JP5212324B2 - Flow rate measuring device and fluid supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device provided with a device discriminating means for discriminating a device connected to a flow path based on flow rate information.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4, this type of flow rate measuring apparatus includes a gas flow rate measuring unit 1 that measures the flow rate of gas flowing in a gas flow path, and a flow rate increase detecting unit 2 that detects an increase in flow rate from the measurement result. The flow rate increase / decrease detection means 3 for detecting the instantaneous increase / decrease change of the gas flow accompanying the increase of the flow rate, the instrument determination means 4 for determining the start of use of a new gas combustion instrument when the instantaneous increase / decrease change is detected, and the flow rate increase detection means The flow rate registration means 5 for registering the increase in the gas flow rate detected in step 1 as the increase in the gas flow rate associated with the start of use of the new gas combustion appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  With the above configuration, pay attention to the fact that the gas flow rate increases and decreases instantly when it starts to use a new gas combustion device, and it becomes a stable gas flow rate. By determining, it is possible to determine the start of use of a new gas combustion appliance by a simple method and register an increase in gas due to the use of the new gas combustion appliance.

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that it is not known whether the increase in flow rate is due to the use of the same instrument or a new gas combustion instrument.

  In order to solve this point, the flow rate measuring device shown in FIG. 5 includes an ultrasonic flow meter 7 as a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate flowing through the flow path 6, and the flow rate value and time information of the ultrasonic flow meter 7. Measured flow rate information storage unit 8 for storing, learning instrument registration unit 9 for registering measured flow rate information measured during a certain period of time as instrument flow rate information, instrument flow rate information storage unit 10 for registering and storing the measured flow rate information, and And an appliance discriminating unit 11 that discriminates the appliance by comparing the measured flow rate information of the measured flow rate information storage means 8 with the appliance flow rate information of the appliance flow rate information storage means 10.

  Here, 12 is a number discriminating means, 13, 14 and 15 are gas appliances, 16 is a gas meter as a flow rate measuring device, 17 is a flow path shut-off valve, 18 is an operating section, 19 is a gas pipe line, and 20 is a flow rate for each appliance. It is a calculation means (for example, refer patent document 2).

  According to the flow measurement apparatus, to register stores measurement flow rate information measured, it is possible to determine the usage of multiple instruments, whether a previously what type of instrument (such as a water heater or gas cooker) Once registered, the equipment used can also be identified. At that time, changes in the rising flow rate and absolute flow rate values were used as judgment criteria.

JP 2002-174542 A JP 2007-024750 A

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, since the appliance is discriminated using the waveform of the rise of the flow rate when the use of the gas combustion appliance is started and the flow rate value itself, the rise that is within the same flow rate range is considered. When a waveform or a waveform of a flow rate value is generated, there is a problem that it is difficult to distinguish between a hot water use appliance such as floor heating and a hot water supply appliance, among other appliances.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and even when a rising waveform or a flow value waveform within the flow rate range that is considered to be the same is generated, the hot water use appliances such as floor heating and the hot water supply appliances are used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for discriminating instruments with higher accuracy that can be discriminated.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a flow rate measuring device according to the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a flow path, and a measurement unit that stores a flow rate value of the flow rate measuring unit and measurement flow rate information of a measurement time. Connected to the flow rate information storage means, the appliance registration means for registering the appliance information connected to the flow path, the appliance flow rate information storage means for storing the appliance flow rate information registered by the appliance registration means, and the hot water use appliance A pipe temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pipe for circulating hot water, the measured flow information stored in the measured flow information storage means and the appliance flow information stored in the appliance flow information storage means, An instrument for discriminating between a hot water use appliance and a hot water supply appliance connected to the flow path by referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detection means at the same time as identifying the appliance connected to the flow path A structure equipped with a separate means.

  The fluid measuring device of the present invention detects the temperature of a pipe for circulating hot water connected to a hot water use device even when a rising waveform or a waveform of a flow rate value within the same flow rate range is generated. Thus, it is possible to distinguish between the hot water use appliance and the hot water supply appliance, and it is possible to discriminate the appliance with higher accuracy.

Block diagram of a flow rate measuring device in an embodiment of the present invention Flow pattern diagram measured with the same flow measuring device Flow pattern diagram measured with the same flow measuring device Block diagram of a conventional flow measurement device Block diagram of another conventional flow measuring device

  The first invention is connected to the flow path, a flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path, a measured flow rate information storage means for storing the flow rate value of the flow rate measuring means and the measured flow rate information of the measurement time, and the flow path. A device registration means for registering the appliance information, an appliance flow rate information storage means for storing the appliance flow rate information registered by the appliance registration means, and a pipe temperature for detecting the temperature of the hot water circulation pipe connected to the hot water use appliance At the same time to determine the instrument connected to the flow path by comparing the detection flow rate information stored in the measurement flow rate information storage means and the instrument flow rate information stored in the instrument flow rate information storage means, It is the same by having a configuration including an appliance discriminating means for discriminating between the hot water use appliance and the hot water supply appliance connected to the flow path by referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means. Even when a rising waveform or flow rate value waveform within the assumed flow rate range is generated, the temperature of the hot water circulation pipe connected to the hot water use device is detected to distinguish between the hot water use device and the hot water supply device. Therefore, it is possible to determine the appliance with higher accuracy.

In particular, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the flow measurement device of the first aspect, the appliance discriminating unit discriminates a plurality of different types of hot water using appliances by referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting unit. By having a function configuration, even when a rising waveform or flow value waveform within the same flow rate range is generated, the temperature of the hot water circulation pipe connected to the hot water appliance is detected. As a result, it is possible to determine which hot-water use appliance is used among a plurality of different types of hot-water use appliances, and thus it is possible to determine the appliance with higher accuracy.

  In particular, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the flow measurement device of the first aspect, the appliance discriminating means discriminates the hot water using appliance and other appliances other than the hot water supply appliance based on the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means. By having a function configuration, even when a rising waveform or flow value waveform within the same flow rate range is generated, the temperature of the hot water circulation pipe connected to the hot water appliance is detected. Thus, since it is possible to determine which of the hot water use appliance and other appliances other than the hot water supply appliance is used, it is possible to determine the appliance with higher accuracy.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the flow rate measuring device according to the first aspect of the invention, the pipe temperature detecting means is capable of detecting pipe temperatures at a plurality of locations. By having a function of discriminating a plurality of hot water use appliances of the same type based on pipe temperature information detected at a plurality of locations by the detection means, rising waveforms and flow rate values within the same flow rate range are considered. Even when a waveform is generated, it is possible to determine which hot-water use equipment is used among the same types of hot-water use equipment by detecting the temperature at multiple locations of the hot-water circulation pipes connected to the hot-water use equipment. Since the determination can be made, it is possible to determine the appliance with higher accuracy.

  In particular, in the flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the flow rate measuring means can perform instantaneous measurement by using an ultrasonic measurement method. It is possible to measure the details of the flow rate change due to the above, and it is possible to determine the appliance with higher accuracy.

  In particular, the sixth invention is a gas business by constructing a fluid supply system using a flow rate measuring device for measuring a fluid flow rate flowing in a flow path in the flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions. The new price menu prepared by the user can be used, and it becomes possible to expand gas sales and gas appliance sales.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given for the sake of convenience to constituent elements that perform the same operations as in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the flow measurement device is an ultrasonic flow meter 7 as a flow measurement means for measuring the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flow path 6, and a measurement that stores flow rate values of the ultrasonic flow meter 7 and measurement flow rate information of measurement time. Flow rate information storage means 8, appliance registration means 9 for registering appliance information connected to the flow path 6, appliance flow rate information storage means 10 for storing appliance flow information registered by the appliance registration means 9, and floor heating A pipe temperature detecting means 21 for detecting the temperature of the pipe for circulating hot water connected to the hot water use appliance 13, and the measurement flow rate information stored in the measurement flow rate information storage means 8 and the appliance flow rate information storage means 10. Compared with the stored apparatus flow rate information, the apparatus connected to the flow path 6 is discriminated, and at the same time, by referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means 21, the hot water connected to the flow path 6 User 13, in which a appliance determination means 22 for determining the hot-water supply device 14.

Here, 15 is another gas appliance, 16 is a gas meter as a flow rate measuring device, 17 is a flow path shut-off valve, and 19 is a gas pipe.

  The operation and action of the flow rate measuring apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  First, the operation of the appliance registration unit 9 will be described. The appliance registration means 9 can be operated as necessary. When it is known what the appliance is in operation, the measured flow rate information indicates what appliance (for example, a water heater or a gas table). Etc.) can be registered. For example, by repeating the ignition and stop in order of the gas table (small mouth, large mouth, grill) and gas water heater in order, it is possible to identify the operated equipment in order, the instrument flow rate information of the measured flow information The corresponding gas appliances are associated in the order of operation.

  It is also possible to add and update registration data by learning using a method of automatically registering with a learning period and a method of manually operating a predetermined gas appliance in order.

  Next, the appliance discrimination method of the appliance discrimination means 22 will be described. The appliance discriminating means 22 compares the measured flow rate information stored in the measured flow rate information storage means 8 with the appliance flow rate information stored in the appliance flow rate information storage means 10, for example, flow rate data that is two pieces of flow rate information. If the correlation coefficient with the registered instrument flow rate information is large (for example, 0.8 or more), it is determined that the instrument is registered.

  If the method is other than the correlation coefficient, for example, a predetermined margin may be provided for the absolute value of the registered flow rate information, and if it is within the margin, it may be determined that the device is a registered device.

  At the same time, by referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means 21, it is possible to determine the appliances that are difficult to determine only by comparing the flow rate information, and by comparing the flow rate information as necessary. The result is corrected, and the final determination result is confirmed.

  As a specific example, when there is a flow rate pattern in which the rising waveform at startup and the flow rate value are almost the same as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example, a predetermined value is used as a discrimination by comparing the flow rate information. The pattern in which the flow rate stabilizes at another predetermined value after rising at the above startup flow rate is a hot water appliance, and the pattern in which the flow rate does not stabilize after rising at a startup flow rate greater than the predetermined value is a hot water supply device If defined, it is determined that both flow patterns in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are hot water utilizing devices.

  This discrimination result is correct in the case of FIG. 2 (a), but if the appliance A was operated simultaneously with the end of the hot water appliance as shown in FIG. 2 (b), it was incorrect. Although it becomes a discrimination result, discrimination is difficult only by comparing the flow rate information.

  Here, referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means 21, and adding a discrimination condition that the pipe temperature for hot water circulation is around 60 ° C. when a hot water using instrument is used, FIG. ), The pipe temperature is 60 ° C., so it is determined that it is a hot water use appliance. In the case of FIG. 2 (b), the pipe temperature is 20 ° C. It is possible to determine that the second half is a combined operation of another instrument (apparatus A) that is stabilized at a predetermined value.

  Moreover, there is a difference in the temperature of the hot water used depending on the type of the hot water use appliance, and when the pipe temperature is different, the floor temperature is 80 ° C. if the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means 21 is 60 ° C., for example. Then, it becomes possible to determine which hot water use appliance is used among a plurality of different types of hot water use appliances in the form of a bathroom dryer.

  In addition, when the pipe temperature is high due to the continuous operation of the hot water appliance, as shown in FIG. 3A, a stable flow rate pattern is obtained at a predetermined flow rate value. In this case, it is difficult to discriminate the flow rate pattern of the appliance B having the same rising waveform and flow rate value at startup as shown in FIG.

  Here, referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means 21, and adding a discrimination condition that the pipe temperature for hot water circulation is around 60 ° C. when a hot water using instrument is used, FIG. ), The pipe temperature is 60 ° C., so it is determined that it is a hot water use appliance. In FIG. 3B, the pipe temperature is 20 ° C., so it is not a hot water use appliance and other appliances other than the hot water supply appliance. Since it is determined that the operation is (equipment B), even if the rising waveform and the flow rate value at the time of activation are almost the same, it is determined whether a hot water utilization device or other devices other than the hot water supply device are used. Is possible.

  Further, the pipe temperature detecting means 21 is capable of detecting the pipe temperature at a plurality of locations, and the appliance discriminating means 22 is used according to the pipe temperature information at the plurality of locations detected by the pipe temperature detecting means 21. By providing a function for discriminating a plurality of hot water use devices of the same type, the hot water use device 13 and the hot water use device 13 can be used even when a rising waveform or a flow rate waveform within the same flow rate range is generated. By detecting the temperature at multiple locations on the hot water circulation pipe connected to the same type of hot water use equipment (not shown), which hot water use equipment is used among the same kind of hot water use equipment Since it can be determined, it is possible to determine the appliance with higher accuracy.

  In addition, a fluid supply system including a fluid supply source using the flow rate measuring device of the present embodiment as described above is also included in the present invention.

  Although the above description has been given of the case where an ultrasonic flowmeter is used, it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained with other instantaneous flow rate measuring means.

  As described above, the flow rate measuring device according to the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flow path, and a measured flow rate information storage unit that stores the flow rate value of the flow rate measuring unit and the measured flow rate information of the measurement time. Appliance registration means for registering appliance information connected to the flow path, appliance flow rate information storage means for storing appliance flow rate information registered by the appliance registration means, and for hot water circulation connected to the hot water use appliance A pipe temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pipe, and simultaneously comparing the measured flow rate information stored in the measured flow rate information storage means with the appliance flow rate information stored in the appliance flow rate information storage means; By referring to the temperature information detected by the detection means, it is considered to be the same in the configuration including the hot water use appliance connected to the flow path and the appliance discrimination means for discriminating the hot water supply appliance. Even when a rising waveform or flow rate waveform is generated, the temperature of the hot water circulation pipe connected to the hot water use device is detected, so that the hot water use device and the hot water supply device can be distinguished. It is possible to provide a technology that is the basis for discrimination of instruments with higher accuracy.

6 Flow path 7 Ultrasonic flow meter 8 Measurement flow rate information storage means 9 Instrument registration means 10 Instrument flow rate information storage means 13, 14, 15 Gas instrument 16 Gas meter 17 Channel shutoff valve 19 Gas pipe line 21 Pipe temperature detection means 22 Instrument discrimination means

Claims (6)

Registers flow rate measurement means for measuring the flow rate of fluid flowing in the flow path, measurement flow rate information storage means for storing the flow rate value of the flow rate measurement means and measurement flow rate information of the measurement time, and instrument information connected to the flow path. Appliance registration means, appliance flow rate information storage means for storing appliance flow rate information registered by the appliance registration means, pipe temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the hot water circulation pipe connected to the hot water use appliance, and the measurement By comparing the measured flow rate information stored in the flow rate information storage means and the appliance flow rate information stored in the appliance flow rate information storage means to determine the appliance connected to the flow path, at the same time, by the pipe temperature detection means A flow rate measuring device comprising: appliance discriminating means for discriminating between the hot water appliance and the hot water appliance connected to the flow path by referring to the detected temperature information. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the appliance discriminating unit has a function of discriminating a plurality of different types of hot water using appliances by referring to the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting unit. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the appliance discriminating means has a function of discriminating a hot water using appliance and other appliances other than the hot water supply appliance based on the temperature information detected by the pipe temperature detecting means. The pipe temperature detecting means detects a pipe temperature at a plurality of locations, and the appliance discriminating means detects a plurality of the same type of hot water using appliances based on the pipe temperature information at the plurality of locations detected by the pipe temperature detecting means. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, comprising a function of discriminating. The flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow rate measuring means includes an ultrasonic measurement method. A fluid supply system using the flow rate measuring device according to claim 1.

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