JP3862476B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device that monitors the usage state of gas appliances that use city gas, LP gas, or the like, and more particularly to a gas shut-off device that ensures safety when the power capacity of a battery power source is consumed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional gas shut-off device of this type is known, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 disclosed in JP-A-10-103546. In the gas shut-off device 21 shown in FIG. 3, reference numeral 22 denotes a battery power source, which supplies power to the entire gas shut-off device. Reference numeral 23 denotes a shut-off valve, which stops or supplies gas to the gas appliance through the flow path. Reference numeral 24 denotes a voltage drop detection unit that detects a battery consumption voltage that is a voltage when the battery power source 22 is exhausted to a state where only a capacity capable of operating the gas cutoff device 21 remains within a predetermined operation guarantee time. Outputs a decrease signal A. Reference numeral 25 denotes an opening acceptance unit that accepts opening of the shut-off valve 23 from the time when the voltage drop signal A is input, and when there is an opening request (opening request switch or input of an opening signal by communication). An opening request signal C is output. A timer unit 26 counts a predetermined operation guarantee time from when the voltage drop signal A is input, and outputs a plug opening completion signal D. Reference numeral 27 denotes an opening function stop unit which outputs an opening stop signal E for stopping the opening according to the opening request signal C when the opening end signal D is input. 28 is a gas shut-off control unit which, when a voltage drop signal A or an opening stop signal E is input, closes the shut-off valve 23, and even when closed, an opening request signal is input before the opening stop signal E is input. When C is input, the shut-off valve 23 is opened.
[0003]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the voltage drop detection unit 24 checking the consumption level of the battery power supply 22 detects the battery consumption voltage, the voltage drop signal A is output to the gas cutoff control unit 28, the timer unit 26, and the opening acceptance unit 25. The gas cutoff control unit 28 to which the voltage drop signal A has been input outputs the first cutoff command signal B1, operates the cutoff valve 23, and closes the gas passage. The timer unit 26 starts counting when the voltage drop signal A is input, and there is a plug opening request in the plug opening receiving unit 25 until the timer unit 26 finishes counting for a predetermined time. When C is output, the gas shutoff control unit 28 opens the shutoff valve 23. When the timer section 26 finishes counting, an opening completion signal D is output, and the opening function stop section 27 outputs an opening stop signal E to the gas cutoff control section 28. The gas cutoff control unit 28 stops receiving the subsequent opening request signal C, outputs a second cutoff command signal B2, and closes the cutoff valve 23.
[0004]
Thus, in the gas shut-off device 21 attached to the flow path through which the medium gas such as city gas and LP gas flows, the voltage drop detection unit 24 is provided, and the voltage of the battery power source 22 is measured at predetermined time intervals. The degree of wear is monitored. That is, a lower limit voltage at which the gas shut-off device 21 can be operated is set in advance as an operation guarantee voltage, and a voltage value when the voltage is reversed for a required number of days from here is set as a battery consumption voltage. Reference numeral 24 monitors the battery voltage to detect the battery consumption voltage. Thus, during the period of the required number of days from when the battery consumption voltage is detected until the voltage of the battery power supply 22 drops to the operation guarantee voltage, the shutoff valve 23 can be opened and the grace period until the gas shutoff device 21 is replaced. Is provided.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above conventional configuration has the following problems. The voltage drop detection unit 24 detects a battery voltage in a predetermined consumption state and outputs a voltage drop signal A. The timer unit 26 starts counting, and the gas cutoff control unit 28 drives the cutoff valve 23 to supply gas. If the customer uses gas appliances at that time, a malfunction will occur. For example, when hot water boiled from a gas water heater is used for a shower etc., suddenly cold water is given to give a significant discomfort. was there.
[0006]
In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention improves the usability while ensuring safety when a gas consumer uses a gas appliance when a battery voltage drop state is detected, and improves safety and reliability. The object is to provide a high gas shut-off device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gas shut-off device of the present invention includes battery power supply means for supplying power, shut-off means for supplying and shutting off gas, flow rate detecting means for detecting gas flow rate, and voltage detecting means for monitoring the supply voltage of the battery power supply means. When the detected voltage by the voltage detecting means is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, it is determined that there is an abnormality and outputs a shutoff signal, and there is no flow rate from the output signal of the flow rate detecting means when the shutoff signal is output of the voltage abnormality judging means. And a cutoff signal delay means for delaying the cutoff signal until detection.
[0008]
Thus, when the voltage detection means detects that the supply voltage of the battery power supply is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage, a cutoff signal is output from the voltage abnormality determination means to the cutoff means, but when the gas flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means The gas consumer determines that the gas appliance is in use, the cutoff signal delay means temporarily stops outputting the cutoff signal to the cutoff means, and the customer stops using the gas appliance and there is no gas flow rate Since a shut-off signal is output to the shut-off means after detecting this, there is no problem that the customer suddenly gets cold water or gas is stopped during cooking, and it shuts off using the use of gas appliances. There is no such thing as leaving the gas appliance or the gas main plug at the end open due to a sudden gas supply stop, improving usability while ensuring safety.
[0009]
In addition, the period for delaying the shut-off signal is limited by the shut-off signal delay means, and the delay limit means for outputting the shut-off signal when a predetermined period elapses restricts the period for delaying the shut-off signal. Therefore, even if the gas appliance is used continuously, the safety is ensured because the shutdown is always performed after a predetermined period of time.
[0010]
Also, it is determined whether or not the flow rate value detected by the flow rate detection unit is abnormal, and an abnormality determination unit that outputs a cutoff signal to the cutoff unit at the time of abnormality determination, and measurement for a predetermined time when the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage Time measuring means, a return means for outputting a signal for returning the shut-off means to a state in which gas can be supplied to the shut-off means, and a time measured by the time measuring means when a predetermined time has passed or a predetermined time is measured by the time measuring means When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality determination means, it is detected that the supply voltage by the battery power supply means is lower than the predetermined voltage by providing the return prohibition means that prohibits the input of the return signal and outputs the cutoff signal to the cutoff means Then, while the interruption signal is output to the interruption means as described above, the time measurement by the time measurement means is started, and when the return signal is output from the return means during the time measurement, the interruption signal is output. Measures for abnormal use of gas appliances at the customer's house, such as detecting abnormally large flow rates due to gas leakage or hose disconnection, etc. When the detection means detects the gas supply, it outputs a cutoff signal for stopping the gas supply to the cutoff means, prohibits the input of the return signal from the return means by the return prohibition means, and maintains the gas supply stop state by the cutoff means. Prevents repeated use of gas appliances when the battery voltage, which is the power supply of the shut-off device, is reduced, eliminates the problem that the shut-off means cannot be driven due to battery power consumption, and makes the gas shut-off device safe And reliability can be improved.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, each embodiment of the gas cutoff device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
(First embodiment)
First, a gas shutoff device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. 1 is a control device, 2 is battery power supply means for supplying power to the entire gas shutoff device, and 3 is a flow path. And a shut-off means for stopping or supplying the gas supply to the gas appliance. 4 is a notification means for displaying the shut-off content of the gas shut-off device on the LCD element or LED element to notify the customer or the gas supplier, or to notify the gas security center using a communication line.
[0013]
In the control device 1, reference numeral 5 denotes a flow rate detecting means for detecting the amount of gas used. The flow rate detection means 5 is a flow rate detection method such as a flow rate measurement method by measuring propagation time using an ultrasonic element, a flow rate measurement method by measuring flow rate oscillation using the Coanda effect, or a membrane flow rate measurement method. Means can be applied. 6 is an external device means, for example, a gas leak alarm for detecting a gas leak, a seismic means for detecting an earthquake, or a pressure detecting means for detecting a gas pressure, which detects a gas leak or an earthquake. Or a signal is output when a gas pressure drop is detected.
[0014]
Reference numeral 7 denotes an abnormality determination means, which detects, for example, that one gas appliance has been used abnormally for a long time from the state of use of the gas detected by the flow rate detection means 5, or the external device means 6 causes a gas leak. When detecting or detecting an earthquake of a predetermined intensity or higher, a cutoff signal for stopping gas supply is output to the cutoff means 3.
[0015]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a return means which, when operated, outputs a return signal for starting gas supply to the shut-off means 3. Reference numeral 9 denotes a return prohibiting means, which determines whether or not a return signal from the return means 8 is output to the blocking means 3, and outputs it if it is not in the return prohibiting state, thereby opening the blocking means 3.
[0016]
A voltage detection means 10 monitors the output voltage of the battery power supply means 2 and outputs a voltage drop signal when it is detected that the voltage has dropped below a predetermined value. Reference numeral 11 denotes a voltage abnormality determination means. When a voltage drop signal is input from the voltage detection means 10, a cutoff signal is output to the cutoff means 3, and the use of the gas appliance is stopped. 12 is a shut-off signal delay means. When the shut-off signal is output from the voltage abnormality judging means 11, it is judged by the flow signal from the flow rate detecting means 5 whether the gas appliance is used. When the flow rate signal disappears, a shutoff signal is output.
[0017]
Reference numeral 13 denotes time measuring means. When a voltage drop signal is input from the voltage detecting means 10, counting of the usable time of the gas shutoff device after the battery voltage drop is detected is started. That is, the passage of time during which the safety monitoring of the usage state of the gas appliance can be performed in a normal voltage range is counted. When the measurement of usable time is completed by the time measuring means 13, a signal is output to the return prohibiting means 9 to prohibit the input of the return signal from the returning means 8, and a shutoff signal is output to the shutting means 3 to supply gas. Stop or keep stopped.
[0018]
If the abnormal determination state of the gas appliance is detected by the abnormality determination unit 7 before the count of the time measuring unit 13 reaches a predetermined time, a cutoff signal is output to the cutoff unit 3 and an abnormal state is detected by the return prohibition unit 9. Is output, and the return prohibiting means 9 prohibits the input of the return signal from the return means 8 and keeps the shutting means 3 in the shut-off state.
[0019]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the gas shut-off device is installed, the flow rate detecting means 5 and the external device means 6 monitor the usage state of the gas appliance of the gas consumer. During the use, when abnormal use is detected by the abnormality determining means 7, such as detecting that the gas stove has been used for an abnormal long time, the gas supply is stopped by outputting a cutoff signal to the cutoff means 3. .
[0020]
When the battery capacity of the battery power supply means 2 is exhausted for some reason under such monitoring conditions, the voltage detection means 10 detects a voltage drop state. When a voltage drop is detected by the voltage detection means 10, a voltage drop signal is output to the recovery prohibition means 9, the voltage abnormality determination means 11 and the time measurement means 13.
[0021]
When the voltage abnormality determination unit 11 receives the voltage drop signal, the voltage abnormality determination unit 11 outputs a blocking signal toward the blocking unit 3. This cutoff signal is first input to the cutoff signal delay means 12, and the cutoff signal delay means 12 determines the flow rate signal from the flow rate detection means 5. If a flow rate signal with no flow rate is input, the cutoff signal is cut off as it is. Output to means 3. If a flow rate signal with a flow rate is input, the consumer determines that the gas appliance is in use and delays the cutoff signal. Thereafter, when a flow rate signal without a flow rate is input from the flow rate detection means 5, it is determined that the use of the gas appliance is stopped, and a cutoff signal is output to the cutoff means 3. When a shut-off signal is input to the shut-off means 3, the shut-off means 3 shuts off the gas flow path and stops the gas supply. At the same time, the notification means 4 displays a voltage drop state on the LCD element, LED element, or the like. In addition, notify the gas supply company of abnormal voltage drop via a telephone line.
[0022]
Furthermore, when the time measuring means 13 detects the voltage drop state, it starts counting time and measures the usable time of the gas cutoff device after the battery voltage drop. When the counting of the predetermined time is completed by the time measuring means 13, the return prohibiting means 9 prohibits the reception of the return signal from the return means 8 and outputs a blocking signal to the blocking means 3. By this, by stopping the gas supply thereafter, it is notified that the safe usable time of the gas shut-off device has elapsed.
[0023]
On the other hand, during the time counting by the time measuring means 13 after receiving the voltage drop signal, the shut-off means 3 can be returned by the return signal from the return means 8, and the flow rate detecting means 5 and the external device means are in that state. 6, the usage state of the gas appliance of the consumer is detected, and the usage state is monitored by the abnormality determination means 7. That is, after receiving the battery voltage drop signal, when the time measuring means 13 is counting the time, for example, the gas stove is used abnormally for a long time, or the gas hose is disconnected for some reason and an abnormally high flow rate flows. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 7 determines that an abnormality has occurred. At that time, the time counting unit 13 stops counting the time, outputs a blocking signal to the blocking unit 3, and notifies the return prohibiting unit 9 of the blocking. 8, even if the return signal of the cutoff means 3 is input, the cutoff state is maintained and the input of the return signal is prohibited. Further, the user and the gas supplier are notified through the notification means 4 that the gas cannot be supplied unless the gas shutoff device itself is replaced thereafter.
[0024]
As described above, when the voltage detecting means 10 detects that the voltage of the battery power supply means 2 of the gas shut-off device has become a predetermined value or less, the voltage abnormality determining means 11 determines that the voltage is abnormal and outputs a cutoff signal. The signal delay means 12 determines whether the consumer is using the gas appliance at that time. If the gas appliance is being used, the gas supply stop is delayed until the use of the gas appliance is stopped. For example, when a gas supply is suddenly shut off when a voltage drop is detected while using a heater such as a gas stove, the return means 8 is used after the gas valve of the gas stove is once closed to use the gas again. The gas supply must be resumed by operating it, but there is a risk that the raw gas will be discharged if the gas valve is accidentally restored with the valve open. In order to prevent such a situation, the cutoff signal delay means 12 delays the cutoff signal until the flow rate detection means 5 detects that the gas flow rate has disappeared. Thereafter, even if the return means 8 is operated to restart the gas use, the gas cock of the gas appliance is always closed, so troubles such as gas leakage and CO gas leakage can be prevented, and safety and usability are improved.
[0025]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a gas cutoff device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the component same as the said 1st Embodiment, the same referential mark is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted and only a different point is demonstrated.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, a delay limiting means 14 is provided between the cutoff signal delay means 12 and the cutoff means 3 to limit the delay time of the cutoff signal to the cutoff means 3 by the cutoff signal delay means 12. . That is, when the gas detector is used continuously for a long time after the voltage detecting unit 10 detects the voltage drop state, and the flow rate signal without the flow rate is not input from the flow rate detecting unit 5 for a long time, the interruption signal delays. Set a time limit, forcibly output a cut-off signal after a predetermined period of time, even if the gas appliance is used continuously, always cut off by a voltage drop after a predetermined period, and notify the notification of the voltage drop state early and safety Is ensured.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The cutoff signal delay means 12 determines the flow rate signal from the flow rate detection means 5, and delays the cutoff signal when the consumer determines that the gas appliance is in use. At the same time, the delay limiting means 14 measures the delay time of the cutoff signal. If the flow rate signal with no flow rate is input from the flow rate detection unit 5 while the delay limit unit 14 is measuring the delay time of the cutoff signal, it is determined that the use of the gas appliance is stopped, and a cutoff signal is output to the cutoff unit 3, Is interrupted to stop the gas supply and the notification means 4 notifies the abnormal voltage drop state. On the other hand, when a flow rate signal without a long-time flow rate is not input and a predetermined limit of the delay time of the cutoff signal has elapsed, a cutoff signal is forcibly output from the delay limiter 14 to the cutoff unit 3 to shut off the gas flow path. Then, the gas supply is stopped, and the notification unit 4 notifies the voltage drop state at an early stage.
[0028]
As described above, when the gas appliance is used continuously, or when the user continuously uses the gas appliance, even if the battery voltage drops, the interruption signal is delayed indefinitely. There is a bug. In other words, the gas shut-off device continuously measures the gas flow rate and monitors the usage state of the gas appliance, so the battery capacity consumption continues to progress, especially when used in cold conditions in winter or hot conditions in summer. In the environment, the battery capacity is likely to be exhausted, and the battery voltage may decrease until a reliable monitoring / shut-off function is lost. Therefore, even if the battery voltage drops, the shut-off signal is not delayed indefinitely while the gas appliance is being used, but the delay limit means 14 provides a stop for the delay of the shut-off signal to forcibly shut off. As a result, it is possible to notify the gas user that the battery voltage is abnormal, and as a result, the replacement of the gas shut-off device can be promoted, and the gas appliance can be monitored safely, thereby improving the safety and usability of the gas shut-off device.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the gas shut-off device of the present invention, when the voltage detecting means detects that the supply voltage of the battery power supply is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage as described above, a shut-off signal is output from the voltage abnormality determining means to the shut-off means. However, when the gas flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means, the gas consumer determines that the gas appliance is in use, and the cutoff signal delay means temporarily stops outputting the cutoff signal to the cutoff means, and the consumer After detecting that there is no gas flow rate after stopping the use of the gas, a shut-off signal is output to the shut-off means, so there is no problem that the customer suddenly gets cold water or the gas is stopped while cooking, Because it shuts off between the use of gas appliances, the gas appliance and the gas main plug at the end are not left open due to sudden gas supply stop, and it is easy to use while ensuring safety To improve.
[0030]
In addition, the delay time of delaying the cut-off signal is limited by the cut-off signal delay means, and when the delay limit means for outputting the cut-off signal is provided when a predetermined time elapses, the time to delay the cut-off signal is limited, and when the predetermined time has elapsed Therefore, even if the gas appliance is continuously used, the shut-off is always performed after a predetermined time, so that safety is ensured.
[0031]
When it is detected that the voltage supplied by the battery power supply means is lower than the predetermined voltage, the interruption signal is output to the interruption means as described above, while the time measurement means starts the time measurement and returns during the time measurement. When a return signal is output from the means, the shut-off means is returned to enable gas use, and if an abnormal use state of the gas appliance is detected during the time measurement, the gas supply to the shut-off means is stopped. If the shut-off signal is output and the return prohibiting means prohibits the input of the return signal from the return means so that the gas supply stop state by the shut-off means is maintained, the battery voltage as the power source of the gas shut-off device decreases. In this situation, it is possible to prevent the abnormal use of the gas appliance from being repeated in a state where the battery is powered, and to eliminate the problem that the shut-off means cannot be driven due to the battery power consumption being exhausted. It is possible to increase the sex.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a gas cutoff device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the gas cutoff device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional gas cutoff device.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Battery power supply means 3 Shut-off means 5 Flow rate detection means 7 Abnormality determination means 8 Return means 9 Return prohibition means 10 Voltage detection means 11 Voltage abnormality determination means 12 Shutdown signal delay means 13 Time measurement means 14 Delay limit means

Claims (3)

Battery power supply means for supplying power, shutoff means for supplying and shutting off gas, flow rate detection means for detecting gas flow rate, voltage detection means for monitoring supply voltage of battery power supply means, and detection voltage by voltage detection means A voltage abnormality determining means for determining that an abnormality is detected when the voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage and outputting a cutoff signal, and delaying the cutoff signal until no flow is detected from the output signal of the flow rate detecting means when the cutoff signal is output of the voltage abnormality determining means A gas cutoff device comprising: a cutoff signal delay means. 2. The gas cutoff device according to claim 1, further comprising delay limitation means for limiting a period for delaying the cutoff signal by the cutoff signal delay means and outputting a cutoff signal when a predetermined period has elapsed. An abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not the flow rate value detected by the flow rate detection unit is abnormal, and outputs a cutoff signal to the cutoff unit at the time of abnormality determination; A measuring means, a return means for outputting a signal for returning the shut-off means to a gas supplyable state to the shut-off means, and when the time measured by the time measuring means has passed a predetermined time or during the predetermined time measurement by the time measuring means 3. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1, further comprising a return prohibiting means for prohibiting input of a return signal and outputting a shut-off signal to the shut-off means when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality determining means.

Images