JP5618654B2 - Gas appliance judgment system and gas appliance judgment method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas appliance determination system and a gas appliance determination method.

  Conventionally, a gas appliance determination system that determines a gas appliance in use has been proposed. In this gas appliance judgment system, the flow rate value of the gas flowing in the flow path is monitored for a long time, the flow rate value pattern which is the transition of the gas flow rate value is recognized, and the gas appliance is judged from the flow rate value pattern (for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3).

JP 2003-148728 A JP 2008-107262 A JP 2008-107301 A

  In the conventional gas appliance determination system, the flow rate value of the gas flowing in the flow path must be monitored for a long time, and the gas appliance cannot be determined in a short time. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to determine the gas appliance to be used from the gas flow value in a short time, but even if it is a different gas appliance, there are those that show almost the same flow value if only looking at the flow value in a short time, The possibility that an error will occur in the judgment of the gas appliance to be used increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas appliance determination system and a gas appliance determination capable of improving the determination accuracy of the gas appliance to be used. It is to provide a method.

  The gas appliance determination system of the present invention is a first sensor comprising at least one of a pressure sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to a gas pressure in a flow path and a signal corresponding to a gas flow rate in the flow path. A second sensor for detecting the use of at least one of life energy of electricity and water, a vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from a change of a predetermined value or more of a signal output from the first sensor, and a second A use appliance judging means for judging a gas appliance to be used from the use timing of the life energy detected by the sensor.

  According to this gas appliance determination system, the gas appliance to be used is determined from the vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from when the signal output from the first sensor changes more than a predetermined amount. Here, the inventors of the present invention have found that a waveform obtained during a very short time after a change of a predetermined value or more at the start or end of use of a gas appliance shows a unique vibration for each gas appliance. Therefore, the gas appliance to be used can be determined from the vibration waveform during a minute time. Further, the gas appliance to be used is determined from the use timing of the life energy detected by the second sensor. Here, some gas appliances have similar vibration waveforms obtained during a minute time, and such a similar vibration waveform may erroneously determine the gas appliance to be used. However, even if the vibration waveform is similar, the gas appliance having a similar vibration waveform can be distinguished by referring to the use timing of the life energy. For example, a gas water heater and a gas dishwasher tend to have similar vibration waveforms during a very short time, but a gas water heater always uses electricity and water while it is used, while a gas dishwasher is a specific type. Electricity and water are used only at the timing. Both can be distinguished by the use timing of such life energy. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the gas appliance used.

Furthermore , the apparatus further comprises similarity degree transition calculating means for calculating a degree of similarity transition obtained by continuously obtaining the degree of similarity between the vibration waveform based on the signal output from the first sensor and the predetermined vibration waveform. Is characterized in that the gas appliance to be used is determined based on the similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculating means.

  According to this gas appliance determination system, the similarity transition between the vibration waveform and the predetermined vibration waveform is calculated, and the gas appliance to be used is determined based on the calculated similarity transition. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined vibration waveform is a vibration waveform of a specific gas appliance. When the vibration waveform based on the signal output from the first sensor is a vibration waveform of a specific gas appliance, the calculated similarity tends to increase, and the similarity transition generally shows a high value. There is a tendency. When the vibration waveform based on the signal obtained from the first sensor is a vibration waveform of another gas appliance, the similarity does not increase and the similarity transition does not increase. Shows the transition unique to the device. Therefore, by executing the determination based on the similarity transition as described above, it is possible to determine the gas appliance to be used by capturing the characteristics of the vibration waveform.

  The gas appliance determination system of the present invention further includes a similarity transition storage unit that stores a similarity transition for each gas appliance, and the appliance determination unit uses the similarity for each gas appliance stored by the similarity transition storage unit. Based on the life energy usage timing, it is determined that the gas appliance to be used can be determined from only the vibration waveform when there is one similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculation means. It is preferable to determine the gas appliance used.

  According to this gas appliance determination system, when the similarity transition for each stored gas appliance is one similar to the calculated similarity transition, the gas appliance to be used can be determined from only the vibration waveform. Judging and determining the gas appliance to be used without being based on the use timing of life energy. Thus, by using the comparison with the stored contents, it is possible to easily determine the gas appliance to be used without being based on the life energy use timing.

The gas appliance determination system according to the present invention further includes a generation unit that generates a vibration waveform at the time of gas leakage as the predetermined vibration waveform, and the similarity degree transition calculation unit is a vibration based on a signal output from the first sensor. The degree of similarity between the waveform and the vibration waveform at the time of gas leakage is calculated, and the appliance judgment means uses a gas leakage when the representative value of the degree of similarity calculated by the degree-of-similarity calculation means is greater than or equal to a threshold value. It is preferable to judge that it is.

The gas appliance determination method of the present invention includes a pressure sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the gas pressure in the flow path and a flow rate sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the gas flow rate in the flow path. The vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from the time when the signal output from one sensor changes more than a predetermined value, and the life energy detected by the second sensor that detects the use of at least one of the life energy of electricity and water Calculates the transition of similarity obtained by continuously obtaining the similarity between the vibration waveform based on the signal outputted from the first sensor and the predetermined vibration waveform, based on the usage timing, and the use appliance judgment step for judging the gas appliance to be used. this and similarity transition calculation step has, in use appliance determination step, based on the calculated similarity trend by the similarity transition calculation step to determine the use gas appliance that The features.

According to this gas appliance determination method, the gas appliance to be used is determined from the vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from when the signal output from the first sensor changes more than a predetermined amount. Here, the inventors of the present invention have found that a waveform obtained during a very short time after a change of a predetermined value or more at the start or end of use of a gas appliance shows a unique vibration for each gas appliance. Therefore, the gas appliance to be used can be determined from the vibration waveform during a minute time. Further, the gas appliance to be used is determined from the use timing of the life energy detected by the second sensor. Here, some gas appliances have similar vibration waveforms obtained during a minute time, and such a similar vibration waveform may erroneously determine the gas appliance to be used. However, even if the vibration waveform is similar, the gas appliance having a similar vibration waveform can be distinguished by referring to the use timing of the life energy. For example, a gas water heater and a gas dishwasher tend to have similar vibration waveforms during a very short time, but a gas water heater always uses electricity and water while it is used, while a gas dishwasher is a specific type. Electricity and water are used only at the timing. Both can be distinguished by the use timing of such life energy. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the gas appliance used. Furthermore, the similarity transition obtained by continuously obtaining the similarity between the vibration waveform and the predetermined vibration waveform is calculated, and the gas appliance to be used is determined based on the calculated similarity transition. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined vibration waveform is a vibration waveform of a specific gas appliance. When the vibration waveform based on the signal output from the first sensor is a vibration waveform of a specific gas appliance, the calculated similarity tends to increase, and the similarity transition generally shows a high value. There is a tendency. When the vibration waveform based on the signal obtained from the first sensor is a vibration waveform of another gas appliance, the similarity does not increase and the similarity transition does not increase. Shows the transition unique to the device. Therefore, by executing the determination based on the similarity transition as described above, it is possible to determine the gas appliance to be used by capturing the characteristics of the vibration waveform.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the gas appliance used.

It is a lineblock diagram of a gas appliance judgment system concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the gas meter shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow volume transition in the use process of a gas appliance. It is a figure which shows the outline of the gas leak vibration waveform produced | generated by the production | generation part shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the pressure change at the time of gas appliance use start, Comprising: (a) shows the pressure change at the time of gas table use start, (b) shows the pressure change at the time of a small water heater use start, (c) Indicates the pressure change at the start of use of the gas water heater. It is a graph which shows the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation part shown in FIG. 2, (a) shows the continuous NCC at the time of a gas table use start, (b) is at the time of the start of use of a small water heater. The continuous NCC is shown, and (c) shows the continuous NCC at the start of using the gas water heater. It is a graph which shows the pressure change at the time of completion | finish of gas appliance use, Comprising: (a) shows the pressure change at the time of completion | finish of use of a gas table, (b) shows the pressure change at the time of completion | finish of use of a small water heater, (c) Indicates the pressure change at the end of use of the gas water heater. It is a graph which shows the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation part shown in FIG. 2, Comprising: (a) shows continuous NCC at the time of completion | finish of use of a gas table, (b) is at the time of completion | finish of use of a small water heater. The continuous NCC is shown, and (c) shows the continuous NCC at the end of use of the gas water heater. It is a graph which shows the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation part shown in FIG. 2 at the time of gas leak. It is a figure which shows an example of a pressure waveform. It is a figure which shows the use timing of electricity, gas, and water at the time of gas water heater use, (a) shows the use timing of electricity, (b) shows the use timing of gas, (c) uses the water supply Timing is shown. It is a figure which shows the use timing of electricity, gas, and water at the time of gas dishwasher use, (a) shows the use timing of electricity, (b) shows the use timing of gas, (c) uses the water supply Timing is shown. It is a main flowchart which shows the gas appliance judgment method by the gas meter which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the completion | finish gas appliance judgment process (S3) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the gas leak / starting gas appliance judgment process (S4) shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the gas meter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the spectrum data calculated by the analysis part shown in FIG. 16, Comprising: (a) shows the spectrum data at the time of use start of a gas table, (b) shows the spectrum data at the time of use start of a small water heater. (C) shows spectral data at the start of use of the gas water heater. It is a graph which shows the spectrum data calculated by the analysis part shown in FIG. 16, Comprising: (a) shows the spectrum data at the time of use end of a gas table, (b) shows the spectrum data at the time of use end of a small water heater. (C) shows the spectrum data at the end of use of the gas water heater. It is a graph which shows the spectrum data obtained by Fourier-transforming the pressure waveform when a gas leak generate | occur | produces. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the end gas appliance determination process (S3) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the gas leak / starting gas appliance judgment process (S4) shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas appliance determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gas appliance determination system 1 includes a plurality of gas appliances 10 such as a gas stove, a fan heater, a gas water heater, a floor heater and a gas table, a gas supply source regulator 20, pipes 31 and 32, and a power integrator ( A second sensor) 40, a water meter (second sensor) 50, and a gas meter 60 are provided.

  The adjuster 20 adjusts the fuel gas from the upstream to a predetermined pressure and flows it through the first pipe 31. The first pipe 31 connects the adjuster 20 and the gas meter 60. The second pipe 32 is a pipe that connects the gas meter 60 and the gas appliance 10. The gas meter 60 measures the flow rate of the fuel gas and displays the integrated flow rate. In such a gas supply system 1, a flow path connected to the first pipe 31 and the second pipe 32 is formed in the gas meter 60, and the fuel gas flowing through the regulator 20 flows from the first pipe 31 to the gas meter 60, And the gas appliance 10 is reached through the second pipe 32 and burned in the gas appliance 10.

  The power integrating meter 40 and the water meter 50 detect the use of life energy of both electricity and water. Of these, the power integrator 40 integrates and measures the amount of power supplied to each electrical device. In the present embodiment, the power integrator 40 is connected to the gas meter 60, and transmits the measured electric energy signal to the gas meter 60. The water meter 50 measures the amount of water supplied to each water appliance. In the present embodiment, the water meter 50 is connected to the gas meter 60, and transmits the measured water amount signal to the gas meter 60.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing details of the gas meter 60 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas meter 60 includes a pressure sensor (first sensor) 61, a flow rate sensor (first sensor) 62, and a control unit 63. The pressure sensor 61 outputs a signal of a measurement value corresponding to the gas pressure in the flow path of the gas meter 60, and is configured by a sensor such as a piezoresistive type or a capacitance type. The flow sensor 62 outputs a measurement value signal corresponding to the gas flow rate in the flow path of the gas meter 60, and is constituted by an ultrasonic sensor, a flow sensor, or the like.

  The control unit 63 includes a use appliance determination unit (use appliance determination means) 63a, and determines the gas appliance 10 whose use has started and ended by the use appliance determination unit 63a. The control unit 63 can be configured by a microcomputer. In the following description, one or both of the gas appliance 10 that has been used and the gas appliance 10 that has been used are referred to as a used gas appliance 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow rate transition in the process of using the gas appliance 10. As shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the use of the first gas appliance 10 (for example, a gas table) is started at time t1. At this time, the flow value indicates F1. If the second gas appliance 10 (for example, a gas water heater) is started to be used at time t2, the flow rate value indicates F3 (= F1 + F2).

  Thereafter, assuming that the use of the first gas appliance 10 is completed at time t3, the flow rate value indicates F2 which is the flow rate of only the second gas appliance 10. Next, assuming that the use of the second gas appliance 10 is completed at time t4, the flow rate value indicates “0”.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 63 determines the gas appliance 10 to be used based on the waveforms of signals from the sensors 61 and 62 when the gas appliance 10 starts to be used, such as at time t1 and time t2. That is, the control unit 63 according to the present embodiment determines that the use of the first gas appliance 10 has started from the waveform at time t1, and has started using the second gas appliance 10 from the waveform at time t2. Judging.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 63 determines the gas appliance 10 to be used based on the waveforms of the signals from the sensors 61 and 62 when the use of the gas appliance 10 is terminated, as at time t3 and time t4. . That is, the control unit 63 according to the present embodiment determines that the use of the first gas appliance 10 has ended from the waveform at time t3, and has ended the use of the second gas appliance 10 from the waveform at time t4. Judging.

  In particular, the control unit 63 according to the present embodiment uses the gas appliance 10 that has started to be used from a waveform until a minute time (for example, 2 seconds at the maximum) elapses from the time t1 or a waveform until a minute time elapses from the time t2. Is identified. Similarly, the control unit 63 specifies the gas appliance 10 whose use has ended from the waveform until the minute time elapses from time t3 or the waveform until the minute time elapses from time t4. Here, the present inventors have found that the pressure waveform and the flow rate waveform at the start and end of use of the gas appliance 10 exhibit unique vibrations for each gas appliance 10. In addition, the present inventors have found that this vibration occurs between the start and end of use of the gas appliance 10 and the elapse of a minute time. Therefore, the control unit 63 can determine the gas appliance 10 to be used from the vibration waveform in a minute time.

  Although the vibration occurs during the minute time, the control unit 63 observes the pressure waveform and the flow rate waveform for a time longer than the minute time, and determines the gas appliance 10 that has been used from the vibration waveform included in the waveform. You may make it do.

  Next, the control unit 63 will be described in detail. The control unit 63 includes a variation determination unit (variation determination unit) 63b, a generation unit 63c, a similarity transition calculation unit (similarity transition calculation unit) 63d, and a storage unit (similarity transition storage unit) in addition to the appliance used determination unit 63a. ) 63e and a sampling time adjustment unit 63f.

  The variation determination unit 63b determines a change in the signals from the sensors 61 and 62 by a predetermined amount or more. Here, at the start of use of the gas appliance 10, the falling of the gas pressure value and the rising of the gas flow value are detected. Similarly, at the end of use of the gas appliance 10, the rising of the gas pressure value and the falling of the gas flow value are detected. That is, the fluctuation determining unit 63b detects the timings at times t1, t2, t3, and t4 shown in FIG. In addition, this fluctuation | variation judgment part 63b is comprised including a differentiation circuit, for example, may detect a fluctuation | variation by a differentiation circuit, and may detect a fluctuation | variation by the calculation by a microcomputer.

  The generation unit 63c generates a predetermined vibration waveform. The predetermined vibration waveform generated by the generation unit 63c is compared with the vibration waveforms measured by the sensors 61 and 62 during a very short time in a later process.

  The similarity transition calculation unit 63d calculates a similarity transition between the vibration waveform during the minute time measured by the sensors 61 and 62 and the predetermined vibration waveform generated by the generation unit 63c. The use appliance determination unit 63a determines the gas appliance 10 to be used based on the similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d.

  An outline of the determination will be described. For example, it is assumed that the generated predetermined vibration waveform is a vibration waveform when the use of the gas water heater is assumed to be started, and the use of the gas water heater is actually started. In this case, the similarity between the vibration waveform actually measured by the sensors 61 and 62 and the generated vibration waveform is high, and the similarity transition is also high. For this reason, the use appliance judgment part 63a can judge that use of the gas water heater started. The similarity transition is obtained by continuously obtaining the similarity.

  Further, it is assumed that the generated predetermined vibration waveform is a vibration waveform when it is assumed that the use of the gas water heater is started, and the use of the gas table is actually started. In this case, the similarity between the vibration waveform actually measured by the sensors 61 and 62 and the generated vibration waveform does not increase, and the degree of similarity does not increase. For this reason, the used appliance determination unit 63a does not determine that the use of the gas water heater has started. At this time, a difference between the gas water heater and the gas table occurs in the similarity transition. This difference is different for each gas appliance 10. For example, the difference between the gas water heater and the gas table is different from the difference between the gas water heater and the small water heater, and the appliance determining unit 63a determines that the use of the gas table is started from the difference state. it can.

  The above is the gas appliance determination of the use appliance determination unit 63a when the generation unit 63c generates a vibration waveform of one gas appliance 10 as a predetermined vibration waveform. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the generation unit 63c generates a vibration waveform (a plurality of vibration waveforms) of the all gas appliances 10, and the similarity transition calculation unit 63d generates the vibration waveform of all the gas appliances 10 and the sensor 61. , 62 may be calculated to determine whether the use of the gas appliance 10 having a high similarity transition has started or ended. Furthermore, when the generation unit 63c generates only one predetermined vibration waveform, a vibration waveform when it is assumed that gas leakage has occurred may be generated. That is, when only one vibration waveform is generated, the generation unit 63c may generate a reference vibration waveform, and the vibration waveform may be any vibration waveform.

  Next, the determination of the gas appliance 10 that has started to be used will be described in more detail. Moreover, in the following embodiment, the generation part 63c demonstrates to the case where the vibration waveform at the time of a gas leak is produced | generated as a predetermined | prescribed predetermined vibration waveform. Furthermore, the following embodiment demonstrates the method of determining the gas appliance 10 which started use based on the vibration waveform of gas pressure.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a gas leakage vibration waveform generated by the generation unit 63c illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the generation unit 63 c generates a gas leak vibration waveform that vibrates while the pressure decreases as time passes. This gas leakage vibration waveform is a waveform generated based on a second-order delay step response equation including the frequency, gain, and damping ratio of the damped vibration. Here, the present inventors have also found that vibration occurs in the measured values of pressure and flow rate in a very short time immediately after the occurrence of gas leakage. For this reason, the production | generation part 63c produces | generates a gas leak vibration waveform based on the formula of the step response of a secondary delay.

Reference is again made to FIG. The similarity transition calculation unit 63d calculates the similarity transition between the vibration waveform of the signals from the sensors 61 and 62 and the gas leak vibration waveform generated by the generation unit 63c. The similarity transition refers to continuous normal cross correlation (NCC) in the present embodiment. More specifically, the similarity _RNCC is obtained by the following equation (1). Similarity transition calculation unit 63d, by performing the calculation of the similarity _{R NCC} according to the equation (1) continuously, the similarity transition (hereinafter, referred to as continuous NCC) Request.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the pressure change at the start of gas appliance use, where (a) shows the pressure change at the start of use of the gas table, and (b) shows the pressure change at the start of use of the small water heater. (C) has shown the pressure change at the time of use start of a gas water heater.

  As shown to Fig.5 (a), the pressure waveform which vibrates smoothly at the pressure of about 2.9 kPa is obtained at the time of the start of use of a gas table. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, a pressure waveform is obtained in which the pressure vibrates strongly by 0.1 kPa with reference to 2.93 kPa at the end of use of the small water heater. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.5 (c), the pressure waveform which shows a vibration a little coarser than a small water heater is obtained on the basis of a pressure of 2.93kPa at the time of completion | finish of use of a gas water heater.

  6 is a graph showing the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculating unit 63d shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) shows the continuous NCC at the start of use of the gas table, and (b) is a small hot water heater. The continuous NCC at the start of use of the water heater is shown, and (c) shows the continuous NCC at the start of use of the gas water heater.

  When the use of the gas table is started, the vibration waveform of FIG. 5A is obtained, and the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d is as shown in FIG. That is, the continuous NCC initially shows about “1.0”, then falls below “0.2”, and returns to “0.95” in about 0.04 seconds. The continuous NCC becomes about “0.5” in about 0.1 second, and then slowly rises to near “0.65”.

  When the use of the small water heater is started, the vibration waveform of FIG. 5B is obtained, and the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculating unit 63d is as shown in FIG. 6B. That is, the continuous NCC initially shows about “1.0”, then falls below “0.2”, and returns to “0.9” in about 0.04 seconds. Then, the continuous NCC again decreases to about “0.4”, and then slowly increases to near “0.7”.

  When the use of the gas water heater starts, the vibration waveform of FIG. 5C is obtained, and the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d is as shown in FIG. 6C. That is, the continuous NCC initially shows a value of “0.8”, then falls below “0.2” and returns to “0.7” in about 0.02 seconds. Then, the continuous NCC decreases to about “0.6” and then returns to about “0.7”. After that, the continuous NCC again decreases to about “0.5”, and then becomes less than “0.6” in about 0.1 second. Thereafter, the continuous NCC rises slowly to near “0.65”.

  Thus, continuous NCC differs for every gas appliance 10, and the use appliance judgment part 63a judges the gas appliance 10 which use started from such a pattern of continuous NCC. Specifically, the continuous NCC pattern of each gas appliance 10 is stored in the storage unit 63e shown in FIG. That is, the storage unit 63e stores a continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. 6A for the gas table, and stores a continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. 6B for the small water heater. The gas water heater stores a continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. And the use appliance judgment part 63a judges that use of the gas appliance 10 which the continuous NCC data similar to the calculated continuous NCC among the continuous NCC data memorize | stored by the memory | storage part 63e started was started.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the pressure change at the end of use of the gas appliance, where (a) shows the pressure change at the end of use of the gas table, and (b) shows the pressure change at the end of use of the small water heater. , (C) shows the pressure change at the end of use of the gas water heater.

  As shown to Fig.7 (a), the pressure waveform which vibrates smoothly at the pressure of about 2.85 kPa is obtained at the end of use of the gas table. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, a pressure waveform is obtained in which the pressure oscillates by about ± 0.1 kPa with reference to 2.85 kPa at the end of use of the small water heater. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), a pressure waveform showing vibration slightly coarser than that of the gas table is obtained at the end of use of the gas water heater on the basis of 2.88 kPa.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculating unit 63d shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) shows the continuous NCC at the end of use of the gas table, and (b) is a small hot water heater. The continuous NCC at the end of use of the water heater is shown, and (c) shows the continuous NCC at the end of use of the gas water heater.

  When the use of the gas table is finished, the vibration waveform of FIG. 7A is obtained, and the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d is as shown in FIG. That is, the continuous NCC initially shows about “0.9”, then falls below “0.2”, and returns to “0.8” in about 0.03 seconds. Then, the continuous NCC becomes slightly less than “0.6” in about 0.1 second, and thereafter maintains around “0.6”.

  When the use of the small water heater is finished, the vibration waveform of FIG. 7B is obtained, and the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d is as shown in FIG. 8B. That is, the continuous NCC initially shows about “0.9”, then falls below “0.4”, and returns to “0.8” in about 0.01 seconds. Then, the continuous NCC decreases to about “0.3”, and then returns to just above “0.6”. Next, the continuous NCC becomes about “0.6” in about 0.1 seconds while repeating small vibrations. Thereafter, the continuous NCC rises slowly to near “0.7”.

  When the use of the gas water heater is finished, the vibration waveform of FIG. 7C is obtained, and the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d is as shown in FIG. That is, the continuous NCC initially shows “0.9” slightly below, then falls below “0.2” and returns to “0.6” in about 0.02 seconds. The continuous NCC again decreases to about “0.45” and then returns to about “0.6”. Thereafter, the continuous NCC again decreases to about “0.45”, and then becomes “0.6” in about 0.1 second. Thereafter, the continuous NCC rises slowly to near “0.7”.

  As described above, even when the use of the gas appliance 10 is finished, the continuous NCC is different for each gas appliance 10, and the use appliance determination unit 63a determines the gas appliance 10 whose use has ended from the pattern of the continuous NCC. Specifically, the continuous NCC pattern of each gas appliance 10 is stored in the storage unit 63e shown in FIG. That is, the storage unit 63e stores the continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. 8A for the gas table, and stores the continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. 8B for the small water heater. The gas water heater stores a continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. And the use appliance judgment part 63a judges that use of the gas appliance 10 which the continuous NCC data similar to the calculated continuous NCC among the continuous NCC data memorize | stored by the memory | storage part 63e shows was complete | finished.

  Furthermore, the gas meter 60 according to the present embodiment also determines gas leakage. In this case, gas leakage is simultaneously determined when determining the gas appliance 10 that has started to be used. That is, the fluctuation determining unit 63b determines, based on the signals from the sensors 61 and 62, a fluctuation at the start of use of at least one of the gas pressure value falling and the gas flow value rising. To do. Then, the similarity transition calculation unit 63d calculates the similarity transition between the gas leakage vibration waveform and the vibration waveform during the minute time measured by the sensors 61 and 62 according to the equation (1).

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d shown in FIG. 2 when gas leaks. In FIG. 9, the solid line and the broken line indicate continuous NCCs when conditions such as a difference in piping state in each household, a difference in gas leak location, and a difference in gas leak flow rate are different.

  As shown in FIG. 9, at the time of gas leakage, the continuous NCC initially shows “1.0” and then decreases to “0.8”. However, the continuous NCC shows a value of “0.9” or more after time 0.025 seconds. Therefore, the used appliance determination unit 63a determines gas leakage from such a continuous NCC pattern. Specifically, a continuous NCC pattern at the time of gas leakage is stored in the storage unit 63e shown in FIG. That is, the storage unit 63e stores a continuous NCC pattern as shown in FIG. And the use appliance judgment part 63a compares the pattern of the continuous NCC memorize | stored by the memory | storage part 63e, and the calculated continuous NCC, and when both are near, it judges that it is a gas leak.

In addition, continuous NCC at the time of a gas leak shows "0.9" or more over NCC over the whole. For this reason, when the representative value of the similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, “0.9”), the device used determination unit 63a determines that a gas leak has occurred. You may judge. Here, the representative value may be the total degree of similarity or the average value of a specific period of the whole degree of similarity, or the degree of similarity at a specific time after a change in pressure or flow rate occurs. Alternatively, other values may be used.

Next, a method for generating a predetermined vibration waveform generated by the generation unit 63c will be described. The generation unit 63c generates a gas leak vibration waveform as follows. First, the generation unit 63c stores the following formula (2).

Here, y (t) indicates the amount of change in pressure, K indicates the gain, ω _d indicates the frequency of the damped vibration, and ζ indicates the damping ratio. In particular, the gain K, the frequency ω _{d of the} damped vibration, and the damping ratio ζ are obtained from the waveforms actually measured by the pressure sensor 61. Next, these calculation methods will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pressure waveform.

Generating unit 63c from the following equation (3), calculates the frequency omega _d damped oscillation.

Here, Tp is the overshoot time, and as shown in FIG. 10, it is the time from the occurrence of pressure change to the first extreme value V1 (minimum value V1). Generating unit 63c, when the first extreme V1 is confirmed from the signal of the pressure sensor 61, it obtains the excessive time Tp, calculates the frequency omega _d damped oscillation from equation (3).

The frequency ω _{d of the} damped vibration is not limited to that obtained from the equation (3), but the second extreme value M (maximum point M) or the third extreme value V2 (minimum point) from the time of occurrence of the pressure change. It may be calculated based on V2).

Next, the generation unit 63c calculates the gain K from the following equation (4).

  Since it is such a formula, generation part 63c will calculate gain K from a formula (4), if extreme values V1, M, and V2 are checked from a signal of pressure sensor 61.

  As can be seen from FIG. 10, the gain K can also be obtained from the difference between the pressure value before the pressure change occurs and the pressure value after the pressure change occurs. Accordingly, the generation unit 63c may obtain the gain K from the difference when the pressure change occurs and the pressure value becomes a substantially constant value (time 0.4 seconds in FIG. 10). Furthermore, the similarity degree transition calculation unit 43c may calculate the gain K by taking into account the fourth and subsequent extreme values from when the pressure change has occurred.

Next, the generation unit 63c calculates the damping ratio ζ from the following equation (5).

  Here, δ is a logarithmic decay rate, and m is the number of periods. In the case of Expression (5), the number of periods m is “0.5”.

  Since it is such a formula, generation part 63c will compute damping ratio ζ from formula (5), if extreme values V1 and M are confirmed from the signal of pressure sensor 61.

As described above, the generation unit 63c calculates the gain K, the frequency ω _{d of the} damped vibration, and the damping ratio ζ, and obtains the vibration waveform expression from Expression (2). Then, the similarity transition calculating unit 43c calculates a continuous NCC according to the equation (1) from the obtained equation and the pressure waveform based on the signal from the pressure sensor 61.

Here, the generation unit 63c may calculate the frequency ω _{d of the} damping vibration and the damping ratio ζ as follows. That is, the vibration waveform shown in FIG. 10 tends to depend on the flow rate at the time of gas leakage. For this reason, the generation unit 63c stores in advance an equation that includes only the flow rate value as a variable, and substitutes the flow rate value measured by the flow rate sensor 62 into the equation to obtain the frequency ω _{d of the} damping vibration and the damping ratio ζ. You may make it ask.

Specifically, the generation unit 63c obtains the damping vibration frequency ω _d and the damping ratio ζ from the following equation (6).

Here, L is a flow rate value, and a ₁ , a ₂ , b ₁ , and b ₂ are constants. In this way, the calculation amount may be reduced by obtaining from Expression (6), and the calculation process may be simplified. There is a certain correlation between the flow rate and the pressure. For this reason, instead of the equation (6), an equation including only the pressure value as a variable may be stored, and the frequency ω _{d of the} damping vibration and the damping ratio ζ may be obtained from this equation.

  Furthermore, in this case, it is desirable that the generating unit 63c obtains the gain K from the difference between the pressure value before the pressure change and the pressure value after the pressure change without calculating the gain K from the equation (4). This is because the amount of calculation can be further reduced.

  Reference is again made to FIG. The control unit 63 monitors the continuous use time of the gas appliance 10 whose use has been determined by the use appliance determination unit 63a from the start to the end of use, or discounts the gas usage amount. Or do.

  The sampling time adjustment unit 63 f adjusts the sampling time of the pressure sensor 61 and the flow rate sensor 62. In the gas meter 60 according to the present embodiment, it is necessary to measure the measurement value in detail in a minute time. In general, the pressure sensor 61 has a normal sampling time of 10 seconds, and the flow rate sensor 62 has a normal sampling time of 2 seconds. For this reason, the sampling time adjustment unit 63f shortens this interval. Specifically, when fluctuation is determined by the fluctuation determination unit 63b, the sampling time is shortened from the normal sampling time, for example, to about 1 microsecond. Thereby, detailed measurement in minute time is enabled.

  With the above configuration, the gas meter 60 determines the gas appliance 10 to be used. However, some gas appliances 10 have similar vibration waveforms obtained during a minute time, and such a similar vibration waveform may erroneously determine the gas appliance 10 to be used. For example, the vibration waveforms of the gas water heater and the gas dishwasher are similar, and when one of these gas appliances 10 is used, it may be erroneously determined that the other has been used.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the use appliance determination unit 63a determines the use gas appliance 10 from the vibration waveform obtained during the minute time and the use timing of the life energy detected by the integrating wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50. To do.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the use timing of electricity, gas and water when using a gas water heater, (a) showing the use timing of electricity, (b) showing the use timing of gas, and (c) It shows the timing of water usage.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, first, it is assumed that use of the gas water heater is started at time T1. In this case, a current is generated by ignition discharge for ignition, and then a fan current is generated until time T2.

  When the amount and temperature of water used in the gas water heater are constant, as shown in FIG. 11B, the gas flow rate is substantially constant from time T1 to time T2, and FIG. ), The amount of water is also substantially constant from time T1 to time T2.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the use timing of electricity, gas and water when using the gas dishwasher, (a) showing the use timing of electricity, (b) showing the use timing of gas, (c) Indicates the timing of use of the water supply.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, first, it is assumed that use of the gas dishwasher starts at time T3. In this case, the water supply valve is opened at time T3. Therefore, a pulse current for opening the valve is generated at time T3. Then, at time T4, the water valve is closed. As a result, a pulse current for closing the valve is generated at time T4.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, a certain amount of gas flow is generated from time T3 to time T4 in order to warm the hot water for cleaning, and hot water for cleaning is injected. Therefore, a certain amount of water is generated from time T3 to time T4.

  Then, cleaning is performed immediately after time T4 until time T5. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12A, a motor current for cleaning is generated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the water supply valve is opened at time T6. Therefore, a pulse current for opening the valve is generated at time T6. Then, at time T7, the water valve is closed. Thereby, a pulse current for closing the valve is generated at time T7.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, a certain amount of gas flow is generated from time T6 to time T7 in order to warm the hot water for rinsing, and hot water for rinsing is injected. Therefore, a certain amount of water is generated from time T6 to time T7.

  Then, cleaning is performed immediately after time T7 until time T8. For this reason, a motor current for rinsing is generated as shown in FIG.

  Then, tableware drying is performed from time T9 to time T10. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12A, the fan is driven for drying to generate a fan current. Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, a gas flow rate is generated for drying from time T9 to time T10.

  11 and 12, the life energy use timing detected by the integrating wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50 is greatly different between the gas water heater and the gas dishwasher. For this reason, the use appliance judgment part 63a judges the use gas appliance 10 not only from the vibration waveform obtained during the minute time but also from the use timing of the life energy detected by the integrating wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50. Thus, the determination accuracy of the gas appliance 10 can be improved.

  In addition, the use appliance judgment part 63a can determine the use gas appliance 10 based on the use timing of a life energy by memorize | storing the use timing of a life energy in the memory | storage part 63e beforehand.

  Here, when the used gas appliance 10 can be determined only from the vibration waveform, the used appliance determining unit 63a preferably determines the used gas appliance 10 without being based on the use timing of the life energy. This is because when there is no gas appliance 10 having a characteristic and similar vibration waveform, the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined only from the vibration waveform, and the processing can be simplified.

  Moreover, the case where the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined only from the vibration waveform is similar to the continuous NCC calculated by the similarity transition calculation unit 63d among the continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 stored in the storage unit 63e. This is the case where there is only one thing. This is because it is possible to easily determine the gas appliance to be used without making a determination based on the use timing of the life energy by making a determination based on the comparison with the stored contents.

  Furthermore, the case where there is one similar is, for example, one that is equal to or greater than a specific value among the similarities between the stored continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 and the calculated continuous NCC. When it is. In addition, among the similarities between the stored continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 and the calculated continuous NCC, only one similarity is higher than the other similarities by a predetermined value or more. Applicable.

  Next, the gas appliance determination method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a main flowchart showing a gas appliance determination method by the gas meter 60 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the variation determining unit 63b determines whether or not there has been a predetermined change or more based on signals from the sensors 61 and 62 (S1). When it is determined that there is no change greater than or equal to the predetermined value (S1: NO), this process is repeated until it is determined that there is a change greater than or equal to the predetermined value. If it is determined that there has been a predetermined change (S1: YES), the variation determining unit 63b determines whether the change in step S1 is a change at the end of use (S2).

  When it is determined that the change is at the end of use (S2: YES), an end gas appliance determination process is executed (S3), and the gas appliance 10 whose use has ended is determined. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. 13 ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the change is not a change at the end of use (S2: NO), a gas leak / starting gas appliance determination process is executed (S4), and the gas appliance 10 that has started to leak and use is determined. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. 13 ends.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the end gas appliance determination process (S3) shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, first, the sampling time adjustment unit 63f shortens the sampling time from the normal sampling time, and measures the pressure with the shortened sampling time (S11). At this time, the sampling time adjustment unit 63f sets the sampling time to about 1 ms.

  Thereafter, the control unit 63 determines whether or not a minute time has elapsed (S12). If it is determined that the minute time has not elapsed (S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the pressure sampling time is shortened, but instead of the pressure sampling time, the flow rate sampling time may be shortened.

When it is determined that the minute time has elapsed (S12: YES), the generation unit 63c determines the frequency ω _{d of the} damping vibration, the gain K, and the damping ratio ζ from the vibration waveform obtained during the minute time (S13). . At this time, the generation unit 63c may calculate the frequency ω _{d of the} damped vibration, the gain K, and the damping ratio ζ based on the equations (3) to (5) or may be obtained from the equation (6). Good.

Next, the generating unit 63c generates a gas leakage vibration waveform based on the second-order delay step response equation from the damping vibration frequency ω _d , the gain K, and the damping ratio ζ determined in step S13 (S14). ). At this time, the generation unit 63c generates a gas leakage vibration waveform by substituting the damping vibration frequency ω _d , the gain K, and the damping ratio ζ determined in step S13 into Equation (2).

  And the use appliance judgment part 63a calculates continuous NCC from Formula (1) based on the gas leak vibration waveform determined by step S14, and the vibration waveform which consists of a measured value measured in step S11 (S15). ).

  Next, the appliance determination unit 63a reads continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 from the storage unit 63e (S16). Thereafter, the appliance-use determination unit 63a compares the continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 read in step S16 with the continuous NCC calculated in step S15, and determines whether there is one that is similar (S17). ).

  Here, the case where there is only one similar is, for example, one that is equal to or greater than a specific value among the similarities between the stored continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 and the calculated continuous NCC. When it is one. In addition, among the similarities between the stored continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10 and the calculated continuous NCC, only one similarity is higher than the other similarities by a predetermined value or more. Applicable.

  When it is determined that there is one similar item (S17: YES), the used appliance determining unit 63a determines that the use of the gas appliance 10 indicated by the one similar continuous NCC data is completed (S18). Then, the process shown in FIG. 14 ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is not one similar thing (S17: NO), the use appliance determination unit 63a determines the use timing of electricity and water based on the signals from the integrated wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50. (S19). And the use appliance judgment part 63a selects the gas appliance 10 most suitable for use timing among the gas appliances 10 which several similar continuous NCC data show, and judges that the use of the selected gas appliance 10 was complete | finished ( S18). Then, the process shown in FIG. 14 ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the gas leakage / starting gas appliance determination process (S4) shown in FIG. First, in steps S21 to S25 shown in FIG. 15, processing similar to that in steps S11 to S15 shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  Thereafter, the appliance-use determination unit 63a determines a representative value of continuous NCC and determines whether the representative value is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S26). When it is determined that the representative value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S26: YES), the used appliance determination unit 63a determines that a gas leak has occurred (S27). Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. 15 ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the representative value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (S26: NO), in steps S28 to S30, the same processing as in steps S17 to S19 shown in FIG. 14 is executed, and the processing shown in FIG. To do. In the process shown in FIG. 15, prior to determining the gas appliance 10 that has started to be used, priority is given to the determination of a gas leak that requires quickness, thereby improving safety. I am trying.

  In the above-described embodiment, the continuous NCC is obtained from the vibration waveform obtained from the signal from the pressure sensor 61, and the used gas appliance 10 and the gas leakage are determined. However, since there is a certain correlation between the pressure and the flow rate, the continuous NCC may be obtained from the vibration waveform obtained from the signal from the flow rate sensor 62, and the used gas appliance 10 and gas leakage may be determined.

  As described above, according to the gas appliance determination system 1 and the gas appliance determination method according to the present embodiment, from the vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from when the signal output from the sensors 61 and 62 changes more than a predetermined amount. The gas appliance 10 to be used is determined. Here, the present inventors have found that a waveform obtained during a minute time after a change of a predetermined value or more at the start or end of use of the gas appliance 10 shows a vibration unique to each gas appliance 10. It was. Therefore, the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined from the vibration waveform during a minute time. Further, the gas appliance 10 to be used is determined from the use timing of the life energy detected by the integrating wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50. Here, some gas appliances 10 have similar vibration waveforms obtained during a very short time, and there is a possibility that the gas appliance 10 to be used is erroneously determined by such similar vibration waveforms. However, even if the vibration waveform is similar, the gas appliance 10 having a similar vibration waveform can be distinguished by referring to the use timing of the life energy. For example, a gas water heater and a gas dishwasher tend to have similar vibration waveforms during a very short time, but a gas water heater always uses electricity and water while it is used, while a gas dishwasher is a specific type. Electricity and water are used only at the timing. Both can be distinguished by the use timing of such life energy. Therefore, the determination accuracy of the used gas appliance 10 can be improved.

  Moreover, when the use gas appliance 10 can be determined only from the vibration waveform, the use gas appliance 10 is determined without being based on the use timing of the life energy. For this reason, when there is no gas appliance 10 having a characteristic and similar vibration waveform, the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined only from the vibration waveform, so that the processing can be simplified.

  Further, a transition of similarity between the vibration waveform and a predetermined vibration waveform is calculated, and the gas appliance 10 to be used is determined based on the calculated transition of similarity. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined vibration waveform is a vibration waveform of the specific gas appliance 10. And when the vibration waveform based on the signal output from the sensors 61 and 62 is the vibration waveform of the specific gas appliance 10, the calculated similarity tends to be high, and the similarity transition also has a high overall value. Tend to show. In addition, when the vibration waveform based on the signals obtained from the sensors 61 and 62 is the vibration waveform of another gas appliance 10, the degree of similarity is not high and the degree of similarity is not high, but the degree of similarity is not changed. The transition unique to the gas appliance 10 is shown. Therefore, by executing the determination based on the similarity transition as described above, it is possible to determine the gas appliance 10 to be used by capturing the characteristics of the vibration waveform.

  Moreover, when there is one similar to the calculated similarity transition among the stored similarity transitions for each gas appliance 10, it is determined that the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined only from the vibration waveform, and the life The gas appliance 10 to be used is determined without being based on the energy use timing. Thus, by using the comparison with the stored contents, it is possible to easily determine the gas appliance 10 to be used without being based on the life energy use timing.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gas meter 60 and the gas appliance determination method according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, but the configuration and processing contents are partially different. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing details of the gas meter 60 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the gas meter 60 according to the second embodiment includes an analysis unit (analysis unit) 63g instead of the generation unit 63c and the similarity transition calculation unit 63d.

  The analysis unit 63g analyzes the vibration waveform based on the signals output from the sensors 61 and 62, and calculates spectral data indicating the correlation between the frequency and the amplitude. Specifically, the analysis unit 63g according to the present embodiment calculates spectral data by Fourier transforming the vibration waveform. Note that the analysis unit 63g is not limited to calculating spectrum data by Fourier transform, and may calculate spectrum data by other methods.

  In addition, since the analysis unit 63g is provided, the storage contents of the storage unit 63e and the determination method of the used appliance determination unit 63a are different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a graph showing spectrum data calculated by the analysis unit 63g shown in FIG. 16, wherein (a) shows spectrum data at the start of use of the gas table, and (b) shows start of use of the small water heater. (C) shows the spectrum data at the start of using the gas water heater.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, when the use of the gas table is finished, the obtained pressure waveform has many frequency components of 30 Hz or less, and tends to show a relatively large amplitude particularly in the vicinity of 10 to 20 Hz. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17B, when the use of the small water heater is started, the pressure waveform includes a pressure component up to 150 Hz, and particularly has a tendency to show a very large amplitude at about 30 Hz. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17C, when the use of the gas water heater is started, the pressure waveform includes a pressure component up to 200 Hz, and particularly tends to exhibit a very large amplitude at about 20 Hz.

  18 is a graph showing spectrum data calculated by the analysis unit 63g shown in FIG. 16, wherein (a) shows spectrum data at the end of use of the gas table, and (b) shows end of use of the small water heater. (C) shows the spectrum data at the end of the use of the gas water heater.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, when the use of the gas table is finished, the obtained pressure waveform has many frequency components of 30 Hz or less, and tends to show a relatively large amplitude particularly in the vicinity of 10 to 20 Hz. Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, when the use of the small water heater is finished, the pressure waveform includes a pressure component up to around 200 Hz, and tends to show a large amplitude particularly at about 90 Hz. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18 (c), when the use of the gas water heater is finished, the amplitude is somewhat large at about 30 Hz, and there is a tendency to hardly include other frequency components. The peak existing in is considered to be noise due to commercial power.

  FIG. 19 is a graph showing spectral data obtained by Fourier transforming a pressure waveform when a gas leak occurs. As shown in FIG. 19, when a gas leak occurs, the obtained pressure waveform contains almost no frequency component of 20 Hz or more. In addition, it is thought that the peak which exists in 60 Hz vicinity is the noise by a commercial power source.

  Reference is again made to FIG. The storage unit 63e stores spectrum data as shown in FIGS. And the use appliance judgment part 63a judges the use gas appliance 10 and a gas leak based on this spectrum data.

  That is, when a predetermined change at the start and end of use of the gas appliance 10 and at the time of gas leakage is confirmed, the analysis unit 63g Fourier-transforms the pressure waveform based on the signal obtained in the minute time after the change. To calculate the spectrum data. The use appliance determination unit 63a compares the spectrum data calculated by the analysis unit 63g with the spectrum data for each gas appliance 10 stored by the storage unit 63e, and determines the use gas appliance 10 and gas leakage for similar ones. To do.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when there is one similar spectrum data as in the first embodiment, the used gas appliance 10 and the gas leakage are determined from only the vibration waveform without being based on the life energy use timing.

  Next, the operation of the gas meter 60 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. In the second embodiment, the main flow is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the end gas appliance determination process (S3) shown in FIG. First, in steps S31 and S32 shown in FIG. 20, processing similar to steps S11 and S12 shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  Next, the analysis unit 63g performs Fourier transform on the vibration waveform obtained during the minute time to calculate spectrum data (S33). Thereafter, the appliance-use determination unit 63a reads the spectrum data for each gas appliance 10 (S34), and calculates the similarity between the read spectrum data for each gas appliance 10 and the spectrum data calculated in step S33 (S35). ).

  Thereafter, the appliance-use determination unit 63a compares the spectrum data for each gas appliance 10 read in step S34 with the spectrum data calculated in step S33, and determines whether there is one that is similar (S36). .

  Here, the case where there is only one similar is, for example, one that is equal to or greater than a specific value among the similarities between the stored total spectrum data for each gas appliance 10 and the calculated spectrum data. When it is. In addition, among the similarities between the stored spectrum data for each gas appliance 10 and the calculated spectrum data, only one similarity is higher than the other similarity by a predetermined value or the like. To do.

  When it is determined that there is one similar item (S36: YES), the used appliance determining unit 63a determines that the use of the gas appliance 10 indicated by the one similar spectrum data has been completed (S37). Then, the process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is not one similar item (S36: NO), the appliance determining unit 63a determines the use timing of electricity and water based on the signals from the integrated wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50. (S38). And the use appliance judgment part 63a selects the gas appliance 10 which suits most use timing among the gas appliances 10 which several similar spectrum data show, and judges that the use of the selected gas appliance 10 was complete | finished (S37). ). Then, the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the gas leakage / starting gas appliance determination process (S4) shown in FIG. First, in steps S41 to S43 shown in FIG. 21, processing similar to that in steps S31 to S33 shown in FIG. 18 is executed.

  Thereafter, the appliance-use determining unit 63a reads out the gas leak spectrum data (S44), and calculates the similarity between the read out gas leak spectrum data and the spectrum data calculated in step S43 (S45).

  Next, the used appliance determination unit 63a determines whether or not the similarity calculated in step S45 is a specific value or more (S46). When it is determined that the similarity calculated in step S45 is greater than or equal to a specific value (S46: YES), the appliance-use determination unit 63a determines that a gas leak has occurred (S47). Then, the process shown in FIG. 21 ends.

  By the way, when it is determined that the similarity calculated in step S45 is not greater than or equal to the specific value (S46: NO), the same processing as in steps S34 to S38 shown in FIG. 20 is executed in steps S48 to S52, and FIG. The process shown ends.

  In the second embodiment, the vibration waveform obtained from the signal from the pressure sensor 61 is Fourier-transformed to determine the gas appliance 10 to be used or gas leakage. However, since there is a certain correlation between the pressure and the flow rate, the vibration waveform obtained from the signal from the flow rate sensor 62 may be Fourier transformed to determine the gas appliance 10 to be used or the gas leakage.

  In this way, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the gas appliance 10 to be used, and the processing can be simplified.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the vibration waveform based on the signals output from the sensors 61 and 62 is analyzed to calculate the spectrum data indicating the correlation between the frequency and the amplitude, and based on the calculated spectrum data. , Make a decision. Here, each of the vibration waveforms at the time of using and ending the gas appliance is characterized by the frequency and amplitude of the pressure and flow waveforms. Therefore, the gas apparatus 10 to be used can be determined by analyzing the waveform to obtain spectrum data indicating the correlation between the frequency and the amplitude, and executing the determination based on the spectrum data.

  Moreover, when there is one similar to the calculated similarity transition among the stored similarity transitions for each gas appliance 10, it is determined that the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined only from the vibration waveform, and the life The gas appliance 10 to be used is determined without being based on the energy use timing. Thus, by using the comparison with the stored contents, it is possible to easily determine the gas appliance 10 to be used without being based on the life energy use timing.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the similarity transition is calculated by the expression (1). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the similarity transition may be calculated by another method.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the use appliance determination unit 63a stores the storage unit 63e when there is no data similar to the continuous NCC calculated by the use appliance determination unit 63a among the continuous NCC data stored in the storage unit 63e. It may be determined that there is a shortage in the gas appliance 10 indicated by the continuous NCC data stored in.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the fuel gas is LP gas has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to the case of city gas.

  In the present embodiment, the gas leak and the gas appliance 10 to be used are determined based on the gas leak vibration waveform in a minute time of 2 seconds at the maximum. In particular, in this embodiment, the time for measuring the pressure and the flow rate is sufficient within 2 seconds (desirably within 1 second), but it may be preliminarily measured longer than 2 seconds.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 63e stores continuous NCC data for each gas appliance 10. Only one piece of this continuous NCC data may be stored for one gas appliance 10, or a plurality of pieces may be stored for one gas appliance 10. For example, in a gas water heater, the continuous NCC varies depending on the water temperature in the gas water heater. In this case, if there is only one piece of continuous NCC data stored in the storage unit 63e, there is a possibility that the use gas appliance 10 will be erroneously determined according to the water temperature of the gas water heater. Therefore, it is desirable to store a plurality of continuous NCC data for such a gas appliance 10. This is because the gas appliance 10 to be used can be determined with higher accuracy. Similarly, a plurality of spectrum data may be stored for one gas appliance 10 in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the analysis unit 63g calculates the similarity in the entire frequency range of the spectrum data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the similarity may be calculated only in a part of the frequency ranges. For example, at the end of use of the gas water heater, there is a feature that a large amplitude can be obtained in the spectrum data even in a frequency range of 100 Hz or higher. Therefore, it is also used by calculating the similarity of spectral data in the frequency range of 100 Hz or higher. The finished gas appliance 10 can be identified. In this way, the calculation amount can be reduced by calculating the similarity only in a part of the frequency range.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, it determines by calculating | requiring continuous NCC and calculating | requiring spectral data about the gas appliance 10 which use was complete | finished, the gas appliance 10 which use was started, and gas leakage. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the waveform at a minute time as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. You may make it judge the instrument 10 and gas leak. Furthermore, the gas appliance 10 that has been used, the gas appliance 10 that has started to be used, and the gas leakage may be determined from the direct characteristics of the waveform such as a specific point of the waveform.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the use gas appliance 10 is judged from the use timing of the life energy detected by both the integrating | accumulating wattmeter 40 and the water meter 50, it is not restricted to this but either one of life energy is determined. The used gas appliance 10 may be determined from the use timing.

  Further, the gas meter 60 makes a signal transmission request to the power integrator 40 and the water meter 50 when the flow rate change or pressure change exceeds a predetermined value, and the power meter 40 and the water meter 50 have a transmission request. Only the power amount signal and the water amount signal may be transmitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas appliance judgment system 10 ... Gas appliance 20 ... Regulator 31 ... 1st piping 32 ... 2nd piping 40 ... Integrated wattmeter (2nd sensor)
50 ... Water meter (second sensor)
60 ... Gas meter 61 ... Pressure sensor (first sensor)
62 ... Flow sensor (first sensor)
63 ... Control unit 63a ... Usage device judgment unit (usage device judgment means)
63b ... variation determination unit 63c ... generation unit 63d ... similarity transition calculation unit (similarity transition calculation means)
63e ... Storage unit 43f ... Sampling time adjustment unit 43g ... Analysis unit (analysis means)

Claims (4)

A first sensor comprising at least one of a pressure sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the gas pressure in the flow path and a signal corresponding to a gas flow rate in the flow path;
A second sensor for detecting use of at least one of life energy of electricity and water,
Use of judging a gas appliance to be used from a vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from a change of a predetermined value or more of a signal output from the first sensor and a use timing of life energy detected by the second sensor. Instrument judging means;
Similarity degree transition calculating means for calculating a degree of similarity transition obtained by continuously obtaining a similarity degree between a vibration waveform based on a signal output from the first sensor and a predetermined vibration waveform;
The used appliance determining means determines a gas appliance to be used based on the similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculating means.
Gas appliance determination system, characterized in that. It further comprises a similarity transition storage means for storing a similarity transition for each gas appliance,
In the case where the appliance-use determining means has one similarity transition for each gas appliance stored in the similarity transition storage means that is similar to the similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculating means. 2. The gas appliance determination system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the gas appliance to be used can be determined only from the vibration waveform, and the gas appliance to be used is determined without being based on the use timing of the life energy . A generator that generates a vibration waveform at the time of gas leakage as the predetermined vibration waveform;
The similarity transition calculating means calculates a similarity transition between the vibration waveform based on the signal output from the first sensor and the vibration waveform at the time of the gas leak,
The use appliance determining means determines that a gas leak has occurred when a representative value of the similarity transition calculated by the similarity transition calculating means is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
The gas appliance judgment system according to any one of claims 1 and 2. A pressure sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the gas pressure in the flow channel and a signal output from a first sensor that is at least one of a flow sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the gas flow rate in the flow channel Use of judging a gas appliance to be used from a vibration waveform obtained during a minute time from the time of change and a use timing of life energy detected by a second sensor for detecting use of at least one of life energy of electricity and water Instrument judgment process ;
A similarity transition calculation step of calculating a similarity transition obtained by continuously obtaining a similarity between a vibration waveform based on a signal output from the first sensor and a predetermined vibration waveform;
A gas appliance determination method characterized in that, in the use appliance determination step, a gas appliance to be used is determined based on the similarity transition calculated in the similarity transition calculation step .

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