JP3645639B2 - Gas meter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas meter capable of transmitting information related to a measured gas flow rate via a telephone line or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combined structure of a communication unit and a gas meter main body, each of which is configured separately.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The amount of power, water, and gas used in general households is being transmitted to a store or the like through a general telephone line, where it can be centrally managed. In particular, with regard to gas, there is a concern about a gas leak accident and the like, and gas meters capable of transmitting data are rapidly spreading.
[0003]
In such a gas meter capable of transmitting data, a data processing terminal (controller) for data input / output is built in and integrated with the gas meter. However, a communication unit (transmission device) for performing data transmission using a telephone line is installed at a position away from the gas meter. For this reason, the data meter is exchanged between the gas meter and the communication unit by connecting the gas meter and the communication unit through a transmission line.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional system, since the gas meter and the communication unit are connected by a long transmission line, there is a problem that installation work is troublesome. In addition, when the gas meter and the communication unit are connected with a long transmission line, there is a problem that they are easily affected by noise and lightning surge.
[0005]
Therefore, a method of integrating the communication unit in the gas meter in the same manner as the data processing terminal can be considered. Such a gas meter with a built-in communication unit is inconvenient because the entire gas meter must be removed even if a problem occurs only in the communication unit.
[0006]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter that is easy to install and is not easily affected by noise or lightning surge, while the gas meter body and the communication unit are configured separately. There is.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a gas meter having a gas meter body, a communication unit, and a data processing terminal that outputs a measurement result obtained by the gas meter body to the communication unit, the gas meter body includes: A unit mounting portion for detachably mounting the communication unit is provided, and the data input / output terminal on the communication unit side mounted on the unit mounting portion and the data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal side are separable. It is electrically connected through a simple connector mechanism.
[0008]
That is, the gas meter main body and the communication unit are not completely integrated, but the gas meter main body and the communication unit, which are separately formed, are configured to be combined.
[0009]
With this configuration, even if the gas meter main body and the communication unit are separate, they can be installed in a combined state, so that there is no need to connect the gas meter main body and the communication unit with a long transmission line, Installation work is easy. Further, since the gas meter main body and the communication unit are not connected with a long transmission line, they are not easily affected by noise and lightning surge. In addition, when a malfunction occurs in the communication unit, the communication unit can be easily replaced and adjusted because only the communication unit can be removed without changing the gas meter body.
[0011]
In the present invention, as the connector mechanism, the data input / output terminal on the communication unit side and the data input / output terminal on the communication unit side when the communication unit is mounted in the unit mounting part in the unit mounting part are automatically set. The data processing terminal is formed of a data input / output terminal on the side of the data processing terminal, which is formed at a position to be electrically connected . In this case, the data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal side and the data input / output terminal on the communication unit side can be automatically electrically connected by simply mounting the communication unit in the unit mounting part. There is an advantage that the trouble of making the connection can be saved.
[0012]
Furthermore, in the present invention, the unit mounting portion extends in the vertical direction of the gas meter main body, and an entrance for mounting the communication unit is open downward in the lower surface portion of the gas meter main body. Is in a sealed state except for the entrance and exit, and a data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal side is formed on the ceiling portion . If comprised in this way, it will be easy to protect a communication unit from rainwater.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a configuration example serving as a basis of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
[ Basic configuration example ]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gas meter of this example, and FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the gas meter of this example.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the gas meter 1 of this example is a communication unit-integrated gas meter. The gas meter main body 10 is attached to the lower end portion of the gas meter main body 10, and the measurement result of the gas flow rate measured by the gas meter main body 10. And the like as a gas flow rate information to a predetermined destination via a telephone line.
[0016]
The gas meter main body 10 includes a case 100 formed with a gas inlet 101 to which the gas pipe 2 is connected and a gas outlet 102 to which the gas pipe 3 is connected. As shown in FIG. Two measurement chambers 17 are formed in the gas passage from the gas inlet 101 to the gas outlet 102 inside. The measurement chambers 17 are alternately in a gas inflow state and a gas outflow state, whereby a built-in diaphragm is operated, and based on this, a gas flow rate can be detected.
[0017]
A measurement result by the gas flow rate measuring means configured as described above is output to a data processing terminal 14 (controller) provided on the front side of the gas meter main body 10. The data processing terminal 14 has a function of integrating the gas flow rate and sending an integrated value (an electronic counter value) when requested. In addition, when gas is used continuously for a long time, that is, when it is not in a normal gas use state (forgetting to turn it off, accidentally opening the gas stopper, or disconnecting the rubber hose), a signal is sent to the shutoff valve to shut off the gas passage. It also has a function to notify the reason (overflow rate, overuse time) when shut off. The data processing terminal 14 having such a function can output these data to the communication unit 20. Accordingly, the gas flow rate is received at a retail store etc. through a general telephone line, where the gas usage is centrally managed, and the flow rate abnormality due to misopening of the gas stopper or disconnection of the rubber hose is monitored at the retail store etc. Leakage accidents can be prevented.
[0018]
In the gas meter 1 of this example, a structure for enabling the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20 configured separately from each other will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view showing a state in which the communication unit is mounted on the unit mounting portion formed on the gas meter main body, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating communication with the data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal side in the gas meter main body. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection structure with the data input / output terminal of a unit side.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, the communication unit 20 first inputs data between the electronic circuit unit 21 responsible for sending the integrated value of the gas flow rate and the reason for shutoff to a predetermined destination via a telephone line, and the gas meter body 10. The electronic circuit unit 21 and the terminal block 26 are formed on the same substrate 23. Among them, the electronic circuit unit 21 is covered with a resin case 24 and is protected from the outside. The terminal block 26 is configured near the lower end edge of the substrate 23. Note that the substrate 23 is a printed circuit board, and the electronic circuit unit 21 and the terminal block 26 are connected to each other by a circuit pattern on the substrate 23.
[0020]
On the other hand, the gas meter main body 10 has a data processing for inputting / outputting data between the unit mounting portion 40 having a size and a shape capable of mounting the communication unit 20 and the integrated value of the gas flow rate, the reason for shutoff, and the like. And a terminal block 30 of the terminal device 14.
[0021]
The unit mounting portion 40 is a vertically long space whose entrance 49 opens at the lower surface of the gas meter main body 10 and reaches the same height position as the upper end of the data processing terminal 14 on the back side of the data processing terminal 14. . Further, the unit mounting portion 40 has a width and thickness that are larger than those of the communication unit 20, and the communication unit 20 can be freely inserted and removed from the entrance / exit 49. Further, the unit mounting part 40 is in a sealed state except for the entrance / exit 49, such as being partitioned from the data processing terminal 14 side by a partition wall 401.
[0022]
As shown by arrow A in FIG. 2, the communication unit 20 configured as described above is inserted into the unit mounting portion 40 from the side where the electronic circuit portion 21 is configured, as shown in FIG. Then, it is completely mounted in the unit mounting portion 40. Thereafter, the lower end portion of the front surface of the gas meter main body 10 is covered with a resinous cover 55 so as to cover the terminal blocks 30 and 26, and the plate portion 551 protruding from the lower surface portion of the cover 55, and the unit mounting portion 40. The entrance / exit 49 is closed. In this state, the communication unit 20 is fixed in the unit mounting portion 40.
[0023]
However, as shown in FIG. 4, in the state before attaching the cover 55 to the gas meter main body 10, the terminal block 26 on the communication unit 20 side is exposed from the lower position of the terminal block 30 on the data processing terminal 14 side. It is in. Therefore, in this state, necessary terminals are electrically connected between the terminal block 30 on the data processing terminal 14 side and the terminal block 26 on the communication unit 20 side.
[0024]
Here, in the terminal block 30, the terminal groups 31 and 32 are arranged in two upper and lower stages. Among these terminal groups 31 and 32, terminals DT1 and SG1 (data input / output terminals on the data processing terminal 14 side) output gas flow rate data from the data processing terminal 14 of the gas meter body 10 to the communication unit 20. The terminal FG1 is a grounding terminal for lightning surge countermeasures. In addition, the terminal groups 31 and 32 include a terminal for connection with a home controller, a terminal for connection with an alarm device, and the like.
[0025]
Here, in order to perform data transmission from the communication unit 20 using a telephone line, the terminals DT1 and SG1 on the data processing terminal 14 side are connected to the communication unit 20 and data countermeasures are taken for lightning surge countermeasures. It is necessary to wire-connect the terminal FG1 on the processing terminal 14 side and the communication unit 20. In this example, an easily separable connector mechanism 50 is used so that these wirings can be performed easily. That is, the cable 51 is pulled out from the terminals DT1, SG1, and FG1 on the data processing terminal 14 side, and a 4-pin plug member 53 is attached to the tip of the cable 51. Here, one of the four pins of the plug member 53 is for a blank. On the other hand, the plug member 53 is fitted into the terminal block 26 of the communication unit 20 to form a 4-pin socket member 22 constituting the connector mechanism 50. The socket member 22 includes terminals DT1 and SG1. The electrodes DT2 and SG2 (data input / output terminals on the communication unit 20 side) that are electrically connected and the electrode FG2 that is electrically connected to the terminal FG1 are configured. The socket member 22 is for 4 pins, but one of the 4 electrodes formed on it is for a blank. The terminal block 26 of the communication unit 20 is also formed with a terminal group 27 for connection with a telephone line and a terminal group 28 for data input from a handy telegram setter.
[0026]
Therefore, in the gas meter 1 of this example, after the communication unit 20 is mounted in the unit mounting portion 40, the plug meter 53 is simply fitted into the socket member 22, and the gas meter 1 is connected via the terminals DT1 and SG1 and the electrodes DT2 and SG2. Data can be input and output between the data processing terminal 14 of the main body 10 and the communication unit 20, and these data can be transmitted via a telephone line.
[0027]
Thus, in the gas meter 1 of this example, even if the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20 are separate bodies, the communication unit 20 can be attached to and detached from the unit mounting portion 40, and the wiring connection thereof is also possible. This is done via the connector mechanism 50. Therefore, even if the gas meter main body 20 and the communication unit 20 are separate, they can be used in a combined state, so there is no need to connect the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20 with a long transmission line, and installation work is simple. is there. Further, since the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20 are not connected by a long transmission line, they are not easily affected by noise and lightning surge. Moreover, when a malfunction occurs in the communication unit 20, it is convenient to replace or adjust the communication unit 20 because the gas meter body 10 is left as it is and only the communication unit 20 is removed from the gas meter body 10.
[0028]
Further, the entrance / exit 49 of the unit mounting portion 40 is opened at the lower surface portion of the gas meter 1. That is, since it faces downward, rainwater does not enter from there. Therefore, the communication unit 20 can be reliably protected from rainwater and the like.
[0029]
[ Example ]
Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 5 is an enlarged right side view showing a state in which the communication unit is mounted in the unit mounting portion of the gas meter of this example, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the connector mechanism used therefor in an enlarged manner. Of the portions of the gas meter of the present example, portions that are common to the gas meter of the basic configuration example such as a gas flow rate measuring unit are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the gas meter 1A of this example, the data processing terminal 14 built in the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20A are electrically connected without using a cable.
[0031]
First, in the communication unit 20A, as in the first embodiment, the electronic circuit unit 21 for sending gas information to a predetermined destination via a telephone line is covered with a resin case 24 on the same substrate 23A as the terminal block 26A. Unlike the first embodiment, the terminal block 26A is formed with a terminal group for connection to a telephone line, but the data with the data processing terminal 14 built in the gas meter main body 10 is different. I / O terminals are not configured. Instead, as shown in FIG. 6, electrodes DT12 and SG12 (on the communication unit 20 side) are provided at the upper end of the substrate 23A as terminals for data input / output with the data processing terminal 14 with respect to the front and back surfaces thereof. Data input / output terminal) and an electrode FG12, and these electrodes are all electrically connected to the electronic circuit section 21. Four electrodes are formed on the substrate 23A, one of which is for a blank.
[0032]
Referring again to FIG. 5, the gas meter main body 10 has a unit mounting portion 40 to which the communication unit 20 </ b> A can be mounted, as in the first embodiment, and the unit mounting portion 40 opens at the lower surface portion of the gas meter main body 10. By mounting the communication unit 20A from the doorway 49, the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20A can be combined. In addition, after mounting the communication unit 20A in the unit mounting portion 40, a resin cover 55 is placed on the front lower end of the gas meter main body 10 to cover the terminal blocks 30A and 26A and to protrude from the lower surface of the cover 55 The structure in which the entrance / exit 49 of the unit mounting portion 40 is closed by the portion 551 is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0033]
However, although the terminal block 30A configured at the lower end of the front surface of the gas meter main body 10 is formed with a terminal for connection with a home controller, a terminal for connection with an alarm device, etc., the communication unit 20A No data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal 14 side for data input / output between the terminals is formed. Instead, as shown in FIG. 6, a connector member 33 having a groove 331 for inserting the substrate 23 is disposed in the back portion of the unit mounting portion 40, and a data processing terminal is provided in the opening portion of the groove 311. Terminals DT11 and SG11 (data input / output terminals on the data processing terminal 14 side) are formed as terminals for data input / output on the side of the device 14, and a grounding terminal FG11 for lightning surge countermeasures is also formed there. . The connector member 33 has four terminals, one of which is for a blank.
[0034]
Here, the terminals DT11, SG11, and FG11 are electrodes of the communication unit 20A if the upper end portion of the board 23A is fitted in the groove 331 of the connector member 33 when the communication unit 20A is mounted in the unit mounting portion 40. DT12, SG12, and FG12 are automatically in electrical connection positions. In addition, since the terminals DT11, SG11, and FG11 are made of a leaf spring-like metal piece, the terminals DT11, SG11, and FG11 are reliably electrically connected to the electrodes DT12, SG12, and FG12 simply by mounting the communication unit 20A in the unit mounting portion 40. At the same time, when the communication unit 20A is pulled out from the unit mounting portion 40, it is automatically detached.
[0035]
Thus, in this example, the terminals DT12, SG12, and FG12 of the board 23A and the electrodes DT12, SG12, and FG12 of the connector member 33 are connected to each other when the communication unit 20A is mounted in the unit mounting portion 40. A connector mechanism 50A that is automatically electrically connected and easily separated is configured.
[0036]
Even in the gas meter 1A of this example configured as described above, the communication unit 20A can be attached to and detached from the unit mounting portion 40, and the wiring connection thereof can also be attached and detached via the connector mechanism 50A. Therefore, even if the gas meter main body 20 and the communication unit 20A are separate, they can be used in a combined state. Therefore, installation work is not necessary because the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20A need not be connected with a long transmission line. Simple. Further, since the gas meter main body 10 and the communication unit 20A are not connected by a long transmission line, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained, such as being hardly affected by noise and lightning surge.
[0037]
Moreover, simply by mounting the communication unit 20A in the unit mounting portion 40, the terminals DT11, SG11, FG11 on the data processing terminal 14 side and the electrodes DT12, SG12, FG12 on the communication unit 20A side are automatically electrically connected. Since it can be connected, there is an advantage that the trouble of wiring connection can be saved.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the gas meter of the present invention is characterized in that the gas meter and the communication unit, which are configured separately, can be combined. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the gas meter main body and the communication unit are separate, they can be installed in a combined state, so that there is no need to connect the gas meter and the communication unit with a long transmission line. Construction is easy. Further, since the gas meter main body and the communication unit are not connected with a long transmission line, they are not easily affected by noise and lightning surge. Moreover, when a failure occurs in the communication unit, the communication unit can be easily replaced and adjusted because the communication unit can be easily removed while leaving the gas meter main body as it is.
[0039]
Also, if the data processing terminal side terminal and the communication unit side terminal are automatically electrically connected only by mounting the communication unit in the unit mounting part, the trouble of wiring connection can be saved. There is an advantage.
[0040]
Furthermore, since the unit mounting portion having an entrance that opens downward is configured , there is an advantage that it is easy to protect the communication unit mounted in the unit mounting portion from rainwater or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a communication unit-integrated gas meter of a configuration example serving as a basis of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view of a communication unit-integrated gas meter of a configuration example serving as a basis of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing, in an enlarged manner, a state in which a communication unit is attached to a unit mounting portion of a gas meter according to an example of the basic configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a wiring connection structure between a data input / output terminal of a data processing terminal built in a gas meter body and a data input / output terminal of a communication unit in a gas meter according to a basic configuration example of the present invention. is there.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state in which a communication unit is attached to a unit mounting portion of the gas meter in the gas meter according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a wiring connection structure between a data input / output terminal of a data processing terminal built in the gas meter body and a data input / output terminal of a communication unit in the gas meter according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas meter 10 Gas meter main body 14 Data processing terminal 17 Measurement chamber 20, 20A Communication unit 22 Socket member 26, 26A, 30, 30A Terminal block 33 Connector member 40 Unit mounting part 49 Entrance / exit 50 of communication unit, 50A Connector mechanism 51 Cable 53 Plug member DT1, SG1, DT11, SG11 Data input / output terminal of data processing terminal DT2, SG2, DT12, SG12 Data input / output terminal of communication unit

Claims (1)

In a gas meter having a gas meter body, a communication unit, and a data processing terminal that outputs a measurement result obtained by the gas meter body to the communication unit,
The gas meter body includes a unit mounting portion for detachably mounting the communication unit,
The data input / output terminal on the communication unit side mounted on the unit mounting portion and the data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal side are electrically connected via a detachable connector mechanism ,
The connector mechanism automatically and electrically connects the data input / output terminal on the communication unit side and the data input / output terminal on the communication unit side when the communication unit is mounted in the unit mounting part in the unit mounting part. The data processing terminal side data input / output terminal formed at a position to
The unit mounting portion extends in the vertical direction of the gas meter body, and an entrance for mounting the communication unit is open downward in the lower surface portion of the gas meter body,
The unit mounting portion is in a sealed state except for the entrance and exit, and a data input / output terminal on the data processing terminal side is formed on a ceiling portion of the unit mounting portion gas meter.

Images