JPH11147600A - System for automatic accepting order or giving order for fluid commodity - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for automatic accepting order or giving order for kerosene in which a larger adjustment range of a device for sensing a residual amount of kerosene left in a kerosene tank as compared with that of the prior art can be assured. SOLUTION: There is provided a liquid surface sensor 5 for use in sensing a level of kerosene 6 within a kerosene tank 4 installed at a consumer site. This sensor 5 is comprised of a first pipe 15 having a large outer diameter and a second pipe 16 having a small outer diameter. These pipes 15 and 16 are fixed within the kerosene tank 4 under a state in which they are cooperatively connected in a vertical orientation. A float switch 23 for use in sensing a residual amount of kerosene 6 is integrally fixed to the second pipe 16, and the second pipe 16 can be inserted into the first pipe 15. There is provided an adjustment mechanism for adjusting its inserting length to enable a set level to be adjusted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluid tank installed at a consumer, and a detecting device provided in the fluid tank for detecting whether the fluid in the fluid tank is at or above a set level. And a fluid product automatic ordering system for transmitting information for specifying the consumer from the consumer to the seller when the fluid falls below a set level.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
There is a system disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0000. This system includes a remaining amount detecting means for detecting when a remaining amount of kerosene in a kerosene tank (an example of a fluid tank for storing kerosene, which is an example of a fluid product) becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value. This is a system in which delivery request data is transmitted to a kerosene vendor host computer via a telephone line when a detection signal is input from the detection means. The predetermined value of the kerosene remaining amount can be changed and adjusted. This position adjusting mechanism is disclosed, for example, in FIG. 8 of the above publication. That is, the reed switch and the cable are housed in the pipe, the reed switch and the float are arranged at the upper end of the pipe, and the lock nut is arranged at the lower end of the pipe. By loosening the lock nut and moving and adjusting the pipe, the predetermined value of the remaining amount of kerosene can be changed.

[0003]

However, in the above prior art, the adjustment is only to move the single pipe in the vertical direction, and the adjustment range is limited and cannot be adjusted to the position desired by the user. There were things. In particular, when an existing fluid tank is used as it is, it is necessary to accommodate various sizes of fluid tanks, and it is necessary to provide a wide adjustment range. . Furthermore, since the switch is provided at the upper end of the pipe, it is necessary to secure a space for moving the pipe in the downward direction of the switch in order to adjust, and a wide adjustment range can be secured to secure that space. There was a problem that it was not.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to secure a larger adjustment range of a device for detecting the remaining amount of fluid in a fluid tank than in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ordering system for fluid products.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic ordering system for fluid goods according to the present invention, wherein a fluid in the fluid tank is provided for detecting whether or not the fluid in the fluid tank is at or above a set level. The provided detection device includes at least two pipe-shaped members having different outer diameters and a switch, and the pipe-shaped members are attached to the fluid tank so as to be connected vertically or substantially vertically. In addition, the switch is integrally attached to the pipe-shaped member at the lowermost position, and among the connected pipe-shaped members, a switch having a smaller outer diameter is provided in a first pipe-shaped member having a larger outer diameter. The second pipe-shaped member is configured to be insertable, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the insertion length is provided.

According to this configuration, the detecting device for detecting the level of the fluid includes at least two pipe-shaped members having different outer diameters. That is, two or three or more pipe-shaped members are provided. Then, the second pipe-shaped member having a smaller outer diameter can be inserted into the first pipe-shaped member having a larger outer diameter. Moreover, since the switch is integrally attached to the pipe-shaped member at the lowest position,
When the switch is arranged at a position close to the bottom of the fluid tank, the length of the pipe-shaped member is appropriately selected so that the insertion length is minimized, and when actually adjusting, the insertion amount is increased. What should I do? By increasing the number of pipe-shaped members, the adjustable range can be expanded. Therefore,
When an existing fluid tank is used, by adjusting the length and number of the pipe-shaped members in accordance with the size of the tank, it is possible to set an adjustment range desired by various users. As a result, it is possible to provide a fluid product automatic ordering system capable of securing a larger adjustment range of the device for detecting the remaining amount of fluid in the fluid tank than the conventional technology.

As a specific configuration of the adjusting mechanism, a slit is formed in the first pipe-shaped member along the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a female screw is formed in the second pipe-shaped member. And the second pipe-shaped member is connected to a screw member screwed into the female screw through the slit. The object of the present invention can be achieved with a very simple configuration in which a slit is formed in the first pipe-shaped member as an adjustment mechanism, and the connected pipe-shaped members are fixed with a screw member.

Further, it is preferable that the mounting structure of the detecting device according to the present invention is configured as follows. That is, a tank upper lid is provided which is attached to a portion of a tank hole provided above the fluid tank, and the tank upper lid can pass the pipe-shaped member, and has a through hole smaller than the tank hole. A fixture having a shape that does not pass through the through hole is attached to an upper end of the uppermost pipe-shaped member of the at least two pipe-shaped members, and the fixture is coupled to the tank upper lid. Thereby, the detection device is attached to the fluid tank.

There are various sizes of the fluid tank, and it is preferable in terms of cost to mount the detecting device irrespective of the size. In the above configuration, by attaching the tank top lid to the tank hole of the fluid tank,
The versatility of the detector has been improved. That is, the tank hole of the fluid tank may be of various sizes, but the size of the hole can be made common by attaching a tank upper lid having a through hole smaller than the tank hole. Then, by attaching a fixture having a shape that does not pass through the through-hole to the pipe-shaped member, the insertion can be reliably stopped at the fixture when the detection device is inserted from the hole in the tank upper lid. The actual fixation may be performed by screwing the tank lid and the fixture. Therefore, a versatile system that can support existing various sizes of fluid tanks can be provided.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the switch includes a first switch provided on a pipe-shaped member at a lowermost position and a second switch provided below the first switch. preferable. Thereby, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the switches, the system can be operated by the other switch, and the reliability can be improved.

Further, as a specific configuration of the switch, the first switch and the second switch are both reed switches, a first float and a second float for operating these switches, and upper and lower portions of these floats. A plurality of stoppers for restricting the movement of the first float, and the stopper for restricting the downward movement of the first float also functions as a stopper for restricting the upward movement of the second float. It is preferred to configure. When the float switch is used, it is preferable to limit the operation range of the float to a necessary minimum in order to increase the reliability of the operation of the switch. However, when the float switch is arranged vertically, the above configuration is used. By also using the stopper as described above, the number of members can be reduced and the cost of parts can be reduced.

Further, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the switch by a combination of ON / OFF of the first switch and the second switch, a fluid product is displayed together with information that the abnormality has occurred in the switch. Preferably, information to be supplied is sent to the seller. When the switches are arranged in the vertical direction, the upper part always operates first, and then the lower one operates. Therefore, when the lower switch is activated first, it can be determined that some abnormality has occurred in the switch. In addition to that, if it is configured to send the information that fluid products should be supplied to the seller, even if an abnormality occurs in the switch, it will not forget to place an order and a user-friendly system Can be.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Outline of the present system] The outline of an automatic kerosene ordering system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each user 1 who consumes kerosene and a store 2 that sells kerosene are connected by a telephone line 3. Each user 1 is provided with a kerosene tank 4 for storing kerosene 6, and the kerosene tank 4 is provided with a liquid level sensor 5 for monitoring the amount of kerosene. Each user 1 is NCU
The NCU transmission unit 7 has a built-in microcomputer and functions as a device for controlling a telephone line and monitoring a kerosene level.
Power failure response, oil level change due to impact, 3-color LED control,
Performs output to emergency alarm, storage of customer data, setting of line type, holding and changing of sensor detection time, self-diagnosis function, sensor disconnection check, etc. NCU transmission unit 7
Is connected to a home telephone 8, and is further connected to a liquid level sensor 5 by a cord wire 9. Liquid level sensor 5
As will be described in detail later, when the remaining amount of the kerosene 6 becomes the minimum remaining amount (for example, the consumption amount for three days), the host computer 10 of the store 2 via the NCU transmission unit 7 states that the kerosene is empty. Send a signal. When it is refueled, it sends a full signal. A printer 11 and a telephone 12 are connected to the host computer 10. As the host computer 10, a personal computer with a built-in board for analyzing the data sent from the NCU transmission unit 7 is used to display and print the customer based on the sent data, and to deliver by customer and region. Create instructions, customer management, customer analysis, delivery management, sales management for each customer and person in charge.

[Configuration of Kerosene Tank] Next, the detailed configuration of the kerosene tank will be described. FIG. 2 shows that the kerosene 6 is determined to be empty, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the kerosene 6 is full. The liquid level sensor 5 is a hollow first pipe 1
5, a hollow second pipe 16 having an outer diameter smaller than the first pipe 15, a float guide pipe 17 fixedly attached to a lower end of the second pipe 16, and moving up and down along the float guide pipe 17. A float 18 that can be
An upper stopper 19 and a lower stopper 20 for restricting the vertical movement of the float 18 and a pipe stopper 21 attached to the upper end of the first pipe 15 are provided.
A magnet 22 for turning on / off a reed switch 23 is attached to the float 18. In FIG. 2, a signal that the reed switch 23 is OFF and the kerosene 6 is empty is sent to the host computer 10 via the code line 9. In FIG. 3, a signal is sent to the host computer 10 that the reed switch 23 is ON and the kerosene 6 is full. The cord wire 9 has an oil-resistant cord cover, but the cord wire 9 itself is wired so as not to come into contact with kerosene.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the switch portion. The float 18 is provided with a magnet 22 in a container formed of a foam material or plastic. The float guide pipe 17 is filled with an oil-resistant bond or caulking material so that the kerosene 6 does not enter from the lower end portion 17a.

The first pipe 15 has an elongated slit 15a.
The height position at which the liquid level sensor 5 operates can be adjusted by the position where the adjustment screw 24 is stopped. Although not shown, a female screw for stopping the adjusting screw 24 is formed in the second pipe 16.

[Structure of mounting portion of liquid level sensor] Next, a mounting portion 30 for mounting the liquid level sensor 5 to the kerosene tank 4 is described.
Will be described. A pair of mounting brackets are provided on the left and right of the hole 4a. In addition to FIG. 2, FIG. 5, which is a plan view,
See also FIGS. 6 and 7, which illustrate the mounting process. The attachment portion 30 is a washer for fastening the L-shaped hook 31 and the flat plate 32 with the top plate 4b of the kerosene tank 4 sandwiched therebetween, with the L-shaped hook 31, a flat plate 32 formed as a rectangular metal plate interposed therebetween. 33, a nut 34, a disk 35 further attached to these fittings, and the disk 35
A washer 36 and a screw 37 are provided for fastening with respect to. The L-shaped hook 31 has a male screw 31a for fastening a nut 34. On the flat plate 32,
A hole 32a for penetrating the male screw 31a;
And a female screw 32b for screwing with the screw. At the center of the disk 35, a horizontally long irregular hole is formed, which is formed by a circular portion 35a substantially concentric with the hole 4a of the kerosene tank 4, and a horizontally long portion 35b on both the left and right sides of the circular hole 35a.
As can be seen from FIG. 5, the width W1 of the horizontally long portion is set slightly larger than the width W2 of the flat plate 32 so that it can cope with the case where the pair of left and right mounting brackets is not completely arranged at the diagonal position. I have. Of course, the diameter of the washer 36 is
The width is set to be larger than the width of b. Also,
A screw 35 c is formed on the outer periphery of the disk 35 to fasten the waterproof cover 38. Further, two cutouts 35d for passing the code wires 9 are formed on the outer periphery of the disk 35. As shown in FIG. 2, a gap between the waterproof cover 38 and the top plate 4 b of the kerosene tank 4 is filled with a packing 39.

[Attaching Process of Liquid Level Sensor] The attaching process of the liquid level sensor 5 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. First,
A pair of fittings (L-shaped hook 31, flat plate 32) are attached to the edge of the hole 4a of the kerosene tank 4. The kerosene tank 4 has various specifications, and the diameter of the hole 4a is different, but the structure of the present embodiment is adapted to any specification. Next, FIG.
The disk 35 is attached as shown in FIG. Here, when the size of the hole 4a changes, the mounting position of the L-shaped hook 31 and the flat plate 32 changes, but since the disk 35 has the horizontally long portion 35b, these mounting positions change. Even if it does, the disk 35 can be attached.
The liquid level sensor 5 may be fixed to the disk 35 by an appropriate means such as a screw (not shown).

The procedure for adjusting the liquid level sensor 5 will be described. Before the liquid level sensor 5 is attached to the kerosene tank 4, the adjusting screw 24 is loosened and the second pipe 16 is slid with respect to the first pipe 15 (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). After being set to a preferable position, it is fixed with the adjusting screw 24. When installing at the very beginning, a safe water level is determined and adjusted and installed according to the shape and capacity of the kerosene tank 4. Thereafter, fine adjustments are made by checking the maximum consumption time of each user based on data.

[Attaching to a different type of kerosene tank] Fig. 8
Indicates a case where the fuel tank is attached to a different type of kerosene tank 4.
Since the kerosene tank 4 has the cylindrical portion 40 formed at the hole 4 a, the L-shaped hook 310 has a male screw 31.
0a is longer. The other components such as the flat plate 32 can use the same components.

[Configuration of NCU Transmission Section] FIG. 9 shows the appearance of the NCU transmission section 7. It is attached to the wall of the house of each user 1 or the like. An electric component such as a base is mounted inside a substantially cubic case 70. The case 70 has a mounting hole 71 formed therein. The lower third of the case 70 is a maintenance box 72. It is mounted with screws 75. A battery box 73 is provided on the right side of the case 70, and a three-color LED 74
Is provided. There are a power supply line, a telephone line IN, and a code line 9 of the liquid level sensor 5 as lead-in lines to the NCU transmission unit 7, and a telephone line OUT and an earth line as lead-out lines. The power supply of the NCU transmission unit 7 is taken from a household use, but is provided with a battery box 73 so as to be compatible with a cold region specification with a rechargeable battery. The maintenance box 72 is provided with a telephone line type changeover switch. The NCU transmission unit 7 is provided with a microcomputer, and stores a program for executing a communication system described later. In the memory, the telephone number of the store, the store I
D, user ID, and other setting items are stored.

[Operation of Kerosene Automatic Ordering System] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the terminal of each user 1. After reset (Step # 10) and initialization (Step # 12), check if the power is off
(Step # 14). If the power is ON, a periodic report is sent to the dealer 2 as the center (step # 16).
. If the power is off, step # 16 is skipped and the process proceeds to step # 18. In step # 18, it is checked again whether the power is off. If the power is ON, the emergency call completion flag is cleared (step # 20). After clearing the flag, or when it is determined in step # 18 that the power is off, it is checked whether there is a transmission request (step # 22).

There are the following four contents of the transmission request. (1) Emergency call: This is to send an emergency signal to the host computer 10 of the store 2 if monitoring continues to be the same for three minutes if the power outage continues, and if it continues for more than three minutes. In addition, 3
If power is restored within minutes, reset (step # 10) and perform periodic notification (step # 16). Even if the power outage continues for three minutes or more, a signal of a periodic notification is sent when the power is restored thereafter, so the dealer 2 cancels the emergency signal. (2) Refueling request: When the reed switch 23 of the liquid level sensor 5 switches from ON to OFF, it is determined that the kerosene is empty, and a signal is sent to the store 2. The same processing is performed when the code line 9 is broken due to mischief of a child or an animal. If the kerosene tank 4 remains empty (reed switch 23 is OFF) for 36 hours or more, it is determined that refueling has not been performed for a long time, and the three-color LED 74 of the NCU transmission unit 7 (FIG. 9) is blinking red to notify the user. Note that it is also possible to configure so as to sound an alarm. Also, it is determined that the kerosene is empty because the reed switch 23 is turned off.
Is determined to be empty for the first time when the state of switching to is continued for 30 seconds or more. This is because the kerosene tank 4 is shocked and the switch is momentarily turned off.
This is to prevent an empty signal from being sent by mistake even if the switch is made. (3) Refueling completion: When refueling, the float 18 rises and the reed switch 23 switches from OFF to ON. This sends a full signal to the store 2. The store 2 records and manages the refueling date and time. (4) Periodic notification: The time set for each user is counted, and when the time comes, a regular notification signal is sent to the store 2 to notify that the user is operating normally. The period of the regular report assigned to each user is monitored by the store 2, and if there is no regular report during that period, the customer is displayed on the monitor screen of the store 2 to prompt maintenance. This is because there is a high possibility that the power has been turned off artificially.

Now, returning to the flow of FIG.
If there is no transmission request in step 22, return to step # 18
Wait until one of the transmission requests (1) to (4) is made. If there is any transmission request, the home telephone 8 (Fig. 1
Check whether or not is in use (Step # 2)
4). If in use, wait 3 minutes (Step # 26)
Perform the same check again, and wait for the telephone 8 to come up.
The value of 3 minutes can be changed as appropriate. If the telephone 8 is not in use, the telephone 8 is disconnected from the general line (step # 28) and switched to a dedicated line. Next, dealer 2
Call and call (step # 30). Then, it is checked whether it is possible to make a call with the store 2 (step # 32). If a telephone call is possible, a notification is sent to the store 2 and data corresponding to the content of the transmission request is transmitted to the host computer 10 (step # 34).

Next, it is checked whether or not the report has been completed normally. If the report has been completed normally, it is checked whether or not the report is an emergency report (step # 38). If it is an emergency call, an emergency call completion flag is set (step # 40). After the flag is set, or when it is determined in step # 38 that the report is not an emergency report, the home telephone 8 is connected to a general line (step # 42). Then step #
Return to the normal state of 18.

If it is determined in step # 32 that a call with the store 2 cannot be made, and if it is determined in step # 36 that the notification has not been completed normally, the telephone 8 is connected to a general line. (Step # 44). Next, it is checked whether or not there is an emergency call (step # 46). If there is an emergency call request, the process proceeds to step # 26 to try again. If there is no emergency call request, wait for one hour (Step #
48), try again.

[Block Diagram of Communication Procedure] FIG. 11 illustrates a communication procedure between the user 1 and the shop 2. The user's terminal is started (# 100), and if the home telephone 8 is not in use (# 102), the terminal is set to an off-hook state (a state where the telephone receiver is picked up) (# 104), and dialing is performed (# 104).
# 106). In response to this, the store 2 detects the RGT (# 200) and sets the off-hook state (# 202).
. Then, the store ID is transmitted to the user terminal (
# 204). For user 1, the dealer ID sent
Is confirmed (# 108). If the store ID cannot be confirmed, it is set to the on-hook state (with the handset placed) (#
110), and waits for about 60 minutes (# 112), step #
Move to 102. The value of 60 minutes can be changed.

When the store ID has been confirmed, the terminal ID and data of the user 1 (step # 34 in FIG. 10) are transmitted to the store 2 (# 114). In the store 2, the terminal ID and the data are confirmed (# 206). Subsequently, the terminal ID and the data are returned to the terminal of the user 1.
(# 208). In step # 208, even if the data cannot be confirmed, the received data from the user 1 is returned as it is. In response to this, the user 1 confirms the transmitted data (# 116).
The reason for exchanging data between the user 1 and the store 2 is to check that communication is being performed reliably. If data cannot be confirmed in step # 116, a maximum of two retries are performed (
# 118). If it cannot be confirmed even after performing the operation twice, the process proceeds to step 110 and the on-hook state is set. If the data can be confirmed, the on-hook state is set (# 120). In response to this, the store detects BT (# 210) and sets the on-hook state (# 212).

[Second of liquid level sensor and sensor mounting part]
Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the liquid level sensor and the sensor mounting portion will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
14 is a view of the mounting portion as viewed from above, and FIG. 14 is a view D in FIG. The relationship between the first pipe 150 and the second pipe 160 is shown in FIG.
It is the opposite of the one. That is, the outer diameter of the second pipe 160 is larger, the slit 160a is formed, and the adjusting screw 24 is provided. When adjusting the height of the sensor portion, the adjusting screw 24 is loosened and the second pipe 160 is slid in the direction of arrow A. The sensor part is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The mounting portion is a pair of U-shaped pipe fixing members 5 mounted near the upper end of the first pipe 150.
0, 51, bolts 52 and nuts 53 for fixing these to the first pipe 150, a waterproof rubber 54, a tank cover 55, and a tank cover 55, which are installed on the cylindrical portion 40a of the kerosene tank 4. The upper lid fixing device 56 and two fixing bolts 57 for fixing the fixing member to the cylindrical portion 40a, a pair of spacers 58 attached to the pipe fixing devices 50 and 51 by screws 59, and the upper end of the spacer 58 by screws 60. A waterproof cover 61 and a bush 62 attached to a side surface of the waterproof cover 61 for leading out the cord wire 9.
And The pipe fixtures 50 and 51 are further connected to the tank upper lid 55 by screws 63.

A procedure for removing the liquid level sensor 5 for maintenance with the above configuration will be described. First, when the two screws 60 are loosened, the waterproof cover 61 can be removed. Next, the two screws 63 are loosened. Thereby, the whole liquid level sensor 5 can be taken out from the mounting hole 4a. In this way, it is possible to take out by a simple operation of only loosening and removing a few screws.

[Third Embodiment of Liquid Level Sensor] Next, a third embodiment of the liquid level sensor 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 15, which features a first pipe 151 and a second pipe 161.
In addition to the above, a third pipe 171 is further provided. That is, even if three or more pipes are employed to adjust the position of the liquid level sensor 5, this is within the scope of the present invention. The configuration of the sensor part is the same as that of FIG.

[Fourth Embodiment of Liquid Level Sensor] Next, a fourth embodiment of the liquid level sensor 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 16, the first pipe 152 and the second pipe 1
The relationship of 62 is the same as in the first embodiment of FIG. The feature is that two float switches are provided. The upper float 180, the lower float 181, the upper stopper 190 which restricts the upward movement of the upper float 180, the downward movement and the lower part of the upper float 180 An intermediate stopper 191 for restricting upward movement of the float 181, a lower stopper 192 for restricting downward movement of the lower float 181, and floats 180 and 18;
1 is provided with a float guide pipe 172 for guiding the air. Further, the upper reed switch 182, code lines 90 and 91 for extracting signals, and the lower reed switch 1
83 and code lines 92 and 93 for extracting signals. As described above, the advantage of providing two float switches is that the probability of occurrence of such a problem that the float is stuck and the movement becomes poor and the kerosene cannot be detected in an empty state is reduced, and a highly reliable system is provided. It is to be. Further, it is advantageous for a measure against expansion described later.

[Operation Flowchart of Switch of Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 17 schematically shows a combination of reed switches 182 and 183. In the state (A), both switches 182 and 183 are ON, and it is determined that the kerosene 6 is full. In the state (B), the upper switch 182 is turned off.
Although it is F, the switch 183 on the lower side is ON, and it is determined that the state in which the kerosene 6 is almost empty is near. In the state (C), both the switches 182 and 183 are OFF, and it is determined that the kerosene 6 is empty. In the state (D), although the upper switch 182 is ON, the lower switch 183 is OFF. Usually, this is not possible, and it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred in the liquid level sensor 5. Is determined.

Next, an operation flowchart of the switch will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step # 01, it is determined whether the switch is in the state (A). If it is in the state (A), this routine is repeated until another state is reached. Status
If not (A), it is determined whether the state is (B) (step # 02). If it is in the state (B), a refueling request is made to the store (step # 05). If neither the state (A) nor (B), it is determined whether or not the state (C) (step # 03). If it is in the state (C), the kerosene 6 is empty and a refueling request is made (step # 05). Thus, state (B) and
The reason why the refueling request is made in any of (C) is to ensure that the empty state can be detected even when an abnormality occurs in any of the switches 182 and 183. Next, if it is determined that none of the states (A), (B), and (C),
Assuming that the switch is in the state (D), a notification that the liquid level sensor is abnormal and a request for refueling are made to the store (
Step # 04). Next, it is checked in step # 06 whether or not the state (A) has been reached, that is, whether or not the fuel has been filled and the tank has become full.

[Modifications] (1) The portion of the float switch is provided on the float guide pipe integrally attached to the second pipe, but is directly provided on the second pipe without separately providing the float guide pipe. A configuration may be adopted. Such a configuration is also within the scope of the present invention. (2) In the system shown in FIG.
It is determined that the camera has become empty only when the state where 3 has been switched to OFF continues for 30 seconds or more, but the time of 30 seconds is set longer (for example, set to several hours or one day). Thereby, it is possible to take measures against the expansion of kerosene. In particular, in regions with large daily temperature differences, such as in cold regions, kerosene expands due to rising temperatures, and it may be judged that the kettle was filled up by mistake from an empty state even though kerosene was not supplied. is there. If the above time is set long, erroneous detection due to expansion can be eliminated. (3) The present invention can be applied to fluid products other than kerosene. (4) The configurations of the embodiments can be appropriately combined and implemented within a reasonable range.

[Definition of Terms] (1) The kerosene tank 4 functions as a fluid tank installed at the consumer. (2) The liquid level sensor 5 functions as a detection device provided in the fluid tank for detecting whether the fluid in the fluid tank is at or above a set level. (3) The first pipe and the second pipe function as at least two pipe-shaped members having different outer diameters. (4) The first pipe functions as the inside of the first pipe-shaped member having the larger outer diameter of the connected pipe-shaped members, and the second pipe is the second pipe-shaped member having the smaller outer diameter. Function as In the configuration of FIG. 15, between the pipes 151 and 161, the pipe 151 functions as a first pipe-shaped member, and the pipe 161 functions as a second pipe-shaped member. Between the pipe 161 and the pipe 171, the pipe 161 functions as a first pipe-shaped member and the pipe 1
71 functions as a second pipe-shaped member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a kerosene automatic ordering system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a liquid level sensor (when kerosene is empty).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a liquid level sensor (when kerosene is full).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a reed switch portion;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sensor mounting portion.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a process of assembling a sensor mounting portion (first process).

FIG. 7 is a view showing a process of assembling the sensor mounting portion (second process).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mounting structure to a different type of kerosene tank;

FIG. 9 is an external view of an NCU transmission unit.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the kerosene automatic ordering system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication procedure between a user and a store.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a liquid level sensor and a sensor mounting portion according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the sensor mounting portion.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an arrow D in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the liquid level sensor.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the liquid level sensor.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a combination of switches according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an operation flowchart of a switch according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User 2 Dealer 3 Telephone line 4 Kerosene tank 5 Liquid level sensor 6 Kerosene 15 First pipe 16 Second pipe 17 Float guide pipe 18 Float 19 Upper stopper 20 Lower stopper 22 Magnet 23 Switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A fluid tank installed at a consumer, a detecting device provided in the fluid tank for detecting whether or not the fluid in the fluid tank is equal to or higher than a set level; In the fluid order automatic ordering system for transmitting information specifying the consumer from the consumer to the seller when the following occurs, the detection device includes at least two pipe-shaped members and switches having different outer diameters. The pipe-shaped member is mounted in the fluid tank so as to be connected vertically or substantially vertically, and the switch is integrally mounted on the pipe-shaped member at the lowest position. Of the connected pipe-shaped members, a second pipe-shaped member having a smaller outer diameter can be inserted into a first pipe-shaped member having a larger outer diameter. Fluid product automatic orders ordering system, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the of. 2. The first pipe-shaped member is formed with a slit along a longitudinal direction of the pipe, and the second pipe-shaped member is formed with a female screw, and the first and second pipes are formed. The fluid order automatic ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the shape member is connected to a screw member screwed into the female screw through the slit. 3. A tank upper lid attached to a portion of a tank hole provided above the fluid tank, wherein the tank upper lid allows the pipe-shaped member to pass therethrough, and the tank upper lid has a larger diameter than the tank hole. A small through hole is formed, and a fixture having a shape that does not pass through the through hole is attached to an upper end portion of the pipe-shaped member at the uppermost position of the at least two pipe-shaped members. The fluid order automatic ordering system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection device is attached to the fluid tank by being coupled to the fluid tank. 4. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch includes a first switch provided on the pipe-shaped member at a lowermost position, and a second switch provided below the first switch. Item 4. An automatic fluid product ordering system according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. The first switch and the second switch are both reed switches, a first float and a second float for operating these switches, and restricting the vertical movement of these floats. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of stoppers, wherein the stopper that restricts the downward movement of the first float also functions as a stopper that restricts the upward movement of the second float. Fluid goods automatic ordering system described in 3. 6. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the switch by a combination of ON / OFF of the first switch and the second switch, the fluid product is displayed together with information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the switch. 6. The order system according to claim 4, wherein information indicating that the fluid should be supplied is transmitted to the seller.