JPH0343678B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluid control device for controlling the flow rate of fluid such as gas.

Conventional configuration and its problems As a fluid control device that detects gas flow rate and determines abnormalities such as a large amount of gas continuing to flow without change for a long time to prevent gas explosions and accidents caused by toxic gas. has the configuration shown in FIG. 1st
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a flow rate sensor that is attached to a gas meter 2 and detects the flow rate of gas.This flow rate sensor 1 includes, for example, a diaphragm that constitutes the gas meter 2, or a link mechanism that transmits the reciprocating motion of the diaphragm to the indicator. There is a combination of a magnet provided in a part and a reed switch that detects the position of this magnet. By measuring the time from when the reed switch is turned on until the next time when the reed switch is turned on, the gas flow rate can be determined. Reference numeral 3 denotes a control unit, and 4 a self-contained electromagnetic valve that combines a magnet and an electromagnetic coil provided in the gas flow path, which shuts off the gas flow path in response to a cutoff signal from the control unit 3. The solenoid valve 4 is self-maintained in an open state by a magnet, thereby reducing battery consumption as a power source for the device. Further, the shutoff operation is performed when the self-holding state is released as the electromagnetic force generated by passing a current through the electromagnetic coil overcomes the holding force of the magnet that keeps the valve open.
Once the circuit is cut off in this way, the holding force of the magnet alone will not cause the circuit to open, and there is no longer a need for current to flow. To open the
Open the valve manually and position it so that it can be held by the magnet.
The control unit 3 receives the signal from the flow rate sensor 1, processes this signal according to a predetermined processing procedure, determines whether or not to shut off, and if the shut-off conditions are satisfied, transmits the shut-off signal to the solenoid valve. Output for 4.
As a processing procedure, for example, it is determined whether the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 1 continues to flow at a constant value for a predetermined time period. If it exceeds the flow rate, it means that the device has been used for a longer period of time than the normal usage time of the device corresponding to the flow rate, so that such a state indicates some kind of abnormality and a cutoff signal is output. This cutoff signal drives a cutoff means 4, such as a solenoid valve, provided in the gas flow path to cut off the gas flow path. In addition, there is a function to check the voltage of the battery power supply used in this control device, and furthermore,
It also has the ability to detect trace gas leaks that pose no risk of gas explosion.

Such conventional devices had the following problems.

It has the function of displaying the content on an LED or other display when determining an abnormality, but since it is installed outdoors together with the gas meter, it can be used in the event of an abnormality that does not require shutoff, such as a drop in battery voltage, a trace gas leak, etc. General users cannot be expected to discover abnormality information, but must rely on gas meter readers who visit regularly, which increases meter reading work.

In the event of a major earthquake or fire, it would be desirable to quickly stop the gas supply locally (including to a single residential unit) to prevent secondary disasters. No measures have been taken for roads.

Since there is no means for notifying the home of information at the time of abnormality determination, the status of this type of control device cannot be immediately known.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is intended to improve the fluid control system in order to quickly stop gas supply in the event of an emergency such as an earthquake or fire, and to quickly collect abnormality information of the fluid control device. A communication line is connected to the device, and through this communication line, gas utilities can send control signals to fluid control devices in each home at any time as needed, allowing them to control the gas flow rate and collect abnormality information. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a fluid control device that can promptly notify a user's home of control signals sent from a gas utility company.

Composition of the Invention The present invention includes a sensor input section that inputs a flow rate signal, a cutoff section that cuts off a fuel supply path, and a flow rate signal from the sensor input section that determines an abnormality and also receives a control signal from a communication line. a main control unit consisting of a microcomputer that operates in a standby mode that operates intermittently in response to an interval timer signal, and a power supply voltage is applied in synchronization with the output signal of the main control unit. The basic configuration is that the communication interface unit is equipped with a communication interface unit that can transmit information via a communication line and also send data into the home.With this configuration, the communication interface unit can It operates when a communication request is received from the gas company and can provide information to the gas utility and even within the home.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, 5 is a power supply section consisting of a battery, 6
1 is a clock generator that generates a clock that serves as a reference for time counting; 7 is a sensor input unit into which the signal from the flow rate sensor is input; 8 is a main control unit consisting of a microcomputer with a standby function that is intermittently in an execution state. , 9 is a shutoff section consisting of a self-holding electromagnetic valve that shuts off the fuel supply path; 10
is a drive unit that operates based on a signal from the main control unit 8 and supplies power to the communication interface unit 11;
12 is a connection section that connects the fluid control device 14 and the communication line 13, 26 is a connection section that sends information to the house, and 27 is a connection line to the house.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, when the power supply unit 5 is turned on, the entire control device becomes operational. The main control unit 8 consists of a microcomputer, which inputs the flow rate signal from the sensor input unit 7 and the clock signal from the clock generation unit 6, and measures the fuel flow rate per unit time from the number of flow rate signals at arbitrary time intervals. do. Flow rate data that serves as a reference for issuing a shutoff or alarm is registered in advance in the microcomputer, and the measurement results are compared with the flow rate data. The registered flow rate is, for example, data on the maximum flow rate that must not be exceeded under normal usage conditions, as specified by the type of gas meter and gas type in each household in the gas supply route. (This is suspected to be due to a leakage accident such as opening a gas valve.) Or, if the light overflow time at the same flow rate exceeds the time specified for that flow rate, it is determined that this is due to a person forgetting to turn off the appliance, and the system shuts off. flow rate data, etc. As a result of the comparison, for example, if the maximum passing amount data is exceeded, a cutoff output is sent to the cutoff section 9. On the other hand, data sent from the gas utility via the communication line is first input to the main control unit 8. Since the main control section 8 operates intermittently to measure the flow rate, it receives data from the communication line during its operation. If it is necessary to send abnormality information data to the gas utility, the drive section 10 is operated and power is supplied to the communication interface section 11. Data from the main control section 8 is transferred to the communication interface section 11 via the signal line 15, and sent from the communication interface section 11 to the communication line 13 via the connection section 12. Furthermore, the communication interface section 11 can provide information from the main control section to the home via the connection section 26 as necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the fluid control device of FIG. 2, and in FIG. 2, the same numbers as in FIG. 3 indicate the same contents. 16 is a crystal oscillator, which is oscillated by a counter 17, and is connected to the input terminal INT of the main controller 8, for example.
It generates clock pulses of 0.1 second/period and serves as the reference for the clock that periodically puts the microcomputer into operation. Reference numeral 18 denotes a reed switch, which is installed close to the meter so that a magnet responds to the gas flow rate, for example, and a transistor 19 responds to the operation of the reed switch 18. 20 is a transistor for driving the self-holding shutoff valve 21; 22 is a transistor that supplies a light bulb to the communication module 24 in response to a signal from the main control unit 8; 23 is a transistor that operates in response to a signal from the communication module 24; 25 is a transistor for sending the signal of the communication module 24 into the house.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the fluid control device of the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained.

The shutoff section of the fluid control device can be driven from the gas utility via the communication line.

Information on abnormalities in the fluid control device (for example, a drop in battery voltage) can be obtained from the gas utility via a communication line, allowing meter readers to perform their duties efficiently and reliably.

Since the communication line startup signal is input when the microcomputer with standby function, which operates intermittently by an internal timer, is running, the power consumption of the communication interface normally remains equal to zero, and communication functions can be added. can.

Since the signals from the communication line that are input irregularly are processed without using the microcomputer's interrupt processing, communication is performed using a simple microcomputer that does not have a latch circuit for suspending interrupt signals or an interrupt address generation circuit. Functions can be added.

When the shut-off section is operated under control from the gas utility in an emergency, or when an abnormality is determined from the flow rate and the shut-off section is operated, the user can be immediately notified. Also,
Data on gas usage can also be sent to homes upon instructions from the gas utility.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional fluid control device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a fluid control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the fluid control device of FIG. 7...Sensor input section, 8...Main control section, 9...
Blocking section, 10... Drive section, 11... Communication interface section, 26... Connection section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sensor input section that inputs a gas flow rate signal;
A shutoff unit that shuts off the fuel supply path and a flow rate signal from the sensor input unit are input, and an abnormality is determined based on the change in flow rate. Information on the cause of the abnormality is stored, and a control signal is input from an external communication line. a main control section consisting of a microcomputer that has an input terminal for inputting data and operates intermittently in standby mode using an interval timer, a communication interface section that sends information from the main control section to the communication line, and the main control section. A fluid control device comprising: a drive section that operates based on a signal from the communication interface section and supplies power to the communication interface section; and a power supply section that includes a battery. 2. A sensor input section that inputs a gas flow rate signal;
A cutoff unit that cuts off the fuel supply path and a flow rate signal from the sensor input unit are input, and an abnormality is determined based on the change in the flow rate.In addition to holding information on the cause of the abnormality, it also receives a control signal from an external communication line. a main control unit consisting of a microcomputer that has an input terminal for inputting data and operates intermittently in standby mode using an interval timer; a communication interface unit that sends information from the main control unit to the communication line; The device is comprised of a drive unit that operates based on a signal from a control unit and supplies power to the communication interface unit, and a power supply unit that includes a battery, and the communication interface unit is provided with a connection unit that notifies the premises of an abnormality. Fluid control device.