JPH11148850A - Intelligent gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a intelligent gas meter which can improve the ventilation in a controller case and the waterproofing and insect proofing properties of the case. SOLUTION: A intelligent gas meter measures the used amount of a gas, calculates the integrated value of the used amount of the gas by means of a controller 22 based on the measured used amount of the gas, and displays the integrated value. The meter is provided with a controller case 21 for housing the controller 22, a vent hole section 37 which is formed through the case 21 for ventilating the controller 22, and an LED 26 which illuminates the vent hole section 37 when the case 21 is covered with a case cover.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microcomputer meter having a built-in microcomputer for measuring and managing gas consumption, and more particularly to a microcomputer meter for preventing insects and the like from entering the microcomputer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A microcomputer meter is a general household LPG.
FIG. 12 shows an external view of a microcomputer meter for measuring and managing the consumption of gas and city gas. The microcomputer meter shown in FIG. 12 has a built-in microcomputer, and measures the flow rate of gas flowing in from the gas inlet 11 and flowing out of the gas outlet 12 by a measuring unit (not shown) in the meter main body 13. The integrated value is displayed on the integrated display section 14.

The meter body 13 has a shut-off valve (not shown), which is opened or closed, and is closed when the usable gas amount becomes zero. The security display unit 15 displays the available gas amount corresponding to the advance payment, when the available gas amount becomes zero, or when the pressure value or vibration value applied to the microcomputer meter exceeds a predetermined value. Next, the closing of the shutoff valve is displayed.
A terminal block case cover 16 is provided below the meter body 13.

FIG. 13 shows a controller case and its internal configuration. In FIG. 13, the controller case 21
Is a controller 22 composed of a microcomputer,
Security display unit 15 composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), controller 22 and security display unit 15
, A terminal block 24 provided with a plurality of terminals 25, and the like.

The controller 22 calculates the current integrated value by adding the gas usage amount measured by the measuring section to the previous integrated value, or subtracts the gas usage amount from the available gas amount to obtain the remaining usage amount. Or the possible gas volume. Further, the controller 22 closes the shut-off valve when the usable gas amount becomes zero, or when the pressure value or the vibration value applied to the microcomputer meter exceeds a predetermined value.

FIG. 14 is an external view of a controller case. The controller case 21 shown in FIG. 14 is provided with a substantially U-shaped case body 31.
The controller 22 is connected to the case body 31
And surrounding portions 32 and 33 are provided. The surrounding portion 33 has two protruding portions 34 and the surrounding portions 32 and 3.
A projection 35 connecting the three is provided.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of a portion A in FIG. A projecting portion 36 is provided at the right end of the case body 31, and the projecting portion 36 is provided between the tip of the surrounding portion 32 and the tip of the surrounding portion 33. The space between the distal end of the enclosure 32, the distal end of the enclosure 33, and the protrusion 36 forms a vent 37.

For this reason, outside air enters the case main body 31 through the ventilation holes 37 to ensure ventilation of the controller 22.

[0009]

However, when insects or the like enter the case main body 31 through the ventilation holes 37 (from arrow P to arrow Q) and the insects or the like form a nest in the case main body 31, There is a possibility that the controller 22 and other electronic components in the case body 31 may be damaged or the functions may be stopped.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a microcomputer meter capable of improving air permeability, water resistance and insect repellency in a controller case.

[0011]

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above. The invention of claim 1 is
A microcomputer meter that measures gas usage, calculates an integrated value of gas usage by a controller based on the measured gas usage, and displays the integrated value, and a controller case that houses the controller. A vent provided in the controller case and provided for ventilation of the controller, a case cover covering the controller case, and brightening the vent in a state where the case cover covers the controller case. And a lighting unit.

According to the present invention, when the case cover covers the controller case for housing the controller,
Since the lighting part brightens the air hole, insects and the like do not enter the controller case through the air hole. Therefore, it is possible to provide a microcomputer meter that can improve the air permeability, water resistance, and insect repellency in the controller case.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lighting unit includes
A light transmitting member provided at a portion of the case cover facing the air hole, wherein the light transmitting member is formed to be translucent or transparent.

According to the present invention, the translucent or transparent light transmitting member transmits light from the outside and guides the light to the ventilation hole, so that the ventilation hole becomes bright and the insect repellency is improved. Can be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the lighting unit includes
It may be a light emitting diode, and the insect repellency can be improved by the light of the light emitting diode. Further, as in the invention of claim 4, the controller can reduce power consumption by intermittently blinking the light emitting diode, and furthermore, by blinking at regular intervals throughout the day, at night. Insects can also be prevented from entering.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the illuminating section includes:
It is a lighting part provided in a portion of the case cover facing the ventilation hole part, and the lighting part has an optical transmission member that transmits incident light to the ventilation hole part. In addition, since the ventilation holes become bright, insect repellency can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microcomputer meter for measuring a gas usage, calculating an integrated value of the gas usage by a controller based on the measured gas usage, and displaying the integrated value. And a controller case that houses the controller, a vent provided in the controller case and provided for ventilation of the controller, and an insect repellent provided in the vent. Features.

According to the present invention, since the insect repellent is provided in the vent hole provided in the controller case, the air permeability and the insect repellency in the controller case can be improved.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a microcomputer meter according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is an external view of a microcomputer meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The microcomputer meter shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a film-type gas meter, which is installed outdoors and flows in from a gas inlet 11 and a gas outlet 12.
The flow rate of the gas flowing out of the meter body 13 is measured by a measuring unit (not shown) in the meter main body 13, and the integrated value of the gas flow rate is displayed on the integration display unit 14.

The security display unit 15 displays the available gas amount corresponding to the advance payment, when the available gas amount becomes zero, or when the pressure value or vibration value applied to the microcomputer meter exceeds a predetermined value. When this happens, the closure of the shut-off valve is displayed.

A terminal block case cover 16 is provided below the meter body 13. The terminal block case cover 16 covers a controller case 21 shown in FIG. As described above, the appearance of the controller case 21 has the configuration shown in FIG. 14, and the details of the portion A of the controller case 21 have the configuration shown in FIG. 15, as described above.

Ventilation hole 37 in terminal block case cover 16
Is provided with a translucent portion 17 made of a translucent material such as celluloid. This translucent part 17
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the terminal block case cover including the above. The terminal block case cover 16 has a bottom part 16a and an inclined part 16b, and a notch part 16c is provided in the inclined part 16b, and a U-shaped translucent part 17 is fitted in the notch part 16c. . The translucent portion 17 may use a transparent material instead of the translucent material.

According to the microcomputer meter constructed as described above, since the translucent portion 17 is provided in the portion B of the terminal block case cover 16 facing the ventilation hole 37, the light incident from the outside is translucent. Through the part 17, it reaches the vent hole part 37. For this reason, the ventilation holes 37 become brighter due to external light. Ants and other insects hate light and have the habit of not forming nests in sunny and bright places.

Therefore, invasion of insects and the like into the controller case 21 and nesting of the insects and the like can be prevented, and air permeability, water resistance and insect repellency in the controller case 21 can be improved. As a result, damage to the electronic components in the controller case 21 and stoppage of the function do not occur.

Further, since the translucent portion 17 is merely provided on the terminal block case cover 16, it is inexpensive. Further, since the translucent portion 17 does not need to be replaced frequently, there is little labor.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a microcomputer meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 shows a controller case and an internal configuration of a microcomputer meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The controller case 21
As shown in FIG. 3, a controller 22, a security display section 15, a lithium battery 23 for supplying power to each section, a terminal block section 24 provided with a plurality of terminals 25, and the like are housed.

An encircling portion 3 is provided at the left end of the case body 31.
2 and 33 are provided, and a projection 36 is provided at the right end of the case main body 31. The projection 36 is provided between the tip of the surrounding portion 32 and the tip of the surrounding portion 33.

The space between the distal end of the enclosure 32, the distal end of the enclosure 33, and the projection 36 forms a ventilation hole 37.
The light emitting diode (LED) 26 is provided on the ventilation path of the ventilation hole 37 and above the surrounding part 32.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram for intermittently blinking the LED. In FIG. 4, the lithium battery 23
Supplies power to the LCD 15, the controller 22, and the LED 26. The controller 22 sends a pulse signal of a fixed period, and the LED 26 blinks intermittently by the pulse signal from the controller 22.

According to the microcomputer meter having such a structure, the outside air enters the case main body 31 through the ventilation hole 37, and the ventilation of the controller 22 can be improved.
In addition, the light emission of the LED 26 brightens the ventilation hole portion 37, so that the invasion of insects and the like into the controller case 21 and the nesting of insects and the like can be prevented. Insect repellency can be improved.

The LED 26 blinks intermittently in response to a pulse signal from the controller 22. Therefore, if the LED 26 is made to blink at regular intervals throughout the day,
Insects at night can be prevented, and the lithium battery 2
3 can reduce power consumption.

Third Embodiment Next, a microcomputer meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is an external view of a terminal block case cover according to Embodiment 3 of the microcomputer meter of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the terminal block case cover.

The terminal block case cover 16 has a bottom 16a,
The controller case 21 includes an inclined portion 16b and a flat portion 16d. The inclined portion 16 b of the terminal block case cover 16 is provided with a lighting portion 27 formed of a small-diameter hole through which external light is incident, at a portion facing the vent hole portion 37. An optical fiber 28 is provided inside the lighting part 27 from the inclined part 16 b to the controller case 21. The optical fiber 28 guides light incident from the outside to the vent 37.

According to the microcomputer meter having such a configuration, light from the outside is incident on the lighting unit 27, and the incident light is guided to the vent 37 through the optical fiber 28. 37 becomes brighter.

Accordingly, invasion of insects and the like into the controller case 21 and nesting of the insects and the like can be prevented, and air permeability, water resistance and insect repellency in the controller case 21 can be improved.

As a result, damage to the electronic components in the controller case 21 and stoppage of the function do not occur. Also,
Since the terminal unit case cover 16 is simply provided with the daylighting unit 27, it is inexpensive. Further, since the daylighting unit 27 does not need to be replaced frequently, it does not take much time and effort.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the microcomputer meter of the present invention will be described. A feature of the microcomputer meter according to the fourth embodiment is that a naphthalene-based insect repellent is installed in the ventilation hole to prevent insects from entering through the ventilation hole without changing the shape of the controller case. It is in. Hereinafter, two examples will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 7 is a main view of Embodiment 1 of a microcomputer meter according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, a solid insect repellent 41 is provided between the surrounding portion 32 and the protruding portion 36 in the space of the vent hole portion 37. FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the solid insect repellent 41. Solid insect repellent 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular body, the entire surface of which is coated with vinyl and waterproofed.

A double-sided tape (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface 41 a of the solid insect repellent 41 and the projection 36 of the controller case 21, and the solid insect repellent 41 is fixed to the controller case 21. On the side surface 41b of the solid insect repellent 41, a coating peeling portion 42 from which the vinyl coating is peeled is provided.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the terminal block case cover and the controller case when the insect repellent is stored. The terminal block case cover 16 is provided with a bottom portion 16a and an inclined portion 16b, and the inclined portion 16b is provided with a projection 16e. The controller case 21 is provided with an enclosure 32 and a projection 36, and a solid insect repellent 41 is provided on the projection 36. The distal end of the surrounding portion 32 is disposed on the protrusion 16e. The space or the like on the left side of the solid insect repellent 41 is the ventilation hole 37.

According to the microcomputer meter configured as described above, since the solid insect repellent 41 is provided on the ventilation path of the ventilation hole 37, the penetration of insects and the like into the controller case 21 and the nesting of insects and the like are prevented. The air permeability, water resistance and insect repellency in the controller case 21 can be improved.

When the use of the solid insect repellent 41 is started, the terminal block case cover 16 is opened, and a part of the coating is peeled off to form a coating peeling part 42. By doing so, the solid insect repellent 41 is vaporized from the coating peeling portion 42 and gradually comes out to the outside, so that waste of the solid insect repellent 41 can be eliminated. Furthermore, even if the effect of the solid insect repellent 41 is lost, it is only necessary to replace the solid insect repellent 41 with a new one, so that the replacement work of the solid insect repellent 41 is simple.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 is a main view of Embodiment 2 of a microcomputer meter according to the present invention in Embodiment 4. In FIG. 9, an insect repellent storage box 43 is provided between the surrounding part 32 and the protruding part 36 in the space of the vent 37.
FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the insect repellent storage box 43.

The insect repellent storage box 43 has a rectangular shape, and a double-sided tape (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface 43 a and the projection 36 of the controller case 21.
3 is fixed to the controller case 21.

A small rectangular hole 44 is provided in the side surface 43 b of the insect repellent storage box 43, and a powdered insect repellent 46 can be put into the interior of the insect repellent storage box 43 from the hole 44. I have. Before using the powdered insect repellent 46, the hole 44 is closed with a tape 45, and the tape 45 is peeled off from the hole 44 at the time of use.

Also in the second embodiment, the sectional views of the terminal block case cover and the controller case when the insect repellent is stored are the same as those shown in FIG.

According to the microcomputer meter configured as described above, since the insect repellent storage box 43 is provided on the ventilation path of the ventilation hole 37, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the first to fourth embodiments may be appropriately combined and used. For example, Embodiment 1
May be combined with the configuration of the second embodiment,
Further, for example, the configuration of Embodiment 2 and the configuration of Embodiment 3 may be combined. In this way, the combination of the configurations of the embodiments further enhances the effect of preventing insects from entering the controller case 21.

[0050]

According to the present invention, in a state where the case cover covers the controller case that houses the controller,
Since the lighting part brightens the air hole, insects and the like do not enter the controller case through the air hole. Therefore, it is possible to provide a microcomputer meter that can improve the air permeability, water resistance, and insect repellency in the controller case.

Further, the translucent or transparent light transmitting member transmits light from the outside and guides the light to the air hole, so that the air hole becomes bright and the insect repellency can be improved. Furthermore, the lighting section may be a light emitting diode, and the light of the light emitting diode can improve insect repellency. In addition, the controller can reduce power consumption by intermittently blinking the light emitting diodes, and can prevent insects from entering at night by blinking at regular intervals throughout the day.

Further, if the lighting section is a light transmitting member provided in a portion of the case cover facing the ventilation hole, the ventilation hole is brightened by external light, so that insect repellency is improved. be able to.

Further, since the insect repellent is provided in the ventilation hole provided in the controller case, the air permeability and the insect repellency in the controller case can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a microcomputer meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a terminal block case cover including a translucent portion.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a controller case and an internal configuration of a microcomputer meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram for intermittently blinking an LED.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a terminal block case cover according to a third embodiment of the microcomputer meter of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the terminal block case cover shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a main view of Example 1 of a microcomputer meter according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a solid insect repellent in Example 1.

FIG. 9 is a main diagram of Example 2 of Embodiment 4 of the microcomputer meter of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a powder insect repellent storage box in Example 2.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a terminal block case cover and a controller case when an insect repellent is stored.

FIG. 12 is an external view of a conventional microcomputer meter.

13 is a diagram showing a controller case in the microcomputer meter shown in FIG. 12 and its internal configuration.

14 is an external view of a controller case in the microcomputer meter shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a detailed view of a vent in the controller case.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Gas inlet 12 Gas outlet 13 Meter main body 14 Integration display part 15 Security display part 16 Terminal block case cover 16c Notch 17 Translucent part 21 Controller case 22 Controller 23 Lithium battery 24 Terminal block part 25 Terminal 26 LED 27 Lighting part 28 Optical fiber 31 Case main body 32, 33 Surrounding part 34, 35, 36 Projecting part 37 Vent part 41 Solid insect repellent 42 Coating peeling part 43 Insect repellent storage box 44 Hole 45 Tape 46 Powdered repellent

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A microcomputer meter for measuring gas usage, calculating an integrated value of gas usage by a controller based on the measured gas usage, and displaying the integrated value. A controller case to be stored, a vent provided in the controller case and provided for ventilation of the controller, a case cover covering the controller case, and a case cover covering the controller case. A microcomputer meter comprising: a lighting unit that brightens a ventilation hole. 2. The lighting unit is a light transmitting member provided at a portion of the case cover facing the ventilation hole, and the light transmitting member is formed to be translucent or transparent. The microcomputer meter according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The microcomputer meter according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit is a light emitting diode. 4. The microcomputer meter according to claim 3, wherein the controller blinks the light emitting diode intermittently. 5. The lighting unit is a lighting unit provided in a portion of the case cover facing the ventilation hole, and the lighting unit transmits incident light to the ventilation hole. The microcomputer meter according to claim 1, further comprising an optical transmission member. 6. A microcomputer meter for measuring gas usage, calculating an integrated value of gas usage by a controller based on the measured gas usage, and displaying the integrated value. A microcomputer meter comprising: a controller case to be stored; a vent provided in the controller case and provided for ventilation of the controller; and an insect repellent provided in the vent.