JP4595894B2 - Gas appliance monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a plurality of gas appliances connected to a gas pipe after passing through a gas meter and individually monitoring the use status of the gas.

Conventionally, as this type of gas monitoring device, there are a flow rate measuring means for generating a signal in accordance with the amount of gas passing through a gas meter disposed in a gas supply line, and a change in the amount of gas passing through the gas meter by a signal from the flow rate measuring means. Individual gas appliance flow rate calculation means for calculating the flow rate and classifying the gas amount for each individual gas appliance, sensor means for obtaining an input signal other than the change flow rate, for example, outside temperature, calendar information, use start time information, etc., and individual gas An apparatus provided with composite arithmetic means for determining the gas instrument used by combining information obtained from the instrument flow rate arithmetic means and the sensor means (for example, see Patent Document 1), and individual gas flow paths of each gas instrument Each sounding means for generating a monitoring sound of a predetermined frequency corresponding to each gas appliance with strength according to the gas flow rate, and a monitoring sound generated by each sounding means Hazuki that a monitoring means for monitoring the usage of individual gas appliance (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-3-236513 JP-A-8-178195

  However, the gas appliance monitoring device disclosed in each of the above patent documents needs to be provided with a gas appliance discriminating means with a complicated control circuit. In particular, in Patent Document 1, an individual gas appliance is detected from the change flow rate of the gas meter passage gas amount. Individual gas appliance flow rate calculation means that classifies each gas amount is provided, and the gas appliance used is estimated by combining various sensor information for specifying the usage environment, requiring a complicated circuit configuration However, there was a problem with certainty in identifying the gas appliances used.

  Moreover, since the thing of the patent document 2 emits the monitoring sound of the frequency according to the magnitude | size of the gas flow volume which flows into each gas appliance, and collects the monitoring sound and specifies the gas appliance to be used, it is individual. Although certainty can be improved in terms of identifying gas appliances to be used based on information emitted from other gas appliances, a whistle device that generates sound according to the flow rate, a microphone that collects sound, and an analysis circuit are required. There is a problem that a very complicated circuit configuration is required.

  The invention of the present application solves the above-mentioned problem. A wireless communication means capable of transmitting information on the gas appliance used is integrally stored in a gas outlet used as a means for connecting the gas pipe and the gas appliance. A gas appliance monitoring device is provided that identifies a gas appliance to be used and obtains usage information based on the above information, and monitors the flow rate value of the gas used in accordance with the specified usage information.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the gas appliance monitoring apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for individually monitoring the types or use states of a plurality of gas appliances connected to a gas pipe after passing through a gas meter, Includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a gas flow rate, a variety of information transmitted from the gas appliance side, and a meter-side wireless communication unit that transmits necessary information and information received by the meter-side wireless communication unit. An appliance discriminating means for identifying and registering the gas appliance to be used and its usage pattern, an appliance use presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the gas appliance is used, and a gas used for each of the registered gas appliances A device-specific monitoring means for monitoring the usage status from information such as the flow rate, and the gas pipe and the gas device are connected to each other via a detachable gas outlet. At least one of the cents is provided with outlet-side wireless communication means for detecting a connection state and transmitting various information of the gas appliance, and the outlet-side wireless communication means is integrally attached to the gas outlet, and the gas outlet When the outlet is attached / detached, the meter side wireless communication means transmits an attachment / detachment signal, and has an appliance use confirmation means for detecting the gas pressure or flow to determine whether the gas appliance is used, Transmits information on the presence / absence of instrument use together with instrument information, and monitors the individual usage status of the gas instruments.
Obtained by the so that, even if in such increased buying as used gas appliance is added, only by performing the gas pipe using a gas outlet with a built-in information transmitting unit, is possible to easily add registration On the other hand, when stopping the use of a gas appliance, it is possible to easily delete the registration by simply pulling out the gas outlet, and it is possible to register and delete the gas appliance with a very simple configuration. .

  According to the gas appliance monitoring device of the present invention, since the outlet side wireless communication means capable of transmitting the information of the gas appliance used is integrally stored in the gas outlet used as a means for connecting the gas pipe and the gas appliance, When the gas outlet is connected by simply setting the type and usage pattern of the gas appliance to be used on the outlet-side wireless communication means, a signal corresponding to the set type and usage pattern, for example, the A signal in the case of a water heater, gas cooking B signal in case of heater, C signal in case of gas fan heater, and A-1 signal in case of hot water supply, A-2 signal in case of bath, A-3 signal in case of floor heating A signal is transmitted to the wireless communication means on the meter side, and by confirming and registering this signal, it is possible to reliably acquire information on gas appliances used in the home with a simple configuration. In addition, because it is possible to simultaneously obtain the usage information for each gas appliance information acquired, the flow rate value required by the flow rate measurement unit can be monitored in correspondence with the gas appliance information, and gas companies can use the obtained information. Thus, various services can be provided in the fields of security, charges, and the like.

A gas monitoring apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for individually monitoring the type or use status of a plurality of gas appliances connected to a gas pipe after passing through a gas meter, and the gas meter measures a gas flow rate. A flow rate measuring unit that receives various information transmitted from the gas appliance side and transmits necessary information and the gas used based on the information received by the meter side wireless communication unit Usage status based on information such as the appliance identification means for identifying and registering the appliance and its usage, the appliance usage presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the gas appliance is used, and the gas flow rate used for each of the registered gas appliances And the gas pipe and the gas appliance are connected via a detachable gas outlet, and at least one of the gas outlets. Detects the connection state provided outlet side wireless communication means for transmitting various information of the gas appliance, the outlet-side wireless communication means is integrally attached to the gas outlet, said gas outlet is releasably time, the to send a detachable signal to the meter-side wireless communication means, having an instrument use confirmation means for judging whether the use of the gas appliance by detecting a gas pressure or flow, the instrument used with the instrument information The presence / absence information is transmitted to monitor the usage status of each of the plurality of gas appliances .

  By sending a gas outlet attachment / detachment signal, it is possible to grasp the usage status of the gas appliance in more detail. For example, the gas fan heater can be installed simply by attaching / detaching the gas outlet for the gas fan heater corresponding to the heating season. The usage status of the gas appliance in the home can be ascertained in real time because it is possible to confirm whether or not the gas appliance is used, and to easily perform new registration or deregistration of the gas appliance to be used.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a gas appliance monitoring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

A gas meter 2 is installed at the entrance of the gas supply pipe 1 of each household, and the gas is branched from the gas pipe 3 after passing through the gas meter 2 to a place where various gas appliances used at home are installed. Supplied. For example, a gas water heater 4 is installed outdoors, and hot water generated by the gas water heater 4 is installed in a kitchen hot water tap 5, a bath 6 in which a bathtub and a shower device are installed, a living room and the like through a water pipe. The floor heating 7 is supplied to form various usage forms.

  In addition, when indoors, gas is supplied to a gas table 8 installed in a kitchen, a gas fan heater 9 installed in a living room, a bedroom, or the like, and is used as needed.

  The pipe 3a branched from the gas pipe 3 and the gas appliances (gas water heater 4, gas table 8, gas fan heater 9) are connected via a gas outlet 10 which is a detachable connection means. It is easy to exchange products, add and remove equipment for the season, and add products when purchasing more.

  The gas meter 2 is provided with a flow rate measuring unit 12 for measuring the gas flow rate. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of ultrasonic sensors are arranged in the gas flow path, and the gas meter 2 changes according to the flow rate flowing through the flow path. Some measure flow rate by measuring propagation time. Hereinafter, the configuration will be briefly described. The first transmitter / receiver 12A for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic waves and the second transmitter / receiver 12B for receiving or transmitting ultrasonic waves are arranged in the flow direction, and transmission / reception is performed by the measurement control unit 13 having switching means. Switching is possible, and the flow state of fluid such as gas is detected. The flow rate is measured by processing the signals of the first transmitter / receiver 12A and the second transmitter / receiver 12B. Specifically, the first transmitter / receiver 12A is first driven by the measurement control unit 13 and then the second transmitter / receiver 12B. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the upstream, that is, from the upstream to the downstream. Then, the signal received by the second transmitter / receiver 12B is amplified by the amplifying means provided in the measurement control unit 13, the amplified signal is compared with the reference signal, and after the signal equal to or higher than the reference signal is detected, the measurement control unit The above-described transmission / reception is repeated a predetermined number of times by the repeating means provided at 13, and each time value is measured by a time measuring means such as a timer counter provided at the measurement control unit 13.

  Next, transmission / reception of the first transmitter / receiver 12A and the second transmitter / receiver 12B is switched by the measurement control unit 13 having a switching unit, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the second transmitter / receiver 12B to the first transmitter / receiver 12A, that is, from downstream to upstream. A signal is transmitted, this transmission is repeated as described above, and each time value is measured. Then, the flow rate value is obtained by the signal processing means 14 in consideration of the size of the flow path 11 and the fluid flow state from the ultrasonic propagation time difference between the first transceiver 12A and the second transceiver 12B.

  In addition, a shutoff valve 15 is provided in the flow path 11 in which the flow rate measuring means 12 is disposed to shut off the gas flow when an abnormality occurs.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, meter-side wireless communication means 16 for receiving a radio signal from the instrument side is provided in the gas meter 2, and the type of gas instrument to be used is based on the instrument information received here. The appliance signal registration means 17 for setting and registering the appliance signal for specifying the signal, the application-specific signal registration means 18 for specifying the use form for each use of the gas appliance to be used, the appliance signal registration means 17 and the application-specific signal registration means 18 There is provided appliance discriminating means 20 having appliance classification means 19 for classifying the gas appliances used in the home for each predetermined classification from the registered information.

  Here, the appliance signal registration means 17 sets and registers a signal according to the type of the appliance, for example, as shown in the following table (Table 1), based on the signals individually sent from the appliance side.

  Further, the application-specific signal registration unit 18 sets and registers a signal for specifying a use form for each application of the appliance as shown in the following table (Table 2), for example, based on information individually sent from the appliance side.

  In addition, the appliance classification means 19 is the information obtained in (Table 1) and (Table 2) above, in which the gas business operator presets and classifies the discount target field of the gas fee based on the type and usage pattern of the gas appliance. For example, as shown in the following table (Table 3), if floor heating is performed using a water heater, discount A is used, and hot air is supplied by a gas fan heater or the like. When heating is performed, the discount is set as B, and the others are classified as standard, and the gas appliances used in the home are set and registered.

  Then, based on the registration signal from the appliance discriminating means 20 composed of the appliance signal registration means 17, the application-specific signal registration means 18, and the appliance classification means 19, the gas usage amount according to the usage status of the gas appliance is monitored. Monitoring means 21 is provided. This device-specific monitoring means 21 inputs the gas flow rate value obtained by the signal processing means 14 of the flow rate measuring unit 12 and is managed together with the registration information of the gas equipment corresponding to the field classified by the equipment classification means 19. Based on a request from the wireless communication means 16, information such as a cumulative flow rate value for each predetermined period is output.

  In addition, when a signal such as an abnormal flow rate is input from the flow rate measuring unit 12, safety is ensured by blocking the flow path 11 via the cutoff valve 15.

In the present embodiment, the appliance-specific monitoring means 21 manages information on whether or not there is a gas appliance use registration for each classified item, and manages the total gas usage for each predetermined period. For example, as shown in Table 3, during the heating period in winter, gas usage is managed with floor heating and hot air heating appliances registered, and in summer there is no usage registration appliance for discounted fields. The amount of use is managed, but besides this, for example, by adding a function for obtaining the amount of gas used for each gas appliance classified by the appliance discriminating means 20 to the appliance-specific monitoring means 21, it becomes more detailed. Classification is possible, a variety of services can be provided, and security can be enhanced.

  Further, in this embodiment, the discount item service is targeted as the classification item of the appliance discriminating means 20, but it is not limited to this, and it is intended for a service that a gas company or the like considers necessary, such as a security service. A monitoring method for each device can be adopted.

  Next, the connection part of the piping 3a branched from the gas piping 3 and a gas appliance is demonstrated using FIG.3 and FIG.4.

  The branch pipe 3a and the gas appliance are connected to each other via a detachable connectable gas outlet 10 for exchanging products at the time of replacement, taking in and out appliances corresponding to the season, and when purchasing more. This makes it easy to add products.

  The plug 22 serving as a connecting portion on the side of the branch pipe 3a is provided with a gas supply port 26 in which the valve body 24 biased by the spring 23 is pressed against the valve seat 25 so as to keep the closed state. A socket 27 for supplying gas with the valve body 24 pushed down and opened is provided by being inserted into the plug, and the plug 22 and the socket 27 form a squirt-type gas outlet 10. The socket 27 is inserted into the plug 22 so that the valve body 24 is pushed down against the spring 23 to open the gas supply port 26, and the plug 22 is engaged with the outer periphery of the plug 22. The holding means 29 for holding, the attachment / detachment detection means 30 for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the flag 22 and the socket 27, and the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 for receiving an insertion signal from the attachment / detachment detection means 30 to be in a communicable state are provided. .

  The outlet-side wireless communication means 31 is integrally incorporated in the socket 27 and can transmit instrument information corresponding to the use or installation state of the gas instrument connected to one end. For example, in the usage example of the gas fan heater, when the use of the gas fan heater is started in the heating season, when the stored appliance is taken out and the socket 27 is attached to the flag 22, the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 is energized. The preset instrument information is transmitted to the meter-side wireless communication means 16. Based on this transmission information, the gas meter 2 updates the instrument information to the latest state. On the contrary, when the heating season is over and the use of the gas fan heater is stopped, the socket 27 is removed from the plug 22 so that a disconnection signal is transmitted from the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 to the meter-side wireless communication means 16. Based on this transmission information, the gas meter 2 updates the instrument information to the latest state.

  The outlet-side wireless communication means 31 has appliance information setting means 32 for setting appliance information as shown in Tables 1 and 2, and is preset according to the type and application of the appliance to be used. The data is stored in the storage means 33 and the application-specific signal storage means 34. When the attachment / detachment detection means 30 detects that the socket 27 is inserted into the plug 22, a signal is sent to the control circuit 35 including the power supply unit, and the instrument signal storage means 33 and the application-specific signal storage means are sent from the transmission means 36. The setting information stored in 34 is transmitted.

  Further, the socket 27 is provided with an instrument use confirmation means 38 for detecting whether the instrument has been used by detecting the gas pressure or the gas flow in the flow path. The instrument use confirmation information is transmitted from the transmission means 36 to the meter-side wireless communication means 16 together with the instrument information stored in the storage means 33 and the application-specific signal storage means 34.

The meter-side wireless communication means 16 that has received the appliance use confirmation information sends information indicating that the appliance is used to the appliance monitoring means 21 by the appliance use presence / absence determination means 39. At this time, the appliance use presence / absence judging means 39 is adapted to send information indicating that the appliance is used in correspondence with the appliance information classification items registered in advance. The appliance monitoring means 21 manages the flow value input from the flow measurement unit 12 according to this information for each appliance information classification item.

  As a specific configuration of the appliance information setting means 32, an input means such as a switch may be provided in the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 accommodated in the socket 27 so that the setting is switched to the setting mode and set directly. And can be arbitrarily set by connecting to a dedicated setting device.

  Furthermore, in the outlet side wireless communication means 31, as shown in FIG. 6, the card information memory 37 in which the appliance information setting means 32 can be detachably stored is adopted so that the setting operation can be diversified. It is. For example, in a gas water heater, when a usage pattern of floor heating is added from the middle of a usage pattern that initially used only hot water and a bath, it can be registered in the discount A category by updating the appliance information. This is beneficial for the user. In this case, the appliance information can be updated simply by taking out the card-type memory 37 of the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 incorporated in the socket 27 and inserting a new memory card 37 to which floor heating is added. The memory card 37 can be reused by bringing it back to the gas company and setting it again.

  In the present embodiment, the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 is described as being stored in the socket 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be stored in the plug 22 or may be mounted on a gas hose or the like. Is also possible.

  Moreover, although the attachment / detachment mode has been described with a squirt type, it goes without saying that a screw type connection mode is also possible.

  In the gas appliance monitoring apparatus configured as described above, when the gas appliance is first installed, the plug 22 of the gusset type gas outlet 10 is attached to the branch pipe 3 a branched from the gas pipe 3 after passing through the gas meter 2. Then, a socket 27 connected with a gas hose or the like is attached to the appliance side, and an appliance signal and an application-specific signal are input as appliance information to the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 incorporated in the socket 27. Next, the socket 27 is inserted into the plug 22. By performing the above operation in each gas appliance, the appliance signal and the application-specific signal set when the socket 27 is inserted into the plug 22 are automatically transmitted to the gas meter 2. The appliance information is received by the meter-side wireless communication means 16, and a plurality of gas appliances used in the home are classified according to predetermined classification items based on the steps described above.

  The registered information of the gas appliances is managed by the appliance-specific monitoring means 21 together with the flow rate value obtained by the flow measurement unit 12, and when requested by a gas company or the like, the flow rate corresponding to the registration information of the gas appliances. Data is output and request information is transmitted via the communication means 16.

  The gas company can improve the convenience, economy, and safety for the user by reflecting the acquired appliance information on the target service set in advance.

As described above, since the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 capable of transmitting information on the gas appliance used is integrally stored in the gas outlet 10 used as a means for connecting the gas pipe and the gas appliance, the outlet-side wireless communication By simply setting the type and usage pattern of the gas appliance to be used in the means 31, it is automatically transmitted to the meter side wireless communication means 16 when the gas outlet 10 is connected. It is possible to reliably acquire information on gas appliances to be used in a simple configuration.

  In addition, since the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 is stored in the gas outlet 10 that is not directly related to the gas appliance, the gas appliance can be used as a general commercial product. Even in the case of replacement, the usage status can be continuously monitored without being affected at all.

  Furthermore, even when additional gas appliances are added due to additional purchases, additional registration can be easily performed simply by performing gas piping using the gas outlet 10 incorporating the information transmission means 31. In addition, when stopping the use of the gas appliance, it is possible to easily delete the registration by simply pulling out the gas outlet, and the registration and deletion of the gas appliance to be used can be performed with an extremely simple configuration.

  In addition, the gas outlet 10 to which the outlet-side wireless communication means 31 is attached is provided to the gas consumer by the gas operator, so that the gas operator can use the obtained information in various fields such as security and charges. Services can be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to a monitoring device that specifies the type of gas appliance used in the home and the usage pattern and manages it together with the flow rate data, but also identifies the type and usage pattern for a plurality of appliances used in the office or store, It can also be applied to devices that manage power consumption and water usage.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a gas monitoring device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Control block diagram on the gas meter side in the gas monitoring device The figure which shows the connection form of the gas appliance in the gas monitoring apparatus Detailed view of gas outlet in the gas monitoring device Control block diagram of outlet side wireless communication means in the gas monitoring device The figure which shows an example of the instrument information setting means in the gas monitoring apparatus

2 Gas meter 3 Gas piping 10 Gas outlet 12 Flow rate measurement unit 16 Meter side wireless communication means 20 Appliance discriminating means 21 Instrument-specific monitoring means 30 Attachment / detachment detection means 31 Outlet side wireless communication means

Claims (1)

A device that individually monitors the type or use status of a plurality of gas appliances connected to a gas pipe after passing through a gas meter,
The gas meter has a flow rate measuring unit that measures a gas flow rate, various types of information transmitted from the gas appliance side, and a meter side wireless communication unit that transmits necessary information and the meter side wireless communication unit. The gas appliance used based on the information and the appliance discriminating means for identifying and registering the usage pattern, the appliance using / non-use determining means for judging whether the gas appliance is used, and the registered gas appliance. And monitoring means for each instrument that monitors the usage status from information such as gas flow rate,
The gas pipe and the gas appliance are connected via a detachable gas outlet, and at least one of the gas outlets has an outlet side wireless communication means for detecting a connection state and transmitting various information of the gas appliance. Provided,
The outlet-side wireless communication means is integrally attached to the gas outlet, when the gas outlet is removable, thereby to transmit a detachable signal to the meter-side wireless communication means, detecting the gas pressure or flow Gas appliances having appliance use confirmation means for judging whether or not the gas appliances are used, and transmitting appliance usage information together with the appliance information to monitor individual usage statuses of the plurality of gas appliances. Monitoring device.