JP3491742B2 - Adapter device for electronic gas meter - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adapter device for an electronic gas meter, which measures and integrates the flow rate of gas as a fluid to obtain and display the integrated flow rate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of gas equipment, not only gas consumption sources but also gas meters and peripheral safety equipment are becoming electronic, and in recent years, the flow rate of gas passing through internal gas passages has been changed to ultrasonic sensors or fluidic flow rates. An electronic gas meter that uses a sensor or the like to measure and display with a microcomputer is widely used.

The electronic gas meter described above includes, for example, S
In the case of what is called a type safety gas meter, due to safety requirements, as a typical example, gas leakage on the downstream side (that is, gas consumption source side) is judged based on the change over time of the measured gas flow rate, etc. It is obligatory to install a function to shut off the internal gas passage with an electric shutoff valve according to the judgment result of this gas leakage and a command from the outside. It is executed under the control of the microcomputer that is the power source.

Further, the above-mentioned electronic gas meter called S-type safety gas meter is provided with a terminal block for connecting external equipment, and this terminal block is provided with a gas consumption source by a gas sensor. An alarm terminal for connecting a gas leak alarm for detecting and alarming the actual gas leak in the above, external 1 and 2 terminals for connecting a CO (carbon monoxide) alarm, an automatic diagnostic regulator, etc., remote A network control device (N that communicates with the monitoring host computer via a telephone line)
A communication terminal for connecting a CU), a valve opening / closing signal terminal for receiving a shutoff valve opening / closing command signal, and the like are provided.

In the microcomputer of the electronic gas meter described above, a gas leak alarm signal from a gas leak alarm device, a CO alarm device or the like is input from an alarm device terminal, external 1 or 2 terminals, or closed from a valve opening / closing signal terminal. When a valve signal is input, or when the built-in seismic detector detects an earthquake with a certain seismic intensity or higher, the shutoff valve closes the open gas passage inside the open state to shut off the gas flow, Along with this, a signal for requesting the network control device to form a telephone line with the host computer is output from the communication terminal, and then a cutoff signal for notifying the host computer of the cutoff of the gas passage is output.

Further, when the voltage of the built-in battery is about to fall below the voltage required for the normal operation of the microcomputer and the shutoff valve, a display indicating that fact is displayed on the display unit and a voltage drop signal indicating a battery voltage drop is displayed. Output from the communication terminal.

Therefore, in the above-described electronic gas meter, if the network control device that communicates with the host computer for remote monitoring via the telephone line is connected to the communication terminal,
It is possible to monitor whether the voltage of the internal battery exceeds the voltage required for normal operation of the microcomputer or shutoff valve,
When the voltage drop signal is received, the electronic gas meter can be replaced with a new one before the voltage required for the normal operation of the microcomputer and the shutoff valve is interrupted.

[0008]

However, the usage mode in which the network control device is connected to the communication terminal and the state of the electronic gas meter is remotely monitored by the host computer is mainly a large-scale gas supplier having a large number of users. However, in the case of a gas supplier that supplies gas to a small number of users, it is not often adopted because it is not cost-effective due to the relationship between equipment cost and introduction effect.

Therefore, when the electronic gas meter is not remotely monitored by the host computer, the voltage drop signal output from the communication terminal does not serve any purpose, and the voltage of the built-in battery is the microcomputer or the shut-off valve. When it is about to divide the voltage required for normal operation, the electronic gas meter must be replaced at an early stage to ensure proper metering display operation, alarm signal input, and a shut-off valve that responds to earthquake detection, etc. It becomes difficult to prevent the state where the gas passage is not closed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic gas meter with a shut-off valve that responds to the original measurement display operation, alarm signal input, earthquake detection, etc. by the voltage of the built-in battery interrupting the voltage required for normal operation of a microcomputer or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an adapter device for an electronic gas meter, which can prevent a situation in which the gas passage is not closed.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the present invention described in claim 1 uses an internal battery 36 as a power source, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. The flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage 31 is measured and the shutoff valve 3 is provided to open the gas passage 31 in response to a shutoff command signal input from the outside.
An electronic gas meter adapter device 1 connected to an electronic gas meter 3 which is closed by means of 4 and which outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery 36 falls below a predetermined value. The electronic gas meter 3 for generating the shutoff command signal in response to the input of the drop signal
Is provided with a command signal output means 11A for outputting to.

An electronic gas meter adapter device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the electronic gas meter adapter device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 is the The electronic gas meter 3 and the cutoff command signal are output to the electronic gas meter 3 when a gas leak is detected on the side of the gas consumption source to which the gas that has passed through the gas passage 31 is supplied, and the gas consumption source Is installed between the gas leak alarm device 5 which outputs an alarm in response to the detection of the gas leak on the side,
In response to the input of the voltage drop signal, an alarm command signal output means 11 for outputting an alarm output command signal for commanding the gas leak alarm device 5 to output the alarm to the gas leak alarm device 5.
B was further provided.

Further, the electronic gas meter adapter device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the electronic gas meter adapter device according to the second aspect, wherein the command signal output means 11A causes the voltage drop. The shutoff command signal is generated and output to the electronic gas meter 3 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the input of the signal.

In the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 4, the internal battery 36 is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage 31 and shut off from the outside. An electronic gas meter 3 which closes the gas passage 31 in an open state in response to a command signal by a shutoff valve 34 and outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery 36 falls below a predetermined value. , Outputs the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter 3 when detecting a gas leak on the gas consumption source side to which the gas passing through the gas passage 31 is supplied, and It is an adapter device 1 interposed between a gas leak alarm device 5 which outputs an alarm in response to a detection, and which operates in response to the input of the voltage drop signal. An alarm output command signal for commanding a force to the gas leak alarm 5, characterized in that it comprises a warning command signal output means 11B for outputting to the gas leak alarms 5.

Furthermore, an adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the electronic gas meter 3 and the When the gas leak alarm device 5 detects a gas leak on the gas consumption source side, a shutoff request signal from the gas leak alert device 5 to the electronic gas meter 3 and a shutoff valve 34 shuts off the gas passage 31. The gas leak alarm device 5 is connected via a signal line 7 for transmitting an alarm signal from the electronic gas meter 3 to the gas leak alarm device 5, and the gas leak alarm device 5 is
It is configured to output the alarm in response to the alarm signal input from the outside through the signal line 7, and the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 is provided on the signal line 7. The alarm command signal output means 11
B outputs the alarm output command signal to the gas leak alarm device 5 via the signal line 7.

In the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 2, the flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage 31 using the internal battery 36 as a power source. And an adapter device 1 connected to an electronic gas meter 3 that outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery 36 falls below a predetermined value, in response to the input of the voltage drop signal. Then, a voltage drop warning output means 11C for outputting a voltage drop warning for notifying the voltage drop of the internal battery 36 is provided.

Further, the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention according to a seventh aspect is the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the electronic gas meter 3 is a host of a monitoring center. A network control device that is connected to a computer via a telephone line has a voltage drop signal output terminal 35b that can be connected, and outputs the voltage drop signal to the outside of the electronic gas meter 3 from the voltage drop signal output terminal 35b. The electronic gas meter adapter device 1 further includes a voltage drop signal input terminal 12c connected to the voltage drop signal output terminal 35b, and the voltage drop alarm output means 11C.
However, the voltage drop alarm is output in response to the voltage drop signal input from the electronic gas meter 3 through the voltage drop signal input terminal 12c and the voltage drop signal output terminal 35b.

The electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 8 is the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 6 or 7.
The electronic gas meter 3 has a shutoff valve 34 that shuts off the gas passage 31 in an open state in response to a shutoff command signal input from the outside of the electronic gas meter 3.
The electronic gas meter adapter device 1 further includes a command signal output unit 11A that generates the cutoff command signal and outputs the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter 3 after a predetermined time from the input of the voltage drop signal.

Further, the electronic gas meter of the present invention as defined in claim 9 is, as shown in FIGS.
Alternatively, in the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the present invention as described in 8, the time setting means A for setting the predetermined time
Is further provided.

According to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 1, when the voltage of the internal battery 36 shown in FIG. 1 falls below a predetermined value and the electronic gas meter 3 outputs a voltage drop signal, By the command signal output means 11A of the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 to which the voltage drop signal is input, the shut-off valve 3 is provided for the gas passage 31 in the open state.
A shutoff command signal, which is a command to close it, is generated and output to the electronic gas meter 3, and is generated by the command signal output means 11A in the electronic gas meter 3.
In response to the output shutoff command signal, the open gas passage 31 is closed by the shutoff valve 34.

According to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 2, in the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 1,
When the voltage of the internal battery 36 falls below a predetermined value and the electronic gas meter 3 outputs a voltage drop signal, a gas leak alarm is output from the alarm command signal output means 11B of the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 to which this voltage drop signal is input. An alarm output command signal for instructing the device 5 to output an alarm will be output to the gas leak alarm device 5.

Further, according to the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 3, claim 1 or 2 is provided.
In the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the present invention described in (1), when a voltage drop signal is input from the electronic gas meter 3, a cutoff command generated by the command signal output means 11A when a predetermined time has elapsed from the input. The output of the signal to the electronic gas meter 3 and the closing of the gas passage 31 by the shutoff valve 34 in the electronic gas meter 3 in response to the shutoff command signal are performed.

According to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 4, the internal battery 36
When the electronic gas meter 3 outputs a voltage drop signal when the voltage is below a predetermined value, the alarm command signal output means 11B of the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 to which this voltage drop signal is input is sent to the gas leak alarm device 5. An alarm output command signal that commands the output of an alarm will be output to the gas leak alarm device 5.

Further, according to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 5, in the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 2, 3 or 4, the voltage of the internal battery 36 is Is below a predetermined value, and in response to the input of the voltage drop signal from the electronic gas meter 3, when the shutoff valve 34 of the electronic gas meter 3 shuts off the gas passage 31, the electronic gas meter 3 gives an alarm to the gas leak alarm device 5. The alarm command signal output means 11B is connected to the gas leak alarm device 5 via the signal line 7 through which the signal is transmitted.
An alarm output command signal will be output to.

Further, according to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 6, when the voltage of the internal battery 36 shown in FIG. 2 falls below a predetermined value and the electronic gas meter 3 outputs a voltage drop signal. From the voltage drop warning output means 11C of the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 to which this voltage drop signal is input, a voltage drop alarm for notifying the voltage drop of the internal battery 36 of the electronic gas meter 3 is sounded or displayed, or It will be output by both of them.

Further, according to the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 7, in the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the invention described in claim 6, the voltage of the internal battery 36 has a predetermined value. When it falls below
To notify the host computer of the monitoring center of this, the voltage drop signal output to the voltage drop signal output terminal 35b connectable to the network control device connected to the host computer via the telephone line is the voltage drop signal output. Terminal 3
The voltage drop warning output means 11C outputs a voltage drop warning in response to the voltage drop signal input through the voltage drop signal input terminal 12c connected to the terminal 5b and input through this voltage drop signal input terminal 12c. It will be.

According to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 8, in the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 6 or 7, the voltage drop from the electronic gas meter 3 occurs. When a signal is input, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the input of the voltage drop signal, the cutoff command signal generated by the command signal output means 11A of the electronic gas meter adapter device 1 to which the voltage drop signal is input is output. The output to the electronic gas meter 3 and the blocking of the gas passage 31 by the shutoff valve 34 in the electronic gas meter 3 in response to the shutoff command signal are performed.

Further, according to the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 9, claim 3 or 8 is provided.
In the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the present invention, the output of the shutoff command signal generated by the command signal output means 11A to the electronic gas meter 3 and the shutoff valve 34 in the electronic gas meter 3 in response to the shutoff command signal. The closing of the gas passage 31 by means of is performed when a predetermined time set by the time setting means A has elapsed since the voltage drop signal was input from the electronic gas meter 3.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a partial block diagram of a schematic configuration of an adapter device according to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic gas meter (hereinafter abbreviated as “gas meter”) to which the adapter device is connected, and a gas leak alarm device. It is an explanatory diagram shown in
The adapter device according to the present embodiment shown by reference numeral 1 in FIG.
It is provided between the gas meter 3 and the gas leak alarm 5.

The gas meter 3 is called the S-type security gas meter described in the section of the prior art,
In the internal gas passage 31, the flow rate of the passing gas is measured by a flow rate sensor 32 having a conventionally known configuration such as an ultrasonic sensor or a fluidic flow rate sensor, and based on this flow rate, the microcomputer 33 causes the gas to pass per unit time. It is configured to measure the flow rate.

In the gas meter 3, the microcomputer 33
Based on the change over time of the gas flow rate measured using the flow rate sensor 32, it is determined whether or not there is a gas leak on the downstream side (gas consumption source side) of the gas meter 3, and when it is determined that there is a gas leak, Shut-off valve 3 driven by electromagnetic solenoid
4, the gas passage 31 is closed to block the flow of gas.

Further, the gas meter 3 sends an interruption command from an alarm device terminal 35a for connecting the gas leak alarm device 5 and a communication terminal 35b to which a network control device (not shown) for connecting a telephone line can be connected. When a signal is input, the microcomputer 3
3 is a security signal having a cut-off valve 34 that closes the gas passage 31 to cut off the flow of gas, and sets a cut-off flag indicating that effect (from an electronic gas meter when the gas passage is cut off to a gas leak alarm device). Equivalent to an alarm signal)
Is output from the communication terminal 35b in response to a request from the outside, and a signal indicating completion of interruption is output to the alarm terminal 35a.
It is configured to output from.

The gas meter 3 has a battery 36 as a power source for operating the microcomputer 33 and the shutoff valve 34.
The microcomputer 33 monitors the voltage of the battery 36 with the voltage sensor 37, and the microcomputer 33
When the voltage of the battery 36 detected by the power supply voltage falls below a threshold voltage slightly higher than the voltage required for normal operation of the microcomputer 33 and the shutoff valve 34, a security signal (corresponding to the voltage drop signal) with a voltage drop flag indicating that fact is set. Is output to the outside via a telephone line, a call request signal to a network control device (not shown) is output from the communication terminal 35b (corresponding to a voltage drop signal output terminal).

The gas leak alarm device 5 is installed at a place where a gas consumption source (not shown) such as an indoor gas stove, to which gas is supplied via the gas meter 3, is arranged. In, for example, when a gas of a predetermined concentration or more is detected by the semiconductor type gas sensor 51,
The signal input / output terminal 53 for the microcomputer 52 to connect to the alarm terminal 35a of the gas meter 3 via the signal line 7.
Is configured to output a gas leak alarm signal (corresponding to a shutoff command signal output to the gas meter 3 when detecting a gas leak on the gas consumption source side).

Further, the gas leak alarm device 5 is a microcomputer 52.
However, when a cutoff signal from the outside is input from the signal input / output terminal 53, the speaker 54 sounds an alarm sound (including a voice message) and the indicator 55 displays an alarm.

The adapter device 1 has a first signal input / output terminal 12a connected to the alarm terminal 35a of the gas meter 3.
And a second signal input / output terminal 12b connected to the signal input / output terminal 53 of the gas leak alarm device 5, which is provided on the signal line 7 between the gas meter 3 and the gas leak alarm device 5. And the communication terminal 35 of the gas meter 3
It further has a third signal input / output terminal 12c (corresponding to a voltage drop signal input terminal) connected to b through the communication line 9.

The adapter device 1 has a microcomputer 11, and this microcomputer 11 has CPUs 11a and RA.
It has an M11b and a ROM 11c, of which the CPU 11a includes a RAM 11b and a ROM 11c.
In addition, the first to third signal input / output terminals 12a, 1
2b and 12c, a dip switch 13, and a reset switch 14 are connected to each.

The RAM 11b has a data area for storing various data and a work area used for various processing operations, and the ROM 11c stores a control program for causing the CPU 11a to perform various processing operations. .

The DIP switch 13 outputs the voltage drop signal from the gas meter 3 via the third signal input / output terminal 12c to the gas meter 3 via the first signal input / output terminal 12a. Two switch SW are provided to set a waiting time (corresponding to a predetermined time) from the voltage drop signal input to the cutoff command signal output of the cutoff command signal requesting the cutoff of the gas passage 31 by the cutoff valve 34.
1 and SW2.

By the way, in this embodiment, the switch SW
When both 1 and SW2 are off, standby time = 0, switch SW
When 1 is on and switch SW2 is off, standby time = 12 hours, when switch SW1 is off and switch SW2 is on, standby time = 24 hours, and when both switches SW1 and SW2 are on, standby time = 40 days It

Next, the processing performed by the CPU 11a according to the control program stored in the ROM 11c will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

When a battery (not shown) in the adapter device 1 is connected and the microcomputer 11 is activated and the program starts, the CPU 11a first executes initialization as shown in FIG. 4 (step S1).

In the initial setting in step S1,
The flags of various flag areas provided in the work area of the RAM 11b are set to "0", and the counter area and timer area are reset to zero and the buffer area is cleared.

When the initial setting in step S1 is completed,
Next, it is confirmed whether or not the transmission data for the gas leak alarm 5 output from the alarm terminal 35a of the gas meter 3 is input to the first signal input / output terminal 12a (step S
3) If it is input (Y in step S3), the input transmission data is output from the second signal input / output terminal 12b to the signal input / output terminal 53 of the gas leak alarm device 5 (step S5). , And returns to step S3.

Also, the gas meter 3 to the gas leak alarm 5
When the transmission data for the signal is not input to the first signal input / output terminal 12a (N in step S3), the signal input / output terminal 5 of the gas leak alarm device 5 is connected to the second signal input / output terminal 12b.
It is confirmed whether or not the transmission data output from the gas meter 3 to the gas meter 3 is input (step S7). If the transmission data is input (Y in step S5), the input transmission data is input from the first signal input / output terminal 12a. After outputting to the alarm terminal 35a of the gas meter 3 (step S9), it returns to step S3.

Further, from the gas leak alarm device 5 to the gas meter 3
When the transmission data for is not input to the second signal input / output terminal 12b (N in step S7), the input of the third signal input / output terminal 12c connected to the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3 via the communication line 9 is performed. Based on the state, it is confirmed whether or not a call request signal from the gas meter 3 to the telephone line is input (step S11), and if not input (N in step S11), the process returns to step S3.

On the other hand, when the call request signal is input (Y in step S11), the security meter output request for the battery voltage drop to the gas meter 3 is issued.
The battery voltage is output from the third signal input / output terminal 12c to the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3 (step S13), and correspondingly, is output from the communication terminal 35b and input to the third signal input / output terminal 12c. After receiving the security data regarding the decrease (step S15), it is confirmed whether or not the voltage of the battery 36 of the gas meter 3 is decreased based on the data content in the security data (step S17).

If the voltage of the battery 36 has not dropped (N in step S17), the process returns to step S3, and if it has dropped (Y in step S17), RA
After resetting the timer value T in the timer area of M11b to zero, after starting the time count (step S1
9), it is confirmed whether or not the timer value T has reached the waiting time Tth set by the dip switch 13 (step S21).

If the timer value T has reached the waiting time Tth (Y in step S21), the process proceeds to step S27, which will be described later, and if not (N in step S21), the signal input / output of the gas leak alarm device 5 is performed. An alarm command for instructing an alarm sound of the speaker 54 or an alarm output by the display of the indicator 55 is output from the second signal input / output terminal 12b to the terminal 53 (step S23), and after waiting for a certain time (step S25). , And returns to step S21.

In step S21, the timer value T
Has reached the waiting time Tth (Y) Step S
In 27, as shown in FIG. 5, request data for shutting off by the shutoff valve 34 of the gas passage 31 for the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3, that is, shutoff command signal, is sent to the communication line 9 via the third signal input / output terminal 12c. To RAM, then RAM
The count value C of the number of cutoff requests in the counter area 11b is incremented by "1" (step S2).
9).

Next, the shutoff valve 34 for the gas meter 3
The output request of the security data relating to the confirmation of the completion of the interruption operation is output from the third signal input / output terminal 12c to the communication line 9 connected to the communication terminal 35b (step S31), and in response thereto, the gas meter 3 Communication terminal 3
After receiving the security data regarding the confirmation of the completion of the breaking operation, which is output from 5b and input to the third signal input / output terminal 12c via the communication line 9 (step S33),
Based on the data content in the security data, it is confirmed whether or not the shutoff of the gas passage 31 by the shutoff valve 34 of the gas meter 3 is completed (step S35).

If the shutoff of the gas passage 31 is completed (Y in step S35), the count value C of the number of shutoff requests in the counter area of the RAM 11b is reset to zero (step S37), and then the process returns to step S3. If not completed (N in step S35), it is confirmed whether or not the count value C of the cutoff request count has reached "3" (step S39).

If the count value C has not reached "3" (N in step S39), the process returns to step S27, and if it has reached (Y in step S39), the signal input / output terminal of the gas leak alarm device 5 is returned. An alarm command for instructing an alarm sound of the speaker 54 or an alarm output by the display of the indicator 55 is output to the 53 from the second signal input / output terminal 12b (step S41), and after waiting for a certain time (step S41).
43), it is confirmed whether or not the reset switch 14 has been operated (step S45).

If the reset switch 14 has not been operated (N in step S45), the process returns to step S41, and if it has been operated (Y in step S45), R
After resetting the count value C of the number of cutoff requests in the counter area of the AM 11b to zero (step S47),
It returns to step S27.

As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, step S2 in the flowchart of FIG.
7 is a process corresponding to the command signal output means 11A in the claims, and step S19 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is a process corresponding to the alarm command signal output means 11B in the claims.

Further, in this embodiment, step S21 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the time setting means A in the claims, and step S21 and the DIP switch 14 are executed.
The time setting means A is constituted by and.

Next, the operation of the adapter device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, in the gas leak alarm device 5, when the gas sensor 51 detects a gas leak at the location where the gas consumption source is installed, data indicating this is signal input / output terminal 53,
The signal is transmitted from the gas leak alarm device 5 to the gas meter 3 via the signal line 7 and the adapter device 1 via the second signal input / output terminal 12b, the microcomputer 11, the first signal input / output terminal 12a, and the alarm device terminal 35a. The shutoff valve 34 of the gas meter 3 closes the gas passage 31 to shut off the gas flow in the gas meter 3.

Then, a call request signal is output from the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3 to the communication line 9, and in response to this, a communication of the gas meter 3 from the third signal input / output terminal 12c of the adapter device 1 to the communication line 9. A security data request signal is output to the terminal 35b, and in response thereto, security data is output from the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3 to the communication line 9, but this security data is not related to battery voltage drop, Since this is related to confirmation of completion of the blocking operation of the passage 31, in the adapter device 1, the input of this security data is ignored and no special operation is performed.

When the shutoff valve 34 shuts off the gas passage 31, a signal indicating completion of shutoff is sent from the microcomputer 33 of the gas meter 3 to the alarm terminal 35a, the first signal input / output terminal 12a, the microcomputer 11, and the second. Signal input / output terminal 12b,
In addition, the signal is transmitted from the gas meter 3 to the gas leak alarm 5 via the signal line 7 and the adapter device 1 via the signal input / output terminal 53, and the speaker 52 is sent by the microcomputer 52 of the gas leak alarm 5 to which this signal is input. Is output and an alarm is displayed by the display of the indicator 55.

Next, when the voltage of the battery 36 in the casmeter 3 falls below the threshold voltage due to the interruption of the voltage required for the normal operation of the microcomputer 33 and the shutoff valve 34, the call request signal is transmitted by the gas meter 3. The terminal 35b outputs the security data request signal to the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3 to the communication line 9 from the third signal input / output terminal 12c of the adapter device 1 in response to the output to the communication line 9.

Then, in response to this, a security signal with a voltage drop flag indicating a voltage drop of the battery 36 is output from the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3 to the communication line 9, and in response to this, a security signal of the adapter device 1 is output. An alarm command signal for the signal input / output terminal 53 of the gas leak alarm 5 is output from the second input / output terminal 12b to the signal line 7,
The speaker 54 and the indicator 55 of the gas leak alarm device 5 output an alarm by voice or display, and the standby time Tth set by the dip switch 13 has elapsed from the input of the security signal with the voltage drop flag to the microcomputer 11. Then, the communication terminal 35b of the gas meter 3
A shutoff command signal for requesting shutoff of the gas passage 31 by the shutoff valve 34 is output from the third signal input / output terminal 12c of the adapter device 1 to the communication line 9.

When the shutoff valve 34 of the gas passage 31 shuts off by the microcomputer 33 of the gas meter 3 in response to the shutoff command signal, the adapter 33 is connected from the microcomputer 33 of the gas meter 3 via the communication line 9 accordingly. The security data relating to the completion confirmation of the shutoff operation of the gas passage 31 output to the microcomputer 11 of the device 1 indicates that the shutoff valve 34 shuts off the gas passage 31.
After being confirmed by the microcomputer 11, the adapter device 1 does not output the shutoff command signal to the gas meter 3.

On the other hand, if the shutoff valve 34 of the gas passage 31 is not shut off in the gas meter 3 while the shutoff command signal is output from the adapter device 1 to the gas meter 3 three times, then the reset switch 14 is set in the adapter device 1. Until the is operated, the speaker 54 and the indicator 55 of the gas leak alarm device 5 continue to output an alarm by voice or display.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the battery 36 is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage 31, and the gas in the open state is responded to in response to the shutoff command signal input from the outside. The passage 31 is closed by the shut-off valve 34, and the voltage of the battery 36 is controlled by the microcomputer 3
3 and the voltage required for normal operation of the shutoff valve 34 is about to interrupt and falls below the threshold voltage, the adapter device 1 outputs the request data for shutting off the gas passage 31 by the shutoff valve 34 to the gas meter 3 in response to this. Gas meter 3
In the microcomputer 33, the shutoff valve 34 shuts off the gas passage 31 in response to a request from the adapter device 1.

For this reason, the network controller that communicates with the remote monitoring host computer via the telephone line is the gas meter 3
Even if it is not connected to the shutoff valve 3 before the normal operation of the microcomputer 33 and the shutoff valve 34 cannot be compensated by the voltage drop of the battery 36, the shutoff valve 3
It is possible to prevent the state in which the original metering display operation and the closing operation of the gas passage 31 by the shut-off valve 34 in response to alarm signal input, earthquake detection, etc. are not performed by shutting off by means of 4. .

Further, according to the present embodiment, the battery 36
Is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage 31, and the open gas passage 31 is closed by the shutoff valve 34 in response to a shutoff command signal input from the outside. When the voltage is about to interrupt the voltage required for the normal operation of the microcomputer 33 and the shutoff valve 34 and falls below the threshold voltage, the adapter device 1 detects the gas leak in the vicinity of the gas consumption source and issues an alarm in response to this. A signal for instructing the output of an alarm is output to the gas leak alarm device 5 for outputting the alarm, and the speaker 54 and the indicator 55 of the gas leak alarm device 5 are used to output an alarm by voice or display.

For this reason, the network controller that communicates with the remote monitoring host computer via the telephone line is the gas meter 3
Even if it is not connected to the gas leak alarm device 5 that can be connected to the gas meter 3 before the normal operation of the microcomputer 33 and the shutoff valve 34 cannot be compensated by the voltage drop of the battery 36, the speaker 54 And indicator 55
Can be used to output an alarm to inform the user of the voltage drop of the battery 36 and prompt replacement.

In the present embodiment, the battery 36
Of the gas passage 31 in response to the request from the adapter device 1 due to the decrease in the voltage of the power source, the speaker 54 and the indicator 55 included in the gas leak alarm device 5 are provided.
Although the alarm output of the voltage drop of the battery 36 using the above is configured to be performed together, it may be configured to perform only one of them.

Further, the gas passage 31 may be immediately shut off by the shutoff valve 34 in response to a request from the adapter device 1 due to the voltage drop of the battery 36. However, as in the present embodiment, the dip switch is used. 13 is executed after the standby time Tth set by 13 is reached, and until then, an alarm of the voltage drop of the battery 36 is output using the speaker 54 and the indicator 55 of the gas leak alarm device 5. This is advantageous in the following points.

That is, the gas passage 31 that requires a return operation by promptly replacing the gas meter 3 in response to a user's request or the like which recognizes the voltage drop of the battery 36 by the output of the alarm.
This is advantageous because it is possible not to perform the shutoff by the shutoff valve 34 of FIG.

Further, the output of the alarm due to the voltage drop of the battery 36 may be provided by the alarm output means provided with the alarm output means of the adapter device 1 such as a speaker and an indicator by voice or display. In the case of such a configuration, at least step S23 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 may be changed to the alarm output process by the alarm output means of the adapter device 1 itself.

However, as in this embodiment, if the speaker 54 and the indicator 55 included in the gas leak alarm 5 are used to output the alarm for the voltage drop of the battery 36, the adapter device 1 can be operated. This is advantageous because it is possible to effectively use the existing configuration without providing an alarm output unit of its own and prevent an increase in cost.

When the speaker 54 and the indicator 55 included in the gas leak alarm device 5 are used to output an alarm for the voltage drop of the battery 36, the battery 54 is provided by the speaker 54 and the indicator 55.
The command for causing the alarm output of the voltage drop of 6 is to connect the signal line 7 to the first and second signal input / output terminals 12a and 12b of the adapter device 1 and to connect the gas leak alarm device 5 through the signal line 7. To the adapter device 1
The gas leak alarm device 5 and the gas leak alarm device 5 may be connected to each other via a dedicated line and the signal may be transmitted via this dedicated line.

However, as in the present embodiment, the adapter device 1 issues a gas leak warning command to output an alarm output command of the voltage drop of the battery 36 via the signal line 7 connected to the first and second signal input / output terminals 12a and 12b. If it is configured to transmit to the device 5, a dedicated line is not necessary, and at least the gas leak alarm device 5 does not need to have a terminal for connecting this dedicated line. This is advantageous because it can prevent an increase in cost.

[0077]

As described above, according to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the internal battery is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage and the external device. An electronic gas meter that closes the gas passage in an open state by a shut-off valve in response to a shut-off command signal input from the shut-off valve, and outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery falls below a predetermined value. The electronic gas meter adapter device is connected to the electronic gas meter, and is configured to include command signal output means for generating the cutoff command signal in response to the input of the voltage drop signal and outputting the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter.

Therefore, the voltage of the internal battery drops to a predetermined value before the voltage of the internal battery drops until the operation of measuring the flow rate of the gas by the electronic gas meter and the operation of shutting off the gas passage by the shutoff valve cannot be performed normally. When it falls below
It is possible to prevent a state in which the electronic gas meter cannot perform its original operation by closing the open gas passage of the electronic gas meter with the shutoff valve by the shutoff command signal generated and output by the command signal output means. can do.

According to the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 2, in the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the invention described in claim 1,
The electronic gas meter adapter device outputs the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter at the time of detecting a gas leak on the electronic gas meter and a gas consumption source side to which the gas passing through the gas passage is supplied. And a gas leak alarm that outputs an alarm in response to detection of a gas leak on the gas consumption source side, and outputs the alarm in response to the input of the voltage drop signal. An alarm command signal output means for outputting an alarm output command signal for commanding the gas leak alarm device to the gas leak alarm device is further provided.

Therefore, before the voltage of the internal battery decreases until the gas flow rate measuring operation by the electronic gas meter and the gas passage shut-off operation by the shut-off valve cannot be normally performed, the alarm command signal output means causes a gas leak. An alarm output command signal output to the alarm device causes the gas leak alarm device to output an alarm, and the command signal output means outputs a shutoff command signal to recognize that the open gas passage is blocked by the shutoff valve. It is possible to prompt replacement of the electronic gas meter whose internal battery voltage has dropped.

Further, according to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as set forth in claim 3, in the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the command signal output means has the voltage. The interruption command signal is generated and output to the electronic gas meter a predetermined time after the input of the decrease signal.

Therefore, the shutoff command signal generated and output by the command signal output unit after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the alarm output of the gas leak alarm unit by the alarm output command signal output by the alarm command signal output unit to the gas leak alarm unit. A gas leak alarm before the shutoff valve of the electronic gas meter is used to close the gas passage and the shutoff valve closes the gas passage to require a return operation to open the gas passage. Thus, the replacement of the electronic gas meter in which the voltage of the internal battery has dropped can be completed when the alarm is output.

According to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 4, the internal battery is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of the gas passing through the internal gas passage and shut off from the outside. An electronic gas meter that closes the open gas passage by a shutoff valve in response to a command signal and outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery falls below a predetermined value; and the gas passage. When the gas consumption source side to which the gas that has passed through is detected a gas leak, the cutoff command signal is output to the electronic gas meter, and an alarm is issued in response to the detection of the gas leakage on the gas consumption source side. Is an adapter device provided between the gas leak alarm device and the gas leak alarm device, and outputs the alarm to the gas leak alarm device in response to the input of the voltage drop signal. The Ryosuru alarm output instruction signal and configured to include a warning command signal output means for outputting to the gas leak alarms.

Therefore, before the voltage of the internal battery is reduced until the gas flow rate measuring operation by the electronic gas meter and the gas passage shut-off operation by the shut-off valve cannot be normally performed, the alarm command signal output means causes the gas leak. An alarm output command signal output to the alarm device can cause the gas leak alarm device to output an alarm to prompt replacement of the electronic gas meter in which the voltage of the internal battery has dropped.

Further, according to the electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 5, in the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 2, 3 or 4, the electronic gas meter and the gas leak are provided. An alarm device is a gas shut-off request signal from the gas leak alarm device to the electronic gas meter when a gas leak is detected on the gas consumption source side, and the gas from the electronic gas meter when the gas passage is shut off by the shut-off valve. The leak alarm is connected via a signal line for transmitting an alarm signal to the leak alarm, and the gas leak alarm outputs the alarm in response to the alarm signal input from the outside via the signal line. The electronic gas meter adapter device is provided on the signal line, and the alarm command signal output means is connected to the signal line. Configured to output the alarm output command signal to the gas leak alarms via line.

Therefore, an alarm output command signal that needs to be transmitted to the gas leak alarm device in order to output an alarm to the gas leak alarm device can be simply used by using an existing signal line without using a new transmission path. It can be transmitted at low cost.

According to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention as defined in claim 6, the internal battery is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of gas passing through the internal gas passage, and the voltage of the internal battery is measured. An adapter device connected to an electronic gas meter that outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage drops below a predetermined value, and a voltage drop alarm that notifies the voltage drop of the internal battery in response to the input of the voltage drop signal. It is configured to include a voltage drop warning output means for outputting.

Therefore, before the voltage of the internal battery decreases until the operation of measuring the flow rate of the gas by the electronic gas meter and the operation of shutting off the gas passage by the shut-off valve cannot be performed normally, the voltage or low voltage warning output means outputs a voice or It is possible to notify the voltage drop of the internal battery by the voltage drop alarm output by the display or both of them, and prompt the replacement of the electronic gas meter in which the voltage of the internal battery is decreased.

Further, according to the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 7, in the electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in claim 6, the electronic gas meter is a monitoring center. A network control device connected to the host computer via a telephone line has a voltage drop signal output terminal connectable thereto, and the voltage drop signal output terminal outputs the voltage drop signal to the outside of the electronic gas meter. The electronic gas meter adapter device further comprises a voltage drop signal input terminal connected to the voltage drop signal output terminal, the voltage drop alarm output means, the voltage drop signal input terminal and the voltage Outputs the voltage drop alarm in response to the voltage drop signal input from the electronic gas meter through the voltage drop signal output terminal It has a configuration that.

Therefore, the host computer of the monitoring center does not need to newly generate the voltage drop signal that needs to be input to the voltage drop signal input terminal in order to output the voltage drop alarm by the voltage drop alarm output means. It can be easily obtained from an existing voltage drop signal output terminal to which a network control device connected to the telephone line can be connected.

Further, according to the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 8, in the adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to the invention of claim 6 or 7, the electronic gas meter is The electronic gas meter has a shut-off valve that closes the gas passage in an open state in response to a shut-off command signal input from the outside, and the electronic gas meter adapter device has a predetermined voltage from the input of the voltage drop signal. It is configured to further include command signal output means for generating the cutoff command signal after a lapse of time and outputting the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter.

Therefore, the gas passage of the gas meter is closed by the shut-off valve due to the shut-off command signal generated and output by the command signal output means, and the return operation for opening the gas passage is required before the gas is opened. The alarm output by the leak alarm informs that the internal battery voltage has dropped to such an extent that the operation of measuring the gas flow rate by the electronic gas meter and the shutoff operation of the gas passage by the shutoff valve cannot be performed normally. It is possible to prompt replacement of the electronic gas meter whose battery voltage has dropped.

Further, according to the adapter device for an electronic gas meter of the present invention described in claim 9, claim 3 or 8 is provided.
The electronic gas meter adapter device of the present invention described in 1. above is further configured to further include time setting means for setting the predetermined time.

Therefore, the alarm output of the gas leak alarm is used to recognize early that the voltage of the internal battery has dropped, and the shutoff valve of the electronic gas meter closes the gas passage to open the gas passage. The replacement of the electronic gas meter in which the voltage of the internal battery has dropped can be completed before the return operation is required.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of an electronic gas meter adapter device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of an electronic gas meter adapter device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing, in a partial block diagram, a schematic configuration of an electronic gas meter adapter device, an electronic gas meter to which the adapter device is connected, and a gas leakage alarm device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a CPU according to a control program stored in a ROM of a microcomputer provided in the electronic gas meter adapter device of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a CPU according to a control program stored in a ROM of a microcomputer provided in the electronic gas meter adapter device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Electronic gas meter adapter device 11 Microcomputer 11a CPU 11b RAM 11c ROM 11A command signal output means 11B Alarm command signal output means 11C Voltage drop alarm output means 12c Voltage drop signal input terminal 3 Electronic gas meter 31 gas passage 34 Shut-off valve 35b Voltage drop signal output terminal 36 Internal battery 5 Gas leak alarm 7 signal line A time setting means

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Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. An internal battery is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of gas passing through an internal gas passage, and the open gas passage is closed by a cutoff valve in response to a cutoff command signal input from the outside. And an adapter device for an electronic gas meter connected to an electronic gas meter that outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery falls below a predetermined value, in response to the input of the voltage drop signal. An electronic gas meter adapter device, comprising command signal output means for generating the cutoff command signal and outputting the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter. 2. The electronic gas meter adapter device, wherein the shutoff command signal is sent to the electronic gas meter when a gas leak is detected on the electronic gas meter and a gas consumption source side to which the gas passing through the gas passage is supplied. And a gas leak alarm that outputs an alarm in response to the detection of a gas leak on the side of the gas consumption source, and is provided in response to the input of the voltage drop signal, 2. The electronic gas meter adapter device according to claim 1, further comprising alarm command signal output means for outputting an alarm output command signal for commanding an output of an alarm to the gas leak alarm device to the gas leak alarm device. 3. The electronic gas meter adapter device according to claim 2, wherein the command signal output means generates the cutoff command signal after a predetermined time from the input of the voltage drop signal and outputs the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter. 4. An internal battery is used as a power source to measure the flow rate of gas passing through an internal gas passage, and the open gas passage is closed by a shutoff valve in response to a shutoff command signal input from the outside. And, an electronic gas meter that outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery falls below a predetermined value, and at the time of detecting a gas leak at the gas consumption source side to which the gas that has passed through the gas passage is supplied, An adapter device provided between the electronic gas meter and a gas leak alarm that outputs an alarm in response to detection of gas leak on the gas consumption source side. Then, in response to the input of the voltage drop signal, an alarm command signal output means for outputting an alarm output command signal for commanding the gas leak alarm device to output the alarm to the gas leak alarm device. It comprises an electronic gas meter adapter and wherein the. 5. The electronic gas meter and the gas leak alarm device include a shutoff request signal from the gas leak alert device to the electronic gas meter when a gas leak is detected on the gas consumption source side, It is connected via a signal line for transmitting an alarm signal to the gas leak alarm from the electronic gas meter when the gas passage is cut off, and the gas leak alarm is input from the outside via the signal line. Is configured to output the alarm in response to the alarm signal, the electronic gas meter adapter device is provided on the signal line,
5. The electronic gas meter adapter device according to claim 2, wherein the alarm command signal output means outputs the alarm output command signal to the gas leak alarm device via the signal line. 6. An electronic gas meter that measures the flow rate of gas passing through an internal gas passage using an internal battery as a power source and outputs a voltage drop signal to the outside when the voltage of the internal battery falls below a predetermined value. An electronic gas meter, which is an adapter device to be connected, comprising: a voltage drop alarm output means for outputting a voltage drop alarm for notifying a voltage drop of the internal battery in response to an input of the voltage drop signal. Adapter device. 7. The electronic gas meter has a voltage drop signal output terminal to which a network control device connected to a host computer of a monitoring center via a telephone line can be connected, and the electronic signal is output from the voltage drop signal output terminal. It is configured to output the voltage drop signal to the outside of the gas meter,
The electronic gas meter adapter device further comprises a voltage drop signal input terminal connected to the voltage drop signal output terminal, the voltage drop alarm output means, the voltage drop signal input terminal and the voltage drop signal output terminal. 7. The adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to claim 6, wherein the voltage drop alarm is output in response to the voltage drop signal input from the electronic gas meter via the electronic gas meter. 8. The electronic gas meter has a shutoff valve for closing the gas passage in an open state in response to a shutoff command signal input from the outside of the electronic gas meter. 8. The adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to claim 6, further comprising a command signal output means for generating the cutoff command signal and outputting the cutoff command signal to the electronic gas meter after a predetermined time has elapsed from the input of the voltage drop signal. . 9. The adapter device for an electronic gas meter according to claim 3, further comprising time setting means for setting the predetermined time.