JPH11271129A - Gas meter for automatic inspection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas meter for automatic inspection which has a small count of parts in a simple structure and is provided with a return button or return jig of superior installation convenience. SOLUTION: A gas meter 1 for automatic inspection has a shut valve for temporarily shutting a gas flow path at an abnormal time, a return switch 3 for returning the shut valve to an original state, a waterproof return button 2 for connecting reed elements 31, 32 of the return switch 3. The return button 2 comprises a magnet 21 arranged via a space to face the return switch 3, a main body shaft 22 holding the magnet 21 and a seal part 23 of an elastic material which extends from a base end part of the main body shaft 22 in a radial direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas meter for automatic meter reading having a return button or a return jig for opening a shutoff valve which is closed when an abnormality occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic meter reading gas meter incorporates a seismic sensor, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like in a control room to prevent a gas accident. Upon receiving the output signal of the sensor, the shutoff valve is automatically closed and the gas supply is stopped. On the other hand, to restart the gas supply, the return switch is manually operated to open the shut-off valve and start the gas supply.

As a conventional gas meter for automatic meter reading,
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-63399, there is known a device in which a return switch, which is a micro switch, is pressed via a return button to activate the return switch. As shown in FIG. 7, the return button 92 of the gas meter 9 for automatic meter reading is a spring 921 which expands and contracts opposite to the switch end 31 of the return switch 3.
A cap-shaped switch operation shaft 925 mounted on the tip of the spring 921, a cylindrical intermediate shaft 922 for slidably fitting and holding the switch operation shaft 925,
2 and a push button 923 that engages with the base end. Reference numeral 39 in the figure is a printed circuit board on which the return switch is mounted. Reference numeral 6 denotes a mounting portion for the return button 92.

[0004]

However, the conventional gas meter 9 for automatic meter reading has the following problems.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the return button 92 uses a coil-shaped spring 921 having a certain length in order to secure a constant pressing force. In this case, the direction of expansion and contraction of the spring 921 itself is determined by the return button 92.
, The switch end 31 of the return switch 3 may not be reliably pressed.

Therefore, the switch operating shaft 925 must be provided separately from the spring 921 to restrict the direction of expansion and contraction of the spring 921. Further, it is necessary to provide an engagement portion 929 on the switch operation shaft 925 and the intermediate shaft 922 so as not to come off from each other.
Therefore, since the number of parts of the return button 92 is large and the structure is complicated, it is difficult to assemble the button.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has a small number of parts, a simple structure, and an automatic meter reading gas meter having a return button or a return jig excellent in assemblability. It is intended to provide.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a shutoff valve for temporarily shutting off a gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, a return switch for returning the shutoff valve to its original state, and a lead piece of the return switch are connected. An automatic meter reading gas meter having a waterproof return button for performing the operation, wherein the return button includes a magnet disposed opposite to the return switch at an interval, a main body shaft holding the magnet, A gas meter for automatic meter reading, comprising: a seal portion made of an elastic material and extending in a radial direction from a base end of the main body shaft.

The most remarkable point in the present invention is that a reed switch is used as a return switch, and a magnet is arranged on the return button so as to face the return switch. An interval is provided between the return switch and the magnet such that the magnetic field generated by the magnet when the return button is pressed extends to the return switch, and the magnetic field does not normally reach the return switch when the return button is pressed.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. In the gas meter for automatic meter reading according to the present invention, when an abnormal situation such as gas leakage occurs when using gas, the shut-off valve is automatically closed to temporarily shut off the gas flow path. Thereafter, in order to return the shut-off valve to the original state, the return button is pressed to bring the magnet close to the return switch. At this time, since the lead pieces of the return switch are made of a magnetic material, they are attracted and connected to each other by the magnetic force of the magnet. As a result, the return switch is operated, and the shutoff valve is opened to open the gas flow path.

In the present invention, since the seal of the return button is made of an elastic material, when the return button is pressed, the seal of the return button is elastically deformed. After that, when you release your hand from the return button,
The seal portion returns to its original shape due to its elasticity, and the body shaft of the return button and the magnet recede and return to the original position.

According to the gas meter for automatic meter reading of the present invention, since the return switch is operated by the magnetic field of the magnet, there is no need to provide a conventional switch operating shaft or other component for restricting the pressing direction. Therefore, the number of parts of the return button can be reduced. In addition, since the above magnet need only be fixed to the body axis,
There is no need to provide an engaging portion on either the main body shaft or the magnet. Therefore, the structure of the return button can be simplified. Further, since the main body shaft can hold the magnet with a simple structure, both can be easily assembled.

Further, the return button can operate the return switch without contacting the return switch. Therefore, no excessive force is applied to the return switch. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the trouble that has occurred. The return button is provided with a seal portion. Therefore, the return button and the mounting portion thereof can be sufficiently sealed, and the waterproofness can be improved.

When a magnet is used for the return button, the return button is connected to the return switch even if a non-magnetic partition is interposed between the return button and the return switch. Can operate.

Next, as in the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the main body shaft and the seal portion of the return button are integrally formed of synthetic resin or synthetic rubber having weather resistance. In this case, it is possible to prevent the elasticity of the return button from deteriorating even when the gas meter for automatic meter reading is used for a long time. Further, the number of parts of the return button can be further reduced. As the synthetic resin, for example, polycarbonate, ABS and the like are preferable. Examples of the synthetic rubber include EPDM,
Silicone rubber and the like are preferred.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shutoff valve for temporarily shutting off a gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, a return switch for returning the shutoff valve to its original state, and a front face of the return switch. An automatic meter reading gas meter having a return jig for connecting a lead piece of the return switch by opposing the partition, wherein the return jig faces the return switch via the partition. An automatic meter reading gas meter, comprising a magnet to be magnetized and a main body shaft holding the magnet, wherein the return jig is provided without being fixed to the automatic meter reading gas meter.

The most remarkable point of the present invention is that a reed switch is used as a return switch, and a return jig to be operated by the switch is provided without being fixed to the gas meter for automatic meter reading.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. In the gas meter for automatic meter reading according to the present invention, when an abnormal situation such as gas leakage occurs when using gas, the shut-off valve is automatically closed to temporarily shut off the gas flow path. Thereafter, in order to return the shutoff valve to the original state, the magnet of the return jig is brought close to the return switch via the partition. At this time, since the magnetic force of the magnet extends over the partition wall and reaches the lead piece of the return switch, the magnetic lead pieces are attracted and connected to each other. As a result, the return switch is operated, and the shutoff valve is opened to open the gas flow path.

According to the gas meter for automatic meter reading of the present invention, since the return switch is operated by the magnetic field of the magnet, there is no need to provide a component for restricting the pressing direction, such as a conventional switch operating shaft. Therefore, the number of parts of the return button can be reduced. In addition, since the above magnet need only be fixed to the body axis,
There is no need to provide an engaging portion on either the main body shaft or the magnet. Therefore, the structure of the return button can be simplified. Further, since the main body shaft can hold the magnet with a simple structure, both can be easily assembled.

Further, the return jig can operate the return switch without contacting the return switch. Therefore, no excessive force is applied to the return switch. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the trouble that has occurred. Further, the return jig and the return switch can be opposed to each other via a partition. Therefore, the mounting portion of the return jig can be hermetically sealed, and the waterproof property can be easily improved.

The return jig is provided without being fixed to the gas meter for automatic meter reading. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a return button in the gas meter for automatic meter reading, so that it is possible to manufacture a cheaper gas meter for automatic meter reading.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A gas meter for automatic meter reading according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the gas meter 1 for automatic meter reading according to the present embodiment includes a shut-off valve 5 for temporarily shutting off a gas flow path 50 when an abnormality occurs, and a return switch 3 for returning the shut-off valve 5 to an original state. And a waterproof return button 2 for connecting the lead pieces 31 and 32 of the return switch 3. Return button 2
Is a magnet 21 disposed opposite to the return switch 3 at an interval, a main body shaft 22 for holding the magnet 21, and a seal made of an elastic material extending radially from a base end of the main body shaft 22. Part 23.

Hereinafter, the return button 2 and the return switch 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The main body shaft 22 and the seal portion 23 of the return button 2 are integrally formed of polycarbonate or the like as a synthetic resin having weather resistance. The magnet 21 is fitted in a cylindrical recess provided at the tip of the main body shaft 22, and is disposed to face the return switch 3.

The main body shaft 22 has a solid cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body shaft 22 is provided with an annular retaining rib 227 on the outer peripheral portion on the tip end side. . The diameter of the retaining rib 227 gradually increases from the front end side, and has the maximum diameter at the rear end side.

The seal portion 23 has a disk shape.
A central portion on the inside thereof and a base end portion of the main body shaft 22 are integrated. Further, the seal portion 23 is provided with an annular waterproof rib 237 on an inner peripheral portion at a peripheral edge thereof. In a normal state where the return button 2 is not pressed, the center of the seal portion 23 projects forward from the peripheral edge as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the mounting portion 6 for mounting the return button 2 has a through hole 61 for inserting the main body shaft 22 slidably in the pressing direction, and a through hole 61 surrounding the through hole 61 and the sealing portion 23. And a cylindrical body 62 to be held. The diameter of the through hole 61 is larger than the diameter of the main body shaft 22 and smaller than the diameter of the retaining rib 227. The cylindrical body 62 has a step 621 on the outer peripheral surface at the tip. The outer peripheral surface of the step portion 621 is in close contact with the inside of the waterproof rib 237 of the seal portion 23, and the side surface of the step portion 621 is in contact with the peripheral edge of the seal portion 23. The through-hole 61 is located on the near side of the retaining rib 227 of the return button 2.

Also, the return switch 3 is provided in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Are mounted on the printed circuit board 39. In the normal state, as shown in FIGS. Gap exists. The lead pieces 31 and 32, which are magnetic materials, are housed in a glass tube 33 in which nitrogen gas is sealed.

Next, the peripheral configuration of the return button 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The printed circuit board 3
3 is housed in a control room 69 closed by a die-cast body 60 having the mounting portion 6, as shown in FIG. The printed circuit board 39 is electrically connected to the shut-off valve 5 via a lead wire 395. The control room 69 also houses a pressure sensor, a seismic sensor, a flow transmitter (not shown), and the like. Also,
The mounting portion 6 is provided on the front surface of the die cast body 60 as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 63 in the figure denotes a measuring unit for measuring the amount of gas used, and reference numeral 65 denotes a measuring unit.
Is an integrator that indicates gas usage.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the gas meter 1 for automatic meter reading according to the present embodiment, when an abnormal situation such as gas leakage occurs when gas is used, the shut-off valve 5 is automatically closed and the gas flow path 50 is temporarily shut off. Then, in order to return the shut-off valve 5 to the original state after repairing the abnormal situation, the main body shaft 22 and the magnet 21 are pressed by directly pressing the central portion of the seal portion 23 of the return button 2 by hand. Move forward and bring the magnet 21 close to the return switch. At this time, the lead piece 3 of the return switch 3
Since the magnets 1 and 32 are magnetic materials, they are attracted and connected to each other by the magnetic force of the magnet 21. As a result, the return switch 3 is operated, and the shutoff valve 5 is opened to open the gas passage 50.

When the return button 2 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B, the seal portion 23 of the return button 2 is elastically deformed by its central portion being depressed on the peripheral side. . Further, the body shaft 22 of the return button 2 slides in the pressing direction by the movement of the central portion. afterwards,
When the hand is released from the return button 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the seal portion 23 returns to its original shape due to its elasticity. Further, the main body shaft 22 of the return button 2 and the magnet 21 are retracted by the amount of movement of the central portion of the seal portion 23 to return to the original position.

According to the gas meter 1 for automatic meter reading of this embodiment, since the return switch 3 is operated by the magnetic field of the magnet 21, there is no need to provide a conventional switch operating shaft 925 or the like for limiting the pressing direction. , The lead pieces 31, 32 of the return switch 3 by the magnet 21 itself.
Can be reliably connected. Therefore, the number of components of the return button 2 can be reduced.

Since the magnet 21 need only be fixed to the main body shaft 22, there is no need to provide an engaging portion on either the main body shaft 22 or the magnet 21. Therefore,
The structure of the return button 2 can be simplified. In addition, since the main body shaft 22 can hold the magnet 21 with a simple structure, both can be easily assembled.

Further, the return button 2 can operate the return switch 3 without touching the return switch 3. Therefore, no excessive force is applied to the return switch 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the return switch 3 from being applied with an excessive force and causing the printed circuit board 39 on which the return switch 3 is mounted to break down.

The return button 2 has a seal 2
3 are arranged. Therefore, the space between the return button 2 and the mounting portion 6 can be sufficiently sealed. Also,
Both are closely contacted by the waterproof rib 237.
Therefore, the waterproofness can be more reliably improved.
As a result, the control chamber 69 is inserted from the through hole 61 of the mounting portion 6
It is possible to prevent rainwater and the like from entering the inside, and also prevent the printed circuit board 39, various sensors, and the like housed in the control room 69 from breaking down.

Further, since the main body shaft 22 and the seal portion 23 of the return button 2 are made of a weather-resistant synthetic resin, even if the automatic meter reading gas meter 1 is used for a long period of time, the main body shaft 22 and the seal member 23 are sealed. The deterioration of the elasticity of the portion 23 can be prevented.

Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a magnet 21 having a strong magnetic force is used as a magnet for the return button 2 and a partition wall is provided between the return button 2 and the return switch 3. 66 is interposed. That is, in the gas meter for automatic meter reading of the present embodiment, the through-hole 61 (FIG. 1) of the mounting portion 6 and the retaining rib 2 of the return button 2 in the first embodiment.
27, the waterproof rib 237 (FIG. 1) is not provided. The cylindrical body 62 of the mounting part 6 is provided with an annular groove 622 instead of the holding part 621, and the annular groove 622
The peripheral edge of the seal portion 23 is engaged. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, since the magnet 21 having a strong magnetic force is used as the magnet of the return button 2, the return button 2 is provided from outside the control chamber 69 via the partition 66 which is a non-magnetic material. , The return switch 3 can be operated. Therefore, the through hole 6
1 is not required. Also, a retaining rib 227 for preventing the return button 2 from falling out of the through hole 61 and the control chamber 69 from the through hole 61.
Waterproof ribs 237 for preventing infiltration of rainwater etc. into the inside
Need not be provided on the return button 2. Therefore, the return button 2 can have a simpler structure.

The return button 2 and the return switch 3 are arranged via a partition 66. for that reason,
The mounting portion 6 of the return button 2 can be sealed,
The waterproof property can be easily improved. Others have the same operation and effects as the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a return jig 7 is provided instead of the return button 2. That is, in the automatic meter reading gas meter of the present embodiment, the return jig 7 includes the magnet 71 and the main body shaft 72. On the other hand, the mounting portion 6 in contact with the return jig 7 does not have the annular groove 622 (FIG. 5) in the second embodiment. Others are the same as the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the return jig 7 and the return switch 3 can be opposed to each other with the partition wall 66 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the mounting portion 6 of the return jig 7 can be sealed, and the waterproof property can be easily improved.
The return jig 7 is provided without being fixed to the automatic meter reading gas meter. Therefore, return button 2
Need not be provided in the automatic meter reading gas meter, so that a more inexpensive automatic meter reading gas meter can be manufactured. Others have the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic meter reading gas meter having a return button or a return jig which has a small number of parts, has a simple structure, and is excellent in assemblability. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a cross section of a main part of a return button according to a first embodiment viewed from a plane direction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of a main part of a return button according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a control room of the gas meter for automatic meter reading according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view of the gas meter for automatic meter reading according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a cross section of a main part of a return button according to a second embodiment, viewed from a plane direction.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a cross section of a main part of a return jig according to a third embodiment viewed from a plane direction.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a cross section of a main part of a return button according to a conventional example viewed from the side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. . . Gas meter for automatic meter reading, 2. . . Return button, 21. . . Magnet, 22. . . Body axis, 23. . . 2. seal part, . . Return switch, 31, 32. . . Reed pieces, 5. . . Shut-off valve, 50. . . 5. gas flow path, . . Mounting part, 61. . . Through-hole, 62. . . Tubular body, 66. . . 6. partition walls; . . Returning jig, 71. . . Magnet, 72. . . Body axis,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Jiro Mizukoshi 2975 Motoe, Shintominato-shi, Toyama Toyo Gas Meter Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A shut-off valve for temporarily shutting off a gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, a reset switch for returning the shut-off valve to an original state, and a waterproof return for connecting a lead piece of the reset switch. An automatic meter reading gas meter having a button, wherein the return button includes a magnet disposed opposite to the return switch at an interval, a main body shaft holding the magnet, and a base end of the main body shaft. A gas meter for automatic meter reading, comprising: a sealing portion made of an elastic material extending in a radial direction. 2. The automatic meter reading gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the main body shaft and the seal portion of the return button are integrally formed of a synthetic resin or synthetic rubber having weather resistance. 3. A shut-off valve for temporarily shutting off a gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, a return switch for returning the shut-off valve to its original state, and a partition provided on the front face of the return switch. An automatic meter reading gas meter having a return jig for connecting a lead piece of a return switch, wherein the return jig holds a magnet facing the return switch via the partition and the magnet. A gas meter for automatic meter reading, comprising a main body shaft, wherein the return jig is provided without being fixed to the gas meter for automatic meter reading.