JP5063010B2 - Gas flow meter and circuit unit for gas flow meter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas flow meter for measuring the amount of gas used in a system to be measured.

Conventionally, gas flow meters that measure gas consumption in general households, factories, and offices have become widespread. The gas flowmeter includes a flow rate measurement unit that measures the gas usage of the system to be measured, a control unit that edits the usage amount detected by the flow measurement unit into data, and a display unit that displays data edited by the control unit And a seismic device that detects vibration such as an earthquake, and a shut-off valve that shuts off the gas flow when vibration is detected by the seismic device. (For example, Patent Document 1)
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-56523 (first page, FIG. 1)

In recent years, earthquakes tend to occur frequently. When an earthquake occurs, the seismoscope in the gas flow meter detects the vibration of the earthquake and the shutoff valve shuts off the gas flow as described above. The gas flow meter is set to block the gas flow at a seismic intensity of about 5.

However, even when an earthquake with the same seismic intensity occurred, there were cases where a house where gas was shut off by a gas flow meter, a house where gas was not shut off, or both were generated. The variation occurs depending on the condition where the gas flow meter is attached. For example, if the gas flow meter is installed at a position higher than the ground, the gas pipe is likely to be damaged by earthquake vibration, so the gas flow is cut off at a lighter intensity than the gas flow meter installed near the ground. End up. In addition, when the gas flow meter is attached to a wooden building, the gas pipe is likely to be broken due to the vibration of the earthquake, so that the gas flow is cut off with a lighter seismic intensity than the gas flow meter attached to the reinforcing bar building.

As described above, there is a problem that the seismic intensity of the earthquake in which the gas flow meter shuts off the gas changes depending on the mounting position from the ground, the material of the building to be installed, the number of floors to be installed, and the like.

  If the gas flowmeter cuts off the gas with a slight seismic intensity, the gas user will be cut off unnecessarily, which is inconvenient for the gas user. In addition, the gas company is complicated because it is necessary to perform a gas flow return operation after the interruption.

  On the other hand, if the gas flowmeter does not shut off the gas with the desired seismic intensity, it is also possible that the gas equipment such as the gas pipe may be damaged by the earthquake.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas flow meter capable of reducing variations in operation and non-operation of the gas flow blocking function depending on installation conditions when an earthquake having the same seismic intensity occurs. .

In order to achieve the above object, the gas flowmeter according to the present invention comprises an earthquake detection means for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to an earthquake vibration when an earthquake vibration is detected;
Storage means for storing a plurality of signal patterns corresponding to the pulse signals of the earthquake detection means;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of signal patterns stored in the storage means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the pulse signal output by the earthquake detection means;
Determining means for determining whether the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selecting means;
A gas shutoff means for shutting off the gas flow when the judgment means judges that the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selection means; ,
The signal pattern is a combination of a pulse generation frequency of the pulse signal and a pulse generation duration according to a combination of installation height and house type .

In order to achieve the above object, the gas flow meter circuit unit according to the present invention includes an earthquake detection means for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to the earthquake vibration when the earthquake vibration is detected;
Storage means for storing a plurality of signal patterns corresponding to the pulse signals of the earthquake detection means;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of signal patterns stored in the storage means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the pulse signal output by the earthquake detection means;
Determining means for determining whether the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selecting means;
A shutoff valve that drives a gas shutoff means for shutting off the gas flow when the judgment means judges that the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selection means. A drive unit ,
The signal pattern is a combination of a pulse generation frequency of the pulse signal and a pulse generation duration according to a combination of installation height and house type .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the earthquake of the same seismic intensity occurs, the gas flowmeter which can reduce the dispersion | variation in operation | movement of a gas flow interruption | blocking function by installation conditions and non-operation can be provided.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  A gas flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an internal block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a gas flow meter according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is a gas flowmeter main body.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a conduit, which is composed of a pipe made of a metal material or the like, and conducts gas from the supply side to the load side.

A flow measurement unit 102 has a structure in which a diaphragm expands and contracts corresponding to the gas flow rate and generates a contact pulse signal when the diaphragm expands and contracts, and generates a contact pulse signal that is directly proportional to the gas flow rate flowing through the conduit 101. .

Reference numeral 103 denotes a shut-off valve, which is configured by an openable / closable valve made of a material such as rubber, and shuts off the gas flow flowing through the conduit 101.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a circuit unit, which is constituted by a member or the like in which an electronic component or the like is mounted on a printed board, and is mounted in the gas flow meter main body 100.

111 is a seismic detector as an earthquake detection means, which has a metal sphere and an electrode inside, and is composed of a sensor that utilizes the property that the electrode conducts by the movement of the metal sphere due to vibration. When vibration is detected and vibration is detected, a pulse signal is generated.

A pulse detection unit 112 is configured by a circuit including a transistor or the like, and converts the contact pulse generated by the flow rate measurement unit 102 into a voltage pulse signal suitable for the circuit unit 110.

A shut-off valve driving unit 113 is configured by a circuit including a transistor and the like, and outputs a voltage to open and close the shut-off valve 103.

A control unit 114 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, receives the contact pulse signal generated by the flow rate measurement unit 102 via the pulse detection unit 112, converts it into gas usage data, and controls storage, display, and transmission. . Note that the gas usage data refers to data relating to the gas usage of the consumer, such as the total integrated gas usage of the system to be measured. Further, the control unit 114 receives the pulse signal from the seismic device 111, drives the cutoff valve driving unit 113, operates the cutoff valve 103, and controls the gas flow cutoff operation. Further, the control unit 114 receives a command signal for opening the shut-off valve from the communication unit 116 described later, drives the shut-off valve driving unit 113 to operate the shut-off valve 103, and controls the shut-off return operation.

Reference numeral 115 denotes a display unit which includes a liquid crystal display or the like, and controls and displays gas usage data under control of the control unit 114.

A communication unit 116 includes a current loop, an interface circuit using an LED and a reed switch, and the like. The communication unit 116 is connected to a handy terminal having an external transmission function, a setting device, and the like, and is controlled by the control unit 114 to perform communication.

A storage unit 117 includes a semiconductor memory such as a RAM, and stores a determination pattern (to be described later) that defines a pulse generation pattern of the seismic sensor 111, which is used for a determination to shut off the gas. The determination pattern is stored at the time of manufacture.

A timer unit 118 measures time and transmits the information to the control unit 114.

Reference numeral 119 denotes a power supply unit, which is composed of a battery such as a lithium battery, and supplies a power supply voltage to each unit of the circuit unit 110.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the program configuration diagram of FIG. This program is stored in a program memory (not shown) in the control unit 114 and controls the operation of the control unit 114.

The memory | storage part 117 has memorize | stored the pattern for determination decided by the kind of house, and the installation height of a gas flowmeter as shown in FIG. There are 10 types of patterns A to J. The ten types of patterns are stored in the storage unit 117 at the time of manufacture. A specific determination pattern is as shown in FIG. Damage to gas facilities such as gas pipes due to an earthquake is related to impulses due to earthquake vibration. Here, impulse is the magnitude of force multiplied by time. In other words, the greater the “magnitude of earthquake” and the longer the “seismic duration”, the greater the damage to gas equipment such as gas pipes. Accordingly, the determination pattern for determining the magnitude of the earthquake uses “the magnitude of the earthquake” and “the duration of the earthquake” as parameters. The seismoscope 111 is a sensor that has a metal sphere and an electrode inside and moves the metal sphere due to vibration and makes the electrode conductive. However, the “magnitude of the earthquake” is greatly added to the seismoscope. When the force is large, the metal sphere is violated in the seismic device 111, so that a large number of pulses are generated. The number of pulses generated by the seismoscope 111 within a unit time, for example, within 1 second is defined as “pulse generation frequency” which is a parameter indicating “magnitude of earthquake force”. Further, the duration of the pulse generated by the seismic device 111 is defined as “pulse generation duration” which is a parameter representing “earthquake duration”.

Depending on the installation height of the gas flow meter and the type of house, the pulse pattern generated by the gas flow meter's seismometer 111 is different even in earthquakes of the same seismic intensity. It was expressed as a pattern. For example, when the gas flowmeter is installed at a position of 1.5 m or less in a reinforced concrete building, the gas is shut off at “pulse generation frequency” of 5 pulses / second and “pulse generation duration” of 3 seconds or more as shown in judgment pattern A. Is called. In addition, when the gas flow meter installation position is 1.5 m or more in a wooden apartment, the gas is shut off at “pulse generation frequency” of 6 pulses / second and “pulse generation duration” of 5 seconds or more as in the determination pattern I. . Note that the “pulse generation frequency” and “pulse generation duration” with respect to the seismic intensity of the earthquake differ depending on the type of the seismic device, and are described as an example in this embodiment.

It is judged what kind of house the gas flow meter can be attached at the time of installation work. At the time of installation work, a command to select a pattern to be selected by communication from a handy terminal, a setting device, or the like is transmitted via the communication unit 116, and the control unit 114 stores the determination pattern storage unit to be used in 117 (step 201). For example, if the installation height of the gas flow meter is 1.5m or more in a wooden detached house, the pattern G is selected. If the installation height of the gas flow meter is 1.5m or less on the 12th floor of the apartment, the pattern F is selected. Since selection is instructed by transmission by a handy terminal, a setting device, etc., the control unit 114 stores in the storage unit 117 that the determination pattern G and the determination pattern F are used, respectively.

The flow rate measuring unit 102 of the gas flow meter 100 generates a contact pulse that is directly proportional to the flow rate of the gas flow when no earthquake occurs. The contact pulse is transmitted to the pulse detector 112 and converted into a voltage pulse. The control unit 114 receives and measures the voltage pulse (step 202), converts it into gas usage data, and displays it on the display unit 115 (step 203).

On the other hand, when an earthquake occurs, the seismic sensor 111 generates a pulse signal corresponding to the vibration of the gas flow meter 100. As a result, the control unit 114 determines whether or not the seismic device 111 has generated a pulse (step 204), starts the timer 118 and starts a time measuring operation (step 205). “Occurrence frequency” and “pulse generation duration” are observed (step 206). Next, it is determined whether the observed pulse pattern is equal to or greater than the “pulse generation frequency” and “pulse generation duration” of the determination pattern selected and stored in the storage unit 117 (step 207). As a result, when it is determined that both the conditions of “pulse generation frequency” and “pulse generation duration” of the determination pattern are satisfied, the control unit 114 flows the gas flow via the shut-off valve driving unit 113. Control is performed so that the shutoff valve 103 is shut off (step 208). On the other hand, if it is determined that the “pulse generation frequency” and the “pulse generation duration” do not satisfy the conditions of the determination pattern, the control unit 114 continues the gas flow measurement operation (steps 202 and 203). Such gas flow blocking operation is not performed.

  The return of gas conduction of the gas flow meter 100, in which the gas conduction of the conduit 101 is cut off by the shutoff valve 113, is performed by receiving a return command by communication from an external handy terminal having a transmission function (not shown). Done. The control unit 114 determines whether a return command has been received via the communication unit 116 (step 209). When it is determined that the return command has been received, the control unit 114 opens the shut-off valve 103 via the shut-off valve driving unit 113. Control (step 210). Thereafter, the control unit 114 continues the gas flow rate measuring operation (steps 202 and 203). On the other hand, when it is determined that the return command has not been received, the control unit 114 continues to determine whether the return command has been received via the communication unit 116. The shut-off valve can be returned by manually opening the shut-off valve.

  As described above, by using this embodiment, it is possible to provide a gas flow meter that can reduce variations in operation and non-operation of the gas flow blocking function depending on installation conditions when an earthquake of the same seismic intensity occurs. it can.

The internal block diagram which shows the structure of Example 1 of the gas flowmeter by this invention. The program block diagram which shows the program of Example 1 by this invention The figure which shows the determination pattern of Example 1 by this invention. The figure which shows the determination pattern of Example 1 by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Gas flow meter main body 101 Conduit 102 Flow measurement part 103 Shut-off valve 110 Circuit unit 111 Seismic device 112 Pulse detection part 113 Shut-off valve drive part 114 Control part 115 Display part 116 Communication part 117 Storage part 118 Timer part 119 Power supply part

Claims (2)

An earthquake detection means for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to the earthquake vibration when an earthquake vibration is detected;
Storage means for storing a plurality of signal patterns corresponding to the pulse signals of the earthquake detection means;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of signal patterns stored in the storage means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the pulse signal output by the earthquake detection means;
Determining means for determining whether the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selecting means;
A gas shutoff means for shutting off a gas flow when the judgment means judges that the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selection means;
Equipped with,
The gas flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the signal pattern is a combination of a pulse generation frequency of the pulse signal and a pulse generation duration according to a combination of an installation height and a house type . An earthquake detection means for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to the earthquake vibration when an earthquake vibration is detected;
Storage means for storing a plurality of signal patterns corresponding to the pulse signals of the earthquake detection means;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of signal patterns stored in the storage means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the pulse signal output by the earthquake detection means;
Determining means for determining whether the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selecting means;
A shutoff valve that drives a gas shutoff means for shutting off the gas flow when the judgment means judges that the pulse signal monitored by the monitoring means satisfies the signal pattern selected by the selection means. A drive unit;
Equipped with,
The gas flow meter circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the signal pattern is a combination of a pulse generation frequency of the pulse signal and a pulse generation duration in accordance with a combination of an installation height and a house type .

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