JPH0644937B2 - Gas shutoff device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas shutoff device that automatically shuts off a gas passage when an abnormality occurs to prevent an accident such as an explosion or poisoning caused by city gas or propane gas. Regarding

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional gas shutoff device of this type is as shown in FIG.
A flow rate measuring means 1 which emits a signal according to the amount of gas passing through a gas meter provided in the gas supply line, a use state detecting section 2 which detects a use state of gas by a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means, and a gas. An initial condition storage unit 3 that stores proper use conditions as initial values in advance, and an appropriate use condition determination unit 4 that outputs an interruption signal by determining that the signal from the use state detection unit deviates from the gas proper use condition. , A timer 5 for counting a predetermined period, a start signal applying means 6 for activating the timer, and a signal from the usage state detector for storing the gas usage state during the timer operation and for setting the stored usage state. The use state storage operation unit 7 which calculates the use condition based on the output is compared with the output of the use state storage operation unit and the initial condition, and a predetermined value is set as a new proper use condition. Further to proper use condition setting change unit 8
And a shut-off means 9 for shutting off the gas passage in response to a shut-off signal from the appropriate use condition judging section.

Here, the proper use condition indicates items such as a total flow rate set according to the capacity of each gas meter, an individual maximum flow rate, and a safe continuous use time. The total flow rate is the total flow rate of the gas that passes through the gas meter within the specified measurement period.If the current total flow rate exceeds the specified value that was initially set when the gas hose was disconnected or the gas appliances burned out, it was judged as abnormal. Judgment is a use condition for operating the interruption device. What is the individual maximum flow rate?
The gas flow rate change is detected at every predetermined measurement period, and how many kinds of gas appliances are currently used, and how much gas consumption flow rate is used for each, and the maximum gas consumption flow rate among them has exceeded the set value. At this time, a closing signal is output to the shutoff device to deal with gas leaks such as cracks in the gas hose and burning out when the gas plug is half-opened. In addition, the safe continuous use time is the time that can be continuously used set for each range from the statistical data of the time that gas appliances in a certain combustion range are continuously used,
When the data from the usage state detection unit exceeds the set time, an operation signal is sent to the shutoff device to ensure safety even if the gas appliance is forgotten to be turned off.

With the above-described configuration, when the activation signal is applied to the timer, counting for a predetermined period is started, and at the same time, the gas use pattern during the period is measured by the operation of the use state storage / calculation unit. That is, during this period, the measured values of the total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, continuous use time, etc. described above are updated, and at the same time as the timer ends, the final data is multiplied by a predetermined value in the use state storage calculation unit to properly use the gas. It is sent to the condition setting change section. The gas proper use condition setting changing unit compares the initial condition with the data of the storage operation unit to newly set a predetermined gas proper use condition. Thereafter, the proper use condition determination unit compares the new set condition with the signal from the use state detection unit, and if the condition is not satisfied, determines that the condition is abnormal and activates the shutoff means (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-248688).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, in the above-mentioned configuration, the timer is started from the time when the activation signal applying means is activated, that is, when the push button switch is pressed or the signal transmission means from the outside is activated. There is a problem that a predetermined period of the timer is measured including the time when the gas is stopped by the operation of the shut-off means, not to mention the time when the time measurement is started and the gas is normally used. Was.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems,
It is a first object of the present invention to provide a gas shutoff device that interrupts the timing of a timer when the gas usage state deviates from the proper usage conditions and the shutoff means is operating.

The second purpose is to operate the shutoff means even when a signal is generated from a sensor such as a gas leak alarm or a seismic sensor, or a shutoff signal generation means such as a home switch, and the timer is activated even during this period. It is to provide a gas shutoff device for interrupting the timing of.

Means for Solving the Problems And, in order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a cutoff means detection unit.

In order to achieve the second object, the present invention is to provide a shutoff signal generating means and a shutoff means operating portion for outputting a signal to operate the shutoff means in response to a signal from the shutoff signal generating means.

With the above configuration, the gas shutoff device of the present invention is configured such that the timer starts counting from the time when the activation signal applying unit operates and the gas is used in accordance with the normal usage pattern during the operation of the usage state storage / calculation unit. The gas usage pattern during the time is measured. Also, if the gas usage condition deviates from the proper usage conditions and the shutoff means is operating,
When the timer stops counting and the interrupting means is restored,
The time measurement of the timer is restarted. Furthermore, when the activation signal is generated and the circuit is in the cutoff state, the timer is started with the return of the cutoff means.

Further, even when a signal is generated from a sensor or a cut-off signal generating means such as a home switch, the cut-off means operates to enter a cut-off state, and the time measurement of the timer is interrupted even during this period.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, those having the same numbers as those in FIG. 7 are components having the same function. Reference numeral 10 is a timer, and 11 is a cutoff state detection unit for detecting the cutoff state of the cutoff means.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the timer is for a predetermined period of time while the signal from the cutoff state detection unit, that is, the signal indicating that the gas use state deviates from the proper use condition and the cutoff means is activated, is in the cutoff state. It does not count. Therefore, it is natural to stop the counting during the time counting period, and when it is in the cutoff state before the start of counting, the counting is not started even if the activation signal is input, and the cutoff state is released, that is, the cutoff means. The timing will start with the return of.

The contents described above are shown in the timing chart of FIG. (A) represents interruption of the time counting of the timer, and from the top, the valve state, that is, the state of the shut-off means, the start signal, and the timer, and the horizontal axis indicates the excess time. Since the activation signal is input at t0 and the cutoff state is not entered, the timer starts counting time. Since the shut-off state is entered at t1, the timer stops counting and restarts counting from t2 when the valve is returned, that is, the shut-off state is released. And t
At 3, the timer has finished counting the specified time.
This predetermined time is obtained by adding t1 to t2 and t2 to t3.

(B) shows the case where the starting signal is input and the circuit is in the shut-off state. Similar to (A), from the top, the valve state, the starting signal, and the timer, the horizontal axis indicates elapsed time. Although the activation signal is input at t5, the timer has started counting from t6 when the interrupted state is released because the interrupted state has been entered from the previous time t4. Then, the time measurement is finished at time t7 when the predetermined time is counted.

As a matter of course, the same operation is performed when (A) and (B) are combined.

The above-mentioned contents can be easily realized by applying calculation and judgment functions by program operation of a microcomputer or the like. Hereinafter, a schematic program flow is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 3, when the program starts, an initial value is set as a gas proper use condition at 12, then a flow rate is measured at 13, and the use condition of the gas as described above is detected at 14. Next, at 15, it is judged whether or not the timer for measuring the predetermined period is counting, and when counting, at 16 the gas usage state is stored. That is, the maximum value of the usage state of the gas corresponding to each usage condition is stored and updated. If the gas is not being counted and after passing through 16, determine the appropriate gas usage conditions at 17. At 18, when the result of the determination at 17 is abnormal, the process branches to 20 to output a cutoff signal, and at 21 the process of entering the cutoff state (for example, a flag indicating that the cutoff is being performed) is performed. If it is not abnormal in 18, the process branches to 19 to determine whether or not the proper use condition has already been changed. If not, the process branches to.

When changed, and after exiting 21, the valve returns at 22,
That is, it is determined whether or not the cutoff state has been released. At the time of restoration, the shut-off means restoration processing is performed at 23 (for example, the flag indicating that shut-off is being performed) is performed, and thereafter at 22 the processing returns together with the case where the restoration state is not set.

The branch contents in FIG. 4 will be described. At 24, it is judged whether the timer has finished counting, and when it finishes, at 25, the output of the operating condition storage operation section is compared with the initial condition, the smaller one is selected, and at 26, the setting of the proper operating condition is changed. To do. When the timer count is not completed at 24, the process branches to 27, and it is determined whether or not the timer has already started by the presence or absence of the timer flag. If there is a timer flag, it is judged at 28 whether or not the interruption is in progress. If not, the timer continues counting at 29 and then returns to. If it is shut off, the process branches to. If the timer flag is not present at 27, the presence or absence of the activation signal flag indicating that the activation signal is already present is checked at 30. If there is no flag, it is judged at 31 whether or not there is a start signal, and if not, the process branches, and if there is, a start signal flag is set at 32. At 33, it is determined whether or not the circuit is shut off. If the circuit is shut off, the process branches to, if not, the flag is set at 34, the timer starts counting at 35, and the process branches to.

By executing this program flow, the function of the gas shutoff device of the present invention can be realized.

That is, in the cutoff state in which the gas use state deviates from the appropriate use condition and the cutoff means is operating, the timer count is stopped, so the use state storage / calculation unit causes the gas used within the predetermined time period of the timer. The usage patterns are effectively stored.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Those having the same numbers as in FIG. 1 are components having the same function. 36 is a gas leak alarm, a sensor such as a vibration sensor, or a shutoff signal generating means such as a home switch, and 37 is
A cutoff means operation unit for controlling the cutoff means by a signal input from the cutoff signal generation means.

In the above configuration, the shutoff means enters the shutoff state not only by the signal from the proper use condition determination unit 4 but also by the signal from the shutoff unit operation unit 37. The timer does not count for a predetermined period while the signal from the cutoff state detection unit, that is, the signal indicating the cutoff state is input.

The above-mentioned contents can be easily realized by applying the calculation and judgment functions by the program operation of the microcomputer or the like. Hereinafter, FIG. 6 shows a part of the schematic program flow.

In FIG. 6, one judgment function is inserted between 18 and 19 in FIG. If it is not abnormal at 18, it is judged at 38 whether or not there is a signal from the operation means for interrupting means. If not, the operation branches to 19, and if there is, an interrupting signal is output at 20. The following follows FIGS. 3 and 4.

By executing this program flow, the function of the gas shutoff device of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 can be realized.

That is, even when a signal is generated from the cutoff signal generation means such as sensors or a home switch, the cutoff means is activated to be in the cutoff state, as in the case of the appropriate use condition determination,
During this period, the timer is stopped, and the gas usage pattern storage in the usage status storage / calculation unit is effectively operated.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, according to the gas shutoff device of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

(1) It is possible to detect gas leakage and combustion extinction by constantly monitoring the gas usage state and comparing it with the set appropriate usage conditions.
When it is determined that there is an abnormality, the shut-off means is activated to stop the gas supply, so that it is possible to prevent a dangerous state such as gas explosion or gas poisoning. In addition, since the actual usage pattern of the gas supply system in which the gas meter is installed is observed during the counting period of the timer and the maximum value and the initial value are compared and the specified value is reset as the proper usage condition, it is simply a gas meter. As compared with only the condition that was uniformly determined by the capacity (number of items), the judgment is made by taking into account individual special conditions as well, so the safety level against gas accident can be further increased. Also, the time period of the timer is
When the gas proper use condition determination unit determines that the gas is in an abnormal state and is in the cutoff state, the counting is interrupted, so that the predetermined timer time can be effectively used.

(2) When a signal is generated from a gas leak alarm, a sensor such as a seismic sensor, or a cut-off signal generation means such as a home switch, the cut-off means is activated and the timer keeps timing during this period. Since the gas is interrupted, it is possible to effectively observe the gas usage pattern during the timer period as in the case where the gas proper use condition judging unit judges that the gas is abnormal and is in the cutoff state and the timer count is interrupted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the device, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic program flow of the device, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a continuation of the program flow in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a part of a schematic program flow in another embodiment. FIG. 7 and FIG. 7 are functional block diagrams of a conventional gas shutoff device. 1 ... Flow rate measuring means, 2 ... Usage state detecting section, 3 ... Initial condition storing section, 4 ... Proper use condition determining section, 6 ... Start signal applying means, 7 ... Usage state storing / calculating section, 8 ...... Appropriate use condition setting changing section, 9 ...... breaking means, 10 ...... timer, 11 ...... breaking state detecting section, 36 ...... breaking signal generating means,
37 …… Blocking means operation unit.

Front page continued (72) Inventor Hiroshi Horii 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinzo Kato 2-16-4 Tadao, Machida-shi, Tokyo High-pressure gas safety association liquefaction Inside the Oil and Gas Research Institute (72) Inventor Mitsuo Namba 2-16-4 Tadao, Machida, Tokyo Metropolitan Gas Safety Association Liquefied Oil and Gas Research Institute (72) Inventor Reihei Uematsu 2-16-4 Tadao, Machida, Tokyo No. High Pressure Gas Safety Association, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Laboratory

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A flow rate measuring means for emitting a signal in accordance with an amount of passing gas of a gas meter provided in a gas supply line, and a usage state detecting section for detecting a gas usage state by a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means. And an initial condition storage unit that stores gas proper use conditions as initial values in advance, and a proper use condition determination unit that outputs a cutoff signal by determining that the signal from the use state detection unit is abnormal when the signal deviates from the gas proper use conditions. When,
A timer that counts a predetermined period, a start signal applying unit that starts the timer, a signal from the usage state detection unit that stores a gas usage state during operation of the timer, and uses the gas based on the stored usage state. A usage condition storage calculation unit that calculates a condition; an appropriate usage condition setting change unit that compares the output of the usage condition storage calculation unit and the initial condition and changes the setting of a predetermined value as a new appropriate usage condition; It comprises a shut-off means for shutting off the gas passage according to a shut-off signal from the judging section, and a shut-off state detecting section for detecting the shut-off state of the shut-off means, and the timer is a signal from the shut-off state detecting section, that is, shut-off. A gas shutoff device that suspends counting for a predetermined period while a signal indicating that the means is in the shutoff state is input. 2. The gas shutoff device according to claim 1, further comprising shutoff signal generating means and shutoff means operating portion for outputting a signal for operating the shutoff means in response to a signal from the shutoff signal generating means.