JP4328675B2 - Multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus and portable gas monitor update processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus and a portable gas monitor update processing method for simultaneously performing calibration processing on a plurality of portable gas monitors, for example. Update processing for the next use of the portable gas monitor, such as information transmission processing of monitoring data related to the monitoring operation recorded in the gas monitor for gas, calibration processing of the gas detector and battery charging processing of the portable gas monitor The present invention relates to a multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus and an update processing method for a portable gas monitor.

In general, for example, in underground construction sites, tunnels, places where people enter, work areas, etc., there is a risk that dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide gas or hydrogen sulfide gas may be contained in the air of the environment. In many cases, there is a possibility that the air in the environmental atmosphere is in a dangerous state or in a dangerous state, such as when the oxygen gas concentration in the air may be lowered.
And when it becomes dangerous to humans due to the high concentration of dangerous gas contained in the air or low oxygen gas concentration, it is necessary to immediately know that It is.

Currently, a portable gas monitor for monitoring the concentration of oxygen gas, high-concentration combustible gas, low-concentration combustible gas, hydrogen sulfide gas, carbon monoxide gas, etc. "Monitor") is used.
A certain type of such a gas monitor includes a plurality of gas sensors that detect different types of gas components, and a recording unit that records monitoring data related to a monitoring operation such as a concentration change of the detection target gas. Therefore, a secondary battery (storage battery) is used as a drive source, and is carried and used by a person at a work site (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The acquired monitoring data is used, for example, to analyze the occurrence of gas leakage and prevent accidents caused by dangerous gases.

This type of gas monitor includes an information transmission process of monitoring data recorded in the recording means, a battery charging process, and a gas sensor calibration process performed as necessary after the end of the monitoring operation, for example, after a day of work. Next, so-called update processing for using the gas monitor is performed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device provided with a communication function, a charging function, and a calibration function as an apparatus used when performing a gas monitor update process.
JP 2002-116169 A

  In general, there are many cases where there are many measurement points that need to be monitored at a work site, or it is necessary to centrally monitor specific measurement points. In practice, there are multiple gas monitors. Is being used.

A gas monitor is usually required to calibrate the gas sensor every predetermined period, and calibration of the gas sensor is performed by supplying a standard concentration of gas (calibration gas) to the gas detector. ing.
Thus, when calibrating a large number of gas monitors, for example, a predetermined calibration gas is supplied to a certain gas monitor to calibrate the sensitivity of the gas sensor, and the calibration process for the gas monitor is completed. Thereafter, the calibration process for the next gas monitor is performed, and there is a problem that it takes a considerably long time to complete the calibration process for all the gas monitors.

Further, when monitoring is performed by a large number of gas monitors, it is necessary to perform an update process for all the gas monitors. However, when there are a large number of gas monitors, for example, it is disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above. If the update process is performed one by one with such a device, there is a problem that it takes a considerably long time to complete the required update process for all the gas monitors.
In particular, the information transmission processing of the monitoring data recorded in the gas monitor is performed by, for example, an infrared communication system for structural reasons such as the gas monitor itself being an explosion-proof structure that does not cause an explosion. The infrared communication method has a slower data transfer rate than the telecommunication method, so if the recorded monitoring data has a small amount of data, information is transmitted one by one for all of the gas monitors. Even if processing is performed, it does not take a long time for the information transmission processing to end, but the monitoring data records the concentration value change during a predetermined time before and after the alarm is issued, for example When there is a large amount of data such as things (trend data), it takes a considerable amount of time to complete the information transmission process, and much labor is required for the operator. It is inconvenient.

The present invention has been made based on the circumstances as described above. The first object of the present invention is to perform required calibration processing for all of a plurality of gas monitors at the same time, and to achieve high convenience. An object of the present invention is to provide a multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus having a novel configuration.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an information communication function and a charging function, and can perform a series of update processes including a calibration process for all of a plurality of gas monitors in a short time, and has high convenience. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus having the characteristics.
Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to update a portable gas monitor that can perform a series of update processes including a calibration process for all of a plurality of gas monitors in a short time, and that can provide high convenience. It is to provide a method.

The multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention has a function of recognizing a plurality of calibration modules to which a portable gas monitor is connected and a calibration module to which a portable gas monitor whose power is turned on is connected. A main gas supply channel is formed so that the calibration gas is sequentially supplied to each calibration module, and the calibration module precedes the calibration gas supply sequence. A gas discharge flow path is formed so that the discharged gas is introduced into a subsequent calibration module continuous with the calibration module.
Each calibration module is provided with a channel open / close valve in the branch gas supply channel from the main gas supply channel to the gas monitor and a check valve in the gas channel from the gas monitor to the gas discharge channel. And
The check valve has a valve body that closes the gas flow path by its own weight and opens the gas flow path by the pressure of the gas discharged from the gas monitor.

In the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, as the calibration module, at least a gas suction means provided for diffusion type gas monitor connection and for suction type gas monitor connection are used. ,
It is preferable that the calibration gas is sequentially supplied to each calibration module by the gas suction means in the suction type gas monitor and the gas suction means in the calibration module for connecting the diffusion type gas monitor.

  Further, in the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, each calibration module is provided with a recording means, and the information recorded in the gas monitor is recorded in the recording means and then transferred to the apparatus main body. It is preferable to have a communication function. In this case, a flash memory can be used as the storage means in the calibration module.

Furthermore, in the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that each calibration module has a charging output terminal for charging a battery of the portable gas monitor.
In the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that each calibration module is provided with a display mechanism for distinguishing and displaying the state of the portable gas monitor.
Furthermore, the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention is extremely useful when the number of calibration modules is five or more.

The portable gas monitor renewal processing method of the present invention uses the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus described above, and all of the plurality of portable gas monitors used for the monitoring operation are recorded in the gas monitor. A method of performing an update process including an information transmission process of information, a calibration process of a gas detection unit, and a battery charging process,
In the information transmission process, the gas monitor information including the monitoring data recorded in the portable gas monitor is simultaneously calibrated by the infrared communication method for all the calibration modules connected to the portable gas monitor whose power is turned on. The gas monitor information is transmitted to the module, temporarily recorded in the recording means of the calibration module, and then the gas monitor information is sequentially transferred from each calibration module by an electric communication system.

Further, in the portable gas monitor update processing method of the present invention, the calibration processing is performed by opening the channel opening / closing valve in each of the calibration modules connected to the portable gas monitor whose power is turned on. This is done by sequentially supplying the working gas to each calibration module.
Furthermore, in the portable gas monitor update processing method of the present invention, after the series of update processes for the portable gas monitor, the state of the portable gas monitor is the information transmission process, the calibration process, and the charging process. Differently displayed according to each processing result.

According to the multiple gas simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, the open / close state of the flow path on / off valve provided in each calibration module is controlled, and the calibration gas is connected to the gas monitor whose power is turned on. The specific check valve provided in the gas flow path on the discharge side is operated at a low pressure while being supplied only to the module, so that the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the gas flow path of the entire device should be reduced. As a result, smooth gas supply and gas discharge can be performed by the gas suction means having a low gas supply capability. Accordingly, although the gas suction means in the gas monitor and the gas suction means in the calibration module are used, a plurality of calibration modules can be connected in series. Since the gas can be supplied to each of them, the calibration process can be simultaneously performed on all of the plurality of gas monitors, and the processing time can be shortened.
Moreover, the calibration module connected to the gas monitor whose power is turned on is automatically recognized, and the necessary update process is performed for the gas monitor related to the calibration module. Since it is only necessary to perform a simple operation of turning on and connecting to the calibration module, the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus can be configured to have extremely high convenience.
In addition, it is possible to perform smooth gas supply and gas discharge by the gas suction means in the gas monitor and the gas suction means in the calibration module without separately providing a gas suction means such as a pump. In addition to simplification, it is possible to prevent the entire apparatus from becoming large.

  Further, according to the multiple gas simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, the data communication process between the gas monitor and the calibration module by the infrared communication method with the slow data transfer speed is performed simultaneously for all the calibration modules, and the data transfer speed is high. Data transfer from the calibration module to the main unit is performed sequentially by the electric communication method, so the processing time is greatly reduced compared to the case where the information recorded in the gas monitor is transferred sequentially by the infrared communication method. Can be Since the flash memory is used as the storage means provided in the calibration module, the monitoring data is not overwritten in the area where the monitoring data is once recorded due to the characteristics of the flash memory itself. Monitoring data can be recorded reliably, and reading of previously acquired monitoring data can be performed as needed separately from the update process.

  Furthermore, according to the multiple gas simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, since the charging process for the gas monitor can be performed simultaneously for all of the plurality of calibration modules, a series of update processes for all of the gas monitor can be performed efficiently and quickly. Can be done in time. Further, the present invention is extremely useful when the update process is performed for all of the five or more gas monitors.

  Further, according to the multiple gas simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention, the state of the gas monitor can be easily grasped by the display mechanism, so that the gas monitor in a normal state can always be used.

  According to the portable gas monitor update processing method of the present invention executed in the multiple gas simultaneous calibration apparatus, a series of update processing can be performed in a short time for all of the plurality of gas monitors, and the power supply is The calibration module to which the gas monitor that is turned on is connected is automatically recognized, and the necessary update process is performed on the gas monitor related to the calibration module, so the operator turns on the power of the gas monitor. Therefore, it is only necessary to perform the operation described above, and extremely high convenience can be obtained.

  The multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention does not have a suction-type portable gas monitor in which a test gas is introduced into a gas detection unit by a gas suction means, and does not have a gas suction means. As for any of the diffusion type portable gas monitors introduced into the gas detection unit by the calibration process for all of the plurality of gas monitors, the portable gas monitor can be connected to the communication terminal and In the case where a charging terminal is provided, a series of update processing including calibration processing of the gas detection unit can be performed. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a configuration in an example of a multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of the present invention.
The multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 recognizes a plurality of calibration modules 20 connected to each other so that calibration gases are sequentially supplied, and a calibration module 20 connected to a gas monitor 50 that is turned on. It is comprised by the apparatus main body 11 provided with the control mechanism 19 which has the function to perform.

The apparatus main body 11 includes a gas selection supply mechanism 12 that supplies a standard concentration gas selected from a plurality of different types of gases as a calibration gas.
The gas selective supply mechanism 12 includes a plurality of specific gas introduction flow paths 14 extending in parallel from each of a plurality of gas introduction ports 13 independent from each other, and a mixed gas flow in which these specific gas introduction flow paths 14 are connected. For example, an electromagnetic valve 16 is provided in each of the specific gas introduction flow paths 14. In FIG. 1, 17 is an air introduction flow path into which air outside the apparatus is introduced.
Different gas supply sources 18 different from each other are connected to each of the gas introduction ports 13.
As the specific gas, a gas corresponding to the detection target gas related to the gas monitor 50 connected to the calibration module 20 is used. Specifically, for example, oxygen gas, high concentration flammable gas, low concentration flammable gas, sulfide Examples thereof include hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas.

  Each solenoid valve 16 is configured such that its open / closed state is controlled independently from each other by the control mechanism 19, whereby a necessary gas is selected and one kind of gas is singly or plural kinds of gases are selected. It is mixed and supplied to each calibration module 20 from the gas discharge port 13A. The flow rate of the calibration gas supplied from the gas selective supply mechanism 12 is, for example, 0.35 to 0.5 liter / min, although it varies depending on the number of calibration modules 20 connected.

  The control mechanism 19 in the apparatus main body 11 has a function of identifying the calibration module 20 connected to the gas monitor 50 when the gas monitor 50 is mounted, specifically, a calibration module to which the gas monitor 50 is connected. It has a function of identifying which of the diffusion type gas monitor 50A and the suction type gas monitor 50B is connected by the 20 addresses.

The number of calibration modules 20 is, for example, five or more, and considering the gas supply capability of the entire apparatus, it is preferable that the number of calibration modules 20 is, for example, about ten.
In this embodiment, for example, ten calibration modules 20 are connected. For example, the same number of diffusion gas monitor connection 20A and suction type gas monitor connection 20B are provided in the order of supply of the calibration gas. Connected alternately. In FIG. 1, the connection state of the calibration module is omitted. Further, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, “the calibration module 20A for diffusion type gas monitor connection” and “the calibration module 20B for suction type gas monitor connection” are simply described as “the calibration module 20” without being distinguished. The same applies to the gas monitor 50.

Each calibration module 20 includes a calibration gas supply unit 21 for supplying the introduced calibration gas to the gas monitor 50.
The calibration gas supply unit 21 has two gas inlets 22A and 22B and two gas outlets 23A and 23B. In the calibration module 20, the first gas inlet 22A is connected to the first gas outlet 23A and is short-circuited. A flow path 41 is formed, and a branch gas supply flow path 42 extending from the short-circuit flow path 41 to the gas monitor 50 is provided with, for example, a solenoid valve 25 that is a flow path opening / closing valve.
Further, in the calibration gas supply unit 21, the gas gas formed so as to extend from the gas monitor 50 to the internal gas discharge channel 46 formed by connecting the second gas inlet 22B to the second gas outlet 23B. An individual gas discharge channel 47 extending from the monitor 50 to the internal discharge channel 46 is connected, and a check valve 26 is provided in the individual gas discharge channel 47.
Here, the diffusion gas monitor calibration module 20A is provided with a gas suction means 30 and a pressure sensor 31 at a position downstream of the electromagnetic valve 25 in the branch gas supply flow path 42 and downstream of the pressure sensor 31. A throttle portion 32 is formed at the position on the side. As the gas suction unit 30, a gas suction unit having a gas suction capacity of, for example, 0.4 to 0.45 liter / min is used.

The check valve 26 provided in the individual gas discharge channel 47 is a diaphragm valve having a film-like valve body made of, for example, chloroprene rubber, and the valve seat is formed in a horizontal plane.
This valve body is configured to close the individual gas discharge passage 47 by its own weight and open the individual gas discharge passage 47 with the pressure of the gas discharged from the gas monitor 50. The operating pressure is, for example, 0.02 kPa. It is as follows.
Since the check valve 26 having such a configuration is used, the valve body itself is lightweight, so that the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the gas flow path of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Without providing gas suction means or the like, the gas suction means 55 in the suction-type gas monitor 50B and the gas suction means 30 in the calibration module 20A for diffusion-type gas monitor can smoothly flow the gas, and many calibration modules 20 are connected. can do.

  Outside the calibration module 20, the first gas inlet 22A is connected to the gas selective supply mechanism 12 or the first gas outlet 23A of the preceding calibration module with respect to the supply order of the calibration gas, whereby the calibration module. A main gas supply channel 40 for sequentially supplying a calibration gas to each of the 20 is formed, and the second gas inlet 23A is connected to the second gas outlet 23B in the preceding calibration module. Thus, the gas discharge channel 45 is formed so that the gas discharged from the preceding calibration module sequentially flows through the subsequent calibration module. Accordingly, as described above, the plurality of calibration modules 20 are connected to each other so that the calibration gas and the gas discharged from the gas monitor 50 flow through each calibration module 20 sequentially. .

  In the above, the second gas inlet 22B in the first calibration module and the first gas outlet 23A in the last calibration module are closed with respect to the supply sequence of the calibration gas.

The gas monitor 50 includes a gas detection unit 51 including a plurality of gas sensors 51A that detect different types of gas components, and recording means for recording monitoring data relating to a monitoring operation such as a concentration change of each detection target gas. (Not shown), a secondary battery is used as a drive source, and is carried by a person at a work site.
In the suction type gas monitor 50B, a gas suction means 55 and a pressure sensor 56 are provided in this order in the gas flow direction in the gas introduction flow path 53 from the gas introduction port 52 to the gas detection unit 51. A throttle portion 57 is formed at a position downstream of the pressure sensor 56, and the gas discharge amount is, for example, 0.4 to 0.45 liter / min.

In the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 described above, the gas monitor 50 is calibrated as follows. That is, first, a total of ten gas monitors 50 including five diffusion-type gas monitors 50A and five suction-type gas monitors 50B are connected to the diffusion-type gas monitor when the power is turned on. The calibration module 20 to which the gas monitor 50 is connected is recognized by the control mechanism 19 in the apparatus main body 11 by being attached to the calibration module 20A for calibration and the calibration module 20B for connection to the suction type gas monitor. The gas suction means 30 in the calibration module 20A is activated and the solenoid valves 25 in all the calibration modules 20 are opened.
On the other hand, the control mechanism 19 in the apparatus main body 11 selects a gas necessary for the calibration of the gas monitor 50 and opens the electromagnetic valve 16 of the specific gas introduction path 14 related to the gas. Alternatively, the gas is sucked by the gas suction means 55 of the suction-type gas monitor 50B itself or the gas suction means 30 of the calibration module 20A for diffusion-type gas monitor connection in a state where a plurality of types of gases are mixed.

The calibration gas is sequentially passed through the calibration gas supply unit 21 in each calibration module 20 to which the gas monitor 50 is connected through the main gas supply channel 40, and in each calibration module 20, the first gas is supplied. A part of the calibration gas introduced from the inlet 22 </ b> A is introduced into the gas detector 51 of the gas monitor 50 through the branch gas supply channel 42 in a state where the gas flow rate is regulated by the electromagnetic valve 25. When there is a calibration module 20 to which the gas monitor 50 is not connected, all of the calibration gas introduced into the calibration gas supply unit 21 of the calibration module passes through the short-circuit channel 41 and the subsequent calibration. Introduced into the module.
The gas discharged from the gas monitor 50 after flowing through the gas detector 21 is in a state where the gas discharged from the preceding calibration module is prohibited from flowing into the gas monitor 50 by the action of the check valve 26. Thus, the gas is discharged to the internal discharge flow path 46. Thereafter, the gas is introduced into the subsequent calibration module through the gas discharge channel 45 and finally discharged from the last calibration module to the outside of the apparatus.
As described above, required calibration processing for all of the plurality of gas monitors 50, specifically, adjustment of sensitivity variations of the individual gas sensors 51A in the gas monitor 50, and sensitivity characteristics of the gas sensors 51A over time. The adjustment of the fluctuations of these is performed at the same time.

  As described above, the gas monitor 50 is configured to perform the information transmission process of the gas monitor information including the monitoring data acquired by the monitoring operation, the battery charging process, and the above-described gas detection unit after the monitoring operation is completed. The update process including the calibration process is performed.

Thus, each calibration module 20 in the above-mentioned multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 has an information communication function and a charging function, and is configured to be able to perform update processing of a plurality of gas monitors 50. .
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10, each calibration module 20 is connected to the apparatus main body 11 by a telecommunication connector 60 based on, for example, the RS-485 standard. The connection is achieved, and the gas monitor 50 and the calibration module 20 are interconnected by the infrared communication connector 61 based on, for example, the IrDA standard, thereby configuring an information transmission mechanism.
Each calibration module 20 is provided with a recording unit 62 made of, for example, a flash memory, and gas monitor information including monitoring data transferred from the gas monitor 50 by an infrared communication method is temporarily recorded in the recording unit 62. Is done.

The gas monitor information recorded in the gas monitor 50 includes, for example, monitoring history data such as pre-calibration concentration instruction value, post-calibration concentration instruction value, calibration date and time, and calibration deadline in addition to monitoring data acquired during the monitoring operation. Etc. are included.
Monitoring data includes, for example, an average value of concentration measurement values for a certain period of time at regular intervals, records of events such as alarms and failures as needed (interval trend data), and before and after an alarm is issued For example, a record of the peak value every 5 seconds in the concentration value change for 30 minutes (total 1 hour) (alarm trend data), a record of the type and time of the alarm when an alarm is issued (alarm event data) , A record of the type and time of a failure when a failure occurs (trouble event data).

  Each calibration module 20 is provided with a charging output terminal (not shown). When the gas monitor 50 is mounted at a predetermined position in an appropriate posture, the charging input terminal in the gas monitor 50 is provided. It is connected to an output terminal for charging in the calibration module 20.

As described above, the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 includes a gas monitor state in which the state of the gas monitor 50 connected to the calibration module 20 is displayed on one or both of the apparatus main body 11 and each calibration module 20 by, for example, light emission. A display mechanism 65 including a display light emitting unit 66 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 3, the gas monitor state display light emitting unit 66 includes two light sources 67 and 68 each formed of a light emitting diode, for example, and one of the light sources 67 displayed as “CAL” is calibrated. The results of the processing and the information transmission processing are displayed separately according to the lighting state and the coloring state, and the other light source 68 labeled “CHARGE” displays the charging processing state according to the lighting state and the coloring state. It is supposed to be.

In the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 described above, the update process for the gas monitor 50 after the completion of the monitoring operation is performed as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the operator turns on the power of the apparatus main body 11 and turns on the power of each of the diffusion gas monitor 50A and the suction gas monitor 50B. In this state, the diffusion gas monitor connection calibration module 20A and the suction gas monitor connection calibration module 20B are connected.

Then, the control mechanism 19 in the apparatus main body 11 determines whether or not the power source of the gas monitor 50 connected to the calibration module 20 is turned on, and the power source of the gas monitor 50 is turned off. When it is confirmed that it is confirmed (displayed as “NO” in FIG. 4), only the charging process is performed for the gas monitor 50.
On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the power source of the gas monitor 50 is turned on (displayed as “YES” in FIG. 4), the gas monitor 50 is recognized by the calibration module 20, and the gas monitor 50 is connected. In all the calibration modules 20, the gas monitor information including the monitoring data recorded in the gas monitor 50 is transferred (downloaded) to the recording means 62 of the calibration module 20 by the infrared communication method, and the gas monitor information is recorded in the recording means. 62. Such information transmission processing between the gas monitor 50 and the calibration module is performed independently of each other in all the calibration modules 20, and therefore, data communication processing is performed simultaneously for all of the gas monitors 50.
Thereafter, the gas monitor information recorded in the recording means 62 of the calibration module 20 is sequentially transferred from each calibration module 20 to the apparatus main body 11 by an electric communication method.

Next, the control mechanism 19 determines whether or not it is necessary to perform a bump test and a calibration process on the gas monitor 50 connected to the calibration module 20. Here, the “bump test” is, for example, for confirming whether the gas selectivity by each gas sensor 51A in the gas monitor 50 and the concentration indication value of the detection target gas by the gas sensor 51A are appropriate. It is.
The determination of the necessity of performing the bump test and the calibration process by the control mechanism 19 is made based on the calibration history data about the gas monitor 50 included in the transferred gas monitor information. Specifically, when it is confirmed that the gas monitor 50 has been used for a certain period since the start of use or when the previous bump test was performed (indicated as “YES” in FIG. 4), the gas monitor 50 50, a bump test is performed by supplying the necessary gas from the gas selective supply mechanism 12. As a result of the bump test, when it is confirmed that the gas selection performance of the gas monitor 50 is deteriorated or the concentration indication value is not appropriate (indicated as “NG” in FIG. 4). The above-described calibration process is performed on the gas monitor 50.
The criteria for determining the result of the bump test is, for example, a case where the difference in the detected concentration indication value with respect to the actual concentration of the detection target gas component relating to each gas sensor 51A is within a range of ± 10 to 30% or less. It is assumed that the performance of the gas monitor 50 is improved (indicated as “OK” in FIG. 4).

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the gas monitor 50 does not need to perform the bump test (indicated as “NO” in FIG. 4), and as a result of the bump test, the performance of the gas monitor 50 is improved. When the improvement is confirmed (displayed as “OK” in FIG. 4), the control mechanism 19 transfers the determination process for determining whether or not the gas monitor 50 needs to be calibrated. This is performed based on calibration history data for the gas monitor included in the monitor information.
When it is confirmed that the gas monitor 50 has been used for a certain period of time since the start of use or the previous calibration process (indicated as “YES” in FIG. 4), the gas monitor 50 is described above. The calibration process as described above is performed.

When it is confirmed that the gas monitor 50 does not need to be calibrated, and when the required calibration process is completed, the calibration module 20 becomes inoperative and a predetermined time has elapsed. Thereafter, the power source of the gas monitor 50 is automatically turned off by the control mechanism 19.
Then, after the gas monitor 50 is turned off, the gas monitor 50 is charged. Here, the time required for the charging process of the gas monitor 50 is, for example, about 2 hours at the longest.
In the above, the deadline for the bump test and the deadline for the calibration process for the gas monitor 50 are set as appropriate, and the deadline for the bump test is, for example, 30 days, and the deadline for the calibration process is 90 days.

When a series of update processes for the gas monitor 50 as described above is completed, the state of the gas monitor 50 is changed to two light sources 67 and 68 by one or both of the apparatus main body 11 and the gas monitor display light emitting unit 66 in each calibration module 20. Are distinguished and displayed according to the lighting state and the coloring state.
When a specific display example is shown, for example, when one or both of the bump test and the calibration process are performed at the time when a series of update processes are completed, and the result of the bump test and the calibration process are both good, When one of the light sources 67 is lit in green and the charging process is completed, the other light source 68 is lit in green. When the gas monitor 50 is attached to the calibration module 20 with the power off, the one light source 67 is turned off and the other light source 68 is lit in green. Furthermore, if the result of the bump test is defective or the required calibration process has not been executed, one of the light sources 67 is lit in red, and both the bump test and the calibration process are determined to be unnecessary and have not been executed. In this case, one of the light sources 67 is turned on in yellow, indicating that the information transmission process has been completed.

Thus, according to the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus having the above-described configuration, the open / close state of the electromagnetic valve 25 provided in each calibration module 20 is controlled so that the calibration gas is turned on. 50 is supplied only to the calibration module 20 connected thereto, and the specific check valve 26 provided in the individual gas discharge channel 47 is operated with a small pressure, so that the gas channel in the entire apparatus flows through. As a result of reducing the pressure loss of the gas, smooth gas supply and gas discharge can be performed by the gas suction means having a low gas supply capability. Accordingly, a plurality of calibration modules 20 can be connected in series while using the gas suction means 55 in the suction-type gas monitor 50B and the gas suction means 30 in the diffusion-type gas monitor calibration module 20A. Since the working gas can be continuously supplied to each calibration module 20, the calibration process can be simultaneously performed on all of the plurality of gas monitors 50, and the processing time can be shortened.
In addition, the calibration module 20 connected to the gas monitor 50 whose power is turned on is automatically recognized, and a necessary update process is performed on the gas monitor 50 related to the calibration module 20. Since only the simple operation of turning on the power of the gas monitor 50 and connecting it to the calibration module 20 has to be performed, the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 can be configured to have extremely high convenience.
Further, without providing a separate gas suction means such as a pump, the gas suction means 55 in the suction-type gas monitor 50B and the gas suction means 30 in the diffusion-type gas monitor calibration module 20A perform smooth gas supply and gas discharge. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of piping and the like and to prevent the entire apparatus from becoming large.

In addition, the data communication process between the gas monitor 50 and the calibration module 20 using the infrared communication method with a low data transfer speed is performed simultaneously for all of the calibration modules 20, and the calibration module 20 using the electric communication system with a high data transfer speed is used. Since the process of transferring the gas monitor information to the main body 11 is sequentially performed, the processing time can be greatly shortened compared with the case where the gas monitor information including the monitoring data is sequentially transferred from the gas monitor 50 by the infrared communication method. Can be planned.
Since the flash memory is used as the storage means 62 provided in the calibration module 20, the area where the monitoring data is recorded is not overwritten due to the characteristics of the flash memory itself. The monitoring data to be recorded can be reliably recorded, and the monitoring data acquired previously can be read out as needed separately from the update process.

Furthermore, since each calibration module 20 is provided with an output terminal for charging, the charging process for the gas monitor 50 can be performed simultaneously for all of the plurality of calibration modules 20, so a series of all the gas monitors 50 can be performed. Can be performed efficiently and in a short time.
As described above, according to the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration, the required update process can be performed in a short time for all of the plurality of gas monitors 50. This is extremely useful when updating all of them.

  In addition, the state of the gas monitor 50 is displayed by being distinguished by the lighting state and the coloring state of the two light sources 67 and 68 by one or both of the gas monitor display light emitting unit 66 in the apparatus main body 11 and each calibration module 20. Since the operator can easily grasp the state of the gas monitor 50, the gas monitor in a normal state can always be used.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change can be added.
For example, the number of calibration modules connected, i.e., the number of gas monitors to be updated at one time, can be set as appropriate, and all calibration modules can be connected to diffusion gas monitors and You may comprise only any one of the things for a suction type gas monitor connection.

  In addition, it is not necessary to connect gas monitors to all calibration modules, and even when a gas monitor is connected in the presence of a calibration module that is not connected to a gas monitor, calibration with a gas monitor connected Since the module is automatically recognized and the required update process is performed for the gas monitor related to the calibration module, there is substantially no problem. Further, since the operator can freely select the calibration module to which the gas monitor is not connected and connect the gas monitor, high convenience can be obtained.

  After performing the charging process of the gas monitor used for the monitoring operation in advance, the required update process may be performed. In this case, the gas monitor with the power turned off may be connected to the calibration module to perform the charging process, and then the gas monitor may be turned on.

  The calibration process of the gas monitor does not need to be performed for all of the gas monitors connected to the calibration module, and may be performed only for those specified in the apparatus main body.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a structure in an example of the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of one structural example of the information transmission mechanism in the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the light emission part for gas monitor status displays. It is a flowchart figure of the update process of the gas monitor performed in the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus 11 Apparatus main body 12 Gas selection supply mechanism 13 Gas introduction port 13A Gas discharge port 14 Specific gas introduction flow path 15 Mixed gas flow path 16 Solenoid valve 17 Air introduction flow path 18 Specific gas supply source 19 Control Mechanism 20 Calibration module 20A Calibration module for diffusion type gas monitor connection 20B Calibration module for connection with suction type gas monitor 21 Gas supply unit for calibration 22A First gas inlet 22B Second gas inlet 23A First gas outlet 23B Second Gas outlet 25 Solenoid valve 26 Check valve 30 Gas suction means 31 Pressure sensor 32 Restriction part 40 Main gas supply flow path 41 Short-circuit flow path 42 Branch gas supply flow path 45 Gas discharge flow path 46 Internal gas discharge flow path 47 Individual gas discharge Flow path 50 Gas monitor 50A Diffusion gas monitor 50B Suction type Monitor 51 Gas detector 51A Gas sensor 52 Gas inlet 53 Gas inlet passage 55 Gas suction means 56 Pressure sensor 57 Throttle part 60 Connector for electrical communication 61 Connector for infrared communication 62 Recording means 65 Display mechanism 66 Gas monitor status display Light emitting unit 67 One light source 68 The other light source

Claims (10)

Each includes a plurality of calibration modules to which a portable gas monitor is connected, and an apparatus main body having a control mechanism having a function of recognizing the calibration module to which the portable gas monitor is turned on. The main gas supply channel is formed so that the calibration gas is sequentially supplied to each calibration module, and the gas discharged from the calibration module preceding the calibration gas supply sequence continues to the calibration module. A gas discharge channel is formed to be introduced into the subsequent calibration module,
Each calibration module is provided with a channel open / close valve in the branch gas supply channel from the main gas supply channel to the gas monitor and a check valve in the gas channel from the gas monitor to the gas discharge channel. And
The check valve has a valve body that closes the gas flow path by its own weight and opens the gas flow path by the pressure of the gas discharged from the gas monitor. As the calibration module, at least a gas suction means provided with a diffusion gas monitor connection and a suction gas monitor connection are used,
2. The plurality of gases according to claim 1, wherein the calibration gas is sequentially supplied to each calibration module by the gas suction means in the suction type gas monitor and the gas suction means in the calibration module for connecting the diffusion type gas monitor. Monitor simultaneous calibration device.   Each calibration module is provided with a recording means, and has an information communication function for transferring information recorded in the gas monitor to the apparatus main body after recording the information recorded in the recording means. Item 3. The simultaneous calibration device for multiple gas monitors according to Item 2.   4. The multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage means in the calibration module comprises a flash memory.   5. The multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration according to claim 1, wherein each calibration module is provided with a charging output terminal for charging a battery of the portable gas monitor. apparatus.   6. The multi-gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each calibration module is provided with a display mechanism for distinguishing and displaying the state of the portable gas monitor.   The multi-gas monitor simultaneous calibration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number of calibration modules is five or more. Using the multiple gas monitor simultaneous calibration device according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
Each of the plurality of portable gas monitors used for the monitoring operation is a method of performing update processing including information transmission processing of information recorded in the gas monitor, calibration processing of the gas detection unit, and battery charging processing. And
In the information transmission process, the gas monitor information including the monitoring data recorded in the portable gas monitor is simultaneously calibrated by the infrared communication method for all the calibration modules connected to the portable gas monitor whose power is turned on. An update processing method for a portable gas monitor, wherein the gas monitor information is transmitted to the module and temporarily recorded in the recording means of the calibration module, and then the gas monitor information is sequentially transferred from each calibration module by an electric communication method.   In the calibration process, the flow path on / off valve in each calibration module connected to a portable gas monitor whose power is turned on is opened, and calibration gas is sequentially supplied to each calibration module. An update processing method for a portable gas monitor according to claim 8.   After a series of update processes for a portable gas monitor, the status of the portable gas monitor is displayed separately according to the processing results of the information transmission process, the calibration process, and the charging process. An update processing method for a portable gas monitor according to claim 8 or 9.