JP5259273B2 - Gas security device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas safety device that measures the flow rate of gas used in a house or the like, and performs security processing such as alarming and shut-off when abnormal use is detected.

  When using gas appliances, in order to prevent accidents caused by forgetting to turn off the gas, an alarm or shut off of the gas supply path at the time of abnormality at the gas user's house or the center managing the gas supply path Systems that do this are becoming popular. As a conventional gas security device, based on the gas flow rate, etc., the gas supply is cut off when a large flow rate flows, or the gas flow is cut off when the gas flows for a long time at a minute flow rate. What shuts off when gas flows for a predetermined time is used (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional gas cutoff device. This conventional gas cutoff device includes a gas supply pipe 101, a meter cock 102, a gas meter 103, an emergency cutoff valve 104, and a control device 106. The gas meter 103 is provided with a flow rate measuring device 105 that measures a flow rate through the gas supply pipe 101. Further, a battery 107 serving as a power source for the control device 106 and a battery 108 serving as a power source for the emergency shut-off valve 104 are provided.

  The control device 106 monitors the gas flow rate at regular time intervals measured by the flow rate measuring device 105 and measures the gas usage time. And when the continuous use safe time set for every predetermined flow range is exceeded, it determines with it being abnormal and instruct | indicates the stop of gas for a security process. In this security process, a closing signal for closing the emergency shut-off valve 104 is sent, and the emergency shut-off valve 104 is operated to stop the gas supply.

In general, gas appliances have a fixed gas consumption, and appliances usually used in the home are in the following ranges. For example, in the case of 6B gas, pilot flame 0.02~0.06m ³ / h of a large instrument, cooker 0.2-0.4 m ³ / h, stove 0.3~0.7m ³ / h, water heater 1.5~6.0m ³ / h, bathtub 1.2 ~ 2.2m ³ / h. Further, the time for which each appliance is continuously used ranges from about 10 hours like a stove to about 15 to 30 minutes at most like a water heater. Again, the approximate range is determined by the type of instrument. Therefore, for example, when a flow rate of 3 m ³ / h is measured as a whole, it is usually determined that the equipment used at that time is a water heater, so there is no change in the flow rate and the flow is 15 to 30 minutes Is normal, but if it has been flowing for more than 60 minutes, the instrument has not been used normally and an abnormality such as gas flowing out of the gas stopper has occurred. to decide. Even if a flow rate of about 3m ³ / h is measured, if fluctuations are observed in the flow rate, it means that other equipment has started use or has been stopped. There is no need to block it.

When two or more appliances are used at the same time, for example, when 2m ³ / h bath and 0.5m ³ / h stove are used, and a total of 3 appliances are used simultaneously for 1 hour or more, the total flow rate is Since the gas flow rate of 3m ³ / h is measured, there is a possibility that it is shut off when it is judged that the water heater is abnormally used.

Therefore, the control device 106 stores in advance the gas consumption (flow rate when using the appliance) and the continuous use safety time assumed for each gas appliance. For example, the flow rate classification and the continuous use safety time shown in FIG. 11 are stored. The control device 106 calculates the average flow rate from the flow rate at fixed time intervals measured by the flow rate measurement device 105, and tracks and monitors how long the average flow rate does not change. Then, the control device 106 compares the average gas flow rate and the duration thereof with the continuous use safety time determined for each flow rate category stored in advance, and if the continuous use safety time is exceeded, the abnormal use Is determined to output a closing signal to the emergency shutoff valve 104 to shut off the gas supply.
JP 2001-264141 A

  In the conventional devices as described above, the safety treatment such as shut-off is performed by the continuous use safety time for each flow rate classification. Therefore, depending on the use environment such as the combination of appliances used and the usage status of the appliances, the normal usage time of the appliance If it is used for a long time exceeding the limit, the usage time is exceeded due to forgetting to turn it off, or there is a gas leak, it may take time to shut off.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by detecting the appliance at the time of use, it can be used for a long time, forgetting to turn it off or forgetting it off, detecting gas leaks, etc. It aims at providing the gas security device which can improve a function.
In addition, the present invention provides a gas safety device that can perform safety processing more reliably and improve safety by combining a security function based on flow rate classification and a security function based on appliance discrimination. With the goal.

The present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit connected to a gas supply pipe and measuring a gas flow rate, a gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit, and a flow rate change characteristic thereof. According to the determination of the gas appliance that uses the flowing gas and the appliance discrimination unit that performs the appliance discrimination including the discrimination of the leak in the gas supply pipe, and the usage time set for each flow rate classification based on the measured gas flow rate A first security function unit that performs a security process; a second security function unit that performs a security process according to the usage time set for each instrument based on the measured gas flow rate using the instrument discrimination result; The gas safety device in which the first security function unit and the second security function unit are independently operated in parallel is provided.
As a result, it is possible to detect a long-time use or forgetting to turn off, gas leaks, etc. with higher accuracy by appliance discrimination at the time of use, and to execute a security process at an early stage, thereby improving the security function. Further, by combining the safety function based on the flow rate classification and the security function based on the appliance discrimination and operating separately in parallel, the security process can be executed more reliably and the safety can be improved.

Further, the present invention is the gas safety apparatus described above, wherein the monitoring time until the security processing operation by the second security function unit is longer than the monitoring time until the security processing operation by the first security function unit. Including those that are set short.
As a result, it is possible to perform safety processing such as appropriate shut-off earlier according to the appliance, and the security capability can be enhanced.

Moreover, this invention is said gas safety | security apparatus, Comprising: Said 1st security function part and said 2nd security function part are an alarm, interruption | blocking of gas supply, a report to a user, a center as said security process Including processing that includes at least one of the notifications.
As a result, various security processes can be performed in accordance with the flow rate, appliances used, and leakage.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the use of long periods of time, forgetting to turn off, forgetting to turn off, gas leaks, etc. with higher accuracy by appliance discrimination at the time of use, and to execute the security process at an early stage, thereby improving the security function. A gas security device can be provided. In addition, by combining the safety function based on the flow rate classification and the security function based on appliance discrimination and operating separately in parallel, the gas safety device can perform safety processing more reliably and improve safety. Can provide.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing an installation mode of a gas security device and a gas appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a configuration example of a gas security device provided together with a gas meter installed in a gas user's house or the like is shown.

  A gas meter 2 is installed at the inlet portion of the gas supply pipe 1 of each user's house, and the gas pipe 3 after passing through the gas meter 2 branches and pipes to a place where various gas appliances used at the user's house are installed. Gas is supplied. For example, a gas water heater 4 is installed outdoors, and hot water generated by the gas water heater 4 is installed in a kitchen hot water tap 5, a bath 6 in which a bathtub and a shower device are installed, a living room and the like through a water pipe. The floor heating 7 is supplied to form various usage forms. In addition, when indoors, gas is supplied to a gas table 8 installed in a kitchen, a gas fan heater 9 installed in a living room, a bedroom, or the like, and is used as needed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gas security device according to the embodiment of the present invention. This gas security device is configured in the gas meter 2 or the like. The gas safety device 10 of the present embodiment is provided in the middle of a gas supply pipe 1 laid in a user's house or the like, and a gas pipe 3 on the downstream side of the gas supply pipe 1 has a plurality of gas appliances as appliances A21, Appliances B22 and C23 are connected. The appliances 21 to 23 correspond to the gas water heater 4, the gas table 8, the gas fan heater 9, and the like. The gas security device 10 is installed at a predetermined position outdoors or indoors. The number of gas appliances to be connected is not limited to the illustrated example, and is arbitrary. In addition, the user home includes not only a general residential house but also an apartment house, a store, a factory, and other various facilities.

  The gas security device 10 includes a flow rate measurement unit 11, a flow rate calculation unit 12, a first security function unit 13, an appliance determination unit 14, a second security function unit 15, a storage unit 16, a shutoff valve 17, and a notification unit 18. Configured. The flow rate measuring unit 11 is constituted by an ultrasonic flow meter or the like connected in the path of the gas supply pipe 1 and obtains a propagation time difference caused by the gas flow in the gas supply pipe 1 by using an ultrasonic signal to instantaneously generate the gas. The flow rate is detected. The flow rate calculation unit 12 performs various calculations related to the flow rate, such as calculating the gas flow rate by integrating the instantaneous flow rate based on the detected instantaneous flow rate, or calculating a flow rate difference value for appliance discrimination described later. It is.

  The first security function unit 13 depends on the usage time for each flow rate based on the gas flow value calculated by the flow rate calculation unit 12 and the continuous use safety time set and stored for each flow rate when using the gas. The security process is executed. The appliance discriminating unit 14 determines the flow rate change characteristic of the gas flow rate such as the flow rate change amount and the change time based on the judgment value for each appliance set and stored in advance based on the flow rate difference value calculated by the flow rate calculating unit 12. The gas appliance used when the gas is flowing through the supply pipe 1 is discriminated.

  The second security function unit 15 uses the appliance discrimination result by the appliance discriminator 14, and based on the flow rate value of the gas calculated by the flow rate calculator 12 and the continuous use safety time set and stored for each appliance, The security process is performed according to the usage time for each appliance. It should be noted that in the appliance discrimination in the appliance discriminating unit 14, gas leakage is discriminated together with the appliance. In the case of a gas leak, the second security function unit 15 executes a security process when it is determined that the gas leak is caused by a predetermined flow rate being continued. In the present embodiment, the security process by the first security function unit 13 and the security process by the second security function unit 15 are made to function independently and in parallel.

  The storage unit 16 includes continuous use safety time information for each flow rate class used in the first security function unit 13, appliance judgment value information for each appliance used in the appliance discrimination unit 14, and each appliance used in the second security function unit 15. Gas safety device, such as continuous use safety time information, instantaneous flow rate value information measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11, gas flow rate value information and flow rate difference value information calculated by the flow rate calculation unit 12, and history information of used equipment and usage status 10 stores various information used in 10.

  The shutoff valve 17 is connected in the path of the gas supply pipe 1 and shuts off the gas supply by closing the gas supply pipe 1 based on an instruction from the first security function unit 13 or the second security function unit 15. To do. The notification unit 18 includes a display unit such as an LED or a liquid crystal display, and notifies the user of the detection of an abnormal state based on an instruction from the first security function unit 13 or the second security function unit 15. Is to do. In addition to the display unit, the notification unit 18 may be provided with a sound generation unit such as a speaker or a buzzer to issue a sound alarm.

  Here, the flow rate calculation unit 12, the first security function unit 13, the appliance determination unit 14, and the second security function unit 15 are configured by a processor and an operation program that constitute a microcomputer (microcomputer) and the like. Each function is realized by executing a corresponding process by executing the operation program. The storage unit 16 is configured by a memory such as a flash ROM or a RAM.

  The operations of the flow rate measurement unit 11 and the flow rate calculation unit 12 will be described in detail. The flow rate measuring unit 11 is arranged with a pair of ultrasonic transmitters / receivers in opposition to the flow direction of the flow path, and by alternately transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves with these transmitters / receivers, the forward direction and the reverse direction with respect to the gas flow Propagation of ultrasonic waves. Then, the flow velocity is obtained from the ultrasonic propagation time from the upstream to the downstream and the ultrasonic propagation time from the downstream to the upstream, and the instantaneous flow rate of the gas flow is calculated from the flow velocity and the cross-sectional area of the flow path. The flow rate calculation unit 12 calculates the gas flow rate by integrating the instantaneous flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11, or calculates a flow rate difference value for instrument discrimination based on the instantaneous flow rate.

  In addition, as a flow volume measurement part, the thing of not only the thing using the said ultrasonic wave but a various system is applicable. For example, a hot-wire sensor is installed in the flow path to determine the flow rate based on the impedance that changes depending on the flow. There is one that detects the flow rate as a signal.

  Next, the operation of the appliance determination unit 14 will be described in detail. The appliance discriminating unit 14 discriminates an appliance used from the flow rate pattern, the flow rate classification (flow rate zone), or the like based on the time-series gas flow value calculated by the flow rate calculating unit 12. . A specific example of appliance discrimination will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the flow rate pattern of the gas appliance, and FIG. 4 is a diagram describing the characteristics of the flow rate pattern for each appliance.

  In FIG. 3, (a) is a stove flow rate pattern, and (b) is a fan heater flow rate pattern. The gas flow rates when the stove (a) and the fan heater (b) are used are in substantially the same flow rate range. When the stove is ignited, it is configured to ignite in the vicinity of the maximum flow rate, and in order to reduce the flame overflowing from the bottom of the pan after ignition, there are many cases in which the operation of reducing the heating power is performed, and a whisker-like flow rate change occurs. In addition, the flow rate after the thermal power adjustment is stably used at an arbitrary flow rate value from the maximum (for example, about 400 L / h) to the hot fire (for example, about 30 L / h). On the other hand, when the fan heater is ignited, it is configured to ignite at the maximum flow rate, and after ignition, a control operation for temperature adjustment is performed after a lapse of a predetermined time. This temperature adjustment control operation is configured to control from the maximum to the minimum by a plurality of stages of flow rate values, and a gradual flow rate change or a step-like flow rate change occurs.

  Moreover, in FIG. 3, (c) is a flow rate pattern of a stove, and (d) is a flow rate pattern of a water heater. Comparing the gas flow rate when the stove of (c) and the hot water heater of (d) are used, the hot water heater is relatively more in the range of the stove from about 30 L / h to about 400 L / h, for example, It is used in the range of about 400 L / h to 4000 L / h, for example, depending on the amount of water used, the water temperature, and the set temperature.

  FIG. 4 shows the characteristics of the flow rate pattern as described above for each instrument. Here, leakage is included. For example, the stove has the characteristics that the flow rate range: medium to small, the speed of change: fast, the amount of change: arbitrary, the shape of change: arbitrary, the whiskers change: yes, and the degree of stability: stable. The fan heater (FH) has the characteristics that the flow rate range: medium to small, the speed of change: slow, the amount of change: almost the specified amount, the shape of change: stepped, the whiskers: none, the degree of stability: stable ing. The stove has the characteristics that the flow rate zone: medium to small, the speed of change: fast, the amount of change: almost a predetermined amount, the shape of change: two steps, the whiskers change: yes, and the degree of stability: stable. The water heater has the following characteristics: flow rate range: large to medium, change speed: slow, change amount: arbitrary, change shape: arbitrary, whiskers change: none, stability degree: unstable. The gas leakage has characteristics such as a flow rate range: large to small, speed of change: fast or slow, amount of change: arbitrary, shape of change: arbitrary, whisker change: none, degree of stability: unstable. The characteristic information of the flow pattern for each appliance is stored in the storage unit 16 as appliance determination value information.

  The appliance discriminating unit 14 refers to the flow rate pattern obtained from the flow rate calculating unit 12 and the appliance discriminating value information held in the storage unit 16, detects the characteristics of the flow rate pattern as described above, and based on the features. Determine which instrument or leak is being used. For example, the stove or fan heater can be discriminated from the presence or absence of a whisker-like change or the characteristics of the flow rate change after rising even in the same flow rate zone as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Is possible. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, when there is a characteristic in the flow rate zone, for example, when the flow rate value is large, it is possible to determine that the appliance is a water heater.

  Next, leakage determination by the instrument determination unit 14 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a flow rate pattern when determining a gas leak. The first example in FIG. 5 shows a case where the determination is made in the flow rate zone where the flow rate rises. In FIG. 5, (a) shows a flow rate pattern of an appliance such as a stove, and (b) shows a leak flow rate pattern. In the case of a gas appliance, a predetermined flow rate or more is required as the ignition flow rate. For this reason, at the time of start-up of the appliance, a flow rate exceeding the appliance ignition flow rate is generated as shown in FIG. On the other hand, it is possible to determine that there is a possibility of leakage when the rising of the flow rate less than the appliance ignition flow rate is detected as shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that there is a leak when a predetermined monitoring time tx1 has elapsed after the rising of the flow rate that is less than the appliance ignition flow rate has occurred.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a flow rate pattern when determining a gas leak. The second example in FIG. 6 shows a case in which continuous use of a predetermined range of flow rate is monitored and determined. In FIG. 6, (a) shows a flow rate pattern of an appliance such as a water heater, and (b) shows a leak flow rate pattern. When the gas appliance is used, the flow rate value is in the range of the predetermined flow rate range. Therefore, if the flow rate value that is impossible for the appliance continues, it can be determined that there is a possibility of leakage. In this case, the duration of the predetermined flow rate range (Q1 to Q2) is monitored to determine a leak. If the instrument is in use as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the flow rate exceeds Q2, falls below Q1, or changes depending on the usage state, so the continuous use time of the flow range Q1 to Q2 is up to the predetermined monitoring time. It will not elapse. For example, when the flow rate exceeds Q2, the monitoring time is not counted, the count value is held, and reset when the flow rate becomes less than Q1. On the other hand, if there is a gas leak as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the state where the flow rate is within Q1 to Q2 continues, so the monitoring time count is not stopped or reset, and the flow rate range Q1 to Q2 is not changed. The continuous use time elapses until a predetermined monitoring time. In this case, it is determined that there is a leak when the continuous use time exceeds a predetermined monitoring time tx2. The monitoring time tx2 is, for example, 12 hours. When a gas leak is determined, a security process such as shutting off the gas supply can be performed at that time.

  Next, the security function in this embodiment will be described in detail. First, the security function by the first security function unit 13 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the security function by the first security function unit. FIG. 7 shows the time-series change of the flow rate pattern when using the instrument, the counting of the duration of use, and the interruption after the passage of the duration of safe use.

  The first security function unit 13 monitors the flow rate value of the gas obtained from the flow rate calculation unit 12, and when the gas starts to be used and the flow rate rises, it counts the use duration time t1 corresponding to the flow rate category. . As shown by the vertical arrows in FIG. 7, the use duration count is reset each time a flow rate change equal to or greater than a predetermined value is detected. Thereafter, the use duration t2 is counted again according to the changed flow rate classification. Thereafter, every time the flow rate change is detected, the count of the use duration time is reset, and the count of the use duration times t3 and t4 corresponding to the flow rate classification is repeated. When the flow rate change is not detected and the continuous use safety time t4 has passed the continuous use safety time set for the flow rate category, the first security function unit 13 performs a security process such as blocking or warning. As the continuous use safety time, the continuous use safety time set for each flow rate category shown in FIG. 11 is used.

  As the security process, various processes and combinations thereof such as performing an alarm, shutting off after giving an alarm, shutting off, and an automatic return confirmation function for restoring again after shutting down can be considered. When issuing an alarm, a communication line may be used to notify the landline or mobile phone registered by the user of the interruption or notification of interruption, or to the center that manages the gas supply path. Is possible.

  When shutting off, a shutoff instruction signal is sent from the first security function unit 13 to the shutoff valve 17, and the shutoff valve 17 is driven and the gas supply pipe 1 is closed in accordance with the shutoff instruction signal to supply gas. Shut off. When an alarm is issued, an alarm instruction signal is sent from the first security function unit 13 to the notification unit 18, and in response to the alarm instruction signal, the notification unit 18 turns on an LED, displays characters or pictures on a liquid crystal display, and the like. The alarm is given by notifying the abnormality. The notification unit 18 may generate a sound with a voice or a buzzer to notify the abnormality and issue a warning.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the security function by the first security function unit. FIG. 8 shows a time-series change in the flow rate pattern at the time of occurrence of leakage, counting of the duration of use, and interruption after the lapse of duration of safe use.

  The first security function unit 13 monitors that a flow rate of a predetermined value Q0 or less is detected in order to detect the presence or absence of minute leaks. The predetermined value Q0 of the flow rate is set to 0 L / h, for example. When the gas starts to be used and the flow rate rises, the leakage monitoring period starts to be counted. When a flow rate of a predetermined value Q0 or less is detected within the predetermined leakage monitoring period t5, the leakage monitoring period is counted at that time. Reset and count again. If the flow rate does not fall below the predetermined value Q0 within the predetermined leakage monitoring period t5 and the minute flow rate state continues, it is determined that there is a minute gas leakage at the time when the leakage monitoring period t5 has elapsed, and a shutoff, alarm, etc. Perform security processing. The leakage monitoring period t5 is, for example, 30 days. As a modified example of the above monitoring method, the detection time when the flow rate in the predetermined minute flow rate zone is detected is integrated, and the detection process is performed when the leakage monitoring period t5 elapses. Also good.

  In this way, the first safety function unit 13 shuts off the gas when there is a long-term use or forgetting to turn off exceeding the normal range or a minute leak due to the continuous use safety time set for each flow rate category. It is possible to execute a security process such as

  Next, the security function by the second security function unit 15 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a security function by the second security function unit. In FIG. 9, the count of the duration of use by the first security function unit for the time-series change in the flow rate pattern when the device is used, the count of the usage monitoring time for each instrument by the second security function unit, and the continuous use It shows the interruption after the safety time. Here, an example of a stove is given as an instrument.

  The second security function unit 15 monitors the flow rate value of the gas obtained from the flow rate calculation unit 12 according to the usage monitoring time set for each appliance based on the appliance discrimination result by the appliance discriminating unit 14, and Count usage monitoring time. At this time, the first security function unit 13 is operated in parallel, and the second security function unit 15 operates completely different from the first security function unit 13. When the flow rate pattern is discriminated by the appliance discriminating unit 14 and the appliance to be used is determined to be a stove during a predetermined stove discrimination period, the second security function unit 15 starts counting the stove usage monitoring time tc2. Then, when the usage monitoring time tc2 has passed the continuous usage safety time set for the stove, the second security function unit 15 performs security processing such as blocking or warning.

  When shutting off, a shutoff instruction signal is sent from the second security function unit 15 to the shutoff valve 17, and the shutoff valve 17 is driven and the gas supply pipe 1 is closed in accordance with the shutoff instruction signal to supply gas. Shut off. When an alarm is issued, an alarm instruction signal is sent from the second security function unit 15 to the notification unit 18, and in response to the alarm instruction signal, the notification unit 18 turns on an LED, displays characters or pictures on a liquid crystal display, and the like. The alarm is given by notifying the abnormality. The notification unit 18 may generate a sound with a voice or a buzzer to notify the abnormality and issue a warning.

  At this time, the first security function unit 13 counts the use continuation time tc1 in accordance with the flow rate classification in parallel, and monitors the use continuation time corresponding to the flow rate zone every time a flow rate change is detected. And when the use continuation time tc1 exceeds the continuation use safety time corresponding to the flow rate range of the stove, when the security function by the second security function unit 15 is not activated, the first security function unit 13 is Perform security processing such as blocking and warning. Here, the relationship between the use monitoring time tc2 when the continuous use safety time elapses by the second safety function unit 15 and the use duration tc1 when the continuous use safety time elapses by the first safety function unit 13 is tc1> Set to be tc2. In the case of a stove, the use monitoring time tc2 when the continuous use safety time elapses may be as short as about 1 to 2 hours, for example.

  Further, the second security function unit 15 counts the leakage monitoring time corresponding to the flow rate band when the appliance leakage determination unit 14 determines a gas leak, and shuts off or alerts when a predetermined leakage monitoring period has elapsed. Perform security processing.

  In this way, the second safety function unit 15 can monitor according to the characteristics of the flow rate for each device by the continuous use safety time set for each device, and can be used for a long time exceeding the appropriate range for each device. If there is a forgetting to turn it off, a security process such as shutting off the gas can be executed. In addition, when a leak is detected, it is possible to execute a security process such as an appropriate interruption according to the leak pattern.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first security function unit 13 activates a security function for a long period of time longer than a predetermined value or forgetting to turn off by a lapse of a predetermined usage duration according to the flow rate classification, A flow rate equal to or lower than the flow rate is monitored for a long time, and a safety function against minute leaks is activated as a predetermined leak monitoring period elapses. In addition, the second security function unit 15 activates a safety function for long-term use or forgetting to turn off the appliance by the passage of the duration of use assumed for the appliance based on the appliance discrimination result, or the gas leak discrimination result. Based on the above, the safety function for the leakage according to the state is activated by the leakage monitoring time corresponding to the characteristics of the gas leakage and the flow rate zone. At this time, the first security function unit 13 and the second security function unit 15 are operated independently, and the first security function and the second security function are used in parallel without interfering with each other. Monitor the time and execute the security process according to the event detected earlier. In addition, since the second security function unit 15 can be finely monitored for each device, the monitoring time in the second security function unit 15 is shorter than the monitoring time in the first security function unit 13. As such, the respective continuous use safety time is set.

  According to the present embodiment, in the second security function, by monitoring the usage time set for each instrument using the instrument discrimination result, monitoring according to the flow characteristics for each instrument is possible. Thus, it is possible to appropriately detect use for a long time, forgetting to turn off, etc., and to improve the security function. At this time, by operating the first security function and the second security function independently in parallel, the security functions can be complemented and high safety can be ensured. Furthermore, in the second security function, by setting a short monitoring time according to the equipment and operating it earlier than the first security function, it is possible to perform security processing such as appropriate shut-off earlier, and to improve the security capability. Can be increased. At this time, even when the second security function is not activated, such as when the appliance cannot be identified, the backup is performed by the first security function, so that safety can be improved. Further, by performing a security process by discriminating leaks together with the appliances used, it is possible to discriminate gas leaks at an early stage and perform blocking or the like, thereby improving safety.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to those shown in the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can also make changes and applications based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques. Yes, included in the scope of protection.

  The present invention can detect forgotten to use or turn off for a long period of time with high accuracy by device discrimination during use, detect gas leaks, etc., and can execute a safety process at an early stage, thereby improving the safety function. By combining the safety function based on flow rate classification and the security function based on appliance discrimination, it is possible to perform safety processing more reliably and have the effect of improving safety, and is used in houses, etc. It is useful as a gas safety device that measures the flow rate of gas, etc., and performs security processing such as warning and shut-off when abnormal use is detected.

The figure which shows the installation form of the gas security apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a gas appliance The block diagram which shows the structure of the gas security apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the flow pattern of the gas appliance A diagram that contrasts the characteristics of the flow pattern for each instrument. The figure which shows the 1st example of the flow pattern at the time of discriminating a gas leak The figure which shows the 2nd example of the flow pattern at the time of discriminating a gas leak The figure which shows the 1st example of the security function by the 1st security function part The figure which shows the 2nd example of the security function by the 1st security function part The figure which shows the example of the security function by the 2nd security function part The figure which shows the structural example of the conventional gas cutoff device Diagram showing flow rate classification and safe usage time

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas supply pipe 2 Gas meter 3 Gas piping 4 Gas water heater 5 Hot water tap 6 Bath 7 Floor heating 8 Gas table 9 Gas fan heater 10 Gas security device 11 Flow rate measurement part 12 Flow rate calculation part 13 First security function part 14 Instrument discrimination Part 15 Second security function part 16 Storage part 17 Shut-off valve 18 Notification part 21, 22, 23 Instrument

Claims (3)

A flow rate measuring unit connected to the gas supply pipe for measuring the gas flow rate;
From the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit and the flow rate change characteristics, including determination of a gas appliance that uses gas flowing through the gas supply pipe connected to the gas supply pipe, and determination of leakage in the gas supply pipe An instrument discriminator for performing instrument discrimination;
A first security function unit that performs a security process with the passage of a usage time set for each flow rate based on the measured gas flow rate;
Using the appliance discrimination result, and based on the measured gas flow rate, comprising a second security function unit that performs a security process with the lapse of usage time set for each appliance,
A gas security device in which the first security function unit and the second security function unit operate independently and in parallel. The gas security device according to claim 1,
The gas security device in which the monitoring time until the operation of the security process by the second security function unit is set shorter than the monitoring time until the operation of the security process by the first security function unit. The gas security device according to claim 1,
The first security function unit and the second security function unit perform a process including at least one of alarm, shutoff of gas supply, report to user, report to center as the security process. Security equipment.

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