JP3657638B2 - Gas appliance usage monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a gas appliance usage monitoring system that individually monitors the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances installed after a gas meter.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in general households where city gas is supplied, there are several gas appliances such as a gas water heater, a gas range, a gas cooker, a gas stove, a gas hot air heater, and a gas bath after the gas meter. It can be used individually as needed in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, etc. For this reason, when there are many gas appliances, the gas appliances in use may be left unintentionally forgotten.
[0003]
Forgetting to turn off gas appliances can cause overheating and incomplete combustion of the gas appliances and cause fire and gas poisoning. Conventionally, there has been a demand for safety management of gas supply.
[0004]
Here, as a means for monitoring the usage state of a gas appliance, a method of monitoring a gas flow rate with a flow meter installed in a gas meter and estimating a gas appliance in use from the gas flow rate is conventionally known.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the flow meter installed in the gas meter can only detect the total flow rate of the gas flowing through all the gas appliances installed after the gas meter, and cannot individually detect the gas flow rate flowing through the individual gas appliances. For this reason, in the conventional method, it is possible to estimate the gas appliance in use only when the gas appliance in use is a single one with a constant gas flow rate, and the gas flow rate varies depending on the load. There was a problem that it was not possible to individually monitor the appliance and a plurality of gas appliances used at the same time.
[0006]
Then, an object of this invention is to provide the usage condition monitoring system of the gas appliance which can monitor the usage condition individually about several types of several gas appliances.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving this object, the present invention is a system for individually monitoring the use status of a plurality of gas appliances installed after a gas meter, and is installed in each gas flow path of each of the gas appliances. A whistle device that generates a monitoring sound of a predetermined frequency corresponding to each gas appliance with a strength according to the gas flow rate by the gas flow flowing through the gas flow path, and a sound collecting the monitoring sound generated by the whistle device And a monitoring means for monitoring the usage status of each gas appliance based on the electrical signal from the microphone .
[0009]
[Action]
In the gas appliance usage monitoring system of the present invention adopting such means, when a plurality of gas appliances installed after the gas meter are used at the same time, for example, individual gas flow paths of the respective gas appliances in use Each whistle device installed in the unit generates a monitoring sound of a predetermined frequency corresponding to each gas appliance with a strength corresponding to the gas flow rate, and based on these monitoring sounds, the monitoring means accurately detects each gas appliance. Monitor usage. The gas appliance usage status monitoring system of the present invention has a structure that detects the usage status of each gas appliance by an inexpensive whistle device, and is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, the monitoring sound is collected by a microphone. Because of the configuration, it is not necessary to provide a special line means for sending signals.
[0010]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1 showing the basic configuration of the gas appliance usage status monitoring system, reference numeral 1 is a supply pipe drawn into each consumer from a conduit line under a road (not shown), reference numeral 2 is a gas meter connected to the supply pipe 1, reference numeral Reference numeral 3 denotes an indoor pipe routed indoors by a customer via the gas meter 2, and each of the indoor pipes 3 includes a water heater 4, a gas stove 5, and a gas stove 6 that are installed indoors as gas appliances. They are connected via branch pipes 3a, 3b, 3c.
[0011]
Here, each gas flow path in the water heater 4, the gas stove 5 and the gas stove 6 has a whistle that generates a monitoring sound of a predetermined frequency corresponding to each gas appliance with a strength corresponding to the flow rate of the gas flowing therethrough. Devices 7, 8, and 9 are installed as sounding means. That is, a whistle device 7 that generates a monitoring sound of, for example, 100 Hz corresponding to the hot water heater 4 with a strength corresponding to the gas flow rate is installed in the gas flow path of the hot water heater 4. A whistle device 8 that generates a monitoring sound of 201 Hz, for example, corresponding to the gas stove 5 with a strength corresponding to the gas flow rate is installed in the gas flow channel, and in the gas flow channel of the gas stove 6 according to the gas flow rate. A whistle device 9 that generates a monitoring sound of 301 Hz, for example, corresponding to the gas stove 6 with high strength is installed. In addition, you may make it install these whistle apparatuses 7, 8, and 9 in the pipe | tube end in the branch pipes 3a, 3b, and 3c connected to the water heater 4, the gas stove 5, and the gas stove 6, respectively.
[0012]
On the other hand, the gas meter 2 incorporates a microphone 13 that collects the monitoring sound generated by the whistle devices 7, 8, 9 through the indoor tube 3 and outputs it as an electrical signal. A control unit 14 constituting monitoring means for individually monitoring the use status of the hot water heater 4, the gas stove 5, and the gas stove 6 based on the electric signal from the microphone 13 is similarly incorporated in the gas meter 2. The microphone 13 and the control unit 14 may be portable and independent of the gas meter 2.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 14 serves as a processing unit for an electrical signal output from the microphone 13 that collects the monitoring sound. The control unit 14 amplifies the electrical signal. A band-pass filter 16 to be removed, an A / D converter 17 that converts an analog signal of the monitoring sound that has passed through the band-pass filter 16 into a digital signal, and the like.
[0014]
In addition, the control unit 14 performs frequency analysis on the monitoring sound of the digital signal converted by the A / D converter 17 and creates analysis data of the strength of the monitoring sound for each frequency, and each whistle A monitoring sound reference data memory 19 for each whistle device that individually stores monitoring sounds generated by the devices 7, 8 and 9 as monitoring sound reference data composed of a combination of frequency and intensity, and analysis from the signal analysis unit 18 By comparing the data with the monitoring sound reference data from the above-mentioned monitoring sound reference data memory 19 for each whistle device, the whistle devices 7, 8, 9 generating the monitoring sound are identified, so that the water heater 4, gas stove 5, The use gas appliance discriminating unit 20 for discriminating the use of the gas stove 6 and the discrimination signal from the use gas appliance discriminating unit 20 are input, and the elapsed time from the input time is counted for each use gas appliance. For each gas appliance that creates monitoring data of the continuous use time of the hot water heater 4, the gas stove 5, and the gas stove 6 being used from the counter 21 and the time data from the counter 21 and the discrimination signal from the gas appliance discrimination unit 20. A usage status monitoring unit 22 is provided as monitoring means. Then, the discrimination signal from the use gas appliance discrimination unit 20 is output to the display unit 24 such as an LCD, so that it is displayed whether the gas appliance in use is the hot water heater 4, the gas stove 5, or the gas stove 6. It has become so. The monitoring data created by the gas appliance usage status monitoring unit 22 is updated and stored in the monitoring data memory 25 as needed.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
For example, when a gas stove 5 and a gas stove 6 are used at the same time as gas appliances installed after the gas meter 2, the whistle device 8 corresponding to the gas stove 5 is monitored at a frequency of 201 Hz with a strength corresponding to the gas flow rate. Generate sound. At the same time, the whistle device 9 corresponding to the gas stove 6 generates a monitoring sound having a frequency of 301 Hz with a strength corresponding to the gas flow rate. Then, these monitoring sounds are collected by the microphone 13 in the gas meter 2 through the indoor tube 3. In addition, since the monitoring sound hardly leaks from the indoor tube 3 to the outside, there is no possibility that it becomes annoying.
[0016]
Each monitoring sound from the whistle devices 8 and 9 collected by the microphone 19 is amplified by the amplifier 15 as an electric signal in the control unit 14, noise is removed by the band pass filter 16, and a digital signal is obtained by the A / D converter 17. Is converted to
[0017]
Here, as shown in the control flow chart of FIG. 3, the digital signal from the A / D converter 17 is read into the signal analysis unit 18 as a monitoring sound signal (step S1), where it is frequency-analyzed and has a predetermined strength. 201 Hz monitoring sound analysis data and 301 Hz monitoring sound analysis data of a predetermined intensity are created (step S2).
[0018]
In the subsequent step S3, the generated monitoring sound of 201 Hz and the analyzed data of 301 Hz having the predetermined strength are stored in the monitoring sound reference data memory 19 for each whistle device by the use gas appliance discriminating unit 20, respectively. It is compared with monitoring sound reference data consisting of a combination of frequency and intensity. Based on the result of the double comparison between the strength and the frequency, the used gas appliance discriminating unit 20 identifies the whistle devices 8 and 9 generating the monitoring sound with high accuracy (step S4), and accordingly, the gas stove 5 and It is determined that the gas stove 6 is used at the same time (step S5). And according to this discrimination | determination result, the display part 24 displays that the gas stove 5 and the gas stove 6 are in use (step S6).
[0019]
On the other hand, the used gas appliance discriminating unit 20 outputs a discrimination signal to the usage status monitoring unit 22 for each gas appliance and the counter 21, so that the counter 21 distinguishes the continuous usage time of the gas stove 5 from the continuous usage time of the gas stove 6. (Step S7), the gas appliance usage status monitoring unit 22 refers to the time data from the counter 21 and the continuous use time monitoring data of the gas stove 5 and the gas stove 6 and the used gas appliance determination unit. Referring to the data, the monitoring data of the usage flow rate of the gas stove 5 and the gas stove 6 is respectively created (step S8). And the use time and the use flow rate of the gas stove 5 and the gas stove 6 are displayed on the display part 24 as needed (step S9). The monitoring data is updated and stored in the monitoring data memory 25 as needed (step S10).
[0020]
As described above, according to the gas appliance usage monitoring system of the present embodiment, even when the gas appliances such as the water heater 4, the gas stove 5, and the gas stove 6 installed after the gas meter 2 are used at the same time. The individual usage situation is discriminated with high accuracy based on the monitoring sound of the predetermined intensity and frequency generated by each of the whistle devices 7, 8, 9, and the gas appliance, the usage time and the usage flow rate for use are displayed on the display unit 24. Therefore, it is possible to accurately prevent forgetting to turn off the gas appliance.
[0021]
In addition, since the individual use status of gas appliances related to use can be obtained as monitoring data for continuous use time, it is possible to estimate forgetting to turn off individual gas appliances based on this monitoring data, and to notify the warning of forgetting to turn off each individual appliance. By performing in correspondence with the gas appliance, forgetting to turn off the gas appliance can be prevented more accurately.
[0022]
Furthermore, since the individual usage status of gas appliances related to use is held in the monitoring data memory 25 as monitoring data, it becomes possible to investigate the usage status of individual gas appliances by reading and counting the monitoring data, Useful for product development and demand forecast for gas appliances.
[0023]
Here, the gas appliance usage status monitoring system of this embodiment is advantageous in terms of cost because it has a structure for detecting the usage status of each gas appliance by the inexpensive whistle devices 7, 8, 9. In addition, since the monitoring sound is collected by the microphone 13, it is not necessary to provide a special line means for sending a signal.
[0024]
It should be noted that the relationship between the intensity of the monitoring sound generated by each of the whistle devices 7, 8 and 9 and the gas flow rate may vary depending on the condition of the piping to the hot water heater 4, the gas stove 5, and the gas stove 6. The relationship between the intensity of the monitoring sound generated by each of the whistle devices 7, 8, and 9 and the gas flow rate in a state where the gas appliance is piped is measured, and this calibration value is reflected in the monitoring sound reference data memory 19 for each whistle device. preferable.
[0025]
Moreover, in this embodiment, the discrimination result of the gas appliance used is displayed on the display unit 24 in the gas meter 2, but this display unit 24 is installed in an appropriate place such as a house that is easily noticeable. Also good. Further, the display unit 24 may be changed to an alarm device that issues a warning.
[0026]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the use status is monitored for the water heater 4, the gas stove 5, and the gas stove 6 installed in the house after the gas meter 2, but the target gas appliances are limited to these. No matter what kind of gas appliance such as a gas range, a gas cooker, a gas hot air heater, a gas bath, etc. may be used. For example, it is possible to monitor the use status of a large gas boiler installed in a factory.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the frequencies of the monitoring sounds generated by the whistle devices 7, 8, and 9 are 100 Hz, 201 Hz, and 301 Hz. However, these are merely examples, and other frequencies may be set. At this time, it is desirable that the monitoring sound generated by the whistle devices 7, 8, 9 is not an integral multiple. Actually, the signal processing may be performed by the control unit 14 in accordance with the frequency determined from the structure of the whistle devices 7, 8, 9.
[0028]
Furthermore, the number and types of circuits and members constituting the control unit 14 are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and may be realized by software.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of gas appliances installed after the gas meter are used at the same time, for example, each whistle device installed in each gas flow path of each gas appliance in use By generating a monitoring sound of a predetermined frequency corresponding to each gas appliance with strength according to the gas flow rate, and by specifying the individual gas appliance in use by the monitoring means with high accuracy based on these monitoring sounds, The usage status of each gas appliance can be accurately discriminated individually and monitored with high accuracy. At this time, since the structure is such that the use status of each gas appliance is detected by an inexpensive whistle device, it is advantageous in terms of cost, and a signal is sent because the monitoring sound is collected by a microphone. It is not necessary to provide a special line means.
[0030]
Therefore, it is possible to estimate the forgetting to turn off each gas appliance by monitoring the continuous use time of each gas appliance. It is also possible to prevent this.
[0031]
In addition, by storing the usage status of individual gas appliances as monitoring data, it is possible to investigate the usage status of individual gas appliances by reading and aggregating the monitoring data. Useful.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a gas appliance usage monitoring system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit in one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a control flowchart showing processing of a control unit in one embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply pipe 2 Gas meter 3 Indoor pipe 3a, 3b, 3c Branch pipe 4 Water heater 5 Gas stove 6 Gas stove 7, 8, 9 Whistle device 10, 11, 12 Shutoff valve 13 Microphone 14 Control unit 15 Amplifier 16 Band pass filter 17 A / D converter 18 Signal analysis unit 19 Monitoring sound reference data memory for each whistle device 20 Gas appliance discrimination unit 21 Counter 22 Gas appliance usage status monitoring unit 24 Display unit 25 Monitoring data memory

Claims (1)

A system for individually monitoring the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances installed after the gas meter,
A whistle that is installed in each gas flow path of each gas appliance and generates a monitoring sound of a predetermined frequency corresponding to each gas appliance with a strength corresponding to the gas flow rate by the gas flow flowing through the gas flow path. And a monitoring unit that has a microphone that collects a monitoring sound generated by the whistle device and outputs the collected sound as an electric signal, and monitors the usage status of each gas appliance based on the electric signal from the microphone . This is a gas appliance usage monitoring system.

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