JP4487551B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device that prevents a gas accident in advance.

  Conventionally, this type of gas shut-off device periodically detects the voltage of the battery that is the power source of the apparatus, and notifies the outside or shuts off the gas passage when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value. (For example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260688)

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the passing gas flow rate.
2 is a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate from the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 901 and outputs a gas flow rate value, 903 is a shut-off valve that opens and closes the gas passage, 904 is a valve drive unit that drives the shut-off valve 903 to open and close, 905 is a notification unit composed of an LED and an LCD, 906 is a communication unit that communicates with the center, 907 is a battery as a power source for the gas shut-off device, 908 is a voltage supply that supplies battery voltage to the pseudo-resistive load 909 In other words, the pseudo-resistive load 909 has a resistance value such that the direct-current power is equivalent to that of the shut-off valve load. Reference numeral 910 denotes voltage detection means for measuring the voltage of the pseudo load resistor 909, and reference numeral 911 denotes a control unit constituted by a microcomputer (CPU). The control unit 911 integrates the accumulated value stored in the inside based on the flow rate signal from the flow rate measuring unit 902, while the security data (internally stored based on the flow rate signal from the flow rate measuring unit 902 ( For example, when it is determined that an abnormal value such as gas leakage is detected compared with the abnormal flow rate determination value), the valve drive unit 904 is driven to operate the shut-off valve 903 to close the gas passage and ensure the safety of the gas. Is notified by the notification unit 905, and the communication unit 906 notifies the center or the like remotely. Further, when the control unit 911 operates the voltage supply unit 905 at a predetermined cycle to energize the pseudo resistance load 909 and measures the voltage of the pseudo load resistor 909 at that time by the voltage detection unit 910, when the voltage drops below the specified voltage by a predetermined number of times The notification unit 905 notifies the user.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-40063

  However, in the conventional gas shut-off device, the battery of the gas shut-off device measures whether or not the shut-off valve can be operated at a predetermined voltage regardless of the ambient temperature where the gas shut-off device is installed. When there is a notification from the notification unit, it is necessary to quickly replace the gas shut-off device or replace the battery. When the time of notification of battery voltage drop overlaps and the number of calls increases, it may not be possible to replace the gas shutoff device or replace the battery.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and predicts the battery life of the gas shut-off device by accurately measuring the battery voltage under the condition of a predetermined temperature. An object of the present invention is to provide a replacement of a gas shutoff device or a battery.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the gas shutoff device of the present invention is provided with a battery voltage detecting means and a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the installation place, and the controller periodically detects the temperature from this temperature detecting means. The battery voltage detection means detects the voltage at a predetermined temperature, stores this voltage in time series, and notifies the outside by the communication unit and the notification unit when the change gradient of the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined value. To do. This makes it possible to predict the battery replacement time or the gas shut-off device replacement time, and efficiently plan where and where the gas shut-off device or battery is to be replaced.

  The gas shut-off device of the present invention predicts the battery life by measuring the battery voltage at a constant temperature and detecting the change in the battery voltage, and predicts the battery replacement time of the gas shut-off device in advance. Efficient gas cutoff device replacement and battery replacement can be performed.

The first invention comprises a temperature detection means and a battery voltage detection means for detecting the battery voltage, and when the controller periodically detects the temperature from the temperature detection means and matches a predetermined temperature, the battery voltage The battery voltage is detected by operating the detecting means, and when the change gradient of the voltage from the previous measurement exceeds a predetermined value, it is notified to the outside, and the battery voltage is measured at a constant temperature. By detecting a change in voltage, it is possible to predict the battery life and predict the time of battery replacement of the gas cutoff device in advance, so that the planned and efficient replacement of the gas cutoff device and the battery can be performed.

Following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas shut-off device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate of the passing gas, 102 is a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of the passing gas from the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 101, and outputs a gas flow rate value. A shut-off valve that opens and closes, 104 is a valve drive unit that drives the shut-off valve 103 to open and close, 105 is a notification unit configured by an LED and an LCD, 106 is a communication unit that communicates with the center, and 107 is a power source for the device Battery 108 is a voltage supply means 109 and a battery voltage detection means configured by A / D conversion, 109 is a voltage supply means configured by a resistor and a transistor to turn on / off the transistor at the time of voltage measurement, 111 is a voltage supply means 109 A / D conversion means for transmitting the voltage when the signal is turned on to the control unit (CPU), 112 is a voltage supply means 113, a regulator 117, and a thermistor 14 and an A / D conversion means 115, a temperature detection means 113 comprising a resistor and a transistor, a voltage supply means for turning on / off the transistor when measuring temperature, 114 a thermistor as a temperature sensor, and 115 a voltage supply A / D conversion for transmitting the voltage of the thermistor when the means 113 is turned on to the control unit (CPU) as temperature data, 116 is a control unit constituted by a CPU (microcomputer).

  The control unit 116 integrates the accumulated value stored in the inside based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 102, while maintaining the internal value based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 102. When it is determined that the value is abnormal such as gas leakage compared to the data, the valve driving unit 104 is driven to operate the shutoff valve 103 to close the gas passage to ensure the safety of the gas. And the communication unit 106 notifies the center or the like remotely.

  Further, the control unit 116 periodically (once every hour) turns on the voltage supply means 113 of the temperature detection means 112 and energizes the thermistor 114 via the regulator 117 to supply the voltage of the thermistor 114 from the A / D conversion means 115. When it is read as temperature data and coincides with a predetermined temperature (for example, 10 ° C.), the voltage supply means 109 of the battery voltage detection means 108 is turned on, the battery voltage is read from the A / D conversion means 111, and the battery read last time When the difference ΔV from the voltage becomes a predetermined value (for example, 0.1 V) or more, the content is notified by the notification unit 105 and the communication unit 106 is remotely notified to the center or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows the battery capacity and battery voltage characteristics. If the load is only a circuit load and there is no special load, the characteristics shown by the discharge curve at the time of the circuit load are obtained. It has the characteristic that the voltage gradient increases as it approaches the end of life. If the previous measurement voltage is 3.00V and the battery voltage at the current measurement is 2.9V, ΔV = 0.1V, which is notified by the notification unit 105 and remotely notified to the center or the like by the communication unit 106. . Assuming that the minimum operating voltage (2.0 V) of the gas shut-off device is a one-dot broken line, it is possible to estimate how much battery life is until the minimum operating voltage is reached from this ΔV as shown in FIG.

  The above-described control can be easily realized by using a calculation or determination function based on a program operation of the microcomputer.

FIG. 3 shows a program flowchart when the control unit 116 is operating. In process 301, it is checked whether or not a predetermined period (1 hour) has elapsed. If it has not elapsed, the passage of 1 hour is monitored again. If 1 hour has elapsed, the process proceeds to process 302. In process 302, the temperature data is read from the temperature detection means 112, and in process 303, it is checked whether the temperature data is a predetermined temperature (10 ° C.). If it is 10 ° C., the process proceeds to process 304. In process 304, the battery voltage data from the battery voltage detection means 108 is read and stored, and the process proceeds to process 305. In step 305, it is determined whether or not the difference ΔV between the battery voltage of the previous measurement and the battery voltage of the current measurement is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If it is within the predetermined value, the process returns to the process 301. If the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the content is notified by the notification unit 105 and the communication unit 106 is remotely notified to the center or the like by processing 306.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a gas shut-off device in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 401 is a flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the passing gas flow rate, 402 is a flow rate measuring unit that measures the passing gas flow rate from the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 401 and outputs a gas flow rate value, and 403 is a gas passage. A shut-off valve that opens and closes, 404 is a valve drive unit that drives the shut-off valve 403 to open and close, 405 is a notification unit that includes an LED and an LCD, 406 is a communication unit that communicates with the center and the like, and 407 is a power source for the device Battery 408 is a voltage supply means 409 and battery voltage detection means constituted by A / D conversion, 409 is constituted by a resistor and a transistor, voltage supply means for turning on / off the transistor at the time of voltage measurement, 411 is voltage supply means 409 A / D conversion means for transmitting the voltage when the signal is turned on to the control unit (CPU), 412 is a voltage supply means 413, a regulator 117, and a thermistor. 14 and a temperature detecting means composed of A / D converting means, 413 is a voltage supply means composed of a resistor and a transistor and turns the transistor ON / OFF at the time of temperature measurement, 414 is a thermistor resistance as a temperature sensor, and 415 is a voltage supply A / D conversion means for transmitting the temperature of the thermistor when the means 113 is turned on to the control section 116 (CPU) as temperature data, 116 is a control section constituted by a CPU (microcomputer), 417 is a battery voltage detection means 408 The storage unit 418 stores the battery voltage data read from the temperature, the temperature data read from the temperature detection means 412 at that time, and the time, and holds the change gradient determination value sent from the communication unit 406 via the control unit 116. It is a change gradient determination value holding means. The control unit 416 integrates the integrated value stored inside based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 402, while maintaining the internal value based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 402. When it is determined that an abnormal value such as gas leakage is detected as compared with the data, the valve driving unit 404 is driven to operate the shutoff valve 403 to close the gas passage to ensure the safety of the gas. And the communication unit 406 notifies the center or the like remotely. In addition, the control unit 416 holds the change gradient determination value sent from the communication unit 406 in the change gradient determination value holding unit 418. Further, the control unit 416 periodically (once every hour) turns on the voltage supply unit 413 of the temperature detection unit 412 to energize the thermistor 414 through a regulator, and converts the thermistor voltage from the A / D converter 415 as temperature data. If the read voltage matches a predetermined temperature (for example, 10 ° C.), the voltage supply means 409 of the battery voltage detection means 408 is turned on to read the battery voltage from the A / D conversion 411, and the battery voltage data and temperature at that time While the temperature data read from the detection means 412 and the time are stored, if the difference ΔV between the battery voltage read last time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 0.15 V) held in the change gradient determination value holding means 418. The content is notified by the notification unit 405, and the communication unit 406 notifies the center or the like remotely. Further, in response to a request from the communication unit 406, the control unit 416 sends each data stored for a predetermined period (three months) to the center via the communication unit 406. On the center side, characteristics similar to those of the battery capacity and battery voltage shown in FIG. 2 can be grasped for a long time, and the change gradient judgment value is determined from the center according to the construction system for battery replacement and gas shutoff device replacement. Can be changed.

  The above-described control can be easily realized by using a calculation or determination function based on a program operation of the microcomputer.

FIG. 5 shows a program flowchart when the control unit 416 is operating. The process 501 holds the voltage change gradient determination value sent from the outside via the communication unit 406 in the change gradient determination value holding unit 418. In process 502, if there is a request from the communication unit 406 from the outside, each data stored for a predetermined period (three months) is sent to the center via the communication unit 406. In process 503, it is checked whether or not a predetermined period (1 hour) has elapsed. If it has not elapsed, the passage of 1 hour is monitored again. If 1 hour has elapsed, the process proceeds to process 504. In process 504, the temperature data is read from the temperature detecting means 412, and in process 505, it is checked whether or not the temperature data is a predetermined temperature (10 ° C.). If it is 10 degreeC, it will move to the process 506. In process 506, the battery voltage data from the battery voltage detection means 408 is read and stored, and the process proceeds to process 507. In process 507, the battery voltage data, temperature data, and time at that time are stored in the storage unit 417. In step 508, it is determined whether or not the difference ΔV between the battery voltage of the previous measurement and the battery voltage of the current measurement is greater than or equal to the change gradient determination value stored in the change gradient determination value holding unit 418. If it is within the change gradient determination value, the process returns to the process 501. If the change gradient determination value is equal to or greater than the change gradient determination value, the content is notified by the notification unit 405 and the communication unit 406 notifies the center or the like remotely by processing 509.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a gas shut-off device in the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the passing gas flow rate, 602 denotes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a passing gas flow rate from the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 601 and outputs a gas flow rate value, and 603 denotes a gas passage. A shut-off valve that opens and closes, 604 is a valve drive unit that drives the shut-off valve 603 to open and close, 605 is a notification unit composed of an LED and an LCD, 606 is a communication unit that communicates with the center and the like, and 607 is a power source of the device A battery, 608 is a battery voltage detection means constituted by a voltage supply means 609 and A / D conversion, 609 is constituted by a resistor and a transistor, and is a voltage supply means for turning on / off the transistor at the time of voltage measurement, 611 is a voltage supply means 609 A / D conversion for transmitting a voltage when the signal is turned on to a control unit (CPU), 612 is a voltage supply means 613 and a regulator, and a thermistor 614 and A Temperature detection means composed of D conversion, 613 is composed of a resistor and a transistor and is a voltage supply means for turning the transistor ON / OFF at the time of temperature measurement, 614 is a thermistor resistance as a temperature sensor, 615 is a voltage supply means 613 is turned on A / D conversion that transmits the thermistor voltage as temperature data to the control unit (CPU), 616 is a control unit configured by a CPU (microcomputer), and 617 is sent from the communication unit 606 via the control unit 616. It is a set temperature holding means for holding a predetermined temperature when measuring the incoming battery voltage. The control unit 616 integrates the accumulated value stored inside based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 602, while maintaining the internal value based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 602. When it is determined that an abnormal value such as gas leakage is detected as compared with the data, the valve drive unit 604 is driven to operate the shutoff valve 603 to close the gas passage to ensure the safety of the gas. And the communication unit 606 notifies the center or the like remotely. Further, the control unit 616 stores temperature data when measuring the battery voltage sent from the outside via the communication unit 606 in the set temperature holding unit 617. Further, the control unit 616 periodically turns on the voltage supply unit 613 of the temperature detection unit 612 to energize the thermistor 614 via a regulator and converts the voltage of the thermistor from the A / D converter 615 as temperature data. The temperature data stored in the set temperature holding means 617 is read, and if it matches this temperature (for example, 5 ° C.), the voltage supply means 609 of the battery voltage detection means 608 is turned on and the A / D conversion 611 turns the battery The voltage is read, and if the difference ΔV from the previously read battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 0.1 V), the content is notified by the notification unit 605, and the communication unit 606 notifies the center or the like remotely. . Thereby, when the gas shut-off device is attached to a cold region or attached to a warm region, the temperature at which the battery voltage is measured can be set from the center or the setting device. Moreover, it becomes possible to set the temperature when measuring the battery voltage for each season from the center or the setting device.

  The above-described control can be easily realized by using a calculation or determination function based on a program operation of the microcomputer.

  FIG. 7 shows a program flowchart when the control unit 616 is operating. The process 701 holds the temperature value when measuring the battery voltage sent from the outside via the communication unit 606 in the set temperature holding unit 617. In process 702, it is checked whether or not a predetermined period (1 hour) has elapsed. If it has not elapsed, the passage of 1 hour is monitored again. If 1 hour has elapsed, the process proceeds to process 703. In process 703, temperature data is read from the temperature detection means 612, and in process 704, it is checked whether the temperature data is the temperature (5 ° C.) of the temperature data held in the set temperature holding means. . If it is 5 ° C., the process proceeds to process 705. In process 705, the battery voltage data from the battery voltage drop detecting means 608 is read and stored, and the process proceeds to process 706. In process 706, it is determined whether or not the difference ΔV between the battery voltage of the previous measurement and the battery voltage of the current measurement is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If it is within the predetermined value, the process returns to step 701. When the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the content is notified by the notification unit 605 and the communication unit 606 is remotely notified to the center or the like by processing 703.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a gas shut-off device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the passing gas flow rate, 802 denotes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a passing gas flow rate from the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 801 and outputs a gas flow rate value, and 803 denotes a gas passage. A shut-off valve that opens and closes, 804 is a valve drive unit that drives the shut-off valve 803 to open and close, 805 is a notification unit that includes an LED and an LCD, 806 is a communication unit that communicates with the center and the like, and 807 is a power source for the device Battery 808 is a voltage supply means 809 comprising a voltage supply means 809, a resistance load 810, and A / D conversion, 809 is a voltage supply means comprising a resistor and a transistor and turning on / off the transistor when measuring voltage, 810 A resistance load that allows a current to flow when the voltage supply unit 809 is turned on, and 811 is a control unit that controls the voltage of the resistance load when the voltage supply unit 809 is turned on ( A / D conversion to be transmitted to PU), 812 is a voltage supply means 813 and a regulator, a thermistor 814 is a temperature detection means comprising A / D conversion, and 813 is a resistor and a transistor, and the transistor is turned on / off at the time of temperature measurement. 814 is a thermistor resistor serving as a temperature sensor, 815 is an A / D converter that transmits the voltage of the thermistor when the voltage supply unit 813 is turned on as temperature data to a control unit (CPU), and 816 is a CPU (microcontroller). A computer). The control unit 816 integrates the accumulated value stored inside based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 802, while maintaining the internal value based on the gas flow rate value from the flow rate measuring unit 802. When it is determined that the value is abnormal such as gas leakage compared to the data, the valve drive unit 804 is driven to operate the shut-off valve 803 to close the gas passage to ensure the safety of the gas. And the communication unit 806 notifies the center or the like remotely. Further, the control unit 816 periodically (once every hour) turns on the voltage supply unit 813 of the temperature detection unit 812 to energize the thermistor 814 via a regulator, and converts the thermistor voltage from the A / D converter 815 as temperature data. If the temperature matches a predetermined temperature (for example, 10 ° C.), the voltage supply means 809 of the battery voltage detection means 808 is turned on to pass a current through the resistance load 810, and the voltage across the resistance load 810 is A / D converted. When the difference ΔV from the voltage read from 811 and the voltage read last time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 0.1 V), the content is notified by the notification unit 805, and the communication unit 806 notifies the center or the like remotely. FIG. 2 shows a discharge curve at the time of circuit load + resistance load. By adjusting the value of the load resistance 810, ΔV can be accurately measured according to the type of battery and the difference in circuit load.

  As described above, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention predicts the battery life by measuring the battery voltage of the gas shut-off device at a constant temperature and detects the change in the battery voltage, and the time for battery replacement of the gas shut-off device. Therefore, it is possible to perform a planned and efficient replacement of the gas shutoff device and a battery in advance, so that the present invention can be applied to the prediction of the battery life in the battery using device.

Functional block diagram of the gas cutoff device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Characteristic graph of battery capacity and battery voltage Program flow chart of gas shut-off device in embodiment 1 of the present invention Functional block diagram of the gas cutoff device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Program flow chart of gas shut-off device in embodiment 2 of the present invention Functional block diagram of the gas cutoff device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Program flow chart of gas shut-off device in embodiment 3 of the present invention Functional block diagram of the gas cutoff device in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Functional block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

101, 401, 601, 801 Flow rate sensor 102, 402, 602, 802 Flow rate measuring unit 103, 403, 603, 803 Shut-off valve 104, 404, 604, 804 Valve drive unit 105, 405, 605, 805 Notification unit 106, 406 , 606, 806 Communication unit 107, 407, 607, 807 Battery 108, 408, 608, 808 Battery voltage detection unit 112, 412, 612, 812 Temperature detection unit 116, 416, 616, 816 Control unit

Claims (1)

A flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate of the passing gas, a flow rate measuring unit that measures a passing flow rate from the flow rate sensor signal and outputs a gas flow rate, a shutoff valve that opens and closes a gas passage, and opening and closing the shutoff valve A valve drive unit for driving, a communication unit for performing communication with the outside, a notifying unit for performing display on the outside, a battery as a circuit power supply of the device, a battery voltage detecting means for detecting a battery voltage of the battery, The temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the installation site and the integrated value stored inside based on the flow rate signal from the flow rate measuring unit are integrated, while the internal value is stored based on the flow rate signal from the flow rate measuring unit. When the gas flow rate value is abnormal compared to the safety data, the valve drive unit is driven to operate the shut-off valve to close the gas passage, and the temperature detecting means is operated periodically to detect the temperature and If it matches the temperature Serial by operating the battery voltage detection means detects time-series storing battery voltage, the communication unit when a change gradient of the battery voltage obtained from the voltage and current measured voltage measured last time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value And a gas shut-off device provided with a control unit that notifies the outside by a notification unit.

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