JP4765803B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device having an avoidance operation function in the event of an abnormality of a battery-driven microcomputer gas meter for ensuring safety in gas use.

  In a conventional gas shut-off device, when an abnormality occurs in the oscillation circuit of the microcomputer and the microcomputer becomes unable to operate normally, there is a detection means for detecting an abnormal operation of the microcomputer, and the gas is detected by repeatedly closing the shut-off valve. However, the battery is used as a power source for operating the shutoff valve, and the battery has sufficient voltage to drive the shutoff valve and the abnormality detection means of the microcomputer after the gas flow path is closed. If the shut-off valve is returned when not being used, the gas can be used for a certain period of time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional gas cutoff device.

In FIG. 3, there are provided means for detecting an abnormality of the microcomputer 22 and means for periodically and repeatedly driving the shutoff valve 28 when the abnormality is detected. The former means includes a charging circuit comprising a charging resistor 24 and a capacitor 7, and a discharging transistor 23 for discharging the electric charge of the capacitor 7 in accordance with a periodic command from the microcomputer 22 when the microcomputer 22 is operating normally. The binarization circuit 26 emits a signal when the potential of the capacitor 25 rises and reaches a predetermined value. The latter means includes an oscillation circuit 27 that starts oscillation with a significant signal of the binarization circuit 26 and an oscillation. It is composed of a microcomputer abnormal shut-off valve driving transistor 29 that operates according to the signal of the circuit 27. Since the shutoff valve 28 is repeatedly driven when the microcomputer 22 is abnormal, it is configured such that continuous release of gas due to manual return of the shutoff valve 28 is avoided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-19628

  However, in the configuration of the conventional gas shut-off device as shown in FIG. 3, an abnormality occurs in the oscillation circuit of the microcomputer, and the shut-off valve is closed when the monitoring means of the microcomputer detects the abnormality. When the plug is opened, the battery does not always have a voltage for re-blocking the shut-off valve, and there is a problem that the gas can be used without the shut-off capability.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, detects an abnormality of the microcomputer due to an abnormal operation of the oscillation circuit, shuts off the shutoff valve, detects an abnormal operation of the oscillation circuit, and opens the shutoff valve. By providing a mechanism that prevents this, the object is to prevent the gas flow from being restored (opening) in the state where there is no shut-off capability due to battery consumption, and to prevent gas use until the gas shut-off device is replaced.

The present invention is a flow rate measurement unit that is provided in a gas flow path of a gas meter and measures a gas passage amount, a shut-off valve that is provided in the flow path and closes the flow path when an abnormality occurs, and a drive source for the shut-off valve A battery, a return part for returning the shut-off valve in the closed state, a return detection part for detecting the return state of the shut-off valve, and a return lock part for locking the operation of the return part and prohibiting the return operation of the shut-off valve A microcomputer for controlling the operation of the flow rate measuring unit and the shutoff valve and monitoring the consumption state of the battery, a monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the microcomputer, an oscillation circuit for generating a clock signal of the microcomputer, a clock monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the oscillation circuit, the return portion is configured to return the shut-off valve in the self-holding state when blocked mechanically unplugging state by external force, the condensate Locking unit comprises a shutter which prevents the external force is applied to the return portion, the said shut-off valve when the abnormality detection signal is output operation from the monitoring means to the vibration cut-off state, the abnormal operation from the clock monitoring means When a detection signal is output, a return impossible signal is sent to the return lock unit and the shutter is closed to disable the return operation, and when the microcomputer goes into a runaway state due to an abnormality in the oscillation circuit Since the shut-off operation of the shut-off valve and the return operation in the open direction cannot be performed, it is possible to ensure the shut-off state of the gas flow path with respect to the abnormality of unknown cause. The dangers associated with the use of gas during this period can be avoided.

  The gas shut-off device of the present invention detects an abnormality of the microcomputer due to an abnormal operation of the oscillation circuit and shuts off the shut-off valve so that the return operation in the opening direction cannot be performed. In addition, it is possible to ensure the shut-off state of the gas flow path, and to avoid the danger associated with the use of gas until the gas shut-off device is replaced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate measuring unit that is provided in a gas flow path of a gas meter and measures a gas passage amount, a shut-off valve that is provided in the flow path and closes the flow path when an abnormality occurs, and a drive source for the shut-off valve A return unit for returning the shut-off valve in the closed state, a return detection unit for detecting the return state of the shut-off valve, and a return for locking the operation of the return unit and prohibiting the return operation of the shut-off valve A lock unit, a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the flow rate measuring unit and the shut-off valve and monitoring the battery consumption state, a monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the microcomputer, and an oscillation circuit for generating a clock signal of the microcomputer When, a clock monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the oscillation circuit, the return portion of the shut-off valve in the self-holding state mechanically and configured to return the cap removal state by external force during disconnection, before Return lock portion is provided with a shutter for preventing the external force is applied to the return portion, the said shut-off valve when the abnormality detection signal is output operation from the monitoring means to the vibration cut-off state, the abnormal operation from the clock monitoring means When the detection signal is output, a return impossible signal is sent to the return lock unit and the shutter is closed to make the return operation prohibited. In addition, since the shut-off valve cannot be closed or returned to the opening direction when the microcomputer is in a runaway state due to an abnormality in the oscillation circuit, the gas flow can be reliably detected against an unknown cause. It is possible to ensure the road shut-off state and avoid the danger associated with the use of gas until the gas shut-off device is replaced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect includes a communication unit that transfers a non-recoverable signal to the centralized monitoring center.

  Then, by notifying the centralized monitoring center that an abnormality has occurred in the microcomputer due to an abnormality in the oscillation circuit, it is possible to quickly go to the site after the abnormality has occurred.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the first and second aspects of the invention have a display for displaying the status of the gas meter, and a lock display means for displaying a non-recoverable state on the display when receiving a non-recoverable signal from the clock monitoring means. It is a thing.

  Then, when an operator or a customer clearly confirms that an abnormality has occurred in the microcomputer due to an abnormality in the oscillation circuit at the time of on-site confirmation, an accurate treatment can be performed.

  4th invention has the flow volume detection part which detects the flow volume of the gas which flows into a gas flow path in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd invention, and outputs the interruption | blocking signal to a cutoff valve if the flow volume is detected after interruption | blocking signal output It is.

  When the gas flow rate flows after the shut-off signal is output, it is determined that the gas channel has not been sufficiently shut off, and the gas channel can be closed by re-blocking the gas channel.

  The fifth aspect of the invention relates to the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of the invention. When the return detection unit detects a return after outputting the non-returnable signal, it outputs a shutoff signal to shut off the shutoff valve again. It has a means.

  Then, when the shut-off valve is returned after the shut-off signal is output, it is determined that the non-recoverable portion has not sufficiently locked the return portion, and the gas flow passage can be closed again by closing the gas flow passage.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, when the return is detected after the return detection unit outputs the return disable signal in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth inventions, the return disable signal is output again to the return lock unit. It has a means.

  Then, when the return detection unit detects a return after outputting the non-returnable signal, it is determined that the non-returnable part has not sufficiently locked the return part, and the return lock part is re-locked, thereby closing the gas flow path. Later return input can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, a gas shutoff device according to an embodiment 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 configuration diagram of a gas shut-off device in a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a gas flow path in the same embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a flow rate measuring means 20 for measuring the amount of gas passing is arranged in the gas flow path 2 of the gas meter 1. As this flow rate measuring means 20, for example, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted or received. The first transmitter / receiver 20A and the second transmitter / receiver 20B for receiving or transmitting are arranged in the flow direction, and switching between transmission and reception is possible by the measurement control unit 21 having switching means, and the flow state of fluid such as gas is detected. is doing.

  The flow rate is measured by processing the signals of the first transmitter / receiver 20A and the second transmitter / receiver 20B. Specifically, first, the first transmitter / receiver 20A is driven by the measurement control unit 21, and then the second transmitter / receiver 20B. 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 20B is amplified by the amplifying means provided in the measurement control unit 21, 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 21, and each time value is measured by a timing means such as a timer counter provided at the measurement control unit 21.

Next, transmission / reception of the first transmitter / receiver 20A and the second transmitter / receiver 20B is switched by the measurement control unit 21 having switching means, and the ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the second transmitter / receiver 20B to the first transmitter / receiver 20A, 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 22 in consideration of the size of the flow path 2 and the fluid flow state from the ultrasonic propagation time difference between the first transceiver 20A and the second transceiver 20B.

  Further, a shutoff valve 3 for shutting off the gas flow is provided in the flow path 2 where the flow rate measuring means 20 is arranged, and a battery 4 is built in the gas meter 1 as a power source for driving the shutoff valve 3. Has been.

  Further, the gas meter 1 has a return part 5 for returning the shut-off valve 3 that has been shut off due to the occurrence of an abnormality to the gas supply state after removing the cause. When returning to the gas supply state, a return detection unit 6 is provided for detecting the return state.

  In addition, when a situation occurs in which the shutoff state of the shutoff valve 3 needs to be maintained, a return lock unit 7 is provided for prohibiting the return operation by the return unit 5. The part 5 is configured to return to the open state by mechanically operating the shut-off valve 3 which is in a self-holding state at the time of shut-off, and the return lock part 7 is a mechanical part of the return part 5 when a return impossible signal is output. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be configured to have an electrically similar function, or may be a combination of electrical means and mechanical means. Is.

  A microcomputer 8 is provided for performing measurement control of the flow rate measuring means 20, flow rate calculation, signal processing from various sensors, drive / return control of the shutoff valve 3, and the like. The microcomputer 8 monitors the voltage of the battery 4. The battery voltage detection means for determining the exhaustion state is built in, and an abnormal signal is output when it is determined that the battery voltage decreases and affects the shut-off capability of the shut-off valve 3. The battery voltage detection means may not be built in the microcomputer 8 and a detection circuit may be provided separately.

  Moreover, the monitoring means 9 which monitors operation | movement of the microcomputer 8 is provided, and the monitoring means 9 is the abnormality output from the microcomputer 8 when the signal of the earthquake detection from various sensors, a leak detection, and abnormal use detection is input. When the abnormal signal from the signal and the battery voltage detection means and the abnormal signal output when the microcomputer 8 itself runs out of control and is in an abnormal state are always monitored, and the monitoring means 9 determines that it is abnormal. The shutoff signal a is oscillatedly output to the shutoff valve 3, and a reliable shutoff performance is ensured while performing the removal operation when dust or the like adheres to the shutoff location.

  Further, an oscillation circuit 10 for generating a clock signal of the microcomputer 8 is provided, and whether or not the operation of the oscillation circuit 10 is normal, that is, whether or not the clock signal is normally supplied to the microcomputer 8. Clock monitoring means 11 for monitoring the above is provided. When an abnormality of the clock signal is detected by the clock monitoring means 11, a return disable signal b is output to the return lock unit 7 to prohibit the return operation of the shutoff valve 3.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the return lock unit 7 is operated when the clock signal of the oscillation circuit 10 becomes abnormal as a situation where the shutoff state of the shutoff valve 3 needs to be maintained. Yes. That is, when the clock signal becomes abnormal, the operation of the microcomputer 8 cannot be guaranteed, so that a so-called runaway state occurs. Therefore, even if the recovery operation is performed unnecessarily, the operation after the recovery cannot be guaranteed.

In FIG. 2, the shut-off valve 3 is a self-holding solenoid, and an adsorption holding force by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 12 can be obtained even in a non-energized state. Since the valve body 13 is adsorbed and held, the gas flow path 2 can be returned (opened).

  Further, the gas flow path 2 is blocked (capped) by applying an electric current having a reverse polarity to the coil 14 so as to cancel the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 12 to reduce the adsorption holding force, and by the return force outside the spring 15. The gas flow path 2 can be shut off (capped) by pulling the valve body 13 apart. The return lock portion 7 is provided at a position where the external force of the return portion 5 is applied, and is configured such that when the return failure signal b is received, the shutter 15 that interferes with the external force is closed so that no external force is applied to the return portion 5. .

  In this embodiment, as a means for detecting whether or not the microcomputer 8 itself is operating normally, the monitoring means 9 outputs a pulse signal from the microcomputer 8 during normal operation, and differentiates and integrates this pulse signal. A circuit is provided, and it is determined whether or not the microcomputer 8 itself has runaway due to this circuit output, and a circuit for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormal signal from the microcomputer 8 is provided. If it is determined that the state is the state, the monitoring means 9 sends a vibrational cutoff signal a to the cutoff valve 3, and if the operation of the oscillation circuit 10 at that time is abnormal, the clock monitoring means 11 returns to the return lock unit 7. Sends a disable signal b. The shut-off valve 3 that has received the shut-off signal a shuts off (closes) the flow path 2, and the return lock unit 7 that has received the non-returnable signal b closes the shutter 16 so that no external force can be applied to the return unit 5.

  By providing a mechanism for closing the shut-off valve 3 before the voltage of the battery 4 decreases and becomes equal to or lower than the driveable voltage of the shut-off valve 3, and further preventing the shut-off valve 3 from being opened, there is no shut-off capability due to exhaustion of the battery 4 In this state, it is possible to prevent the gas flow path 2 from returning (opening) and preventing the gas from being used until the gas shutoff device is replaced.

(Embodiment 2)
A gas shut-off device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the thing of the same code | symbol as Embodiment 1 has the same structure, and abbreviate | omits description.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that the communication unit 17 that transfers the cutoff signal a or the non-recoverable signal b to the centralized monitoring center, the display 18 that displays the state of the gas meter, and the non-recoverable signal from the clock monitoring means 11 When received, the lock display means 19 for displaying the unrecoverable state on the display 18 and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas flow path 2 are detected, and when the flow rate is detected after the shut-off signal a is output, the shut-off signal a is output to the shut-off valve 3. When the flow detection unit 23 and the return detection unit 6 detect a return after outputting the non-return signal b, the shut-off signal a is output to shut off the shut-off valve 3 again, and the return detection unit 6 cannot return. When the return is detected after the signal b is output, the return lock unit 7 is provided with a return disable means 24 for outputting the return disable signal b again.

  According to the above configuration, by notifying the centralized monitoring center that an abnormality has occurred in the microcomputer 8 due to an abnormality in the oscillation circuit 10, it is possible to quickly go to the site after the abnormality has occurred, and a quick response is possible. .

  In addition, when an operator or a customer clearly confirms that an abnormality has occurred in the microcomputer 8 due to an abnormality in the oscillation circuit 10 at the time of site confirmation, an accurate treatment can be performed.

  Furthermore, when the gas flow rate flows after the shut-off signal a is output, it is determined that the gas flow path 2 has not been sufficiently cut off, and the gas flow path 2 can be closed again by closing the gas flow path 2 again.

  Further, when the shut-off valve 3 is returned after the shut-off signal a is output, the return lock portion 7 determines that the return portion 5 has not been sufficiently locked, and the gas passage 2 is closed again by closing the gas passage 2 again. can do.

  When the return detection unit 6 detects the return after outputting the return disable signal b, the return lock unit 7 determines that the return unit 5 has not been sufficiently locked, and relocks the return lock unit 7. A return input after the gas flow path 2 is closed can be prevented.

  The gas shut-off device according to the present invention can be applied to a use related to a gas shut-off device for ensuring safety in use of gas when using gas after a gas meter.

Configuration diagram of the gas shut-off device in the first and second embodiments of the present invention (A) Configuration diagram of gas flow path at the time of opening in the first and second embodiments of the present invention (b) Configuration diagram of gas flow path at the time of closing in the same embodiment Configuration diagram of conventional gas shut-off device

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas meter 2 Gas flow path 3 Shut-off valve 4 Battery 5 Return part 6 Return detection part 7 Return lock part 8 Microcomputer 9 Monitoring means 10 Oscillation circuit 11 Clock monitoring means 17 Communication part 18 Display 19 Lock display means 23 Flow rate detection part 24 Unrecoverable means

Claims (6)

A flow rate measuring unit provided in the gas flow path of the gas meter for measuring the amount of gas passing; a shut-off valve provided in the flow path for closing the flow path in the event of an abnormality; a battery serving as a drive source for the shut-off valve; A return part for returning the shut-off valve in a state; a return detection part for detecting a return state of the shut-off valve; a return lock part for locking the operation of the return part and prohibiting the return action of the shut-off valve; and the flow rate A microcomputer for controlling the operation of the measuring unit and the shut-off valve and monitoring the consumption state of the battery, a monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the microcomputer, an oscillation circuit for generating a clock signal of the microcomputer, and an operation of the oscillation circuit a clock monitoring means for monitoring, the return portion of the shut-off valve in the self-holding state mechanically and configured to return the cap removal state by external force during disconnection, said return lock portion Comprising a shutter for preventing the external force is applied to the return portion, said a vibration isolation state said shut-off valve when the abnormality detection signal is output operation from the monitoring means, the detection signal abnormal operation from the clock monitoring means A gas shut-off device that, when output, sends a non-returnable signal to the return lock unit and closes the shutter to disable the return operation. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that transfers a non-recoverable signal from the clock monitoring means to the central monitoring center. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a display for displaying a status of the gas meter; and a lock display means for displaying a non-recoverable state on the display when receiving a non-recoverable signal from the clock monitoring means. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a flow rate detection unit that detects a flow rate of the gas flowing in the gas flow path and outputs a cutoff signal to the cutoff valve when the flow rate is detected after the cutoff signal is output. 5. The gas shut-off according to claim 1, further comprising a non-return means for outputting a shut-off signal to shut off the shut-off valve again when the return detecting unit detects the return after outputting the non-returnable signal. apparatus. The gas shut-off device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a non-recoverable unit that outputs a non-recoverable signal to the return lock unit when the return detection unit detects a return after outputting the non-recoverable signal.

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