JP5041884B2 - Alarm device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm device that issues an alarm according to the usage status of a gas appliance, and more particularly, to an alarm device that issues a ventilation alarm based on the flow rate of gas flowing to the gas appliance.

  Conventionally, a gas supply system and an alarm for supplying gas to a gas appliance are configured as shown in FIG. 8 in the case of LP gas. As shown in the figure, the high-pressure gas from the two gas containers 1a and 1b is supplied to the pressure regulator 3 via the high-pressure hoses 2a and 2b. The pressure regulator 3 adjusts the high-pressure gas from the gas containers 1a and 1b to a gas having a predetermined pressure. In the case of city gas, a gas container, a pressure regulator and the like are not necessary.

  The pressure-adjusted gas is supplied to the gas meter 6 through the gas line 5 having the closing cock 4 in the middle, and then further through the gas line 7 and the branched gas line 8 branched from the gas line 7. To the gas appliance 9. The gas meter 6 detects the flow rate of gas flowing from the gas container 1a or 1b to the gas appliance 9, and integrates the detected gas flow rate to detect the amount of gas used.

The gas appliance, gas water heaters _{9 1,} gas table _{9 2,} gas stoves _{9 3,} such as a gas bathtub _{9 4} is assumed. When using these gas appliances, in order to ensure the safety of gas users, the gas meter described later is equipped with a gas shut-off function and an alarm function related to gas use, and an incomplete combustion prevention device is also installed in the gas appliance. It has been broken. Furthermore, a gas leak alarm and a CO alarm may be provided as a safety facility on the gas user side.

  However, there are many gas appliances that are not equipped with incomplete combustion prevention devices, and due to the economic burden, it is difficult to ask all gas users not only gas leak alarms but also CO alarms. It would be difficult to expect to have a separate CO alarm in each room where the equipment is installed.

  Here, Table 1 shows the number of cases by cause of CO intoxication accidents from 1996 to 2005 by burner. It can be seen that among the causes of the accident, there were 46 cases due to malfunctions such as exhaust facilities, and 32 cases due to long-term use and poor ventilation. Combustion appliances that cause accidents are mainly instant water heaters and puffers. Furthermore, in the type of supply and exhaust, there is an open type that supplies and exhausts air in indoor spaces. Since there are many types of FE type of forced exhaust having an exhaust pipe and an exhaust blower, it can be understood that many CO poisoning accidents are related to a specific gas appliance.

  In order to effectively prevent carbon monoxide poisoning accidents, it is desirable to take preferential measures for equipment that is likely to cause carbon monoxide poisoning accidents (CO and carbon monoxide are used interchangeably in the following, and are used in different contexts) ). Therefore, regarding the installation work of specified gas consuming equipment that tends to cause incomplete combustion accidents that lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, there is a law (special supervision law) concerning the supervision of the installation work of specified gas consuming equipment, and the poisoning shown in Table 1 It stipulates work related to specific gas combustion appliances (gas bath kettles, gas instantaneous water heaters) that are prone to accidents.

Explaining the relationship between incomplete gas combustion and carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide that causes poisoning accidents is generated in the combustion process of gas composed of hydrocarbons. In general, the combustion reaction of hydrocarbons is roughly divided into two stages. In the first stage reaction, the hydrocarbon reacts with O ₂ to form carbon monoxide CO or hydrogen H ₂ , and the CO and H in the second stage reaction. ₂ becomes carbon dioxide CO ₂ and water vapor H ₂ O. The first stage reaction is fast, but the second stage reaction, especially the reaction from CO to CO ₂ is slow. Here, when the amount of air, that is, oxygen O ₂ is small, the first-stage reaction occurs, but if the O ₂ is used up, the second-stage reaction does not occur. Then a large amount is discharged without burning CO and H _2, and thus causing carbon monoxide poisoning carbon monoxide concentration in the air rises. In other words, “incomplete combustion” is used to mean that the first stage reaction occurs but the second stage reaction does not occur, or the second stage is insufficient. Carbon oxide will be generated.

  The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning varies depending on the amount of combustion of the equipment, the CO concentration in the exhaust gas, the size of the room, and the number of ventilations. In general, the value of CO concentration (%) x breathing time (min) It is said that exceeding 3 will affect the human body. Specifically, if the generated carbon monoxide concentration in the air is 0.02%, a slight headache is caused by inhalation for 2 to 3 hours, and if it is 0.08%, nausea and convulsions are caused by inhalation for 45 minutes, 1.28% inhalation is said to die in 1 to 3 minutes. When using gas appliances, in order to prevent poisoning accidents due to carbon monoxide, supply air necessary for combustion and gas combustion It is necessary to exhaust unnecessary gas generated along with this, that is, to provide sufficient ventilation. In order to prevent incomplete combustion accidents from the standpoint of an expert, gas companies say that it is natural to ventilate when using gas appliances indoors, but carbon monoxide gas is odorless. In some cases, general gas users are not necessarily aware of the importance of ventilation. Therefore, in order to prevent poisoning accidents due to carbon monoxide, it becomes necessary to alert the gas user to the necessity of ventilation when using the gas appliance in the room.

  Gas usage notification that informs the gas leak alarm with a signal from the gas meter that the gas is being used, and further alerts the gas appliance user that the gas is being used with a melody from the gas leak alarm A system proposal is made in Patent Document 1.

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a use time cutoff notice alarm function that detects use of a gas appliance and gives a notice of use time cutoff prior to gas cutoff performed when the gas usage time is abnormally long. The use detection of the above-mentioned gas appliance is performed based on the gas flow rate passing through the gas meter. As a more precise gas appliance judgment method, a gas flow pattern peculiar to the gas appliance as shown in FIG. Patent Document 3 describes that a gas appliance is determined based on matching with a pattern table prepared in advance for A, transition period B, and stable period C.
JP 2004-19956 A JP 2003-302274 A JP 2003-148728 A

  Although the gas leak alarm of Patent Document 1 has a notification function regarding gas leakage, it does not have a notification function regarding ventilation for preventing an incomplete combustion accident. Further, the gas meter that outputs a warning warning to the alarm device prior to the gas shut-off in Patent Document 2 also did not have a ventilation alarm function. Furthermore, in order to prevent incomplete combustion accidents, poisoning accidents can also be prevented by gas users having a CO alarm and ventilating when the alarm sounds. There is a problem that it is very difficult to expect all the CO alarms to be installed in each room where gas appliances are installed. In addition, installing the gas leak alarm and the CO alarm separately is an economic burden on the gas user and is not attractive. In particular, the gas leak alarm for LP gas is installed near the floor, but the CO alarm is installed near the ceiling, so there is also an aesthetic problem (see FIG. 8).

  Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above problems, and for the convenience of the gas user, provides an alarm device that performs an alarm according to the use of the gas appliance, and is particularly useful for preventing incomplete combustion accidents. It is an object to provide an alarm device that notifies a ventilation alarm.

Invention of Claim 1 made | formed in order to solve the said subject is an alarm device which performs an alarm according to the use condition of a gas appliance, Comprising: The gas flow rate measurement means which measures the gas flow volume which flows into a gas appliance, Gas appliance use detecting means for detecting the gas appliance being used based on the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow measuring means, alarm generating means for generating an alarm according to the usage status of the gas appliance, and the alarm Alarm means having a notification means for notifying the exhaust gas, the alarm generation means is set as the emission concentration of carbon monoxide at the time of normal combustion calculated from the type and heat quantity of the gas appliance, and installation environment information type of the gas appliance, the installation spontaneous ventilation rate of the room of the gas appliance, the breadth of該部Ya, and display corresponding to continuous use time elapsed from the start of use of the gas appliance, and Or storage means in which information for generating the alarm comprising an alarm message and / or an alarm sound is stored, and the alarm generation means displays information obtained by referring to the storage means, and / or Or it is an alarm device characterized by generating an alarm message and / or an alarm sound as an alarm.

The invention according to claim 1 is an alarm device that performs an alarm according to the usage status of the gas appliance,
A gas flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate flowing to the gas appliance, a gas appliance use detecting means for detecting the gas appliance being used based on the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring means, and Alarm generating means for generating an alarm according to the use situation, and alarm means having an informing means for informing the alarm, the alarm generating means during normal combustion calculated from the type and heat quantity of the gas appliance Carbon monoxide emission concentration, type of gas appliance set as installation environment information, number of natural ventilation of the room where the gas appliance is installed, size of the room, and continuous use from the start of use of the gas appliance A storage unit storing information for generating the alarm including a display corresponding to the elapsed time and / or an alarm message and / or an alarm sound; Since the generation means generates a display and / or an alarm message and / or an alarm sound obtained by referring to the storage means as an alarm, the usage state of the gas appliance being used and the installation of the gas appliance are displayed. It is possible to generate an accurate alarm according to the room environment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the installation environment information further includes correspondence information between the gas appliance and a name of a room in which the gas appliance is installed. An alarm device including an alarm for promoting ventilation specifying the room in which the gas appliance is installed .

According to the invention described in claim 2, the installation environment information further includes correspondence information between the gas appliance and the name of the room in which the gas appliance is installed, and the gas appliance is installed as the alarm. An alarm for ventilating the room is issued.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the alarm device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alarm means is at least one of a gas leak alarm, a CO alarm, a fire alarm, and a home information board. The alarm device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alarm device is provided in one.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the alarm means is provided in at least one of a gas leak alarm, a CO alarm, a fire alarm, and a home information board.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the alarm device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the gas appliance use detecting means further comprises a gas leak alarm device, a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device provided with the alarm device, An alarm device provided in any one of the home information panels and configured to detect a gas appliance used based on the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring means provided in the gas meter. is there.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the gas appliance use detecting means is provided in any one of a gas leak alarm device, a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device, and a home information panel provided with the alarm device. The used gas appliance is detected based on the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring means provided in the gas meter .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the alarm device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the alarm device further includes an alarm selection unit that selects the gas appliance and stops the function of the alarm unit. It is.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the alarm device includes alarm selection means for selecting the gas appliance and stopping the function of the alarm means.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the alarm device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a control means for giving a warning in accordance with a use state of the gas appliance and controlling a ventilation means. It is an alarm device.

  According to invention of Claim 6, the alarm device is provided with the control means which controls a ventilation means while giving an alarm according to the use condition of the said gas appliance.

According to invention of Claim 1, it is an alarm device which performs an alarm according to the use condition of a gas appliance, Comprising: It measures by the gas flow rate measurement means which measures the gas flow rate which flows into a gas appliance, and the said gas flow rate measurement means An alarm having gas appliance use detecting means for detecting the gas appliance being used based on the gas flow rate, an alarm generating means for generating an alarm according to the usage status of the gas appliance, and an informing means for informing the alarm And the alarm generating means includes a carbon monoxide emission concentration during normal combustion calculated from the type and heat quantity of the gas appliance, the type of the gas appliance set as installation environment information, and the gas appliance. installation spontaneous ventilation rate of the room, the breadth of該部Ya, and display corresponding to continuous use time elapsed from the start of use of the gas appliance, and / or an alarm message and / Comprises storage means in which information for generating the alarm consisting of an alarm sound is stored, and the alarm generation means refers to a display obtained by referring to the storage means, and / or an alarm message, and / or Or, since an alarm sound is generated as an alarm, various alarms that detect the gas appliance being used and generate an appropriate alarm according to the installation environment information and the elapsed use time for the convenience of the gas appliance user The gas user can use the gas appliance more safely and comfortably.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the installation environment information further includes correspondence information between the gas appliance and the name of the room in which the gas appliance is installed, and the alarm indicates that the gas appliance is installed. Since a warning for ventilating a room is issued, the gas user can use the gas appliance safely and comfortably by receiving an accurate warning.

  According to invention of Claim 3, since the said alarm means is provided in at least any one among a gas leak alarm device, a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device, and a home information board, an alarm function is provided. Since the alarm device can be configured using various indoor devices, the alarm device can be configured at low cost.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the alarm device according to the third aspect, the gas appliance use detecting means further comprises a gas leak alarm device, a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device provided with the alarm device. The gas meter is provided on any one of the home information panels and is configured to detect the used gas appliance based on the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring means provided on the gas meter. Since the alarm device can be configured by using it, the alarm device can be configured at low cost.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the gas appliance user cancels an unnecessary alarm because the alarm device is provided with alarm selection means for selecting the gas appliance and stopping the function of the alarm means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent incomplete combustion accidents by providing an environment for preventing incomplete combustion while preventing the gas user from feeling annoying.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the control means for controlling the ventilation means while giving an alarm according to the use state of the gas equipment, the ventilation means is provided for the problem of insufficient ventilation due to the use of the gas equipment. It can be solved by controlling. For example, power supply to ventilation means such as a ventilation fan is controlled, so that the ventilation fan can be driven as necessary by connecting the ventilation fan to the alarm device so that the gas usage environment can be ventilated without the intervention of the gas user. Therefore, even when the gas user is not aware of the ventilation alarm, the ventilation is automatically performed, so that the safety of the gas user when using the gas appliance can be improved, and incomplete combustion accidents can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each means which comprises the alarm device of this invention may be stored integrally, or may be isolate | separated suitably. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an LP gas supply facility incorporating a ventilation alarm device of the present invention. In this figure, the gas meter is the gas flow measuring means and the gas appliance use detecting means, and the gas leak alarm is the notifying means. As shown in the figure, the high-pressure gas from the two gas containers 1a and 1b is supplied to the pressure regulator 3 via the high-pressure hoses 2a and 2b. By the pressure regulator 3, the high-pressure gas from the gas containers 1a and 1b is regulated to a predetermined pressure gas.

The pressure-adjusted gas is supplied to the gas meter 6 via the gas line 5 having the closing cock 4 in the middle, and further passes through the gas line 7, and is branched from the gas line 7. Is supplied to the gas appliance 9 mainly provided in the room. Examples of the gas appliance 9 include a water heater 9 ₁ , a gas table 9 ₂ , a gas heater 9 ₃ , and a gas bath kettle 9 ₄ . In the case of city gas, a gas container, a pressure regulator and the like are not necessary.

  The gas meter 6 is connected with a gas leak alarm device 10 provided in the room, and is optionally provided with a CO alarm device 11. The gas leak alarm 10 detects a gas leak when the gas concentration in the atmosphere is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and outputs a buzzer sound from a speaker, which will be described later, or blinks an LED. A leak notification is performed. In addition, the CO alarm device detects an incomplete combustion by detecting an increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion and outputting a buzzer sound or blinking an LED.

  Next, the internal configuration of the gas meter 6 as the gas appliance determination means will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the gas meter 6 includes an integration display unit 61, a metering unit 62, and a flow rate sensor 63.

  The integration display unit 61 counts (integrates) the flow rate of the gas supplied from the gas container 1a or 1b, which is a gas supply source, to the gas appliance 9. The integration display unit 61 is connected to the flow sensor 63 via the measuring unit 62.

  The flow rate sensor 63 is a flow rate sensor that outputs a pulse every time the gas flows from the gas container 1a or 1b to the gas appliance 9 by using a rotational motion in the measuring unit 62, for example. The flow rate may be measured using ultrasonic waves or a thermal method. Further, the gas flow rate from the flow sensor may be sent to an alarm device, and the use of the gas appliance may be detected by the alarm device.

  The gas meter 6 includes a shutoff valve 64 that shuts off the gas supply from the gas container 1a or 1b to the gas appliance 9 by closing the valve, a terminal block 65 to which the gas leak alarm 10 is connected, and a transmission controller (NCU) 11 And a terminal block 66 to be connected. This terminal block may be added to enable various settings. At that time, the environment information on the installation of the gas appliance such as the type of the gas appliance to be used, the area where the gas appliance is installed, the area where the gas appliance is installed, and the ventilation environment, which will be described later, is set. The information may be transmitted to the gas leak alarm via.

  The NCU 11 is connected to a telephone line network through a telephone line, and automatically switches a modem (not shown) for communication with a remote management center and a telephone line connection between the subscriber telephone and the gas meter 6. A switch (not shown) is provided.

  Further, the gas meter is provided with a control circuit 67. The control circuit 67 includes a microcomputer (μCOM) 67a that is a main control unit, a battery 67b that functions as an operation power supply, an interface 67c, and the like.

  The μCOM 67a is a ROM 67a1, which is a read-only memory for storing programs, fixed data, etc., a central processing unit (CPU) 67a2 for performing various processing operations in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 67a1, and work used for processing in the CPU 67a2. A RAM 67a3, which is a readable / writable memory having an area and a data storage area for storing processing calculation results, is incorporated.

  Further, the pulse output end of the flow rate sensor 63, the control end of the shutoff valve 64, the terminal blocks 65 and 66, and the like are connected to the interface 67c described above.

  The CPU 67a2 in the gas meter 6 described above detects the gas flow rate flowing from the gas container 1a or 1b to the gas appliance 9, and integrates the detected gas flow rate to detect the gas usage, and the gas leak alarm 10 When a gas leak is detected, the NCU 11 is controlled to perform a gas leak notification process for reporting a gas leak to a remote management center.

  Further, when the gas usage time exceeds a predetermined usage time cutoff value, the CPU 67a2 determines that a gas leak or a gas hose disconnection has occurred, and performs a usage time cutoff process to shut off the gas supply. The usage time of the gas appliance is usually about 30 minutes from the start of use of the water heater as shown in FIG. 9, but the stove varies greatly depending on the usage mode of the gas appliance, which takes several hours from the start of use. By measuring the change over time, it is possible to estimate the gas appliance to be used, and to cut off the usage time when abnormally long use is detected. Further, the CPU 67a2 includes a transmission process for detecting whether any of the gas appliances 9 is used and transmitting a code signal (= use information) corresponding to the detection result.

  The RAM 67a3 described above stores a use time cutoff value determined for each flow rate segment obtained by dividing a detectable flow rate range into a plurality of ranges. The flow rate classification is, for example, a flow rate classification of 21 liters / h or less, a flow rate classification 2-1 of 21 liters or more and less than 63 liters / h, a flow rate classification 2-2 of 63 or more and less than 125 liters / h, or 125 or more and 210 liters / h. There are 15 flow rate segments, such as a flow rate segment 2-3 less than 1 liter / h,. The information of the flow rate classification to which the gas appliance currently used belongs becomes a judgment material for detecting the usage of the gas appliance.

  Further, in order to detect the use of the gas appliance more precisely, it is performed by a flow rate pattern expressed as a change with respect to time of the gas flow rate. An example of the flow pattern by the gas appliance is shown in FIG. By classifying the flow pattern into an ignition pattern (A), an initial transition period (B), and a stable period (C), the characteristics of each gas appliance can be grasped. A typical flow rate pattern of a frequently used gas appliance is stored in a database, and matching with actual gas flow rate data can be used and detected. Moreover, the gas appliance which cannot be matched can be made into a new database by recording the characteristics of the flow rate pattern as a new type of gas appliance.

  Next, the internal configuration of the gas leak alarm 10 constituting the gas use notification system described above will be described with reference to FIG. The gas leakage alarm device 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 101 serving as a communication means including a terminal block to which the gas meter 6 is connected in a wired manner or a wireless transmission / reception device, and a gas sensor 102 that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the gas concentration in the atmosphere. And an external input / output unit 106 to which a setting device for performing various settings is connected, a speaker 103 for performing gas leak notification, a control circuit 104, and the like. Via the external input / output terminal 106, it is possible to set the environment information on which the gas appliance is installed such as the type of gas appliance to be used and detected, the size of the location where the gas appliance is installed, and the ventilation environment. it can. The gas sensor and the speaker may be provided outside the gas leak alarm or may be built in.

  The control circuit 104 includes a μCOM 104a that is a main control unit, a battery 104b that functions as an operation power supply, an interface 104c, and the like. Similar to the gas meter 6, the μCOM 104a includes a ROM 104a1, a CPU 104a2, a RAM 104a3, and the like. The interface 104c described above is connected to the transmission / reception unit 101, the electrical signal output terminal of the gas sensor 102, the speaker 103, and the external ventilation means 105.

  When the CPU 104a2 in the gas leak alarm device 10 described above detects a gas leak when the gas concentration exceeds a predetermined concentration and detects the gas leak using the speaker 103, a gas leak is detected. You may perform the notification process which notifies the gas meter 6 to that effect. Further, the CPU 104a2 uses a determination process for determining whether or not the gas appliance 9 is used based on the code signal transmitted from the gas meter 6, while determining that the gas appliance 9 described later is being used. , Measure the usage time, and when a predetermined time is reached, a message according to the gas appliance and the elapsed usage time and / or a corresponding melody, buzzer sound, etc. are output from the speaker 103 to alert the gas user to ventilate Information is being made. The buzzer sound may be a buzzer provided separately from the speaker, and the buzzer may be provided outside the gas leak alarm.

  The detailed operation of the ventilation alarm device for preventing the incomplete combustion accident described in the above outline will be described below in the case where a gas meter is used as a gas appliance use detection means. The CPU 67a2 in the gas meter 6 functions as a registration unit for the gas appliance used, and performs a registration process for registering the flow rate category as the registered flow rate category according to a registration operation performed by a gas consumer or a gas business operator. This registration process is performed by the CPU via an external terminal (not shown) from the interface, and information on the registered gas appliances used is transmitted to the gas leak alarm by wire or wireless, and the gas leak alarm is used. You will know gas appliances.

Gas meter 6 of the plurality of gas appliances 9 that are used in the gas user home to, for example, the use of instant water heaters 9 _1, the use of other gas appliance 9 if you want to identifiably notification, gas user and gas operators, with the registration operation, and thus to pre-registered the flow rate class when using only instantaneous water heater 9 _1. In the embodiment of the present invention, the registration of the flow rate segments is not limited to one, and a plurality of registered flow rate segments (1) to (n) can be registered. Further, when the use detection is performed with the flow rate pattern as shown in FIG. 10, it becomes possible to specify the gas appliance more finely in the same flow rate category.

  Further, the CPU 67a2 in the gas meter 6 periodically performs flow rate detection / usage time cutoff / transmission processing. The operation of the gas meter 6 in the flow rate detection / usage time blocking / transmission process will be described below with reference to the flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU 67a2 in FIG.

  First, the CPU 67a2 measures the cycle of pulses corresponding to the flow rate output from the flow rate sensor 63, and performs a flow rate detection process for detecting the gas flow rate based on this cycle (step S1). As is clear from this, the flow rate sensor 63 and the CPU 67a2 constitute a flow rate measuring means and detect the flow rate. Next, the CPU 67a2 functions as a usage detection unit, and determines whether or not the gas appliance 9 is being used based on the detected gas flow rate (step S2).

For example, is 1500 l / h gas flow rate, when it can be determined that the gas appliance _{9 1} is being used (in step S2 Y), CPU67a2 is then timer that counts the gas usage time is operational It is determined whether or not there is (step S3). If the timer is not in operation (N in step S3), the CPU 67a2 determines that the use of the gas appliance 9 has started, functions as a flow rate detection means, and detects the flow rate category of the gas flow rate detected in step S1. A flow rate classification detection process is performed (step S6).

  Thereafter, the CPU 67a2 reads out the usage time cutoff value corresponding to the flow rate classification detected in step S6 (hereinafter, simply detected flow rate category) from the RAM 67a3, and compares this read usage time cutoff value with the gas usage time. Set as a value (step S7). Next, the CPU 67a2 functions as a transmission unit, performs a code signal transmission process for transmitting a code signal to the gas leak alarm 10 (step S8), and ends the process.

The code signal described above has, for example, a plurality of patterns of code signals S _{1 to} S _{n + 2} . Code signals S ₁ indicates the fact that registration flow classification (1) and the detection flow rate class is detected using the gas appliance 9 ₁ match, the code signal S ₂ includes a detection flow registration flow rate class (2) match section and is, indicates that the use of the gas appliance 9 ₂ is detected, ... code signal S _n is the use of registration flow rate class (n) and the detected flow rate class and is matched gas appliance 9 _n are detected Indicates that The code signal S _{n + 1} indicates that the use of the gas appliance 9 _{n + 1} whose registered flow rate and the detected flow rate do not match is detected, and the code signal S _{n + 2} is used by the gas appliance 9 Indicates that it has not been done.

That is, in the code signal transmission processing in step S8 described above, CPU67a2 is, specifically, if the detected flow rate class and registration flow rate class matches, among the code signals S ₁ to S _n, the matched flow rate class Send the corresponding code signal. On the other hand, if the registered flow rate segment and the detected flow rate segment do not match, the code signal _{Sn + 1} is transmitted. The code signals S _{1 to} S _{n + 2} indicate that the registered flow rate and the detected flow rate match or do not match, and the code signals S _{1 to} S _n indicate that the registered flow rate and the detected flow rate match. Usage information corresponding to the detection results of 9 _{1 to} 9 _n is included.

  In step S3, if the timer for counting the gas usage time is operating (Y in step S3), the CPU 67a2 determines whether the counted gas usage time exceeds the usage time cutoff value set in step S7. It is determined whether or not (step S4).

  If the usage time cutoff value is exceeded (Y in step S4), the CPU 67a2 functions as usage time cutoff means, and outputs the valve closing signal to the control end of the cutoff valve 64, thereby opening the cutoff valve 64. After closing and shutting off the gas supply (step S5), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the usage time cutoff value has not been exceeded (N in step S4), the CPU 67a2 immediately ends the process.

When it is determined in step S2 that the registered gas appliance is not being used (N in step S2), the CPU 67a2 determines whether or not the timer for counting the gas usage time is operating (step S9). ). If the timer is operating (Y in step S9), the CPU 67a2 stops the timer operation and sets the gas use time count value to 0 (step S10), and then functions as a transmission means to detect the registered flow rate classification and detection. After transmitting the gas appliance use code signal _{Sn + 1} that does not match the flow rate classification to the gas leak alarm 10 (step S11), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the timer is not operating (N in step S9), the CPU 67a2 immediately ends the process.

According to the gas meter 6 above, the code signal S ₁ ~S n + ₂ gas leak alarm 10 received, based on the code signal S ₁ ~S n + ₂ received, currently, any gas out of the gas appliance 9 Determine whether or not a gas appliance is being used, and measure the duration of continuous use since the start of gas use while determining that a specific gas appliance is being used. If a message corresponding to the time is notified to the outside as an alarm, the gas user can recognize advice of appropriate action for ventilation by the notified information.

  In the above explanation, the gas meter is detected to be used by the gas meter, and the corresponding code signal is sent to the alarm device. However, the result of the flow rate classification process in step 6 and the result of the use time cutoff value setting in step 7 are shown. You may comprise so that it may send to an alarm device and a use gas apparatus may be used-detected from the received flow volume value and use time interruption | blocking fixed value in an alarm device. Further, a flag may be assigned to a predetermined gas flow value in advance by a gas meter, and the flag information may be transmitted to the alarm device. At that time, the instantaneous flow rate value also serves as reference data for detecting the use of the gas appliance.

  When the alarm signal is received by the alarm device, the code signal, the flow rate classification value, the use time cutoff constant value and the instantaneous flow rate value are transmitted from the alarm device to the gas meter. The versatility is increased by configuring the flow rate classification value, the use time cutoff constant value, and the instantaneous flow rate value to be transmitted by a communication message or the like. The communication message is configured to start with a communication control character “STX” and end with “ETX” with data including a device number in between.

  The above data request may be made periodically, but it is wasted when there is no gas flow rate, so the alarm device issues a startup request from the gas meter, issues a data request from the alarm device in response to it, and In response, a data response may be sent from the gas meter.

  Next, the operation of the gas leak alarm 10 that receives the code signal transmitted from the gas meter 6 and performs processing for alarm notification will be described below with reference to the flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU 104a2 in FIG. To do. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that n = 2 and the code signals of S1 to S4 are targeted.

First, the CPU 104a2 functions as a use determination unit, and determines whether or not it is an assumed code signal based on the code signal transmitted from the gas meter 6 (step S12). If the code signal is one of the code signals S _{1 to} S ₄ and is determined to be a code signal to be processed (Y in step S12), the CPU 104a2 determines the code signal. The determination is any one of S1 to S4. When there is a code signal corresponding to S1 or S2, processing according to the code signal is performed, and when there is no corresponding code signal, the gas appliance is not used. Reset the timer corresponding to the code signal to zero.

If the code signal is S _{n + 1} , here S3, no special processing is performed. When the code signal is the code signal S _{n + 2} , here, in the case of S4, it is determined that the gas appliance 9 is not used (Y in step S19), and the CPU 104a2 performs all the notification processes as the process of S4. finish. As is clear from the above, the CPU 104a2 and the speaker 103 function as alarm notification means. As described above, when the processing of the predetermined code signal is completed, the process returns to the beginning of the processing flow.

  Next, the processing flow after the code signal is detected in the case of S1 will be described with reference to FIG. If the code signal S1 exists in S13 of the code signal processing flow of FIG. 5, the process branches to step S14 of the processing of the code signal S1 shown in FIG. However, depending on the installation environment of the gas appliance, a ventilation warning or the like may not be necessary. Therefore, when the warning unnecessary flag is set, the S1 code processing is terminated without entering the warning processing. The installation environment of the gas appliance is an installation environment related to ventilation determined at least by the size of the room and the number of natural ventilation described later. Such installation environment information is sent from a gas meter, set via an external input / output terminal, or preset in the alarm device as default information. If a gas appliance is specified as part of the setting information and an alarm is not required, an alarm-less flag is set for the gas appliance, and no alarm is issued for the gas appliance. The control of the presence / absence of this flag becomes an alarm selection means. Here, the default information is, for example, an open type water heater, which is normally installed in a kitchen, so that the area is set to 5 square meters, the natural ventilation frequency is set to 1, and the like. Since there are regional differences in the structure of the house, it is desirable to change the default information for each region where the alarm device is shipped.

A timer for measuring the elapsed use time of the code signal S1 is T1. When the process flow of S1 is entered for the first time, the timer T1 is reset in S30. In this T1, elapsed time since after entering the first flow S14, i.e., measures the continuous use time elapsed from beginning to use gas appliance 9 ₁ is used. In the next step S33, an example of a caution message determined by the use gas appliance shown in FIG. 7 and the continuous use elapsed time of the use gas appliance, such as a ROM corresponding to a predetermined type and elapsed time of the use gas appliance. Equivalents are found from correspondence tables such as ventilation warning messages and melodies stored in the storage means.

  Here, the name of the room where the specific gas appliance is installed can be included in the installation environment and included in the ventilation warning message. For example, if a small water heater and a gas stove are installed in the kitchen, a gas stove is installed in the living room, and a bath is installed in the bathroom, the kitchen fan is turned on when an alarm is given to the small water heater. In addition, a ventilation warning can be issued at a specified location. Here, the gas appliance continuous use elapsed time at which a ventilation warning is determined which is determined from the size of each room and the state of ventilation is determined. The correspondence information between the gas appliance and the name of the room in which the gas appliance is installed and the information on the installed environment are input by the setting device via the external input / output unit of the alarm device. The various information may be input from the gas meter to the alarm device via the transmission / reception unit.

  Here, the storage means may store all possible alarms, but the words “hot water heater”, “stove”, “stove”, etc., which are frequently used, and “ `` Please start turning the ventilation fan, '' and store the phrase such as `` Please turn on the ventilation fan because a water heater is used because it is combined with the equipment used and the content of the alarm '' May be generated. Further, a predetermined delay time may be provided without issuing an alarm immediately at the time of standard continuous use elapsed time shown in FIG. This is because time can be taken according to the ventilation situation of the environment where the gas appliance is installed. The warning message is not limited to the ventilation warning, but may be anything that suggests a means for reducing the risk associated with the use of gas, such as stopping the use of gas once.

  Here we show. Ventilation caution messages and melodies corresponding to appliances and continuous use elapsed time are not limited to those specified by the manufacturer in advance, for example, the contents stored in the ROM can be rewritten from the gas meter via the transmission / reception unit 101 or the input / output unit 106 It can be changed according to the gas user's preference. When rewriting with information from the gas meter, a special code signal for rewriting the ROM can be used to cause the CPU to rewrite the ROM. In addition to the melody, a buzzer sound that gives discomfort when listening may be added to the correspondence table. The ventilation caution message is an alarm message, and the melody or buzzer sound is an alarm sound. Further, an alarm message may be displayed on the display.

  Here, the inside of step S33 will be described. When the timer T1 becomes equal to the predetermined time T11, the process branches at S331, and M11 “Please start turning the kitchen ventilation fan” is taken into the message buffer M as a message. Here, if the continuous use elapsed time is set to 0, a warning about ventilation is notified immediately after the start of use, so that the warning is notified at the start of use regardless of the continuous use elapsed time.

  Next, in step S34, if there is a message or melody found in S33, it is notified and a warning is given. Thereafter, when the elapsed time is not equal to the predetermined alarm time Talarm, T1 is increased in S31, and the process returns to S33 via the increased idle time. The increment may be arbitrary, and may be in seconds, minutes, or clocks, and is determined in consideration of the processing time. Returning to S33, when T1 = T12, the process branches at step S333, the new message M12 is taken into the message buffer, and the drive of the ventilation fan or the like is automatically performed from the external drive terminal as necessary. You may do it. As shown in FIG. 7, when the content of the alarm changes as the continuous use elapsed time increases, and when the continuous use elapsed time increases and T1 becomes equal to the predetermined Talarm, a buzzer sound through the speaker or An alarm is notified using a buzzer (step S37). Depending on the urgency, a buzzer sound may be emitted step by step from an intermittent buzzer to a continuous buzzer. Also, assuming that this buzzer alarm is performed in an emergency situation, in order to repeat the buzzer alarm in step 37, T1 is increased and the buzzer alarm is repeated every predetermined time, for example, every 15 minutes. It may be. The buzzer alarm may be configured to report outside the room or outside the building as an emergency alarm. After the buzzer alarm is notified, the process of S1 ends.

  In addition, during the processing of the S1 code, it may be necessary to process other codes. However, the OS performs multitask processing, interrupts the processing appropriately, and apparently uses a plurality of gas appliances in parallel. Can be observed and an alarm can be notified.

  Here, ventilation will be described. The phenomenon in which indoor air is replaced with outdoor air is called ventilation. Natural ventilation is naturally performed through windows and gaps, and mechanical ventilation is performed using a machine. The driving force for natural ventilation is the difference between outdoor wind and indoor and outdoor temperatures. As shown in FIG. 11, when the wind hits the building, the wind is damped on the side where the wind hits, and the air pressure increases. On the other hand, the air is sucked on the other side, so the pressure decreases. If there is an opening, the windward air will flow into the room and escape through the opposite gap to ventilate the room air. Also, if the room is hotter than the outside and there is a gap above and below the room, the warm air in the room will rise because it is light and will be exhausted from the upper gap to the outside. Be turned. That is, indoor air is ventilated by buoyancy due to temperature differences between the inside and outside of the room.

  In general buildings, there are gaps in windows, ceilings, floors, walls, etc., and natural ventilation is always performed. The number of natural ventilation is used to express the degree of natural ventilation. This indicates how many times the room air is changed per hour, and is calculated as a quotient obtained by dividing the ventilation amount by the volume of the room. Table 2 shows the natural ventilation frequency, which varies greatly depending on the room structure. In recent years, the number of houses with concrete and aluminum sashes has increased rapidly. However, it should be noted that the natural ventilation rate of these rooms does not reach 1/10 of that of conventional wooden houses.

  It is necessary to compensate for the shortage in natural ventilation with artificial ventilation, and in modern wooden rooms that are made normally, natural ventilation is not enough, so ventilation work such as conscious window opening and turning a ventilation fan is required I understand that.

  Next, let us consider changes in the indoor environment when gas is burned indoors. When gas is combusted in a room where natural ventilation is performed and the combustion gas is diffused directly into the room, the oxygen concentration in the room decreases significantly immediately after the start of combustion, and the rate of decrease decreases with time. As shown in FIG. 12, after a long time has passed, an equilibrium point is reached and a steady state with a certain concentration is maintained. FIG. 12 is a graph showing changes in indoor oxygen concentration when the number of ventilations and the elapsed time after the start of gas combustion are changed. It can be seen that the higher the ventilation frequency, the higher the equilibrium oxygen concentration, and the lower the ventilation frequency (n), the faster the indoor oxygen concentration decreases and the lower the equilibrium oxygen concentration. It can also be seen that when ventilation is not performed (n = 0), the oxygen concentration rapidly decreases, leading to incomplete combustion.

  Next, the indoor CO concentration when carbon monoxide is generated due to incomplete combustion of gas gradually increases with the passage of time, reaches an equilibrium concentration (%) after a certain elapsed time, and reaches the final CO concentration. The equilibrium concentration is given by

The amount of ventilation necessary to prevent incomplete combustion depends on the gas appliance used and the usage time, depending on the environment where the gas appliance is placed. In other words, if the usage environment of the gas appliance is determined, the ventilation warning message is determined by the elapsed usage time of the required gas appliance. Here, the theoretical ventilation for carbon monoxide is determined. Emission concentrations during normal combustion are mostly in the theoretical dry combustion gas (0.77 m ³ / h per kW), 90-120 ppm for fan heaters and 300-400 ppm for stove. Taking 400 ppm as a representative value, the amount of carbon monoxide generated is 400 × 10 ⁻⁶ × 0.77 m ³ / h = 308 × 10 ⁻⁶ m ³ / h. Assuming that the allowable carbon monoxide concentration is 10 ppm, when the carbon monoxide concentration of the intake outside air is 0 ppm, Q _{p <CO>} = 308 × 10 ⁻⁶ [m ³ / h] / ((10−0 ) × 10 ⁻⁶ [m ³ / m ³ ]) = 30.8 [m ³ / h] The required ventilation rate for carbon monoxide is obtained.

If it is 4KW fan heater, it will be 123m ³ / h, which is four times the above, and if the volume of the 6 tatami room is 24m ³ , 5 ventilations are required. Looking at the number of natural ventilations that differ greatly in the room structure shown in Table 2, it is necessary to compensate for the shortage in natural ventilation with artificial ventilation, since natural ventilation is insufficient except in the case of rough Japanese-style boarding. However, it can be seen that in a recently made wooden Western-style room, natural ventilation is not enough, so ventilation work such as conscious window opening and turning a ventilation fan is necessary.

  Necessary ventilation varies depending on the gas appliance to be used, but the amount of gas used is known from the amount of heat per volume of gas and the output (KW) of the gas appliance, so the necessary ventilation depends on the condition of the room where the gas appliance is used. The quantity can be calculated in advance as a theoretical value by the manufacturer. When installing gas appliances, prepare messages as shown in Fig. 7 according to the size of the room, ventilation method (ventilation fan, window opening, etc.) and rules of thumb in the field, depending on the gas appliance used and the usage time. can do. As shown in FIG. 7, a ventilation message corresponding to a plurality of registered gas appliances can be notified to a gas user by room by informing a ventilation caution message or melody corresponding to the code signal. .

In the above-described embodiment, the gas appliance 9 ₁ (gas instantaneous water heater) that consumes a large amount of gas and has a large incomplete combustion accident immediately after the start of use is set to T11 = 0. In addition, the gas leak alarm can notify the use of gas. Also note less gas table 9 ₂ compared to the water heater gas usage so as to notify the warning message regarding ventilation after 10 minutes from the start of use of the gas appliance as T21 = 10, useless even for the same kitchen Can be avoided.

As another configuration of the incomplete combustion accident prevention system, for example, in the gas meter 6, if the use of the gas appliance 9 is maintained after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the use of the gas appliance 9, the code signal S is used. _{1 to} Sn _{+ 1} may be transmitted to measure the usage time of the gas appliance on the gas meter 6 side and provide means for selecting a ventilation warning message.

  In addition, by allowing the gas meter 6 or the gas leak alarm 10 to set the predetermined time, the alarm message, and the alarm sound by a setting operation, a detailed ventilation warning message according to the environment of the gas user is notified. It is also conceivable to do. If it does in this way, the alerting | reporting of the ventilation caution message according to the caution of a gas user can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a gas meter that detects a gas flow rate using a membrane-type flow sensor has been described as an example, but the gas meter is not limited to this, and an ultrasonic type or The present invention can also be applied to a gas meter that detects a gas flow rate using a thermal flow rate sensor. The notification means is not limited to the above gas leak alarm device, but may be any means that can notify the gas user, such as a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device, or a home information panel.

  In the present embodiment, the gas flow measurement is performed with a gas meter, and the ventilation alarm is configured to be performed with a widely used gas leak alarm, but all the means may be integrated. Each means of the ventilation alarm device according to the present invention can be freely separated, for example, only the notification means is provided in the room and the other is provided in the gas meter. The alarm means and the gas appliance use detection means may be housed in a home device such as a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device, or a home information panel, in addition to the gas leak alarm device described above.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the gas alarm is always monitored regardless of whether or not the gas appliance 9 is used. However, when the use of the gas is started, the gas flow meter such as a gas meter is used. The gas alarm can be turned on for the first time with a signal, or a code signal containing the usage information of the gas appliance used is sent at regular intervals, for example, every minute. The power consumption of the alarm device can be reduced by configuring it to operate.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the gas supply equipment provided with the gas leak alarm device 10 with a ventilation alarm function of this invention. It is an internal block diagram of the gas meter 6 shown in FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the gas leak alarm device 10 with a ventilation alarm function shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU67a2 in the gas meter 6 in flow volume detection, use time interruption | blocking, and transmission processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU104a2 in the gas leak alarm device 10 with a ventilation warning function in a gas use alerting | reporting process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU104a2 in the gas leak alarm device 10 with a ventilation alarm function which processes code signal S1. It is a figure which shows the example of a caution message by a gas appliance and continuous use elapsed time. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the gas supply equipment provided with the conventional gas leak alarm device 10 and the CO alarm device 11. FIG. It is a figure showing distribution of the standard gas consumption by a gas appliance, and use time. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow rate pattern which changes with gas appliances. It is a figure which shows the mode of ventilation in a house. It is a figure which shows the oxygen concentration change by the natural ventilation frequency when using a gas appliance indoors.

Explanation of symbols

6 Gas meter 63 Flow rate sensor (flow rate measuring means)
67a2 CPU (flow rate measurement means, usage detection means, transmission means, registration means, flow rate classification detection means, usage time cutoff means)
10 Gas leak alarm 103 Speaker (notification means)
104a2 CPU (notification means, use determination means)

Claims (6)

An alarm device that gives an alarm according to the usage status of a gas appliance,
A gas flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate flowing to the gas appliance;
Gas appliance use detection means for detecting the gas appliance being used based on the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow measurement means;
An alarm generating means for generating an alarm according to a use situation of the gas appliance, and an alarm means having an informing means for informing the generated alarm,
The alarm generation means is a discharge concentration of carbon monoxide during normal combustion calculated from the type and heat quantity of the gas appliance, the type of the gas appliance set as installation environment information, the room where the gas appliance is installed For generating the alarm comprising the natural ventilation frequency, the display according to the size of the room and the elapsed use time from the start of use of the gas appliance, and / or the alarm message and / or the alarm sound A storage means for storing information, wherein the alarm generation means generates a display and / or an alarm message and / or an alarm sound obtained by referring to the storage means as an alarm. Alarm device to play. The installation environment information further includes correspondence information between the gas appliance and the name of the room in which the gas appliance is installed, and the alarm includes an alarm for promoting ventilation specifying the room in which the gas appliance is installed. The alarm device according to claim 1.   The alarm according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alarm means is provided in at least one of a gas leak alarm, a CO alarm, a fire alarm, and a home information panel. apparatus. Further, the gas appliance use detecting means is provided in any one of a gas leak alarm device, a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device, and a home information panel provided with the alarm device, and the gas flow rate provided in a gas meter. The alarm device according to claim 3, wherein the alarm device is configured to detect a used gas appliance based on a gas flow rate measured by a measuring unit.   The alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising alarm selection means for selecting the gas appliance and stopping the function of the alarm means.   The alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control unit that performs an alarm according to a use state of the gas appliance and controls a ventilation unit.

Images