JP4650388B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas cutoff device that ensures safety when the power capacity of a battery power supply unit is consumed, for example, in a cutoff device that monitors the usage state of a gas appliance that uses city gas, LP gas, or the like.

  This type of conventional shut-off device, for example, is configured as shown in FIG. 2 in a gas shut-off device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device.

  In the gas shut-off device 1 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a battery power source, which supplies power to the entire gas shut-off device. Reference numeral 3 denotes a shut-off valve, which stops or supplies gas in the flow path.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a voltage drop detection unit, which detects a battery voltage taking into account a predetermined time that goes back from the operation guarantee voltage in which the capacity of the battery power supply unit 2 capable of operating the gas shut-off device 1 remains. Signal A is output. 5 is an opening acceptance unit that accepts opening of the shut-off valve from the time when the voltage drop signal A is input, and opens when there is an opening request (opening request switch or input of an opening signal by communication). A stopper request signal C is output. A timer unit 6 counts a predetermined operation guarantee time from when the voltage drop signal A is input, and outputs a plug opening completion signal D. Reference numeral 7 denotes an opening function stop unit which outputs a closing stop signal E for stopping the opening according to the opening request signal C when the opening end signal D is input. Reference numeral 8 denotes a gas shut-off control unit, which shuts off the shut-off valve 3 when the battery voltage drop signal A or the closure stop signal E is inputted, and when the opening request signal C is inputted before the input signal of the closure stop signal E. The shut-off valve 3 is opened.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the conventional example will be described. When the voltage drop detection unit 4 checking the consumption level of the battery power supply unit 2 detects the battery consumption voltage, the battery voltage drop signal A is output to the unplugging reception unit 5, the timer unit 6 and the gas cutoff control unit 8. . The gas cutoff control unit 8 to which the voltage drop signal A has been input outputs the first cutoff command signal B1 to operate the cutoff valve 3 and close the gas passage. When the voltage drop signal A is input, the timer unit 6 starts counting, and until the timer unit 6 finishes counting for a predetermined time, there is an opening request to the opening acceptance unit 5, and the opening request signal C Is output, the gas cutoff control unit 8 opens the cutoff valve 3. When the timer section 6 finishes counting, the plug opening end signal D is output, so the plug opening function stop section 7 outputs the plug opening stop signal E and stops accepting the plug opening request. The gas cutoff device 1 to which the closing stop signal E is inputted outputs the second cutoff command signal B2 to close the cutoff valve 3.

In the gas shut-off device 1 attached to the flow path through which medium gas such as city gas and LP gas flows, the voltage drop detection unit 4 measures the voltage of the battery power supply unit 2 at a predetermined time interval and monitors the degree of battery consumption. ing. A lower limit voltage at which the gas shut-off device 1 can be operated is set in advance as an operation guarantee voltage, and a voltage value when the voltage is reversed for a required number of days from here is set as a battery consumption voltage. The voltage drop detection unit 4 monitors the battery voltage and detects the battery voltage at the time of consumption. That is, after the battery consumption voltage is detected for the required number of days, the shutoff valve 3 can be opened only during the period when the voltage of the battery power supply unit 2 drops to the operation guarantee voltage, and a grace period is provided until the gas shutoff device 1 is replaced. It is a thing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-103546

However, the conventional configuration has the following problems. When the voltage drop detection unit monitors the battery voltage at every predetermined time interval and determines the battery voltage drop, the voltage drop detection unit determines the battery voltage drop based on the current value that can operate the shut-off valve obtained in advance by calculation or experiment. The current is supplied to the battery power supply as an electric current, and the voltage of the battery power supply at that time is compared with the battery consumption voltage. The reason is described below. The battery constituting the battery voltage unit has an internal resistance, and the equivalent circuit of the battery is represented by connecting the internal resistance and an ideal battery that retains the original voltage in series. The internal resistance value has a characteristic of gradually increasing with time. If current is taken out from the battery power supply unit now, only the product of the resistance value and the current taken out by the internal resistance becomes a voltage loss as an IR drop, and the voltage of the battery power supply unit is reduced by that amount. On the other hand, the operating current of the shut-off valve is significantly larger than the operating currents of the other parts, so that it is most affected by the internal resistance. Therefore, at the time of battery voltage drop determination, the maximum IR drop is caused by flowing a pseudo-current that can operate the shut-off valve, and it is determined whether or not this device can be operated with the voltage of the battery power supply at that time. It is.

  However, when the internal resistance of the battery of the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain usage capacity, it rapidly increases with time, and the increase is greatly varied due to individual variations in the battery and differences in usage environments. In addition, since the battery voltage drop determination is intermittently performed at predetermined intervals, in the worst case, when the battery voltage drop is detected, the battery voltage drop proceeds more than the predetermined battery consumption voltage. There may be a case where it is impossible to operate the shut-off valve after a predetermined time from detection of the voltage drop.

  In addition, as a preventive measure, it is possible to set the pseudo current at the time of battery voltage drop determination to a value that takes into account the increase in the internal resistance value of all the batteries, but the battery is not sufficiently consumed. Regardless of the fact that it may be determined that the battery voltage has decreased, there is a problem that it is not economical because it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit if the expiration date of the gas cutoff device is to be observed. It was.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas shut-off device that ensures safety when the power capacity of a battery power supply unit is consumed.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention is configured such that the battery usage time determination unit measures the usage time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit by the battery usage time measurement unit, and sets the battery usage time limit set in advance. When the expiration date of the setting part is exceeded, a time signal is output. (Here, the expiry date is set based on the battery consumption used by the gas shut-off device per unit time. It is a value converted to time.) Based on this timing signal, the battery usage time determination unit supplies a pseudo-current set based on the current at which the shut-off valve can operate before inputting the timing signal to the battery power supply unit, and after inputting the timing signal, In consideration of the increase in the variation of the internal resistance value, the battery consumption determination is performed with the pseudo current set more than before the time signal input. As a result, since the battery power consumption determination before the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain usage capacity is performed when the pseudo-current set based on the current at which the shut-off valve can operate is supplied to the battery power supply unit, Battery consumption can be determined.

  In addition, the battery consumption determination after the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain usage capacity is performed with a pseudo current set larger than that before the time signal is input in consideration of an increase in variation in the internal resistance value of the battery. As a result, it is possible to reduce the problem that the battery is exhausted and the shutoff valve cannot be operated before the battery consumption determination is performed.

In order to prevent this, it is possible to set the pseudo current for determining the battery consumption to a large value taking into account the increase in the variation in the internal resistance of all the batteries, but the battery is not sufficiently consumed. Nevertheless, it may be determined that the battery has been exhausted, and the economic problem that it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit can be reduced if the expiration date of the gas shut-off device is to be observed.

  In the gas shut-off device of the present invention, after the battery power supply part exceeds a certain usage capacity, the battery consumption determination is performed with a large set of pseudo currents taking into account the increase in the variation in the internal resistance value of the battery. It is possible to reduce the problem that the battery is exhausted and the shutoff valve cannot be operated before the determination is made.

  In order to prevent this, it is possible to set the pseudo current for determining the battery consumption to a large value taking into account the increase in the variation in the internal resistance value of all the batteries, but the battery is not sufficiently consumed. Nevertheless, it can be determined that the battery has been exhausted, and if it is attempted to comply with the expiration date of the gas shut-off device, it is possible to reduce the economic problem that it is necessary to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit. Has an effect.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a gas shutoff device comprising a shutoff valve that shuts off a gas passage in the event of an abnormality and a battery power supply unit that supplies operating power to a device including the shutoff valve. A battery usage time measurement unit that measures time, a battery usage time limit setting unit that sets a usage time limit of the battery power supply unit, a battery usage time measurement unit, and the battery usage time limit setting unit are compared. A battery usage time determination unit that outputs a timing signal when it is determined that the expiration date has been reached, and the voltage of the battery power supply unit is monitored at predetermined intervals, and the shutoff valve is operable before the timing signal is input. A voltage for determining battery consumption when a pseudo-current set based on a current is supplied to the battery power supply unit and when a larger amount of pseudo-current is supplied to the battery power supply unit after the timing signal is input than before the timing signal input. Low By using the detection unit, after the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain usage capacity, the battery consumption determination is performed with a pseudo current that is set more than before the timing signal input, taking into account the increase in variation in the internal resistance of the battery. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the problem that it is impossible to operate the shut-off valve before performing battery consumption determination. In order to prevent this, it is possible to set the pseudo current for determining the battery consumption to a large value taking into account the increase in the variation in the internal resistance value of all the batteries, but the battery is not sufficiently consumed. Nevertheless, it can be determined that the battery voltage has dropped, and if you try to meet the expiration date of the gas shut-off device, you can reduce the economic problem of having to increase the battery capacity of the battery power supply unit .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery expiration date setting unit having a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit, a battery usage time determination unit for outputting a time signal every time the battery usage time reaches a plurality of battery expiration dates, The voltage of the battery power supply unit is monitored at predetermined time intervals, and before the time signal is input, when the pseudo-current set based on the current that can operate the shutoff valve is supplied to the battery power supply unit, By setting a voltage drop detection unit that performs battery consumption determination when a pseudo-current set in accordance with the set value of the battery expiration date is supplied to the battery power supply unit after the timing signal is input, compared to the pseudo-current before the timing signal is input. Even if the increase in the variation in the internal resistance value of the battery increases over time due to having multiple expiration dates, the battery is set with a pseudo current that is set in accordance with the usage capacity of the battery power supply unit. Perform wear judgment Now is as can be, it is possible to battery exhaustion determination in accordance with the more reliably increase the variation of the internal resistance of the battery.

The third invention is provided with a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit, and the expiration date after the timing signal is input can be switched from outside the device by setting the expiration date to a battery expiration date setting unit that can be switched from outside the device. Therefore, even after the device is manufactured, it is possible to switch the expiration date according to the region to be shipped (for example, the region where the temperature change is more drastic, the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery and the variation of the increase is larger) Become. This makes it possible to set an expiration date that takes into account the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery after the battery power supply unit exceeds a certain usage capacity depending on the usage environment and the variation in the increase. In addition, it is possible to determine battery consumption according to an increase in the internal resistance value of the battery and variations in the increase.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, by storing the pseudo current supplied to the battery power supply unit by the voltage drop detection unit when it is determined that the battery is exhausted, in what state the capacity of the battery power supply unit is used based on this storage. It is possible to analyze whether the battery consumption determination has been performed, and based on the analysis, it is possible to determine whether the expiration date of the battery expiration date setting unit is a value that conforms to actual use. By setting the expiration date based on this determination, it is possible to more reliably increase the internal resistance value of the battery and determine the battery consumption according to the variation of the increase.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, by displaying information on the pseudo current supplied to the battery power source by the voltage drop detection unit, the state of the used capacity of the battery power unit of the device can be seen from the display, and a large number of pseudo currents set. It can be recognized that the life of the battery power supply unit is approaching by displaying the information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the information on the pseudo-current that the voltage drop detection unit supplies to the battery power supply unit is output to the outside, and by knowing this information, the used capacity of the battery power supply unit of the device exceeds a certain value. Can be recognized in real time, and the battery power supply unit is nearing the end of its service life.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Further, although the embodiment of the present invention will be described using a gas shut-off device, the present invention is not limited to gas, and may be a battery voltage determination device such as water supply, electric power, or combustion fuel.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a control block diagram of the gas cutoff device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, there are 9 power supply voltage units. Reference numeral 10 denotes a battery usage time measurement unit, which measures the usage time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit 9. A battery expiration date setting unit 11 sets the expiration date. A battery usage time determination unit 12 compares the battery usage time with the battery usage time limit, and outputs a timing signal to the next stage when the battery usage time exceeds the battery usage time limit. Reference numeral 13 denotes a voltage drop detection unit that monitors the battery voltage of the battery power supply unit 9 at regular time intervals. Reference numeral 14 denotes a display unit, which is provided to display a time signal if it is present.

  Next, the operation and action will be described. The battery usage time determination unit 12 measures the usage time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit 9 by the battery usage time measurement unit 12, and sets the preset usage date of the battery usage time limit setting unit 11. If it exceeds, a time signal is output. Here, the installation value for the expiry date is the amount of battery consumption used by the device per unit time (generally the value is almost constant since the operation pattern of the device is constant. If there is variation, it is the worst for safety. The battery's internal resistance increases, and the battery capacity of the battery power supply 9 that causes a large variation in the increase (depending on the type of battery, tens of percent of the battery capacity is a guideline) ) Is converted into time. Based on the above-described time signal, the battery operating time determination unit 13 sets a voltage consumption determination of the battery power supply unit at predetermined time intervals before the time signal is input. In addition, after the timing signal is input, the increase in the internal resistance of the battery is taken into account, and the pseudo current is set to be larger than that before the timing signal is input.

Further, the battery expiration date setting unit 11 includes a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit 9, and the battery usage time determination unit 12 outputs a time signal every time the battery usage time reaches a plurality of battery expiration dates. The voltage of the power supply unit 9 is a pseudo current set based on the current that can operate the shut-off valve 15 before inputting the time signal, and after the time signal is input, it is set to be larger according to the set value of the battery expiration date than before the time signal is input. Monitoring may be performed using a pseudo current, and the voltage drop detection unit 13 may perform battery consumption determination. As a result, since a plurality of expiration dates are provided, even when the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery and the variation in the increase increase over time, the battery consumption corresponding to the usage capacity of the battery power supply unit 9 can be obtained. The determination can be made, and the battery consumption determination according to the speed at which the internal resistance value of the battery increases can be made more reliably.

  The battery expiration date setting unit 12 may include a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit 9 so that the expiration date can be switched from outside the apparatus. As a result, the expiration date after the timing signal input can be switched from outside the device, so the area where the device is shipped even after the device is manufactured (for example, the region where the temperature changes more drastically increases or increases the internal resistance value of the battery. It is possible to switch the expiration date according to the large variation in minutes). Because of this, it is possible to set an expiration date that takes into account the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery after exceeding a certain usage capacity of the battery power supply unit 9 depending on the use environment and the variation in the increase, so that It is possible to reliably determine the battery consumption according to the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery and the variation of the increase.

  Further, when it is determined that the battery is consumed, the voltage drop detection unit 13 may supply the battery power supply unit 9 to store the pseudo current. As a result, it is possible to analyze in what state the usage capacity of the battery power supply unit 9 has performed the battery consumption determination based on this storage, and based on the analysis, the expiration date of the battery expiration date setting unit 11 can be determined. It is possible to judge whether the value conforms to actual use. By setting the expiration date based on this determination, it is possible to more reliably determine the battery voltage according to the increase in the internal resistance value of the battery and the variation of the increase.

  Further, information on the pseudo current that the voltage drop detection unit 13 supplies to the battery power supply unit 9 may be displayed on the display unit 14. Thereby, based on this display, the state of the used capacity of the battery power supply unit 9 can be known, and it can be recognized that the life of the battery power supply unit 9 is approaching. The display unit 14 displays that a time signal has been input and a pseudo current for determining battery consumption of the battery power supply unit 9 to indicate that the battery power supply unit 9 is near the end of its life (for example, a gas supplier, general Users).

  Moreover, the voltage drop detection part 13 is made to supply to the battery power supply part 9, and the information of a pseudo current is output outside. And by knowing this information, it becomes possible to know in real time that the used capacity of the battery power supply unit 9 of the apparatus has exceeded a certain value, and it is possible to more accurately recognize that the life of the battery power supply unit 9 is approaching. . You may notify outside of gas shut-off devices, such as a gas supplier's information device (not shown), via a communication network such as a telephone line.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the gas cutoff device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

Explanation of symbols

2, 9 Battery power supply unit 3, 15 Shut-off valve 10 Battery usage time measurement unit 11 Battery usage time limit setting unit 12 Battery usage time determination unit 13 Battery lowering determination unit 14 Display unit

Claims (6)

Battery use for measuring the usage time from the start of supply of the battery power supply unit in a gas shutoff device comprising a shutoff valve that shuts off the gas passage in the event of an abnormality and a battery power supply unit that supplies operating power to the device including the shutoff valve The battery usage time has reached the battery expiration date by comparing the time measurement unit, the battery expiration date setting unit for setting the expiration date of the battery power supply unit, the battery usage time measurement unit, and the battery expiration date setting unit. The battery usage time determination unit that outputs a timing signal when it is determined, and the voltage of the battery power supply unit are monitored at predetermined intervals, and set before the time signal input based on the current that the shutoff valve can operate. A voltage drop detection unit that performs battery consumption determination when a pseudo-current is supplied to the battery power supply when the pseudo-current is supplied to the battery power supply after the timekeeping signal is input. Gas shut-off device. A battery expiration date setting unit having a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit, a battery usage time determination unit for outputting a time signal every time the battery usage time reaches a plurality of battery expiration dates, and the battery power supply unit. The voltage is monitored at predetermined time intervals, and before the timing signal is input, when the pseudo-current set based on the current capable of operating the shut-off valve is supplied to the battery power supply unit, after the timing signal is input, The gas cutoff according to claim 1, further comprising: a voltage drop detection unit that performs battery consumption determination when a pseudo current set in accordance with a set value of a battery expiration date is supplied to a battery power supply unit from a pseudo current before inputting a time signal. apparatus. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery expiration date setting unit that includes a plurality of expiration dates for the battery power supply unit and is capable of switching the expiration date from outside the device. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a pseudo current supplied from the voltage drop detection unit to the battery power source unit when it is determined that the battery is exhausted is stored. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voltage drop detection unit displays information on a pseudo current supplied to the battery power source unit. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voltage drop detection unit outputs information on a pseudo current supplied to the battery power supply unit to the outside.

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