JP3495817B2 - 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, and more particularly to a gas meter in which an indication of the amount of gas used can be seen even when the installation posture is turned upside down and upside down.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a gas meter (G), as shown in FIG. 1, a gas meter installed in a suspended state on a gas pipe has been widely used. This hanging type gas meter
In (G), the inlet connection pipe (11) connected to the upstream pipe (P ₁ )
And the outlet connection pipe (12) connected to the downstream pipe (P ₂ )
It projects upwards from the main body (1) and parallel to each other.

On the other hand, recently, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper installation type has been proposed which is connected to the end of a gas pipe which opens upward. This type of gas meter
In (G), the inlet connection pipe (11) and the outlet connection pipe (12) project downward from the main body (1). In any of these types of gas meters (G), measuring means (not shown) for measuring the amount of passing gas passing through the gas passage in the main body (1) is provided, and the output from this measuring means The amount of gas used is displayed by numbers or the like on the display unit (400) provided on the front surface of the gas meter (G).

Generally, the gas meter (G) must be replaced with a new one every legal expiration date, but at the time of replacement of the hanging type gas meter (G), the gas pipe of the above type is installed in the gas pipe of the hanging type gas meter (G). It is also possible to attach (G). However, in this case, the gas meter (G)
There is a problem that the display part (400) of (1) becomes invisible from the front side of the meter box that houses the gas meter (G).

In any of the above-mentioned formats, this is
Upstream side pipe (P₁) And downstream
Piping (P₂) Has the same layout relationship on the left and right, and
Pipe (P ₁), The inlet connection pipe (11) of the gas meter (G) is
Flow side piping (P₂) Corresponds to the outlet connecting pipe (12).
It That is, the above type installed above the hanging type gas pipe
If you connect a gas meter (G), the gas meter (G)
In the standing position and the display (400) is facing backwards,
You can see the gas usage displayed on the display (400).
Absent.

Therefore, when the hanging type gas pipe is left as it is, the above type gas meter is installed.
(G) cannot be installed. The present invention has been made in view of such a point, in the gas meter, even in the gas pipe of the hanging type or the gas pipe of the upper installation type, it is possible to install without changing these piping modes The task is to facilitate the gas meter replacement work.

[0007]

[Technical Means] The technical means of the present invention taken to solve the above-mentioned problem is, "A main body (1) in which an mutually parallel inlet connection pipe and outlet connection pipe are projected upward or downward, Measuring means (5) provided in the main body (1) and for measuring the amount of passing gas in the main body (1), and a display formed on the front face for displaying the number of gas consumption The display device (4) and the signal conversion device (3) for converting the signal from the measuring device (5) into a display signal for the display and sending it to the display device (4). (4) is continuously connected to the upper end portion or the lower end portion of the main body portion (1) in a front-rear exposed state, and can be inverted in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the main body portion (1). 3) is the first signal conversion means (301) for sending an upright display signal for displaying the number of gas usage on the display section in an upright state, and the whole display. And constructed from a second signal converting means for transmitting the inverted display signal for displaying an inverted inverted state (302) left and right, the first and second
Switching means for selectively applying the display signal from the signal converting means (301) (302) to the display section side is provided.

[0008]

The above technical means of the present invention operates as follows. In this gas meter, even if the front and rear and top and bottom of the main body (1) are installed upside down depending on the connection with the gas pipe, the display is continuously exposed at the upper or lower end of the main body (1) in an exposed state. Since the display (4) can be flipped back and forth and left and right with respect to the main body (1), the indicator (4) facing the rear side of the main body (1) should be attached to the main body (1). The display part of the display (4) faces the front side of the meter box by flipping it forward and backward and left and right. Also, by switching the switch (6), the display signals from the first and second signal converting means (301) (302) are selectively sent to the display unit side to display the gas usage amount. Since the entire top and bottom and the left and right are inverted, the number of gas consumption displayed on the display part of the inverted display (4) becomes upright by the switching operation.

Therefore, in this device, regardless of the installation mode of the main body (1), the display part of the display (4) is always directed to the front side, and the number of gas consumption displayed on the display part is shown. Can be put upright.

[0010]

[Effects] The present invention having the above-described structure has the following unique effects. Regardless of the installation mode of the main body (1), the display part of the display (4) can always be directed to the front side, and the gas consumption number displayed on the display part can be made upright. Even if the gas meter is installed above, it can be installed as is in the gas pipe for the hanging gas meter described above.
Gas meter replacement work becomes easy.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the display unit (4) described above is replaced by a display unit composed of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs.
(400) is provided on the front surface of the casing (2), and the indicator (4) and the main body (1) are screwed up and down. [Structure of each part] * Main part (1) * The main part (1) is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and the inlet connection pipes (11) are parallel to each other from the lower surface thereof. The outlet connection pipe (12) is projected. An inverted U-shaped gas passage (10) communicating with the inlet / outlet connecting pipes (11) and (12) is formed inside the main body (1). Therefore, the upstream pipe (P ₁ ) connected to the inlet connection pipe (11)
The gas flowing into the gas passage (10) from the
After passing through (10), it will flow out to the downstream pipe (P ₂ ) connected to the outlet connecting pipe (12). A flow rate sensor (S) as the above-described measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the passing gas and outputting the measured value as a signal is provided on the constituent wall of the gas passage (10). This flow sensor (S)
The output signal from is applied to the control device (C) described later.

* Indicator (4) * The above indicator (4) is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the same width and depth as the main body (1), and is connected to the upper end of the main body (1) by screws. ing. Casing of this indicator (4)
The display section (400) is attached to the front wall of (2), the switch (6) described later is attached to the side wall, and the control circuit (C) described later is built in. At the left and right ends of this indicator (4), mounting bolts (B) and (B) that penetrate vertically are screwed into the screw holes provided at the upper end of the main body (1). ) Is the main part
It is screwed to the upper end of (1).

The control circuit (C) in the indicator (4) and the flow rate sensor (S) in the main body (1) are provided separately from the gas passage (10) and Electrical connection is made by a signal line arranged so as to pass through a void (14) opened at the center of the upper surface of (1) and a through hole (22) at the center of the bottom wall of the casing (2). As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit (400) has a configuration in which four 7-segment LEDs (41) to (44) are arranged side by side on a substrate, and the gas consumption is 4 It is supposed to be displayed in digits. A display signal for this display is sent from the control circuit (C) described later.

* Control circuit (C) * As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit (C) includes a plurality of microcomputers (7) and a plurality of output ports (T ₁ ) to (T ₄ ) connected thereto. It consists of decoders (D ₁ ) (D ₂ ) of, and a pair of decoders (D ₁ ) (D ₂ ) are the above 7 segment LEDs (41) to (44).
Connected to each of.

The microcomputer (7) accumulates the signal value from the flow rate sensor (S) connected to its input port every one second to calculate the total amount of gas used and outputs the total amount value signal. It is configured to do. The total value signal is the decoder (D ₁ ) (D ₁ ) or the decoder.
The signals are converted into the display signals by (D ₂ ) and (D ₂ ) and sent to the 7-segment LEDs (41) to (44). Also, connect the switch to the other input port of the microcomputer (7).
(6) is connected. This switch (6) is a so-called slide switch, and its actuator is configured to move in the vertical direction by manual operation. An "on signal" is output when the actuator is positioned on the main body (1) side, and an "off signal" is output when the actuator is positioned on the opposite side.

The decoder (D₁) (D₂) Of the group,
One decoder (D₁) (D₁) Group is the output port (T₁) ~
(T_Four) Signal from 7 segment LED (41) to (44)
Upright display signal for displaying the number of gas for use in an upright state
It is configured to be converted into and transmitted. The other decoder
ー (D₂) (D₂) Group is the output port (T₁) ~ (T_Four) Signal from
The 7-segment LEDs (41) to (44) in the upright state.
The entire display is displayed upside down and left and right inverted.
Inverted display signal for
It Also, any of these decoders (D₁) (D₂), Also this
When the "H" signal is input to the drive terminal
Yes, the operating terminal is the microcomputer
Output port (T) of (7)₀)It is connected to the. And on the other hand
Decoder (D₂) (D₂) Group has an operating terminal with a NOT circuit
It is connected. Further, the microcomputer
(7) is the output when the switch (6) is "ON".
Port (T ₀) Output "H" signal and switch (6)
It is configured to output an "L" signal when it is "off".
It Therefore, when the switch (6) is on,
(D₁) (D₁) Only activated, 7 segments
LED (41) to (44) shows the above gas consumption figures upright
Is displayed and the switch (6) is turned off,
(D₂) (D₂) Is activated and the entire display
The upside-down state is reversed.

Furthermore, the one digit of the gas usage is displayed.
The 7-segment LED (41) has a decoder (D₁) Through
Output port (T₁) Is connected, as well as for the display of ten digits
7-segment LED (42) of the output port (T₂) Is a hundred digit
Output port (T₃)But,
7-segment LED (44) for displaying thousands of digits, output port (T
_Four) Is connected. Also, the decoder (D₂) Through
Note 7-segment LED (41) output port (T_Four) Is the above 7
Output port (T₃) Is the 7 segment
Output port (T₂) Is the 7 segment
Output port (T₁) Is connected. this
Decoder (D₁) (D₁) Is activated, 7 seconds
The arrangement of the digits displayed on the segment LEDs (41) to (44) is
The usual array, but the decoder (D₂) (D₂) Is activated
Then, the above-mentioned digit array is an array which is horizontally inverted.

With the above configuration, the switch (6) is operated.
When it is turned on, the gas is displayed on the display (400) above.
The usage number is displayed in the upright state, and on the contrary, the switch
When (6) is set to "OFF", the display area above and below
And left and right are displayed in an inverted state. In this example
Is the above-mentioned flow rate sensor in the microcomputer (7).
Function unit for cumulatively calculating the signal value from the
Coder (D₁) (D₁) Is the first signal variable according to claim 1.
Exchange means (301), the functional unit and the decoder (D₂) (D ₂)But,
It becomes the second signal converting means (302).

The unit of gas usage displayed on the display unit (400) is printed on the front surface of the display unit (400) at positions corresponding to the above-mentioned upright display and reverse display. ing. * Others * A solenoid valve as a shutoff valve (V) is provided at the upstream end of the gas passage (10) of the main body (1), and the flow rate of gas passing through the gas passage (10) is excessive. When the measured value of the flow sensor (S) exceeds the set value, the shut-off valve is turned off from the microcomputer (7).
The valve (V) is closed. Also, the above display
A reset switch (R) is provided on the front surface of (4) to release the closed valve state.When the reset switch (R) is pressed, the shutoff valve (R) is generated by the output signal from the microcomputer (7). V) is opened. [Actual installation] Use the gas meter (G) with the above configuration.
When installing in the gas pipe of the above-mentioned upper installation type, keep the state of Fig. 7-a and connect the inlet connecting pipe (11) to the upstream pipe (P
_{In (1} ), connect the outlet connection pipe (12) to the downstream pipe (P ₂ ), and position the actuator of the switch (6) on the main body (1) side. In this case, the display part (400) of the gas meter (G) faces the front side of the meter box that houses this gas meter (G), and the display part (400) displays the number of used gas in an upright state. To be done.

On the other hand, when the gas meter (G) is installed by connecting it to the above-mentioned hanging installation type gas pipe, as shown in FIG. 7-b, the gas meter (G) is inverted and The box should be facing backwards from the front side.
At this time, as shown in the figure, loosen the mounting bolts (B) and (B), remove the casing (2) from the main body (1), and as shown in FIG. ) Is turned back and forth and left and right with respect to the main body part (1), and the casing (2) is screwed to the main body part (1) again as shown in FIG. 7-d. As a result, the display unit (400) provided on the casing (2) faces the front side of the meter box in the inverted posture. In this state, the gas pipe is connected. The actuator of the switch (6) is located on the opposite side of the main body (1). As a result, an OFF signal is output from the switch (6), so that the display (40
In (0), the number of gas consumption is displayed in the inverted state described above. Therefore, the display looks like an upright state.

In the reversing operation, the signal line between the control circuit (C) and the flow rate sensor (S) is only twisted and does not hinder the reversing operation. [Modification] In the above embodiment, the indicator (4) is detachably screwed to the main body (1).
The structure (4) may be connected to the main body (1) so as to be rotatable relative thereto. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, in the above embodiment, the cylindrical shaft portion upright from the main body portion (1).
A configuration can be adopted in which (81) is fitted into a through hole (82) provided in the bottom wall of the display (4) in a retaining state. In this case, the cylinder shaft portion (8
Insert the signal line from the flow sensor (S) into 1). In this structure, when the display (4) is relatively rotated about the cylindrical shaft portion (81), the display portion (400) is reversed front and back and left and right with respect to the main body portion (1). Therefore, also in this case, the same operation as that of the above embodiment is achieved. Further, in the above embodiment, the display unit (4) is configured to house the display unit (400) in the casing (2), but the display unit (400) is directly housed in the main unit without housing the display unit (400). It may be fixed to (1) by screwing or the like.

.. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the display unit (4) has a structure including a 7-segment LED, but it may have a liquid crystal display type. In this case as well, a configuration can be adopted in which the numbers of gas usage are reversed upside down and left and right as in the above-described embodiment. In the case of this liquid crystal display type, symbols such as units can also be displayed. ． In the above embodiment, the control circuit (C) is connected to the casing (2).
However, it may be provided in the main body (1).
Further, the measuring means (5) is not limited to the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment as long as it has a structure for measuring the amount of gas passing through the gas passage (10) and outputting the measured value as a signal. Signal conversion means
The same applies to (3).

.. In the above embodiment, the switch (6) provided on one of the input ports to the microcomputer (7)
The switch is a switch that is turned on and off by manual operation, but it may be changed to a switch (6) that is turned on and off automatically according to the attitude change of the gas meter (G). . In this case, as the switch (6), as shown in FIG. 8, a certain amount of mercury (63) is enclosed and a contact (65) is provided at one end.
A mercury switch (6a) having a configuration in which a glass tube (62) equipped with (65) is arranged in an upright posture inside a casing (2) can be adopted. The contacts (65) (65) are provided so as to be located at the lower end of the glass tube (62) with the gas meter (G) in an upright posture.

In this case, when the gas meter (G) is in the upright posture, the mercury (63) is absorbed in the glass tube as shown in FIG.
Located at the bottom of (62). As a result, the contacts (65) (65) are electrically connected to each other to turn on the mercury switch (6a).
Further, when the attitude of the gas meter (G) is changed from the upright state to the upright state, the mercury (63) separates from the contacts (65) (65) located at the upper end of the glass tube (62) in this state. The mercury switch (6a) stays at the lower end on the opposite side, and the mercury switch (6a) is turned "off" (state in FIG. 7B).

The relationship with the microcomputer (7) is that, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the "H" signal is output from the output port (T ₀ ) of the microcomputer (7) by the input of the "on signal". Decoder (D ₁ ) (D ₁ ) works,
The "OFF signal" is input to output the "L" signal from the output port (T ₀ ) to operate the decoders (D ₂ ) and (D ₂ ). Therefore, when the gas meter (G) is in the upright posture, the display on the display unit (400) is automatically switched to the upright display state, and when the gas meter (G) is in the upright posture, the display is switched to the reverse display state.

In the above embodiment, the decoder is selected by the output signal from the output port (T ₀ ) of the microcomputer (7) in response to the on / off of the switch (6). A circuit on the decoder (D ₁ ) (D ₁ ) side and a circuit on the decoder (D ₂ ) (D ₂ ) side may be directly switched by switching the switch (6).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gas meter in a conventional example.

[Fig. 2] Same as above

FIG. 3 is a front view of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the main part showing the structure of the main part (1) and the screw fixing part of the display (4).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view seen from the side thereof.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a control circuit (C) for this.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation procedure for the same.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the switch (6).

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing a modified example of the connecting portion between the main body (1) and the display (4).

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) ・ ・ ・ Main body (5) ・ ・ ・ Measuring means (4) ・ ・ ・ Display (3) ・ ・ ・ Signal conversion means (301) ・ ・ ・ First signal conversion means (302) ・ ・ ・ Second signal conversion means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (73) Patent holder 000116633 Aichi Tokei Denki Co., Ltd. 1-270 Sennaku, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (73) Patent holder 000156813 Kansai Gas Meter Co., Ltd. Nakado, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Teragita Town 10 (73) Patent holder 000142425 Kinmon Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 13-1 Oharamachi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo (73) Patent holder 000150109 Takenaka Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1-151 Nakagawa-nishi, Ikuno-ku, Osaka, Osaka (73) Patent holder 000222211 Toyo Gas Meter Co., Ltd. 2795 Motoe, Shinminato City, Toyama Prefecture (72) Inventor Shuichi Okada 4-1-2, Hiranocho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City (Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.) (72) Inventor, Okamura Shigenori Osaka Prefecture, Chuo-ku, Hirano-cho 4-1-2, Osaka Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuto Sakai 3-2-7-12 Takasago, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 3 (72) Inventor Kazumi Onui 9-10, Misonodai, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor, Yukio Kimura 507-2 Shintakaracho, Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture Toho Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Toshihiko Ito Aichi Clock Electric Co., Ltd. 1-270 Chitose, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya (72) Inventor Masanobu Hamamoto 2-10-16 Higashi-Kobashi, Higashisei-ku, Osaka City Kansai Gas Meter Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Aoki Toshiaki, 1-3-2 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Central Research Institute, Kinmon Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Masanari Imazaki 4-73, Nishiiwata, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Kanmon Research Institute, Kanmon Research Institute (72) Invention Person Masahiko Matsushita 5-1-11 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Yasushi Mizukoshi 2795 Motoe, Shinminato City, Toyama Prefecture, Toyo Gasmeter Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-4-34317 (JP, A) JP 62-28619 (JP, A) JP 63-208719 (JP, A) JP 3-229119 (JP, A) 1-137427 (JP, U) JitsuHiraku flat 7-14342 (JP, U) JitsuHiraku Akira 51-156854 (JP, U) (58 ) investigated the field (Int.Cl. ^7, DB name) G01F G01D 7 / 00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body (1) in which an inlet connecting pipe and an outlet connecting pipe which are parallel to each other are projected upward or downward, and a main body (1) provided in the main body (1) and inside the main body (1). The measuring means (5) for measuring the amount of passing gas, the indicator (4) for displaying the number of gas consumption on the display formed on the front, and the signal from the measuring means (5) It comprises a signal conversion means (3) for converting into a display signal for display and sending it to the display (4), wherein the display (4) is at the upper end or the lower end of the main body (1). The main body is continuously connected to the front and rear exposed state.
The signal conversion means (3) sends back an upright display signal for displaying the number of gas consumption in an upright state on the display unit so that it can be reversed to the front and rear and left and right with respect to (1). A signal converting means (301) and a second means for transmitting an inverted display signal for displaying the display in an inverted state of upside down and left and right.
A gas meter comprising a signal converting means (302) and provided with a switching means for selectively applying the display signals from the first and second signal converting means (301) (302) to the display section side. 2. The display device (4) is detachably screwed to the upper end or the lower end of the main body (1) to thereby provide the display device (4).
The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the (4) can be turned back and forth and left and right with respect to the main body (1). 3. The indicator (4) is supported by the upper end portion or the lower end portion of the main body portion (1) so as to be relatively rotatable, and the rotation axis is set in the upright direction of the main body portion (1). The gas meter according to Item 1. 4. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the display (4) is of a liquid crystal display type. 5. The switching means includes a switch that outputs either an ON signal or an OFF signal by a manual operation,
The erect display signal from the first signal converting means (301) is applied to the display unit side in response to either one of the output ON signal and OFF signal, and the output ON signal and OFF signal are output. Second signal converting means in response to either of the other signals
The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the inverted display signal from (302) is applied to the display unit side. 6. The switching means outputs either one of an ON signal and an OFF signal when the main body (1) is in an upright state and when the main body (1) is in an inverted state. A switch for outputting the other one of the ON signal and the OFF signal is included, and the erect display signal from the first signal converting means (301) is displayed on the display unit side in response to the output one signal. The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inverted display signal from the second signal converting means (302) is applied to the display section side in response to the other signal that is output. .