JP5824623B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for enhancing safety by preventing a gas leak by closing a shutoff valve of a gas meter even when a small amount of gas leak occurs.

  Conventionally, as this type of gas shut-off device, a detection signal transmission means that includes a detection means 9 for detecting gas and a plurality of detection threshold values and outputs a signal corresponding to the level when the detection level becomes equal to or higher than each threshold value. A plurality of alarm devices 7, a shut-off means 3 for supplying and shutting off gas, a detection signal receiving means 5 for inputting a signal from the alarm device 7, and processing an output signal from the detection signal receiving means 5 The gas shut-off device 1 comprises a control means 2 for controlling and a flow rate detecting means 4 for detecting the flow rate, and the control means 2 of the gas shut-off device 1 is used when the output signals from the plurality of alarm devices 7 are not shut-off signals. Also, according to the combination of the detection levels from the plurality of alarm devices 7, a signal is output to the blocking means 3 to block the gas.

  That is, the gas cutoff is determined according to the combination of detection levels from a plurality of alarm devices. Even in a low concentration state until reaching the alarm level of each alarm device, the gas concentration is simultaneously measured at a plurality of locations. When the value rises, the gas is shut off (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 shows a conventional gas shut-off device described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the gas cutoff device 1 includes a control means 2, a cutoff means 3, a flow rate detection means 4, and a detection signal reception means, and an alarm device 7 has an alarm device control means 6 and a detection device. The signal transmission means 8, the detection means 9, and the alarm device output means 10 are provided.

  Another gas shut-off device detects the use of a new gas instrument in the transmission / reception of information between the plurality of alarms 17 and the gas shut-off apparatus 11, and outputs a new instrument detection signal from the instrument discriminating means 21, When the signal is input to the alarm control means 16, the alarm control means 16 changes the gas leak judgment value of the alarm 17 in the direction of decreasing according to the judgment value change signal, and the flow rate possessed by the gas meter. When the use of a new gas appliance is detected by the appliance discriminating function using information, the detection sensitivity is increased in the direction of lowering the gas leak judgment value of the alarm device, and the risk of gas leaks that are likely to occur when a new appliance is added is quickly Safety is ensured by enabling detection (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 7 shows a conventional gas shut-off device described in Patent Document 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the gas shut-off device 11 is an alarm control having a control means 12, a shut-off means 13, a flow rate detecting means 14, a gas meter transmission / reception means 15, a judgment value changing means 15a, and an alarm signal receiving means. The alarm device 17 includes an alarm transmitter 18 having a judgment value change signal receiver 18a and an alarm signal transmitter 18b, a detector 19 and an alarm output device 20. In addition, the gas shut-off device 11 is connected to an instrument information input means 22 capable of inputting instrument information from the outside.

  In general, a gas meter is equipped with an internal pipe leakage detection function using a microcomputer meter or the like, and when a minute gas flow rate is detected for a long period of time, a warning is displayed on the gas meter, but the gas is not shut off.

JP 2008-234540 A JP 2009-168591 A

  However, the configuration of the conventional gas shut-off device is effective when there are a plurality of alarm devices, and in a house where only one alarm device is installed, the gas concentration increases at a plurality of locations at the same time. There is still room for improvement from the standpoint of detecting gas leaks at an early stage, even when there is no additional gas equipment and no use of new gas equipment is detected. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and a combination of an alarm device having a plurality of detection thresholds and a gas meter having a gas leakage detection function of a gas pipe, the gas meter detects a gas leak in the gas pipe. An object of the present invention is to provide a gas cutoff device that lowers the detection threshold of an alarm device to increase sensitivity and shuts off gas.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the gas cutoff device of the present invention includes a plurality of detection threshold values, and outputs a detection value of the detected gas as a signal corresponding to a stepped level based on the plurality of threshold values. A detector, an alarm transmitter for transmitting an output signal of the gas detector to the gas meter, an alarm receiver for receiving a gas leak detection signal from the gas meter transmitter, and a gas leak detection signal received by the alarm receiver An alarm device comprising a gas detection threshold value changing means for changing the detection threshold value , a gas supply and cutoff means for supplying and shutting off the gas, a gas meter receiving means for receiving an output signal transmitted from the alarm device, and a gas meter receiving means Gas meter control means for processing the output signal to be transmitted, gas flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of gas flowing through the gas meter, and gas flow rate detected by the gas flow rate detection means Includes a gas leak detection means for detecting a gas leak in Luo gas pipe, when detecting gas leakage by the gas leakage detecting means, and a gas meter having a gas meter transmitting means for transmitting a gas leakage detection signal to the alarm device, When a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected by the gas leak detection means, a gas leak detection signal is transmitted to the gas detection threshold changing means via the gas meter transmitting means and the alarm receiving means, and the gas detection threshold changing means detects the gas. The detection threshold of the means is lowered, and the gas is shut off based on the output signal of the gas detection means based on the low detection threshold.

  This allows the alarm to detect gas with a low gas detection threshold when the gas meter detects a gas leak, even if there is no detection of the use of a new gas appliance in a house where only one alarm is installed. It becomes possible to detect a gas leak.

  According to the gas shut-off device of the present invention, in a house where only one alarm device is installed, if a serious problem occurs in which the gas concentration is increased simultaneously at a plurality of locations, the gas is discharged before becoming dangerous. Leak detection is possible. In addition, even when there is no additional gas appliance and there is no detection of the use of a new gas appliance, it is possible to detect gas leaks early by combining gas leak detection with a gas meter and gas leak detection with an alarm device. Become.

The block diagram of the gas cutoff device in Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention The flowchart of the gas meter control means in Embodiment 1 of this invention Flowchart of control of gas detection threshold value changing means in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Block diagram of a gas cutoff device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Block diagram of a gas shut-off device in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device Block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas detection unit that includes a plurality of detection thresholds, and that outputs a detection value of a gas to be detected as an output signal corresponding to a stepped level based on the plurality of detection thresholds; The alarm signal transmitting means for transmitting the output signal to the gas meter, the alarm signal receiving means for receiving the gas leak detection signal from the gas meter transmission means, and the detection by the gas leak detection signal received by the alarm signal receiving means. An alarm device comprising a gas detection threshold value changing means for changing the threshold value, a shut-off means for supplying and shutting off the gas, a gas meter receiving means for receiving the output signal transmitted from the alarm device, and the gas meter receiving means Gas meter control means for processing the output signal transmitted from the gas, gas flow rate detection means for detecting a gas flow rate, and the gas detected by the gas flow rate detection means A gas leak detector for detecting gas leakage from the amount, in the case of detecting gas leakage by the gas leak detection means, and a gas meter having a gas meter transmitting means for transmitting a gas leakage detection signal to the alarm device, wherein When a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected by the gas leak detecting means, a gas leak detection signal is transmitted to the gas detection threshold changing means via the gas meter transmitting means and the alarm receiving means, and the gas detection threshold changing is performed. The means lowers the detection threshold of the gas detection means, and shuts off the gas based on the output signal of the gas detection means based on the low detection threshold.

  In this way, when the gas leak detection means of the gas meter detects a gas leak in the gas pipe, the alarm device can detect the gas leak with a low detection threshold, thereby detecting the gas leak early and shutting off the gas. Is possible.

  This makes it possible to detect gas leaks at an early stage by notifying the alarm device that the gas leak has been detected by the gas meter transmitting means and the alarm device receiving means, and lowering the detection threshold of the alarm device to facilitate gas detection. It becomes possible.

In a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second aspect of the invention, the alarm device includes gas detection time changing means for changing a gas detection time, and the gas leak detection signal from the gas meter received by the alarm device receiving means. Thus, the gas detection time changing means shortens the gas detection time of the gas detection means, and shuts off the gas based on the output signal of the gas detection means having a short gas detection time.

  Accordingly, it is possible to detect gas leak at an early stage by notifying the alarm device that the gas leak has been detected by the gas detection time changing means and shortening the gas detection time to facilitate gas detection.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Further, in the description of each embodiment, the same configuration and the same function and effect are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be given.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas shut-off device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of gas meter control means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the gas meter 30 includes a cutoff means 31, a gas meter control means 32, a gas leak detection means 33, a gas meter transmission means 34, a gas meter reception means 35, and a gas flow rate detection means 36. . The alarm device 40 includes an alarm device transmission means 41, an alarm device reception means 42, a gas detection means 44, and a gas detection threshold value changing means 43.

  The shut-off means 31 constituting the gas meter 30 is a means for closing or opening the valve to close the valve to shut off the gas, or to open the valve and supply the gas. The gas meter receiving unit 35 is a unit that receives an output signal corresponding to the detection levels of the plurality of detection thresholds from the alarm device 40. The gas flow rate detection means 36 is means for detecting the flow rate of gas flowing through the gas meter 30. The gas leak detection means 33 indicates whether the gas appliance uses gas according to the usage status of the gas flow rate detected by the gas flow rate detection means 36, is not abnormally used, or does not leak gas from the gas pipe. And so on.

  The gas meter control means 32 determines the gas from the output signal according to the detection levels of the plurality of detection thresholds provided in the alarm device 40 received by the gas meter receiving means 35 and the presence or absence of the gas leak detection state from the gas leak detection means 33. The leakage is determined and a blocking instruction is issued to the blocking means 31. The gas meter transmission unit 34 is a unit that transmits the gas leak detection signal to the alarm receiver 42 when the gas leak detection unit 33 of the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak.

  The gas detection means 44 constituting the alarm device 40 measures the gas concentration in the air and transmits an output signal corresponding to the detection levels of a plurality of detection threshold values to the alarm device transmission means 41. The alarm device transmission unit 41 transmits an output signal corresponding to the detection levels of the plurality of detection thresholds detected by the gas detection unit 44 to the gas meter reception unit 35. The alarm device receiving means 42 is a means for receiving a gas leak detection signal from the gas meter transmitting means 34 when the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak. The gas detection threshold value changing means 43 is a means for changing the detection level of the gas concentration detected by the gas detection means 44.

  The operation of the gas cutoff device configured as described above will be described below with respect to the feature extraction processing of the appliance.

  First, the alarm device 40 measures the concentration of gas in the air by the gas detection means 44. A plurality of detection threshold values are stored in the gas detection unit 44 in advance, and for example, when N1, N2, and N3 are set from a low level as a plurality of detection threshold values, the detection values are in a range of N1 or more and less than N2. If there is, the L1 signal is transmitted to the alarm transmitter 41, and if the detected value is not less than N2 and less than N3, the L2 output signal is transmitted to the alarm transmitter 41. Thus, the gas detection means 44 transmits to the alarm transmission means 41 as an output signal corresponding to a stepped level based on a plurality of gas detection thresholds. The alarm transmitter 41 transmits output signals corresponding to a plurality of detection levels to the gas meter receiver 35 of the gas meter 30.

  The gas meter receiving means 35 transmits an output signal corresponding to the detection level of the gas detection threshold received from the alarm device 40 to the gas meter control means 32. On the other hand, the gas leak detection means 33 of the gas meter 30 notifies the gas meter control means 32 when a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected from information such as the gas flow rate and usage time transmitted from the gas flow rate detection means 36.

  The gas meter control means 32 distinguishes the output signal received from the alarm device 40 from the detection level signal when the gas leak detection means 33 detects no gas leak and when the gas leak is detected. For example, when a gas leak is not detected, a high level L2 output signal is received. When a gas leak is detected, a low level L1 output signal is received. A valve shut-off signal is output to shut off the gas.

  The operation of the gas shutoff device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of control of the gas meter control means 32 shown in FIG. First, it is determined by the gas leak detection means 33 whether there is a gas leak at the gas meter 30 (S1).

  When there is a gas leak, the output signal L1 with a low detection threshold of the alarm device 40 selects the determination with the corresponding gas detection sensitivity “high” (S2), and when there is no gas leak, the detection threshold of the alarm device 40 is high. The determination at the gas detection sensitivity “low” corresponding to the output signal L2 is selected (S3). It is determined whether there is a gas leak detection of the alarm device 40 with the sensitivity selected in (S2) and (S3) (S4). If it is determined in (S4) that there is a gas leak, a gas cutoff signal is output (S5). If it is determined that there is no gas leak, skip it.

  Thus, when the gas leak detection means 33 of the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak in the gas pipe, the alarm device 40 can detect the gas leak at an early stage by making it easy to detect the gas with a low detection threshold. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control of the gas detection threshold value changing means.

  The configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the control flow is different from that of the first embodiment.

  First, the gas leak detection unit 33 transmits a gas leak detection signal to the gas meter control unit 32 when a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected from information such as the gas flow rate and usage time transmitted from the gas flow rate detection unit 36. The gas meter control means 32 transmits a gas leak detection signal to the gas meter transmission means 34. The gas meter transmission means 34 transmits a gas leak detection signal to the alarm device reception means 42 of the alarm device 40.

  The alarm device receiving means 42 of the alarm device 40 transmits the gas leak detection signal detected by the gas meter 30 to the gas detection threshold value changing means 43.

  Based on the gas leak detection signal, the gas detection threshold changing means 43 lowers the level of the detection threshold set in advance in order to cope with the case where a gas leak is detected. For example, when no gas leak is detected, N1, N2, and N3 are set as detection thresholds of the gas detection means 44, and if the detected value of the gas concentration is in the range of N1 to less than N2, the output signal of L1 is used as an alarm device. When it is set to transmit the output signal of L2 to the alarm transmitter 41 if the detected value is in the range of N2 or more and less than N3, the gas detection threshold changing unit 43 detects the gas detection. Change the detection threshold level of the means 44 to N1d, N2d, N3d, and if the detected value of the gas concentration is in the range of N1d or more and less than N2d, send the output signal of L1d to the alarm transmitter 41 and detect If the value is greater than or equal to N2d and less than N3d, the setting is changed so that the L2d signal is transmitted to the alarm transmitter 41.

  The gas detection unit 44 measures the gas concentration and transmits an output signal from the alarm transmitter unit 41 to the gas meter reception unit 35 of the gas meter 30.

  The gas meter receiving unit 35 transmits an output signal corresponding to the detection level of the detection threshold received from the alarm device 40 to the gas meter control unit 32. If the received output signal exceeds the determination level, the gas meter control means 32 outputs a valve cutoff signal to the cutoff means 31 and shuts off the gas.

  The operation of the gas cutoff device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of control of the gas detection threshold value changing means 43 shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the gas meter 30 has received a gas leak detection signal from the alarm receiver 42 (S10). When the gas meter 30 receives a gas leak detection signal from the alarm receiver 42, the gas detection sensitivity with a low detection threshold is set to “high” (S11). If the gas leak detection signal is not received, the gas detection sensitivity having a high detection threshold is set to “low” (S12).

  Thus, when the gas leak detection means 33 of the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak in the gas pipe, the alarm device 40 can detect the gas leak at an early stage by making it easy to detect the gas with a low detection threshold. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  The difference of the configuration of the present embodiment from the first and second embodiments is that the alarm device 50 includes a gas detection time changing means 51, and the gas detection time changing means 51 is a gas detection means 44. This is a means for changing the time for detecting a gas leak depending on the gas concentration detected.

  The gas detection means 44 measures the gas concentration for a predetermined time and outputs the average value of the gas concentration measured within the predetermined time as the detected concentration. Therefore, if the gas concentration changes within the measurement time, it will be averaged with the gas concentration before and after the change, so there may be a delay before the gas concentration after the change is output correctly. The embodiment can suppress the occurrence of delay.

  First, the gas leak detection means 33 notifies the gas meter control means 32 when a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected from information such as the gas flow rate and usage time transmitted from the gas flow rate detection means 36. The gas meter control means 32 transmits a gas leak detection signal to the gas meter transmission means 34. The gas meter transmission unit 34 transmits a gas leak detection signal detected by the gas meter 30 to the gas alarm detection unit 42 of the alarm device 50.

  The alarm receiver 42 transmits the gas leak detection signal detected by the gas meter 30 to the gas detection threshold changing unit 43 and the gas detection time changing unit 51.

  Based on the gas leak detection signal, the gas detection threshold changing means 43 lowers the level of the detection threshold set in advance in order to cope with the case where a gas leak is detected. Moreover, the gas detection time changing means 51 shortens the gas detection time set in advance to cope with the case where the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak.

  The gas detection means 44 measures the gas concentration according to the detection level changed by the gas detection threshold changing means 43 and the detection time changed by the gas detection time changing means 51, and the alarm transmitter means 41 detects a plurality of detections. A signal corresponding to the level is transmitted to the gas meter receiving means 35 of the gas meter 30.

  The gas meter receiving unit 35 transmits a signal corresponding to the detection level of the detection threshold received from the alarm device 50 to the gas meter control unit 32. The signal of the detection level when the gas leak is not detected and the detection level signal when the gas leak is detected are distinguished from a plurality of detection levels. When a gas leak is detected, a determination is made based on a signal with a lower gas detection level than when no gas leak is detected. If it exceeds the determination level, a valve shut-off signal is output to the shut-off means 31 to shut off the gas.

  Thus, when the gas leak detection means 33 of the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak in the gas pipe, the alarm device 50 can detect the gas leak at an early stage by making it easy to detect the gas with a low detection threshold. It becomes possible.

  Further, when the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak, the gas detection threshold changing means 43 for reducing the gas detection level is not provided. Even if the gas detection time changing means 51 shortens the gas detection time, it is effective.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  The configuration of the present embodiment is different from that of the third embodiment in that the alarm device 60 includes a display unit 61 and a notification unit. The display unit 61 is configured to leak gas by the alarm unit 60 using an LED, an LCD, or the like. It is a means to turn on or blink when detected. The notification means 62 is a means for notifying when a gas leak is detected by the alarm device 60 using a buzzer or the like.

  First, the gas leak detection means 33 notifies the gas meter control means 32 when a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected from information such as the gas flow rate and usage time transmitted from the gas flow rate detection means 36. The gas meter control means 32 informs the gas meter transmission means 34 that a gas leak has been detected. The gas meter transmission unit 34 transmits a signal detected by the gas meter 30 to detect a gas leak to the alarm device reception unit 42 of the alarm device 60.

  The alarm device receiving means 42 notifies the gas detection threshold changing means 43 and the gas detection time changing means 51 that the gas meter 30 has detected a gas leak. The gas detection threshold value changing means 43 lowers the gas detection level when a gas leak is detected. Moreover, the gas detection time changing means 51 shortens the gas detection time when the gas meter 30 detects a gas leak.

  The gas detection means 44 measures the gas concentration and detection time in accordance with the detection level of the gas detection threshold changing means 43 and the gas detection time changing means 51, and sends an output signal from the alarm transmitter 41 to the gas meter receiving means 35 of the gas meter 30. To do.

  The gas meter receiving unit 35 transmits the output signal received from the alarm device 60 to the gas meter control unit 32. If the received output signal exceeds the detection level, the gas meter control means 32 outputs a valve cutoff signal to the cutoff means 31 to shut off the gas.

  When the gas is shut off, the alarm device 60 turns on or blinks the LED, LCD or the like by the display means 61 and notifies the alarm means 62 by a buzzer or the like. As a result, when the alarm device 60 makes it easy to detect the gas leak by the gas leak signal from the gas meter 30 and detects the gas leak, it is visually confirmed that the gas leak is detected by the display means 61 and the notification means 62 of the alarm device 60. It is possible to identify a gas leak point at an early stage by providing notification by display and sound.

  In the present embodiment, the alarm device 60 includes both the display unit 61 and the notification unit 62, but is not limited thereto, and includes either the display unit 61 or the notification unit 62. It may be a configuration.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make modifications and applications based on the description and well-known techniques. This is also the scope of the present invention, and is included in the scope for which protection is sought.

  As described above, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention can be realized by transmitting each signal of the gas meter and the alarm device.

Reference Signs List 30 Gas meter 31 Blocking means 32 Gas meter control means 33 Gas leak detection means 34 Gas meter transmission means 35 Gas meter reception means 36 Gas flow rate detection means 40, 50, 60 Alarm device 41 Alarm device transmission means 42 Alarm device reception means 43 Gas detection threshold value change means 43 44 Gas detection means 51 Gas detection time changing means 61 Display means 62 Notification means

Claims (1)

In the gas shut-off device composed of an alarm and a gas meter,
The alarm is
A gas detection means comprising a plurality of detection thresholds, and outputting a detection value of the detected gas as an output signal corresponding to a stepwise level based on the plurality of detection thresholds;
And alarm transmission means for transmitting the output signal of the gas detection unit to the gas meter,
An alarm receiver for receiving a gas leak detection signal from a gas meter transmitter in the gas meter;
Gas detection threshold value changing means for changing the detection threshold value according to the gas leak detection signal received by the alarm receiving means;
Gas detection time changing means for changing the gas detection time by the gas leak detection signal ,
The gas meter is
A shut-off means for supplying and shutting off the gas;
Gas meter receiving means for receiving the output signal transmitted from the alarm device;
Gas meter control means for processing the output signal transmitted from the gas meter receiving means;
A gas flow rate detecting means for detecting a gas flow rate;
A gas leak detection means for detecting a gas leak from the gas flow rate detected by the gas flow rate detection means;
When detecting gas leakage by the gas leak detection means comprises a <br/> said gas meter transmitting means for transmitting the gas leakage detection signal to the alarm device,
When a gas leak in the gas pipe is detected by the gas leak detection means, a gas leak detection signal is transmitted to the gas detection threshold value changing means via the gas meter transmission means and the alarm receiver reception means, and the gas detection threshold value is detected. The changing means lowers the detection threshold of the gas detection means, and the output signal of the gas detection means by the low detection threshold;
Based on the gas leak detection signal from the gas meter received by the alarm receiver, the gas detection time changing means shortens the gas detection time of the gas detection means, and the gas detection means of the gas detection means having a short gas detection time. Output signal,
Based on, characterized by shutting off the gas,
Gas shut-off device.

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