JP4893523B2 - Gas shut-off device and gas supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device and relates to a gas shut-off device that prevents erroneous shut-off by re-registering the flow rate using the features of the tool flow rate and monitoring the use even when the flow rate of use changes during monitoring of a plurality of tools.

  Conventionally, as this type of gas shut-off device, the flow rate measuring means that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of gas passing through, and the increase / decrease of the individual appliances in use when the flow rate signal increases / decreases are estimated. Individual instrument estimation means for outputting the individual calculation flow rate and the used time, individual flow registration means for registering the flow rate of the individual instrument to be used in advance and outputting the registered individual flow rate and usage time, and individual flow memory for storing the registered individual flow rate And an error that outputs an individual abnormality signal when the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the increased / decreased appliance is not included in the registered individual flow rate of the individual flow rate storage means and the continued use time of the increased / decreased appliance continues for the first predetermined time or more A flow rate determination unit, a notification unit that receives the individual abnormality signal and gives a warning notification of an abnormality in the gas flow rate, or a blocking unit that blocks the gas passage, and an estimated individual performance of the individual instrument estimation unit When the flow rate is not included in the registered individual flow rate of the individual flow rate storage means and the time used by the device of the individual device estimation means is longer than the second predetermined time and shorter than the first predetermined time, the estimated individual flow estimation means There has been disclosed a gas shut-off device provided with a constant individual flow rate registration means for registering a calculated flow rate in an individual flow rate storage means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The gas shut-off device disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 4. Reference numeral 101 denotes a flow rate measuring means, which is a flow rate sensor attached to a gas meter. Reference numeral 102 denotes an individual appliance estimation means, which calculates the flow rate signal s of the flow rate sensor 1 as an average flow rate for a fixed measurement period (30 seconds), estimates the increase or decrease in individual flow rate in use based on the increase or decrease in the average flow rate, The estimated individual calculation flow rate Q of the increased / decreased instrument and the used time are output. When the average flow rate increases, the individual device estimation means 102 determines that the increased amount of gas device has been used, and when the average flow rate decreases, determines that the decreased amount of gas device has been stopped, Estimate individual equipment. Reference numeral 103 denotes an individual flow rate registration means, which is a setter for inputting in advance the flow rate (Qi) of an individual appliance used in the home. Reference numeral 104 denotes individual flow rate storage means for sequentially storing the flow rate (Qi) of the individual appliance of the individual flow rate registration means 103 and the flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means 107 as Q1, Q2, Q3,. 105 is an abnormal flow rate determination unit, and the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual appliance estimation unit 102 is not included in {Q1, Q2, Q3,..., Qn} of the individual flow rate storage unit 104, and the estimated individual flow rate Q Continues for the first predetermined time (10 minutes) or more, the individual abnormality signal E is output. Reference numeral 106 denotes a notification means or a cutoff means, which is provided with an LCD or LED for receiving a warning in response to the individual abnormality signal E, or a cutoff valve for blocking the gas passage. 107 is an always individual flow rate registering means, and when the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual flow rate estimating means 102 is not less than the second predetermined time (3 minutes) and within the first predetermined time (10 minutes), the estimated individual flow rate Q is output to the individual flow rate storage means 104.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the conventional example will be described. Based on the flow rate signal of the flow rate measuring means 101, the average flow rate is calculated. A change flow rate between this average flow rate and the previous average flow rate is obtained to determine whether the change is an increase or a decrease, and an estimated individual calculation flow rate Q is obtained by each process. It is determined whether this estimated individual calculation flow rate Q newly appearing as a result of the increase / decrease process is included in the individual flow rate storage means 104 and whether it has been used for the first predetermined time (10 minutes). If it is not included and is used for 10 minutes or more, the notification means or blocking means 106 is operated. If it is not included or is not used for 10 minutes or more, it is judged whether it is an unregistered flow rate, 3 minutes or more, or 10 minutes or less. The means 107 performs registration processing in the individual flow rate storage means 104.

  If there is an increase in the average flow rate of Qt (for example, Q2 + Q3 as an example) due to simultaneous use of a plurality of devices, and the usage time is 7 minutes, for example, the average flow rate decreases after 7 minutes, the individual device estimation means 102 The estimated individual flow rate Qt is output. The estimated individual flow rate Qt is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 104 by the individual flow rate registration unit 107 at all times because the usage time is 3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less. Thereafter, since it is registered in the individual flow rate storage means 104, even if this flow rate appears for 10 minutes or more, it is not blocked. That is, it is possible to reduce erroneous interruption due to gas appliances that are often started up simultaneously. Further, when there is a new individual flow rate Qk (3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less) due to a replacement device or the like, the estimated individual flow rate Qk is output from the individual device estimation means 102. The estimated individual flow rate Qk is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 104 by the individual flow rate registration unit 107 at all times because the usage time is 3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less.

Thereafter, since it is registered in the individual flow rate storage means 104, even if this flow rate appears for 10 minutes or more, it is not blocked. Individual appliances used in each home can be stored in advance to prevent accidents due to gas leaks due to flow rates other than the individual appliances, and prevent accidental interruption due to simultaneous startup of appliances or replacement of appliances.
JP 7-44239 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the function of preventing a gas passage when a flow rate other than that registered in the individual flow rate storage means is newly detected or by erroneously registering as a registered individual flow rate is prevented. However, if the registered individual flow rate is stopped when the flow rate changes within the normal range due to the flow control of the device itself, the value will differ from the individual flow rate at the time of registration. In some cases, a different registered individual flow rate may be deleted by mistake, and in this case, if one with a lower registered individual flow rate is deleted and the remaining one remains, the device can be used continuously. The time will be shortened, and the gas shut-off valve will operate in a shorter time than expected and the gas supply will be stopped. If it is left will, continuous use time limit will be extended, such as when using a large instruments used flow will have a problem in safety.

  For example, when using a shower, the water heater may control the gas flow rate according to the temperature deviation in order to keep the set hot water temperature, and the combustion amount may be varied, and the fan heater etc. may have a gas flow rate to keep it at a constant room temperature. There are cases where the amount of combustion is controlled and variable. In such a case, the estimated individual calculation flow rate obtained by the individual device estimation unit at the start of the use of the device and registered in the individual flow rate registration unit gradually decreases the gas flow rate by the combustion amount control corresponding to the load fluctuation, and the initial estimation is performed over time. There may be a difference from the individual calculation flow rate. Normally, when the other instrument stops using or a large flow rate change occurs while using multiple devices, the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means is re-registered based on the change amount. If the estimated individual calculation flow rate is changed gradually, the re-registration process of the estimated individual calculation flow rate is not executed. In some cases, the actual flow rate that has been reduced in step 1 and the total value of the registered flow rate may be different. In such a case, the total value of the registered flow rate will be monitored in a state larger than the actual flow rate. The continuous use time limit is shifted to a short time, leading to erroneous interruption. That is, there is a problem that monitoring different from the actual use flow rate cannot be performed to prevent erroneous interruption.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and when it is determined that the use of the instrument is stopped by detecting a change in flow rate of a predetermined value or more, an average obtained by the registered individual flow rate and the flow rate calculation means after deleting the predetermined registered individual flow rate When the flow rate value is compared and there is a difference greater than or equal to the specified value, the registered individual flow rate is corrected based on the difference data. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly safe gas shut-off device that can be made close to the flow rate of use and that has no erroneous shut-off.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the gas shutoff device of the present invention is obtained from a flow rate detection unit that measures a flow rate, a flow rate calculation unit that calculates a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection unit, and a flow rate calculation unit. Average flow rate calculation means for averaging instantaneous flow rate values to obtain an average flow value value, flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculation means and the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means, and the average flow rate calculation means A flow rate change determining unit that determines that there is a flow rate change when the changed flow rate is greater than a predetermined change value from the stored flow rate value and the stored value of the flow rate storing unit, and a flow rate registration that registers or deletes the flow rate change by the flow rate change determining unit It means, and the flow rate storage unit for storing the flow rate registered in the flow registration unit, a feature extraction means for obtaining a characteristic quantity of flow and flow rate change or the like in accordance with use conditions of the flow from the instrument obtained by the flow rate computing means A feature storage unit that stores feature data of flow rate and flow rate variation or the like in accordance with use condition of the instrument, the instrument being used and a calculated feature amount and the feature storage means stored feature data in the feature extraction means When the plurality of flow rates registered with the flow rate registration means that are determined to have a flow rate change are deleted and the total of the plurality of registered flow rates deleted and the average flow rate are within a predetermined range, If the feature amount calculated by the feature amount and the feature extraction means past deleted plurality appliance from discriminating means is equal, and the flow rate registration correction means for re-registered in the flow registration unit with a plurality of instruments flow in the flow rate storage unit Monitoring value storage means for storing determination values for monitoring abnormalities in use conditions, abnormality determination means for comparing the flow value of the flow rate registration means with the determination value of the monitoring value storage means, and determining whether there is an abnormality, Abnormal in judgment means Comprising a shut-off means for cutting off the supply of gas when the constant established.

  According to the above invention, when a plurality of appliances are used and a plurality of appliance flow rates are registered, a plurality of appliances are determined to be stopped by the flow rate change determination means and deleted from the flow registration means to become a single instrument. In the case of the vicinity of the total flow rate of the deleted multiple devices (within the specified flow range), the characteristic flow is extracted by the feature extraction unit, and it is determined whether it matches the flow rate feature registered in the past flow by the device determination unit. Output a coincidence signal to the flow rate registration correction means, read the flow rate registered in the past from the flow rate storage means, and replace the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means with the past multiple instrument flow rates, thereby originally using multiple instruments. Although it is in the middle, the usage time is mistakenly monitored as one appliance, and the usage time is shut off early, and the number of unnecessary dispatches of the gas company increases, or it can be used for a long time like a heating appliance. Stop between can be prevented from lowering of usability, and it is possible to provide a highly safe gas cutoff apparatus.

  When the gas shutoff device of the present invention uses a plurality of appliances and a plurality of appliance flow rates are registered, the flow rate change judging means determines that the plurality of appliances are stopped from use and is deleted from the flow registration means to become a single appliance, and the past deletion In the case of the vicinity of the total flow rate of multiple instruments (within the specified flow range), the feature extraction means extracts features such as flow rate rise and flow rate change methods after the rise, and the appliance discrimination means uses the feature quantity If it is determined that the flow rate is the same as the flow rate of multiple devices deleted in the past from the characteristics of the detected flow rate, by replacing the flow rate registration value of the multiple devices stored in the flow rate storage means, Even though it is in the middle, the usage time is mistakenly monitored as one appliance, the usage time is shut off early, the number of unnecessary dispatches of gas companies increases, and it can be used for a long time like a heating appliance It is possible to prevent deterioration of usability stopped in time.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate detection means for measuring a flow rate, a flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection means, and an average flow rate value obtained by averaging instantaneous flow rate values obtained from the flow rate calculation means. Average flow rate calculation means, flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculation means and the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means, the flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the flow rate storage A flow rate change judging means for judging that there is a flow rate change when the change flow rate is larger than a predetermined change value from the stored value of the means, a flow rate registration means for registering or deleting the flow rate change by the flow rate change judging means, and the flow rate a flow rate storage means for storing registered in the registration unit flow rate, a feature extraction means for obtaining a characteristic quantity of flow and flow rate change or the like in accordance with use conditions of the flow rate calculation means calculated flow rate from the instrument, the instrument Estimation and feature storage means for storing characteristic data of the flow rate and flow rate variation or the like in accordance with use conditions, the in and instrument using the calculated feature amount and the stored feature data in the feature storage means by said feature extracting means When the plurality of flow rates registered by the flow rate registration means determined to have a flow rate change are deleted and the total of the plurality of registered flow rates and the average flow rate are within a predetermined range, If the feature amount calculated by the feature amount and the feature extraction means past deleted plurality appliance from discriminating means are equal, the flow rate registration correction means for re-registered in the flow registration unit with a plurality of instruments flow in said flow memory unit Monitoring value storage means for storing a determination value for monitoring abnormalities in the use state, abnormality determination means for comparing the flow value of the flow rate registration means and the determination value of the monitoring value storage means to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality, The anomaly Comprising a shut-off means for cutting off the supply of gas when the abnormality determining satisfied in unit.

  And when multiple devices are used and multiple device flow rates are registered, the flow rate change judging means determines that the plurality of devices are not in use and is deleted from the flow rate registration means to become a single device, and the total flow rate of the multiple devices previously deleted In the vicinity of the value (within the predetermined flow rate range), the change in the flow rate is monitored by the determination period means, and when no change in the flow rate exceeding the predetermined flow rate is detected, it is determined that the flow rate of the plurality of instruments deleted in the past is stored in the flow storage means. By swapping the stored multiple flow rates and the registered flow values, even though multiple devices are in use, the use time is mistakenly monitored for one device, and the use time is shut off early. It is possible to prevent a decrease in usability by stopping in a short time even though it can be used for a long time like a heating appliance, and it is highly safe.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the flow rate detecting means for measuring the flow rate, the flow rate calculating means for calculating the flow value from the detection value of the flow rate detecting means, and the instantaneous flow rate value obtained from the flow rate calculating means are averaged to obtain an average flow rate. Average flow rate calculation means for obtaining a value, flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculation means and the average flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means, the flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation means and the flow rate A flow rate change determination means for determining that there is a flow rate change when the change flow rate is greater than a predetermined change value from a stored value of the storage means; a flow rate registration means for registering or deleting a flow rate change by the flow rate change determination means; a flow rate storage unit for storing the flow rate registered in the flow registration unit, a feature extraction means for obtaining a characteristic quantity of flow and flow rate change or the like in accordance with use conditions of the flow rate calculation means calculated flow rate from the instrument, A feature storage means for storing characteristic data of the flow rate and flow rate variation or the like in accordance with use conditions of the tool, is used from the stored feature data in the feature storage unit and the feature amount obtained by the feature extraction means instrument When the plurality of flow rates registered by the flow rate registration means and the device discrimination means for estimating the flow rate change are deleted, the total of the plurality of deleted flow rates and the average flow rate are within a predetermined range, If the feature amount calculated by the feature amount and the feature extraction means past deleted plurality instrument from the appliance determination unit is equal, the flow rate registration to re-register the flow rate registration unit in the plurality of instruments flow in said flow memory unit Correction means, monitoring value storage means for storing determination values for monitoring abnormalities in use conditions, and abnormality determination means for comparing the flow value of the flow rate registration means and the determination value of the monitoring value storage means to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality And the flow The use time correction means for performing the abnormality judgment means of the use time limit corrected signal from the registration correction means, and a blocking means for blocking the supply of the gas when the abnormality determination establishment by said abnormality judgment means.

And when multiple devices are used and multiple device flow rates are registered, the flow rate change judging means determines that the plurality of devices are not in use and is deleted from the flow rate registration means to become a single device, and the total flow rate of the multiple devices previously deleted In the vicinity of the value (within the predetermined flow rate range), the change in the flow rate is monitored by the determination period means, and when no change in the flow rate exceeding the predetermined flow rate is detected, it is determined that the flow rate of the plurality of instruments deleted in the past is stored in the flow storage means. The stored multiple flow rate and the registered flow rate are switched, and the time until the first registration and re-registration is corrected and monitored by the usage time correction means, so one device is used even though multiple devices are originally used. Incorrectly monitoring the usage time and shutting down the usage time at an early stage, the number of unnecessary dispatches of the gas company increases, it continues to be used abnormally for a long time, and it does not affect the life of gas consumers, and the heater As stops in a short time to the original, a long usable can be prevented from lowering of usability, and high safety.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation mode of a gas cutoff device and a gas appliance in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the gas cutoff device.

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

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

  When the installed gas appliance is used and gas consumption occurs, the amount of use is measured by the gas meter 2, and the data is accumulated and stored every predetermined period. The data stored in the gas meter 2 is subjected to predetermined information processing based on a periodic data request command from the gas company, and then information such as gas charges, gas usage, discount services provided by the gas company, etc. To the consumer and the gas company.

  The gas meter 2 is formed with a gas flow path having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and includes a flow rate detecting means 10 for measuring the gas flow rate and a shut-off means 23 for shutting off the gas in the gas flow path when there is an abnormality. The Note that there are various methods as the flow rate detection means 10, and an ultrasonic signal is transmitted from one to the other with a pair of ultrasonic sensors installed in the flow path shown in the present embodiment, and the gas flow rate used is determined from the propagation time. For detecting the flow rate, or for determining the flow rate from the impedance that changes depending on the flow with a hot-wire sensor installed in the flow path, and for detecting the amount of gas with a metering membrane, Some devices detect the flow rate as an electrical pulse signal.

  Accordingly, the flow rate detection means 10 using an ultrasonic sensor will be briefly described. A first transmitter / receiver for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic waves and a second transmitter / receiver for receiving or transmitting ultrasonic waves are arranged in opposition to the flow direction, and a control circuit is provided. The switching between transmission and reception is possible by detecting the flow state of a fluid such as gas. The flow rate is measured by processing signals from the first transceiver and the second transceiver, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from upstream to downstream. And it receives with a 2nd transmitter / receiver, and measures by time-measurement means like a timer counter. Next, an ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the downstream to the upstream by the switching means, and the time value is measured. Then, the flow rate calculation means 11 obtains the flow rate value in consideration of the size of the flow path and the fluid flow state from the ultrasonic propagation time difference between the first transmitter / receiver and the second transmitter / receiver. The flow rate data is obtained every predetermined cycle as an instantaneous flow rate value.

  Then, the instantaneous flow rate value obtained in a predetermined cycle is input to the average flow rate calculation means 12, where a predetermined number of instantaneous flow rate values are collected and averaged to be calculated as an average flow rate value. The flow rate storage means 13 stores the instantaneous flow rate and the average flow rate value obtained by the flow rate calculation means 11 in the flow rate storage means 13 in time series.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a flow rate change determination unit. In the flow rate change unit determination 14, the average flow rate value calculated by the current average flow rate calculation unit 12 is compared with the previous or Nth previous stored flow rate stored in the flow rate storage unit 13. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a change that is equal to or greater than a predetermined change value, and it is determined whether or not to start using the device or whether or not the flow rate has changed. For example, when a consumer uses the water heater 4, the flow rate value changes from zero to a predetermined flow rate, or the average flow rate obtained when the water heater 4 is used while other appliances are used and the past of the flow rate storage means 13. Whether or not the instrument is used / stopped or whether there is a change in flow rate is determined based on whether the flow rate change rate or flow rate change amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  Then, when the flow rate change is detected by the flow rate change determination means 14, it is determined whether the use of the appliance is started or the use of the appliance is stopped. Specifically, when the appliance is used, the flow rate change means is used. 15 is set as a registered flow rate value. In this case, each time a change on the flow rate increasing side is detected, it is determined that the appliance has been additionally used, and each time the flow rate change is newly registered and set as a registered flow rate value. On the other hand, when the use of the instrument is stopped, it is determined that the instrument has been stopped and deleted from the registered flow values registered in the flow registration means 15 that are close to the flow rate change. Similarly, in the case of this deletion process, every time a change on the flow rate decrease side is detected, it is determined that the use of the appliance has been stopped, and the deletion process of the registered flow rate value is executed each time. The appliance flow rate registered in the flow rate registration unit 15 is stored in the flow rate storage unit 16 in time series. Even if the registered flow rate is deleted by the flow rate registration means 15, it remains in the flow rate storage means 16.

  On the other hand, 17 is a feature extraction means for obtaining features such as the rise time until the instrument flow rate stabilizes after starting the instrument flow rate, the absolute flow value, and the flow rate change from the flow rate stabilization period. Reference numeral 18 denotes feature storage means, which stores feature amount data such as a rise time until stabilization after starting the appliance flow rate for each appliance, an absolute flow rate value, and a flow rate change from the flow rate stabilization period. 19 is an appliance discriminating means for estimating which appliance flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 from the feature flow rate from the feature extraction means 17 and various feature data stored in the feature storage means 18. For example, it is determined whether the change time and the peak flow rate at the rise of the flow rate are within a predetermined time range within a flow rate range, or whether the characteristics are the same using a correlation coefficient. These appliance discrimination processes are performed in parallel with obtaining an average flow rate or registering a flow rate based on a change in flow rate.

  When a change signal is output from the flow rate change determination unit 14, the flow rate registration unit 15 registers or reduces the flow rate, but determines whether the normal flow rate change is an increase change or a decrease change. In particular, after a plurality of (for example, three or more) appliance flows are registered in the flow registration means 15, a plurality of flow appliances are deleted (particularly a small appliance flow) after that, and the appliance flow rate is 1 in the flow registration means 15. Only one may be registered.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a flow rate registration correcting unit. The appliance discriminating unit 19 determines whether the registered flow rate is substantially the same as the total flow rate of a plurality of appliances deleted up to the registration time point or whether the flow rate difference is within a predetermined flow rate range. If it is within the range, if the device discrimination estimation is made that the feature quantity of the current flow rate is substantially equal to the flow feature of the appliance registered in the past, the flow rate registered in the flow registration means 15 is actually a plurality of past The flow rate registration correction signal is output to the flow rate registration unit 15 and the flow rate storage unit 16 by determining the flow rate of the appliance.

  Then, in the flow rate registering unit 15, the currently registered flow rate and the plurality of appliance flow rates stored in the flow rate storing unit 16 are exchanged. In practice, the flow rate of a plurality of devices that have been deleted by mistake in the past while continuing to use the same device is re-registered in the flow rate registration unit 15 from the flow rate storage unit 16 again in descending order.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an abnormality determination unit that monitors the appliances used at the reset registered flow rate. Reference numeral 22 denotes monitoring value storage means, which stores the appliance continuous use time limit corresponding to the flow rate range of the flow rate monitored by the abnormality determination means 21 or the monitoring determination value of the maximum use flow rate. For example, when the hose that supplies gas to a stove or the like is disconnected for some reason, an abnormally large flow rate is generated, but the total flow cutoff value for monitoring such a condition and the maximum use time of the appliance normally A monitoring value is provided in which a usage time cut-off time limit that defines a time limit for use time is set corresponding to a case where the device is used for a long time. By comparing and determining this set value and the registered flow rate value of the flow rate registering unit 15 by the abnormality determining unit 21, the registered flow rate value does not exceed the maximum use flow rate value, or the device usage time corresponds to the registered flow rate value. It is determined whether the continuous use time limit has been exceeded. When abnormality is determined by the abnormality determination means 21, a cutoff signal is sent to the cutoff means 23 to stop the gas supply. Reference numeral 24 denotes a notifying means for displaying a shut-off state and shut-off content on a liquid crystal display element or the like, and notifying a center that performs gas safety monitoring through a communication means (not shown).

  Next, the operation of the gas shut-off device configured as described above will be described. When a gas appliance held at a customer's house, such as a gas stove 9 or a water heater 4, is used, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means 10. For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured as a detected value, and this signal is sent to the flow rate calculation means 11 to be calculated as an instantaneous flow rate value. Calculated as the average flow value. The obtained instantaneous flow rate and average flow rate are periodically and time-sequentially stored in the flow rate storage unit 13, and the past average flow rate stored in the flow rate storage unit 13 (for example, the previous time or the previous time, The presence or absence of a change in flow rate is determined from the flow rate memory value n times before). That is, using the average flow rate value output at a predetermined interval, the use of the appliance or the stoppage of the appliance is determined from the change state, and the flow rate change at the time of change is used as the registered flow rate of the appliance to be used. By newly registering or deleting a registered flow rate that has already been registered, it is possible to accurately set a registered flow rate that corresponds to the appliance used at the time of change.

  For example, when the user uses the water heater 4, for example, when the past flow rate is zero, the flow rate changes to an arbitrary flow rate, but the change is obtained as a change flow rate from the average flow rate and the past flow rate, and the change rate or change amount is predetermined. In the above case, it is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 as having a change, that is, having some appliance used. Alternatively, when the water heater 4 is used while the gas table 8 is used, the flow rate of the gas table 8 is stored in the past flow rate of the flow rate storage means 13, and the flow rate change determination means 14 changes from the current average flow rate and the past flow rate stored value. Similarly, the flow rate is obtained, and similarly, the change rate from the current flow rate or the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 when there is a change when the change flow rate is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Not only when the appliance usage increases, but when any appliance is stopped while a plurality of appliances are in use, or when the flow rate changes, the flow rate change judging means 14 determines whether the change has decreased from the past flow rate memory value and the average flow rate. The decrease change flow rate is output, and the flow rate registration means 15 deletes or reduces the closest flow rate registration value among the flow rates registered from the decrease change flow rate.

  However, when the gas table 8 or the gas fan heater 9 is being used, the amount of combustion when the hot water heater 4 is used, particularly when used for floor heating or the like, when the initial load is large and when the stable load is small. Changes significantly. In such a case, the flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 is registered in the flow rate registration means 15, and the flow rate of the hot water heater 4 is further registered. It is determined that there is a flow rate change in the initial operation of the water heater 4, and the use of the water heater 4 is determined, and the average flow rate value at this time is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 as a registered flow rate. When the operation is continued, the heating load is gradually decreased, and the combustion amount, that is, the gas flow rate is controlled in the decreasing direction by the proportional control. Depending on the amount of change at this time, the flow rate change determining means 14 may actually use the flow rates of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9, but the flow rate registration may be deleted. When the use of the water heater 4 is stopped, the total flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 may remain in the flow rate registration means 15 as one appliance.

That is, the flow rate change of the same flow rate as the flow rate of the hot water heater and the flow rate of the gas table 8 or the gas fan heater 9 may occur while the hot water heater 4 is being used. As a result, it is determined that the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 are stopped, and the flow rate registration value is deleted from the flow rate registration means 15. In this state, when the heating load is saturated and the water heater 4 stops, the flow rate change determining unit 14 determines that the flow rate has changed, and the flow rate change at this time is deleted from the registered flow rate registered in the flow rate registering unit 15. . However, when the water heater 4 stops, the flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 has already disappeared, so the total flow rate remains in the flow rate registration means 15 as one instrument. As one appliance flow rate that is not actually used, the abnormality determination unit 21 becomes a target of the registered flow rate when compared with the set value of the monitoring value storage unit 22. In other words, the device to be used is monitored at a registered flow rate that is larger than the flow rate of the device that is actually used, the continuous use limit time is shortened, and the shut-off means 23 can be operated in an unexpectedly short time. A user-friendliness of accidental blocking occurs.

  Therefore, in parallel with the change from the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the feature extraction means 17, the use start determination of the appliance, the time from the rise of the flow rate to the stability, the peak flow rate, the flow rate at the time of stability, or the flow rate control after the stabilization Detects characteristics such as change time and flow rate during restabilization period. The feature storage means 18 is a feature amount of each of the above-mentioned various states for each appliance, that is, a flow rate at the time of starting use of the appliance, a time from the rise of the subsequent flow rate to the stability, a peak flow rate, a stable flow rate, or a stabilized flow rate. Information such as a change time during control, a flow rate during re-stable period, and time is stored. The appliance discriminating means 19 estimates the appliance to which the flow rate currently detected from the feature quantity of the feature extraction means 17 or the feature storage means 18 is close to, for example, the stored feature quantity within a predetermined range or a predetermined correlation. Judgment is made based on whether the number is within the range. In parallel with these determination processes, the appliance discriminating means 19 discriminates the appliance flow rate corresponding to the average flow rate value registered in the flow rate registration means 15 as needed.

  Therefore, the registered flow rate is stored in the flow rate storage unit 16 in time series whenever the flow rate registration unit 15 registers the flow rate of the device A and the device B, for example. It also stores the elapsed time until it is registered and changed. A maximum flow rate appliance C, for example, a water heater 4 is used and registered. After that, the flow rate changes, and the appliance discrimination means 19 discriminates and estimates the appliance flow rate. When the flow rate change is detected while it takes time to discriminate, a plurality of previously registered appliance flow rates, appliance A according to the changed flow rate are detected. The instrument B may be deleted. Therefore, the appliance discriminating means 19 stores the status of the appliance A and the appliance B being deleted due to the change in the flow rate as a signal from the flow rate registration means 15. Furthermore, when the water heater 4 of the appliance C is stopped, the flow rate registration correcting means 20 has only one appliance flow rate remaining in the flow rate registration means 15 in the flow rate registration means 15 but has been deleted due to the appliance flow rate reduction. And the total registered flow rate of the appliance B and the remaining registered flow rate are compared. If the flow rates are approximately equal, that is, whether the flow rate difference is within the predetermined value range or within the predetermined ratio, the flow rate registration correction signal is output together with the appliance determination signal output. The registration unit 15 and the flow rate storage unit 16 are performed.

  In other words, the flow rate registration correction means 20 receives the appliance determination signal from the appliance discriminating means 19, and the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculation means 12 remains in the registered value of the flow rate registration means 15 and the flow rate storage means 16. It is determined whether there is a change in the total flow rate of A and the device B and the flow rate. As a result, when it is determined that there is no change in flow rate and that the flow rate is close to the same flow rate, it is determined that a plurality of devices are originally used continuously rather than one registered flow rate device, and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 15 is determined as the flow rate storage means 16. Re-register with multiple appliance flow rates remaining in That is, it resets with the memory | storage flow volume of a flow volume memory | storage means corresponding to the instrument currently in use.

Then, the abnormality determination means 21 monitors the appliance in use with reference to the corresponding use time limit time in the monitor value storage means 22 with the reset registered flow rate.
It should be noted that the numerical limitation used in the present embodiment is an example, and the usage pattern is not limited to this embodiment.

As described above, when the flow rate change determination unit 14 detects a flow rate change equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate and the appliance flow rate registration changes, the appliance flow feature is determined from the flow rate detected by the feature extraction unit 17 in parallel, and the appliance discrimination is performed. When the instrument flow rate is determined by the means 19, the flow rate registration correction means 20 deletes a plurality of instrument flow rates when the maximum flow rate instrument is being used (registered in the flow rate registration means 15), and as a result, the maximum flow rate registration value changes. It is determined whether or not a plurality of previously registered instruments are being used, and it is determined by the signal from the instrument discriminating means 19 that the instrument having the deleted flow rate is still being used. Since re-registration is possible, it is possible to correct the registered flow rate corresponding to the instrument currently in use, and to prevent proper blockage by ensuring an appropriate usage time corresponding to the instrument in use. It is possible to provide a highly manual gas cutoff apparatus.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Means having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 25 denotes a use time correction unit, and when a flow rate registration correction signal is output from the flow rate registration correction unit 20, if re-registration is performed in the flow rate registration unit 15, the process from the first registration to the re-registration is performed. The time is corrected from the monitoring time and monitored by the abnormality determination means 21. The flow rate storage unit 16 stores the elapsed time for each registered flow rate whenever the flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration unit 15 and the registered flow rate changes. The usage time correction unit 25 calculates and corrects the elapsed usage time of the flow rate stored in the flow rate storage unit 16.

  Next, the operation of the gas shut-off device configured as described above will be described. When a gas appliance held at a customer's house, such as a gas stove 9 or a water heater 4, is used, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means 10. For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured as a detected value, and this signal is sent to the flow rate calculation means 11 to be calculated as an instantaneous flow rate value. Calculated as the average flow value. The obtained instantaneous flow rate and average flow rate are periodically and time-sequentially stored in the flow rate storage unit 13, and the past average flow rate stored in the flow rate storage unit 13 (for example, the previous time or the previous time, The presence or absence of a change in flow rate is determined from the flow rate memory value n times before). That is, using the average flow rate value output at a predetermined interval, the use of the appliance or the stoppage of the appliance is determined from the change state, and the flow rate change at the time of change is used as the registered flow rate of the appliance to be used. By newly registering or deleting a registered flow rate that has already been registered, it is possible to accurately set a registered flow rate that corresponds to the appliance used at the time of change.

  For example, when the user uses the water heater 4, for example, when the past flow rate is zero, the flow rate changes to an arbitrary flow rate, but the change is obtained as a change flow rate from the average flow rate and the past flow rate, and the change rate or change amount is predetermined. In the above case, it is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 as having a change, that is, having some appliance used. Alternatively, when the water heater 4 is used while the gas table 8 is used, the flow rate of the gas table 8 is stored in the past flow rate of the flow rate storage means 13, and the flow rate change determination means 14 changes from the current average flow rate and the past flow rate stored value. Similarly, the flow rate is obtained, and similarly, the change rate from the current flow rate or the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 when there is a change when the change flow rate is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Not only when the appliance usage increases, but when any appliance is stopped while a plurality of appliances are in use, or when the flow rate changes, the flow rate change judging means 14 determines whether the change has decreased from the past flow rate memory value and the average flow rate. The decrease change flow rate is output, and the flow rate registration means 15 deletes or reduces the closest flow rate registration value among the flow rates registered from the decrease change flow rate.

However, when the gas table 8 or the gas fan heater 9 is being used, the amount of combustion when the hot water heater 4 is used, particularly when used for floor heating or the like, when the initial load is large and when the stable load is small. Changes significantly. In such a case, the flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 is registered in the flow rate registration means 15, and the flow rate of the hot water heater 4 is further registered. It is determined that there is a flow rate change in the initial operation of the water heater 4, and the use of the water heater 4 is determined, and the average flow rate value at this time is registered in the flow rate registration means 15 as a registered flow rate. When the operation is continued, the heating load is gradually decreased, and the combustion amount, that is, the gas flow rate is controlled in the decreasing direction by the proportional control. Depending on the amount of change at this time, the flow rate change determining means 14 may actually use the flow rates of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9, but the flow rate registration may be deleted. When the use of the water heater 4 is stopped, the total flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 may remain in the flow rate registration means 15 as one appliance.

  That is, the flow rate change of the same flow rate as the flow rate of the hot water heater and the flow rate of the gas table 8 or the gas fan heater 9 may occur while the hot water heater 4 is being used. As a result, it is determined that the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 are stopped, and the flow rate registration value is deleted from the flow rate registration means 15. In this state, when the heating load is saturated and the water heater 4 is stopped, the flow rate change determining unit 15 determines that the flow rate has changed, and the flow rate change at this time is deleted from the registered flow rate registered in the flow rate registering unit 15. . However, when the water heater 4 stops, the flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 has already disappeared, so the total flow rate remains in the flow rate registration means 15 as one instrument. As one appliance flow rate that is not actually used, the abnormality determination unit 21 becomes a target of the registered flow rate when compared with the set value of the monitoring value storage unit 22. In other words, the device to be used is monitored at a registered flow rate that is larger than the flow rate of the device that is actually used, the continuous use limit time is shortened, and the shut-off means 23 can be operated in an unexpectedly short time. A user-friendliness of accidental blocking occurs.

  Therefore, in parallel with the change from the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the feature extraction means 17, the use start determination of the appliance, the time from the rise of the flow rate to the stability, the peak flow rate, the flow rate at the time of stability, or the flow rate control after the stabilization Detects characteristics such as change time and flow rate during restabilization period. The feature storage means 18 is a feature amount of each of the above-mentioned various states for each appliance, that is, a flow rate at the time of starting use of the appliance, a time from the rise of the subsequent flow rate to the stability, a peak flow rate, a stable flow rate, or a stabilized flow rate. Information such as a change time during control, a flow rate during re-stable period, and time is stored. The appliance discriminating means 19 estimates the appliance to which the flow rate currently detected from the feature quantity of the feature extraction means 17 or the feature storage means 18 is close to, for example, the stored feature quantity within a predetermined range or a predetermined correlation. Judgment is made based on whether the number is within the range. In parallel with these determination processes, the appliance discriminating means 19 discriminates the appliance flow rate corresponding to the average flow rate value registered in the flow rate registration means 15 as needed.

  For example, the registered flow rate is stored in the flow rate storage unit 16 in time series whenever the flow rate registration unit 15 registers the flow rate of the devices A and B. A maximum flow rate appliance C, for example, a water heater 4 is used and registered. After that, the flow rate changes, and the appliance discrimination means 19 discriminates and estimates the appliance flow rate. When the flow rate change is detected while it takes time to discriminate, a plurality of previously registered appliance flow rates, appliance A according to the changed flow rate are detected. The instrument B may be deleted. Therefore, the appliance discriminating means 19 stores the status of the appliance A and the appliance B being deleted due to the change in the flow rate as a signal from the flow rate registration means 15. Furthermore, when the water heater 4 of the appliance C is stopped, the flow rate registration correcting means 20 has only one appliance flow rate remaining in the flow rate registration means 15 in the flow rate registration means 15 but has been deleted due to the appliance flow rate reduction. And the total registered flow rate of the appliance B and the remaining registered flow rate are compared. If the flow rates are approximately equal, that is, whether the flow rate difference is within the predetermined value range or within the predetermined ratio, the flow rate registration correction signal is output together with the appliance determination signal output. The registration unit 15 and the flow rate storage unit 16 are performed.

  That is, the flow rate registration correction means 20 receives the appliance determination signal from the appliance discrimination means 19, and the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculation means 11 remains in the registered value of the flow rate registration means 15 and the flow rate storage means 16. It is determined whether there is a change in the total flow rate of A and the device B and the flow rate. As a result, when it is determined that there is no change in flow rate and that the flow rate is close to the same flow rate, it is determined that a plurality of devices are originally used continuously rather than one registered flow rate device, and the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means 15 is determined as the flow rate storage means 16. Re-register with multiple appliance flow rates remaining in That is, it resets with the memory | storage flow volume of a flow volume memory | storage means corresponding to the instrument currently in use.

  Based on the signal of the flow rate registration correction means 20, the usage time correction means 25 obtains the elapsed time of the re-registered instrument flow from the flow rate and elapsed time stored in the flow rate storage means 16, and when it is originally registered for the first time. The above-mentioned elapsed time is corrected from the set usage time of the corresponding flow rate category, and is output to the abnormality determination means 21.

  Then, the abnormality determination means 21 monitors the used appliance with reference to the correction time of the use time correction means 25 in preference to the corresponding use time limit time in the monitor value storage means 22 with the reset registered flow rate. . As a result, since the determination time has elapsed in the abnormality determination means 21, the use time correction means 25 subtracts the elapsed time to ensure safety without using the instrument abnormally for a long time. Yes.

  It should be noted that the numerical limitation used in the present embodiment is an example, and the usage pattern is not limited to this embodiment.

  As described above, when the flow rate change determination unit 14 detects a flow rate change equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate and the appliance flow rate registration changes, the appliance flow feature is determined from the flow rate detected by the feature extraction unit 17 in parallel, and the appliance discrimination is performed. When the instrument flow rate is determined by the means 19, the flow rate registration correction means 20 deletes a plurality of instrument flow rates when the maximum flow rate instrument is being used (registered in the flow rate registration means 15), and as a result, the maximum flow rate registration value changes. It is determined whether or not a plurality of previously registered instruments are being used, and it is determined by the signal from the instrument discriminating means 19 that the instrument having the deleted flow rate is still being used. Since re-registration is possible, it is possible to correct the registered flow rate corresponding to the instrument currently in use, and to prevent proper blockage by ensuring an appropriate usage time corresponding to the instrument in use. It is possible to provide a highly manual gas cutoff apparatus.

  As described above, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention correctly registers the flow rate by extracting and storing the features of the appliance used and monitors the usage time, and can be applied to appliance monitoring devices in general.

The figure which shows the installation form of the gas interruption | blocking apparatus and gas appliance in Embodiment 1 of this invention Control block diagram of gas cutoff device in embodiment 1 of the invention Control block diagram of gas cutoff device in embodiment 2 of the invention Control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flow rate detection means 11 Flow rate calculation means 12 Average flow rate calculation means 13 Flow rate storage means 14 Flow rate change determination means 15 Flow rate registration means 16 Flow rate storage means 17 Feature extraction means 18 Feature storage means 19 Instrument discrimination means 20 Flow rate registration correction means 21 Abnormality determination Means 22 Monitoring value storage means 23 Blocking means 25 Usage time correction means

Claims (3)

Flow rate detection means for measuring the flow rate;
A flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection means;
Average flow rate calculation means for averaging the instantaneous flow rate values obtained from the flow rate calculation means to obtain an average flow rate value;
A flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation means and the average flow rate value determined by the average flow rate calculation means;
A flow rate change determination unit that determines that there is a flow rate change when the change flow rate is greater than a predetermined change value from the flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation unit and the stored value of the flow rate storage unit;
A flow rate registering unit for registering or deleting a flow rate change by the flow rate change determining unit;
Flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate registered in the flow rate registration means;
Feature extraction means for obtaining a feature amount such as a flow rate and a flow rate change according to the use state of the appliance from the flow rate obtained by the flow rate computing means,
Feature storage means for storing feature data such as flow rate and flow rate change according to the use state of the instrument,
Appliance discriminating means for estimating the appliance used from the feature amount obtained by the feature extraction means and the feature data stored in the feature storage means;
When the plurality of flow rates registered with the flow rate registration means are determined to have a change in flow rate and the total of the plurality of deleted flow rates and the average flow rate are within a predetermined range, the device discrimination means deletes the past. and a flow rate registration correction means for re-registered in the flow registration unit with multiple instruments flow equal calculated feature amount and is in the feature parameters and the feature extraction means multiple instruments in the flow memory unit and,
Monitoring value storage means for storing a judgment value for monitoring abnormal use state;
An abnormality determination means for comparing the flow rate value of the flow rate registration means and the determination value of the monitoring value storage means to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality,
Shut-off means for shutting off the supply of gas when the abnormality judgment is established by the abnormality judging means ;
Gas shut-off device with Flow rate detection means for measuring the flow rate;
A flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate value from a detection value of the flow rate detection means;
Average flow rate calculation means for averaging the instantaneous flow rate values obtained from the flow rate calculation means to obtain an average flow rate value;
A flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation means and the average flow rate value determined by the average flow rate calculation means;
A flow rate change determination unit that determines that there is a flow rate change when the change flow rate is greater than a predetermined change value from the flow rate value obtained by the average flow rate calculation unit and the stored value of the flow rate storage unit;
A flow rate registering unit for registering or deleting a flow rate change by the flow rate change determining unit;
Flow rate storage means for storing the flow rate registered in the flow rate registration means;
Feature extraction means for obtaining a feature amount such as a flow rate and a flow rate change according to the use state of the appliance from the flow rate obtained by the flow rate computing means,
Feature storage means for storing feature data such as flow rate and flow rate change according to the use state of the instrument,
Appliance discriminating means for estimating the appliance used from the feature amount obtained by the feature extraction means and the feature data stored in the feature storage means;
When the plurality of flow rates registered with the flow rate registration means are determined to have a change in flow rate and the total of the plurality of deleted flow rates and the average flow rate are within a predetermined range, the device discrimination means deletes the past. and a flow rate registration correction means for re-registered in the flow registration unit with multiple instruments flow equal calculated feature amount and is in the feature parameters and the feature extraction means multiple instruments in the flow memory unit and, in the use state abnormality Monitoring value storage means for storing a judgment value for monitoring
An abnormality determination means for comparing the flow rate value of the flow rate registration means and the determination value of the monitoring value storage means to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality,
A use time correction unit that performs a correction correction of a use time on the abnormality determination unit with a signal from the flow rate registration correction unit;
Shut-off means for shutting off the supply of gas when the abnormality judgment is established by the abnormality judging means ;
Gas shut-off device with A gas supply system using the gas shut-off device according to claim 1.