JP4862780B2 - Flow measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring apparatus that discriminates the type of gas appliance connected to a gas pipe flow path and performs a flow rate measurement for each appliance and a security process for each appliance.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 12, this type of flow rate measuring device includes a gas flow rate measuring unit 18 that measures the flow rate of gas flowing in a gas flow path, and a flow rate increase detecting unit 19 that detects an increase in flow rate from the measurement result. The flow rate increase / decrease detection means 20 for detecting an instantaneous increase / decrease change in the gas flow rate accompanying the increase in the flow rate, the appliance determination means 21 for determining the start of use of a new gas combustion appliance when the instantaneous increase / decrease change is detected, and the flow rate increase detection means The flow rate registration means 22 for registering the increase in the gas flow rate detected in step 1 as the increase in the gas flow rate associated with the start of use of the new gas combustion appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

With the above configuration, pay attention to the fact that the gas flow rate increases and decreases instantly when it starts to use a new gas combustion device, and it becomes a stable gas flow rate. By determining, the start of use of a new gas combustion appliance can be determined by a simple method, and stop of use can be determined based on a decrease in the flow rate.
JP 2002-174542 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, since it is determined to stop using a new gas combustion appliance based on a decrease change in the gas flow rate corresponding to the increase in gas flow rate at the start of use, for example, when a gas table is started The calculated difference value may be similar to the difference value when other appliances (for example, a fan heater or another stove in the same gas table) are activated. There was a problem that it was difficult to determine a table (stove).

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and after detecting the activation of the instrument, detects an increase or decrease in gas flow rate as a control event such as thermal power adjustment, detects subsequent stable flow rates, and detects different stable flow rates. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for discriminating that the instrument currently in use is a gas table (a stove) by detecting that a predetermined number of times has occurred within a predetermined time.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a flow rate measuring device of the present invention is connected to a household gas supply pipe and measures a gas flow rate at regular time intervals, and a flow rate output from the flow rate measuring unit. The calculation means for obtaining the difference value, the storage means for storing the comparison determination value for determining the activation amount, the control amount, and the stop amount of the appliance, the difference value calculated by the calculation means, and the storage means registered in the storage means When comparing the magnitude of the comparison judgment value and discriminating and detecting the activation, control, and stop operation of the gas appliance to be used, and when the discrimination means judges the operation of the appliance, A flow rate acquisition unit that measures a flow rate value and a flow rate value immediately after the operation is determined, and a flow rate that determines that the difference value calculated by the calculation unit is within a predetermined range and that the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit is stable. After determining the activation of the instrument by the determination means, the limit timer means for counting the passage of a predetermined time after the determination means, and the stable flow rate detected by the flow rate stability determination means, the number of times of detection of different stable flow rates. A structure having a stable flow rate counting means for counting, and a stove determination means for determining that the appliance in use is a stove when the stable flow rate detection means detects a stable flow rate of a predetermined number of times or more during the counting period of the limit timer means. is there.

  After detecting the activation of the instrument, the flow rate measuring device of the present invention detects an increase or decrease in gas flow rate as a control event such as thermal power adjustment, detects a stable flow rate thereafter, and detects different stable flow rates within a predetermined time. By detecting that the number of occurrences has occurred, it is determined that the instrument currently in use is a gas table (a stove).

The first invention is a comparison between a flow rate measuring means connected to a household gas supply pipe and measuring a gas flow rate at regular time intervals, a calculation means for obtaining a flow rate value output from the flow rate measuring means, and a device judging A storage unit for storing a determination value; a determination unit for determining and detecting an operating state of a gas appliance to be used by using a flow rate value calculated by the calculation unit and a comparison determination value registered in the storage unit; A flow rate stability determining unit that determines that the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit is stable; a limit timer unit that counts the passage of a predetermined time after determining the activation of the instrument by the determination unit; In the flow rate measuring device comprising the stable flow rate counting means for counting the number of times of detection of different stable flow rates at the stable flow rate detected by the judging means, the limit timer means counts. The cement period, the stable flow rate counting means is to determine the stove instruments in use at the time of detecting a predetermined number of times or more.

The second invention is characterized in that the stable flow rate counting means compares the previously generated stable flow rate with the stable flow rate generated this time, and counts when the flow rate is different by a predetermined range or more .

A third invention includes a communication unit capable of external communication is performed measurements after the stove determination unit determines that stove, the stove using a timer means for measuring the duration of the stove determining period, the stove When the count of the use timer means has passed a predetermined time, when it has been determined that the stove has been used by having the function of communicating to the outside by the communication means when the stove has been continuously used, the time when the state continues for a predetermined time For example, since it is possible to send an alarm for a long-term use of a stove to a centralized monitoring center using a public line, it is possible to contact the gas appliance user for confirmation from the center and improve the security function. be able to.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the stove use timer means measures history time of the stove discrimination period, and at the same time, history data holding means for storing history data such as the gas flow rate leading to the stove discrimination and the duration during measurement. A centralized monitoring center using a public line, for example, by having a function of communicating the outside with the communication means in combination with the history data of the history data holding means in combination with the continuous use of the stove It is possible to send alarms such as long-term use of the stove and the history data that led to the alarm, so when you contact the gas appliance user for confirmation from the center, the gas flow rate and usage time that led to the alarm Etc. can be transmitted to the user, and the security function can be further improved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a gas meter as a flow rate measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the gas meter device 1 includes a flow rate measuring means 3, an arithmetic means 6, a discriminating means 8, a storage means 7, a control means 10, a display unit 4, a seismic device 5, a gas shut-off valve 2, and a communication means 9. Configured. The flow rate measuring means 3 is connected in the path of the gas supply pipe a and, as will be described later, obtains a propagation time difference caused by the gas flow in the gas supply pipe a by using an ultrasonic signal, and detects an instantaneous gas flow rate. Is. The calculation means 6 performs various calculations related to the flow characteristics for instrument discrimination described later, such as calculating the gas flow rate by integrating the instantaneous flow rate based on the detected instantaneous flow rate, and calculating the flow rate difference value. It is. The flow rate measurement means 3 and the calculation means 6 realize the function of the flow rate measurement unit.

  The discriminating means 8 discriminates the flow rate characteristic of the gas flow rate such as the flow rate value, the flow rate change amount, and the change time based on the stored judgment value for each instrument based on the calculated flow rate value and the flow rate difference value, and the gas supply pipe The specific gas appliance used when a gas is flowing through a is determined.

The control means 10 has a function of an appliance corresponding processing section. In addition to the operation control of each part in the gas meter device 1, a security process such as a warning or a gas cutoff based on a specific result of the gas appliance by the discrimination means 8, A device identification result report, device identification information update processing, and the like are performed. The storage unit 7 includes appliance discrimination information such as a judgment value used for discrimination of a specific appliance, instantaneous flow rate value information measured by the flow rate measurement unit 3, gas flow rate value information and flow rate difference value information calculated by the calculation unit 6, and the like. Various information used in the gas meter device 1 such as the flow rate information and the history information of the appliances used and the usage status are stored. Here, the control means 10, the calculation means 6, and the discrimination means 8 are constituted by a processor and an operation program that constitute a microcomputer (microcomputer) or the like, and by executing a predetermined operation program in the processor and performing corresponding processing. Each function is realized. The storage unit 7 is configured by a memory such as a flash ROM or a RAM.

  The storage means 7 records comparison determination values for determining the occurrence of flow rate changes such as activation, control, and stop, and records the results of appliance discrimination, and is configured by, for example, a flash ROM, RAM, or the like. .

The storage means uses a semiconductor memory in the present invention, but may be a magnetic recording medium, a non-volatile memory, or the like as long as recording can be added or rewritten.
In addition, regarding the flow rate measuring means 3 of the present invention, an ultrasonic type measuring means is used. However, as a measuring method, other flow rate measuring methods can be continuously measured in a constant cycle in a short time such as a fluidic method. If it is.

  The display unit 4 includes an LED, a liquid crystal display, and the like, and displays a gas flow rate, an operating state of the gas appliance, a warning, and the like. The seismoscope 5 detects vibration such as an earthquake and outputs a detection signal to the control means 10. The gas shut-off valve 2 is connected in the path of the gas supply pipe a, and shuts off the gas supply by closing the gas supply pipe a based on an instruction from the control means 10.

  The communication means 9 has a wired or wireless communication function and is connected to a management center (not shown) via a public line, for example. The communication means 9 transmits various information, commands, and signals to the management center such as transmitting an information request signal for requesting appliance discrimination information to the management center and receiving a signal including appliance discrimination information from the management center. It is exchanged between the two.

  The management center is configured with a computer and the like, and realizes the function of the management unit. When there is a new instrument information addition or instrument information change every predetermined period, a request is received from the gas meter device 1. When there is a signal, the signal including the instrument discrimination information is transmitted to the gas meter device 1. This management center includes a processor and an operation program that constitute a computer or the like, and each function is realized by executing a predetermined operation program and performing a corresponding process in the processor.

  The operations of the flow rate measuring means 3 and the calculating means 6 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the flow rate measuring means 3.

  The flow rate measuring means 3 has a measurement flow path 32 having a rectangular cross section communicating with the gas supply pipe a, and a pair of ultrasonic waves is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow path walls facing each other. Transceivers 33 and 34 are arranged. These ultrasonic transmitters / receivers 33 and 34 are set so that the ultrasonic propagation path obliquely crosses the gas flow flowing through the measurement flow path 32, and the ultrasonic flow is alternately transmitted / received, so that the ultrasonic flow is sequentially transmitted and received. Propagation of ultrasonic waves in the opposite direction.

  At this time, the distance between the ultrasonic transceivers 33 and 34, that is, the measurement distance is L, the angle of the ultrasonic propagation path with respect to the gas flow is φ, and the ultrasonic propagation time from the upstream to the downstream of the ultrasonic transceivers 33 and 34 is If t1, the ultrasonic propagation time from downstream to upstream is t2, and the sound velocity is C, the flow velocity V can be obtained by the following equation.

V = L / 2 cos φ ((1 / t1) − (1 / t2)) (1)
The instantaneous flow rate of the gas flow is calculated from the flow velocity V and the cross-sectional area of the measurement channel 32.

The time interval for measuring the instantaneous flow rate can be set within a range where ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received. Since the time to change by activation and control varies depending on the gas appliance, reducing the measurement time interval is advantageous in terms of instantaneous instrument discrimination, but shortening the measurement time interval increases battery consumption. . Further, when the measurement time interval is a two-digit order interval equivalent to the membrane type used in the conventional gas meter, it becomes difficult to judge by looking at the difference in flow rate change. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the gas appliance is not used, the periodic instantaneous flow rate is measured at intervals of 2 seconds, and the difference value is taken to determine the activation of the gas appliance. The measurement time interval can be further shortened. For example, after starting the gas appliance, control such as shortening the measurement time interval may be performed in order to increase measurement accuracy.

  Next, the operation of the determination unit 8 will be described in detail. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in gas flow rate when the gas appliance is used, and FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in difference value of the gas flow rate when the gas appliance is used.

  FIG. 6 shows the instantaneous flow rate value of the gas measured by the flow rate measuring means 3, and FIG. 7 shows the differential value at that time, that is, the difference value for each predetermined measurement time interval. The difference value is expressed with a peak on the plus side when the gas appliance is started, and is expressed with a peak on the minus side when the gas appliance is stopped. Here, when the change in the difference value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (comparison determination value), it is possible to determine the determination of the instrument and the change in state based on the change in the gas flow rate.

  For example, instruments such as a gas stove, a gas fan heater, and a gas water heater can be identified. The gas stove has a single function for cooking and the fan heater has a single function such as for hot air heating, but the gas water heater has two functions for hot water supply and floor heating. In the floor heating, a heat medium flow path is formed on the back side of the floor, and the heat medium flowing therethrough is heated with hot water boiled by a gas water heater. And for hot water supply and floor heating, the start-up or control pattern is different, and naturally there is a difference in the change amount and change time of the difference value. Therefore, when the gas appliance is a gas water heater, it can be determined whether it is for hot water supply or floor heating, based on the number of times the difference value is continuously generated or the continuous generation time. Note that the difference value may be a negative difference at the time of stopping or ending the control as well as at the time of starting or controlling.

  The discriminating means 8 stores in advance in the storage means 7 when the gas appliance is started based on the instantaneous flow rate detected by the flow rate measuring means 3 every predetermined time and the difference value between the instantaneous flow rates calculated by the calculating means 6. The flow rate value, the flow rate change amount and the change time are determined using the appliance discrimination information, and a specific gas appliance is discriminated. In addition, it is also possible to specify the appliance using history information on the usage status of the gas appliance.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of appliance discrimination information in the present embodiment. As appliance discrimination information, for example, for each appliance such as appliance A and appliance B, appliance ID, appliance type (gas water heater, floor heating heat source machine, bathroom heater, bathroom dryer, bath water heater, No. 5 water heater, etc. , Gas fan heater, gas FF hot air heater, gas stove, gas table (stove), gas oven, gas cooker, etc.), equipment manufacturer, product number, etc. are assigned specific equipment information, for each specific equipment Corresponding flow rate characteristic information such as flow rate characteristic A (rising flow rate transition), flow rate characteristic B (stable flow rate), flow rate characteristic C (control flow rate transition) and the like are stored in association with each other.

  The appliance discriminating information is stored and registered in the storage means 7 in relation to the gas appliances that have been shipped so far, such as when the gas meter is shipped in the gas meter device 1. In addition, information related to a corresponding type of gas appliance may be set when the gas appliance is installed at the user's home. In addition, when new instrument information is added or instrument information is changed every predetermined period, or when there is a request from the gas meter apparatus 1, instrument discrimination information is sent from the management center (not shown) to the gas meter apparatus 1. It is also possible to set by communication by transmitting to the communication means 9. The appliance discrimination information may be held in the management center and transferred to the gas meter device 1 only when necessary to identify the gas appliance.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the gas appliance discrimination system of this embodiment. First, the instantaneous flow rate is measured at predetermined measurement time intervals by the flow rate measuring means 3 and the calculating means 6, and the integrated value and the difference value of the instantaneous flow rate are calculated (step S1). And it is determined by the control means 10 whether it is a timing which discriminate | determines a specific instrument (step S2). Here, if it is not the appliance discrimination timing, the flow measurement processing is performed again after returning to the original processing. When it is the instrument discrimination timing in step S2, the discrimination means 8 refers to the appliance discrimination information (step S3). Based on the calculated instantaneous flow rate value and the difference value, the flow rate change characteristic according to the flow rate change amount and change time, or the flow rate value at the time of stability, etc. A gas appliance is discriminated (step S4).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of timing for discriminating a specific gas appliance in the gas flow rate change characteristic. As shown in FIG. 11, at the timing ta when the gas appliance is started, the appliance is specified by the flow characteristic of the rising flow rate transition, or at the timing tb when the gas appliance is stably operated, the appliance is specified by the flow characteristic of the stable flow rate. Or, at the timing tc when controlling the output adjustment of the gas appliance, the gas appliance is specified at a predetermined appliance discrimination timing, such as specifying the appliance based on the flow rate characteristic of the control flow rate transition. At this time, when a specific gas appliance is determined, the determination accuracy can be improved by using a plurality of flow characteristics such as a rising flow rate transition and a stable flow rate to determine the combination by a plurality of determination conditions.

  Next, the control means 10 performs an appliance handling process corresponding to a specific gas appliance according to the appliance identification result identified by the discrimination means 8 (step S5). As the appliance handling processing, reporting of the appliance identification result, warning as security processing, cutoff of gas supply, and the like are executed. When performing the security process, various processes and combinations thereof such as an automatic return confirmation function for performing a warning, blocking after performing a warning, blocking, and restoring again after the blocking can be considered. When giving a warning, the user may notify the landline or mobile phone registered by the user of a shutoff or shutoff notice, or report to a management center (not shown) that manages the gas supply path. Is possible.

  When a warning is given, a warning instruction signal is sent from the control means 10 to the display unit 4, and in response to the warning instruction signal, the display unit 4 turns on an LED or displays characters or pictures on a liquid crystal display. Is notified. Moreover, you may warn using a sound etc. When shutting off, a shutoff instruction signal is sent from the control means 10 to the gas shutoff valve 2, and in response to this shutoff instruction signal, the gas shutoff valve 2 is driven to close the gas supply pipe a and shut off the gas supply. To do.

  Further, when reporting the gas appliance identification result, the control means 10 transmits the appliance identification result information from the communication means 9 and notifies the management center (not shown) via, for example, a public line. The management center performs management processing for a specific gas appliance based on the appliance identification result. For example, the appliance identification result can be used for various purposes, such as taking measures such as notification regarding services such as maintenance and sales for a user who uses a specific gas appliance.

  In addition, the management center (not shown) communicates the instrument discrimination information every predetermined period when new instrument information is added or instrument information is changed, or when there is a request from the gas meter device 1. 9 to the gas meter device 1. The control means 10 of the gas meter device 1 stores the received new appliance discrimination information in the storage means 7 and updates the setting of the appliance discrimination information. Thus, by appropriately updating the appliance discrimination information, it is possible to always and accurately specify the gas appliance.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to calculate the flow rate change amount and change time of the gas flow rate in the flow rate measuring means 3 and the calculation means 6 and to specify the type of the gas appliance in the discrimination means 8. Become. Using this appliance identification result, it can be used for various purposes, such as performing security processing such as warning and shut-off, setting gas charges, maintenance, sales, etc. for specific gas appliances. It is possible to manage gas appliances appropriately and conveniently.

  In the present embodiment, the flow rate value, the flow rate change amount and the change time, and the history information of the usage status of the gas appliance are used as the appliance discriminating information stored in advance in the storage means 7, and the specific gas appliance is stored. Although the case where the determination is performed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flow rate change amount, the gas pressure, and the gas temperature that are increased in measurement frequency can be used as the instrument determination information of a specific gas appliance.

  Regarding the gas meter configured as described above, the operation and action of stove discrimination will be described below.

  In FIG. 1, in the gas meter device 1, the flow rate measuring unit 3 measures the gas flow rate, for example, every 2 seconds, and sends the data to the calculation unit 6 to differentiate the flow rate value, and every 2 seconds (every 4 seconds or 6 seconds). (It may be every second.)

  This difference data is sent to the sequential determination means 8 and compared with the comparison determination value registered in the storage means 7. When the difference value exceeds the comparison determination value for determining activation, it is determined that the gas appliance has been activated, and the state is registered in the storage means 7. Further, when the gas appliance is stopped, a negative difference value is generated. When the gas appliance is coincident with the comparison determination value of the stop of the appliance registered for activation, it is determined that the appliance that has been operating is stopped.

  The detailed operation and action of the control means 10 for performing the device discrimination operation of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 as the control means 10a of FIG.

  When cooking on a stove, use a high heat at the beginning after ignition, to reduce boiling power to a low heat, etc. to prevent boiling or scorching, raise it to a high heat for reheating as necessary, and finally melt it. It can be said that it is a general procedure for adjusting the thermal power.

  In FIG. 3, after the activation of the instrument is determined by the determination unit 8, measurement of the time Ta (for example, 10 minutes) of the limit timer unit 11 is started, and the start flow rate and the end flow rate of the activation event are started by the flow rate acquisition unit 13. To get. When the activated appliance is a stove, for example, when the stove heating power adjustment is performed, the difference value of the gas flow rate is reduced to a value equal to or higher than the comparison determination value for determining the heating power adjustment. to decide. Then, the difference value of the gas flow rate increases to a value equal to or higher than the comparison determination value for determining the thermal power adjustment, and when the gas flow rate ≠ 0, it is determined that an operation for increasing the thermal power is performed.

  On the other hand, a difference value (for example, a 2-second difference value) calculated by the calculation means 6 is monitored by the flow rate stability determination means 12, and it is determined that the difference value is within a comparison determination value for determining stability and is in a stable state. Here, as a method of determining a stable state, determination may be made at the time when a difference value is equal to or less than a comparison determination value for determining stability, or the difference value is equal to or less than a comparison determination value for determining stability. It may be determined when the state continues several times.

  The stable flow rate counting means 14 counts the number of times the flow rate stability determining means 12 determines that the flow rate is stable.

Thereafter, whenever the heating power is increased or decreased by adjusting the heating power in the cooking process, the flow rate acquisition means 13 changes the flow rate every time the flow rate change (increase / decrease exceeds a predetermined determination value) is detected by the determination means 8. The flow rate is acquired, the flow rate stability determination unit 12 determines the flow rate stability (the flow rate within a predetermined determination value), and the stable flow rate counting unit 14 repeatedly counts the number of occurrences of the stable flow rate.

  Here, the stable flow rate counting means 14 compares the previously generated stable flow rate with the currently generated stable flow rate, and counts when the flow rate is different by a predetermined range or more.

  Then, when the limit timer means 11 measures a predetermined time Ta (for example, 10 minutes) by the stove discriminating means 15, it is determined within a predetermined time Ta by the stable number of times (for example, 3 times) of the stable flow rate counting means 14. When it is determined that the number of stable flow rates has occurred, it is determined that the currently operating device is a stove.

  In FIG. 6, the flow rate change is repeated within a predetermined time Ta, and stable flow rates Qa1, Qa2, Qa3, Qa4, Qa5, Qa6, and Qa7 are detected, which means that a total of 7 flow rate changes and stable flow rates have occurred. It can be determined that the appliance in use when the predetermined time Ta has elapsed is a stove.

  Here, the occurrence of the stable flow rate more than the predetermined number of times within the predetermined time is judged, but the elapsed time from the stable flow rate to the stable flow rate is measured, and based on the relationship between the stable flow rate duration and the stable flow rate value, Determine and use cooking methods in which different stable flow rates occur frequently in a relatively short time, cooking methods in which different stable flow rates are small, cooking methods in which different stable flow rates are small in a relatively long time, and cooking methods in which different stable flow rates are large It can also be determined that the appliance inside is a stove.

  Gas tables generally have two or more stoves, and some have a crill function. Therefore, it is difficult to clearly distinguish the first and second mouths, but even when they are used in combination, the same detection is possible by detecting a stable flow rate. When a predetermined number of stable flow rates are detected within a predetermined time, it is possible to determine that one stove or two or more stoves are used.

  Differences from FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The communication means 9 is connected to a management center (not shown) that performs centralized gas monitoring via a public telephone line, for example, and can transmit and receive necessary data. The stove use timer means 16 performs the measurement of the continuous use time of the stove from the time when the stove determination means 15 determines that the instrument in use is a stove until the instrument stops, and the gas flow rate has changed due to thermal power adjustment or the like. Reset and recount at that time.

  In addition, the time measured by the stove use timer means 16 can be changed by, for example, communication or the like, and can be selected in consideration of user convenience.

  Then, when the stove use timer means 16 measures a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour), the communication means 9 calls the management center (not shown) that the stove use has continued for a predetermined time.

  The center can confirm that the appliance has been used for a predetermined period of time and can confirm the usage status of the appliance (for example, if you have not forgotten to turn it off while using the stove) and improve the safety function. Can do.

  The difference from FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, the history data holding means 17 records the history data such as the gas flow rate currently in use, the stove continuous use time, the number of times the stable flow rate has been detected, etc. And the related data including the condition determined to be a stove after the stove determination means 15 determines to be the stove can be retained.

  Then, when the stove use timer means 16 measures a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour), the communication means 9 makes a call to the centralized monitoring center that the stove use has continued for a predetermined time.

  The center receives that the stove has been used for a predetermined period of time, receives history data, confirms the usage status of the appliance to the appliance user (for example, whether or not to forget to turn it off while using the stove), and the gas flow rate that led to the call. The continuous use time and the like can be transmitted to the user, a more convincing explanation can be given, and the security function can be further improved.

  It is also possible to further improve the security function by calling the management center (not shown) and simultaneously shutting off the gas shutoff valve.

  As described above, the flow rate measurement device according to the present invention is connected to a household gas supply pipe, and the flow rate measurement unit that measures the gas flow rate at regular time intervals and the difference value between the flow rates output from the flow rate measurement unit. A calculation means to be obtained; a storage means for storing a comparison determination value for determining an activation amount, a control amount, and a stop amount of the appliance; a difference value calculated by the calculation means; and a comparison determination value registered in the storage means; And a determination means for determining the activation, control, and stop operation of the gas appliance to be used, and a flow value and an operation immediately before the start of each operation when the operation of the appliance is determined by the determination means. A flow rate acquisition unit that measures a flow rate value immediately after confirmation, and a flow rate stability determination unit that determines that the difference value calculated by the calculation unit is within a predetermined range and the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit is stable. A limit timer means for counting the passage of a predetermined time after determining the activation of the instrument by the determination means, and a stable flow rate for counting the number of detections of different stable flow rates in the stable flow rate detected by the flow rate stability determination means. In the count period of the limit timer means, there is provided a stove discrimination means for discriminating an instrument in use as a stove when the stable flow rate count means detects a stable flow rate of a predetermined number of times or more.

  And after determining the start of the gas table, when the flow rate fluctuation at the time of thermal power adjustment is judged the difference value of the flow rate, the degree of stability of the flow rate after the fluctuation is judged, and the stable flow rate is detected a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time Determines that the appliance in use is a stove.

The block diagram of the gas meter apparatus in embodiment of this invention Schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic flowmeter in an embodiment of the present invention The block diagram of the control means in embodiment of this invention The block diagram of the control means in embodiment of this invention The block diagram of the control means in embodiment of this invention Flow characteristic chart in the embodiment of the present invention Enlarged view of flow rate characteristic diagram in the embodiment of the present invention The characteristic figure of the difference value of the flow in the embodiment of the invention The figure which shows an example of the instrument discrimination | determination information in embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the instrument discrimination | determination of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the timing which discriminate | determines a gas appliance in the change characteristic of the gas flow rate of embodiment of this invention. Block diagram of a conventional gas meter device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas meter apparatus 2 Gas shut-off valve 3 Flow rate measuring means 4 Display part 5 Shock absorber 6 Calculation means 7 Storage means 8 Discriminating means 9 Communication means 10 Control means 11 Limiting timer means 12 Flow rate stability judging means 13 Flow rate obtaining means 14 Stable flow count Means 15 Stove discriminating means 16 Stove use timer means 17 History data holding means

Claims (4)

Connected to the household gas supply pipe,
A flow rate measuring means for measuring the gas flow rate at regular time intervals;
A calculation means for obtaining a flow value output from the flow measurement means;
Storage means for storing a comparative determination value for determining the instrument;
Discriminating means for discriminating and detecting the operating state of the gas appliance to be used using the flow rate value calculated by the arithmetic means and the comparison judgment value registered in the storage means;
Flow rate stability determination means for determining that the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement means is stable;
Limit timer means for counting the passage of a predetermined time after determining the activation of the instrument by the determination means ,
A stable flow rate counting means for counting the number of times of detection of different stable flow rates in the stable flow rate detected by the flow rate stability determination means,
In the count period of the limit timer means,
The flow rate measuring apparatus characterized by discriminating an instrument in use as a stove when the stable flow rate counting means detects a predetermined number of times or more. 2. The flow rate measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stable flow rate counting unit compares the previously generated stable flow rate with the currently generated stable flow rate, and counts when the flow rate is different by a predetermined range or more. A communication means capable of communicating with the outside;
Perform the measurement after the stove discriminating means determines that stove has a stove using a timer means for measuring the duration of the stove determining period, when the count of the stove using timer means has passed the predetermined time, the continuation of stove using serial mounting of the flow rate measuring device according to claim 1 or 2 communicating with the outside by the communication means that there was. The stove use timer means has history data holding means for storing history data such as a gas flow rate leading to the stove discrimination and a duration during measurement at the same time as measuring the duration of the stove discrimination period. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the communication means and the history data of the history data holding means are combined and communicated to the outside by the communication means.