JP3494754B2 - 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 a gas meter which can be attached to both upper and lower caps, and a pair of gas inlets and gas outlets are provided on two surfaces facing each other. Gas meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A method for mounting a gas meter is to install an upper cap for connecting a pair of gas inlets and gas outlets to the gas supply pipe with the mounting bases facing upward, depending on the arrangement of the gas supply pipes, etc. There is a lower mouthpiece attachment that connects to the gas supply pipe downward.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of gas inlet portions 111a and gas outlet portions 111b are provided on the upper surface of the meter main body 110 so as to be compatible with both upper and lower base attachments. And a pair of other gas inlet parts 1 on the lower surface of the meter body 110.
Those provided with 12a and another gas outlet portion 112b were used.

In this gas meter, when the upper mouthpiece is attached, as shown in FIG. 7, the gas inlet portion 111a is connected to the upstream gas supply pipe 116a through the attachment mouthpieces 113, respectively.
And the gas outlet portion 111b are connected to the gas pipe 116b on the downstream side, and the gas inlet portion 112a and the gas outlet portion 112b are closed by the closing metal fitting 114. On the other hand, at the time of attaching the lower mouthpiece, as shown in FIG.
a is connected to the gas supply pipe 116a on the upstream side, the gas outlet 112b is connected to the gas supply pipe 116b on the downstream, and the gas inlet 111a and the gas outlet 111b are closed by the closing metal fitting 114. It

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional gas meter, when a pair of unused gas inlets and gas outlets, which are closed by the clogging metal fittings 114, which are closed, can be discriminated from the outside by a mischief or the like, 2 It was necessary to seal the one closing metal fitting 114. That is, in the conventional gas meter, the seal is the meter body 110.
In addition to the assembling parts, the two closing metal fittings 114 are required, and there is a problem that the construction is complicated. Further, since the closing metal fitting 114 is exposed from the meter main body 110, there is a problem that the appearance is spoiled particularly when the lower cap is attached.

Further, in order to solve these problems, a method of covering the entire outside of the meter main body 110 with a case can be considered, but it is necessary to manufacture and prepare separate cases for attaching the upper base and the lower base. However, there are problems that the cost is high and the construction is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is applicable both when attaching the upper mouthpiece and when attaching the lower mouthpiece, and at the same time, it is possible to prevent the closing member from being detached and to facilitate the construction. Another object is to provide a gas meter with an excellent appearance.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas meter having a flow rate measuring means in a meter body having a first surface and a second surface facing each other on an outer surface thereof. A pair of gas inlets and gas outlets for guiding the gas to the flow rate measuring means are provided on each of the first surface and the second surface, and are provided on either the first surface or the second surface. And a gas inlet portion and a gas outlet portion, respectively, to which a mounting cap for mounting a gas supply pipe is attached, and the gas inlet portion and the gas outlet portion are respectively provided on the other of the first surface and the second surface. Is a gas meter that is closed by a closing member, and has a box shape having an opening in a surface facing either the first surface or the second surface of the meter body, and the meter body is housed inside. The first case to do And a through-hole having a shape corresponding to the opening of the first case structure and through which the attachment caps attached to the gas inlet part and the gas outlet part can be inserted. And a second case structure that constitutes a sealing case together with the first case structure by being attached to the opening of the case structure.

In this gas meter, a box-shaped first case constituting the sealing case is covered on the meter main body so as to cover the surface closed by the closing member, and the opening of the first case forming is covered. When the second case structure is attached, the meter main body is accommodated in the sealing case. The mounting base of the meter main body housed in the sealing case projects from the insertion hole formed in the second case structure, and the gas supply pipe is attached to the mounting base to supply gas to the meter main body. That is, since the surface side of the gas meter body closed by the closing member is covered with the sealing case and is not exposed to the outside, it is not necessary to seal them.
Also, it does not spoil the aesthetics. Further, regardless of whether the mounting cap is arranged on the first surface or the second surface, by reversing the direction of the first case structure, one sealing case can be used. It is possible to deal with any attachment of the base.

According to another aspect of the gas meter of the present invention, the gas meter has a flow rate measuring means in the meter body, the first surface and the second surface facing each other on the outer surface, and the first surface and the first surface of the meter body. The third surface other than the second surface has a display section for displaying the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means, and gas is supplied to the flow rate measuring means for each of the first surface and the second surface. A pair of gas inlets and gas outlets for guiding are provided, and a gas supply pipe is attached to each of the gas inlet and the gas outlet provided on either the first surface or the second surface. Is a gas meter to which a mounting base for use is attached, and a gas inlet portion and a gas outlet portion provided on the other of either the first surface or the second surface are closed by a closing member. To the first side Has a box-like shape having a first opening on the surface facing one of the second surfaces and a second opening on the surface facing the third surface of the gas meter body, A first case structure housed inside and a shape corresponding to the first opening part of the first case structure body, and the mounting caps attached to the gas inlet part and the gas outlet part can be inserted. A pair of insertion holes, and a shape corresponding to the second opening of the first case assembly and the second case assembly attached to the first opening of the first case assembly. And a display window is formed corresponding to the display portion formed on the third surface of the gas meter body, and the display window is attached to the second opening of the first case structure to form the first case configuration. Sealing case with body and second case assembly It is obtained by a third case structure for forming a scan.

In this gas meter, the sealed case is constructed by attaching the second case structure and the third case structure to the first case structure. The flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means of the meter body is displayed on the display unit and can be viewed from the outside through the display window formed in the third case structure. Since the sealing case is divided into three, regardless of the position of the display portion of the gas meter body, the first case structure and the second case structure can be formed without changing the orientation of the third case structure having the display window. By simply reversing the directions of the case components, one sealing case can be used for both the attachment of the upper base and the attachment of the lower base.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are exploded views of the entire structure of a gas meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This gas meter accommodates the meter body 10 in a sealing case 20.

A pair of gas inlet portion 11a and gas outlet portion 11b are provided on the upper surface 10a (that is, the first surface) of the meter body 10. The gas inlet portion 11a is connected to one end portion of a pipe (not shown) that is disposed in the meter body 10 and forms the first gas flow passage, and the gas outlet portion 11b is connected to the other end portion of this pipe. Has been done. A flow rate measuring unit (not shown) is provided in the middle of this pipe.
That is, the gas introduced from the gas inlet portion 11a into the meter main body 10 is guided to the flow rate measuring portion through the pipe and then discharged from the gas outlet portion 11b through the pipe.

On the lower surface 10b (that is, the second surface) of the meter main body 10, another pair of gas inlet portions 12a and another gas outlet portion 12b are provided. Gas inlet 12a
Is connected to one end of another pipe (not shown) arranged in the meter body 10 and forming the second gas flow path, and the other end of the other pipe is connected to the gas outlet 12b. Has been done. A flow rate measuring unit (not shown) is provided in the middle of the other pipes. That is, the gas introduced into the meter main body 10 from the gas inlet portion 12a is guided to the flow rate measuring portion through the other pipe and then discharged from the gas outlet portion 12b through the other pipe. Has become.

The flow rate measuring section includes a pipe connected to the gas inlet section 11a and the gas outlet section 11b and the gas inlet section 1.
One may be shared with 2a and another pipe connected to the gas outlet 12b, or may be separate from each other. Further, as the flow rate measuring unit, for example, a fluidic flow meter is used.

Gas inlet portion 11a and gas outlet portion 11b
A threaded portion is formed on each of the inner peripheral surfaces of, and either the attachment base 13 or the closing metal fitting 14 is attached thereto. Gas inlet 12a
A threaded portion is also formed on each inner peripheral surface of the gas outlet portion 12b and the gas outlet portion 12b.
Either of the other is attached.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the lower mouthpiece is attached, the attachment mouthpiece 13 is attached to the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b, respectively, and the closing metal fitting 14 is connected to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas inlet portion 11a. Gas outlet 11b
Attached to each. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case of attaching the upper mouthpiece, the attachment mouthpiece 13 is attached to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b, respectively, and the closing metal fitting 14 is connected to the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion. 12b are attached respectively.

The fitting 13 is for connecting the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b, or the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b to a gas supply pipe (not shown), and its outer periphery. The surface is formed with threaded portions that can be screwed into the threaded portions of the gas inlet portions 11a and 12a and the gas outlet portions 11b and 12b, respectively. Here, the gas supply pipe is a pipe for supplying gas from a gas supply source (not shown) to each home.

The closing metal fitting 14 is for closing the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b, or the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b when they are not connected to the gas supply pipe, and its outer periphery. The surface is formed with a threaded portion that can be screwed into the threaded portion of the gas inlet portion 11a, 12a or the gas outlet portion 11b, 12b.

From the front of the meter body 10 and slightly above,
Display unit 1 for displaying the result measured by the flow rate measuring unit
5 are provided. The display unit 15 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal screen.

The sealing case 20 is the first case assembly 2
It is composed of two elements, a first case structure 22 and a second case structure 22. The first case structure 21 is the meter body 10
Of the upper surface 10a (first surface) or the lower surface 10b (second surface) of which is provided with an opening 21a on the surface thereof, the meter main body 10 can be housed therein. There is.

That is, the first case structure 21
As shown in FIG. 1, when the attachment cap 13 is attached to the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b on the lower surface, respectively, the front surface, the rear surface, and the four side surfaces are
As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting base 13
Is attached to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b on the upper surface, the lower surface is covered instead of the upper surface.

On the front surface of the first case structure 21 (that is, the surface covering the front surface of the meter body 10), the meter body 10 is provided.
A display window 23 is formed on the entire front surface so that the display unit 15 provided in the can be seen from the outside. Display window 2
A transparent plate made of transparent glass, plastic, or the like is fitted in 3.

On the other hand, the second case structure 22 is attached to the opening 21a of the first case structure 21, and is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the opening 21a of the first case structure 21. Has been done. The second case structure 22 is formed with a pair of insertion holes 24 through which the mounting caps 13 can be inserted, and the mounting caps 13 are drawn out from the insertion holes 24 to the outside of the sealing case 20, respectively. There is.

That is, the second case structure 22
As shown in FIG. 1, when the mounting cap 13 is attached to the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b on the lower surface, the lower surface 10b of the meter body 10 is
When the attachment caps 13 are attached to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b on the upper surface, the upper surface 10a of the meter body 10 is covered. The second case structure 22 is fixed to the opening 21a of the first case structure 21 and then fixed by an appropriate fixing means (screws in this embodiment).

Next, the operation of the gas meter of this embodiment will be described.

In this gas meter, when the lower cap is attached, as shown in FIG.
1a and the gas outlet part 11b, respectively, and the attachment member 13 is attached to the gas inlet part 12a and the gas outlet part 12b, respectively. After that, the meter case 10 is covered with the first case structure 21 with the opening 21a facing downward, and the opening 21a is covered with the second case structure 22. Then, the second case structure 22 is screwed into the first case structure 2
It is fixed to 1 and is further sealed around it.

At the time of attaching the upper mouthpiece, as shown in FIG. 2, the closing metal fittings 14 are attached to the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b, respectively, and the attaching member 1 is attached.
3 are attached to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b, respectively. After that, the first case structure 2 with the opening 21a facing upward with respect to the meter main body 10
1 is covered from below, and the opening 21 a is covered with the second case structure 22. Then, the second case structure 2
2 is fixed to the first case structure 21 by means of screws, and a seal is applied around the second case structure 22.

As a result, the meter body 10 is housed in the sealing case 20, and the two mounting caps 13 are pulled out from the insertion holes 24 of the second case structure 22 outside the sealing case 20. .

The gas meter thus assembled measures the flow rate of the gas by connecting the two attachment caps 13 to the gas supply pipe and supplying the gas. The measurement result is displayed on the display unit 15, and the sealing case 2
It can be seen from the outside through the display window 23 of 0.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the meter body 10 is housed in the sealing case 20, the closing metal fitting 14 is hidden in the sealing case 20 and is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is not necessary to purposely seal the closing metal fitting 14, and the construction becomes easy. Also, it does not spoil the aesthetics.

Further, the sealing case 20 is provided with a first case structure 21 and an opening 21a of the first case structure 21.
Since it is divided into two parts, that is, the second case structure 22 and the second case structure 22 that are attached to the lower case, the lower surface of the meter main body 10 is covered with the first case structure 21 when the upper cap is attached, and the meter main body 10 is attached when the lower cap is attached. By covering the upper surface with the first case structure 21, one sealing case 20 can be attached to either the upper mouthpiece or the lower mouthpiece, which is economical and simplifies the construction.

In the first embodiment, the display window 23 is formed in the sealing case 20 so that the display portion 15 can be seen from the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display window is not limited to this. Sealing case 20 instead of forming 23
You may form the whole with a transparent member.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are exploded views of the entire configuration of the gas meter according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In this gas meter, the first case structure 21 in the first embodiment is further divided into two, and the second case structure 2 is obtained.
Along with 2, the sealing case 20 is divided into three parts.

That is, in this embodiment, the first case structure 21 in the first embodiment is replaced by the first case structure 2
1A and a third case structure 21B are divided into two parts, and the first case structure 21A has an upper surface 10a (first surface) or a lower surface 10b (second surface) of the meter body 10.
Has an opening 21a (first opening) on the surface facing either one of the above, and the front surface 10c of the gas meter body 10
It has a box shape having an opening 21b (second opening) on the surface facing the (third surface).

On the other hand, the third case structure 21B is composed of the first case
21b of the case structure 21a (second opening)
The display window 25 is formed corresponding to the display portion 15 of the gas meter body 10. In the present embodiment, the display portion 15 is provided above the front surface of the meter body 10, and the display window 25 is also provided above the central portion correspondingly. The third case structure 21B is arranged in the opening 21b of the first case structure 21A and then fixed by an appropriate fixing means (screws in this embodiment). Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the gas meter of this embodiment, when the lower cap is attached, as shown in FIG. 3, the third case structure 21B is screwed so that the lower side becomes the opening 21a of the first case structure 21A. It is fixed to the first case structure 21A. Further, the closing metal fitting 14 is attached to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b of the upper surface 10a, and the mounting member 13 is attached to the gas inlet portion 12a and the gas outlet portion 12b of the lower surface 10b. After that, the first case structure 21A with the opening 21a facing downward is placed on the meter body 10 from above, and the second case structure 22 is attached and fixed to the opening 21a with a screw.

On the other hand, at the time of attaching the upper base, as shown in FIG. 4, the third case structure 21B is fixed to the first case structure 21A so that the upper part becomes the opening 21a. In addition, the closing metal fitting 14 is attached to the gas inlet portion 12 of the lower surface 10b.
a and the gas outlet 12b, respectively,
The attachment members 13 are attached to the gas inlet portion 11a and the gas outlet portion 11b of the upper surface 10a, respectively. After that, the meter case 10 is covered with the first case structure 21A with the opening 21a facing upward from below, and the second case structure 22 is attached to the opening 21a.

As a result, the meter body 10 is accommodated in the sealing case 20, and the mounting cap 13 is pulled out from the hole 24 of the second case structure 22 outside the sealing case 20. It is used in the same manner as the gas meter of the embodiment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sealing case 20 is constituted by the three elements of the first case construct 21A, the second case construct 22 and the third case construct 21. Therefore, the display unit 1 of the meter body 10
The surface of the first case structure 21A that covers the meter main body 10 can be changed in accordance with the attachment of the upper base or the lower base without changing the orientation of the third case structure 21B facing 5A. . Therefore, the display unit 15
No matter which position is provided on the front surface of the meter main body 10, one sealing case 20 can be used without increasing the size of the display window 25 more than necessary. Therefore, it is economical, the appearance is not impaired, and the construction is simple.

In the second embodiment, the third case structure 21B is configured to cover the entire front surface of the meter main body 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and FIG.
As shown in, the display unit 15 may be configured to be covered within the minimum range. That is, as shown by hatching in FIG. 6, a region from the intermediate position A between the upper surface 10a and the lower surface 10b to the display unit 15 in the third case structure 21B is approximately equal in width to the display unit 15. B and a region C symmetrical with the region B sandwiching the intermediate position A may be covered.

Further, in the first and second embodiments,
Although the two insertion holes 24 for drawing out the pair of mounting caps 13 are formed in the second case structure 22, even if the insertion hole 24 is one and the pair of mounting caps 13 are both pulled out therefrom. Good.

[0044]

As described above, according to the gas meter of the first aspect, the box-shaped gas meter having the opening on the surface facing either the first surface or the second surface of the meter body. A sealing case is constituted by one case structure and a second case structure having a shape corresponding to the opening of the first case structure, and the meter main body is accommodated in the sealing case. Therefore, the closing member is hidden in the sealing case and is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, there is an effect that the appearance is not impaired, and the closing member does not need to be sealed, and the construction is easy. Furthermore, by changing the orientation of the first case structure according to the mounting position of the mounting cap, one sealing case can be used regardless of the mounting position of the mounting cap, which is economical and simplifies construction. Has the effect of becoming.

Particularly, according to the gas meter of the second aspect, the sealing case has the first opening on the surface facing the first surface or the second surface of the meter body, and the gas meter body. A box-shaped first case structure having a second opening on a surface facing the third surface of the first case, and a second case structure attached to the first opening of the first case structure. Since it is configured by the three elements of the body and the third case structure attached to the second opening of the first case structure, the third case structure having the display window is formed. It is possible to change the orientation of the first case structure according to the position where the mounting cap is disposed without changing the orientation. Therefore, no matter where the display unit is provided on the meter body, one sealing case can be used without increasing the size of the display window more than necessary.
It has an effect that it is economical and the construction is simple without spoiling the appearance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a lower cap of a gas meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state when the upper base of the gas meter according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state when the lower cap of the gas meter according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the upper base of the gas meter according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the gas meter shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which a lower cap of a conventional gas meter is attached.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which a conventional gas meter has an upper cap attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 meter body 11a, 12a gas inlet 11b, 12b gas outlet 13 Mounting base 14 Closure fittings (closure members) 15 Display 20 sealed case 21,21A First case structure 21B Third case structure 22 Second case structure 23,25 Display window 24 insertion holes

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsuhito Sakai 3-2-7-123, Takasago, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hideo Kato 3-28-70-108 Minamisenju, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor, Soubun Satoshi 2-11-2 Kajigaya, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Shinichi Sato 543-15 Kitano-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo (72) Inventor Shigenori Okamura 4 Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka -1-2 In Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yukio Kimura 507-2 Shintakaracho, Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture Toho Gas Co., Ltd., Research Institute (56) Reference JP-A-8-29216 (JP, A) Kaihei 6-258116 (JP, A) Actual development Sho 54-104400 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01F 1/00-9/02

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flow rate measuring means is provided in a meter main body in which a first surface and a second surface facing each other are provided on an outer surface, and the flow rate is measured for each of the first surface and the second surface. A pair of gas inlets and gas outlets are provided for guiding the gas to the means, and the first surface or the second surface.
To the gas inlet portion and the gas outlet portion provided on either one of the surfaces of the first and second surfaces, respectively, and provided on the other of the first surface and the second surface. A gas meter in which each of the gas inlet portion and the gas outlet portion is closed by a closing member, and has a box shape having an opening on a surface facing either the first surface or the second surface of the meter body. None, a first case structure for accommodating the meter body therein, and a mounting base having a shape corresponding to the opening of the first case structure and attached to the gas inlet part and the gas outlet part. Is formed with an insertion hole through which the first
And a second case structure that constitutes a sealing case together with the first case structure by being attached to the opening of the case structure. 2. A meter body having a first surface and a second surface facing each other on the outer surface, the flow rate measuring means being provided in the meter body, and the meter body other than the first surface and the second surface. 3 has a display section for displaying the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means, and a pair of a pair for guiding the gas to the flow rate measuring means with respect to each of the first surface and the second surface. A gas inlet part and a gas outlet part are provided, and a mounting base for mounting a gas supply pipe is attached to each of the gas inlet part and the gas outlet part provided on either the first surface or the second surface. And a gas inlet part and a gas outlet part provided on the other of either the first surface or the second surface are closed by a closing member, the first surface or the first surface of the meter body One of the two sides A first case structure that has a box-like shape having a first opening on the opposing surface and a second opening on the surface facing the third surface of the gas meter body, and that houses the meter body therein. And an insertion hole having a shape corresponding to the first opening of the first case structure and through which the attachment caps attached to the gas inlet portion and the gas outlet portion can be inserted. A second case structure attached to the first opening of the case structure, and a shape corresponding to the second opening of the first case structure, and a third surface of the gas meter body. A display window is formed corresponding to the formed display portion, and the display window is attached to the second opening portion of the first case structure to form the first window.
And a third case structure that constitutes a sealed case together with the case structure and the second case structure.