the combustion appliance timer is counted up and the process proceeds to process T14. In the process T14, it is determined whether or not the combustion appliance timer has passed the determination period (60 minutes). If it has not elapsed, the process proceeds to process T10. If it has elapsed, the combustion appliance timer is cleared and the process proceeds to process T11.

As described above, in the conventional gas circuit breaker, the total used flow rate of the gas held in the gas circuit breaker is acquired from the external communication unit over a period of three months, and the total used amount of each gas must be compared. It could not be determined. (Since it is not possible to estimate which gas circuit breaker will malfunction, all gas circuit breakers will be monitored closely by the external communication unit, but this is not realistic.

Therefore, in reality, there is no choice but to make an estimate based on the total amount of gas used that is acquired every month for calculating the gas charge, and if it is judged that there is no change in the total amount of gas used twice or more. At least 3 months will be spent) Unused state of gas (absence of long term or malfunction of flow rate measurement unit)
In the present invention 1, the no-flow rate determination period (for example, 1 week × 3 period in the total gas usage comparison method, or 1 week in the flow rate signal determination method) is provided to shorten the detection period by monitoring the gas usage, Due to the fact that the used gas suddenly goes out of service, i.e. it is not being used despite the expected continued use of the gas (the gas user has Even if it is not), the gas circuit breaker side will judge and notify that there is some trouble due to the magnet falling off or the reed switch being damaged in the flow rate measuring unit, making it easier and shorter than before. Can be found at.
Furthermore, when it is possible to know that the reason for the notification is absent for a long period of time by a telephone survey, etc., the judgment value for the no-flow period can be extended to build a gas shutoff device suitable for each gas user and improve reliability. can do.

Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is inconsistent that the gas shutoff device keeps no flow when the burning appliance is detected by the burning appliance detection unit and the use of gas is clearly recognized. (If the flow rate signal is not recognized for 60 minutes in either of the total gas usage determination method and the flow rate determination method), the gas communication device is notified by informing the external communication section that a failure has occurred in the flow rate measurement section. You can improve your own credibility.

[0023]

As is apparent from the above description, the use of gas is provided in the present invention 1 by providing a no-flow-rate determination period (for example, 1 week × 3 periods in the gas total amount comparison method, or 1 week in the flow signal determination method). By shortening the detection period by monitoring, the fact that the gas that has always been used is suddenly no longer used, that is, the gas is expected to continue to be used but is not used Even if the user is not using gas for a long period of time), the gas circuit breaker will make a judgment assuming that some trouble has occurred in the flow rate measurement unit and notify the user, so that it is easier and easier than before. You can know in a short period of time.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, it is inconsistent that the gas cutoff device continues to have no flow rate when the combustion instrument is detected by the combustion instrument detection unit and the use of gas is clearly recognized. It is possible to improve the reliability of the gas shutoff device itself by informing the external communication unit that a failure has occurred.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas shutoff device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a program flowchart of the device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a gas shutoff device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a program flowchart of the device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional gas shutoff device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Flow rate measurement unit 2 Flow rate calculation unit 3 Flow rate determination unit 4 Blocking notification unit 5 No external flow rate period judgment value communication unit 6 No-flow period judgment value storage 7 Flow rateless measuring unit 8 External communication notification unit 9 Combustion appliance detector

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-63-172098 (JP, A) JP-A-6-229804 (JP, A) JP-A-1-194740 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01F 3/22 G01F 25/00 G08B 21/16 G08C 19/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flow rate measuring section for outputting a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of passing gas, a flow rate calculating section for converting the flow rate signal to calculate an actual flow rate, and a cutoff value and a real flow rate held in advance. In comparison, external communication for communicating with the gas circuit breaker via a public communication line is provided with a gas circuit breaker having a cutoff notification unit that notifies a warning when the actual flow rate is larger than the cutoff value and shuts off the gas passage. Has a section and receives and holds the no flow rate period judgment value from this external communication section, and obtains an unblocked signal when the gas passage is not blocked by the shutoff notification section, and the period of the no flow rate period decision value A gas shutoff device, wherein the gas circuit breaker is provided with an external communication alerting unit that determines that the actual flow rate does not exist and alerts the external communication unit to that effect. 2. A flow rate measuring section for outputting a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of passing gas, a flow rate calculating section for converting the flow rate signal to calculate an actual flow rate, and a cutoff value and a real flow rate held in advance. In comparison, external communication for communicating with the gas circuit breaker via a public communication line is provided with a gas circuit breaker having a cutoff notification unit that notifies a warning when the actual flow rate is larger than the cutoff value and shuts off the gas passage. The gas circuit breaker with a combustion appliance detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of gas from a gas appliance, and an external communication notification unit for notifying the external communication unit that the gas is in use and no actual flow rate. Equipped with gas shutoff device.