JPH10103592A - Gas feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with troublesome input operation and eliminate erronous input of a system parameter as the case of manual input operation so as to prevent charging control action from becoming abnormal and to save time for checking whether all the inputted system parameters are correct or not. SOLUTION: In a gas feeder 1, a plurality of dispenser units 5 (5a-5c) are installed, and a control device 34 provided at each dispenser unit 5 (5a-5c) is connected to a POS terminal unit 42 by a serial circuit 41. The control device 34 judges the presence of a system parameter stored in an SRAM, transfers a system parameter from the POS terminal unit 42 when the system parameter is not stored in the SRAM, and edits the system parameter read from the POS terminal unit 42. The POS terminal unit 42 judges the service life of a battery from the frequency at the time of transferring the system parameter to the control device 34 of the dispenser unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly to a gas supply device configured to fill a tank to be filled with compressed gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Compressed natural gas (CN) obtained by compressing natural gas
Along with the development of a vehicle (CNG vehicle) that runs on G) as a fuel, a gas supply device that supplies compressed natural gas to a fuel tank of the vehicle has been put into practical use. This type of gas supply device is configured such that compressed gas is stored in a gas pressure accumulator and the gas stored in the gas pressure accumulator is filled in a fuel tank of a CNG vehicle.

In this type of gas supply device, the gas filling pressure, gas filling time, and the like are determined to be arbitrary values in accordance with the specifications of the customer, and the operation time and operation timing of each device are set so as to satisfy these performances. Therefore, the parameters of the control system are individually set for each device. Therefore, it is necessary to change the parameters of the control system even if, for example, only the number of gas accumulators filled with gas changes.

[0004]

However, conventionally, a control program is stored in a ROM, and when a version of the control program is upgraded, it is dealt with by replacing the ROM. However, when the ROM is replaced, the system parameters stored in the SRAM are erased. Therefore, each system parameter must be input after the ROM is replaced.

[0005] Therefore, conventionally, when system parameters are erased, it is necessary to input each system parameter one by one and store it in the SRAM each time, and this input operation takes a lot of trouble and time. There is a problem. Further, since the value is manually input, a different value may be erroneously input. In this case, since the gas filling control itself may become abnormal, it is necessary to check whether all the input system parameters are correct, which requires extra time.

Further, since the dispenser control unit is driven by a battery, each system parameter must be input even when each system parameter stored in the SRAM is erased due to the battery life. Therefore, even when the storage of the SRAM is erased due to the battery life, it takes a lot of trouble and time to input all the system parameters, and it is necessary to confirm that all the system parameters are correctly input. .

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply device that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispenser unit for supplying a compressed gas to a tank to be filled, and a valve opening degree of a control valve of the dispenser unit based on each system parameter such that a flow rate and a pressure become desired values. A gas filling device having a dispenser control unit for controlling gas filling of a tank to be filled by controlling the system, a host control unit for managing the dispenser control unit, and the system stored in a storage unit of the dispenser control unit. Determining means for determining the presence or absence of a parameter, and system parameter transfer means for transferring the system parameter from the host control unit to the dispenser control unit when the system parameter is not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit,
It is characterized by comprising.

Therefore, according to the first aspect, when the system parameters are not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit, the system parameters are transferred from the host control unit to the dispenser control unit. Even if it is erased, all the system parameters can be automatically stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit, so that troublesome input operation is not required and erroneous input of system parameters as in the case of manual input operation Can be prevented, and the filling control operation can be prevented from becoming abnormal, and the trouble of checking whether all the input system parameters are correct can be omitted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gas filling apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising editing means for editing the system parameters read from the host control unit. It is. Therefore, according to the second aspect, by editing the system parameters read from the host controller, the system parameters of the host controller can be efficiently stored in the dispenser controller.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gas filling apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the storage means for storing the system parameters and the system parameters stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit. Determining means for determining presence / absence; system parameter transfer means for transferring the system parameter from the storage means to the dispenser control section when the system parameter is not present in the storage section of the dispenser control section; and controlling the dispenser control from the storage means. And a battery life determining means for determining a battery life based on a frequency at which the system parameters are transferred to the unit.

Therefore, according to the third aspect, the battery life is determined from the frequency at which the system parameters are transferred from the storage means to the dispenser control unit. Even when the system parameters stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit are erased due to the service life, the troublesome operation of inputting the system parameters many times without noticing that the battery life has elapsed can be avoided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gas filling apparatus according to the first aspect, an external storage means for storing the system parameter, and the system parameter stored in a storage section of the dispenser control section. Determining means for determining the presence / absence of, and reading the system parameters stored in the external storage means at the time of startup, and when the system parameters are not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit, the storage unit of the dispenser control unit System parameter transfer means for transferring system parameters;
It is characterized by comprising.

Therefore, according to the fourth aspect, the system parameters stored in the external storage means are read at the time of startup,
When the system parameters are not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit, the system parameters are transferred to the storage unit of the dispenser control unit. Since all system parameters can be stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit, troublesome input operations are not required, and there is no erroneous input of system parameters as in the case of manual input operation. It is possible to prevent an abnormality, and it is also possible to eliminate the trouble of checking whether all the input system parameters are correct.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention. The gas supply device 1 is installed, for example, at a gas supply station that supplies compressed natural gas (CNG) to a CNG vehicle, and one gas supply station has a plurality of dispenser units 5 (5).
a to 5c) are provided. Each of the control devices (dispenser control units) 34 provided in each of the dispenser units 5 (5a to 5c) is connected to a POS terminal device (host control unit) 42 via a serial line 41.

The POS terminal 42 is installed in, for example, an office of a gas station that fills the fuel tank 3 of a CNG vehicle with gas, and is filled by each of the dispenser units 5 (5a to 5c) via a serial line 41. The data such as the gas filling amount transmitted is transmitted, and the operation status of each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c) is managed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 34 of the dispenser unit 5. The control device 34
A CPU 43 that performs calculations based on each control program;
It comprises a ROM 44 in which each control program is stored, a volatile SRAM (storage unit) 45 in which system parameters necessary for performing each operation are stored, and a battery 46 as a power supply for driving the SRAM 45. The CPU 43 uses the RO
M44 and the control program and the system parameters are read from the SRAM 45 to perform calculations,
The filling data such as filling pressure and filling amount are written and stored in 45.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the POS terminal 42. The POS terminal 42 has the same configuration as a generally used personal computer.
A CPU 47, a storage device (storage means) 48 such as a hard disk, a display 49, and a keyboard 50
And a printer 51. Storage device 48
Includes a control program for managing each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c), all system parameters registered in the control device 34 of each dispenser unit 5,
Data and the like of the filling amount filled by each dispenser unit 5 are stored.

The display 49 displays data by operating the keyboard 50, and the printer 51 displays the data by operating the keyboard 50.
Operation or a request from the control unit 34, the filling data or all system parameters are printed and printed out. The operator (operator) operates the keyboard 50 to input data and give work instructions. The work instructions include each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5a).
There are system parameter transfer requests and read requests to c), all of which issue work instructions to the dispenser units 5 (5a to 5c) via the serial line 41.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pressure generating unit 4 and the dispenser unit 5. Gas supply device 1
Is, for example, compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas to a predetermined pressure in a fuel tank (filled tank) 3 of an automobile 2
It is installed at a gas supply station that supplies air.

The gas supply device 1 generally supplies a gas generating unit 4 for compressing city gas to a predetermined pressure to generate a pressurized gas and a gas compressed by the pressure generating unit 4 to the fuel tank 3. Of the dispenser unit 5. The pressure generating unit 4 includes a multi-stage compressor 12 disposed in a branch line 11 branched from a medium-pressure line (not shown) of city gas. Further, a compressor opening / closing valve 14 that opens and closes the pipeline 13 to supply or shut off the gas discharged from the compressor 12 is provided in the pipeline 13 drawn from the discharge port of the compressor 12.

An end of the pipe 15 connected to the pipe 13 is connected to a gas accumulator 16. The gas accumulator 16 is generally called a “gas accumulator” in literatures and the like. In addition, a gas accumulator opening / closing valve 17 that opens and closes the pipe 15 to supply or shut off the gas accumulated in the gas accumulator 16 is provided in the pipe 15. In addition, pipeline 1
A gas supply pipe 18 extending to the dispenser unit 5 is connected to a connection portion between the pipe 3 and the pipe 15.

The compressor 12 includes on-off valves 14 and 17
Is opened and the valve in the dispenser unit 5 is driven in a closed state, the high-pressure gas compressed by the compressor 12 is supplied to the gas accumulator 16. still,
In this embodiment, the compressor 12 has two gas accumulators 16.
Supply compressed gas until the pressure rises to 50 kgf / cm ² . When the pressure of the gas accumulator 16 reaches 250 kgf / cm ² , the compressor 12 stops, and the on-off valve 14,
The valve 17 is closed, and the pressure generating unit 4 enters a standby state in which a filling operation can be performed.

The pressure generating unit 4 and the dispenser unit 5 are connected via a gas supply pipe 18. The gas supply line 18 extending into the dispenser unit 5 includes, in order from the upstream side, a gas supply opening / closing valve 19 formed of an electromagnetic valve and communicating or blocking the gas supply line 18, and a gas supply line 18. A mass flow meter 20 for measuring a supply amount of flowing gas, a control valve 21 for controlling a gas supplied to a downstream side (filling side), and a pressure transmission for detecting a secondary pressure controlled by the control valve 21 A vessel 22 is provided.

A gas filling hose 23 communicates with the downstream end of the gas supply pipe 18.
A manual three-way valve 24 is connected to the downstream end of the valve. The three-way valve 24 has an inlet port a to which the gas filling hose 23 is connected, and an exhaust port b to which the exhaust pipe 25 is connected.
And a filling port c to which the connection coupler 26 is connected. The three-way valve 24 is operated in a state where the inflow port a and the filling port c communicate with each other at the time of gas filling, and the exhaust port b and the filling port c communicate with each other when performing the depressurizing operation after the gas filling is completed. And the pressure in the connection coupler 26 is reduced.

On the side surface of the dispenser unit 5, a coupler hooking portion 29 for hooking the connection coupler 26 is attached. The coupler hooking portion 29 detects the presence or absence of the connection coupler 26 by a switch. 30 are provided. Further, the dispenser unit 5 is provided with a filling start button 31, a filling stop button 32, and an emergency stop button 33.

The filling start button 31 is connected to the connection couplers 26 and 36.
Is a switch button operated to open the gas supply opening / closing valve 19 after being connected. The filling stop button 32 is a switch button operated to close the gas supply opening / closing valve 19 and the control valve 21 during gas filling. Emergency stop button 3
Reference numeral 3 denotes a switch button operated to urgently close all valves.

The control device 34 includes a compressor 12, on-off valves 14, 17, a gas supply on-off valve 19, a mass flow meter 20,
Control valve 21, pressure transmitter 22, coupler switch 3
0, filling start button 31, filling stop button 32, emergency stop button 33
And other devices. Therefore, the control device 34
Are filling start button 31, filling stop button 32, emergency stop button 33
The flow is started or stopped by a signal from the mass flow meter 20 and a flow rate and a pressure filled in the fuel tank 3 are calculated by a signal from the mass flow meter 20 and the pressure transmitter 22.

The mass flow meter 20 vibrates a pipe called a sensor tube, and the phase difference between the inflow side and the outflow side of the pipe due to the Coriolis force according to the gas flow rate flowing in the vibrating pipe is the flow rate. Is a Coriolis-type mass flow meter that measures a flow rate using the fact that it is proportional to

Therefore, the mass flow meter 20 can accurately measure the mass flow rate of the gas compressed to a high pressure, and can measure the flow rate per unit time (or the number of flow pulses per unit time) during the gas filling operation. ) Is output to the control device 34.
Further, the control valve 21 controls the gas supply amount (the flow rate is determined by pressure × time) supplied to the fuel tank 3 by controlling the filling pressure in accordance with a command from the control device 34, and at the time of starting filling and ending the filling. At times, the pressure is controlled so that the filling pressure changes gradually (increase or decrease), thereby preventing each device from being damaged by a sudden change in pressure.

The gas supply opening / closing valve 19 functions as a main valve of the pressure generating unit 4 and automatically opens or closes according to a command from the control device 34. The gas supply on-off valve 19 may be a manual on-off valve instead of the solenoid valve. The three-way valve 24 is configured to be switched by a manual operation. Before and after gas filling, the exhaust port b and the filling port c are communicated, and the inflow port a is shut off. Further, at the time of gas filling, switching operation is performed so that the inflow port a and the filling port c communicate with each other and the exhaust port b is shut off.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a display device for displaying a gas filling amount and a filling pressure filled in the fuel tank 3. Further, in the vehicle 2, the connection coupler 36 on the filling side to which the connection coupler 26 of the dispenser unit 5 is connected, and the connection coupler 36.
The fuel tank 3 includes a pipe 37 that communicates with the fuel tank 3, a manual opening / closing valve 38 disposed in the pipe 37, and a check valve 39 that prevents the gas filled in the fuel tank 3 from flowing back.

After connecting the connecting coupler 26 on the filling side and the connecting coupler 36 on the filling side to the ROM 44 of the control device 34, a gas having a flow rate equal to or greater than the hose capacity of the gas filling hose 23 is supplied to the filling side. The stored gas supply program is stored. The ROM 44 has a determination program (determination means) for determining the presence or absence of the system parameters stored in the SRAM 45, and a system parameter transfer program for transferring the system parameters from the POS terminal 42 when the system parameters are not stored in the SRAM 45. (System parameter transfer means) and an editing program (editing means) for editing system parameters read from the POS terminal device 42 are stored.

The storage device 48 of the POS terminal 42
Stores a battery life determining program (battery life determining means) for determining the battery life from the frequency at which the system parameters are transferred to the control device 34 of the dispenser unit 5. Accordingly, the control device 34 calculates the filling flow rate and the filling pressure based on the signals output from the mass flow meter 20 and the pressure transmitter 22 based on the above programs, and also controls the compressor 12, the on-off valves 14, 17 and the gas supply opening and closing. The operation of the valve 19, the mass flow meter 20, and the control valve 21 is controlled.

Next, a gas charging operation in the gas supply device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. When filling the fuel tank 3 of the automobile 2 with gas, the operator firstly connects the connecting coupler 2 from the coupler engaging portion 29 of the dispenser unit 5.
6 is removed and connected to the connecting coupler 36 of the vehicle 2. Then, the operator opens the manual opening / closing valve 38 of the automobile 2 and at the same time, the inflow port a and the filling port c of the three-way valve 24.
The switching operation is performed so that and can communicate with each other.

Next, when the operator turns on the filling start button 31, the controller 34 opens the on-off valve 17 and also opens the gas supply on-off valve 19. This allows
The high-pressure gas accumulated in the gas accumulator 16 is supplied to a gas supply line 18, a gas supply opening / closing valve 19, a mass flow meter 20, and a control valve 2.
1, pressure transmitter 22, gas filling hose 23, three-way valve 2
4. The fuel tank 3 is filled via the connection couplers 26, 36 and the pipe 37.

Immediately after the start of filling, in order to calculate the capacity of the fuel tank 3, the valve opening of the control valve 21 is slightly reduced, and the supply amount to the fuel tank 3 is suppressed to 3 kg / min. When the capacity of the fuel tank 3 is determined, a control law (constant pressure control or constant flow rate control) according to the capacity is obtained.
To start filling the fuel tank 3 with gas.

When the fuel tank 3 is filled with gas as described above and becomes full, the pressure of the fuel tank 3 becomes approximately 200 kgf / cm ² . The gas filling amount that has passed through the gas supply line 18 is measured by the mass flow meter 20, and a voltage value (a phase difference between the inflow side and the outflow side) according to the gas filling amount is used as a flow measurement signal by the controller 34. Is output to The control device 34 integrates the supply pressure detected by the pressure transmitter 22 and the flow measurement value from the mass flow meter 20, and displays the amount of gas filling the fuel tank 3 on the display device 35.

When the filling of the fuel tank 3 with the gas is completed, the operator switches the three-way valve 24 so that the exhaust port b and the filling port c are communicated and the inflow port a is shut off. Thereby, gas remaining between the three-way valve 24 and the check valve 39 is exhausted from the exhaust port b to the exhaust pipe 25, and the pressure in the connection couplers 26, 36 is reduced to the atmospheric pressure. Thus, the worker can separate the connection couplers 26 and 36 with a small force.

Thereafter, the operator closes the manual opening / closing valve 38 on the side of the vehicle 2 and then disconnects the connection coupler 26 of the dispenser unit 5 from the connection coupler 36 of the vehicle 2.
It is hooked on the coupler hooking section 29. And filling stop button 3
When 2 is turned on, a series of gas filling operations is completed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a system parameter transfer request executed by the control device 34 of the dispenser unit 5. After the power is turned on, the control device 34 checks whether or not the system parameters are stored in the SRAM 45 in step S1 (hereinafter, “step” is omitted). If the system parameters are stored in the SRAM 45, the process proceeds to S2, where SR
The system parameters stored in the AM 45 are read.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3, where a normal gas filling process is executed based on the system parameters read in S2. Then, the current process ends. However, in S1, for example, when the ROM 44 is replaced due to a version upgrade of the control program, or when the battery 46 has reached the end of its life and the voltage is reduced, the data stored in the SRAM 45 is erased and the system parameters are not stored in the SRAM 45. , S4, and outputs a system parameter transfer request to the POS terminal 42.

In the next step S5, the system enters a standby state waiting for the system parameters stored in the storage device 48 of the POS terminal 42 to be transferred to the control device 34. And
In S5, when the system parameters are transferred from the POS terminal 42, the process proceeds to S6, in which all the transferred system parameters are edited for each classification and set (registered) as operable data. Thus, the control device 34 can perform gas filling control using the system parameters.

In the next S7, the transferred system parameters are written and stored in the SRAM 45. Now S
All the system parameters are registered in the RAM 45 as before, and the control device 34 can perform the gas filling control without any trouble. Therefore, all system parameters are SR
Since all system parameters can be automatically stored in the SRAM 45 even if they are deleted from the AM 45, troublesome input operations are not required, and erroneous input of system parameters as in the case of manual input operations is eliminated. It is possible to prevent the charging control operation from becoming abnormal, and it is also possible to save the trouble of checking whether all the input system parameters are correct.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to S3 described above, and the POS
A normal gas filling process is executed based on the system parameters transferred from the terminal device 42. Then, the current process ends. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the interrupt processing executed by the POS terminal device 42.

The POS terminal 42 usually manages the gas filling status of each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c). Then, the POS terminal device 42 checks whether or not a system parameter transfer request has been transmitted from the dispenser unit 5 at predetermined time intervals (S11). Then, in S11, when the system parameter transfer request is output in S4 of FIG. 5 as described above, the process proceeds to S12, where the cause of the interrupt is analyzed.

In the next S13, if the interrupt request is a system parameter transfer request from the dispenser unit 5, the process proceeds to S14, where the system parameters stored in the storage device 48 of the POS terminal 42 are transmitted via the serial line 41. To the dispenser unit 5.
When the transfer of all system parameters is completed, the current interrupt processing ends.

However, if the interrupt request is not a system parameter transfer request from the dispenser unit 5 in S13, the process proceeds to S15 to check whether the interrupt request is a read request. And S1
If the interrupt request is a read request in step S5, the flow advances to step S16 to output a system parameter request to the dispenser unit 5.

In the next S17, the dispenser unit 5
It is checked whether the system parameters stored in the SRAM 45 can be read. If the system parameters can be read, the process proceeds to S18, where the system parameters read from the SRAM 45 are stored in the storage device 48 of the POS terminal 42. I do. When all the system parameters are stored in the storage device 48, the current interrupt processing ends.

If it is determined in step S15 that the interrupt request is not a read request, the flow shifts to step S19 to check whether the interrupt request is a print request. This S
If the interrupt request is not a print request in step S19, the process goes to step S12.
Then, the analysis of the interrupt factor is performed again, and the processing after S12 is executed again. However, if the interrupt request is a print request in S19, the process proceeds to S20, and the printer 51 prints the system parameters stored in the storage device 48. Then, when all the system parameters are printed by the printer 51, the current interrupt processing ends.

When the above interrupt processing is completed,
The POS terminal device 42 returns to the normal processing, that is, the gas filling management of each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c).
As described above, since the system parameters can be stored in the POS terminal 42 as well as in the control device 34 of the dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c) and the system parameters can be transferred to each other, the stored system parameters are stored. Even if data such as is erased, the troublesome input operation can be made unnecessary by transferring the data stored in the other via the serial line 41, and erroneous input and non-input of system parameters can be prevented. A malfunction in the arithmetic processing can be prevented beforehand. Therefore, it is not necessary to confirm that each data input after inputting the system parameters is correct, and it is possible to save time and effort.

Each of the dispenser units 5 (5a to 5a)
In order to upgrade the control program executed by the control device 34 of 5c), the exchange work when the ROM 44 is exchanged can be completed in a short time. FIG. 7 shows each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5a) as a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart of the process which the control apparatus 34 of c) performs.

Each dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c)
When the CPU 43 of the control device 34 is activated by turning on the power in S21, the process proceeds to S22, and compares the check data previously written in the ROM 44 with the check data written in the SRAM 45.

Then, the check data in the ROM 44 and S
If the check data in the RAM 45 is the same, S23
In step S2, it is determined that the data (system parameters, etc.) stored in the SRAM 45 has not been deleted.
Proceed to 4 to initialize the system.

However, the check data in the ROM 44 and S
If the check data in the RAM 45 is not the same,
At 23, it is determined that the data (system parameters, etc.) stored in the SRAM 45 has been erased, and the process proceeds to S25, where it is determined that a problem has occurred in the SRAM 45.
It is transmitted to the OS terminal device 42 side.

In the next step S26, it is checked whether or not the system parameters transferred from the POS terminal 42 have been received, and the reception standby state is maintained. Then, when the system parameters transferred via the serial line 41 are received, the process proceeds to S27, where the received system parameters are written and stored in the SRAM 45. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S24, where the system is initialized.

Thereafter, in S28, it is checked whether or not there is an input of the filling start. When the filling start button 31 is turned on in S28, the process proceeds to S29, and the above-described gas filling process is executed. Thereafter, when the gas filling process is completed, the process proceeds to S30, where the gas filling amount is set to POS.
It is transmitted to the terminal device 42 side.

In the next S31, it is checked whether the power is off. If the power is still on in S31, the process returns to S28, and the processes of S28 to S30 are repeated. However, when the power is off in S31, the process proceeds to S32, and the dispenser unit 5 is stopped.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing P executed in parallel with the processing of FIG.
5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the OS terminal device 42. The CPU 47 of the POS terminal device 42 executes S41
Then, the process proceeds to S42, where it is checked whether or not the filling amount transmitted from the dispenser unit 5 (5a to 5c) has been received. In S42, the standby state is maintained until the filling amount is received. Then, in S42, when the filling amount is received, the process proceeds to S43, and the SRAM 45
Check if there is a problem with

In S43, if there is a problem in the SRAM 45, the process proceeds to S44, and the date and time when the problem occurs is stored. Subsequently, in S45, it is checked whether or not the last trouble is within three days. If the interval between the occurrence of this and the previous failures is 3 days or more, it is determined that the battery 46 has not been exhausted yet, and the process proceeds to S46.

In S46, the same data as the data stored in the SRAM 45, such as control valve characteristics and system parameters, is transmitted to the dispenser unit 5. Next S47
Now check if the power is off. S4
If it is determined in step 7 that the power remains on, the process returns to step S42, and the process from step S42 is repeated. However, if the power is off in S47, the process proceeds to S48, and the PO
The S terminal device 42 is stopped.

However, in the above S43, the SRAM 4
If there is no defect in 5, the process proceeds to S49, and data such as the current filling amount is displayed on the display 49. Then, the process proceeds to S50, where the data of the filling amount, the control valve characteristics, and the SRAM data (system parameters, etc.) are stored in the storage device 48.
To memorize. After that, the processing after S46 is executed.

If it is determined in step S45 that the interval between the occurrence of the current failure and the previous failure is within three days, the flow advances to step S51 to display the battery replacement on the display 49. This allows
It can be understood that the cause of the frequent erasure of the data such as the system parameters stored in the SRAM 45 of the dispenser unit 5 due to a failure is that the battery 46 has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced. After that, the processes in and after S46 are executed.

As described above, when data such as system parameters stored in the SRAM 45 is deleted due to a problem, the system parameters are automatically transferred from the POS terminal 42 to the dispenser unit 5 and are transferred to the SRAM 45. When the data is stored and the data is frequently erased, the fact that the battery 46 is about to be replaced is notified, so that the operation for inputting the system parameters can be omitted, and the fact that the battery 46 is exhausted can be easily determined. Confirmation is possible, and the battery can be replaced promptly.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser unit 5 includes a control device 34 and R
An OM 44, a pair of SRAMs 45 and 45 ', and a pair of batteries 46 and 46' are provided. A pair of SRAM4
5, 45 'are provided in parallel, and a pair of batteries 4
6, 46 'individually. Also, a pair of SR
The same data such as system parameters are stored in the AMs 45 and 45 '. Therefore, the control device 34
Can be calculated based on the data stored in the other of the SRAMs 45 and 45 'even if one of the data is erased. In this case, usually, the SRAM 45
Is calculated using the data stored in
The AM 45 'functions as a storage means for backup.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control device 34 of the third embodiment. The control device 34
When activated by turning on the power at 61, the process proceeds to S62, where R
Check data and SR previously written in OM44
A comparison is made with the check data written in AMs 45 and 45 '. If the check data stored in the ROM 44 matches the check data stored in the SRAM 45, and the check data stored in the ROM 44 matches the check data stored in the SRAM 45 ', the data is stored in the SRAMs 45 and 45'. Judge that there is no abnormality in the stored data.

In the next S63, the SRAMs 45 and 45 '
It is checked whether both of the data stored in the memory are OK. If both data are normal, the process proceeds to S64 to initialize the system. Thereafter, in S65, it is checked whether or not there is an input of the filling start. S6
When the filling start button 31 is turned on in S5, S
Proceeding to 66, the gas filling process as described above is executed.
Thereafter, when the gas filling process is completed, the process proceeds to S67, and the gas filling amount is stored in the SRAMs 45 and 45 '.

In the next S68, it is checked whether or not the power is off. If the power remains on in S68, the process returns to S65, and the processes of S65 to S67 are repeated. However, when the power is off in S68, the process proceeds to S69, and the dispenser unit 5 is stopped.

However, in S63, both SRs
If the data stored in the AMs 45 and 45 'is not normal, the process proceeds to S70, and if one of the SRAMs 45 and 45' is OK and one of the SRAMs 45 or 45 'is abnormal, the process proceeds from S70 to S71.

In S71, the data stored in the normal one of the SRAMs 45 or 45 'is transferred to the one in which an abnormality has occurred and written. In the next S72, the SRAM 45 or 4
The abnormality occurrence date and time is stored in the normal one of 5 '. And
In S73, it is checked whether or not the last trouble is within three days. If the interval between the occurrence of this and the previous failures is 3 days or more, it is determined that the battery 46 has not been exhausted yet, and the flow shifts to S65. However, if the current and previous trouble occurrence intervals are within three days in S73, the process proceeds to S74, and the display 35 displays the battery replacement. As a result, it can be understood that the cause of erasure of the system parameter stored in the SRAM 45 of the dispenser unit 5 due to the occurrence of a failure is that the battery 46 has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced. After that, the processes in and after S65 are executed.

If both of the SRAMs 45 and 45 'are abnormal in S75, the process goes to S76 to display on the display device 35 that the user manually inputs all system parameters. To the person.
Then, in S77, it is confirmed that all data such as system parameters have been input. Further, in S78, it is checked whether the data input by the user is correct. If there is an erroneous input, the process returns to S76, and the processes from S76 onward are repeated. However, if all the input data are correct, the process proceeds to S74, where the display 35 displays the battery replacement, and then executes the processes from S65.

If it is determined in step S75 that both the SRAMs 45 and 45 'are not abnormal, the process returns to step S62.
Redo the check data comparison. Thus, the dispenser unit 5 includes a pair of SRAMs 45 and 45 ′,
A pair of batteries 46, 46 '
Since the same data such as system parameters are stored in the AMs 45 and 45 ', even if one of the SRAMs 45 and 45' is erased, the data stored in the other can be transferred and operated. Can be. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the POS terminal 42
Since there is no need to communicate with a computer, not only is a communication cable unnecessary, but also an arithmetic processing for communication is unnecessary, and software can be simplified.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of dispenser units 5 (5a to 5)
e) are individually connected to the other dispenser units 5 by communication cables 51, respectively. That is, the five dispenser units 5a to 5e can communicate with each other, for example, the SRA of the dispenser unit 5a.
When data such as system parameters stored in M45 is deleted, the other dispenser units 5b to 5b
Data can be requested from any of e. In this case, the SRAM 4 of the other dispenser units 5b to 5e
5 functions as backup storage means.

Therefore, even if one of the other dispenser units 5b to 5e is out of order, data such as system parameters can be transferred from the other dispenser units 5c to 5e and stored in the SRAM 45. .

In the above-described embodiment, the case where compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas is supplied as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to supply gas such as butane and propane. Of course, it can be applied. Also,
In the above embodiment, the case where the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank 3 of the vehicle has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a device that supplies the compressed gas to another container or the like. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having a configuration in which the compressed gas is simply provided in the middle of a pipe for feeding the compressed gas to another place.

[0076]

As described above, according to the first aspect, when the system parameters are not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit, the system parameters are transferred from the host control unit to the dispenser control unit. Even if the parameters are erased from the storage unit, all the system parameters can be automatically stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit. It is possible to prevent erroneous input of the system parameters and prevent the charging control operation from becoming abnormal, and it is also possible to save the trouble of checking whether all the input system parameters are correct.

According to the second aspect, by editing the system parameters read from the host controller, the system parameters of the host controller can be efficiently stored in the dispenser controller. According to the third aspect, the battery life is determined from the frequency at which the system parameters are transferred from the external storage unit to the dispenser control unit. Therefore, it is possible to determine that it is time to replace the battery and to determine the battery life. Even when the system parameters stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit are deleted, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation of inputting the system parameters many times without noticing that the battery life has expired.

According to the fourth aspect, the system parameters stored in the external storage means are read at the time of startup, and when the system parameters are not stored in the storage section of the dispenser control section, the system parameters are stored in the storage section of the dispenser control section. Since the parameters are transferred, all the system parameters can be automatically stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit even if all the system parameters are erased from the storage unit, as in the case of claim 1. Is unnecessary, and it is possible to prevent erroneous input of system parameters as in the case of manual input operation and to prevent the charging control operation from becoming abnormal, and it is also necessary to check whether all input system parameters are correct. Can be omitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device of the dispenser unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a POS terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pressure generating unit and a dispenser unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a system parameter transfer request executed by a control device of the dispenser unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed by the POS terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control device of each dispenser unit as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the POS terminal device executed in parallel with the process of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas supply device 3 Fuel tank 4 Pressure generation unit 5 Dispenser unit 12 Compressor 16 Gas accumulator 17 Gas accumulator open / close valve 18 Gas supply line 19 Gas supply on / off valve 20 Mass flow meter 21 Control valve 22 Pressure transmitter 23 Gas filling Hose 24 Three-way valve 26, 36 Connection coupler 31 Fill start button 32 Fill stop button 33 Emergency stop button 34 Control device 41 Serial line 42 POS terminal device 43 CPU 44 ROM 45, 45 'SRAM 46 Battery 48 Storage device 49 Display 51 Communication cable

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A dispenser unit for supplying a compressed gas to a tank to be filled, and a valve opening of a control valve of the dispenser unit is controlled based on system parameters so that a flow rate and a pressure become desired values. A gas filling device having a dispenser control unit for performing gas filling control of a tank to be filled, a host control unit for managing the dispenser control unit, and the presence or absence of the system parameters stored in a storage unit of the dispenser control unit. And a system parameter transfer unit that transfers the system parameter from the host control unit to the dispenser control unit when the system parameter is not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit. A gas filling device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The gas filling device according to claim 1, further comprising editing means for editing the system parameters read from the host control unit. 3. The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a storage unit for storing the system parameter; and a determination unit for determining whether the system parameter stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit exists. A system parameter transfer unit for transferring the system parameter from the storage unit to the dispenser control unit when the storage unit of the dispenser control unit does not have the system parameter; and transferring the system parameter from the storage unit to the dispenser control unit. And a battery life determining means for determining the battery life from the frequency at which the gas filling was performed. 4. The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an external storage unit that stores the system parameter; and a determination unit that determines whether the system parameter stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit exists. Reading the system parameters stored in the external storage unit at the time of starting, and transferring the system parameters to the storage unit of the dispenser control unit when the system parameters are not stored in the storage unit of the dispenser control unit. Means, and a gas filling apparatus comprising: